For many, parenthood includes hitting pause on your career. But does it have to impact your professional identity? On this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to explore how intentional career breaks for motherhood can redefine ambition, purpose, and professional fulfillment.

Neha shares her own journey of stepping away from a thriving career to prioritize motherhood, facing societal pushback, and eventually finding deep meaning and renewed ambition. Together, they discuss practical strategies for maintaining professional confidence, setting clear goals during career pauses, and reframing parenthood beyond traditional stereotypes.

If you’re navigating motherhood, contemplating a career break, or looking for tools to confidently re-enter the workforce, this episode provides an empowering roadmap to help you own your story and embrace ambition on your terms.

Key insights from the episode:

• Why taking a career break can enhance—not harm—your professional trajectory.
• How to redefine ambition and identity during motherhood.
• Practical steps for confidently returning to work after a strategic pause.
• Overcoming societal stigma and advocating for the value of parenthood in professional spaces.

Listen now to transform the way you think about career breaks, motherhood, and professional ambition.

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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.