Big Careers, Small Children (Leaders Plus)
Explore every episode of Big Careers, Small Children
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Dec 2023 | {CEO SERIES} Charlotte Hill OBE - Being a CEO & Enjoying Your Young Children | 00:37:36 | |
Today Verena Hefti MBE is joined by Charlotte Hill OBE, the CEO of The Felix Project, a London charity fighting hunger and food waste. Charlotte is a mother to two young children and is passionate that it's absolutely possible to work in a senior position and raise children. On the podcast, she shares why it's incredibly worth it and how she practically makes it work, including how she sets boundaries when going to things like late-night networking events. Charlotte is also extremely open about her own fertility struggles, detailing the challenges of being a CEO whilst going through IVF treatment and how now being a parent has made her a more thoughtful and inclusive leader. Finally, Charlotte shares her advice to anyone considering a CEO career, including why becoming a Trustee or board member can really help give you relevant experience. 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:
| |||
| 11 Jan 2024 | Dr. Amy Diehl & Dr. Leanne Dzubinski - Shattering the Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work | 00:43:17 | |
“Our organisations have mostly been built by men, for men, with men’s lifestyle patterns in mind.” Gender bias is a powerful force that holds women back in the workplace and prevents them from achieving their full potential. This week on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE chats to Dr. Amy Diehl and Dr. Leanne Dzubinski, authors of a revealing new book which outlines the six barriers still holding women back at work and why this is an organisational rather than an individual problem. On the podcast, Amy and Leanne explain what these barriers are and how you can shatter them to eliminate bias in your workplace, whether you are a leader, an ally or an individual woman. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
Applications are now open for the award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship. Download the brochure and apply by 20/03. Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 21 Dec 2023 | Brian Ballantyne - Working Fatherhood: Expectations of Masculinity & Whether Training Can Change Behaviour | 00:45:48 | |
This week Verena Hefti MBE chats with Brian Ballantyne, author of the book "Confessions of a Working Father" and co-founder of Men for Inclusion. They discuss the challenges Brian has faced as a working father in a senior role, expectations of masculinity and whether training can really help change behaviour. Plus Brian shares three practical ways anyone can be an ally and advocate for working parents. Show Notes:
| |||
| 11 Apr 2024 | Thorey V. Proppe - How Data Can Improve DEI Policies & Help Close the Gender Pay Gap | 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:
| |||
| 09 May 2024 | [Future of Work] Bruce Daisley - How to Reduce the Number of Meetings in Your Workplace & Change the Organisational Culture | 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:
| |||
| 04 Jul 2024 | Helen Balcome & Kate Groom - How to Implement Outcome-based Management | 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:
| |||
| 21 Sep 2023 | Helen Gillett - How to Build a Board Career | 00:38:09 | |
“You will have transferable skills - it’s just a question of identifying what they are.” Today we welcome back Independent Non-Executive Director Helen Gillett to the podcast. Helen shares:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
Early Bird Applications of the Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship close on Saturday 30 September Our award-winning Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents progressing senior careers who want to lead positive change. Find out more. | |||
| 18 Apr 2024 | Charlotte Boujassy - How to Let Go of the Pressure of Being a Perfect Parent & Progress Your Career | 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:
| |||
| 14 Nov 2024 | Carin-Isabel Knoop - Control Isn’t Everything: Embracing Kindness in Life, Parenting, and Leadership | 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. | |||
| 02 Oct 2023 | ⚡️Monday Motivation: Alex Pang on Implementing a 4 Day Week | 00:07:26 | |
At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents. This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Author and Researcher Alex Pang who shares practical suggestions on how you could begin implementing a 4 day working week. If you'd like to listen to Alex's conversation in full then head back to episode 32 of Big Careers, Small Children. Please note: our regular podcast episode will be released as usual on Thursday. Mentioned in this episode: Apply Now for the Leaders Plus Cross Sector Fellowship Early bird applications for the Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship close on Saturday 30 September and the final application deadline is Sunday 29 October. Our award-winning Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents progressing senior careers who want to lead positive change. Find out more at www.leadersplus.org.uk/crosssectorfellowship | |||
| 17 Aug 2023 | 🎧 Throwback: Fiona McDonnell on Finding a Work/Life Rhythm | 00:48:28 | |
Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes. This week we revisit the episode with author and business leader Fiona McDonnell. Fiona's debut book Two Mirrors and a Cheetah offers inspiration and practical advice on finding career fulfilment. Including how you can challenge assumptions and choices that hold you back. Listen to the episode to learn how to:
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference. | |||
| 03 Apr 2025 | {CEO Series} Dr Nara Daubeney - How To Let Go of Guilt and Redefine Success as a Working Parent | 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: | |||
| 05 Oct 2023 | Kate Smith - How Small Steps Can Lead to Big Changes & Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work | 00:53:23 | |
Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October. Download Application Pack. “Have kind conversations with yourself - we are often our own harshest critics when we should be our own best supporter.” We interview the brilliant Kate Smith (Executive Director, Consulting - CBRE UK) about what she has learned from dealing with her own assumptions about herself and where she stands on whether you should adapt at work to emulate the stereotypical male leaders. The discussion includes:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes: | |||
| 06 Mar 2025 | (C-Suite Series) Steph Hind - How to Balance Leadership, Parenting, and Wellbeing Without Sacrifice | 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: | |||
| 29 Feb 2024 | Heather Taylor - How to Accelerate Your Career Whilst Balancing Life as a Parent, Learning to Takes Risks & Life on the Board of Pregnant Then Screwed | 00:31:50 | |
Today on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE chats with Heather Taylor, Director of Finance and Resources for Trust for London and Trustee and Treasurer at charity Pregnant Then Screwed. Heather is an Alumni of the Leaders Plus Fellowship (having completed the very first cohort of the programme) and advocates for flexible and reduced working days to increase productivity in the workplace. As a mother to two under-6, Heather shares her journey of transitioning into a 4-day work model which helped her grow professionally while balancing her time with her children, plus her tips on applying for a full time role when wanting to work across 4 days. Ironically, her financial background does not stop Heather from having a risk-taking approach when it comes to accelerating her career as she discusses setting goals, networking, and more. Finally, Heather shares advice for anyone looking to take on a Trustee or board role and how to combine this with your day job. We hope you enjoy the conversation. A quick reminder that applications for our award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship will close on 20 March. Download the brochure. Show Notes: Get involved with Trust for London and Pregnant Then Screwed. Download the Leaders Plus Career Progression Gaps report. Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 28 Mar 2024 | Lea Henry - How to Manage Perfectionism When Combining a Big Career & Young Children | 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:
| |||
| 15 Feb 2024 | Rachel Allison - Tips for Managing Your Personal Brand & How to Build a PR Agency as a New Mother | 00:42:19 | |
What is the secret to other people talking positively about you at work? Today on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE chats with Rachel Allison, founder of the PR agency Axe + Saw. Rachel is someone who regularly advocates for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity in her work and she is passionate about running a progressive, purpose-driven agency. As a mother to a 6-month-old daughter, Rachel shares her freshest thinking on running an agency whilst raising a young family, including why a 4-day working week is key to their success. Rachel also shares her top tips on managing your own personal brand, including how to get others to advocate for you. We hope you enjoy the conversation. A quick reminder that applications for our award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship will close on 20 March. Download the brochure. Show Notes:
Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 23 Jan 2025 | (C-Suite Series) Verena Hefti MBE - Celebrating 200 Episodes: The Journey of Leaders Plus and How to Navigate Career Progression for Working Parents | 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:
| |||
| 25 Apr 2024 | Elizabeth Willetts - How to Get Your Flexible Working Request Approved & Why the Future of Work is Hybrid | 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:
| |||
| 05 Sep 2024 | Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson - How to Self-Promote at Work & Build Relationships | 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:
| |||
| 18 Jan 2024 | {CEO Series} Natasha Porter OBE - Why Being a CEO is One of the Best Jobs to Combine a Big Career and Small Children | 00:48:30 | |
This week Verena Hefti MBE is joined by Natasha Porter OBE, the CEO and Founder of the charity Unlocked Graduates, who recruit, train and challenge outstanding individuals to lead prisoner rehabilitation. Natasha has two young children and gave birth to her eldest child just as Unlocked Graduates launched. On the podcast, Natasha shares the reality of being a CEO, setting up an organisation and giving birth just after launch. Natasha firmly believes that being a CEO is one of the best jobs to combine a big career and small children due to the role's flexibility and autonomy and she explains how they make it work for their family and how you could too. 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:
| |||
| 31 Aug 2023 | Karen Dillon - Overcoming Microstress: How Little Things Can Pile Up & Create Big Problems & What to Do About It | 00:49:16 | |
Ever find yourself drowning in a sea of endless responsibilities? Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and in need of some practical solutions? Perhaps you need to address the microstress in your life. Microstresses are the small moments of stress that have insidiously infiltrated both our work and personal lives with invisible but devastating effects. These seemingly harmless everyday occurrences can zap our energy levels and impact our performance. Our guest today is Karen Dillon, an expert in dealing with microstress. A former Editor of Harvard Business Review magazine, Karen is the co-author of the bestselling book The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile Up and Create Big Problems - and What to Do about It. In this podcast, Karen shares practical tips on how to limit the microstress in our lives, including shedding light on:
We hope you enjoy the conversation and are able to put the tips into practice. Show Notes:
| |||
| 10 Oct 2024 | Brad Johnson & David G. Smith - How to be a Great Ally in the Workplace | 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. | |||
| 30 Nov 2023 | Janet Daby MP -How to Combine a Senior Career as an MP With Young Children | 00:46:48 | |
This week Janet Daby MP (Member of Parliament for Lewisham East) joins Verena Hefti MBE to discuss how she combines a big career with young children. Janet, who is a mother of 2, shares how she balances frequent evening commitments as an MP with being a present parent and what she has learned about dealing with feelings of guilt. There are lots of practical tips for anyone balancing a senior career whilst raising a family. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
| |||
| 25 Jan 2024 | Sonia Sudhakar - How to Improve Confidence & Resilience as a Senior Leader & Getting to a Director Level Role | 00:42:38 | |
As part of #MentoringMonth Verena Hefti MBE speaks to Leaders Plus Fellowship Mentor Sonia Sudhakar about improving confidence and resilience as a senior leader and how to get to a Director level role. Sonia is the MD of Marketing and Digital at The Royal Mail Group and lives in London with her partner and son. She shares the advice she gives to all her Mentee's and how having her son has changed her approach to work. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Applications are now open for the award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship. Download the brochure and apply by 20/03. Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 24 Oct 2024 | Tom Shaw - How to Create Counterbalance in Your Life & Career | 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. | |||
