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Does your manager actually know what you want from your career? Or are they making assumptions because you're a mum? Maybe you're working part-time and people assume you're not interested in a promotion. Perhaps you've got young kids and your manager thinks you don't want to travel, take on a bigger project or step into a leadership role. Or maybe you've been so focused on juggling work and family that you haven't stopped to think about what you actually want next. Here's the thing: your working arrangements don't define your ambition. And your career goals don't have to stay the same after motherhood. In this solo episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I'm sharing why advocating for yourself at work matters, how our career ambitions evolve through different stages of motherhood, and the one conversation that could make a real difference to your career. I also share my own experience of moving from three to four and eventually five working days, why flexibility remains non-negotiable for me, and how I've approached reflecting on what I want from my career.

The system needs to change. Childcare, workplaces, flexibility: we know it. Government policy and organisational cultures don't change overnight. While we wait for policy to catch up, how do we make working motherhood work for us now without accepting that the current system is good enough? In this honest solo episode, Carina explores why there is no single formula for combining motherhood and a career, how our needs and priorities evolve as our children grow, and why the responsibility for making it work cannot rest on mothers alone. From the realities of family life and childcare to flexible work, employer expectations and the often-overlooked transition back after parental leave, this is a conversation about finding more agency without accepting that the system should stay as it is. Because we need change at home, at work and across society. Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on InstagramFollow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Have you ever walked in the door after work and gone into overdrive? Extra cuddles, extra stories, saying yes to everything, because you feel like you need to make up for the hours you weren't there? You're not alone. And according to family therapist Jenny Brown, it might be part of what's making parenting feel so hard. Jenny has worked in family therapy and child mental health since the 1980s. Her new book, The Parenting Paradox, looks at why parents today have more information than ever but feel more anxious and overwhelmed. In this episode, she isn't offering a list of parenting hacks. Instead, she invites us to look at our own part in the patterns we fall into with our kids and our partners, and to take some of the pressure off. In this episode, we talk about: Why parenting feels so intense right now, and how it became a "project"Why hearing other parents' stories can help more than expert adviceHow working mum guilt can lead to over-parenting, and what that does to our kids' confidenceThe difference between relating to our children and reacting to themWhat to say when your child says "I don't want to go to daycare" (or school)The over/under responsibility pattern in families and relationships, and how to share the load without taking overHow to spot a pattern that isn't working and start to change itWhy kids need both limits and connection, not a perfect parenting style Connect with Jenny Check out her new book The Parenting ParadoxFind out more Parent Hope Project Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on InstagramFollow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Have you recently said to yourself "I used to be really good at this before I had kids"? Returning to work after parental leave can bring a mix of emotions. You may have years of experience behind you, but suddenly you’re questioning yourself, worrying about how others perceive you, and questioning if you can still perform at the level you did before. And often it’s not that you’ve lost your capability, your confidence has taken a hit. In this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, I chat with confidence and visibility expert Bec Sands about why women often hold themselves back at work, why confidence can feel particularly difficult after becoming a mum, and what you can actually do to rebuild it. In this episode we chat about: Returning to work after maternity leave when your confidence is already starting from zeroHow Bec's IVF journey reshaped her relationship with confidenceWhy "confidence comes from action," not the other way aroundThe truth about the 8-hour workday and debunking mythsPractical, low-time strategies for building visibility at work when you have none to spareHow to catch and reframe the limiting self-talk that's running the showWhat self-efficacy actually means, and how to build it one hard thing at a time Connect with Bec Sands Instagram: @becsandsWebsite & book: cameheretocreate.comLinkedIn: Bec Sands Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Are you dreading the morning you go back to work after parental leave more than you're letting yourself admit? In this episode, Carina breaks down the four emotional waves that hit when you're returning to work after maternity leave. Because going back to work isn’t one single emotion, and it certainly isn’t a straight line. If you're currently in the thick of pre-return anxiety, or you're back at work and still cycling through hard days, this one's for you. Enjoyed this shorter episode? Send me a DM as I'd love your thoughts. Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on InstagramFollow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

