Shows
Mum Means Business29: Challenging the 9–5 and Reimagining Work for Parents with Amy GrilliThis week on Mum Means Business, I’m joined by Amy Grilli - former teacher and co-founder of The Five Hour Club, a growing movement challenging the traditional 9–5 workday and advocating for more realistic, family-friendly ways of working.
After taking five years out of paid employment to care for her children, Amy found herself staring at a large gap in her CV and questioning how it would be received. Her instinct was that being a “full-time parent” would be judged, dismissed or even criticised. So she left the gap unexplained and quietly withdrew, feeling insignificant, undervalued and unsure w...
2026-01-201h 03
The Company Road PodcastE83 Amy Grilli: From Viral Post to Global Movement: Bring on the 5-hour Workday!Send us a textIn this episode of The Company Road Podcast, Chris Hudson and Amy Grilli, co-founder of the Five Hour Club, dive deep into why the traditional 9-to-5 workday is fundamentally broken for parents and families.Amy shares the incredible personal story behind her viral LinkedIn post that reached 14 million people and proved this wasn't just a personal struggle, but a global crisis for working parents. The conversation explores the radical, effective solution: the Five Hour Workday. This model is championed not just as reduced hours, but as a system built...
2025-10-0745 min
Challenge Your GuiltBreaking the 9–5 Trap: How Flexible Work Reduces Mum Guilt - with Amy GrilliWhat if your career could fit within school hours instead of forcing you to choose between work and family?In this conversation, I’m joined by Amy Grilli, co-founder of The Five Hour Club, a platform that connects parents with meaningful professional roles that fit between the school run. Amy shares how her own identity crisis at the school gates led her to create a community and job board that’s now helping thousands of parents globally.We explore:Amy’s story of stepping away from her teaching career, the loss of identi...
2025-09-2742 min
The Spotlight PodcastFive-Hour Workday: pipedream or soon-to-be reality for parents?I'm chatting with Amy Grilli, co-founder of the Five Hour Club, about her mission to change what work looks like for parents, starting with a simple idea: a five-hour workday.Amy opens up about her personal struggle returning to work after having kids, how one viral LinkedIn post sparked a global movement, and why parenting is deep work. She shares practical advice for employers looking to support working parents, tips for mums negotiating flexible roles, and why redefining productivity could close the gender pay gap.Topics:The origins...
2025-08-2126 min
Unlearning with LauraFive Hours to Freedom: Amy Grilli on Fixing Work for ParentsEpisode 8, Season 2: Amy Grilli on Five Hour Workdays, Fixing the System & Fighting for ParentsIn this episode, I’m joined by Amy Grilli - co-founder of the Five Hour Club, a job board connecting career-driven parents with progressive employers who offer genuine flexibility. Amy’s journey began with a viral LinkedIn post titled “I’m a parent and I don’t belong on LinkedIn”, written after an identity crisis at the school gates. Having taken five years out to navigate new mum life (without losing her ambition), Amy created the role she couldn’t...
2025-08-1548 min
Five Hour Club PodcastWe're Alex and Jessie and he works a Five Hour Workday to support our familyThis 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...
2025-07-1748 min
CEO MUMFlexible Careers for Mothers: What You Need to Know | CEO MUM LIVE🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• How The Five Hour Club is transforming the 9-5 for working parents• Why motherhood doesn’t make you less ambitious - or less capable• How to spot red flags in your job search as a parent• What your workplace rights are really and how to advocate for themIn this special live-recorded episode of the CEO MUM Podcast, host Jada Sezer brings the energy of the CEO MUM community to centre stage at our live event in London on June 30th.In...
2025-07-1458 min
Mamas Flight Path21 Returning to Work? Rewrite the Rules First!Thinking about returning to work after maternity leave—but the old rules just don’t fit anymore? In this episode, we explore what happens when you’ve changed, but work hasn’t. Join Jools and flexible working advocate Emma Harvey as they unpack the emotional and practical shifts working mums face when stepping back into the workplace. From the power of the 5-hour workday to redefining success after baby, this episode is for any mother ready to do it her way.Get more from Five hour club on insta Five Hour Club and on Insta
2025-07-1054 min
Five Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: "Mum" GuiltIn 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
2025-07-0443 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Katie, I'm a HR leader, and I know why flexibility works both waysThis is the story of Katie Elliot (also known as 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. to help other small businessesFind HR Katie here: www.hrkatie.co.uk
2025-06-2659 min
Five Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: The Problem with Part-TimeEmma 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 or be part of the conversation on Instagram @fivehourclubSources:Timewise: Flexible Jobs Index (2023)How Do Parents Share Childcare That Interferes With Paid Work? Work Arrangements, Flexible Working, and Childcare...
