Introduction
In this heartfelt episode of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, I, Neeti Keswani—Business Storytelling Coach, Ho’oponopono Practitioner, and host of Luxury Unplugged—sit down with Dr. Susan Landers, a retired neonatologist, author of Defeating Burnout, and a mother of three. Our conversation is a beacon for every mom, every high-achieving professional, and every woman who has ever asked: Can I do it all without losing myself?
Dr. Landers spent decades saving the tiniest lives in the NICU while raising a family, navigating marriage, spiritual faith, and professional pressures. Her story is not just inspiring—it’s incredibly relatable. Together, we explore burnout, balance, emotional resilience, and the radical act of self-care.
Whether you’re in medicine, entrepreneurship, education, or any caregiving role, this episode will guide you toward clarity, boundaries, and healing—because luxury is not about perfection. It’s about inner peace.
1. What does burnout feel like for high-achieving working moms?
Burnout for working moms isn’t just exhaustion—it’s emotional depletion, guilt, and the feeling that no matter how much you do, it’s never enough. Dr. Landers describes it as chronic emotional fatigue that seeps into all areas of life—work, parenting, relationships, even your sense of self.
During her years in the NICU, she was expected to be flawless under pressure. Meanwhile, at home, she navigated the endless demands of motherhood. This juggling act, though familiar to many, becomes toxic when we forget to include ourselves in the equation.
As she shared her story, I felt how deeply women internalize the idea that we must keep going at all costs. But the cost is too high. Burnout is a signal—not of weakness, but of misalignment. And that awareness is the first step toward healing and reprioritization.
2. How did Dr. Susan Landers recognize it was time to shift?
Recognition came in whispers, not lightning bolts. Dr. Landers began noticing subtle signs—fatigue that rest didn’t fix, irritability, disconnect from joy, and that nagging voice saying, “Something isn’t right.”
What stood out in her journey was the courage to listen to those signs and take action. Many women dismiss them, believing it’s “just a phase.” But Dr. Landers paused, reflected, and admitted: I need to reclaim my center.
She began saying no more often, sought therapy, leaned into faith, and adjusted her work boundaries. Her transformation didn’t happen overnight, but it began with one brave step: choosing to value her wellness over external achievement.
3. What are some early red flags of caregiver burnout?
Dr. Landers shares key red flags that working moms and caregivers should never ignore:
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Increased cynicism or frustration
- Guilt around self-care or rest
- Lack of motivation even for things you once loved
- Constant self-doubt and comparison
These aren’t just “bad days”—they’re signs your system is overwhelmed. We discussed how acknowledging these symptoms without shame is critical. As a coach, I’ve seen how just naming burnout lifts a weight off the heart. Because when you name it, you can begin to shift it.
4. How can spirituality help mothers navigate burnout?
Dr. Landers openly shared how her spiritual faith became an anchor during times of emotional and physical depletion. Prayer, reflection, and leaning into a higher power gave her a sense of inner steadiness that no external achievement could.
As a Ho’oponopono practitioner, I deeply resonated with this. Spiritual practices don’t remove chaos—they help us respond with grace and groundedness. Whether it’s prayer, meditation, mantra, or simply stillness, spiritual rituals reconnect you with your inner source—the space where peace and clarity reside.
Spirituality is not an escape. It’s a homecoming.
5. What self-care practices actually work for busy professionals?
Self-care isn’t spa days (though those are lovely). It’s boundaries. It’s breath. It’s choosing yourself without apology.
Dr. Landers recommends:
- Micro-breaks throughout the day
- Early sleep over late-night scrolling
- Asking for help without guilt
- Journaling or reflecting even 5 minutes a day
- Therapy or coaching for long-term support
We both agreed—intentional self-care is a sacred responsibility, not a luxury. It keeps you present for your work, your family, and most importantly, for yourself.
6. How can moms create boundaries without guilt?
Guilt is the most stubborn emotion mothers carry. We feel guilty working, guilty resting, guilty saying no. But Dr. Landers offers this powerful reframe: Boundaries are not rejection—they are redirection.
They protect your energy, preserve your purpose, and model healthy emotional regulation for your children.
Start small:
- Block out sacred “you time” on your calendar
- Say “I’ll get back to you” instead of yes
- Let go of the idea that doing everything = being enough
Remember: you are enough even when you rest.
7. How did NICU life impact Dr. Landers’ emotional resilience?
Working in a NICU means living at the edge of life and death daily. It’s high stakes, high stress, and emotionally draining. Yet Dr. Landers developed emotional resilience through meaning, presence, and spiritual perspective.
She treated every baby as sacred, every parent as human, and every moment as an opportunity to hold space for healing.
Her key takeaway? “You cannot carry everyone. But you can be present, compassionate, and connected.” This applies to parenting, leadership, and life. Resilience isn’t hardening—it’s softening with wisdom.
8. How can women ask for help without feeling like a failure?
This question brought up something very raw: many women equate asking for help with not being strong enough. Dr. Landers reminds us: “You are strong. And even strong women deserve support.”
Asking for help is a gift to yourself and your loved ones. It fosters connection, reduces isolation, and creates more spaciousness in your life.
Start by:
- Delegating small tasks at home
- Sharing honestly with your partner
- Seeking mentorship or joining support circles
- Saying, “I need a break”—and meaning it
You are not failing. You are evolving into a version of you who receives with grace.
9. What message does Dr. Landers have for women who feel like they’ve lost themselves?
“You are still in there. Just under the layers of noise, responsibility, and pressure,” Dr. Landers said.
And I agree with every word. Women don’t lose themselves—they simply forget to look inward. This podcast episode is a reminder to return to your truth, to reconnect with your essence, and to redefine what success looks like.
Start with presence. Silence. Breathing. Writing your truth again. The real you is not gone—she’s waiting to be welcomed home.
10. What is the ultimate form of luxury for working mothers?
Luxury isn’t just scented candles or getaways. According to both Dr. Landers and me, the ultimate luxury is emotional freedom—to say no, to choose joy, to rest without guilt, and to live in harmony with your values.
It’s being able to pause in the middle of chaos and say: “I am here. I am whole. I am enough.”
Let this Maha Shivratri guide you to peace, prosperity, and purpose.
Conclusion
This conversation with Dr. Susan Landers is a heart-map for every woman navigating the intersections of work, motherhood, marriage, identity, and healing. You don’t have to burn out to be worthy. You don’t have to sacrifice joy for success.
You are allowed to create a life that feels whole, sacred, and aligned.
About Neeti Keswani
Neeti Keswani is a Business Storytelling Coach, Ho’oponopono Practitioner, and host of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast. She empowers conscious professionals and creators to bridge the gap between inner clarity and outer impact.
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