How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty

• Kimberlee Sweeney: Divorce, co-parenting, and Degrees of Separation

  In this powerful conversation, I am joined by Kimberlee Sweeney, certified divorce and co-parenting coach and founder of Degrees of Separation, to unpack how separation and divorce can amplify the motherhood penalty — and what you can do to protect yourself emotionally, legally and financially.Kimberlee shares her expert insight from a decade in the field, explaining how divorce coaching works, what co-parenting support really looks like, and the critical decisions mothers need to make before, during, and after a relationship ends. She also breaks down how the Aotearoa Divorce and Separation Institute (ADSI) is setting ethical standards for divorce coaching in Aotearoa.This is a must-listen episode if you're navigating (or even contemplating) separation and want to protect your career, your confidence, and your financial future.We speak about:· What a divorce coach actually does, and why it matters· Why divorce can intensify the motherhood penalty· How unpaid caregiving impacts post-divorce financial stability· The importance of being informed about your legal rights· Why co-parenting dynamics affect long-term outcomes· How career coaching and emotional regulation go hand in hand· The questions every couple should ask before having kids· Kimberlee’s magic wand solution to valuing unpaid labour in the homeResources Discussed· Degrees of Separation – https://www.degreesofseparation.co.nz/· Aotearoa Divorce and Separation Institute (ADSI) – https://adsi.org.nz/ Connect with EmmaThis podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family. As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping."To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – [email protected] www.worksforeveryone.co.nzhttps://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/

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• Nicole Retter: The default parent dilemma (and how to fix it)

  In this insightful conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Nicole Retter, founder of PAM, Personal Admin Manager, an app built to ease the mental load for overwhelmed parents.We unpack the invisible labour of parenthood and why the default parent trap isn’t just unfair, but completely unsustainableWe talk about the emotional toll, the cognitive overload, and the system-wide shift we could make if we stopped pretending that flexibility is a “perk” only mothers need.This is an episode that goes beyond complaining. It’s about redesigning.We speak about:· Why default parenting often survives even “equal” partnerships· The difference between doing the task and owning the load· The power of proactive conversations (and default templates) at home· Why flexibility should be for everyone, not just working mums· How six months of paternity leave could transform parenting dynamics· The deep emotional toll dads experience when they’re side-lined· Why true work-life balance is actually work-life integration Resources DiscussedPam - https://www.mypam.co/Connect with EmmaThis podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family. As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping."To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – [email protected] www.worksforeveryone.co.nzhttps://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/

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• Rachel Carrell: The brutal reality of childcare systems around the world

  In this powerful conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Rachel Carrell, CEO and Founder of Koru Kids, an innovative childcare provider operating in 10 cities in the UK.Rachel shares the story of how Koru Kids came to be (spoiler: it wasn’t built in 18 months), the brutal reality of childcare systems around the world, and why the motherhood penalty is not a personal budgeting problem, but a structural failure.From shift-working nurses to after-school pickup logistics, Rachel unpacks the real-world ripple effects of underfunded childcare and unequal parental leave, including what it costs women’s careers, family planning, and economic growth.This one’s for the mums doing it all, the dads wanting to step up, and anyone ready to rethink the system we’ve all been squashed into.We speak about:· Why good childcare is essential infrastructure, not a luxury· The profound life decisions people are forced into due to lack of support· How Koru Kids is solving “the hardest childcare problems” (hi, shift-working solo mums!)· The real reason population rates are plummeting· The invisible memos society sends to mums and dads· What really happens when dads try to book a nanny…· Rachel’s two-ended magic wand to smash the motherhood penalty for goodResources Discussed · Koru Kids https://www.korukids.co.uk/Connect with EmmaThis podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family.As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping." To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – [email protected] www.worksforeveryone.co.nz https://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/

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• Haylee Killip: NOD: urgent, on-demand childcare

  We love talking to people who are trying to smash the system and Haylee Killip is one of these people. A business that was born out of the struggle of a corporate career and the juggle of being a parent. And specifically finding childcare that was flexible. She tried everything when she was a new mum and could not find what she needed. Whether it was an extra pair of hands so she could work in the other room at home, or someone to provide care for a sick child so she could deliver a key client meeting or even time out to go and get a haircut. So NOD (Nannies On Demand) was born, as she says - the Uber for Nannies. We speak about her business, her observations and also she shares her experience as a Mum. The conversation covers:Her business NOD: urgent on-demand childcare to support parents who do not have a village around them.How we have flexible working but not flexible childcare. How her NOD nannies are like a warm hug coming into your house. How the motherhood penalty can happen almost subconsciously. The importance of a focus on wellness and putting yourself firstResources Discussedhttps://www.getnod.io/Connect with EmmaThis podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family. As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping."To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – [email protected] www.worksforeveryone.co.nzhttps://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/

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• Katherine Cornish and Vanessa Simons: Relationships Grounded In Trust

  In this special episode we talk to Katherine Cornish and Vanessa Simons (both from Fisher Funds) about their experiences as single parents. To share their reflections on the motherhood penalty and how they would change the system. To understand the challenges that might be different and what some of the solutions are that help. Both Katherine and Vanessa become solo parents under different circumstances and they courageously share their stories with us. They share them in a real and unfiltered way which I know so many listeners will find comfort in. We talk about hard things including grief, choices and the importance of leadership relationships that are grounded in trust. It is a unique episode and one that I am proud of. Thank you Katherine and Vanessa, you both smashed this conversation with your clarity, your reflections and your courage. We speak about:The trust between a leader and a working parent. As a single parent, there is no respite. On the plus side, there is the simplicity of not needing to negotiate with another parent. Playing the cards you are dealt. This phrase helped Vanessa to have control over her situation as she was experiencing grief of losing her partner.The importance of getting structure (“rigorous logistics”) and planning in your week. Outsourcing to a cleaner if you can afford it - “it makes my heart a little lighter”. And online shopping - this is buying you time - and something that all three of us do! Saying no to volunteer work - and knowing that it won’t be forever. Brutally prioritise your day and be open with your leader about this. Give yourself permission to choose the least worst outcome. As you can do anything but not everything. The power of a CEO that you can be transparent with and makes you feel like the responsibilities in your life are ok and not bad for your career. Empathy as a leadership quality we need in all our leaders. Magic wand to develop a kinder capitalist society that enables us to priortise our families. Permission to choose what works for you when it comes to working. Resources DiscussedWoolworths online grocery orders!Connect with EmmaThis podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family. As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping."To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – [email protected] www.worksforeveryone.co.nz

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