Working Mumma

Reflect | My Job No Longer Fit Me: Navigating Career Shifts After Motherhood”

Returning to work after having a baby isn’t just about logistics, childcare, or flexible hours , a big part of it is about identity.
In this Reflect Summer Series episode, Carina revisits a powerful conversation with Laura Stewart, who shares her deeply honest experience of the identity shift that came with motherhood, and how it ultimately led her to redefine success, leadership, personal values, and meaningful work.
While on maternity leave, Laura made the bold decision not to return to her executive role. Not because she lacked ambition, but because the role no longer aligned with who she was becoming as a mother, a leader, and a human.
Together, Carina and Laura chat about:
The unexpected identity shift that happens after becoming a mum (matrescence)
Why returning to your “old self” at work can feel impossible
How values often change after motherhood and why that’s not a failure
Why feeling supported at work isn’t always enough if the work no longer feels meaningful
How embracing motherhood as part of your identity can make you a stronger, more confident leader
Episode links 
Connect with Laura Stewart on LinkedIn 
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn 
 

Reflect | Tips to help you manage the mental load with Leah Ruppanner

The mental load is exhausting, and a big issue for many working mothers. 
In this Reflect summer series special episode, I speak with Professor Leah Ruppaner.
We delve into the complexities of the mental load for working mums, and explore strategies to help you manage it that works for you. Leah shares the emotional and cognitive aspects of the mental load, the societal expectations placed on mothers, and the importance of creating supportive systems for both parents.
If you liked this Reflect episode, listen to the full episode "Lighten Your Mental Load, Ditch the Mum Guilt, and Rethink Care with Professor Leah Ruppanner"
 
MORE LINKS
Connect with Leah via her website www.leahruppanner.com or on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/leah-ruppanner-1657a417/
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity and the website  www.workingmumma.com.au or connect with Carina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/carina-obrien/

THROWBACK: How to Ask for Flexibility at Work (and Actually Get It)

You’ve proven you can do your job — and do it well — while working flexibly. But now that your employer wants more office time, how do you ask for what you need without feeling guilty or being seen as “less committed”?
In this episode Carina O’Brien speaks with Dr. Ellen Ford, leadership expert and author of #WorkSchoolHours, about the art of negotiating flexibility at work. Together, they explore how working mums can confidently start the conversation, use data and outcomes to back up their case, and find a win-win that works for both you and your employer.
You’ll learn:
How to have a confident, fact-based conversation with your boss about working from home or hybrid work
The key phrases and language to use when asking for flexibility (without guilt or defensiveness)
How to show your productivity and value while working flexibly
Why hybrid work supports better wellbeing, mental load, and family balance
How to reframe flexibility as a business advantage, not a personal favour
If you’re a working mum who wants to keep your flexibility this episode gives you the tools, confidence, and mindset to do it.
Listen to Dr. Ellen Ford's previous episode on the Working Mumma podcast ep 116 - Removing Barriers to Help Working Mums Thrive
 
Episode Resources & Links
Dr. Ellen Ford’s book: #WorkSchoolHours: A Revolution for Parents, Workplaces & the World
#WorkSchoolHours eBook - 100% discount with code "workingmumma100"
#WorkSchoolHours Online Courses 50% off with code "workingmumma50" check out Parents course or People manager course click here
Dr. Ellen Ford’s Website ellenjoanford.com
 
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn 
Let's connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
 

How to Co-Parent After Separation Navigating Divorce, Work, and Motherhood with Dignity

When a relationship ends, it’s not just the romantic partnership that dissolves - it’s the version of the life you imagined. For working mums, that loss can feel even heavier. You’re juggling career responsibilities, managing the daily needs of your children, and trying to make sense of an entirely new identity.
In this honest and practical conversation I chat with family lawyer, author, and co-parent Gabriella Pomare to talk about how working mums can navigate separation, divorce, and co-parenting with grace and clarity. Gabriella shares her personal story of rebuilding life after separation, whilst raising her son, managing a demanding career as a partner in a law firm, and finding a new identity.We discuss:
The emotional reality of separation and identity loss
How to communicate with your ex without escalating conflict
Setting boundaries that protect your peace (and your children)
Strategies for reducing the mental load when co-parenting
The power of modeling respect and stability for your kids
When to seek professional help — and why mediation can work better than court
 
Resources & Links 
Follow Gariella @collaborativecoparent and see her website for free resources thecollaborativeco-parent.com.au and check out her new book "The Collaborative Coparent" 
Follow Carina and Working Mumma @workingmummacommunity on LinkedIn and sign up to receive the free newsletter. 
 

Stop Should-ing Yourself: Why “Should” Is the Real Swear Word for Working Mums

Are you caught in a constant loop of “I should be doing more”? In this reflective episode, Carina unpacks why the word "should" has become the secret source of guilt for working mums and how to replace it with kinder, more empowering language.
Carina explores how should sneaks into our day through social expectations, “good girl” conditioning, and the mental load and shares a simple mindset strategies to help reframe and let go of guilt and reclaim control of your choices.
You’ll walk away feeling lighter, more compassionate toward yourself, and with a practical strategy to shift from guilt to growth.
You’ll Learn:
Why “should” fuels guilt and burnout for working mums
The link between “should” and the mental load
A simple mindset reframe to reduce pressure
How to replace guilt with agency and compassion
Follow @workingmummacommunity or @workingmummapodcast on Instagram and follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn. 

Balancing IVF and a Career - How do you keep it all together? with Marianne Marchesi

What happens when you’re managing a busy job or running a business and quietly going through IVF at the same time?
In this powerful episode, Carina sits down with Marianne Marchesi, founder and Managing Director of Legalite, to talk about the emotional and practical realities of balancing fertility treatment and career.
Marianne shares what it was really like to lead a growing law firm while navigating IVF during COVID - from countless appointments, injections, and heartbreak, to showing up at work trying to keep it all together.
She opens up about being diagnosed with endometriosis, the emotional toll of fertility struggles, and how the experience reshaped her definition of resilience, leadership, and success. Marianne also shares how her journey inspired her to introduce a 12-day reproductive health leave policy at Legalite, setting a new benchmark for workplace support.
If you’ve ever wondered how anyone does it all, or felt the silent weight of trying to balance work and fertility, this conversation will make you feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
The emotional toll of IVF and infertility while working
Managing the juggle of appointments, deadlines, and hormones
The power of vulnerability and how it changed Marianne’s leadership style
Why workplaces must evolve to support fertility and reproductive health
How IVF reshaped her outlook on success, motherhood, and what really matters
 
MORE LINKS
Connect with Marianne on LinkedIn or Instagram @mariannemarchesi or via her website legalite.com.au.
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or @workingmummapodcast or on LinkedIn 

The “Good Girl” Conditioning That’s Burning Women Out with Dr. Michelle McQuaid

Have you ever caught yourself saying “I’ll just do it,” or “I don’t want to upset anyone,” or you’re simply tired of trying to do it all perfectly? 
This episode is your permission slip to stop being the good girl, and start being YOU.
Dr Michelle McQuaid joins Carina to unpack Good Girl Conditioning, the pressure women feel to perform perfectly, please everyone, and protect others at their own expense. Drawing on her new research across 1,000 Australian women, Michelle reveals the hidden costs of this conditioning - exhaustion, resentment, and loss of self - and offers science-backed strategies to break free.
Together, we explore how this shows up for working mums juggling careers, home, and identity, and discuss practical ways to replace “being good” with being uniquely you.
 
We chat about: 
What “Good Girl Conditioning” is and why it’s it's showing up more than ever
The 3 behaviours that keep women stuck: perfection, pleasing, and protection
How these patterns show up for working mums at home and work
The powerful antidote: self-compassion, secure attachment, and self-leadership
Simple nervous system tools to calm your body and respond differently
Why “you’re not there yet” might be the most powerful mindset shift of all
 
Links and resources 
Take Michelle’s Good Girl Mindset Survey: thegoodgirlgamechangers.comFollow Michelle on Substack or LinkedIn
 
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or @workingmummapodcast or on LinkedIn 

Feeling Tired, Overloaded and Burnt out? How you can restore your energy with Dr. Kaitlin Harkess

Are you tired of feeling tired? You get through your workday, juggle drop-offs, dinner, and the endless to-do list - yet your mind never switches off.
You’re not broken, lazy, or failing. You’re just overloaded.
In this powerful conversation, clinical psychologist Dr. Kaitlin Harkess explains what’s really happening in your body when you feel burnt out, anxious, and stretched too thin. She shares the neuroscience behind why so many mums feel “wired but tired” with practical, evidence-based tools to help calm your nervous system and find balance again.
If you’ve been running on empty, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and equipped with simple strategies you can start using today.
 
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why modern motherhood has mums constantly stuck in “fight-or-flight” mode
How social media fuels perfectionism and guilt
What burnout does to your body (and how to reverse it)
How to recognise the signs your nervous system is overloaded
The role of self-compassion and why mums struggle with it
Easy somatic tools to calm anxiety and restore energy
Small daily rituals to reset your body and mind
 
Connect with Dr. Kaitlin via Instagram @@drkaitlin and website wisdomforwellbeing.au and check out her upcoming book "The Somatic Workbook for Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Relief"
 
Connect with Working Mumma via Instagram @workingmummacommunity and the podcast @workingmummapodast or LinkedIn 

THROWBACK: "Helping Your Kids Thrive Through Transitions (and How It Helps You Too) with Gen Muir

Transitions are part of every parenting journey, but they can often feel overwhelming—for both parents and kids! In this episode, I sit down with parenting expert Gen Muir to discuss navigating these pivotal moments with confidence and connection for both your child and you.
From starting daycare or school to navigating new situations, we dive into the common challenges children face during these transitions. Gen shares her expert tips on managing big emotions, building resilience, and creating a safe space for your little ones during times of change. We also explore how you can stay emotionally grounded as a parent amidst all the chaos (we know this can be challenging!).
This episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt insights that every working mum needs in her toolkit. If you’re navigating or preparing for a big change such as starting daycare or school this conversation will leave you feeling equipped, inspired, and ready to tackle those transitions with a smile.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The emotional impact of transitions on kids and how to support them
Why connection is key and how to strengthen your bond with your child during big changes
Simple strategies to help your kids—and yourself—manage those tricky emotions
How to create "pregame chats" and post-event moments that ease the adjustment process
Hacks for balancing your own emotions while juggling the mental load with your children 
Resources and Links
Connect with Gen Muir on Instagram: @ConnectedParentingAU
Visit Gen’s website: connectedparenting.com.au
Check out Gen’s book: Little People, Big Feelings
 
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn 
Let's connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
 
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How to Reclaim Your Identity in Motherhood When Returning to Work

Returning to work after maternity leave can feel like stepping into a whole new world - one where your values, identity, and confidence may feel completely different from before you left. You may look the same on the outside, but on the inside, you feel like a new person. 
I chat with Sarah Gibbins, a leadership coach, HR expert, and mum of four, to explore the unspoken truths of navigating career, identity shift, mum guilt, and motherhood.
We dive into:
The identity shift women experience after becoming mothers
Why guilt and “shoulds” weigh so heavily on working mums, and how to let them go
The truth about confidence after kids and how to rebuild it step by step
Why “balance” is a myth and what to focus on instead
How to navigate the return-to-work transition with more confidence and self-belief
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not the same person anymore… and I don’t know who I am now” — this conversation is for you.
 
 
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn or her website neonpeople.co
 
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma via Instagram: @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien and you can sign sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter