Best Adoptionleave Podcasts (2024)

1
[Future of Work] Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst - How Workstyle (Rather Than Flexible Working) Could Change the Way You Work Forever 43:39

23m ago43:39

43:39

Have you heard of workstyle? Today on the podcast we are delighted to welcome entrepreneurs and changemakers Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst. Together they came up with the concept of workstyle in response to their negative experiences of the traditional '9-5' working week. Workstyle is a new word to describe the complete freedom to choose when and whe…

1
[Future of Work] Denise Wilson OBE - How the UK is Working to Achieve Gender Balance at Board Level & What Still Needs to Change 45:29

4h ago45:29

45:29

We're delighted to welcome Denise Wilson OBE to the podcast. Denise is the former chief executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and has led the UK’s business task force to increase the number of women on boards and in leadership positions. She has made a significant contribution to gender equality in British business and is passionate about empo…

1
[Future of Work] Bruce Daisley - How to Reduce the Number of Meetings in Your Workplace & Change the Organisational Culture 47:45

3d ago47:45

47:45

Would you like to reduce the number of meetings in your workplace? Joining us this week is workplace culture enthusiast Bruce Daisley. A former EMEA Vice President of Twitter, Bruce is now a best-selling author and hosts the podcast 'Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat', alongside helping organisations build energised and connected workplace cultures. In this…

1
Rosie Hewat - How to Handle the Call Back to the Office & Tips on Requesting Flexible Working 38:36

15d ago38:36

38:36

Has your employer recently called you back to the office? Our guest today is Rosie Hewat, Group Chief People Officer at fintech company Kuda. In 2024, many organisations have begun to pull their workers back to the office. As an experienced HR and people management professional and an advocate for flexible working, Rosie shares practical advice on …

1
Elizabeth Willetts - How to Get Your Flexible Working Request Approved & Why the Future of Work is Hybrid 33:36

28d ago33:36

33:36

What do the people who get flexible working requests approved have in common? Today we welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Willetts, CEO and Founder of Investing in Women to the podcast to discuss her work advocating for the power of part-time and flexible working. Liz shares her top tips for getting your flexible working request approved, including when it is…

1
Charlotte Boujassy - How to Let Go of the Pressure of Being a Perfect Parent & Progress Your Career 40:21

18d ago40:21

40:21

Do you ever feel under pressure to be the perfect parent? Verena Hefti MBE chats with Charlotte Boujassy, Director of Talent & Leadership Development Europe for a Japanese pharmaceutical company. They discuss why it's so important to talk loudly about working flexibly at a senior level, how to deal with the pressure of perfectionism when you're a w…

1
Thorey V. Proppe - How Data Can Improve DEI Policies & Help Close the Gender Pay Gap 39:13

25d ago39:13

39:13

Today we welcome to the podcast Thorey V. Proppe, the CEO and founder of Alda, an Icelandic tech company which developed DEI software for workplaces globally. Iceland consistently ranks among the highest countries in the world for gender equality. Thorey shares: What is working for gender equality right now in Iceland What we can learn from this su…

1
Brita Fernandez Schmidt - How to Learn to Trust Your Intuition & Manage Your Fears 38:35

2M ago38:35

38:35

Today we're joined by Brita Fernandez Schmidt, transformational coach and author of the brilliant book Fears to Fierce. Brita has spent 25 years championing women's rights across the world, and strongly believes that every woman has a fierce power to fulfill her own dreams. We discussed how we can learn to trust our own intuition, be intentional wi…

1
Lea Henry - How to Manage Perfectionism When Combining a Big Career & Young Children 38:45

2M ago38:45

38:45

This week we welcome Lea Henry, co-founder of the award-winning creative childcare agency CocoRio. Together with her business partner Corinna Bordoli, Lea co-founded CocoRio because she worried about the quality of childcare available. As she couldn’t keep her kids with her 24/7, she wanted to ensure their overall development and emotional well-bei…

1
Polly Ogden Duffy - How to Progress a Senior Career in a Male-Dominated Industry & Work Flexibly 38:36

2M ago38:36

38:36

How can women thrive in a traditionally male-dominated work environment? Today we welcome to the podcast Polly Ogden Duffy, Managing Director at prime sales and lettings agency John D Wood & Co. London. Polly, who is married with two children, is passionate that women CAN have it all and shares why she believes being ambitious as a working mother i…

1
Dr. Ana Catalano Weeks - Managing Mental Load While Balancing Career and Parenthood 38:36

3M ago38:36

38:36

Today on the podcast, Verena Hefti MBE chats with Dr Ana Catalano Weeks, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bath Dr. Ana shares her experience of how mental load can be gendered and emphasises that creating awareness is a part of the solution. In this conversation, we delve into the dynamics of heterosexual couples and the evolving landscape of c…

1
Jane Green - How to Approach Your Employer for Reduced Working Days and Tips on Transitioning to a Flexible Role 42:30

2M ago42:30

42:30

Today on the podcast, Verena Hefti MBE chats with Jane Green, Leaders Plus Mentor and Former EY Partner. Jane's approach to balancing work and parenthood in an era where flexible-working was rare, can well be considered as a reforming move in the UK workplace. From pioneering a flexible work model in the 1990s at EY to now mentoring on the Leaders …

1
Heather Taylor - How to Accelerate Your Career Whilst Balancing Life as a Parent, Learning to Takes Risks & Life on the Board of Pregnant Then Screwed 31:50

3M ago31:50

31:50

Today on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE chats with Heather Taylor, Director of Finance and Resources for Trust for London and Trustee and Treasurer at charity Pregnant Then Screwed. Heather is an Alumni of the Leaders Plus Fellowship (having completed the very first cohort of the programme) and advocates for flexible and reduced working days to incre…

1
{CEO Series} Sam Butters - The Benefits of being a Co-CEO & How to Navigate Morning Sickness in a Senior Role 49:02

3M ago49:02

49:02

In this episode, Verena Hefti MBE chats with Sam Butters, Co-CEO of charity the Fair Education Alliance, a coalition of 250 organisations tackling educational inequality. Verena and Sam discuss the multiple benefits of having Co-CEO’s and why this isn’t necessarily the same as a traditional job share. Sam, who is a big advocate of work-life fluidit…

1
Rachel Allison - Tips for Managing Your Personal Brand & How to Build a PR Agency as a New Mother 42:19

3M ago42:19

42:19

What is the secret to other people talking positively about you at work? Today on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE chats with Rachel Allison, founder of the PR agency Axe + Saw. Rachel is someone who regularly advocates for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity in her work and she is passionate about running a progressive, purpose-driven agency. As a mother …

1
Ellen Taaffe - How to Overcome Perfectionism & Master Self Promotion, Plus How to Support More Women into Senior Leadership Positions 43:09

3M ago43:09

43:09

How can women unblock the obstacles in their path and open the door to opportunities to reach more senior leadership levels? Today on the podcast, Verena Hefti MBE chats with Ellen Taaffe, author of a thought-provoking new book entitled, 'The Mirrored Door: Break Through the Hidden Barrier That Locks Successful Women in Place'. For many women, at s…

1
Daniel Astarita - How to Combine IVF, Fatherhood & a Senior Leadership Career 40:50

4M ago40:50

40:50

Our guest today is Daniel Astarita, Managing Director of Kesslers, London. Daniel is a proud IVF Dad and shares his experience of balancing a demanding career whilst going through IVF treatment. As a Managing Director, Daniel has practical advice on what he has learned from combining a leadership career with young children. Daniel is also passionat…

1
Sonia Sudhakar - How to Improve Confidence & Resilience as a Senior Leader & Getting to a Director Level Role 42:38

4M ago42:38

42:38

As part of #MentoringMonth Verena Hefti MBE speaks to Leaders Plus Fellowship Mentor Sonia Sudhakar about improving confidence and resilience as a senior leader and how to get to a Director level role. Sonia is the MD of Marketing and Digital at The Royal Mail Group and lives in London with her partner and son. She shares the advice she gives to al…

