Work It Like A Mum
How do I know if I'm ready to return to work after maternity leave? Can I *really* make all the pick-ups, drop-offs AND get to work on time? Am I ready for that promotion? How do I balance managing a large team and demanding kids? Is now the right time to start my own business? Can I flourish in a part-time job? And the biggest question of all, can I *really* have it all? Whether you're returning to work after your first maternity leave or juggling a high-flying career with teenagers that won't do their homework, this is the show...
Back to Work After a Baby: Bye Mum Guilt, Hello Confidence!
Returning to work after maternity leave? Feeling like you're supposed to just pick up where you left off?
Except you're NOT the same person who left!
You've had a baby. Your priorities have shifted. Your confidence might have taken a knock. And now you're expected to juggle nursery drop-offs, sleepless nights AND a career like it's no big deal!
Sound familiar?
In this week's Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth Willetts chats with Zoe Scorah, founder of My Maternity Coach, about the REALITY of re...
From Corporate Lawyer to Flexible Business Owner: Building a Career on YOUR Terms!
Ever dreamed of earning money on YOUR terms, being there for the school run and building something that's just for YOU? 💗
In this week's Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth Willetts chats with Debbie, founder of Glow with Debbie, who swapped corporate law for wedding planning before discovering a completely different career as a Tropic Skincare Ambassador.
After stepping away from her successful business to support her daughter and navigating perimenopause in her 30s, Debbie was ready to rediscover something for herself.
And guess what? A skincare discount turned int...
ADHD in Women: Why Work Feels Harder (And How to Build a Life That Fits YOU!)
Ever wondered why some parts of work feel SO much harder than they should? Or why you can smash the big ideas but struggle to reply to a simple email?
In this week's Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth Willetts chats with Emma Kearns, founder of Seren Neurodiversity and a neurodiversity specialist with over 20 years' experience.
Despite working in neurodiversity for years, Emma only recognised her own ADHD at 35, after becoming a mum during the pandemic.
Together, they unpack why ADHD is so often missed in women, the reality of m...
From 90 to 600+ Kids: One BIG Business Journey
This week on the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth chats with Yvonne Phillips, mum of two and Little Kickers franchise owner, about bouncing back from a business setback, ditching the London commute and building a business that now welcomes 600+ children every week!
After a successful corporate career, Yvonne launched a maternity clothing business. Five years later, it closed. Her confidence? Shaken.
But with two young boys at home, going back to long commutes and barely seeing her children wasn't the answer.
So she took another chance...
I Wanted Flexibility, Not a Pay Cut: Making Part-Time Work
This week on the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth chats with Pauline Bird, an accountant, mum of two and Utility Warehouse Partner, about what happened when full-time work no longer worked for her family — but giving up her career and financial independence didn’t feel right either.
After taking a seven-month career break, Pauline found a flexible part-time accounting role through Investing in Women and started building an additional income through Utility Warehouse alongside it.
What we cover:
Why Pauline stepped away from full-time workTaking a seven...From West End To Business Owner: Building a Business That Fits Your Life
This week on the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth chats with Lucy Holloway, Founder of Dance Shack, about her journey from West End performer to entrepreneur — and how a dance school that started with just seven children grew to around 850 pupils.
Now, after 20 years of building Dance Shack, Lucy is taking the business in a new direction: franchising.
What we cover:
Leaving behind a successful performing careerStarting Dance Shack with just seven pupilsHow motherhood changed Lucy’s career prioritiesGrowing from one small school to around 850 studentsWhy Dance Shack is now expanding through fran...10 Year Career Break. Could You Really Go Back?
In this week's episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we sit down with Elly Sainsbury to talk honestly about returning to work after an almost 10-year career break raising her four children.
Now working as a Project Manager at Complete Projects, Elly shares the very real journey that took her from stay-at-home parent, through volunteering and a flexible role in a local school, to rebuilding her confidence and stepping back into the corporate world.
It wasn’t one huge leap. It was a series of smaller st...
From Screen Time to Growth Time: Raising Future-Ready Kids
In this week's episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we sit down with Dan Nachmias, founder of Elysian Minds, to explore how we can better prepare children for a rapidly changing world.
Created for children aged 7–12, Elysian Minds combines core academics with life skills, including financial literacy, emotional intelligence, resilience, leadership, confidence, and understanding of AI – all delivered through an engaging, gamified platform.
Drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur and a parent, Dan shares why he created Elysian Minds, the skills he believes children need for the future and why...
Promotion & Pay: How to Get Paid What You Deserve (Without Feeling Awkward)
In this week’s Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re sharing the sixth and final session from our Momentum Career Summer Series, designed to help women confidently advocate for themselves, recognise their value and ask for more at work.
