From an Iranian refugee camp to becoming a Hollywood and Disney executive, Maryam Mehrtash’s story is one of resilience, courage, reinvention, and the power of storytelling.In this episode of Trust Me Mom, Ekaterina speaks with Maryam Mehrtash, a mother of two, writer, and former Disney leader who most recently led global promotions and partnerships at Marvel Studios (theatrical & Disney+). Maryam shares her incredible journey of fleeing Iran as a child, growing up in Canada as the daughter of immigrant entrepreneurs, building a career in entertainment, and balancing motherhood with ambition, creativity, and personal growth.Maryam opens up about her family’s sacrifices, her grandmother’s life as a Kurdish Iranian actress and singer, the impact of Disney storytelling on her childhood, and the full-circle moment of eventually working at Disney. She also shares practical advice for working mothers, including how she manages demanding work, young children, invisible labor, partnership, self-care, and the courage to keep building the life you want.This conversation is for every mother, immigrant, dreamer, creative, and woman who is trying to honor her past while building a bold future.Find Maryam’s Substack: This Is Not a Memo at https://thisisnotamemo.substack.com/00:00 Introduction00:50 Meet Maryam Mehrtash01:30 Fleeing Iran as a child03:00 Storytelling, Disney, and family legacy04:30 The sacrifices of immigrant parents06:35 Growing up in Canada08:00 From theater kid to business school09:00 Moving to Los Angeles and building a Hollywood career10:11 Landing the first job in LA11:47 Motherhood, career, and the pandemic16:30 Relentless prioritization as a working mom18:39 What happens when kids get sick?20:34 Managing the invisible load at home23:30 Communication, calendars, and partnership25:00 The mid-year check-in that changed her life26:21 Self-care, rest, and staying energized27:03 Friendship and community after kids29:30 Knowing your limits as a mother31:51 The full-circle Disney moment33:22 Advice to her younger self37:05 Showing children what is possible38:00 Maryam’s first business at age six40:00 Family teamwork and immigrant resilience43:50 Encouragement for tired working moms44:35 Courage as a muscle46:00 Reinvention after being laid off47:00 Writing, Substack, and becoming an author48:38 Closing thoughts48:51 Where to find Maryam#TrustMeMom #MaryamMehrtash #WorkingMoms #Motherhood #ImmigrantStory #IranianWomen #DisneyExecutive #HollywoodExecutive #WomenInLeadership #CareerAndMotherhood #MomLife #Storytelling #Resilience #Courage #Reinvention #WomenSupportingWomen #ThisIsNotAMemo