Matrescence at work | Motherhood and Career Transition

Deborah Graham
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Ever heard of the word Matrescence? Nope, most people haven't. Matrescence at work explores the experience of parents, mostly mothers as they transition into parenthood and try to maintain their career and their sanity. Coincidence a lot of women end up starting a business? Maybe not? Join me, Deborah Graham, in hearing about what other people are doing, how they make it work and what we all might need to know.

  1. 5d ago

    #48 Karis Dorrigan on Ambition and Life

    Working Out Loud as a Single Mum: Flexibility, Outcomes, and Redesigning Work Deborah Graham speaks with Karis Dorrigan, a head of product, coach, and solo parent of two, about what actually happens when motherhood meets corporate work. The conversation focuses on the gap between policy and lived reality, why outcomes matter more than hours, and how flexible work needs to be designed for everyone, not just parents. Key topics Karis shares her path to motherhood and how both returns from parental leave were disrupted by restructuring and redundancy.She explains how becoming a solo parent made the limits of traditional work design impossible to ignore.The episode explores why women and parents are often conditioned to feel grateful for flexibility, even when they are delivering strong outcomes.Deborah and Karis discuss the shift from presenteeism to outcomes, including the evidence around four-day work week trials.Karis argues that flexible work should be normalised for all workers, including non-parents, carers, and people who work better at different times.They talk about the language around work patterns, including why calling a four-day week "part-time" is misleading and loaded.Karis outlines the importance of boundaries, self-prioritisation, and small pockets of time for exercise, walking, and rest.The conversation highlights the practical strain of solo parenting, including commuting, bedtime, cooking, and the lack of downtime.Karis describes her podcast, Ambition and Life, which features women and leaders doing work differently and rethinking what success looks like.Both speakers reflect on the need for more women and mums in senior leadership to shift workplace culture from the top. Guest links ambitionandlife.com IG: @ambitionandlife LinkedIn: in/kdorrigan Matrescence at work motherhood, flexible work, single parenting, workplace culture, women in leadership, work-life balance, systemic change, matrescence, parental leave, gender equality

  2. Oct 12

    #47 India Sutherland on how the system is broken for working mothers

    India Sutherland shares her raw experience on navigating career through early parenthood and what she sees as the systemic changes which need to be made for the next generation of mums.  key  topics India's journey to motherhood and career transitionThe concept of matrescence and emotional responsesWorkplace challenges for new mothersSystemic barriers in parental leave and childcareThe importance of societal and organizational supportThe role of societal myths and internalized beliefsThe need for systemic change and policy reformSupporting women through coaching and advocacyThe emotional grief of pregnancy and career conflictsNormalising maternal ambivalence and emotional complexity Guest links www.indiasutherland.com Instagram: indiasutherland.coaching Matrescence at work podcast motherhood, workplace, systemic change, matrescence, gender equality, parental leave, work-life balance, women's rights, parenting, career transition

  3. Oct 5

    #46 Eleni Dracakis: How matrescence reshapes the brain, career, and confidence

    Eleni Dracakis shares her journey to motherhood, the concept of matrescence, and how it influences her approach to work and life. We explore the impact of motherhood on leadership, workplace flexibility, and supporting women in their careers. key  topics Eleni's journey to motherhood and stepmotherhoodThe concept of matrescence and brain changes during motherhoodImpact of motherhood on leadership and workplace cultureThe importance of flexible work arrangements for women and menThe role of organizational culture in supporting working mothersThe significance of community and support networks in motherhoodStrategies for transitioning back to work after maternity leaveThe need for education on motherhood in psychology and leadership programs www.elenidracakis.co Instagram: @elenidracakis LinkedIn: /in/eleni-dracakis motherhood, matrescence, work-life balance, leadership, workplace flexibility, women in leadership, motherhood journey, organizational culture

  4. Sep 28

    #45 Chelsea Solorzano on the hidden cost of pushing through in motherhood

    Chelsea Solorzano, a licensed marriage and family therapist and maternal coach, shares her personal journey through motherhood, mental health, and the importance of self-care. This episode explores the emotional landscape of new motherhood, the impact of the pandemic, and practical approaches like internal family systems to support mums. key  topics Chelsea's personal motherhood storyImpact of the pandemic on maternal mental healthIntroduction to internal family systems therapyThe importance of self-care and kindness in motherhoodChallenges of postpartum mental healthBalancing work and motherhood during COVID-19The evolution of identity through motherhoodCommunity and support systems for moms Guest links Instagram: @withchealseaformoms withchelseacoaching.com mapleseedcouseling.com @matrescenceatworkpodcast motherhood, mental health, self-care, internal family systems, pandemic, postpartum, maternal mental health, coaching, therapy, motherhood journey

  5. Sep 21

    #44 The surprising way that motherhood helped Whitney become the person she'd always wanted to be

    Whitney joins Deborah Graham to talk through a motherhood journey that began as a surprise and became a profound identity shift. They explore what it feels like to move from uncertainty and grief around fertility into a new sense of self, and how parenting reshaped Whitney’s confidence, priorities, and daily life.In this conversation, Whitney also shares the practical realities of early motherhood, from sleep and feeding to the huge difference family support and flexible routines can make. Key topics Whitney’s unexpected pregnancy with her son Kai after being told fertility treatment might be neededLiving with PCOS, inconsistent periods, and the emotional shock of finding out she was pregnantThe weight of becoming pregnant while her sister was going through fertility treatmentHow COVID, a new relationship, and family distance intensified the uncertaintyThe shift from thinking she might not have children to realizing motherhood could shape who she becameWhitney’s long process of figuring out her own tastes, values, and voice after a 16-year relationship that blurred her sense of selfHow motherhood brought up resentment at times, especially around lost freedom, travel, and being “on” all the timeWhy moving out of the city to the peninsula changed the pace of family life and eased the pressureThe role of support systems, including Whitney’s mum living downstairs, childcare meals, and help from her sisterHer return to work as a group fitness instructor and the early signs that pointed toward helping other mums rebuild strength Guest Links Instagram: @fitt_siss fittsiss.com.au @matrescenceatworkpodcast

  6. Sep 14

    #43 From Child Protection to Motherhood: Kayla's journey of transformation

    Kayla shares her journey from child protection to motherhood, highlighting the emotional and professional shifts, and how her experiences shape her approach to work and life. This episode explores the impact of motherhood on identity, mental health, and career, offering insights for women balancing these roles. key  topics The impact of motherhood on professional identityBalancing mental health and career post-motherhoodTransitioning from child protection to leadership in businessThe role of supportive workplaces in maternal well-beingLessons learned from personal and professional challenges Guest links Instagrram Instagram Instagram Instagram Matrescence at work motherhood, career transition, mental health, child protection, leadership, women in business, work-life balance, personal growth

  7. Sep 7

    #42 Ankita Callahan: Why motherhood feels like losing yourself before finding your purpose

    In this episode, Ankita Callahan shares her transformative journey through matrescence, its impact on her personal and professional life, and how organizations can better support mothers in the workforce. In this episode, we explore the realities of motherhood, workplace flexibility, and the evolving journey of matrescence. Our guest shares personal stories, insights on parental leave policies, and the importance of creating supportive environments for moms at work. Key  topics Matrescence and its impact on womenThe emotional and physical changes during motherhoodOrganisational support for postpartum womenThe importance of mental health and community for new mothersStrategies for workplaces to support maternal transitions Matrescence and emotional journey of motherhoodWorkplace flexibility and parental leave policiesImpact of societal and cultural expectations on momsPersonal stories of motherhood and mental healthStrategies for supportive workplaces for mothers Guest links LinkedIn In/ankita-callahan Matrescence at work matrescence, motherhood, workplace support, postpartum, women in leadership, parental leave, mental health, organisational change motherhood, workplace flexibility, matrescence, parental leave, mental health, motherhood journey, work-life balance, support for mums

  8. Aug 31

    #41 Taby Taplin on the power of flexibility for working mums

    Deborah Graham speaks with Taby Taplin about the real, often messy transition into motherhood and how it reshapes identity, priorities, and career expectations. Taby shares her own matrescence journey, from newborn exhaustion and breastfeeding challenges to returning to work part-time and launching Mumentum Jobs, a flexibility-first platform for mums. We discuss what flexibility actually looks like in practice, why so many women feel pressured to choose between career and family, and how employers can do better by supporting mums with realistic policies and outcome-based work. key  topics Matrescence and its impact on womenBalancing motherhood and career ambitionsThe importance of flexible work arrangementsChallenges of returning to work postpartumCreating supportive workplace policies Guest links Instagram @tabytaplin Instagram @mumentumjobs Facebook @mumentumjobs Matrescence at work motherhood, work-life balance, flexibility, matrescence, career pivot, motherhood penalty, flexible work, women in workforce, momentum jobs

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Ever heard of the word Matrescence? Nope, most people haven't. Matrescence at work explores the experience of parents, mostly mothers as they transition into parenthood and try to maintain their career and their sanity. Coincidence a lot of women end up starting a business? Maybe not? Join me, Deborah Graham, in hearing about what other people are doing, how they make it work and what we all might need to know.

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