This week, we’re talking all about productivity, and there’s no better guest to guide us than Lucy Watkins, Head of Productivity at Salesforce and proud mum of two. Lucy doesn’t just talk about getting more done. She lives and breathes it. She leads a global sales team while being a visible advocate for working parents. She also sponsors Salesforce’s Parents and Families Equality Group, helping to shape how major companies support parents in the workplace.

In this honest and energising conversation, Lucy shares the three pillars that help her balance high-impact leadership with real-life parenting. She talks about the mindset shift that helped her leave burnout behind, how she uses a weekly “family playbook” to create alignment at home, and why being a parent is actually the best leadership training you’ll ever have.

We explore time blocking, boundary-setting, relationship dynamics, how to ask for help, and why career ambition does not have to mean constant hustle. Lucy opens up about her own challenges, including how she and her partner rebuilt their home life from survival mode into something intentional, joyful, and sustainable.

Whether you’re knee-deep in nappies or navigating a promotion while managing school runs, this episode is packed with real talk and practical wisdom to help you feel more in control and less alone.

Mums on Cloud Nine is your go-to destination for inspiring content that empowers women to build a life and career they love.
Each week, we share expert advice, personal stories, and practical tips across a range of topics, from health and mindset to money and career growth.

Check out our website at www.mumsoncloudnine.co.uk and subscribe for weekly tips to elevate your mindset.

Debbie Franklin, CEO of Peplows Accountancy, joins the podcast to unpack the practical steps behind building a portfolio income and starting your own business. From side hustles and freelance work to property investment and pension planning, this episode explores how women can create long-term financial resilience, especially when life doesn't follow a straight path.

Heather, Kelly, and Lynn share personal stories and honest questions about income gaps, late starts, business structures, and navigating financial responsibilities after career breaks or divorce. Debbie offers down-to-earth advice on topics like choosing between sole trader or limited company status, managing tax implications, and protecting your business from legal risks.

There’s also an eye-opening discussion on the pension gap for women, and how combining employment with business or investment income can be part of the solution. From planning for retirement to thinking through your business exit strategy, this episode encourages listeners to take control of their future with confidence and clarity.

Whether you're already running a freelance consultancy, thinking about buying your first rental property, or just want to better understand your pension options, this episode offers clear, supportive guidance to help you make smart financial decisions.

Mums on Cloud Nine is your go-to destination for inspiring content that empowers women to build a life and career they love.
Each week, we share expert advice, personal stories, and practical tips across a range of topics, from health and mindset to money and career growth.

Check out our website at www.mumsoncloudnine.co.uk and subscribe for weekly tips to elevate your mindset.

This week on Mums on Cloud Nine, we’re getting honest about something that affects more women than we often realise: unhealed trauma and how it quietly shapes our relationships, careers, health, and sense of self. I’m joined by Adele-Marie Hartshorn, the coach, therapist, and somatic strategist who steps in when mindset work just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Adele explains how trauma isn’t always about big, catastrophic events. Sometimes, it’s simply the absence of the nurturing, presence, or stability we needed growing up. From people-pleasing to burnout, anxiety to chronic health issues, Adele breaks down how our nervous system responds to life’s emotional load, and why we can’t simply think our way out of it.

We talk about what nervous system dysregulation actually looks like, how trauma can stay trapped in the body, and why traditional talking therapies might fall short for some. Adele also shares how somatic healing helps us process what’s unresolved and gently move back into regulation.

As someone who has worked with Adele personally, I can say her work is powerful, practical, and deeply transformative. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, or simply struggling to feel present in your own life, this conversation might be the nudge you’ve been waiting for.

We also explore the subtle ways trauma can show up in motherhood, leadership, and relationships, and why learning to regulate your nervous system is a game-changer, not just for your wellbeing but for everyone around you.

Mums on Cloud Nine is your go-to destination for inspiring content that empowers women to build a life and career they love.

Each week, we share expert advice, personal stories, and practical tips across a range of topics, from health and mindset to money and career growth.

Check out our website at www.mumsoncloudnine.co.uk and subscribe for weekly tips to elevate your mindset.