Working Mumma

In this episode, I delve into a topic we all experience but seldom discuss - the Mum Mindset. Beyond the well-known growth vs fixed mindset paradigm, the unique challenges faced by mothers often go unexplored. The constant juggling of responsibilities, the pressure to do it all, and the mental chaos can be exhausting. As we step into the new year, it's an opportune moment for reflection and resett...

Today, we dive into the dynamic world of career transitions, work-life integration, and the unique challenges faced by working mothers. Joining us is Dayna Stewart, the Executive Director of The Nudge Group, and a devoted mother to two children. In this insightful conversation, Dayna shares her wealth of experience from over 20 years in recruitment, offering valuable advice on how to navigate your...

Embarking on a new chapter, whether it's the leap from home to childcare or kindergarten to school, can stir up a whirlwind of emotions for both children and parents. In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, we dive into the intricacies of transitions with Dr. Kathryn Hackman, MBBS PhD FRACP, a mother and the founder of Courageous Kids. Discover effective strategies to tackle separation anxie...

Today, we delve into the world of flexible work with a true expert, Belinda Morgan, a dedicated flexible work and leadership specialist. In this episode, Belinda shares her profound insights, rich experiences, and actionable advice on how part-time work can be a game-changer in achieving work-life integration without compromising career aspirations. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the W...

On this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, we delve into a topic that resonates deeply with working mothers everywhere: the elusive work/life balance. Many of us find ourselves caught in the perpetual cycle of the "hamster wheel of life," struggling to define and maintain boundaries. In this insightful episode, we explore a four-step process to help you establish and uphold boundaries, ensuring...

In this empowering episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I take you on a journey into my year that has been personally & professionally transformative, marked by milestones, challenges, and unexpected triumphs.  Mid year I was experiencing imposter syndrome and personal doubt that was having a big impact. But, as I explain in the episode, I got support and came out much better on the other sid...

Alexandra is a solo mum by choice who has recently released a memoir called Inconceivable: Heartbreak, Bad Dates and Finding Solo Motherhood. During this episode, we chat about how Alexandra wrestled with her desire for a baby along with her creative and career ambitions at the same time. Alexandra has an inspiring story of following your dreams and taking hold of your own future, no matter what t...

Every two years, Women's Agenda publish the "Women's Ambition Report". For this episode, I speak with Angela Priestley, publisher and co-founder of Women's Agenda (a publication for career-minded, time-poor women who want to stay ahead of the conversation).  During this chat, we discuss the report's key findings, trends on the future of work, and the opportunities for change to support female work...

Anecdotally we know what commonly happens to a woman's career after she has a child. But, what are the facts? That question is what this week's guest, Jessica Heagren asked herself and decided to find out. Jessica is based in the UK, and early this year released the 'Careers after Babies' report on what happens to a woman's career after she has a child. This is a really interesting and insightful...

In this episode of Working Mumma, we delve deep into a topic that's close to the heart of every working mum: boundaries. Join me as I explore the misconceptions, challenges, and strategies surrounding the art of setting healthy boundaries while juggling the demands of a career and family life.   During this episode, I chat about:  Understanding boundaries and the common misconceptions  The work/li...

This week on the podcast I speak with two amazing people who are advocates for gender equality, Coleen Mackinnon and Rob Sturrock. We all spoke very passionately about improving gender equality, and how fathers can play an active role and share the load, their own experiences of parenting and having a career.  Topics we covered include:  * The systemic barriers that are impacting gender diversity ...

When we discover that we are pregnant, so much of the focus goes toward the child's birth. Once this life-changing event has happened, that is when we most need our village to surround us with support. Learning how to care for a newborn, recovering ourselves, and navigating this new world is challenging; it's when we most need the village around us. Planning for postpartum is crucial as I chat wit...

