Working Mumma

Why flexible working policies are needed to help working parents

Why are there no senior part-time roles? 
What started as a reel with recent guest Emma McLean exploded online with hundreds of comments from working parents sharing frustrations, missed opportunities, and moments of hope about part time roles. 
What really struck me was how much emotion and old-school thinking remains towards part time work. For so many working mums, the lack of senior part-time roles isn’t just about jobs. It’s about identity, family, equality, and opportunity.
The main barrier to part time and flexible work isn’t logistics or the law. It’s cultural. Too many workplaces still equate hours with commitment, and presenteeism with performance. 
But the stories, the data, and the law all show it can work.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
The barriers and cultural beliefs holding back part-time senior roles
Real stories of mums (and dads) facing career penalties for choosing part-time work
Where flexible and part-time work is working well, from job shares to international examples
What Australian law (Fair Work Act) actually says about part-time work and flexible arrangements
The broader impact: missed talent, superannuation gaps, the mental load, and systemic inequality
How businesses can rethink leadership, flexibility, and the future of work to support all working parents 
This episode is a must-listen for working mums who want both a career and family life, and for leaders who want to unlock talent, improve retention, and create more inclusive workplaces.
 
Resources & Related Episodes:
Prof. Leah Ruppanner on the mental load
Deline Jacovides on childcare affordability & superannuation
Natasha Janssens on money & confidence
Elise Slavin & Laura Stewart on redefining career success after kids
Episode with Emma McLean
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma 
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter 
 

The Transition Back to Work After Parental Leave: Tips, Truths & Self-Compassion

Returning to work after maternity leave isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a transition that unfolds over many months. In this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, I share my tips and experiences of navigating the messy, emotional, and transformative season of going back to work after parental leave.
You’ll hear about:
Why treating your return as a transition, not a snap back, changes everything
How to set clear boundaries at work and at home (and stick to them)
Why “good enough” parenting and working is more than enough
The importance of letting go of guilt and perfectionism
Practical strategies to make help work possible again, from email signatures to blocking your calendar
Why identity shifts are normal, and how to hold onto your identity in the juggle as working mum
If you’re a mum preparing to return to work after maternity leave or already in the first year back, this episode is filled with practical tips and encouragement to help you navigate the challenges and embrace this new season with confidence.
 
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma 
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter 

How to juggle kids, aging/sick parents, work and yourself with Casey Beros

What happens when you’re caring for small children and aging parents at the same time? This is the reality for millions of women, now called the “sandwich generation.”
In this heartfelt episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina O’Brien speaks with author, health journalist, and carer Casey Beros about the emotional, physical, and financial toll of caregiving, and the unexpected personal growth that can come with it.
Casey opens up about her journey caring for her dad while raising two young children, the lessons she learned about navigating the healthcare system, and how to advocate for those you love. She shares the honest truth about burnout, guilt, grief, and why self-care often feels impossible, but is vital.
Whether you’re already in the thick of caregiving or want to prepare for the road ahead, this episode will leave you with practical strategies and heartfelt wisdom.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
What it really means to be part of the “sandwich generation”
The two essential skills for caregiving: advocacy & system navigation
How to juggle emotional, physical, and financial pressures of care
Ways to look after yourself when you feel there’s nothing left to give
How to support friends and family going through the caring role
Why preparation before a crisis is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself
Connect with Casey
Instagram @caseyberos
Check out her new book 'Next of Kind' nextofkinbook
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter 
 

The Motherhood Penalty and The Impact on your Career with Emma McLean

Motherhood changes everything - our identity, our priorities, our bodies, and our careers. But for too many women, it also brings a cost they never signed up for: the motherhood penalty.
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Emma McLean, executive coach, speaker, and founder of Works for Everyone to talk about the Motherhood Penalty, the price women pay and actions we can take today to change it. 
We dive into:
What the motherhood penalty really is – and why it costs women up to 55% of their earnings
Why flexible work is sometimes a trap rather than a solution
How school holidays reveal the hidden gender divide in caregiving
The confidence and overwhelm crisis so many working mums silently battle
Why dads need to step up at home if women are to step up at work
The simple strategies you can use to reclaim your inner compass and shift the load
Whether you’re returning to work, managing the juggle, or just tired of the system keeping mothers stuck, this conversation will inspire you to think differently and take action.
 
Connect with Emma:
Instagram: @worksforeveryone
LinkedIn: Emma McLean
Podcast: How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma 
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter 

How proximity of care for your child can support your return to work after maternity leave with Lauren from BubbaDesk

Returning to work after having a baby can be one of the most emotional and challenging transitions in a parent’s life. Then finding the right care can be a daunting task. 
In this week's episode I chat with Lauren Parrot, the founder of BubbaDesk and mum of two, about her personal journey from postpartum anxiety to creating a new childcare solution for modern parents. 
Lauren shares her insights into why proximity care is becoming increasingly important for many parents, how the current childcare system is failing to meet the needs of working families, and the benefits this model brings for both parents and employers. We also discuss the challenges facing parents in 2025, the future of childcare innovation, and the role policy makers and businesses can play in supporting working mums and dads.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
What proximity childcare is and why it matters
Lauren’s personal postpartum and return-to-work experience that sparked BubbaDesk
The gaps in Australia’s childcare system and why it needs urgent innovation
How BubbaDesk is partnering with employers to support working parents
The mental health benefits of being close to your baby during work hours
MORE LINKS
Connect with Lauren on Instagram @bubbadesk or website bubbadesk.com
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/
 
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW 
If you loved this episode, please take a moment ot subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more working mums who need this resource to help them navigate the juggle of career and motherhood. Thanks for tuning in and see you next week. 

Lighten Your Mental Load, Ditch the Mum Guilt, and Rethink Care with Professor Leah Ruppanner

Are you feeling exhausted or burnt out from the mental load? 
In this episode, I speak with Professor Leah Ruppanner – sociologist, gender equity advocate, and founder of the Future of Work Lab at the University of Melbourne. Leah unpacks the mental load in a way you’ve never heard before - why it’s not just cognitive, but deeply emotional too.
If you’ve ever felt invisible, overwhelmed, or wondered why you’re carrying so much, this conversation is for you. Leah’s insights are validating, refreshing, and might just change the way you move through motherhood and work.
From gendered expectations and the invisible labor women carry, to the societal norms that fuel mum guilt, Leah shares evidence-based insights and practical ways to help you begin to lighten the load. 
You will hear about:
- The true definition of the mental load (spoiler: it’s more emotional than you think)
- Why some mental load solutions don’t work (and what might)
- How gender norms are holding us back at home and at work
- The real reason mum guilt exists and how to release it
- How workplaces can (and must) better support caregiving
- What the research says about dads, mental load, and the desire to be more present
- Leah’s vision for structural change and redefining care as essential infrastructure
 
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/
 
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW 
If you loved this episode, please take a moment ot subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more working mums who need this resource to help them navigate the juggle of career and motherhood. Thanks for tuning in and see you next week. 

How Donna Urquhart Chased Her Dream After Motherhood

Have you ever felt like becoming a mum meant putting your dreams on hold?You’re not alone. But what if motherhood is instead the start of something even greater?
In this deeply inspiring episode, we meet Donna Urquhart, a clinical researcher, mum, and now Guinness World Record holder for running an astonishing 1,400 kilometres across Antarctica after taking up running in her 30s, post-motherhood.
Donna’s story isn’t just about athletic achievement. It’s about rediscovering identity, pushing through imposter syndrome, and chasing a dream most people would consider impossible - all while juggling family, work, and training in freezing conditions.
She shares how motherhood reshaped her ambition, the systems she put in place to make time for her passions, and how she reframed “sacrifice” as values-aligned decision-making.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re too late to start something new, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired.
We chat about:
Why Donna started running after becoming a mum to help her own mental health
Why motherhood doesn’t mean the end of your personal dreams
The emotional and physical challenge of breaking a world record
Balancing work, family, and extreme training
How values, not sacrifices, guided her decisions
The power of community, support, and believing in yourself
Real tips for taking the first step toward your next dream
This is your reminder: it’s never too late. Motherhood might just be your launchpad.
 
Show links
Follow Donna on Instagram @runantarctica and check out more of Donna's story via her website runantarctica.com
 
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Sign up for the Working Mumma newsletter 
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn
 

THROWBACK: How to navigate unrealistic expectations of working mums with Renee Barnes

I speak with Renee Barnes, founder of the People Paradox, and fellow working mum about Superwoman Syndrome and why it is time to let go of the notion. Renee shares invaluable insights into the challenges and growth opportunities mothers face during this transformative journey and unrealistic expectations.
Renee shares what is "Superwoman Syndrome", its origins, and how societal expectations contribute to this unrealistic ideal for working mothers. We discuss the significant mental and physical health impacts of striving to be a Superwoman and how you can redefine this moving forward and break free from the cycle. 
Renee and I chat about the critical role employers play in a mother’s return to work after parental leave. Renee highlights strategies for businesses to create a supportive environment and retain valuable talent, helping to let go of Superwoman Syndrome in this critical time. She stresses the importance of employers being proactive in discussing entitlements, flexible work opportunities, and creating a supportive culture. 
This is an enlightening conversation with many tools, tips, and strategies to support you to let go of the notion of superwoman. 
 
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Connect with Renee via Instagram @found_learningmotherhood or her website The FOUND program
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommuity for regular inspiration and tips on working mum life or connect with Carina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/carina-obrien. 
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
 

How to discuss your return to work after parental leave with your manager

Returning to work after maternity leave isn’t just about showing up on day one. The transition starts with you going through a reflective process on your new identity, and what your terms are you want to return back to the paid workforce are. Then comes one of the most important (and often nerve-wracking) steps: the conversation with your manager.
In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina walks you through how to confidently and clearly prepare for your return-to-work conversation with your employer. We cover what is important for you, what does returning to work look like for you, flexible work options, how to plan a phased return, your legal rights (including Keeping In Touch days and breastfeeding support), and how to approach the conversation with clarity and confidence.
Whether you're 3 months out or just weeks away from returning, this episode will help you take control of your transition, whilst also managing expectations on both sides.
👩‍💻 In this episode, you’ll learn:
What to clarify in with your manager before returning
Flexible work: 4 types and how to request them
How to define your non-negotiables and ideal work week
Tips for negotiating return plans and support
How to use Keeping in Touch (KIT) days effectively
What to do if your company’s policies have changed
Breastfeeding and pumping rights at work in Australia
Building your confidence and setting boundaries early
 
 
Show links
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Sign up for the Working Mumma newsletter 
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn

Why Every Working Mum Needs a Village to Help Her Manage the Juggle

There’s a phrase we’ve all heard before: “It takes a village to raise a child.” But here’s something we don’t say enough, it also takes a village to raise a working mum.
The “village” that used to exist, grandparents nearby, friendly neighbours, extended family, looks different for many of us.
In this solo episode, Carina talks about the often-overlooked truth behind the working mum juggle: we weren’t meant to do this alone. We used to raise children in villages, but today the concept of the village has changed. 
During this episode Carina chat's about: 
Why the traditional village has disappeared in Western culture
The emotional toll of doing it all alone as a working mum
Real-life reflections from a recent work trip abroad
Practical ideas for creating your own support network
Why every village looks different — and that’s okay
How to build a village from scratch (even when you're new in town)
 
Show links
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Sign up for the Working Mumma newsletter 
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn