A Day In Her Life

Adriana Mastronardi, a high school math teacher, mom of three, and online fitness and nutrition coach for midlife women. She shares her strict 4:50am routine, front-loading two liters of water, and recording content during gym commutes. Hear about switching careers from engineering to teaching, starting strength training at 36, juggling late-night kids’ activities with smorgasbord dinners, and why habits trump hormone blame.

Tell us what you think!!!This week, we're sitting down with Kaylee Brown, an associate attorney in toxic tort litigation who's navigating the unique experience of having two kids as an associate rather than waiting until partnership. Kaylee shares what it's like to bill your time in six-minute increments, work from home while managing depositions and drafting motions, and squeeze in ChatGPT-designed workouts in her basement gym before the emails start rolling in at 8am.In this honest conversation, Kaylee opens up about graduating law school in 2022 as a "COVID law student," keeping work strictly in her office and never in her bedroom, and the mental commute of driving her 13-month-old son to daycare while listening to podcasts. We talk about being the only associate with young kids at her firm, meal prepping with protein-packed cottage cheese sauces, the struggle of getting an 8-toothed baby to accept a toothbrush, and why life feeling "pleasantly boring" right now is actually the best thing ever.What We Cover:Why she describes her days as steady, full, and happyWaking up at 7am with the whole house (no early morning alone time)Working from home as an associate attorney in toxic tort litigation (asbestos and talcum powder)Billing time in six-minute increments and color-coding deadlines in OutlookChatGPT-designed workouts: telling it what equipment you have and getting push/pull/leg daysThe 15-minute "mental commute" to daycare (listening to podcasts and zoning out)What her days look like as an associate and having little control over her scheduleFamily dinners at 5:15-5:45 (prioritizing what her mom did growing up)How she ended up in tort law after thinking she’d do family law.Going to law school thinking she'd do family law, ending up in toxic tortsHaving two kids as an associate instead of waiting until partnerLife being "pleasantly boring" right now (and that's a good thing)Connect with Kaylee:LinkedIn: Kaylee BrownSubstack: Allegedly BusyListen and ReviewPodcasts - Spotify - YouTubeMore A Day In Her Life@adayinherlifepodadayinherlife.comadayinherlife.substack.comLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Tell us what you think!!!This week, we're sitting down with Megan Henken, co-founder of My UTI and healthcare consultant, who's juggling multiple businesses, a 14-year-old daughter, and learning to unwind a decade-long hustle mindset. Megan shares what it's like to leave the corporate ladder at Quest Diagnostics to build a consulting business in Colorado, how COVID created the perfect moment to launch a direct-to-consumer UTI testing company, and why she spent her entire career in "the same four to six inch region" talking about stigmatized health topics.In this honest conversation, Megan opens up about the partnership with her co-founder that she didn't meet in person for a year, the constant moving goalposts of fundraising in women's health, and the decision to finally say no to more work after years of sprinting through every day. We talk about 5am wake-ups for uninterrupted coffee, managing three calendars, the satisfaction of crossing tasks off Post-it notes, and why her 14-year-old's friends know they can call her with questions about anything.What We Cover:Why she describes her days as dynamic, busy, and optimisticThe 5-5:30am wake-up for uninterrupted coffee and workoutsManaging three calendars and time-blocking across multiple businessesThe career journey: Quest Diagnostics to consulting to co-founding My UTI during COVID with someone she didn't meet in person for a yearThe brutal reality of fundraising in women's health (constantly moving goalposts)The transition to allowing her daughter to wake herself up (letting her be late to learn)Learning to say no to work projects and unwinding the hustle mindsetGiving herself permission to have unscheduled weekendsConversation starters with her husband and monthly one-on-one time with her daughterBeing very open about consent and terminology (her daughter's friends can call her)00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:26 Meet Megan 03:33 Rapid Fire Qs 04:41 Morning Routine 09:29 Workday Structure 11:45 Afternoon Wrap Up 14:49 Dinner and Recipes 16:19 Evening Wind Down 18:01 Founding MyUTI 21:40 Startup Lessons 23:58 Chores and Outsourcing 26:07 Self Care Check In 26:43 Coffee Meetups Self Care 27:41 Hormones Better Sleep 28:45 Family Calendar System 30:01 Choosing Kids Activities 33:04 Work Travel Reality 35:41 Creativity Problem Solving 37:18 Using