Break. Return. Rise. The Wobbly Middle podcast

5d ago 31:14

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When Hannah McCracken returned to advertising after a career break raising her children, she anticipated going back at the same level, with some flexibility. She was met with a “no” — neatly packaged as professional advice: expect less.

Less responsibility. Less pay. Less relevance.

But for Hannah, time out never meant value lost. She had built her career at some of the world’s top ad agencies. She knew her worth—and wasn’t about to apologise for the years spent mothering. She rejected the tired narrative that stepping away from work somehow erases your talent, ambition or potential.

Instead, she came back clearer, sharper, stronger.

This is a story about pushing back against other people’s limits. About holding onto your belief when the world tries to shake it loose. And a reminder for women that they have every right to want what they’ve already earned.

(00:00) - Break. Return. Rise
(01:40) - The Eisenhower Matrix: A Tool for Prioritisation
(02:21) - Hannah McCracken's Journey
(03:31) - Hannah's Career Beginnings and Advertising Insights
(08:08) - Balancing Family and Career
(09:01) - The Decision to Step Away from Work
(13:11) - Reentering the Workforce: Challenges and Strategies
(15:50) - The Importance of Self-Belief and Support Systems
(21:14) - Recognising and Valuing Non-Traditional Skills
(24:30) - The Role of Flexibility in Career Growth
(27:41) - Final Thoughts and Reflections

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About the Hosts:

Susannah de Jager has just relocated to Abu Dhabi, where she’s podcasting, consulting with start-ups, and occasionally advising on scale-up capital. After leaving her role as CEO of a boutique asset manager, she asked the all-important question: what next? Five years later, she’s following her curiosity —The Wobbly Middle is for her and every woman doing the same.

Patsy Day is a lawyer on a break—and a podcast producer. She’s worked everywhere from London to Ho Chi Minh City, but these days she lives in Oxford. Patsy is knee-deep into podcast production for SafeHouse Amsterdam (launching 2025) and co-hosting The Wobbly Middle.

13 episodes