With Both Hands

Wanting in Public: A Mother's Perspective

In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the complexities of desire, identity and motherhood through the lens of the podcast Wanting in Public by Kaitlyn Kessler & Xanthe Appleyard. Laura and Clare examine why expressing personal wants can feel so uncomfortable for women, particularly mothers, and how deeply ingrained ideas of selflessness continue to shape how women see themselves. Expect reflections on the tension between caregiving and individuality, the guilt often attached to ambition or personal fulfilment, and the cultural narratives that frame maternal desire as indulgent or selfish. The episode questions the expectation that motherhood should require constant sacrifice, and considers what becomes possible when women begin to acknowledge their own needs alongside those of their families. Through thoughtful discussion and lived experience, this episode invites listeners to reconsider the role that wanting plays in a meaningful life and to view self-advocacy not as selfishness but as an essential part of being fully human.

Unlocking Creativity: Embracing the Dual Role of Mother and Entrepreneur

In this episode of With Both Hands, Clare explores the relationship between creativity and motherhood, challenging the idea that becoming a mother limits creative potential. Instead, she reframes motherhood as a powerful catalyst for new ideas, clarity and innovation. Expect reflections on what creativity really means beyond traditional labels, and why so many women overlook their own creative capacity, particularly when working in practical or business-focused roles. Clare also introduces the concept of the “postpartum pivot”, and how this period can bring a shift in perspective that reshapes both identity and professional direction. By questioning long-held narratives, this episode invites a broader understanding of creativity as something lived and embodied. Motherhood is not positioned as a constraint, but as a space that can deepen creative thinking, expand possibilities, and support a more aligned way of building a life and business.

Creating Effective Routines for Busy Mums

In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the lived reality behind the question so many mothers ask: how do you actually make business and family life work side by side? Moving beyond theory, the conversation centres on the practical structures, conversations and mindset shifts that make the balancing act more sustainable. Expect reflections on shared responsibility, honest communication with partners, and the importance of realistic expectations in seasons that feel full. We discuss routines, contingency planning when children are unwell, and the emotional impact of holding professional commitments alongside parental care. The episode also considers how adaptability, rather than perfection, becomes the most valuable skill in modern motherhood. Rooted in lived experience, this conversation affirms that no one manages it alone. By building supportive networks, sharing resources and embracing flexibility, mothers can create a version of success that honours both ambition and family life without sacrificing themselves in the process.

From Burnout to Balance: Strategies for Recharging

In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the often-repeated but rarely embodied idea of not pouring from an empty cup. Through honest conversation, Laura and Claire examine how motherhood and work are shaped by a culture that normalises exhaustion, and why this expectation ultimately leaves women depleted rather than fulfilled. Expect reflections on burnout, capacity and the quiet warning signs that so many mothers miss until they are already running on empty. Drawing on personal experience, including Laura’s experience of burnout after the birth of her fourth child, the episode looks at what happens when self-care is consistently deprioritised, and how boundaries, support and asking for help can radically change the way we show up in our lives. The conversation moves beyond surface-level self-care and questions a productivity-driven mindset that ties worth to output. This episode is an invitation to expand capacity without self-sacrifice, to redefine care as essential rather than indulgent, and to recognise that nurturing ourselves is foundational to supporting our families, our work, and our wider communities.

Leadership in Business & Motherhood

In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the often overlooked relationship between motherhood and leadership. Through honest reflection, Laura and Claire question why women are so frequently seen as less capable leaders after becoming mothers, and why this narrative makes so little sense. Expect reflections on how the skills developed through parenting, including emotional intelligence, negotiation, resilience and decision-making, are not only transferable to leadership roles but fundamental to them. The conversation examines how corporate structures often fail to recognise these strengths, while also acknowledging that leadership exists far beyond traditional hierarchies and job titles. Drawing on lived experience, the episode challenges narrow definitions of leadership and invites a broader, more inclusive understanding, one that values intuition, alignment and care alongside ambition and authority. This is an invitation to reframe motherhood not as a limitation, but as a leadership practice in its own right, and to recognise the quiet, powerful ways women lead every day.