Felicity Thistlethwaite and Miranda Larbi are joined by campaigner, author and Flex Appeal founder Anna Whitehouse for a frank and timely conversation about modern parenting, workplace flexibility and the fight for equality.
Anna discusses the launch of the world's first Parent Strike, taking place on 27 August, which aims to bring mums and dads together to campaign for extended paternity leave and flexible working by default. The discussion explores why the burden of achieving equality continues to fall disproportionately on mothers, despite the growing demands of work, childcare and family life.
Drawing on their own experiences, Felicity, Miranda and Anna reflect on the mental load, invisible labour and capacity crisis facing many parents. From end-of-term chaos and childcare struggles to the pressure of balancing careers with family responsibilities, the conversation highlights how quickly parents can find themselves stretched to breaking point.
The trio also examines the push to return employees to the office full-time, questioning whether it benefits productivity or simply reinforces outdated workplace cultures. Anna argues that employers and policymakers have failed to keep pace with the realities of modern family life, particularly when it comes to supporting fathers to take on a more equal parenting role.
Comparing the UK's parental support system with countries including the Netherlands and Norway, Anna shares examples of how greater post-natal support, better parental leave and genuine flexibility can improve family wellbeing and create more equal partnerships at home.
Blending personal stories with practical insights and plenty of humour, this episode is a powerful discussion about what needs to change to make work and family life fairer for parents everywhere.
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