As working mothers, we're told that flexible working is the solution. Work from home two days a week. Do compressed hours. Start at 10am instead of 9am. But if these solutions actually worked, why do we still feel like we're constantly drowning? Why are we still apologizing for our lives? Why does the motherhood penalty persist? Flexible working has been around for more than 70 years, yet employment gaps for mothers aren't closing. We're not failing...the system is.In this episode, I sit down with Lizzie Penny, mother of three and cofounder of the Workstyle Revolution, a charity on a mission to create a world of work without bias. Lizzie's story is a masterclass in why we need to stop tweaking the edges of an outdated system and start demanding something entirely different. Lizzie introduces the concept of "work style"—NOT flexible working, but a fundamental reimagining of how we measure value, productivity, and contribution in the workplace. She explains why mothers are actually the most productive workers (yes, there's data!), why you shouldn't have to apologise for going to your child's school play, and how the complexity of our lives is our superpower, not our weakness. This conversation will change how you think about your worth at work and give you the language and permission to start advocating for what you actually need to thrive, not just survive, as a working mother.

How do we raise kind, thoughtful boys in a world that still tells them they have to be tough? What happens when we realise the systems we’ve grown up in don’t serve any of us... including our children? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Lauren Currie, author, advocate, founder of UPFRONT, and mum to a young son. Lauren’s new children’s book, Taylor Meets The Trick, gives families a simple, hopeful way to spot gender stereotypes (“the trick”) and have real conversations about fairness, kindness, and confidence. We explore: How to raise boys who see beyond gender roles and lead with empathy Everyday ways the patriarchy shows up in parenting (and how to call it out) Why the language we use with our kids matters more than we think How children can become the teachers when it comes to spotting bias The subtle ways adults are “tricked”... and how to unlearn them Lauren also shares how she’s raising her son to question stereotypes without shame, what she’s had to unlearn herself, and how parents can make these conversations part of everyday life without it feeling heavy. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, or simply someone who wants to help create a fairer, softer future, this episode will give you ideas, language, and a lovely story to share with the children in your life. Resources & links Taylor Meets The Trick – Order the book here Connect with Lauren on Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more about UPFRONT: weareupfront.com

Motherhood is full of contradictions. You’re never truly alone -- kids, partners, colleagues are always nearby -- yet it can feel like one of the loneliest seasons of life. In this conversation, I sit down with Kate Westlund Tovsen, communications consultant and founder of The Society of Working Moms (SOWM), to talk about why working motherhood so often feels isolating and what it takes to build the kind of community we all crave. Kate shares the story behind creating SOWM, an online Slack-based community designed to be a real village for women navigating both careers and motherhood. We dig into the surprising ways digital connections can become lifelines, how to overcome the hesitation of engaging in online spaces, and why vulnerability is the secret ingredient to building real support. We also explore: Why motherhood can feel more isolating than expected—even when you’re surrounded by people. The value of connecting with women at different stages of life and motherhood. How digital communities can replicate the generational wisdom that many of us are missing. Practical ways to use your voice, share what you need, and start building your own village. Stories of how small acts of honesty and courage sparked meaningful connection inside SOWM. If you’ve ever felt like your “village” is missing, this episode is for you. Whether online or offline, connection is possible, and it often starts with one brave step. Links and resources: Connect with Kate on LinkedIn Learn more about The Society of Working Moms: working-moms.com

Hello and welcome back to the penultimate episode of Season 1 of WDIG? If you’ve been feeling foggy, exhausted, or like everything’s a little heavier than it should be, this episode is for you. Alison Campbell, founder of Unburnt, talks honestly about why working mums are especially at risk of burnout, how the expectations of an “always-on” culture quietly stack the pressure, and why none of this is your personal failure. Alison shares her own wake-up story and explains why normalising constant overwhelm is exactly what keeps people stuck. If you want practical, doable tools (not more toxic productivity pep talks), you’ll love the micro-habits Alison walks through in this episode.  This is a conversation about naming the load instead of carrying it alone. Permission to stop pushing through, to ask for help, and to carve out space for yourself. If you’re drowning in the idea that you must do it all, this episode gently reminds you: you’re not failing, you’re being let down by unsustainable expectations. It might not always feel this way, but you DO have choices and there ARE  manageable ways to stay unburnt. Want to go deeper? Alison’s work is at getunburnt.com and she shares practical tips on LinkedIn under Alison Campbell. Now, take a breath, and let's get into it. 

