Episode Summary

In this episode Dr Natasha Wallace is joined by Ralu Atomei for an honest conversation about why so many working mums feel like they’re failing, both at work and at home.
Together, they explore how imposter syndrome, societal expectations, and deeply ingrained beliefs about job security and success shape women’s experiences in employment, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. Ralu shares insights from her work supporting women in business, while Natasha brings a psychological lens to how an “employee mindset” can intensify fear, self-doubt, and pressure, particularly when women are juggling parenting responsibilities.
They also discuss the low representation of women in leadership and business, and how systemic barriers often get internalised as personal failure. This conversation invites working mums to question who current definitions of success are designed for, and what it might look like to redefine success in a way that supports both mental health and family life.

Key Takeaways

🔑 Many working mums feel they are failing at both work and home, and that feeling can be deeply persistent.

🔑 Imposter syndrome is often intensified by the pressure to be “fully present” everywhere.

🔑 Society strongly conditions women to equate job security with success.

🔑 An “employee mindset” can increase fear, self-doubt, and feelings of failure, even in business ownership.

🔑 Women remain under-represented in leadership and business spaces.

🔑 The struggle for work–life balance is systemic, not a personal flaw.

🔑 Parenting pressures and career demands significantly impact mental health.

🔑 Success is often narrowly defined, leaving many women feeling inadequate.

🔑 Better support, individually and structurally, is needed for working mums.

Free Resources

Ready for real talks and real stories?

Look up "Mumposter Syndrome" on your favorite podcast app or click the podcast apps below, and join the conversation.