How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty
Episodes
Ep 5: Books and Podcasts That Emma Recommends | It’s Good to Talk Summer Edition
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Holidays and welcome to my Limited Edition Summer Series! This summer, I’m bringing you this limited-edition mini-series designed to help you ...
Ep 4: Cultivating a mindset that supports you | It’s Good to Talk Summer Edition
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Holidays and welcome to my Limited Edition Summer Series! This summer, I’m bringing you this limited-edition mini-series designed to help you ...
Ep 3: Lessons from starting your own business | It’s Good to Talk Summer Edition
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Holidays and welcome to my Limited Edition Summer Series! This summer, I’m bringing you this limited-edition mini-series designed to help you ...
Ep 2: How to change your life | It’s Good to Talk Summer Edition
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Holidays and welcome to my Limited Edition Summer Series! This summer, I’m bringing you this limited-edition mini-series designed to help you ...
EP 1: What Are You Proud Of? | It’s Good to Talk Summer Edition
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Holidays and welcome to my Limited Edition Summer Series! Over the next five weeks, I’ll be bringing you this limited-edition mini-series desi...
It’s Good to Talk: Redefining Fatherhood and Success with Art Green
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Art Green, dad of three, entrepreneur, and one of New Zealand’s most recognisable modern fathers...
Georgie Dent: What Happens When We Support Parents Properly?
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Georgie Dent, one of Australia’s leading voices on gender equality, parental support, early childhood education, and th...
It’s Good to Talk: Part-Time Leadership, Parenting and Policy, Inside the ANZ Whānau Network with Danielle Chew
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat to Danielle Chew, a senior leader at ANZ and co-chair of the ANZ Whānau Network, an employee-led group...
Michelle Allbon and Julia Bower: How Fractional Leadership Is Changing the Game
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Michelle Allbon and Julia Bower, the powerhouse duo behind The Fractional Directory, a progressive platform redefining wh...
It’s Good to Talk: Raising Kids and Running a Startup, The Truth About Balance with Renata Wiles
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Roam With Kids founder Renata Wiles to talk about the invisible work of parenting, financial fairn...
Nicola Raynes-Pene: How to Lead on Four Days a Week
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Nicola Raynes-Pene, Partner at KPMG, mother of three, and 2024 Part-Time Power Lister, about what it really takes to buil...
It’s Good to Talk: Sharing the load with Josie from Play Based Pēpi
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Josie from Play Based Pēpi to talk about the very real journey of parenting, relationships, and r...
Jane Sweeney and Carolyn Kerr: How Anthem Built a People-First Agency
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Jane Sweeney and Carolyn Kerr, co-founders of Anthem, one of New Zealand’s leading communications and marketing agencie...
BONUS: Tāmati Rimene-Sproat: Thoughts On Becoming A Dad
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to this bonus and unique episode where as part of the TVNZ documentary “The Motherhood Penalty TBC”, I interview Tāmati Rimene-Sproat. W...
It’s Good to Talk: Why “Good Enough” Parenting Is More Than Enough – with Sophie Moskowitz
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Sophie Moskowitz, founder of Imperfect Parents, to unpack what it really means to parent in today’...
Jane Wrightson: How Motherhood Impacts Your Retirement Savings
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Jane Wrightson, New Zealand’s Retirement Commissioner, to unpack how motherhood impacts women’s long-term financial s...
It’s Good to Talk: Juggling Motherhood, Career, and the Mental Load with Emily Parks
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of It’s Good To Talk, I chat with Emily Parks, marketing manager at the Dr. Libby Group and host of the Have It All podcast, about t...
Stephanie Pow: Why Paid Partner Leave Could Change Everything
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Stephanie Pow, founder of Crayon, a startup on a mission to reduce financial stress in the moments that matter most. Cray...
It’s Good to Talk: Mental Load, Masculinity & The Power of Conversation with Aidan Kyrke-Smith
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How often do dads get real about what’s going on in their heads?In this episode, I sit down with Aidan Kyrke-Smith, founder of Dadventure, to unpack...
Joe Consedine and Jess Stuart: Redefining Gender Roles in Work and Home
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What would our workplaces and homes look like if caregiving was truly valued, shared, and supported?In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with...
It’s Good to Talk: The Power of Honest Conversations with Anna Johnstone
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are the conversations that truly make a difference for working parents?In this episode of It’s Good to Talk, I turn the tables on Anna Johnston...
It's Good To Talk | Trailer
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to. It's Good to Talk. The podcast that equips working parents with the conversations they need to be having. My name's Emma McClain. I'm an e...
Victoria Crockford: Why women’s homelessness is on the rise in New Zealand
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Victoria Crockford, Project Director of the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness, to shine a light on an issue too often...
Dr Amanda Sterling: What’s really holding women back?
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Amanda Sterling, Principal Director, award-winning consultant, and proud mum, to unpack her groundbreaking PhD research...
The Part Time Power Listers
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Emma sits down with two of New Zealand’s 2024 Part-Time Power Listers: Emma Thompson and Liz Blythe.Emma is a partner in PWC’s pr...
Dr Ellen Joan Ford: The overt and covert penalties of motherhood
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful conversation, I talk to Dr Ellen Joan Ford, who is terrifyingly ambitious about improving the working world for people and for organi...
