From burnout, resentment, and near-breaking points to healing, thriving, and saving her marriage, this episode reveals how one working mom turned her struggle into a mission to transform childcare forever, exposing how a broken system pushes women out of the workforce and why hiring support isn't a luxury but a lifeline that empowers mothers to reclaim their careers, mental health, and identity without guilt.

"That support in the home actually gives me the time and capacity that I need for my professional pursuits alongside motherhood, so that I get to do both."-Stephanie Fornaro

What This Episode Offers:

• You're not failing as a mom, you're operating in a system that was never designed to support you
• Feeling like a "married single mom"? You're not alone, and there's a reason why
• Childcare isn't a luxury, it's the difference between burnout and balance
• Saying "I'll just do it all" is costing you more than you think, your mental health, marriage, and career
• The guilt around hiring help? It's learned, and it's keeping you stuck
• Most moms aren't leaving the workforce by choice, they're being pushed out by broken economics
• You're not paying for childcare, you're investing in your capacity, peace, and presence
• A full cup changes everything, how you show up for your kids, your partner, and yourself
• Support doesn't replace you as a mom, it allows you to be the mom you actually want to be
• The real flex isn't doing it all, it's knowing when to get help

About Stephanie Fornaro:

Stephanie Fornaro is the CEO of Hello Nanny! and founder of the Workforce Infrastructure Institute. After discovering firsthand the gap between childcare realities and outdated policies, she built a business and framework redefining childcare as essential economic infrastructure, not a personal expense.

Her Workforce Infrastructure Doctrine gives language to a challenge millions of working mothers face daily. Featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and 50+ outlets, Stephanie is a WBENC-certified founder and a strong advocate for caregivers, families, and women building businesses while raising them

Connect with Angela:

Book a Meeting: https://calendly.com/d/2ws-nj5-nwq/initial-consultation-call

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelatait/

Check out my Website: http://www.angelatait.com

Buy a copy of The Human Capital Playbook on Amazon! This book will teach you how to hire, inspire, and retain employees in your business: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4PMTFQB

This episode explores the realities of modern motherhood through the lens of leadership, ambition, and support. Ciara, a senior IT leader, business owner, and military spouse, shares how life as a military spouse, mother of young kids, and corporate leaders forced her to rethink productivity, delegation, and the invisible mental load many women carry. From building systems at home to empowering teams at work, she explains why asking for help, creating flexibility, and trusting women to lead can transform both family life and the workplace. At its core, the conversation is a powerful reminder that mothers don't have to do everything alone—and that investing in support can unlock the freedom to thrive both professionally and personally.

"It's also important to be the person that I want my children to emulate. Showing them what good looks like, that you can be a mom, that you can pursue your passions, that you can be a badass leader in the corporate world, whatever you want to do. Guess what? You can do it." - Ciara Skiles

What You'll Learn:

• The kind of career move most people don't see coming—and don't talk about
• Leaving a leadership role before burnout forces the decision
• What it actually looks like to build multiple income streams as a working mom
• The invisible mental load and why outsourcing isn't a luxury, it's a strategy
• Leading high-performing remote teams without micromanaging or losing connection
• The identity shift that happens when you stop chasing "should" and start choosing alignment
• Why investing in yourself isn't selfish, it needs to be the standard

About Ciara Skiles:

Ciara Skiles is a senior leader in consulting, founder of Plaît, and a proud military spouse navigating the beautiful chaos of career and motherhood. She leads high-performing teams by day and is building a brand designed to better support moms in early childhood. As a mom of two young children, Ciara is passionate about helping women thrive at home and at work—without sacrificing ambition, style, or themselves.

Connect with Ciara:

Website: http://www.madetoplait.com/

Linkedin: Ciara Skiles

Instagram: @madetoplaite

Connect with Angela:

Book a Meeting: https://calendly.com/d/2ws-nj5-nwq/initial-consultation-call

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelatait/

Check out my Website: http://www.angelatait.com

Buy a copy of The Human Capital Playbook on Amazon! This book will teach you how to hire, inspire, and retain employees in your business: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4PMTFQB

In this episode, Spencer, a working mom and leader, shares her honest journey of balancing career ambition and motherhood, from stepping away from the workforce to raise her kids to reentering and accelerating her career in leadership. She opens up about the sacrifices, identity shifts, and self-doubt that can come with being a working mom, while highlighting the power of authenticity, clear boundaries, supportive leadership, and community. Ultimately, it's a conversation about redefining success, giving yourself grace, and realizing that pursuing both family and professional fulfillment isn't a weakness, it's part of raising stronger, better humans.

"Set boundaries early and be steadfast about the boundaries that you're going to put in place." - Spencer Pierce

What We'll Cover:

• The identity shift between career and motherhood, and why you can't go back to who you were
• The pressure to "catch up" after stepping away, and why it's the wrong mindset
• The guilt behind "doing both"… and the truth no one says out loud
• Why boundaries aren't optional when you return, they're essential
• The silent pressure working moms carry (and how it shows up at work)
• The difference supportive leaders make in a working mom's career trajectory
• Why working moms aren't just balancing more, they're building better humans

About Spencer Pierce:

With over 15 years of experience across technology, marketing, professional services, and healthcare, Spencer is a strategic HR leader who helps organizations turn talent into a powerful driver of growth. She specializes in building high-impact development programs, leading large-scale organizational change, and navigating complex M&A integrations while protecting people and culture. By combining people analytics with clear storytelling, she helps leaders understand key drivers like retention, performance, and engagement so they can make smarter decisions that strengthen teams and fuel sustainable business growth. Outside of work, Spencer enjoys painting, writing, and reading.

Connect with Angela:

Book a Meeting: https://calendly.com/d/2ws-nj5-nwq/initial-consultation-call

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelatait/

Check out my Website: http://www.angelatait.com

Buy a copy of The Human Capital Playbook on Amazon! This book will teach you how to hire, inspire, and retain employees in your business: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4PMTFQB