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

About this episode

<p><strong>Ready for a career that fits who you are now? </strong>Join my 30-day Career Pivot Challenge, starting 17th November 2026. Together, we’ll uncover your strengths, explore what’s possible and turn your next move into a practical plan. <a href="https://course.motherkind.co/your-next-move-waitlist"><strong>Join the waitlist</strong></a> for first access and 30% off.</p><p>Do you find yourself apologising for leaving work on time? For missing the team drinks? For not always being available?</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Why Vanessa chose to make her pregnancy more visible after being advised to keep motherhood quiet</p></li><li><p>The double standards mothers and fathers face at work</p></li><li><p>How Emma protects her time and models boundaries for her team</p></li><li><p>Letting go of the pressure to balance everything perfectly</p></li><li><p>Why Michelle struggled to protect bedtime, even as a founder</p></li><li><p>Recognising what your working environment is doing to your confidence</p></li></ul><p>You’ll leave with one question to reflect on: <strong>what is one thing you’re going to do differently?</strong></p><p>If this episode helps you feel more confident and less apologetic, please share it with a mother who needs to hear it.</p><p><strong>Watch every full episode on </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Zoe-Blaskey"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong> and subscribe.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Loved this episode?</strong></p><p>Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing.</p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen or watch the full episodes on the guests here:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-new-career-motherhood-playbook-from-the-woman-who/id1295306961?i=1000767700079">Vanessa Kingori: The NEW Career &amp; Motherhood Playbook From The Woman Who Ran British Vogue Whilst Pregnant</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukERuKmAn4M&amp;t=63s">watch on YouTube</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/emma-grede-your-kids-dont-need-you-to-be-their-everything/id1295306961?i=1000764634827">Emma Grede: "Your kids don't need you to be their everything"</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcT64pbpX1I&amp;t=11s">watch on YouTube</a></p></li><li><p>Michelle Kennedy: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-turn-your-hardest-motherhood-struggles-into/id1295306961?i=1000727294310">How to Turn Your Hardest Motherhood Struggles Into a Career With Purpose</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your</strong> <a href="https://course.motherkind.co/the-matrescence-podcast-epiodes-cheat-sheet">FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet</a></p><p><strong>Connect with Zoe:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Follow Zoe on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zoeblaskey/">Instagram</a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoelevings/">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblaskeymotherkind?lang=en">TikTok</a></p></li><li><p>Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motherkind-happiest-fulfilled-empowering-podcast/dp/0008650829/ref=zg_bsnr_g_books_d_sccl_2/260-9943622-5435716?psc=1">'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>This Motherkind episode is sponsored by:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Headline sponsor: Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at <a href="http://wildnutrition.com/motherkind">wildnutrition.com/motherkind</a>. Ts and Cs apply.</p></li><li><p>Grape Tree Feel Good Foods. Buy online at <a href="http://Grapetree.co.uk">Grapetree.co.uk</a> or find your local store</p></li></ul><p><strong>Key topics:</strong> Working mothers • Motherhood and ambition • Workplace boundaries • Working mum guilt • Women in leadership • Motherhood penalty • Career confidence • Self-worth • Work and family life</p>