Shows
Ready or NotNell Frizzell on journeying through the panic years, the tracksuit years and the partial eclipse[RE-RELEASE] There's a good chance you haven't listened to today's episode, but you may have heard Loz and Lu bang on about it a million times. It was originally published in November 2023 when Lu/Lucinda was pregnant with Posie, and it's one of our favourite episodes of all time. We're re-releasing this episode today because not only is Lu currently in talks with Nell to get her back on the show after the birth of her second baby, Lu is also on the last week of her van trip and let's just say there was a little bit of...2025-03-2559 minReady or NotNell Frizzell on journeying through the panic years, the tracksuit years and the partial eclipse[RE-RELEASE] There's a good chance you haven't listened to today's episode, but you may have heard Loz and Lu bang on about it a million times. It was originally published in November 2023 when Lu/Lucinda was pregnant with Posie, and it's one of our favourite episodes of all time. We're re-releasing this episode today because not only is Lu currently in talks with Nell to get her back on the show after the birth of her second baby, Lu is also on the last week of her van trip and let's just say there was a little bit of...2025-03-2559 min
Ready or NotWhere imposter syndrome showed up for journalist Estelle GriepinkEstelle Griepink has one of those jobs that I can't help but admire, because I can't figure out how she switches from mum mode - that is food stained pants and wakeful nights and negotiating with a baby - to work mode, where no two days are the same and she has to somehow show up as an articulate, well-presented TV journalist covering court cases for Channel 7 News. And so, I had to get her on to find out.She always wanted to be a mum, but conception didn't come easily and before her baby would become...2025-01-2845 minReady or NotWhere imposter syndrome showed up for journalist Estelle GriepinkEstelle Griepink has one of those jobs that I can't help but admire, because I can't figure out how she switches from mum mode - that is food stained pants and wakeful nights and negotiating with a baby - to work mode, where no two days are the same and she has to somehow show up as an articulate, well-presented TV journalist covering court cases for Channel 7 News. And so, I had to get her on to find out.She always wanted to be a mum, but conception didn't come easily and before her baby would become...2025-01-2845 min
Ready or NotLawyer Olivia Mioni on why working full time doesn't mean mothers love their children any lessOlivia Mioni always knew that her mum was an inspiration, but when she stepped into motherhood herself, she appreciated her even more. Her mum was single, she worked full time, she made a career when she was 40, and Olivia never felt like she was left to the wayside.And as a lawyer, Olivia was always worried about how she'd make work, work alongside motherhood. It wasn't necessarily the career stuff. More so, she was worried about how she'd be able to dedicate herself to family life while navigating a demanding job. But as she's here to tell...2024-07-2344 minReady or NotLawyer Olivia Mioni on why working full time doesn't mean mothers love their children any lessOlivia Mioni always knew that her mum was an inspiration, but when she stepped into motherhood herself, she appreciated her even more. Her mum was single, she worked full time, she made a career when she was 40, and Olivia never felt like she was left to the wayside.And as a lawyer, Olivia was always worried about how she'd make work, work alongside motherhood. It wasn't necessarily the career stuff. More so, she was worried about how she'd be able to dedicate herself to family life while navigating a demanding job. But as she's here to tell...2024-07-2344 min
Ready or NotA quick check in with Lucinda: When making work, work doesn't workShit hit the fan for us as we were going to press publish on what was meant to be today's episode with Snuggle Hunny founder Julie Mathers. A big fat tech failure that nearly led Lu to start the whole edit again at 7.25pm last night. But, Loz reminded her of what's important, so here, she shares a quick check in instead.We'll catch you back here tomorrow for an incredible episode with Snuggle Hunny's boss, Julie Mathers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-06-1803 minReady or NotA quick check in with Lucinda: When making work, work doesn't workShit hit the fan for us as we were going to press publish on what was meant to be today's episode with Snuggle Hunny founder Julie Mathers. A big fat tech failure that nearly led Lu to start the whole edit again at 7.25pm last night. But, Loz reminded her of what's important, so here, she shares a quick check in instead.We'll catch you back here tomorrow for an incredible episode with Snuggle Hunny's boss, Julie Mathers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-06-1803 min
Ready or Not"Am I a good enough mum? Am I good enough at work?" with Bridgette GaleI often wonder to myself, what did mothers do before incredible people like Hello Darling co-founder Bridgette Gale were open enough to share their stories? Where did they find comfort? Where did they see themselves?This episode has so much, it's difficult to know where to begin - starting a business at 21, working with the likes of Em Rata, miscarriage, postnatal anxiety and depression, intrusive thoughts, returning to work after two weeks, moving across the country with a four-week turnaround after receiving a business proposition she couldn't refuse, going from swimwear to tech startup, finding the transition...2024-04-0942 minReady or Not"Am I a good enough mum? Am I good enough at work?" with Bridgette GaleI often wonder to myself, what did mothers do before incredible people like Hello Darling co-founder Bridgette Gale were open enough to share their stories? Where did they find comfort? Where did they see themselves?This episode has so much, it's difficult to know where to begin - starting a business at 21, working with the likes of Em Rata, miscarriage, postnatal anxiety and depression, intrusive thoughts, returning to work after two weeks, moving across the country with a four-week turnaround after receiving a business proposition she couldn't refuse, going from swimwear to tech startup, finding the transition...2024-04-0942 min
Ready or Not"I focused more on my business and staff than setting myself up for motherhood": Good Times Pilates founder Cat Webb on what she's learnedCat Webb wouldn't quite call herself the maternal type and motherhood wasn't exactly something that she dreamed of. But, she wanted a family, so she knew she had to go through the former to get the latter.And, I think it's fair to say that going through it is exactly how Cat would describe it. As you're about to hear, she found the first year of her son's life challenging and she took some time to find her groove in motherhood. As the founder of Good Times Pilates and with three popular studios in Melbourne's inner north...2024-03-0554 minReady or Not"I focused more on my business and staff than setting myself up for motherhood": Good Times Pilates founder Cat Webb on what she's learnedCat Webb wouldn't quite call herself the maternal type and motherhood wasn't exactly something that she dreamed of. But, she wanted a family, so she knew she had to go through the former to get the latter.And, I think it's fair to say that going through it is exactly how Cat would describe it. As you're about to hear, she found the first year of her son's life challenging and she took some time to find her groove in motherhood. As the founder of Good Times Pilates and with three popular studios in Melbourne's inner north...2024-03-0554 min