ChatGPT Wisely 39:11 Making Time For Marriage 43:10 Rituals Dad And Daughter 44:40 Teen Years And Body Talk 48:58 Saying No To Hustle 52:29 Current Obsessions Wrap Up 53:59 Podcast Closing ThanksConnect with Megan:Website: myuti.comInstagram: @myutiLinkedIn: Megan HenkenListen and ReviewPodcasts - Spotify - YouTubeMore A Day In Her Life@adayinherlifepodadayinherlife.comadayinherlife.substack.comLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Tell us what you think!!!This week, we’re sitting down with Ashley Kang, a former fashion executive who made the intentional decision to pause her career almost a year ago to invest in herself and her family. Ashley shares what it’s like to leave a job she loved at a fashion company after five years, move to New Jersey to live near her family (yes, literally in the same building complex), and build an entirely new structure around being present for her two boys, ages 2 and 4, and the structures they’ve built to support that.00:00 Podcast Welcome01:26 Meet Ashley King03:07 Rapid Fire Favorites04:08 Early Morning Routine08:16 Drop Off and Gym10:52 Errands and Playdate12:41 Lunch and Desk Hours15:15 Pickup and Activities17:36 Dinner and Bedtime21:27 Evening Wind Down22:33 Skincare and Picky Eating24:09 Weekly Meal Rotation24:43 Breakfast Broths Lineup25:10 Dinner Favorites and New Foods26:16 From Fashion to Full Time Mom28:48 Surprises After Quitting30:26 Dividing Chores and Outsourcing32:47 Self Care and Content34:08 Ideal Day and Staying Organized36:42 Friendships and Community38:30 Marriage Time and Date Nights39:43 Using AI and Weekly Routines41:26 What Gets Deprioritized43:29 Parenting Goals and Motivation46:14 Sweetest Moments With Kids47:52 Podcast Wrap Up and OutroConnect with Ashley:Instagram: @ashleymkangTikTok: @ashleymkangLinkedIn: Ashley KangListen and ReviewPodcasts - Spotify - YouTubeMore A Day In Her Life@adayinherlifepodadayinherlife.comadayinherlife.substack.comLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Tell us what you think!!!Welcome to my first solo episode of 2025! After 140 episodes of talking with incredible women about their days, I'm turning the mic on myself to share what my life looks like right now as a working mom of two in the Boston area.In this quick check-in episode, I'm opening up about how my days have shifted over the past year, what's working, and what I'm still figuring out. From waking up at 6:45 (or 6:00 on workout days) to bedtime snuggles at 7:30, I'm walking you through the honest reality of balancing full-time work in healthcare project management, hosting this podcast, traveling 1-2 times a month, and trying to find humor in the heavy moments.What I Cover:Why I describe my days as full, organized, and funnyMy Tuesday/Thursday workout routine (and why I have to do it first thing or it won't happen)The morning struggle with two non-morning-person kidsHow my husband has stepped up with breakfast and mornings (a big change from past episodes!)My workday: 9am-5:15pm with too many meetings and not enough lunch breaksHigh-low-buffalo at dinner (something I learned from podcast guests!)The Nintendo Switch debate and how we're handling it as a family toyTraveling 1-2 times a month for work (and the surprising truth about not hating it)Our laundry outsourcing situation and the transition with our home assistantWhy I'm not a date night person but love in-home date nightsScreen time boundaries, kids' chores, and teaching my 4-year-old to load the dishwasherUsing The Bright Method to completely transform my calendarHow I'm using AI for the podcast and work (Superhuman, Descript, Notion, Claude)The bedtime routine that fills my cup: charging up my kids and hearing "love you mommy night night"Dropping the ball on work travel but trying not to miss anything for my kidsThree Words to Describe My Days: Full, organized, funny00:00 Podcast Welcome00:57 How To Support01:48 Solo Episode Setup02:17 Meet Ellie02:41 Why This Podcast03:47 Solo Episodes Plan04:41 Three Words Today05:15 Morning Routine07:15 Kid Wake Up09:18 Workday Flow11:52 Food And Lunch12:39 Dinner And Family Time15:18 Bedtime Routine16:39 Evening Hobbies19:23 Work Travel Shift20:47 Outsourcing And Systems21:23 Screen Time And Switch22:20 Kids Chores23:53 Friends And Marriage Time26:17 Groceries And AI Tools27:54 Dropped Balls28:21 Current Obsession28:55 Favorite Daily Moment29:27 Wrap Up And Recap29:48 Final Call To ActionLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Tell us what you think!!!This week, we’re sitting down with Afoma Umesi, a writer and content creator who left a career in medicine to build a life centered around books, creativity, and human connection. Afoma runs Reading Middle Grade, a website and newsletter that helps parents find the perfect books for kids ages 8-14, and she’s doing it all while navigating profound grief, three moves in three months, and building a new life in Toronto, Canada.In this deeply honest conversation, Afoma shares what it’s like to lose her mother in August and move countries days after the funeral, why she’ll never be a 6:30am workout person again (and the guilt she had to release around that), and how losing her mom changed her—making her want to connect with people in ways she never did before.What We Cover:Leaving medicine after eight years to pursue writing and creative workThe full, satisfying, rich reality of working 4-6 hours a day on your own termsMoving three times in three months while grieving the loss of her motherHow grief changed her relationship to mornings, routines, and human connectionWorking as a freelance writer before building Reading Middle GradeThe practical reality of running a content business: newsletters, Instagram, Substack, and blog postsWhy she gave up being a “crazy early morning person” and the guilt that came with itWhy date nights don’t work for them (and what they do instead)Using movement and being outside as non-negotiable self-care during griefThe joy of discovering Toronto’s public library system after not having one in NigeriaGuest Bio: Afoma Umesi is a writer, content creator, and the founder of Reading Middle Grade, where she helps parents and educators find the perfect books for kids ages 8-14. After medical school, Afoma pivoted to writing and hasn’t looked back. She started as a freelance writer for marketing and tech companies before discovering her passion for middle grade literature, sparked by rereading The Babysitter’s Club on her Kindle during med school. Originally from Nigeria, Afoma recently moved to Canada and lives in Toronto with her husband. Her work spans her website, newsletter, Substack, and Instagram, where she reviews books, creates curated lists, and helps match young readers with stories they’ll love.Connect with Afoma:Instagram (books): @readingmiddlegradeInstagram (personal): Afoma UmesiWebsite: readingmiddlegrade.comSubstack: readingmiddlegrade.substack.com00:00 Welcome to A Day In Her Life01:26 Meet Our Guest: Fomo ESI02:51 A Writer's Journey03:51 Daily Routines and Coping with Grief05:46 Rapid Fire Questions12:33 From Med School to Writing18:45 Middle Grade Book Passion23:25 Wrapping Up the Day28:38 The Importance of Sleep and Mental Health29:31 Balancing Household Responsibilities32:26 Prioritizing Self-Care35:10 Building a Community in a New City38:53 Maintaining Long-Distance Friendships40:55 Nurturing Your Relationship43:21 Thoughts on AI and Daily Routines50:06 Finding Joy in New Hobbies and Routines54:17 Conclusion and Where to FollowLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Tell us what you think!!!This week, we're sitting down with Sofi Madison, a former shop owner turned independent consultant who's redefining what work-life balance looks like in the North Shore. Sofi shares her journey from running Olives and Grace—a beloved retail destination—to consulting for independent retailers and hospitality teams, all while raising two boys (ages 3 and 5) in Manchester by the Sea.In this honest conversation, Sofi opens up about the intentional decision to become a "working plus stay-at-home mom," her 9am-2:30pm work window, and why she chose to close a successful business she loved to create space for motherhood. We dig into the messy realities of balancing creative work with the demands of young children, why she's slow to sign her kids up for sports, and how she's finding creative expression through social media and Substack in this season of life.What We Cover:Seasonal routines: Why Sofi's a 5am coffee-on-the-porch person in summer but hits snooze until 6:45 in winterThe luxury of a single school drop-off and what slow, wholesome mornings look like at Waldorf schoolWorking compressed hours (9am-2:30pm) while running an independent consulting practiceWhy she closed a thriving retail business when her "lens of love completely shifted" after kidsNavigating witching hour, car snacks, and the All Star soundtrack on repeatDinner struggles with picky eaters and the dream of everyone eating the same mealThe invisible labor of household management and how she and her husband divide responsibilitiesShrinking friend circles for quality over quantity in the mom phaseUsing AI for dinner prep advice and vitamin guidance (but never for personal communication)Being honest about romantic relationships taking a backseat when kids are youngWhy she doesn't miss her kids when she travels for work (and the freedom in saying that out loud)Connect with Sofi:Instagram: @sofimadison_Substack: sofimadison.substack.comWebsite: sofimadison.comKey Timestamps:01:26 Meet Our Guest: Sofi Madison02:13 Rapid Fire Questions with Sofi03:50 Sofi's Morning Routine07:43 Navigating Work and Family Balance19:03 Dinner Time and Evening Routines25:54 Choosing Activities for the Kids28:33 Choosing the Right Sports for Kids32:14 Balancing Self-Care and Parenting35:45 Household Management Strategies44:19 Navigating Friendships and Relationships47:57 Embracing Creativity and Social Media50:52 The Role of AI in Daily Life56:08 Current Obsessions and Joys59:03 Conclusion and FarewellResources Mentioned:Range by Kara Duval (movement/Pilates)Meet Boston (NESN, Saturdays) with Jenny Johnson & Billy CostaListen and ReviewPodcasts - Spotify - YouTubeMore A Day In Her LifeLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Tell us what you think!!!A Day In Her Life with Layla Shaikley – Efficient, Full, Emotionally Regulated Days as a Founder and Mom of ThreeWhat does it look like to build a venture-backed tech company, raise three young kids, recover from a major injury, and stay emotionally steady through it all?In this episode of A Day In Her Life, Ellie sits down with Layla Shaikley, co-founder of Wise Systems, writer, and mom of three (ages 3, 5, and 7). Layla shares how predictability, emotional regulation, and ruthless prioritization are what make her high-capacity life sustainable, not hustle or perfection.This is a powerful, grounding conversation about ambition, motherhood, and learning how to regulate yourself so you don’t burn everything down when things get hard.In this episode, we cover:Why emotional regulation is the real foundation of high performance, and how Layla thinks about passing that skill to her kidsThe predictable morning routine that allows her to work East Coast hours while parenting on the West CoastHow she structures work around goals, not tasks, and why feeling “behind” is often a sign you’ve lost sight of outcomesWhy proximity determines extracurriculars (and why that’s not “failing your kids”)What evenings actually look like with three young kids, and how she lets chaos happen without reacting to itThe systems she uses to buy back time, from outsourcing household work to using AI as a thinking assistantWhy this season is about choosing three priorities only, and being okay with everything else waitingIf you’re a working mom trying to hold ambition, caregiving, health, and sanity at the same time, this episode will help you breathe a little deeper and think more clearly about what actually matters.Follow LaylaSubstackInstagramTikTokReferencesCase Study7 Types of RestListen and ReviewPodcasts - Spotify - YouTubeMore A Day In Her Life@adayinherlifepodadayinherlife.comadayinherlife.substack.comLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Tell us what you think!!!A Day In Her Life with Dahlia Stroud – Crazy, Stressed, Well-Dressed Days as a Founder and Mom of TwoWhat does it really look like when you’re building something new, parenting school-aged kids, and trying to keep yourself intact in the process?In this episode of A Day In Her Life, Ellie chats with Dahlia Stroud, a UK-based consultant and host of Stressed But Well-Dressed, about the beautifully messy reality of her days. From “Jekyll and Hyde” mornings to late-night second winds, Dahlia shares the routines that ground her, the pressure she’s actively letting go of, and the moments that feel surprisingly sacred right now.This is an honest, relatable conversation about ambition, energy, and redefining what balance actually means in midlife motherhood.Listen to find out:Why Dahlia says she has two completely different morning routines and how both somehow get her kids out the door on timeThe one non-negotiable habit she uses to reset her mental health before opening her laptopHer refreshingly honest take on after-school activities and why kids already “work a full day”What evenings really look like with older kids, when bedtime turns into the moment they finally want to talkThe nightly ritual she’s doing with her 10-year-old that’s become the highlight of her dayHow launching a new consultancy forced her to rethink boundaries, energy, and perfectionWhy she’s letting go of having it all together and feeling better because of itIf you’re a working mom navigating career growth, school-aged kids, and the constant pull between ambition and exhaustion, this episode will feel deeply familiar.Where to find DahliaInstagram: Stressed But Well-Dressed (podcast updates, wardrobe takes, confidence convos)Podcast: Stressed But Well-DressedLinkedIn: Dahlia StroudListen and ReviewPodcasts - Spotify - YouTubeMore A Day In Her Life@adayinherlifepodadayinherlife.comadayinherlife.substack.comLooking for your next romance read? Look no further! This month at Pepper Books we've got your Celebrity/Normie Romances from One Pepper all the way to Five! Episode Music - For Days - Tom Deis via Shutterstock

Mary Faith James, pharma analytics leader and mother of two, balances leading a team while being her household’s primary earner. She discusses 5 a.m. workouts and a tiny “for me today” ritual. She explains time-blocking and a 5 p.m. hard stop to protect family handoffs. She shares practical outsourcing wins, snackable tech tools, and friendship hacks that keep life moving when days feel relentless and funny.