Where Did I Go...?

Anna Pawlowicz's life looked like so many others: a fulfilling career, a happy family, one son at home and another on the way. Then her second son, Matias, was born with an ultra-rare genetic condition causing lifelong disability, followed later by an autism diagnosis. Everything changed. Anna quickly learned that parenting a child with complex needs reshapes every corner of your life: your identity, your marriage, your friendships, your career. She became case manager, researcher, advocate and round-the-clock caregiver — while somehow still showing up professionally. It's a form of invisible labor that transforms everything. But Anna's journey didn't stop there. It became a profound reckoning with her own fears about disability and the deep stigma it holds in society. That transformation led her to found HumanKind, a Copenhagen-based consultancy redefining what inclusion actually means, not just for disabled employees, but for the growing community of parents navigating life with children who have additional needs. In this episode, we explore what it really means to parent a child with complex needs, how that experience reshapes everything, and why this rising generation of parents is forcing workplaces to reckon with a community they've long overlooked. I’m so honoured to have Anna here today to share her story. If you’re raising a family with additional needs, or simply want to better understand the reality of people who are, this episode is for you. Some links and resources from Anna that we mention in the episode: 1) Instagram profiles of content creators educating about disability in a fun and approachable way: Emily Ladau - @emilyladau Tina Friml - @tinafriml Nina Tame - @nina_tame Gem Turner - @gem_turner 2) Reading For parents on a similar journey: ‘Special’ - book by Melanie Dimmitt ‘Welcome to Holland’ - an essay by Emily Perl Kingsley, written for new parents of children with disabilities. https://www.angelmantoday.com/welcome-to-holland-by-emily-perl-kingsley/ For those wanting to learn more about how to be an ally to people with disabilities: ‘Demystifying disability’ - book by Emily Lady ‘Sitting Pretty’ - book by Rebekah Taussig And Anna's LinkedIn for anyone who’d like to connect - her DMs are always open: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annapawlowicz/

AHHH this is a big one!! In this week's episode, I sit down with the legend herself, Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed and now Growth Spurt, one of the UK's most relentless advocates for parents in the workplace. After being fired by voicemail two days after announcing her pregnancy, Joeli turned her personal story into a movement, one that has changed laws, secured billions in government investment, and supported hundreds of thousands of mothers. And the timing couldn't be better. Brand new ONS data just dropped showing that mothers lose £65,000 in the five years after their first baby, and £125,000 if they have three children. When people say "of course you'll earn less, just be grateful you have a baby," what they're actually saying is your financial freedom doesn't matter. But Joeli's here to tell you: it absolutely does, and it doesn't have to be this way. This conversation isn't just about documenting the problem—it's about the solutions. From why parental leave is the single biggest lever we have to change everything, to why companies that hide caregiving are shooting themselves in the foot, to what Growth Spurt is doing to support the return-to-work transition that breaks so many of us. This is essential listening for every working mother who's been told she should just accept less.

How do we raise kind, thoughtful boys in a world that still tells them they have to be tough? What happens when we realise the systems we’ve grown up in don’t serve any of us... including our children? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Lauren Currie, author, advocate, founder of UPFRONT, and mum to a young son. Lauren’s new children’s book, Taylor Meets The Trick, gives families a simple, hopeful way to spot gender stereotypes (“the trick”) and have real conversations about fairness, kindness, and confidence. We explore: How to raise boys who see beyond gender roles and lead with empathy Everyday ways the patriarchy shows up in parenting (and how to call it out) Why the language we use with our kids matters more than we think How children can become the teachers when it comes to spotting bias The subtle ways adults are “tricked”... and how to unlearn them Lauren also shares how she’s raising her son to question stereotypes without shame, what she’s had to unlearn herself, and how parents can make these conversations part of everyday life without it feeling heavy. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, or simply someone who wants to help create a fairer, softer future, this episode will give you ideas, language, and a lovely story to share with the children in your life. Resources & links Taylor Meets The Trick – Order the book here Connect with Lauren on Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more about UPFRONT: weareupfront.com