Ready or NotWhat do we call this...a postpartum therapy session? How to doula your friend? The interviewer becomes the interviewee? It's all of the above with Charlotte Squires | Postpartum DiariesWelcome back to Postpartum Diaries! This week, Lucinda's doula and friend Charlotte Squires (aka The Living Doula) joins her to talk all things postpartum, going from one to two, conversations to have with your partner before postpartum and returning to work, and her best tips for caring for a new parent. Then, Charlotte becomes the interviewer and asks Lucinda all about her postpartum reflections!---THIS WEEK'S PARTNERThis episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by MUMMA MILLA: creators of genuinely leakproof bralettes and camis that are not...2024-02-271h 21Ready or NotWhat do we call this...a postpartum therapy session? How to doula your friend? The interviewer becomes the interviewee? It's all of the above with Charlotte Squires | Postpartum DiariesWelcome back to Postpartum Diaries! This week, Lucinda's doula and friend Charlotte Squires (aka The Living Doula) joins her to talk all things postpartum, going from one to two, conversations to have with your partner before postpartum and returning to work, and her best tips for caring for a new parent. Then, Charlotte becomes the interviewer and asks Lucinda all about her postpartum reflections!---THIS WEEK'S PARTNERThis episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by MUMMA MILLA: creators of genuinely leakproof bralettes and camis that are not...2024-02-271h 21
Ready or NotLucinda's first four weeks: The early days of going from one to two, how the parenting load has been shared and what's been surprising | Postpartum DiariesWelcome back to Postpartum Diaries! This week, we're talking all things the first four weeks, covering:What's surprised Lucinda in her second postpartumThe early days of going from one to twoThe products she's ACTUALLY neededHow things have been divided in the householdAll things recoveryAnd SO much more!We'll be back to regular Ready or Not programming next week, before we get stuck into part three and four of the Postpartum Diaries in the weeks that follow.---THIS WEEK'S PARTNERThis episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by...2024-02-1345 minReady or NotLucinda's first four weeks: The early days of going from one to two, how the parenting load has been shared and what's been surprising | Postpartum DiariesWelcome back to Postpartum Diaries! This week, we're talking all things the first four weeks, covering:What's surprised Lucinda in her second postpartumThe early days of going from one to twoThe products she's ACTUALLY neededHow things have been divided in the householdAll things recoveryAnd SO much more!We'll be back to regular Ready or Not programming next week, before we get stuck into part three and four of the Postpartum Diaries in the weeks that follow.---THIS WEEK'S PARTNERThis episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by...2024-02-1345 min
Ready or Not"I felt like the girl who cried birth": Lucinda's bizarre birth story | Postpartum DiariesA big hello from your host Lucinda. Today, things are looking a little different around these parts as we kick off the Postpartum Diaries: a four-part series that today, will begin with my Witching Hour co-host Loz asking me all about my bizarre birth story.I'll be honest, I'm nervous about how personal this is going to get. Normally, I interview others and share little snippets of my own life at best, so this is taking things to the next level. But, as someone who has always valued the sharing of ideas and stories, I'm going there...2024-02-0644 minReady or Not"I felt like the girl who cried birth": Lucinda's bizarre birth story | Postpartum DiariesA big hello from your host Lucinda. Today, things are looking a little different around these parts as we kick off the Postpartum Diaries: a four-part series that today, will begin with my Witching Hour co-host Loz asking me all about my bizarre birth story.I'll be honest, I'm nervous about how personal this is going to get. Normally, I interview others and share little snippets of my own life at best, so this is taking things to the next level. But, as someone who has always valued the sharing of ideas and stories, I'm going there...2024-02-0644 min
Ready or NotWhy perfectionism doesn't always help us at work, the importance of holidays without kids and some baby news! | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:Perfectionism helps women stand out at work. But over-preparedness can deny them leadership positions (from Fortune)Mum’s the word: The joy and importance of holidays without kids (from SMH)Baby Posie is here! And we can't wait to share more of Lucinda's second postpartum experience next month in lieu of some Ready or No...2024-01-2136 minReady or NotWhy perfectionism doesn't always help us at work, the importance of holidays without kids and some baby news! | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:Perfectionism helps women stand out at work. But over-preparedness can deny them leadership positions (from Fortune)Mum’s the word: The joy and importance of holidays without kids (from SMH)Baby Posie is here! And we can't wait to share more of Lucinda's second postpartum experience next month in lieu of some Ready or No...2024-01-2136 min
Ready or NotYour 2024 goals, does the tooth fairy accept paypass and what do A type personalities have to do with motherhood and failure? | Witching HourWelcome back to a new year of Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:The future of work: key emerging workplace trends to watch for 2024,Five parenting trends that will apparently be huge this year,What does an A type personality have to do with motherhood and failure?And our listeners share their goals for the year.And PS, Lucinda DEFINITELY does not...2024-01-0747 minReady or NotYour 2024 goals, does the tooth fairy accept paypass and what do A type personalities have to do with motherhood and failure? | Witching HourWelcome back to a new year of Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:The future of work: key emerging workplace trends to watch for 2024,Five parenting trends that will apparently be huge this year,What does an A type personality have to do with motherhood and failure?And our listeners share their goals for the year.And PS, Lucinda DEFINITELY does not...2024-01-0747 min
Ready or NotHoliday listening: All your childcare questions answered by an expertHello from your very pregnant and very tired host. I'm Lucinda, and this is Ready or Not's three part holiday listening series. Over the next three weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the year's most popular episodes. I hope you have a great holiday, and I'll see you on the other side, when we're back with new episodes of Ready or Not on Wednesday the 10th January.This week, with the beginning of childcare looming for many, we're going back to our chat with childhood educator Kabba, where we ask all your burning questions on all things...2024-01-0257 minReady or NotHoliday listening: All your childcare questions answered by an expertHello from your very pregnant and very tired host. I'm Lucinda, and this is Ready or Not's three part holiday listening series. Over the next three weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the year's most popular episodes. I hope you have a great holiday, and I'll see you on the other side, when we're back with new episodes of Ready or Not on Wednesday the 10th January.This week, with the beginning of childcare looming for many, we're going back to our chat with childhood educator Kabba, where we ask all your burning questions on all things...2024-01-0257 min
