How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty

• 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helped her succeed without sacrificing well-being.We explore the deeper systems that fuel the motherhood penalty, from outdated attitudes to the language we use around “part-time” work, and what leaders, partners, and businesses can do to create a fairer, more inclusive workplace for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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• BONUS: Tāmati Rimene-Sproat: Thoughts On Becoming A Dad

  Welcome to this bonus and unique episode where as part of the TVNZ documentary “The Motherhood Penalty TBC”, I interview Tāmati Rimene-Sproat. Well, in fact, Tāmati actually interviews me in advance of him becoming a first time dad. We talk about what his expectations are as he looks forward to becoming a dad, what kind of a dad he wants to be and he gets curious about how he might best support his partner. Tāmati shares his memories of how hard his Dad worked for his family and how that role model has influenced him along with how he might want to re-frame what success is in being a Dad. Resources Discussedhttps://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/counting-the-beatConnect 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: Why “Good Enough” Parenting Is More Than Enough – with Sophie Moskowitz

  In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Sophie Moskowitz, founder of Imperfect Parents, to unpack what it really means to parent in today’s world, without the pressure to be perfect.Sophie shares how her experience as a mum of three and an early childhood teacher led her to create Imperfect Parents, an inclusive community offering antenatal classes, postnatal groups, and playgroups that focus on the well-being of parents, not just babies.We explore the themes of equity at home, parental guilt, perfectionism, and the mental load of caregiving. We discuss how to share the load with partners, how to navigate returning to work, and why creating safe spaces for honest conversations can change everything for working parents.From “maternal gatekeeping” to the myth of “baby brain,” Sophie offers a refreshing, compassionate take on modern parenting and the importance of building community around imperfection.We speak about:· Why “good enough” parenting is healthy for both parents and children· How to navigate guilt, resentment, and perfectionism as a working parent· The importance of shared caregiving and equitable partnerships· How to advocate for yourself when returning to work after parental leave· The power of inclusive parenting spaces and safe conversationsResources DiscussedFollow or connect with Sophie: · Instagram: @imperfectparents.nzWebsite: www.imperfectparents.co.nz/You can also hear Sophie on the Why Do You Parent Like That? podcast, where she’s a regular contributor.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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