This Is How She Does It!

EP: 14 Making Space for Your Passions While Raising Kids with Nev Tomic

Welcome back to This Is How She Does It with your host, Angela Lee. Today’s guest is the incredible Nev Tomic—senior manager of advanced analytics at Bright Horizons, clean beauty entrepreneur, pageant queen, and mom of two young boys.
Born in Serbia and now living in the U.S., Nev shares her inspiring story of balancing motherhood with a successful corporate career, launching a mission-driven cosmetics brand, and becoming a licensed caregiver for a family member. Her journey is a powerful reminder that women can create space for passion, purpose, and ambition—on their own terms.
In this conversation, Nev opens up about:
How personality tests and self-awareness helped her understand her triggers and set boundaries that support her success
Why your environment can make or break your productivity
What competing in Mrs. Serbia World and Miss Universe Serbia taught her about becoming the best version of herself
How she manages mom guilt, protects time for her passions, and builds community
And the importance of honoring life’s seasons—the ones that demand hustle and grit, and the ones that invite rest and reflection
Whether you’re dreaming of entrepreneurship, craving more balance, or curious about how pageantry fits into a busy mom’s life—this episode will inspire you to chase what lights you up and trust that it’s okay to ebb and flow.
 
Key Timestamps
[7:25] –  Balancing Motherhood and Career
[14:43] – Unexpected Pageant Journey
[21:23] – Passion Fuels Success and Hard Work
[31:09] – Managing Anxiety for Productivity
[35:04] – Enneagram Enhanced My Marriage Understanding
[42:38] - Full Circle Prioritizing Journey
 
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn and drop me a message to let me know what other topics you'd like me to cover or share a recommendation for my next podcast guest!
 
 

EP: 13 How to Make Confident Decisions for Your Family and Career as a Working Mom with Michele Elms

Angela is joined by Michelle Elms—a single mom of three, a full-time physician assistant, and caregiver to her mother. Michelle shares how she balances it all by tuning into her inner wisdom, asking for help, and making bold choices that align with her family’s needs.
Michelle’s story is anything but typical, and that’s exactly why you need to hear it. In this episode, we talk about how she keeps it all moving—not through perfection, but through self-trust, clear boundaries, and a community she’s built through generosity and grace.
Tune in to learn more about:
Why it’s okay (and often necessary) to shift jobs or career paths depending on your season of life
How to navigate parenting children with special needs, including advocating for them in school and accessing resources
The importance of tuning into your inner voice—and how to tell the difference between what you want and what others expect of you
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn and drop me a message to let me know what other topics you'd like me to cover or share a recommendation for my next podcast guest!

EP: 12 Why High-Achieving Women Feel Stuck—and How to Release Trapped Emotions with Andrea Andree

Why do so many high-achieving women feel stuck, even when they’ve done everything "right"?
In this episode of This Is How She Does It, host Angela Lee speaks with Andrea Andree, a former corporate engineer who left behind logic, structure, and overachievement to follow a more intuitive, embodied path. Today, she helps analytical women reconnect with their inner wisdom by releasing trapped emotions and tuning into the subtle signals of the body.
You’ll hear Andrea’s journey from burnout to breakthrough, and learn practical tools to break free from emotional patterns and rediscover your purpose.
In this episode, we cover:
Why yelling at your kids may be a sign of trapped trauma stored in the body
What to do when you feel stuck or unfulfilled—and the real first step toward clarity
Why your brain isn’t built to make big decisions—and how your body holds the answers
How Andrea helps ambitious women shift from “achievement mode” to embodied fulfillment
Whether you're burned out, overwhelmed, or just wondering if there’s more to life than your to-do list, this conversation is your invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with what truly matters.
 
Connect with Andrea Andree: 
Website: https://andreaandree.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-andree/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsgonequantum/
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn and drop me a message to let me know what other topics you'd like me to cover or share a recommendation for my next podcast guest!
 
