#339 - Dealing with Judgment and Criticism as a Working Mom
Release Date: 04/06/2025
#362 “Start Before You’re Ready” Ditching Perfectionism to Launch Your Firm with Nicole Hall
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this inspiring episode, Nicole Kehl sits down with Nicole Hall, a CPA, homeschooling mom, and founder of her own accounting practice. Nicole shares her journey from a surprise start in bookkeeping to building a 6-figure firm that supports her values and lifestyle. She opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, redefining success, and how she makes business work around her life, not the other way around. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at and get the support you need to build the practice you want.
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#361 What's REALLY Possible When Women Own Their Value
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this episode, host Nicole Kehl sits down with CPA MOMS founder Mayumi Young to explore what it truly means to own your value. Together, they unpack the mindset shifts and courageous actions that help women close the gap between how they feel and what they’re worth. From redefining value beyond money to building cultures that honor working moms, this conversation is packed with insight, truth, and inspiration. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at and get the support you need to build the practice you want.
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#360 Letting Go to Grow: Overcoming the Need to Do It All
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this episode, Nicole Kehl sits down with Frances Cortez, founder of Cortez Business Solutions, to explore her unexpected journey from corporate controller to empowering entrepreneur. With over 30 years of experience and a business built on service, flexibility, and mentorship, Frances shares how she grew her team, leaned into her purpose, and built a career on her own terms. From mindset shifts to setting boundaries and building community, this episode is packed with wisdom for any CPA mom navigating her own professional path. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women...
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#359 When You're Surrounded but Still Feel Alone in Your Career
The CPA MOMS Podcast
Even in a room full of people, it’s possible to feel completely alone, especially as a woman in the accounting industry. In this episode, Nicole Kehl and CPA MOMS founder Mayumi Young unpack what it really means to belong, why women often feel isolated at work, and how authentic connection changes everything. You’ll hear personal stories, emotional insights, and tips for finding (or creating) the community you deserve. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at and get the support you need to build the practice you want.
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#358 Breaking the Mold: Sandy Payne’s Bold Choice to Prioritize Family Over Tradition
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this inspiring episode, Nicole chats with Sandy Payne, CPA and accomplished CFO, about her unique journey from Mary Kay sales to leading multi-location businesses through financial growth. Sandy shares how she balanced motherhood, military life, and a demanding career, offering wisdom on boundaries, mindset shifts, and the real meaning of success. Her story is a powerful reminder that accounting is about people as much as it is numbers. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at and get the support you need to build the practice you want.
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#357 Designing a Career Around Your Life—Not the Other Way Around
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this episode, Nicole Kehl sits down with CPA MOMS founder Mayumi Young to discuss what it truly means to design your career around your life, not the other way around. They explore how to reconnect with your values, create space for clarity, and shift from a default life to an invented one. Mayumi shares personal stories and tools that have helped hundreds of women find fulfillment on their own terms. Special Offer: Want help discovering your values and vision? Access the CPA MOMS Personal Vision Course for free! This course is designed to help you create a clear, actionable vision for...
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#356 Connection, Curiosity, and Career Moves: How Women Help Women Move Forward
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this episode, Nicole Kehl chats with Lindsey Head, founder of Pulse Business Group and award-winning CFO, about her unconventional journey from hedge fund accounting to launching a thriving fractional CFO business. Lindsey shares how early mentorship shaped her bold career decisions, how she overcame burnout, and what work-life harmony truly looks like as a mom and entrepreneur. If you've ever felt stuck or unsure about your next step, this conversation will reignite your passion and remind you of the power of saying yes. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at ...
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#355 What Work-Life Harmony Really Looks Like
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this episode, Nicole Kehl sits down with CPA MOMS founder Mayumi Young to unpack the difference between work-life balance and work-life harmony. Mayumi shares why the traditional idea of "balance" sets women up to feel like failures, and how harmony offers a more realistic, joyful, and empowering approach. They explore how redefining success and embracing flow can change everything, especially for working moms in accounting. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at and get the support you need to build the practice you want.
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#354 From 20 Min Meditation to Major Moves - Nikki Bushaw on Building a Life-Aligned Firm
The CPA MOMS Podcast
In this episode of our "What I’ve Learned" series, Nicole Kehl sits down with CPA and entrepreneur Nikki Bushaw to explore the twists and turns of her journey from regional firm accountant to founder of her own successful practice, Absolute Accountant. Nikki shares the mindset shifts that fueled her leap into entrepreneurship, the challenges of managing a team, and how her definition of success has evolved over time. Her honest reflections on work-life harmony, personal growth, and building a life aligned with your values will resonate deeply with every CPA mom. Enjoyed this episode? Join a...
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#353 The Most Undervalued Skill in Accounting: Confidence
The CPA MOMS Podcast
Confidence might not be the first skill that comes to mind in accounting, but it could be the most powerful one. In this episode, Nicole Kehl sits down with CPA MOMS founder Mayumi Young to explore the quiet epidemic of self-doubt among women in the profession. They unpack how imposter syndrome, lack of representation, and perfectionism often hold women back—and what to do about it. If you've ever felt like you're not "ready enough" to step up, this episode is for you. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at and get the support you need to build the practice you want.
info_outlineHave you ever left work at a reasonable time to pick up your kids and felt like you were being silently—or not so silently—judged? Maybe a coworker makes a snide comment, or you get that look from someone as if to say, “Must be nice to leave early.”
The thing is, juggling work and family is already hard enough without feeling like you’re under a microscope. You’re trying to do your best for your family and your career, but somehow, it never feels like enough. It’s exhausting, and it can leave you second-guessing yourself constantly.
Why is it that judgment from others, or even ourselves, can hit so hard? Why does one comment, one glance, or even one unspoken assumption stick with us for hours—or days? It’s almost like our brains are wired to take every criticism and use it as proof that we’re not doing enough.
This week, I’m going to discuss why judgment and criticism feel so heavy and how to take back control.
You can read the full show notes HERE