A lot of mothers in leadership know the feeling of trying to hold it all together - supporting a team, building a career, raising a family, and somehow finding space for themselves along the way. For Stephanie Hutchinson, those experiences have shaped not only the way she leads, but the kind of industry she wants to help build.

In this episode, Stephanie reflects on her journey from co-founding Chronograph Records to leading programming and initiatives at the National Music Centre, all while raising two children. We talk about how motherhood changed her perspective on leadership, why creating family-friendly workplaces matters, and how small shifts in policy and culture can make a big difference for working parents.

She shares what she's learned about balancing ambition with family life, the importance of shared responsibility at home, and why having more women in leadership isn't just about representation. It's about creating workplaces where more people can thrive.

We get into:

• Balancing leadership, motherhood, and a career in music
• Building workplaces that support parents and caregivers
• Why flexibility and trust are essential for healthy teams
• Sharing the mental load at work and at home
• How motherhood has shaped her approach to leadership
• Creating meaningful change from within the music industry
• Why representation in decision-making roles matters

Throughout the conversation, Stephanie reminds us that leadership doesn't always happen on the biggest stages. Often, it starts with the choices we make every day, from the way we support our colleagues, advocate for our communities, and create space for others to succeed.

This episode is for anyone leading a team, building a career, raising a family, or wondering how to create meaningful change without sacrificing the things that matter most. It's an honest conversation about leadership, motherhood, and the quiet ways we can shape a more supportive future for the people who come after us.

Thanks for being part of this conversation. Mother Makes Music is all about honesty, connection, and reminding each other that we’re not doing this alone. If this episode spoke to you, we’d love for you to share it and keep the conversation going.

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Mother Makes Music is hosted by Megan McKay
Podcast Artwork by Emily Pond
Podcast Theme by Matty McKay
Funding generously provided by Calgary Arts Development