Kimberlee Sweeney: Divorce, co-parenting, and Degrees of Separation
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful conversation, I am joined by Kimberlee Sweeney, certified divorce and co-parenting coach and founder of Degrees of Separation, to unp...
Nicole Retter: The default parent dilemma (and how to fix it)
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Nicole Retter, founder of PAM, Personal Admin Manager, an app built to ease the mental l...
Rachel Carrell: The brutal reality of childcare systems around the world
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Rachel Carrell, CEO and Founder of Koru Kids, an innovative childcare provider operating i...
Haylee Killip: NOD: urgent, on-demand childcare
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We love talking to people who are trying to smash the system and Haylee Killip is one of these people. A business that was born out of the struggle of...
Katherine Cornish and Vanessa Simons: Relationships Grounded In Trust
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode we talk to Katherine Cornish and Vanessa Simons (both from Fisher Funds) about their experiences as single parents. To share t...
Kate Mangino: Equal Partners
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It is not often that you get to talk to an international author and accomplished practitioner in tackling harmful gender norms and promoting positive ...
Tania Domett and Prue Tyler: Who Is Carrying The Light?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a unique episode where we take a little pulse check on where we are with The Motherhood Penalty with Prue Tyler and Tania Domett. I started th...
Norma Barrett: Healthy Families Need Healthy Dads
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I dedicated my entire second season to Dads as they are a key part of the puzzle when it comes to gender equity. So when I came across some research o...
Rachel Paris: Pivoting Your Career and Dual Career Couple Reflections
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation is so good on so many levels. I knew that I had to invite Rachel Paris onto the podcast for several reasons. Firstly because she has...
Maddock Price: The power of reflection as a working dad
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this last episode of season two, we interview Maddock Price. Maddock is a proud dad to two energetic boys with a third child on the way next year. ...
Shea Bentley: Asking for what you need for your family
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Shea Bentley, a father of three children under five. Along with his wife they have leaned into conversations with their ...
Joe Consedine: How men have so much more to give to the world
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Joe Consedine. Joe is a former Director of Champions for Change with Global Women where he worked with New Zealand’s l...
Sam Cunnington Waugh: Switching Up Support for Dads at Work
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Sam Cunnington Waugh. Sam is a father to an almost 5 month old boy Felix, and a 5 year old daughter Rhea, who has recent...
Sean Keaney: The importance of leaving loudly and why family trumps work
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Sean Keaney. Sean, CEO of FCB Wellington, isn't your average ad exec. He's a seasoned veteran, having cut his teeth in t...
Callum Williamson: Building a society around the needs of children and parents
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Callum Williamson. Callum is a working father and General Manager at Conductive Education Taranaki who recently took tim...
Scott La Franchie: The role that leaders can play in making space for Dads
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Scott La Franchie. Scott is a proud Husband and father of two young daughters, aged 4 and 6, and a senior leader and mar...
Paul Taylor: The power of talking with the Dads around you
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Paul Taylor. You may remember him and his wife Bec from Season One. Well – he is back! We are super lucky to hear from...
Steve Jurkovich: Redefining success as a working dad
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Steve Jurkovich, dad to two daughters and Chief Executive of Kiwibank. You’ll need to pull up a chair for our conversa...
Emma Mclean: Making Space for Dads
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kia ora koutou, welcome back to Season Two of How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty. In this season we are turning the spotlight onto Working Fathers. E...
Emma Mclean: Smashing Gendered Caregiving Norms
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As this is the final episode of the first season of “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty”, I wanted to reflect on what I have learnt from taking t...
Michelle Russell: The Power of Challenging Conversations
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk with Michelle Russell, General Manager, Talent and Culture, for ANZ NZ and the Pacific. It was a special conversation recorded...
Charlotte Ward: Re-imagining the Workplace.
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, our guest is Charlotte Ward, the Chief People Officer for Kiwibank. I reached out to Charlotte when I saw that they had created a part time...
Dellwyn Stuart: The Parental Leave Gap
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How good is it to spend time with someone who has found her sweet spot and loves her work. This person is indeed, Dellwyn Stuart. Dellwyn is a mother ...
Paul and Bec: Sharing the Load at Home
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is one that I dared to dream about. Through my coaching with working parents, I have had a window on the world of families that others ma...
Mela Lush: Unlocking the Hidden Workforce
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you have ever wished for a role that has hours that suit the caregiving responsibilities you have, then this episode is for you. We interview ...
Tania Domett: Destabilising Caregiving Gender Norms
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we become mothers, we can often be surprised at the changes that it creates in our lives and this episode is a great reminder of that. Tania Dome...
Haylee Putaranui: Finding Connection With Each Other
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Haylee Putaranui (Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Pahauwera) is Fonterra’s Pouhere, Director Māori Strategy. Prior to this she was th...
Priscilla Chand: Financially Empowering Women
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview Priscilla Chand, the founder of HIRE HER, a transformative digital talent and jobs platform for women. With over 250 suc...
Emma Mclean: Was It Ever Really a Choice?
03 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We need to talk about the Motherhood Penalty. A penalty that only mothers pay when they become parents. A penalty that can last a lifetime when it com...