The CPA MOMS Podcast

Being a working mom can feel like a never-ending juggling act. When my children were younger, I remember that some days, it was like no matter how early I woke up or how much I planned, there was still too much to do and not enough time to do it. I know I'm not the only one who's felt this way. You start the day with the best intentions, but by the time it's over, you're wondering where all the ho...

What if you could wake up knowing exactly what needed to get done instead of feeling like you were already behind? What if you could make life run more smoothly without adding more to your plate? The good news is, setting up better systems isn't complicated. You don't need fancy planners, expensive apps, or hours of extra time. All you need is a simple way to organize things so that your brain isn...

Think about the last time you laughed so hard with a friend that it felt like a weight was lifted off your shoulders. When was the last time you felt truly understood without having to explain yourself? These are the kinds of connections that can keep us grounded, even when life feels chaotic. Yet, for so many moms, it feels like friendships belong in the "someday" pile—the pile of things we'll ge...

Have you ever left work at a reasonable time to pick up your kids and felt like you were being silently—or not so silently—judged? Maybe a coworker makes a snide comment, or you get that look from someone as if to say, "Must be nice to leave early."  The thing is, juggling work and family is already hard enough without feeling like you're under a microscope. You're trying to do your best for your...

Let's talk about what it's like to feel stuck in a job you can't quit. It's one of those things that can weigh on you every single day, making it hard to focus on anything else. You might feel like you're just going through the motions, clocking in and out, while wishing things could be different. Maybe you've told yourself, "I have no choice," or "It's just how things are right now." If you've ev...

Have you ever thought about all the things you've done in the past year alone? Not just the big milestones but the small victories that probably felt insignificant at the time but added up to something incredible. Sometimes, we need a little nudge to stop and acknowledge ourselves. That's where the idea of a Reverse Bucket List comes in—a simple way to see your life through a more compassionate an...

Have you ever noticed how your brain can latch onto a single thought and refuse to let go? Maybe it's replaying an awkward moment, overthinking something you said, or obsessing about what someone else might be thinking. It's like a broken record, looping over and over, and no matter how hard you try, it just won't stop. This kind of mental replay can be exhausting. It's not just draining your ener...

As moms and accountants, we often feel like we're always running to keep up. There are deadlines to meet, kids to care for, and piles of things—both literal and figurative—demanding our attention. It's easy to feel stretched thin and wonder if there's another way. What if simplifying your surroundings could make life feel more manageable? What if letting go of the unnecessary could give you more t...

Have you ever wished that self-doubt would disappear and you'd be able to do what you want, when you want? Well, what if self-confidence isn't something you have to earn, but something you can create right now? Many people wait for external validation—like a promotion or praise—before feeling confident, but that approach keeps confidence just out of reach. True self-confidence isn't about knowing...

Have you ever stopped to think about the things you're doing now that once felt completely out of reach? It's amazing how often we achieve things we didn't think we could—until we actually did. Maybe it's juggling work and motherhood when you used to wonder how anyone did both. Or maybe it's tackling a job you once thought you weren't qualified for, managing a household during chaotic weeks, or ha...

Have you ever noticed how some thoughts just keep popping up, even when you're not trying to think them? It's like they're on autopilot, running quietly in the background while you go about your day.  And it's not just the good thoughts, either. It's often the worries, the doubts, and those sneaky self-criticisms that feel like they've set up camp in our minds.  As moms, we juggle so much, and it...

What if I told you there's a hidden factor behind why some days feel productive while others feel like a constant battle? It's not time management strategies or fancy apps—it's your emotions. Think about it—have you ever felt scattered, struggling to focus, only to realize later it was because of stress? Or felt guilty about work-life balance, and that guilt kept distracting you? These emotions st...

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with someone and felt this weird mix of guilt, frustration, or even self-doubt, but you couldn't quite put your finger on why? Maybe it was something subtle, like a comment that left you wondering if you've somehow let them down.  Or maybe they just hinted that you should be doing something differently, and suddenly, you're questioning yourself. I thin...

Have you ever wished you had just a little extra space in your life? Not more things to do, but more room to do them—more breathing room between tasks, more time to pause, and more energy left at the end of the day?  If that idea sounds like a distant dream, you're in good company. For so many working moms, especially those of us in demanding professions like accounting, the concept of having spac...

Let's talk about something we all think about as working moms—how our work life affects our kids. It's one of those topics that can stir up a mix of emotions: guilt, worry, and maybe even a little pride. If you've ever wondered how to make things easier for your kids when you're busy, you're in good company. The truth is, being a working mom is a balancing act that can feel impossible some days. Y...

We've all been there: a day packed with tasks, meetings, and responsibilities, yet somehow, at the end of it, we're left wondering, "What did I actually accomplish?" You're putting out fires all day long, crossing items off your to-do list, but there's still that nagging feeling that you didn't touch the things that truly matter—those goals that feel just out of reach. No matter how hard you work,...

If you've been following the CPA MOMS Podcast, you might know that I've interviewed Nicole Kehl twice - once as a new franchisee and once after her first year running her firm. This week I had the pleasure of interviewing her in her very exciting new role - as the new CEO of CPA MOMS! Nicole is a mom of two from Kentucky and became CPA MOMS' fourth founding franchisee, having previously struggled...

As working moms, we juggle so much—careers, families, relationships, and personal goals. It's easy to feel like real change is out of reach.  But here's the thing: the problem isn't that you're not trying hard enough. It's that most of us focus on what we do—our habits or routines—without addressing what's driving them. The truth is, lasting change doesn't come from doing more. It comes from under...

You know how planning always sounds like a great idea? You picture yourself with this perfectly organized schedule, effortlessly gliding through your day, getting everything done, and still having time to relax.  But then reality hits, and it feels like no matter how hard you try, planning just doesn't work the way you want it to. Today, I want to let you in on five secrets that can completely cha...

As a working mom, it's easy to feel like you're juggling a million things at once—work deadlines, family obligations, holiday preparations, and somehow trying to squeeze in a little time for yourself. It can often feel like no matter how much you do, there's always something left on your to-do list, and with that comes the sneaky feeling that you should be doing more. Sound familiar? But here's th...

e've all been there—whether it's a coworker, a family member, or even a fellow parent, some people just seem to drain our energy. As a working mom, your plate is already overflowing, and dealing with people who constantly bring negativity or stress into your life can feel like the last straw. It's tempting to call these individuals "toxic" and hope that avoiding them will make things better. But h...

Have you ever caught yourself spiraling in thoughts that seem to go absolutely nowhere? You know what I mean—those moments when your brain is running a marathon, but you're stuck at the starting line, feeling overwhelmed and unsure. One minute, you're thinking about something small, like forgetting to send an email, and the next thing you know, you've convinced yourself that your entire week is ru...

Have you ever really thought about whether your job defines who you are—or if it's just one part of your life? It's not something we usually stop to think about, but it's a big question, isn't it? We spend so much of our time working that it's easy to feel like our jobs are a huge part of our identity. But here's the thing—are they really all there is to us? Picture this for a second: if your job...

Do you ever wake up and find your mind already running at full speed? Before you've even had your first sip of coffee, you're already thinking about a million different things. It's like your brain hits the ground running the moment your eyes open. These early morning thoughts can set the tone for your entire day, whether you realize it or not. We all have those mornings where, as soon as we wake...

Think about how often you've set a goal, like starting a new exercise routine or trying to eat healthier, only to find yourself slipping back into old patterns. It can feel frustrating, like you're stuck in a loop, always wanting to improve but somehow ending up in the same place. This is something most of us experience at one time or another, and it's not about lacking the motivation to change—it...