1
{CEO Series} Natasha Porter OBE - Why Being a CEO is One of the Best Jobs to Combine a Big Career and Small Children 48:30

4M ago48:30

48:30

This week Verena Hefti MBE is joined by Natasha Porter OBE, the CEO and Founder of the charity Unlocked Graduates, who recruit, train and challenge outstanding individuals to lead prisoner rehabilitation. Natasha has two young children and gave birth to her eldest child just as Unlocked Graduates launched. On the podcast, Natasha shares the reality…

1
Big Careers, Small Children - A Podcast for Ambitious Parents Progressing Senior Careers 1:39

4M ago1:39

1:39

Big Careers Small Children helps ambitious parents progress careers they love whilst being present with their children. Through honest and informal conversation, senior leaders divulge what they have learnt on their own journey of combining big careers with young children to our host Verena Hefti MBE. Expect lots of aha moments, inspiration, fresh …

1
Dr. Amy Diehl & Dr. Leanne Dzubinski - Shattering the Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work 43:17

5M ago43:17

43:17

“Our organisations have mostly been built by men, for men, with men’s lifestyle patterns in mind.” Gender bias is a powerful force that holds women back in the workplace and prevents them from achieving their full potential. This week on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE chats to Dr. Amy Diehl and Dr. Leanne Dzubinski, authors of a revealing new book wh…

1
Jessica Calarco - Why Women Have Become a Social Safety Net & What Needs to Change 28:07

5M ago28:07

28:07

This week Verena Hefti MBE chats with Jessica Calarco, a Sociologist and Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about women's role as a social safety net and what needs to change. Jessica is a leading expert on inequalities in family life and education and is the author of the forthcoming book Holding It Together - How Women Be…

1
🎧 Throwback: Dr Martha Deiros Collado on Being Present With Your Children & Dealing With Feelings Of Guilt 41:29

5M ago41:29

41:29

Our host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording this Christmas week. Instead, we revisit one of our most popular episodes featuring Dr Martha Deiros Collado, a clinical psychologist specialising in family therapy and host of the brilliant podcast Talking Sense with Dr Martha. Leaders Plus Fellows tell us time and time again…

1
Brian Ballantyne - Working Fatherhood: Expectations of Masculinity & Whether Training Can Change Behaviour 45:48

5M ago45:48

45:48

This week Verena Hefti MBE chats with Brian Ballantyne, author of the book "Confessions of a Working Father" and co-founder of Men for Inclusion. They discuss the challenges Brian has faced as a working father in a senior role, expectations of masculinity and whether training can really help change behaviour. Plus Brian shares three practical ways …

1
{CEO SERIES} Charlotte Hill OBE - Being a CEO & Enjoying Your Young Children 37:36

6M ago37:36

37:36

Today Verena Hefti MBE is joined by Charlotte Hill OBE, the CEO of The Felix Project, a London charity fighting hunger and food waste. Charlotte is a mother to two young children and is passionate that it's absolutely possible to work in a senior position and raise children. On the podcast, she shares why it's incredibly worth it and how she practi…

1
Rosie McLeod - Career Progression Gaps: Research Findings on Parents' Career Ambitions & How Employers Can Retain & Support Them 36:36

6M ago36:36

36:36

What's holding parents' career progression back and how can employers retain and support them? In summer 2023, the Big Parent Career Choices Survey was completed by nearly 900 working parents. It found that 86% of parents want to progress their careers in the next five years, with 51% wanting to progress in the next two years. It also found what is…

1
Janet Daby MP -How to Combine a Senior Career as an MP With Young Children 46:48

6M ago46:48

46:48

This week Janet Daby MP (Member of Parliament for Lewisham East) joins Verena Hefti MBE to discuss how she combines a big career with young children. Janet, who is a mother of 2, shares how she balances frequent evening commitments as an MP with being a present parent and what she has learned about dealing with feelings of guilt. There are lots of …

1
Melissa Blisset - Gender Pay Gap: How Individuals & Employers Can Work to Close It 45:40

6M ago45:40

45:40

What is the root cause of the gender pay gap? What can we do as both individuals and employers to help close it? Following Equal Pay Day 2023 (the day in the year when - based on the gender pay gap - women overall in the UK stop being paid compared to men), Verena Hefti MBE is joined by financial wellbeing and pay gap analytics expert Melissa Bliss…

1
Paul Morgan-Bentley - Equal Parenting & How Sharing the Load Can Help Career Progression 43:42

7M ago43:42

43:42

“If we’re going to talk a good game about equality at work that also means men taking on childcare responsibilities.” Ahead of International Men's Day (19/11) Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations at The Times and author of the brilliant book The Equal Parent joins Verena Hefti MBE. Paul is an advocate for men properly sharing responsibility …

1
🎧 #Throwback: Mary Ann Sieghart on the Authority Gap 42:21

7M ago42:21

42:21

Our host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording this week. Instead, we revisit one of our most popular episodes featuring former The Times Senior Editor Mary Ann Sieghart. Mary Ann is the author of a really intriguing book, The Authority Gap, which analyses why women are taken less seriously than men and what we can do abou…

1
{CEO Series} Matthew Hayes - How to Combine CEO Life With Parenting Young Children 46:28

7M ago46:28

46:28

Can you work in the top positions and still be there for school pick up? Today Verena Hefti MBE is joined by Matthew Hayes, the Vice President & Managing Director of Technology From Sage. Matthew is a father to two young daughters and is combining a big career with raising small children. In the episode, he shares how he balances life in a very sen…

1
{CEO Series} Laura Citron - Why the CEO Role is Perfect for Working Parents 45:15

7M ago45:15

45:15

Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October. Download Application Pack. How do you know when you're ready to become a CEO? In this episode we are joined by Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, London's business growth and destination agency. Laura was appointed Chief Executive Officer whilst pregnant and shares why the CEO ro…

1
{CEO Series} Michelle Harrison - Does Society Think That Men & Women Are Equally Suitable to Lead? Findings from the Reykjavik Index. 54:21

7M ago54:21

54:21

Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October 2023. Download Application Pack. Does Society Think That Men and Women are Equally Suitable to Lead? Today we are joined by Michelle Harrison, Global CEO of Kantar Public. Launched in 2018, The Reykjavik Index for Leadership measures and tracks progress in society’s perceptions of wome…

1
Dr Jasmin Islam - How to Set Boundaries & Ask for What You Need When Balancing Career & Family 40:52

8M ago40:52

40:52

Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October 2023. Download Application Pack. “Give yourself the permission to be brave” Today we welcome Consultant Dr Jasmin Islam to the podcast. Jasmin balances two big roles alongside raising small children and splits her working hours between Kings College Hospital NHS & Clinical Public Healt…

1
Kate Smith - How Small Steps Can Lead to Big Changes & Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work 53:23

8M ago53:23

53:23

Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October. Download Application Pack. “Have kind conversations with yourself - we are often our own harshest critics when we should be our own best supporter.” We interview the brilliant Kate Smith (Executive Director, Consulting - CBRE UK) about what she has learned from dealing with her own as…

1
⚡️Monday Motivation: Alex Pang on Implementing a 4 Day Week 7:26

8M ago7:26

7:26

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents. This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Author and Researcher Alex Pang who shares practical suggestions o…

1
Dominic Holmes - How to Resize a Client Facing Role from 5 to 4 Days 36:57

8M ago36:57

36:57

Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October. Download Application Pack. “I can honestly say I’ve been more successful on 4 days a week than 5 days a week.” It's a pleasure to welcome back Dominic Holmes to the podcast. Dominic is a Partner at the law firm Mischon De Reya and has successfully resized his client facing role from 5…

1
⚡️ Monday Motivation: Jennifer Petriglieri - How to Work With Your Partner to Increase the Chances of Career Success 2:43

8M ago2:43

2:43

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents. This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Dr Jennifer Petriglieri (Associate Professor of Organisational Beh…

1
Helen Gillett - How to Build a Board Career 38:09

8M ago38:09

38:09

“You will have transferable skills - it’s just a question of identifying what they are.” Today we welcome back Independent Non-Executive Director Helen Gillett to the podcast. Helen shares: What a Non-Executive Director role involves How to get a Non-Executive Director position What being on a board actually means How you can successfully work your…

1
⚡️ Monday Motivation: Vanessa Bohns - How to Increase Your Chances of a Yes 2:35

8M ago2:35

2:35

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents. This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Vanessa Bohns (Professor of Organisational Behavior, Cornell Unive…

1
Lydia Leipert & Rebecca Zöller - How to Make Job Sharing Work 37:44

9M ago37:44

37:44

“With job sharing the company gets two people - two ideas, two heads, two brains.” Ours guests today Lydia Leipert and Rebecca Zöller job share a senior role at a Bavarian broadcaster and have even been nicknamed “Lydecca” by their colleagues. As they put it themselves - "between us we have 4 children, are 2 women and share 1 job". Lydia and Rebecc…

1
⚡️ Monday Motivation: Anita Kerwin-Nye - How to Combine a Big Career & Small Children 3:15

9M ago3:15

3:15

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents. This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you progress your career in a way that works for your family. Advice from Anita Kerwin-Nye (Executive Director - YHA England & Wales) who share…

1
Drake Peabody - How to Network to Support Your Career Development 43:52

9M ago43:52

43:52

“Some of those lightbulb moments have actually come from engaging with people that come from totally different backgrounds, or totally different industries or have totally different perspectives.” Today we welcome global finance leader Drake Peabody to Big Careers, Small Children. Drake is an alumnus of the Leaders Plus Fellowship and Director of G…

1
Karen Dillon - Overcoming Microstress: How Little Things Can Pile Up & Create Big Problems & What to Do About It 49:16

9M ago49:16

49:16

Ever find yourself drowning in a sea of endless responsibilities? Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and in need of some practical solutions? Perhaps you need to address the microstress in your life. Microstresses are the small moments of stress that have insidiously infiltrated both our work and personal lives with invisible but devastating effe…

1
🎧 Throwback: Dr Jennifer Petriglieri on How Dual Career Couples Make it Work 51:33

9M ago51:33

51:33

Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes. This week we are revisiting the 2020 episode recorded with Dr Jennifer Petriglieri, an expert on how dual career couples can thrive in relationships both at home and at work. Jennifer shares the…

1
🎧 Throwback: Fiona McDonnell on Finding a Work/Life Rhythm 48:28

10M ago48:28

48:28

Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes. This week we revisit the episode with author and business leader Fiona McDonnell. Fiona's debut book Two Mirrors and a Cheetah offers inspiration and practical advice on finding career fulfilmen…

1
🎧 Throwback: Nick Wilkie on Taking Career Breaks as a CEO 42:15

10M ago42:15

42:15

Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes. This week we revisit the 2019 episode with former National Childbirth Trust (NCT) CEO, Nick Wilkie. Nick talks candidly about stepping away from his Chief Executive position at the NCT to be a f…

1
🎧 Throwback: Lucy Walker on How to Become a Non-Executive Director 33:06

10M ago33:06

33:06

Over the summer host, Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes. This week we invite you to revisit the episode with Leaders Plus Fellow Lucy Walker who talks through how she became a Non-Executive Director and how you can become one too. Connect with Lucy o…

1
🎧 Throwback Episode: Mother Pukka on Flexible Working 39:24

10M ago39:24

39:24

Over the summer host, Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from interviewing to spend time with her family. We'll be revisiting some of the most popular episodes of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast for you to enjoy. This week we invite you to re-visit the 2020 episode with Anna Whitehouse (also known as Mother Pukka) who talks about sett…

1
Ashley Quinto Powell - Practical Strategies for Selling Yourself When You're a Busy Working Parent 37:07

11M ago37:07

37:07

“One of the most important things is to have people who will mention you in a room when you’re not there.” Our guest today is Ashley Quinto Powell, a serial entrepreneur and the author of Executive Motherhood: The Art of Having It All Without Doing It All. Ashley founded the Virtual Assistant Agency, myVA Rocks and has spoken about motherhood for T…

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