Working Mumma

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 discuss, there is a misconception that part-time work is just for working mum, but as Belinda explains anyone can benefit from flexible work arrangements for various reasons. One of the challenges working mothers face is being able to find suitable part-time roles that match their experience and skill set. Belinda talks about the hidden talent market of highly skilled people seeking part-time or job-share roles, with untapped potential that could benefit employees and organisation. We also talk about: The value of part-time work for both employees and employers The challenges and opportunities of part-time roles Why requesting part-time hours needs to be win/win for both employees and employers and she shares tips on how to have this conversation and if you get resistance the opportunity to ask for a trial period Discuss the benefits of the 4-day week and the concept of the 100:80:100 model The impact of the new flexible work laws coming into effect Strategies and advice on how to navigate the recruitment process when looking for part-time positions Why employers need to develop a clear and attractive proposition for flexible work, highlighting the importance of aligning their policies and strategies with employees' needs. Belinda reminds listeners to advocate for flexible work, encouraging them to have open conversations with employers and explore the possibilities. Connect with Belinda: Connect with Belinda via her website www.belindamorgan.com, read her book 'Solving the Part-Time Puzzle' or LinkedIn Connect with Carina at Working Mumma Free resource: '3 steps to sharing the mental load' Join the Working Mumma Village LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma Instagram: @workingmummacommunity Website: workingmumma.com.au

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 they don't have to conform to societal expectations and can pursue their passions while making a positive impact on the world. The conversation delves into the common guilt experienced by working moms, with Jordanne acknowledging that even though she loves her work, she still wrestles with the feeling of needing to give more to her children. She emphasizes the importance of defining one's own version of success and demonstrating to her kids that they can create their own paths in life. Jordanne also discusses the benefits of finding a sustainable pace, taking time for self-care, and building relationships with other women entrepreneurs. She shares her strategies for slowing down and finding inspiration. This episode offers an inspiring glimpse into the life of a working mum who has discovered her purpose, challenged societal norms, and found fulfillment by pursuing her career alongside motherhood. It serves as a reminder that being a working mum is a testament to the strength, efficiency, and the power to redefine success on your own terms. Connect with Jordanne Website: jordanne.co Instagram: @jordanne.co Connect with Carina at Working Mumma Free resource: '3 steps to sharing the mental load' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma Instagram: @workingmummacommunity Website: workingmumma.com.au

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 identity amidst the changes of motherhood. The nature of her work meant that she was able to slowly ease her way back, but also allowed her to take on her first job 6-week postpartum. We also talk about a topic that isn't often spoken about and that's the conflicting and complicated emotions of motherhood. From feeling content and privileged, to longing for uninterrupted time and pre-baby life. The relentlessness of parenting, both physically and mentally, and the absence of a pause button are acknowledged. Leslie openly shares the identity shift that she has experienced and the impact on her both personally and professionally and the important role community plays. If you are a new mum or recently returned to work after maternity leave, this is a very relatable episode for you. Wanting to rebalance the mental load? Check out the free resource '3 steps to sharing the mental load'. Connect with Leslie Follow Leslie on Instagram @lesliecarvitto.photography and her website www.lesliecarvitto.com Connect with Carina at Working Mumma Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma Instagram: @workingmummacommunity Website: workingmumma.com.au

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) for managing the mental load, I look at the impacts and influences of the mental load to bring a new perspective into the conversation. I also share the idea of a MVT - Minimum Viable Task - the minimum tasks you need to do for your household to function and what you and your partner need to do for this to be a reality. Women spend nine hours a week more than men on unpaid work and care than men. This has impacts on women's mental health, and wellbeing and it has a ripple effect on organisations and gender equality. When we talk about the mental load, it’s often referred to as a female topic, but this just highlights the issue and influence it has on gender equality. I am of the view that a contributing factor to gender equality is how well people share the mental load at home. Organisations also have a role to play in supporting the mental load for both working parents through flexible work and hybrid work approaches and I discuss the influence of this relating to gender equality. I also share some key observations and tips regarding mental load and encourage you to download the free mental load checklist to help you review the mental load between you and your partner. Download the free resource '3 steps to sharing the mental load'. Connect with Carina at Working Mumma If you are looking for community, resources, and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

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 are happening, and what you need to do to benefit from them. Links to websites I have referenced in the podcast: Service Australia website Starting Blocks Childcare subsidy calculator Link to ACCC survey on childcare price and availability (open 18 April - 31 May) Connect with Carina at Working Mumma If you are looking for community, resources, and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

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 challenge and transform limiting beliefs to break negative patterns. AJ Davis also shares practical tips for managing mindset and beliefs in day-to-day situations. Some key takeaways from the episode: Our beliefs and mindset have a significant impact on our confidence and we are able to be in control of this and change the story By challenging and transforming limiting beliefs you can break negative patterns and create a happier and healthier life and parenting experience How you can flip your mindset to change your beliefs Why the outcome is not success The value in building up an evidence file of positive stories - helps with building our confidence and self-belief It's important to be aware of the impact of our beliefs and to be conscious about passing them on to the next generation The different between big T and little T trauma and how we can navigate this We need to practice self-compassion and accept that we will pass on some things to our children can help us navigate the challenges of parenting This is a great episode that will leave you reflecting on why you think and behave in different circumstances based on previous experiences in your life. You can change the story and AJ explain how you can do this. Connect with AJ David on Instagram @aj.mindcoach or her website changeyourthoughts.com.au Connect with Carina at Working Mumma If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

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 Collective, and exploring board positions. This is an interesting chat to explore the opportunities of job sharing and how you can look at this for your own career. We chat about: * Benefits of a portfolio career * Opportunity for wealth creation with multiple sources of income * The value of financial independence * Importance of setting boundaries About Ellen Hooper Ellen Hooper does lots of things. She's a mum of two, an executive coach, the Co-Founder of The Growth Collective who specialise in workshops and training for new and emerging leaders, and the Chief People Officer at a community-owned bank, a role that she job-shares.. Connect with Ellen On LinkedIn or Instagram @ellen.hooper.consulting and her website growthcollective.com.au Connect with Working Mumma If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

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 with her business partner in a job share arrangement. This is the first of two episode with Ellen and the second is episode 93 on portfolio career. Ellen Hooper does lots of things. She's a mum of two, an executive coach, the Co-Founder of The Growth Collective who specialise in workshops and training for new and emerging leaders and the Chief People Officer at a community owned bank, a role that she job-shares.. Connect with Ellen On LinkedIn or Instagram @ellen.hooper.consulting and her website growthcollective.com.au Connect with Working Mumma If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

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 work burnout, parental burnout is a 24/7 job, and parents can't escape from their parenting responsibilities to recharge. The statistics show that two-thirds of parents in paid work experience burnout, with 68% of mothers and 42% of fathers experiencing it. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem due to the lack of support and the need for parents to be 'always on' and everything from parent to teacher to sports coach and more. Lisa discusses the different stages of parental burnout that if left unaddressed, parental burnout can lead to feelings of inefficacy, cynicism, and ultimately, depression. She also highlights the risk factors that increase the chances of experiencing parental burnout, such as being a single parent, having children with disabilities, experiencing mental illness, being isolated, and having perfectionist tendencies. Lisa and I both share our experiences and insights about the triggers and symptoms of parental burnout, including the pressure to do everything perfectly and the exhaustion of juggling work and childcare. We talk about how finding support, letting go of unrealistic societal expectations, and prioritizing self-care can help parents recover from burnout. Lisa shares the analogy of differentiating between glass and plastic balls to manage workload. Parental burnout is a real and pressing issue that affects many working parents. However, as Lisa shares tips and advice, with the right strategies and support, it is possible to prevent and manage burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you need support from this episode, please reach out to COPE or your GP to support. Connect with Lisa Connect with Lisa on Instagram @drlisa.researcher Connect with Working Mumma If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

Working mums often feel judged – it could be their decision to want to have a career and be a mum, the hours they work, the time they spend with children, the decision to send their children to childcare, meals prepared, and the list goes on. Christie Nicholas and her marketing agency, Mumpower, recently conducted a study with Australian mums with some scary results. They found that 82% of mums feel judged, with 65% of mums who feel judged saying they are judged by other mums. In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I speak with Christie about the impact when women feel judged, the key factors that are causing this, discuss ideas on how to overcome judgment and the importance of having confidence in ourselves to cut out the noise and back ourselves. We talk about: * The shift in marketing to mums over the past 13 years * The role of social media in brands buying journey and the positive & negative impacts this has on women, especially mothers * Reasons why mums are feeling judged and it's not what you might think * Impacts on feeling judged and how this has a flow on effect to our family * What we can do when we are feeling judged * Why mums are an amazing asset to any business * The importance of shorting our stories as working mums to talk opening about the challenges of having a family and following our career aspirations * Why the rise of Tik Tok may have a positive impact * What Christie would tell herself as a younger mum I really enjoyed this insightful and engaging conversation with Christie. Connect with Christie & Mumpower: Website: mumpower.com.au LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christie-nicholas-33842414 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1839544269574490 Instagram: @mumpower_au Connect with Working Mumma If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

There are many different themes for International Women's Day 2023 to highlight gender equality and how far we are away from it. Rather than just talking about what the issues are, in this podcast I share with you some strategies and actions that both individuals and organisations can take to make incremental changes to help move the needle in a positive direction. What would you like to see change and improve? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode and what ideas you have. In this episode I talk about: * Why we need to support women going on maternity leave so they feel engaged and have a positive return to work experience. This group of women are often forgotten about but when this journey is well managed it potentially can support having female leaders. * Value of creating a community * Why we need to #sharetheload in the home to create equality and this has a ripple effect into organisations, along with greater sharing of caring responsibilities between both parents * Providing flexible work options and it isn't a one size fits all approach * Value of gender-neutral leave policies and why we need to pay superannuation on parental leave * Importance of affordable childcare to support female workforce participation * Mental load in the workplace * Why you should engage your employee in creating policies and frameworks regarding your DE&I strategy * Reminder that it is ok to ask for help Lastly, please don't assume women will have all the answers. Yes, we are great at problem-solving, but gender equity of a societal program and we are trying to overcome literally hundreds of years of patriarchal systems. The goal is clear and we all need to work together. If you have an idea, please have the confidence to speak up, and if your company does not want to listen, well as Annabel Crabb said this week "anyway, don't work for dickheads". If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. Use the code VILLAGE10 to get a 10% discount on your membership. I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

In a report last year by consulting company, McKinsey, nearly 12 million women left their job during the early stages of the pandemic and the workforce still hasn’t recovered. Organisations need to acknowledge the responsibilities of working parents, often the ‘double shift’. More can and needs to be done by companies to support women returning to work and recognise the transition women go through. During this episode I speak with Hareta McMullin, founder of Third Space People, a leadership mentor and employee experience strategist, shaking up the way we think and feel about HR, culture and leadership. We talk about: * What businesses can do to support working parents and especially mothers * The value of work/life integration * Why organisations need to see the value of working mothers as a benefit and not a hindrance * The positive impact of flexible work for working parents * How to overcome people that are not always advocating for working mothers * What businesses can do to have a positive employee experience for women returning from parental leave * Why the cost of a cake & onsie is much less than recruiting a new employee and the return on investment of supporting women on their parenting journey has long term benefits * How businesses need to change the narrative to help drive change * Tips for employees on how to raise topics if they are facing challenges * How we can all be apart of the solution together This is a great episode and we cover so much! Connect with Hareta: Where to find her? Website: https://thirdspacepeople.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1839544269574490 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/third_space LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hareta-mcmullin TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hareta_mcmullin Connect with Working Mumma If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

We are seeing women change jobs at high rates to work for organisations that align with their work/life integration priorities. Often women believe they need 80% of the selection criteria vs men that believe they need only 20%. How do you get the cut through with recruiters to get the interview? Enjoy this episode of the Working Mumma podcast as I speak with Dayna Stewart, the Executive Director of The Nudge Group, and a busy mum to two beautiful kids, Jake and Asha, supported by her awesome hubby, Jarod. During this episode, Dayna and I chat about all things relating to searching for your next role, how to position yourself effectively, and why you should back yourself during the application process. Dayna gives great advice from her 20+ years of experience in recruitment to help you land your next role. We chat about: * How you can best prepare and position yourself in a competitive recruitment environment * Tips for your resume and what to include/not include - including navigating motherhood and parental leave breaks in your resume and during job interviews * Trends by employers to attract new candidates and what to look out for * The importance of a positive mindset during the job search process * The benefit of improving your LinkedIn profile and tips for making your profile look attractive to recruiters * Tips for being a stand-out candidate and why researching is important for the company and key stakeholders during the interview process * Tips for virtual interviews Best of luck with your job search and securing your next role. You can connect with Dayna on LinkedIn and find out more about the Nudge Group on their website. If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always, I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

One of the biggest challenges I hear from working mums is work/life balance, and a significant contributor to this is boundaries. Setting and keeping boundaries is hard. We can be on the hamster wheel of life wondering why we keep going around and around with no idea how to get off and find our version of normality. As working mums, we deserve to be happy at both home and work. During this episode I take you through a four-step process to creating boundaries and then how to manage these going forward. We all know that life gets busy and the boundaries may blur a little. I share with you a strategy to work through when this happens and get you back on track. It is also important to highlight and celebrate when the boundaries you have set are working and celebrating these. We often focus on what is not working, but it is also important to recognise what is working. Key topics I talk about are: * 2 questions for you to ponder as a working mum * 4 steps to creating your boundaries * Strategies to managing your boundaries - when they aren't working and when they are * Importance and value of mindset with creating and keeping boundaries Enjoy the episode and best of luck with setting boundaries for 2023 to have the work/life integration you desire. If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village. As always I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

Is your baby not sleeping and are you going back to work soon? Are you wondering how to navigate your babies sleep routine with the childcare transition? These are everyday anxieties and worries facing most working mums as I discovered during my conversation with Donna Moala, founder of Bub2sleep, a certified Sleep Sense consultant, and a mum of three. Sleep is a learned skill and it can define the newborn months and years by the amount of sleep our child has had the night prior. This has a big impact on how we function and how alert we are during the day, especially with lack of sleep. The stress and anxiety can go up another level when you are returning back to work after maternity leave and your baby still isn't sleeping as you would like and they are transitioning as well to childcare. To help navigate this period I spoke with Donna who shared tips on when to start preparing for childcare and key foundations you can begin working on. Donna shared that the childcare transition is a change to the sleep routine you may have at home, and after a couple of weeks your child will be able to differentiate between childcare/other locations and home. Your child will most likely have less sleep at childcare given the environment, so instead focus on the awake times rather than the 'normal' bedtime and on the days they are home you will be able to apply your foundations and boundaries to focus on the good sleep at home. Another key foundation Donna speaks about is independent sleep and teaching babies how to learn this new skill. During the chat we spoke about: * Tips for managing sleep with children * How to prepare your child for the childcare transition * The importance of awake times (here is the link to Donna's awake time resource) * Juggling different childcare and home routines * Navigating children waking during the night once you have returned to work Donna shares tips you can implement right away with your children and I hope this supports you in knowing that everything will be ok. As Donna mentioned "everyone is doing the best we can, we are all feeling the same". Connect with Donna and Bub2sleep via her website bub2sleep.com.au, Instagram @bub2sleep or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bub2sleep/ As always I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village.

Is your child about to embark on a transition either from home to childcare or kinder to school? The new year often brings new locations and experiences for our children. There is a level of uncertainty as they are separated from their security blanket of mum and dad potentially for the first time. It's emotional for everyone involved, more so for our children. We like to think children are adaptable and will naturally embrace new situations and surroundings. But, all too often that doesn't happen. There is a range of emotions that come with new surroundings and people, your child is having a normal and natural reaction. This week on the podcast I speak with Dr. Kathryn Hackman,MBBS PhD FRACP, is a mother and the Founder of Courageous Kids. She's been through the struggle of tricky drop offs, and knows she's not alone, given that anxiety affects 1 in 9 children. Kathryn shares effective and practical strategies to combat separation anxiety in a fuss-free form, that helps busy parents set their kids up for success with new experiences. Kathryn didn't understand what a transition was and the impacts until she became a mum. You may be wondering - what is a transition? To clarify, it is when you go from one environment to another. For children starting childcare, kinder or school, drop off is not as simple as drop and go. Separation is a big factor for children through these key transition phases. Taking a proactive approach through play and storytelling, this can help children become familiar with their new teachers and educators and be a positive transition experience. A good analogy is our first day of a new job - we are anxious due to new surroundings, a new team, new processes, the uncertainty of the people you will work with and the list goes on. Our children are no different. They are anxious through the transition phase of kinder to school or home to childcare, just like we are on our first day of work. In this episode we chat about: Strategies to help build familiarity and trust with your child's educators or carers The power of storytelling and play to create familiarity Why the emotional preparation for the transition is more important than the physical Tips on when and how to manage transitions Transitions aren't just education based, they happen in all areas of our lives Why preparation is key to managing transitions and much more! This is a great episode with easy-to-implement strategies to support you in managing transitions in your child's life. For more information about Kathryn and the Courageous Kids app, go to the website www.courageouskidsapp.com or follow on Instagram @courageouskidsapp If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village As always I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au Photo credit: Star News Group

Are you feeling exhausted after running the 2022 marathon and feel like you are limping to the finish line? You aren't alone. It has been a big year. Did you know that 89% of people have experienced burnout in the past 12 months? Burnout is a worldwide, systemic problem and not only for one group but everyone. It is important to know the symptoms and have your own personal strategies on how to manage them because we all react differently to situations. In this episode, I share with you strategies to help prevent burnout in a very busy period of the year. If you are looking for community and support as a working mum, check out the Working Mumma Village digital membership workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village As always I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity and check out the Working Mumma website workingmumma.com.au

Has anyone referred to you as "just a mum"? Are you no longer feeling like yourself since becoming a mum? This week I speak with Heinna who was in this exact position where for 6 years she was focused on her kids and lost herself, who she was, and her identity. Heinna thought she was heading down one path with her career and becoming a mum changed all that. In this episode, Heinna shares her journey from losing herself and being in "mum mode", not knowing what she liked or what she wanted, to becoming clear on her goals and values, through a re-evaluation of herself and what she wants in life. If you feel like Heinna 6 years ago and are in a similar headspace, this is a great episode to help you with strategies to help you rediscover yourself after motherhood and why being a mum is part of you, but not all of your identity. Heinna is a mum of 3 lovely children. After a shift from Corporate to starting a business, Heinna has found always reminding herself that its okay to be successful in her business and be a mum. She wants to share with other mums that they are not alone and there is space out there for everything they want to do alongside being a mum. Connect with Heinna: @obm_assembly/ heinnaveas.com.au LINKS: Join the Working Mumma Village to help you juggle motherhood and a career so you can thrive workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village Website: workingmumma.com.au Instagram: @workingmummacommunity LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/working-mumma

I often hear of women currently on maternity leave wondering how they will manage the juggle of work & mum life. This might be you; if it is, I don't want you to feel this way. You deserve to feel confident & supported on your return to work as a mum. When you become a mum you go through a big change, known as matrescence, and you naturally have a different outlook, priorities, and perspective. I want to support women in the transition from maternity leave to work after maternity leave and this is why I ran a masterclass "5 strategies to help you transition back to work with confidence" and in this episode share the recording with you. This is what I covered in the masterclass: How to recognise and manage the 'mum guilt' - a feeling that all mothers experience Strategies to navigate the mental load with your partner Tips for managing the childcare transition Strategies to improve your self-confidence and wellbeing Tips to managing the return with your employer And so much more! If you found this episode interesting and what to join the Return with Confidence program, join here workingmumma.com.au/return-with-confidence As always I'd like to connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma or Instagram @workingmummacommunity.

If you are a regular listener you may have noticed that I haven’t released a podcast episode for over a month! This is the longest break I’ve had since I started this podcast in January 2020. Today I just wanted to share with you what’s been happening behind the scenes, my experiences, and a few lessons I’ve learned along the way. I talk about: Why I haven’t released a podcast in a month How my work/life boundary lines became blurred and the impact this had Why it’s ok to drop or put a ball down for a period of time Observations and experiences of the past 2 months Lessons I’ve learned and what I am doing to reset Why we need to say no more regularly Quick summary of my recent overseas trip LINKS: Join Return with Confidence workingmumma.com.au/return-with-confidence Join the Working Mumma Village to help you juggle motherhood and a career so you can thrive workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village Website: workingmumma.com.au Instagram: @workingmummacommunity LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/working-mumma

Has anyone asked if you can travel now that you are a working mum? I've been asked this question a number of times and replied "yes - I've got a supportive husband and tribe around me" and gone on to have successful business trips. Good news - having children doesn't mean the end of traveling for work. As I discuss in this episode, it requires a little more planning than previously, but you certainly can take up the opportunities when they are presented and travel. It might also give you an opportunity for some alone time & self-care that you might not get the opportunity when you are home. Enjoy this episode as I share with you 6 tips for business travel as a working mum. LINKS: Free masterclass: 3 secrets to juggling work and motherhood without feeling overwhelmed workingmumma.com.au/resources Join the Working Mumma Village to help you juggle motherhood and a career so you can thrive workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village Website: workingmumma.com.au Instagram: @workingmummacommunity LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/working-mumma

As new mums, we got through a big identity shift and can discover a new version of ourselves. Children have a significant impact on our time and our priorities change. Meet this week's guest, Melanie Corlett, founder of Mumli, is passionate about helping make the lives of mums easier, and as a working mum herself, she understands the challenges that come along with being present as a mum and businesswoman. Mel shares open & honestly how becoming a parent has changed her perception of work and career and now focuses on what is most important to her. She has overcome several challenges, talks about her mindset shift, and how she is navigating motherhood and the new version of herself. Becoming a parent also is the inspiration behind her business, Mumli. Melanie gives tips and advice on the journey she has been on so far of starting a tech business whilst raising 2 children and how she still finds time for self-care. Enjoy! LINKS: Connect with Melanie Corlett from Mumli: Website mumli.com Instagram @mumli.app or Facebook facebook.com/mumliapp Free masterclass: 3 secrets to juggling work and motherhood without feeling overwhelmed workingmumma.com.au/resources Join the Working Mumma Village to help you juggle motherhood and a career so you can thrive workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village Website: workingmumma.com.au Instagram: @workingmummacommunity LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/working-mumma

Going back to work after maternity leave is filled with mixed emotions. To help support you on the transition back to work, or if you have recently returned after maternity leave, this is also a good episode for you to take a moment & reflect. I'm sure you have experienced some amazing moments during your time on parental leave, but just like in life, it isn't all roses and happy days. There are equally as many tears and low moments. This episode is a great opportunity for you to reflect on this period in your life. I'd suggest you grab a your favourite hot drink along with a pen and paper to write down your responses to the five questions I encourage you to ask yourself. Enjoy! LINKS: Free masterclass: 3 secrets to juggling work and motherhood without feeling overwhelmed workingmumma.com.au/resources Join the Working Mumma Village to help you juggle motherhood and a career so you can thrive workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village Website: workingmumma.com.au Instagram: @workingmummacommunity LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/working-mumma

Ever dreamt of starting your own business and wonder what it is like? Today I speak with the founder of Franjo's Kitchen - Fran Fogarty and Jo Clark. Fran is a lawyer and Jo is a naturopath, who have carved out a niche in the motherhood nootropics and wellness industry that has allowed them to grow a two million-dollar business while raising six kids between them. It all began after a chance meeting on the street as two new mums that sparked a discussion on natural ways to stimulate lactation for postpartum mums struggling to produce enough milk for their babies – much like Fran was experiencing. But much like motherhood, their business journey wasn't without its challenges. In 2019, the pair came close to calling it quits, with overwhelming debt suffocating their opportunities for innovation. In this episode we chat about what inspired Fran & Jo to start Franjo's Kitchen, their business journey and they share some key learnings along the way, challenges they have experienced and what they did to overcome these, highlights & surprises, how they manage their businesses, children, life and a day job, along with tips for anyone thinking of starting their own business and so much more. Enjoy! LINKS: Connect with Franjo's Kitchen: Instagram @franjoskitchen or Facebook facebook.com/franjoskitchen Free masterclass: 3 secrets to juggling work and motherhood without feeling overwhelmed workingmumma.com.au/resources Join the Working Mumma Village to help you juggle motherhood and a career so you can thrive workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village Website: workingmumma.com.au Instagram: @workingmummacommunity LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/working-mumma

I think everyone woman goes through an identity shift when we become a mother. We think we know ourselves, our values, and have an idea of how we want to live our lives. But when the baby comes along it really changes our perspectives. Not only how others perceive us, but also how we perceive ourselves. Today guest is Personal Branding Specialist & owner of Lovelly Communications - Emma Lovell. I really enjoyed speaking with Emma because she was so generous, open, and honest with her personal experiences of the identity shift she has experienced in becoming a mum. Her priorities have changed and she is now unequivocal on her boundaries between work and home life, especially having her own business. One thing that Emma speaks so honestly about is that she is a mum, this is a part of her, but not all of her. In this episode we talk about: Motherhood identity shift Post natal depression experienced by fathers Boundary setting Running your own business before children Strategies to help you navigate the identity shift as a mum And so much more Emma and I have an exciting challenge for you at the end of the episode. Be sure to listen to the end and tag us both. This episode focuses on motherhood's impact on your identity and personal brand, but with many tangents that give you lots of relatable experiences and strategies. It was great fun having this chat with Emma. Join the Working Mumma Village membership today to get support in the transition from maternity leave to working mum. Connect with Emma Lovell Website Instagram @lovellycomms LinkedIn Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien Instagram: @workingmummacommunity Website: www.workingmumma.com.au LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

In this is episode I share with you why you should join the Working Mumma Village and more background on what benefits you get as a member. I begin by sharing a little bit of my return to work experience when I returned from my first maternity leave. From there go through some of the realities of what it is like to be a working mum, and the very limited support we have to navigate the transition back to work and life as a working mum. Navigating life as a working mum can be isolating and you don't know where to look for support. I share with you the 5 step journey I have created to help guide you from feeling overwhelmed to thriving. Each step has a coaching video, resources, and suggested masterclasses to help you move through. The Working Mumma Village is a digital membership for professional women that provides connection, coaching, support, and empowerment to help you thrive in motherhood and a career. Why should you enrol now? I have a special end-of-financial year special and listen to the episode to get an extra special discount code. I look forward to connecting with you inside the Working Mumma Village. USEFUL LINKS Join the Working Mumma Village: workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village CONNECT Instagram: @workingmummacommunity Website: www.workingmumma.com.au LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast I speak with Paediatric Speech Therapist Kobie Bloomfield and founder of ToyCycle. Kobie is passionate about creating opportunities for children to use their imagination and creativity. She often experiences parents coming to see her unsure of how to play with their children asking "Am I doing the right thing?" It can sometimes be challenging to know how best to play and interact with our kids, especially at the end of a busy day at work. During this episode, Kobie shares great tips and advice to support parents playing with their children and their development. During this episode we chat about: Tips for supporting a child's language development Common communication difficult Kobie sees in children and tips on what parents can do Importance of seeking help if we feel our children are not reaching development milestones The role of toys in a child's development Tips for parents low in confidence when playing with their children Why buying more toys isn't often the best solution for our kids How toys can support quality time with parents And much more! There are a lot of great tips and advice to support parents playing with their children in this episode. Would love it if you would be able to subscribe and leave a rating or review. Join the Working Mumma Village membership today and join a community of like-minded working mums. Connect with Kobie at ToyCycle Website Instagram @toycycle.aus Facebook Connect with Carina O'Brien/Working Mumma Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien Instagram: @workingmummacommunity Website: www.workingmumma.com.au LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Business and social constructs were made without the consideration of working mothers who are ambitious. This might be the reason why 1 in 3 women start a business whilst they are on maternity leave, and 1 in 9 start a business whilst they are pregnant. Today on the podcast I'm speaking with Carrie Kwan, Co-Founder of Mums & Co and Lucy Kippist, Community Manager at Mums & Co. Both women are passionate about empowering women to harmonise their ambition, livelihood, and wellbeing. This is a value-packed episode filled with great advice from two very experienced women in community and business building. Both Lucy and Carrie understand first hand the juggle as working mums, but still fulfilling their ambitions and passion to support others. During this episode we chat about: the value of community and the benefits a good community brings why women create their own businesses how our career outlook and priorities change once we become a mum and managing this shift the value of outsourcing why being articulate in asking for help can benefit you advice for mums starting their own business key skills to have when starting your own business Lucy & Carrie share how they find their work/life harmony I really enjoyed the chat with Lucy & Carrie from Mums & Co and hope you do as well. Join the Working Mumma Village membership today and join a community of like-minded working mums. Connect with Mums & Co Website Instagram @mums.and.co LinkedIn Connect with Carina O'Brien/Working Mumma Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien Instagram: @workingmummacommunity Website: www.workingmumma.com.au LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

As working mums, we often feel like we are forever running a marathon. We get to the end of the day feeling tired and exhausted, only to repeat it all over again the next day. It doesn't have to be like this. The good news, is there are some simple and effective strategies we can adopt to recharge our mind and body to help reduce stress and burnout as I chat with holistic nutritionist, Melissa Finlay. Mel works with women to show them how food, nutrition as well lifestyle intervention, and self-care can unlock a new level of energy and vitality, and assist with healing from specific issues like postnatal depletion or diagnosed women’s health conditions like endometriosis. During this episode we chat about: Self-care strategies to build into your routine Value of taking time for yourself Impact on your mind and body from stress and burnout Tips to improve your energy levels when you get that 3pm slump 3 tips to reduce stress Identifying the signs and triggers of stress and you can manage this Strategies to help with meal planning Connect with Melissa Finlay * Instagram: @melfinlay_nutritionist * Websie: melissafinlaynutritionist.com Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

This week on the Working Mumma podcast I speak with Sheree Rubinstein, a corporate lawyer turned entrepreneur and the Founder of One Roof. Known as the ‘Queen of Community,’ Sheree is experienced in building businesses, raising capital, and mentoring women along their business journey. Sheree is a mum to Goldie who was born one week into the very first lockdown in Melbourne. During this episode, Sheree and I talk about the intersection of ambition and motherhood. There will be many relatable moments during this episode relating to wanting to be a mum and have a career. We chat about the ingrained societal systems that influence and impact mothers, along with what policies and structures need to change to improve support for working mothers. Sheree is a big advocate and powerful voice for working mothers and shares her own experiences on overcoming mum guilt, unconscious bias, and challenges as a working mum. Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Village. Connect with Sheree Rubinstein & One Roof * Instagram: @shereejaderuby or @weareoneroof * LinkedIn: Sheree Rubinstein Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

In this week's episode, I speak with Meditation teacher, Jazz Kalus. Meditation regularly comes up as something many of the Working Mumma podcast guests do for self-care and I was interested to learn the positive effects can have on our minds and body. As Jazz explains in this episode, meditation can help you have better rest in a 20-minute meditation than a few hours of sleep. It can also help to remove stress in our system reducing anxiety, fatigue, improving focus and overall happiness and well-being. During this episode we chat about: What is meditation? How can we manage stress & burnout using meditation What are some benefits of meditation How can we get started with meditation and what are the key elements What role can meditation play in self-care Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Village. Connect with Jazz * Instagram: @jazzkalusmeditation * Website: jazzkalus.com Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

This week on the podcast I am speaking with Georgie Dent, journalist, editor, speaker, and prominent advocate for parents, families, and women. The former lawyer is the Executive Director of The Parenthood, an independent for-purpose advocacy organisation that represents over 72,000 parents, carers and allies around Australia. In Australia, we have an incredible education system and for over two decades women have been graduating from university in slightly higher numbers than men. Australia is the number one country in the world for female educational attainment. As Georgie explains, we don't have a skills shortage because when a baby comes into the picture, women are retreating from the workforce as earning less and less money. Whilst fathers often get the 'dad bonus' to work and earn more than ever before and this gap only increases over time. As we discuss in this episode, even though couples may approach family life as equals and they want to share the care, the world they live in doesn't support that. Australia is ranked 70th in the world for female workforce participation, and this is falling each year. During this episode we talk about: The motherhood penalty and the impacts on women Systematic changes needed to support female workforce participation Discrimination women experience when they announce they are pregnant Government policies and attitudes that contribute to women stepping back from the workforce Benefits to fathers being actively engaged in caring for their children Positive economic impacts of women working Importance and positive impacts of good paid parental leave and early childhood education systems and policies International examples with supportive policies to support working parents How businesses can be the voice of change to support employees As Georgie mentions "It's only when parents are supported can children thrive". Be sure to leave a rating & review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Village. Connect with Georgie Dent & The Parenthood * Instagram: @theparenthood * Facebook * Website: theparenthood.org.au Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

The financial sacrifice women make in becoming a mum is like the Achilles heel of motherhood. Being on maternity leave for 12 months can have a significant impact on our superannuation when we retire, as I discover during my conversation with financial planner and working mum, Deline Jacovides from Mazi Wealth. There are a lot of expenses for families at the moment with rising living costs, cost of childcare, and the general cost of raising children. During this podcast episode with Deline, we talk about financial literacy for women, and the financial foundation for any financial plan is having a budget and living within your means. Sounds simple enough, but there are many considerations. This episode is filled with many great hints, tips, and advice with Deline sharing her knowledge to support working parents. She often talks about planning for your future self and not just today. We are both very passionate about childcare affordability and discuss key areas for improvement to support working parents and the financial considerations. During this episode we talk about: What inspired Deline to start her own business (hint - it's not driven by family) How to financially plan for children The foundation of a financial plan The financial gap for women taking parental leave and tips to overcome this Strategies to help improve your superannuation We discuss the barriers on why companies don't pay superannuation and improvement ideas Why the government should pay superannuation as part of the paid parental leave policy and the long term impacts this would have Why working mums are a great value to any organisation How to set yourself up financial for the future I hope you enjoy this episode. Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Village. Connect with Deline Jacovides * Instagram: @maziwealth * Website: maziwealth.com.au * LinkedIn Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien Disclosures: Magdeline (Deline) Jacovides is an Authorised Representative (No. 1240373), and Mazi Wealth Pty Ltd ATF Mazi Wealth Trust is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 1295178), of Spark Advisors Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 34 122 486 935, AFSL 380552). General Advice Warning: The information in this podcast and the links has been prepared for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not intended to provide commercial, financial, investment, accounting, tax or legal advice. You should, before you make any decision regarding any information, strategies, or products mentioned on this website, consult a professional financial advisor to consider whether it is suitable and appropriate for you and your personal needs and circumstances. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product, together with the Target Market Determination (TMD).

Relationships can certainly be like a rollercoaster. Then add kids into the picture and they add a whole other dimension to things. there are so many things we need to focus on from kids, to work, to what are we going to have for dinner, and often we may not spend enough time on our relationship with our partner as we need & should. This week on the podcast I'm speaking with relationship & divorce coach, Sallyanne Hartnell. She helps women who are challenged or struggling in their relationships and helps them through the questions they are asking themselves. Wondering if this is all there is and whether they should stay or go, and is a peaceful divorce possible. During this episode we chat about a range of issues. Even if you have a great relationship there is still some great hints & tips for you that Sallyanne shares. In this episode we chat about: * Can you have a successful career and still have a successful relationship? * Kids bring a whole new level of stress and how can we navigate this as parents * What to do if we see our relationship is a little bit rocky * How to have tricky conversations with your partner * Everyone has a family of origin story and the influence of this on your relationship * Managing the mental load by co-parenting and as a single mum * Value of having a great support team and "catchers" as a single mum * Asking the question "How do you want your relationship to be" * Tips to co-parenting * Sallyanne shares her experience as a single working mum & raising kids Yes - lot's in this episode and it is a great episode with many great insights, tips and advice. If you require support regarding your relationship, please reach out to organisations such as 1800RESPECT or White Ribbon. Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Village membership. Connect with Sallyanne Hartnell, Reflect Coaching * Instagram: @reflectcoaching * Facebook: @Reflectlifecoaching * Website: reflectcoaching.com.au Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

After the past few years as working mums, we feel like we have been trying to keep everything together to survive work, motherhood, life, and lockdowns. But we deserve to thrive in all parts of our lives. In this week's episode, I speak with certified Wellness & Mindset Coach, Yoga, and Meditation teacher, Natalie Moore. She supports women to achieve their desired level of health and wellbeing, elevate to their highest potential and connect with their physiology for confidence and energy. Natalie shares so many great hints on tips on how we can live our best lives and feel good in doing so. It is refreshing to hear someone share that there is no one way to looking after our health and wellbeing. Instead, do what works best for you and it i different for everyone. In this episode we had a great chat that included: * Ways to help you define what health & wellbeing means to you * Asking yourself what does motherhood look like for you and the toolkit to support you in your journey * Why as mums we may often lose ourselves as we are constantly giving to others and ways to find moments of self-care * The impact and value on our mindset * How to connect to yourself and do the things that make you feel good (because you deserve to feel great) * Impact of societal conditioning as a working mum * The female advantage * What is peri-menopause and how we can prepare for it And sooo much more. I hope you enjoy the chat with Natalie and please like, share or leave a review. Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook or join the Working Mumma Village membership. Connect with Natalie Moore * Instagram: @ownyourhealthco * Website: www.ownyourhealthco.com.au * LinkedIn Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

With kids starting school and kinder, it mentally marks the start of 2022. With this, it is a great opportunity to reflect, reframe and plan the year ahead. To support you with this, in this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I share with you 5 things to help you kick start 2022. During this episode, I reference the free Mental Load audit to help you align and review the mental load with your partner/tribe. Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook or join the Working Mumma Village membership. Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

The mental load is one of the top challenges experienced by working mums. There are always too many mental tabs open and it is exhausting. In this episode, I speak with Mia Northrop and Dinah-Rowe Roberts from Life Admin Life Hacks on how to reduce the mental load and work through your life admin to-do list. The mental load and life admin can be the cause of stress and anxiety for working parents. Good news, Mia and Dinah have tips, tricks, and advice to share with you on how to reduce your mental load and work through your life admin to-do list. Mia and Dinah give personal examples of how they have been able to reduce their life admin with positive impacts both personally and in their family. In this episode we chat about: * the impact of the mental load on working mothers * influence and impact of patriarchal systems towards women * how to free up headspace through systems and tools to reduce your life admin * understanding the four categories of life admin * the five foundational tools that enable a seamless life admin system * how to have the discussion with your partner on equalising the mental load in your household Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook or join the Working Mumma Village membership. Connect with Mia and Dinah from Life Admin Life Hacks * Instagram: @lifeadminlifehacks * Website: www.lifeadminlifehacks.com * Buy their book Life Admin Hacks Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Many people are exhausted from 2021, experiencing burnout, exhaustion, and fatigue from almost 2 years of living in a world with Covid-19. But, there seems to be optimism when looking to 2022 (stay away new variant!). It might seem hard to think about 2022 as I'm sure you are looking forward to a well-earned rest over the Christmas holidays. Although, you may have ideas and wishes for next year in your thoughts. Today's podcast goes through a simple process to help you clearly define 1 goal across your career, family, and personal life to help you move forward in 2022. The episode is supported by a free workbook to help you go through the process. Print this out and complete it when you have some quiet time to allow yourself to reflect on 2021, your values, and your why to help you define achievable goals for 2022. 2022 Goal setting workbook https://bit.ly/3IN3SPl Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you so much for listening to the Working Mumma podcast this year. I really hope that you have been able to learn something, gain confidence, and know you aren't alone in this crazy world of motherhood and career. I look forward to bringing you more episodes in 2022. Share your thoughts on the content & topics you would like to see in 2022 - https://forms.gle/g5Lbbmvn8mJi6MCJ9 Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook or join the Working Mumma Village membership. Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Just like there are 4 seasons in a year, there are 4 seasons in a woman's cycle and you can use this to your advantage. In this episode, I speak with leading kinesiologist Ilana Kosakiewicz on how to live in alignment with your cycle and strategies to manage burnout based on her own experiences. I didn't know much about kinesiology prior to this episode but learned so much from Ilana. Ilana Kosakiewicz is one of Australia’s leading kinesiologists, energy coaches, and yoga and meditation teachers. She is a wholefood lover, entrepreneur with a past life spent working in the corporate world as a CPA accountant. During this episode, Ilana shares her health journey with chronic fatigue and auto-immune disease and how this has taught her that slowing down, finding moments of stillness, living in the now, and listening to your body’s inner wisdom and intuition are not just important – they are essential. We also chat about: * Tools, tips and strategies on using your inner power from living in alignment with your innate cyclical energy, menstrual cycle, and the moon * Listening to the intuition of your body * Managing burnout and what Ilana learned from her experiences * How to manage stress and anxiety on an ongoing basis * Importance of creating boundaries to ensure we don't burn ourselves out * Value of self-care Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook or join the Working Mumma Village membership. Connect with Ilana Kosakiewicz * Instagram: @ilanak.kinesiology * Website: www.ilanak.com.au Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

It has been a long year. You aren't alone if you are feeling burnout and limping to the end of the year. In this episode, I speak with health coach, Nikki Knieriem, owner of Mum-Me Fit Time, a mother of two young boys, part-time primary school teacher, and lover of all things health. She is passionate about helping women to optimise their health by focusing on four main pillars; exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress reduction. Nikki loves helping women to unlock barriers and practice self-care without adding overwhelm or one more thing on the to-do list. During this episode, Nikki shares her tools, tips, and strategies on how you can use self-care to manage stress and burnout. She understands that time is limited, the to-do list is always long and often your own self-care practices fall further down the priority list. We chat about: * Why we should spend time on self-care * Value of self-care, especially for working mums * Why self-care isn't just about the massages and instead find the small pockets of time that you can use to fill your cup * How to prioritise time for self-care * How to identify what self-care works for you * Transitioning out of lockdown live into our "new normal" Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook or join the Working Mumma Village membership. Connect with Nikki Knieriem * Instagram: @mummefittime * Website: www.mummefittime.com.au Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Managing the juggle of career and motherhood has its challenges and having a nutritious meal that our kids will actually eat is a whole challenge itself. It can be stressful working out what to eat with children each night. In this episode, I speak with Nutritionist Emily Zilic where she shares strategies, tips, and advice on meal planning and preparation. Emily Zilic is a Nutritionist, wellbeing advisor, financial professional, mama and former competitive athlete. She works with busy families and individuals and corporate organisations who want to transform the way they eat, feel and live with nutrition. Her mission? To simplify nutrition for your wellbeing. Emily believes that when you feel your best, you can give your best. At work, home and play. We talk about the value of planning your meals ahead of time and how cooking in bulk can save you time on those busy weeknights when everyone is hungry and you need to quickly put a meal on the table. Emily also shares tips on introducing new food to your children and how to lose those covid lockdown kilos. She has recently been trialing food delivery services and shares why she is looking at this for her family and experiences so far. Emily also reminds us to seek health advice from qualified professionals according to our needs and not follow a trend we might see online relating to our children's eating. This is a great episode with great tips, tricks and advice on meal planning and preparation to save you time and limit your food wastage. Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook. Connect with Emily Zilic * Instagram: @thegoodbiteau * Website: www.thegoodbiteau.com Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Have you heard of the term "Matrescence"? I hadn't until recently. In today’s episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I am joined by certified Mindset and Life Coach and Matrescence Facilitator, Louise East More to Mum. The focus of our chat is on Matrescence, the journey of becoming a mum. I wasn’t too familiar with the term, Matrescence prior to speaking with Louise, but I’ve recently seen it referred to many times since. She gives a good overview and understanding of the term, it can give the journey into motherhood and the rollercoaster this can be much more clarity by knowing you aren’t alone and it is normal. Louise also unpacks what it means to be a mum, the mental models, and societal expectations we place on mothers. We talk about what it's meant to be a “good mom” and with practical tips and advice to help you overcome this. Matrescence is about the journey of becoming a mum and it can last 18+ years, but I don't think we really ever stop being a mum do we? Have you heard the term Matrescence? Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. I'd really appreciate it if you could leave a rating & review. Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook. Connect with Louise East * Instagram: @moretomum * Website: www.moretomum.com.au Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

We often don't talk about recovery after birth and how to prioritize time for looking after yourself with a new bub enough. It takes ~9 months to have a baby and a similar time to recover. Our bodies are amazing, but we also need to let them heal after birth. Building up to exercise is important. You don’t go from couch to completing a marathon in one run. You gradually build up to it over time. This is exactly the same as returning to exercise after you have had a baby. Have you started to exercise again after bub and realised not everything felt as it should? In this episode, I speak with physio Kath Baquie and she explains, our pelvic floor is like a band that has been stretched and we need to allow it time to recover and strengthen again. Kath and I talk about: * How our bodies are impacted by pregnancy in ways we don't expect * Why it is important to do pelvic floor rehabilitation * Rehab process after vaginal and caesarian births and building up to exercising again * Periods when you may experience pelvic floor issues and how to manage this * Why you should have a postnatal assessment before returning to exercise after pregnancy * Understand what is a pelvic floor assessment * Tips to incorporate exercise into your everyday life with your children Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook. Connect with Kath Baquie * Instagram: @fitnestmama * Website: www.fitnestmama.com Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Returning to work after maternity leave can be quite daunting and challenging after having a period of time away. In this episode, I share with you five tips for returning to work after maternity leave. I like to think that returning to work after maternity leave is a transition. I don't believe you go to work one day, and you have returned after maternity leave. There are many mental and physical transitions that happen well before you open up the computer and log in again. Enjoy these 5 tips with a special bonus at the end. Resources mentioned in this episode * Enroll today in the "Return with Confidence" 4-week program starting week commencing 8 November * Download "3 steps to Sharing the Mental Load" including a mental load audit Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook. * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Lockdowns and working from home have benefited many working parents to allow more family time and reduce the office commute. As we enter the next phase of discovering our "new normal", in this episode I speak with Fiona Wilhelm, mother, an Innovation Coach for KPMG’s Australia’s Management Consulting Division, and the co-founder of a Future of Work employee support platform - 3two. We chat about all things flexible work, how parents can navigate flexible work arrangements in the future work best for them and their families. As Fiona highlighted people don't "go to work for the money, there's obviously, a base-level survival thing for some people. But at the end of the day, people want meaningful relationships in their lives, they want values alignment, they want to feel like they're making a difference. They want to feel like what they do make some impact. That underlines the approach to the future of work that is employee-driven and fostering the current war for talent. The lines between work and home have been blurred and flexible work is here to stay. There is now the opportunity for the office space to be reimagined on how it is used and for what tasks. This is doesn't happen very often and should be acted upon to re-evaluate how we work and interact going forward. Fiona had many great hints, tips, and observations during our chat. As she notes, no one has all the answers. But this episode will leave you thinking about how you want to work going forward and what are your non-negotiables. Happy listening. Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook. Connect with Fiona Wilhelm * Instagram: @fiona.wilhelm * LinkedIn: Fiona Wilhelm Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Welcome to Day 3 of the Working Mumma 3 Day Live Event Series. In this episode, I speak with Anne Koopmann-Schmidt and we talk about combating imposter syndrome. We chat about: * What is imposter syndrome * Why we feel we need to know it all, but when we really don't * Why do people experience imposter syndrome and situations where it appears * Overcoming the thought "someone is going to find me out" * Why confidence and mindset are important in overcoming and managing imposter syndrome * Importance of knowing your strengths and doing inner work * How you can turn imposter syndrome into a positive Connect with Anne Koopmann-Schmidt * Instagram: @annekoopmann_leadlikeyou * Website: www.annekoopmann.com Connect with Working Mumma and Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Welcome to Day 2 of the Working Mumma 3 Day Live Event Series. In this episode, I share with you 3 Steps to Sharing the Mental Load. The mental load is that feeling like we do everything, the organising, the present buying, planning, we remember everything & seem to bear the emotional labour for running the household and the family around you. Sadly the load isn’t always equal. Why do women take this on? It might sound a little controversial but one thought is society & the expectations that have been passed down on what we “should” be doing as mothers. Traditionally women stayed at home to look after the family. But, in the 21st century with many women juggling career and motherhood, sadly some of the historical “norms” remain. Does it have to be like this going forward? No. How can it change? I’ve got strategies and a 3 step framework that I share with you in this episode to create better harmony in sharing the mental load. DOWNLOAD your free copy of "3 Steps to Sharing the Mental Load" as I talk about in this episode. Doors are now open to the Working Mumma Village membership. For more information and to join, click here. Connect with Working Mumma/Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Each day this week I am doing an Instagram Live and uploading the recording as a podcast episode as I know it can be a little tricky listening to an IGTV. This is the first IGTV and I spoke with Joyce Watts, a corporate lawyer turned serial entrepreneur. In the past ten years Joyce Watts has started four successful businesses with 2 kids in tow and she is passionate about empowering women to create businesses so that they have the flexibility and freedom to be their own boss while juggling the demands of family life. We chat about: * Tips about balancing work and managing the kids during school holidays (which is obviously different to remote learning) * Outdoor & indoor activities for toddler & primary aged children * How Joyce juggles work & her family life * The importance of outsourcing as a business owner and working mum * And much more! Doors are now open to the Working Mumma Village membership. For more information and to join, click here. Connect with Joyce Watts Instagram: @tothotornot Connect with Working Mumma/Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

My guest today is Mikhaila Warbuton - the owner of Work It Mumma, a Career Coaching business specially focused on supporting mum’s in the workforce. When you speak with a like-minded person who is just as passionate as you about supporting working mum's in career and motherhood, the energy is sure to go next level. That is exactly what happened when I spoke with Mikhaila. There is so much packed into this episode and you might need a pen & paper to take notes. During the episode we chat about: * Mikhaila's experience of being made redundant 2 days before Christmas and how this was the push she needed to start her own business * Key lessons from being made redundant * Why it is important to identify your values, priorities, long term goals, and what brings you joy * Power of mindset and overcoming mindset blocks * How to overcome imposter syndrome * How her priorities changed after becoming a mum * Sets to identifying and working towards your career goals * Strategies to have a career pivot * Job application & interview tips as a working mum * Power of LinkedIn It was great to chat with Mikhaila and we covered a lot during this episode. Doors will open in a few weeks to the Working Mumma Village - be sure to put your name on the waitlist. Click here. Connect with Mikhaila Warburton Website: workitmumma.com.au Instagram: @mikhaila.warburton Linkedin: Mikhaila Warburton Connect with me * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Are you pregnant and soon to bring another child into your family? Do you want to hear a fresh voice that dispells many of the "perfect" parenting approaches and you can be the "good enough" parent? Today's episode is jam packed with so many hints & tips relating to parenting you are going to want to grab a pen & paper to take notes. In this episode, I chat with Genevieve Muir, an Obstetric Social Worker and Parent Educator at the Mater hospital in Sydney, and also a mother to four beautiful boys. Genevieve is passionate about helping families adapt to the modern parenting world and all its challenges and not only survive but thrive. During this episode we cover many different parenting topics to help you ditch the "perfect"parenting approach. * Tips and advice on how to manage the transition from one to two children * Setting boundaries with children - It’s ok to say no * Strategies for managing mum guilt & why you only need to be around 30% of the time * Benefit of defining your values with your partner and what you are trying to create as a family to do what is best for you & your family * Why the biggest thing that gets in our way with parenting is ourselves * How we can provide good foundations for our children so they can feel supported, resilient and confident As a generation of parents, we are trying so hard and we're trying to be so perfect, we're pushing ourselves too hard. If anything we need to dial down that pressure and know that 30% is how much our children need us to be connecting and setting boundaries and being with their emotions. Our kids don't need perfect parents. Doors will open in a few weeks to the Working Mumma Village - be sure to put your name on the waitlist. Click here. Connect with Genevieve Muir Website: connectedparenting.com.au Instagram: @connectedparentingau Connect with Working Mumma/Carina O'Brien * Instagram: @workingmummacommunity * Facebook: @workingmummaAU * Website: www.workingmumma.com.au * LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien