Balancing acts: A life that changed the way we work - Part 1

Join Professor Simonetta Manfredi and Joanna Foster CBE for a powerful new mini podcast series exploring the evolution of work-life balance and equality in the workplace through the lens of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Drawing on Joanna’s remarkable career — from chairing the EOC to shaping national work-life policies — this series reflects on pivotal moments of change and considers their lasting impact on the world of work. Across the episodes, listeners will hear first-hand insights from Joanna, along with thoughtful discussions on work, care, leadership, and the continuing pursuit of equality. As we look back on decades of progress, this podcast asks: Have we truly achieved equality in the world of work? In Part 1, Joanna reflects on pivotal moments — working alongside political figures, developing family-friendly employment policies, and building bridges between business, government, and women’s networks — all while balancing her own personal and professional demands. The conversation also explores how social attitudes toward gender, care, and workplace equality have evolved, what lessons remain urgent today, and how Joanna’s work continues to influence policy and culture decades later.