 

EP: 11 How to Pause Your Career Without Losing Momentum (or Yourself) with Jennifer DeMelo

In today’s episode, Angela sits down with Jennifer DeMelo—a seasoned professional, mother of three, and master of the real-life juggle—for a candid, heartfelt conversation about career breaks, motherhood, and what it really means to redefine success.
Jennifer opens up about her decision to take extended time off after the birth of each child, the fears and societal pressures that came with stepping away, and the liberating truth she wishes more women embraced: your career will still be there.
From the emotional rollercoaster of reentering the workforce to the quiet power of saying no, Jennifer shares how her priorities shifted, what kept her grounded, and how she built professional credibility without sacrificing her values or her time with family. With warmth and wisdom, she reminds us that motherhood is not a career setback—it's a reframe.
Whether you’re on the verge of a pause, returning to work, or simply navigating the chaos of career and kids, this episode is packed with perspective, encouragement, and practical insight for doing it all—on your own terms.
Key Takeaways:
Why building credibility and nurturing your network matters more than ever
How to stop making decisions from fear and start trusting your path
The freedom that comes from setting boundaries and saying no with confidence
🎧 Tune in for a conversation that feels like a deep exhale—and a reminder that your timeline is your own.
 
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn and drop me a message to let me know what other topics you'd like me to cover or share a recommendation for my next podcast guest!
If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you will share it with a friend and leave a review on iTunes!

EP: 10 Who Holds Space for Moms? Burnout, Boundaries & Showing Up Fully with Christine Anastasia

In this powerful episode of This Is How She Does It, host Angela Lee is joined by Christine Anastasia, Master Certified Life Coach and advocate for overwhelmed working moms. Together, they dive into the emotional weight women carry in both their personal and professional lives—and ask the important question: Who holds space for the caregivers?
Christine shares her journey from burnout to balance and offers a compassionate, realistic approach to managing motherhood, career, and self-worth. They unpack everything from mental health and mindset shifts to the outdated systems that working moms are trying to survive within.
If you've ever felt like you're holding everything together for everyone else while silently falling apart, this episode is your reminder that you deserve to be seen, heard, and supported too.
💡 Top Takeaways:
Why it's time to show up as your whole self—at work and at home
The connection between self-talk, mindset, and emotional resilience
How to find (and be) the person who can truly hold space for others
The power of sitting with discomfort and honoring your boundaries
Why your well-being isn’t optional—it’s essential
✨ Christine’s work is rooted in simplicity, honesty, and self-compassion—reminding us that healing happens in the messy middle. Be sure to check out the 7-day self-care mini course on her website
More Ways to Connect with Christine: 
💬 Instagram at @villagecoachmamma💬 LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineanastasia.
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn and drop me a message to let me know what other topics you'd like me to cover or share a recommendation for my next podcast guest!

EP: 9 Leading with Vulnerability: How to Thrive in a High-Powered Career While Raising a Family with Ilana Gotlib

In this inspiring episode of This Is How She Does It, host Angela Lee welcomes her close friend and powerhouse professional Ilana Gotlib, Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development at Stryker.
Ilana shares the real talk behind her impressive career journey—what it takes to succeed in a high-impact role while raising a family, setting boundaries, and staying grounded. Together, Angela and Ilana unpack the messy magic of doing both motherhood and leadership on their own terms.
You’ll learn about Ilana’s Four Pillars of Success—organization, delegation, definition, and preservation—and how they help her make bold decisions, protect her time, and lead with purpose.
They also discuss:🌱 The power of empathy and authenticity in leadership🌱 The critical role of a strong support system—and why it’s okay to ask for help
🌱Raising strong, independent daughters without defaulting to outdated gender roles
This episode is a must-listen for ambitious women balancing big goals with full lives. Whether you’re managing a boardroom, a playroom, or both—you’ll walk away feeling seen, supported, and inspired.
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn and drop me a message to let me know what other topics you'd like me to cover or share a recommendation for my next podcast guest!
 

EP: 8 Building Strong Parent-Child Relationships with Dr. Maureen O’Brien

Welcome back to This Is How She Does It with your host, Angela Lee! In this heart-centered and wisdom-packed episode, Angela is joined by Maureen O’Brien, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist, parenting expert, and founder of Destination Parenting.
With over 30 years of experience and personal insight as a mom of twins, Maureen shares powerful tools to help parents better understand and support their children’s emotional and social development—while also caring for their own well-being.
Together, they explore:🎯  The foundational importance of early parent-child relationships🎯  How to rebuild connection after hard moments🎯  Navigating different parenting styles with your partner🎯 Managing your own expectations and emotions as a parent
Whether you're in the thick of toddlerhood or navigating the tween years, this episode offers practical, grace-filled guidance to help you show up as the parent you want to be.
🔊 Tune in and walk away with real-world wisdom, encouragement, and a deeper sense of connection—to yourself and your kids.
 
