Working Mumma

Raising a Child with Autism While Working? How to Navigate Career Breaks and Starting Again with Porscia Lam

When Porscia Lam received the news that her son Harry was autistic, her world shifted. She put her legal career on pause to become his full-time therapist, diving headfirst into the world of autism therapy and the challenges of raising a neurodivergent child, all during Melbourne’s long covid lockdowns.
Returning to work after a career break is challenging for any parent, but what happens when that break is dedicated to being a full-time carer for a child with autism? In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Carina speaks with Porscia Lam, former corporate lawyer, mother of two, and author of The Unlocking: An Autism Story, to discuss her journey of parenting an autistic child, navigating therapy for autism, and re-entering the workforce after a three-year career break.
In this episode, we chat about:
Early signs of autism and the diagnosis journey (during Melbourne's record lockdown)
The impact of early intervention therapy 
The emotional and financial realities of taking a career break as a full-time carer
Returning to work after a long career gap—what worked, what didn’t
The stigma around career breaks and how to position yourself when re-entering the workforce
How to support parents of neurodivergent children
Whether you’re a working mum, a parent of a neurodivergent child, or someone navigating a career break, Porscia’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and advocacy. Her insights provide not only hope, but practical strategies for navigating work and family life.
 
Links & Resources
Connect with Porscia 
Buy Porscia’s book, The Unlocking: An Autism StoryConnect with Porscia: porscialam.com or @porscialam
 
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma 
Follow on @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn 
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn
 

How to navigate the transition returning to work after maternity leave

Returning to work after maternity leave is one of the biggest transitions in your working mum journey. Whether you're excited or feeling overwhelmed, those first 90 days back at work can be an emotional rollercoaster. But with the right mindset, preparation, and strategies, you can navigate this phase with confidence.
In this episode, I share:
How to prepare before your first day back
The key conversations to have with your employer
Managing work expectations and setting boundaries
Dealing with mum guilt & adjusting to the emotional ups and downs
Building a sustainable work-life routine without burnout
Whether you're heading back to work soon or in the early days of your return, this episode will give you the tools and mindset shifts you need to navigate this transition with confidence.
 
Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review or share it with another working mum who needs support in her return-to-work journey!
 
Links and resources
Follow 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
 

Struggling to Get Flexible Work? How to Negotiate It and Actually Get It with Dr Ellen Ford

Return-to-office mandates are making headlines across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and beyond—igniting debate about productivity, flexibility, and the future of work. But what do these policies mean for working mums juggling careers and family life? Do they even have a benefit? 
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Ellen Ford, leadership expert, author, and passionate advocate for workplace flexibility. We explore:
Why companies are enforcing return-to-office mandates and what’s driving this push  
The myth of increased productivity in the office vs. hybrid work models
How forced office work impacts working parents—especially women
The unintended consequences for businesses—from talent loss to employee disengagement
How to have a conversation with your employer if you’re being forced back into the office full-time
Tactics for negotiating a hybrid work arrangement that benefits both you and your employer
If you're navigating a return-to-office mandate, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies to help you advocate for flexibility and protect your work-life balance.
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/
 

Feeling Overwhelmed by Mum Guilt? How to Let Go of the Pressure to Do It All

Mum guilt—it’s real, it’s something a majority of mums experience, and it can make us feel like we’re never doing enough. But what if you could manage that guilt and start feeling more confident in your role as both a mum and in your career?
In this episode, I'm tackling the overwhelming pressure on mums to ‘do it all’ and why so many working mums feel guilt about balancing career and family.
I break down:
Why we feel mum guilt (and why it’s not your fault)
How guilt holds us back from thriving at work and at home
5 Practical tips to help you reflect and manage the guilt
Why you need to focus on what really matters to you and your family - it's much simpler than you may think 
Learn how to drop the guilt and reclaim your confidence as a working mum! 
 
Links and resources
Follow 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

Struggling to Land Your Next Role? How to Stand Out in Your Job Search and Interviews

Returning to work after maternity leave can feel overwhelming—where do you start with updating your resume? How do you explain the gap in a resume? How do you navigate interviews after being out of the workforce for a period of time? What do you do if you’re considering a career change?
In this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, I’m joined by HR and hiring expert Ash Battye, founder of Career Pursuit. Ash has over a decade of experience in recruitment and HR and is passionate about helping businesses find the right talent while supporting job seekers—especially mums—on their return-to-work journey.
We chat about:
The biggest challenges working mums face when job hunting after maternity leave
How to update your resume to stand out (and address career gaps)
Practical strategies for nailing your job interview
How to change careers and find flexible, family-friendly employers
Whether you’re job hunting, considering a career change, or just want to feel more confident in your career after having children, this episode is packed with practical insights to support your journey.
Listen now and take the next step in your career with confidence!
 
SHOW LINKS
Connect with Ash on Instagram or her website careerpursuit.com.au
 
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/
 
Subscribe & Review
Loved this episode? Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an empowering conversation. And if you found it helpful, please leave a review—it helps us reach more working mums just like you!

Frustrated That Work Isn’t Working for Parents? What Needs to Change and What You Can Do

As a working parent, trying to navigate the career/parenting juggle is similar to trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. In this episode, I chat with Louise Gilbert, leadership coach, change consultant, and author of Make Work Work for You.
We dive into the reality of juggling work and family life and why the traditional concept of work-life balance sets working mums up to fail.
Louise shares her journey as a corporate leader turned business owner, her passion for systemic change in the workplace, and why her experience as a neurodivergent mum to two children has shaped her advocacy for more inclusive workplaces. This conversation is packed with practical tips and fresh perspectives that will empower you to rethink how you approach work, wellbeing, and family priorities.
We cover:✨ Why work-life balance is a myth and how to focus on work-life integration instead✨ How systemic issues – like school hours and workplace policies – are failing working parents✨ Simple strategies for aligning your values with your work and family life✨ The power of flexible work and how to advocate for it in your workplace✨ How to avoid burnout by focusing on community care and real support systems
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the mental load, struggling to make work work for you, or simply looking for fresh insights on how to thrive as a working mum, this episode is for you.
 
SHOW LINKS
Check out Louise's new book louise-gilbert.com/book
Connect with Louise on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/louise-gilbert
 
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/
 
Subscribe & Review
Loved this episode? Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an empowering conversation. And if you found it helpful, please leave a review—it helps us reach more working mums just like you!
 

How to lighten the mental load and set yourself up for a smoother year

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless juggle of work, home, and family life? You’re not alone. Research shows that burnout among working mothers is at an all-time high, with much of the stress coming from the invisible mental load—the ongoing responsibility of managing it all.
In this episode, we take a moment to pause and reflect on your mental load as the year begins. It’s the perfect time to reassess what’s working, what’s not, and how you can make small but impactful changes to lighten the load. From reviewing routines and delegating tasks to having important conversations with your partner, this episode will help you create a more intentional, integrated year ahead.
What we chat about:
What the mental load really is
Why the start of the year is a great time to check in and reset
The benefits of reflecting on your routines and responsibilities
A simple framework: what to continue, outsource, delegate, or discuss
How to design your year with intention, not overwhelm
This episode is packed with practical tips and reflective exercises to help you avoid burnout, reduce stress, and make space for what really matters—both at work and at home.
 
Links and resources
Follow on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn

Why Work-Life Balance is a myth and practical strategies to help you navigate work and family

In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I challenge the widely accepted idea and myth of work-life balance, explaining why it often sets working mums up for stress, guilt, and burnout.
Balance isn’t a destination; it’s not something you achieve and then check off your list. Life is dynamic and constantly changing, especially as a working mum.
I share strategies including boundaries and work-life integration as more sustainable approaches to navigating the demands of work and family life. Tune in to discover practical strategies for prioritizing what matters most and living with greater intention.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
* Why the concept of work-life balance is unrealistic and unhelpful* The emotional toll of chasing balance and how it contributes to burnout* The power of boundaries and how to set them effectively* What work-life integration looks like and how it differs from balance* Practical strategies to navigate the demands of work and family without guilt
 
 
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Let's connect on LinkedIn 
Let's connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/

THROWBACK: Practical Strategies to Conquer Mum Guilt with Sarah Purins

If you have experienced mum guilt, you aren't alone. Over 98% of mothers have experienced mum guilt. In this episode, I speak with mindset coach and mother, Sarah Purins about how to cope with mum guilt.
Sarah and I chat about the triggers and influences of mum guilt, such as societal expectations, personal pressures, and unwanted opinions from others. She discusses two types of guilt and shares tips and strategies on how to navigate mum guilt when it appears using her GUILT method. 
Sarah shares practical tips for working mums to balance their careers and family life without feeling overwhelmed by guilt. Sarah's insights highlight the significance of reframing one's mindset to foster a more positive outlook on their dual roles.
This is a great episode that you might want to bookmark and come back to when you experience mum guilt to help you work through the mindset and emotions. 
 
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Connect with Sarah via Instagram @sarahkate.coaching
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. 
Join the free Working Mumma Community
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/

THROWBACK: Embracing the 'Good Enough' approach to motherhood with Dr. Sophie Brock

In this insightful episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I chat with Dr. Sophie Brock, a renowned motherhood studies sociologist, to delve into the constant pressure that mothers face in their quest for perfection (secret - there is no such thing).
Sophie has an extensive background and career journey in sociology, focusing on motherhood, sheds light on how cultural and societal norms shape the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers today.
We explored the term "good enough mother," and the social constructs that don't reflect women today, particularly as working mothers. Sophie shared the common myths and misconceptions that fuel the pursuit of perfection in motherhood, revealing the detrimental effects this mindset can have and debunking the 'perfect mother myth'.
Sophie shares practical advice and strategies and provides steps that you can take to begin letting go of the need to be perfect and embrace a more compassionate, "good enough" approach to parenting.
We also speak about social media's role in perpetuating the perfect mother myth and how setting realistic expectations can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic motherhood experience.
Tune in to gain valuable insights and to hear Sophie's vision for what modern motherhood can truly be.
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Connect with Sophie via Instagram @drsophiebrock or her website drsophiebrock.com
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. 
Join the free Working Mumma Community
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/