Lead Well, Live Well: Women Leaders, Wellness and Purpose with Priya Shah

Written By LInda Misegadis

🌸 Episode Highlight: Redefining Working Motherhood & Leadership | Priya Shah on Change, Balance & Boundaries

We’re excited to share Episode 37 of Her Resources Podcast, featuring Priya Shah, founder of Shah Squared. In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, Priya opens up about motherhood + entrepreneurship, managing expectations, and leading with authenticity in a world full of demands.

🎥 Watch the Episode

Catch the full episode right here:
▶ Redefining Working Motherhood & Leadership | Priya Shah

🔗 How to Connect with Priya Shah

💡 Key Takeaways: What We Learned Together

Here are some powerful ideas from our conversation with Priya — more than just reflections, these are take‑home shifts you can begin practicing now.

  1. Reimagine What “Balance” Actually Means
    Priya challenges the idea of balance as an equal split of work + life. Instead, she reframes balance in terms of alignment — doing what matters most consciously, accepting that trade‑offs are real, and letting go of perfection.

  2. Set Boundaries Early, Often, and Clearly
    One of Priya’s strongest messages: setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s essential. Whether it’s around time, energy, task‑load, or expectations from others (family, clients, employees), clear boundaries protect well‑being and clarity.

  3. Self‑Awareness Is a Leadership Superpower
    She talks about noticing your triggers, strengths, weaknesses, and how motherhood has reshaped her leadership values. Leader growth often begins with looking inward and adapting as you learn.

  4. Redefining Success on Your Terms
    Priya pushes back on societal/cultural expectations around “having it all” or “doing it all.” Instead, she encourages defining success in ways that honor your life, goals, and values—especially as a working mother.

  5. The Power of Community & Shared Stories
    One of the richer parts of the episode is Priya’s reflection on how hearing others’ stories matters — for validation, connection, and seeing possibility. She’s also building community via projects like The AND Life Project, which gives space for these kinds of conversations.

  6. Flexibility — Not Just in Hours, But in Mindset
    She highlights that hybrid/flexible work arrangements are helpful but not enough. What matters too is flexibility in expectations (societal, internal) and willingness to pivot when life demands it.

🧭 Why This Episode Matters for You

If you're a working mom, leader, HR practitioner, or anyone navigating work/life interplay, this episode offers:

  • A gentle reminder that you get to define your version of success

  • Practical permission to lean into imperfection, to reprioritize, to say no

  • Tools for avoiding burnout — not by doing more but by doing differently

  • Inspiration for building community, supporting others, and advocating for systems that support working women

📌 Try This: Action Steps You Can Use Now

  • Write down 2‑3 non‑negotiable boundaries you want to hold this month (work hours, rest, family, etc.). Share them with someone who can help you keep them.

  • Catch one belief or expectation that pressures you (“I should always be available,” “I need to prove myself”) — journal or talk about where it came from and whether it still fits.

  • Reach out to someone (mentor, peer, online community) and share one working motherhood challenge. Sometimes articulating helps lighten it—and maybe you’ll find you’re not alone.

With appreciation for courage, vulnerability, and leadership rooted in authenticity,
Linda & Cyndi
Co‑Hosts, Her Resources Podcast

LInda Misegadis
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Lead Well, Live Well: Women Leaders, Wellness and Purpose with Tammala Garner