Navigating the ‘Singapore Script’: Career Pauses, Identity, and Ambition | Huda R Ep 38

What happens when the traditional career ladder meets the reality of motherhood?In this episode, I am joined by Huda R (founder of The Mum Collective and host of Mum Interrupted podcast) to unpack the reality of navigating ambition and motherhood in Singapore.Huda and I started on very similar tracks, climbing the corporate ranks before motherhood brought an unexpected forcing function to our lives. Today, we sit down to discuss how those parallel tracks diverged into different—but equally ambitious—destinations. We dive into how we are intentionally channeling our drive today: from my journey of building a portfolio career that protects my flexibility, to Huda’s path of homeschooling her kids and fostering deep connections through her Mum Circles.If you’ve ever felt torn between the career you built and the mother you want to be, this episode is your reminder that you can write your own script.In this episode which felt like two friends trading stories and comparing notes, we talked about: - The concept of "downshifting" — and why navigating a career pause is harder, not easier- Owning your decisions (and why it's okay to change your mind)- The very real tension of raising kids outside the mainstream in Singapore — enrichment classes, primary school pressure, and swimming against the tide- What "matrescence" is and why no one warned us about the internal shifts of becoming a mum- My journey from a borrowed microphone to nearly 40 episodes- Mum guilt and the mental load — what equity really looks like when both parents are working- Why community outside your usual circles can be the thing that saves you in a season of uncertainty- What a portfolio career actually looks like, and how the "wilderness period" can be reframed as an investment- Raising kids outside the structured preschool system in Singapore — what a typical day looks like for Huda- The "Singapore script" — how cultural expectations shape the way we judge ourselves and each other as mothers- How faith has deepened and shifted through the journey of becoming a mum- Finding your way back to ambition without losing the flexibility you fought hard for-----------------------------Connect with Huda:Instagram: @themumcollective.sgSubstack: https://themumcollectivesg.substack.comResources:-The Power Pause by Neha Ruch-Two Truths newsletter -Portfolio Careers Asia-Remarkable Women group-----------------------------1:31 – How our podcasting journeys began3:52 – Origins of the 'Make It Work' podcast7:42 – Standout truths from interviewing dozens of mums8:19 – "Downshifting" — reframing career pauses11:56 – Owning your decisions (and changing your mind)16:46 – How 'Mum, Interrupted' came about18:07 – Mum guilt & the mental load18:41 – What still feels unresolved after all these conversations19:30 – The enrichment class pressure & primary school anxiety23:42 – What does a "homeschool" day actually look like?25:56 – "I'm hesitant to call it homeschooling..."28:38 – Resources & books that helped35:31 – The Singapore script — and questioning it52:09 – Sarah reflects: the ambition piece55:11 – Faith and becoming a mum55:11 – Can we have it all?---------Follow and connect with Sarah & Make It Work! ⁠https://linktr.ee/makeitwork.podcast⁠📷 ⁠Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/makeitwork.asia/💼⁠LinkedIn⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-it-work-asia-podcast/🎵 ⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/people/Make-It-Work/61566472637714/🍏Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-it-work/id1701442085🎵Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78ulY0B27nYxGB6jPCABPI?si=abfc48d037d943be📥⁠Email⁠: [email protected] our free ⁠Mommas Making It Work whatsapp community⁠ to find a group of like-minded mommas: https://bit.ly/MIWcommunity#MakeItWorkPodcast #WorkingMothers #CareerAndMotherhood #CareerTransition #PodcastForMoms