Are you listening to this episode while simultaneously checking emails, making mental to-do lists, or feeling guilty that you're not doing enough? You're not alone! 🌟

In this powerful episode, I'm diving deep into why high-achieving working moms stay stuck in burnout cycles — even when they're succeeding by everyone else's standards — and helping YOU break through this burnout trap!

• Discover the surprising way hyper-achieving might be holding you back from what you truly want
• Identify your hidden fears about worth and identity that drive burnout cycles
• Redefine success based on internal fulfillment rather than external validation

1. Think about the last three times you pushed yourself to achieve more even though you were already exhausted. What exact thoughts were running through your mind in those moments?
2. What are you afraid would happen if you scaled back your achievements to prioritize your wellbeing? What part of your identity feels threatened by slowing down?
3. If your worth was completely separate from your achievements, what would success actually look like for you at work and at home? How would tomorrow be different?

Many of my clients were caught in cycles of proving themselves—trying to be the perfect mom, perfect employee climbing the corporate ladder, or never ruffling feathers—while missing what they truly wanted: acceptance, less pressure, and a feeling of ease and confidence regardless of what they're achieving.

It's time to finally start living a life you love!

📝 Free 5-Day Calm Mind Blueprint - Ease your way into emotional clarity in just 2 minutes a day!

💫 Peace and Confidence Collective - Now open at pre-sale prices! Join my intimate small group coaching where we dive deep into topics like this.

Remember: true success includes your wellbeing, not just your achievements.

I'll meet you back here next week with another 5-minute journal prompt flow to help you trust yourself and create the life you actually want!

Join my weekly newsletter with more strategic journal prompts → www.samanthapenkoff.com/prompts

You know that moment when you're frantically getting everyone out the door while your 7-year-old suddenly can't find their favorite shirt, your partner hasn't noticed the lunch boxes still need packing, and your work phone is already pinging with messages? That's not just chaos—it's a neurological perfect storm. Your cortisol is peaking, your executive function is overwhelmed, and your brain is desperately seeking control. No wonder you snap.

In this tactical finale of our Let Them Theory series, I'm giving you specific scripts, science-backed strategies, and real solutions for applying Mel Robbins' viral concept during your most triggering moments as a working mom.

• The Morning Rush Revolution: Why your brain is biologically wired for control during mornings and the 3-step approach that transforms chaos into calm—without requiring everyone to magically cooperate. Learn the science-backed "Let Them" technique actually builds stronger emotional regulation in your children while preserving your energy.
• The 5-Minute Work-Home Transition Ritual: Discover why women experience 30% more cognitive role transitions than men and how to consciously shift from your work mindset to your home presence without depleting yourself. I'll share the exact practice that helps my clients (and Mindy Kaling!) break free from constantly checking work emails and finally be present with their family.
• The Partnership Dynamic Shift: Learn communication scripts that create alignment without micromanagement, plus research-backed insights on addressing genuinely unfair household labor division. I'll reveal how my client Brittany transformed her relationship by breaking the "borrowed worthiness" cycle that had her walking on eggshells around her partner.

Plus, my signature 30-Second Reset technique that neurologically rewires your brain for greater calm and presence the moment you feel triggered to control a situation.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a practical toolbox for those moments when your energy gets hijacked by others, allowing you to move through your day with confidence instead of control.

Imagine six months from now—lighter mornings, more fulfilling work hours, and precious evening moments actually spent connecting rather than correcting.

This isn't about adding another technique to your already overflowing plate. It's about removing the exhausting pattern that's been draining you for years.

• Calm Mind Blueprint: My 5-day journaling challenge to break free from control patterns & overwhelm, with daily prompts and voice guidance via private podcast. www.samanthahawley.com/calm-mimd-pod
• Peace and Confidence Collective: Application now open for working moms ready to transform their relationship with control, overwhelm, and worth. Click here for no-strings-attached assessment
• Private Coaching: 2 spots available. Click for application

This episode is perfect for the working mom who's exhausted from trying to control everything and everyone—from chaotic mornings to misaligned partnerships. Ready to reclaim the energy you're wasting on trying to manage everyone else? This is your permission slip to let them...and finally focus on you.

Are you exhausted from trying to control (or manage) everyone and everything around you? That's so easy to do with all of our career & motherhood responsibilities. We think: if only everyone complied, they'd all be happier and everything would go so much smoother!

In this quick journaling session, we're applying Mel Robbins' viral "Let Them Theory" specifically to your life as a busy, overwhelmed, working mom.

If you find yourself constantly drained by trying to manage your boss's expectations, your partner's household contributions, and your children's behavior all at once - these prompts will help you reclaim your energy and focus on what you actually can control.

