Episodes
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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 doConnect with Carina and Working Mumma
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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 mattersConnect with Caitlin Judd
Instagram: @itscaitlinjuddBook: Good GirlConnect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
Missing episodes?
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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 motherhoodWhy the guilt and overwhelm peak early, and how it gets easier over timeHow 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 loadThis 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
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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 everythingConnect with Kat FrancisWebsite: coachkat.com.auLinkedIn: Kat Francis
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
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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 badlyConnect with Carina and Working Mumma
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If you've ever returned to work after parental leave and thought, "I'm not the same person I was before I went on parental leave", you are not imagining it. And there's actually a word for what you're going through.
In this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, I sit down with Amanda Jackson, founder of Motherhood and Matrescence and author of the book by the same name, to explore the concept of matrescence, the process of becoming a mother, and why understanding it is one of the most powerful tools a working mum can have.In this episode we chat about:
• What matrescence is — and why you've probably never heard of it (even though the word was coined in 1973)• The 3 stages of matrescence: separation, liminality, and integration• Why so many women feel like they've lost themselves after having children• The invisible load: why the work of mothering goes unseen and how that affects our identity• What really happens to your brain when you become a mum (it's NOT "mummy brain" - it's a neurological upgrade)• How matrescence affects your return to work and what employers and women themselves can do differently• Parenting for the audience vs. parenting for your family: how to block out the noise• Patressence: do dads go through it too?• Practical rituals and reflections to help you reconnect with who you are• The powerful questions to ask yourself (and your kids) to understand your matrescence journeyConnect with Amanda JacksonWebsite: motherhoodandmatrescence.comInstagram: @motherhood_and_matrescenceLinkedIn: Amanda Jackson
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
When you're in the thick of the baby and toddler years, it can feel like that's the hardest it will ever be. But what nobody tells you is that the challenge doesn't disappear as your kids get older - it just changes shape.
In this solo episode, I'm getting real about a phase of working motherhood I didn't see coming: the school-age years. From navigating school hours that don't align with work hours, to managing a never-ending rotation of sports trainings, WhatsApp groups, Compass and Storypark alerts, school events, and the invisible mental load of coordinating everyone else's lives - this one's for the mums in the thick of it.I talk about:
Why the transition from childcare to school can actually increase the mental load for working mumsThe concept of cognitive labour (as described by Professor Leah Ruppanner) and why it still falls disproportionately on mothersThe hidden logistics of school-age sport, and why I wouldn't have it any other wayThe beautiful moments hiding inside the chaos (yes, they're there)A few honest things that are helping me survive this season without losing my mindThis episode isn't about complaining. It's about naming something that so many of us are quietly carrying, and reminding you that you are absolutely not alone.
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
What happens when you return to work after maternity leave… only to be made redundant six weeks later?
In this honest and deeply relatable episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, I’m joined by Natalie McDonald, founder of Working@It, former LinkedIn editor, journalist, content strategist, and mum of two.
Natalie opens up about:
Returning to work after maternity leaveBeing made redundant during the AI transformation in techThe emotional impact of redundancy as a motherIdentity shifts after motherhoodBuilding confidence after career setbacksStarting a business after redundancyWhy working mums need community more than everThe importance of personal branding and networkingThe reality of balancing work, ambition and caregivingThis episode is for any woman who has ever questioned:“Am I still valuable after becoming a mum?”“Could this happen to me?”“How do I rebuild confidence and a career after being made redundant?”
Natalie’s story is raw, empowering, practical, and incredibly validating for working mothers navigating change, uncertainty and the pressure to “hold it all together.”
If you’re navigating maternity leave, returning to work, redundancy, burnout, or career transition, this conversation will make you feel seen.
Why does motherhood feel so overwhelming, even when you’re doing everything “right”?
In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I speak with Lisa Taylor, author of The Perfect Parent Trap, about the invisible pressure modern mothers are carrying and why so many working mums feel like they’re constantly falling short.
From unrealistic expectations to the mental load, Lisa unpacks how the idea of “perfect parenting” has quietly shaped how we work, parent, and judge ourselves. We explore why this pressure is hitting working mothers especially hard, and what needs to change.
This is an honest, validating conversation for any mum who has ever felt:
Like she’s failing at work or at homeOverwhelmed by the mental loadGuilty for not being “present enough”Exhausted from trying to do it all
In this episode, we chat about:
What the “perfect parent trap” actually isWhy working mums are set up to feel like they’re failingThe role of societal expectations and systemic pressuresHow perfectionism shows up in motherhoodPractical ways to let go of unrealistic standardsA new way to think about being a “good enough” parentIf you’ve ever wondered “why does motherhood feel so hard?” - this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and less alone.
Connect with Lisa:
Connect with Natalie on LinkedInFind out more via Natalie's websiteConnect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
Have you ever felt like everything in your life looks fine on paper… but something still feels off?
In this solo episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina explores the hidden tension so many working mums experience, the gap between the mother you are today and the mother you want to be.
This episode isn’t about productivity hacks or doing more. It’s about alignment.
Carina shares a practical and deeply reflective framework to help you:
Define your version of motherhood (not society’s)Identify your core values and where you’re out of alignmentUnderstand why guilt, burnout, and frustration show upSet boundaries that actually protect what matters mostTake small, realistic steps toward a version of motherhood that feels right for youConnect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
Why does motherhood feel so overwhelming, even when you’re doing everything “right”?
In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I speak with Lisa Taylor, author of The Perfect Parent Trap, about the invisible pressure modern mothers are carrying and why so many working mums feel like they’re constantly falling short.
From unrealistic expectations to the mental load, Lisa unpacks how the idea of “perfect parenting” has quietly shaped how we work, parent, and judge ourselves. We explore why this pressure is hitting working mothers especially hard, and what needs to change.
This is an honest, validating conversation for any mum who has ever felt:
Like she’s failing at work or at homeOverwhelmed by the mental loadGuilty for not being “present enough”Exhausted from trying to do it all
In this episode, we chat about:
What the “perfect parent trap” actually isWhy working mums are set up to feel like they’re failingThe role of societal expectations and systemic pressuresHow perfectionism shows up in motherhoodPractical ways to let go of unrealistic standardsA new way to think about being a “good enough” parentIf you’ve ever wondered “why does motherhood feel so hard?” - this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and less alone.
Connect with Lisa:
Connect with Lisa on LinkedInBuy The Perfect Parent bookCheck out Lisa's websiteConnect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly behind…like you’re failing at work, at home, or both…here is an episode for you.
Because here’s the truth: You are not the problem. The expectations of you are.
In this episode, I unpack why so many working mums feel overwhelmed, stretched, and stuck in a cycle of “trying harder”, and why it’s not about better time management or being more organised.
I chat about:
The viral ABC post "Working mums. The maths ain't mathing" and why it resonated so deeplyThe pressure of the “juggle” and why it’s actually a trapThe mental load and invisible labour working mums carry every dayThe motherhood penalty and how it impacts careers, pay, and confidenceWhy workplaces, systems, and society haven’t caught up with modern familiesBreaking down what needs to change into 4 key areas and micro actions you can take today to create changeThis episode reframes “mum guilt” as something much bigger: a system that was never designed to support working parents.
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
When we talk about working parents, we often focus on mums. But what if one of the biggest missing pieces in the conversation is dads?
In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina speaks with fatherhood advocate Michael Ray about why working mums cannot carry the load alone, and why fathers need to be seen, supported and expected to be equal parents from the beginning.
Michael shares his own story of becoming a father at 49 and then unexpectedly becoming a solo dad to his daughter Charlie. From being banned from backstage at his daughter’s ballet concert because “no males were allowed”, to speaking out about the lack of change tables in men’s bathrooms and the stigma dads face when asking for flexible work, Michael opens up about the systems that still assume mums are the default parent.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why working mums burn out when fathers are treated as “optional” parents- The hidden “fatherhood forfeit” and what dads miss when work comes first- Why men are more likely to have flexible work requests denied- How unequal parenting starts in the newborn stage- Why fathers need more parental leave and support- How workplaces can better support dads and working families- Why sharing the mental load at home is critical for gender equality
If you are a new mum, returning to work after maternity leave, or feeling like you are carrying too much at home, this episode will make you feel seen, and remind you that you were never meant to do it all alone.
Connect with Michael:
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn Check out Michael's websiteConnect with Carina and Working Mumma
Follow on Instagram Follow Working Mumma podcast on InstagramConnect with Carina on LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletter -
If you're about to go back to work after maternity leave, or you're already back and wondering why it feels so much harder than expected, this episode is for you.
The truth is, no one really prepares you for the emotional reality of the return. The guilt. The overwhelm. The strange feeling of being expected to show up as the same person you were before, when you are fundamentally, beautifully different.
In this episode, I'm walking you through what the first 90 days of returning to work after parental leave actually looks like - the messy, the hard, and what genuinely helps.
Episode resources and links
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn
Podcast ep https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lighten-your-mental-load-ditch-the-mum-guilt-and/id1495282250?i=1000719634108
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You came back from parental leave a different person - more resilient, more decisive, less tolerant of nonsense, and more capable. The question isn't whether you can do your role. It's whether you will give yourself permission to show up as the upgraded version of yourself.
This week on the Working Mumma Podcast, I chat with Rebecca Houghton, founder of Bold HR and author of More Impact, More Easily — a book that started as a guide for middle managers and turned out to be essential reading for every working mum navigating her way back after maternity leave.
Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in leadership, talent, and organisational transformation.
In this episode, we go deep on what the return to work really involves, and why most women are doing it harder than they need to.
In this episode we cover:
Why returning to work after having a baby is actually one of the most powerful career resets you'll ever have, and how to use it consciouslyThe two-part reset every working mum needs: one for your home system, one for your professional identityWhy nobody does two jobs well and what has to change before you go back (hint: it's not just you)The worthiness vs capability confidence model and why your inner critic goes into overdrive when you returnThe difference between input and impact and why your boss is measuring you by a completely different currency than you thinkWhy the "let it go" mindset shift is the single most important tool for working mums in their first year backHow to have a conversation with your inner voice (yes, really) and why Rebecca named hers DesdemonaEpisode resources and links
Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn and check out her book "More Impact, More Easily" on boldhr.com
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn
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What happens when the job you thought you were returning to after parental leave no longer exists?
In this episode, I speak with executive leader and solo mum Karis Dorrigan, who shares her experience of being made redundant while on maternity leave during COVID, and how that moment became a turning point in redefining her career, ambition, and life.
This is an honest and powerful conversation about the realities many women face but rarely talk about - redundancies whilst on parental leave, job insecurity, lack of support from employer, navigating the return to work, and the pressure to “be grateful” just to have a job.
It’s also a story of rebuilding, advocating for what you need, and designing a career that actually works for you as a mum and senior leader in an organisation.
If you’re returning to work after parental leave, or questioning what you want your career to look like after having children, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated and empowered.
We chat about:
Karis's career journey from Qantas to executive leadership, and how becoming a mum changed everythingBeing made redundant on parental leave during COVID, and what employers should do differentlyHow getting clear on your values becomes your compass for every big career and life decisionThe systems and structures still holding working mums back (and the small changes that would make a real difference)Why Karis works four days a week, rarely goes into the office, and has a no-meeting Tuesday and how she made that happenThe truth about solo parenting in Australia: 1 in 5 households, high rates of poverty, and why policy needs to catch upWhy you should stop being grateful for flexibility and start advocating boldly for what you needHer call to action for every leader: would a single mum apply for this role? If not, rewrite it.Episode links
Connect with Karis on LinkedIn
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn
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Returning to work after maternity leave can come with an unspoken pressure many women don’t realise they’re carrying - the need to prove that nothing has changed.
In this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, Carina sits down with Rachel Debeck, former lawyer, tech CEO, and mum of three, to unpack the “prove yourself” trap that so many working mothers fall into when they return to work.
Rachel shares her honest experience of coming back to a senior role when her first baby was just seven months old, the internal pressure to overcompensate, and the moment she received feedback that changed how she showed up as both a leader and a role model for other women.
We explore why pretending it’s “easy” can actually make things harder for working mums and what it looks like to lead, work, and parent more honestly.
This conversation is for any mum who has returned to work feeling like she has to be exactly the same as she was before, or better, while quietly carrying the mental load, guilt, and exhaustion that no one sees.
In this episode, we talk about:
The invisible pressure to “prove yourself” after maternity leave, especially in senior rolesWhy overcompensating can lead to burnout, and how to recognise when you’re doing itWhy working mums don’t need perfect role models, they need real onesHow each return to work can feel different (and why that’s normal)The daycare sickness season and why it’s often the point many women consider stepping away from their careersHow to think about your career as non‑linear with seasons of acceleration and steadinessWhy motherhood doesn’t end ambition, it often reshapes it into something more intentional and meaningfulEpisode links
Connect with Rachel Debeck on LinkedIn.