| 05 Dec 2024 | BITE-SIZED: Verena Hefti MBE - Balancing the Holiday Mental Load | 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: | |||
| 13 Oct 2023 | Dr Jasmin Islam - How to Set Boundaries & Ask for What You Need When Balancing Career & Family | 00:40:52 | |
Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October 2023. Download Application Pack. “Give yourself the permission to be brave” Today we welcome Consultant Dr Jasmin Islam to the podcast. Jasmin balances two big roles alongside raising small children and splits her working hours between Kings College Hospital NHS & Clinical Public Health, United Kingdom Health Security Agency in London. Having recently returned from her second maternity leave, Jasmin joins Verena to discuss what she's learned about setting boundaries throughout her career and how she practically implements that in her own life. Jasmin also has helpful advice on how to ask for what you need, including how to deal with colleagues who might not be supportive of your requests. Connect with Jasmin on Twitter (X) @dr_jas_islam or get in touch via email jasmin.islam1@nhs.net | |||
| 16 Nov 2023 | Paul Morgan-Bentley - Equal Parenting & How Sharing the Load Can Help Career Progression | 00:43:42 | |
“If we’re going to talk a good game about equality at work that also means men taking on childcare responsibilities.” Ahead of International Men's Day (19/11) Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations at The Times and author of the brilliant book The Equal Parent joins Verena Hefti MBE. Paul is an advocate for men properly sharing responsibility for caring for their children. He shares what he and his husband Robin have gained from parenting their son Solly equally and how this has positively impacted their career progression. Paul also discusses the research for his book The Equal Parent and why it is not biologically determined that the mother should be the primary carer in a heterosexual relationship. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
| |||
| 30 Jan 2025 | (C-Suite Series) Sylwia Wolos - Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor on How to Thrive in a C-Suite Role While Raising a Family | 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:
| |||
| 07 Mar 2024 | Jane Green - How to Approach Your Employer for Reduced Working Days and Tips on Transitioning to a Flexible Role | 00:42:30 | |
Today on the podcast, Verena Hefti MBE chats with Jane Green, Leaders Plus Mentor and Former EY Partner. Jane's approach to balancing work and parenthood in an era where flexible-working was rare, can well be considered as a reforming move in the UK workplace. From pioneering a flexible work model in the 1990s at EY to now mentoring on the Leaders Plus Fellowship, Jane helps working parents to explore a working pattern that best suits their career ambitions and family life. From her experience as a mum and now a grandmother, Jane shares her advice on approaching the employer for a flexible model and tips on transitioning to a reduced working-days role. We hope you enjoy the conversation. A quick reminder that applications for our award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship will close on 20 March. Download the brochure. Show Notes: Download the Leaders Plus Career Progression Gaps report. Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 14 Mar 2024 | Dr. Ana Catalano Weeks - Managing Mental Load While Balancing Career and Parenthood | 00:38:36 | |
Today on the podcast, Verena Hefti MBE chats with Dr Ana Catalano Weeks, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bath Dr. Ana shares her experience of how mental load can be gendered and emphasises that creating awareness is a part of the solution. In this conversation, we delve into the dynamics of heterosexual couples and the evolving landscape of childcare responsibilities. Despite men's increasing involvement in practical child-rearing tasks over the decades, women still bear the brunt of the mental load. We also explore the stigma confronting both men and women within the framework of societal expectations surrounding parental roles. Backed by findings from her research, Dr Ana further shares her tips on managing parenthood as working parents. We hope you enjoy the conversation. A quick reminder that applications for our award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship will close on 20 March. Download the brochure. Show Notes: Access free Resources on Managing Mental Load. Download the Leaders Plus Career Progression Gaps report. Read more about Dr. Ana's work here. | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | 🎧 Throwback: Lucy Walker on How to Become a Non-Executive Director | 00:33:06 | |
Over the summer host, Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes. This week we invite you to revisit the episode with Leaders Plus Fellow Lucy Walker who talks through how she became a Non-Executive Director and how you can become one too. Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn here. Useful Resources Mentioned by Lucy
| |||
| 11 Jul 2024 | Nicky Lowe - How to Avoid Burnout as a Working Parent | 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:
| |||
| 26 Sep 2024 | [Future of Work] Tatiana Pignon - Does the Four Day Week Really Work? | 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 | |||
| 10 Apr 2025 | Louise Donaghey FRAeS - How to Lead with Strength and Vulnerability as a Breadwinner Parent | 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: | |||
| 28 Sep 2023 | Dominic Holmes - How to Resize a Client Facing Role from 5 to 4 Days | 00:36:57 | |
Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October. Download Application Pack. “I can honestly say I’ve been more successful on 4 days a week than 5 days a week.” It's a pleasure to welcome back Dominic Holmes to the podcast. Dominic is a Partner at the law firm Mischon De Reya and has successfully resized his client facing role from 5 days a week to 4 days. He shares:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
| |||
| 22 Jun 2023 | Christian Uhle - How to Find Meaning in Both Life & Work | 00:57:36 | |
“We all experience different types of meaning in our lives and we all have different sources of meaning in our lives.” If you feel you lack purpose, should you try to find the meaning of life? How can you increase the meaning you find in both life and work? Why are so many jobs unfulfilling and what practically can you do about it? Philosopher Christian Uhle joins Verena Hefti MBE for a frank discussion on meaning and how we can all increase the meaning in our lives. Find out more about Christian's work, including his book 'Wozu Das Alles' at https://christian-uhle.de Resources mentioned:
| |||
| 02 Nov 2023 | {CEO Series} Matthew Hayes - How to Combine CEO Life With Parenting Young Children | 00:46:28 | |
Can you work in the top positions and still be there for school pick up? Today Verena Hefti MBE is joined by Matthew Hayes, the Vice President & Managing Director of Technology From Sage. Matthew is a father to two young daughters and is combining a big career with raising small children. In the episode, he shares how he balances life in a very senior role (alongside working on a start-up) and is present with his daughters, including working flexibly and being there for school drop-offs. This episode is packed with practical tips, including why Matthew believes being a CEO or Managing Director is possible when you have a family and what he has learned so far on his career journey. 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:
| |||
| 20 Jun 2024 | Dr. Malissa Clark - How to Set Boundaries as a Workaholic & Learn to be More Present as a Parent | 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:
| |||
| 23 May 2024 | [Future of Work] Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst - How Workstyle (Rather Than Flexible Working) Could Change the Way You Work Forever | 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:
| |||
| 21 Nov 2024 | Brigid Schulte - Overcoming Overwork with Strategies for a Balanced Life | 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:
| |||
| 18 Jul 2024 | [Future of Work] Lucy Kemp - How AI Will Impact the Future of Work & How to Prevent Women From Leaving the Workforce | 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. | |||
| 09 Nov 2023 | 🎧 #Throwback: Mary Ann Sieghart on the Authority Gap | 00:42:21 | |
Our host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording this week. Instead, we revisit one of our most popular episodes featuring former The Times Senior Editor Mary Ann Sieghart. Mary Ann is the author of a really intriguing book, The Authority Gap, which analyses why women are taken less seriously than men and what we can do about it. The discussion includes:
Mary Ann’s book The Authority Gap is available via her website maryannsieghart.com. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference. | |||
| 18 Sep 2023 | ⚡️ Monday Motivation: Vanessa Bohns - How to Increase Your Chances of a Yes | 00:02:35 | |
At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents. This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Vanessa Bohns (Professor of Organisational Behavior, Cornell University) who shares how you can get to 'yes' in negotiations and why you have more influence than you might think. A very useful skill when you're negotiating for a pay rise or a flexible working request. If you'd like to listen to Vanessa's conversation in full then head back to episode 80 of Big Careers, Small Children. Please note: our regular podcast episode will be released as usual on Thursday. | |||
| 20 Mar 2025 | Jo Taylor & John Pyle - International Careers & Parenthood: How to Thrive When Pursuing a Global Career and Raising a Family | 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:
| |||
| 17 Oct 2024 | Sally Hamm & Matt Hamm - How to Communicate With Each Other as a Dual Career Couple | 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. | |||
| 23 Nov 2023 | Melissa Blisset - Gender Pay Gap: How Individuals & Employers Can Work to Close It | 00:45:40 | |
What is the root cause of the gender pay gap? What can we do as both individuals and employers to help close it? Following Equal Pay Day 2023 (the day in the year when - based on the gender pay gap - women overall in the UK stop being paid compared to men), Verena Hefti MBE is joined by financial wellbeing and pay gap analytics expert Melissa Blissett from UK Consultancy Barnett Waddingham to discuss the gender pay gap. The most recent Office of National Statistics Gender Pay Gap in the UK: 2023 report highlights that the pay gap is now 14.3%. Melissa shares why the data really needs a closer look and why, in her view, organisations are not yet doing enough to get to the bottom of what’s driving the pay gap in the first place. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Show Notes:
| |||
| 27 Feb 2025 | (C-Suite Series) Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL - How to Overcome Guilt and Build a Successful Career as a Parent | 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... | |||
| 24 Aug 2023 | 🎧 Throwback: Dr Jennifer Petriglieri on How Dual Career Couples Make it Work | 00:51:33 | |
Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes. This week we are revisiting the 2020 episode recorded with Dr Jennifer Petriglieri, an expert on how dual career couples can thrive in relationships both at home and at work. Jennifer shares the concrete steps you can take today to strengthen the positive impact of your relationship on your career. Plus there’s a breakdown of the 3 types of couple approaches to careers and a reminder that our partner is often our secret weapon when it comes to our long-term career success. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference. | |||
| 27 Jul 2023 | 🎧 Throwback Episode: Mother Pukka on Flexible Working | 00:39:24 | |
Over the summer host, Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from interviewing to spend time with her family. We'll be revisiting some of the most popular episodes of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast for you to enjoy. This week we invite you to re-visit the 2020 episode with Anna Whitehouse (also known as Mother Pukka) who talks about setting up her flex appeal campaign and why she has pioneered change in flexible working. The wonderful news is since recording the podcast with Anna the law has changed because of this incredible campaigning. When the Flexible Working Bill passes Royal Assent it will mean ALL workers have the legal right to request flexible working from day one with their company. Congratulations to Anna and all involved in #FlexAppeal. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference. | |||
| 04 Apr 2024 | Brita Fernandez Schmidt - How to Learn to Trust Your Intuition & Manage Your Fears | 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:
| |||
| 09 Feb 2022 | Vicky Fox (The Supreme Court) - Becoming a CEO, Working Flexibly & Making Brave Career Decisions | 00:48:24 | |
Our guest today is Chief Executive of The Supreme Court, Vicky Fox.
