Ready or Not

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday.Today, Loz is diving into the challenge of asking for flexibility at work—without feeling like you're asking for too much. She'll cover how to frame the conversation, the stats that back you up, and what to say to get the best chance of a ‘yes.' If you're ready to advocate for flexibility and balance, this is essential listening.Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've given birth or consume any content in the motherhood and birth space, there's a good chance you've come across Beth Ryan. She's the founder of PowerBirth, she's a midwife, she's a mother of two, and she's just one of those people that makes you feel better. She's a soothing balm, she's incredibly intelligent and empowering when it comes to childbirth education, and she's someone that I've found to be an absolute joy to follow online. In this conversation, we learn how PowerBirth has grown to be the business it is today, how she and her partner have made changes in her family to enable her to go full throttle with PowerBirth, what it's been like to grow her team, and her experience going from one to two babies.This is such an insightful conversation filled with business advice, how she feels about how she shows up online and what she's learned about motherhood, midwifery, and childbirth along the way. ---This episode is brought to you by Ocean Thinkers, a social enterprise on a mission to inspire the next generation to learn more about our ocean, make a positive impact and be part of a hopeful future.By providing educational and creative experiences (through events, apparel and a membership-based Ocean Thinkers Club), this mum-led initiative is all about increasing our children's knowledge and awareness of their Sea Country while reinvesting ALL profits in local ocean conservation. Children have the power to tackle ocean conservation head-on and Ocean Thinkers is here to help them.Shop their beautiful limited edition apparel range and join the Ocean Thinkers Club now at oceanthinkers.com.au---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:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two mums and sort of cousins navigate making work, work. Today on the show:Is executive coaching worth the hype or is it just hype? And how much praise is too much praise? How little is too little? Our generation seems to overthink everything when it comes to parenting, and while a lot of it is for good reason, some of it's not. So, today we talk about how exactly we instil just the right amount of confidence in our kids without going too far.---This episode is brought to you by Ocean Thinkers, a social enterprise on a mission to inspire the next generation to learn more about our ocean, make a positive impact and be part of a hopeful future.By providing educational and creative experiences (through events, apparel and a membership-based Ocean Thinkers Club), this mum-led initiative is all about increasing our children's knowledge and awareness of their Sea Country while reinvesting ALL profits in local ocean conservation. Children have the power to tackle ocean conservation head-on and Ocean Thinkers is here to help them.Shop their beautiful limited edition apparel range and join the Ocean Thinkers Club now at oceanthinkers.com.au---Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is sharing her game-changing tips for mastering Google calendar as a busy mum. From colour coding your chaos to syncing with your partner and setting smarter reminders, this episode is all about using tech to feel more in control. If you want your days to feel smoother and more productive, this is for you.---Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

When I was a young uni student trying to create a folio of writing work, I had a little blog where I interviewed creatives. One of the first people I had on my list to interview was Bella McGoldrick. The piece was titled 'There's Something about Bella' and more than 10 years, some career plot twists, countless cities, and a set of twins later, I can confirm that there's still something about Bella McGoldrick. This is such a fun conversation. You'll hear about the time she was deported from her husband's home country and told she was never allowed back, how she felt when she found out she was having twins and just a hint, her reaction was the opposite to her mum and her sisters, what it's like to run her business with her husband, the identity shifts she's faced as a mum in the world of art, and how she's built such a successful business as an artist.---This episode is brought to you by Ocean Thinkers, a social enterprise on a mission to inspire the next generation to learn more about our ocean, make a positive impact and be part of a hopeful future.By providing educational and creative experiences (through events, apparel and a membership-based Ocean Thinkers Club), this mum-led initiative is all about increasing our children's knowledge and awareness of their Sea Country while reinvesting ALL profits in local ocean conservation. Children have the power to tackle ocean conservation head-on and Ocean Thinkers is here to help them.Shop their beautiful limited edition apparel range and join the Ocean Thinkers Club now at oceanthinkers.com.au---Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:Is working part-time actually part-time… or just full-time expectations with part-time pay?Should being a stay at home mum mean you're responsible for every job that relates to your home and your family? Where does one draw the line? This is a debate that continues to heat up and today, I want to unpack it with you.And we've re-branded the lean in movement for 2025. It's for men.---This episode is brought to you by Ocean Thinkers, a social enterprise on a mission to inspire the next generation to learn more about our ocean, make a positive impact and be part of a hopeful future.By providing educational and creative experiences (through events, apparel and a membership-based Ocean Thinkers Club), this mum-led initiative is all about increasing our children's knowledge and awareness of their Sea Country while reinvesting ALL profits in local ocean conservation. Children have the power to tackle ocean conservation head-on and Ocean Thinkers is here to help them.Shop their beautiful limited edition apparel range and join the Ocean Thinkers Club now at oceanthinkers.com.au---Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is talking about keeping the relationship spark alive after kids. Because let's be honest—parenting can leave little room for connection. Here, Loz shares simple but powerful ways to nurture your relationship, from finding micro-moments of intimacy to open communication hacks that make a real difference. Loz is trialing and testing these herself—she's no expert—but most likely in the same boat as the person who submitted this great question. If you feel like you're more housemates than partners lately, this one's for you.---Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

