Leaders With Babies

Leaders Plus

Too often, ambitious men and women feel they must choose between pursuing a leadership career they love and enjoying their young family. It doesn't have to be this way. Leaders with Babies is a brand-new podcast from Leaders Plus, an award-winning soci...

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

    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 the realities of balancing a demanding career with motherhood, why she believes you can't have it all, and the importance of letting go of guilt and external expectations. She also reflects on setting boundaries at work, learning from business mistakes, and embracing life beyond career success.

    Whether you're navigating career progression, entrepreneurship, or just feeling overwhelmed by the constant juggle, this episode is full of practical wisdom, humour, and reassurance.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ The myth of "having it all" – why Susie believes balance is about letting go of perfection

    ✔️ How to manage guilt as a working parent and why your children will be fine

    ✔️ Practical tips for setting work boundaries and ensuring time for yourself

    ✔️ How to build confidence and push past workplace discrimination

    ✔️ Why women should stop underplaying their achievements

    ✔️ The power of flexible working and why she banned weekend emails

    ✔️ How caring responsibilities shape leadership and decision-making

    ✔️ Why networking, mentorship, and self-belief matter for career success

    About Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL:

    Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL is an experienced non-executive director, entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, broadcaster, and author. She founded and scaled Breakthrough Funding, a multi-award-winning business that she later sold to EY (Ernst & Young), where she became Executive Director for Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa.

    She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at HMRC and The British Library and is Executive Chair of Produced in Kent. In recognition of her contributions to small businesses, she was awarded a CBE in 2022 and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

    Susie is also an advocate for female entrepreneurs, a sought-after speaker, and the author of Swimming On My Own. Find out more at www.susiews.com.

    Show Notes:

    • Connect with Susie Warran-Smith on LinkedIn
    • Learn more about the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast and explore additional resources at leadersplus.org.
    • Follow Leaders Plus on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.
    • Connect with our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE on LinkedIn.
    • Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

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    27 February 2025, 5:15 am
  • 37 minutes 42 seconds
    (C-Suite Series) Jane Hollinshead - How to Navigate a Squiggly Career and Find Success on Your Own Terms

    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-time lawyers in the 1990s, how she approached career transitions with confidence, and why she believes more professionals should embrace career phases rather than a rigid career ladder.

    Together, they explore:

    ✔️ How Jane successfully navigated a non-linear career path to reach the C-suite.

    ✔️ Practical tips for requesting flexible working in a way that benefits both employees and employers.

    ✔️ Why career off-ramps and on-ramps are natural and necessary for long-term success.

    ✔️ How to develop the resilience and confidence to take career risks.

    ✔️ The importance of networking, self-reflection, and external perspectives when considering a career shift.

    Whether you’re thinking about a career change, aiming for senior leadership, or simply seeking reassurance that your career doesn’t have to be a straight line, this episode is full of practical wisdom and inspiration.

    In This Episode You Will Learn:

    • Why a squiggly career can be a strategic advantage.
    • How to confidently ask for flexible working—and avoid common mistakes.
    • The mindset shift needed to re-enter the workforce or pivot sectors.
    • How career progression is possible at any stage of life, not just in your 30s or 40s.
    • How to future-proof your career by continuously building new skills and experiences.

    Show Notes:


    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    More BCSC episodes you might love:


    13 February 2025, 5:15 am
  • 36 minutes 12 seconds
    (C-Suite Series) Heather Black - How Upskilling Can Unlock a Flexible and Fulfilling Career

    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 why upskilling can be a game-changer for working parents looking for more career flexibility.

    Together, they explore:

    • How Heather transitioned into tech and why she believes more parents should consider it.
    • The value of upskilling and how it can open doors to new career opportunities.
    • Practical steps for navigating a career change and building confidence in a new sector.
    • How to choose the right employer and avoid toxic workplace cultures.
    • The hidden job market and how networking can help land the right role.

    We hope you enjoy the episode!

    About Heather Black

    Heather Black is the founder and CEO of Supermums. She is the mum of two little girls and lives by the sea in East Sussex whilst working remotely. She helps parents to achieve flexible well-paid careers after parenthood and has supported 1000 trainees globally to successfully relaunch their careers. In 2010 she became an accidental Salesforce admin for her non-profit and loved it so much that she decided to upskill as a Salesforce Consultant in 2012 helping other non-profits to implement a CRM. She realised her career path could work for other mothers so she launched Supermums in 2016 to bring more women into the sector. Find out more about what a Salesforce Career can offer you here https://supermums.org/what-is-a-salesforce-career/

    Show Notes:


    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    More BCSC episodes you might love:


    6 February 2025, 5:15 am
  • 42 minutes 10 seconds
    (C-Suite Series) Sylwia Wolos - Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor on How to Thrive in a C-Suite Role While Raising a Family

    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 while raising three children. She discusses the challenges of navigating the C-suite as a working parent, tackling gender inequality in senior leadership, and breaking the stigma around balancing ambitious careers with family life.

    Together, they explore:

    • How Sylwia’s upbringing in Poland fuelled her passion for combating financial crime and corruption.
    • Practical strategies for managing priorities and setting boundaries as a senior leader and parent.
    • The importance of rethinking success and adapting career goals to align with personal values.
    • Why parents shouldn’t apologise for balancing family and work responsibilities.
    • Tips for effective networking, even as an introvert, and the transformative impact of mentoring.

    This heartfelt and insightful conversation offers valuable advice for ambitious working parents striving to progress their careers while prioritising their families.

    We hope you enjoy the episode!

    In this episode, you will learn:

    • How to lead with compassion and embrace flexibility as a parent and leader.
    • The significance of redefining success and pursuing a career on your own terms.
    • Why mentoring is beneficial for both mentors and mentees.

    Show Notes:


    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

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    30 January 2025, 5:30 am
  • 39 minutes 34 seconds
    (C-Suite Series) Verena Hefti MBE - Celebrating 200 Episodes: The Journey of Leaders Plus and How to Navigate Career Progression for Working Parents

    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 and triumphs of combining an ambitious career with family life.

    In this candid conversation, Verena shares how her own experiences of returning to work after maternity leave led her to create an award-winning social enterprise that supports working parents to progress their careers without sacrificing family life. She discusses the importance of role models, the challenges of setting boundaries, and how Leaders Plus is driving real change in the workplace.

    In this episode, you will learn:

    • How Leaders Plus was founded and the impact it has had on working parents.
    • The challenges working parents face in progressing their careers and how to overcome them.
    • The power of setting boundaries and finding a balance that works for you.
    • Practical tips for combining career progression with family commitments.
    • How Leaders Plus is shaping employer policies and driving cultural change for parents in leadership.

    Verena also reflects on receiving an MBE, what it means for the organisation, and the importance of focusing on purpose-driven leadership.

    We hope you enjoy this milestone episode!

    Show Notes:

    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    • Learn more about the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast and explore additional resources at leadersplus.org.
    • Follow Leaders Plus on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.
    • Connect with our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE on LinkedIn.
    • Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

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    23 January 2025, 5:15 am
  • 44 minutes 13 seconds
    (C-Suite Series) Elizabeth Willetts - How to Break the Glass Ceiling While Juggling Career Ambitions and Parenthood

    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 passionate about empowering professionals to find fulfilling, flexible, and part-time work that fits their lives, and helps close the gender pay gap.

    Elizabeth shares her insights on how flexible work can unlock opportunities for ambitious parents, why intentional time management is a game-changer, and how to stand out in the job market with a CV that shines, even in the era of AI.

    This practical and inspiring conversation is perfect for anyone navigating the challenges of combining a high-powered career with parenthood.

    We hope you enjoy the episode!

    Show Notes:


    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • How flexible and part-time roles can support your career and personal goals.
    • Practical tips for writing a standout CV that highlights your impact.
    • The power of intentional time management to achieve your dreams.
    • Why negotiation is essential when securing flexible work arrangements.

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    Discover more about the multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship, designed to support ambitious working parents on the path to senior leadership. Learn more at Leaders Plus.

    Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

    16 January 2025, 5:15 am
  • 19 minutes 6 seconds
    BITE-SIZED: Verena Hefti MBE - Balancing the Holiday Mental Load

    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 chaos
    • Creating a meaningful holiday without burning out
    • Sharing family responsibilities equitably

    Drawing on gold nuggets from past episodes and her own experiences, Verena encourages us to reassess, set boundaries, and say "no" to the non-essential as we wrap up the year.

    Tune in for an empowering and time-efficient conversation that will leave you ready to take on the holiday season with clarity and courage.

    We hope you enjoy the conversation, and we’ll be back in January with a brand-new series of episodes!

    Show Notes:

    • Learn more about the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast and explore additional resources at leadersplus.org.
    • Follow Leaders Plus on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.
    • Connect with our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE on LinkedIn.
    • Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

    In this episode you will learn:

    • During the busy holiday season, it's important to prioritise self-care and make brave decisions.
    • Discussing family responsibilities openly can help distribute the mental load more equitably.
    • Using frameworks, like the STAR framework, can guide us in making better decisions about opportunities.
    • Setting boundaries and saying no can lead to more meaningful opportunities aligned with our values.
    • Recognising that the mental load often disproportionately affects women can prompt important discussions at home.
    • Leaders should model work-life balance to create a supportive environment for their teams.

    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    BCSC Episodes Mentioned in This Podcast:


    Leader's Plus Blog Mentioned in This Podcast:


    5 December 2024, 5:30 am
  • 45 minutes 24 seconds
    Dr. Whitney Casares - Why Self-Care for Parents is Key to Thriving at Work and Home

    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 expertise as a paediatrician, Dr. Whitney emphasises that putting your own well-being first is the key to raising happy, healthy children - especially those with additional needs.

    She tackles the guilt parents often feel when balancing ambitious careers with family life and shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, integrating work and life, and creating space for what truly matters.

    This inspiring conversation challenges parents to redefine success and embrace their unique strengths as they navigate their personal and professional journeys.

    We hope you enjoy the conversation.

    Show Notes:


    In this episode you will learn:

    • Self-care for parents is crucial; taking care of your well-being helps your children.
    • Setting boundaries with kids creates a healthier work-life integration for working parents.
    • Embracing your authentic self can be a superpower in leadership and career advancement.
    • Prioritise clarity in your life by identifying core values and saying no to distractions.
    • Integrating work and family life requires intentional moments of focus and presence.
    • Delegating tasks and decluttering your environment can significantly reduce stress and increase productivity.

    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

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    28 November 2024, 5:30 am
  • 48 minutes 58 seconds
    Brigid Schulte - Overcoming Overwork with Strategies for a Balanced Life

    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 success looks like in the workplace, advocating for a shift from measuring productivity by hours spent to valuing meaningful output.

    They discuss practical steps for individuals to take, even in unsupportive environments, highlighting the need for boundaries and prioritising what truly matters. The episode offers insights into how both personal choices and organisational changes can foster a healthier work-life balance, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.

    We hope you enjoy the conversation.

    Show Notes:

    • Brigid's book Overworked is now available in bookshops and via Amazon.
    • Connect with Brigid on LinkedIn.

    In this episode you will learn:

    • Work culture often rewards overwork and long hours, negatively impacting family time and well-being.
    • Individuals should define their values and prioritise what truly matters to them at work.
    • Leadership beliefs significantly shape workplace culture, influencing policies around work-life balance.
    • Organisations should measure success not just by output, but also by employee well-being.
    • Small changes at work, like asking for flexible hours, can lead to significant personal benefits.
    • Creating a supportive work environment requires collaboration with employees to understand their needs.

    Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

    Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

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    21 November 2024, 5:30 am
  • 46 minutes 29 seconds
    Carin-Isabel Knoop - Control Isn’t Everything: Embracing Kindness in Life, Parenting, and Leadership

    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 previously a consultant at McKinsey and Price Waterhouse Coopers. 

    The conversation includes reflections on managing as a solo parent whilst pursuing an ambitious career, learning to let go of control, filling support gaps, and considering how we can all contribute to more compassionate workplaces.

    Carin and Verena also have a moving discussion about supporting someone through pregnancy loss.

    We hope you enjoy the conversation.

    Show Notes:


    Interested in progressing your career after having children? The award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship is specifically designed for working parents with management responsibilities who want to progress their careers and reach their full potential professionally. Find out more.

    14 November 2024, 5:30 am
  • 54 minutes 27 seconds
    Tom Shaw - How to Create Counterbalance in Your Life & Career

    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, Tom and Verena explore making difficult decisions, reducing burnout, and thriving in your career without compromising your life. Tom also shares the key attributes for combining career, family and our personal lives, so we can create a truly fulfilling life whilst also protecting our wellbeing.

    We hope you enjoy the conversation.

    Show Notes:

    • Tom's book Counterbalance is now available in bookshops and via Amazon.
    • Connect with Tom on LinkedIn.

    If you are looking to progress your career after having children then the award-winning Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship is specifically designed for working parents with management responsibilities, who want to progress their careers and reach their full potential professionally. Find out more.

    24 October 2024, 5:30 am
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