Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Big Careers, Small Children
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maya Ellis MP - How Managing Energy, Not Time, Can Help You Show Up Better At Work And At Home | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:48:53 | |
In this inspiring and honest episode of the Big Careers, Small Children Podcast, and the first episode since Leaders Plus founder Verena Hefti MBE has returned from maternity leave, Verena sits down with Maya Ellis MP, a Leaders Plus alumna and Member of Parliament for Ribble Valley. Together they talk about building an ambitious political career while staying present for her two young children. Maya shares thoughtful reflections on how hard work, thoughtful planning, and clear boundaries make a real difference when combining children with a big career. She also shares her journey from being a Leaders Plus Fellow and local councillor to standing for Parliament, and how she has learned to protect her weekends, manage her energy rather than just her time, and stay grounded in a job with no fixed job description and endless competing demands. Drawing on her own experiences of building trust, finding support networks, and learning the often unspoken rules of senior roles, Maya speaks openly about the small, everyday compromises that come with the job, how shifting her focus from managing time to managing her energy has helped her, and why she believes more working parents need to find the confidence to put themselves forward in politics and beyond. Together, they explore
What you'll learn in this episode
Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| Rupert Brown - Making Better Career and Family Decisions During Times of Transformation | 11 déc. 2025 | 00:46:01 | |
In this reflective and practical episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Leaders Plus Interim COO Helen Fraser speaks with Rupert Brown, author of Lost in Transformation and Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor. Rupert has spent much of his career leading people change in multinational organisations, including international assignments in Switzerland, Singapore, Denmark and Dubai, while raising two children abroad. He shares what he has learned about making big career decisions when family needs change, leading transformation with more humanity, and staying honest with yourself in the middle of corporate upheaval. Drawing on his experience working with people and culture, he shares the moment his teenagers asked why the family was “doing lockdown in the desert,” the family’s return to the UK, and how the sudden death of his father and his employer’s response reshaped his view of leadership and empathy. Together, they explore✔️ How Rupert and his family navigated multiple international moves, and why their teenagers’ voices were central to the decision to come back to the UK for more stability. ✔️ What really happens to family life and career confidence when work and location decisions stop being “just” the parents’ choices. ✔️ Why he believes many corporate change programmes ignore basic psychology and the lived experience of the people affected, and what drew him to write Lost in Transformation. ✔️ Rupert’s PIE model: performance, image and exposure, and why hard work alone is rarely enough for progression, especially for working parents with limited time. ✔️ What the death of his father taught him about principle based policies, bereavement leave, and the quiet power of simple, human responses from leaders in moments of grief. What you’ll learn in this episode🔹 Ways to think through big career and location choices when your children start expressing their own clear preferences. 🔹 Practical ideas for building “spacious” relationships at work that help you stay resourceful and honest under pressure. 🔹 How leaders can respond to loss and difficulty with empathy rather than hiding behind rigid policies or avoiding uncomfortable conversations. 🔹 Questions to ask yourself if you are involved in leading change, so that you do change with people rather than doing change to them. Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love:Episode 217 : {CEO Series} Ori Carmel - How to Make Better Decisions About Work and Family | |||
| {CEO Series} Ori Carmel - How to Make Better Decisions About Work and Family | 04 déc. 2025 | 00:46:01 | |
In this reflective and deeply thoughtful episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Ori Carmel, Founder and CEO at Sowen. Drawing on his lived experience as a father of two, Ori shares how working parents can make better decisions about work and family, build guardrails that protect what matters most, and avoid the regret that often comes from overwhelm or overcommitment. Ori reflects on the moment he missed his daughter’s first smile while travelling for work, the subtle choices that shape daily family life, and the simple frameworks he now uses to stay aligned with his values. Together, they discuss: ✔️ How working parents can use simple decision-making tools to avoid stress, regret and overwhelm ✔️ Why flexibility often leads to blurred boundaries and how to put guardrails back in place ✔️ The “bandwidth check-in” system Ori and his wife use to share the load on tough days ✔️ How cultural expectations and ego subtly influence men’s decisions about work and family What you'll learn in this episode: 🔹 How to make clearer day-to-day decisions about work and family 🔹 How to recognise early signs of overstretch before burnout takes hold 🔹 Why decision-making frameworks help parents stay aligned with their values 🔹 How to course-correct when work starts to take up more space than intended Ori’s reflections are an invitation to slow down, examine your decision-making patterns, and build structures that support both your ambition and your family life. Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| [Future of Work] Prof Gudrun Sander - How to Build a Better Workplace that Truly Supports Working Parents | 20 nov. 2025 | 00:40:47 | |
In this research-rich and deeply practical episode, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Prof Gudrun Sander, Director of the Institute for International Management and Diversity Management IIDM-HSG at the University of St. Gallen, about what workplaces must do if they genuinely want to support working parents and close gender progression gaps. A global expert on gender equality, leadership, and organisational culture, Prof Sander brings decades of evidence-based insight into what really moves the needle and what doesn’t. She unpacks why many well-intentioned initiatives fall short, the key levers that actually shift equality outcomes, and how organisations can redesign work so that parents can thrive without penalty. Together, they explore: ✔️ Why having a family should be treated as a normal part of an employee’s career path ✔️ How organisations can remove systemic barriers that disadvantage working parents ✔️ The real reason visibility matters as much as performance for progression ✔️ Why women don’t need to be “perfect” to step into stretch opportunities ✔️ What companies get wrong when designing policies like parental leave ✔️ How hybrid work can either accelerate equality or deepen inequalities ✔️ Practical steps leaders can take today to build a more inclusive culture ✔️ How to support managers so they can properly support parents What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🔹 How to design workplace systems that genuinely support working parents 🔹 Why visibility and sponsorship matter more than ever 🔹 How perfectionism and confidence gaps limit progression, and what to do about it 🔹 The organisational behaviours that predict better gender equality outcomes 🔹 How leaders can role-model balance without losing credibility 🔹 Why diversity policies fail and what makes them effective Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| Ahed Serhal - How to Turn Guilt into Growth: Finding Balance as a Working Parent Abroad | 06 nov. 2025 | 00:33:43 | |
