Working Mumma

THROWBACK: Strategies for setting Boundaries for Work/Life Integration

On this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, we delve into a topic that resonates deeply with working mothers everywhere: the elusive work/life balance. Many of us find ourselves caught in the perpetual cycle of the "hamster wheel of life," struggling to define and maintain boundaries. In this insightful episode, we explore a four-step process to help you establish and uphold boundaries, ensuring happiness both at home and in the workplace.
Key Takeaways:
Reflective Questions:
Start the journey by pondering two key questions designed for working mums. These will set the foundation for understanding your unique challenges and aspirations.
Building Boundaries:
Discover a practical four-step process to create effective boundaries. Learn how to implement them seamlessly into your daily routine, addressing the common struggle of finding a sense of normalcy amidst life's chaos.
Strategies for Boundary Management:
Life can get hectic, and boundaries may blur. Gain valuable insights into strategies for managing boundaries during challenging times. This episode provides a roadmap to get back on track when things seem overwhelming.
Mindset Matters:
Recognize the importance and value of mindset in the boundary-setting process. Understand how cultivating a positive mindset can empower you to create and maintain boundaries effectively.
Celebrating Success:
Take a moment to celebrate your wins. Acknowledge and appreciate the boundaries that are working for you. In the pursuit of balance, recognizing successes is as crucial as addressing challenges.
As you embark on setting boundaries for 2024, remember that work/life integration is within your reach. May this episode inspire and guide you towards the balance you desire. Best of luck on your journey!
Community and Support:
If you're seeking a supportive community of fellow working mums, explore the Working Mumma Village digital membership at workingmumma.com.au/working-mumma-village.
Connect with Us:
Connect with the Working Mumma community on LinkedIn and Instagram. For additional resources, visit the Working Mumma website at workingmumma.com.au.
Enjoy the episode, and here's to a successful 2024 filled with well-defined boundaries and harmonious work/life integration!

Navigating Growth and Embracing Opportunities - My reflection of 2023

In this empowering episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I take you on a journey into my year that has been personally & professionally transformative, marked by milestones, challenges, and unexpected triumphs. 
Mid year I was experiencing imposter syndrome and personal doubt that was having a big impact. But, as I explain in the episode, I got support and came out much better on the other side. 
During the episode, I share how I navigated applying for a new position, along with the associated internal struggles, and the crucial importance of acknowledging personal achievements, but highlighting the positives that can come from job interviews. 
I'm very honest with my journey and I hope this gives you some questions to also reflect on for yourself to acknowledge and celebrate the journey you have been on. 
I also talk about:
Turning 40 and Reflecting: Milestone birthdays serve as powerful moments of reflection, reshaping perspectives on personal and professional growth.
Navigating Corporate Crossroads: Why applying for a corporate role unveils internal struggles, leading to a profound reflection on resilience and personal achievements.
Saying Yes to the Unknown: I share the journey of embracing uncertainty, saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities, and the empowering experience of appearing on TV.
Lessons and Takeaways: The episode includes three questions you can ask yourself to reflect on 2023 
Enjoy this episode and have a great day. 
 
Connect with Carina at Working Mumma
Free resource:  '3 steps to sharing the mental load' 
Join the waitlist for the Working Mumma Village
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma 
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity

Navigating the juggle as a solo mum by choice with Alexandra Collier

Alexandra is a solo mum by choice who has recently released a memoir called Inconceivable: Heartbreak, Bad Dates and Finding Solo Motherhood. During this episode, we chat about how Alexandra wrestled with her desire for a baby along with her creative and career ambitions at the same time.
Alexandra has an inspiring story of following your dreams and taking hold of your own future, no matter what that might look like. She shares very opening some of her challenges and struggles throughout her motherhood journey, but also how she navigates her career and parenting as a solo mum. 
 
About Alexandra
Alexandra Collier is an award-winning writer for screen, print, and theatre. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, SMH/The Age, Harper's Bazaar, and Mama Mia. She worked in NYC for ten years as a playwright before returning to have a baby solo via donor sperm - which is the subject of her memoir, Inconceivable.
Connect on Instagram @alexandracollierwrites or her website alexandracollier.com
 
Connect with Carina at Working Mumma
Download free resource:  '3 steps to sharing the mental load' 
Join the waitlist for the Working Mumma Village
Follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn or connect with Carina on LinkedIn
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
 

Navigating burnout, mental load and career ambitions with Angela Priestley

Every two years, Women's Agenda publish the "Women's Ambition Report". For this episode, I speak with Angela Priestley, publisher and co-founder of Women's Agenda (a publication for career-minded, time-poor women who want to stay ahead of the conversation). 
During this chat, we discuss the report's key findings, trends on the future of work, and the opportunities for change to support female workforce participation and improve the experiences of women in the workplace. 
Some statistics from the report include:
* 77% of women are experiencing burnout, and a leading factor is overwhelm in balancing career and home responsibilities
* 42% said that burnout could hold them back from reaching their career ambitions over the next two years
* Although self-confidence has reduced from 50% to 41% it is still a barrier for success amongst women
It is an interesting report and validating for many of the results are feelings and experiences working mothers have felt, especially over the past 3 years. 
 
Read the full Women's Ambition 2023 report on the Women's Agenda website here
Connect with Angela & Women's Agenda 
Website: womensagenda.com.au
LinkedIn: Angela Priestley 
 
Connect with Carina at Working Mumma
Free resource:  '3 steps to sharing the mental load' 
Join the waitlist for the Working Mumma Village
Follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn or connect with Carina on LinkedIn
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity

Understanding the impact kids have on a woman’s career with Jessica Heagren

Anecdotally we know what commonly happens to a woman's career after she has a child. But, what are the facts? That question is what this week's guest, Jessica Heagren asked herself and decided to find out. Jessica is based in the UK, and early this year released the 'Careers after Babies' report on what happens to a woman's career after she has a child.
This is a really interesting and insightful conversation talking about the key findings of report, the impact on working mothers, and the role organisations play in supporting and retaining women. 
We talk about: 
* What was the inspiration and motivation for the report
* Key findings of the report
* Advice for women to minimise the impact of up to 10 years for a mother's career to recover after having children 
* How organisations can better support female workforce participation and close the gender pay gap 
* What Jessica sees as the future of work for parents 
and sooo much more. The report has sooo much in it and it was great to unpack this with Jessica. 
 
Connect with Jessica 
Download 'Careers after Babies' report and connect with her on LinkedIn 
 
Connect with Carina at Working Mumma
Free resource:  '3 steps to sharing the mental load' 
Join the waitlist for the Working Mumma Village
Follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn or connect with Carina on LinkedIn
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity

How to set boundaries to manage work-life harmony

In this episode of Working Mumma, we delve deep into a topic that's close to the heart of every working mum: boundaries. Join me as I explore the misconceptions, challenges, and strategies surrounding the art of setting healthy boundaries while juggling the demands of a career and family life.
 
During this episode, I chat about: 
Understanding boundaries and the common misconceptions 
The work/life challenges we face and the value of knowing your why and core values 
The different types of boundaries 
Strategies for setting boundaries at work 
Strategies for setting boundaries at home 
The critical connection between boundaries and your mental well-being
Useful tips to help you along the way 
Boundaries are also linked with mindset so please remember you are doing great mumma. Cut out the noise and do what is best for you and your family. 
Best of luck in review your boundaries. I'm always here to help if you need. 
Connect with Carina at Working Mumma
Free resource:  '3 steps to sharing the mental load' 
Join the waitlist for the Working Mumma Village
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma 
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
 

Improving gender equality with Coleen MacKinnon and Rob Sturrock

This week on the podcast I speak with two amazing people who are advocates for gender equality, Coleen Mackinnon and Rob Sturrock. We all spoke very passionately about improving gender equality, and how fathers can play an active role and share the load, their own experiences of parenting and having a career. 
Topics we covered include: 
* The systemic barriers that are impacting gender diversity 
* The gender norms that have contributed to gender inequality both at home and in the workplace 
* How parents can overcome some of the biases they experience 
* What support is needed for working parents 
* Why we should be supporting and encouraging fathers to take parental leave 
* How to challenge and change traditional thinking on the roles of a mother and father within the family unit 
*  Rob's experience as an advocate for gender equality 
* And so much more 
I loved this chat and felt so inspired after and I hope that this episode resonates with you. We all have our part to play to help change the narrative and Rob is a great example of how fathers can change the story and traditional gender norms. 
 
About Coleen MacKinnon
Coleen MacKinnon is a DEI specialist passionate about accelerating progressive social change. She is the Founder of Sydney-based Inclusivity Quotient (InQ), a boutique consultancy specialised in authentically engaging men in co-creating safe, respectful and high-performing workplaces. 
Contact Coleen via LinkedIn or her website inclusivityq.com.au
About Rob Sturrock
Rob Sturrock is an author and working father. He has written widely about his experiences of being a working dad and juggling the responsibilities of home and work. Contact Rob via LinkedIn and check out his book 'Man Raises Boy'.
 
Connect with Carina & Working Mumma
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or on LinkedIn Carina O'Brien and Working Mumma. 
Download the Free '3 steps to sharing the mental load' checklist

It takes a village to raise a mother - postpartum planning with Dr. Renee White

When we discover that we are pregnant, so much of the focus goes toward the child's birth. Once this life-changing event has happened, that is when we most need our village to surround us with support. Learning how to care for a newborn, recovering ourselves, and navigating this new world is challenging; it's when we most need the village around us. Planning for postpartum is crucial as I chat with Dr. Renee White, founder of Fill Your Cup, Australia's first biochemist-led Doula Village. 
We chat about:
* Why postpartum planning is important and share our own experiences 
* The key challenges and common misconceptions 
* How you can prepare for postpartum planning 
* Why we need a village to help raise a mum 
* The role of self-care in postpartum planning 
And so much more. Renee and I share our own experiences and challenges becoming a mum and how we navigated this period. 
 
Connect with Renee White and Fill Your Cup via Instagram @fillyourcup_ and website
 
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or on LinkedIn Carina O'Brien and Working Mumma. 
Download the Free '3 steps to sharing the mental load' checklist

MUM STORY: Managing a chronic illness whilst juggling family and a career with Laura Campbell

Today I'm speaking with Laura Campbell who has over 20 years of corporate experience, founder of Hackerlily, is mum to two children, and suffers from a chronic illness. 
During this episode Laura shares:
* Why she and her husband decided to move back to Australia after living in the UK for 16 years and her experiences of the transition 
* The impact of having a chronic disease since childhood on her career and motherhood 
* Her experience of starting her own business and entrepreneurial journey 
* How motherhood has changed her career perspectives 
* How Laura now manages the work/life juggle 
* The value of community 
 
We had lots of fun recording this episode and we hope you enjoy listening. 
 
Connect with Laura on @_hackerlily, LinkedIn, or via the Hackerlily website. 
 
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or on LinkedIn Carina O'Brien and Working Mumma. 
Download the Free '3 steps to sharing the mental load' checklist

Why community is so important as a working mum

Working mum life can be isolating. At work, people often don't understand the guilt, the mum/career juggle, or the mental load. Without a community, confidence, and normalizing the struggles, it can leave you questioning if you are really able to "have it all".
As working mums, we are breaking down some of the siloed and gender-stereotyped thinking. Women in the 1970s were forced to give up their careers when they got married because their role was seen in the home. So much has changed since then. As we all know, not all parts of society have kept up with the pace of change.
What is important is that we feel connected through a fundamental need to belong and find the communities that give us empowerment, confidence, and self-belief. This has a huge impact on our confidence and mindset. A positive community can have a huge impact both personally and professionally. 
In this episode, I share with you background on communities and the value of what they bring, the benefit of a community as a working mum, how to pick out which community you need and is best for you, and general tips and strategies for joining a community. 
Doors are open to the Working Mumma Village, a community to support, empower and educate working mums navigate the juggle of career and motherhood. Join today and use the code 'PODCAST' for 10% your membership.