Stop Apologising for Being a Mother at Work—with Emma Grede, Vanessa Kingori and Michelle Kennedy

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Do you find yourself apologising for leaving work on time? For missing the team drinks? For not always being available?

You don’t need to make up for being a mother. And yet, so many of us feel we have to hide our family commitments or work twice as hard to prove we’re still capable.

In this special compilation episode, Zoe brings together three powerful conversations with Vanessa Kingori, the first woman to lead British Vogue's publishing business; Emma Grede, co-founder of Good American; and Michelle Kennedy, founder of Peanut.

Each shares a different perspective on motherhood and ambition, from challenging workplace double standards to protecting family time and finding the confidence to say what you need.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting a fulfilling career, or worried that setting a boundary might make you seem less committed, this episode is for you.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Vanessa chose to make her pregnancy more visible after being advised to keep motherhood quiet

The double standards mothers and fathers face at work

How Emma protects her time and models boundaries for her team

Letting go of the pressure to balance everything perfectly

Why Michelle struggled to protect bedtime, even as a founder