Ep 5: Books and Podcasts That Emma Recommends | It’s Good to Talk Summer Edition
Mon Jan 26 2026
Happy Holidays and welcome to my Limited Edition Summer Series! This summer, I’m bringing you this limited-edition mini-series designed to help you reconnect with you. These episodes are all about reflection, self-leadership and setting yourself up for a year that feels intentional, not accidental.
In the final episode of the Summer Series, I close the series with a personal book roundup, sharing six books that deeply influenced my thinking, mindset, and growth in 2025.
Rather than a traditional book review, this episode is a reflective conversation about permission: permission to want more, to seek pleasure, to change, to let go, to lighten up, and to live a life that feels aligned.
I explain why each book resonated with me, how it connects to themes explored throughout the Summer Series, and what each one offers for anyone navigating change, leadership, parenting, identity, or self-belief.
From big thinkers like Glennon Doyle, Mel Robbins and Jacinda Ardern, to lighter reads that bring humour and perspective, this episode is an invitation to be intentional about what you consume. Because what you let in shapes how you think.
It’s a thoughtful, generous closing episode that reminds us: you are allowed to put yourself at the centre of your universe and you don’t have to do it alone.
Join the waitlist for Switch Up 2026!
Email me at emma@worksforeveryone.co.nz with the subject line “Switch Up 2026!” to join the waitlist. Can’t wait to see you there!
Resources:
· "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle
· "We Can Do Hard Things" book by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle.
· "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins
· "Femonomics. What data tells us about women's lives and how to get the most out of yours" by Corinne Low
· "Disappointing Affirmations" by Dave Tarnowski
· "The Next Day - Transitions, Change and Moving Forward" by Melinda French Gates
· "A Different Kind of Power" by Jacinda Ardern
· The Mel Robbins Podcast - The "Let Them" Theory Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Z2wR3WNIHlhJDELXNYcTi?si=1gFVS8GEQD2lFSsMHGluMw
· We Can Do Hard Things Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0eFL5HJejQHZrdgAFdPnOm?si=36c8676145ca4868
Connect with Emma
This podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.
Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family.
As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping." To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – emma@worksforeveryone.co.nz www.worksforeveryone.co.nz https://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217
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Happy Holidays and welcome to my Limited Edition Summer Series! This summer, I’m bringing you this limited-edition mini-series designed to help you reconnect with you. These episodes are all about reflection, self-leadership and setting yourself up for a year that feels intentional, not accidental. In the final episode of the Summer Series, I close the series with a personal book roundup, sharing six books that deeply influenced my thinking, mindset, and growth in 2025. Rather than a traditional book review, this episode is a reflective conversation about permission: permission to want more, to seek pleasure, to change, to let go, to lighten up, and to live a life that feels aligned. I explain why each book resonated with me, how it connects to themes explored throughout the Summer Series, and what each one offers for anyone navigating change, leadership, parenting, identity, or self-belief. From big thinkers like Glennon Doyle, Mel Robbins and Jacinda Ardern, to lighter reads that bring humour and perspective, this episode is an invitation to be intentional about what you consume. Because what you let in shapes how you think. It’s a thoughtful, generous closing episode that reminds us: you are allowed to put yourself at the centre of your universe and you don’t have to do it alone. Join the waitlist for Switch Up 2026! Email me at emma@worksforeveryone.co.nz with the subject line “Switch Up 2026!” to join the waitlist. Can’t wait to see you there! Resources: · "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle · "We Can Do Hard Things" book by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle. · "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins · "Femonomics. What data tells us about women's lives and how to get the most out of yours" by Corinne Low · "Disappointing Affirmations" by Dave Tarnowski · "The Next Day - Transitions, Change and Moving Forward" by Melinda French Gates · "A Different Kind of Power" by Jacinda Ardern · The Mel Robbins Podcast - The "Let Them" Theory Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Z2wR3WNIHlhJDELXNYcTi?si=1gFVS8GEQD2lFSsMHGluMw · We Can Do Hard Things Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0eFL5HJejQHZrdgAFdPnOm?si=36c8676145ca4868 Connect with Emma This podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone. Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family. As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping." To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – emma@worksforeveryone.co.nz www.worksforeveryone.co.nz https://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217