We hope you enjoy this week's conversation. Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn here and find out more about the work of The Supreme Court. Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events. Please remember to rate, review, subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 16 Feb 2022 | Jane Galloway - How to Successfully Request Flexible Working, Juggling Two Careers, Finding Your Tribe & Silencing Your Inner Critic | 00:42:32 | |
Our guest today is Jane Galloway, Head of Flexible Working for NHS England and the Founder of the brilliant Quiet the Hive, a community that helps women identify the life they want and arms them with the tools and confidence to go get it.
During the episode, we mention a Flexible Working Guide which you can download via the Leaders Plus website. Access the guide here. Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events. The application deadline for the Fellowship is 01 March 22. Please remember to rate, review, subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 23 Feb 2022 | Dr. Heejung Chung - Why Flexible Working Can Lead to Exploitation, Especially for Women | 00:44:08 | |
Our guest this week is Dr. Heejung Chung, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Kent and the author of the excellent and thought-provoking book The Flexibility Paradox.
Follow Heejung on Twitter @HeejungChung Please remember to rate, review, subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit. Show notes: Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 02 Mar 2022 | Claire Ferreira (Mums in Marketing) - Practical Steps for Beating Imposter Syndrome, How to be Paid What You're Worth & Why Community is Essential for Working Parents | 00:50:29 | |
Today's podcast guest is Claire Ferreira, an NLP Coach and the Founder of Mums in Marketing, a free community connecting "women who do marketing and raise humans".
Enjoy this week's discussion and as always please let us know your thoughts @leaders_plus. Find out more about the brilliant Mums in Marketing community at www.mumsinmarketing.net Please remember to rate, review, subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 10 Mar 2022 | Professor Vanessa Bohns - How to Influence Others to Say Yes, Why You Have More Power Than You Think & Learning How to Reframe Rejection | 00:47:41 | |
Our guest this week is an expert in utilising the power of persuasion to get what you want. In the book, Vanessa draws from her original research to illustrate exactly why we might fail to recognise the influence we have, and how that lack of awareness can lead us to miss opportunities or accidentally misuse our power. We discuss the 3 things you can do to help you hear yes for a work request (such as asking for flexible working) and why the research actually shows you're more likely to hear a positive response than you might think. Our discussion also covers:
Vanessa's book You Have More Influence Than You Think is available via her website vanessabohns.com. Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn and Twitter. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Show Notes:
Listen now in iTunes | Listen now on Spotify Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 04 May 2022 | Mary Ann Sieghart - Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men & What to do About It | 00:45:53 | |
Welcome to series 6 of the Big Careers, Small Children (formerly Leaders With Babies) podcast.
Mary Ann's book The Authority Gap is available via her website maryannsieghart.com. Connect with Mary Ann on Twitter @masieghart Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 11 May 2022 | Carlotta Negri di Sanfront: Being Present With Your Kids When You Have a High Profile Career & Figuring Out When it is the Right Time to Have a Baby | 00:46:58 | |
Our guest today is Carlotta Negri di Sanfront, Chief Product and Design Officer for giffgaff, the mobile network run by its members. Our discussion includes:
You can connect with Carlotta on LinkedIn. We hope you enjoy our conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 18 May 2022 | Amy Gibbs - Becoming a CEO, Working 4 Days a Week, Setting Boundaries & Prioritising Self Care | 00:51:44 | |
Joining us today is Leaders Plus Fellow Amy Gibbs. Amy is CEO of Birthrights, a powerful charity championing human rights in childbirth. Amy also shares her wonderfully honest reflections on setting boundaries, work-life balance and why it's essential we all prioritise a little more self-care. Rest snacks are just one way to do this, she explains how. Plus the conversation covers:
Honesty always makes for the best conversations so we really hope you enjoy our frank discussion. Connect with Amy on Twitter @amylwgibbs Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 25 May 2022 | Lauren Seager-Smith FRSA - Practical Tips to Help With Bullying, the Dual Challenge of Caring for Kids & Older Parents & Why We All Need Circles of Support | 00:37:20 | |
Our guest today is Lauren Seager-Smith FRSA, CEO of the bullying prevention charity Kidscape and a Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme.
Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 08 Jun 2022 | Steph Douglas - Growing a Successful Business as a Parent, Challenging Expectations, Safe Guarding Time to Think and Equality at Home | 00:49:42 | |
Steph Douglas is the inspirational Founder and CEO of the gifting company Don't Buy Her Flowers.
We end with three tips for anyone thinking about starting their own business. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 16 Jun 2022 | Ian Dinwiddy - Supporting Dads to Make Brave Decisions, Removing Barriers Around Shared Parental Leave & Why Gender Equality at Home Influences Work | 00:41:24 | |
'Dadvocate' Ian Dinwiddy is the founder of Inspiring Dads, a platform designed to help dads balance the complexities of modern life and fatherhood. Management Consultant Ian and his partner Lisa (a lawyer) have made what some might view as bold decisions regarding their parenting setup. When their daughter Freya was born they took the decision that Ian would step back from his career to look after her and he has gone on to become the main carer for their two children. We discuss:
This was such a powerful and valuable conversation and we hope you enjoy it. You can find out more about the Inspiring Dads platform at www.inspiringdads.co.uk. Connect with Ian on LinkedIn and Twitter. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 22 Jun 2022 | Laurie Weingart - Learn How to Say No, Why Saying No is Crucial for Promotion & Tips for Identifying Your Non-Promotable Tasks | 00:42:25 | |
Do you ever struggle with saying no at work?
Connect with Laurie and find out more about the No Club at www.thenoclub.com. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 29 Jun 2022 | Dr. Christina Venzin - Coming Back From a Career Break, Progressing Your Career When Other People Tell You Not to & Why it's Okay to Change Your Priorities | 00:38:22 | |
Do you ever worry about changing priorities during your career?
Find out more about Christina and her work here: www.college-m.ch Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 27 Jun 2022 | Welcome to Big Careers, Small Children | 00:01:42 | |
Big Careers Small Children helps ambitious parents progress careers they love whilst being present with their children. Through honest and informal conversation, senior leaders divulge what they have learnt on their own journey of combining big careers with young children to our host Verena Hefti MBE. Expect lots of aha moments, inspiration, fresh ideas, and practical support, so you can move forward in your career in a way that works for you and your family. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 06 Jul 2022 | Suzy Reading - Self Care for Busy Working Parents, How to Make Self Care a Daily Practice & Tips for Boosting Your Energy During Moments of Overwhelm | 00:38:15 | |
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your conflicting priorities?
Connect with Suzy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyreading Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 13 Jul 2022 | Guy Duncan Neale - How to Have a Big Career, Be Present With Your Kids & Work Regular Hours | 00:33:33 | |
Can you work as a senior leader in a fast-paced industry like banking and set boundaries around your working hours? Our guest today is proof you can. Guy Duncan Neale is Head of Global Internal Audit Transformation at HSBC and leads a team of international senior internal auditors within the bank. Following a cancer diagnosis, Guy reflected on the priorities in his life and decided he would limit his working hours to ensure he could be present with his family. In this episode, Guy shares his tips for other working parents, including:
Guy is also a senior leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship and informs and advises many other working parents on combining a leadership career and family. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Show Notes: Book - 4000 Weeks and How to Use them (Oliver Burkeman) If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 20 Jul 2022 | Wendy Merricks - How to Work Full Time When You're a Parent & Not Feel Guilty, Why Small Steps Can Get You to the Big Positions & How to Have Self Belief When Under Pressure | 00:47:21 | |
"Children are not going to come to any harm because you work full time," says our guest today Wendy Merricks. Wendy is the CEO and Founder of Jumar, a group of companies in the IT sector and a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme. Growing up in inner-city Birmingham in a working-class family, Wendy has worked hard to get to the most senior positions, always believing that she was capable of anything she put her mind to. A mother of two boys (now in their 20s) born in quick succession, Wendy has always worked full-time whilst ensuring that when she is with the children, she is truly present. She is a passionate advocate that having children should not be a career inhibitor and her company, Jumar, prides itself on looking out for employees and ensuring workers have a good work-life balance. We discuss:
Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 03 Aug 2022 | Alice Kan - Directing the AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine Roll Out Whilst Balancing Family Commitments | 00:39:35 | |
Today's guest knows a thing or two about working under huge pressure after being headhunted by Wockhardt UK to direct the development of the manufacturing process and facility to produce the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
We hope you enjoy the episode. Find out more about Alice Kan at www.kandoventures.com If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 17 Aug 2022 | Karen Squires - From Hairdresser to A&E Consultant: Progressing a Career in Emergency Medicine Whilst Raising a Young Family | 00:39:23 | |
Ever felt like you're not living up to your full potential and wished you could change your career? Karen Squires is an A&E Consultant at the Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, but her career actually started in hairdressing. In this chat with Verena Hefti MBE, Karen shares how she trusted her gut instinct to follow her career dreams. Together they explore why our careers don't always need to go from A to B and how the meandering path can still move you closer to your goals. Karen also shares her experience of being an older mother alongside progressing in her career. Including her diagnosis of secondary infertility and the multiple rounds of IVF, she and her partner endured before having their much longed-for second daughter. Working in emergency medicine is a pressurised environment. Karen has fantastic advice for dealing with this whilst still being a present parent. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events, by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 10 Aug 2022 | Compilation Episode: The Best Tips for Working Couples | 00:26:53 | |
Not everyone is in a relationship but those that are can spend a considerable amount of time trying to negotiate two big careers alongside raising young children and the commitments this entails. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 24 Aug 2022 | Kami Norland - How to Lead With Compassion, Build Trust & Create Compassionate Organisations | 00:34:24 | |
What does it mean to be a compassionate leader and how can it benefit organisations? Kami Norland is a national and international speaker, facilitator and CEO of Integrative Re-Sources.
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 31 Aug 2022 | Compilation Episode - Letting Go of Working Parent Guilt | 00:22:44 | |
Many listeners have told us that guilt is a challenge you're struggling with, particularly working parent guilt. Featured: Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 07 Sep 2022 | Nadia Bunyan - How to Progress Your Career Internally, Choose Your Employer Wisely & Balance International Travel Whilst Raising a Family | 00:37:06 | |
How can you secure an internal promotion without working all hours and putting your hand up for every task? Our guest today is Nadia Bunyan, HR Director at Global Witness, an international NGO that works to break the links between natural resource exploitation, conflict, poverty, corruption, and human rights abuses worldwide. Nadia shares fantastic advice on progressing your career internally, including the three things any parent who is trying to be promoted within their organisation can do today. The conversation also includes:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 28 Sep 2022 | Lucy McAuliffe - Progressing Your Career When You Have Premature Twins, Moving from 2 to 3 Children & Dealing With Assumptions When in a Same-Sex Couple | 00:33:41 | |
How can you juggle your senior career when your children are born prematurely?
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Listen now in iTunes | Listen now on Spotify Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 15 Sep 2022 | Dr. Christian Busch - How to Create Your Own Good Luck & Cultivate Serendipity | 00:38:09 | |
What if being lucky wasn’t just by chance but a skill that you could master? Our guest this week is Dr. Christian Busch, the best-selling author of Connect the Dots: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck and a Professor at New York University. Christian has spent years exploring the connection between chance encounters and new professional opportunities and has fantastic insights on how we can all leverage luck to our advantage. There were so many lightbulb moments during the discussion and plenty of practical tips we can all act on to improve our lives, both personally and professionally. We discuss:
Connect with Christian on Twitter @ChrisSerendip Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 16 Sep 2022 | A Message for Any Listeners Working in the NHS | 00:03:06 | |
A special update for any listeners working in the NHS. As part of the 6-month Leaders Plus NHS Foundation Fellowship, you get expert career development support, group coaching, a supportive network of peers and practical support to overcome work/life hurdles. The Fellowship is accessible to clinical and non-clinical colleagues from any speciality. If you're working in the NHS then I encourage you to find out more: www.leadersplus.org.uk/NHSFellowship Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 21 Sep 2022 | Kate Jarman - Building a Movement for Change in Flexible Working & Being Your Authentic Self at Work | 00:39:03 | |
"We’ve been working with NHS England who last year made a huge policy shift in the NHS to make flexible working a day one employment right and to make roles flexible by default." We discuss:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about Flex NHS on Twitter @FlexNHS Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes (applications for the NHS Fellowship closes 17/10) and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 05 Oct 2022 | Dr Lisa Grover - How to Prepare for Pay Negotiations, Including Tips on How & Where to Research & Utilising Your Networks | 00:40:43 | |
"In practice there’s always a bit of wriggle room for individual discussions and individual negotiations about pay." This week we are joined by pay expert, lecturer, HR leader and Leaders Plus Fellowship Alumni Dr Lisa Grover. Lisa is a Senior Lecturer in Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter Business School and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to practical advice on preparing for negotiations on pay. Our conversation includes:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now. Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more. | |||
| 10 Oct 2022 | Prof. Roz Shafran - How to Cope When Your Child is Unwell, Has Additional Needs or is Going Through a Challenging Time | 00:39:44 | |
I don’t think anybody’s life is quite as smooth sailing as social media would have us believe.” This week in support of World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October) we welcome Clinical Psychologist Professor Roz Shafran, co-author of the brilliant book “How to Cope When Your Child Can’t”. Parenthood can often be far from smooth sailing, especially if your child is unwell, experiencing challenges or has additional needs. So how can parents juggling work and raising their family ensure they look after their own mental health and thrive during these difficult times? Roz and Verena talk honestly about strategies to help parents cope and Verena shares her personal story of managing being a CEO whilst her young son was admitted to the hospital 7 times over a 6 month period. They cover:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Remember, speaking out about your struggles isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Support can be found via Mind. If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 19 Oct 2022 | Clarissa Ward - Reporting From the Front Line When You Have Children, Making Peace With the Mother You Are Not & Embracing the Mother You Are | 00:39:44 | |
“You try to learn to make peace with the mother you are not and embrace the mother that you are.” They discuss:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. For more information about Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events sign up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 26 Oct 2022 | Dhivya O'Connor - What it Takes to Become a Charity CEO When You're a Parent, Moving from the Corporate to the Charity Sector & How to Find an Excellent Mentor | 00:40:03 | |
Our guest today is charity CEO Dhivya O'Connor. Prior to joining the third sector, she held various strategy, business development and leadership roles in large corporates. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 02 Nov 2022 | Veronica Hope Hailey - How to Build Trust At Work, Especially When Working Flexibly | 00:45:00 | |
"Trust arrives on foot but leaves on horseback." Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 27 Oct 2022 | Bonus Episode: Finding a High Quality Mentor | 00:12:19 | |
In this special episode to celebrate #NationalMentoringDay Verena Hefti MBE shares her experience of finding a high quality Mentor to help guide your senior career, including where to find one, how to approach the conversation and what to do when it just isn't working out. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 09 Nov 2022 | Angela McConville - Motherhood, Leadership & the Importance of Seeking Progress Not Perfection | 00:41:09 | |
“Progress, not perfection. That’s a bit of a mantra for our leadership team.”
