It Takes A Village

Join Lou, Lauren, and Melinda Petrunoff, MD of Pinterest ANZ, as she shares her 25-year journey from the dot-com boom to leading a global tech brand. Mel candidly discusses the challenges and triumphs of raising three boys (including twins!) while navigating a high-flying career. She'll delve into the vital importance of planning, self-care, and building a trusted support system. Discover her insights on balancing ambition with presence, managing the mental load, and why setting clear boundaries and intentions is crucial for every working parent. The Village  It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson Senior Producer Tina Matolov Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion Recorded at the Mamamia studiosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Lou, Lauren and Pat Crowley (General Manager, Marketing, Paid and Owned Media, CBA) as he shares his raw and inspiring story.  With over 30 years in media and advertising, Pat opens up about his journey into fatherhood, admitting that he had to learn to be a father, having lacked a male role to guide him.  He discusses the profound impact of family trauma, the challenges of raising resilient kids, and why he chose to put family first. Pat reveals the vital lessons learned from loss, the power of a strong support network and his unique philosophy on leading with authenticity and vulnerability in both his career and his cherished family life. The Village  It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson Senior Producer Tina Matolov Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion Recorded at the Mamamia studiosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Lou, Lauren, and WPP Media CEO ANZ Aimee Buchanan as she shares her journey from media assistant to industry leader. Aimee candidly opens up about returning to work after her first child, the self-doubt, and the pivotal "Emma moment" that changed her perspective. Discover how her early life experiences shaped her empathetic leadership style, her focus on people and culture, and why she firmly believes "having it all is not about doing it all." This episode is for anyone navigating work, family, and the power of a strong support system. The Village  It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson Senior Producer Tina Matolov Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion Recorded at the Mamamia studiosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Smailes (Managing Partner, Havas Blvd & Chief Client Officer) takes us on her deeply personal IVF journey, sharing the raw reality of six pregnancies, multiple miscarriages, and finally welcoming twin girls. She reveals how Havas has transformed their HR policies, introducing miscarriage and fertility leave, and the profound impact this had. Kate candidly discusses the mental load of returning to work with young twins, the challenges of daycare sickness, and her shift to a more empathetic leadership style. She advocates for open workplace conversations, building your "village," and crucial industry support for parents, including benefits like egg freezing. This is one emotional and important episode about what life is like when the journey to parenthood doesn’t fit in a neat box. The Village  It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson Senior Producer Tina Matolov Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion Recorded at the Mamamia studiosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Lauren and Lou as they sit down with Willie Pang (Country Manager, Amazon Ads) for a candid conversation about balancing a high-pressure career with fatherhood. Willie shares how his incredible career journey, including a weekly commute from Sydney to San Francisco with a newborn at home, profoundly shaped his approach to family life. He opens up about the reality of "dad guilt," the pivotal moment his son told him "Dad, you're not listening to me," and the importance of joint decision-making with your partner. Discover Willie's three core values for a fulfilling career and family life, why he reassessed his relationship with alcohol, and why simply 'being present in the moment' can be the most powerful act of all. An honest, raw, and insightful discussion for every working parent. The Village  It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson Senior Producer Tina Matolov Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion Recorded at the Mamamia studiosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.