Hello and welcome back to the penultimate episode of Season 1 of WDIG? If you’ve been feeling foggy, exhausted, or like everything’s a little heavier than it should be, this episode is for you. Alison Campbell, founder of Unburnt, talks honestly about why working mums are especially at risk of burnout, how the expectations of an “always-on” culture quietly stack the pressure, and why none of this is your personal failure. Alison shares her own wake-up story and explains why normalising constant overwhelm is exactly what keeps people stuck. If you want practical, doable tools (not more toxic productivity pep talks), you’ll love the micro-habits Alison walks through in this episode. This is a conversation about naming the load instead of carrying it alone. Permission to stop pushing through, to ask for help, and to carve out space for yourself. If you’re drowning in the idea that you must do it all, this episode gently reminds you: you’re not failing, you’re being let down by unsustainable expectations. It might not always feel this way, but you DO have choices and there ARE manageable ways to stay unburnt. Want to go deeper? Alison’s work is at getunburnt.com and she shares practical tips on LinkedIn under Alison Campbell. Now, take a breath, and let's get into it.

TW: A quick note before we begin, this episode includes a conversation about suicide and maternal mental health, so if you're in a vulnerable place, please take good care of yourself while listening and take a look in the show notes for some links to places where you can get some support if and when you need it. This week, I’m talking to my old friend Rich Baish about something no family should ever have to go through: losing a new mum to postpartum psychosis. Rich tragically lost his wife Alex to postpartum psychosis just a few weeks after their second daughter was born. In this conversation, he shares what happened, what the warning signs were and what he wishes he’d known at the time. We also talk about what it means to grieve while raising young children, how he’s rebuilt a life he never asked for, and why he’s now working to make sure other families don’t slip through the cracks. Postpartum psychosis affects 1–2 in every 1,000 new mums. It can come on suddenly, even if there’s no history of mental illness, but it is treatable, if acted on fast enough. This is a conversation about maternal mental health, yes, for sure, but it's also a conversation about fatherhood, about friendship, about resilience, and above all about love. It's absolutely heartbreaking, but it's also strangely hopeful because what Rich shows us is that even in the darkest of times, it is possible to keep going, to keep showing up, to hold space for what was, while also making space for what comes next. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is, please give it a listen. It might just save a life. Resources and Support If you or someone you love might be experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis, it is a medical emergency. Don’t wait. Go straight to A&E (UK) or the Emergency Room (US). The sooner help is given, the better the outcome. UK Resources Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP): The UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting women and families affected by postpartum psychosis. Offers peer support, information, training for healthcare professionals, and bereavement services. NHS information on Postpartum Psychosis Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7) or chat online any time PANDAS Foundation – Support for postnatal depression and other perinatal mental health challenges US Resources Postpartum Support International (PSI): Extensive resources including a helpline, online support groups, and provider directories. PSI Helpline 998 Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7, confidential support

Is balance a myth for working mums? Or have we just misunderstood what it really looks like? In this episode of Where Did I Go?, Dani sits down with psychologist and founder of Balanced Mum Academy, Roz Davies, to talk about the emotional, psychological, and identity-level shifts that happen when you’re a parent trying to do it all. Together, they explore: Why burnout rewires the brain and makes change feel impossible The 9 emotional needs that must be met for us to feel truly balanced How time and energy are directly linked to our sense of identity Why staying stuck can feel easier than asking yourself hard questions The difference between perceived success and true fulfilment Practical ways to reconnect with who you are and what matters now Whether you're feeling lost after returning to work, struggling to juggle it all, or just questioning what "success" even means anymore—this conversation will help you reflect and realign. Mentioned in this episode Follow Roz Davies: On Instagram At Rozdavies.com Join her free Facebook community: Authentic and Energised Mums Explore her programs: ✨ Balanced Mum Academy – for working mums ready to reconnect with themselves ✨ Let’s Get Present – a course to help you feel more present and connected with your children 💡 Key takeaways Burnout isn’t just emotional exhaustion. It’s a physiological shift that pushes us into survival mode. Your emotional needs—from connection to purpose—must be met at the right level for you in order to feel balanced. Change requires energy, reflection, and permission. And only you can give that to yourself. You don’t have to burn it all down. Sometimes the smallest realignment brings the biggest relief. You’re allowed to define success on your own terms, even if it looks nothing like it used to. 🎧 New episodes drop weekly. Don’t forget to follow, rate and review the show Burnout recovery, balance for working mums, emotional needs, motherhood identity shift, burnout symptoms, redefine success, parental burnout, Roz Davies, Balanced Mum Academy, mum guilt, mental load, postnatal burnout

