This week on Leaders With Babies, Verena is joined by Dr Geraldine Strathdee OBE, the former National Clinical Director of Mental Health for NHS England. For over 20 years Geraldine has held senior roles in mental health policy, regulation and clinical management, at national and London regional levels. She advises internationally on mental health service design and quality improvement, all while working as a practising clinician and juggling her own children and now grandchildren.In this episode, there is an insightful discussion on the importance of having purpose in your work, including how if we are to do amazing things we need to surround ourselves with inspiring people.Geraldine shares the interventions that have helped manage her own mental health whilst progressing her busy NHS career, juggling children and managing multiple roles. Plus, there's advice on negotiating boundaries and workload.She urges us to remember that as our working life may be a long one we are in fact running a marathon and not a sprint. After all, there is plenty of time to achieve all we wish to if we have faith in our values. Finally, Geraldine shares her own personal favourite memories from combining her NHS leadership career and parenthood. Including the joy of a Friday afternoon iced bun with a treasured colleague and why having a bit of fun at work is really very important indeed.This episode is kindly supported by the London Women's Leadership Network at the NHS London Leadership Academy who we are delighted to announce are now generously part-sponsoring 4 places on our Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme.Applications close 23rd March - take a bold step for your career and family today.The Leaders Plus Fellowship (cross-sector) is an award-winning Programme open to parents from all sectors who are progressing careers in leadership and management. Our Fellowship supports you to pursue ambitious roles whilst balancing home life, equipping you with the essential tools to thrive at work whilst still enjoying time with your family. Fellows get: access to a courageous community of peers who are also juggling work and parenthood expert guidance from your own dedicated career Mentor world-class training from industry thought leaders on developing your career support to deal with the practical challenges of being a working parent that arise day-to-day The Fellowship is open to all parents internationally who have children 0-11. Our Programme is inclusive and welcoming of all family set ups. We encourage applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in leadership positions and offer online/ blended course options and hardship fund places to help facilitate this.