Happy Mum
by Giovanna Fletcher
Latest episode
Fostering as a Single Mum: Here’s What I Want You to Know
Fostering as a Single Mum: Here’s What I Want You to Know
About this podcast
In the Happy Mum Podcast, Giovanna Fletcher continues the conversation about motherhood she began in her bestselling book of the same title. In a series of frank and warm conversations with other high-profile mums and dads, Gi discusses all aspects of parenthood - the highs, the lows, the challenges and rewards. There is no such thing as the perfect parent, and we’re all simply doing our best, something Giovanna fully encourages. It’s time to stop comparing ourselves and champion each other instead. Each episode is truly unique yet unifying. No topic is out of bounds, therefore this podcast is essential listening for any parent seeking solidarity and support.
A Pixiu Production
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Episodes
The newest 50 of 351 episodes
- Fostering as a Single Mum: Here’s What I Want You to Know · 41 min · Season 17 Episode 57There are so many different ways to become a parent, and one you might not have considered is fostering! So this week, Giovanna sits down with Stacey Petts, who has been a…
- Elizabeth Day on Making Peace With Not Becoming a Mum · 1 h 9 min · Season 17 Episode 56Trigger warning: this episode includes discussion of infertility, IVF, miscarriage and pregnancy loss. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please choose another episode xx…
- Matt Haig: My Son Was Diagnosed Autistic, Then So Was I · 1 h 5 min · Season 17 Episode 55We have an international bestselling author in the studio this week! It’s the brilliant Matt Haig. Matt talks to Gi about his decision to homeschool his children and, drawing on…
- Hannah Cooper-Dommett on the Reality of Marriage After Children · 1 h 7 min · Season 17 Episode 54This week Giovanna is joined by model and presenter Hannah Cooper-Dommett. Hannah opens up about how her relationship with husband Joel has changed since they became parents to…
- “I Felt Like the Glass Child”: Becky Cheetham on The Realities of Being a Sibling Carer · 50 min · Season 17 Episode 53Giovanna catches up with her friend Becky Cheetham this week to talk about Becky's experience as a sibling carer. Becky’s sister, Hannah, has cerebral palsy, and Becky opens up…
- Annabel Scholey on the Grief No-one Talks About After Divorce · 1 h 0 min · Season 17 Episode 52This week Giovanna sits down with the incredibly talented Annabel Scholey! You’ll know Annabel from Rivals and, of course (the Happy Mum team’s personal favourite) The Split…
- “I’m Done”: Rosie Nixon on Burnout, Motherhood and Walking Away From Her Dream Job · 55 min · Season 17 Episode 51What happens when you’ve spent so long holding everything together that you simply can’t anymore? This week, Giovanna sits down with former Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! Magazine…
- Glittering a Turd: Maren Sheldon on Parenting Through Grief and Celebrating Her Twin's Life · 1 h 8 min · Season 17 Episode 50Trigger warning: this episode includes discussions around bereavement and cancer. If you feel this may be a difficult listen, please choose another episode x Giovanna is joined…
- A&E Doctor Maddy Lucy Dann: Childbirth and C-sections are the Two Gnarliest Things I’ve Ever Seen · 1 h 5 min · Season 17 Episode 49This week, the hilarious Maddy Lucy Dann joins us for a chat about becoming a mum for the first time. Maddy tells Gi what it’s really like balancing life as an A&E doctor with…
- "You’re So Much Stronger Than You Think": One Family's Double Battle with Childhood Cancer · 58 min · Season 17 Episode 48This week on Happy Mum, we are joined by strong, inspiring and incredible mother of two Sophie Derry. When Sophie's daughter Odette started vomiting on car journeys and having…
- Megan McKenna: I’ve Got Another Embryo On Ice… And I’m Going To Use It · 1 h 4 min · Season 17 Episode 47This week, our favourite reality star turned singing and cooking sensation Megan McKenna joins Giovanna in the Happy Mum studio! Megan tells Gi all about becoming a mum to…
- Sam & Alice Vanderpump on Navigating Their Relationship Through Postnatal Depression · 1 h 10 min · Season 17 Episode 46In this episode, Made in Chelsea's Sam and Alice Vanderpump join Giovanna to talk about the reality of becoming parents. Alice bravely opens up about what life feels like for…
- Giovanna Fletcher: A Little Reassurance for the Summer Holidays · 44 min · Season 17 Episode 45The summer holidays are in full swing... and if your usual routines have gone completely out the window, you're definitely not alone! Whether you're juggling work and childcare…
- How Can I Help My Child Feel Confident Going Back to School? · 39 min · Season 17 Episode 44We might only be halfway through the summer holidays, but for many families the countdown to a new school year has already begun. And September can bring a whole mix of emotions…
- The Audience Had No Idea: Zoe Birkett on Performing Through Pregnancy Loss · 1 h 0 min · Season 17 Episode 43Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. If you think you may find this difficult to listen to, please choose another episode x You…
- Ruthie Henshall: "My Mother Told Me She Didn't Want Me” · 59 min · Season 17 Episode 42Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of suicide, mental illness and childhood trauma that some listeners may find upsetting. Ruthie Henshall has spent decades…
- The Future of Midwifery Starts Here | Life of a Midwife Ep. 12 · 23 min · Season 17 Episode 41How has maternity care changed over the last few decades, and what still needs to improve? In the final episode of this series, we reflect on the evolution of birth and look…
- I Won’t Let This Define Elsie: Jen Stancombe on Grief, Love & Her Daughter's Legacy · 1 h 17 min · Season 17 Episode 40TW: This episode contains devastating conversations around child loss from a traumatic event, and themes of grief. Please do take care of yourself while listening, and know that…
- Can Fear Change the Way You Give Birth? | Life of a Midwife Ep. 11 · 16 min · Season 17 Episode 39Trigger warning: this episode incudes challenging experiences relating to birth and baby loss. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please consider choosing another episode…
- The Greatest Title: WWE’s Becky Lynch on Becoming a Mum · 60 min · Season 1 Episode 38This week make some noise for the first wrestler to join us on the podcast: WWE icon Becky Lynch! Known to millions as The Man, Becky tells Gi about the moment she found out she…
- Staying Calm When Birth Takes a Dangerous Turn | Life of a Midwife Ep. 10 · 16 min · Season 17 Episode 37Trigger warning: this episode incudes challenging experiences relating to birth. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please consider choosing another episode 💜 When birth…
- The Birth Trauma That Turned A Politician Into A Campaigner · 1 h 1 min · Season 17 Episode 36Trigger Warning: this episode contains discussions around some difficult subjects including traumatic birth. If you think you may find this difficult to listen to, please choose…
- The Baby Born in a Bus Stop (and Other Home Birth Stories) |Life of a Midwife Ep. 9 · 19 min · Season 1 Episode 35Was home birth different in the 1970s compared to today? This week, two midwives take us inside the world of birth beyond the hospital: from pioneering one of the earliest home…
- Dr Punam Krishan on Maternal Health: "I Wasn't Taken Seriously Because I Was An Anxious Mum" · 1 h 23 min · Season 17 Episode 34Trigger Warning: this episode contains discussions around some difficult subjects including traumatic birth and breast cancer. If you think you may find this difficult to listen…
- How will I survive this career if I can't watch one birth? | Life of a Midwife Ep. 8 · 15 min · Season 17 Episode 33How do midwives hold it together in times of immense pressure? In this episode we hear from two midwives who have learned how to stay calm during overwhelming moments. If…
- Father’s Day Special: The Reality of Surrogacy as a Same-Sex Couple · 1 h 25 min · Season 17 Episode 32This week, we’re marking Father’s Day with a very special episode as we welcome Adam Frisby and Jamie Corbett to the studio! They join Gi to share their remarkable journey to…
- Everybody Grieves Differently | Life of a Midwife Ep. 7 · 16 min · Season 17 Episode 31Trigger warning: this episode incudes challenging experiences relating to birth and baby loss. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please consider choosing another episode…
- Lauren Cowell Beyond the Headlines: Motherhood, Campaigning and Entering Her F*ck It Era · 1 h 10 min · Season 17 Episode 30This week, we’re so excited to welcome Lauren Cowell for her first ever podcast interview! After years of keeping a low profile while navigating public scrutiny, Lauren opens up…
- A Midwife's Own Survival Story | Life of a Midwife Ep. 6 · 25 min · Season 17 Episode 29In this episode of Life of a Midwife, Giovanna shares the extraordinary journey of one midwife who turned her own hardships into a lifelong calling. From an orphaned child to an…
- Laura Marling’s Wild Second Home Birth: "My Daughter Was Downstairs Watching Paddington!" · 1 h 1 min · Season 17 Episode 28This week Giovanna welcomes legendary singer-songwriter Laura Marling to the studio! Laura tells Gi about her early fears that becoming a mother might stifle her creativity, and…
- Trust Your Gut | Life of a Midwife Ep. 5 · 14 min · Season 17 Episode 27"If my gut is telling me something is wrong, something is wrong." This week we hear from two midwives who know the power of following their instincts. If you're interested in…
