What if workplaces stopped pretending we do not have children and homes to care about, and actually designed work around real lives?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Ellen Joan Ford, award winning researcher, military veteran, international speaker, parent and author of #WorkSchoolHours. Together we unpack how leaders can redesign work so people are not forced to choose between a big career and a big life.

Ellen shares what she found in her research with working parents, why so many are pushed out or quietly downgraded in their careers, and how her work school hours principles give leaders a practical blueprint to change that.

We talk about:

• The moment Ellen realised “the world expects us to work as if we do not have children and parent as if we do not have a job”

• How becoming a parent expanded, not reduced, her ambition and what success looks like now

• The three core principles of #WorkSchoolHours and why they are commercial strategies, not perks

• Simple leadership experiments that change everything, like shifting an 8.30 am recurring meeting to 9.15 am or setting true core hours

• How to align projects and quarters to school terms so parents are not punished for 13 weeks of school holidays

• The real commercial upside: retention, productivity, wellbeing and closing the motherhood penalty

• Why fear and “playing not to lose” keep leaders stuck in rigid office mandates

• How to build culture and connection in hybrid teams without relying on mandated desk time

• A step by step way individuals can pitch new work rhythms to their manager as a win win

This conversation is for executives, HR and people leaders, and any ambitious parent or caregiver who refuses to accept that ambition and care are mutually exclusive.

• Your people have a life beyond work, and that is an asset, not a liability.

• Measure outputs, not hours.

• Flexibility is a commercial strategy.

• Do not design for the lowest performers.

• The boldest move is also the simplest. Ask each person: “What would help you thrive here?” Then act on it where you can..

Explore Ellen’s work and resources:

• Website and resources: ellenjoanford.com

• Book: #WorkSchoolHours (paperback, ebook and audio)

• Follow Ellen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ellen-joan-ford-791a2655/

If this episode speaks to your experience as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share this episode with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side.

Music rights:Track: Brother BrotherArtist: BENSONLicensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization LicenseLicense ID: #22026995Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved.Used with permission under a perpetual license.ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06TFollow Karis: linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan

In this conversation, I sit down with Michael Ray - solo dad, advocate and author to explore the stereotypes, structural barriers and everyday assumptions that shape modern fatherhood. Michael shares his journey from a hyper-masculine career in security and elite sport to becoming a first-time parent at 50 and then a single parent shortly after.

We unpack how parenting reshaped his identity, the cultural messages that tell men they’re “less equipped” to care, and the subtle but powerful ways workplaces still separate breadwinning from caregiving.

Michael brings forward practical, lived insights about negotiating flexibility, challenging outdated norms and understanding why supporting fathers is essential for genuine gender equity.

If you care about inclusive leadership, the future of work, solo parenthood, or designing roles that honour both ambition and care, this episode offers grounded, real-world perspective.

• Challenging the stereotypes that define fatherhood and masculinity

• How unsolicited advice and cultural narratives shape confidence in new parents

• The realities of navigating work, identity and responsibility as a solo dad

• Why caregiving and breadwinning are inseparable (and always have been)

• How workplaces can redesign roles and rhythms to support all parents

• The cultural and emotional impact of treating fatherhood as “different, not less”

• The science behind the hormonal and neurological shifts in caregiving

  Why language matters when advocating for equitable workplaces

• Chapters

• 00:00 Challenging Narratives of Fatherhood
  06:24 The Transformation of Identity Through Parenting
  10:49 Navigating Work-Life Balance as a Single Parent
  14:24 The Intersection of Caregiving and Career
  17:24 Redefining Masculinity in Modern Fatherhood
  21:26 Collaboration Over Competition in Gender Equity
  25:21 The Gift of Clarity Through Crisis
  26:22 Redefining Fatherhood and Gender Roles
  27:12 The Importance of Paternity Leave
  29:01 The Science of Caregiving and Emotional Intelligence
  30:22 Normalizing Caregiving for Men
  31:29 The Role of Advertising in Shaping Perceptions
  32:48 Inclusion and Representation in Parenting
  35:16 Creating Equitable Spaces for All Parents
  36:49 The Need for Structural Changes in Workplaces
  37:52 The Impact of Early Parenting on Future Generations

  Find out more about Michael Ray:

  Website: https://www.michaelray.com.au
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ray-574079183/

  Book and speaking details available via his website.

  The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan - leader, solo parent and advocate for the future of work. This is intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, leadership, care and the systems that shape our lives.

