Why she joined a risky startup

What does it really take to hold a high-stakes leadership role without losing yourself (or your sanity) at home?

In this rerun episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast, Barbara Mighdoll sits down with Kim Gebbia Chappell, Chief Brand Officer of Bobbie, to unpack the real, unfiltered mechanics of managing chaos across work and motherhood, not by “doing it all,” but by mastering the art of context switching.

Kim’s career path is anything but linear: from news reporter to tech, to joining Bobbie in its earliest days (literally in the CEO’s basement), all while becoming a mom of three kids under six. In this conversation, Kim shares how she’s learned to shift gears, mentally, emotionally, and operationally, dozens of times a day.

This episode isn’t about balance as a buzzword. It’s about systems, mindset shifts, and permission, permission to ask for what you need, to build support around you, to stop pretending you can do everything, and to redefine success in a season of life that demands flexibility. Kim offers candid insights into advocacy at work, building sustainable home systems, taking career risks as a mom, and letting go of perfection in favor of what actually matters.

If you’re navigating a demanding career while raising young kids or simply feeling stretched across too many roles this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and equipped with practical ways to move through the chaos with more intention.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

🧠 The power of context switching — How Kim applies the same mental agility she uses in executive leadership to show up for her kids, her partner, and herself throughout the day.

🏗 Building systems that support working motherhood — From childcare “bench strength” to mental-load relief, Kim shares the infrastructure that makes her life sustainable.

🍼 Advocating for yourself at work as a mom — The formative moment that changed how Kim asked for what she needed — and why motherhood often turns women into powerful advocates.

🚀 Taking career risks with young kids — Why Kim walked away from stability to join a startup, how she trusted her gut, and what she believes about risk, reward, and fulfillment.

✨ Letting go of ‘doing it all’ — A mindset shift around perfection, priorities, and redefining success in seasons where capacity is limited but impact is still high.

This episode is perfect for moms searching for:

→ How to manage a demanding career with young kids

→ Real talk on work-life integration (not balance)

→ Leadership lessons from a C-suite working mom

→ Systems to reduce mental load at home

→ Permission to stop trying to do everything perfectly

→ How to take smart career risks as a parent

→ Navigating motherhood without losing ambition

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly switching roles, executive, caregiver, partner, human, this conversation will remind you that your ability to adapt isn’t a weakness. It’s a skill. And when harnessed intentionally, it can become your greatest strength.

Follow Barbara Mighdoll:

1. On Instagram here
2. Subscribe to Barbara’s newsletter here

Follow Kim:

1. On LinkedIn here
2. On Instagram here

About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.