Hats On!

Laia Estorach Cavaller

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Why are the most important conversations women have still happening in whispers? Hats On! exists to change that. Exceptional guests. Honest stories. Topics that are still too often treated as taboos — motherhood, burnout, menopause, identity, resilience, reinvention. Real voices from across the world. For listeners who want more than a highlight reel. Follow and listen.

3d ago

24. Motherhood Doesn’t Make You Less Capable, It Changes What You’re Capable Of

What if returning from maternity leave isn't about getting back to who you were before? What if it's about recognising who you've become? Liz spent more than a decade leading teams across some of the UK's biggest organisations, working on complex transformation problems. She was ambitious. Her career was a huge part of her identity. Then she became a mother. And returning to work wasn't the smooth transition she had expected. She was sleep deprived. Her family dynamics had changed. And yet she expected herself to perform exactly as she had before. In this episode of Hats On!, we talk about: The identity shift that happens when women become mothersWhy we give teenagers grace but rarely give new mothers the sameSleep deprivation and its impact on decision-making and performanceSensory load and why the workplace environment mattersThe skills women develop through motherhood — including time management and managing competing prioritiesWhat organisations can actually do differentlyWhy “just be consistent” can be terrible advice for exhausted new parentsAnd what happens when a woman decides to build something of her ownLiz makes a powerful case for something organisations often miss: The woman returning from maternity leave isn't the same person who left. But that doesn't mean she's less capable. And if organisations fail to create the right environment for those capabilities to thrive, they risk losing some of their most experienced talent — straight into their competitors' pipelines. A conversation about motherhood, identity, leadership, sleep, workplace culture and what it really means to return. Find out more about Pealey Consulting: https://www.pealey.co.uk/ Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.
Oct 7

23. Menopause, Work & the Silence Around Women’s Health

Menopause is not just hot flushes. And it is not something women should simply learn to endure. October is Menopause Awareness Month, with World Menopause Day on October 18. In this deep dive, we want to talk about menopause deeply covering: What actually happens during perimenopause?Why can symptoms begin years before the final period?Why is menopause so much more than hot flushes?What does the evidence say about hormone therapy today?What other treatment options exist?And what does all of this have to do with our workplaces?We talk about sleep, mood, brain fog, cognitive changes, anxiety, chronic pain, migraines, sexual and urinary health, bone health and cardiovascular health — and why these symptoms deserve to be taken seriously. We also look at the workplace because women can spend years experiencing symptoms while trying to perform, lead, make decisions and build careers — often without feeling able to say what is happening. This episode is for women who are already going through menopause, women approaching it, and anyone who wants to better understand what the women around them may be experiencing. Because: Menopause is not a crisis. It is a transition. And like every important transition, it deserves honesty, preparation, community and care. Previous episodes about Menopause:- https://open.spotify.com/⁠episode/2sai1yoesKk00O3k5dz7ul?si=9zsILr3QRrmEatMJmIT02w- https://open.spotify.com/episode/2d9pSbXnbWtg0y8LBqRRsO?si=btwDcmeTQl6eiPfC14rhGw - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0AzujCYJYWAXKjynqLmZUp?si=jCLRKoMjRSKCmmRmNDxziQ&utm_source=copy-link Links to Menopause Month: - https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/menopause-awareness-month - https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day-2026/ Menopause: Symptoms, treatment, workplace support and why we need to talk about menopause differently. Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice. Always discuss treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional.
Sep 30

22. Don't wait for the opportunity, create it yourself | Reinvention, connection and support

(Episode in Spanish) ¿Qué pasa cuando una carrera profesional deja de ser una línea recta? Para Lourdes, la respuesta es sencilla: te reinventas, aprendes, conectas y vuelves a empezar. Después de 14 años en la misma empresa, de la que salió como socia tras participar en su venta, Lourdes podría haberse retirado. Hizo justo lo contrario. Se formó. Se reinventó. Se convirtió en docente, mentora, consultora de LinkedIn, networker, impulsora del talento femenino y defensora de una mayor representación de mujeres en los consejos de administración. En esta conversación hablamos de: marca profesionalnetworkingliderazgoformación continuaigualdad salarialmujeres en consejosreinvención profesional Pero, sobre todo, hablamos de algo que atraviesa toda su historia: la generosidad como forma de construir una carrera y una vida con propósito. Y nos deja una idea que resume perfectamente su filosofía: “Me gusta el éxito de los demás.” Una conversación llena de energía, humor, convicción y aprendizajes para cualquiera que esté pensando en su siguiente paso.Descubre más sobre su trabajo: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lourdes-torices-consultor-a-linkedin/---------------------------------------------------What happens when your career stops being a straight line? You reinvent yourself. You learn. You connect. You ask for help. You open new doors. And sometimes, you realise that the next chapter can be even more interesting than the one you thought was your final one. In this episode of Hats On!, we sit down with Lourdes to talk about career reinvention, networking, professional branding, continuous learning, women on boards and the courage to create opportunities instead of waiting for them. After 14 years in the same company — eventually leaving as a partner after its sale — Lourdes could have stepped back. Instead, she stepped forward. She trained. She reinvented herself. She became a LinkedIn consultant, mentor, lecturer, networker and advocate for greater female representation in leadership. But beneath all those hats is one idea that drives everything she does: Be generous. Help others. Build relationships before you need them. We talk about: why networking shouldn't start when you lose your jobwhy your professional brand is ultimately what people say about you when you leave the roomwhy continuous reinvention isn't a phase — it's a way of working and livingwomen on boardsequal opportunitiesAnd Lourdes leaves us with a beautiful reminder: “I love other people’s success.” Networking, personal brand, reinvention, female leadership Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.
Sep 23

21. Taking Off the Armor | From Corporate Success to Building Something of Her Own

What happens when the career you've spent twenty years building becomes an identity you no longer want to wear? In this episode of Hats On, Ruchika, a global brand builder turned entrepreneur, joins us for a deeply personal conversation about career identity, ambition, motherhood, entrepreneurship, risk, leadership and the invisible rules we inherit from our families. Ruchika grew up Indian in Abu Dhabi, shaped by the story of her grandmother, who crossed the India-Pakistan border during Partition. From that experience came a family philosophy: work hard, be honest, value money and limit your risks. Ruchika followed that philosophy remarkably well. She built a career with global brands travelled across markets, led teams and learned how to build brands people love. Then she became a mother and something changed and started a much bigger question: Who are you when nobody is giving you a title? We talk about: Family, Partition and inherited attitudes toward riskAmbition and self-imposed pressureLeadership and career identityMotherhood and the reality of postpartum lifeWhat happens when professional success becomes part of your identityLeaving a senior corporate career for entrepreneurshipChild development, toys and sustainabilityThe pressure to constantly achieveRuchika is now building Little Jukey, a development-led and sustainable toy subscription brand planned for launch in London in December 2026. Find out more: @thatlondonfounder, @littlejukey Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.
Sep 16

20. The Courage to Wear All Your Hats | Activism, Identity & Inclusion

What happens when the career you studied for isn't the path you're meant to follow? And when the world doesn't always have a clear place for all the parts of who you are? In this episode, Coral talks about activism, identity, career reinvention, bisexual visibility, queer inclusion and the importance of learning to embrace every part of yourself. Coral studied art history and began her professional life working in museums. But a growing concern about animal welfare eventually led her into activism—and ultimately into a career dedicated to creating social change. She also shares what it means to be bisexual in a world where people often want to use simple categories, why bisexual people can experience a particular kind of invisibility, and what it feels like to have to explain your identity again and again. In this episode: Career reinvention and finding meaningful workAnimal rights and ethical activismVeganism and conscious choicesActivist burnout and self-careLGBTQ+ inclusion and belongingQueer bachata and challenging gender roles Ultimately, this is a conversation about belonging to a cause, to a community, to your body, and most importantly, to yourself. Because you don't have to choose just one version of who you are. You can wear them all. Links to the Project 1882 and Queer Bachata are: - https://share.google/qFKu75x5EPbmAi1hl - @queer_bachata Identity. Activism. Animal rights. LGBTQ+ inclusion. Burnout. Authenticity. Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.
Sep 9

