Stop Should-ing Yourself: Why “Should” Is the Real Swear Word for Working Mums
Are you caught in a constant loop of “I should be doing more”? In this reflective episode, Carina unpacks why the word "should" has become the secret source of guilt for working mums and how to replace it with kinder, more empowering language.
Carina explores how should sneaks into our day through social expectations, “good girl” conditioning, and the mental load and shares a simple mindset strategies to help reframe and let go of guilt and reclaim control of your choices.
You’ll walk away feeling lighter, more compassionate toward yourself, and with a practical strategy to shift from guilt to growth.
You’ll Learn:
Why “should” fuels guilt and burnout for working mums
The link between “should” and the mental load
A simple mindset reframe to reduce pressure
How to replace guilt with agency and compassion
Follow @workingmummacommunity or @workingmummapodcast on Instagram and follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.
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Balancing IVF and a Career - How do you keep it all together? with Marianne Marchesi
What happens when you’re managing a busy job or running a business and quietly going through IVF at the same time?
In this powerful episode, Carina sits down with Marianne Marchesi, founder and Managing Director of Legalite, to talk about the emotional and practical realities of balancing fertility treatment and career.
Marianne shares what it was really like to lead a growing law firm while navigating IVF during COVID - from countless appointments, injections, and heartbreak, to showing up at work trying to keep it all together.
She opens up about being diagnosed with endometriosis, the emotional toll of fertility struggles, and how the experience reshaped her definition of resilience, leadership, and success. Marianne also shares how her journey inspired her to introduce a 12-day reproductive health leave policy at Legalite, setting a new benchmark for workplace support.
If you’ve ever wondered how anyone does it all, or felt the silent weight of trying to balance work and fertility, this conversation will make you feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
The emotional toll of IVF and infertility while working
Managing the juggle of appointments, deadlines, and hormones
The power of vulnerability and how it changed Marianne’s leadership style
Why workplaces must evolve to support fertility and reproductive health
How IVF reshaped her outlook on success, motherhood, and what really matters
MORE LINKS
Connect with Marianne on LinkedIn or Instagram @mariannemarchesi or via her website legalite.com.au.
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or @workingmummapodcast or on LinkedIn
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The “Good Girl” Conditioning That’s Burning Women Out with Dr. Michelle McQuaid
Have you ever caught yourself saying “I’ll just do it,” or “I don’t want to upset anyone,” or you’re simply tired of trying to do it all perfectly?
This episode is your permission slip to stop being the good girl, and start being YOU.
Dr Michelle McQuaid joins Carina to unpack Good Girl Conditioning, the pressure women feel to perform perfectly, please everyone, and protect others at their own expense. Drawing on her new research across 1,000 Australian women, Michelle reveals the hidden costs of this conditioning - exhaustion, resentment, and loss of self - and offers science-backed strategies to break free.
Together, we explore how this shows up for working mums juggling careers, home, and identity, and discuss practical ways to replace “being good” with being uniquely you.
We chat about:
What “Good Girl Conditioning” is and why it’s it's showing up more than ever
The 3 behaviours that keep women stuck: perfection, pleasing, and protection
How these patterns show up for working mums at home and work
The powerful antidote: self-compassion, secure attachment, and self-leadership
Simple nervous system tools to calm your body and respond differently
Why “you’re not there yet” might be the most powerful mindset shift of all
Links and resources
Take Michelle’s Good Girl Mindset Survey: thegoodgirlgamechangers.com
Follow Michelle on Substack or LinkedIn
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or @workingmummapodcast or on LinkedIn
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Feeling Tired, Overloaded and Burnt out? How you can restore your energy with Dr. Kaitlin Harkess
Are you tired of feeling tired? You get through your workday, juggle drop-offs, dinner, and the endless to-do list - yet your mind never switches off.
You’re not broken, lazy, or failing. You’re just overloaded.
In this powerful conversation, clinical psychologist Dr. Kaitlin Harkess explains what’s really happening in your body when you feel burnt out, anxious, and stretched too thin. She shares the neuroscience behind why so many mums feel “wired but tired” with practical, evidence-based tools to help calm your nervous system and find balance again.
If you’ve been running on empty, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and equipped with simple strategies you can start using today.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why modern motherhood has mums constantly stuck in “fight-or-flight” mode
How social media fuels perfectionism and guilt
What burnout does to your body (and how to reverse it)
How to recognise the signs your nervous system is overloaded
The role of self-compassion and why mums struggle with it
Easy somatic tools to calm anxiety and restore energy
Small daily rituals to reset your body and mind
Connect with Dr. Kaitlin via Instagram @@drkaitlin and website wisdomforwellbeing.au and check out her upcoming book "The Somatic Workbook for Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Relief"
Connect with Working Mumma via Instagram @workingmummacommunity and the podcast @workingmummapodast or LinkedIn
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THROWBACK: "Helping Your Kids Thrive Through Transitions (and How It Helps You Too) with Gen Muir
Transitions are part of every parenting journey, but they can often feel overwhelming—for both parents and kids! In this episode, I sit down with parenting expert Gen Muir to discuss navigating these pivotal moments with confidence and connection for both your child and you.
From starting daycare or school to navigating new situations, we dive into the common challenges children face during these transitions. Gen shares her expert tips on managing big emotions, building resilience, and creating a safe space for your little ones during times of change. We also explore how you can stay emotionally grounded as a parent amidst all the chaos (we know this can be challenging!).
This episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt insights that every working mum needs in her toolkit. If you’re navigating or preparing for a big change such as starting daycare or school this conversation will leave you feeling equipped, inspired, and ready to tackle those transitions with a smile.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The emotional impact of transitions on kids and how to support them
Why connection is key and how to strengthen your bond with your child during big changes
Simple strategies to help your kids—and yourself—manage those tricky emotions
How to create "pregame chats" and post-event moments that ease the adjustment process
Hacks for balancing your own emotions while juggling the mental load with your children
Resources and Links
Connect with Gen Muir on Instagram: @ConnectedParentingAU
Visit Gen’s website: connectedparenting.com.au
Check out Gen’s book: Little People, Big Feelings
Connect with Carina on LinkedIn
Let's connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity
Get your free 'How to share the mental load' checklist workingmumma.com.au/mental-load/
Subscribe & Review
Loved this episode? Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an empowering conversation. And if you found it helpful, please leave a review—it helps us reach more working mums just like you!
Working Mumma is the go-to podcast for women navigating the juggle of motherhood and career, especially during the return-to-work period after maternity leave. Whether you’re preparing to head back to work, already in the thick of the transition, or in the first few years of rediscovering your professional self, this podcast is your toolkit for clarity, confidence, and connection.Hosted by Carina O’Brien, mum of 2 boys, businesswoman, and founder of Working Mumma, each episode delivers relatable stories, expert interviews, and practical strategies to help you. You will hear from experts, leaders, and women like you who are juggling career and motherhood. You’re not alone in this. Tune in weekly to feel supported, empowered, and reminded that you’re doing a great job.
New Zealand