Returning to work after having a baby can be one of the most emotional and challenging transitions in a parent’s life. Then finding the right care can be a daunting task.  In this week’s episode I chat with Lauren Parrot, the founder of BubbaDesk and mum of two, about her personal journey from postpartum anxiety to creating a new childcare solution for modern parents.

Sociologist and gender equity expert Professor Leah Ruppanner joins Working Mumma to unpack the emotional weight of the mental load, why mum guilt isn’t your fault, and how we can create structural change to better support parents at home and in the workplace.

Have you ever felt like becoming a mum meant putting your dreams on hold? You’re not alone. But what if motherhood is instead the start of something even greater? In this deeply inspiring episode, we meet Donna Urquhart, a clinical researcher, mum, and now Guinness World Record holder for running an astonishing 1,400 kilometres across Antarctica after taking up running in her 30s, post-motherhood. Donna’s story isn’t just about athletic achievement. It’s about rediscovering identity, pushing through imposter syndrome, and chasing a dream most people would consider impossible - all while juggling family, work, and training in freezing conditions.

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.

Returning to work after maternity leave? Learn how to confidently navigate conversations with your manager, plan your return, ask for flexible work, and advocate for support in this practical episode for working mums.

Discover why every working mum needs a village in this reflective solo episode. Carina shares the emotional reality of work travel, the power of community support, and how to build a village when you’re doing it without one. Real talk for modern working mums.

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 discovering she no longer fit the career she once thrived in, and the deep internal shifts that followed. From redefining success and letting go of mum guilt, to building micro-systems to support her return-to-work life, Laura offers wisdom, vulnerability, and practical strategies for working mums navigating their own identity transformations.

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 personal journey and how it led her to focus on the psychology of money to support women. Whether you're returning to work, navigating the cost of daycare, or just trying to stay afloat, remember: this is a season. Give yourself permission to just survive, if that’s where you are. The time for growth will come. You don’t need to know it all. You just need to take the first step and know your numbers. We chat about: Why women often avoid financial conversations How our upbringing, traditional gender roles, and societal norms impact our money mindset The emotional drivers behind financial stress and avoidance Practical steps to build financial confidence (even if you're not a "numbers person") Why understanding your "financial story" is key to making empowered decisions that can also have a positive impact on your children  Tips for navigating money conversations with your partner Superannuation, contribution splitting, and what to know post-maternity leave This is an episode with great tips and advice whether you’re returning to work, navigating childcare costs, working for a few years, or want to feel more in control of your finances to help you later in life.    Episode links  Connect with Natasha: Women with Cents or @womenwithcents Subscribe to the Working Mumma newsletter or connect @workingmummacommunity or on LinkedIn 

Life in the country isn’t slower – it’s just different. In this episode, Lisa Judson shares what it’s like to be a working mum raising kids on a farm, commuting 90 minutes to work, and juggling childcare 45km away. From resilience to community care, this episode is full of insight, grit, and heart.

Is childcare worth it if you are just working to pay the childcare fees? In this episode, financial advisor and mum of two Deline Jacovides shares the reality of spending $150,000 on childcare, and why she has no regrets. We talk about: * The true cost of childcare in Australia * How it impacts women’s careers and super * Budgeting tips to survive the early years * Why working is about more than money * What families can do to plan smarter This episode is for any working parent who’s wondered, “Is this really worth it?” Spoiler: Yes—and here’s why.

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 business and motherhood, between nap times, during night shifts, the skipped maternity leave, and the joy of watching her kids thrive alongside her brand.

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 after parental leave, secure extra childcare in an impossible timeframe, and show up as if nothing had changed. From feeling invisible and bullied to walking away from a company that didn’t value her as both a professional and a mother, Elise opens up about the burnout she experienced, the boundaries she built, and how she finally found balance in a role that truly supports working parents. We explore the emotional and practical challenges of the return-to-work period, why part-time work is just as impactful, and how the right manager and mindset can completely transform your career and confidence. Whether you're preparing to return to work or reflecting on your own transition, Elise’s story will leave you feeling seen, supported, and empowered.   Connect with Elise via LinkedIn  Connect with Working Mumma via LinkedIn, Instagram or connect with Carina on LinkedIn. 

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 need when rediscovering their personal style. Packed with actionable tips, this episode is your style pep talk for your next chapter to help you feel confident and capable in the clothes you wear.

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.

We’re joined by the outspoken and charismatic Ash Pollard—TV personality, radio host, and now, mother of two. Known for her stints on reality tv in My Kitchen Rules, Dancing With the Stars, and I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Ash has built her career in the media spotlight. But behind the public persona is a woman who’s experienced the hustle, heartbreak, and hard-won joy of navigating life and motherhood on her own terms.

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 for you. When you start saying no to the right things, you create space for the right yeses.    Show links Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity Sign up for the Working Mumma newsletter  Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/ Connect with Carina on LinkedIn  

Hatien Van shares her raw and honest story of navigating new motherhood, job loss during COVID, postnatal depression, and finding herself again. In this episode, we talk about the real challenges no one prepares you for, how to survive the early years of motherhood, and why asking for help changed everything. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, lost, or alone, this story will remind you that you’re not the only one and you are not alone.

Laetitia Andrac is a mother of two, former corporate strategist, business owner, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity. When her daughter Zoe began showing signs of being neurodivergent, Laetitia found herself navigating a complex, exhausting system while trying to hold down a senior management role in one of Australia’s largest organisations. What followed was a personal journey of burnout, late ADHD diagnosis, and ultimately, a complete career shift.

Have you ever paused and reflected on the woman you were before becoming a mum? In this special solo episode, I open up about the questions my pre-mum self might ask me today. From navigating identity shifts to managing relationships, careers, and the mental load – this is the episode I would give to my younger self, full of truth, insight, and a dose a reality.

As working mums we juggle a lot - career, parenting, relationships, and everything in between. But often, our biggest challenge is the voice inside our own head. In this episode I sit down with Fleur Chambers, a multi-award-winning meditation teacher, best-selling author, philanthropist, and creator of the free meditation app, The Happy Habit.