Finally, The Interview: Mia Freedman and Kate Langbroek
Feb 2, 2025
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Mia Freedman, co-founder of Mamamia and a prominent voice in media, joins Kate Langbroek for a deep and candid conversation. They navigate the themes of burnout and personal growth, exploring balancing emotional well-being with professional demands. The duo reflects on the emotional toll of a child's illness and how it impacted their lives, highlighting the importance of connection in challenging times. With humor and vulnerability, they discuss the joys of being a grandmother and the evolution of content creation, emphasizing resilience and creativity.
Mia Freedman and Kate Langbroek discuss the emotional toll of balancing personal and professional responsibilities while navigating grief and burnout.
The podcast highlights the identity shifts and existential crises that accompany life changes, emphasizing the need for new beginnings in evolving roles.
Deep dives
Navigating Fragility
The discussion revolves around a period characterized by emotional fragility, as one individual reflects on feeling exposed and vulnerable. This sense of being 'raw' was particularly strong during challenging times, indicating a deep emotional struggle that was not just personal but also professional. The acknowledgment of handling many responsibilities while feeling overwhelmed suggests a delicate balancing act between various aspects of life. This creates a vivid picture of someone grappling with their identity amidst external pressures, which resonates deeply with listeners.
The Weight of Responsibility
A significant theme is the burden of responsibility that comes with leadership and creativity, especially in the context of a family business. The speaker describes the need to juggle personal and professional commitments while ensuring that no obligations are neglected, illustrating the magnitude of the task. This struggle is compounded by the recognition that stepping back could potentially disrupt the lives of those dependent on them. The insight offered here reveals the complexity of personal sacrifice and caring for one's family while pursuing professional ambitions.
Coping with Identity Shifts
The conversation touches on profound identity shifts experienced during life transitions, particularly with age and familial changes. As milestones such as grandparenthood and marriage occur, feelings of irrelevance and invisibility begin to surface. This sentiment, coupled with societal perceptions about aging, leads to a deep existential crisis. The narrative highlights the importance of navigating through personal turmoil and finding new meaning amidst evolving roles and expectations.
The Dynamics of Family Business
The intricacies of working alongside a partner in a family business introduce various dynamics that can impact both the professional and personal relationship. The balance of sharing responsibilities and decision-making can sometimes strain the romantic bond, affecting family life and work. However, recent changes, such as appointing new leadership roles, have allowed the couple to rediscover their relationship outside of work obligations. This shift emphasizes the necessity of setting boundaries to maintain personal connections amidst the demands of a thriving business.
The story of how this interview almost happened last year, but didn't, is a story about burnout, grief, and big life changes. But Mia Freedman and Kate Langbroek were ready this time - and now, this story is also about courage and new beginnings
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Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.