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn
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Have you ever posted your child’s name, birth date or kinder photo online?
Most of us have.
And we did it with love.
But in 2026, the digital landscape has changed.
In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast Carina speaks with Zsofi Paterson, CEO of Tinybeans, about the growing conversation around “sharenting” and why parents of young children need to be more aware than ever.
Following a recent Australian Federal Police warning and a 41% rise in online child exploitation, this episode explores:
What sharenting actually meansWhen and how your child’s digital footprint beginsThe risks of sharing names, birth dates and locationsAI and image scraping explained simplyWhy consent matters — even for babiesWhat to do if you’ve already shared a lotPractical boundaries working parents can implement todayThe concept of “digital nesting”If you’re raising babies, toddlers or preschoolers — and navigating Instagram, Facebook or family sharing — this is a conversation worth having.
Episode links
Discover more about Tinybeans or connect with Zsofi on LinkedIn.
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn
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Returning to work after having a baby isn’t just about logistics, childcare, or flexible hours , a big part of it is about identity.
In this Reflect Summer Series episode, Carina revisits a powerful conversation with Laura Stewart, who shares her deeply honest experience of the identity shift that came with motherhood, and how it ultimately led her to redefine success, leadership, personal values, and meaningful work.
While on maternity leave, Laura made the bold decision not to return to her executive role. Not because she lacked ambition, but because the role no longer aligned with who she was becoming as a mother, a leader, and a human.
Together, Carina and Laura chat about:
The unexpected identity shift that happens after becoming a mum (matrescence)Why returning to your “old self” at work can feel impossibleHow values often change after motherhood and why that’s not a failureWhy feeling supported at work isn’t always enough if the work no longer feels meaningfulHow embracing motherhood as part of your identity can make you a stronger, more confident leaderEpisode links
Connect with Laura Stewart on LinkedIn
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn
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The mental load is exhausting, and a big issue for many working mothers.
In this Reflect summer series special episode, I speak with Professor Leah Ruppaner.
We delve into the complexities of the mental load for working mums, and explore strategies to help you manage it that works for you. Leah shares the emotional and cognitive aspects of the mental load, the societal expectations placed on mothers, and the importance of creating supportive systems for both parents.
If you liked this Reflect episode, listen to the full episode "Lighten Your Mental Load, Ditch the Mum Guilt, and Rethink Care with Professor Leah Ruppanner"
MORE LINKS
Connect with Leah via her website www.leahruppanner.com or on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/leah-ruppanner-1657a417/
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity and the website www.workingmumma.com.au or connect with Carina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/carina-obrien/
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You’ve proven you can do your job — and do it well — while working flexibly. But now that your employer wants more office time, how do you ask for what you need without feeling guilty or being seen as “less committed”?
In this episode Carina O’Brien speaks with Dr. Ellen Ford, leadership expert and author of #WorkSchoolHours, about the art of negotiating flexibility at work. Together, they explore how working mums can confidently start the conversation, use data and outcomes to back up their case, and find a win-win that works for both you and your employer.
You’ll learn:
How to have a confident, fact-based conversation with your boss about working from home or hybrid workThe key phrases and language to use when asking for flexibility (without guilt or defensiveness)How to show your productivity and value while working flexiblyWhy hybrid work supports better wellbeing, mental load, and family balanceHow to reframe flexibility as a business advantage, not a personal favourIf you’re a working mum who wants to keep your flexibility this episode gives you the tools, confidence, and mindset to do it.
Listen to Dr. Ellen Ford's previous episode on the Working Mumma podcast ep 116 - Removing Barriers to Help Working Mums Thrive
Episode Resources & Links
Dr. Ellen Ford’s book: #WorkSchoolHours: A Revolution for Parents, Workplaces & the World#WorkSchoolHours eBook - 100% discount with code "workingmumma100"#WorkSchoolHours Online Courses 50% off with code "workingmumma50" check out Parents course or People manager course click hereDr. Ellen Ford’s Website ellenjoanford.comConnect with Carina on LinkedIn
Let's connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
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