If you've been following the journey of Amelia Lamont, you'll already know that she's an absolute hoot. And if you haven't been, then you're in for a treat. She's real, she's raw, she doesn't take herself too seriously, and yet, she's managed to build The Midwife Mama empire while raising four children. And here, she tell us all about it. Why she still works as a midwife even though financially, she doesn't need to. How she's built The Midwife Mumma into what it is today, and what it's been like to go from the mum that never wanted to return to paid work, to becoming the primary breadwinner.---This episode is brought to you by Ocean Thinkers, a social enterprise on a mission to inspire the next generation to learn more about our ocean, make a positive impact and be part of a hopeful future.By providing educational and creative experiences (through events, apparel and a membership-based Ocean Thinkers Club), this mum-led initiative is all about increasing our children's knowledge and awareness of their Sea Country while reinvesting ALL profits in local ocean conservation. Children have the power to tackle ocean conservation head-on and Ocean Thinkers is here to help them.Shop their beautiful limited edition apparel range and join the Ocean Thinkers Club now at oceanthinkers.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:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:Money talk: Why women need to own their financial confidenceAnd are we overdoing the whole personal boundary thing?---This episode is brought to you by Ocean Thinkers, a social enterprise on a mission to inspire the next generation to learn more about our ocean, make a positive impact and be part of a hopeful future. By providing educational and creative experiences (through events, apparel and a membership-based Ocean Thinkers Club), this mum-led initiative is all about increasing our children's knowledge and awareness of their Sea Country while reinvesting ALL profits in local ocean conservation. Children have the power to tackle ocean conservation head-on and Ocean Thinkers is here to help them.Shop their beautiful limited edition apparel range and join the Ocean Thinkers Club now at oceanthinkers.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:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is diving into all things working from home with a toddler. Forget the Instagram version where everything looks effortless—this episode is all about what actually works. From realistic routines to toddler-friendly distractions and boundary-setting tips, Loz shares strategies that help you get work done without a full-time nanny (or losing your sanity). If you've ever tried to send an email while your child climbs the furniture, this one's for you.---Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

