Courage & Clarity Podcast – Episode 130 Summary: "How to Win as a 'Summer Mom' and CEO"

Release Date: May 13, 2025
Host: Steph Crowder

Introduction

In Episode 130 of the Courage & Clarity podcast, host Steph Crowder delves into the unique challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship during the summer months. Drawing from her personal experiences as a mom and business coach, Steph offers practical strategies and heartfelt insights to help fellow parents navigate the summer season without compromising their professional aspirations or personal well-being.

The Dual Role: Summer Mom and CEO

Steph begins by acknowledging the common apprehensions many parents feel as summer approaches. She empathizes with listeners who may dread the summer months due to the shift in routine and increased responsibilities. Steph emphasizes that these feelings are normal and assures parents that they are not alone in their struggles.

Steph Crowder [02:15]: "If you're already dreading summer a little bit, you're not alone. Like, I fully get it."

She highlights the additional complexity faced by entrepreneur parents who must juggle business demands alongside parenting duties. The absence of a traditional 9-to-5 structure often leads to a mental tug-of-war, making it challenging to maintain productivity while being present for their children.

Guiding Principles for a Joyful and Productive Summer

To address these challenges, Steph outlines six guiding principles designed to help parents thrive both personally and professionally during the summer.

1. Know Your Success Habits

Understanding and prioritizing personal well-being is foundational. Steph compares personal health to a vehicle's vital signs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining habits that keep both body and mind functioning optimally.

Steph Crowder [07:45]: "You need to stop talking yourself out of the things that make you successful."

She shares her own routine, which includes attending bootcamp classes with childcare provided, staying hydrated, meeting protein goals, and ensuring adequate sleep. These habits not only enhance personal health but also set a positive example for children.

2. Designated Work Time and Kid Time

Steph advocates for setting clear boundaries between work and family time to prevent burnout and resentment. By allocating specific times for work and dedicated periods for engaging with children, parents can ensure they are fully present in each role.

Steph Crowder [15:30]: "This summer I'm putting it all on the table. Early morning, evening or weekend work. All of that is better than constant Interruption."

She suggests leveraging support systems, such as partners or babysitters, to create uninterrupted blocks of time for both work and family activities.

3. Anchor Activity Per Day

Introducing a single, significant activity each day helps provide structure and maintains a sense of routine. Whether it's a trip to the pool, baking together, or a creative project, having a daily anchor can enhance the family's summer experience.

Steph Crowder [20:10]: "It gives the day some shape and helps everybody's mood, especially maybe mine."

This principle helps mitigate the chaos that often accompanies unstructured summer days, allowing both parents and children to enjoy meaningful and memorable experiences.

4. Gratitude as an Anchor

Cultivating gratitude can transform one's perspective, making the challenges of summer more manageable and enjoyable. Steph encourages parents to daily reflect on what they are thankful for, fostering a positive mindset.

Steph Crowder [28:00]: "I'm going to be journaling it in my journal every day. And I'm only, it's only gonna take me five minutes, but just reminding myself of how grateful I really am."

This practice not only enhances personal well-being but also reinforces the value of the time spent with family and the opportunities entrepreneurship provides.

5. Let Presence Define Success

Steph redefines success by incorporating the quality of time spent with children alongside business achievements. She encourages parents to measure success not just by revenue or business milestones but also by their ability to be fully present and engaged with their children.

Steph Crowder [34:50]: "What if part of your success for this summer is, yeah, I achieved my business goals, but I was also like, so super present with my kids when I was with them."

This holistic approach ensures that both professional and personal fulfillment are prioritized, leading to a more balanced and satisfying summer.

6. Reframing Thoughts About Time: Capacity vs. Time

Steph challenges the conventional notion that time is a limiting factor. Instead, she suggests focusing on one's capacity to handle tasks and responsibilities. By believing in their ability to manage and solve problems, parents can alleviate feelings of overwhelm.

Steph Crowder [45:20]: "If you have the thought, I can figure this out. I always do, like, what business of my dreams on the schedule that I want? I'm letting myself believe that that's possible."

She emphasizes that increasing personal capacity through self-care and positive thinking can create the illusion of "bending time," allowing parents to achieve more without feeling overburdened.

Practical Tips and Strategies

Building on the guiding principles, Steph provides actionable advice to implement these concepts effectively:

• Prioritize Self-Care: Treat self-care as an essential, non-negotiable activity, akin to an extreme sport.
• Create Clear Boundaries: Use calendars and schedules to delineate work hours from family time.
• Plan Anchor Activities: Select one key activity each day to bring structure and enjoyment.
• Daily Gratitude Practice: Spend a few minutes each day noting things you are grateful for.
• Redefine Success Metrics: Include quality family time as a core measure of success.
• Boost Capacity: Focus on enhancing your ability to handle tasks rather than merely managing time.

Personal Insights and Encouragement

Throughout the episode, Steph shares personal anecdotes that highlight the effectiveness of these strategies. She recounts a particularly challenging period of solo parenting during her husband's work trip, which underscored the importance of maintaining self-care habits even in the most demanding times.

Steph Crowder [12:30]: "When I'm alone with my children... I just don't think that it's reasonable to expect myself to perform at the level that I'm asking myself to perform for my family and for my business."

Her journey illustrates that prioritizing self-care and establishing boundaries are not only beneficial but essential for long-term well-being and success.

Steph also emphasizes the power of mindset, encouraging parents to shift their internal narratives from scarcity to abundance. By believing in their capabilities, parents can overcome perceived limitations and create a fulfilling summer experience.

Steph Crowder [50:15]: "We can increase our capacity... It's about expanding... you have to break that, like what am I, what do I mean? I just mean like if you were to go, like, if you were to exaggerate it."

Conclusion

In this episode of Courage & Clarity, Steph Crowder offers a comprehensive roadmap for parents striving to excel as both caregivers and entrepreneurs during the summer. By embracing self-care, setting clear boundaries, planning meaningful activities, fostering gratitude, redefining success, and cultivating a resilient mindset, parents can navigate the summer season with confidence and joy.

Steph's blend of personal experience and practical advice provides a valuable resource for any parent looking to harmonize their professional ambitions with their personal life. Her encouragement and actionable strategies empower listeners to create a summer filled with presence, productivity, and profound familial connections.

Steph Crowder [60:00]: "Let's go have the best summer with our kids that we've ever had. Let's have a successful summer where the measuring stick for success is business results and presence, joy and productivity, fun and hard work, rest and all the things."

Connect with Steph Crowder

If you found this episode helpful, Steph encourages you to reach out and share your experiences:

• Instagram: @heysteffcrowder
• Direct Message: DM Steph on Instagram to share your thoughts and connect further.

Embrace the courage and clarity to pursue what you love, and make this summer your most balanced and fulfilling yet!