Work It Like A Mum

Elizabeth Willetts

How do I know if I'm ready to return to work after maternity leave? Can I *really* make all the pick-ups, drop-offs AND get to work on time? Am I ready for that promotion? How do I balance managing a large team and demanding kids? Is now the right time to start my own business? Can I flourish in a part-time job? And the biggest question of all, can I *really* have it all? Whether you're returning to work after your first maternity leave or juggling a high-flying career with teenagers that won't do their homework, this is the show for you.Work It Like A Mum is a new podcast giving you a weekly dose of inspiration, confidence, and step-by-step tips (plus lots of comradery) to help you flourish in your career after kids. Hosted by the Founder of Investing in Women, Elizabeth Willetts, we chat with remarkable women redefining our working world. They'll share their secrets on how they've achieved extraordinary things after children, set boundaries and balance, challenges they've faced (and how they've overcome them) to define their own versions of success. Every episode is brimming with ideas, tools, hints and tips you can put straight into practice so you, too, can have a career you adore. We cover it all - with raw honesty and a few laughs to ensure you are seen, heard, promoted and hired - whilst keeping your sanity at home! Listen now to get all the inspiration you need to Work It Like A Mum.

  1. 6D AGO

    Courage Over Confidence: How to Speak Up and Step Into the Career You Want

    In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, I chat with the inspiring Jennifer Spurr, an ICF-accredited career and leadership coach who helps women in leadership accelerate their careers and amplify their impact. With nearly 20 years in marketing leading brands like Cadbury, Jennifer brings deep expertise and a passion for empowering women to speak up.  We explore what it really means to be courageous at work and why leaning in is not the full story. Jennifer explains why courage, not confidence, is the starting point for growth and how women can find their voice at decision-making tables that too often look the same. You’ll hear us unpack:Why “Lean In” missed a key piece of the puzzleCourage vs confidence — and why courage comes firstHow to act despite fear, not just “feel it and do it anyway”Small, consistent actions that build your courage muscleWhat to do if you’ve been “dry promoted” and how to ask for what you’re worthHow knowing your strengths makes it easier to speak upKey takeaways: Courage comes before confidence: confidence grows through action Fear is normal: the aim is to act despite it Small steps matter: they build lasting courage Advocate for yourself: step up and make your case Build your support system: courage is stronger with allies Why You Should Listen:  If you’ve ever felt stuck or overlooked at work, this episode offers a fresh perspective on approaching your career with bravery. Jennifer shares practical steps to turn fear into opportunity and help you speak up and step into the career you want.  Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Connect With Jennifer on LinkedIn Here  Visit Jennifer’s Website Here Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    35 min
  2. OCT 6

    BONUS EPISODE: From Employee to Entrepreneur: Real Talk on Making the Leap

    We went live with Rebecca Newenham — founder of Get Ahead, franchise consultant, mentor, and passionate advocate for flexible working — to talk honestly about what it really takes to make the leap from employee to entrepreneur. Rebecca shared her journey from being a corporate retail buyer to running a thriving outsourcing agency, giving practical advice to anyone thinking about starting their own business. We discussed: Why there’s still a stigma around entrepreneurship — and how to reframe selling.How to test an idea and take small steps before leaving corporate life.The importance of systems, accountability, and structure when you’re your own boss.Thinking about money, pricing, and financial risk in those early stages.Options for scaling — from freelancers and associates to franchising.Why does success look different for everyone, and how do you define your version?Key Takeaways: - You don’t have to quit overnight — ease into entrepreneurship step by step. - Selling gets simple when you know your value and own it. - Strong systems + strong community = entrepreneurship without loneliness. - Growth starts with you — invest in yourself as much as your business. 👉 Whether you’re dreaming of leaving corporate, already running a side hustle, or looking to scale, this Live is full of honest insights and practical tools to help you move forward. Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Connect With Rebecca on LinkedIn Here  Visit Rebecca’s Website Here Visit the Get Ahead Website Here Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    29 min
  3. OCT 2

