Big Careers, Small Children

Big Careers, Small Children

Leaders Plus

Episodes 232
Avg. Duration 42m
Activity Sporadic
Since Sep 2019
Latest Episode Dec 2025

Outreach Signals

Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
68%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

About This Podcast

Big Careers Small Children helps ambitious parents progress careers they love whilst being present with their children. Through honest and informal conversation, senior leaders divulge what they have learnt on their own journey of combining big careers with young children to our host Verena Hefti MBE. Expect lots of aha moments, inspiration, fresh ideas, and practical support, so you can move forward in your career in a way that works for you and your family.This podcast is hosted by our social enterprise Leaders Plus. We believe that no parent should have to choose between progressing the career they love and enjoying their young children. Through the Big Careers, Small Children podcast and our award-winning Fellowship Programme, we have supported thousands of Leaders with young children to make brave decisions about their future. We unapologetically help more mums (and dads with significant caring responsibilities) to get to senior leadership positions, because only by helping parents to progress their career can we have true gender equality at the top and address the gender pay gap.Be part of our positive movement for change and sign up to receive our informative monthly emails at www.leadersplus.org.uk/newsletterWe hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and invite you to follow us on social media @leaders_plus #BigCareersSmallChildren

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Recent Episodes

S16E218 Rupert Brown - Making Better Career and Family Decisions During Times of Transformation

Dec 11, 2025 46m Transcript

In this reflective and practical episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Leaders Plus Interim COO Helen Fraser speaks with Rupert Brown, author of Lost in Transformation and Leaders Plus…

S16E217 {CEO Series} Ori Carmel - How to Make Better Decisions About Work and Family

Dec 04, 2025 46m Transcript

In this reflective and deeply thoughtful episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Ori Carmel, Founder and CEO at Sowen. Drawing on his lived experience as a father of two,…

S16E216 [Future of Work] Prof Gudrun Sander - How to Build a Better Workplace that Truly Supports Working Parents

Nov 20, 2025 40m Transcript

In this research-rich and deeply practical episode, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Prof Gudrun Sander, Director of the Institute for International Management and Diversity Management IIDM-HSG at the…

S16E215 Ahed Serhal - How to Turn Guilt into Growth: Finding Balance as a Working Parent Abroad

Nov 06, 2025 33m Transcript

In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Ahed Serhal, HR Director, La Prairie Switzerland, about how she transformed guilt into growth while…

S16E214 {CEO Series} Heather Blundell - How to Navigate Leadership While Raising Young Children

Oct 09, 2025 37m Transcript

In this honest and inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Heather Blundell, UK CEO at Grayling, and mum of two young boys.Heather shares her…

S16E213 Jess & Darryl Abelscroft - How to Navigate Shared Parental Leave

Sep 25, 2025 42m Transcript

In this episode of Big Careers, Small Children, part of our brand-new Series 16, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jess and Darryl Abelscroft about how they navigated shared parental leave and what they…

S15E212 [Future Of Work] Dominic Holmes - How Flexible Working Will Redefine Success and Efficiency at Work

May 08, 2025 47m Transcript

In this forward-thinking episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dominic Holmes, Employment Law Partner at Kilgannon Law and Leaders Plus mentor.Dominic…

S15E211 {CEO Series} Rebecca Brosnan - How Strategic Planning Can Help You Build a High-Impact Career and Family Life

Apr 24, 2025 38m Transcript

In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Rebecca Brosnan, CEO and Founder of The Halo Planner, and Non-Executive Director across several…

S15E210 Louise Donaghey FRAeS - How to Lead with Strength and Vulnerability as a Breadwinner Parent

Apr 10, 2025 49m Transcript

In this inspiring episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Louise Donaghey FRAeS, Group Head of Engines at International Airlines Group GBS, who will soon be…

S15E209 {CEO Series} Dr Nara Daubeney - How To Let Go of Guilt and Redefine Success as a Working Parent

Apr 03, 2025 45m Transcript

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dr Nara Daubeney, CEO & Co-Founder of Phaim Pharma and NHS Surgeon.Nara is also a mum of four. She shares…

S15E208 Nadia Bunyan MCIPD & Tatiana Pignon - How to Successfully Implement a 4-Day Week Without Sacrificing Impact

Mar 27, 2025 51m Transcript

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Nadia Bunyan MCIPD, Director of People and Impact at Global Witness, and Tatiana Pignon, Associate Director at…

S15E207 Jo Taylor & John Pyle - International Careers & Parenthood: How to Thrive When Pursuing a Global Career and Raising a Family

Mar 20, 2025 47m

Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful international career while raising young children - without family support nearby? In the latest episode of Big Careers, Small Children, Verena Hefti…

S15E206 Dan Reed - The Power of Authenticity And How Parenthood Can Strengthen Leadership

Mar 13, 2025 38m Transcript

In our first Series 15 episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dan Reed, Director, Head of Digital at KPMG UK, about why being a parent doesn’t have to hold…

S14E205 (C-Suite Series) Steph Hind - How to Balance Leadership, Parenting, and Wellbeing Without Sacrifice

Mar 06, 2025 41m Transcript

In this episode of the C-Suite Series of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Steph Hind, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Heka, an employee wellbeing platform.Steph shares…

S14E204 (C-Suite Series) Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL - How to Overcome Guilt and Build a Successful Career as a Parent

Feb 27, 2025 47m Transcript

In this episode of the C-Suite Series of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, experienced non-executive director,…

S14E203 (C-Suite Series) Jane Hollinshead - How to Navigate a Squiggly Career and Find Success on Your Own Terms

Feb 13, 2025 37m Transcript

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jane Hollinshead, Chief People Officer at Canary Wharf Group, about her squiggly career journey and how she…

S14E202 (C-Suite Series) Heather Black - How Upskilling Can Unlock a Flexible and Fulfilling Career

Feb 06, 2025 36m Transcript

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Heather Black, Founder and CEO of Supermums. Heather is passionate about helping parents build flexible,…

S14E201 (C-Suite Series) Sylwia Wolos - Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor on How to Thrive in a C-Suite Role While Raising a Family

Jan 30, 2025 42m Transcript

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Sylwia Wołos, Chief Strategy Officer at Ground Truth Intelligence and a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders…

S14E200 (C-Suite Series) Verena Hefti MBE - Celebrating 200 Episodes: The Journey of Leaders Plus and How to Navigate Career Progression for Working Parents

Jan 23, 2025 39m Transcript

In this special 200th episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, our Programme and Impact Manager, Helen Fraser, takes the interviewer’s seat to chat with Leaders Plus Founder and CEO,…

S14E199 (C-Suite Series) Elizabeth Willetts - How to Break the Glass Ceiling While Juggling Career Ambitions and Parenthood

Jan 16, 2025 44m Transcript

Are you ready to redefine career success while raising a family?In the first episode of the C-Suite series, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Elizabeth Willetts, Founder of Investing in Women and author…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Big Careers, Small Children have?

Big Careers, Small Children has published 232 episodes since September 2019, covering topics in Business, Careers.

Is Big Careers, Small Children still active?

Big Careers, Small Children is currently sporadic with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 42m.

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