Being a working mom is no easy feat—especially when you’re solo parenting for weeks at a time. In this episode, we’re joined by Kristen Nolan, senior client account manager at Interview Valet, military spouse, and mom of three. Kristen shares her honest and practical approach to juggling career, kids, and constant schedule changes.
We talk about how she stays organized during her husband’s long absences, why planning for the unknown is key, and how she uses her calendar not just to stay on track—but to make room for what matters most. Kristen also dives into her favorite productivity hacks, like using AI to create custom summer reading worksheets for her kids, and why she now blocks out personal time without guilt.
Whether you’re balancing meetings and math homework or navigating the chaos of summer break, this conversation is packed with relatable stories, helpful strategies, and encouragement for every busy mom trying to do it all.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your schedule, unsure how to find balance, or like you’re pouring from an empty cup, this episode is for you.
Ready to listen? Use the podcast player or listen anywhere you find your favorite podcasts. (Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!)
Rather read? Check out the show notes and episode content right here!
Show Notes: Planning, Parenting & Podcasting: How Kristen Nolan Juggles It All
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #245 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
In today’s episode of The Secrets of Supermom Show, we sit down with Kristen Nolan—senior client account manager at Interview Valet, military spouse, and mom of three—who shares the raw truth about what it’s really like to juggle a career, motherhood, and the unpredictability of military life.
If you’re a busy working mom trying to balance it all, this episode is packed with practical time management tips, mindset shifts, and powerful strategies to help you thrive—even when your calendar feels chaotic.
Meet Kristen Nolan: Podcast Expert, Mom of Three, Military Spouse
Kristen helps thought leaders grow their brands through strategic podcast guesting. But behind the scenes, she’s also managing a household with three children (ages 4, 10, and 12), often solo-parenting while her husband is away for military training or deployments.
Kristen believes the key to balance is clarity, connection, and consistency, both in business and in motherhood.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✅ How Kristen stays organized even when her spouse is gone for weeks at a time
Kristen uses a color-coded calendar, Sunday night planning rituals, and project-based time blocking to maintain structure—even during unpredictable seasons of solo parenting.
✅ The truth about planning for the unknown as a military spouse and working mom
She shares how she mentally prepares for last-minute changes (like a surprise two-week trip to Egypt!) and still gets her kids where they need to be.
✅ Why personal time matters—and how to take it without guilt
Kristen opens up about her journey from burnout to balance, and how a nudge from her operations manager helped her start taking intentional PTO days for herself. Her go-to recharge? Solo beach days while the kids are at school.
“We’d never run our phone at 20% all day without charging it—but we do that to ourselves all the time.”
✅ Why staying organized doesn’t mean saying no to fun
Kristen shares how she uses her calendar to create flexibility, not limit it—like rescheduling a work task to have lunch with a friend, knowing exactly when she’ll make up the time.
Time Management Tips for Working Moms from Kristen
- Plan your week every Sunday night. Block off personal time, work tasks, and even margin.
- Use your calendar like a puzzle. If you want to say yes to something fun, shift other tasks without guilt.
- Know your energy zones. Save high-focus tasks for kid-free time and save email or light work for distraction-prone hours.
- Build in buffer time. Especially with younger kids, Kristen recommends planning an “extra hour” into the day to accommodate the unexpected.
Productivity Hacks for Summer with Kids at Home
Kristen’s a fan of using AI tools to support her parenting. Her favorite trick this summer?
🧠 Custom AI-Generated Reading Worksheets:
Her son loves football but hates reading. So she uses ChatGPT to generate short football-themed reading passages with comprehension questions—keeping him engaged and learning while she gets work done.
Is Balance Possible for Working Moms?
Kristen’s honest answer: It depends on how you define it.
Balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly all the time. For Kristen, it means being self-aware enough to notice when she’s nearing burnout and taking intentional action—whether that’s an hour of quiet, a walk, or a day off.
Her advice? Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. Proactively recharge before you hit empty.
Kristen’s Supermom Moment
“I feel most like a Supermom when I see my kids doing the things I’ve been teaching them—without being asked. That’s when I know the seeds I planted are starting to bloom.”
One Small Step for Busy Moms
Kristen’s challenge for listeners:
🗓️ Take a 15–30 minute pause today. Block it off. Reflect on what you actually need—whether it’s a to-do list, a nap, or a quiet moment. It’s not selfish, it’s strategic.
Connect with Kristen Nolan
Want more from Kristen? Here’s where to find her:
🔗 Website & Welcome Page: interviewvalet.com/kristen
📱 LinkedIn: Kristen Nolan on LinkedIn
🎙️ Learn more about Interview Valet and podcast guesting opportunities.
Did this episode resonate with you?
If you’re a working mom trying to create structure, stay focused, and avoid burnout, don’t miss this empowering conversation with Kristen Nolan. Listen now, share with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes that help you live your best Supermom life.
About Our Guest: Kristen Nolan
Introducing Kristen Nolan, an experienced professional in corporate sales and account management. Known for her skill in building connections and empowering others, Kristen excels as a Senior Client
Account Manager at Interview Valet. She drives success through strategic partnerships and personalized service, helping clients achieve their goals. Outside work, Kristen contributes to community service
and educational initiatives in sunny Tampa, FL, with her husband, three children, and rescue dog, Fifi. Join Kristen as she shares her journey of balancing career, family, and personal passions with dedication, and a
relentless drive to make a meaningful impact wherever she goes.
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About the Host: Lori Oberbroeckling
Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling is a mom of four, corporate leader, podcaster, productivity expert, and author of the book Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!
She is passionate about helping parents who want fulfilling careers–or side hustles or passion projects–while also wanting to feel present and connected to their families.
