Working Mumma

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 ...

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 confide...

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 use...

"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 discov...

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 pers...

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 com...

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 o...

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 bu...

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 afte...

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 ne...

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:

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 ab...

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...

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, h...

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 ...

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, b...

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.

Fle...

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 th...

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 ful...