In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Ahed Serhal, HR Director, La Prairie Switzerland, about how she transformed guilt into growth while building a global career and raising 10-year-old twins abroad. Living without nearby family support, Ahed shares her honest reflections on balancing ambition and parenthood — from morning school selfies to open conversations with her employer and children. She reveals how learning to let go of guilt, plan with purpose, and communicate openly helped her find true balance and confidence as a working parent. Together, they explore: ✔️ The mindset shift that helped Ahed turn guilt into growth ✔️ How to progress your career while living abroad without family support ✔️ Why being vocal about what you need builds trust and balance ✔️ How parenting can strengthen your leadership through empathy and structure ✔️ The power of partnership and planning when both parents travel for work What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🔹 How to let go of guilt and define balance on your own terms 🔹 Why openness with your manager (and your children) is key to thriving 🔹 How to create systems that support both your career and your family 🔹 Why parenting can make you a more strategic, grounded leader 🔹 The one mindset shift that helps you progress without traditional support networks Show Notes:
Applications are closing in a few days for the Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship (Deadline: Tuesday 11 November). It is a nine-month leadership development programme supporting ambitious working parents in leadership or managerial roles to progress their careers while staying present for family life. Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love:Episode 195: Control Isn’t Everything: Embracing Kindness in Life, Parenting, and Leadership Episode 194: How to Create Counterbalance in Your Life & Career | |||
| {CEO Series} Heather Blundell - How to Navigate Leadership While Raising Young Children | 09 oct. 2025 | 00:37:13 | |
In this honest and inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Heather Blundell, UK CEO at Grayling, and mum of two young boys. Heather shares her personal journey of combining ambitious leadership with parenthood — from taking work calls during bath time to confidently blocking out school pick-ups in her diary. She reflects on the pivotal karate-class moment that shifted her approach to presence, and why setting boundaries has made her a more intentional, effective leader. A working parent at the top of her game, Heather offers a refreshingly real perspective on leadership, family life, and the cultural responsibility CEOs hold to model balance. Together, they explore:✔️ The powerful realisation that changed Heather’s approach to presence as a parent and leader ✔️ Why she sets more boundaries now as a CEO than in previous roles ✔️ How becoming a parent made her a more decisive, compassionate, and time-efficient leader ✔️ The cultural ripple effect when senior leaders model balance at work ✔️ How to let go of perfectionism and focus on what truly matters ✔️ Navigating playground imposter syndrome as a senior leader ✔️ Why parenting can enrich, rather than hinder, leadership ambition What You’ll Learn in This Episode🔹 How to set transparent boundaries at a senior level without losing credibility 🔹 Why presence, not perfection, creates impact at work and home 🔹 How parenting can sharpen your leadership clarity, efficiency, and empathy 🔹 Practical ways to lead by example and shape organisational culture 🔹 Why “having it all” is a myth — and how deliberate choices make the difference Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| Jess & Darryl Abelscroft - How to Navigate Shared Parental Leave | 25 sept. 2025 | 00:42:48 | |
In this episode of Big Careers, Small Children, part of our brand-new Series 16, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jess and Darryl Abelscroft about how they navigated shared parental leave and what they learned along the way. Jessica Abelscroft, Director, Abelscroft Consulting, and Darryl Abelscroft, Future Safety and Innovation, Civil Aviation Authority, both former Leaders Plus Fellows, share their reflections on splitting leave, balancing careers, and parenting equally. Together, they explore:✔️ The practicalities of navigating HR systems and dividing time off ✔️ The emotional challenges of handing over leave and adjusting roles ✔️ The lasting benefits for their children, who see both parents as equal caregivers ✔️ Why shared parental leave strengthened their careers as well as their family life ✔️ The changes needed in policy to make shared leave more accessible What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| [Future Of Work] Dominic Holmes - How Flexible Working Will Redefine Success and Efficiency at Work | 08 mai 2025 | 00:47:51 | |
In this forward-thinking episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dominic Holmes, Employment Law Partner at Kilgannon Law and Leaders Plus mentor. Dominic shares his expert insights on the evolving landscape of employment law, the future of flexible working, and how the UK workplace needs to adapt if we’re serious about equality and productivity. A working parent himself, Dominic reflects on going part-time early in his legal career and how that shift transformed his effectiveness both at work and at home. Together, they explore:✔️ Why flexible working should be the default, and what proposed legal reforms might mean for employees and employers alike. ✔️ How organisations can move beyond presenteeism and value output over hours worked. ✔️ The personal and organisational benefits of part-time leadership. ✔️ Why the current legal system still fails many working parents—especially women—and how to build a better one. ✔️ The real reason we need a cultural and mindset shift around productivity and long-hours culture. ✔️ How Dominic manages senior client relationships while working a four-day week. ✔️ What a fair, inclusive future of work might look like for the next generation. What You’ll Learn in This Episode🔹 Why reduced hours can make you a more focused and effective leader 🔹 How legal reforms could reshape employer obligations around flexibility 🔹 Why traditional “commitment” metrics fail working parents 🔹 The risks of defaulting to full-time roles without justification 🔹 Practical ways to challenge assumptions about career progression and presence Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| {CEO Series} Rebecca Brosnan - How Strategic Planning Can Help You Build a High-Impact Career and Family Life | 24 avr. 2025 | 00:38:27 | |
In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Rebecca Brosnan, CEO and Founder of The Halo Planner, and Non-Executive Director across several listed and non-profit organisations. Rebecca shares her remarkable journey from high-pressure executive roles in finance to building a flexible, international portfolio career, all while raising two young children without sacrificing ambition or family life. She talks openly about the messy reality of balancing senior leadership and motherhood, the importance of intentional planning, and why it’s possible (and necessary) to redefine success on your own terms. Together, they explore:✔️ Why building a successful board career with young children is possible — but messy. ✔️ The practical systems and mindsets that helped Rebecca balance senior leadership and parenthood. ✔️ How to plan your way to a thriving career without sacrificing presence at home. ✔️ Why NGO boards can be just as rewarding and impactful as corporate boards. ✔️ How to set boundaries without guilt and stay intentional with your time. ✔️ The role of support networks, planning tools, and saying no (without fear). ✔️ Practical steps for anyone wanting to start a portfolio career. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| Louise Donaghey FRAeS - How to Lead with Strength and Vulnerability as a Breadwinner Parent | 10 avr. 2025 | 00:49:34 | |
In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Louise Donaghey FRAeS, Group Head of Engines at International Airlines Group GBS, who will soon be one of Leaders Plus’ Senior Leader Mentors, about her remarkable career in aviation, leadership in male-dominated environments, and her experience of being the sole breadwinner in her family for nearly two decades. Louise shares candidly about managing the pressure of high-stakes roles while raising two children, how she learned to embrace vulnerability as a strength, and what it really takes to stay present as a parent when the stakes at work are high. Her story is full of honesty, practical wisdom, and powerful reframing of success, motherhood, and leadership. Together, they explore:✔️ What it means to lead as the sole breadwinner in a family ✔️ Why vulnerability is a leadership strength, not a weakness ✔️ How to deal with judgement from others (especially fellow parents) ✔️ Practical strategies to be present with your children while succeeding at work ✔️ How to shut out guilt and define success on your own terms ✔️ Why ambition can grow because of parenting, not in spite of it ✔️ The value of scaring yourself with roles that stretch you What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| {CEO Series} Dr Nara Daubeney - How To Let Go of Guilt and Redefine Success as a Working Parent | 03 avr. 2025 | 00:45:01 | |
In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dr Nara Daubeney, CEO & Co-Founder of Phaim Pharma and NHS Surgeon. Nara is also a mum of four. She shares her deeply honest and inspiring reflections on what it takes to build a big career and raise a thriving family without sacrificing either. From designing Easter hats at 5am to leading a clinical-stage biotech company, Nara brings warmth, clarity, and wit to a conversation about redefining ambition, letting go of guilt, and building systems that work for your life, not against it. Together, they explore:✔️ Why guilt is baked into motherhood and how to release it ✔️ How to balance ambition with presence during different parenting phases ✔️ Why support systems are essential (and how to build your own, even without nearby family) ✔️ What makes someone ready to be a CEO ✔️ How leadership and parenting challenges mirror each other ✔️ What teens really need from you, and how that shapes career decisions ✔️ Why perfection isn’t the goal, and how embracing imperfection is freeing What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| Nadia Bunyan MCIPD & Tatiana Pignon - How to Successfully Implement a 4-Day Week Without Sacrificing Impact | 27 mars 2025 | 00:51:13 | |
In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Nadia Bunyan MCIPD, Director of People and Impact at Global Witness, and Tatiana Pignon, Associate Director at Autonomy. They discuss how to implement a 4-day working week in a way that supports both staff wellbeing and organisational performance. Nadia shares lessons from leading a successful 4-day week pilot at Global Witness, while Tatiana brings insights from supporting over 100 organisations through similar transitions. Together, they explore:✔️ What organisations get wrong when moving to a shorter week ✔️ How to build trust and ensure leadership models healthy behaviours ✔️ Why co-creating the model with staff matters ✔️ How a shorter week supports working parents ✔️ What to consider when navigating global teams, peak periods, and emergencies ✔️ The mindset shift needed to move away from presenteeism ✔️ Practical steps for organisations starting their 4-day week journey Whether you're a senior leader or a working parent curious about flexible working, this episode offers practical advice and real-world experience to inspire change. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How to move to a 4-day week without compromising impact ✔️ Why wellbeing and performance can go hand-in-hand ✔️ The role of culture, leadership, and trust in making it work ✔️ How flexible working can support inclusion and equity Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: | |||
| Jo Taylor & John Pyle - International Careers & Parenthood: How to Thrive When Pursuing a Global Career and Raising a Family | 20 mars 2025 | 00:47:55 | |
Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful international career while raising young children - without family support nearby? In the latest episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena Hefti MBE chats with our first-ever father-daughter duo: Life Sciences Consultant Jo Taylor, who currently resides in Switzerland, and her father, John Pyle, who spent 35 years in the oil industry. Both John and Jo have pursued global careers in senior leadership roles while navigating the challenges of parenting in different countries. Jo also brings a unique perspective as both a parent and a child who grew up moving across countries, offering insight into how the experience has evolved across generations. They share their personal experiences, the realities of raising a family abroad, and the strategies that helped them balance professional growth with family life. If you’re considering working internationally or are already managing career and parenting across borders, this episode offers invaluable insights, practical advice, and a challenge to the common assumptions about what’s possible. Together They Explore:
What You'll Learn in this Episode: How to Build a Global Career as a Parent – Insights on pursuing senior leadership roles internationally while raising young children, including how to signal interest to your employer. Strategies for Thriving Without Family Support – Practical advice on managing childcare, work-life balance, and building a support network abroad. Lessons in Resilience and Adaptability – How to navigate cultural differences, career transitions, and unexpected challenges while raising a family overseas. Practical Tips for Parents Considering an International Move – Key factors to consider before relocating, from schooling to workplace culture and family dynamics, including the impact on your children and partner. 5-Minute Actions to Start Your International Career Journey – Practical, quick steps you can take today to explore opportunities and prepare for a global career move. Show Notes:
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| Dan Reed - The Power of Authenticity And How Parenthood Can Strengthen Leadership | 13 mars 2025 | 00:38:13 | |
In our first Series 15 episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dan Reed, Director, Head of Digital at KPMG UK, about why being a parent doesn’t have to hold back your career, and how embracing authenticity at work can actually propel you forward. Dan shares his journey of juggling career progression with fatherhood, how therapy helped him overcome guilt and set boundaries, and why he refuses to hide his parenting role in the workplace. He also discusses why being open about family life has strengthened his leadership and career confidence, rather than limiting opportunities. Together, they explore:
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How to be authentic at work without fear of judgment. ✔️ Why setting work-life boundaries early prevents burnout. ✔️ How being open about parenthood can create leadership opportunities. ✔️ The role of therapy, communication, and mentorship in career success. ✔️ How to build a career that fits your life, and not the other way around. Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love: Episode 194: How to Create Counterbalance in Your Life & Career | |||
| (C-Suite Series) Steph Hind - How to Balance Leadership, Parenting, and Wellbeing Without Sacrifice | 06 mars 2025 | 00:41:22 | |
In this episode of the C-Suite Series of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Steph Hind, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Heka, an employee wellbeing platform. Steph shares her journey of scaling a business while raising two young children, the lessons she learned from not taking maternity leave with her first child, and how she ultimately restructured her leadership style to prioritise wellbeing, family, and sustainable success. Together, they discuss:
This insightful and honest conversation is for anyone navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, and family life without wanting to sacrifice wellbeing in the process. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How to set boundaries at work and at home - without guilt. ✔️ Why taking breaks makes you a better leader and business owner. ✔️ The power of switching off: Why Steph removed work apps from her phone. ✔️ How to manage the pressures of leadership while prioritising family. ✔️ Why parenthood can be an advantage in business and not a barrier. ✔️ How to build a supportive culture that values wellbeing and performance. ✔️ Practical strategies for avoiding burnout and staying present. Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love:
