Episodes
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Why do so many loving couples start arguing after they become parents?
If you've ever wondered, "Why am I carrying all the mental load?" or "Why don't they just see what needs doing?", this conversation is for you.
I'm joined by couples coach, speaker and founder of Be A Happier Parent, Alex Trippier, to explore why good people in good relationships often struggle after children... and how we can rebuild connection without blame.
In this episode we explore:
Why the mental load so often falls to women
Why many men genuinely don't see the invisible work happening around them
The difference between mum guilt and dad guilt
Alex's powerful concept of "borrowing your partner's brain"
Practical ways couples can reduce resentment and build stronger partnerships
This is an honest, compassionate conversation that will leave you feeling understood, hopeful and equipped with practical ideas to strengthen your relationship.Find all the resources and links mentioned in this episode here:
https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/189
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Pregnancy loss and baby loss affect far more families than many of us realise, yet these experiences are still often surrounded by silence, misunderstanding and stigma.
In this episode, I'm joined by Sands, the UK's leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, to explore the realities of loss and the impact it can have on individuals, families and working lives.
Together, we discuss why pregnancy and baby loss can feel so difficult to talk about, the hidden impact of grief in the workplace, and what managers, colleagues and organisations can do to provide meaningful support.
In this episode, we explore:
Why pregnancy loss and baby loss remain hidden experiences
The emotional impact of loss and grief
Returning to work whilst navigating loss
How colleagues and managers can offer compassionate support
Common responses that may unintentionally cause harm
What a pregnancy-loss-aware workplace looks like
Practical ways organisations can better support employees through loss
Whether you're a leader, colleague, friend or family member, this conversation offers valuable insights into how we can create more understanding and compassionate workplaces for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss.
Content note: This episode discusses miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, baby loss and grief.
Resources & Links
Find all the resources and links mentioned in this episode here:
https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/188
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Missing episodes?
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Why are women so exhausted? Professor Leah Ruppanner explains the invisible mental load women carry every day - from planning and organising to worrying and responsibility-holding.
We explore the eight types of mental load, why women become the default managers of family life, the impact of social judgment and gender expectations, and practical ways to reclaim energy for what matters most.
A validating, research-backed conversation for every working mum who feels mentally and emotionally overloaded.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/187
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I teach leadership for a living. So when I got a phone call from school telling me my son had been suspended, I should have been able to handle it, right?
Within seconds, I was unravelling. Shame flooded in before logic had a chance, my people pleaser came online and every piece of leadership work I'd ever done on myself went quiet.
In this episode, I'm sharing something deeply personal with my son's full permission. Because what happened next and how my family navigated it taught me more about emotional regulation, personal leadership, and parenting than any professional training ever has.
We cover:
- Why home is often the hardest room to lead in and why that's not a failure
- What shame does to our nervous system and why it arrives before logic
- How to regulate yourself before you respond, and why that changes everything
- Why the people we love most can trigger us most deeply
- What Leading on All Fronts® looks like when it's tested most
This one is for the high-achieving woman who holds everything together professionally and finds that home is the place that undoes her most quickly.
Whether your children are two months or twenty-two years old, this episode will stay with you.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/186
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Still not feeling like yourself even though your baby is months or years old? You're not imagining it. And you're not failing.
In this episode, Nicky Lowe shares her own experience of burnout and exhaustion after her first child - the years it took to get answers, and the moment she finally found the language for what had happened to her.
Drawing on the work of Dr. Oscar Serrallach (The Postnatal Depletion Cure), Nicky explores why postnatal depletion can last up to ten years after having a baby, why high-achieving women are so often dismissed when they say something is wrong, and what you can do, starting today, to begin rebuilding.
This episode is for new mums navigating the blur of early motherhood, women further into the journey who are still waiting to feel like themselves, and anyone who manages someone returning from parental leave.
You'll come away with:
A clear understanding of what postnatal depletion actually is and why it's so much more than tiredness
Why willpower and mindset alone won't fix this
Five practical steps to start supporting your system right now
Whether your baby is six weeks old or six years old - this one is for you.
