Wisdom For Working Mums

How much do you really know about surrogacy? And would you know how to support a friend, colleague or team member building their family this way? In this episode, I'm joined by Michael Johnson-Ellis, co-founder of My Surrogacy Journey and TwoDadsUK, to explore the realities of surrogacy, LGBTQ+ family building and the assumptions that can surround different paths to parenthood. We talk about Michael's own journey to fatherhood, the emotional realities people often don't see, what ethical surrogacy really looks like, and the simple things we can all do to offer better support. We also explore what this means in the workplace, from creating greater LGBTQ+ inclusion, having better conversations, to the gaps that can exist in traditional parental policies. I came to this conversation with curiosity rather than personal experience, and left with not just a deeper understanding of surrogacy and LGBTQ+ family building, but a greater awareness of how we can all show up as better friends, colleagues and leaders. If you want to better understand experiences different from your own, and support the people around you with greater empathy and awareness, this episode is for you. Download our free Surrogacy At Work factsheet - A quick HR guide to inclusive family-building policies, conversations and support.

This month marks 20 years since Nicky started her business, and in this special anniversary episode, she shares the 20 biggest lessons those two decades have taught her about work, leadership and life. From betting on yourself and navigating burnout to evolving ambition, redefining success and learning not to postpone your life, these aren't simply lessons about business. They're about creating success that actually feels successful. If you're ambitious and trying to build a career you're proud of without losing sight of your health, relationships and the life you're building alongside it, this episode is for you. Twenty years, twenty lessons, and plenty of wisdom Nicky wishes she'd known sooner. Find all the resources and links mentioned in this episode here: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/194 Connect on LinkedIn Here  Follow on Instagram Here  Love the Wisdom For Working Mums Podcast? Let's take the conversation further. Subscribe for exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox - designed to support you in leading with confidence and living with intention. 

Adoption doesn't end with a child joining a family; it's the beginning of a lifelong journey, one that deserves greater understanding and support. In this episode, I'm joined by Emily Frith, CEO of Adoption UK, for a thoughtful conversation that challenges many of the assumptions we hold about adoption and shines a light on the realities adoptive families often navigate behind the scenes. We explore the emotional complexity of the adoption journey, the unique challenges adoptive parents and adopted people can face throughout their lives, and what employers, managers, colleagues, and friends can do to create more understanding and supportive environments. Whether you're a leader, a working parent, or simply someone who wants to better support the people around you, this conversation is an invitation to listen with curiosity, deepen your understanding, and lead with greater empathy. In this episode, we discuss: • Why adoption is the beginning of a lifelong journey • The realities of becoming an adoptive parent and building attachment • Common misconceptions about adoption and adopted families • How workplaces can better support adoptive parents and adopted colleagues • The importance of lifelong support and why it matters For the full show notes, key takeaways, resources mentioned in the episode and links to the organisations we discuss, visit the podcast page: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/193

Do you ever go on holiday promising yourself you'll switch off… only to find yourself checking emails, mentally planning September, or feeling guilty for doing nothing? If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In this episode, Nicky explores why rest feels so uncomfortable for ambitious women and why the struggle has far less to do with time than it does with identity. Drawing on psychology, leadership research and her own burnout recovery, she unpacks why so many high achievers tie their self-worth to productivity, why your nervous system resists slowing down, and how learning to rest might be one of the most important leadership skills you'll ever develop. If you're taking a break or simply longing to feel less exhausted, this conversation will help you see rest differently. In this episode, you'll discover: - Why rest feels uncomfortable, even when you desperately need it. - The hidden link between achievement and self-worth. - What burnout taught Nicky about redefining success. - How to rest, even when your mind is telling you to keep going. - Three practical ways to approach rest differently this summer. Because rest isn't something you earn once everything is finished. It's a leadership practice. For the full show notes, key takeaways, resources mentioned in the episode and links to the organisations we discuss, visit the podcast page: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/192/

We often hear that becoming a mother is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives. But what happens when your experience doesn't match the story you were expecting? In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Nikki Wilson, CEO of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, to talk about the realities of perinatal mental health, birth trauma, identity, and why so many women suffer in silence. For the full show notes, key takeaways, resources mentioned in the episode and links to the organisations we discuss, visit the podcast page: https://luminate-group.co.uk/podcast/191/