✨ In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to identify where your precious energy is being wasted
• A permission slip framework that changes your relationship with control
• How to create boundaries that actually work (without trying to control others)

Journal Prompts Included:

1. Think of one relationship or situation that consistently drains your energy. What specific expectation do you have that isn't being met? Now complete this phrase: "If I truly let them be who they are in this situation, I could redirect my energy toward..."
2. Write yourself a permission slip that begins with "I give myself permission to let them..." followed by the specific behavior you're trying to control. Then add "And instead, I will..." with one small concrete action that serves your wellbeing.
3. Identify one area where you've been trying to control others rather than setting a boundary. Write down: What I've been trying to change + What I can actually control + The exact words I'll use to express my boundary.

Resources Mentioned:

• FREE Calm Mind Blueprint: My 5-day journaling challenge to go from overwhelm to inner peace, with daily prompts and voice guidance via private podcast. Click here to start: www.samanthahawley.com/calm-mind-podcast

This episode is perfect for the working mom who's tired of giving her limited energy to fights she can't win. Give yourself these 5 minutes to remember that letting them be who they are doesn't mean giving up your power - it means reclaiming it.

Stay tuned for Part 3 next week (Tuesday!) where we'll apply this theory to your most triggering moments:

1. the morning rush when you're trying to get ready while simultaneously make lunches and put the kids' shoes on
2. work-to-home transition,
3. and partner expectations

It's going to be JUICY!!

Are you a working mom with Mel Robbins' "Let Them Theory" sitting half-read on your nightstand? You're not alone! In this first installment of my 3-part series, I'm breaking down how to actually apply the Let Them Theory to your chaotic working mom life to reclaim your precious energy.

As working moms, we're literally paid to manage things while simultaneously be responsible for small humans who need constant guidance. It's no wonder the concept of "letting them" feels impossible to implement!

But what if I told you that learning to let go of controlling others could be the key to feeling energized at the end of your day instead of completely depleted?

🔍 In this episode, you'll discover:

• The three key scenarios where working moms struggle most with letting go
• Research showing how trying to control others directly impacts your stress levels and energy
• My three-step framework to reclaim your energy using the Let Them Theory
• Real-life examples of transforming control statements into empowering "let them, let me" responses

I break down exactly how to catch yourself in real-time when you're trying to control others, assess what this control attempt is costing you energetically, and redirect that reclaimed energy toward what you actually can control.

This episode is perfect for you if you're tired of feeling drained by your attempts to manage everyone around you, and ready to transform your relationship with control so you can show up as the energized, present mom you want to be.

Stay tuned for Part 2 in two days where I'll guide you through powerful journal prompts to identify your control patterns, and Part 3 next week where I'll share specific strategies for your most triggering moments as a working mom.

Resources:

• Download the Calm Mind Blueprint: go from Overwhelm to Inner Peace in 2 mins/day for 5 days! Download here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podcast
• Let Them Theory book: https://a.co/d/aKIzTBA

Ways to work with Samantha:

1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 2 spots open. Apply here.

Emotionally Empowered: The BEST (and maybe only) journaling membership on the internet that focuses on taking your big emotions & situations and transforming them into the clarity + direction you need to get what you want...combined with a 24/7 uplifting community. You receive journal prompt flows, journaling workshops and special 'Breakthrough Themes'. Access it all with a 7 day FREE trial!

Ever catch yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone when you could be fully present with your kids? OR getting some "me time" in the morning before they're awake?

In this episode, I share the eye-opening conversation I had with an overwhelmed working mom who confessed that a "quick win" she'd LOVE to experience: to use her phone less and be more present in her life.

As busy moms juggling careers, households, and relationships, our phones often become both our escape and our secret saboteur. That quick dopamine hit of checking social media or emails might feel good in the moment, but it's stealing precious time you'll never get back with your family—and with yourself.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

• How creating a simple 5-second pause between urge and action can transform your relationship with technology
• Which self-sabotage patterns might be driving your phone habits (whether you're a restless type, hyperachiever, avoider, or overthinker)
• A powerful visualization technique that dramatically increases your chances of making different choices

I guide you through specific journaling prompts designed to help you identify your phone habits, understand what's really going on beneath the surface, and create intentional pauses that allow your inner wisdom to emerge instead of drowning it out with digital noise.

Journal Prompt Flow:

1. What moments do you reach for your phone without realizing it, and how does it feel?
2. What are you avoiding in those moments? (Then go deeper—what are you REALLY avoiding?)
3. Imagine creating a 5-second pause before grabbing your phone—what might arise in that space?
4. Pick one time you mindlessly grab your phone and visualize choosing differently

Resources Mentioned:

• Calm Mind Blueprint: Work through overwhelming emotions in just 10-15 minutes or treat it as a 2 minute/day, 5 day challenge (with daily email reminders!)
• Coming next week: Special three-part series on applying Mel Robbins' "Let Them Theory" to your life. SUBSCRIBE to Journal Entries to make sure you tune in!

Click to register for the Free 20-min Journaling Workshop: "How to Feel Like You're Doing Enough" (May 7th at 1:30 PM est)

Ever felt that panic when thinking about stepping away from social media? Or "I could NEVER!" In this raw and revealing episode, I share my journey of taking a full social media detox—deleting Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest from my devices.