- Why Susannah Fielding Believes Every Parent Should Learn Attachment Theory · 1 h 1 min · Season 17 Episode 26This week Gi reunites with her old friend Susannah Fielding! You’ll know Susannah from This Time with Alan Partridge, Man vs Baby, and Wolf Hall — but her most important role is…
- Delivering Triplets in a War Zone | Life of a Midwife Ep. 4 · 21 min · Season 17 Episode 25Trigger warning: this episode incudes challenging experiences relating to baby loss. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please consider choosing another episode 💜 This…
- Mollie King on Becoming a Mum While Losing Her Dad · 1 h 3 min · Season 17 Episode 24This week, Giovanna sits down with singer, presenter and all-round ray of sunshine Mollie King ! Mollie chats to Gi about life with her two young daughters, the realities of…
- Why Am I here? | Life of a Midwife Ep. 3 · 22 min · Season 17 Episode 23Trigger warning: this episode contains descriptions related to childbirth that may be distressing or upsetting to some listeners. Purpose isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it…
- Intrusive Thoughts, Exhaustion & Crippling Shame: Kimberley Nixon’s Postnatal OCD Reality · 1 h 41 min · Season 17 Episode 22TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains some difficult conversations, including discussions around suicidal thoughts. We know this can be a lot to take in, so please do take care…
- Baby's First Breath | Life of a Midwife Ep. 2 · 16 min · Season 17 Episode 21What does it feel like to hold a life for the first time? In this episode of Life of a Midwife, three midwives tell us what it feels like to catch a baby! If you’re interested…
- 'Nothing Came Naturally': Lydia West on Hyperemesis, Breastfeeding & Struggling to Connect · 1 h 16 min · Season 17 Episode 20Over the past nine years, Happy Mum Happy Baby has evolved — and so has our mission! Increasingly, our conversations have centred on mums themselves: their mental health…
- Making a Midwife | Life of a Midwife Ep. 1 · 19 min · Season 17 Episode 19To celebrate the international day of the midwife we’ve got something very special for you — the very first episode of our brand-new miniseries! Every Thursday, we’ll be sharing…
- Life of a Midwife: Due 5th May! · 2 minWe’ve got a special delivery coming your way… a brand-new miniseries! Life of a Midwife brings you raw, honest, and deeply personal stories from midwives — past and present — as…
- Hannah Witton on Pregnancy with a Stoma: What It’s Really Like · 1 h 4 min · Season 17 Episode 18This week Giovanna sits down with creator and OG YouTuber Hannah Witton! Hannah opens up about navigating motherhood while living with long-term chronic illness. She also…
- 'I Was Told the Problem Was Me’: Raising My Autistic Daughter · 1 h 10 min · Season 17 Episode 17Catherine Simpson thought she was failing as a mother throughout the first 10 years of her daughter Nina's life. After a decade of misdiagnosis, blame, and searching for answers…
- Comedian Emma Doran: Pregnant at 18 in a Convent School · 1 h 7 min · Season 17 Episode 16In this episode Giovanna sits down with comedian, author, and podcaster Emma Doran. Emma reflects on becoming pregnant as a teenager while attending an all-girls convent school…
- Vicky Pattison: What If I’m Not a Good Mum? · 1 h 4 min · Season 17 Episode 15When it comes to having children, what happens when you’re just not sure? This week, Vicky Pattison and husband Ercan Ramadan join Gi for a chat about the pressure to decide…
- How Jake Humphrey's ‘Horrible’ School Days Made Him a Better Parent · 60 min · Season 17 Episode 14This week, we welcome broadcaster, High Performance Podcast host, and father of two, Jake Humphrey, to the studio. Jake and Giovanna share their experiences of being bullied at…
- Why Hannah East Talks About Her Loss on Stage · 1 h 16 min · Season 17 Episode 13In this episode, Gi sits down with comedian Hannah East to talk about the chaos of parenting three children. Hannah shares her unique career journey, from competing on…
- Inside Debbie Bright’s Life as a Foster Carer · 1 h 5 min · Season 17 Episode 12In this episode, Giovanna sits down with Debbie Bright for an eye-opening conversation about what it’s really like to be a foster carer. Best known to many from TOWIE, Debbie is…
- Chessie King on the shocking reality of IVF costs · 1 h 12 min · Season 17 Episode 11Our guest this week is presenter and author Chessie King! Chessie opens up to Giovanna about navigating her husband’s postnatal depression and the incredibly tough time that…
- Steve Backshall: ‘it’s a terrible time to be a parent’ · 1 h 5 min · Season 17 Episode 10This week, Giovanna is joined by adventurer and explorer Steve Backshall Steve and Gi catch up on family life as he reflects on his childhood and how it shaped the person he is…
- Episode 300: The Emma Willis Takeover · 1 h 21 min · Season 17 Episode 9One huge milestone. One unforgettable twist 👀 To celebrate 300 incredible episodes of Happy Mum Happy Baby, Giovanna finally finds herself on the other side of the table…