  
  Track: Brother Brother
  Artist: BENSON
  Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.
  License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License
  License ID: #22026995
  Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms
  © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved.
  Used with permission under a perpetual license.

  ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

  
  

In this conversation, I sit down with Nikki Tugano, Founder & CEO of SeenCulture, to talk about how work can be redesigns to open doors, not quietly close them.

We explore practical ways leaders can surface unseen potential, write inclusive role descriptions, and use positive psychology and job crafting to lift performance and wellbeing.

Nikki’s story, from feeling unseen as a child to building a company that helps individuals and teams get truly recognised offers a rare blend of evidence, empathy and action.

If you care about equity, flexible job design and building teams that deliver impact without burning people out, this one’s for you.

What we cover

• The definition of “unseen potential” and how to make it visible

• Writing senior role descriptions that open doors (not quietly close them)

• Autonomy, connection, mastery: the psychology behind motivation and performance

• How to use AI responsibly to de-bias job ads and widen candidate pools

• Practical prompts for 1:1s that reveal strengths you’re not using yet

  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Scene Culture and Its Mission

04:50 Defining Unseen Potential

05:58 Leadership's Role in Uncovering Potential

07:49 Innovative Job Design in Recruitment

08:57 Positive Psychology in Job Design

12:24 AI and Job Design Considerations

15:10 Supporting Single Parents in Leadership

17:59 Hope for Equity and Opportunity

19:34 Key Takeaways for Leaders

21:45 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Find out more about SeenCulture and Nikki's amazing work

• Access a free individual profile to start mapping your strengths and uncover your unseen potential: https://seenteams.com/

  Learn more about SeenCulture’s work: https://www.seenculture.com/

• 
  

  Music Credits

  The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan — intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, care, and the systems that shape our lives.

  Track: Brother Brother
  Artist: BENSON
  Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.
  License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License
  License ID: #22026995
  Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms
  © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved.

  Used with permission under a perpetual license.

  
  
  ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T
  

• 
  

In this conversation, Jessica Graham, Marketing Director at The Search Experience, shares her journey of redefining ambition and work-life balance. She discusses her experience with redundancy, the importance of flexible work arrangements, and how she navigates her role in a way that allows her to prioritise family while achieving professional success.

Jessica emphasizes the need for leaders to rethink traditional work structures, particularly the concept of part-time work, and advocates for a focus on outcomes rather than hours worked.

The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of marketing in the age of AI and the importance of trust in team dynamics.

Takeaways

• Jessica emphasizes the importance of a four-day work week for work-life balance.

• Redundancy can be a catalyst for positive change and new opportunities.

• Leaders should keep an open mind when hiring and designing roles.

• Part-time work should be reframed to focus on outcomes, not hours.

• AI is reshaping marketing and creating new opportunities for innovation.

• Flexibility in work arrangements can lead to higher performance and satisfaction.

• Trusting employees to manage their own schedules can enhance productivity.

• Work-life integration is essential for long-term career success.

• Employers need to adapt to attract top talent by offering flexibility.

• Creating a supportive work environment can lead to better employee retention.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jessica Graham

02:01 Who is Jessica

03:08 Ambition

05:16 Navigating Redundancy and Embracing Change

08:06 Establishing a New Work Rhythm

09:03 Negotiating Flexibility in Leadership Roles

14:11 Reframing Part-Time Work

15:55 The Future of Marketing in the Age of AI

18:31 Practical Strategies for Work-Life Balance

22:14 Final Thoughts on Ambition and Life

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagraham/

Learn more about Jessica's company The Search Experience: www.tsetalent.com

Follow Jessica's passion project - Book Trivia Podcast: https://www.booktriviapodcast.com/

Music Credits

The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan, intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, care, and the systems that shape our lives.

Track: Brother Brother
Artist: BENSON
Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.
License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License
Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms

Code: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T
© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved.

Used with permission under a perpetual license.

In this deeply personal opening episode, Karis Dorrigan shares the story behind her mission. From leading billion-dollar teams to navigating solo parenthood and why she’s determined to build a world where ambition and care can thrive together.

00:00 Introduction to Ambition and Life Podcast

00:52 Karis Dorrigan's Journey and Motivation

03:01 The Challenges of Solo Parenting

05:25 The Impact of Systems on Parenting and Work

07:21 Redesigning Work for Real Lives

08:18 The Vision for the Podcast

Music Credits

The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan, intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, care, and the systems that shape our lives.

Track: Brother Brother

Artist: BENSON

Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.

License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License

Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms

Code: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved.

Used with permission under a perpetual license.