The Boss Mom Podcast

In this episode, Dana unpacks something so many moms in business quietly carry: self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the feeling that maybe success just isn't meant for them. But what if that's not actually the problem? What if the real issue is that success feels unsafe? Dana shares why moms often reject abundance without even realizing it, the hidden "mom math" that keeps women small, and the belief systems that make success feel like a threat to motherhood, relationships, identity, and worth. Inside this episode, she explores: why moms aren't usually afraid of failure the real reason success can feel scary the 3 beliefs that keep moms playing small why abundance doesn't make you a bad person how your business can model self-worth and emotional honesty for your kids what it means to stop rejecting the life you actually want If you've ever felt torn between wanting more and feeling guilty for wanting it, this episode is for you. ✨ Join the free Boss Mom community: bossmom.com/community ✨ Explore Boss Mom Plus: bossmom.com/join

In this episode, Dana sits down with Wendy Snyder to talk about her new book, Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home, and the deeper truth behind raising strong-willed kids. This conversation goes far beyond parenting tactics. Dana and Wendy unpack the connection between shame, perfectionism, nervous system regulation, emotional literacy, and the invisible burden so many moms carry when they feel responsible for fixing everything. They talk about why the traits we're taught to tone down in ourselves and our kids are often the very things that make us powerful, resilient, and uniquely suited for the lives we're meant to live. In this episode, they discuss: why strong-willed kids are not a problem to solve how shame gets passed down through parenting systems the connection between perfectionism and control why play, curiosity, and emotional honesty matter so much how to help kids learn peaceful conflict resolution what moms can let go of so they stop carrying the weight of everything Connect with Wendy: Book: Fresh Start Your Family — FreshStartFamilyOnline.com/pre-order Podcast: Fresh Start Family Show Instagram: @freshstartwendy Free Strong-Willed Kids Learning Bundle: FreshStartFamilyOnline.com/secrets

I tried something a little different… and honestly, it blew my mind. I uploaded my thoughts about going all in on my business into NotebookLM and had it turn everything into a podcast episode—hosted by two AI personalities who broke down my belief system in real time. What they uncovered? Way deeper than I expected. In this episode, we explore: why moms in business aren't actually stuck because of strategy the emotional blocks behind visibility and growth the concept of the "exposure tax" and why success can feel scary why stepping back isn't failure—it might be exactly what you need how to know what you're truly "all in" on (and what you're not) This conversation is raw, insightful, and honestly… a little wild. If you've ever felt torn between wanting more and being afraid of what that might require, this episode is for you. ✨ Join the Boss Mom community: BossmomJoin the BossMom Community & App for free ✨ Explore Boss Mom Plus (our membership with tools, support, and guidance): BossmomBossMomPlus

Dana Malstaff 56 mins Edit Reply Stop Letting My Title Cost Me Clients: Focus on Frameworks, Not Labels In this episode, I explain how what I call myself—my title and even my business name—can actually confuse the market and keep me from getting the clients I want and building consistent income. After coaching thousands of women, I've seen that trying to be clever with a unique title backfires, so I need to stop making my title creative and instead focus on the framework I use to take someone from a problem to a transformation. I also share how titles can get tangled with my identity, especially as a mom whose sense of self keeps evolving, so I shouldn't pin my identity to a label. Finally, I challenge the old idea that I need a perfect business card or bio, and I invite listeners to email me or join the Boss Mom community to keep the conversation going. 00:00 Titles That Repel Clients 00:20 Welcome to Boss Mom 00:44 Stop Being Clever 01:39 Sell a Framework 02:45 Titles and Identity Traps 03:40 Lead With Results 04:49 Ditch the Business Card 05:44 Bios and Relationship Building 06:20 Framework Sweet Spot 06:43 Next Steps and Wrap Up

At BossMom, we're normalizing the conversations that help you grow a business while raising a family. In this episode, Dana gets real about something nobody tells you when you start your own business: nobody is coming to promote you. You're both the employee stuck in the trenches AND the CEO who decides promotions—so why are you still waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and tell you you're ready for the next level? Dana breaks down the three specific things keeping mom entrepreneurs stuck in the same role, making the same money, and doing the same work without any exit strategy in sight. She explains why you need both a promotion plan AND a retirement plan for your business (and no, not the 401k kind—she's talking about how you actually get out of the content game, the service-providing game, the doing-all-the-things game). From why you don't even realize a promotion is what you need, to how the Messaging Map Strategist Certification teaches you to sell before you master the skill (because confidence comes from talking about it, not waiting until you feel "ready"), this episode will shift how you see your trajectory. Plus, Dana shares why giving yourself a promotion isn't just good for your business—it's good for your kids to witness. Because model, don't martyr, always. Explore More Resources from BossMom BossMom is your go-to home base for content, support, and community designed specifically for moms growing businesses → https://bossmom.com 📝 Check out the full article that pairs with this episode: →https://bossmom.com/sales-marketing/promotion/ 📚 Want more conversations like this? Browse our full library of articles: → https://boss-mom.com/articles 🛠 Looking for the best tools, tips, and resources every BossMom needs in life and business? → https://boss-mom.com/resources 💬 Ready to go deeper with us? When you know that community and connection aren't just nice-to-haves, but the strategy that helps you thrive—come join us inside BossMom+. It's our private networking community built just for moms growing businesses—because you shouldn't have to do this alone. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✨ Why nobody is coming to promote you (and why that's actually good news once you accept it) ✨ The three specific things keeping you stuck in the same role making the same money ✨ Why you need both a promotion plan AND a retirement plan for your business ✨ How to identify what systems you'd be promoting yourself for (hint: you probably don't even know what you're good at yet) ✨ Why the Messaging Map Strategist Certification teaches you to sell BEFORE you master the skill ✨ The difference between "I don't have the skills" and "I don't have the confidence" (and which one is really holding you back) ✨ Why giving yourself a promotion is actually good for your kids to witness Ready to move from service provider to strategist? The Messaging Map Strategist Certification is designed specifically for moms who are done trading time for money and ready to step into strategic, leveraged work that pays what you're actually worth. Check out https://go.nurturetoconvert.com/ntc-mapping-cert-sales-page to learn how you can give yourself the promotion you've been waiting for. Success doesn't come from doing more—it comes from doing what matters and making it easier to stay consistent. That's why tools like FutureMe GPT and Nurture to Convert AI were created: to help you take action, simplify your messaging, and grow your business without the overwhelm. Your audience is ready for you. Now it's about showing up in a way that works for you. Check out bossmom.com/futureme and nurturetoconvert.ai to see how much lighter business can feel. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes! About BossMom: BossMom is the leading voice and resource for moms building businesses. We know you're not here to choose between being an amazing parent or running a successful business—you're here to build a life that makes room for both. Find more resources, support, and community right here → https://bossmom.com Elevate the routines you live in. Head to cozyearth.com and use code BOSSMOM for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here! Dana is obsessed with their Classic Cuddle Blanket. It feels like a weighted blanket and is so amazing she got a second one because her daughter kept stealing hers.