Today I'm speaking with Laura Campbell who has over 20 years of corporate experience, founder of Hackerlily, is mum to two children, and suffers from a chronic illness.  During this episode Laura shares: * Why she and her husband decided to move back to Australia after living in the UK for 16 years and her experiences of the transition  * The impact of having a chronic disease since childhood on h...

Working mum life can be isolating. At work, people often don't understand the guilt, the mum/career juggle, or the mental load. Without a community, confidence, and normalizing the struggles, it can leave you questioning if you are really able to "have it all". As working mums, we are breaking down some of the siloed and gender-stereotyped thinking. Women in the 1970s were forced to give up their...

In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, we dive deep into topics relating to gender equality and the motherhood penalty. I speak with Niti Nadarajah and we have really insightful conversation across a range of different topics. No matter where you are on your parenting journey, there are great tips from Niti. Niti is passionate about gender equality and we chat about shifting the mental mode...

This a big milestone episode as I celebrate with you 100 episodes of the Working Mumma podcast!  I started the Working Mumma podcast when I was 18 months into my motherhood journey, I had been back at work for approximately 6 months before I had the idea for a podcast and 8 months when I launched the podcast.  I will be honest and say that I was unsure how to recognise 100 episodes. But I needed t...

Flexible work is a key requirement for many families to help them manage the juggle of career and parenting. I speak with Belinda Morgan, a flexible work and leadership specialist this week on the Working Mumma podcast. Belinda shares her insights, experience, and practical advice on how part-time work can support women seeking work-life integration without compromising career aspirations. As we d...

In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I speak with Jordanne Collins, a working mum with her own web design company, and we explore the challenges, surprises, and joys of balancing motherhood and a career. Jordanne shares how becoming a mother has changed her perceptions and priorities, making her more career-driven than ever before. She relishes the opportunity to show her children that th...

In this episode, I chat with Leslie Carvitto, a persona brand and lifestyle photographer, who became a mum in 2022 and currently navigating the juggle of being a business owner whilst raising a tiny human.  Leslie shares her challenges and joys of motherhood and returning back to work in her own business after she became a mum. Work for Leslie was an anchor, providing a sense of purpose and identi...

The mental load is an issue that affects many mothers and women, resulting in burnout, stress, and anxiety. It regularly comes up as a key challenge for working mothers.  In this episode, I look at what exactly is the mental load and some of it's features. It is invisible and will look different for everyone; as I share, it changes daily. Rather than giving you clear strategies (i.e. outsourcing)...

In this solo episode, I go through the upcoming changes to childcare subsidy (CCS) in Australia. The childcare subsidy is a government-funded financial assistance program that helps families with the (increasing) cost of childcare. On July 10, 2023, some changes will be made to the program that provide better support to parents, and in this podcast, I'll explore what these changes are, why they ar...

Have you ever experienced mum guilt? Do you find yourself catching yourself sounding like your mum? You aren't alone.  In this episode, I speak with mindset coach and rapid transformation therapist, AJ Davis, about navigating mindsets and beliefs to create a happier and healthier life. We discuss the impact of our beliefs from how we have been influenced by society & our parents, and how to ch...

Enjoy part two of my chat with Ellen Hooper on building a successful portfolio career. By definition, a portfolio career is when you have several unrelated jobs. Portfolio careers give you the opportunity to craft a future to help explore interests outside of your "traditional" role. Ellen has a job share position as the Head of People & Culture at a community bank, her own business the Growth...

Ever wondered about the benefits and opportunities that can come about through job sharing? In this episode with Ellen Hooper I discuss job sharing, the benefits, tips, and strategies to make it a successful partnership and arrangement between yourself, your job share partner, and your organisation. Ellen is experienced in job sharing and will share her career journey and how she started working w...

Burnout is a topic that many people have experienced, and increasingly over the past 3 years. In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I speak with Lisa Dillon, a Public Health Postdoctoral Research Fellow.   In this episode, Lisa explains the definition of parental burnout, which is the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that one feels from the chronic stress of parenting. Unlike wor...