Working Mumma

There’s a phrase we’ve all heard before: “It takes a village to raise a child.” But here’s something we don’t say enough, it also takes a village to raise a working mum. The “village” that used to exist, grandparents nearby, friendly neighbours, extended family, looks different for many of us. In this solo episode, Carina talks about the often-overlooked truth behind the working mum juggle: we weren’t meant to do this alone. We used to raise children in villages, but today the concept of the village has changed.  During this episode Carina chat's about:  * Why the traditional village has disappeared in Western culture * The emotional toll of doing it all alone as a working mum * Real-life reflections from a recent work trip abroad * Practical ideas for creating your own support network * Why every village looks different — and that’s okay * How to build a village from scratch (even when you're new in town)   Show links * Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity [https://www.instagram.com/workingmummacommunity/] * Sign up for the Working Mumma newsletter [https://workingmumma.com.au/newsletter/]  * Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/ [https://workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/] * Connect with Carina on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carina-obrien/]

"Who am I now" is a question many mums have asked themselves, especially when they are navigating the transition back to work.  I chat with Laura Stewart, mum, former executive leader, and founder of a social enterprise, to unpack her experiences of identity shift (matrescence) and navigating her transition back to work. Laura shares her decision to resign from a senior role while on maternity leave, the emotional process of discovering she no longer fit the career she once thrived in, and the deep internal shifts that followed. From redefining success and letting go of mum guilt, to building micro-systems to support her return-to-work life, Laura offers wisdom, vulnerability, and practical strategies for working mums navigating their own identity transformations. We chat about: * Why Laura chose to leave her high-level role after becoming a mum * The concept of matrescence and the identity shift no one warns you about * Practical systems and hacks for simplifying the mental load * Reframing mum guilt and giving yourself permission to grow * The importance of communication and redefining partnership * How to make space for the new version of you Whether you’re feeling lost, stuck in the juggle, or wondering if you’ve changed, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and not alone.   Episode links  Connect with Laura Stewart on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraj-stewart/]  Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity [https://www.instagram.com/workingmummacommunity/] or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma/]

Why do so many women feel uncomfortable talking about money, and how can we change it? Where does this come from? How can we change this mindset? Carina speaks with behavioral money coach and founder of Women with Cents, Natasha Janssens. From escaping war-torn Yugoslavia to becoming an accountant, mortgage broker, financial planner, and now a powerful voice helping women shift their relationship with money, Natasha shares her personal journey and how it led her to focus on the psychology of money to support women. Whether you're returning to work, navigating the cost of daycare, or just trying to stay afloat, remember: this is a season. Give yourself permission to just survive, if that’s where you are. The time for growth will come. You don’t need to know it all. You just need to take the first step and know your numbers. We chat about: * Why women often avoid financial conversations * How our upbringing, traditional gender roles, and societal norms impact our money mindset * The emotional drivers behind financial stress and avoidance * Practical steps to build financial confidence (even if you're not a "numbers person") * Why understanding your "financial story" is key to making empowered decisions that can also have a positive impact on your children  * Tips for navigating money conversations with your partner * Superannuation, contribution splitting, and what to know post-maternity leave This is an episode with great tips and advice whether you’re returning to work, navigating childcare costs, working for a few years, or want to feel more in control of your finances to help you later in life.    Episode links  Connect with Natasha: Women with Cents [https://womenwithcents.com.au] or @womenwithcents [https://www.instagram.com/womenwithcents/] Subscribe to the Working Mumma newsletter [https://workingmumma.com.au/newsletter] or connect @workingmummacommunity [https://www.instagram.com/workingmummacommunity/] or on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma/]

You think the school drop-off is tough in the city? Try doing it with two kids, 170 acres of farmland, no running water from mains, and a 90-minute commute to work.  I chat with Lisa Judson, a working mum of two living in regional Western Australia. Lisa shares what life is really like juggling career, motherhood, and a farm, all without access to city conveniences like town water, rubbish collection, or nearby daycare. As Lisa comments "my parents are only an hour away" - a relative short distance for the country.  Lisa is so well organised, built a great community around her, and she has a great approach to working mum life with so many great tips that are useful regardless if you live in the city or country.  We dive into: * The logistical juggle of long commutes, limited childcare, and off-grid living * How Lisa returned to full-time work with two kids under five * Why community care and asking for help are survival strategies, not weaknesses * The importance of good communication, systems, and flexibility in rural working motherhood Whether you live in the city or the country, this episode will leave you with new ideas, empathy, and a reminder: working mums are stronger than we realise – especially when we stop trying to do it all alone.   Episode links Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-judson/]  Connect with Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity [https://www.instagram.com/workingmummacommunity/] or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-mumma/] and check out the website [https://workingmumma.com.au/] for free resources.

Is childcare worth the cost when most of your paycheck goes straight to daycare fees? In this powerful episode, financial advisor and mum of two, Deline Jacovides, opens up about how much she and her husband have spent on childcare over seven years, and why, despite the eye-watering figure, she’d do it all again. We unpack the true cost of childcare in Australia, the long-term impact on women’s careers and superannuation, and the often-overlooked benefits, like career progression, independence, and child development. Deline also shares how she and her husband juggled part-time work, subsidies, and even brought in an au pair to make it all work. This is the honest childcare conversation every working parent needs to hear. Whether you're navigating daycare decisions now or planning for the future, you'll walk away with insights, budgeting tips, and the reassurance that your sacrifices today are an investment in your family's tomorrow. What You’ll Learn: * How Deline spent six figures on childcare and what she got in return * The financial and emotional trade-offs of early childhood education * How to budget for childcare, including fee increases and cashflow planning * The career, superannuation, and identity costs of opting out of work * Why childcare is a family cost, not just a mother’s burden * How legislation has (and hasn’t) helped affordability for families   Show links: Connect with Deline on Instagram @maziwealth [https://www.instagram.com/maziwealth/] Listen to the previous episode of the Working Mumma with Deline "Managing the financial impact of motherhood with financial planner Deline Jacovides [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-the-financial-impact-of-motherhood/id1495282250?i=1000554899535]"   Connect with Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity [https://www.instagram.com/workingmummacommunity/]