Sarah Tarca's decision not to send her kids to childcare has nothing to do with me and my choice to send mine, and yet, of all the choices she's made in her parenting life, this is the one that is the most divisive...the one that compels people to voice their opinion the loudest.She's not holding up childcare is bad signs, she's not telling others not to do it. Simply, it just wasn't part of her motherhood and career plan. And after listening to her talk about it, I'm convinced that we can all get a little better at finding confidence in our own choices, rather than judging someone's else's.Prior to motherhood, she cut her teeth at the likes of Cosmo and Girlfriend, before building a freelance career as a beauty journalist that would allow her to travel and work around the world. In fact, she was on a plane to Brazil to attend Carnival when she got the call to confirm her first pregnancy.Here, she talks about the identity loss that came with leaving her corporate career behind, what she learned from how Mia Freedman made work, work as a young mum in the media world, how starting her family later than the norm helped her to create the flexible work schedule she wanted, and why childcare wasn't part of the plan for her family.---This episode is brought to you by Bonne Soirée - beautiful, timeless bed linen for children. Bring joy and style to bedtime at bonnesoiree.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:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:The hidden dangers of mompreneur culture: Why starting a business as a mum might be more harmful than you thinkAnd, we know the many hard bits that are attached to being the pregnancy holder, being the one to give birth and being the primary caregiver, but, what about the good bits? This is a segment idea that's been sitting in Lu's head for a while now, and Chappell Roan's famous Call Her Daddy interview provided the perfect in.---This episode is brought to you by Bonne Soirée - beautiful, timeless bed linen for children. Bring joy and style to bedtime at bonnesoiree.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:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is diving into all things working from home with a toddler. Forget the Instagram version where everything looks effortless—this episode is all about what actually works. From realistic routines to toddler-friendly distractions and boundary-setting tips, Loz shares strategies that help you get work done without a full-time nanny (or losing your sanity). If you've ever tried to send an email while your child climbs the furniture, this one's for you.---Thanks for listening to Ask Ready or Not! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.You can also find us on Instagram:@readyornot.pod@laurentreweek_@lucindamckimm_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.

When I listened back to that grab you'll hear at the top of this episode, it brought me to tears, and I imagine or at least dream that it's sending ripples of hope and warmth through the air waves to those who need to hear that today. She's the founder of Homb, the postpartum hotel where mothers are mothered, and it's a place that's nearly a decade in the making - the place she dreamed she could go when she suffered postnatal depression after her first baby was born. In another lifetime, she worked a far more corporate career, and after discovering more about her journey, it's easy to connect the dots - to understand how her personal experiences with early motherhood collided with her operational background to birth Homb.This conversation touches on so many hard and beautiful things. In those early days, she felt lost, wonder, a sense of unravelling, and she went to some dark places. But, she emerged, and while those days will always stay with her, she learned a lot about herself and her life from them.Here, we talk about the "I can do it all" grave Larissa dug herself, what she'd go back and tell herself as a new mum, what it's like to now work in what she describes as a swimming pool of triggers, and why we need to give mothers more time.And just a note that this episode touches on suicidal ideation, so take care.---This episode is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.We particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:Loz is sick of hearing from child attachment ‘experts' and here's why.And, why has adjusting to my post-baby body been harder the second time around? Lu shares a brilliant piece published to UK Vogue by Nell Frizzell.---This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.We particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is sharing a Sunday night reset routine that will change your work week. If Mondays feel chaotic, your to-do list is never ending, and you start the week feeling already behind—this episode is for you. Loz will take you through a simple, realistic Sunday night system (no 5 AM wake-ups or colour-coded planners required) that helps you feel calm, organised, and in control before the workweek even begins. From meal prep shortcuts to a 10-minute work reset, this episode is all about making your weeks smoother and stress-free.---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

[RE-RELEASE] There's a good chance you haven't listened to today's episode, but you may have heard Loz and Lu bang on about it a million times. It was originally published in November 2023 when Lu/Lucinda was pregnant with Posie, and it's one of our favourite episodes of all time. We're re-releasing this episode today because not only is Lu currently in talks with Nell to get her back on the show after the birth of her second baby, Lu is also on the last week of her van trip and let's just say there was a little bit of mismanagement on her end with some edits. So today, a BRILLIANT re-release that's worth a re-listen. And if it's your first time, you're in for an absolute treat. Lu is back home and back to business next week.Nell Frizzell might just be one of the wisest and funniest people I've ever had the pleasure of speaking to. She's a journalist, an author, and a mother, and she writes with the sort of candour and kind sense of authority that makes you trust her immediately.My dog-eared copies of her books - The Panic Years and Holding the Baby - are completely battered and bruised, such is the wisdom and comfort that her words bring to exploring gender, motherhood, politics, and culture.Here, we talk about the flattened female identity of motherhood, why mothers feel the need to hide their children in order to be taken seriously, and her experiences moving through the flux, the panic years, the tracksuit years and the partial eclipse.---This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.We particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood. Today on the show:New Australian data exposes grim fact men don't want to admit (news.com.au). So, are the men that are guilty just oblivious, or are they just getting away with it? (Read the article attached that volcanic levels of resentment quote here).And a soft landing for Lu today because she's still on the road – here, she gives you a bit of an update as to what caravanning with a one year old and three year old has been like.--This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.We particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is calling out a habit that so many mums fall into: the “I'll just do it myself” mindset. Whether it's at work, home, or in relationships, taking everything on alone might feel easier in the moment—but in the long run, it's exhausting and holding you back. In this episode, Loz unpacks why we struggle to delegate, how to get comfortable asking for help (without feeling guilty), and why letting go of control is the key to actually having more time, energy, and mental space. If you're drowning in responsibilities, this one's a must-listen.---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

