Stuck in Survival Mode with Dr. Ali Miller Artwork

The Business of Thinking Big

The Business of Thinking Big Podcast is hosted by business coach and founder of Mamas & Co., Lianne Kim. In this podcast we talk all things business mindset, strategy and hustle. So, if you're looking to grow your revenue, serve more dream clients and create amazing new possibilities, then you my friend are in the right place!

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The Business of Thinking Big

Stuck in Survival Mode with Dr. Ali Miller

May 28, 2026 • Lianne Kim • Episode 401

0:00 | 38:58

Somewhere along the way, so many women stopped feeling like their life was actually theirs.

Between running a business, raising kids, supporting a partner, caring for aging parents, and carrying the emotional weight of everyone else’s needs, it’s easy to end up stuck in survival mode — exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering where you went.

In this heartfelt conversation, Lianne Kim sits down with longtime friend and pediatric chiropractor turned Joy Coach, Dr. Ali Miller, to talk about what’s really happening beneath the surface for burned-out moms and women entrepreneurs.

Drawing from more than two decades of working with moms, Dr. Ali explains how chronic stress impacts the nervous system, why “just take a break” isn’t enough, and how tiny moments of connection, movement, and joy can begin to regulate the body and help women reconnect with themselves again.

Together, they unpack the identity shifts that happen throughout motherhood, the pressure women feel to constantly give to everyone else, and why reclaiming joy is not selfish — it’s essential.

This episode is a reminder that you are not failing. You are likely just depleted. And sometimes the path back to yourself starts with five intentional minutes.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why so many moms and women entrepreneurs feel stuck in “survival mode”
The hidden nervous system impact of constantly caring for everyone else
Why self-care days often don’t work when you’re deeply burned out
How motherhood changes your identity in every season — not just when kids leave home
The connection between nervous system regulation and joy
Small, practical “joy resets” that take less than five minutes
Why meaningful friendships and connection matter more than ever in this stage of life
How to model joy, boundaries, and self-worth for your children
Why reclaiming your joy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introducing Dr. Ali Miller and the journey from chiropractor to Joy Coach

02:00 – Why motherhood is emotionally and physically exhausting

05:00 – The therapist question that changed Ali’s perspective forever

07:00 – The identity shifts moms experience as children grow

09:00 – What it feels like when your life no longer feels like your own

10:00 – Why “just take a break” doesn’t actually solve burnout

11:00 – Understanding the nervous system: survival mode vs. regulation

14:00 – How survival mode shows up in your business, body, and relationships

17:00 – Why joy becomes inaccessible when your nervous system is overwhelmed

18:00 – Simple five-minute nervous system resets anyone can do

20:00 – The surprising healing power of friendship and connection