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 16 Nov 2022 | Dr. Beth A Livingston - Shared Sisterhood: How to Take Collective Action for Racial & Gender Equity at Work, Plus Tips on Spousal Negotiation | 00:46:55 | |
Gender equity can't happen without racial equity. We need Shared Sisterhood. We discuss:
If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 23 Nov 2022 | Dr Martha Deiros Collado - How to Be Present With Your Children at Home & Not Feel Guilty About Leaving Them When at Work | 00:40:52 | |
“It’s good for our children to see mothers as not just a parent but so much more than that. There are different facets to our identity and it’s healthy for kids to witness that.”
We hope you enjoy our conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 07 Dec 2022 | Alex Budak - How to Have a Changemaker Mindset & Lead Change for Working Parents in Your Organisation | 00:46:03 | |
“Instead of waiting for someone else, we can each try and lead change from where we are.”
We hope you enjoy the conversation. For more information about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 30 Nov 2022 | Lou Conran - How to Deal With a Termination for Medical Reasons & Cope With Loss When You Also Need to Work | 00:44:58 | |
TW: TFMR Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 14 Dec 2022 | Michelle Bradley - How to Overcome Burnout as a Busy Working Mother & Leading an Organisation with Empathy | 00:40:22 | |
“In our office, we don’t talk about work-life balance we talk about home-life balance.”
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 21 Dec 2022 | Anita Nowak - How Can We Leverage Empathy for Personal, Organisational & Social Change | 00:47:50 | |
“If you are high performance you need empathy in your workplace!” Our guest today is Anita Nowak, an expert in empathy and author of the forthcoming book Purposeful Empathy: Tapping Our Hidden Superpower for Personal, Organisational, and Social Change. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 04 Jan 2023 | Wendy K Smith - Both/And Thinking - Why We Don't Need to Choose Between Two Things We Love | 00:50:02 | |
“If we shift our thinking to a both/and approach it enables us to open up all kinds of different possibilities and to use these tensions as a source of creativity.” Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 17 Jan 2023 | Laura Harrison & Rajani Rao: What it Takes to Make a Mentoring Relationship Transformational | 00:43:21 | |
“Before Laura I really sat there waiting for opportunities. After Laura’s mentoring session that changed for me. I would actually go out and find them.”
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Connect with Laura on LinkedIn. Connect with Rajani on LinkedIn Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 11 Jan 2023 | Tina Miller - How to Share Primary Caring Responsibilities Equally & Addressing the Issue of Female Dominated Caring | 00:38:13 | |
“The norm now in the UK is that we have working families but we don’t have a society that supports that.” Can a primary caring responsibility be equally shared between mothers and fathers?
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 25 Jan 2023 | Joanna Santinon - How to Navigate a Demanding Career & IVF | 00:41:28 | |
“Until you’re trying you just don’t look into fertility and you don’t understand where the fertility cliffs are and where the drop-offs start to happen.” We discuss:
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 15 Feb 2023 | Catherine Muge and Dr Tom Bashford - How to Navigate Shared Parental Leave as a Dual Career Couple | 00:56:46 | |
Apply today: Cross-Sector Fellowship applications close on 7th March 2023
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 31 Jan 2023 | Apply Now for the Leaders Plus Fellowship | 00:02:27 | |
A special update for any listeners with a baby or a child between the ages of 0-11. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 01 Feb 2023 | Verena Hefti MBE & Jemma Biteye - Practical Tips for Working Parents: Equal Career Progression | 00:33:01 | |
The tables have turned in this week's episode.
We hope you enjoy the conversation. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||
| 08 Mar 2023 | EMPLOYER CHANGE MAKERS: Dr Claartje Vinkenburg on Diversity & Inclusion in Careers | 00:50:53 | |
“When it comes to diversity and inclusion a lot of organisations are managing recruitment and selection rather well. Promoting for diversity is a whole other issue.” Dr Claartje Vinkenburg is an expert on gender diversity in careers. In this special employer change maker episode of Big Careers, Small Children she joins Verena Hefti MBE to discuss the most recent research on career development in the context of promoting gender equality.
Connect with Dr Claartje Vinkenburg on LinkedIn. Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children? | |||