In part 2 of our conversation with Sarah Garby, she jumps on the mic solo to answer your listener questions:1. How do I cope with my two and a half year old? The emotions are intense.2. How do I overcome mum rage and better communicate with my partner?3. Tips for how to cope with mess, loud noises, and minimal alone time to regulate.4. Tips for mums with adhd -- how can I regulate with no spare time? (Similar to the above so feel free to call that out and maybe there's something more adhd specific to add here?)5. How do you suggest feeling paralysed by loneliness?6. How do I deal with the anxiety side of feeling bad and stressed out about people looking after my baby?7. What's the line between PND & just being tired and frazzled? How do I tell the difference?8. It's obviously so important for us mums to do the work and I think we are really good at being proactive about getting help so we don't pass our stuff onto our children. But how do we get dads to do the same? So many of our partners are passing their shit down to their kids but are so much more reluctant to look within as the source. Please help!9. How do we better support each other without projecting our own motherhood stories on each other?---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.podThis 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.

Sarah Garby is one of those people that just feels good to be around, and I think after listening to this conversation, you'll agree that it comes as no surprise that she found her passion in psychology. She's a mother of two. She's navigated very different births and like me, she found the transition from one to two far more challenging than zero to one. I was interested to know then, as someone who's found her niche in perinatal mental health, how does a psychologist move through and make sense of her own motherhood journey?What comes up for her? Does she analyse herself the way she does her clients? And what does she see as the most common challenges that mothers are facing today? Here we talk about the importance of mental maintenance, why a psychologist will often have their own psychologist, and in part two, Sarah also answers your questions around mental health and motherhood. I think I put that little question box up a little bit too late on Instagram because so many of you added questions after this recording, so immediately after this episode, jump into part two where Sarah answers another seven listener questions solo.Part two is absolutely brilliant. It's so interesting when you hear a friend of yours in their sort of smart work mode, and it's already helped my mindset immeasurably, so I know it will do the same for you. But first...part one.--This episode is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.We particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood. Today on the show:“I'm not ready”: Mum's heartbreaking video on returning to work after maternity leave hits home.And, your job is not that important. A stark reminder from a Katie Williams that I want to unpack for you.And here is the Substack that Lu mentions in the episode.--This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.We particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz chats about what do you do when you're clearly overqualified for a role but need the flexibility it offers. Do you downplay your experience? Will employers take you seriously? And how do you make sure you're still growing in your career while prioritising your family? Loz has the answers. From crafting the perfect job application to negotiating for better terms, this episode is full of practical, confidence-boosting advice to help you land the right role without feeling stuck.---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

