In this episode we talk about life as two mums, the journey of becoming a mum to two boys and all while juggling an amazing career as an interior stylist, author and course creator. We loved hearing Lucy's story!

Last episode of season 1, we made it!!

In this episode we take the time to hear from the men in our lives to understand their views on the mental load, parenting and the list goes on. You will also hear about the advice they have on marriage, yes thats right they give us advice on what we need to do to ensure we don't lose ourselves amongst the beautiful chaos of parenthood.

Maybe we need to start listening to the husbands more....did we just say that!

Joanne Laolauch is a passionate health enthusiast, qualified nutritionist, yoga instructor, author and now has her own podcast called Be Thy Self.

In this episode we discuss where Joannes passions stemmed from specifically talking about how her inner beliefs have created the person she is today.

Joanne answers many questions about health, questions that relate to the gut, the vagus nerve and simply what to put in our bodies.

We also talk about Joannes book Energetic Ebony & Lazy Luke, a book that teaches children how to make better food choices.

Enjoy!

Has anyone ever told you to Stop Worrying About Money?

In this episode we talk to the Author of the book Stop worrying about money, Jacqui Clarke.

Jacqui has been a trusted advisor to some of Australia's wealthiest families and her book is the answer to the question, how can i build a more confident relationship with money?

A great book with practical tools to help anyone get through challenging financial obstacles which we all know have faced at some point in our lives.

We have certainly taken a lot of learnings from Jacqui and you will hear about them in this episode....no one wants to be a wage slave forever!!!!

In this episode we speak to leading and trusted HR professional Selina Birchall. Selina has a wealth of experience in both years and across industries. We discuss how to inform your employer you're considering a family or have fallen pregnant, as well as how to approach your expectations of maternity leave. Throughout, we can't help but touch on how family policies have evolved, especially this past decade and look forward to what else needs to be achieved.

Does the full time corporate job have an expiry date once we become Mums?

In this episode we speak with the exceptional Gai McGrath who shares her experience of working full time in the corporate world while raising her family.

Gai has had and continues to have an incredibly successful career, spanning over 30 years. She started her career as a Lawyer, before embarking on a long and highly regarded career in Financial Services. Today, Gai sits on several boards contributing across many industries...she is an inspiration to many women out there.

We hear about times when Gai has been victim to or witnessed gender prejudice and talk about how the corporate world has evolved over the years. We also unpack how we can continue to evolve to ensure women are supported in the work force after having children. After all, we are still capable, we just have little humans to raise!

So, we ask Gai, does the Corporate world have an expiry date once you become a mum???

In our last episode we explored what its like to manage "The Mental Load". As mums we carry a large load daily and the impact it can have on our mental health can be long lasting.

In this episode we discuss the challenge between being a selfless mother who is always there for everybody especially your tribe, versus the idea of doing something for yourself...fill your cup, create some space, or simply having a moment to breathe. We all want something different, but crave the simple things that help us be better mothers.

We all deserve a moment to be selfless for ourselves without feeling like we are being selfish!

Before you jump in, we wanted to note this podcast contains content around mental health, specifically anxiety and depression. If you are suffering or know anyone suffering, you're not alone. Reach out to your GP for a chat or one of the many services, such as Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

The Mental Load - the invisible labour that falls heavy on the shoulders of women. It's the managing of your work, your relationships, a family and a busy household. It's invisible. It's heavy and it often leaves little room for ourselves that, with time can lead to cracks.

In this episode we speak to the beautiful Melissa Rachele, a holistic coach who shares her story and how she started to noticed the signs of the heavy mental load which lead to her changing her life direction. Its a open, honest and raw conversation about burn out, fatigue and how we've normalised being "busy" and "always on" which simply isn't sustainable. Melissa shares tips for how we can find ways to manage the load and find that spark within.

Melissa Rachele: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaAnxietySpecialist/

We'll leave with you the this question when you have a moment for reflection: "What lights you up?"

The Mummy Train. The carriage that you board when you fall pregnant and that never stops. It can, at times, feel like a freight train, and as if the next stop is miles away. It's heavy, slow, and let's be honest often a drag. We all find ourselves asking: when is the next stop? When do "I" get a break?

It's the never ending to do list that has to be done, and the lists we create. Where in that to do list do we find time for ourselves? And how do we ensure we have the tools to manage the chaotic world in which we live? Whether we thrive off the chaos or sometimes feel like we are drowning in it, for all, The Mummy Train can take its toll.

We love our babies, and we love our families but how do we make it a priority to press the stop button...after all we need to be happy to make others happy!

Welcome to Season One! We did it.

The Imperfect Balance is a podcast that pulls back the curtains on the Mum Juggle...The Balancing Act...The Mental Load...Work and Life...Health and Wellbeing. If you're a Mum, we're confident you can relate. You're no doubt nodding right now which means this podcast is just for you.

This season we chat candidly as two everyday Mum's, somedays thriving, somedays surviving. We'll interview subject matter experts who share insights and learnings to help navigate the imperfect balance. There will be ah-ha moments, times for tears and of course laughter.

In this episode we share a bit about ourselves, why we started this podcast and what you can expect from Season One.

Cas & Dan x