You're back at your desk, but half your brain is still at daycare. You said yes to the meeting, forgot to eat lunch, and you're already dreading tomorrow's drop-off. If that's your version of returning to work after maternity leave, this episode is for you. In this episode, Carina goes solo to unpack what it actually feels like to return to work after maternity leave — not just the logistics, but the identity shift, the mental load, and the quiet pressure to prove yourself all over again. Drawing on her own two returns to work (10 months off with her first son, 13 months with her second) plus everything she's learned from guests on the show, this one's part personal story, part practical playbook. If you're heading back to work soon, already back and wondering why it still feels hard, or supporting someone who is — this episode is for you. Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on InstagramFollow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Have you ever come back from a holiday feeling like you need another holiday? Or realised, only after you've stopped, just how exhausted you really were? That's exactly what happened to Carina. After a busy period of balancing her corporate role, work travel, Working Mumma, two young boys and the mental load of running a household, Carina headed away for a week's holiday with her family. Carina talks about: The difference between taking time off and actually mentally detaching from workWhat Carina noticed when her own brain finally started to quietenThe real cost of ignoring your exhaustion and the hidden dangers of running on emptyPractical strategies for practicing psychological detachment, even when you can’t take an extended break.What chronic cortisol is doing to your brain, sleep and focus, and why it's a loop, not a one-off Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on InstagramFollow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Is it possible to absolutely love being a mum... and still feel like something is missing? For so many women, motherhood brings immense joy—but it can also bring an unexpected sense of loss. The loss of confidence, identity, ambition or simply remembering who you were before everyone needed a piece of you. In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with author, speaker and coach Benita Bensch to talk about the parts of motherhood we don't often say out loud. Benita shares her journey through raising four boys on the land, experiencing two significant periods of burnout she describes as "the black hole," and the long road back to reconnecting with herself. Together, we explore why so many mothers feel invisible, how our inner stories can keep us stuck, and why asking for what you need isn't selfish—it's essential. If you've ever wondered, "Who am I outside of being Mum?" this episode is for you. In this episode we discuss: Why it's possible to love motherhood and still crave more for yourselfFeeling invisible after becoming a mumThe identity shift that comes with motherhoodBenita's experience of burnout, anxiety and finding herself againWhy reconnecting with your creativity mattersLetting go of guilt around wanting something for yourselfThe power of boundaries, self-awareness and asking for helpPractical ways to reconnect with yourself when life feels overwhelming If this conversation resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with another mum who needs to hear that she's not alone. Connect with Benita Bensch Instagram: @benitabenschWebsite: benitabensch.comBook: Seen Again: Light on Matrescence Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on InstagramFollow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Returning to work after maternity leave is often portrayed as the final hurdle for new mothers, but what if it's actually just the beginning of a much more complex journey? In this eye-opening episode, Carina challenges the common narrative and reveals why the hardest part of motherhood may not be the leave itself, but the transition back to work. You'll discover the concept of "matrescence," a term that captures the transformative process of becoming a mother and how it impacts your confidence and career trajectory. Carina dives into the real struggles many working mothers face, from the anxiety of returning to a workplace that has changed in their absence, to the guilt of wanting to excel at both parenting and career. We break down essential strategies for rebuilding confidence, understanding your new identity, and setting healthy boundaries at work. Carina emphasizes the importance of recognizing that your value isn’t tied to your availability but to the impact you create. She also offers practical advice on how to find your rhythm and prioritize what truly matters in your life. This episode is a must-listen for any working mother feeling lost in the transition back to work. Understand that you are not alone in this journey; many women experience similar doubts and struggles. Instead of trying to revert to your old self, Carina encourages you to embrace the strengths and new perspectives motherhood has given you. Perfect for working mothers, this episode empowers you to redefine what success looks like for you and your family. Tune in for a conversation that not only validates your experiences but also equips you with the tools to thrive in both your personal and professional life.

Do you feel like you have to choose between being a good mum and having a meaningful career? Carina speaks with clinical psychologist and executive coach Dr. Anne Welsh, a mum of four who specialises in maternal mental health and works with women in leadership and working mothers navigating exactly this tension. We talk about why the "escalation of modern motherhood" means today's mums are being asked to do more, emotionally, logistically, and professionally, than any generation before them, and why that's not a personal failing, it's a systemic shift. Anne shares the research behind why quality time with your kids matters more than quantity, why the mental load is so much heavier than a to-do list, and a simple exercise to help you work out who you are now that you're a mother - not just who you were told to be. If you've ever felt the ground shift under your identity after having kids, or wondered whether ambition and motherhood can actually coexist, this episode is your permission slip to stop choosing and start figuring out what you actually want. In this episode we cover: Why ambition and motherhood have historically been treated as opposites The "escalation of modern motherhood" and why the mental load keeps growing The research on quality vs. quantity of time with your kids A simple exercise to reconnect with your identity after becoming a mum Why naming what you want is one of the most powerful things you can do How to give yourself permission to focus on what matters to you, not what you "should" be doing Connect with Dr Anne Welsh LinkedIn: Dr Anne Welsh  Website: drannewelsh.com Book: Ambitious Mother Connect with Carina and Working Mumma  Follow on Instagram  Follow Working Mumma podcast on Instagram Connect with Carina on LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter

Most conversations about returning to work after maternity leave focus on the return itself: the first day back, childcare drop-off, the mental load of becoming "mum and professional" again overnight. But what about six or twelve months later, when the arrangement you came back on stops fitting the life you're actually living? In this episode, Carina shares her experience moving from three to four days at work after her second maternity leave and the slow realisation it wasn't sustainable, the guilt that showed up, the conversations she had with her husband, her friends, and eventually her manager, and why increasing her days actually made her a more present, less stretched mum, not a less involved one. You'll learn: The five signals that it might be time to increase your work daysWhy "the arrangement doesn't fit anymore" is a capacity problem, not a time management problemHow to have the conversation with your partner before you have it with your managerA practical script for approaching your manager with a clear ask, not an open questionWhy quality time can increase even as your work days do Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Have you ever returned to work after parental leave and found yourself saying: “I should just be grateful I have my job back” even when the role doesn’t fit your life anymore? That feeling has a name. It’s good girl conditioning. And it’s one of the most quietly powerful forces shaping the lives of working mothers. In this episode, Carina sits down with Caitlin Judd, a business consultant, coach, podcast host and author of Good Girl, for an honest, deeply relatable conversation about the inherited scripts that keep women small, silent and stuck. And what to do about it. What You’ll Learn in This Episode What good girl conditioning really is - and why it starts long before you become a motherThe scripts handed to us in childhood (“be nice,” “don’t rock the boat,” “do as you’re told”) and how they show up in your workplace, your relationships and your return to workWhy self-silencing and imposter syndrome are not personal flaws they’re patterns of conditioningWhat micro-rebellions are, and how to use them at home and at work (starting with something as simple as a Friday email)The three good girl archetypes most common in working mums: the Saint, the Lollipop Lady and the FortressHow to do a life stock-take after becoming a parent and ask yourself whether your current role actually still works for youWhy Caitlin deliberately didn’t tell women what to become beyond the good girl and why that matters Connect with Caitlin Judd Instagram: @itscaitlinjuddBook: Good Girl Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Missing your baby at work? Feeling like your heart is in two places at once? You’re not alone, and more importantly, there is nothing wrong with you. In this episode, Carina talk's about one of the most common (yet rarely spoken about) parts of returning to work after maternity leave: that quiet ache of missing your baby, the constant mental juggling, and the guilt that seems to follow you everywhere. If you’ve ever sat at your desk wondering how your baby is doing, felt distracted in meetings, or questioned whether you made the right decision going back to work, this conversation is for you. You’ll learn: Why missing your baby at work is completely normal (and actually a good sign) What’s really happening during this transition into working motherhood Why the guilt and overwhelm peak early, and how it gets easier over time How to gently navigate the emotional stretch of being in “two worlds” Practical, real-world strategies to feel more present, at work and at home, without adding to your mental load This episode is not about “fixing” how you feel; it’s about helping you understand it, permit yourself to experience it, and find your rhythm again. Because you’re not failing, you’re adjusting to one of the biggest transitions of your life. Connect with Carina and Working Mumma  Follow on Instagram  Follow Working Mumma podcast on Instagram Connect with Carina on LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter

Since going back to work after maternity leave, has anyone - a manager, a colleague, a well-meaning relative - implied that you've changed? That you're not quite as driven as you used to be? Maybe your focus has shifted? Because here's the truth: you haven't changed. Not in the way they think. Your ambition is still there, it's just evolved into something sharper, more purposeful, and more powerful than it's ever been. The problem isn't you. The world around you just hasn't caught up yet. This week on Working Mumma, I'm sitting down with Kat Francis, a Melbourne-based leadership coach for ambitious women, keynote speaker. Kat spent two decades climbing through creative agencies to Managing Director level, then walked away from equity and ownership to build a career that actually aligned with who she'd become. This conversation is honest, validating, and deeply practical. Whether you're fresh back from mat leave or a few years in and wondering why your career still feels like it's running in slow motion, this one is for you. In this episode we cover: The LinkedIn post about ambition after motherhood and why it struck such a raw nerve with Australian working mumsKat's own pivot: walking away from an MD role with equity on the table, and what that decision revealed about values, identity and what we actually want from workThe data from The Ambition Report that's hard to hear - only 16% of mums were promoted after returning from mat leave, and only 23% received a pay riseWhy your ambition didn't disappear after kids, it got sharper, and why that gets misread as "less committed"The settling trap: how so many women come back from maternity leave and quietly accept a role that's comfortable but hollow and how to stopHow to advocate for yourself with outdated managers without burning bridges or losing your composureThe motherhood penalty vs the fatherhood bonus, what it actually looks like in Australian workplaces right nowHow to have the ambition conversation with your partner and why getting on the same page about success changes everything Connect with Kat Francis Website: coachkat.com.au LinkedIn: Kat Francis Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter

Returning to work after parental leave is already a huge transition. But what if you're going back and you are pregnant? This week's episode comes straight from a listener DM, and it's one of the most relatable, raw, and important questions we've ever received on the show. In this episode, host Carina O'Brien tackles the fear, the guilt, and the very real practical questions that come with going back to work while pregnant. In this episode, I share: Why the guilt you're feeling is normal, and why you need to let it goThe truth about how often this actually happens (hint: more than you think)Your legal rights under the Fair Work Act in AustraliaWhether you need to re-serve 12 months to access parental leave againWhen to tell your employer and why sooner may be better than laterExactly what to say in that conversation (a word-for-word framework)How to frame the news in a way that keeps the energy solution-focusedWhat to do if your manager reacts badly Connect with Carina and Working Mumma Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter