Working Mumma

Stuck “Should‑ing” Yourself? How to Stop the Guilt Spiral as a Working Mum

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. 

Going through IVF whilst leading at work: What No One Prepares You For 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 Working Mums Out and How to Break It 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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Who Are You Now? Reclaiming Your Identity After Maternity Leave

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 
 

Why Are There No Senior Part‑Time Roles? What Needs to Change (and What You Can Ask For)

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 
 

Back to Work After Parental Leave? What No One Tells You (and How to Navigate It)

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 

Juggling Kids, Work and Caring for Parents? How to Cope Without Burning Out 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 
 

Feeling Held Back After Motherhood? How the Motherhood Penalty Impacts Your Career (and What to Do)

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
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