This Is How She Does It! Helping Corporate Working Moms Move from Burnout, Overwhelm and Mental Load to Balance and Abundance

In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela Lee sits down with Ellie Holbert, founder of Impact Advisory Services, to talk about leaving a corporate consulting career just before her daughter's first birthday and building an independent consulting business from scratch.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why Ellie sees a difference between capacity and capability, and why becoming a mom shrank one and expanded the other
How Ellie rebuilt her pipeline to $1.5 million in fourteen weeks after her first big contract was cancelled
Why she believes clients buy the business problem you solve, not the job title you hold
How she talks openly about medication and mental health as part of what helps her feel like herself
Why she no longer waits to feel confident or ready before making a decision
Connect with Ellie Holbert:
LinkedIn
Instagram: @independentconsultantmom
Connect with Angela:
I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram 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!
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In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela Lee sits down with returning guest Hannah Morgan to explore the connection between mental load, ADHD, executive functioning, accountability, and the execution gap that can keep high-achieving women from turning their goals into action.
Hannah shares how her work has evolved from helping busy families manage the invisible mental load to supporting high-achieving leaders and executives, especially those with ADHD, to create the systems, accountability, and focus they need to move from intention to execution.
Angela and Hannah dive into executive functioning, the evolving understanding of ADHD, and why the right systems aren’t about squeezing more productivity out of your life—they’re about creating the support you need to make life and work actually work for you.
They also get real about the invisible and emotional labor women carry at home, redefining family roles, creating true partnership, and making room for joy beyond the never-ending to-do list.
Because sometimes the answer isn’t another productivity hack, it’s having the right systems, support, and accountability to help you actually do the thing.
In this episode, we explore:
Why the best system is the one you’ll actually use
The gap between knowing what to do and being able to execute it
How accountability can make goals feel achievable instead of overwhelming
Executive functioning and the evolving conversation around ADHD
Why systems can transform family life—not just business
The invisible and emotional labor women carry at home
Rethinking traditional family roles and creating true partnership
How to stop “doing two jobs” and build a life that leaves room for fulfillment and joy
If you’re a high-achieving woman who is tired of holding everything together, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what might actually need to change—not just in your calendar, but in the way you’re supported.
Connect with Hannah Morgan:
Heronhousemanagment.com
Podcast: Destress the Nest
IG: @heronhousemanagement
Connect with Angela:
I’d love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram and let me know what topics you’d like me to cover or who I should have on next!
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Have you ever rewritten the same to-do item on your planner for four weeks straight and felt frustrated that the task was not getting checked off?
In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela sits down with time management expert Megan Sumrell to unpack why the daily to-do list is broken for working moms, and what to do instead.
Megan spent over 20 years in corporate software, until a stranger at the park asked her a simple question: "What do you do for fun?" She realized she didn't have an answer, and that was her wake up call to find a way to plan her days with more meaning and intention.  Taking her operations and systems background she built something new: a planning approach designed specifically for women, since most productivity systems on the market were built by men, for men.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why daily to-do lists ignore decision fatigue and set you up to feel like you're failing every single day
What "uncertainty time" is and how protecting it on your calendar stops you from staying up late or waking up early to catch up
Why Megan calls part of her week "household COO time," and how naming it changed the conversation with her partner
Why rest is fuel, not a reward, and why so many women can't actually relax even when they have the time
About Megan Sumrell:Megan Sumrell spent more than 20 years building calm out of chaos in corporate software teams before becoming a mother reshaped how she saw her own time. She's the founder of The Pink Bee planning system and app, and the host of the Work-Life Harmony podcast, where she teaches women a way of managing time that actually accounts for the reality of their lives.
Connect with Megan Sumrell:
Podcast - Work + Life Harmony
ThePinkBee App (can be found on App Store and Google Play)
IG: @megansumrell and _thepinkbee_
Connect with Angela:I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram and let me know what topics you'd like me to cover, or share a recommendation for my next guest.
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In case you missed it, here's an encore episode with Dr. Anne Welsh, whose new book, Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home just launched last week!
In this inspiring and deeply validating conversation, Angela sits down with Dr. Anne Welsh to explore what it really means to be an ambitious working mother today.
Together, they unpack the shift from the “motherhood penalty” narrative to the motherhood advantage — and how motherhood and career growth can actually strengthen each other rather than compete. Instead of forcing women to separate their identities at work and at home, Dr. Welsh explains how integration leads to greater impact, fulfillment, and even better health outcomes.
They also dive into the Ambition Paradox — the cycle of chasing external achievements while feeling increasingly disconnected internally and introduce the concept of Healthy Striving: ambition rooted in alignment, purpose, and emotional connection instead of burnout and exhaustion.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why motherhood can enhance leadership, empathy, and decision-making at work
How career ambition can positively shape how we show up as parents
The hidden emotional cost of constant achievement chasing
Practical mindset and behavior shifts to move from surviving to thriving
If you’re a working mom, leader, or woman who wants success and fulfillment, this is a must-listen conversation.
Connect with Anne Welsh:
Anne's Website
Purchase her new book here! Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home
Connect with Angela:
I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram 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!
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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and write a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback will help us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela sits down with Marcia Mantell, a retirement planning expert with over 30 years in financial services and a former VP at Fidelity Investments, to talk about the money conversations most working moms never have.
Marcia has two grown daughters now, and left her corporate career when her eldest was starting high school. Marcia shares why having the flexibility to be home during those teenage years were critical and how she built a "Freedom Fund" that allowed her to make this transition possible.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why Marcia built a "Freedom Fund" which allowed her to leave her corporate job when the time was right
A simple way to calculate your own retirement number 
The difference between a traditional 401k and a Roth IRA, and why you need both plans
How to create a retirement plan that will all you to "set it and don't check it"
Marcia's honest answer to whether working moms can really have it all
Connect with Marcia:
Blog:  BoomerRetirementBriefs.com
Website: MantellRetirementConsulting.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciamantell/
Connect with Angela:I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram and let me know what topics you'd like covered next, or share a guest recommendation.
Subscribe & Leave a Review!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform. It helps this show reach more people who need it.

Have you ever felt like you and your partner are speaking two completely different languages, even when you're both trying?
In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela Lee sits down with married couple Andrew and Kiana Joyner, who combine therapy and coaching to help couples communicate more effectively. Andrew brings 16 years of corporate HR and leadership experience, and Kiana brings her clinical background as a therapist, and together they've built a framework they use with clients and in their own 13-year marriage.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why some partners are "thinkers" and some are "feelers," and why that mismatch causes circular arguments
The "Take the Step" method for getting unstuck when you know something needs to change but don't know where to start
Why leading with accountability for impact, before explaining your intent, changes the whole conversation
How to shift a marriage from a competitive dynamic to a collaborative one
Why household logistics (who cooks, who cleans, who manages what) quietly become a source of resentment when they're never actually discussed
Ready to understand your own patterns in relationships and beyond?
Take the Quiet Shift Quiz to find out where you're starting from.
Connect with Andrew & Kiana Joyner:
Soul Journey Therapy & Coaching Services
Website: www.souljourneyproject.com 
Instagram: @souljourneyproject 
Connect with Angela:I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram and let me know what topics you'd like covered next, or share a guest recommendation.
Subscribe & Leave a Review!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform. It helps this show reach more people who need it.

What if feeling healthier wasn't about following another diet, but about learning to trust your body?
In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela Lee sits down with wellness mentor Lindsey Kaszuba to discuss intuitive eating, sustainable healthy habits, and creating lasting energy without the all-or-nothing approach.  Lindsey shares how motherhood transformed her relationship with food and wellness, and why small, intentional changes lead to the biggest results.
You'll learn:
What intuitive eating really looks like
How to recognize your body's signals for energy, hunger, and stress
Why sustainable habits outperform perfection
How to model a healthy relationship with food and body image for your children
If you're ready to stop chasing quick fixes and start building a healthier, more energized life, this episode is for you.
Connect with Lindsey Kaszuba:
Website: lindseykaszubahealth.com
Instagram: @lindseykaszubahealth
Body Talk Cheat Sheet: Body Talk Cheat Sheet
Connect with Angela:
I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram 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!
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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and write a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback will help us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Sign up for the RISE: The Happiness Summit here: www.helloaudreyrose.com/risesummit
Angela's episode on Daffney's podcast: Working Moms and the Mental Load No One Talks about
 