I dive deep into the real fears that surfaced (hello, sweaty palms and racing thoughts!) when I decided to disconnect from platforms I've relied on for 12+ years for both business and personal connections. If you've ever felt tethered to your phone or caught in the endless scroll cycle, this episode will resonate deeply.

• The surprising fears that emerged when I decided to delete social media 😰
• The "universe winks" that confirmed I was on the right path despite my anxiety
• 5 powerful lessons I've already learned just days into my detox
• Why most of us have become "insensitive" to genuine connection on social platforms
• Journal prompts to help you examine your own relationship with technology and habits

I also share how this challenge from my business coach to "stop doing the shoulds" completely transformed how I view my business and led to this experiment that's already changing everything!

1. Write a list of your thoughtless daily habits (both good and bad)
2. Which habits have you forgotten the power of?
3. If you could rewrite what these habits mean to you, what would change?

• Calm Mind Blueprint - My free resource with the 5 specific prompts I use to work through big emotions and decisions
• Free 20-min Strategic Journaling Workshop - "How to Feel Like You're Doing Enough" (May 7th at 1:30 PM EST)
• Work with me 1:1 - apply for one of the 2 spots left open in May

Ready to examine your own relationship with social media and rediscover what matters most? This episode might just inspire your own digital reset!

Feeling like there are too many tabs open in your brain? 📂 You're not alone. In this focused 5-minute journaling episode, I'm tackling the #1 emotion I hear from ambitious, goal-oriented working moms: overwhelming overwhelm.

When your to-do list never ends and everyone needs a piece of you, overwhelm isn't just an emotion—it's a constant state of being. But what if 5 minutes with your journal could help you find the breathing room you've been desperately seeking?

⏱️ In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to identify exactly what's causing your overwhelm (it might not be what you think)
• What your overwhelm is actually trying to tell you about your deeper needs
• Small daily moments that secretly feed your stress levels
• How to reclaim just 15 minutes of emotional energy each day (and what to do with it)

I guide you through four powerful prompts designed to help you not just acknowledge your overwhelm, but actually start dismantling it—creating space for genuine peace and presence in your busy life.

1. When was the last time you felt completely overwhelmed? What was happening? (Free write about the situation and emotions)
2. If your overwhelm could speak directly to you about what you truly need right now, what message would it be trying to deliver?
3. What small moments throughout your day unintentionally feed your sense of overwhelm, and which one could you approach differently tomorrow?
4. If you could reclaim just 15 minutes of emotional energy tomorrow, how would you spend it in a way that reconnects you with yourself?

• Free Calm Mind Blueprint: My 5-day journaling challenge with daily prompts and voice guidance to take you from overwhelm to inner peace in just 2 minutes a day. Click here to download it and start your first prompt!

This episode is perfect for the woman who's tired of carrying the mental load for everyone and ready to create space for herself without dropping any balls. Give yourself these 5 minutes—I promise your overwhelm will still be there when you're done, but you'll have a clearer path through it.

You know those times when you question if you're on the right path, or what if you're living someone else's version of your life? In this episode, I sit down with Giovanna Silvestre, founder of Confused Girl in the City and soon-to-be published author, who shares her remarkable journey from deep depression to discovering her authentic self-worth.

Giovanna's story of breaking free from what she calls "the dark night of the LA soul" offers a roadmap for any woman who's feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from her true desires.

We dive deep into:

• 💫 How to recognize when you're living based on others' expectations instead of your soul's calling
• 🎒 A powerful visualization technique to release shame and guilt that's been weighing you down
• 📝 The "Loving Yourself Checklist" to overcome imposter syndrome and build lasting self-worth
• 💬 Why speaking up for yourself isn't "crazy" (and how women are redefining relationship dynamics)
• 🌱 The courage to let go of certain dreams to create space for new ones that truly align with your soul

If you've ever questioned your worth, felt lost in the demands of daily life, or found yourself going through the motions on autopilot, this conversation offers practical tools to reconnect with your authentic self and rediscover joy in your everyday experiences.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book Giveaway: Pre-order Giovanna's book "Confused Girl: Find Your Peace in the Chaos" and be entered to win a 2-night oceanfront stay in Maui plus a $100 gift card to her crystal-infused activewear line! Details in the episode | Click here to enter!!
• Pre-order Giovanna's book here
• Follow Giovanna on Instagram @confusedgirlla
• Sam's Calm Mind Blueprint: Start the 5 Day Challenge

Ways to work with Samantha:

1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 3 spots open. Apply here.

Emotionally Empowered: The BEST (and maybe only) journaling membership on the internet that focuses on taking your big emotions & situations and transforming them into the clarity + direction you need to get what you want...combined with a 24/7 uplifting community. You receive journal prompt flows, journaling workshops and special 'Breakthrough Themes'. Access it all with a 7 day FREE trial!