I speak with Renee Barnes, founder of the People Paradox, and fellow working mum about Superwoman Syndrome and why it is time to let go of the notion. Renee shares invaluable insights into the challenges and growth opportunities mothers face during this transformative journey and unrealistic expectations.

Renee shares what is "Superwoman Syndrome", its origins, and how societal expectations contribute to this unrealistic ideal for working mothers. We discuss the significant mental and physical health impacts of striving to be a Superwoman and how you can redefine this moving forward and break free from the cycle. 

Renee and I chat about the critical role employers play in a mother’s return to work after parental leave. Renee highlights strategies for businesses to create a supportive environment and retain valuable talent, helping to let go of Superwoman Syndrome in this critical time. She stresses the importance of employers being proactive in discussing entitlements, flexible work opportunities, and creating a supportive culture. 

This is an enlightening conversation with many tools, tips, and strategies to support you to let go of the notion of superwoman. 

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Connect with Renee via Instagram @found_learningmotherhood or her website The FOUND program

Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommuity for regular inspiration and tips on working mum life or connect with Carina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/carina-obrien. 

Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/

Returning to work after maternity leave isn’t just about showing up on day one. The transition starts with you going through a reflective process on your new identity, and what your terms are you want to return back to the paid workforce are. Then comes one of the most important (and often nerve-wracking) steps: the conversation with your manager.

In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina walks you through how to confidently and clearly prepare for your return-to-work conversation with your employer. We cover what is important for you, what does returning to work look like for you, flexible work options, how to plan a phased return, your legal rights (including Keeping In Touch days and breastfeeding support), and how to approach the conversation with clarity and confidence.

Whether you're 3 months out or just weeks away from returning, this episode will help you take control of your transition, whilst also managing expectations on both sides.

👩‍💻 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Show links

There’s a phrase we’ve all heard before: “It takes a village to raise a child.” But here’s something we don’t say enough, it also takes a village to raise a working mum.

The “village” that used to exist, grandparents nearby, friendly neighbours, extended family, looks different for many of us.

In this solo episode, Carina talks about the often-overlooked truth behind the working mum juggle: we weren’t meant to do this alone. We used to raise children in villages, but today the concept of the village has changed. 

During this episode Carina chat's about: 

Why the traditional village has disappeared in Western culture

The emotional toll of doing it all alone as a working mum

Real-life reflections from a recent work trip abroad

Practical ideas for creating your own support network

Why every village looks different — and that’s okay

How to build a village from scratch (even when you're new in town)

Show links

"Who am I now" is a question many mums have asked themselves, especially when they are navigating the transition back to work. 

I chat with Laura Stewart, mum, former executive leader, and founder of a social enterprise, to unpack her experiences of identity shift (matrescence) and navigating her transition back to work.

Laura shares her decision to resign from a senior role while on maternity leave, the emotional process of discovering she no longer fit the career she once thrived in, and the deep internal shifts that followed. From redefining success and letting go of mum guilt, to building micro-systems to support her return-to-work life, Laura offers wisdom, vulnerability, and practical strategies for working mums navigating their own identity transformations.

We chat about:

Why Laura chose to leave her high-level role after becoming a mum

The concept of matrescence and the identity shift no one warns you about

Practical systems and hacks for simplifying the mental load

Reframing mum guilt and giving yourself permission to grow

The importance of communication and redefining partnership

How to make space for the new version of you

Whether you’re feeling lost, stuck in the juggle, or wondering if you’ve changed, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and not alone.

Episode links 

Connect with Laura Stewart on LinkedIn 

Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn 

Why do so many women feel uncomfortable talking about money, and how can we change it? Where does this come from? How can we change this mindset?

Carina speaks with behavioral money coach and founder of Women with Cents, Natasha Janssens. From escaping war-torn Yugoslavia to becoming an accountant, mortgage broker, financial planner, and now a powerful voice helping women shift their relationship with money, Natasha shares her personal journey and how it led her to focus on the psychology of money to support women.

Whether you're returning to work, navigating the cost of daycare, or just trying to stay afloat, remember: this is a season. Give yourself permission to just survive, if that’s where you are. The time for growth will come.

You don’t need to know it all. You just need to take the first step and know your numbers.

We chat about:

This is an episode with great tips and advice whether you’re returning to work, navigating childcare costs, working for a few years, or want to feel more in control of your finances to help you later in life. 

Episode links 

Connect with Natasha: Women with Cents or @womenwithcents

Subscribe to the Working Mumma newsletter or connect @workingmummacommunity or on LinkedIn 

You think the school drop-off is tough in the city? Try doing it with two kids, 170 acres of farmland, no running water from mains, and a 90-minute commute to work. 

I chat with Lisa Judson, a working mum of two living in regional Western Australia. Lisa shares what life is really like juggling career, motherhood, and a farm, all without access to city conveniences like town water, rubbish collection, or nearby daycare. As Lisa comments "my parents are only an hour away" - a relative short distance for the country. 

Lisa is so well organised, built a great community around her, and she has a great approach to working mum life with so many great tips that are useful regardless if you live in the city or country. 

We dive into:

Whether you live in the city or the country, this episode will leave you with new ideas, empathy, and a reminder: working mums are stronger than we realise – especially when we stop trying to do it all alone.

Episode links

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 

Connect with Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn and check out the website for free resources. 

Is childcare worth the cost when most of your paycheck goes straight to daycare fees?

In this powerful episode, financial advisor and mum of two, Deline Jacovides, opens up about how much she and her husband have spent on childcare over seven years, and why, despite the eye-watering figure, she’d do it all again.

We unpack the true cost of childcare in Australia, the long-term impact on women’s careers and superannuation, and the often-overlooked benefits, like career progression, independence, and child development. Deline also shares how she and her husband juggled part-time work, subsidies, and even brought in an au pair to make it all work.

This is the honest childcare conversation every working parent needs to hear.

Whether you're navigating daycare decisions now or planning for the future, you'll walk away with insights, budgeting tips, and the reassurance that your sacrifices today are an investment in your family's tomorrow.

What You’ll Learn:

Show links:

Connect with Deline on Instagram @maziwealth

Listen to the previous episode of the Working Mumma with Deline "Managing the financial impact of motherhood with financial planner Deline Jacovides"

Connect with Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity

In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina O’Brien chats with Beatrice Toh, mother of 3 and founder of Hey Doodle.

Beatrice shares how a career pivot during COVID turned redundancy into opportunity, sharing very openly her experiences of building a global business from her kitchen table, and what it’s really like managing the juggle of entrepreneurship with three young kids.

Beatrice opens up about the raw realities of business and motherhood, between nap times, during night shifts, the skipped maternity leave, and the joy of watching her kids thrive alongside her brand. 

Today, Hey Doodle is stocked in over 850 stores and is expanding internationally, all while staying true to the values that matter most: family, creativity, and fun.

Beatrice’s story is raw, real, and full of helpful insights for any mum dreaming of more, whether it’s flexibility, creativity, or starting your own business. 

Episode links 

Check out HeyDoodle website or connect on Instagram @heydoodle_

Connect with Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn and check out the website for free resources. 

Returning to work after maternity leave is a major life transition, and for many women, it’s a moment of hope that quickly turns into disillusionment with their manager and/or employer.

For Elise Slavin, her return came with rigid demands, unrealistic expectations, and emotional burnout. Despite clear communication with her employer, she was expected to ramp up to full-time hours, 5 days a week within three months of returning after parental leave, secure extra childcare in an impossible timeframe, and show up as if nothing had changed.

From feeling invisible and bullied to walking away from a company that didn’t value her as both a professional and a mother, Elise opens up about the burnout she experienced, the boundaries she built, and how she finally found balance in a role that truly supports working parents.

We explore the emotional and practical challenges of the return-to-work period, why part-time work is just as impactful, and how the right manager and mindset can completely transform your career and confidence.

Whether you're preparing to return to work or reflecting on your own transition, Elise’s story will leave you feeling seen, supported, and empowered.

Connect with Elise via LinkedIn 

Connect with Working Mumma via LinkedIn, Instagram or connect with Carina on LinkedIn. 

Returning to work after maternity leave is a huge transition, physically and emotionally.

Your body has changed, your lifestyle has shifted, and your wardrobe? It probably doesn’t reflect the confident, capable woman you are becoming. In this episode, Carina chats with personal stylist Lisa Stockman about how clothes can influence your confidence, how to rebuild your wardrobe without breaking the bank, and the mindset shift mums need when rediscovering their personal style. Packed with actionable tips, this episode is your style pep talk for your next chapter to help you feel confident and capable in the clothes you wear. 

What You’ll Learn:

Resources & Links

Follow Lisa on Instagram: @lisastockmanstylist

Visit Lisa’s website: lisastockman.com.au

Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity on LinkedIn or check out the website workingmumma.com.au