<![CDATA[Thriving Moms]]>Thriving Moms shares honest conversations with women navigating motherhood, business, relationships, health, faith, and personal growth. Hosted by Katherine Stewart, every episode is a reminder that you're not alone and every mom has a story worth sharing.

]]>thethrivingmoms.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:06:32 GMTThu, 24 Sep 2026 14:37:45 GMT60Katherine Stewart<p>Thriving Moms shares honest conversations with women navigating motherhood, business, relationships, health, faith, and personal growth. Hosted by Katherine Stewart, every episode is a reminder that you're not alone and every mom has a story worth sharing.</p>episodicKatherine Stewartkatherine@thriveptla.comno<![CDATA[From Chemical Engineer to Top Realtor: Erica's Pivot to a More Present Life]]>
  • Erica shares how she spent 15 years in chemical engineering and operations management before moving into real estate.
  • In this episode, she explains that a conversation with a real estate agent friend first planted the idea that she could do something different.
  • She talks about leaving a plant role where she managed about 150 employees across five units and constantly felt late, rushed, and on call.
  • Erica describes the difference between rigid plant schedules and real estate flexibility, especially being able to plan around school events, early dismissal, and her children’s activities.
  • She shares the guilt she felt missing birthdays, holidays, and even her husband’s surprise party while working long hours.
  • We discuss how motherhood changed her priorities and made her realize her kids needed a present mom more than more money or status.
  • Erica explains how her husband Chad encouraged the transition and later joined her professionally when a mutual connection introduced them.
  • She breaks down how her engineering mindset now helps her build systems, processes, and consistent client service on their real estate team.
  • She talks through how she helps buyers and sellers make data-based decisions, including interest rates, equity, downsizing, and projected net proceeds.
  • Erica opens up about her father’s mental illness and suicide, and how that experience shaped her openness, advocacy, and focus on legacy and presence.
    • Notable quotes
    • “My kids just need a present mom.”
    • “The numbers always have to make sense.”
    • “My only regret is not doing it sooner.”
    ]]>    c9ec5fd2-5dd7-4100-92d7-74d3a518abcfMon, 12 Oct 2026 15:24:32 GMTThis conversation follows Erica’s path from chemical engineering and plant operations into real estate, and why the shift was about more than career growth. It’s a practical and personal look at flexibility, motherhood, systems, and the emotional weight of choosing presence over prestige.Erica shares how her engineering background still shapes how she works today, from problem solving to building processes for her team. She also opens up about family, grief, and the perspective shift that made her leave a demanding job behind.Key topics<ul><li>Erica shares how she spent 15 years in chemical engineering and operations management before moving into real estate.</li><li>In this episode, she explains that a conversation with a real estate agent friend first planted the idea that she could do something different.</li><li>She talks about leaving a plant role where she managed about 150 employees across five units and constantly felt late, rushed, and on call.</li><li>Erica describes the difference between rigid plant schedules and real estate flexibility, especially being able to plan around school events, early dismissal, and her children’s activities.</li><li>She shares the guilt she felt missing birthdays, holidays, and even her husband’s surprise party while working long hours.</li><li>We discuss how motherhood changed her priorities and made her realize her kids needed a present mom more than more money or status.</li><li>Erica explains how her husband Chad encouraged the transition and later joined her professionally when a mutual connection introduced them.</li><li>She breaks down how her engineering mindset now helps her build systems, processes, and consistent client service on their real estate team.</li><li>She talks through how she helps buyers and sellers make data-based decisions, including interest rates, equity, downsizing, and projected net proceeds.</li><li>Erica opens up about her father’s mental illness and suicide, and how that experience shaped her openness, advocacy, and focus on legacy and presence.<br /></li></ul>Notable quotes<ul><li>“My kids just need a present mom.”</li><li>“The numbers always have to make sense.”</li><li>“My only regret is not doing it sooner.”</li></ul>no00:21:3924From Chemical Engineer to Top Realtor: Erica's Pivot to a More Present Lifefull    <![CDATA[How A Full Time Artist Built Her Dream After Leaving OT - Danielle Faulk's Story]]>How a Full-Time Artist Built Her Dream After Leaving OT

