Hot Messes, Big Visions

The Village Co.

For the career driven, the founders, the mums, and the makers building the village while still cleaning up snack crumbs and living on less than 4 hours sleep.

Episodes

  1. JAN 8

    EP 009: “What Holiday?” Parenting Through Christmas & Total Exhaustion

    Christmas is often painted as a time to slow down and soak it all in — but for many parents, it can feel anything but restful. In this episode of Hot Messes Big Visions, Nikki and Soph reflect on the reality of parenting through the holiday season. From managing Christmas expectations and cultural traditions to hosting, working, and navigating the chaos that comes with kids at home, this conversation explores why the holidays can feel so overwhelming. We talk honestly about: the pressure to create the “perfect” Christmas expectations vs reality during the holidays cultural differences in how Christmas is celebrated parenting exhaustion and holiday burnout balancing work and family life the gaps in childcare and support for parents As we look ahead to the year to come, we also share what we’re excited about, what we’re planning for the platform, and how we hope to better support parents moving forward. If Christmas left you feeling tired, overstimulated, or quietly thinking “was that even a holiday?” — you’re not alone. This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to do it all, and that parenting through the holidays is hard for so many families. Chapters 00:00 Welcome & reflecting on the holidays 02:40 Christmas expectations vs reality 05:14 Cultural Christmas celebrations 08:36 Holiday exhaustion with kids 14:07 Finding routine after the holidays 19:13 Parenting, work & work-life balance 23:34 Evolving childcare needs 25:54 Looking ahead to what’s next Hot Messes Big Visions is a podcast about parenting, identity, work, and modern family life — told honestly, without pressure to have it all together.

    29 min
  2. 09/10/2025

    EP 002: Losing Yourself After Kids: Identity, Sleep Deprivation & Motherhood

    In this episode, Nikki & Soph discuss their experiences at a recent conference, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity for parents. They explore the challenges of balancing motherhood with personal identity, the realities of sleep deprivation, and the mental health struggles that come with parenting. The conversation is filled with humor and relatable messy moments, highlighting the ups and downs of raising children. Takeaways Inclusivity at conferences can attract a more diverse audience. Having childcare options at events can enhance participation. Motherhood often leads to a conflict between personal identity and parenting responsibilities. Sleep deprivation is a common struggle for parents, affecting mental clarity. Parenting is a journey filled with both love and challenges. Social media can create unrealistic expectations for mothers. It's normal to feel a loss of self after having children. Every parent has their own messy moments and struggles. The journey of parenting is ongoing and doesn't have a clear finish line. Humour is essential in navigating the chaos of family life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Conference Experience 05:16 The Role of Children in Conferences 09:16 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Identity 12:58 Postnatal Mental Health and Sleep Deprivation 17:51 The Challenges of Parenting and Expectations 22:10 Messy Moments and Parenting Realities 29:48 The Importance of Self-Care

    30 min

About

For the career driven, the founders, the mums, and the makers building the village while still cleaning up snack crumbs and living on less than 4 hours sleep.