Renee White is the first to admit that she had zero awareness when it came to what to expect in motherhood. In fact, on reflection, she wasn't prepared for it at all. And so, her journey would take many plot twists. She went from biochemist to attorney to creating Australia's first doula village, she went from expecting to have more than one baby to eventually making the decision to be one and done. It wasn't an easy call to make, especially when her first motherhood experience left her feeling anxious, as though she'd messed up, and desperately wishing she could have a re-do.The trouble is, unfortunately, we don't get a test drive before taking on the biggest role of our lives, and that re-do would never come. So instead of pouring the love and the lessons she'd learned into a new child, she combined her love of support and science and put into caring for other postpartum families, instead. Here, we talk about how postpartum anxiety — still today — doesn't get enough airtime, how we can forgive ourselves for finding periods of parenting challenging, and how being an academic who worked in the field of science collided with the polar opposite experience of motherhood. ---This episode is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.I particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show: Why do some people get sympathy and engagement for financial struggles while actual working mums are told they should have planned better? The reality behind ‘mumfluencer' money & working motherhoodAnd how entitled could you be? A Tik Tok video on stay at home motherhood, by by UPS Driver J.R. Minton has gone viral, but it's not what you think.--This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by Our Pilates - physio led, on-demand pilates classes designed for new mums of all fitness levels and at any stage of their postpartum journey.I particularly love the eight week postnatal program. Designed and instructed by Han, a physiotherapist and mother of two with over 15 years of experience, this program is the perfect way to gain strength in a way that is safe, can be done within the comfort of your home, And guess what? They're giving Ready or Not listeners a month of free classes.To redeem your complimentary month of Our Pilates and access a huge library of Pilates classes, simply head to their website in our show notes (https://ourpilates.com.au) and enter the code READYORNOT when creating an account and select their monthly membership option.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is tackling a question that so many mums returning to work face: how do you ask for a pay rise after maternity leave—and actually get it? If you've been doing more for less, stepping back into the workforce with new skills (hello, time management queen!), or simply feel it's time to be properly valued, this episode is for you. Loz will break down exactly when to ask, how to present your case, and the common mistakes to avoid. If you've been hesitating to negotiate, consider this your pep talk and action plan rolled into one.---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

Sarah Blatchford has had to do a lot of hard things. She navigated a terrifying infection that had her daughter in hospital for a week just as she was returning to paid work, which set her on a path of postpartum anxiety. She and her family to moved to the tiny UK island of Guernsey to care for and spend time with her father in law who was dying from motor neurone disease, and during what would be a complex journey trying to conceive her second baby, she navigated the unique challenge and experience of terminating for medical reasons.In amongst it, a colleague innocently congratulated her for the pregnancy she no longer held. She had to pick out a tiny urn for the baby she'd never get to know. And, she had to leave a workplace she could no longer face.But, as always, there's been beauty among the pain. There's been joy and love and creativity and welcoming another living baby, too. There's been delighting in the newborn phase and creating art and all the good stuff.And some tales don't deserve my over explaining. Instead, they're better told from the person who's lived to tell them. So I'll let Sarah do that.---This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by ergoPouch. Wake up with the new Breakfast Club Collection at ergopouch.com.au. And here's something to sweeten the deal—right now, you can get 20% off sitewide* with the code RON20! But hurry—this offer is only available until March 10th. (Excludes sale items, Lyra Convertible Cot, Deluxe Mattress, Gift Vouchers, Multibuys & Giftpacks.)---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:International Women's Day is fast approaching, so we're looking at the “good news” headlines vs. the reality of working as a mum in 2025And, Lu realised the other day that she's officially interviewed over 100 working mums. and she shared 10 key reflections, quotes, and takeaways over on the Ready or Not podcast Instagram that's gone somewhat viral. So, we thought we could discuss it further here with Loz's wise input. (Read the post here).---This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by ergoPouch. Wake up with the new Breakfast Club Collection at ergopouch.com.au. And here's something to sweeten the deal—right now, you can get 20% off sitewide* with the code RON20! But hurry—this offer is only available until March 10th. (Excludes sale items, Lyra Convertible Cot, Deluxe Mattress, Gift Vouchers, Multibuys & Giftpacks.)---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not. It's our bite-sized, tip-based podcast, and it's coming to your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is tackling a topic that so many working mums can relate to: burnout. From the endless juggle of work, kids, and life admin to the emotional load of holding it all together, burnout can creep in before you even realise it. In this episode, she'll help you recognize the signs of burnout and share practical, actionable tips to recover and prevent it from taking over again. Whether you're feeling the strain or just want to avoid the crash, this episode is packed with insights to help you manage the juggle and thrive---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

When Elke Pascoe began looking into the ingredients in popular formula brands, she was horrified at what she found. And so, as a single mum of two, Elke did what most would - understandably - find too big a hurdle to jump. She set out to make the best product that she could, and the journey that came before it and after it as she's continued to grow LittleOak has been quite extraordinary. Since then, she's added a third baby to the fold and built a global brand.She's always worked a lot, she's never taken big chunks of parental leave and in some ways, she regrets it, realising that she wasn't always present in amongst her chaotic work schedule with solo motherhood. But, would she change anything? Probably not.Here, we talk about how we wholly underestimate how much pressure we're all under, how a particularly vulnerable financial situation set a fire within her to never need to rely on anyone else for money again, and why it's the mental load and the moving parts around motherhood and career that actually make trying to do both so challenging.---This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by ergoPouch. Wake up with the new Breakfast Club Collection 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:The WhatsApp trap: how school & kinder chats are eating into working mums' time.Motherhood isn't martyrdom – how one mum's message is striking a nerveAnd what Loz is going to drop as she gets ready to welcome her third baby in May.--This episode of Witching Hour is brought to you by ergoPouch. Wake up with the new Breakfast Club Collection 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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is taking about feeling stuck at work after maternity leave. A listener who returned to work three years ago has written in, she's feeling underpaid, overwhelmed by job hunting, and unsure of her next move. In this episode, Loz shares a step-by-step plan to get clear on what's keeping you stuck, explore internal opportunities, tackle pay gaps, and job hunt in a way that feels manageable. If you're wondering whether to stay or go, this episode will help you figure it out—without the overwhelm.---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

Porscia Lam has been on one hell of a ride. She had two babies under 14 months, at the age of two, her older child Harry was diagnosed with autism, and after years of intense therapy, Harry went from not being able to be separated from his mum or dad to becoming ready to attend school.That separation anxiety was so severe that even when he had a grandparent looking after him, if he knew that either Porscia or her husband were in the house, his entire fixation was on trying to get access his parents. Childcare as a result didn't work out, and after a period of her husband taking leave, Porscia decided to pause her career to support Harry's therapy. It was an intense time, and she felt shackled to her son and her home. But as you'll hear, slowly but surely, she emerged from some of the darkest times and is finding the light.Here, we talk about the challenges of raising a neurotypical sibling alongside an autistic child, Harry's autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and the severe anxiety, obsessive tendencies, and restricted eating that came with it, and going from catastrophising her life and feeling like there wasn't a way out to finding perspective and celebrating the small wins.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:Did Loz's sonographer just reveal the gender of her baby?Love on the clock: navigating workplace romances in the modern office (reference article here)What would you go back and tell your 20 year old self? Lu finally listened to that Call Her Daddy episode with her girl Jane Fonda and it had her thinking about what she'd go back and tell my 20 year old self and I'm going to ask you too.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday.Today, Loz is diving into a challenge all working mums face: networking. When you're already juggling work, kids, and the never-ending to-do list, how can you find time to build meaningful career connections? The good news: you don't need late-night events or endless coffee meetings to make progress. In this episode, she'll share mum-friendly strategies for networking on limited time, from making LinkedIn your best friend to leveraging everyday moments like school drop-offs. Whether you're ready to climb the ladder or just keep your options open, this episode is packed with actionable tips to fit networking into your busy life.---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

When Sophie McComas became pregnant with her second baby, she wasn't the only expecting mother within her business. Her co-director and a senior staffer were both due within the same month, too. It's a situation that many female-dominated businesses have faced and along with the excitement, came shock, as the pregnant bosses navigated how to keep their business and team thriving while not one, but three, leaders went on parental leave.But, as we're about to learn, there's always a way. And if there's one thing that small business owners and mothers learn fast, it's that you have to be willing to pivot at any given moment.What I love about this conversation is that Sophie is honest about the emotional side of navigating leave and returning to work as the boss, but she's also really helpful in offering practical tips and reflections on what has worked and what hasn't so far.Here, we talk about going from wondering how you'll ever return to paid work to feeling ready, what you do when your best laid plans don't exactly go to plan, and the never ending challenge of trying to stay present when you have a half finished project and emails that need responding to. --Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today:Two-thirds of women feel unable to switch off from work. Here's whyAnd "just you wait" -- it's that phrase no expecting parent wants to hear, so we're putting a positive spin on it.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not. It's our bite-sized, tip-based podcast, and it's coming to your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is diving into love languages—but not the fluffy, time-consuming kind. This is all about practical ways for busy working mums to strengthen relationships with their partners, kids, and even themselves. From quick wins like sticky notes on the fridge to setting realistic expectations for Valentine's Day, this episode will help you show love in ways that actually resonate. ---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

