You know those people that you look at and think if I had my time again, I would’ve liked my career to look a little more like theirs? For me, that person is Jessie Stephens. It’s not that I expected her level of success for myself, but I always dreamed of being a journalist and a published author.

So, perhaps it’s a little embarrassing to admit all this, but I was always curious about if or when she’d embark on motherhood. I admire her thoughts and feelings and work so much that I wanted to know: what would making work, work look like for Jessie Stephens?

So, you can only imagine that to be able to sit down and find out had me equals parts excited and nervous. And nervous, I needn’t be. Because this incredibly successful podcaster, author and journalist is sort of just like you and me.

She’s been open about her history with mental illness and how that showed up in pregnancy, and she’s spoken a lot about expecting the worst during pregnancy but getting something better. In fact, better doesn’t even cut it. She’s flat out loved motherhood in a way that the content she was consuming during pregnancy didn’t prepare her for.

Here, we talk about how her definition of success has changed, the mythical career finish line that so many of us race against in preparation for motherhood, and the tension that exists between being absolutely thrilled to be a mum and still wanting (or maybe even needing) to do paid work that lights you up.

Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:

• Breastfeeding and Returning to Work
• Childcare 101
• Postpartum and Return to Work Planning
• You can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod

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Thanks for listening to Witching Hour! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review. You can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Boon Wurong people of the Kulin Nation. The land on which we're lucky enough to raise our sons and daughters always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

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