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| (C-Suite Series) Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL - How to Overcome Guilt and Build a Successful Career as a Parent | 27 févr. 2025 | 00:47:29 | |
In this episode of the C-Suite Series of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, experienced non-executive director, broadcaster, and author Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL about her journey of building a multi-million-pound business while raising a family. Susie candidly shares the realities of balancing a demanding career with motherhood, why she believes you can't have it all, and the importance of letting go of guilt and external expectations. She also reflects on setting boundaries at work, learning from business mistakes, and embracing life beyond career success. Whether you're navigating career progression, entrepreneurship, or just feeling overwhelmed by the constant juggle, this episode is full of practical wisdom, humour, and reassurance. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The myth of "having it all" – why Susie believes balance is about letting go of perfection ✔️ How to manage guilt as a working parent and why your children will be fine ✔️ Practical tips for setting work boundaries and ensuring time for yourself ✔️ How to build confidence and push past workplace discrimination ✔️ Why women should stop underplaying their achievements ✔️ The power of flexible working and why she banned weekend emails ✔️ How caring responsibilities shape leadership and decision-making ✔️ Why networking, mentorship, and self-belief matter for career success About Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL:Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL is an experienced non-executive director, entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, broadcaster, and author. She founded and scaled Breakthrough Funding, a multi-award-winning business that she later sold to EY (Ernst & Young), where she became Executive Director for Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at HMRC and The British Library and is Executive Chair of Produced in Kent. In recognition of her contributions to small businesses, she was awarded a CBE in 2022 and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. Susie is also an advocate for female entrepreneurs, a sought-after speaker, and the author of Swimming On My Own. Find out more at www.susiews.com. Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love:
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| (C-Suite Series) Jane Hollinshead - How to Navigate a Squiggly Career and Find Success on Your Own Terms | 13 févr. 2025 | 00:37:42 | |
In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jane Hollinshead, Chief People Officer at Canary Wharf Group, about her squiggly career journey and how she navigated career changes, flexible working, and leadership progression while raising a family. Jane shares her experience of being one of the first part-time lawyers in the 1990s, how she approached career transitions with confidence, and why she believes more professionals should embrace career phases rather than a rigid career ladder. Together, they explore: ✔️ How Jane successfully navigated a non-linear career path to reach the C-suite. ✔️ Practical tips for requesting flexible working in a way that benefits both employees and employers. ✔️ Why career off-ramps and on-ramps are natural and necessary for long-term success. ✔️ How to develop the resilience and confidence to take career risks. ✔️ The importance of networking, self-reflection, and external perspectives when considering a career shift. Whether you’re thinking about a career change, aiming for senior leadership, or simply seeking reassurance that your career doesn’t have to be a straight line, this episode is full of practical wisdom and inspiration. In This Episode You Will Learn:
Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love:
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| (C-Suite Series) Heather Black - How Upskilling Can Unlock a Flexible and Fulfilling Career | 06 févr. 2025 | 00:36:12 | |
In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Heather Black, Founder and CEO of Supermums. Heather is passionate about helping parents build flexible, fulfilling, and well-paid careers after parenthood. She shares her own journey of transitioning into tech, how she launched Supermums to support others, and why upskilling can be a game-changer for working parents looking for more career flexibility. Together, they explore:
We hope you enjoy the episode! About Heather Black Heather Black is the founder and CEO of Supermums. She is the mum of two little girls and lives by the sea in East Sussex whilst working remotely. She helps parents to achieve flexible well-paid careers after parenthood and has supported 1000 trainees globally to successfully relaunch their careers. In 2010 she became an accidental Salesforce admin for her non-profit and loved it so much that she decided to upskill as a Salesforce Consultant in 2012 helping other non-profits to implement a CRM. She realised her career path could work for other mothers so she launched Supermums in 2016 to bring more women into the sector. Find out more about what a Salesforce Career can offer you here https://supermums.org/what-is-a-salesforce-career/ Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love:
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| (C-Suite Series) Sylwia Wolos - Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor on How to Thrive in a C-Suite Role While Raising a Family | 30 janv. 2025 | 00:42:10 | |
In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Sylwia Wołos, Chief Strategy Officer at Ground Truth Intelligence and a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme. Sylwia shares her inspiring journey of building a successful career in the demanding field of risk management and compliance while raising three children. She discusses the challenges of navigating the C-suite as a working parent, tackling gender inequality in senior leadership, and breaking the stigma around balancing ambitious careers with family life. Together, they explore:
This heartfelt and insightful conversation offers valuable advice for ambitious working parents striving to progress their careers while prioritising their families. We hope you enjoy the episode! In this episode, you will learn:
Show Notes:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. More BCSC episodes you might love:
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| (C-Suite Series) Verena Hefti MBE - Celebrating 200 Episodes: The Journey of Leaders Plus and How to Navigate Career Progression for Working Parents | 23 janv. 2025 | 00:39:34 | |
In this special 200th episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, our Programme and Impact Manager, Helen Fraser, takes the interviewer’s seat to chat with Leaders Plus Founder and CEO, Verena Hefti MBE. Verena reflects on the journey of starting Leaders Plus, the lessons learned from interviewing 199 inspiring guests, and the challenges and triumphs of combining an ambitious career with family life. In this candid conversation, Verena shares how her own experiences of returning to work after maternity leave led her to create an award-winning social enterprise that supports working parents to progress their careers without sacrificing family life. She discusses the importance of role models, the challenges of setting boundaries, and how Leaders Plus is driving real change in the workplace. In this episode, you will learn:
Verena also reflects on receiving an MBE, what it means for the organisation, and the importance of focusing on purpose-driven leadership. We hope you enjoy this milestone episode! Show Notes: Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.
More BCSC episodes we think you'll love:
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| (C-Suite Series) Elizabeth Willetts - How to Break the Glass Ceiling While Juggling Career Ambitions and Parenthood | 16 janv. 2025 | 00:44:13 | |
Are you ready to redefine career success while raising a family? In the first episode of the C-Suite series, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Elizabeth Willetts, Founder of Investing in Women and author of the upcoming book Flex: Smart Strategies to Build A Successful Career Around Your Life. With over 17 years of recruitment experience, Elizabeth is passionate about empowering professionals to find fulfilling, flexible, and part-time work that fits their lives, and helps close the gender pay gap. Elizabeth shares her insights on how flexible work can unlock opportunities for ambitious parents, why intentional time management is a game-changer, and how to stand out in the job market with a CV that shines, even in the era of AI. This practical and inspiring conversation is perfect for anyone navigating the challenges of combining a high-powered career with parenthood. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes:
In this episode, you’ll learn:
More BCSC episodes you might love:
Discover more about the multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship, designed to support ambitious working parents on the path to senior leadership. Learn more at Leaders Plus. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter. | |||
| BITE-SIZED: Verena Hefti MBE - Balancing the Holiday Mental Load | 05 déc. 2024 | 00:19:06 | |
For the first time, our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE, takes the mic solo in this special, bite-sized episode of the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast. As the season draws to a close, Verena shares heartfelt reflections on balancing the magical yet demanding holiday period, offering powerful strategies for:
Drawing on gold nuggets from past episodes and her own experiences, Verena encourages us to reassess, set boundaries, and say "no" to the non-essential as we wrap up the year. Tune in for an empowering and time-efficient conversation that will leave you ready to take on the holiday season with clarity and courage. We hope you enjoy the conversation, and we’ll be back in January with a brand-new series of episodes! Show Notes:
In this episode you will learn:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. BCSC Episodes Mentioned in This Podcast:
Leader's Plus Blog Mentioned in This Podcast: | |||
| Dr. Whitney Casares - Why Self-Care for Parents is Key to Thriving at Work and Home | 28 nov. 2024 | 00:45:24 | |
Can prioritising yourself make you a better parent and professional? In this episode, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dr. Whitney Casares, paediatrician and author of Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be to explore why self-care isn’t a luxury but a lifeline for working parents. Drawing from her expertise as a paediatrician, Dr. Whitney emphasises that putting your own well-being first is the key to raising happy, healthy children - especially those with additional needs. She tackles the guilt parents often feel when balancing ambitious careers with family life and shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, integrating work and life, and creating space for what truly matters. This inspiring conversation challenges parents to redefine success and embrace their unique strengths as they navigate their personal and professional journeys. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
In this episode you will learn:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter. More BCSC episodes we think you'll love:
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| Brigid Schulte - Overcoming Overwork with Strategies for a Balanced Life | 21 nov. 2024 | 00:48:58 | |
Can we truly have thriving careers without sacrificing family life? In this episode, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Brigid Schulte, author of Overworked: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life, about the pervasive issue of overwork and its impact on individuals and families. Brigid emphasises the importance of redefining what success looks like in the workplace, advocating for a shift from measuring productivity by hours spent to valuing meaningful output. They discuss practical steps for individuals to take, even in unsupportive environments, highlighting the need for boundaries and prioritising what truly matters. The episode offers insights into how both personal choices and organisational changes can foster a healthier work-life balance, ultimately benefiting everyone involved. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
In this episode you will learn:
Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter. More BCSC episodes we think you'll love:
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| Carin-Isabel Knoop - Control Isn’t Everything: Embracing Kindness in Life, Parenting, and Leadership | 14 nov. 2024 | 00:46:29 | |
Trigger warning: miscarriage Today, Verena welcomes Carin-Isabel Knoop for an especially thought-provoking podcast episode on embracing kindness in life, parenting and leadership. Very apt, given earlier this week, we celebrated #WorldKindnessDay. Carin is the Executive Director of the Harvard Business School Case Research and Writing Group and was previously a consultant at McKinsey and Price Waterhouse Coopers. The conversation includes reflections on managing as a solo parent whilst pursuing an ambitious career, learning to let go of control, filling support gaps, and considering how we can all contribute to more compassionate workplaces. Carin and Verena also have a moving discussion about supporting someone through pregnancy loss. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
Interested in progressing your career after having children? The award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship is specifically designed for working parents with management responsibilities who want to progress their careers and reach their full potential professionally. Find out more. | |||
| Tom Shaw - How to Create Counterbalance in Your Life & Career | 24 oct. 2024 | 00:54:27 | |
Can you build a successful career without sacrificing your well-being? This week, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Tom Shaw, author of Counterbalance: How to Build Your Career Without Ruining Your Life and a Senior Leader Mentor at Leaders Plus. Tom talks about counterbalance and why it's important to be intentional about what matters most. Together, Tom and Verena explore making difficult decisions, reducing burnout, and thriving in your career without compromising your life. Tom also shares the key attributes for combining career, family and our personal lives, so we can create a truly fulfilling life whilst also protecting our wellbeing. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
If you are looking to progress your career after having children then the award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship is specifically designed for working parents with management responsibilities, who want to progress their careers and reach their full potential professionally. Find out more. | |||
