Creative Career Solutions for Parents

In this coming of age, 21st episode of the Creative Career Solutions for Parents podcast - Gina acknowledges the impact that recent events in London and Manchester have had on her spirit, motivation and emotions. The Grenfell Tower disaster and more have led to real introspection and questioning of what we can do when everything feels broken. While it's clear that on this one year anniversary of the Brexit vote, Gina is still baffled about the direction things are taking - this episode remains respectful of varying opinions and questions how parents speak to their children about events, especially when despair and / or disagreement can make things feel like they are spiralling out of control. This is not a structured how to episode but a return from a period of reflection - where Gina is very real about where her mind is... and discusses where to go from here.

I am insanely excited to invite you to listen to this interview. Seriously. When I dreamed up this podcast and thought about the guests I would want to interview for you... Helen was at the top of my list. Today's episode is an interview with Helen McGuire, mum of two, former comms professional and erstwhile DJ... and now co-founder and managing director of Hopscotch ME. Hopscotch ME is more than a recruitment company, it is a platform for professional women - and is on a mission to make flexible working for professional women a reality in the Middle East. Wherever in the world you are, this episode is a must listen for mamas in the working world (or those wanting to re-enter it).Within the space of 28 minutes (finishing just before Helen needed to leave the office to head home to her little ones) - we discussed her career journey from media, to PR to recruitment (with 2 babas appearing along the way), discussed what Helen refers to as "The Mummy Time Zone", how to build your confidence and really focused on some great advice / experience sharing when it comes to flexible working and how it can work for you. You also gain an insight into the kinds of companies who are taking this seriously... and so much more. As you will tell by my enthusiasm as I interviewed her, I am thrilled to be speaking to Helen here and I can't wait to hear about what you take away from this episode. Remember, you can share your thoughts over on the Limitless Coaching Facebook page. Enjoy and don't leave me hanging... let me know your thoughts (remember, you can leave a review about this podcast on iTunes too).

You'll know that make progress not excuses is one of my mantras right? It's a biggie for me. I say it often. Well, today's episode is inspired by the fact that I am about to take action in a way that will be greatly beneficial, but also hugely challenging. I am about to embark on a 7 day shift the sugar challenge and have recorded this podcast partly for accountability and partly because I know you too have swizzle... all kinds of swizzle that you may be making excuses for and if that's the case, I hope you feel encouraged to do something about it.Disclaimer: Please remember it's always important to be kind to yourself. No negative self talk here - just positive action.If sugar is your Achilles Heal too... why don't you join me on this challenge. It starts imminently though so do check out the fabulous Lauren Gayfer's Facebook Page... the Fairy Food Mother (link below) and get involved. Let me know if you do and we can be sure to support each other. I'm excited and nervous but know I'm doing something good for me and for my family by doing this. Hope you challenge yourself to stop making excuses in an area of your life too!https://www.facebook.com/thefairyfoodmum/(FYI - I'll soon be doing a 7-day challenge for the Creative Career Solutions for Parents community too... look out for it)

Stop what you are doing and listen to this episode right now. Seriously. Lol - it has the potential to be a game changer for you. In this episode, I explore the supremely well known phenomenon that is mum-guilt (mom-guilt) and talk about a wholly different approach to it. Instead of letting it get us down or fighting... I propose that we befriend it. It may sound like I've been hitting the sauce pretty hard to make that suggestion, but it's not the case and I believe it to be some of my clearest thinking in recent times! This is the beginning of a series on mum-guilt here at Creative Career Solutions for Parents podcast but it all starts here and I'd love you to check this out and let me know what you think. Ooooh... and if it resonates, please share it with your mummy friends. Let's start a revolution with this! (No fighting though... remember?!). Enjoy...

(... even when sleep deprived!). When you are a working mama / working parent / hell... working anybody, it is important to get in a positive mind space if you are hoping to have a positive day. This episode outlines 5 specific ways you can work towards having a spring in your step and a mindset to help you embrace the day. (Oh... and it also includes a bunch of reasons - lol - reasons not excuses as to why I don't currently do one of these recommended things in the morning) This episode was recorded at silly o-clock in the wee hours of the morning when my two loves were sleeping and I had umpteen podcast ideas rattling around my head. I hope you love it. Anything I can create which will help you support, inspire and empower you when it comes to your career and (parenting) lifestyle is absolutely my pleasure.Don't forget to head over to the Limitless Coaching page on Facebook to start or contribute to a conversation about this episode AND to iTunes to leave a review about the show (which is likely to help more working parents make their way here)

You do not want to miss this episode. No seriously... you don't. In this first ever interview on the Creative Career Solutions for Parents podcast I speak to one of my coaches / mentors, Emma Holmes from Coaching Rockstars. As you'll hear I'm thrilled to be chatting to her for this podcast and we touch on so many topics... From finding out about her current thriving business to understanding why she left a successful corporate law career (that she once loved) to become an entrepreneur... and from discovering why Emma believes there is no such thing as failure through to discussing whether it is important to communicate your goals and dreams with your spouse - we covered a lot of ground in this chat. If you are considering flexing your entrepreneurial muscles... be sure to check out this episode. Listen, enjoy, spread the word and remember, if you like what you hear do subscribe and leave a review on iTunes.

In this not to be missed episode, we bid farewell to the first quarter of 2017 and welcome in the second. This episode is exactly what you need if you are someone who regularly wonders where the time has gone and how the years go whizzing by. Here, we touch on the importance of goal setting, the benefit of thinking about how you want to feel (in addition to what you want to be / do / have and also talk about why some people think not goal setting is a better approach. (Spoiler alert: I disagree and in this episode I tell you why)Start Q2 2017 with a spring in your step and a determination to be productive the fun way...

In this episode, I share my surprise and delight about a question which my childminder asked me... which kind of blew my mind at the time. Maybe it shouldn't have but it inspired me not only to do a Facebook Live on the spot to talk about it (find this on the Limitless Coaching Facebook page) but it also prompted the topic of this podcast. Listen in to find out a very simple way to make your life easier today and hear a few anecdotes about how a couple of mamas have applied this to their own lives.

Following an insanely fast paced pace is unlikely to be sustainable and can lead to burn out and / or general frustration. However, in this episode of Creative Career Solutions for Parents, Gina Visram points out that if you get in to the habit of embracing self-care and being kind to yourself, it can be a positive turning point in the journey towards your goals and dreams. This is a practice which can result in an immediately positive result and greater life satisfaction. So what are you waiting for? Jump in now...

After 4 weeks of not podcasting, I felt nervous about recording my next one. I then realised, I just needed to do it... just record something... and now. This episode "The best time is now" is a short sharp reminder that more often than not (although there are some exceptions to this rule), the best time do so something you've been wanting to do / work towards / achieve... is now. Join me here to find out more...