Resources mentioned:
The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr. Oscar SerrallachThe Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/185
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Confidence isn't something you're born with; it's something you build.
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Kate Hayes, one of the leading experts in performance psychology. With a PhD focused on confidence in elite sport and experience supporting world-class athletes (including the Lionesses) Kate brings both cutting-edge research and real-world insight.
We explore what confidence really is, whether women experience confidence differently to men, and how to build it in a way that's evidence-based, grounded, and lasting, so you can perform at your best when it matters most.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/184
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If you've ever found yourself wondering, "What is happening to me?"… you are not alone. Perimenopause can feel like a slow and disorienting shift.
In this honest and empowering episode, I'm joined by Dr Charlotte Gooding, GP and BMS-accredited menopause specialist, to explore perimenopause, HRT and breast cancer risk.
We unpack the symptoms many women miss, the emotional impact of hormonal change, and the nuance around HRT safety, so you can make more informed, personalised decisions about your health.
If you're navigating perimenopause, HRT decisions, or breast cancer fears, this episode will help you feel more informed, empowered and less alone.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/183
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Have you ever been told you need more presence, more gravitas, or more confidence at work?
In this episode, I'm joined by Louisa Preston and Luisa Baldini, co-founders of Composure Media and former BBC journalists, to explore how we can communicate with more confidence, composure and impact in high-stakes moments.
They share practical tools for building executive presence, managing nerves, using body language more intentionally, and speaking with calm authority - without over-explaining, shrinking yourself, or trying to become someone you're not.
A thoughtful, practical conversation for any ambitious woman who wants to be seen, heard and taken seriously at work.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/182
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AI is everywhere right now, yet many women are still hesitant to use it.
In this episode, we explore the growing gender gap in AI adoption with Andrew Wyatt-Sames and Lucy Pitt, co-founders of Uptake AI.
Together, we unpack the "good girl mindset" and the fear of cheating, and share simple, confidence-building ways to start using AI tools with care.
We also tackle the big questions around ethics, confidentiality, and what's safe to share - so you can protect your standards and get back precious headspace.
More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/181
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One of the most powerful things you can do as a leader and mother is build a team around you - because it really does take a village, both in work and in life.
In this episode, I'm joined by the women behind the scenes of my business for an honest, practical conversation about how we work together as a high-performing remote team.
We unpack the rhythms, communication habits, and supportive systems that keep everything moving, what we do when things go wrong, and the building blocks that help you create support you can truly trust. If you've been thinking, "I can't keep doing it all alone," this episode will show you what's possible.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/180
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If you're working harder than ever but life still feels heavy, this episode is for you.
Maker, Marker, Multiplier explores why doing more eventually stops working as your responsibility grows and life changes - particularly after becoming a parent.
It offers a compassionate, relatable way to understand the leadership and identity shifts many working mums experience, and how to lead differently in the season you're in now.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/179
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Since becoming parents, many of us find we have to work harder on our relationship than ever - not because it's wrong, but because life is full-on.
In this episode, I'm joined by relationship strategist and licensed therapist Katie Rössler to explore why couples slip into "roommate mode," how resentment and the mental load build, and what genuinely helps
You'll leave with practical habits you can start this week to rebuild teamwork, intimacy and trust - even in the busiest season.
If you love your partner but feel a little disconnected, this is your reset.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/178
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What if you could borrow the psychology behind elite sporting success and use it to lead, perform, and thrive as a working mum?
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Kate Hays, Head of Women's Performance Psychology at the Football Association, working closely with Serena Wiegman and the England women's national football team.
Kate pulls back the curtain on what performance psychology really looks like when the stakes are high and how those same principles apply to leadership, teamwork, and the daily reality of ambitious working motherhood.
She shares what truly drives sustained elite performance, and how women can succeed under pressure without sacrificing their wellbeing.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/177
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In this end-of-year reflection, I share three life lessons from 2025 and invite you to mine for the gold in your own year as you step into what's next with clarity, courage, and ease.
More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/176
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What if the hardest moments in your life were actually clues to your purpose?
In this episode, Nicky explores how we can "decode" our purpose by looking back at the meaning markers in our story - the losses, turning points and everyday moments that quietly show us what really matters.
You'll learn a simple way to reflect on your own experiences, spot the patterns in what you care about, and take one small step towards a life that feels more aligned, alive and truly yours.
More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/175
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What if elite sports performance could help you thrive as a high-achieving woman?
In this episode, I chat with Gemma Jefferson, a physiotherapist with over 14 years of experience working with Paralympic athletes and elite sportspeople. Now, Gemma is bringing the same principles of peak performance to help women like you balance career and motherhood without burning out.
We dive into how to tap into soft strength, use breathwork, and move with intention - even if you've only got 5 minutes. Get ready for a new way to perform at your best, without the pressure to go harder.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/174
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Ever had life bring you to your knees in that quiet, private way that makes you feel deeply human?
I'm in that season. In this episode I share the health news I'm navigating and the leadership reset it sparked: why going back to basics isn't a setback, how to be confidently humble, and the seven foundations I'm using to rebuild in body and leadership.
If you're facing uncertainty - career, health, motherhood - this is a gentle, practical companion for beginning again.If this episode shifted how you'll handle your next tough conversation, share it with a fellow working mum leader and tag @nickyloweleadership. Your reviews help more women find the show.
More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/173
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In this special conversation, Nicky welcomes friends and co-founders Clare Radford and Harri Demetrios to introduce the Empow-Her Collective - a new, research-led collaboration reshaping how senior women are supported in leadership.
Together, they unpack why "fixing women" misses the point, the systemic patterns that stall brilliant careers, and how psychologically safe, evidence-based development can create real change. You'll hear the origin story, the themes they're already seeing in their study, and how you can lend your voice. If you've ever felt like you're leading with one hand tied behind your back, this one's for you.
Check out www.empowhercollective.co.uk
Take the surveyIf this episode shifted how you'll handle your next tough conversation, share it with a fellow working mum leader and tag @nickyloweleadership. Your reviews help more women find the show.
More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/172
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The mental load isn't just yours to carry - it's a leadership issue. Learn how cultures that care can ease the juggle at work and at home.
In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a global speaker series we delivered to our client, UKG, to explore why the mental load isn't just a personal struggle - it's a leadership issue.
Together we unpack how invisible responsibilities at home and at work impact wellbeing, retention, and culture, and why building 'cultures that care' matters for every organisation.
Joining me to share the story are two inspiring UKG leaders who brought this initiative to life - Mille Holst-Barry and Jeremy Casupanan
Together we discuss:
- Why UKG decided to invest in this global iniative around the mental load
- How conversations about the mental load can transform both workplaces and homes.
- The personal and cultural nuances of mental load across families, genders, and geographies.
- Why recognising the invisible tasks at work is vital for equity and retention.
- The practical impact of addressing the mental load in the workplace
This is an honest, inspiring, and hopeful conversation about how organisations can support their people to thrive and why every workplace should be talking about the mental load.
Tune in and discover how small shifts in awareness can make a big difference in creating workplaces (and homes) where everyone can flourish.If this episode shifted how you'll handle your next tough conversation, share it with a fellow working mum leader and tag @nickyloweleadership. Your reviews help more women find the show.
More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/171
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What if the most powerful negotiation skill isn't talking…but listening like a life depends on it? In this jaw-dropping episode, I speak with former hostage negotiator Nigel Taberner, who's attended over 130 high-risk incidents without a loss of life. Nigel dismantles the myths (no Jedi mind tricks here) and shows how the exact skills used in armed sieges translate to leading teams, navigating conflict, and yes, parenting a strong-willed tween.
You'll hear how negotiators influence when there's nothing to trade, why echoing works better than endless questioning, and the simple 60-second ritual that can transform any difficult conversation, from a boardroom showdown to a bedtime battle.
If this episode shifted how you'll handle your next tough conversation, share it with a fellow working mum leader and tag @nickyloweleadership. Your reviews help more women find the show.More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/170
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