2025-06-1250 min
2025-06-1250 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Stacey, I was made redundant and now I help working familiesThis 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, 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.Or contact their Helpline: 0300 012 0312...
2025-05-2352 min
Five Hour Club PodcastFive Hour Club is One! Here's our storyIn 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 and Instagram to hear more stories.Find your own Five Hour Workday on www.fivehourclub.com
2025-05-1544 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Naomi, I qualified as a teacher during mat leave and now I'm a senior leader in the NHSThis 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 an...
2025-05-0138 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: IdentityIn 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.
2025-04-2441 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Harleen, I gained a son with Autism and lost my careerThis 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 sa...
2025-03-2747 min
Mambition#58 - The Five-Hour Revolution: How Two Mums Are Dismantling the Motherhood Penalty - Amy Grilli and Dr Emma HarveyMeet Emma and Amy, founders of Five Hour Club, who went from overwhelmed mums to workplace revolutionaries. They're partnering with employers to implement five-hour workdays for parents, proving less time can mean more productivity.In this Mambition episode, we explore the data behind the motherhood penalty, how a viral post sparked their business, and their blueprint for creating family-friendly workplaces without sacrificing results.You'll learn practical strategies for advocating for yourself, maximizing productivity in limited hours, and channeling your motherhood experience into positive workplace change.Join us for this inspiring conversation that shows...
2025-03-2256 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: The Motherhood PenaltyEmma 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 Research from Pregnant Then Screwed The Motherhood Penalty in job quality – King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Stats mentioned from the Fawcett SocietyOur Book recommendations: Invisible Women – Exposing Data Bias in a...
2025-03-1343 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Sophie, I felt the Motherhood Penalty, and now I'm fixing the future of work for womenSophie, 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 on LinkedIn fixing the future of work for women or at:MotherBoard: https://motherboardmovement.co.uk/HeyFlow: https://heyflow.co.uk/
2025-02-2750 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: RelationshipsEmma 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
2025-02-1343 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Ro, I have 3 boys and I champion women's wellbeingThis is the inspirational story of Ro, the founder of SheCollective, 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.
2025-02-061h 01Five Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: Self-CareSelf-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
2025-01-2334 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Anju, I had two boys, then I became a Scrum MasterIn 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
2025-01-0944 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: "Merry" Mental LoadIn 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
2024-12-1225 min
PodwirelessPodwireless 268 December 20241. (Intro) Ian A Anderson : Goblets & Elms from the CD Onwards (Ghosts From The Basement)2. Christy Moore : Palestine from the CD Terrible Beauty (Claddagh)3. Richard Dawson : Polytunnel from the CD End Of The Middle (Domino)4. The Bongo Hop feat. Moonlight Benjamin : Eko Eko from the DL album La Pata Coja (Underdog)5. Kin'Gongolo Kiniata : Lisekite from the DL single (Hélico)6. Janice Burns & Jon Doran : The Trees Are All Bare from the CD Great Joy To The New (Janice Burns & Jon Doran)7. The Unthanks : Tar Barrel In Dale from the CD In Winter (Rabble Rouser)
2024-11-302h 00PodwirelessPodwireless 268 December 20241. (Intro) Ian A Anderson : Goblets & Elms from the CD Onwards (Ghosts From The Basement)2. Christy Moore : Palestine from the CD Terrible Beauty (Claddagh)3. Richard Dawson : Polytunnel from the CD End Of The Middle (Domino)4. The Bongo Hop feat. Moonlight Benjamin : Eko Eko from the DL album La Pata Coja (Underdog)5. Kin'Gongolo Kiniata : Lisekite from the DL single (Hélico)6. Janice Burns & Jon Doran : The Trees Are All Bare from the CD Great Joy To The New (Janice Burns & Jon Doran)7. The Unthanks : Tar Barrel In Dale from the CD In Winter (Rabble Rouser)
2024-11-302h 00Five Hour Club PodcastI'm Jules, I'm a solo parent and I run a small businessCeramicist 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.
2024-11-2729 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: A darker side of parenting - Grief not GrinchIn 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.
2024-11-2136 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Maddi, I'm a lawyer and I work 25 hours a weekThis 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 and LinkedIn.
2024-11-0740 min
Five Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: SicknessEmma 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.
2024-10-2338 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Emily, I'm a solo parent, and I work compressed hoursIn this episode, we talk to Emily, a solo parent who is navigating how to juggle two boys under 6, and her full-time career. We share the reality of co-parenting, what it means to be financially independent and the importance of self-care.If you want to share your story, get in touch with us @fivehourclub on Instagram.
2024-10-1647 min
Women's BusinessRe-designing The Workplace For Parents With Amy Grilli, Founder Of The Five Hour Club In this episode Amy Grilli shares the transformative journey that led her to create the Five Hour Club, a job board aimed at providing flexible work opportunities for parents. Amy recounts her early career in education and her struggles with identity when considering the traditional path of stay-at-home motherhood. Her viral LinkedIn post, which expressed a collective frustration with work-life inflexibility, struck a chord with literally millions of people (14millino and counting!) and prompted the creation of a platform offering five-hour workdays to cater to parents. Amy discusses that with me, amidst the impact of societal judgment on women's roles, t...
2024-10-0754 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: Boundaries (not balance)Emma and Amy discuss the difference between boundaries and balance in parenthood, why setting them is so hard and share expert tips for how to hold boundaries better.Be part of our next Club Chat by joining our Instagram community @fivehourclub
2024-10-0528 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Rachael, I'm a coach and I got the first Five Hour WorkdayIn this first ever guest episode, Emma and Amy celebrate Rachael, who got the first EVER Five Hour Workday via our Five Hour Careers job board.We share Rachael's career story so far, from working in L&D to becoming a coach, and find out how adding a Five Hour Workday has had a positive impact on her working week.
2024-09-1840 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: Back to SchoolEmma and Amy return after the summer holidays and chat about how you feel about starting a new school year to tips and tricks for getting into a good routine. Join our Instagram community and share your thoughts in our next Club Chat @fivehourclub
2024-09-0335 minFive Hour Club PodcastThe Five Hour Careers job board is LIVE!Co-founders Amy and Emma celebrate after the launch of the Five Hour Careers job board which offer the first Five Hour Workdays for parents. They discuss the criteria in which they verify each employer, and how they hope this will help parents create boundaries and maintain their careers between school runs.Check out the Five Hour Careers job board now!
2024-07-2525 minFive Hour Club PodcastClub Chat: Returning to workIn our first Club Chat, Emma and Amy share your thoughts around returning to work after children. They share your feelings about going back to work, the barriers you've faced and top tips for making it successful.
2024-07-0433 minFive Hour Club PodcastThe Five Hour Workday SurveyIn this episode, Emma and Amy share the results and their insights from the Five Hour Workday survey which was sent to parents, and received over 2000 responses. You will hear which industries parents want to, and used to work in, and get some feedback on how a Five Hour Workday could work for them. The survey is still open, so if you do want to share your views as a parent, please do so here, we'd love to hear from you!
2024-06-2745 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Emma, I was a teacher and now I work in techCo-founder Emma Harvey shares her inspiring story about how she went from being a science teacher before children to navigating a thriving career in tech between school runs since.Emma kindly shares how family loss during pregnancy gave her a new perspective on life and that having a sick infant was the catalyst for making a drastic change to her career.From starting her professional career with a PhD, Emma discusses how the decision to retrain with Code First Girls gave her the confidence boost she needed to move into a new career in tech.
2024-06-1626 minFive Hour Club PodcastWhat's next for the Five Hour Club?4 weeks on and 14 million impressions later, Amy and Emma discuss what is next for The Five Hour Club after Amy's post went viral on LinkedIn. The Five Hour Club is for parents returning to work after children. Amy Grilli and Emma Harvey discuss how they, and other parents, navigate life between school runs. Join the revolution at www.fivehourclub.com and @fivehourclub on Instagram to help us shape the Five Hour Workday.Because working 9-5 doesn't work for parents.
2024-05-3118 minFive Hour Club PodcastI'm Amy, I'm a parent and I don't belong on LinkedInIn this first episode, Amy and Emma share their feelings the morning after Amy's post went viral on LinkedIn. The Five Hour Club is for parents returning to work after children. Amy Grilli and Emma Harvey discuss how they, and other parents, navigate life between school runs.Join the revolution at www.fivehourclub.com and @fivehourclub on Instagram to help us shape the Five Hour Workday.Because working 9-5 doesn't work for parents.
2024-05-3118 min