Pregnant Then Screwed: Lessons in Activism, Burnout, and New Beginnings with Joeli Brearley

What happens when anger becomes fuel, and one woman’s story grows into a movement that changes the law? Cei is joined by Joeli Brearley—activist, author, speaker, podcast host and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed. Before stepping into the spotlight as one of the UK’s most influential campaigners, Joeli worked in the arts, producing digital festivals and cultural projects that honed her gift for turning complex ideas into relatable language. A skill that helped her stand in front of Parliament and win. Over the past decade, she’s supported over a million women experiencing pregnancy and maternity discrimination, driven a £5.2 billion investment in childcare, and helped secure reforms to flexible working and redundancy protections. She was named one of British Vogue’s 25 Most Influential Women and awarded an MBE in 2025. She co-hosts the podcast To Be A Boy, exploring how to raise happy, kind, and healthy boys in today´s society. Joeli shares how being sacked by voicemail while pregnant became the catalyst for a national movement, what it really takes to withstand the haters, and why campaigning is less about perfection and more about persistence, community, and clarity. She also reflects on the cost of leadership, the lessons she’s carrying into her new venture GrowthSpurt, and why she believes rest and presence—not relentless graft—are the real markers of success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lasting change is less about perfection and more about persistence, clarity, and community. True progress comes when we support each other, challenge the status quo, and redefine success not by relentless hustle, but by our ability to be present and lift others along the way. The importance of rest and self-care is universal and vital for artists who often pour themselves into their craft. BEST MOMENTS “I was sacked by voicemail when I told my boss I was pregnant.” “Perfection is the enemy of the good. Sometimes you’ve just got to throw shit at a wall and see what sticks.” “It’s a reminder to all of us working in creative fields that our ability to communicate, to reframe, to connect—is political power too.” RESOURCES https://growth-spurt.uk https://www.joelibrearley.com To Be a Boy Podcast Instagram LinkedIn HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. ** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership ** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ ** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] ** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/