Happy Wednesday, friend! It's hard to believe we're in the home stretch of the sensational four-part series featuring Sarene Leeds from the Emotional Abuse is Real podcast.

If you haven't caught these insightful episodes, what are you waiting for? Go check out episodes 77, 80, 86, and now today's show, episode number 90. [Tune-in HERE now!]

LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | Any Player

As deep and sensitive as some of these topics are, I had a total blast covering them with Sarene and know these conversations are going to help lots of other mommas. Trust me, we discuss a number of critical topics I wish I would've had another mom's perspective on when I was expecting and also when my daughter was an infant.

For today, let's jump into an important dialogue where Sarene opens up about the seismic career shifts that come with mom life. Gone are the days of playing office politics and dragging ourselves through mind-numbing commutes. Say hello to the era of remote work, flexible schedules, and reclaiming our time!

The No-Office Revelation
Sarene’s story touches on career highs and inevitable transitions. Before motherhood, she was an entertainment journalist living the dream, writing about all things pop culture—a gig that sounds truly incredible, right? As soon as she stepped into the realm of motherhood, however, everything changed. From sleepless nights to navigating the early signs of autism, Sarene found the demands of her job clashed with her new mom responsibilities.

And let’s be real—how many of us have felt the sting of scheduling conflicts, the draining commutes, and the sheer exhaustion of trying to "do it all"? 🙋🏼‍♀️ The pandemic might have just been the unintentional wake-up call we all needed, highlighting the monstrous hamster wheel many of us were eager to leave.

Prefer to listen to this episode on YouTube?

Sarene’s Pivot to Freedom
As Sarene shared, her earlier life featured rounds of 24/7 entertainment journalism, deadlines, and assignments thrown at the last minute. The "last straw" came when an editor who was also a new mom (kind of ironic, don't you think?) couldn’t understand her lack of flexibility due to childcare constraints. Sarene’s career as she knew it was no longer sustainable. A part-time gig at another outlet and a graduate degree from NYU later, and voila—Sarene transformed her career into remote, flexible work.

Working from Home: The Game-changer
When Sarene elaborated on her current work-life balance, it became evident: flexibility isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Managing a neurodivergent child’s needs, therapy sessions, social groups, and still finding time to build her brand and podcast from home feels like lifting a mountain—but she’s doing it, and so can you!

This isn’t about ditching the office; it’s about reclaiming our identities, fulfilling our roles as mothers without compromise, and saying “no thanks” to mistimed meetings for good. And let’s not skip the part where work-from-home setups allow us to tackle household chores between meetings and other commitments—which feels like a win-win in any parent's playbook.

Emotional Abuse is Real: More Than A Passion Project
Let’s take a moment to highlight how Sarene manages to run "Emotional Abuse is Real." This project allows her to share her story and amplify the voices of many others who have felt silenced. Whether she’s detailing her own experiences or connecting with others, the podcast has become an invaluable outlet for healing and growth. (And let’s not forget, it was through podcasting that Sarene and I rekindled our connection. Gotta love those full-circle moments!)

Advice for Aspiring No-Office Moms
For those mamas dreaming of earning a living from the comfort of their homes but don’t know where to start—Sarene drops some important tips. If you’re employed by a company, build an argument rooted in logic, not emotion. Break down how you can be more productive at home (cue the elimination of the dreaded commute). And if freelancing is calling your name, strategize! Secure a solid client or part-time gigs to ensure there’s a plan behind your leap of faith.

Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.

Final Thoughts
Motherhood is packed with unpredictability and challenges, but it doesn’t mean our careers need to be sidelined. We can find a way to harmonize our professional and personal lives, and maybe, just maybe, thrive even more because of it.

Listen to today's full episode HERE.

Make sure to check out Sarene's podcast and follow her journey on Instagram.

Connect with Sarene Leeds:

I'd like to send a huge shoutout to Sarene for her raw and authentic insights throughout this four-part series. Let's hope we can have her back soon for another multi-part discussion!

Until next time, I hope you're having a delightful week! Remember—you've got this, momma! 🎉

-Krista-

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