554546288429728 Never Not Working: Why Moms Struggle to Slow Down and How to Break Free - The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

Episode 178

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Published on:

27th Feb 2025

Never Not Working: Why Moms Struggle to Slow Down and How to Break Free

Why do so many high-achieving, perfectionist moms struggle with anxiety and burnout? Because we've been taught to equate our worth with productivity. In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares dives deep into the roots of hustle culture, workaholism, and the pressure to always be "on." Drawing from insights in Melissa Clark’s Never Not Working and her own experiences as a pediatrician and working mom, she explores the hidden costs of over-functioning—from mental health struggles to strained relationships. Most importantly, she offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, redefining self-worth, and reclaiming presence over productivity. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t slow down, this episode is for you.

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About the Podcast

The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

Giving modern working moms the tools, resources, and information they need to win at parenting and work without losing themselves.

Wouldn't it be great to find a podcast for the Modern Working Mom that addresses life as a mom, life as a working mom with an ambitious career and life as a mom who wants to also have time for her own life? That is what the Modern Mommy Doc podcast is all about.
We live in a world where we are supposed to raise kids as if we don't work and work as if we don't have kids (and don't even mention that we may also want to fit in some time for ourselves to read a book or take a SoulCycle class.)
Everyone has an opinion on what it takes to be the perfect Working Mom in today's society. Most of the advice is unattainable, anxiety-provoking and certainly doesn't address how the modern working mom is supposed to make time for her own life. The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast helps working moms say "no" to unrealistic expectations for a perfectly-balanced life and say "yes" to what really matters. You'll hear inspiring interviews with experts in each of the core areas modern working moms who parent with intention know are critical for success –dreaming big, spending time on things that matter, making space for themselves, investing in their mental and physical health, parenting in partnership, and being intentional about the way they parent their kids.
Your host is Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. She's a Stanford-trained, board-certified pediatrician, author, speaker, blogger @modernmommydoc, mom of two and avid Peloton-er. Drawing on her own experience as a working mom in the modern world, she's curated a group of expert guests to help you find the credible advice you're looking for when it comes to taking care of your child, your career and yourself.
We live in an era filled with so many questions around Working Mom Life and finding balance. On the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, you'll find the focused answers you've been looking for to truly have it all.

About your host

Whitney Casares

Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP is a pediatrician and a mom to two young girls in Portland, Oregon. Every day, she tries to balance taking care of work, her kids, and herself, laughing at the craziness of the early years with young ones.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Journalism, she completed her medical school training at The University of Vermont and her pediatrics residency training at Stanford University. She also holds a Masters of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from The University of California, Berkeley. She cares for children and adolescents as a full-time, Board-certified pediatrician in Portland, Oregon. Her passion is helping parents find their way to confidence and success as they raise their kids.

Being a modern parent is a challenge and an adventure – Dr. Casares knows it first-hand. She developed Modern Mommy Doc to inspire, educate and encourage moms and dads so they can win at parenting without losing themselves.