With Both Hands

In this episode of With Both Hands , we welcome entrepreneur and doula Tif Bryant for a conversation exploring the intersection of motherhood, business and community. Through reflections on her experiences of motherhood, entrepreneurship and travelling through India, the episode examines how maternal identity can shape the way women build both their families and their work. Expect reflections on t...

In this episode of With Both Hands , we explore the complexities of desire, identity and motherhood through the lens of the podcast Wanting in Public by Kaitlyn Kessler & Xanthe Appleyard. Laura and Clare examine why expressing personal wants can feel so uncomfortable for women, particularly mothers, and how deeply ingrained ideas of selflessness continue to shape how women see themselves. Exp...

In this episode of With Both Hands , Clare explores the relationship between creativity and motherhood, challenging the idea that becoming a mother limits creative potential. Instead, she reframes motherhood as a powerful catalyst for new ideas, clarity and innovation. Expect reflections on what creativity really means beyond traditional labels, and why so many women overlook their own creative ca...

In this episode of With Both Hands , we explore the lived reality behind the question so many mothers ask: how do you actually make business and family life work side by side? Moving beyond theory, the conversation centres on the practical structures, conversations and mindset shifts that make the balancing act more sustainable. Expect reflections on shared responsibility, honest communication wit...

In this episode of With Both Hands , we explore the often-repeated but rarely embodied idea of not pouring from an empty cup. Through honest conversation, Laura and Claire examine how motherhood and work are shaped by a culture that normalises exhaustion, and why this expectation ultimately leaves women depleted rather than fulfilled. Expect reflections on burnout, capacity and the quiet warning s...

In this episode of With Both Hands , we explore the often overlooked relationship between motherhood and leadership. Through honest reflection, Laura and Claire question why women are so frequently seen as less capable leaders after becoming mothers, and why this narrative makes so little sense. Expect reflections on how the skills developed through parenting, including emotional intelligence, neg...

In this episode of With Both Hands , we explore the emotional shift that comes with the start of a new year, particularly for mothers navigating complex family dynamics, ambition and self-expectation. Beginning with reflections on the emotional weight of the festive season, the conversation captures the contrast between renewal and heaviness that often sits beneath the surface at this time of year...

In this episode of With Both Hands , we examine the quiet pressures that build during the holiday season, particularly for mothers who carry the weight of both family expectations and wider societal narratives. Christmas is often framed as a time of joy, yet for many it brings overwhelm, exhaustion, and the sense of having to hold everything together while trying to keep everyone happy. Expect ref...

In this season finale of  With Both Hands , we reflect on what it has meant to speak honestly about motherhood, identity and ambition. We explore the unexpected vulnerability of recording these conversations, the emotional hangovers that followed, and how sharing our stories has challenged the old masks we used to hide behind. We reflect on the realities of raising children across differ...

In this episode of With Both Hands, we examine the stories we tell about women in the public eye. From the unveiling of the first statue in London depicting a postpartum woman, to the backlash around Taylor Swift’s new album, we dismantle the narratives constructed around women and question what it takes for our true voices and lived experiences to be seen and heard. Expect to hear thoughts on wha...

In this episode of  With Both Hands , we open up about the myth of “having it all” and what it really looks like to live through the different seasons of our lives. Instead of chasing balance as a fixed goal, we discuss how it often shifts and flows, and why that’s okay. We share our own experiences of finding structure, creating routines, and building systems that bring both steadiness and f...

In this episode of  With Both Hands , we talk about the push and pull of motherhood and work during the summer holidays. Juggling childcare and business can feel impossible at times, and with it often comes guilt, conflict and the pressure to keep everyone happy. We share our own experiences of summer, the messy moments, the unexpected joys, and the small ways we’ve tried to stay present with...

In this episode of  With Both Hands , we’re talking about what it really feels like to mother without a map – the exhaustion, the overwhelm, and the burnout that so many of us quietly carry. We share our own experiences and reflections on why community matters so profoundly, and why none of us are meant to navigate this journey alone. From the pressures of social media to the impact of techno...

We’re Laura and Clare, and in this episode of  With Both Hands  we open up about what it really means to be a mum and run a business. Motherhood is so often painted as an all-consuming role, one that leaves little space for your own dreams, creativity or career. We don’t believe it has to be that way. Through honest, down-to-earth conversation, we share our own experiences of juggling pa...