#18: Redefining career, identity and purpose in motherhood with Neha Ruch

In this episode, I sit down with Neha Ruch — founder of The Power Pause (formerly Mother Untitled) and author of the USA Today bestselling book, The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids — and Come Back Stronger Than Ever.

Neha’s work is transforming how we think about motherhood, ambition, and identity in a world that often asks women to shrink themselves into boxes that no longer fit.

We explore what it means to claim agency, reconnect to self-worth, and expand the narrative for modern mothers — whether you’re working full-time, taking a pause, or figuring it out one step at a time.

This one will resonate deeply if you’ve ever felt caught between “doing it all” and wanting to do it your way.

🔑 Key Takeaways / Topics Covered:

• Neha’s journey from Silicon Valley to starting Mother Untitled and why she rebranded to The Power Pause
• What it really means to take a career pause — and why it’s often misunderstood
• The emotional cost of invisible labor and the pressure to justify your choices as a mom
• Why ambition doesn’t go away in motherhood — it just shifts form
• The impact of societal judgment and lack of supportive structures (like paid leave and childcare) on working mothers
• Powerful reframes for redefining success through each season of motherhood
• How to return to work in a way that feels empowered and aligned — not apologetic
• Reflections on redefining productivity, ambition, and enoughness in a culture that often measures us by outdated metrics

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Episode Resources:

Connect with Neha!

Sign up for her newsletter and check out her free resources on www.motheruntitled.com

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