Ready or Not

Welcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday (except for today, because yesterday was a public holiday in Victoria!).

In today's episode, we cover:

• The increasing Importance of a best friend at work
• The Skim State of Women Report for 2024 comes out in a few weeks, so before it does, we’re revisiting some of 2023’s findings
• And a HOTLY contributed to poll on the @readyornot.pod Instagram - what happens when the partner goes back to paid work?

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by Mrs Kevin's Photos, a mother and Melbourne based fine art film photographer, creating photos to keep forever as your visual inheritance.

Mrs Kevin's Photos captures moments through 35mm film, digital and super 8 video footage so that you can look back and remember how it all felt. To celebrate this partnership, we'll be announcing a giveaway for our Melbourne-based listeners today over on our Instagram @readyornot.pod. 

You can head to mrskevinsphotos.com to book in an emotive, timeless and intimate photography session.

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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

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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.

We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cat Webb wouldn't quite call herself the maternal type and motherhood wasn't exactly something that she dreamed of. But, she wanted a family, so she knew she had to go through the former to get the latter.

And, I think it's fair to say that going through it is exactly how Cat would describe it. As you're about to hear, she found the first year of her son's life challenging and she took some time to find her groove in motherhood. As the founder of Good Times Pilates and with three popular studios in Melbourne's inner north, Cat put more into the business than herself when preparing for maternity leave, and here, she talks about what she's learned in hindsight, how she started Good Times Pilates, and the necessity of starting daycare on what most would class as the earlier side of things.

If you adore your child but you took some time to settle into motherhood, this episode is for you, and I can't thank Cat enough for being so open and honest.

I'm Lucinda, this is Ready or Not, and here is the candid and charismatic Cat Webb.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by MUMMA MILLA: creators of genuinely leakproof bralettes and camis that are not only functional, but beautiful, too.

Created with aesthetics in mind, these modern pieces almost look too good to work as well as they do, but I was a paying customer before this special brand came on board as a partner, and I am here to tell you that since wearing my MUMMA MILLA pieces, no other breast pad or feeding bra cuts it.

Head to mumma-milla.com to shop the collection of highly considered products, designed by a real mum, for all the breastfeeding mothers out there.

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Thanks for listening to Ready or Not! 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.

We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.

In today's episode, we cover:

• The Workplace Gender Equality Agency have published employer gender pay gaps for the first time, 
• Self help vs Leadership – the way we market books to women and men 
• And your thoughts on these damning gender pay gap reports.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by MUMMA MILLA: creators of genuinely leakproof bralettes and camis that are not only functional, but beautiful, too. 

Created with aesthetics in mind, these modern pieces almost look too good to work as well as they do, but Lu was a paying customer before this special brand came on board as a partner, and she is here to tell you that since wearing her MUMMA MILLA pieces, no other breast pad or feeding bra cuts it. 

Lu turns to her MUMMA MILLA bralettes and camis daily, and in this episode, we announce the winner of our giveaway.

Head to mumma-milla.com to shop the collection of highly considered products, designed by a real mum, for all the breastfeeding mothers out there.

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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.

We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Postpartum Diaries! This week, Lucinda's doula and friend Charlotte Squires (aka The Living Doula) joins her to talk all things postpartum, going from one to two, conversations to have with your partner before postpartum and returning to work, and her best tips for caring for a new parent.

Then, Charlotte becomes the interviewer and asks Lucinda all about her postpartum reflections!

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by MUMMA MILLA: creators of genuinely leakproof bralettes and camis that are not only functional, but beautiful, too. 

Created with aesthetics in mind, these modern pieces almost look too good to work as well as they do, but I was a paying customer before this special brand came on board as a partner, and I am here to tell you that since wearing my MUMMA MILLA pieces, no other breast pad or feeding bra cuts it. 

I turn to my MUMMA MILLA bralettes and camis daily, and if you head to @readyornot.pod before Monday 4th March, you can enter our giveaway to win your very own set too. 

Or, head to mumma-milla.com to shop the collection of highly considered products, designed by a real mum, for all the breastfeeding mothers out there.

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Thanks for listening to Ready or Not! 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. We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.

In today's episode, we cover:

• Sleep impacts women’s workplace ambitions more than men, research shows (Women's Agenda)
• Live from London: Loz on travelling without kids and returning to paid work
• And with our community's help, we answer a listener's question about returning to paid work with a challenging boss.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by MUMMA MILLA: creators of genuinely leakproof bralettes and camis that are not only functional, but beautiful, too. 

Created with aesthetics in mind, these modern pieces almost look too good to work as well as they do, but I was a paying customer before this special brand came on board as a partner, and I am here to tell you that since wearing my MUMMA MILLA pieces, no other breast pad or feeding bra cuts it. 

I turn to my MUMMA MILLA bralettes and camis daily, and if you head to @readyornot.pod before Monday 4th March, you can enter our giveaway to win your very own set too. 

Or, head to mumma-milla.com to shop the collection of highly considered products, designed by a real mum, for all the breastfeeding mothers out there.

---

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.

We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to a regular episode of Ready or Not! Part 3 and 4 of the Postpartum Diaries will return next week, but for this week, we're taking a break to bring you a regular Ready or Not interview with a brilliant person: midwife & mother of two Lauretta Hamilton.

Lauretta suffered severe HG during both of her pregnancies, to the point where she had to take time off paid work and as a midwife, she admits that she felt like a failure in early motherhood.

In this episode, she talks candidly about the identity shifts that can come with motherhood, how she prepared for her second pregnancy after being so unwell during her first, and how she and her partner have worked together to share the load.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by ergoPouch, organic, TOG rated, sleepwear and sleep solutions designed for babies and kids to sleep, naturally.

Shop their new autumn/winter limited edition PouchTales collection from Thursday 22nd February at ergopouch.com.au

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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.

We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.

In today's episode, we cover:

• Why keeping it simple is smart in the workplace, inspired by a brilliant piece by Derek Thompson for The Atlantic.
• How beauty became our damaging obsession and the rise of return to school Botox among mothers, inspired by a piece in ABC's Face Value column.
• Our hottest Instagram poll to date: we talk vanity and our relationships with our bodies post motherhood.
• Plus, Lu shares the best and worst of her two under two moments this week.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by ergoPouch, organic, TOG rated, sleepwear and sleep solutions designed for babies and kids to sleep, naturally.

Shop their new autumn/winter limited edition PouchTales collection from Thursday 22nd February at ergopouch.com.au

---

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.

We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Postpartum Diaries! This week, we're talking all things the first four weeks, covering:

• What's surprised Lucinda in her second postpartum
• The early days of going from one to two
• The products she's ACTUALLY needed
• How things have been divided in the household
• All things recovery
• And SO much more!

We'll be back to regular Ready or Not programming next week, before we get stuck into part three and four of the Postpartum Diaries in the weeks that follow.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by New Bub Club, delicious meals for new and time poor parents. No prep, made-from-scratch, comfort food when you need it most.

Head to newbubclub.com to gift or purchase home-made meals for your family or someone in need of some postpartum care. Listeners of Ready or Not will receive $20 off your first order using code READY20.

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Thanks for listening to Ready or Not! 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. We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Witching Hour: the show that looks at what's exciting, delighting, intriguing, and frustrating us as we make work, work alongside parenting. It's Ready or Not's loose little sister coming to your ears every Monday.

In today's episode, we cover:

• H&M CEO Helena Helmersson abruptly steps down
• That Ballerina Farm controversy and whether we deserve to be outraged by another mum’s postpartum journey
• And mums talking money: after our money themed episodes, we ask you for your best tips on finances, super, and more.
• Good news: You can now exchange eligible drink containers for 10 cents in Victoria. More info here.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by New Bub Club, delicious meals for new and time poor parents. No prep, made-from-scratch, comfort food when you need it most.

Head to newbubclub.com to gift or purchase home-made meals for your family or someone in need of some postpartum care. Listeners of Witching Hour will receive $20 off your first order using code READY20.

---

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.

We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big hello from your host Lucinda. Today, things are looking a little different around these parts as we kick off the Postpartum Diaries: a four-part series that today, will begin with my Witching Hour co-host Loz asking me all about my bizarre birth story.

I'll be honest, I'm nervous about how personal this is going to get. Normally, I interview others and share little snippets of my own life at best, so this is taking things to the next level. But, as someone who has always valued the sharing of ideas and stories, I'm going there, in case anyone can relate to even 1% of what I have to say about birth, postpartum and all that comes with it.

So strap yourselves in for what is a pretty weird birth story that was characterised by a few twists and turns, and really made me feel like the girl who cried birth. You might think I'm mad by the end of it, and you're probably right, but I guess that's a risk I'm willing to take.

And just a note - none of this is medical advice. This is just my story.

A content warning to consider if this birth story is for you:

• Posie needed a bit of help breathing when she was born and she came out blue and unresponsive. All ended well but we know this might be a trigger for some.

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THIS WEEK'S PARTNER

This episode of Ready or Not is brought to you by New Bub Club, delicious meals for new and time poor parents. No prep, made-from-scratch, comfort food when you need it most.

Head to newbubclub.com to gift or purchase home-made meals for your family or someone in need of some postpartum care. Listeners of Ready or Not will receive $20 off your first order using code READY20.

---

Thanks for listening to Ready or Not! 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. We Pay The Rent and you can too here.

This month, Ready or Not is proudly brought to you by Yoto. Use our discount Code: READYORNOT15 for 15% off your Yoto device [not to be used with any other offer, valid from 1st May - 5th June.]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.