Julia Chiera is one of the most intelligent people I've ever met. If you listened to my interview with sisters Lucy and Emma Race, you'll know I recently worked with the Outer Sanctum podcast crew, and alongside the Race sisters, I was lucky enough to witness Julia interrogate feminism and inclusion through the lens of pop culture and sport. When she's not working on the Outer Sanctum, she's the head of AFLW at the AFL Players Association. With a background in social work, what I quickly learned about Julia is that everything she does focuses on helping and giving voice to others, particularly those in the outer.She and her partner didn't really consider parenthood until a decade spent together, and when they embarked on their conception journey – which being a same sex couple, meant not making a baby the fun way, as Julia puts it – they wouldn't even know the half of what was ahead of them. In amongst the joy and fear that comes with navigating early parenthood, at 14 months postpartum, a huge cancerous mass was found on the right side of Julia's pelvis. All of a sudden, she was faced with multiple hospital stays, a body that was quickly thrust into postmenopause, and the terrifying question of whether she would be there to watch her boy grow up.She would get through it, her partner would carry their next baby, and here, we learn all about her experience being both the birthing and non birthing mother, how self preservation, a sense anarchy, and the want for an unconventional life intersected with the idea of parenthood, and how she's navigated the highs and lows of her journey to date.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood. Today on the show:When will we stop judging the mums? Lu has seen so much unsolicited judgement on Instagram lately and she has some questions.The hidden bias in job applications: why women are being turned off by the questions we don't ask men.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is talking about one of the most emotionally charged milestones for any working mum: returning to work after maternity leave. From the joy of rediscovering your professional self to the guilt of leaving your little one, the highs and lows can feel overwhelming. In this episode, she'll share practical strategies for managing those emotions and tips to find your groove faster. Whether you're returning full-time, part-time, or still planning your comeback, this episode is for you.---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

Estelle Griepink has one of those jobs that I can't help but admire, because I can't figure out how she switches from mum mode - that is food stained pants and wakeful nights and negotiating with a baby - to work mode, where no two days are the same and she has to somehow show up as an articulate, well-presented TV journalist covering court cases for Channel 7 News. And so, I had to get her on to find out.She always wanted to be a mum, but conception didn't come easily and before her baby would become a reality, she went through months of heartbreak, an autoimmune disease diagnosis and unexplained infertility. But as much as she longed to be a mum, she was also scared about pregnancy and motherhood would mean for her career. She saw it as a sort of signpost in her life that would ultimately hurt her future opportunities and progression.After fighting so hard for her baby, once her baby was in her arms she was struck by the guilt that so many who've experienced fertility challenges and loss know - the question of why am I finding this hard at times when this is all I've ever wanted?Here, we talk about breastfeeding pressures and nap schedule fixations and what it meant for Estelle when she was able to gave herself permission to breathe and find more joy, the imposter syndrome that she experienced more so as a mother and less so as a journalist, and how she navigated the guilt that came with her recent work trip to Fiji.I'm Lucinda, this is Ready or Not, and here is the kind and and keen-eyed Estelle Griepink.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:What were you told you weren't good at as a kid? Did you believe it? A social media post about mums working from home and/or running their own business that shocked Loz.To freelance again or job hunt? That is the question on Lu's lips and here, she asks Loz all her burning questions.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, we're answering a listener question: 'My work friend is now my manager. I'm nervous. How do I handle this?' Transitioning back to work is challenging enough without the added layer of shifting relationships. In this episode, we'll explore strategies to navigate this new dynamic, maintain professionalism, and preserve your friendship.---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

