Parenting isn’t about perfection - it’s about connection.

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie, founder of Imperfect Parents, to talk about the reality of modern parenthood, and the ever-changing balance between work, life, and raising tiny humans.

After parenting through COVID-19 lockdowns, Sophie saw firsthand how isolating and overwhelming it could be, especially without a village. So, she built one.

Imperfect Parents is a community-driven space where parents can share their experiences, ask for help, and feel supported without judgment or pressure to have it all together.

We dive into:

• How parenting during COVID-19 inspired Sophie to create Imperfect Parents
• The reality of self-employment in the parenting space
• Why inclusivity and community are essential for new parents
• Sleep training, financial privilege, and the societal pressures of modern parenting
  

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough as a parent (spoiler: you are), or felt like you’re carrying the invisible weight of it all, this episode is for you.

LINKS
🔗 Imperfect Parents – Sophie’s community for real, honest parenthood
🔗 Rachael Rose – Women’s circles & support
🔗 Dr. Heather Johnstone – Cradled – Sophie's mentor
📖 The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown

💬 Loved this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us on socials!

What if your next big business idea was hiding in plain sight... like in the middle of a playground with your toddler?

In this episode, I’m joined by Renata, founder of Roam with Kids, an app her husband describes as “the new Google Maps for parents.”

Designed to help caregivers discover kid-friendly spots like fully fenced playgrounds or cafes with high chairs, Roam is redefining how we plan our days with little ones.

Renata and I chat about life before kids—including finding out she was pregnant while travelling in India, the decision to move home to New Zealand at the start of COVID-19, losing her job in the travel industry, and ultimately packing up again for one more big family adventure before her daughter turned two.

Now a self-employed founder, Renata opens up about the realities of growing a business while parenting, and how she wouldn’t be where she is today without the support of her husband and their truly equal partnership.

This one is a fun listen!

LINKS

www.instagram.com/roamwithkids

www.instagram.com/renataroaming

This episode is a special one! I’m sitting down with my friend Kate, who I met 10 years ago at uni, to talk about the reality of navigating career transitions, motherhood, and the ever-elusive work-life balance.

Kate opens up about how her perspective on work shifted after having her second child, and how she went from wanting to be the “career mum” to realising that some parts of her job just weren’t worth the time away. We talk about the constant juggle, the mental load, and the unexpected ways motherhood changes friendships and priorities.

Topics we cover:

• The shift from agency life to self-employment & why Kate made the leap
• Why rushing was her biggest challenge when working full-time
• Why the time away from your kids has to feel worthwhile
• How working motherhood can create a social divide: where do we fit in?
• The hard truth: once you let go of personal time, it's tough to get back

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What happens when you’re on the brink of motherhood but feel like you’re standing outside a “secret club” no one talks about?

In this episode, I sit down with Jordan, who is in the midst of trying to conceive and navigating the realities of family planning, career balance, and the cultural differences between the US and New Zealand. We discuss the decision she made last year to step aside rather than step up—a shift from the corporate hustle of her 20s. Instead of pushing for more responsibility, she’s prioritising a lower-stress lifestyle in preparation for the next chapter: trying to conceive, maternity leave, and the many unknowns of motherhood.

I asked Jordan a big question: Do you feel like you’re making a sacrifice?

This episode is packed with thought-provoking questions—so if something resonates, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram @haveitall.podcast to share your thoughts.

🎧 Listen now for a raw, honest discussion on the journey to motherhood and beyond.

Before becoming a mum, Danny and her husband were living life to the fullest—careers they loved, a buzzing social life, friends, parties, and the kind of freedom you don’t realise you have until it’s gone. But nothing could have prepared her for the profound shift that motherhood would bring.

Danny’s experience of becoming a mum was not just life-changing—it was earth-shattering. A deeply traumatic birth left her with PTSD, and the emotional intensity of motherhood hit harder than she ever imagined. She had an unshakable bond with her child, but navigating the rollercoaster of emotions, identity shifts, and the pressure to return to work was overwhelming.

In this episode, we dive into:
🧡 The identity shift that comes with becoming a mum
🧡 The pressure to balance work and family (without losing yourself)
🧡 How to navigate judgment—from others and yourself
🧡 Why self-trust is the key to surviving the chaos
🧡 The emotional impact of parenting decisions and why grace is essential

Whether you’re in the thick of raising little ones, transitioning back to work, or just trying to figure it all out, this conversation is for you.

LINKS

Read: The Child in You: The Breakthrough Method for Bringing Out Your Authentic Self by Stefanie Stahl

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Feeling burned out, stretched thin, or stuck in survival mode? In this episode, I chat with Lisa Walker, a qualified nutritionist, about the everyday challenges facing busy women—particularly mums—and how stress, nutrition, and self-care all play a role in reclaiming health and energy.

Lisa shares practical tips for eating well as a family, the importance of postpartum recovery, and why small lifestyle changes can have a profound impact on gut health, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

Whether you're navigating motherhood, balancing work and life, or just looking for ways to feel better in your body, this conversation offers relatable insights and actionable advice to help you thrive.

Tune in for an honest and heartwarming discussion on finding joy, avoiding burnout, and making your health a priority—one small change at a time.

LINKS

In this episode of Have It All, Emily sits down with Erin to explore the emotional realities of becoming a parent and balancing a career. They discuss the often-overwhelming transition back to work, managing feelings of guilt, and navigating lack of family support during early parenthood.

Erin opens up about the isolating experience of being the first in her friend group to have a baby. She reflects on the emotional weight of tackling major parenting challenges without a village, and how this can leave new parents feeling alone with their struggles.

This heartfelt conversation sheds light on the harsh yet transformative realities of early parenthood and emphasises the importance of community, self-care, and redefining personal fulfilment while navigating the demands of work and family.

In this episode, I sit down with Rebekah Fraser, The Back To Work Coach, to explore the crucial steps for navigating parental leave and career breaks. We discuss key moments to plan for—starting before you're even pregnant—and how to approach conversations with your employer about taking time off.

Rebekah shares her expert insights on overcoming self-doubt and negative self-talk, redefining success on your terms, and finding ways for dads to take on more of the mental load. Whether you're a parent, planning to be, or simply navigating work-life balance, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thoughtful guidance to help you thrive both at work and at home.

LINKS

In this heartfelt episode, Kelsey shares her journey of navigating grief after losing her dad just seven weeks into her pregnancy. She reflects on how this loss has shaped her approach to motherhood and the intentional steps she and her husband have taken to create greater equality at home, particularly around childcare and the mental load.

Kelsey also opens up about the tough decision to step away from her teaching career after having her son, explaining how the demands of full-time work and a young baby felt impossible to balance.

Links:

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions about grief and loss.

This week’s episode is a special one as I finally sit down with my best friend, Sharon, to talk about her journey through miscarriage and the challenges of navigating anxiety and depression during pregnancy.

Sharon opens up about her experiences, including how her incredibly supportive and family-friendly workplace stood by her through these tough times. She shares how they provided opportunities for career growth, even as she openly expressed her desire to expand her family. We also dive into how showing up to work each day helped her feel a sense of "normal" amidst the struggles of PND.

Thank you for listening to Have It All in 2024, I appreciate you!

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