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Ever feel like hitting pause on your career to raise a family is like pulling the emergency brake on your dreams? What if that “pause” is actually a power move?
Today I’m chatting with Neha Ruch: founder of Mother Untitled, the groundbreaking platform that’s changing the way we think about ambition, motherhood, and career breaks.
After working in brand strategy and earning her MBA from Stanford, Neha hit pause on her corporate path to focus on family. But instead of seeing that chapter as a detour, she made it the foundation for a whole new movement.
She’s now a thought leader and speaker who’s sparked a cultural shift with her work. Through Mother Untitled, Neha offers research-backed insights, a thriving community, and flexible job resources. Her debut book, The Power Pause, is an interactive guide helping women view stay-at-home motherhood as a powerful, professional evolution.
If you’ve ever wrestled with stepping away from your career or wondered how to make a comeback that feels aligned and empowered, this episode is for you.
We’re diving deep into how to intentionally plan a pause, find purpose in caregiving, and re-enter the workforce without missing a beat. Let’s get started!
Redefining Ambition Through the “Power Pause”
What I love about Neha is that right off the bat in our conversation, she challenges the traditional either-or mindset of stay-at-home versus working moms.
She says that most modern mothers exist in the “in-between,” constantly evolving over time. And that’s not a flaw, it’s a fact.
Her concept of the “Power Pause” encourages women to use a break from paid work as an intentional, enriching chapter. One where you can expand your identity, build new skills, and set yourself up for a strong return.
Taking a pause doesn’t mean abandoning ambition. It can actually deepen it. Ambition becomes about aligning your values, showing up intentionally, and growing in new directions.
What Society Gets Wrong and the Language We Need to Change It
Have you ever felt like the question “What do you do?” has become shorthand for “Who are you?”
Neha shares how this question left her feeling invisible when she chose to stay home and why we need better questions to ask parents and caregivers.
Instead of defaulting to that question, Neha suggests asking things like “What are you up to these days?” or “What’s been lighting you up lately?” These open the door for a much fuller, more human conversation.
She also encourages women to get comfortable telling their own story, even while they’re still in the middle of it. There’s power in simply saying, “Right now, I’m with my kids, and I’m exploring what’s next.” Giving yourself the language to name your season is a huge step toward owning it confidently.
Planning a Pause with Power
If you’re considering a pause, you’re not alone.
In fact, Neha shared that 1 in 3 women working out of the home currently are going to pause their careers in the next 2 years. 1 in 2 are going to downshift their careers to under 20 hours a week. And 90% of the women who are on pause aim to return.
If you’re planning to take a break from your career, here are Neha’s practical steps to make it intentional and empowering.
- Unsubscribe from the narrative that you’re “giving up” your ambition or feminism. Redefine ambition as the determination to do meaningful things. That definition can shift with your season.
- Reframe the conversation around feminism. It’s not about proving your worth in a corporate setting anymore. It’s about creating sustainable work-life balance that reflects the fullness of your womanhood.
- Get financially aligned with your partner. Neha and her husband created a shared P&L (yes, like a startup!) to prepare for her shift, mapping out goals and values together before making a decision.
- Exit thoughtfully. Don’t burn bridges when stepping away from work. Instead, communicate your plans, explore flexible options, and stay connected to your professional network so the door remains open.
- Treat this pause as a strategic choice, not a final destination. Revisit your goals regularly with your partner and plan seasonal check-ins to keep things aligned and evolving as needed.
When You’re Ready to Return: Ditch the “Comeback” Mentality
Neha encourages women to see their return to work not as a comeback, but a continuation or even a leap forward. You’re not going back to who you were. You’re moving toward something new, rooted in everything you’ve gained during your pause.
Start noticing what lights you up. Keep a running list of podcasts you love, topics that excite you, skills you’re curious about. Follow the breadcrumbs. You don’t need a full roadmap right away. You just need a direction.
Whether it’s volunteering, writing, consulting, or taking a class, there’s no wrong way to re-engage with work. Give yourself permission to go slowly, experiment, and discover what feels aligned now, not what used to make sense.
The Invisible Work and the Importance of Help
One of the most powerful parts of this conversation was when Neha talked about the “invisible” work of caregiving. From food prep to managing diagnoses to planning activities that support your child’s development, caregiving is deeply strategic and emotionally intensive. It deserves recognition, respect, and support.
If you get nothing else from this conversation, Neha and I both want you to know: asking for help doesn’t make you less capable, it makes you more resourced.
Whether it’s hiring support, swapping responsibilities with a partner, or creating systems that lighten your load, you don’t have to do it all alone. You shouldn’t.
We also talked about the cultural shame around getting help. Too often, we assume moms need to struggle through it all. But the truth is, your well-being matters. When you are supported, you’re able to show up more fully for your family and for yourself.
This conversation isn’t just about parenting. It’s about identity, ambition, and the brave, often quiet transitions that shape who we become. Whether you’re pausing, pivoting, or powering forward, Neha’s message is a reminder that every chapter counts and you get to define what success looks like along the way.
If you’re currently navigating a pause or preparing for one, I hope this episode helps you feel seen, supported, and inspired. Connect with Neha on Instagram here, and get your copy of The Power Pause!
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