Big Careers, Small Children

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 ideas, and practical support, so you can move forward in your career in a way that works for you and your family.This podcast is hosted by our social enterprise Leaders Plus. We believe that no parent should have to choose between progressing the career they love and enjoying their young children. Through the Big Careers, Small Children podcast and our award-winning Fellowship Programme, we have supported thousands of Leaders with young children to make brave decisions about their future. We unapologetically help more mums (and dads with significant caring responsibilities) to get to senior leadership positions, because only by helping parents to progress their career can we have true gender equality at the top and address the gender pay gap.Be part of our positive movement for change and sign up to receive our informative monthly emails at www.leadersplus.org.uk/newsletterWe hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and invite you to follow us on social media @leaders_plus #BigCareersSmallChildren

[Future Of Work] Dominic Holmes - How Flexible Working Will Redefine Success and Efficiency at Work
May 8, 2025 – 47:51
{CEO Series} Rebecca Brosnan - How Strategic Planning Can Help You Build a High-Impact Career and Family Life
Apr 24, 2025 – 38:27
Louise Donaghey FRAeS - How to Lead with Strength and Vulnerability as a Breadwinner Parent
Apr 10, 2025 – 49:34
{CEO Series} Dr Nara Daubeney - How To Let Go of Guilt and Redefine Success as a Working Parent
Apr 3, 2025 – 45:01
Nadia Bunyan MCIPD & Tatiana Pignon - How to Successfully Implement a 4-Day Week Without Sacrificing Impact
Mar 27, 2025 – 51:13
Jo Taylor & John Pyle - International Careers & Parenthood: How to Thrive When Pursuing a Global Career and Raising a Family
Mar 20, 2025 – 47:55
Dan Reed - The Power of Authenticity And How Parenthood Can Strengthen Leadership
Mar 13, 2025 – 38:13
(C-Suite Series) Steph Hind - How to Balance Leadership, Parenting, and Wellbeing Without Sacrifice
Mar 6, 2025 – 41:22
(C-Suite Series) Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL - How to Overcome Guilt and Build a Successful Career as a Parent
Feb 27, 2025 – 47:29
(C-Suite Series) Jane Hollinshead - How to Navigate a Squiggly Career and Find Success on Your Own Terms
Feb 13, 2025 – 37:42
(C-Suite Series) Heather Black - How Upskilling Can Unlock a Flexible and Fulfilling Career
Feb 6, 2025 – 36:12
(C-Suite Series) Sylwia Wolos - Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor on How to Thrive in a C-Suite Role While Raising a Family
Jan 30, 2025 – 42:10
(C-Suite Series) Verena Hefti MBE - Celebrating 200 Episodes: The Journey of Leaders Plus and How to Navigate Career Progression for Working Parents
Jan 23, 2025 – 39:34
(C-Suite Series) Elizabeth Willetts - How to Break the Glass Ceiling While Juggling Career Ambitions and Parenthood
Jan 16, 2025 – 44:13
BITE-SIZED: Verena Hefti MBE - Balancing the Holiday Mental Load
Dec 5, 2024 – 19:06
Dr. Whitney Casares - Why Self-Care for Parents is Key to Thriving at Work and Home
Nov 28, 2024 – 45:24
Brigid Schulte - Overcoming Overwork with Strategies for a Balanced Life
Nov 21, 2024 – 48:58
Carin-Isabel Knoop - Control Isn’t Everything: Embracing Kindness in Life, Parenting, and Leadership
Nov 14, 2024 – 46:29
Tom Shaw - How to Create Counterbalance in Your Life & Career
Oct 24, 2024 – 54:27
Sally Hamm & Matt Hamm - How to Communicate With Each Other as a Dual Career Couple
Oct 17, 2024 – 45:09
Brad Johnson & David G. Smith - How to be a Great Ally in the Workplace
Oct 10, 2024 – 48:51
{CEO Series} Tiffany Sauder - How to Harness the Incredible Power of Networking
Oct 3, 2024 – 40:46
[Future of Work] Tatiana Pignon - Does the Four Day Week Really Work?
Sep 26, 2024 – 40:36
{CEO Series} Polly Neate - How to Find Purpose in Your Work
Sep 19, 2024 – 44:07
Emily Wilton & Jo Goring - How Job Sharing Benefits Organisations & What Job Sharing Can Teach You About Leadership
Sep 12, 2024 – 43:17
Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson - How to Self-Promote at Work & Build Relationships
Sep 5, 2024 – 49:07
Nathalie Holdstock - How to Thrive as a Shift Worker When You're a Parent of Young Children
Jul 25, 2024 – 39:59
[Future of Work] Lucy Kemp - How AI Will Impact the Future of Work & How to Prevent Women From Leaving the Workforce
Jul 18, 2024 – 42:42
Nicky Lowe - How to Avoid Burnout as a Working Parent
Jul 11, 2024 – 32:22
Helen Balcome & Kate Groom - How to Implement Outcome-based Management
Jul 4, 2024 – 38:39
Gethin Nadin - How to Build Better Employee Experiences for Working Parents & Ensuring the Voice in Your Head Speaks Kindly
Jun 27, 2024 – 41:14
Dr. Malissa Clark - How to Set Boundaries as a Workaholic & Learn to be More Present as a Parent
Jun 20, 2024 – 45:50
Paul J. Sullivan - How to Become a Lead Dad & Parent Out Loudly
Jun 13, 2024 – 34:19
Dr. Sonia Damle - How to Navigate Shift Work as a Parent & the Benefits of Self-Rostering in the NHS & Beyond
Jun 6, 2024 – 30:25
[Future of Work] Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst - How Workstyle (Rather Than Flexible Working) Could Change the Way You Work Forever
May 23, 2024 – 43:39
[Future of Work] Denise Wilson OBE - How the UK is Working to Achieve Gender Balance at Board Level & What Still Needs to Change
May 16, 2024 – 45:29
[Future of Work] Bruce Daisley - How to Reduce the Number of Meetings in Your Workplace & Change the Organisational Culture
May 9, 2024 – 47:45
Rosie Hewat - How to Handle the Call Back to the Office & Tips on Requesting Flexible Working
May 2, 2024 – 38:36
Elizabeth Willetts - How to Get Your Flexible Working Request Approved & Why the Future of Work is Hybrid
Apr 25, 2024 – 33:36
Charlotte Boujassy - How to Let Go of the Pressure of Being a Perfect Parent & Progress Your Career
Apr 18, 2024 – 40:21
Thorey V. Proppe - How Data Can Improve DEI Policies & Help Close the Gender Pay Gap
Apr 11, 2024 – 39:13
Brita Fernandez Schmidt - How to Learn to Trust Your Intuition & Manage Your Fears
Apr 4, 2024 – 38:35
Lea Henry - How to Manage Perfectionism When Combining a Big Career & Young Children
Mar 28, 2024 – 38:45
Polly Ogden Duffy - How to Progress a Senior Career in a Male-Dominated Industry & Work Flexibly
Mar 21, 2024 – 38:36
Dr. Ana Catalano Weeks - Managing Mental Load While Balancing Career and Parenthood
Mar 14, 2024 – 38:36
Jane Green - How to Approach Your Employer for Reduced Working Days and Tips on Transitioning to a Flexible Role
Mar 7, 2024 – 42:30
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
Feb 29, 2024 – 31:50
{CEO Series} Sam Butters - The Benefits of being a Co-CEO & How to Navigate Morning Sickness in a Senior Role
Feb 22, 2024 – 49:02
Rachel Allison - Tips for Managing Your Personal Brand & How to Build a PR Agency as a New Mother
Feb 15, 2024 – 42:19
Ellen Taaffe - How to Overcome Perfectionism & Master Self Promotion, Plus How to Support More Women into Senior Leadership Positions
Feb 8, 2024 – 43:09

Recent Reviews

kahpyt

Insightful and data driven conversation

I love that Verena gets into the “why” with her guests in order to identify solutions that work for working parents and their employers
Katelyn Denning

Great podcast for working parents

I love the conversations that Verena has with her guests about the very real challenges that working parents face - from guilt and ambition to time management and flexible job arrangements. This podcast is a must for working parents.