Wisdom For Working Mums

How much do you really know about surrogacy? And would you know how to support a friend, colleague or team member building their family this way? In this episode, I'm joined by Michael Johnson-Ellis, co-founder of My Surrogacy Journey and TwoDadsUK, to explore the realities of surrogacy, LGBTQ+ family building and the assumptions that can surround different paths to parenthood. We talk about Michael's own journey to fatherhood, the emotional realities people often don't see, what ethical surrogacy really looks like, and the simple things we can all do to offer better support. We also explore what this means in the workplace, from creating greater LGBTQ+ inclusion, having better conversations, to the gaps that can exist in traditional parental policies. I came to this conversation with curiosity rather than personal experience, and left with not just a deeper understanding of surrogacy and LGBTQ+ family building, but a greater awareness of how we can all show up as better friends, colleagues and leaders. If you want to better understand experiences different from your own, and support the people around you with greater empathy and awareness, this episode is for you. Download our free Surrogacy At Work factsheet - A quick HR guide to inclusive family-building policies, conversations and support.

This month marks 20 years since Nicky started her business, and in this special anniversary episode, she shares the 20 biggest lessons those two decades have taught her about work, leadership and life. From betting on yourself and navigating burnout to evolving ambition, redefining success and learning not to postpone your life, these aren't simply lessons about business. They're about creating success that actually feels successful. If you're ambitious and trying to build a career you're proud of without losing sight of your health, relationships and the life you're building alongside it, this episode is for you. Twenty years, twenty lessons, and plenty of wisdom Nicky wishes she'd known sooner. Find all the resources and links mentioned in this episode here: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/194 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Adoption doesn't end with a child joining a family; it's the beginning of a lifelong journey, one that deserves greater understanding and support. In this episode, I'm joined by Emily Frith, CEO of Adoption UK, for a thoughtful conversation that challenges many of the assumptions we hold about adoption and shines a light on the realities adoptive families often navigate behind the scenes. We explore the emotional complexity of the adoption journey, the unique challenges adoptive parents and adopted people can face throughout their lives, and what employers, managers, colleagues, and friends can do to create more understanding and supportive environments. Whether you're a leader, a working parent, or simply someone who wants to better support the people around you, this conversation is an invitation to listen with curiosity, deepen your understanding, and lead with greater empathy. In this episode, we discuss: • Why adoption is the beginning of a lifelong journey • The realities of becoming an adoptive parent and building attachment • Common misconceptions about adoption and adopted families • How workplaces can better support adoptive parents and adopted colleagues • The importance of lifelong support and why it matters For the full show notes, key takeaways, resources mentioned in the episode and links to the organisations we discuss, visit the podcast page: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/193

Do you ever go on holiday promising yourself you'll switch off… only to find yourself checking emails, mentally planning September, or feeling guilty for doing nothing? If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In this episode, Nicky explores why rest feels so uncomfortable for ambitious women and why the struggle has far less to do with time than it does with identity. Drawing on psychology, leadership research and her own burnout recovery, she unpacks why so many high achievers tie their self-worth to productivity, why your nervous system resists slowing down, and how learning to rest might be one of the most important leadership skills you'll ever develop. If you're taking a break or simply longing to feel less exhausted, this conversation will help you see rest differently. In this episode, you'll discover: - Why rest feels uncomfortable, even when you desperately need it. - The hidden link between achievement and self-worth. - What burnout taught Nicky about redefining success. - How to rest, even when your mind is telling you to keep going. - Three practical ways to approach rest differently this summer. Because rest isn't something you earn once everything is finished. It's a leadership practice. For the full show notes, key takeaways, resources mentioned in the episode and links to the organisations we discuss, visit the podcast page: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/192/

We often hear that becoming a mother is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives. But what happens when your experience doesn't match the story you were expecting? In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Nikki Wilson, CEO of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, to talk about the realities of perinatal mental health, birth trauma, identity, and why so many women suffer in silence. For the full show notes, key takeaways, resources mentioned in the episode and links to the organisations we discuss, visit the podcast page: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/191/

Have you ever found yourself wondering, "Where did my confidence go?" Whether you're returning from maternity leave, navigating a career setback, going through perimenopause, or simply feeling like you've lost a part of yourself, this episode is for you. In this evidence-based episode, Executive Coach Nicky Lowe explores why confidence isn't actually the problem, the hidden impact of identity transitions, and why the key to rebuilding confidence lies much deeper than you might think. Find all the resources and links mentioned in this episode here: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/190 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Why do so many loving couples start arguing after they become parents? If you've ever wondered, "Why am I carrying all the mental load?" or "Why don't they just see what needs doing?", this conversation is for you. I'm joined by couples coach, speaker and founder of Be A Happier Parent, Alex Trippier, to explore why good people in good relationships often struggle after children... and how we can rebuild connection without blame. In this episode we explore: Why the mental load so often falls to women Why many men genuinely don't see the invisible work happening around them The difference between mum guilt and dad guilt Alex's powerful concept of "borrowing your partner's brain" Practical ways couples can reduce resentment and build stronger partnerships This is an honest, compassionate conversation that will leave you feeling understood, hopeful and equipped with practical ideas to strengthen your relationship. Find all the resources and links mentioned in this episode here: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/189 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Pregnancy loss and baby loss affect far more families than many of us realise, yet these experiences are still often surrounded by silence, misunderstanding and stigma. In this episode, I'm joined by Sands, the UK's leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, to explore the realities of loss and the impact it can have on individuals, families and working lives. Together, we discuss why pregnancy and baby loss can feel so difficult to talk about, the hidden impact of grief in the workplace, and what managers, colleagues and organisations can do to provide meaningful support. In this episode, we explore: Why pregnancy loss and baby loss remain hidden experiences The emotional impact of loss and grief Returning to work whilst navigating loss How colleagues and managers can offer compassionate support Common responses that may unintentionally cause harm What a pregnancy-loss-aware workplace looks like Practical ways organisations can better support employees through loss Whether you're a leader, colleague, friend or family member, this conversation offers valuable insights into how we can create more understanding and compassionate workplaces for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss. Content note: This episode discusses miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, baby loss and grief. Resources & Links Find all the resources and links mentioned in this episode here: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/188 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Why are women so exhausted? Professor Leah Ruppanner explains the invisible mental load women carry every day - from planning and organising to worrying and responsibility-holding. We explore the eight types of mental load, why women become the default managers of family life, the impact of social judgment and gender expectations, and practical ways to reclaim energy for what matters most. A validating, research-backed conversation for every working mum who feels mentally and emotionally overloaded. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/187 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

I teach leadership for a living. So when I got a phone call from school telling me my son had been suspended, I should have been able to handle it, right? Within seconds, I was unravelling. Shame flooded in before logic had a chance, my people pleaser came online and every piece of leadership work I'd ever done on myself went quiet. In this episode, I'm sharing something deeply personal with my son's full permission. Because what happened next and how my family navigated it taught me more about emotional regulation, personal leadership, and parenting than any professional training ever has. We cover: - Why home is often the hardest room to lead in and why that's not a failure - What shame does to our nervous system and why it arrives before logic - How to regulate yourself before you respond, and why that changes everything - Why the people we love most can trigger us most deeply - What Leading on All Fronts® looks like when it's tested most This one is for the high-achieving woman who holds everything together professionally and finds that home is the place that undoes her most quickly. Whether your children are two months or twenty-two years old, this episode will stay with you. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/186 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Still not feeling like yourself even though your baby is months or years old? You're not imagining it. And you're not failing. In this episode, Nicky Lowe shares her own experience of burnout and exhaustion after her first child - the years it took to get answers, and the moment she finally found the language for what had happened to her. Drawing on the work of Dr. Oscar Serrallach (The Postnatal Depletion Cure), Nicky explores why postnatal depletion can last up to ten years after having a baby, why high-achieving women are so often dismissed when they say something is wrong, and what you can do, starting today, to begin rebuilding. This episode is for new mums navigating the blur of early motherhood, women further into the journey who are still waiting to feel like themselves, and anyone who manages someone returning from parental leave. You'll come away with: A clear understanding of what postnatal depletion actually is and why it's so much more than tiredness Why willpower and mindset alone won't fix this Five practical steps to start supporting your system right now Whether your baby is six weeks old or six years old - this one is for you. Resources mentioned: The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr. Oscar Serrallach The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/185 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Confidence isn't something you're born with; it's something you build. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Kate Hayes, one of the leading experts in performance psychology. With a PhD focused on confidence in elite sport and experience supporting world-class athletes (including the Lionesses) Kate brings both cutting-edge research and real-world insight. We explore what confidence really is, whether women experience confidence differently to men, and how to build it in a way that's evidence-based, grounded, and lasting, so you can perform at your best when it matters most. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/184 Connect on LinkedIn Here

