The Mama Do It Collective Podcast

Managing Imposter Syndrome and Climbing the Corporate Ladder as a Single Mom with Karen Diaz, @kingkurrn

Tune in to hear how Karen Diaz has managed to climb the corporate ladder while being a single mother of two young boys, Sebastian (7) and Rudy (8). She talks about her struggles as an ambitious working mom, imposter syndrome, and what she’s done to get out of her own way and have a successful career as a Latina Woman in Tech. Karen shares details about the unique relationship with the father of her children, Shelton, who has supported her tremendously in reaching her goals. Don’t worry though, she also comes in strong with tips on what to do if you don’t have this same support from your children’s father. She is adamant that as moms we deserve to be happy and we must find a way. Key Takeaways: 8:00 Managing imposter syndrome 10:00 Constant state of Why Me?! Are you sure?! When presented with career opportunities 11:28 Karen delays her promotion to really think it through 13:50 Karen talks about getting placed on a career path to be Chief Revenue Officer for Squiz 16:35 Discusses how new career path has been very difficult emotionally, mentally, and physically all while trying to Mom 20:30 Karen talks about her sons father, and his significant role in her and the boys life. 24:20 Karen recognizes how supportive her sons father has been and serves in her life as a mentor 25:05 The key factor that give Karen and her sons father the ability to have an amicable and supportive relationship. 28:05 As parents, we prioritize protecting each other’s happiness 41:50 A book recommendation for managing your thoughts in order to succeed in your career 45:29 You don’t have to like your kids parent but it’s important to respect them 46:45 Tips for the single mamas that don’t have the best partner 47:15 How to move forward when you don’t have that support from your children’s father 49:15 You can’t afford to stop your life until your kids are grown to pursue a career 52:00 Final takeaway: You have the right to be happy!

Don’t Be Afraid of HELP: How Mentors and Mental Health Therapists Contribute To Success

My good friend, Vanessa McNair, is a dedicated wife, and mom of two daughters, Jada (4) and Diana (1.5). She recently received her Master’s Degree in Engineering, Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland, College Park. I am so proud of her! What I love the most about Vanessa is her grit and dedication to her family unit while pursuing goals together. Tune in to learn about Vanessa’s grit and where it came from. It’s helped her achieve becoming a Scientist, Engineer, and a future Oscar Award Winning Actor! In our talk, Vanessa shares how she's breaking toxic generational patterns, and how one person believing in her, coupled with ongoing mental health therapy changed the course of her life. There is hope for you!! Click play now to learn more about Vanessa, how Vanessa did it, and continues to DO IT. Key Takeaways: 4:30 Having her first baby girl was the trigger to pursuing her purpose 6:00 Despite a difficult childhood, the creativity in stories was an outlet and helped her evolve 6:30 Her uncle got her on a plan to college and helped change the course of her life 8:30 Experiencing financial hardships as a child, encouraged her to dive deep into her career to be able to have the stability that money can bring    9:20  Vanessa decided to bet on self and show daughter that life is about following your assignment from God 11:46 Overcoming childhood traumas and breaking toxic cycles 13:15 Huge believer in just doing it, learning from it and moving forward 14:00 Advocating for mental health 19:00 Building your community to have more reach and contribute to the world 19:50 Prone to depression and the importance of staying consistent with therapy 21:00 Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know something 22:40 You have two choices: Live in your head or heal from your burns 29:00 Recommend books to read for first time moms 30:15 Pursue what’s important to you not what you think will be likeable 31:50 Stay grounded in the true principle of who you are and make a plan, stay disciplined

