# 397: Why Pausing Your Career Might Be the Most Ambitious Move You Ever Make with Neha Ruch

An episode of [The Brave Table with Dr. Neeta Bhushan](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1608226580), 12 Jan 2026, 53 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/f0520bc0/podcast/play/113744331/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-0-9%2F13732039-92d2-b970-13ff-70e5955a45ca.mp3

What if stepping back from your career isn’t failure, but the most ambitious decision you’ll ever make? In this deeply validating and paradigm‑shifting conversation, I sit down with Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause, to dismantle everything we’ve been taught about ambition, worth, and identity after motherhood. Neha gives language to a season so many women live in silently: the in‑between. The pause. The questioning. The reinvention. If you’ve ever felt torn between who you were and who you’re becoming, this episode will meet you right where you are. What you'll get out of this episode… • Why wanting more time with your children doesn’t make you “less driven” • How career pauses can actually become reclamation, not regression • The guilt, shame, and societal pressure ambitious women face when they slow down • How to answer the dreaded question: “So… what do you do?” • Why redefining success is the most radical move you can make • How to make this choice strategically, not reactively Connect with Neha WEB / https://www.motheruntitled.com/aboutus IG / https://www.instagram.com/neha_ruch BOOK / https://www.thepowerpause.com/thepowerpause This Episode is Sponsored by Chai Tonics Starting the year without pressure? Same. I’m choosing ritual over resolution with Chai Tonics — a calming chai ritual for focus, gentle energy, and nervous-system support when January feels loud. Try it at https://bit.ly/trychaitonics and use code BRAVETABLE for 15% off. 🌿 Which chai blend matches your vibe? Take my FREE quiz now: https://chaitonics.com/pages/chai-quiz Breathe better with JASPR As a mama healing from mold toxicity, air quality has become deeply personal for me. JASPR removes 97.1% of mold in just 1 hour. Use code BRAVE for $400 OFF: https://jaspr.co/brave Support your body with REJŪV My go-to science-backed red light therapy for faster recovery, reduced soreness, and deeper repair. Try it today with code BRAVETABLE: Https://werejuv.com/?ref=NEETABHUSHAN Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you! YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable IG / @neetabhushan IG / @thebravetable TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan WEB / https://neetabhushan.com If you loved this episode, check out…Ep. #358: Why “Good Mothers” Lose Themselves (And How to Reclaim You) with Vanessa Bennett (Apple | Spotify | YouTube) Ep. #301: Braving Burnout, Motherhood & Identity: The Unlearning We All Need with Michelle Grosser (Apple | Spotify | YouTube) Ep. #370: Founder, Mama, ADHD? How to Stop Shaming Your Brain & Start Thriving (Apple | Spotify | YouTube) To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to support@globalgrit.co 😘 Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She's also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.

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