    Turning Heartbreak Into Hope: A Mother’s Mission After Loss

    In this moving episode of Work It Like a Mum, I speak with Beth Baldwin — empowerment coach, leadership trainer, and founder of The Fabulous Facilitator. Beth shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 13-year-old son, Peter, to type 1 diabetes, and how she has since transformed her grief into a mission to save lives and support other families.  Alongside her advocacy, Beth is passionate about empowering women to thrive, and we also dive into the challenges of motherhood, work, and the importance of self-care. What We Cover: Peter’s sudden diagnosis and the critical warning signs of type 1 diabetes.The impact of child bereavement and how Beth found ways to keep going for her daughter.The lifesaving work of charities like 2Wish (bereavement support) and Believe (organ donation awareness).Beth’s career journey — from redundancy to building her own consultancy, The Fabulous Facilitator.The invisible workload mothers carry and why equality at home and work still needs progress.Practical strategies for women to prioritise self-care, set boundaries, and refill their cup.Key Takeaways: Know the “4 Ts” of type 1 diabetes: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired, Thinner - early detection saves lives.   Grief can be channelled into purpose: Community, campaigning, and support networks make a difference. Self-care isn’t indulgent, it’s essential: Protect time for yourself with the same commitment you give others.   Women need both external support: Childcare, workplace flexibility and internal permission to prioritise their ambitions. Talking openly about loss, health, and the pressures of motherhood: This creates space for others to feel less alone.  Why You Should Listen: This episode will stay with you. Parents will learn the vital signs of type 1 diabetes that could save a child’s life. Those who’ve faced grief will hear Beth’s inspiring story of resilience and community. Busy working mums will walk away with practical tips on boundaries, balance, and why self-care isn’t optional.  Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Follow The Fabulous Facilitator on Facebook Here Follow Beth on LinkedIn Here Visit Beth’s Website ‘The Fabulous Facilitator’ Here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount. Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    41 min
  4. SEP 25

    The Power of Change (And How Coaching Creates New Possibilities)

    On this weeks' episode of The Work It Like a Mum Podcast, we sit down with Kate Rippon, Corporate Affairs Director at idverde. Kate joins me for an open conversation about career transitions, authentic leadership, and how coaching can shape your professional journey. Since our coaching sessions last year, Kate has taken bold steps to secure her role at idverde — a journey filled with valuable lessons and personal growth. Together, we explore: How coaching can open new doors in your career.Navigating the challenges and rewards of stepping into a new leadership role.Aligning your career path with your core values.Bringing empathy and authenticity to corporate affairs.Lessons in resilience, adaptability, and embracing change.Key Takeaways: Coaching is not just about solving problems — it’s about creating possibilities.Leadership flourishes when rooted in authenticity and values.Change can be a powerful driver of growth.Genuine connection is key to lasting success.Tune in for an inspiring, insightful conversation blending personal growth with professional leadership.  Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Find out more about Investing in Women’s Career Coaching Services Here  Connect With Kate on LinkedIn Here  Visit idverde’s Website Here Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    33 min
  5. SEP 18

    Why Women’s Confidence Matters (and How to Build It)

    In this week’s episode of Work It Like a Mum, I’m joined by Lauren Currie, founder of UPFRONT, a pioneering platform on a mission to upskill 10 million women. Lauren shares her journey from starting her first business straight out of university to creating the Bond, UPFRONT'S flagship program that transforms women’s confidence and leadership potential. We explore: The real meaning of confidence and why society often penalises women for showing it.How internalised misogyny and societal messaging shape women’s self-perception from a young age.The ripple effect of confident women on teams, businesses, families, and society.Lauren’s entrepreneurial journey includes six businesses, bootstrapping, and creating scalable impact.Insights into her upcoming book, Be Upfront, and how it challenges outdated rules about confidence.A sneak peek into her children’s book, Taylor Meets the Trick, designed to teach kids (and grown-ups) about breaking gender stereotypes early.Whether you’re a working mum, aspiring entrepreneur, or want to understand the power of confidence in action, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, inspiring stories, and actionable insights. Key Takeaways: Confidence is a muscle—it can be learned, practised, and strengthened at any stage of life.The barriers women face are often systemic, not personal; the world is not rewarding women’s confidence.Small, consistent practices—like noticing subtle internalised biases—can create meaningful change over time.Community is powerful: joining a supportive network of women (like a Bond) amplifies learning, confidence, and impact. It’s an inspiring, practical conversation that will leave you thinking differently about confidence and how to build it.  Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Connect With Lauren on LinkedIn Here  Visit Lauren’s Website Here Buy Lauren’s Book Here  Join UPFRONT's Mailing List Here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount. Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    48 min
  6. SEP 11

    Smart Money Moves: Financial Planning Tips Every Woman Needs

    In this episode of Work It Like a Mum, we chat with Olivia Shipstone, a Chartered Financial Planner and founder of OCS Financial Planning. Olivia shares her expert insights on financial planning, saving, investing, and how mums (and everyone!) can take control of their money to achieve financial freedom. What We Cover: Olivia’s journey from big banks to running her own financial planning businessCommon financial mistakes and why starting early mattersHow to set meaningful financial and life goalsSaving vs. investing: what you need to knowTax-free childcare, funded hours, and child benefit tipsSupporting your child through education, from nursery to universityHow financial planning is for everyone, not just the “rich”Key Takeaways: Start early: Even small steps matter—know where you are now.Set goals with purpose: Focus on lifestyle outcomes, not just numbers.Automate savings: Make it out of sight, out of mind.Plan around life stages: Childcare, career changes, and family needs shift over time.Financial advice is for everyone: Tailored planning helps anyone achieve their version of financial security.Why Listen: Whether juggling kids, a career, or both, this episode gives practical strategies for building wealth, reducing financial stress, and making your money work for your life, no matter your starting point. Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Connect With Olivia on LinkedIn Here  Visit Olivia's Website Here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount. Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    42 min
  7. SEP 4