| Sally Hamm & Matt Hamm - How to Communicate With Each Other as a Dual Career Couple | 17 oct. 2024 | 00:45:09 | |
When you're a dual career couple, it can be tricky to coordinate schedules and balance work and family life. This week, Verena Hefti MBE is joined by married couple Sally Hamm and Matt Hamm, Occupational Medicine Physicians (who worked together as Air Force Flight Surgeons), who share four children alongside their busy senior careers. Sally and Matt open up about how they have evolved their thinking around combining raising their family and progressing their careers. The couple share practical advice on how they prioritise what they say yes to and strategies for communicating with your partner to ensure you truly share the load. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
If you are looking to progress your career after having children, then the award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship is specifically designed for working parents with management responsibilities who want to progress their careers and reach their full potential professionally. Find out more. | |||
| Brad Johnson & David G. Smith - How to be a Great Ally in the Workplace | 10 oct. 2024 | 00:48:51 | |
In this episode, Verena discusses the importance of allyship in the workplace. She is joined by Brad Johnson and David G. Smith, authors of the book: Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace. As well as discussing what men can do to support their female colleagues, Brad and David discuss ways we can all support members of minorities in order to help everyone thrive professionally. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
If you are looking to progress your career after having children then the award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship is specifically designed for working parents with management responsibilities, who want to progress their careers and reach their full potential professionally. Find out more. | |||
| {CEO Series} Tiffany Sauder - How to Harness the Incredible Power of Networking | 03 oct. 2024 | 00:40:46 | |
In this episode, Verena is joined by Tiffany Sauder, CEO of Element Three and mother of four. Tiffany breaks down some of the key factors which have led to her inspiring success. From prioritising what really matters to the power of networking, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking for tangible career and family advice. We hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode is part of our CEO Series, spotlighting parents with young children who hold a CEO role. Show Notes:
A senior-level career doesn’t have to come at the expense of being a present parent. If you are interested in progressing your senior job and balancing your family life, take a look at our Senior Director's Fellowship: www.leadersplus.org/seniorleadersplusfellowship | |||
| [Future of Work] Tatiana Pignon - Does the Four Day Week Really Work? | 26 sept. 2024 | 00:40:36 | |
Is the four day working week the future of work, or a luxurious dream? In this episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena is joined by Tatiana Pignon, Head of Development at The Autonomy Institute, an independent research organisation that focuses on the future of the working world. In this intriguing conversation, Tatianna discusses Autonomy's fascinating research on the shorter working week and the elements of their discoveries that you could apply in your organisation. We hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode is part of the future of work series, where we explore how work will change in the future to help everyone thrive and progress their careers equitably regardless of circumstances. Show Notes:
We know how difficult it can be to balance an ambitious career with raising a family especially if you’ve taken time off to focus on your children or opted for a lower grade role to accommodate the demands of family life. That's why we created the Future Leader's Programme. If you are interested in progressing your career and nurturing your family at the same time, take a look at The Future Leader's Programme: https://www.leadersplus.org/futureleadersplus | |||
| {CEO Series} Polly Neate - How to Find Purpose in Your Work | 19 sept. 2024 | 00:44:07 | |
In a bid to make a difference and bring more purpose to her work, Polly Neate left her successful career in journalism and joined the charity sector. Nearly twenty years later, she is CEO of one of the largest charities in the UK, Shelter, and a proud mother of two grown up women. In this podcast, Polly discusses her fascinating journey, the sacrifices she has had to make, and why finding purpose in your work is so important. We hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode is part of our CEO Series, spotlighting parents with young children who hold a CEO role. Show Notes:
A senior-level career doesn’t have to come at the expense of being a present parent. If you are interested in progressing your senior job and balancing your family life, take a look at our Senior Director's Fellowship: https://www.leadersplus.org/seniorleadersplusfellowship | |||
| Emily Wilton & Jo Goring - How Job Sharing Benefits Organisations & What Job Sharing Can Teach You About Leadership | 12 sept. 2024 | 00:43:17 | |
Job sharing is a powerful tool for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and has several benefits for both the organisation and their employees. Joining us on Big Careers, Small Children this week are successful job-sharing duo Emily Wilton and Jo Goring, two senior leaders at the UK's largest animal welfare charity, the RSPCA. Emily and Jo share how they make their job share (which they explain is actually a job split) work so successfully, including why communication is key. They offer practical advice on approaching your employer about a potential job share - spoiler: be brave and go for it! They also discuss why they believe it's vital to be loud and proud about job sharing and how splitting senior roles and designing them part-time can be especially beneficial to organisations. We hope you enjoy the conversation. | |||
| Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson - How to Self-Promote at Work & Build Relationships | 05 sept. 2024 | 00:49:07 | |
How can you self promote at work and invest time in building relationships as a busy working parent? Today on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE welcomes Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson from PR Mums. PR Mums is a community-led platform which offers former PRs (many of whom have left the workforce after having children) a pathway back into the industry. Ferzana and Bethany share their expert advice and practical tips on self promotion, including how to forge relationships when you're time poor and effectively promote your achievements whatever your industry, especially when it might not come naturally to you. We hope you enjoy the conversation. PR Mums are working to establish an industry-wide model of best practice for parental policy – for the benefit of all current and future mothers and fathers; our children; and our parents. If you work in PR, please spare five minutes to complete this survey. Show Notes:
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| Nathalie Holdstock - How to Thrive as a Shift Worker When You're a Parent of Young Children | 25 juil. 2024 | 00:39:59 | |
