Returnity (Letty Gordon-Furse)

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on the brilliant firecracker and pelvic physiotherapist Clare Bourne.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Clare Bourne.  

This week, it's a throwback. Letty meets Mary Daniels: Ted Talk Speaker, Published Author, Purpose Coach, Mum of 1 (and until recently, stepmum of 3) now one of my amazing Partners for the Spring Back Guide. 

Themes discussed: finding your purpose, positivity, gratitude and how to find it, abusive relationships, s*xual violence, suicide, postnatal depression and postnatal psychosis.

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects...Mary Daniels)

Recorded in Dec 2020.

This week's Inspiring Back to Work Story is a throwback featuring the origin story of the brilliant Illy Morrison - aka, @mixing.up.motherhood. Illy is a Midwife, Mum of 2, Birth Trauma and Debrief specialist AND published author (as well as being a huuuuge thought leader on Birth Trauma on instagram). 

Themes discussed: Birth trauma, home birth, c-section, self-advocacy, confidence, racism, medical intervention, hypnobirthing, midwifery and birth debriefing.

Recorded in 2021.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Shakira Akabusi - a former Musical Theatre performer/Singer - who transformed her career after a significant setback to become an incredible pre- and post-natal trainer, Founder of Strong Like Mum method, and Mum herself of 4.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Shakira Akabusi.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my brilliant conversation with Founder and CEO of Natal Active (and Mum of 3), Claire Gleave.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Natal Active.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on the role of Dads in the fight for equality, and in the whole Birthing Process, after my insanely thought provoking chat with the very insightful, thoughtful and inspiring Elliott Rae. 

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Elliott Rae.

In our ChangeMakers series, Spring Back Guide's CEO Letty Gordon-Furse interviews leaders of exceptional organisations - all doing brilliant things to help women go back to work happy and close the gender gap, for good.

On this episode, Letty met with Gether's Co-Founder Claire Waring. A Mum herself, Claire and her Co-Founder Elly Bartens created Gether - an AI powered family assistant designed to lift mental load.

This AI-powered web app handles your emails, messages, events and tasks - and we at Spring Back Guide have no doubt that this will be a game changer for parents everywhere.

Themes discussed: cultural parenting differences, global parenting approaches, Scandinavian culture, work life balance, femtech.

Recorded in 2023.

This week, Letty meets the brilliant Couples Counseling For Parents: Dr Stephen and Erin Mitchell, licensed family therapists, parents to 3 children and instagram sensation, and also now one of my amazing Partners for the Spring Back Guide. 

Themes discussed: relationships, relationship growth, pregnancy loss, parent loss, entrepreneurship, therapy, counselling

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects...Couples Counseling For Parents)

Recorded in 2022.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Busy Toddler instagram sensation Susie Allison.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Busy Toddler.

Jenny Plant is a Singer, Musician, Composer and Mum of 1. She join me on today's brand new episode of Returnity, almost a year to the day that she finished Chemotherapy for an aggressive form of breast cancer. In most back to work journeys, we deal with the huge identity shift that happens in our professional and personal lives that happens when becoming 'mum' - but she and I explored Jenny's reality: which was that she was told 3 weeks before she gave birth that she had a rare, aggressive breast cancer.

Themes discussed: cancer diagnosis, treatment, loss, the power of music, equal parenting, mental health, life and how to live it

Recorded 2023. 

To donate:-

Breast Cancer Now: https://breastcancernow.org

Mummys Star: https://www.mummysstar.org

The Royal Marsden Charity: https://www.royalmarsden.org 

This week's Inspiring Back to Work Story is a throwback featuring the instagram sensation @busytoddler Mum of 3, Susie Allison. Susie used to be an Elementary School Teacher, before extortionate childcare costs took her to being a stay at home mum. After starting to film and publish how she was making it through the day with 3 very young children, one nap at a time, her social media ROCKETED... and she's never looked back. 

Themes discussed: Infertility, IVF, equal parenting, USA vs UK Healthcare, the cost of birth, c-sections, enjoying parenting!

Recorded in 2021.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my eye-opening conversation with Founder and CEO of Cheeky Wipes (and Mum of 4), Helen Rankin.

Note: not for little ears as I discuss in detail my own s*x ed class!!

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Cheeky Wipes.

Gabriella (Gabby) Griffith is soon-to-be Mum of 2, freelance journalist, best-selling author and most famously: Co-Host of the brilliant podcast Big Fat Negative, created with Emma Haslett documenting the ups, downs and everything in between of trying to conceive. 

Themes discussed: infertility, social attitudes to fertility, community, birth, journalism, back to work, 'one and done', being in the public eye, social media

Recorded in 2024

This week's Inspiring Back to Work Story features Mum of 2 Linnea Dunne. Linnea is a writer, journalist, podcaster and activist, whom I met while recording for her own podcast about women's health: Bits of Me. This is one of my most treasured episodes to date, and I'm so grateful to Linnea for sharing her story with me.

Themes discussed: termination for medical reasons, baby loss, traumatic birth, postnatal care, activism, human rights, Ireland, Sweden and feminism.

You can find her website and writing here: https://www.linneadunne.com

Recorded in 2022.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my really beautiful conversation with Laura Wright, mezzo-soprano singer and Mum of 2.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Laura Wright.

Welcome to the latest episode of Returnity. Christine Armstrong, author of the best-selling book (MUST READ) "The Mother of All Jobs: how to have children and a career and stay sane(ish)" joins me this week in a throwback episode - recorded half way through my second pregnancy.

Themes discussed: professional identity, keeping up with the Joneses, equality in marriage, societal expectations on women - and so much more.

First Published in 2021.

This week's episode is a throwback, and one of my most important and emotional to date. Letty meets the awe-inspiring Elizabeth Christmas-Hutton, CEO of Kicks Count - the UK's leading charity raising awareness of baby movements and the prevention of stillbirth. I have this wonderful charity to thank for my child surviving. 

This episode is dedicated to Toby Christmas-Hutton.

Themes discussed: baby loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, anxiety, following your passion, and when your job is your mission.

To buy a wristband, click here https://kickscount.shop/ols/products/wristband.

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects...Kicks Count)

Recorded in 2022.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my throwback 2020 interview with Mary Daniels: Ted Talk Speaker, Published Author, Purpose Coach, Mum of 1 (and until recently, stepmum of 3) - and now one of my amazing Partners for the Spring Back Guide. 

Want to listen to the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Mary Daniels.

This week, Letty meets Rebecca Anderton-Davies: Yoga Queen, Investment Banker, Published Author of Shifting the Dials, and Mum of 2.

Themes discussed: sticking with the same job, covid pregnancy, post-birth trauma, hypnobirthing, work life bliss, what 'balance' is, 1st vs 2nd births, importance of women in the birth space, and trailblazing!

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects...Rebecca Anderton-Davies)

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with MamaStillGotIt_ Louise Boyce, mum of 3, activist, blogger, comedian on Instagram, and model for over 20 years.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... MamaStillGotIt. 

Jessica (Jess) Lawes is Co-Founder of growing phenomenon: The Mum Club. Jess is a Mum of 4 (!), and is married to England Rugby Star Courtney. She founded this incredible franchise model after frustration with the 'traditional' babygroups where she wanted a community of like-minded women to relax, be themselves, have fun and support one another.

Themes discussed: entrepreneurship, young motherhood, twin births, 'solo' parenting, female friendships, community building

Recorded 2022. 

Welcome to the second 'ChangeMakers' episode of Returnity where I interview leaders in exceptional organisations - doing brilliant things to help women go back to work happy and confident through innovation.

Careers After Babies Accreditation's Jessica Heagren talks all about how her organisation is on a mission to shake up how businesses shape their workplaces to provide family-friendly accreditation for forward-thinking workplaces.

Having had a corporate world career, 4 kids and a few epiphanies after meeting SO many hugely qualified women who couldn't get back into an office... this is a woman on a mission. 

Themes discussed: identity, entrepreneurship, motherhood of 4, mental health, women in business 

Recorded in 2023

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Illy Morrison (aka @mixing.up.motherhood) and her strength and confidence to do things HER way, and her incredible desire to support all other women to do the same. I reflect in particular on the rules and norms in society, and therefore birth, and how Illy really made me think about our need to challenge these.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Mixing Up Motherhood.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Jenny Plant, composer, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, mum of 1 and cancer survivor.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Jenny Plant.

Breast Cancer now: https://breastcancernow.org

Mummys Star: https://www.mummysstar.org

The Royal Marsden Charity: https://www.royalmarsden.org 

This week's episode is with Claire Gleave, Founder and CEO of Natal Active and Mum of 3 boys. Natal Active is a pre- and post-natal fitness brand of activewear - borne out of Claire's frustration with the lack of options for very active pregnant and postnatal women. With little knowledge of fashion/textile design and whilst raising 3 kids, she went for it ... and the rest is history (still being made!) with an absolutely epic brand. Her journey to get there is absolutely fascinating.

Themes discussed: Prolapse, birth injury, sexism in health care, maternity discrimination, entrepreneurship, birthing methods, 

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects... Claire Gleave)

Recorded in 2021.

This week's episode is with none other than Laura Wright, classical mezzo-soprano singer and mum to 2 little girls. We recorded when her first was just 10 months old. 

Themes discussed: postnatal depression, judgment in motherhood, social media, industry standards, lack of representation of mothers/motherhood in films and music.

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects... Laura Wright)

Recorded in 2020.

This week's episode is Helen Rankin, Founder & CEO of the sustainable/reusable wipes, nappies + period products... Cheeky Wipes. Helen was born in 1970s conservative Northern Ireland - where pee, poo and s*x were definitely unwelcome discussion. So, I was fascinated to hear how on earth she got from A to Pee (sorry) to create such an incredible brand, with 4 kids under her belt.

Themes discussed: S*x, P*rn, periods! Raising children, abstinence culture, conservatism, divorce, entrepreneurialism, sustainability, environment, breastfeeding (For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects... Cheeky Wipes)

Recorded in 2021.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my unreal conversation and journey with the marvellous and fascinating: Anna Kent - war zone midwife and mum of 1.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Anna Kent.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Jessica Lawes, Co-Founder of the Mum Club and Mum 4. 

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Jessica Lawes.

This week's episode is a throwback.

Clare Bourne is a brilliant, pelvic physiotherapist (not to mention: instagram sensation), Mum of 2, and one of my brilliant physical health partners for the Spring Back Guide.

Themes discussed: hypothalamic amenorrhea (a severe stress response that results in your periods shutting down), medical querying, being creative at work, following your passion, and her mission to dispel pelvic floor myths and bring accessible postnatal physical care to all women. 

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects... Clare Bourne)

Recorded in 2022.

Welcome to the third 'ChangeMakers' episode of Returnity, where I interview leaders in exceptional organisations, all doing brilliant things to help women go back to work happy and confident through innovation.

Carifit's Head of Corporate Wellbeing, Zoe Johnston, takes us through a rough road to 2 babies: shaping her career from globetrotting with a corporate giant, all the way to ultimate flexibility with innovating startup.  She shares how her experiences have shaped her vision for companies to support their women's returnities better than ever. 

Themes discussed: infertility, IVF, traumatic birth, miscarriage, prenatal anxiety, pandemic, flexibility.

Recorded in 2023.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on the incredibly emotional and also important episode with Elizabeth Christmas-Hutton, CEO of the fantastic UK Charity Kicks Count, raising awareness of baby movements to prevent stillbirth.

Want to listen to the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Kicks Count.

This week's episode is Elliott Rae, Dad of 1 and one of the UK’s most prominent speakers on fatherhood, masculinity and men’s mental health. He is also the founder of the parenting platform Music Football Fatherhood - or MFF Online. He founded the platform after being diagnosed with PTSD as a new dad after the traumatic birth of his daughter.

Themes discussed: Birth trauma, PTSD, Group B Strep, Masculinity, NICU, Male mental health, new fatherhood and Equal Parental Leave rights.

Recorded in 2022.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on the brilliant Couples Counseling For Parents: Dr Stephen and Erin Mitchell, licensed family therapists, parents to 3 children and instagram sensation, and also now one of my amazing Partners for the Spring Back Guide. 

Want to listen to the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Couples Counseling For Parents.

This week's episode is with Anna Kent: Midwife, Mum of 1, and author of outstanding book Frontline Midwife. Anna delivered babies by head torch, in tropical storms, and throughout desperate refugee crises in the third world. Her own journey of recovery from some of these harrowing experiences, towards healing, motherhood and solo parenting, is extraordinary.

Themes discussed: War, International Aid, PTSD, sexual violence, divorce, solo parenting and the universal need for dignity in the birthing process. 

(For more on this guest, go to episode Letty Reflects... Anna Kent)

Recorded in 2022.

Welcome to the latest episode of Returnity. @MamaStillGotit_ , aka Louise Boyce, instagram sensation, model for over 20 years, brand ambassador, activist, blogger and quite honestly COMEDIAN joins me this week in a throwback episode - recorded just before I had my second baby! 

Themes discussed: female identity, hypnobirthing, birth injuries, relationships, eating disorders, body image, mental health

First Published in 2022.

Welcome to the latest episode of Returnity. Lou Teasdale @louteasdale, Mum of 1, Hairstylist to One Direction, Olly Murs and SO many more joins me this week in a throwback episode. Because how do you parent your 4-month old on a tourbus?

Themes discussed: co-parenting, work + identity, how (and when) to let your kids grow up, 'celebrity', entrepreneurship and completing the game

First Published in 2021.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Lou Teasdale - Mum of 1, Hairstylist to the stars, Instagram sensation, entrepreneur and interior design extraordinaire.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Lou Teasdale.

Shakira Akabusi is a former Musical Theatre performer/Singer - who transformed her career after a significant setback to become an incredible pre- and post-natal trainer, Founder of Strong Like Mum method, and Mum herself of 4. This was one of my favourite episodes ever to record!

Themes discussed: OCD, anxiety, birthing methods, therapy, entrepreneurship, doing what you love, getting through tough times, spirituality, feminism

Recorded 2023. 

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Christine Armstrong - journalist, published author of The Mother of All Jobs, workplace influencer and mum of 3.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Christine Armstrong.

On this week's Letty Reflects, I reflect on my interview with Linnea Dunne - Swedish native/Irish dwelling, journalist, published author, activist and mum of 2.

Want to hear the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Linnea Dunne. 

You can find out more about Linnea here: https://www.linneadunne.com

Welcome to the newest episode of Returnity. Bubble Childcare's Sarah Hesz is kicking off the Changemakers series, where I interview leaders in exceptional organisations doing brilliant things to help women go back to work happy and confident by innovating in the Returnity space.

Themes discussed: professional identity, returnity as a concept, innovation, female retention, postnatal mental health, entrepreneurship

Recorded in 2023

On this week's Letty Reflects, Letty discusses her interview with Rebecca Anderton-Davies: Yoga Queen, Investment Banker, Published Author and Mum of 2.

Want to listen to the whole interview? Search for Letty Meets... Rebecca Anderton-Davies.

Go to www.springbackguide.com if you want personalised coaching, straight to your phone, or you can find Letty on instagram @springbackguide.