Return to homepage

LIFITV: Can Mums Have It All? – Backstage Reflections

Interview
January 27, 2026

After the applause faded and with a glass of wine in hand, the conversation continued.

For this episode of LIFITV, we sat down with Claire Warren, Joeli Brearley and Annie Price following their main stage discussion Can Mums Have It All? at the Leeds International Festival of Ideas. It’s our loosest backstage chat yet — and the first where the guests brought wine with them.

In this candid post-talk conversation, the panel reflect on how the event felt, the questions that lingered, and the realities of balancing motherhood, work and identity. Claire speaks openly about her experience of being made redundant, while Joeli and Annie share thoughtful, honest perspectives on systemic pressures, career disruption and what “having it all” really means.

Raw, reflective and deeply human, this LIFITV episode captures the moments after the microphones are switched off, when people can truly speak freely.

Watch the full LIFITV episode below.

 

More posts

20 July, 2026 Insights

Definitely, maybe: Andy Burnham and the long shadow of the 90s

Andy Burnham walks into Number 10 as the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade. The commentary so far has focused on the speed of it all.

Definitely, maybe: Andy Burnham and the long shadow of the 90s
15 July, 2026 Latest

Strength Beyond the Silence

On 11 August, Evelyn Glennie returns to the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms, 37 years on from her debut in 1989. Two months later, on Thursday 8 October, she takes to the stage as a guest speaker at Leeds Playhouse for the Leeds International Festival of Ideas.

Strength Beyond the Silence
10 July, 2026 Insights

Child-free by choice, not childless

Why a BBC report on women saying no to motherhood makes one of this year's LIFI26 conversations feel more urgent than ever.

Child-free by choice, not childless
4 June, 2026 Latest

LIFI26: Ticket update and demand

LIFI26: Ticket update and demand

LIFI26: Ticket update and demand