It comes as absolutely no surprise to me that Claire Andrews is a big sister. She has that rare ability to talk about and validate hard feelings in a way that feels soft and comforting. She's intelligent, she's reflective, and she's incredibly open in sharing the highs and lows in her journey of motherhood and career. In fact, she's not too proud to admit that for her, early parenthood was more about surviving and less about thriving. From a life-threatening birth complication and the postnatal depression that followed to the grief she felt when she shut that laptop for maternity leave and what she's learned about the way we silence women at the beginning of their motherhood experiences, this is a profound conversation full of light, shade, and learnings. Here, we talk about how that “just get through it in silence” mindset manifested for Claire from pregnancy through to parenting, what she's learned about support from her own experience, and how her career has changed along the way.Find Claire on Instagram here: @safehandsparenting--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Today on the show:Pregnant woman sparks fierce parenting debate with list of things she will NOT be doing for her baby and does your office need more “masculine energy”? Mark Zuckerberg seems to think so.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, Loz is diving into how to confidently answer the age-old job interview question: “What are your salary expectations?” Loz is sharing tactical advice for working mums navigating interviews on broken sleep, from setting up your environment for success to tackling conversations when the salary range isn't listed. Whether you're fresh into job hunting or ready to negotiate like a pro, this episode is packed with hacks, resources, and mindset shifts to help you own the conversation—even when mum brain is in full swing.---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

Perhaps one of the scariest and most jarring things about moving through something traumatic is that - much to our disbelief - the world keeps spinning. You look around and you realise that no one else can see your pain.While the world kept spinning around her, Kristy Brown lost her baby boy Parker. Her world stopped. There was no baby in her arms, and yet she had to recover from pregnancy, from birth, from meeting her baby without seeing the rise and fall of his chest or hearing his newborn screams. And eventually, she had to return to work after the parental leave she didn't plan.In this incredibly moving and inspiring conversation, Kristy talks us through her darkest days of grief, how she navigated the multiple pregnancy losses that would follow her son's stillbirth, and after all of that heartbreak, what it was like to feel her breathing baby girl placed on her chest.From the way grief manifested both for herself and her partner, to the education piece she lead at work after living through baby loss, to feeling guilty for not enjoying every moment as a mum after fighting so hard to become one, this is essential listening, because sadly, we all know someone that has lost a baby at some stage of the journey.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Witching Hour, the show where two cousins and mums of two banter all things making work, work alongside motherhood.Whether you're in your first or your second week back at work after holidays, let's be real: this is not the easiest time of year. Getting back into the swing of things when your brain is still on beach mode or stuck in that weird post Christmas haze can feel impossible.So today we're talking about two big things: how to rethink productivity with less hustle and more impact and how to ease back into work mode when you really cannot be assed. --Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It's Ready or Not's tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday. Today, we're tackling a big one: how to juggle job hunting while on maternity leave. It's all about balancing recruiter calls, networking, and even interviews—all while managing life with a little one. Loz is sharing practical tips on how to stay professional (even when you've got a baby babbling in the background), how to prioritise your time, and whether you should focus on volume or only go after dream roles. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of job searching while navigating mum life, this episode's got you covered with actionable advice.---Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work PlanningYou can also find us on Instagram at readyornot.pod---Thanks for listening to Ask 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.podThis 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.

As a young professional, interior designer Stephanie Ferrara was lucky to be surrounded by good role models when it came to mixing family with business. But, it didn't mean that she could quiet the inner monologue that so many hopeful mothers play on repeat inside of their minds: how is this going to affect my career? How on earth am I going to tell my boss I'm pregnant? Like me and so many others, she felt apologetic, stressed, just thinking about it.Fast forward to when she became pregnant, and, something clicked. While it wouldn't always look as beautiful as the spaces that she designs, she knew she could find a way to navigate life in business and in motherhood.From employee to employer, from mother of one to mother of two, from an international work trip at eight weeks' postpartum to learning to delegate so that the team could succeed without her, she's been making things click ever since. And she's learned a lot about how best to navigate her business baby with her real life babies along the way.Here, we talk about how Steph has set up her team and her business so that she can do both, the importance of the village and how she found it in both expected and unexpected places, and why becoming a mum has made Steph the best version of herself.--Shop the Ready or Not Go To Guides now, for $29 each or $69 for the trio:Breastfeeding and Returning to WorkChildcare 101Postpartum and Return to Work Planning---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.podThis 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.