The Parent Equation - with Ayesha Murray

The Parent Equation - with Ayesha Murray

As working parents, we all share the juggle. The good news is that we're not alone. So if you need inspiration or support, if you like a good story and if you want to hear how other parents raise a family alongside their career, then this is the podcast for you.In this podcast series, I chat to inspirational working parents and ask them to share their own, unique experiences, their struggles and the moments of joy and I hope, in each episode, there’s something that can bring you a bit more strength and positivity. Follow, listen and subscribe on all major platforms. Episodes released every Tuesday.

Episodes

November 20, 2023 36 mins

What would you do if you were hit by multiple redundancies? My guest today, Lee Witherell, chose to turn this into an opportunity and carve out a portfolio career for himself.

From data services to launching a fitness side hustle during the pandemic, Lee's journey is a shining example of resilience and adaptability. We get into the importance of being in control of your career, the need for collaboration, and the ben...

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Do you ever wish you had more control over your career path? Wonder how to make the most of opportunities within your current organisation? Together with Sonam Taneja, a seasoned career and change coach, we delve into portfolio careers, unpacking how you can take the reins of your own career development.

We also share practical ways organisations can nurture their internal talent marketplaces, offering employees unique op...

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Ever wondered if it's possible to combine your diverse interests into a fulfilling career? That's exactly what I discuss with my guest, Rachel Schofield, a seasoned career coach and author of the Career Change Guide. We dive into the concept of portfolio careers, which offer the freedom to blend various facets of your personality and explore a spectrum of passions.

Rachel imparts her wisdom on the benefits of th...

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Curious about making a meaningful career change?  Join me in this episode as I host Claire Carroll, an executive and career coach who sheds light on portfolio careers.

Claire illuminates the crucial role of personal values in career transitions, how societal expectations can shape our decisions, and the courage required in taking risks. Our discussion delves deeper into the concept of 'leaning out' versus 'l...

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What if becoming a parent could change how we view the climate crisis and motivate us to take meaningful action? Join me and my co-host Parisa Wright, along with our special guest, actor and parent Paul Ready, as we tackle eco-anxiety head-on, discussing the overwhelming emotions that can arise when confronting this important issue. From the 2018 school climate strikes to the everyday challenges we face as individuals and parents, ...

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As a working parent, do you struggle to find the time and energy to stay active and maintain your physical health? Wendy Welpton, founder of Reclaim Movement and mum of three, joins me in sharing her enlightening journey of overcoming physical challenges and discovering the power of natural movement in daily life. Wendy's inspiring story of determination, resilience, and transformation will motivate you to embrace movement in ...

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June 22, 2023 42 mins

In this final episode of the series, Elliott and I talk to Gita Banerji from Suffolk County Council about how organisations can still actively support parents without a formal staff network.

Gita shares their great work on fertility leave,  benchmarking and enhancing many of their policies.

Find out more about Gita:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gita-banerji-22512832/

Find out more about Elliott:
ht...

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Welcome to the Parent Equation podcast series, full of inspiring stories from working parents who are passionate about designing a life that works for them and their families rewarding career alongside a balanced family life. 


"We're all there with a similar mission to help women juggle careers and family, and I want to try and offer things as accessible as possible."


"Whatever choice you're making ...

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June 15, 2023 33 mins

Lead from the front.  A key message from Emma at Co-op when it comes to running a successful parents network.

Elliott and I also chatted to Emma about how network leads manage their own emotional wellbeing when faced with emotive topics as well as lots more.

Find out more about Emma and Co-op:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-southworth-157743a3/

Find out more about Elliott:
https://musicfootballf...

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June 8, 2023 37 mins

What if you could create an award-winning support network for working parents and carers while building meaningful connections in the wider community? Join me as I talk with Tim Soper from Aon about the incredible success of their Parents and Carers Network and its subgroup, the Dads at Aon Network. Discover how these innovative networks have grown and evolved, providing invaluable support and inspiration to countless working paren...

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Welcome to the Parent Equation podcast series, full of inspiring stories from working parents who are passionate about designing a life that works for them and their families - having a rewarding career alongside a balanced family life. 

"You don't have to be a woman to hold a child to your chest and comfort them… "

"And again, the perception is actually becoming a parent does give you this decisiveness,...

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June 1, 2023 31 mins

Liz da Cruz, co-lead of the parents network at Centrica chats to Elliott and me about their lean in, lean out approach, leveraging volunteering, being vulnerable and lots lots more.

Find out more about Liz and Centrica:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethdacruz1/

Find out more about Music, Football, Fatherhood:
https://musicfootballfatherhood.com/

ABOUT ME - AYESHA MURRAY
I'm an accredited career...

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May 25, 2023 42 mins

Recognition.  A key word when it comes to running staff networks.  The leads of these networks, like Deonne and Jocy at PepsiCo, run them alongside their day jobs because they're passionate about supporting their working parents.

Yes, budget and executive sponsorship are needed, but the appreciation for the much needed value and support they bring is key.

Love the energy of this co-lead partnership - passion ...

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Welcome to the Parent Equation podcast series, full of inspiring stories from working parents who are passionate about designing a life that works for them and their families - having a rewarding career alongside a balanced family life. 

"...someone said to me yesterday, in fact that in running your own business, 80% of it is probably the job you don't want to do (and) the 20% is your passion..."

"I&apos...

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Join Becky Candy and Leanne Chalmers who are sharing the growth journey for the John Lewis Partnership's parents network.  From coffee and community to several autonomous peer groups providing enormous value to their partners.

Hear about their journey, their key insights and tips for running a successful network, including building a community, passion and planning.

www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/
www.lin...

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Originally from France, Camille decided to change the course of her life and over the last 18 years has studied and lived in Spain, moved to Mexico City for a few years, and has now settled in London.

From being a beauty and lifestyle writer in a fashion magazine she is now an Adult and Child advisor, dedicated to being at the service of others by helping families and empowering the community.

Find our more about...

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In this episode, Hannah shares her experiences and strategies for managing the ubiquitous mental load as well as how she and her husband share it.

Hannah made a choice to change career before motherhood which has given her greater flexibility and taps into her passions.  And as a HR professional, she shares her insights into how organisations can better support their parents.

Find out more about Hannah:
www.li...

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Anita Cleare is a parenting expert, writer and coach and co-founder of the Positive Parenting Project. Her book, The Work/Parent Switch (known as The Working Parent’s Survival Guide in USA) is a positive parenting guide for working parents.

Anita started her career in international development, spending four and a half years in Mongolia where she went through both of her pregnancies. (Her eldest son learnt to say ‘mummy’ in Mongolia...

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Chloe, founder of Hopscotch coaching, works with families to bring fun, play and creativity back into our lives.

She also chose to take one of her children out of mainstream education, so as a home educator has quite a unique perspective on raising children.

And alongside she also finds time to run her business!

Find out more about Chloe:
https://www.hopscotchcoaching.co.uk/
www.linkedin.com/in/ch...

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Soumya Karkera was brought up in India and is now bringing up her own daughter in the UK.  In this episode, she shares this experience, alongside her insights from her work as a coach for young people.

How do we bring our children into the conversation?  How can we be more present with our children, especially as busy working parents?  How do we embrace cultural diversity?

Also a great section on how to achieve qu...

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