Content Warning: This episode discusses Postpartum Depression. We cover topics including mental health struggles and parental burnout. Please listen with care.

Building a career while navigating new motherhood can feel like an impossible balancing act. But for Courtney Nugent, an unexpected layoff at eight months pregnant became the catalyst for something transformative. After years of thriving in leadership roles at top tech companies, Courtney found herself at a crossroads, one that would reshape how she thought about work, family, and what success really means.

Courtney shares her journey of navigating career transitions during pregnancy and postpartum, and how she turned uncertainty into opportunity by building a more flexible, intentional work-life structure. She walks us through the emotional and mental weight of adjusting to motherhood, while staying professionally ambitious. She also opens up about the role self-care played in keeping her grounded and how she ultimately found peace in the unpredictability of it all.

This conversation allowed Courtney to open up about the mentors who shaped her path, the moment she chose to redefine success on her own terms, and why speaking honestly about the real challenges of modern motherhood isn't just personal. It's a call to action for workplaces everywhere.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Meet Courtney Nugent

(01:17) Courtney’s remote work setup explained

(04:42) On deciding when to have kids

(08:01) The challenges of pregnancy commutes

(12:13) Laid off at eight months pregnant

(17:16) Opening up about postpartum depression

(20:24) Planning a career return after birth

(23:59) The reality of prenatal depression

(26:07) Gaps in postpartum care system

(28:31) Challenges of job searching as a new parent

(33:22) Parenting roles shared out loud

(35:37) Navigating digital work boundaries

(38:22) Save of the week segment

Connect with Mallory Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorylee/

Connect with Shannon Curran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-sweeny-curran/

Connect with Courtney Nugent: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-steinkrauss/

Check out Blue Onion: https://www.blueonion.ai/

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

www.shareyourgenius.com

Building a career and raising a family can be a juggling act, but for Mel Goodman, it became a chance to create something meaningful after experiencing a major career crossroads. After spending years in the tech industry and leading teams, Mel found herself at a pivotal moment when she had to dissolve a team due to the effects of COVID-19.

Mel shares her journey of founding WorkMom, a business dedicated to helping women navigate career transitions while balancing motherhood. She walks us through the emotional challenges of redefining success and ambition, the importance of creating boundaries, and how she helps women make high-stakes decisions from a place of clarity and confidence.

Mel also opens up about the importance of support systems, her experience with modern motherhood, and the strategies she used to build a life that integrates both career fulfillment and family life.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Meet Mel Goodman

(02:49) How Shannon and Mallory connected in business

(05:11) Mel’s system for work-life balance

(07:19) From Salesforce to becoming a founder

(12:24) Navigating career crossroads after having kids

(13:58) Setting boundaries and creating family systems

(18:47) Dealing with confidence dips and mom brain

(23:06) Overcoming imposter syndrome after maternity leave

(26:49) Postpartum pressure, resentment, and career struggles

(27:52) Zooming out after setbacks in motherhood

(28:27) Learning from mistakes and mom perspective

(29:22) Morning chaos and celebrating small wins

(31:04) Addressing burnout and redefining success

(32:32) Managing energy, boundaries, and self-care

(39:46) Burnout impact and vision for working moms

(41:55) Designing life goals before work priorities

(44:27) Weekly saves, sleep tips, and working mom hacks

Connect with Mallory Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorylee/

Connect with Shannon Curran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-sweeny-curran/

Connect with Mel Goodman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melgoodman/

Check out WorkMom: https://www.workmom.io/thecollective

Try Riverside Pro free for a month with code fullstackmoms at https://creators.riverside.com/FullStackMoms

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

www.shareyourgenius.com

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s actually possible to build a high-growth tech company while raising a family, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know.

Join us as we talk with Alina Vandenberghe, Co-founder and CEO of Chili Piper, about what it really looks like to lead at the highest level while raising four kids. From navigating the constant tension between ambition and presence to redefining what success actually means, Alina shares how motherhood didn’t slow her down, it reshaped how she leads, thinks, and builds for the long term.

We also get into the real, unfiltered side of this journey: the mental load, the guilt, the tradeoffs, and the unexpected advantages. From building a remote-first company culture that supports parents to raising independent thinkers at home, Alina breaks down how she’s intentionally designing both her company and her life around what actually matters.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(00:53) Quick look into Alina’s family and daily life

(02:59) Becoming visible online and building a public presence

(12:35) Bringing kids into work and business environments

(22:20) How motherhood shaped her CEO mindset

(25:24) Running a company and parenting as co-CEOs

(28:29) Navigating mom guilt and self-judgment

(32:47) Raising kids to think independently

(36:57) Rethinking parental leave and workplace flexibility

Connect with Mallory Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorylee/

Connect with Shannon Curran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-sweeny-curran/

Connect with Alina Vandenberghe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinav/

Check out Chili Piper: https://www.chilipiper.com/

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

www.shareyourgenius.com