Hosted by Laurie Macpherson, this practical and empowering session explores how to talk about your achievements with confidence, position yourself for new opportunities and navigate promotion and pay conversations — without underselling yourself or feeling awkward.
From building a strong case for a pay rise to knowing what to do whe...
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to Step Into Your Power (Even When You Don’t Feel Ready)
In this week’s Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re sharing the fifth session from our Momentum Career Summer Series, designed to help women overcome self-doubt, build confidence and stop letting imposter syndrome hold them back.
Hosted by Gifty Enright, this honest and empowering panel discussion brings together a group of women to explore how imposter syndrome can show up at every stage of your career – even when you’re experienced, successful and more than capable.
Together, they share their own experiences of questioning whether they belong, the inter...
CVs & Interview Prep: Stand Out and Get Hired
In this week's Work It Like a Mum podcast, we're sharing the fourth session from our Momentum Career Summer Series, designed to help women create stronger applications, stand out to employers and secure more interviews.
Elizabeth Willetts draws on nearly 20 years of recruitment experience to share insider advice on writing a compelling CV, optimising your LinkedIn profile and preparing for interviews with confidence.
From tailoring your CV for applicant tracking systems (ATS) to demonstrating your value, building your professional brand and acing interview questions, this episode is packed with...
LinkedIn & Offline Networking: Unlock Hidden Opportunities
In this week’s Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re sharing the third session from our Momentum Career Summer Series, designed to help women build their confidence, increase their visibility and unlock new career opportunities.
Elizabeth Willetts is joined by career advancement coach Leanne Cooper, founder of You First Coaching, to explore how LinkedIn, networking and personal branding can help you access the hidden job market and create opportunities that never make it onto job boards.
Together, they share practical strategies to help you overcome visib...
Building Confidence: Step Into Your Full Career Potential (Without Waiting to Feel Ready)
In this week’s Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re sharing the second session from our Momentum Career Summer Series, designed to help women build confidence, take action and keep moving forward in their careers.
Elizabeth Willetts is joined by confidence and career coach Lindsey Roberts, founder of Gold Digger Coaching, to explore why confidence isn’t something you wait for – it’s something you build through action.
Together, they share practical tools to help you overcome self-doubt, challenge limiting beliefs and step into your full career potential. <...
Gaining Career Clarity: How to Define What You Really Want Next
In this week’s episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re sharing the first session from our Momentum Career Summer Series, designed to help women build clarity, confidence, and keep their careers moving forward. Elizabeth is joined by Kim Holland, a career pivot coach with 12 years’ experience, to explore how to get unstuck, understand what you really want from your career and start figuring out what comes next.
What we cover:
Why jumping straight onto job boards could be keeping you stuck. The biggest barriers t...Why You're Not Failing at Parenting This Summer (Even If It Feels Like You Are) ⭐
The summer holidays can feel like a juggling act. You're balancing work, childcare, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to make every day magical... all while trying not to feel guilty.
In this week's episode of Work It Like a Mum, Elizabeth is joined by parental coach Giulia Galli for a reassuring and practical conversation about navigating the summer holidays with more confidence and less pressure.
Together, they explore why so many parents feel overwhelmed, how to let go of perfection, and the small mindset shifts that can make family life f...
From Employee to Employer: How to Build a Business Without Starting Again
In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by Rebecca Newenham, founder of Get Ahead, to explore what it really takes to go from employee to business owner.
Together, they discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, the benefits of franchising, and how women can build a flexible business without starting from scratch. Whether you're dreaming of running your own business or simply curious about your options, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest insights and encouragement.
What We Cover:
The journey fr...Navigating Fertility at Work: Breaking the Silence
In this week's episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we sit down with HR leader, accredited coach and fertility specialist Kali Crow to discuss one of the most overlooked workplace challenges: navigating fertility treatment whilst building a career.
Drawing on both her professional expertise and personal experience of IVF, Kali shares practical advice, honest reflections and compassionate guidance for anyone experiencing fertility challenges, pregnancy loss or reproductive health issues.
What we cover:
Kali's journey into fertility coaching The impact of fertility treatment on careers, confidence and mental wellbeing Practical ways t...Your Rights at Work: The Employment Law Changes You Need to Know
In this week's episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by employment lawyer and founder of Thrive Law, Jodie Hill, to unpack the biggest changes coming to UK employment law and what they mean for both employees and employers.
From day one rights and flexible working reforms to maternity protections, statutory sick pay and emerging workplace responsibilities around menopause and family leave, this episode provides practical guidance on how the new Employment Rights Act could reshape the future of work.