In this episode of Where Did I Go?, I sit down with Jess Ringgenberg, founder of ELIXR and creator of the groundbreaking Five Phases of Matrescence, a practical framework to guide women and businesses through the constant evolution that is caregiving while working. Together we unpack: What matrescence really is, and how it's a lifelong journey How understanding matrescence helps make sense of career and identity shifts at work The practical steps workplaces can take to support mothers through every phase of this lifelong journey Why the mental load mothers carry isn't a weakness but an untapped strength in leadership If you've ever felt confused by the constant shifts in your identity or wondered how to better navigate motherhood and work, this episode will offer the clarity, compassion, and validation you've been searching for. Key Moments: [03:15] Defining matrescence and the "invisible changes" [11:40] Why returning to work is a reinvention, not a return [19:30] Breaking down the Five Phases of Matrescence [27:05] Why maternal mental load is actually leadership in disguise [33:50] Tangible ways workplaces can evolve to support mothers About Jess Ringgenberg, PCC Founder & CEO, ELIXR Jess Ringgenberg is an organizational advisor, researcher, and former Fortune 500 leader with deep expertise in workforce strategy, matrescence, and leadership development. As the founder of ELIXR, a workforce advisory firm, she partners with companies to support working mothers and caregivers—driving retention, engagement, and advancement across the employee lifecycle. Jess is the creator of The Science of Modern Motherhood, a groundbreaking research initiative that explores the five phases of matrescence and the evolving role of workplace support. She is trusted by global companies, communities, and conferences to deliver actionable insights that shape culture, elevate well-being, and spark organizational change. She lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and two boys, building a life centered on presence, challenging traditional norms, and creating lasting impact. Connect with Jess & her work here: LinkedIn, full research report, and the guide we they launched this month. Code for 50% off the guide for all WDIG listeners: Mom2Mom ------ motherhood, matressence, self-discovery, work-life balance, women empowerment, modern motherhood, emotional intelligence, workplace support, career development, parenting challenges, care conscious cultures, workplace support, working mothers, self-advocacy, matressence, employee engagement, leadership development, caregiver support, workplace culture, women empowerment

The phrase having it all used to sound like freedom. Now, for many women, it feels like pressure to do everything perfectly, all at once: raise the kids, run the meetings, look good doing it, and never drop the ball. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Giselle Goodwin, author of Can Women Really Have It All?, to unpack how that idea shifted from empowerment to exhaustion. We talk about what having it all really means in 2025, why women are statistically less happy than they were 50 years ago, and how we can start letting go of the myths that keep us stuck. We also explore what needs to change - not just in our mindset, but in the systems around us - so that women can build full, joyful lives without burning out trying to prove themselves. What You’ll Hear: The real story behind Giselle’s leap from entrepreneur to full-time writer and researcher on women, wellbeing and work The hidden cost of perfectionism and performance in modern womanhood Why our idea of success needs a serious rethink How to start building a life that feels good, not just one that sounds good More from Giselle: You can get your own copy of Can Women Really Have It All? on Amazon and Audible 🌐 gisellegoodwin.com – download her free Personal Happiness Manifesto 📬 Sign up to her newsletter 📷 Instagram: @gisellegoodwinwrites 🔗 LinkedIn | Facebook If you enjoy the podcast please help us grow by sharing this episode, or writing a review ✨ You can also connect with me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniella-bell/ or on instagram @wdig.podcast