198 | Making It Without Losing It: Holding Ambition, Success, Motherhood, Joy, and the Pressure to Do It All with Jess Ekstrom

In this episode, Making It Without Losing It: Holding Ambition, Success, Motherhood, Joy, and the Pressure to Do It All, I sit down with bestselling author and entrepreneur Jess Ekstrom to talk about what success really looks like in a world that never seems to slow down. Together, we unpack the tension so many women feel between ambition and inner peace, and why hustle culture often convinces us to delay joy until we’ve finally “made it.” Jess shares the inspiration behind her new book, Making It Without Losing It, and invites us to challenge the idea that productivity, performance, and constant striving are the only paths to fulfillment.Throughout our conversation, we explore the hidden cost of chasing success at the expense of our well-being, and why burnout, overwhelm, and anxiety are not personal failures, but signals that something in our lives may be out of alignment. Jess introduces the powerful concept of an “Arrived Mindset,” the belief that you are already enough right now, not someday after the next milestone or achievement. We talk about redefining motivation, finding sustainable success, and learning how to stay driven without sacrificing your mental health, relationships, or sense of joy.At the heart of this episode is a simple but radical idea: success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. You can chase meaningful goals, cultivate motivation, and build a thriving life while honoring your nervous system, your relationships, and your own definition of fulfillment. This conversation is an invitation to rethink hustle culture, release perfectionism, and embrace a version of success that includes joy, presence, and peace, right here, right now.In this episode, we explore:What it really looks like to build a business, grow a career, and raise children at the same time—and the honest tension of trying to be present at home while still pursuing meaningful workHow motherhood changes your relationship to productivity, time, and expectations—and why success often has to be redefined in each new season of lifeThe shift from hustle culture and constant striving toward a more sustainable version of ambition—one that protects your mental health and allows room for joyWhy success is not a fixed destination—and how your definition of “making it” naturally evolves as your priorities, family, and responsibilities changeThe powerful question Jess often asks to clarify motivation: Would you still chase this dream if no one knew it was you?The core idea behind Jess’s Arrived Mindset—the belief that you are already enough right now, and that fulfillment doesn’t have to wait until the next milestoneHow speaking and storytelling can become powerful tools to grow a business, expand your platform, and share your message with greater impactThe reality that parenting, leadership, and entrepreneurship all require a constant balance between comfort and growth—and how doing hard things builds resilienceWhat it looks like to let your children see your humanity—including the hard days and imperfect moments—and why modeling perseverance matters more than perfectionBe sure to hit subscribe so you never miss the latest episode!Connect with Jess:Instagram: @jess_ekstromFacebook: jessekstromLinkedIn: Jess EkstromTikTok: @jessekstromTwitter/X: @jess_ekstromMic Drop WorkshopMaking It Without Losing ItConnect with Emily:Website: www.EmilyReuschel.comInstagram: @emilyreuschelFacebook: Emily ReuschelLinkedIn: Emily ReuschelJoin my Book Insiders List: Sign up here!Resources and Links:Sign up here to get the inside scoop to my book writing journey!Book me as a speaker for your next event - email inquiries to [email protected] or schedule a call hereWild & Waking – Produced by Jill Carr Podcasting | Learn MoreMentioned in this episode:Join Emily and Kelsey Anderson for VeilFall, an intimate Samhain and Full Hunter’s Moon women’s retreat happening October 23–26, 2026, at Blue Star Retreat Center in Columbia Falls, Montana, near Glacier National Park. Click below to explore the full retreat experience and register: VeilFall