188 episodes

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.This podcast is hosted by our social enterprise Leaders Plus. We believe that no parent should have to choose between progressing the career they love and enjoying their young children. Through the Big Careers, Small Children podcast and our award-winning Fellowship Programme, we have supported thousands of Leaders with young children to make brave decisions about their future. We unapologetically help more mums (and dads with significant caring responsibilities) to get to senior leadership positions, because only by helping parents to progress their career can we have true gender equality at the top and address the gender pay gap.Be part of our positive movement for change and sign up to receive our informative monthly emails at www.leadersplus.org.uk/newsletterWe hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and invite you to follow us on social media @leaders_plus #BigCareersSmallChildren

Big Careers, Small Children Leaders Plus

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.9 • 80 Ratings

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.This podcast is hosted by our social enterprise Leaders Plus. We believe that no parent should have to choose between progressing the career they love and enjoying their young children. Through the Big Careers, Small Children podcast and our award-winning Fellowship Programme, we have supported thousands of Leaders with young children to make brave decisions about their future. We unapologetically help more mums (and dads with significant caring responsibilities) to get to senior leadership positions, because only by helping parents to progress their career can we have true gender equality at the top and address the gender pay gap.Be part of our positive movement for change and sign up to receive our informative monthly emails at www.leadersplus.org.uk/newsletterWe hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and invite you to follow us on social media @leaders_plus #BigCareersSmallChildren

    Elizabeth Willetts - How to Get Your Flexible Working Request Approved & Why the Future of Work is Hybrid

    Elizabeth Willetts - How to Get Your Flexible Working Request Approved & Why the Future of Work is Hybrid

    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:
    Connect with Liz on LinkedInFind out more about Investing in WomenListen to the Work it Like a Mum podcastApply now for the award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    • 33 min
    Charlotte Boujassy - How to Let Go of the Pressure of Being a Perfect Parent & Progress Your Career

    Charlotte Boujassy - How to Let Go of the Pressure of Being a Perfect Parent & Progress Your Career

    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:
    Connect: Send Charlotte a message on LinkedInBook: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ckResearch: Kathleen McGinn - Kids of Working Moms Grow into Happy AdultsFellowship: Find out more about the Leaders Plus Fellowship

    • 40 min
    Thorey V. Proppe - How Data Can Improve DEI Policies & Help Close the Gender Pay Gap

    Thorey V. Proppe - How Data Can Improve DEI Policies & Help Close the Gender Pay Gap

    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:
    What is working for gender equality right now in IcelandWhat we can learn from this success to implement in other countriesWhy data is the best way to improve DEI policies and help close the gender pay gap
    Enjoy the conversation.
    Show notes:
    Find out more about the Alda DEI software at alda.coDownload the 22/23 Reykjavik Index for LeadershipListen to Michelle Harrison, CEO of Kantar discuss the 22/23 Reykjavic Index on Big Careers, Small ChildrenFind the Third Shift Book on AmazonAccess Mental Load resources from Leaders Plus

    • 39 min
    Brita Fernandez Schmidt - How to Learn to Trust Your Intuition & Manage Your Fears

    Brita Fernandez Schmidt - How to Learn to Trust Your Intuition & Manage Your Fears

    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:
    Find out more about Brita and her book Fears to Fierce Listen to Mary Ann Siegart on episode 81 of the Big Careers, Small Children podcastFind Gert Gigerenzer's book The Intelligence of Intuition

    • 38 min
    Lea Henry - How to Manage Perfectionism When Combining a Big Career & Young Children

    Lea Henry - How to Manage Perfectionism When Combining a Big Career & Young Children

    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:
    Connect with Lea Henry on LinkedIn.Find out more about CocoRio: https://cocorio.co.uk Download the Career Progression Gaps report.Read the book: Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) by Thomas Erikson.

    • 38 min
    Polly Ogden Duffy - How to Progress a Senior Career in a Male-Dominated Industry & Work Flexibly

    Polly Ogden Duffy - How to Progress a Senior Career in a Male-Dominated Industry & Work Flexibly

    How can women thrive in a traditionally male-dominated work environment?
    Today we welcome to the podcast Polly Ogden Duffy, Managing Director at prime sales and lettings agency John D Wood & Co. London.
    Polly, who is married with two children, is passionate that women CAN have it all and shares why she believes being ambitious as a working mother is no bad thing.
    Having worked her whole career in a traditionally male-dominated environment, Polly shares the advice she would give other women progressing their career, including why you don't necessarily have to 'act like a man' to move into those senior positions.
    The property industry, as a whole, is not known for embracing flexible working, but Polly - who works compressed hours - is a huge advocate for working flexibly and encourages her team to bring their whole self to work. She shares how she makes this work.
    Finally, Polly shares her tips for surviving and thriving at work on very little sleep during those first few months of parenthood.
    We hope you enjoy the conversation.
    Show notes:
    Find out more about John D. Wood & Co. London.Find Polly on LinkedIn.Download the brochure for our award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
80 Ratings

80 Ratings

Rachk88 ,

Favourite podcast

Thank you so much for starting this podcast - it’s my favourite to feel empowered both in my career and as a mother :)

Tiredmummyofgorgeousboys ,

Just what I needed to hear

I stumbled upon your podcast today and very grateful for this. I’m on my third maternity leave in 6 years and have faced an uphill battle at times convincing people that I can still be ambitious in my career while my children are little. Having devoured 2 episodes back to back, I now realise that I had started to believe the doubters and was anxious that I won’t be able to make it work again, with this third child in the mix. I’m off to carve out some time to listen to all the episodes I’ve missed. Thank you!

SamW1967 ,

Interesting speakers & great content

I always find Verena’s guests inspiring & super practical. Great resource for working parents & those in leadership roles too!

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