How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty

• Michelle Allbon and Julia Bower: How Fractional Leadership Is Changing the Game

  In this episode, I chat with Michelle Allbon and Julia Bower, the powerhouse duo behind The Fractional Directory, a progressive platform redefining what leadership and productivity look like in today’s world of work.Michelle and Julia share the story of how they met as new mums in an antenatal class and went on to build a global business helping leaders and companies embrace fractional work, a model that challenges the outdated 40-hour work week and creates new opportunities for parents, women, and top-tier talent to work differently.Together, they unpack the cultural and structural barriers holding companies back from embracing flexible leadership, how the Fractional Directory is driving change across New Zealand, Singapore and Australia, and why “part-time” should no longer mean “less than.”This conversation is packed with insights on career reinvention, female leadership, systems change, and motherhood without compromise. It’s honest, smart, and deeply inspiring.We speak about:· How Michelle and Julia turned their shared frustration into a global startup· What “fractional work” really means, and how it differs from part-time or consulting· Why flexible leadership models are key to smashing the motherhood penalty· The cultural and policy barriers stopping companies from adopting new ways of working· How Singapore’s government is leading the charge with a national fractional hiring pilot· Why “hours ≠ value”, and why we need to measure productivity by outcomes, not time· How mothers can reclaim ambition, identity and financial power through new work modelsConnect with Michelle and Julia Fractional directory: https://www.fractional.directory/ Follow Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleallbon/ Follow Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julialbower/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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• It’s Good to Talk: Raising Kids and Running a Startup, The Truth About Balance with Renata Wiles

  In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Roam With Kids founder Renata Wiles to talk about the invisible work of parenting, financial fairness, and the conversations every couple needs to have before, during, and after becoming parents.Renata shares how a lockdown pregnancy, one income, and the realities of raising two young kids inspired her to build Roam With Kids, an app helping parents find child-friendly cafés, playgrounds, walks and events across Aotearoa. But this episode goes much deeper than business.We unpack everything from KiwiSaver gaps and shared finances to equitable partnerships, parenting mental load, and why every household needs a “coffee budget” for sanity and self-care. It’s an empowering, down-to-earth conversation that will leave parents feeling seen, validated, and ready to make small but mighty changes at home.We speak about:· How Renata turned her parenting experience into a thriving startup, Roam With Kids· The KiwiSaver gap: why women fall behind financially during caregiving years, and how to fix it· What an equal partnership really looks like at home· How to talk about money, roles, and responsibilities with your partner· The truth about starting your own business as a parent· Why “the coffee budget” is essential for mental health· How to raise kids who see equality modelled at homeResources DiscussedFollow or connect with Sophie:· Instagram: @roamwithkids, @renataroaming· Website: https://roamwithkids.app/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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• Nicola Raynes-Pene: How to Lead on Four Days a Week

  In this episode, I chat with Nicola Raynes-Pene, Partner at KPMG, mother of three, and 2024 Part-Time Power Lister, about what it really takes to build a thriving senior-level career while working four days a week.Nicola shares her story of burning out during the GFC, returning to Aotearoa, and reshaping her life and work rhythm to protect her health and her family. She opens up about how boundaries, allyship, and honesty with colleagues and clients have helped her succeed without sacrificing well-being.We explore the deeper systems that fuel the motherhood penalty, from outdated attitudes to the language we use around “part-time” work, and what leaders, partners, and businesses can do to create a fairer, more inclusive workplace for all parents.If you’ve ever wondered how to combine ambition and balance, this episode is proof that you can lead on your own terms and still be present for the people you love.We speak about:· How Nicola built a senior career on a four-day week without losing momentum· The realities of burnout and why she re-engineered her career around health and family· The importance of boundaries and clear communication with clients and teams· Why authentic male allyship is key to smashing the motherhood penalty· How KPMG’s paid parental-leave policy is driving real change for both parents· Why we need to redefine “part-time” and design roles for all genders 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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• It’s Good to Talk: Sharing the load with Josie from Play Based Pēpi

  In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Josie from Play Based Pēpi to talk about the very real journey of parenting, relationships, and rediscovering who you are after kids.Josie unpacks conversations she and her husband have had around parenting their three children and the work that goes on inside and outside of the home.She shares the challenges, the laughter, the love, and the growth that comes from being a team.We explore the mental load, the invisible work that often goes unseen, and the importance of showing up for each other, even when life feels messy and chaotic.This episode is a candid look behind the curtain of modern family life, where no one has it all figured out, but everyone’s trying their best.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, underappreciated, or just needed reassurance that you’re not alone in this parenting gig, this one’s for you.We speak about:· How parenting can shift your sense of self and identity· The emotional labour and invisible work behind family life· What it really means to “share the load”· Why communication and empathy matter more than ever· How small moments of connection can rebuild a relationshipResources DiscussedFollow or connect with Sophie:· Instagram: @playbasedpepi· Website: playbasedpepi.myshopify.com/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 whoare 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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• Jane Sweeney and Carolyn Kerr: How Anthem Built a People-First Agency

  In this episode, I chat with Jane Sweeney and Carolyn Kerr, co-founders of Anthem, one of New Zealand’s leading communications and marketing agencies.Together, they unpack how they’ve built a purpose-led, family-first workplace that challenges industry norms and how flexible, trust-based leadership can help smash the motherhood penalty for good.Jane and Carolyn share candid stories from their own careers, from being leading women in PR to raising families while leading major campaigns, and reveal how Anthem became a model for modern, human-centred business.They talk openly about flexibility that works for everyone (not just mothers), the part-time penalty, normalising men as caregivers, and why empathy and equity are key to building truly inclusive workplaces.If you’re a business leader, parent, or advocate for workplace equality, this episode will inspire you to rethink how work can work for all.We speak about:· The founding story of Anthem and how Jane and Carolyn built a “no sweatshop” culture· Why flexibility must go beyond gender and job titles· How trust, transparency, and human connection drive performance and retention· The unseen “part-time penalty” and how to challenge it· Real-life examples of progressive policies, from phased returns and job shares to paw-ternity leave· Practical advice for employers to support working parents (and all caregivers)· The cultural shift needed to normalise men working part-time· Why equitable pay, flexible roles, and open conversations matter more than ever 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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