Working Mumma

Struggling to Return to Work? How Childcare Proximity Can Make It Easier 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. 

Overwhelmed by the Mental Load? How to Share It and Let Go of Mum Guilt with 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. 

Ready to Chase a New Dream After Motherhood? How to Start with Donna Urquhart

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/
 

Returning to work: How to Talk to Your Manager and Advocate for What You Need

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

Trying to Do It Alone? Why Every Working Mum Needs a Village and How to Build One

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

“Who Am I Now?" The Identity Shift No One Prepares You For With Motherhood

"Who am I now" is a question many mums have asked themselves, especially when they are navigating the transition back to work. 
I chat with Laura Stewart, mum, former executive leader, and founder of a social enterprise, to unpack her experiences of identity shift (matrescence) and navigating her transition back to work.
Laura shares her decision to resign from a senior role while on maternity leave, the emotional process of discovering she no longer fit the career she once thrived in, and the deep internal shifts that followed. From redefining success and letting go of mum guilt, to building micro-systems to support her return-to-work life, Laura offers wisdom, vulnerability, and practical strategies for working mums navigating their own identity transformations.
We chat about:
Why Laura chose to leave her high-level role after becoming a mum
The concept of matrescence and the identity shift no one warns you about
Practical systems and hacks for simplifying the mental load
Reframing mum guilt and giving yourself permission to grow
The importance of communication and redefining partnership
How to make space for the new version of you
Whether you’re feeling lost, stuck in the juggle, or wondering if you’ve changed, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and not alone.
 
Episode links 
Connect with Laura Stewart on LinkedIn 
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn 

Money, Motherhood & Mindset: How to Rewrite Your Financial Story

Why do so many women feel uncomfortable talking about money, and how can we change it? Where does this come from? How can we change this mindset?
Carina speaks with behavioral money coach and founder of Women with Cents, Natasha Janssens. From escaping war-torn Yugoslavia to becoming an accountant, mortgage broker, financial planner, and now a powerful voice helping women shift their relationship with money, Natasha shares her personal journey and how it led her to focus on the psychology of money to support women.
Whether you're returning to work, navigating the cost of daycare, or just trying to stay afloat, remember: this is a season. Give yourself permission to just survive, if that’s where you are. The time for growth will come.
You don’t need to know it all. You just need to take the first step and know your numbers.
We chat about:
Why women often avoid financial conversations
How our upbringing, traditional gender roles, and societal norms impact our money mindset
The emotional drivers behind financial stress and avoidance
Practical steps to build financial confidence (even if you're not a "numbers person")
Why understanding your "financial story" is key to making empowered decisions that can also have a positive impact on your children 
Tips for navigating money conversations with your partner
Superannuation, contribution splitting, and what to know post-maternity leave
This is an episode with great tips and advice whether you’re returning to work, navigating childcare costs, working for a few years, or want to feel more in control of your finances to help you later in life. 
 
Episode links 
Connect with Natasha: Women with Cents or @womenwithcents
Subscribe to the Working Mumma newsletter or connect @workingmummacommunity or on LinkedIn 

Navigating the Mum Juggle in the Country: How Lisa Balances Work, Kids & Farm Life

You think the school drop-off is tough in the city? Try doing it with two kids, 170 acres of farmland, no running water from mains, and a 90-minute commute to work. 
I chat with Lisa Judson, a working mum of two living in regional Western Australia. Lisa shares what life is really like juggling career, motherhood, and a farm, all without access to city conveniences like town water, rubbish collection, or nearby daycare. As Lisa comments "my parents are only an hour away" - a relative short distance for the country. 
Lisa is so well organised, built a great community around her, and she has a great approach to working mum life with so many great tips that are useful regardless if you live in the city or country. 
We dive into:
The logistical juggle of long commutes, limited childcare, and off-grid living
How Lisa returned to full-time work with two kids under five
Why community care and asking for help are survival strategies, not weaknesses
The importance of good communication, systems, and flexibility in rural working motherhood
Whether you live in the city or the country, this episode will leave you with new ideas, empathy, and a reminder: working mums are stronger than we realise – especially when we stop trying to do it all alone.
 
Episode links
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 
Connect with Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn and check out the website for free resources. 

Is Working Worth It After Childcare Costs? How to Weigh Your Career and Finances

Is childcare worth the cost when most of your paycheck goes straight to daycare fees?
In this powerful episode, financial advisor and mum of two, Deline Jacovides, opens up about how much she and her husband have spent on childcare over seven years, and why, despite the eye-watering figure, she’d do it all again.
We unpack the true cost of childcare in Australia, the long-term impact on women’s careers and superannuation, and the often-overlooked benefits, like career progression, independence, and child development. Deline also shares how she and her husband juggled part-time work, subsidies, and even brought in an au pair to make it all work.
This is the honest childcare conversation every working parent needs to hear.
Whether you're navigating daycare decisions now or planning for the future, you'll walk away with insights, budgeting tips, and the reassurance that your sacrifices today are an investment in your family's tomorrow.
What You’ll Learn:
How Deline spent six figures on childcare and what she got in return
The financial and emotional trade-offs of early childhood education
How to budget for childcare, including fee increases and cashflow planning
The career, superannuation, and identity costs of opting out of work
Why childcare is a family cost, not just a mother’s burden
How legislation has (and hasn’t) helped affordability for families
 
Show links:
Connect with Deline on Instagram @maziwealth
Listen to the previous episode of the Working Mumma with Deline "Managing the financial impact of motherhood with financial planner Deline Jacovides"
 
Connect with Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity