The Hidden 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 and Overloaded? Healing the Nervous System for Exhausted Mums
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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1:01:28
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!
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How to Reclaim Your Identity in Motherhood When Returning to Work
Returning to work after maternity leave can feel like stepping into a whole new world - one where your values, identity, and confidence may feel completely different from before you left. You may look the same on the outside, but on the inside, you feel like a new person.
I chat with Sarah Gibbins, a leadership coach, HR expert, and mum of four, to explore the unspoken truths of navigating career, identity shift, mum guilt, and motherhood.
We dive into:
The identity shift women experience after becoming mothers
Why guilt and “shoulds” weigh so heavily on working mums, and how to let them go
The truth about confidence after kids and how to rebuild it step by step
Why “balance” is a myth and what to focus on instead
How to navigate the return-to-work transition with more confidence and self-belief
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not the same person anymore… and I don’t know who I am now” — this conversation is for you.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn or her website neonpeople.co
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma via Instagram: @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien and you can sign sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter
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How can we have more part time roles for working mums?
Why are there no senior part-time roles?
What started as a reel with recent guest Emma McLean exploded online with hundreds of comments from working parents sharing frustrations, missed opportunities, and moments of hope about part time roles.
What really struck me was how much emotion and old-school thinking remains towards part time work. For so many working mums, the lack of senior part-time roles isn’t just about jobs. It’s about identity, family, equality, and opportunity.
The main barrier to part time and flexible work isn’t logistics or the law. It’s cultural. Too many workplaces still equate hours with commitment, and presenteeism with performance.
But the stories, the data, and the law all show it can work.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
The barriers and cultural beliefs holding back part-time senior roles
Real stories of mums (and dads) facing career penalties for choosing part-time work
Where flexible and part-time work is working well, from job shares to international examples
What Australian law (Fair Work Act) actually says about part-time work and flexible arrangements
The broader impact: missed talent, superannuation gaps, the mental load, and systemic inequality
How businesses can rethink leadership, flexibility, and the future of work to support all working parents
This episode is a must-listen for working mums who want both a career and family life, and for leaders who want to unlock talent, improve retention, and create more inclusive workplaces.
Resources & Related Episodes:
Prof. Leah Ruppanner on the mental load
Deline Jacovides on childcare affordability & superannuation
Natasha Janssens on money & confidence
Elise Slavin & Laura Stewart on redefining career success after kids
Episode with Emma McLean
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter
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.
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