Whether you're an employee wanting to understand your rights o...
What Employers Really Gain When They Invest in Women at Work
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we're sharing the eighth session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women's Day.
In this insightful and thought-provoking conversation, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by Lucinda Hewitt Coleman, Senior Talent Operations Manager at Oxera, to explore what employers really gain when they invest in women at work.
Drawing on her extensive experience in talent operations and people strategy, Lucinda shares why flexibility, inclusion and career development are not just the right thing to do, but a powerful business advantage. Together, they...
Stop Shrinking – Owning Your Value in a System Not Built for You
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we're sharing the seventh session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women's Day.
In this empowering and practical conversation, career advancement coach Leanne Cooper explores why so many women feel overlooked, undervalued and underpaid, and what it really takes to own your value with confidence.
Drawing on her own experiences and the lessons she's learned supporting thousands of women, Leanne shares practical strategies to help women stop shrinking their ambitions, advocate for themselves more effectively and step forward with greater...
Building Work That Works for You – The Rise of Female Entrepreneurship
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we're sharing the sixth session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women's Day.
In this inspiring and honest panel discussion, female founders and business leaders explore why more women are choosing entrepreneurship, what it really takes to build a sustainable business, and how creating work on your own terms can unlock greater flexibility, confidence and fulfilment.
Featuring founders from HR, finance, technology and community-building businesses, this conversation dives into the realities of self-employment, the challenges women face in traditional workplaces...
AI at Work – Threat, Tool or Opportunity for Women?
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the fifth session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.
In this insightful and thought-provoking panel discussion, experts across AI, technology, economics and business explore how AI is already reshaping the workplace and what that means for women, careers and the future of work.
This session dives into AI adoption, workplace bias, leadership, career opportunities, inclusion and how women can confidently engage with AI without needing to be technical experts.
What We Cove...
Designing a Career That Gives You More – Without Burning Out
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the fourth session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.
In this empowering and practical conversation, career change specialist Kim Holland explores how women can design careers that give them more, without leading to burnout.
This session dives into career clarity, flexibility, ambition, burnout, career pivots and the realities of balancing work and life during different seasons of life and motherhood.
What We Cover:
Why the idea of “having it all” ca...What Women Are Giving Just to Stay Employed
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the third session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.
This honest and thought-provoking panel discussion explores the hidden emotional, professional and financial cost many women pay simply to stay in the workplace.
Hosted by Women’s Wellbeing Coach and author Gifty Enright, alongside four incredible women sharing honest lived experiences. This powerful conversation explores flexibility, burnout, visibility, career progression, caregiving, menopause, remote working and the hidden realities many women are still navigating behind the scenes.<...
The Business Case for Women at Work (When DE&I Isn’t ‘Trendy’ Anymore)
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the second panel discussion from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.
This honest and thought-provoking conversation explores the future of women at work through the lens of flexibility, workplace culture, leadership, AI and changing employer expectations.
Featuring leaders across talent, DE&I and business strategy, the panel discusses the realities women are still navigating in modern workplaces and what organisations need to do to better attract and retain talent.
What We Cover:<...
What Work Really Looks Like for Women in 2026
In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the opening panel from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.
This powerful session dives into the findings from our Women at Work Survey, alongside expert insights from Oxera and Working Families leaders across research, economics and people strategy.
Together, we explore the gap between what workplaces say they offer… and what women actually experience.
What We Cover:
What the latest data is really telling us abou...I Walked Away From a “Perfect” Career… to Build One That Fits Around Life
In this episode of Work It Like a Mum, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by Natasha Doran, a former corporate professional turned franchise business owner with Get Ahead.
After 20 years in insurance and a successful corporate career, Natasha shares what led her to step away, explore new paths, and ultimately build a flexible, part-time business that works around her family life.
What We Cover:
Leaving a “perfect on paper” corporate career Navigating the uncertainty of a career change Trying different paths (coaching, freelance) before finding the right fit Why franchising offers the balance of flexibil...Work Isn’t Working for Women. Here’s Why!
In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by Gemma Jackson, Head of DE&I at Intact Insurance.
They explore the evolving landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion, alongside a candid conversation about career progression, flexibility, and the reality of balancing work and family life.
What We Cover:
How DE&I is evolving — and why some organisations are rethinking how they approach itWhy inclusive businesses often perform better and make stronger decisionsThe real barriers women face in progressing their careersThe role of informal networking — and who...What Happened When I Finally Said YES to a Second Income
In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, the tables are turned as host Elizabeth Willetts is interviewed for the very first time.
Joining her is her Utility Warehouse mentor, Sam Earnshaw, who dives into Elizabeth’s journey of becoming a partner with Utility Warehouse and how it’s impacted her career, finances, and family life.
This honest conversation explores the reality behind building multiple income streams, navigating money mindset, and creating flexible work that truly fits around life after kids.
What We Cover:
Why Elizabeth initially said...Start Before You Feel Ready: Why Confidence Comes After Action
In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re joined by returning guest Daniela Wainwright, Founder of Wainwright Consulting.
Daniela has built a successful business as a bootstrapped founder and now leads a growing team of fractional finance directors. In this honest and practical conversation, she shares what it really takes to step away from corporate, build confidence, and create a business on your own terms.
What We Cover:
Daniela’s journey from corporate to founderThe reality of starting and growing a businessWhy confidence holds so many...The Power of Part-Time Talent (And Why It Works)
In this week’s episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we're joined by returning guest Amanda Henderson, Founder and Managing Director of Thread HR.
Amanda first joined the podcast as a freelancer, then again as she made her first hire. Now, three years into building Thread HR, she shares what it really takes to scale a successful part-time team, build a strong flexible culture, and lead a business that works for both clients and employees.
This episode is packed with honest insight for anyone considering self-employment, gr...
From Insight to Action: Building Your 2026 Career Plan
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the eighth session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
Featuring Claire Wood, Career Pivot Coach and Founder of Lightning Bolt Coaching.
Claire specialises in helping women, particularly mums, navigate career change with more clarity, confidence and alignment, creating careers that truly work for their lives.
What We Cover:
⭐ Turning career confusion into clarity and direction
⭐ Identifying your values...
The Secret to Having It All (Without Doing It All)
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the seventh session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
Hosted by leadership coach Gifty Enright, this honest and energising conversation brings together a group of incredible women navigating careers, motherhood, identity shifts, and everything in between. From redundancy to reinvention, burnout to boundaries, this is the real, unfiltered conversation so many women need to hear.
Expect relatable stories, practical insights, and those “me too” moment...
The Secret to Interviewing With Impact
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the sixth session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
We’re joined by Adele, Recruitment Manager at Investing in Women, who brings nearly 20 years of recruitment experience. Having worked with both candidates and employers, Adele has seen thousands of interviews from both sides of the table and shares practical insight into what really helps candidates stand out in today’s competitive job market.
Wh...
Your Job Search Strategy for 2026
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the fifth session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
We’re joined by the brilliant Laurie Macpherson, career expert and job search strategist with over 10 years’ experience in employability and recruitment. Laurie works with professionals to help them secure roles they love by using modern, evidence-based strategies that actually work in today’s competitive market.
What We Cover:
How the 2026 job market ha...Rebuilding Confidence and Owning Your Story
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the fourth session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
Hosted by career advancement coach Leanne Cooper who shares powerful strategies to help women rebuild confidence, own their story, and step into 2026 feeling empowered and career-ready.
Leanne is the Founder of Accelerate, a leading career advancement programme for senior women, and has supported over 1,000 women to secure roles they love, negotiate confidently, and progress with impact.
...
How to Craft a Standout CV & LinkedIn Profile
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the third session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
Hosted by recruitment expert Elizabeth Willits, Founder of Investing Women, who shares nearly two decades of insider hiring experience. Having worked at Hays and Deloitte, Liz has reviewed thousands of CVs and interviewed countless candidates.
In this session, she breaks down exactly how to position yourself as a high-value ca...
The Flexible Job Market in 2026: What’s Really Happening
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the second session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
Hosted by the recruitment team at Investing in Women, for an in-depth look at the current recruitment landscape and flexible working opportunities. This session is designed to help job seekers and professionals understand the realities of flexible roles, what employers are prioritising in 2026, and how to navigate the application and interview process successfully.
What We Cover:...
Bonus Episode: Ready to Scale? What Small Businesses Must Do to Thrive in 2026
In this bonus episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re sharing a special webinar conversation for small business owners who want to scale without burnout and build businesses that actually work in today’s world.
Hosted by Elizabeth Willetts, Founder of Investing in Women, this episode features expert insight from Sam Cooper-Gray, Founder of The Wisdom Studio, on what really drives sustainable growth as we head into 2026.
Together, we explore:
Why strategy doesn’t need to be complicated to be effectiveHow clear anchors, focused priorities and simple tactics outper...Clarity on Your Next Move: How to Discover What Really Matters & Build Your Career Around It
In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the first session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.
The session is hosted by Kim Holland, career transition expert, who works with women navigating career pivots, identity shifts and changing priorities, particularly after becoming parents.
Kim opens Smash 26 by tackling one of the biggest questions women tell us they’re struggling with:
“I know something needs to change in my career…but what?”