If you've ever found yourself wondering, "What is happening to me?"… you are not alone. Perimenopause can feel like a slow and disorienting shift. In this honest and empowering episode, I'm joined by Dr Charlotte Gooding, GP and BMS-accredited menopause specialist, to explore perimenopause, HRT and breast cancer risk. We unpack the symptoms many women miss, the emotional impact of hormonal change, and the nuance around HRT safety, so you can make more informed, personalised decisions about your health. If you're navigating perimenopause, HRT decisions, or breast cancer fears, this episode will help you feel more informed, empowered and less alone. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/183 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Have you ever been told you need more presence, more gravitas, or more confidence at work? In this episode, I'm joined by Louisa Preston and Luisa Baldini, co-founders of Composure Media and former BBC journalists, to explore how we can communicate with more confidence, composure and impact in high-stakes moments. They share practical tools for building executive presence, managing nerves, using body language more intentionally, and speaking with calm authority - without over-explaining, shrinking yourself, or trying to become someone you're not. A thoughtful, practical conversation for any ambitious woman who wants to be seen, heard and taken seriously at work. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/182 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

AI is everywhere right now, yet many women are still hesitant to use it. In this episode, we explore the growing gender gap in AI adoption with Andrew Wyatt-Sames and Lucy Pitt, co-founders of Uptake AI. Together, we unpack the "good girl mindset" and the fear of cheating, and share simple, confidence-building ways to start using AI tools with care. We also tackle the big questions around ethics, confidentiality, and what's safe to share - so you can protect your standards and get back precious headspace. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/181 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

One of the most powerful things you can do as a leader and mother is build a team around you - because it really does take a village, both in work and in life. In this episode, I'm joined by the women behind the scenes of my business for an honest, practical conversation about how we work together as a high-performing remote team. We unpack the rhythms, communication habits, and supportive systems that keep everything moving, what we do when things go wrong, and the building blocks that help you create support you can truly trust. If you've been thinking, "I can't keep doing it all alone," this episode will show you what's possible. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/180 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

If you're working harder than ever but life still feels heavy, this episode is for you. Maker, Marker, Multiplier explores why doing more eventually stops working as your responsibility grows and life changes - particularly after becoming a parent. It offers a compassionate, relatable way to understand the leadership and identity shifts many working mums experience, and how to lead differently in the season you're in now. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/179 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

Since becoming parents, many of us find we have to work harder on our relationship than ever - not because it's wrong, but because life is full-on. In this episode, I'm joined by relationship strategist and licensed therapist Katie Rössler to explore why couples slip into "roommate mode," how resentment and the mental load build, and what genuinely helps You'll leave with practical habits you can start this week to rebuild teamwork, intimacy and trust - even in the busiest season. If you love your partner but feel a little disconnected, this is your reset. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/178 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

What if you could borrow the psychology behind elite sporting success and use it to lead, perform, and thrive as a working mum? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Kate Hays, Head of Women's Performance Psychology at the Football Association, working closely with Serena Wiegman and the England women's national football team. Kate pulls back the curtain on what performance psychology really looks like when the stakes are high and how those same principles apply to leadership, teamwork, and the daily reality of ambitious working motherhood. She shares what truly drives sustained elite performance, and how women can succeed under pressure without sacrificing their wellbeing. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/177 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.

In this end-of-year reflection, I share three life lessons from 2025 and invite you to mine for the gold in your own year as you step into what's next with clarity, courage, and ease. More details: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/176 Connect on LinkedIn Here Follow on Instagram Here Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention.