41: On Being a Primary-Caring Father, Juggling Work and Home Life With Creativity and Patience, and Finding Work-Life Balance as a Self-Employed Gardener

In this episode, self-employed gardener Joe Roukin, otherwise known as Mr Plant Whisperer, joins me for a candid conversation about his experience as a married dad of two who is the primary carer in his family.

Joe shares his unique perspective on how to strike the right balance between staying organised and ‘going with the flow’, while tackling work-life pressures with a problem-solving mindset.

He opens up about the role that patience plays in his pursuit of balance, and the effectiveness of sometimes "biting your tongue" to avoid conflict, especially when juggling career pursuits and family life.

For someone who spends the majority of his working time outdoors, Joe and I discuss the impact that connecting with nature has on his sense of balance, and how the physical side of his job creates opportunities for him to reflect deeply on all aspects of his life – and how this enhances his sense of balance.

For Joe, a former graphic designer turned teacher, being creative is the common denominator of his work and home-life ambitions. On this, Joe shares some practical advice for other creatives in pursuit of their balance.

Joe’s approach to working fatherhood is refreshingly authentic and pragmatic, and throughout our conversation we explore the notion of partners in a marriage supporting one another to achieve their desired goals, and a balance that works for each one individually.

Tune in on Spotify, Apple or wherever you usually get your podcasts, for an inspiring and uplifting conversation, which covers:  

🗂️🌊 Striking a balance between being organised and going with the flow

🧮 Applying a problem-solving mindset to cope with work-life balance pressures

💆🏼‍♂️ Coping with work-life balance stress by ‘biting your tongue’ to avoid conflict

🕰️ Finding balance when you’re a patient person

🌳 Connecting with nature and spending time outdoors

🧑‍🎨The pursuit of balance as a creative person, and after leaving the teaching profession

👥 Supporting one another in a marriage to find mutual work-life balance

RELATED EPISODES AND BLOG LINKS:

On Fathers Being the Primary Carer Within a Marriage:

Joe Roukin’s wife Sheara’s Work-Life Balance Profile: “Sheara’s Story – Behind the Movie Scenes: A Tale of Full-Time Working Motherhood”: https://a-fine-balance.com/2020/09/03/work-life-balance-profile-2-sheara-abrahams/

John’s Story – “It’s a Dad’s World”: On fatherhood, Male Primary Care-Giving & Gender Equality: https://a-fine-balance.com/2021/03/21/johns-story-its-a-dads-world-on-fatherhood-male-primary-care-giving-gender-equality/

On Leaving the Teaching Profession:

Laura's Story - On Teenage Pregnancy, Teacher Burnout & Finding Balance When You’re “Busy”: https://a-fine-balance.com/2023/05/26/a-fine-balance-the-podcast-season-2-episode-5-out-now/