    Side Hustle Success: Big Dreams, Flexible Hours, Real Results

    In this week’s episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, I’m joined by Jo Langley. She opens up about her experience of joining Utility Warehouse (UW) as a partner and how she’s built it alongside family life and her existing marketing business. Jo talks about the reality of starting something new, from hitting her Fast Start bonus in her first month to juggling priorities as a mum, and how UW has given her an extra income stream, peace of mind, and new opportunities. We also chat about the bigger shift in how people work today, with more than 20 million people in the UK running side hustles — and why multiple income streams are fast becoming the norm. What you’ll hear in this episode: The moment Jo realised she needed another income streamHow rising costs (mortgage, car, kids!) pushed her to look for solutionsWhy UW felt like a natural fit and how she got startedThe training, support and mentoring that helped her succeed quicklyIncentives big and small – from family holidays to pizza nightsThe diversity and support within the UW partner communityKey Takeaways: Flexibility is everything: UW allows you to work around family life and existing commitments. Fast results are possible: Jo earned £2,300 in her first month with just 15 hours of work. Training and support make the difference: Mentoring and structured guidance help you start confidently. Side hustles aren’t just about money: They give your family peace of mind, security, and opportunities. Anyone can do this: With the right tools and mindset, UW can work for a wide variety of people and backgrounds. Diversity and community matter: The supportive team and diverse partner network are key to ongoing motivation and success. Incentives make it fun: The rewards keep you focused and motivated, from family holidays to small treats.Why Listen: Whether you’re curious about UW, exploring a side hustle, or want to hear a real and honest story of balancing family and business, this episode is for you. Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Connect With Joanna on LinkedIn Here  Learn More About Joining UW Here Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    31 min
  8. AUG 28

    The Anatomy of Leadership: What Thriving Leaders Do Differently

    This week on the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, I’m joined by Maria Hvorostovsky — leadership coach, host of The Anatomy of a Leader, and one of Europe’s top executive search consultants. With 20+ years of placing senior leaders (including the first CEO of JW Anderson), Maria knows what makes leaders thrive and where founders stumble. She shares her journey from a family of musicians in Russia to running her own business, launching a podcast, and building a leadership ecosystem. We dive into reinvention, the messy middle of motherhood and business, and why creating space for yourself, even a solo night away, is non-negotiable. 💡 What We Cover Maria’s journey from psychology student to top headhunter & entrepreneurWhy she founded Anatomy of a Leader and her mission to inspire changeWhat founders often get wrong when hiring (and how to get it right)How to make your CV & LinkedIn stand out to recruitersThe three emotional skills every great leader needsWhy creating space, from meditation to “joy creators”, is vital for womenHow saying no, outsourcing, and boundaries protect your energy✨ Key Takeaways Leadership starts with self-leadership: regulate, name & channel your emotions. Hire for tomorrow: great founders recruit teams, not just one “fix-it” hire. Your CV is just the start: your reputation and relationships carry the most weight. Creating space isn’t selfish: even 10 minutes of stillness can fuel clarity & confidence. Redefine success: joy, boundaries, and purpose matter as much as career titles. 🎧 Why Listen This episode is a masterclass in reinvention, leadership, and permission to put yourself first — while still chasing big ambitions. Show Links: Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here Connect With Maria on LinkedIn Here  Visit Maria's Website Here  Follow Maria on Instagram Here Listen to Her Podcast Here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount. Support the show Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode! Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

    51 min

Trailer

About

How do I know if I'm ready to return to work after maternity leave? Can I *really* make all the pick-ups, drop-offs AND get to work on time? Am I ready for that promotion? How do I balance managing a large team and demanding kids? Is now the right time to start my own business? Can I flourish in a part-time job? And the biggest question of all, can I *really* have it all? Whether you're returning to work after your first maternity leave or juggling a high-flying career with teenagers that won't do their homework, this is the show for you.Work It Like A Mum is a new podcast giving you a weekly dose of inspiration, confidence, and step-by-step tips (plus lots of comradery) to help you flourish in your career after kids. Hosted by the Founder of Investing in Women, Elizabeth Willetts, we chat with remarkable women redefining our working world. They'll share their secrets on how they've achieved extraordinary things after children, set boundaries and balance, challenges they've faced (and how they've overcome them) to define their own versions of success. Every episode is brimming with ideas, tools, hints and tips you can put straight into practice so you, too, can have a career you adore. We cover it all - with raw honesty and a few laughs to ensure you are seen, heard, promoted and hired - whilst keeping your sanity at home! Listen now to get all the inspiration you need to Work It Like A Mum.

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