As this is the final episode of the first season of “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty”, I wanted to reflect on what I have learnt from taking the leap and making this series. And I also wanted to share what I would do if I had a magic wand. It is a question I have asked all my guests – if they had a magic wand that would make the biggest impact on smashing the motherhood penalty – what would it be? So, it is only fair that I also answer this question. Especially as I have been informed and educated on my answer after listening to all my expert guests in this season.

Thank you for supporting and listening to Season One – please let me know what you have thought about it and if you are keen for more! And what other motherhood penalty smashers I can interview? Who is doing this work that I need to amplify?

I was delighted to be interviewed in this final episode by my daughter Rose. Very appropriate given the purpose of my work is to smash the motherhood penalty so that our children and their children never have to experience it.

I share with Rose what I have learnt so far by making this podcast including:

- Seeing procrastination simply as fear showing up and how to move through it.

- The importance of listening to your whispers as do know what you need.

- The power of stories to help us feel seen.

- Why the phrase “I’m lucky” is one that I wish I did not hear as much as I do.

- My magic wand that will smash gendered caregiving norms. We are not there yet.

- How there can be a cloak of secrecy on what is really happening with work at home.

- Using the words “sotto voce” which I probably pronounce wrong!

- My favourite quote from Anna Funder’s book “Wifedom” which speaks to how complicated work at home gets completed.

- Leaning into hard conversations.

- The power of measuring what men are doing. This is the shift we need.

- Education and support for parents is overdue and needed.

Resources Discussed:

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear – as James says, “motivation often comes after starting”.

“Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life” by Anna Funder

Connect with Emma

This podcast was funded by Works for Everyone, a business based in NZ and operating globally that supports working parents to stay in the leadership pipeline through coaching, workshops, and advocacy.

Your host, Emma Mclean, is a mother of three teenagers, an Executive Coach and the Founder of Works for Everyone. Following a successful 25-year career in corporate marketing, Emma launched her business in 2019 to put a care wrap around working parents at the hardest time in their career.

She is an Executive Coach, the recipient of the 2022 Jaguar/Viva She Sets the Pace Community

Grant, alumni of the 2021 NZ Leadership Programme, and a Swiftie (a lifelong Taylor Swift fan). 

To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – emma@worksforeveryone.co.nz

www.worksforeveryone.co.nz

https://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/