Connect with Maureen on LinkedIn or visit her website: www.destinationparenting.com
 
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn and drop me a message to let me know what other topics you'd like me to cover or share a recommendation for my next podcast guest!

EP: 7 Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Aurore Joshi on Career Sacrifices and Family Priorities

In this heartfelt episode of This Is How She Does It, host Angela Lee sits down with one of her dearest friends, Aurore Joshi, for a raw and deeply personal conversation about navigating life as part of the sandwich generation—balancing a thriving career while caring for aging parents and raising young children.
As the Director of Content Marketing at Bright Horizons, Aurore’s professional journey has been anything but linear. From her early days as a journalist in France to a career in content strategy in the U.S., she has built an impressive career while managing the intense personal demands of family life.
Aurore opens up about the emotional and logistical challenges of caregiving, the guilt and self-doubt that often come with it, and how she has learned to redefine success on her own terms. She shares her approach to prioritization, self-care, and seeking support, offering real, actionable strategies for anyone juggling multiple responsibilities.
Whether you're balancing career ambitions with family obligations, struggling with the pressures of caregiving, or simply looking for ways to make time for yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom, relatability, and inspiration.
✨ Key Takeaways:
How to manage the dual responsibilities of caring for parents and children without losing yourself.
Practical self-care strategies and the power of asking for help.
Embracing life’s unpredictability and redefining success beyond societal expectations.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stretched thin—tune in for a conversation full of honesty, encouragement, and permission to do things your way.
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn!

EP: 6 Creating Systems for a More Productive & Efficient Home with Kelly Hubbell

"I believe right now there's a really interesting shift happening where people are sort of seeking solutions outside of the traditional childcare and instead they are really open to solutions around how they can spend more time with their kids, spend more time doing what they love, and sort of get other things off of their plate and sort of reclaim their time."
- Kelly Hubbell
 
Welcome to another episode of This Is How She Does It with your host, Angela Lee. Today, Angela sits down with Kelly Hubbell, a mom of three and the visionary founder of Sage Haus. Kelly's mission is to help busy parents reclaim their time and energy by outsourcing the mental load and building their village of support, regardless of budget constraints. With a background in software sales, Kelly left her corporate career to pursue Sage Haus full-time, focusing on helping parents find house managers and family assistants. She shares her journey from the high-pressure world of software sales to creating a platform dedicated to empowering parents with practical home systems and partner collaboration strategies. 
Throughout the conversation, Kelly gets real about the mental load, parental guilt, and the societal pressures moms face. She also provides insights into how she successfully transitioned from chaos to control in her own household. Whether you’re looking for solutions to manage your home, need practical advice on hiring extra help, or seeking ways to alleviate some of that parental stress, Kelly’s story offers a treasure trove of strategies and inspiration. Tune in to discover how you can start building your own village and reclaiming your precious time.
Key Takeaways:
Importance of hiring and building a village to support your personal and family needs
How to build home systems that are organized and maintained
Prioritizing self-care and personal identity
Episode Resources
Following Kelly on her Instagram: @mysagehaus
All of Kelly’s FREE offerings right here: @Kellyhubbell.com
Connect with Angela:
💬 I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn!

EP: 5 Balancing Career Demands and Family Needs: Lessons from HR Expert Jill Vallerand

In this episode of This Is How She Does It, host Angela Lee sits down with friend, Jill Vallerand, an HR Program Manager at Meta and a mom of two, to talk about career pivots, setting boundaries, and balancing ambition with family life.
Jill shares her unexpected journey—from studying pharmacy to discovering her passion for HR through a co-op internship in college. She reflects on the strategic career moves that shaped her path, the pivotal transitions that led her to Meta, and how she’s navigated the evolving demands of work and motherhood.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Jill transitioned from pharmacy to a thriving HR career✅ The power of setting boundaries to create space for both career and family✅ Why supporting women in the workplace is critical for success✅ The importance of being intentional with family time—and how Jill makes it work✅ How resilience and adaptability can shape both your professional and personal growth
This is an inspiring conversation packed with real-life lessons, practical insights, and encouragement for working moms who are navigating their own journeys.
Connect with Angela:
💬 What did you think of this episode? I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn!