In this episode of With Both Hands, we explore the emotional shift that comes with the start of a new year, particularly for mothers navigating complex family dynamics, ambition and self-expectation. Beginning with reflections on the emotional weight of the festive season, the conversation captures the contrast between renewal and heaviness that often sits beneath the surface at this time of year.

Expect reflections on setting intentions rather than goals, the symbolism of choosing a guiding word for the year ahead, and the role self-care plays in sustaining both ambition and family life. Through differing perspectives, we examine what it means to lead with authenticity, to nurture ourselves alongside those we care for, and to move into the year ahead with clarity rather than pressure.

The episode also touches on the importance of community, honest conversations about money, and creating spaces where women can explore their aspirations without judgment. This is an invitation to step into the year ahead with intention, self-trust and a deeper sense of alignment.

In this episode of With Both Hands, we examine the quiet pressures that build during the holiday season, particularly for mothers who carry the weight of both family expectations and wider societal narratives. Christmas is often framed as a time of joy, yet for many it brings overwhelm, exhaustion, and the sense of having to hold everything together while trying to keep everyone happy.

Expect reflections on the emotional labour that intensifies in December, the loneliness that can sit beneath the surface, and the tension between genuine connection and the consumerism that so often dominates the season. We explore what it looks like to step back from the performance of a “perfect Christmas” and move towards something rooted in intention, presence and personal values.

This episode invites listeners to ease the pressure, rewrite old narratives and create a holiday experience that feels more honest, humane and grounded.

---

Connect with us both on Instagram

@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands

---

In this season finale of With Both Hands, we reflect on what it has meant to speak honestly about motherhood, identity and ambition. We explore the unexpected vulnerability of recording these conversations, the emotional hangovers that followed, and how sharing our stories has challenged the old masks we used to hide behind.

We reflect on the realities of raising children across different ages, the shifting shape of “balance”, and how our understanding of success has evolved beyond traditional markers to include integrity, community, softness and ambition held together. We discuss the hard-but-simple choices that shape family life, the contradictions women are asked to carry, and the deep value of allowing ourselves to be seen.

As we look ahead to season two, we open the door to a broader range of voices and richer conversations, inviting mothers from all spheres to join us as we continue to explore what it means to live, work, and mother with both hands.

---

Connect with us both on Instagram

@laura.hadcroft, @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands

---