Why “Having It All” Still Isn’t Working for Women with Stefanie O’Connell

About this episode

Stefanie O’Connell discusses the real costs of ambition for women and challenges the notion of 'having it all'.

Today I’m joined by Stefanie O’Connell - an award-winning journalist who writes about money, power and ambition, and the author of The Ambition Penalty. Her work challenges a lot of what we’ve been told as women - that if we just work hard enough, lean in, and push through the imposter syndrome, we’ll get there. But the data tells a very different story. Stefanie looks at the real cost of ambition for women - financially, professionally and personally and why so many women are feeling b...

People in this episode

Host: Mother Tongue

Guest: Stefanie O’Connell

Topics covered

• women's ambition
• financial challenges
• professional growth
• personal cost of ambition
• gender equality

Keywords

• women
• ambition
• financial cost
• professional challenges
• imposter syndrome

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Ambition Penalty

More episodes of Mother Tongue

• The Truth About Healthy Hair: Colour, Extensions & Living in Dubai with Louise Bailey · June 9, 2026 · 56 min
• From Idea to Income: How to Actually Build a Business with Emily Griffiths · May 12, 2026 · 51 min
• Alcohol-Free Living, Anxiety & Rethinking Social Life with Sophie Rose-Arnold · April 28, 2026 · 45 min
• From Korean Skincare to Injectables: What Really Works in the World of Skin with Grainne Sullivan · April 21, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Travelling With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind) · April 7, 2026 · 27 min
• Relocating to Dubai, Slow Living & Raising Kids Overseas with Laura Jones · March 31, 2026 · 56 min