Shift work can be especially challenging when you're a parent to young children. This week on the podcast our Leaders Plus Fellow Nathalie Holdstock, a Senior Sister and Emergency Nurse Practitioner, shares how she navigates working shifts in the NHS whilst raising two small children. Nathalie shares practical tips for other shift workers, including why it's important to ask for what you need and what others who don't work shifts can learn from the experience. We hope you enjoy the conversation. The Leaders Plus podcast will now be on a short break over the summer holidays returning on Thursday 5th September. Show Notes:
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| [Future of Work] Lucy Kemp - How AI Will Impact the Future of Work & How to Prevent Women From Leaving the Workforce | 18 juil. 2024 | 00:42:42 | |
Why are so many women over the age of 38 leaving the workforce and what can we do about it? Our guest today to discuss the future of work is employee experience, culture and communications expert Lucy Kemp. Lucy shares how AI is impacting the workplace and gives practical advice for anyone just getting started with adopting AI to support their work in future. We delve into why workplaces have historically been designed by men for men and what this means for women. We also look at the data around women leaving the workforce after the age of 38 and what we can do to stop this, including why we need to support Gen Z women to thrive in the workplace. Enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
This episode is part of the future of work series, where we explore how work will change in the future to help everyone thrive and progress their careers equitably regardless of circumstances. | |||
| Nicky Lowe - How to Avoid Burnout as a Working Parent | 11 juil. 2024 | 00:32:22 | |
Are you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out? This week on the podcast Executive Coach and Founder of Wisdom for Working Mums Nicky Lowe shares practical advice on dealing with and preventing burnout as a busy working parent juggling both career and family. Burnout is something Nicky has experienced first-hand following her return to work after the birth of her first child. She shares her own story, plus how to identify if you are struggling with burnout and fantastic tips on how you can begin to recover and learn to reimagine your approach to career and parenthood. Enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
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| Helen Balcome & Kate Groom - How to Implement Outcome-based Management | 04 juil. 2024 | 00:38:39 | |
How can we move to more outcome-based work cultures and how best can managers support this? Outcome-based leadership relates to delivering results and achieving specific, measurable goals rather than being hyper-focused on time spent at your desk. It can enable employees and teams to work more autonomously and flexibly. Our guests today Helen Balcome and Kate Groom, founders of The Health Kollective, believe that work can be and should be a positive force that complements everything else we do, enabling people, teams and businesses the freedom to thrive. They believe that outcome-based management is key to this. On the show, they share how organisations can move to a more outcome-based way of working, how to manage a team based on output rather than time practically and why senior leaders should be first to model this behaviour. Plus, why you should have both 'to-do' and 'woo-hoo' lists. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
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| Gethin Nadin - How to Build Better Employee Experiences for Working Parents & Ensuring the Voice in Your Head Speaks Kindly | 27 juin 2024 | 00:41:14 | |
Verena welcomes Gethin Nadin, an expert in workplace wellbeing and one of HRs most influential thinkers to discuss how to build better employee experiences for working parents. Wellbeing for working parents is a hot topics and Gethin shares insights from his research, including why organisations who prioritise employee health and wellbeing and put people over policy are often more successful and crucially, profitable. Gethin also shares the importance of taking charge of our own wellbeing, including speaking kindly to ourselves and being our own biggest supporters. Show Notes:
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| Dr. Malissa Clark - How to Set Boundaries as a Workaholic & Learn to be More Present as a Parent | 20 juin 2024 | 00:45:50 | |
Do you struggle to set boundaries around work? Have you ever wondered if you're a workaholic? Would you like to be more present when you're spending time with your children? Our guest today is Dr. Malissa Clark, Associate Professor of Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of Georgia and author of the book "Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture is Bad for Business and How to Fix It." Malissa outlines exactly what workaholism is and shares why having a 'type A' personality or identifying as a perfectionist is highly correlated with workaholism. The good news is there are lots of helpful things we can do to set healthy boundaries and start addressing the negative ways this could be impacting our lives. Malissa shares practical advice and tips, including how to learn to be more present as a parent when you are juggling so many different responsibilities. Show Notes:
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| Paul J. Sullivan - How to Become a Lead Dad & Parent Out Loudly | 13 juin 2024 | 00:34:19 | |
Ahead of Father's Day in the UK, Verena chats to New York Times columnist and founder of The Company of Dads, Paul J. Sullivan. Through The Company of Dads online platform, Paul has created a thriving and inclusive community for 'lead dads' and is challenging traditional norms of what it means to be a father. Lead dads are fully engaged in raising their children, supporting their partner and working to keep the house together and typically work a more flexible schedule than their partner. Paul shares how he became a lead dad, why he is passionate about parenting out loudly and why it's so important to parent through your calendar (e.g. be honest about why you're leaving work and diarise it) because of the profoundly positive impact this can have at your organisation. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
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| Dr. Sonia Damle - How to Navigate Shift Work as a Parent & the Benefits of Self-Rostering in the NHS & Beyond | 06 juin 2024 | 00:30:25 | |
How can you navigate shift work as a parent? This week we welcome Emergency Medicine Doctor Sonia Damle to the podcast. Sonia shares her experience of shift work and how to make it work alongside bringing up children. Sonia has lots of practical advice for other shift workers, including:
Plus, the skills and experience we can take from shift work (eg. compartmentalising) and apply to more traditional working hours. We hope you enjoy the conversation, do get in touch if you have any thoughts or feedback. Show Notes:
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| [Future of Work] Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst - How Workstyle (Rather Than Flexible Working) Could Change the Way You Work Forever | 23 mai 2024 | 00:43:39 | |
Have you heard of workstyle? Today on the podcast we are delighted to welcome entrepreneurs and changemakers Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst. Together they came up with the concept of workstyle in response to their negative experiences of the traditional '9-5' working week. Workstyle is a new word to describe the complete freedom to choose when and where you work. It differs from flexible working for all, which Lizzie and Alex believe is not the right solution. They invite us to think about our own workstyle and how we can achieve what we need in a way that works for us. Plus, they share the evidence behind workstyle and why it works, including how it can level the playing field and help to create true inclusivity and accessibility in our society. We hope you enjoy this thought provoking conversation. This episode is part of the future of work series, where we explore how work will change in the future to help everyone thrive and progress their careers equitably regardless of circumstances. Show Notes:
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| [Future of Work] Denise Wilson OBE - How the UK is Working to Achieve Gender Balance at Board Level & What Still Needs to Change | 16 mai 2024 | 00:45:29 | |
We're delighted to welcome Denise Wilson OBE to the podcast. Denise is the former chief executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and has led the UK’s business task force to increase the number of women on boards and in leadership positions. She has made a significant contribution to gender equality in British business and is passionate about empowering women. We discuss:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode is part of the future of work series, where we explore how work will change in the future to help everyone thrive and progress their careers equitably regardless of circumstances. Show Notes:
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| [Future of Work] Bruce Daisley - How to Reduce the Number of Meetings in Your Workplace & Change the Organisational Culture | 09 mai 2024 | 00:47:45 | |
Would you like to reduce the number of meetings in your workplace? Joining us this week is workplace culture enthusiast Bruce Daisley. A former EMEA Vice President of Twitter, Bruce is now a best-selling author and hosts the podcast 'Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat', alongside helping organisations build energised and connected workplace cultures. In this episode, we discuss how you can positively change the workplace culture where you work. We share practical tips on reducing the number of meetings in the diary, the super powers of productivity and a look at the future of work, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence (AI). Enjoy this thought provoking conversation. This episode is part of the future of work series, where we explore how work will change in the future to help everyone thrive and progress their careers equitably regardless of circumstances. Show Notes:
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| Rosie Hewat - How to Handle the Call Back to the Office & Tips on Requesting Flexible Working | 02 mai 2024 | 00:38:36 | |
Has your employer recently called you back to the office? Our guest today is Rosie Hewat, Group Chief People Officer at fintech company Kuda. In 2024, many organisations have begun to pull their workers back to the office. As an experienced HR and people management professional and an advocate for flexible working, Rosie shares practical advice on how you can handle this request. Plus, listen for tips on requesting flexible working and what to do if your flexible working request is rejected. Enjoy the conversation. Show notes:
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| Elizabeth Willetts - How to Get Your Flexible Working Request Approved & Why the Future of Work is Hybrid | 25 avr. 2024 | 00:33:36 | |
What do the people who get flexible working requests approved have in common? Today we welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Willetts, CEO and Founder of Investing in Women to the podcast to discuss her work advocating for the power of part-time and flexible working. Liz shares her top tips for getting your flexible working request approved, including when it is best to mention flexible working during interview stages. Plus, why Liz believes the future of work is hybrid. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
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| Charlotte Boujassy - How to Let Go of the Pressure of Being a Perfect Parent & Progress Your Career | 18 avr. 2024 | 00:40:21 | |
Do you ever feel under pressure to be the perfect parent? Verena Hefti MBE chats with Charlotte Boujassy, Director of Talent & Leadership Development Europe for a Japanese pharmaceutical company. They discuss why it's so important to talk loudly about working flexibly at a senior level, how to deal with the pressure of perfectionism when you're a working parent and progressing your career after you have children. Born in France, for the past 10 years, Charlotte has lived and worked in Munich. She co-parents her two daughters alongside her now ex-husband. Enjoy the conversation. Show notes:
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| Thorey V. Proppe - How Data Can Improve DEI Policies & Help Close the Gender Pay Gap | 11 avr. 2024 | 00:39:13 | |
Today we welcome to the podcast Thorey V. Proppe, the CEO and founder of Alda, an Icelandic tech company which developed DEI software for workplaces globally. Iceland consistently ranks among the highest countries in the world for gender equality. Thorey shares:
Enjoy the conversation. Show notes:
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| Brita Fernandez Schmidt - How to Learn to Trust Your Intuition & Manage Your Fears | 04 avr. 2024 | 00:38:35 | |
Today we're joined by Brita Fernandez Schmidt, transformational coach and author of the brilliant book Fears to Fierce. Brita has spent 25 years championing women's rights across the world, and strongly believes that every woman has a fierce power to fulfill her own dreams. We discussed how we can learn to trust our own intuition, be intentional with our actions and manage our fears. Enjoy the conversation. Show notes:
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| Lea Henry - How to Manage Perfectionism When Combining a Big Career & Young Children | 28 mars 2024 | 00:38:45 | |
This week we welcome Lea Henry, co-founder of the award-winning creative childcare agency CocoRio. Together with her business partner Corinna Bordoli, Lea co-founded CocoRio because she worried about the quality of childcare available. As she couldn’t keep her kids with her 24/7, she wanted to ensure their overall development and emotional well-being would be catered for. Lea shares practical advice on how she manages the competing demands of a baby, a toddler and a growing business. A common theme during the discussion is perfectionism and letting go of the perfect time to do things. We discuss how to manage perfectionism and deal with feelings of guilt, plus why it's so important to set clear boundaries and tips on how to do it. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show notes:
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