In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura Sinclair sits down with Lindsey Schmidt, founder of LS & Co-Conspirators, to unpack “the messy middle” — those in-between seasons of motherhood, entrepreneurship, identity shifts, and reinvention. Together, they explore why change feels so disorienting, what keeps us stuck, and how support systems (aka “co-conspirators”) can help you move through uncertainty with more clarity, confidence, and self-trust. Lindsey also shares her own journey from 20 years in corporate leadership to stepping into entrepreneurship — and how motherhood intensified both the clarity and the confusion.In this episode you will hear:01:46 — “Chapters of messy middles” + living in paradox02:28 — What is LS & Co-Conspirators? (spy agency energy)03:07 — Corporate success → burnout + reinvention04:23 — “Co-conspirators” and doing good work together05:28 — The business forming in real time + unlearning06:33 — Why support changes everything in messy seasons07:22 — Where to start when you feel stuck08:29 — Why change is messy: unravel before you rebuild10:37 — What keeps people stuck in the middle12:40 — The messy middle as an invitation to choose13:44 — The messy middle of motherhood: pregnancy to identity shifts15:41 — High-functioning postpartum anxiety + loneliness16:59 — “Things got clear and confusing at the same time”19:33 — Motherhood rewriting priorities + grief and recalibration20:01 — The breaking point: corporate pressure + parenting reality22:07 — Quitting corporate: the final “sign”23:10 — Reframing: it’s not wasted time — it’s fuel26:02 — Lindsey’s work: transformations in mid-size companies27:02 — Why “why” matters when leading change29:21 — Where to find Lindsey29:49 — Closing takeaway: the messy middle is where the magic happens Lindsey's Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-schmidt-founder-9497854/Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com Laura's Links:• Website • Laura's Instagram • LJSocial Instagram • LinkedIn • Facebook • Pinterest • TikTok

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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