With Both Hands

In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the often-repeated but rarely embodied idea of not pouring from an empty cup. Through honest conversation, Laura and Claire examine how motherhood and work are shaped by a culture that normalises exhaustion, and why this expectation ultimately leaves women depleted rather than fulfilled.Expect reflections on burnout, capacity and the quiet warning signs that so many mothers miss until they are already running on empty. Drawing on personal experience, including Laura’s experience of burnout after the birth of her fourth child, the episode looks at what happens when self-care is consistently deprioritised, and how boundaries, support and asking for help can radically change the way we show up in our lives.The conversation moves beyond surface-level self-care and questions a productivity-driven mindset that ties worth to output. This episode is an invitation to expand capacity without self-sacrifice, to redefine care as essential rather than indulgent, and to recognise that nurturing ourselves is foundational to supporting our families, our work, and our wider communities.

In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the often overlooked relationship between motherhood and leadership. Through honest reflection, Laura and Claire question why women are so frequently seen as less capable leaders after becoming mothers, and why this narrative makes so little sense.Expect reflections on how the skills developed through parenting, including emotional intelligence, negotiation, resilience and decision-making, are not only transferable to leadership roles but fundamental to them. The conversation examines how corporate structures often fail to recognise these strengths, while also acknowledging that leadership exists far beyond traditional hierarchies and job titles.Drawing on lived experience, the episode challenges narrow definitions of leadership and invites a broader, more inclusive understanding, one that values intuition, alignment and care alongside ambition and authority. This is an invitation to reframe motherhood not as a limitation, but as a leadership practice in its own right, and to recognise the quiet, powerful ways women lead every day.

In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the emotional shift that comes with the start of a new year, particularly for mothers navigating complex family dynamics, ambition and self-expectation. Beginning with reflections on the emotional weight of the festive season, the conversation captures the contrast between renewal and heaviness that often sits beneath the surface at this time of year.Expect reflections on setting intentions rather than goals, the symbolism of choosing a guiding word for the year ahead, and the role self-care plays in sustaining both ambition and family life. Through differing perspectives, we examine what it means to lead with authenticity, to nurture ourselves alongside those we care for, and to move into the year ahead with clarity rather than pressure.The episode also touches on the importance of community, honest conversations about money, and creating spaces where women can explore their aspirations without judgment. This is an invitation to step into the year ahead with intention, self-trust and a deeper sense of alignment.

In this episode of With Both Hands, we examine the quiet pressures that build during the holiday season, particularly for mothers who carry the weight of both family expectations and wider societal narratives. Christmas is often framed as a time of joy, yet for many it brings overwhelm, exhaustion, and the sense of having to hold everything together while trying to keep everyone happy.Expect reflections on the emotional labour that intensifies in December, the loneliness that can sit beneath the surface, and the tension between genuine connection and the consumerism that so often dominates the season. We explore what it looks like to step back from the performance of a “perfect Christmas” and move towards something rooted in intention, presence and personal values.This episode invites listeners to ease the pressure, rewrite old narratives and create a holiday experience that feels more honest, humane and grounded.---Connect with us both on Instagram@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands---

In this season finale of With Both Hands, we reflect on what it has meant to speak honestly about motherhood, identity and ambition. We explore the unexpected vulnerability of recording these conversations, the emotional hangovers that followed, and how sharing our stories has challenged the old masks we used to hide behind.We reflect on the realities of raising children across different ages, the shifting shape of “balance”, and how our understanding of success has evolved beyond traditional markers to include integrity, community, softness and ambition held together. We discuss the hard-but-simple choices that shape family life, the contradictions women are asked to carry, and the deep value of allowing ourselves to be seen.As we look ahead to season two, we open the door to a broader range of voices and richer conversations, inviting mothers from all spheres to join us as we continue to explore what it means to live, work, and mother with both hands.---Connect with us both on Instagram@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands---

In this episode of With Both Hands, we examine the stories we tell about women in the public eye. From the unveiling of the first statue in London depicting a postpartum woman, to the backlash around Taylor Swift’s new album, we dismantle the narratives constructed around women and question what it takes for our true voices and lived experiences to be seen and heard. Expect to hear thoughts on what maternal strength means and why we project a masculine lens onto women, why marriage and motherhood have somehow become lost in modern feminist narratives, the extremes of the expectations we place on women, why we find it so hard to allow motherhood to co-exist with ambition, and how doing the work and showing up with tenacity writes its own story.---Connect with us both on Instagram@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands---

In this episode of With Both Hands, we open up about the myth of “having it all” and what it really looks like to live through the different seasons of our lives. Instead of chasing balance as a fixed goal, we discuss how it often shifts and flows, and why that’s okay.We share our own experiences of finding structure, creating routines, and building systems that bring both steadiness and flexibility into busy family life. At the heart of it all is a focus on intentionality, clarity on what truly matters, and letting go of the rest.This conversation is an invitation to slow down, reimagine what balance means, and approach our work, families and wellbeing with more ease and presence.---Connect with us both on Instagram@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands---

In this episode of With Both Hands, we talk about the push and pull of motherhood and work during the summer holidays. Juggling childcare and business can feel impossible at times, and with it often comes guilt, conflict and the pressure to keep everyone happy.We share our own experiences of summer, the messy moments, the unexpected joys, and the small ways we’ve tried to stay present with our children while also keeping things moving at work. We also reflect on that tricky shift back into routines once the holidays end, and why it’s so important to give ourselves grace through those transitions.At the heart of this conversation is a reminder to slow down, strip things back, and focus on the moments that truly matter in family life.---Connect with us both on Instagram@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands---

In this episode of With Both Hands, we’re talking about what it really feels like to mother without a map – the exhaustion, the overwhelm, and the burnout that so many of us quietly carry. We share our own experiences and reflections on why community matters so profoundly, and why none of us are meant to navigate this journey alone.From the pressures of social media to the impact of technology on parenting, we explore how motherhood is evolving and how crucial it is to find your village, especially among other women who truly understand and share your experiences.This conversation serves as a gentle reminder that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s essential. Mothering was never meant to be a solo act, and together we can find more resilience, connection and ease in the messy, beautiful journey of raising our families.---Connect with us both on Instagram@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands---

We’re Laura and Clare, and in this episode of With Both Hands we open up about what it really means to be a mum and run a business. Motherhood is so often painted as an all-consuming role, one that leaves little space for your own dreams, creativity or career. We don’t believe it has to be that way.Through honest, down-to-earth conversation, we share our own experiences of juggling parenting with building businesses, and the lessons we’ve learnt along the way. We talk about the messy bits, the surprising bits, and the moments of joy that keep us going.Our hope is to create a space where you feel seen, supported, and encouraged to explore the many sides of yourself because you’re more than “just” a mum, and you can embrace both your family and your ambitions.---Connect with us both on Instagram@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands---