Can women really have it all? And what does that even mean? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Giselle Goodwin—author, researcher, and expert on women’s work and wellbeing—to explore this question and dive in to what it means for moms to achieve true happiness. Dr. Goodwin shares insights from her book "Can Women Really Have It All? A Happiness Handbook for Working Mothers", and opens up about her own journey from feminist ideals to the complex realities of balancing career, motherhood, and personal fulfillment.

Dr. Goodwin and I talk about:

📈 The evolving (and still unrealistic) societal expectations placed on mothers

💼 Why flexible work, better childcare, and equitable parental leave matter for everyone

⚖️ The emotional load of motherhood

😃Happiness is a mix of pleasure and purpose

💝Practical self-care strategies for busy moms—like bare minimums, micro-joys, and guilt-free delegation

A little about our guest:

Dr. Giselle Goodwin grew up in Canada and now lives in Cheshire, England with her husband and two teenage daughters. Over the course of a 25-year career, she co-founded, grew and successfully sold three businesses: two in healthcare and one in recruitment. Alongside this, Dr. Goodwin navigated countless children’s birthday parties, sports events, parent-teacher meetings and dentist appointments. While juggling her career and family life, she often felt like she was failing on all fronts. Driven by a desire to find a better way – not just for herself but for her children – Dr. Goodwin returned to university to explore the elusive issue of women’s work-life balance. In 2022, she completed a PhD on women, work and well-being, and her first book is the culmination of that research. Dr. Giselle Goodwin is passionately interested in all causes relating to equality and social justice.

To connect with Dr. Giselle Goodwin, find her on LinkedIn or follow her on Instagram @gisellegoodwinwrites. You can also visit her website www.gisellegoodwin.com.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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This is a Self-Care Snippet from Worthy Mother Podcast. As mothers, we need to prioritize our own care. Within this few-minute long episode, you will hear how our past guests prioritize their own self-care and some tips on how you can do the same.

Tune in to the full episode Mom's Mental Health Matters: How to Make Your Mental Wellness a Priority with Sara Springer.

Like what you hear? Make sure you are subscribed to Worthy Mother Podcast wherever you like to listen.

For more motherhood content and support, connect with me on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose. Follow the podcast on Instagram @worthymotherpodcast.

You are worthy, Mama.

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The postpartum period is often overlooked, leaving many new moms struggling with recovery, emotional health, and lack of proper support—often lasting years after birth. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Phoebe Ajayi, a dedicated advocate for maternal health, to discuss the real challenges moms face after birth—and what needs to change. From pelvic floor recovery to mental health struggles and why healthcare systems fail moms, Dr. Ajayi shares essential insights and actionable advice to help mothers heal, advocate for themselves, and get the care they truly deserve.

In the episode, Dr. Ajayi and I talk about:

🤫The biggest postpartum struggles no one talks about

🔹 Pelvic floor functionality and what’s actually normal

📣 How to advocate for your health after giving birth

🩺 What healthcare systems need to do better for new moms

💪 Practical tips for a smoother postpartum recovery (no matter how far from birth you are)

More about our guest:

Dr. Phoebe Ajayi is an NHS GP with experience across numerous specialities, here in the UK and her home country, Nigeria. She took a professional interest in postpartum rehabilitation and maternal health after a difficult first pregnancy and labour experience in 2017. Her desire is that all women are well supported during and after pregnancy. She achieves this by educating healthcare professionals and the public, influencing policy, and consulting with companies who have the same goal. For her work in this area, she received an award from the Royal College of General Practitioners. She is a published author; her book "After Birth: Postpartum Recovery of the Body and Mind" is available on Amazon and at all major book distributors. Outside of work, Phoebe enjoys crocheting, exercise and a good detective novel.

To connect with Dr. Phoebe Ajayi, follow her on Instagram @phoebeajayi or find her on LinkedIn.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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