Last time I interviewed Clare Stephens for Ready or Not (and just as a side note… if you haven't listened, I highly recommend you go back and listen to that one before this, which is here) she was just under a year into motherhood, she was working at Mamamia, and she'd just completed the manuscript for her now-published book, The Worst Thing I've Ever Done, which through the lens of fiction, examines what it means to be both at the bottom and at the top of a social media pile on.

Two key themes emerged from that vulnerable and relatable episode for me: the idea of untangling shame that can come in motherhood, which, for Clare, particularly showed up in birth trauma and breastfeeding challenges, and the deep desire to give herself more grace.

Now, her daughter's nearly two, she no longer works at Mamamia, she's a published author, and she's here to tell us all about the journey she's been on; with motherhood, her book, her podcast, and more.

From what still lingers when she thinks about some of the challenges she faced in birth and postpartum to her decision to leave Mamamia to what's often at the heart of a social media pile on, here, Clare Stephens is back to be every bit as reflective and vulnerable as she was when I first met her here a year ago.

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You can also find us on Instagram:

@readyornot.pod

@laurentreweek_

@lucindamckimm_

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In this episode, we cover the below topics: breastfeeding, writing a book, Mamamia, Clare Stephens, The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done, motherhood, quitting your job, freelancing, Substack, The Pile On podcast, birth trauma, navigating toddlers, press tours, the publishing world, and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Witching Hour, the show where two mums and sort-of cousins figure out how to make work work. This week, we talk about:

• What really hits harder: going from one to two kids or zero to one

• How to prepare emotionally and practically for two under two

• The fear of telling work you’re pregnant again

• Whether your promotion dreams are still alive after maternity leave

• How to study, pivot or completely reinvent your career with young kids

• Why women need to stop apologising for taking up space

• The identity crisis that comes with working less (or more)

• And the big one: is anyone actually handling both motherhood and work… or are we all just pretending?

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In this episode we cover: Motherhood and career overwhelm, returning to work after babies, going from one to two kids, preparing for two under two, maternal mental load, emotional labour in parenting, sleep deprivation and identity shifts, workplace discrimination in pregnancy, parental leave entitlements in Australia, confidence and communication at work, promotions after maternity leave.

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Thanks for listening! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.

Find us on Instagram:

@readyornot.pod

@laurentreweek_

@lucindamckimm_

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This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the land on which we’re lucky enough to raise our sons and daughters. Always was and always will be Aboriginal land. We Pay The Rent, and you can too.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Ask Ready or Not! It’s Ready or Not’s tip-based episode, landing in your ears every Friday.

This week, Loz talks about work life ‘balance’ and if there’s such a thing. She also candidly chats about her own experience and what she’s doing to make work, and life, that little bit smoother.

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Thanks for listening! If you liked the show, please tell your friends, subscribe or write a review.

You can also find us on Instagram:

@readyornot.pod

@laurentreweek_

@lucindamckimm_

—

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. The land on which we’re lucky enough to raise our sons and daughters always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.