Stepping away from your career to have children can be one of the most meaningful and life-changing experiences — but returning to work afterwards often brings a mix of emotions: excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes, self-doubt.

In this Stopgap Talks episode, hosts Sarah Windsor and Zoe Vannozzi open up an honest and compassionate conversation about what it really feels like to return to work after maternity leave — and how both employees and employers can make the process smoother, more supportive, and more empowering.

Drawing on their own experiences and years of helping marketing and creative professionals navigate career transitions, Sarah and Zoe explore everything from the practical steps to take before you go on leave, to the emotional adjustment of returning to a new version of working life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What to prepare before going on maternity leave — from policies and finances to planning your return
• How to manage the confidence dip that often comes with re-entry into the workplace
• The importance of flexibility and open communication between employees and employers
• Practical tips for balancing new parenthood with professional ambition
• How hybrid and flexible working have reshaped what returning to work can look like
• The positive side of change — how maternity leave can spark reflection, reinvention, and personal growth

Whether you’re planning maternity leave, returning from it, or managing someone who is, this conversation offers real insight, empathy, and practical advice to help you navigate one of the biggest transitions in modern working life.

Connect with our speakers:

• Sarah Windsor, Principal Consultant, Stopgap Connect on LinkedIn
• Zoe Vannozzi, Lead Consultant, Stopgap Connect on LinkedIn

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