The Hidden Struggle of Stay-at-Home Moms: "I was giving all of myself to my children, but there was nothing left for me. And my very creative, active brain had no outlet. Right? I had no intellectual stimulation outside of my children, and I suffered, I think, because of that and I think a lot of women, you know, do too." - Ashley JordanJulie Smith and Glenn Harper are joined by the insightful and relatable Ashley Jordan. An attorney, public speaker, journalist, and author of "Unhappy Achiever," Ashley shares her journey from a small rural town in Marengo, Illinois, to becoming a full-time writer and advocate for women's empowerment.Ashley’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and relentless pursuit of passion. Raised in a working-class family and inspired by strong female role models like Gloria Steinem, she initially followed a conventional path by attending law school, despite knowing it wasn't her true calling. Her experience as an assistant district attorney revealed the emotional toll it took, prompting her to pivot towards her real passion—storytelling.Ashley discusses her superpower: the ability to connect and inspire through her authentic voice and storytelling. You'll hear about her journey, her book "Unhappy Achiever," and her dedication to mentoring women and aspiring writers. Ashley also opens up about the challenges of balancing creative pursuits with family life, the loneliness she faced, and how writing became her sanctuary.This is a candid and heartfelt conversation that underscores the importance of pursuing a career that feeds your soul and the incredible impact of sharing your story. Whether you're a working mom, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply looking for inspiration, Ashley Jordan’s journey will resonate and empower you to follow your own path. Empowering Moments04:51 Passion for empowering women through advocacy.07:38 Passion for justice began in early school.10:33 Making family proud dictated educational choices.14:14 Chose law due to outside influences, unhappy.18:15 Innate gift in writing; developed legal skills.21:45 Brenda Quoddy inspired through dedication and passion.25:01 Motherhood led to isolation, sparking creative blogging.29:52 Fitting writing into daily life, inspired by mother.32:44 Pursuing a career eased her profound loneliness.38:36 Loneliness overcome by supportive circle of friends.40:36 Mentoring women to inspire, share, and support.44:32 Show up for your passion and yourself.50:12 Empowering others to pursue fulfilling career paths.51:46 Honoring strong family legacy through uncertain paths.54:54 Storytelling to inspire and serve women purposefully.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering TakeawaysEmbrace Your Superpowers: Ashley Jordan underscores the importance of recognizing and leveraging your unique skills, such as storytelling and authenticity, to inspire and create impact.Pursue Passion Over Expectations: Ashley's journey reveals the importance of pursuing careers and endeavors that nourish your soul, even if it means going against external expecta