Judy speaks to retired Australian Family Court Justice, Michelle May. Michelle’s is a story with a great twist. She grew up in Brisbane, raised by a professional working mother, unusual for those times, who was a role model and trusted advisor to Michelle.  Michelle recently retired from the bench after a 40-year career - firstly at the Family Court Bar, later as a Queens Counsel in that jurisdiction. At 40 she accepted an appointment as a judge in the Trial Division of the Court and finally stepped up to its Court of Appeal. It was certainly a distinguished career but took a dramatic turn when at 35, she gave birth of triplet daughters – thus the pause.  Michelle knows more than most, having directly observed in the divorce courts what women sometimes do in their personal lives which ultimately has the effect of sabotaging their careers or their lives more generally.

// Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineers: Lana Kristensen and Jason Millhouse // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron // Instagram: @_unpaused // Website: www.unpaused.net