In this powerful episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela sits down with performance advisor and Don't F*kn Shrink podcast host Daffney Allwein to explore what it really means to reclaim your identity, trust your body, and stop living according to everyone else's expectations.
Daffney works with high-performing professionals, including CEOs, attorneys, politicians, and executives, to optimize their health, mindset, and performance. But as you'll hear in this conversation, sustainable success doesn't come from pushing harder, it comes from reconnecting with yourself.
Together, Angela and Daffney dive into why so many women were conditioned to stay quiet, play small, chase perfection, and measure their self worth by productivity. They discuss how learning to listen to your body, honor your unique energy, and let go of old conditioning can become the most healing medicine of all.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why high achievement doesn't have to come at the expense of your health and happiness
How reconnecting with your body can transform your confidence and decision-making
The hidden cost of perfectionism and people-pleasing
How Human Design can help you better understand yourself and your natural strengths
Why your children often reflect the healing you're being invited to do
Practical ways to quiet your inner critic and redefine success on your own terms
Connect with Daffney Allwein:
Podcast: Don't F*kn Shrink
Instagram: dontfknshrinkpodcast 
Connect with Angela:
I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram 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!
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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and write a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback will help us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

What happens when you've checked every box for success but still feel empty inside?
In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela Lee sits down with executive coach and Unchecking the Boxes author Coco Duan to explore the hidden cost of high achievement. After rising to the top as a Fortune 500 executive, Coco realized that external success couldn't fill the void created by years of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and "good girl" conditioning.
Together, they discuss how to unlearn limiting patterns, build authentic self-trust, and redefine success on your own terms. If you're ready to stop performing and start creating a life that feels deeply aligned, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why external success doesn't always lead to fulfillment
How to break free from people-pleasing and perfectionism
What it takes to build a life rooted in joy, purpose, and authentic confidence
Connect with Coco Duan:
LinkedIn
Book a Clarity Call
Unchecking the Boxes: Stop Proving, Pleasing, and Performing to Live on Your Own Terms
Connect with Angela:
I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram 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!
Subscribe & Leave a Review!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and write a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback will help us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

🎉 Podcast Giveaway! 🎉
To celebrate this episode, we're giving away a signed copy of Danielle Frank's book, A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting, plus a $25 Total Wine gift card!
How to enter:
Leave a review for This Is How She Does It on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Take a screenshot of your review.
Email your screenshot to angela@angelaleecoaching.com.
📅 Entries close on July 9, 2026.🎁 One lucky winner will be selected in a live drawing on July 10, 2026 and notified by email.
Your reviews help more women discover the podcast, and I appreciate every single one. Good luck—and cheers! 🍷✨
——————————In this episode of This Is How She Does It, Angela Lee sits down with Danielle Frank, who went from working red carpets at Miramax to building some of the world's most iconic luxury wine and spirits brands, including Dom Pérignon and Moët & Chandon.
Danielle shares the pivots, risks, and unexpected opportunities that shaped her career, along with the lessons she’s learned about embracing change, building meaningful connections, and finding joy in every season of life. She also reads from her humorous book, A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting, offering a refreshing perspective on parenting, community, and why a little laughter can go a long way.
Whether you're navigating a career transition, redefining success, or simply looking for inspiration to embrace what's next, this conversation is full of wisdom, warmth, and a few laughs along the way.
Key Takeaways:
Why career reinvention is often the path to unexpected growth and fulfillment.
How building a diverse community helps you navigate life's biggest transitions.
The role humor plays in managing challenges and staying grounded.
Why modeling kindness may be one of the most important legacies we leave behind.
Connect with Danielle Frank:
Book: A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting
Website
Connect with Angela:
I'd love to hear from you! Come find me on LinkedIn or Instagram 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!
Subscribe & Leave a Review!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and write a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback will help us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!