Best Genderpaygap Podcasts (2025)

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Rupert Brown - Making Better Career and Family Decisions During Times of Transformation 46:01

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18d ago46:01

46:01

In this reflective and practical episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Leaders Plus Interim COO Helen Fraser speaks with Rupert Brown, author of Lost in Transformation and Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor. Rupert has spent much of his career leading people change in multinational organisations, including international assignments in …

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{CEO Series} Ori Carmel - How to Make Better Decisions About Work and Family 46:01

25d ago46:01

46:01

In this reflective and deeply thoughtful episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Ori Carmel, Founder and CEO at Sowen. Drawing on his lived experience as a father of two, Ori shares how working parents can make better decisions about work and family, build guardrails that protect what matters most, and avoid the regret …

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[Future of Work] Prof Gudrun Sander - How to Build a Better Workplace that Truly Supports Working Parents 40:47

1M ago40:47

40:47

In this research-rich and deeply practical episode, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Prof Gudrun Sander, Director of the Institute for International Management and Diversity Management IIDM-HSG at the University of St. Gallen, about what workplaces must do if they genuinely want to support working parents and close gender progression gaps. A global exp…

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Ahed Serhal - How to Turn Guilt into Growth: Finding Balance as a Working Parent Abroad 33:43

2M ago33:43

33:43

In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Ahed Serhal, HR Director, La Prairie Switzerland, about how she transformed guilt into growth while building a global career and raising 10-year-old twins abroad. Living without nearby family support, Ahed shares her honest reflections on balancing am…

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{CEO Series} Heather Blundell - How to Navigate Leadership While Raising Young Children 37:13

3M ago37:13

37:13

In this honest and inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Heather Blundell, UK CEO at Grayling, and mum of two young boys. Heather shares her personal journey of combining ambitious leadership with parenthood — from taking work calls during bath time to confidently blocking out school pick-ups in …

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Jess & Darryl Abelscroft - How to Navigate Shared Parental Leave 42:48

3M ago42:48

42:48

In this episode of Big Careers, Small Children, part of our brand-new Series 16, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jess and Darryl Abelscroft about how they navigated shared parental leave and what they learned along the way. Jessica Abelscroft, Director, Abelscroft Consulting, and Darryl Abelscroft, Future Safety and Innovation, Civil Aviation Authorit…

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23. How ESG S scores and pay gap data influence investor decisions 19:27

5M ago19:27

19:27

Investors are now scrutinising ESG S scores more than ever — and gender pay gap data and actions are playing a central role in their decision-making. In this episode, we explore how ESG reporting, social metrics, and workforce equality initiatives are influencing investment decisions and what HR and corporate leaders need to know to stay ahead. We …

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22. What boards really want after pay gap reporting 15:24

6M ago15:24

15:24

Today I explain why publishing a pay gap report is only the beginning — not the end — of the work. I talk you through exactly what your board will want to see next: a clear narrative, a focused and costed action plan and visible leadership accountability. Tune in to discover practical ways to present your data in a way that drives real change. In t…

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[Future Of Work] Dominic Holmes - How Flexible Working Will Redefine Success and Efficiency at Work 47:51

8M ago47:51

47:51

In this forward-thinking episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dominic Holmes, Employment Law Partner at Kilgannon Law and Leaders Plus mentor. Dominic shares his expert insights on the evolving landscape of employment law, the future of flexible working, and how the UK workplace needs to adapt if we’re se…

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{CEO Series} Rebecca Brosnan - How Strategic Planning Can Help You Build a High-Impact Career and Family Life 38:27

8M ago38:27

38:27

In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Rebecca Brosnan, CEO and Founder of The Halo Planner, and Non-Executive Director across several listed and non-profit organisations. Rebecca shares her remarkable journey from high-pressure executive roles in finance to building a flexible, internatio…

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21. How national gas increased female leadership by 7% — and what's next (Special Guest Sarah Stanton) 41:23

8M ago41:23

41:23

In this insightful episode, I spoke with Sarah Stanton, Chief People Officer at National Gas, to explore their journey in addressing gender and ethnicity pay gaps. Sarah shares practical strategies, challenges, and successes in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within a traditionally male-dominated industry. From recruitment tactics …

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Louise Donaghey FRAeS - How to Lead with Strength and Vulnerability as a Breadwinner Parent 49:34

9M ago49:34

49:34

In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Louise Donaghey FRAeS, Group Head of Engines at International Airlines Group GBS, who will soon be one of Leaders Plus’ Senior Leader Mentors, about her remarkable career in aviation, leadership in male-dominated environments, and her experience of be…

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{CEO Series} Dr Nara Daubeney - How To Let Go of Guilt and Redefine Success as a Working Parent 45:01

9M ago45:01

45:01

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dr Nara Daubeney, CEO & Co-Founder of Phaim Pharma and NHS Surgeon. Nara is also a mum of four. She shares her deeply honest and inspiring reflections on what it takes to build a big career and raise a thriving family without sacrificing either. From designing …

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Nadia Bunyan MCIPD & Tatiana Pignon - How to Successfully Implement a 4-Day Week Without Sacrificing Impact 51:13

9M ago51:13

51:13

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Nadia Bunyan MCIPD, Director of People and Impact at Global Witness, and Tatiana Pignon, Associate Director at Autonomy. They discuss how to implement a 4-day working week in a way that supports both staff wellbeing and organisational performance. Nadia shares …

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Jo Taylor & John Pyle - International Careers & Parenthood: How to Thrive When Pursuing a Global Career and Raising a Family 47:55

9M ago47:55

47:55

Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful international career while raising young children - without family support nearby? In the latest episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena Hefti MBE chats with our first-ever father-daughter duo: Life Sciences Consultant Jo Taylor, who currently resides in Switzerland, and her father, John Pyle…

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Dan Reed - The Power of Authenticity And How Parenthood Can Strengthen Leadership 38:13

10M ago38:13

38:13

In our first Series 15 episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dan Reed, Director, Head of Digital at KPMG UK, about why being a parent doesn’t have to hold back your career, and how embracing authenticity at work can actually propel you forward. Dan shares his journey of juggling career progression with fat…

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(C-Suite Series) Steph Hind - How to Balance Leadership, Parenting, and Wellbeing Without Sacrifice 41:22

10M ago41:22

41:22

In this episode of the C-Suite Series of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Steph Hind, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Heka, an employee wellbeing platform. Steph shares her journey of scaling a business while raising two young children, the lessons she learned from not taking maternity leave with her first child, and h…

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(C-Suite Series) Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL - How to Overcome Guilt and Build a Successful Career as a Parent 47:29

10M ago47:29

47:29

In this episode of the C-Suite Series of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, experienced non-executive director, broadcaster, and author Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL about her journey of building a multi-million-pound business while raising a family. Susie candidly shares t…

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(C-Suite Series) Jane Hollinshead - How to Navigate a Squiggly Career and Find Success on Your Own Terms 37:42

11M ago37:42

37:42

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jane Hollinshead, Chief People Officer at Canary Wharf Group, about her squiggly career journey and how she navigated career changes, flexible working, and leadership progression while raising a family. Jane shares her experience of being one of the first part-…

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(C-Suite Series) Heather Black - How Upskilling Can Unlock a Flexible and Fulfilling Career 36:12

11M ago36:12

36:12

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Heather Black, Founder and CEO of Supermums. Heather is passionate about helping parents build flexible, fulfilling, and well-paid careers after parenthood. She shares her own journey of transitioning into tech, how she launched Supermums to support others, and…

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(C-Suite Series) Sylwia Wolos - Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor on How to Thrive in a C-Suite Role While Raising a Family 42:10

11M ago42:10

42:10

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Sylwia Wołos, Chief Strategy Officer at Ground Truth Intelligence and a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme. Sylwia shares her inspiring journey of building a successful career in the demanding field of risk management and compliance w…

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(C-Suite Series) Verena Hefti MBE - Celebrating 200 Episodes: The Journey of Leaders Plus and How to Navigate Career Progression for Working Parents 39:34

11M ago39:34

39:34

In this special 200th episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, our Programme and Impact Manager, Helen Fraser, takes the interviewer’s seat to chat with Leaders Plus Founder and CEO, Verena Hefti MBE. Verena reflects on the journey of starting Leaders Plus, the lessons learned from interviewing 199 inspiring guests, and the challenges an…

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(C-Suite Series) Elizabeth Willetts - How to Break the Glass Ceiling While Juggling Career Ambitions and Parenthood 44:13

12M ago44:13

44:13

Are you ready to redefine career success while raising a family? In the first episode of the C-Suite series, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Elizabeth Willetts, Founder of Investing in Women and author of the upcoming book Flex: Smart Strategies to Build A Successful Career Around Your Life. With over 17 years of recruitment experience, Elizabeth is p…

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BITE-SIZED: Verena Hefti MBE - Balancing the Holiday Mental Load 19:06

1y ago19:06

19:06

For the first time, our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE, takes the mic solo in this special, bite-sized episode of the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast. As the season draws to a close, Verena shares heartfelt reflections on balancing the magical yet demanding holiday period, offering powerful strategies for: Prioritising yourself amidst the …

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Dr. Whitney Casares - Why Self-Care for Parents is Key to Thriving at Work and Home 45:24

1y ago45:24

45:24

Can prioritising yourself make you a better parent and professional? In this episode, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dr. Whitney Casares, paediatrician and author of Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be to explore why self-care isn’t a luxury but a lifeline for working parents. Drawing from her expertis…

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Brigid Schulte - Overcoming Overwork with Strategies for a Balanced Life 48:58

1y ago48:58

48:58

Can we truly have thriving careers without sacrificing family life? In this episode, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Brigid Schulte, author of Overworked: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life, about the pervasive issue of overwork and its impact on individuals and families. Brigid emphasises the importance of redefining what suc…

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Carin-Isabel Knoop - Control Isn’t Everything: Embracing Kindness in Life, Parenting, and Leadership 46:29

1y ago46:29

46:29

Trigger warning: miscarriage Today, Verena welcomes Carin-Isabel Knoop for an especially thought-provoking podcast episode on embracing kindness in life, parenting and leadership. Very apt, given earlier this week, we celebrated #WorldKindnessDay. Carin is the Executive Director of the Harvard Business School Case Research and Writing Group and was…

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Tom Shaw - How to Create Counterbalance in Your Life & Career 54:27

1y ago54:27

54:27

Can you build a successful career without sacrificing your well-being? This week, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Tom Shaw, author of Counterbalance: How to Build Your Career Without Ruining Your Life and a Senior Leader Mentor at Leaders Plus. Tom talks about counterbalance and why it's important to be intentional about what matters most. Together, T…

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Sally Hamm & Matt Hamm - How to Communicate With Each Other as a Dual Career Couple 45:09

1y ago45:09

45:09

When you're a dual career couple, it can be tricky to coordinate schedules and balance work and family life. This week, Verena Hefti MBE is joined by married couple Sally Hamm and Matt Hamm, Occupational Medicine Physicians (who worked together as Air Force Flight Surgeons), who share four children alongside their busy senior careers. Sally and Mat…

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Brad Johnson & David G. Smith - How to be a Great Ally in the Workplace 48:51

1y ago48:51

48:51

In this episode, Verena discusses the importance of allyship in the workplace. She is joined by Brad Johnson and David G. Smith, authors of the book: Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace. As well as discussing what men can do to support their female colleagues, Brad and David discuss ways we can all support members of …

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20. Gender pay gap reduction case study: 14.9% improvement in three years 15:26

1y ago15:26

15:26

In this case study episode, I shares how one of my clients successfully reduced their pay gap by 14.9% in three years. ------------------------------------ Quote Highlight: "Real change happens when policies align with the company's values, and actions back them up." ---------------------------------------- Need 1:1 support? Book a free call Sign u…

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{CEO Series} Tiffany Sauder - How to Harness the Incredible Power of Networking 40:46

1y ago40:46

40:46

In this episode, Verena is joined by Tiffany Sauder, CEO of Element Three and mother of four. Tiffany breaks down some of the key factors which have led to her inspiring success. From prioritising what really matters to the power of networking, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking for tangible career and family advice. We hope you …

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19. What employers get wrong about pay gap success 13:57

1y ago13:57

13:57

Today we are focusing on what employers get wrong about true success when it comes to closing the pay gap. ‌Success is not just about meeting legal requirements for reporting pay gaps, or even closing your pay gap. Success should be about making positive impact, creating sustainable actions and having relevant to you success measures. If your pay g…

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[Future of Work] Tatiana Pignon - Does the Four Day Week Really Work? 40:36

1+ y ago40:36

40:36

Is the four day working week the future of work, or a luxurious dream? In this episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena is joined by Tatiana Pignon, Head of Development at The Autonomy Institute, an independent research organisation that focuses on the future of the working world. In this intriguing conversation, Tatianna discusses Autonomy's…

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18. Common pay gap mistakes: using metrics that don't close the gap 14:01

1+ y ago14:01

14:01

Today we're discussing the biggest mistake I see organisations make in their pay gap action plans. It's focusing on the metric of lowering your pay gap figure. It is one of the biggest misconceptions that feed into so many pay gap myths. Tune it to find out why this is a mistake and what to do instead. ‌---------------- Need 1:1 support? Book a fre…

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{CEO Series} Polly Neate - How to Find Purpose in Your Work 44:07

1+ y ago44:07

44:07

In a bid to make a difference and bring more purpose to her work, Polly Neate left her successful career in journalism and joined the charity sector. Nearly twenty years later, she is CEO of one of the largest charities in the UK, Shelter, and a proud mother of two grown up women. In this podcast, Polly discusses her fascinating journey, the sacrif…

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17. Why menopause plans will soon be mandatory in gender pay gap reports 33:42

1+ y ago33:42

33:42

In this episode, our guest is Susan Grayson, an expert in creating inclusive workplaces, especially for women experiencing menopause. Together we discuss: The challenges women face in the workplace due to menopause and how this impacts the gender pay gap How menopause is often overlooked as a factor affecting women's career progression. How organis…

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Emily Wilton & Jo Goring - How Job Sharing Benefits Organisations & What Job Sharing Can Teach You About Leadership 43:17

1+ y ago43:17

43:17

Job sharing is a powerful tool for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and has several benefits for both the organisation and their employees. Joining us on Big Careers, Small Children this week are successful job-sharing duo Emily Wilton and Jo Goring, two senior leaders at the UK's largest animal welfare charity, the…

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Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson - How to Self-Promote at Work & Build Relationships 49:07

1+ y ago49:07

49:07

How can you self promote at work and invest time in building relationships as a busy working parent? Today on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE welcomes Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson from PR Mums. PR Mums is a community-led platform which offers former PRs (many of whom have left the workforce after having children) a pathway back into the industry. Fe…

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Nathalie Holdstock - How to Thrive as a Shift Worker When You're a Parent of Young Children 39:59

1+ y ago39:59

39:59

Shift work can be especially challenging when you're a parent to young children. This week on the podcast our Leaders Plus Fellow Nathalie Holdstock, a Senior Sister and Emergency Nurse Practitioner, shares how she navigates working shifts in the NHS whilst raising two small children. Nathalie shares practical tips for other shift workers, includin…

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16. Equal pay certification explained: Interview with Equal Salary Foundation 31:41

1+ y ago31:41

31:41

In this episode, we are pleased to have Aurélien Joly, the Communication Manager for the Equal Salary Foundation. Aurélien discusses the foundation's work in certifying companies for equal pay. Together we discuss:The audit process and must meet specific criteria to achieve certification The positive impact certified companies often see after certi…

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[Future of Work] Lucy Kemp - How AI Will Impact the Future of Work & How to Prevent Women From Leaving the Workforce 42:42

1+ y ago42:42

42:42

Why are so many women over the age of 38 leaving the workforce and what can we do about it? Our guest today to discuss the future of work is employee experience, culture and communications expert Lucy Kemp. Lucy shares how AI is impacting the workplace and gives practical advice for anyone just getting started with adopting AI to support their work…

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15. Cadent Gas: An inclusive approach to closing the pay gap 37:25

1+ y ago37:25

37:25

Today Michelle Gyimah is interviewing Sharna Matson Knight from Cadent Gas Limited. Sharna shares her experiences and insights as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Manager, discussing Cadent's gender pay gap, the initiatives they have implemented, and the journey towards creating an inclusive workplace. In this episode we discuss: How Cade…

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Nicky Lowe - How to Avoid Burnout as a Working Parent 32:22

1+ y ago32:22

32:22

Are you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out? This week on the podcast Executive Coach and Founder of Wisdom for Working Mums Nicky Lowe shares practical advice on dealing with and preventing burnout as a busy working parent juggling both career and family. Burnout is something Nicky has experienced first-hand following her return to work after the bi…

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14. Gender diversity challenges and solutions in the energy industry 40:42

1+ y ago40:42

40:42

Today, host Michelle Gyimah interviews Sarah Clark, the Decarbonisation Delivery Manager for Europe, Middle East & Africa and co-chair of the AXIS Network, a gender equity group supporting the energy transition in the UK. Throughout her career, Sarah has held a variety of process engineering and project management positions in the UK and Poland, wh…

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Helen Balcome & Kate Groom - How to Implement Outcome-based Management 38:39

1+ y ago38:39

38:39

How can we move to more outcome-based work cultures and how best can managers support this? Outcome-based leadership relates to delivering results and achieving specific, measurable goals rather than being hyper-focused on time spent at your desk. It can enable employees and teams to work more autonomously and flexibly. Our guests today Helen Balco…

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13. Fixing pay gap plans: Common mistakes and HR solutions 19:00

1+ y ago19:00

19:00

Today I'm sharing with you the most common mistakes I see organisations make with their pay gap action plans. For those of you in HR who want to avoid these mistakes or find ways to fix these mistakes, this episode is for you. --------------------------------- Need 1:1 support? Book a free consultancy call: Book Michelle Gyimah Sign up to get weekl…

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Gethin Nadin - How to Build Better Employee Experiences for Working Parents & Ensuring the Voice in Your Head Speaks Kindly 41:14

1+ y ago41:14

41:14

Verena welcomes Gethin Nadin, an expert in workplace wellbeing and one of HRs most influential thinkers to discuss how to build better employee experiences for working parents. Wellbeing for working parents is a hot topics and Gethin shares insights from his research, including why organisations who prioritise employee health and wellbeing and put …

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Dr. Malissa Clark - How to Set Boundaries as a Workaholic & Learn to be More Present as a Parent 45:50

1+ y ago45:50

45:50

Do you struggle to set boundaries around work? Have you ever wondered if you're a workaholic? Would you like to be more present when you're spending time with your children? Our guest today is Dr. Malissa Clark, Associate Professor of Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of Georgia and author of the book "Never Not Working: Why th…

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Paul J. Sullivan - How to Become a Lead Dad & Parent Out Loudly 34:19

1+ y ago34:19

34:19

Ahead of Father's Day in the UK, Verena chats to New York Times columnist and founder of The Company of Dads, Paul J. Sullivan. Through The Company of Dads online platform, Paul has created a thriving and inclusive community for 'lead dads' and is challenging traditional norms of what it means to be a father. Lead dads are fully engaged in raising …