The Silent Sacrifice: Why Mum Guilt Still Holds Us Back (and How to Break Free) Artwork

Work It Like A Mum

How do I know if I'm ready to return to work after maternity leave? Can I *really* make all the pick-ups, drop-offs AND get to work on time? Am I ready for that promotion? How do I balance managing a large team and demanding kids? Is now the right time to start my own business? Can I flourish in a part-time job? And the biggest question of all, can I *really* have it all? Whether you're returning to work after your first maternity leave or juggling a high-flying career with teenagers that won't do their homework, this is the show for you.Work It Like A Mum is a new podcast giving you a weekly dose of inspiration, confidence, and step-by-step tips (plus lots of comradery) to help you flourish in your career after kids. Hosted by the Founder of Investing in Women, Elizabeth Willetts, we chat with remarkable women redefining our working world. They'll share their secrets on how they've achieved extraordinary things after children, set boundaries and balance, challenges they've faced (and how they've overcome them) to define their own versions of success. Every episode is brimming with ideas, tools, hints and tips you can put straight into practice so you, too, can have a career you adore. We cover it all - with raw honesty and a few laughs to ensure you are seen, heard, promoted and hired - whilst keeping your sanity at home! Listen now to get all the inspiration you need to Work It Like A Mum.

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Work It Like A Mum

The Silent Sacrifice: Why Mum Guilt Still Holds Us Back (and How to Break Free)

August 14, 2025 • Elizabeth Willetts • Season 1 • Episode 153

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This week, we're joined by Carmen Powell, CEO of ISC Group — the global network advancing women in the insurance sector and beyond. With over 20 years’ experience across industries and continents, Carmen knows what it takes to reach the top and bring others with you.

We talk candidly about the “silent sacrifice” so many women make, why guilt still shadows working mums in 2025, and how to rewrite the script so your career and wellbeing thrive side-by-side. Carmen also lifts the lid on the exciting side of insurance, the power of community, and why it’s time we rebranded working motherhood.

What You’ll Learn:

How to grow a global career without losing yourself
The truth about networking, mentorship, and asking for what you need
Why working motherhood deserves a positive rebrand
Practical ways to share the load and drop the guilt
Why self-care is a career investment, not a luxury

✨ Key Takeaways

Community is a game-changer – Surround yourself with people who understand your challenges.
Guilt isn’t a given – You can rewire your thinking and set boundaries that work for you.
Work needs a rebrand – A career can bring confidence, independence, and fulfilment, not just stress.
Partnership is teamwork – Share responsibilities like co-founders running a business.
Self-care fuels success – Making time for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s strategic.

🎧 Why Listen

If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by the demands of work, family, and everything in between, this episode will leave you feeling seen and armed with strategies to change the narrative. Carmen shares real-world insight from leading a 10,000-strong global women’s network and practical ways to protect your ambition and wellbeing.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Carmen here

Visit the ISC Group website here

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Speaker 1: 0:00

Hey, I'm Elizabeth Willits and I'm obsessed with helping as many women as possible achieve their boldest dreams after kids and helping you to navigate this messy and magical season of life. I'm a working mum with over 17 years of recruitment experience and I'm the founder of the Investing in Women job board and community. In this show, I'm honoured to be chatting with remarkable women redefining our working world across all areas of business. They'll share their secrets on how they've achieved extraordinary success after children, set boundaries and balance, the challenges they've faced and how they've overcome them to define their own versions of success. Shy away from the real talk? No way. Money struggles, growth, loss, boundaries and balance we cover it all. Think of this as coffee with your mates, mixed with an inspiring TED Talk sprinkled with the career advice you wish you'd really had at school. So grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, make sure you're cosy and get ready to get inspired and chase your boldest dreams, or just survive Mondays.

Speaker 1: 1:07

This is the Work it Like A Mum podcast. This episode is brought to you by Investing in Women. Investing in Women is a job board and recruitment agency helping you find your dream part-time or flexible job with the UK's most family-friendly and forward-thinking employers. Their site can help you find a professional and rewarding job that works for you. They're proud to partner with the UK's most family-friendly employers across a range of professional industries, ready to find your perfect job? Search their website at investinginwomencouk to find your next part-time or flexible job opportunity. No-transcript. No-transcript this episode. Please rate, review and subscribe, and don't forget to share the link with a friend. If you're on linkedin, please send me a connection request at Elizabeth Willett and let me know your thoughts on this week's episode. You can also follow my recruitment site, investing in Women on LinkedIn, facebook and Instagram. Until next time, keep on chasing your biggest dreams.