19. The Hat of Creating Leaders: Curiosity, Menopause & Leading with Humanity

What does it take to build a career that spans science, global leadership and boardrooms, while staying true to your values? In this episode, Heather shares how a career that began in the laboratory evolved into executive leadership, why curiosity has been her greatest career advantage, and the lessons she has learned about building influence, developing confidence and advocating for yourself. In this episode: From scientist to global business leaderWhy curiosity is the ultimate career skillBuilding a "squiggly" career instead of a linear oneWhy women shouldn't wait to be noticedSponsorship, networking and career growthMenopause at work: breaking the tabooCreating inclusive workplaces for womenThe difference between managing people and creating leadersLeadership lessons for the next generation Whether you're building your career, leading a team, navigating menopause, or simply wondering what great leadership really looks like, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and timeless advice. Because the best legacy a leader can leave isn't a title. It's the people they help grow. Leadership. Women in STEM. Menopause. Career growth. Curiosity. Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.
Sep 2

18. The Hat of Breaking Taboos | Purpose, Women's Health & Building a Business That Matters

(Episode in Spanish) ¿Qué pasaría si un producto sencillo pudiera transformar no solo la salud de las mujeres, sino también su confianza, su educación, la sostenibilidad y las conversaciones que las familias tienen en casa? En este episodio, Romina comparte cómo una idea simple se convirtió en un movimiento que ha ayudado a miles de mujeres a comprender mejor sus cuerpos, evitando al mismo tiempo la generación de unas 30.000 toneladas de residuos gracias a los productos menstruales reutilizables. En este episodio: Crear un negocio con propósito Romper el estigma en torno a la menstruación Salud femenina y educación menstrual Sostenibilidad y reducción de residuos plásticosInnovación inclusiva para mujeres transgénero Liderazgo y empoderamiento femenino Por qué los negocios con propósito se fortalecenEl poder de la comunidad frente a la competencia Tanto si eres emprendedor, líder, educador o simplemente te apasiona generar un cambio positivo, esta conversación te recordará que las empresas más exitosas no se limitan a vender productos: transforman conversaciones. Y, a veces, cambiar una conversación cambia el mundo. Descubre más sobre LifeCup aquí: https://lifecup.co/ --------------------------------------------------- (ENG) What if one simple product could change not only women's health but also confidence, education, sustainability, and the conversations families have at home? In this episode, Romina shares how a simple idea became a movement that has helped thousands of women better understand their bodies while preventing an estimated 30,000 tonnes of waste through reusable menstrual products. In this episode: Building a purpose-driven businessBreaking the stigma around menstruationWomen's health and menstrual educationSustainability and reducing plastic wasteInclusive innovation for transgender womenFemale leadership and empowerment Why businesses with purpose become strongerThe power of community over competition Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, educator or simply passionate about creating positive change, this conversation is a reminder that the most successful businesses don't just sell products. They change conversations. And sometimes, changing a conversation changes the world. Find out more about LifeCup here: https://lifecup.co/Women's health. Menstrual health. Purpose-driven business. Sustainability. Female entrepreneurship.Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.
Jul 29

17. Following Your Heart | Reinvention, Motherhood & Unexpected Paths

What if the best parts of your life were the ones you never planned? A deeply honest conversation about following your curiosity even when it completely changes your life. We explore why connection is at the heart of leadership, what motherhood taught her about resilience, why our closest relationships are our greatest teachers, and how making decisions from love rather than fear can transform the direction of our lives. In this episode: Building a career around meaningful connectionsStarting a business after years in corporate leadershipEntrepreneurship and lifelong learningMotherhood, divorce and personal growthFalling in love where you least expect itReinvention at every stage of lifeLearning to embrace life's unexpected turns Whether you're questioning your career, navigating change, building a business, or simply wondering if it's too late to start again, this conversation is a reminder that the most meaningful journeys rarely follow a straight line. Find more about The Keynote Co: https://thekeynoteco.com/ Career reinvention. Motherhood. Entrepreneurship. Divorce. Unexpected love. Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.

Why are the most important conversations women have still happening in whispers? Hats On! exists to change that. Exceptional guests. Honest stories. Topics that are still too often treated as taboos — motherhood, burnout, menopause, identity, resilience, reinvention. Real voices from across the world. For listeners who want more than a highlight reel. Follow and listen.

Creator

Laia Estorach Cavaller
Years Active

2026
Episodes

25
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Laia Estorach Cavaller
Show Website

Hats On!