SpazzedOut LLC

As a mom, a career woman, and someone who always feels like there’s just one more thing to do, I know a thing or two about fear and self-doubt. They’re like those two pesky cousins who always show up uninvited—loud, opinionated, and determined to tell you what you can’t do. Let’s call them what they are. Or better yet, let’s give them a face. Meet Cassandra . Who is Cassandra? Cassandra is that negative little voice in your head—the one who whispers (or sometimes yells): “You’re not good enough.” “You’re going to fail.” “People will laugh at you if you try.” She’s the critic, the worrier, the self-doubt machine. She’s been called many names—fear, insecurity, irrational thinking—but for today, Cassandra feels just right. Why Bother Talking to Cassandra? Here’s the thing: I used to spend years trying to shut her up. But the truth is… she never really goes away. So instead of fighting her, I’ve learned to listen. And you know what? Cassandra isn’t all bad. Hidden ins...

Most of us know what lawyers, doctors, or teachers do. But when someone says, “I’m an actuary,” people usually pause, tilt their heads, and ask: “Wait…what’s that again?” I know, because I’ve lived it. When I introduce myself as an actuary, I often get blank stares. Then I try to explain, and somewhere between “risk” and “financial consequences of uncertain events,” I lose them. So let’s break it down simply, mom-to-mom, career-woman-to-career-woman. So, What Exactly Is an Actuary? In short, actuaries are the people who use math, statistics, and financial theory to make sense of risk. According to the Society of Actuaries , we analyze the financial consequences of uncertain future events (like illness, accidents, retirement, or natural disasters). We don’t have crystal balls, but we crunch numbers to predict and prepare for the “what ifs” of life. Think of us as financial risk detectives. Where Do Actuaries Work? Basically, anywhere risk and money exist. That means we pop up ...

I’ll be honest with you—saving money has never been easy for me. Between juggling bills, feeding a growing family, and the never-ending rise in grocery prices (seriously, when did eggs become a luxury item?), saving sometimes feels impossible. Add anxiety and worry into the mix, and money becomes more than just numbers—it becomes an emotional weight. But here’s the truth: saving doesn’t have to feel like punishment. In fact, when done right, it can feel empowering. I’ve discovered one simple hack that has helped me save consistently, even when life feels overwhelming. Why Bother Saving? As moms and career women, we’re constantly balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s uncertainties. The truth is, none of us can predict the future. Emergencies happen, cars break down, kids get sick, and jobs aren’t always guaranteed. And here’s the kicker—studies show that money worries are the number one cause of stress. And that stress? It doesn’t just live in our heads. It affects our bodies too...

If you’re anything like me, you know what it’s like to wake up at 3 a.m. with your mind racing about bills, groceries, or whether that unexpected car repair is going to set you back for months. The cost of living keeps climbing, and sometimes it feels like no matter how much I budget, it just isn’t enough. As a mom and career woman, I’ve learned that worry doesn’t solve my money problems—it only drains my energy. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to switch it off. What has helped me most is learning to manage my anxiety around money and finding ways to build financial stability, even in small steps. Here are three simple, practical tips that can help us stop worrying so much about money and start taking control instead. 1. Secure One Reliable Source of Income Let’s be real—having at least one steady income stream is essential for covering the basics: rent or mortgage, food, utilities, and keeping the Wi-Fi running (because the kids can’t live without it, right?). For many of us, t...

As a mom and a career woman, I spend a lot of time juggling—school drop-offs, deadlines, laundry that seems to multiply overnight, and my own dreams that keep tugging at me no matter how tired I am. Sometimes, life feels like one big experiment in survival. But when I stop to think about it, I realize we’ve been given clues about how to navigate challenges from some of the world’s greatest minds. Ivan Pavlov, Edward Thorndike, B.F. Skinner and Robert Gagné weren’t writing parenting guides or career manuals, but their discoveries about learning and behavior still ring true today. In a world that sometimes feels heavy with hopelessness, I find comfort in their lessons—and in how we can apply them to both raising children and building careers. IVAN PAVLOV: THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION Pavlov’s famous experiment with dogs taught us about conditioning . He rang a bell when giving food, and eventually the dogs began to salivate at the sound of the bell alone. It’s all about association. As ...