Join Lou, Lauren and guest Ricky Chanana (Director of Sales, PubMatic Australia and NZ) as he bravely shares his deeply personal journey from an "invisible" work-driven dad to consciously "visible" after a pivotal family event. He candidly discusses the mental load of parenting, his 'two H's' in communication with his wife Michelle, and challenging societal norms around fatherhood. Ricky highlights the vital role of empathetic leadership and open dialogue in both home and career, urging parents to foster strong support networks. He believes true ambition encompasses both professional success and being a truly present parent.

The Village

It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson

Senior Producer Tina Matolov

Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion

Recorded at the Mamamia studios

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Smailes (Managing Partner, Havas Blvd & Chief Client Officer) takes us on her deeply personal IVF journey, sharing the raw reality of six pregnancies, multiple miscarriages, and finally welcoming twin girls. She reveals how Havas has transformed their HR policies, introducing miscarriage and fertility leave, and the profound impact this had.

Kate candidly discusses the mental load of returning to work with young twins, the challenges of daycare sickness, and her shift to a more empathetic leadership style. She advocates for open workplace conversations, building your "village," and crucial industry support for parents, including benefits like egg freezing. This is one emotional and important episode about what life is like when the journey to parenthood doesn’t fit in a neat box.

The Village

It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson

Senior Producer Tina Matolov

Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion

Recorded at the Mamamia studios

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Pia Coyle, MD at PHD Sydney & mum of three in a blended family, as she tackles media's relentless pace and the art of "boundaries, not barriers." With 23 years experience, Pia candidly shares how parenthood transformed her into a principled leader, advocating for flexibility and designing roles for success for returning parents. Learn why she believes in running your own race and showing up authentically, even when life feels like a constant negotiation, from boardrooms to the breakfast table.

The Village

It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson

Senior Producer Tina Matolov

Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion

Recorded at the Mamamia studios

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Lauren and Lou as they sit down with Willie Pang (Country Manager, Amazon Ads) for a candid conversation about balancing a high-pressure career with fatherhood.

Willie shares how his incredible career journey, including a weekly commute from Sydney to San Francisco with a newborn at home, profoundly shaped his approach to family life.

He opens up about the reality of "dad guilt," the pivotal moment his son told him "Dad, you're not listening to me," and the importance of joint decision-making with your partner.

Discover Willie's three core values for a fulfilling career and family life, why he reassessed his relationship with alcohol, and why simply 'being present in the moment' can be the most powerful act of all. An honest, raw, and insightful discussion for every working parent.

The Village

It Takes A Village is hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson

Senior Producer Tina Matolov

Audio Editor and Sound Design Thom Lion

Recorded at the Mamamia studios

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honest conversations with parents in media - because behind every pitch, campaign and client win is someone managing a whole other job outside the office.

It Takes a Village is a 10-part podcast series that shares unfiltered stories from working parents across the media, marketing and creative industries. Hosted by Lauren Thornborough and Lou Wilson, two seasoned leaders and co-founders of The Village, each episode offers a personal window into what it really looks like to build a career while raising a family.

From newborn chaos to teenage curveballs, single parenting, co-parenting and everything in between, these stories are as diverse as the families behind them. This series isn’t just about babies or burnout. It’s about ambition, identity and what it means to thrive when life doesn’t fit neatly into office hours. This isn’t a parenting podcast. It’s a people podcast about those doing big things at work, while carrying even bigger loads at home.

The Village

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.