Just as you begin to reclaim your identity post-motherhood, sneaky symptoms like brain fog, hot flashes, and anxiety start knocking on your door. Is it hormone havoc, burnout, fatigue, or...perimenopause? Join me for a candid chat with the lovely Emma Thomas, who's on a mission to unravel the mysteries of the messy middle of life for women everywhere. Emma, founder of The Triple Shift and host of the Middling Along podcast, has pivoted in her career to become a menopause educator, helping women regain control and clarity through the middle bit of life.  Why should you listen to this episode? Because no one really prepares us for the hormonal rollercoaster that can hit just as we’re trying to get our footing back after having kids. This conversation will help you understand what’s going on in your body, what to look out for, and how to get the support you need. It’s practical, reassuring, and full of the kind of insight that helps you take your power back. About this week's guest, Emma Thomas: Emma Thomas is the Founder of The Triple Shift and Managing the Menopause. She is also the host of the Middling Along Podcast.    For 30 years Emma worked in academic publishing with many well-known brands with roles spanning business development, strategy, business process optimization, change and transformation, and internal communications. In 2021 she set up her podcast and has now interviewed dozens of midlife wellbeing and menopause experts, inspiring women who have undergone midlife reinventions, and tackled topics relating to multigenerational workforces and ageism in the workplace. In 2022 she founded Managing the Menopause, which works with companies to help them become menopause-supportive employers, and after training at Henley Business School she set up The Triple Shift, her coaching practice. Holding Up The Sky is her latest venture, with burnout expert Lisa Tyler, helping women navigate their 'midlife collision' without cracking up.    You can find out more about Emma and the brilliant work she does here: www.thetripleshift.org www.managingthemenopause.com   www.holdingupthesky.com www.middlingalong.com  Or connect with Emma on Linkedin  

TW: A quick note before we begin, this episode includes a conversation about suicide and maternal mental health, so if you're in a vulnerable place, please take good care of yourself while listening and take a look in the show notes for some links to places where you can get some support if and when you need it.This week, I’m talking to my old friend Rich Baish about something no family should ever have to go through: losing a new mum to postpartum psychosis. Rich tragically lost his wife Alex to postpartum psychosis just a few weeks after their second daughter was born. In this conversation, he shares what happened, what the warning signs were and what he wishes he’d known at the time. We also talk about what it means to grieve while raising young children, how he’s rebuilt a life he never asked for, and why he’s now working to make sure other families don’t slip through the cracks. Postpartum psychosis affects 1–2 in every 1,000 new mums. It can come on suddenly, even if there’s no history of mental illness, but it is treatable, if acted on fast enough. This is a conversation about maternal mental health, yes, for sure, but it's also a conversation about fatherhood, about friendship, about resilience, and above all about love. It's absolutely heartbreaking, but it's also strangely hopeful because what Rich shows us is that even in the darkest of times, it is possible to keep going, to keep showing up, to hold space for what was, while also making space for what comes next. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is, please give it a listen. It might just save a life. Resources and Support If you or someone you love might be experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis, it is a medical emergency. Don’t wait. Go straight to A&E (UK) or the Emergency Room (US). The sooner help is given, the better the outcome. UK Resources Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP): The UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting women and families affected by postpartum psychosis. Offers peer support, information, training for healthcare professionals, and bereavement services. NHS information on Postpartum Psychosis Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7) or chat online any time PANDAS Foundation – Support for postnatal depression and other perinatal mental health challenges US Resources Postpartum Support International (PSI): Extensive resources including a helpline, online support groups, and provider directories. PSI Helpline 998 Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7, confidential support

Welcome to another episode of "Where Did I Go?"! This week, we dive into the transformative power of motherhood on creativity. Many of us have heard that becoming a mom takes away our freedom and sense of self. What we don’t often hear is how it can also spark a massive creative expansion; a total cosmic realignment of who you are and what you’re here to make. In this episode, I chat with the incredible Katie McCrory, a brand storyteller at IKEA and a passionate writer. Katie's experience of motherhood didn't destroy her creative spark, it reignited it in the most profound way. While on maternity leave, she didn't just juggle nappies and naps. She crafted the book that had been a lingering ambition, not because she had more time (obviously!) but by the cosmic realignment motherhood triggered within her. Join us as we explore how becoming a mom can feel like the catalyst for extraordinary creative expansion. Katie shares her poignant journey, revealing how the challenges of infertility and the joyous chaos of parenting reshaped her artistic identity. Her story is all about leaning into life's upheavals and embracing them as transformative, alchemic experiences. We delve into Katie's writing process, her enchanting 'cosmic safety net', and the liberating shift from structured, task-oriented mindsets to a freer, more intuitive form of creation. And of course, we discuss the blessings of finding authenticity and backing yourself during one of life's most intense transitions. So, grab a cozy drink, snuggle in, and let's get inspired by stories of maternal creativity and inner growth capturing the magic in all its forms. You won't want to miss this one! Topics We Cover: How motherhood can spark creative rebirth Infertility, loss, and the liminal space of transformation Writing a book on maternity leave: the truth behind the fairytale Letting go of guilt and reclaiming time for yourself The myth of the tortured (usually male) artist Why creativity because of motherhood hits different Alchemy, identity shifts, and trusting the process Practical rituals and writing habits that work for busy mums Timestamps: 00:00 – Katie’s journey to motherhood and what cracked her open07:30 – The magic of the liminal space: life, death, and deep creative clarity15:00 – IVF, grief, and asking the cosmos for help22:00 – How Katie wrote her book on maternity leave33:00 – Writing in 8-minute sprints, spreadsheet planning, and loving the process41:00 – Substack, daily writing, and keeping creativity alive after the book deal48:00 – Why your passions matter (and why your kids should see that)53:00 – How to start: letting go of mum guilt and just taking the first step   Resources & Links: Pre-order Katie’s book: Where the Heart Is→ Amazon UK | Waterstones (search: “Katie McCrory Where the Heart Is”) Subscribe to Katie’s newsletter:→ lifeathome.substack.com   📖 Mentioned in this episode: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron The Baby on the Fire Escape by Julie Phillips Atomic Habits by James Clear If You Loved This Episode… Please share it with someone who needs permission to create again — especially mothers. Tag us on Instagram, leave a review, or message Dani directly. We’d love to hear what resonated. 👉 Follow the podcast: linktr.ee/wdig 🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes every week on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen.

Feeling stuck, burnt out, or unsure who you are anymore? In this episode, coach Roz Davies joins Dani to explore what true balance looks like for working mums — and how small shifts in self-awareness can lead to big transformations.

🎙️ Episode 4 — How to Redefine Ambition After Motherhood What if ambition doesn’t mean climbing a ladder — but finding your own way across a web? In this episode of Where Did I Go?, I talk to Dr. Anne Welsh — coach, consultant, writer, clinical psychologist, and mum of four — about how motherhood reshapes our relationship with ambition, identity, and success. We explore what happens when the career ladder stops working for you, and why it’s okay — even powerful — to move sideways, pause, or choose a completely different path. Anne shares her brilliant metaphor of ambition as a web instead of a ladder, and how that small shift in perspective can bring massive relief, clarity, and energy. We talk about why caregiving is inherently ambitious. How to redefine ambition as drive, not status. The mental health realities that often surface after returning to work. And how to let go of old expectations and start telling a new story about who you are and what you want. Anne also shares a simple metaphor-based exercise to help unpack your identity after motherhood — one that might just change how you see yourself. Whether you’re feeling stuck, questioning your career, or quietly wondering where did my ambition go?, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and more hopeful about what’s next. Where Did I Go? is a podcast for women in the messy middle of modern motherhood — the part no one warned you about, where your identity starts to shift, your ambition gets complicated, and the old stories just don’t fit anymore.Connect with Dr Anne Welsh:Linkedin / Instagram / Website  motherhood, mental health, ambition, postpartum, career, working moms, identity, coaching, personal growth, motherhood journey, work-life balance, women empowerment, career development, self-discovery, matrescence, caregiving, perinatal mental health, modern motherhood, redefining success

In this episode of Where Did I Go?, I sit down with Jess Ringgenberg, founder of ELIXR and creator of the groundbreaking Five Phases of Matrescence, a practical framework to guide women and businesses through the constant evolution that is caregiving while working. Together we unpack: What matrescence really is, and how it's a lifelong journey How understanding matrescence helps make sense of career and identity shifts at work The practical steps workplaces can take to support mothers through every phase of this lifelong journey Why the mental load mothers carry isn't a weakness but an untapped strength in leadership If you've ever felt confused by the constant shifts in your identity or wondered how to better navigate motherhood and work, this episode will offer the clarity, compassion, and validation you've been searching for. Key Moments: [03:15] Defining matrescence and the "invisible changes" [11:40] Why returning to work is a reinvention, not a return [19:30] Breaking down the Five Phases of Matrescence [27:05] Why maternal mental load is actually leadership in disguise [33:50] Tangible ways workplaces can evolve to support mothers About Jess Ringgenberg, PCC Founder & CEO, ELIXR Jess Ringgenberg is an organizational advisor, researcher, and former Fortune 500 leader with deep expertise in workforce strategy, matrescence, and leadership development. As the founder of ELIXR, a workforce advisory firm, she partners with companies to support working mothers and caregivers—driving retention, engagement, and advancement across the employee lifecycle. Jess is the creator of The Science of Modern Motherhood, a groundbreaking research initiative that explores the five phases of matrescence and the evolving role of workplace support. She is trusted by global companies, communities, and conferences to deliver actionable insights that shape culture, elevate well-being, and spark organizational change. She lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and two boys, building a life centered on presence, challenging traditional norms, and creating lasting impact. Connect with Jess & her work here: LinkedIn, full research report, and the guide we they launched this month. Code for 50% off the guide for all WDIG listeners: Mom2Mom------ motherhood, matressence, self-discovery, work-life balance, women empowerment, modern motherhood, emotional intelligence, workplace support, career development, parenting challenges, care conscious cultures, workplace support, working mothers, self-advocacy, matressence, employee engagement, leadership development, caregiver support, workplace culture, women empowerment    

In this episode, I sit down with Belinda Jane Batt, founder of The Flourishing Mother and an expert in maternal guilt. We dive into why guilt is such a common feature of modern motherhood, how it affects our confidence, and most importantly, how we can break free from the guilt spiral. Belinda shares her expertise in positive psychology and coaching, offering practical and compassionate strategies to help mothers balance their personal and professional lives without being overwhelmed by guilt. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly falling short as a mom, this conversation will help you understand why...and how to reclaim your sense of self and well-being. Spoiler: You’re doing so much better than you think.-------------- Tune in to understand: Where guilt and shame in motherhood come from, how they show up, and why they negatively impact our well-being How to identify helpful vs. unhelpful guilt, and why the latter is problematic What we can do to flip the script and socially un-condition ourselves from unhelpful guilt Practical, evidence-based tools to move past guilt and flourish -------------- Want to find out more about Belinda? Check out The Flourishing Mother or download her new book 'Challenge Your Guilt: How To Flourish In Motherhood, Work And Life' here  --------------- maternal guilt, motherhood, self-care, societal pressures, emotional well-being, positive psychology, invisible labor, self-compassion, identity crisis, matrescence  

Can Women Really Have It All? With Dr. Giselle Goodwin Having it all used to sound like freedom. Now it feels like pressure to do everything perfectly — all at once. In this episode, Dr. Giselle Goodwin, author of Can Women Really Have It All?, joins me to explore how this ideal shifted from empowerment to exhaustion. We talk burnout, ambition, and why women are statistically less happy than they were 50 years ago. Plus, how to rewrite the script and build a life that feels good — not just one that looks good on paper. Find Giselle’s book and free Happiness Manifesto at gisellegoodwin.com.