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Imagine working full-time from home—with no childcare. That’s exactly what Alexis Novoa did for years while raising two daughters under six. In this inspiring and unfiltered episode, Alexis shares how she managed to juggle the chaos of parenting, a demanding career in HR project management, and personal growth—all while running marathons (literally!).

She opens up about navigating life after the loss of her mom, the unexpected joys of motherhood, and the lessons she learned about self-care and healing along the way. Whether you’re a parent or simply curious about how she made it all work, this episode is packed with relatable insights, humor, and inspiration for anyone balancing it all.

Learn more about Alexis on our website

Follow Alexis on TikTok and Instagram (@alexisssnovoa) for real-life parenting tips, work-from-home hacks, and marathon inspiration. If you loved this episode, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with a friend—let’s keep these conversations going!

Key Quotes:
On Joy:
"Working from home with two kids was chaos, but watching my daughters grow alongside me made it all worthwhile."
"Running with my girls isn’t just about fitness—it’s about showing them that we can do hard things together."

On Advice:
"If you’re overwhelmed, put the baby down. Take a breath. They’ll be okay for five minutes, but they need a mom who’s okay too."
"The newborn phase is a breeze compared to toddlers—they’re tiny hurricanes, but they teach you patience like nothing else."

On What She Wishes She Knew:
"I wish someone had told me how much kids reflect your behavior. It’s humbling—and a little terrifying—but it’s also the best motivation to grow."
"No childcare doesn’t mean no options. I’ve learned how to make it work—but it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay."

how to thrive as a work-from-home mom, real-life stories of moms working without childcare, time management tips for moms working remotely, parenting tips from a work-from-home mom, how to balance career, kids, and personal growth, lessons learned from working without childcare, mental health tips for work-from-home parents

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Paige:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheisapaigeturner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisapaigeturner

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

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In this episode, we sit down with Gabrielle Stone—acclaimed actress, director, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, #FML, and a TikTok sensation. Gabrielle opens up about the transformative journey of motherhood, from the realities of pregnancy and birth to navigating postpartum life while balancing a thriving creative career.

She shares her unfiltered experiences, from hiring a postpartum doula to embracing the unexpected challenges of parenting. Gabrielle also reveals the moments of pure joy that have redefined her perspective and the advice she offers to new moms. Whether you're a parent, a fan of her books, or someone seeking inspiration, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone balancing ambition and family life.

Learn more about Gabrielle on our website

Key Quotes:
On Joy:
"I really am that parent that's like, ‘God, I can't wait for you to go to bed at 7 PM so I can have my time,’ but then I’ll watch videos of him giggling and be like, ‘I wish I could go wake him up, he's so cute.’"
"The way that his dad makes him giggle and the way they interact—it’s just a special kind of love to witness."

On Advice:
"There’s so much unsolicited advice that goes out. There are so many rules that people expect you to follow. If what someone is telling you resonates, great. But if it doesn’t, do what works for you and your mental health."
"I wish people spoke more openly about what to prepare for instead of just saying, ‘Soak it all in because it goes by so fast.’ Like, I’m tired, Linda—I don’t hate my child; I’m just tired!"

On What She Wishes She Knew:
"I genuinely think everyone in high school lies to us about how easy it is to get pregnant! I was shocked to find out how small the window really is."
"No one told me how much my body would change post-baby—not just physically, but hormonally. It’s wild how much your whole self shifts."

keywords
Gabrielle Stone, Eat Pray FML, heartbreak, self-discovery, motherhood, divorce, love affair, travel, Europe, success, book, career, trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum, body changes, surprises, challenges, love, respect, birth experience, postpartum journey, support, unsolicited advice, mental health, motherhood, career aspirations, bonding

Takeaways

• Gabrielle Stone's book 'Eat, Pray, FML' changed her life and career
• Becoming a mother has brought Gabrielle a deeper love and respect for herself and her body
• Pregnancy and postpartum can bring unexpected changes to the body
• The journey to motherhood can be filled with surprises and challenges
• Gabrielle's story is a reminder of the resilience and strength of women Ignore unsolicited advice and prioritize your mental health
• Find a balance between motherhood and career aspirations
• Appreciate the joy of watching your partner bond with your child
• Be present and cherish the moments with your baby

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Paige:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheisapaigeturner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisapaigeturner

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Send us a text

In this episode, we sit down with Chandra Sanders, a powerhouse in the tech and social impact industries, who shares her inspiring journey from small-town Louisiana to Silicon Valley and beyond. Chandra talks about moving across the country as a single mom, tripling her salary, and breaking barriers in her career. She offers invaluable advice on parenting, career growth, and creating a life of purpose and impact. With her unique perspective as a mom of three children spanning vastly different age groups, Chandra’s story is both relatable and aspirational.

Learn more about Chandra on our website

Fun Fact:
Chandra once landed a job at a robotics company through Craigslist and moved her family to Silicon Valley within two weeks!

What You’ll Learn:

-Chandra’s decision to move cross-country as a single mom and how it transformed her career
-The joys and challenges of parenting children with a seven-year age gap
-Strategies for balancing a demanding tech career with single parenting
-The power of resilience, adaptability, and trusting your intuition
-Why Chandra treats life like a product launch and focuses on her “MVP” (Most Viable Product)
-How flexibility and intentionality have shaped her success in work and family life

About Chandra Sanders:
Chandra Sanders is a dynamic leader with over a decade of strategic experience in startups and social impact. She is the Chief Evangelist at RightMatch AI, where she helps companies revolutionize talent acquisition through AI-powered solutions. Previously, she served as the VP of RISE at The Mom Project, where her efforts created $17 million in economic impact and empowered over 7,000 individuals.

Chandra is a 44-year-old divorced mom of three: Hayleigh (21), Chloe (14), and Zander (7). After growing up in Louisiana, she made the bold move to Silicon Valley, where she tripled her salary and landed her first tech job through a Craigslist ad. Now based in Austin, Texas, Chandra balances her thriving career with raising her kids, who have benefited from her determination and resilience.

Quotes from the Episode:

“I packed my bags and my kids and moved across the country to chase opportunities—and tripled my salary.”
“Parenting has taught me to focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest.”
“The best part of my seven-year age gap with my kids is the built-in support system they’ve created for each other and for me.”
“I approach life and parenting like a product launch—plan for your MVP and sprinkle the magic on top.”

Resources Mentioned:

-Chandra’s book: The Essential Upgrade: A Journey of Purpose, Pivots, and Power (Available on Amazon)
Connect with Chandra on LinkedIn: Chandra Sanders
Follow Chandra on Instagram: @OfficiallyChandra

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Paige:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheisapaigeturner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisapaigeturner

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms