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 wit...
Jul 09, 2025•27 min•Ep. 164
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 vil...
Jul 02, 2025•15 min•Ep. 163
"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 de...
Jun 24, 2025•39 min•Ep. 162
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 mon...
Jun 17, 2025•44 min•Ep. 161
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 distan...
Jun 10, 2025•56 min•Ep. 160
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, ...
Jun 02, 2025•35 min•Ep. 159
In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina O’Brien chats with Beatrice Toh, mother of 3 and founder of Hey Doodle. Beatrice shares how a career pivot during COVID turned redundancy into opportunity, sharing very openly her experiences of building a global business from her kitchen table, and what it’s really like managing the juggle of entrepreneurship with three young kids. Beatrice opens up about the raw realities of business and motherhood, between nap times, during night shifts, th...
May 26, 2025•32 min•Ep. 158
Returning to work after maternity leave is a major life transition, and for many women, it’s a moment of hope that quickly turns into disillusionment with their manager and/or employer. For Elise Slavin, her return came with rigid demands, unrealistic expectations, and emotional burnout. Despite clear communication with her employer, she was expected to ramp up to full-time hours, 5 days a week within three months of returning after parental leave, secure extra childcare in an impossible timefra...
May 19, 2025•48 min•Ep. 157
Returning to work after maternity leave is a huge transition, physically and emotionally. Your body has changed, your lifestyle has shifted, and your wardrobe? It probably doesn’t reflect the confident, capable woman you are becoming. In this episode, Carina chats with personal stylist Lisa Stockman about how clothes can influence your confidence, how to rebuild your wardrobe without breaking the bank, and the mindset shift mums need when rediscovering their personal style. Packed with actionabl...
May 12, 2025•37 min•Ep. 156
Let’s be real, you're not just juggling work and motherhood. You're carrying the mental load too: remembering school events, buying birthday presents, packing lunches, and keeping everything (and everyone) running smoothly. It’s invisible. It’s exhausting. And it’s not sustainable. From the silent stress to the constant remembering, planning, and doing, it’s no wonder we feel like we’re running on empty. In this podcast I cover: What the mental load really is, and how it quietly burns us out The...
May 08, 2025•9 min•Ep. 155
From the spotlight of reality TV to the chaos of raising two young girls, Ash Pollard opens up about how motherhood shook her to the core. In this honest and emotional conversation, Ash shares her journey of identity loss, the pressure to keep performing, and how she’s navigating the raw realities of being a mum. You’ll hear: How Ash landed her first role in TV and why it’s not as glamorous as it seems What shocked her most about early motherhood and the identity crisis that followed Her struggl...
May 05, 2025•36 min•Ep. 154
Feel like you’re saying “yes” to everything and losing yourself in the process? You’re not alone. This Juggle Tip episode gives you permission to say no without feeling guilty and gives you strategies to say no with confidence. From work requests to weekend bake sales, I share how to set boundaries so you can reclaim your time and energy and do the things you enjoy. This episode is your go-to guide for setting boundaries that work for you. When you start saying no to the right things, you create...
May 01, 2025•7 min•Ep. 153
The early years of motherhood aren’t just hard; they completely shake and in many ways change your identity. In this real and raw conversation, Hatien Van shares her journey through pregnancy during a pandemic, losing her job, experiencing postnatal depression, rebuilding her life and career. If you've ever wondered why the early years feel so overwhelming, or questioned if you’re doing enough, this episode will feel like a warm, honest conversation with a friend who truly gets it. In this episo...
Apr 28, 2025•29 min•Ep. 152
What does it really look like to juggle ADHD, two kids, and multiple businesses? Laetitia shares the messy, unfiltered reality of neurodivergent motherhood, and how she stays grounded. Laetitia Andrac is a mother of two, former corporate strategist, business owner, and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. When her daughter Zoe began showing signs of being neurodivergent, Laetitia found herself navigating a complex, exhausting system while trying to hold down a senior management role in one ...
Apr 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 151
Everyone asks you what pram you’re buying, what hospital you’re going to, and if you’ve packed your bag. But no one asks you the real questions before you become a mum, the ones that will shape your identity, your relationships, your career, and your mental health. In this raw and reflective 150th episode, I’m sharing the real questions I wish I had asked before I became a mum. These are the conversations no one prepares you for, but every woman deserves to have. If you're navigating the juggle,...
Apr 08, 2025•30 min•Ep. 150
What if trying to be the “perfect mum” is actually what’s holding you back? I’m joined by Fleur Chambers, a multi-award-winning meditation teacher, best-selling author, and creator of the free meditation app, The Happy Habit. Fleur understands firsthand the challenges working mums face and brings a wealth of knowledge on how mindfulness and self-compassion can transform the way we approach work, family, and personal well-being. Fleur shares the raw truth behind her early motherhood experience: t...
Apr 01, 2025•43 min•Ep. 149
Ever feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions trying to navigate motherhood and a career - between work, kids, home, family, relationships, and everything in between? You’re not alone. The pressure to "do it all" is real, but here’s the truth: you don’t have to. In this episode, I dive into the myth of having it all, why it’s okay to let things go, and how redefining success on your own terms can help you navigating the juggle. Join me as I share: Why trying to do it all leaves us e...
Mar 24, 2025•20 min•Ep. 148
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...
Mar 18, 2025•52 min•Ep. 147
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 ...
Mar 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 146
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 ...
Mar 04, 2025•45 min•Ep. 145
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 ...
Feb 26, 2025•23 min•Ep. 144
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 bu...
Feb 19, 2025•42 min•Ep. 143
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 w...
Feb 11, 2025•41 min•Ep. 142
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 ...
Feb 05, 2025•25 min•Ep. 141
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 ...
Jan 27, 2025•34 min•Ep. 144
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. T...
Jan 22, 2025•14 min•Ep. 143
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...
Jan 15, 2025•50 min•Ep. 142
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 s...
Jan 12, 2025•56 min•Ep. 141
In this episode, we delve deep into the emotional and mental toll of returning to work after maternity leave. Guests, Clinical Psychologists Kass and Alicia, share their expert advice on overcoming the feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome prevalent among working mothers as they return to work after maternity leave. They further question the default narratives about motherhood while stressing the need for understanding, support, and growth. This engaging conversation challenges the stereo...
Jan 09, 2025•50 min•Ep. 140
I speak with Megan Dalla-Camina, a single mother, author, and CEO of Women Rising on how to redefine success for working mums. Megan shares her career journey, from her early dreams in performing arts to becoming a corporate executive and starting her company after experiencing extreme burnout. We discuss balancing career and motherhood challenges, including burnout and societal expectations. Megan emphasizes the importance of clarity, self-care, and understanding one's inner critic, providing p...
Jan 07, 2025•52 min•Ep. 139
