How To Fail With Elizabeth Day ON MOTHERHOOD… with Jessie Ware and Francesca Segal
Mar 16, 2026
Jessie Ware, singer-songwriter learning to slow down while balancing a public career and parenthood. Francesca Segal, novelist who faced premature twin birth and neonatal-ward realities. They talk candidly about exhaustion, guilt, shifting expectations, solidarity among parents, and finding presence amid chaos.
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Say No To Protect Maternity Time
- Try saying no more often to protect your time and presence for family moments.
- Jessie Ware learned that refusing projects would have allowed her to take maternity leave and be kinder to herself instead of proving she could ‘do it all’.
Proving Yourself Hides Fear Of Loss
- Feeling the need to prove you can 'have it all' often masks fear your career opportunities will vanish.
- Jessie Ware realised that striving to prove herself to a sexist, ageist industry prevented her from enjoying early parenting and tour moments.
Use Cooking To Stop Multitasking
- Use focused activities to stop multitasking and be present with children.
- Jessie Ware finds cooking (not phone use) lets her concentrate and enjoy having kids in the kitchen, reducing distraction.