SPONSORED BY

It’s time to lighten the load

We are the experimental generation of mothers. Balancing careers, crèches, meetings, and me-time – we do it all, but we don’t do it alone.

We are not “exhausted mumsy” clichés. We’re modern multitaskers, empathetic leaders, powerful jugglers of life. We hold hands, hold meetings, and hold it together – sometimes barely, sometimes brilliantly.

Society may not have caught up with us, but that won’t stop us. We find joy in the chaos, meaning in the mess. And when it gets too much, we lean on each other.

Welcome to The Motherload – where we share the load, the laughs, and the love.

The Motherload Podcast

Hosted by IMAGE Editorial Director Dominique McMullan, The Motherload is a space where modern motherhood is explored with honesty, humor, and heart. This is not about perfection – it’s about connection. It’s about sharing stories, celebrating the wins, and supporting each other through the tougher moments. It’s a place for you to know that, no, you are not imagining it, and no, you are not the only one. 

Balancing careers and crèches? Listen to stories that resonate.

The Motherload will include weekly podcast episodes, dropping every Tuesday. You can listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Stay tuned for further details via our IMAGE Motherload newsletter

DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR
MOST RECENT EPISODES

Courtney Smith - Growing your family, grief and personal style

Stylist, creative director, and all-round cool gal Courtney Smith is one of the most recognisable forces in Irish fashion. But beyond the bold colours and confident silhouettes, she’s also navigating life as a mum.

In this episode, Dominique is joined by Courtney and her four-month-old daughter Nova and they dive into what it’s really like to parent three small humans (spoiler: it’s quite a lot).

They talk about the decision to go again when life already feels stretched at the seams, about ‘mum guilt’, about grief and how it reshapes us, and about the quiet power of style as self-preservation. It’s a conversation about finding joy, even when you’re running on empty.

There’s gentleness in this episode. There’s a gurgling baby. There’s honesty. And there’s also the refreshing reminder that it’s okay not to have balance. That motherhood is layered and contradictory and often heartbreaking, but also beautifully transformative and fulfilling.

Indy Power - Hope, heartbreak and her long journey to baby number two

Indy Power is known for her thriving businesses, The Little Green Spoon and SINES candles, but behind the scenes, she was fighting a private battle that lasted years. After a straightforward first pregnancy with her son Teddy, Indy’s journey to a second child was marked by multiple miscarriages, emotional and physical exhaustion, and round after round of treatment.

In this deeply honest conversation, Indy opens up about the reality of fertility struggles, the toll it took on her, and the strength it took her to keep going. We talk about IVF, surrogacy, support systems, running a business through it all – and finally, the moment she held her second baby, after years of heartbreak.

This is a story of resilience, hope, and hard-won joy. And while everyone’s journey is different, we hope Indy’s story may offer comfort to those feeling alone in theirs.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and fertility loss.

Disclaimer : This is one woman’s personal experience. It is not medical advice. Please consult your GP or fertility specialist for individual support.

 

Sinead O’Moore - The *real* work-life balance debate, and how to actually support mums

In this episode of The Motherload, Dominique McMullan sits down with Sinead O’Moore. Sinead is a powerhouse in podcasting (listen to The 40s Stretch wherever you get your podcasts!), a business owner, a fierce advocate for women, and most importantly, a mum who knows firsthand the beautiful, messy reality of it all.

In this episode, Sinead and Dominique cover the real work-life balance debate; why ‘mum guilt’ exists (and how to finally shake it off); the way women’s ambition shifts after kids, and why that’s a good thing and the changes we actually need to see to support working mums. We do hope you enjoy it.

Louise McSharry - Neurodivergent motherhood, balance, and raising feminist boys

In this episode of The Motherload, Dominique McMullan sits down with Louise McSharry for an honest conversation about motherhood, balance, and raising boys with feminist values. Louise opens up about the realities of juggling a successful career and family, the pressures society places on mothers, and why she’s passionate about raising her sons to be kind, aware, and emotionally intelligent.

With her signature pragmatic wit, she shares the lessons she’s learned, and the joys and challenges she’s experienced along the way. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating motherhood. We do hope you enjoy it.

Events

We are excited to share that The Motherload will include six exciting events in 2025, the first of which will take place at Avoca Dunboyne on Wednesday 7th May at 9.45am – 11.45am.

Motherhood. Career. Life. How do we make it all work? Some days we’re nailing it, and other days… well, let’s just say coffee and dry shampoo are doing some serious heavy lifting.

Join us for our next Motherload Live Event on Wednesday, May 7, where we’ll be joined by three special guests – health and fitness coach Emma Dowling, content creator Siobhán McAuley and sex educator Jenny Keane – who will share their own stories and specialist knowledge of navigating motherhood, identity, body image, and what it really means to feel good in your skin again.

Somewhere along the way – between broken sleep, packed lunches, work deadlines, and everything else – it’s easy to lose a little bit of yourself. This Motherload Live Event is about gently finding your way back. To confidence. To energy. To feeling more like you again, at any age or stage of motherhood.

Expect a morning of real talk, shared experiences, and a reminder that you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not the only one trying to find your spark again.

Stay tuned for further details on the event and ticketing via our IMAGE Motherload newsletter .

 

 

Competition

To celebrate our launch, we’re offering an exclusive opportunity: subscribe to our Motherload community below, and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a luxurious gift bag worth €500. It’s our way of saying thank you for joining us on this journey.

Sorry, this competition is now closed and no longer receiving entries. Thank you.

 

Powered by
Sponsored by