Ready or NotHoliday listening: An early favourite with The Memo co-founder Phoebe SimmondsHello from your very pregnant and very tired host. I'm Lucinda, and this is Ready or Not's three part holiday listening series. Over the next three weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the year's most popular episodes. I hope you have a great holiday, and I'll see you on the other side, when we're back with new episodes of Ready or Not on Wednesday the 10th January.This week, we're taking it back to one of our most popular early episodes with The Memo co-founder Phoebe Simmonds. Phoebe and I had our sons at very similar times...2023-12-2641 minReady or NotHoliday listening: An early favourite with The Memo co-founder Phoebe SimmondsHello from your very pregnant and very tired host. I'm Lucinda, and this is Ready or Not's three part holiday listening series. Over the next three weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the year's most popular episodes. I hope you have a great holiday, and I'll see you on the other side, when we're back with new episodes of Ready or Not on Wednesday the 10th January.This week, we're taking it back to one of our most popular early episodes with The Memo co-founder Phoebe Simmonds. Phoebe and I had our sons at very similar times...2023-12-2641 min
Ready or NotHoliday listening: The most popular episode of the year with Ultra Violette co-founder Ava Chandler MatthewsHello from your very pregnant and very tired host. I'm Lucinda, and this is Ready or Not's three part holiday listening series. Over the next three weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the year's most popular episodes. I hope you have a great holiday, and I'll see you on the other side, when we're back with new episodes of Ready or Not on Wednesday the 10th January.We're kicking things off with Ultra Violette Co-Founder Ava Chandler Matthews. This was the most listened to Ready or Not episode this year, and given Ava's incredible candour, it comes...2023-12-1959 minReady or NotHoliday listening: The most popular episode of the year with Ultra Violette co-founder Ava Chandler MatthewsHello from your very pregnant and very tired host. I'm Lucinda, and this is Ready or Not's three part holiday listening series. Over the next three weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the year's most popular episodes. I hope you have a great holiday, and I'll see you on the other side, when we're back with new episodes of Ready or Not on Wednesday the 10th January.We're kicking things off with Ultra Violette Co-Founder Ava Chandler Matthews. This was the most listened to Ready or Not episode this year, and given Ava's incredible candour, it comes...2023-12-1959 min
Ready or NotDay one of uni, 20 years old and a positive pregnancy test: The Natal Naturopath founder Melanie Nolan on what pushed her forward20 years old, day one of her university degree, and a positive pregnancy test. And a few years later, twins, a separation, and a period of solo motherhood. If that sounds like enough to push university and starting your own business to the side, that's because it is. But nothing was going to stop The Natal Naturopath founder Melanie Nolan.Here, she shares her incredible story. From finishing a university degree as a single mother of three to building her business. From hoping to sell her first shipment in the first two years to selling out in just...2023-12-0536 min
Ready or NotIs it wrong to directly ask someone about their baby bump and how much sex are tired parents having? | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.Just a note that today's episode discusses sexual assault, eating disorders, and stresses that can come up in pregnancy.In today's episode, we cover:The mum who was fired a week before her due date, inspired by this The Cut pieceAnother mum got slammed about concerns about a male daycare worker, but does this new research justify...2023-12-0357 min
Ready or NotTori Bowman Johnson on the first words that come to mind when she thinks of motherhood and the advice she'd go back and give herselfTori Bowman Johnson never considered herself overly maternal, so it's come as a surprise even to herself how entrenched her work is in the motherhood space.Through her books, Afterwards and Before, and her production series The First Word, Tori is deeply passionate about opening up conversations not just about motherhood, but womanhood, too.As a mother of two who has never taken traditional maternity leave, she knows a thing or two about making work, work and here, we talk about the messiness of navigating motherhood and paid work, wanting to pursue both, and tackling...2023-11-2845 min
Ready or NotTikTok resumes are now a thing and does anyone feel like an actual adult? | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:Goodbye cover letters and CVs, hello TikTok resumes, and how we feel about this new trend, inspired by this Women's Agenda piece.Does anyone feel like an actual adult? Not us, and this piece by The Cut has us thinking about our most mature and immature moments as supposed adults.Your thoughts on the...2023-11-2634 min
Ready or NotSophie Pearce and Jayde Couldwell on the rise and rise of Beyond the Bump and the light and shade of motherhoodIt might be easy to pin Sophie Pearce and Jayde Couldwell as two mothers that are living the dream when it comes to parenting and paid work, but that would be to miss the point entirely. Six and a half million downloads, partnerships with some of the country's biggest brands, and over 200 episodes later, the pair have been incredibly influential when it comes to opening the flood gates for genuinely honest parenting dialogue.Here, the mothers share why making work, work isn't quite working at the moment, the ways in which motherhood can light you up and...2023-11-211h 13
Ready or NotWhat a Whitney Wolfe Herd headline says about the way the media covers women and the controversial four-day school week trial | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:A Whitney Wolfe Herd headline that made us question the way women are portrayed in media,Queensland public schools to trial a four-day school week,The gender pay gap for organisations with a workforce of 100 or more employees is going to be on the public record from next yearAnd your answers to our questions...2023-11-1942 min
Ready or NotNell Frizzell on journeying through the panic years, the tracksuit years and the partial eclipseNell Frizzell might just be one of the wisest and funniest people I've ever had the pleasure of speaking to. She's a journalist, an author, and a mother, and she writes with the sort of candour and kind sense of authority that makes you trust her immediately.My dog-eared copies of her books - The Panic Years and Holding the Baby - are completely battered and bruised, such is the wisdom and comfort that her words bring to exploring gender, motherhood, politics, and culture.Here, we talk about the flattened female identity of motherhood, why...2023-11-141h 00
Ready or NotWe need to find a hobby that takes as long as golf and "here I am fighting for feminism and I can't even start a barbecue" | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:How can you overcome imposter syndrome? You don’t: A piece by Reshma Saujani the CEO of Girls who Code.'My "self care" is a shower. My partner's running marathons. Seriously?': Holly Wainwright's advice column and why we're starting a "golf" clinic.Motherly’s 2023 State of Motherhood Survey Report.I’m A Feminist, but…...2023-11-1250 min
The Magnetic Pull with Amy PearsonHelping Mums to Make Money: Amy Pearson on Ready or Not by Lucinda McKimmOriginally featured on Ready or Not by Lucinda McKimm – here is an episode where Amy is interviewed about running and launching a business alongside motherhood and how she feels purpose in helping Mums to make money.Free Magnetic Brand Masterclass: Nov 2023 Ready or Not PodcastQuestions? Send them through right here to be answered on the pod.– The Magnetic Pull is Hosted by Amy Pearson A Creative Strategist & Business Growth Coach, known for her playful creative energy, curiosity fuelled thought processes, and strong devot...2023-11-0953 min
Ready or NotLisa Walker on navigating the loss of her husband and helping women over 40 claim back their energy and powerOn a warm January day in 2022, Lisa Walker pulled up to her husband’s house to find him peacefully unresponsive on his bed.A whirlwind of navigating solo parenting, grief, and continuing to build upon the business idea that was already in motion ensued, and as a mother of two, the show - while not according to script - went on.It was during pandemic walks that Lisa and her business partner’s chats often turned to managing the mental load of feeling constantly foggy, fatigued and frazzled. And after three years of researching and test...2023-11-0745 min
Ready or NotBritney Spears: “If I got upset and asserted myself, I was out of control and crazy” and "HELP! I'm unexpectedly pregnant in a new job" | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:You don’t have to have it all figured out10 ways motherhood makes you extraordinaryA deep dive into Britney’s new bookA question from a listener about an unexpected pregnancy in a new jobRe-thinking the "find your passion" adviceAnd we're loving the book turned tv show, Lessons in Chemistry---THIS WEEK...2023-11-051h 00
Ready or NotGabrielle Nancarrow on why motherhood needn't be a dirty word for feminism and respecting a woman's choiceOur first ever Ready or Not guest - author, doula, and small business owner Gabrielle Nancarrow - is back!Nearly 10 years ago, when her first daughter was just a little baby, Gabrielle Nancarrow was working 60 to 70 hour weeks in New York City.Today, she’s a mother of three, an author, a birth doula, and a small business owner. And in her newly released book, The Motherhood Space, Gabrielle weaves an incredible collection of diverse motherhood stories with her own reflections and expert insights on terms she didn’t even have ten years ago: the ment...2023-10-311h 04
Ready or NotMichelle Andrews and Laura Henshaw open up about their career and baby fears and your advice on going from one to two kids | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:Medibank are preparing to trial a four-day work weekShameless Media's Michelle Andrews and KIC's Laura Henshaw open up about whether they’re ready to have children or notIceland’s prime minister joins thousands of women on strikeYour advice on going from one to two kidsWhy you need to be specific in setting your career prog...2023-10-2952 min
Ready or NotHaylee Collins on integrating our ever evolving identities and the beauty and pain of motherhoodFor over a decade, Haylee Collins has worked across book, magazine, and digital publishing, but it was through the birth of her son that she began to explore the intersection of creativity and motherhood through her own writing.As she struggled to reconcile the new and renewed aspects of her identity, she found herself considering conundrums commonly faced by mothers who are creatives, and so Howl magazine was born.Within its pages, Haylee and her subjects explore what it means to be a mother and a creative in a society that places little monetary value...2023-10-241h 06
Ready or NotAn argy bargy on how we should talk about money and the best advice on breastfeeding & returning to work | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:Is it wrong to admit how much you earn? Respectfully, we disagree with each other, inspired by this Farrah Storr piece.The strange but effective way Minna Dubin relieved her mom rage.Goodbye 'girl boss', hello 'snail girl.' Are people really working less, or are they just switching gears?Your best advice on...2023-10-2241 min
Ready or NotChristina McKay on the power of a positive birth after trauma and losing and rediscovering herself in motherhoodChristina McKay has been cutting her teeth in the beauty industry for over 20 years, working at some of the biggest brands both in Australia and the UK.Outside of her corporate 9-5, she's also a hypnobirth educator and a makeup artist. Add two kids to the mix, and you can see she has a lot on her plate.From an effortless first pregnancy to recurrent miscarriage, from a traumatic first birth to an empowering second birth, from losing to rediscovering herself in motherhood, Christina's parenting journey has been anything but linear, and here, she shares...2023-10-1747 min
Ready or NotChildcare educators are earning so little while childcare is so expensive and is working from home good or bad for feminism? | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:How corporate jargon can obscure reality and confuse colleagues.Competition watchdog finds childcare less affordable than most OECD countries.Is working from home is a disaster waiting to happen for feminism?Your answers to our questions on postnatal depletionAnd as always, we round things out with a tip (Loz's always wiser than Lucinda's.)...2023-10-1535 minReady or NotChildcare educators are earning so little while childcare is so expensive and is working from home good or bad for feminism? | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:How corporate jargon can obscure reality and confuse colleagues.Competition watchdog finds childcare less affordable than most OECD countries.Is working from home is a disaster waiting to happen for feminism?Your answers to our questions on postnatal depletionAnd as always, we round things out with a tip (Loz's always wiser than Lucinda's.)...2023-10-1535 min
Ready or NotPenny Moodie on OCD in motherhood, writing The Joy Thief, and THAT The Imperfects episode on the mental loadWhen Penny Moodie appeared on her husband Hugh Van Cuylenburg's podcast to talk about the mental load of parenting, the response was huge.Penny shared an experience that so many mothers can relate to: the rage and frustration that comes with feeling like everything at home is falling on you.And on the other side of the coin, Hugh - the founder of the Resilience Project - shared an experience that many fathers will relate to: feeling like he was doing everything that he could and that it still wasn't enough.That was...2023-10-1047 min
Ready or NotDoes having a clean home make you a successful person and why women are opting out of marriage | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:These are the phrases working mums want to stop hearing.Does having a clean home make you a successful person?Why women are opting out of marriage.Your answers to our questions on how you cope with shitty daycare drop offsAnd as always, we round things out with a tip (Loz's always wiser than...2023-10-0830 minReady or NotDoes having a clean home make you a successful person and why women are opting out of marriage | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:These are the phrases working mums want to stop hearing.Does having a clean home make you a successful person?Why women are opting out of marriage.Your answers to our questions on how you cope with shitty daycare drop offsAnd as always, we round things out with a tip (Loz's always wiser than...2023-10-0830 min
Ready or NotLauren Trend on the constant whiplash of navigating paid work and parenting, feeling depleted, and working with the ebbs and flows of the seasonsThere’s a lot to love about mother, Self-Practice founder, creative director, and consultant, Lauren Trend.She’s incredibly relatable, but as a queer mother, she has a lot to teach us about inclusive language and what it’s like to navigate a system that’s not entirely built for you.Here, we talk the constant whiplash of navigating working and parenthood, surrendering to being at the whim of a tiny person’s schedule, navigating a patriarchal system as a queer mother, and all the good bits, because as you’ll hear, she’s had plenty of thos...2023-10-0349 min
Ready or NotFriendship shifts after kids and what's our problem with women who decide to be child-free? | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.In today's episode, we cover:Beers and Braids is the best thing we've ever heard of.What does sport have to do with career success for women?“As a mother”: the worst three words in the English language by Bibi Lynch for The Independent.I’m in My 40s, Child-Free and Happy. Why Won’t Anyone Believe Me? By Glynnis...2023-10-0136 min
Ready or NotBronwyn McCahon on the golden era of magazines, rubbing shoulders with Beyonce, and keeping something for yourselfFrom deciding on a whim to pack up her little Mitsubishi and leave Brisbane for the glossy magazines of Sydney, to the stone she received from a magic healing man in India that remained taped to her body throughout an entire pregnancy, Bronwyn McCahon has tales to tell, so it's no wonder she's spent the good part of her career in magazines and media.She's edited some of the biggest titles in the country, she's rubbed shoulders with the likes of Beyonce and Tommy Hilfiger, and in amongst it all, she's raised three children.Here...2023-09-2647 min
Ready or NotThe UK women over 65 combatting loneliness and the work perks parents actually want | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Friday.In today's episode, we cover:The kindness that actually pays off at work (and it's not what you think) and how to give and receive feedback.The UK women over 65 combatting loneliness at New Ground Village and the trend that we hope to see continue to rise.What workplace perks parents want.Ambition is not your schooling, your title...2023-09-2126 min
Ready or NotHow to navigate work alongside the emotional load of fertility treatment with Fertility Collective founder Ceci JeffriesWhen Ceci Jeffries and her husband received their infertility diagnosis, she hit rock bottom. She resigned from her job, withdrew from her friends and she was living what she describes as a quietly miserable existence. But then she learned how to set boundaries, prio ritise her mental health, and focus on what she could control.Now through Fertility Collective, she's helping others do just that: as a qualified fertility coach, she helps hundreds of people around the world to restore their emotional well-being as they try to have a baby.From what employers should understand...2023-09-1933 min
Ready or NotWe're not buying what Joe Jonas' publicity team is selling and the winning formula for landing a part-time role | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Friday.In today's episode, we cover:How a construction industry giant tripled the number of men taking parental leave.Recent research indicates that Millennial fathers dedicate three times as much time to their children compared to their own fathers, but if you're Joe Jonas, you're spending allll the time with your children.I haven’t got all day: a mum’s se...2023-09-1428 minReady or NotWe're not buying what Joe Jonas' publicity team is selling and the winning formula for landing a part-time role | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Friday.In today's episode, we cover:How a construction industry giant tripled the number of men taking parental leave.Recent research indicates that Millennial fathers dedicate three times as much time to their children compared to their own fathers, but if you're Joe Jonas, you're spending allll the time with your children.I haven’t got all day: a mum’s se...2023-09-1428 min
Ready or NotRachel Maksimovic on solo motherhood, letting go of perfection, and doing your bestPicture yourself living the good life in Bali. You pee on a stick thinking you'll quickly quash any fears that you might be pregnant, but those two lines appear. The test is positive and you're keeping the baby. Only, you're doing it solo.You work for yourself, you don't tell your clients that you're pregnant for fear of losing the work and the much needed income, and maternity leave isn't a thing.But you make it work, and every day, your beautiful boy serves as a reminder of everything you've done.This is...2023-09-1256 min
Ready or NotHaving it all sounds exhausting and leaning out is just learning to say no | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting.In today's episode, we cover:Michelle Wolf's having it all analogy has us re-thinking our affinity for the breakfast buffet.The professional women who are leaning out, and why the term itself needs a rebrand.Can't we all just get along? Inspired by this brilliant post from The Midwife Mumma, we take a look at some research into the often judgemental space of motherhood, and how society's expectations of mothers has us...2023-09-0722 min
Ready or NotHow do you return to work after pregnancy loss when you support pregnancy, mothers, and babies for a living? With Joelleen Winduss PayeHow do you return to work after a pregnancy loss when you support pregnancy, mothers, and babies for a living?This is the situation that Lactation Consultant, Midwife, Naturopath & Educator Joelleen Winduss Paye found herself in when she lost her baby girl 16 weeks into pregnancy. She experienced labour, her milk came in, and she somehow got through what she didn't think she could.Here, Joelleen intimately walks us through it all: how she navigated it, how she returned to work after a postpartum that came much earlier than expected, and how we can better support...2023-09-0551 min
Ready or NotGirl math is more fun than mum math and why we're done with over apologising | Witching HourWelcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we navigate making work, work alongside parenting.In today's episode, we cover:Are you my momager? The burnout that millennial managers - particularly women and mothers - are experiencing in managing their team's emotional wellbeing, not just their workload. Plus, where do we draw the line between the personal and the professional and what should we expect from our bosses? (Find the piece and subscribe to our Ready or Not Substack channel here).Girl math is way more...2023-08-3127 min
Ready or NotAmy Pearson on finding something you love outside of being a parent, empowering mothers to thrive in business, and how she built Sun Mother StudioAn hour in conversation with Amy Pearson feels a lot like a session with a business coach, which comes as no surprise given she splits her professional time between brand design, education, and mentoring. She's incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to her work, but more than that, she's generous and honest when it comes to making work, work alongside parenting.She's a mother of two, She's the founder of Sun Mother Studio and Birth My Business and she's deeply passionate about helping mothers make money while finding purpose in their work.Here, she talks us...2023-08-2955 min
Ready or NotCharlotte York Goldenblatt returns to work and how do you approach a promotion when you're pregnant? | Witching Hour[Just a heads up, there's a few swear words in this ep] Welcome to the first episode of Witching Hour, coming to your ears every Friday.Think of Witching Hour as Ready or Not's loose little sister: a place to share what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us in the world of parenting and career.She might be Lucinda on Ready or Not, but she's probably more likely to be Lu or Luce here, because on this podcast, we have a new co-host: Lucy's cousin who feels more like her sister, Loz.We're...2023-08-2426 minReady or NotCharlotte York Goldenblatt returns to work and how do you approach a promotion when you're pregnant? | Witching Hour[Just a heads up, there's a few swear words in this ep] Welcome to the first episode of Witching Hour, coming to your ears every Friday.Think of Witching Hour as Ready or Not's loose little sister: a place to share what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us in the world of parenting and career.She might be Lucinda on Ready or Not, but she's probably more likely to be Lu or Luce here, because on this podcast, we have a new co-host: Lucy's cousin who feels more like her sister, Loz.We're...2023-08-2426 min
Ready or NotWorking and parenting from a motorhome in California with writer, editor, and Places We Swim author Caroline ClementsIf you're an avid consumer of lifestyle and travel media in Australia, there's a fair chance you've pored over the intelligent words of Caroline Clements.As one of the first editorial leaders in the very early days of Broadsheet, Caroline helped shape the publication into the authority on Australian city culture that it is today.Since then, she's worked in editorial and production roles with some of the country's biggest magazines and brands, before taking her passion for storytelling to a new subject: swimming and its place in Australian culture.Together with her...2023-08-2252 min
Ready or NotAboriginal and South Sea Islander mother Jemmason Power on the cultural load and landing a lead role in Stan's Black SnowJemmason Power is an Aboriginal & South Sea Islander mother who lives in Meanjin Brisbane with her husband and her son. She works full time as a consultant & facilitator in indigenous cultural responsiveness, she was a lead actor in Stan's recent original series Black Snow, she's a model, and in a former life, she was also a professional netball player. She was born into a Pentecostal church, she played elite netball until she was 18 weeks pregnant while hiding her bump under baggy jumpers, and if you haven't picked it up by now, she'd led a colourful, busy life....2023-08-1652 min
Ready or NotUltra Violette co-founder Ava Chandler Matthews on feeling redundant and the slow burn of motherhoodYou might not find a more honest conversation on motherhood and career than the one you're about to hear.Ava Chandler Matthews is a mother and the co-founder of Ultra Violette, a skincare brand stocked at some of the biggest retailers in the world.She went back to Ultra Violette at three months postpartum, she travels a lot, and while she loves her son to no end, she's open about missing her old life and not considering herself a particularly maternal person.Here, we talk about some of the struggles she had with...2023-08-0857 min
Ready or NotWriter and postpartum doula Naomi Chrisoulakis on the frustration of being at the mercy of motherhoodNaomi Chrisoulakis is a freelance writer, postpartum doula, and a mother of two.In the early days of her career, she cut her teeth in the magazine industry, working for the likes of Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan before a move to Los Angeles would lead her down the freelance route.Moving home a year earlier than her husband to take an editor role at Women’s Health, it was during a four-day trip back to LA that Naomi fell pregnant, and her two births and postpartum periods couldn’t have been more different.Here...2023-08-011h 05
Ready or NotWe're back! With a daycare Q&A, a new pregnancy, and a recap on holidaying (can we call it that?) with a 15-month oldThat daycare Q&A episode I've been rudely promising for three weeks now is finally here, and I am finally back from my holiday.Given this episode is a bit different in nature, I also share a reflection on the first trimester of pregnancy number two and a recap on travelling to Bali with a toddler.I mention sex, the perhaps naive surprise of this pregnancy, my disenchantment with pregnancy this time around (that essay that I mention can be found here), and more - so keep that in mind if you have children around...2023-07-261h 01
Growing Up Raising Us28 | Lucinda McKimm: Navigating Work and Motherhood, Daycare, Premature Baby, Special CareIn this episode, we are joined by Lucinda McKimm (she/her) of Ready or Not podcast. Her and her husband, Haydn, live in Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, and are parents to a 15-month-old son, Ray, and Lucinda is newly pregnant with their second child. Lucinda shares her journey of conception with her second, which happened more quickly than anticipated after stopping breastfeeding. They’d expected this to take longer, as it took them 8 months to conceive Ray.
She recounts her pregnancy with Ray and her experience of her waters breaking at midnight and the subsequent fast lab...2023-07-1756 min
Ready or NotManon Pietra on changing the corporate narrative, being the "other mum" and our assumptions on gendered experiencesManon Pietra is a diversity, equity and inclusion partner at Canva.She's also the "other mum" as she puts it. That is, the non-birthing person in a two-mum family.What I love most about this conversation is the reflections around what we assume to be a gendered experience, because while Manon and her wife may be similar when it comes to biology, that doesn't mean that Manon would go on to understand what her wife would go through in pregnancy, birth, and beyond.Here, we talk about what she's learned about being the...2023-06-2738 min
Ready or NotLawyer and mother of four Silje Andersen-Cooke on raising triplets while making work, workPicture this: you're a mother of one, you're newly pregnant and you're at your dating scan. The sonographer goes a little quiet. There's not one baby in your tummy, there's not even just the two. You're pregnant with triplets.This is what happened to now mother of four and litigation lawyer Silje Andersen-Cooke.I can physically feel the shock and worry of it all: wondering what this means for your babies, what this means for your body, what recovery might look like, and how on earth you return to work after triplets.Here...2023-06-201h 00
Ready or NotAlison Rice on leaving her glossy career for more purpose and losing her own mother during early motherhoodAlison Rice is a mother and a journalist turned career and business mentor. She cut her teeth at The Walkley Foundation for Excellence in Journalism before going on to lead and launch some of the world's largest digital women's media titles into the Australian market.To some, she had it all.But, a realisation that her work was perpetuating a kind of desire culture and leading women to question themselves would ultimately change the course of her career.It was then during those early days of motherhood that another monumental shift would occur...2023-06-1353 min
Ready or NotAlpha-H Chief Commercial Officer Tina Randello is on a mission to help mothers find their encoreTina Randello is the Chief Commercial Officer of global skincare brand Alpha-H. She’s also a mother of two and the founder of The Encoreship — a return-to-work program providing opportunities for women and mothers who have been out of the workforce for an extended period.She’s held down massive roles, she’s worked both full time and part time alongside her parenting journey, and she’s learned a lot from navigating it all for thirteen years.What seems to make her a great leader is that she believes in women. She wants to see each and e...2023-06-0645 min
Ready or NotThe perfect motherhood myth and redefining our sense of self with Elise AddlemElise Addlem is a feminism and philosophy educator for mothers and parents.She's also a mother herself, and through her work, she breaks down complex topics into digestible bites. She makes the daunting interesting and she is deeply passionate about educating others on the intersection of motherhood, feminism, patriarchal parenting, and neoliberal capitalism.Here, we talk about the perfect motherhood myth, how our sense of self can change for the better in motherhood, the power of knowledge, and being tired all the time.This episode of Ready or Not is brought to you...2023-05-3044 min
Ready or NotPublic triumphs and private heartbreaks: Collective Hub founder Lisa Messenger on disrupting the publishing industry and her eight-year conception journeyPublicly, a burgeoning business that led her to New York for a meeting with Anna Wintour and to sharing the stage with Richard Branson on multiple occasions.And privately: eight years, 18 rounds of IVF, and a friend willing to carry her baby, all in pursuit of becoming a mother.This is an incredible story of how Collective Hub founder Lisa Messenger has made work alongside her challenging journey to parenthood work.Here, we talk staying open, how she got through sixteen phone calls telling her the news she didn't want to hear, and...2023-05-0954 min
Ready or NotAustralian Birth Stories host and mother Sophie Walker on building a hit podcast, the pressure of being the breadwinner and letting her husband learn things his waySophie Walker is the host of hit podcast, Australian Birth Stories. She's also a published author, the creator of the birth class, and a mother of three boys.It was Sophie's traumatic first birth that inspired the podcast, which at the time of the interview had over 11 million downloads, but at the time of publishing, she's up to 12 million. That's nearly half of Australia.The expansion of her business has led to some really exciting projects such as her new book, and it's also led to her becoming the key breadwinner at home, bringing with...2023-05-0237 min
Ready or NotNavigating hyperemesis, working with a newborn, her husband's cancer diagnosis and a pregnancy loss with Think Thornbury owner Maggie May MosheVomiting 30 times a day while trying to run a shop. No parental leave after the birth of her son Remy. Owning a retail business in Melbourne during a pandemic. Navigating her husband’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.And then, after falling pregnant with the baby that the doctors said would be nearly impossible to conceive without assistance, a pregnancy loss.Navigating motherhood and career for Think Thornbury owner Maggie May Moshe has not been linear.Here, she walks us through it all: from navigating managing the shop alongside hyperemesis in pregnancy and later a...2023-04-261h 08
Ready or NotAuthor and journalist Melanie Dimmitt’s life changed when her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. But, her story isn't a sad oneWhen I tell you that journalist and mother of two Melanie Dimmitt’s son has cerebral palsy, what kind of life do you imagine? Do you imagine someone that’s a bit angry at the world, do you picture their life at home to be a little sad?If your answer is a shameful yes that you don't really want to admit to, you're not alone. Melanie would've said the same once upon a time. But, her life is actually pretty sweet.You're about to hear her incredible story: how she found out about her son...2023-04-161h 06
Ready or NotMidwife and mother of four Erin Phibbs on birth trauma, the most challenging transition, and what her husband learned from taking full-time parental leaveErin Phibbs is a midwife, childbirth educator, and mother of four. She has a twin sister who seemed to fall pregnant at the drop of a hat while it took her years, and she's had some very different births and maternity leave experiences.From a traumatic first birth and an intense and lonely first postpartum, to a healing second birth and her husband taking six months of parental leave, she's experienced it all.Here, she shares what her husband learned from becoming the primary caregiver for a period, how she navigated birth trauma as a...2023-04-1149 min
Ready or NotWriter Alexandra Collier woke up with a ravenous hunger for a baby. Her partner did notAlexandra Collier is a writer, mother, and the author of Inconceivable: a newly released memoir about her journey into solo parenthood.In a former life, she lived in a light-filled Brooklyn brownstone in New York with the man she loved. But when she woke up to a ravenous hunger to have a baby that her partner didn't share, her life took a sharp turn.She found herself back home in Melbourne at 37, single, heartbroken and living with her parents. Her reproductive timeline was rapidly outpacing her romantic life, and after a period of dating like...2023-04-0258 min
Ready or NotPumping on the streets of New York and Chilli Heeler as an icon with magazine legend Justine CullenJustine Cullen is the editor in chief of InStyle. If, like me, you’ve been a devoted consumer of Australian magazines some time over the past three decades, there’s a good chance you’ve pored over some of her stories, for the likes of Girlfriend, Marie Claire, Dolly, Shop Til You Drop, and Elle.Her formative magazine years were during those heady days of long lunches, fabulous parties, and luxurious travel, and she’s seen it all; the move to digital, the closure of countless iconic titles, and the ever shrinking budgets.If you think Ju...2023-03-2656 min
Ready or NotDaycare Diaries 2.0: A good week, an average week, and a hot tip live from the carWe planned to release a special episode with InStyle editor Justine Cullen today, but daycare sickness had other plans. From gastro under two weeks ago, to fresh colds for my son and I this week, we are a bit behind and this low production episode is the best we can do for this Tuesday's release.My favourite part of this episode is a tip from a very good friend of mine. It's made my day much more enjoyable after the guilt of cancelling two meetings and developing a cold overnight myself, and I highly recommend listening for...2023-03-2107 min
Ready or NotMax Jahufer on always being the different kid, his upcoming role in a trans film and navigating parenting after long work daysMax Jahufer is the founder of creative agency, Future Studio. He’s also a proud trans father who will make his film debut in an upcoming comedy drama about a trans woman returning home for Christmas, and all the tension, secrets and lies that come with it.Having always felt like the different kid, Max is open about the extra layer of what it means to bring up a child in a family that is perceived as different, and as the first dad on this show, I learn what it’s like returning to work just two week...2023-03-1328 min
Ready or NotDaycare Diaries: The dreaded first drop off, colds, gastro, and the best bits[Warning: I swore in this episode] A bonus episode looking at the first month of daycare. I slapped this together very quickly, so expect absolutely no production brilliance or good advice, because I am figuring out the whole daycare thing as I go. This is simply how the first month or so of daycare played out for us so you can feel a little less alone or a little more prepared.Spoiler alert: daycare sickness really is a thing.I feel really lucky to be able to send my son to daycare, and I want...2023-03-0910 min
Ready or NotAnna Commons on raising her nonverbal autistic son and creating work that feeds her passions as well as her familyAnna Commons is the founder of The Autism Collective and mother of two delightful boys, Jackson, who has nonverbal autism, and Hunter. Her life has been one of incredible experiences and serious growth.Her career began in marketing, then somewhere in the middle she waited tables, and now, she's a motherhood mentor and coach who also works with families navigating the NDIS.In this episode, Anna shares her journey, from Jackson's diagnosis to what autism means in his day-to-day life. And we also talk about the importance of charging what you’re worth, why over gi...2023-03-0644 min
Ready or NotScrambling to do the best we can and being where you are when you're there with Lael StoneLael Stone is a Parenting Educator, TEDx speaker, author, and the co-creator of Woodline Primary and The Aware Parenting Podcast.She has a son and two daughters ranging from their late teens to early adulthood, and in many ways, her career trajectory has mirrored her parenting journey.Now I don’t know if it’s that soothing voice or the way she holds space for those around her, but either way, an hour of conversation with Lael is much like a therapy session. I felt lighter after this chat, and I think you will, too.2023-02-2751 min
Ready or NotCarrying a heavy load and corner office breakdowns with Mekanism Chief Strategy Officer Ambika Gautam Pai[CW: Episode discusses pregnancy loss, cancer and postpartum depression]Ambika Gautam Pai is the Chief Strategy Officer at Mekanism. She lives in Chicago with her two children and husband, and when she’s not splitting herself between her equally busy paid and unpaid roles, she’s writing about the intersection of motherhood, mental health, equity and business (read her newsletter here).As much as I love each and every guest that has come on the show, I’ve never had such a hard time picking those audio grabs that play at the top of the episod...2023-02-201h 02
Ready or NotFeeling guilty no matter what we do and calling in your village with Jessica Prescott & Vaughne Geary[Content warning: we swear in this episode!}Jessica Prescott and Vaughne Geary are the founders of Mama Goodness, a business dedicated to nourishing and nurturing mothers. They’re also the authors of Life After Birth, a new postpartum bible published by Hardie Grant.Having launched Mama Goodness just before the pandemic, they learned about the intensity of small business fast. Working so closely together, the pair are like sisters, and I cannot believe they haven’t known each other since kinder. They’re that tight.Here, we talk running a business through a pandem...2023-02-1454 min
Ready or NotNobody has it all with Chief Commercial Officer Danika JohnstonWhen former first lady Michelle Obama was on a book tour for Becoming, she famously swore in a candid, off the cuff moment. She caught herself off guard, but the crowd went wild as she shared a sentiment so many of us feel so deeply.Now I won’t deliver this as coolly as Obama, but this is what she said (and be warned, I do swear in the episode):“I tell women, that whole ‘you can have it all’ — nope, not at the same time; that’s a lie, and it’s not always enough to lean...2023-02-0637 min
Ready or NotWriting emails while tapping the bouncer and navigating two businesses, a son and a stepson with Phoebe SimmondsPhoebe Simmonds is the co-founder of The Memo and the founder of The Blow. She’s worked for some of the biggest beauty brands in the world, has lived in London, Singapore and Sydney, and now works and lives in Melbourne with her partner Shaun, Shaun’s son Tyler, and their son Remy.Shaun lost his former partner, Tyler’s mother, many years before he and Phoebe came to be, so her introduction to parenting is quite unique. Phoebe’s pregnancy was also not without its stressors, with the diagnosis of cervical insufficiency, a condition in which the cerv...2023-01-3040 min
Ready or NotWhy you don't have to love every second of mothering to love motherhood with perinatal counsellor & mother Gemma Smith[CW: episode discusses postnatal depression and pregnancy and postpartum struggles]Gemma Smith is a perinatal counsellor and a mother of two. She’s also a recovering perfectionist who was rocked by the intensity of new parenthood.She did all the prep you can imagine a perfectionist doing - she hired a birth doula, did pregnancy pilates, birth classes, yoga for labour and birth, hours of reading and the list goes on… but, none of it really helped, because what she really needed was just to be able to talk to someone about the whole experience.2023-01-231h 10
Ready or NotBONUS Q&A: Breastfeeding and returning to work with Shterna GlickShterna Glick is a midwife, lactation consultant and mother of five. Through her Instagram page, @melbourne_lactation, Shterna has gained a following for her knowledge and experience as both a mother and a professional, and for her practical, informative posts on all things breastfeeding.Her approach to supporting breastfeeding parents is sustainable and supportive, and what I love most about this conversation is that Shterna’s advice is mother-centred, because as we know – or at least have been told but maybe forget – is that when the mother is happy, the baby is happy too.Breastfeeding, bottle...2023-01-1856 min
Ready or NotNavigating work trips as a mother of two, letting go in order to share the load and the need for flexibility with Amy BradshawAmy Bradshaw is the head of Australia at global media agency, Vayner Media. She’s worked in New York, London, and now back at home in Sydney, where she lives with her partner and two children. What I loved about my conversation with Amy is how pragmatic, honest, and genuine she is. She doesn’t dramatise the struggles of being a working parent, but she doesn’t over simplify it, either.In this episode, we talk sailing around Croatia with a newborn, setting up Vayner Media’s Australian arm, the need for workplace flexibility for not only mothers...2023-01-1547 min
Ready or NotWhat happens to your career and identity when you lose your own mother? With Jaala AlexCW: this episode deals with loss, illness and hospitals. You'll also hear the odd swear word.From the outset, the focus of this podcast has been the working mother or primary caregiver. But, what happens to your career and identity when you lose your own mother? Last week, a LinkedIn post by Jaala Alex had me questioning this.Many mothers naturally link part of their identity to their children and their role as a mother.But, just as profound can be the way in which our mothers shape our own identities, aspirations, and...2023-01-0955 min
Ready or NotSocial inclusion specialist, sports broadcaster & mother Rana Hussain on teaching her daughter that she has a choiceRana Hussain is a social inclusion specialist, broadcaster, presenter, writer and one of the Outer Sanctum podcast crew. She’s also a program director at Champions of Change and makes regular appearances on ABC radio and television.She’s also a mother and a very good person. She does the sort of work that I can’t help but think it’d be hard to switch off from, because the scope is so big and the outcomes so important.So, as a mother, how does she find balance? How did she break into the highly competit...2023-01-0352 min
Ready or NotGeorgie Dent had a mental breakdown at 24. Now, she's on a mission to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parentGeorgie Dent is a busy woman. She’s a journalist, author, speaker, advocate, former lawyer, and a mother of three. She’s also the executive director of The Parenthood, a not-for-profit advocacy group on a mission to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent. And, she’s a longtime contributor at Women’s Agenda.Now the person I have just described might sound perfect, but Georgie has not coasted through life without her challenges and in her best-selling memoir, Breaking Badly, Georgie documents her decline towards a total breakdown that saw her admitted...2022-12-2547 min
Ready or NotDropping the plastic balls and talking relationships, parenting & career with psychologist Yara HearyChatting to Yara Heary invokes the familiar comfort that one might feel talking to an older, wiser sibling. She’s a psychologist and a mother of two, but more importantly, she’s just a human doing her best. She doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, because she’s more interested in learning and growing than being right.Here, she candidly shares both her professional and personal reflections when it comes to relationships, motherhood and career, as we talk dropping the plastic balls, enlisting support in whichever way makes sense for you, and why parents need to take...2022-12-181h 20
Ready or NotSingle parenting, shift work and navigating burnout, trauma and identity with midwife Clare KellyIt only takes a minute of conversation with Clare Kelly to realise the glass is always half full. You won’t hear her complaining about night shift or burnout or going through a separation and a period of single parenting, because she’s just not wired that way.She is, however, wired to be a midwife. Her love for what she does is visceral. She’s fiercely passionate about caring for both mothers and healthcare workers, because both roles, as she knows all too well, can be a tough slog.This was such a fun and fr...2022-12-1151 min
Ready or NotFinding your why in work & parenting, surviving cancer and a new path with Charlotte Squires | InterviewsTrigger warning: this episode discusses pregnancy loss and cancer.From being a small business owner to becoming a doula and surviving cancer to experiencing a pregnancy loss, Charlotte Squires (aka @thelivingdoula) has lived many lives in her 30 years.In this episode, we discuss finding your “why” in work and in parenting, the importance of communication in sharing the load and why the principles of care and support relevant to the work of a doula should apply for life, not just the early postpartum period.We also cover how her family sets up the week...2022-12-1153 min
Ready or NotFlying high in New York and returning to work the day after a pregnancy loss with Gabrielle Nancarrow | InterviewsGabrielle Nancarrow went back to work the day after a D&C procedure following her pregnancy loss. It’s a far cry from the way in which she cares for birthing people as a doula today, but back then, she was flying high in the corporate world as the editorial director at Victoria’s Secret in New York.Her life was fast paced, her work was exciting and her career was thriving.Soon after that loss, another pregnancy would eventually lead to the birth of her first daughter, and with it, like so many mothers befo...2022-12-1154 min