What To Do When You’ve Hit Rock Bottom with Jessica Ornsby @dmv_lawyer

In two words: STAY FOCUSED! However, to get fully inspired it’s going to take hearing Jess’s story. Jess Ornsby’s hunger for success got her to complete Georgetown Law school with her then 2-year-old son, Isaac. After many struggles, like getting eviction notices and not having enough money to eat full meals every day, Jess shares what helped her overcome hitting rock bottom. Let's say it's a mix of staying focused, good people helping her, and not being afraid of receiving public assistance.  Tune in to hear her story! Jess has since went on to found her own law firm and now practices law with her business partner in their law firm, Ornsby- Dozier LLP. On her down time, she gives back to her community by volunteering as an Attorney with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.  Jess’s story is a testament to the grind and what having full faith in accepting that the struggles are a part of the process to success. Key Takeaways:  2:30 How Jess remained extremely focused during Law school 2:45 Know that difficult stages are temporary and if you hang on, success is at the finish line 3:05 How strict schedules in Law school as a single mom with no family around was key in success 4:25 “It was just me and him, we (her son and herself) were grinding together!!!!” 7:45 When Jess started own law firm practice 9:10 Jess offers 3 tips for moms struggling financially and how to move forward 12:45 How a church friend randomly blessed Jess with a meal and how this simple gesture made the world of a difference 13:18 How her new baby Isaiah (now 2 years old) came and shook things up 10 years later from when her first was born 14:00 Second child is a totally different kid, but support system is stronger now 16:00 Define what success for you as a mother looks like, don’t compare 19:24 Actively checking in with her sons is important to managing their relationship 21:45 Jess’s book recommendation and final comments

The Key to Wearing Multiple Hats: Mom/ Wife/ Career/ Entrepreneur with Lashaniece Harris, @Elle_Harr1s

Lashaniece (Neece) Harris is a Director, Global Human Resources Business Partner, for our favorite jean brand Levi Strauss! When she is not doing the damn thing with Levi Strauss, she is mom’n to her 3 children, Sophia (4), Maxwell (5), and Jax (10), wife’n to her hubby Stephen, and working on re-branding Intentioned, Co. an inclusive, hand-made greeting card and small gifts company. We foresee a brand feature at all @target stores coming soon hehe. Tune in now to learn more about Neece, how Neece did it, and continues to DO IT. Key Takeaways: 7:15 Transition from being a goal getter to becoming a mom and a wife 8:13 Does life balance really exist as a Mom? Neece’s unique perspective 9:24 The biggest challenge Neece finally had to accept as a Mom 10:00 It’s okay to let things burn. In fact, it’s normal. It will happen. 11:28 Reframing the challenge of “balancing mom/ wife/ work life” to figuring out what’s important that day to prioritize. 13:40 How her mom is her Hero and helped instill the drive she exudes today 15:58 Neece got pregnant in grad school and thought her life was over 16:40 Two words her mom said that changed her whole perspective about entering motherhood 20:40 How Intentioned, Co. a hand-made greeting card and small gifts company, was created 28:00 The importance of reframing your thoughts to succeed

Don't Wait for Perfection to Start with Adrian McClanahan, @ChicDivaGeek

Adrian McClanahan is a tech guru, owner of ChicDivaGeek a website design and consulting business, and is an advocate for tech in Black spaces. She also founded the Flash Tech Summit to expose our children early to tech and it is truly a BIG deal! Besides being a tech guru, she’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Mamas if you’ve been trying to get into tech this is your sign. Tune in now to learn more about Adrian, how Adrian did it, and continues to DO IT. Key Statements: * 10:10 How to grow in your current 9 to 5 company * 12:13 How to speak up for what you really want out of your job/career * 14:13 Juggling the thoughts that come with missing work/ single mom life * 18:43 How Adrian's Website Design and Consulting business, ChicDivaGeek was founded * 21:00 The importance of surrounding yourself with like minded and supportive individuals to encourage you to promote yourself and charge what you're worth * 27:50 The importance of pursuing your passions because being a mom is overwhelming, but she's committed to run ChicDivaGeek, and put on the FlashTechSummit every Spring because she enjoys the work * 30:44 How Adrian founded the Flash Tech Summit * 40:44 Adrian's final takeaway/ tip for the mamas interested in pursuing their passions