This is the inspiring story of Alex and Jessie Gafford, who live in Mississippi US with their 3 children. Jessie is a stay-at-home mum and Alex supports his family fully, by working a Five Hour Workday for his company Blue Street Capital (who have been working in this way since 2016). This is an excellent example of how the Five Hour Workday can support the family both financially, physically and emotionally, and we hope you enjoy learning how it can be done as much as we do! You can learn more about how to do a Five Hour Workday with Alex on the The 5-Hour Formula Podcast [https://5-hourformula.com/]

In this Club Chat, we talk about "Mum" guilt - what it is, why we feel that way and what we can call it instead (hence the "!) We share how often you feel that way, what makes you feel most/least guilty and tips and tricks for making us feel it less.  If you want to be part of the next Club Chat join us our community on Instagram @FiveHourClub [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub]

This is the story of Katie Elliot (also known as HR Katie [https://instagram.com/hr.katie]), mum of 2 who understand what it means to be flexible. She shares what it was like to commute full-time with young children, the problem with part-time work and how she made the most of a perfect storm to set up HR Katie [https://hrkatie.co.uk/]. to help other small businesses Find HR Katie here: www.hrkatie.co.uk [https://hrkatie.co.uk/]

Emma and Amy discuss the current problems with part-time work: the lack of jobs, the part-time culture, the loss of progression and the impact it can have on family life. We also share some solutions and ways you can get around this problem that so many of us face. Have a problem with part-time too? Join us at www.fivehourclub.com [https://fivehourclub.com] or be part of the conversation on Instagram @fivehourclub [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub] Sources: Timewise: Flexible Jobs Index (2023) [https://timewise.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Timewise-Flex-Jobs-Index-2023.pdf] How Do Parents Share Childcare That Interferes With Paid Work? Work Arrangements, Flexible Working, and Childcare: University of Southampton (2025) [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jomf.13112] The Flexibility Paradox: Why Flexible Working Leads to (Self-)Exploitation - Heejung Chung (2022) [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flexibility-Paradox-Flexible-Working-Exploitation/dp/144735477X]

This is the story of Stacey, who after a thriving career working in fashion, was made redundant 5 weeks after telling her employer she was pregnant with her third son. She now works as PR and Digital at Working Families [https://workingfamilies.org.uk/], where she is part of a team who supports other families who need help like she did. This is a story of red flags, redundancy and resilience. If you need help or advice around your rights as a working parent or carer you can contact Working Families Advice Line here. [https://workingfamilies.org.uk/contact-us-for-advice/] Or contact their Helpline: 0300 012 0312 [tel:+443000120312] Weekdays 11am - 2pm (See exceptions [https://workingfamilies.org.uk/advice-information/free-parents-carers-helpline/]) Follow Working Families on Instagram @workingfamuk [https://www.instagram.com/workingfamuk/] to find out more about the work they do.

In this anniversary episode to mark one year of Five Hour Club Amy shares her full career story, before and after children, and where the idea for the Five Hour Club came from.  To celebrate, we asked parents to stand up and share their stories to remind others that #ParentsBelong in the workplace.  Follow us on LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/company/five-hour-club] and Instagram [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub] to hear more stories. Find your own Five Hour Workday on www.fivehourclub.com [https://fivehourclub.com/] 

This week on the Five Hour Club podcast, we're joined by Naomi, a mum of two girls and Head of Resourcing and Information at Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT). Naomi opens up about her unique career journey, from working in recruitment to retraining as a primary school teacher during maternity leave, and finally returning full circle to take on a senior, fully flexible role in the NHS. In this episode, Naomi shares: * Why she pivoted careers to support her family * How KMPT is leading the way in inclusive and flexible working * What annualised hours actually look like in practice * Why her team signed up to be pioneers in the Five Hour Workday Pilot It's a story of determination, trust, and building a career that works around life - not the other way around. #FiveHourClub #Podcast #FlexibleWorking #ParentsBelong #NHS #WorkLifeBalance #CareerAfterKids

In this Club Chat, we talk about part of our story which so many of our community resonate with: the loss, the change, the reform of our identity after having children. We share our own stories of identity loss, how it changed and ways in which we can get it back again. If you want to join us in our next Club Chat, join our community on Instagram @fivehourclub. [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub]

This is the story of Harleen, who after becoming the default parent to a son with Autism, has struggled to maintain her career as a recruitment manager ever since.  After only part of her story was aired BBC Panorama documentary about working from home, we wanted to share her full story, including why remote work is so important for parents, what it means to sacrifice your career for your family, and the loss of identity that comes with it.  It was a hard one to listen to, but we hope reassures those who feel the same, that you're not alone in this. Hear more stories at @fivehourclub [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub] on Instagram.

Emma and Amy discuss one of the problems that most women face after having children: The Motherhood Penalty. We talk about what it is, how it can impact us and what we can do about it. It's a meaty one, so get ready for some shocking data... Here's the sources: * Motherhood Penalty & Fatherhood Bonus (including the graph) – World Economic Forum [https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/06/multinationals-can-close-parenthood-wage-gaps/] * Research from Pregnant Then Screwed [https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/74000-women-a-year-lose-their-jobs-for-getting-pregnant-or-for-taking-maternity-leave/#:~:text=Up%20to%2074%2C000%20women%20every,State%20of%20the%20Nation%20report.] * The Motherhood Penalty in job quality – King's Global Institute for Women's Leadership [https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/who-can-have-it-all-job-quality-and-parenthood-in-the-uk#:~:text=King's%20College%20London,-Go%20to...&text=This%20research%20shows%20that%20mothers,motherhood%20penalty%20in%20job%20quality'.] * Stats mentioned from the Fawcett Society [https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/paths-to-parenthood-uplifting-new-mothers-at-work] Our Book recommendations: * Invisible Women – Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez. * Pregnant Then Screwed – The truth about the Motherhood Penalty and how to fix it by Joeli Brearley Follow us on Instagram @fivehourclub [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub] to get involved with our next Club Chat

Sophie, mum of two, was a high achiever in recruitment before having children, when she felt then impact of the Motherhood Penalty when returning to work. She has since founded two businesses: MotherBoard - which help women showcase their skills in tech and Hey Flow highlights the importance women's reproductive health in the workplace. This is a story of grit, belonging and entrepreneurial spirit.  Find Sophie Creese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-creese-heyflow/] on LinkedIn fixing the future of work for women or at: MotherBoard: https://motherboardmovement.co.uk/ HeyFlow: https://heyflow.co.uk/

Emma and Amy chat about what relationships look like after children: the highs, the lows and what we can do about them if they start to take a back seat.  We share our experiences as well as plenty of yours, so hopefully you will feel reassured that it is rarely easy. Want to be part of our next Club Chat? Join us on Instagram  [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub]

This is the inspirational story of Ro, the founder of SheCollective [https://www.wearetheshe.com/], who solo parented twin boys at the age of 22, did everything she could to support her son with a disability whilst starting 2 businesses in her strive for flexibility for her family. This is a story of raw grit, bravery and sheer determination.  Find out more about how she champions women's wellbeing in the SheCollective on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_the_she/]

Self-care? What is that? In this Club Chat Emma and I discuss what it is, what it can look like, and why it is so important for us all. We also share some ways for how to do it better! Because let's face it, we all need it! Join in the conversation in our next Club Chat on Instagram @fivehourclub [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub]

In this chat, we reveal how Anju achieved her dream career after having two boys very close in age (no it's not what I thought it was!) We discuss working in tech, how to go for what you want and the realities of achieving your dream job with two boys in tow. This is an inspiring chat of resilience, determination and the importance of having a village. Share your thoughts on https://instagram.com/fivehourclub

In this episode we discuss the madness of the festive season, the mental load that comes with it and tips and tricks for how to get through it!  Wishing all of our listeners the happiest of holidays with your families! Amy and Emma x 

Ceramicist Jules, has her own ceramics studio @caveandkiln, where she runs workshops and creates beautiful pieces for the home, to support herself and her daughter who is almost 6. In this episode she tells the story of why she created this business, what a career in creativity can look like and what it means to choose flexibility over financial stability. If you run a small business or thinking about it, it's worth a listen.

In this Club Chat, we talk about one of the darker sides of parenting: grief and the impact it can have on you and your family, particularly during Christmas period. Emma bravely shares her tragic story of losing her mum and best friend during her early pregnancy, and the impact this grief has on her as a parent. Please note that we openly discuss death and loss, which may be upsetting to some listeners.

This is the story of Maddi, a passionate corporate lawyer who managed to swap her job at Amazon for a 25 hours a week role as Head of Legal at Sagacity, a female founded data and consultant business, so that she could work around her young family. We discuss boundaries, prioritising what is important and the realities of maintaining your career in 25 hours a week. Do you want to share your story? Join us at @fivehourclub on Instagram [https://instagram.com/fivehourclub] and LinkedIn.

Emma and Amy discuss every parent's worst nightmare: when your child gets sick. We talk about the juggle between work and illness, your rights sounding sick leave and tips and tricks for how to survive the back to school bugs.