Friendship Breakups, Boundaries vs. Capacity, and Building Communities of Understanding At BossMom, we're normalizing the conversations that help you grow a business while raising a family. In this episode, Dana sits down with Annalie Bloomfield, author of Unapologetic: Unshackle Your Shame, Reclaim Your Power, for a refreshingly honest conversation about something nobody warned us about: friendship breakups in our 40s. They dive into why so many women are experiencing major friendship shifts right now, the difference between boundaries (exhausting) and raising your standards (empowering), and why your kids watching you pursue your dreams isn't selfish—it's the opposite of self-sacrifice. Annalie shares her powerful reframe: stop trying to set boundaries and start raising your standards. When you elevate what you're willing to accept for yourself, people naturally rise to meet you there—or they don't, and that's okay too. Dana introduces the concept of "unlimited capacity" versus the scarcity mindset that tells us we can't handle noise, chaos, or complications. They both agree: when you're in the right spaces with the right people, you discover you actually have infinite capacity for connection. From "paint your truck first" (Dana's reminder never to self-sacrifice like her birth father did) to "model, don't martyr" (the mantra every mom entrepreneur needs), this conversation will make you rethink everything you've been told about being a "good mom" and a "good friend." Plus, they explore why micro-communities and "communities of understanding" are the future—because sometimes you need different people for different parts of your life, and that's not only okay, it's healthy. Explore More Resources from BossMom BossMom is your go-to home base for content, support, and community designed specifically for moms growing businesses → https://bossmom.com 📝 Check out the full article that pairs with this episode: → https://bossmom.com/boss-mom-podcast/friendship-breakups 📚 Want more conversations like this? Browse our full library of articles: → https://boss-mom.com/articles 🛠 Looking for the best tools, tips, and resources every BossMom needs in life and business? → https://boss-mom.com/resources 💬 Ready to go deeper with us? When you know that community and connection aren't just nice-to-haves, but the strategy that helps you thrive—come join us inside BossMom+. It's our private networking community built just for moms growing businesses—because you shouldn't have to do this alone. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✨ Why friendship breakups are happening to so many women right now (and what the Fire Horse year has to do with it) ✨ The powerful difference between setting boundaries (exhausting) and raising your standards (empowering) ✨ How to shift from "I can't handle this" to "I have unlimited capacity for the right things" ✨ Why emotional honesty with your kids is the most important skill you can model ✨ What "communities of understanding" are and why they're the future of connection ✨ Why self-sacrifice doesn't make you a better mom—it just makes you depleted ✨ How to curate connections with discernment instead of obligation Success doesn't come from doing more—it comes from doing what matters and making it easier to stay consistent. That's why tools like FutureMe GPT and Nurture to Convert AI were created: to help you take action, simplify your messaging, and grow your business without the overwhelm. Your audience is ready for you. Now it's about showing up in a way that works for you. Check out bossmom.com/futureme and nurturetoconvert.ai to see how much lighter business can feel. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes!

div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> At BossMom, we're normalizing the conversations that help you grow a business while raising a family. In this episode, Dana tackles one of the most controversial beliefs she holds: your children should not be your purpose. Before you close this tab, hear her out—because this distinction might be the most liberating thing you hear all year. Dana opens up about why believing your kids are your only purpose actually burdens them with the weight of your unfulfilled dreams. She shares a heated debate she had at a Circle event where someone completely misunderstood what she meant, and breaks down the critical difference between "my kids ARE my purpose" versus "my kids GIVE ME purpose." One creates guilt, shame, and disconnection. The other creates fuel, integration, and a reciprocal relationship where you empower each other. From her five-year-old daughter's problem-solving at a pumpkin patch ("Mom, get your computer and make money while we're in the bouncy house!") to why she believes modeling beats martyring every single time, Dana challenges everything you've been told about what it means to be a "good mom." The real lesson? When you pursue your dreams openly and involve your kids in age-appropriate ways, you don't create disconnection—you create a team. And your kids learn more from watching you build something meaningful than from you sacrificing silently and resenting it later. Explore More Resources from BossMom BossMom is your go-to home base for content, support, and community designed specifically for moms growing businesses → https://bossmom.com 📝 Check out the full article that pairs with this episode: → https://bossmom.com/boss-mom-podcast/purpose/ 📚 Want more conversations like this? Browse our full library of articles: → https://boss-mom.com/articles 🛠 Looking for the best tools, tips, and resources every BossMom needs in life and business? → https://boss-mom.com/resources 💬 Ready to go deeper with us? When you know that community and connection aren't just nice-to-haves, but the strategy that helps you thrive—come join us inside BossMom+. → It's our private networking community built just for moms growing businesses—because you shouldn't have to do this alone. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✨ Why "your kids are your purpose" is actually burdensome to your children (and what to believe instead) ✨ The game-changing difference between kids BEING your purpose vs. kids GIVING you purpose ✨ Why modeling beats martyring every time—and what that actually looks like in practice ✨ How to involve your kids in your work in age-appropriate ways (from toddlers to teens) ✨ The disconnection trap: why shame and isolation around your ambitions harm your relationships more than the ambitions themselves ✨ Dana's "model, don't martyr" philosophy and why your kids need to see you pursue your dreams Success doesn't come from doing more—it comes from doing what matters and making it easier to stay consistent. That's why tools like FutureMe GPT and Nurture to Convert AI were created: to help you take action, simplify your messaging, and grow your business without the overwhelm. Your audience is ready for you. Now it's about showing up in a way that works for you. Check out bossmom.com/futureme and nurturetoconvert.ai to see how much lighter business can feel. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes! About BossMom: BossMom is the leading voice and resource for moms building businesses. We know you're not here to choose between being an amazing parent or running a successful business—you're here to build a life that makes room for both. Find more resources, support, and community right here → https://bossmom.com Elevate the routines you live in. Head to cozyearth.com and use code BOSSMOM for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here! Dana is obsessed with their Cuddle Blanket. It feels like a weighted blanket and is so amazing she got a second one because her daughter kept stealing hers.

div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> At BossMom, we're normalizing the conversations that help you grow a business while raising a family. In this episode, Dana sits down with therapist and author Elijah Weinstein to talk about the quiet drift that happens in marriages when kids enter the picture. From unspoken expectations and the myth of empathy to practical tools like the import/export list and full communication, he shares honest and actionable lessons on how to stop growing apart and start showing up for each other again. You don't need a perfect marriage to start strengthening it, you just need the willingness to say the hard things out loud and give your partner the full picture instead of expecting them to connect dots you never drew. Elijah's book, From I Do to We Do, is available starting March 17, 2026. Find it and all the links at eliweinsteinlcsw.com, or connect with him on Instagram at @eliweinstein.lcsw. This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Elevate the routines you live in. Head to cozyearth.com and use code BOSSMOM for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here! Dana is obsessed with their Cuddle Blanket. It feels like a weighted blanket and is so amazing she got a second one because her daughter kept stealing hers. Explore More Resources from BossMom BossMom is your go-to home base for content, support, and community designed specifically for moms growing businesses → https://bossmom.com 📝 Check out the full article that pairs with this episode: → https://bossmom.com/relationships/how-to-stay-conn…ds-eli-weinstein/ 📚 Want more conversations like this? Browse our full library of articles: → https://boss-mom.com/articles 🛠 Looking for the best tools, tips, and resources every BossMom needs in life and business? → https://boss-mom.com/resources 💬 Ready to go deeper with us? When you know that community and connection aren't just nice-to-haves, but the strategy that helps you thrive—come join us inside BossMom+. → https://bossmom.com/free-app?utm_source=LibSyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Free+App&utm_id=Join+the+free+BossMom+App It's our private networking community built just for moms growing businesses—because you shouldn't have to do this alone. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✨ Why the slow drift in marriage often starts after having kids and what to do about it ✨ How unspoken expectations quietly build resentment and how to stop the cycle ✨ The difference between empathy and sympathy and why sympathy might actually serve your relationship better ✨ What the Holy Trinity framework is and how it can transform the way you communicate with your partner ✨ How the import/export list can help you and your partner get on the same page before small things become big ones ✨ Why full communication is less about talking more and more about giving your partner the whole picture Success doesn't come from doing more it comes from doing what matters and making it easier to stay consistent. That's why tools like FutureMe GPT and Nurture to Convert AI were created: to help you take action, simplify your messaging, and grow your business without the overwhelm. Your audience is ready for you. Now it's about showing up in a way that works for you. Check out bossmom.com/futureme and nurturetoconvert.ai to see how much lighter business can feel. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes! About BossMom: BossMom is the leading voice and resource for moms building businesses. We know you're not here to choose between being an amazing parent or running a successful business—you're here to build a life that makes room for both. Find more resources, support, and community right here → https://bossmom.com

At BossMom, we're normalizing the conversations that help you grow a business while raising a family. In this episode, Dana opens up about the constant struggle moms face when deciding where to put their energy and time. From choosing to cuddle her sick kids all week to flying to Arizona for a mastermind event, she shares the raw truth that being busy isn't the same as being effective. She breaks down why every strategy "works" but most of us are stuck because we lack clarity on what we're actually building. The real lesson? You can't delegate, scale, or find freedom without absolute clarity on who you're serving and why. You don't need more time management tips, you need to get brutally honest about where you're wasting energy on busy work instead of building something that actually gives you the freedom to choose the cuddles when it matters most. Explore More Resources from BossMom BossMom is your go-to home base for content, support, and community designed specifically for moms growing businesses → https://bossmom.com 📝 Check out the full article that pairs with this episode: → https://bossmom.com/boss-mom-podcast/finding-clarity/ 📚 Want more conversations like this? Browse our full library of articles: → https://boss-mom.com/articles 🛠 Looking for the best tools, tips, and resources every BossMom needs in life and business? → https://boss-mom.com/resources 💬 Ready to go deeper with us? When you know that community and connection aren't just nice-to-haves, but the strategy that helps you thrive—come join us inside BossMom+. → https://bossmom.com/free-app?utm_source=LibSyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Free+App&utm_id=Join+the+free+BossMom+App It's our private networking community built just for moms growing businesses—because you shouldn't have to do this alone. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✨ Why being busy doesn't equal being effective (and how to tell the difference) ✨ The real reason every strategy "works" but you're still stuck spinning your wheels ✨ How to do a time and energy audit that reveals where you're wasting your effort ✨ Why you can't delegate, scale, or build freedom without absolute clarity first ✨ The questions you need to ask yourself to get clear on what you're actually building Success doesn't come from doing more it comes from doing what matters and making it easier to stay consistent. That's why tools like FutureMe GPT and Nurture to Convert AI were created: to help you take action, simplify your messaging, and grow your business without the overwhelm. Your audience is ready for you. Now it's about showing up in a way that works for you. Check out bossmom.com/futureme and nurturetoconvert.ai to see how much lighter business can feel. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes! About BossMom: BossMom is the leading voice and resource for moms building businesses. We know you're not here to choose between being an amazing parent or running a successful business—you're here to build a life that makes room for both. Find more resources, support, and community right here → https://bossmom.com

At BossMom, we're normalizing the conversations that help you grow a business while raising a family. In this episode, Dana opens up about the internal war every mom faces between the woman she was before kids and the mother she's become. From feeling guilty about wanting more to recognizing how that inner turmoil affects your kids, she shares why saying things out loud and knowing what you actually want are the only two things that will stop the cycle of overwhelm and mom guilt. You don't need to sacrifice your dreams to be a good mom, you just need to stop fighting yourself and start voicing what you really want in a space where other moms actually get it. Explore More Resources from BossMom BossMom is your go-to home base for content, support, and community designed specifically for moms growing businesses → https://bossmom.com 📝 Check out the full article that pairs with this episode: → 📚 Want more conversations like this? Browse our full library of articles: → https://boss-mom.com/articles 🛠 Looking for the best tools, tips, and resources every BossMom needs in life and business? → https://boss-mom.com/resources 💬 Ready to go deeper with us? When you know that community and connection aren't just nice-to-haves, but the strategy that helps you thrive—come join us inside BossMom+. → https://bossmom.com/free-app?utm_source=LibSyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Free+App&utm_id=Join+the+free+BossMom+App It's our private networking community built just for moms growing businesses—because you shouldn't have to do this alone. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✨ Why the internal war between the woman you were and the mother you've become is affecting your kids, your business, and your relationships ✨ The two non-negotiable practices that will stop the cycle of overwhelm and mom guilt for good ✨ How saying things out loud in a safe space unlocks the genius mom brain you know you have ✨ Why knowing what you actually want (not what you think you should want) changes everything ✨ How the three parts of yourself (woman, mother, voice) can work together instead of tearing you apart Success doesn't come from doing more it comes from doing what matters and making it easier to stay consistent. That's why tools like FutureMe GPT and Nurture to Convert AI were created: to help you take action, simplify your messaging, and grow your business without the overwhelm. Your audience is ready for you. Now it's about showing up in a way that works for you. Check out bossmom.com/futureme and nurturetoconvert.ai to see how much lighter business can feel. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes! About BossMom: BossMom is the leading voice and resource for moms building businesses. We know you're not here to choose between being an amazing parent or running a successful business—you're here to build a life that makes room for both. Find more resources, support, and community right here → https://bossmom.com