    Danielle Nester Faulk opens up about the real cost of chasing achievement, navigating motherhood with three children, and making the leap from occupational therapist to full-time artist.After seven years working as an occupational therapist, Danielle built her art business on the side before going all in. She shares what it took to turn commissions and creative ideas into a business—and why the polished image of a “dream job” doesn’t always show the hustle behind it.In this honest conversation, Danielle also talks about pregnancy loss, welcoming her “miracle baby,” and how those experiences changed her perspective on family and gratitude. She reflects on mom guilt, balancing work and home life, and learning that her worth isn’t defined by her accomplishments.If you’re a mom, creative, or anyone wondering whether it’s too late to pursue a different path, Danielle’s story is a reminder that you can start again and build a life around what matters to you.

    Danielle's Website


    Music licensed through Soundstripe.

    Code: E8FBXB27UOKUB822, RKOVS8H7XAORQWD2

    ]]>    1d19a950-0681-4d66-be73-da4a507ffbebTue, 06 Oct 2026 00:35:13 GMT<p>How a Full-Time Artist Built Her Dream After Leaving OT</p><p>Danielle Nester Faulk opens up about the real cost of chasing achievement, navigating motherhood with three children, and making the leap from occupational therapist to full-time artist.After seven years working as an occupational therapist, Danielle built her art business on the side before going all in. She shares what it took to turn commissions and creative ideas into a business—and why the polished image of a “dream job” doesn’t always show the hustle behind it.In this honest conversation, Danielle also talks about pregnancy loss, welcoming her “miracle baby,” and how those experiences changed her perspective on family and gratitude. She reflects on mom guilt, balancing work and home life, and learning that her worth isn’t defined by her accomplishments.If you’re a mom, creative, or anyone wondering whether it’s too late to pursue a different path, Danielle’s story is a reminder that you can start again and build a life around what matters to you.</p><p><a href="https://www.daniellenesterfaulk.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Danielle's Website</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.</p><p>Code: E8FBXB27UOKUB822, RKOVS8H7XAORQWD2</p>no00:31:1823How A Full Time Artist Built Her Dream After Leaving OT - Danielle Faulk's Storyfull    <![CDATA[What a Mom Of Four Learned After Her Daughter's Dyslexia Diagnosis]]>Sara shares the reality of parenting, work, and navigating dyslexia.

    The heart of the episode is her story about realizing her daughter Frankie was dyslexic, getting a private evaluation, and learning how diagnosis changes both school support and parenting.
    We discuss the pressures of motherhood, how Sara stays consistent with workouts and family logistics, and why advocacy and early intervention matter so much when a child is struggling.

    ]]>    7308c3f6-6584-4ecd-b72f-3a3834228185Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:19:24 GMT<p>Sara shares the reality of parenting, work, and navigating dyslexia.<br /><br />The heart of the episode is her story about realizing her daughter Frankie was dyslexic, getting a private evaluation, and learning how diagnosis changes both school support and parenting.<br />We discuss the pressures of motherhood, how Sara stays consistent with workouts and family logistics, and why advocacy and early intervention matter so much when a child is struggling.</p>no00:16:5522What a Mom Of Four Learned After Her Daughter's Dyslexia Diagnosisfull    <![CDATA[How A Mom Started a Thriving Embroidery Business Between Work And Toddlers - Harlie Romero]]>What happens when the life you’re building looks nothing like the childhood you survived? Harlie Romero shares the honest, funny, and deeply moving reality of raising two young children, working as an occupational therapist, and growing a thriving embroidery business from her kids’ playroom.

    ]]>    7de736a7-149e-49bc-821d-e3f419eaec72Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:39:35 GMT<p>What happens when the life you’re building looks nothing like the childhood you survived? Harlie Romero shares the honest, funny, and deeply moving reality of raising two young children, working as an occupational therapist, and growing a thriving embroidery business from her kids’ playroom.</p>no00:12:43How A Mom Started a Thriving Embroidery Business Between Work And Toddlers - Harlie Romerofull