Happy Mum, Happy Baby
In the Happy Mum, Happy Baby 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
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Lucy Watson on the realities of trying for a baby
Tuesday, 15 April 2025
This week on Happy Mum Happy Baby we’re joined by Made in Chelsea veteran and RENUE founder Lucy Watson!Lucy and Gi catch up on life since Made in Chelsea and delve into Lucy's journey as a first-time mother to one-year-old Willoughby.Lucy also opens up about her struggle to conceive, the emotional impact of fertility testing, and the challenges of witnessing loved ones becoming pregnant while navigating fertility struggles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Lacey Turner on pregnancy loss, the importance of family, and 20 years on EastEnders
Tuesday, 8 April 2025
We welcome soap royalty into the studio for this week's episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby...Best known for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, it is of course the iconic Lacey Turner!Mum-of-three Lacey opens up to Gi about the importance of talking about pregnancy loss.Plus we get the lowdown on the EastEnders 40th Anniversary live episode, and Lacey talks about filming scenes DAYS after giving birth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Happy Mum, Happy Mother’s Day!
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Fresh from celebrating Mother’s Day, Gi has delved into the archives and picked out some of her favourite moments that celebrate what it really means to be a mum:Kamille on finding her way as a new mumColeen Rooney on embracing the chaos of four boysIsma Almas on adopting her son and the moment she first felt like his mumLydia Bright on the guilt from balancing her career and motherhoodAshley James on healing from traumatic birth and regaining her ‘pink’Plus, we receive some questions from a very special guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Psychologist Dr Julie on letting go of perfection in parenting and the power of making mistakes
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On this week's episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby, Clinical Psychologist Dr Julie joins Giovanna to talk about perfection, parenting and letting go of the expectations we place on ourselves. Julie opens up about being diagnosed with breast cancer last year and tells Gi why and how she talked to her three children about it.Plus Gi and Julie discuss hypnobirthing and the importance of having agency during birth. Dr Julie’s new book Open When is available to buy now: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453995/open-when-by-smith-dr-julie/9780241663936 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
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Why am I so angry? Parenting SOS with Dr Caroline Boyd
Tuesday, 18 March 2025
On this month's Parenting SOS, we’re joined by Clinical Psychologist and expert on maternal rage Dr Caroline Boyd.Anger is a natural response to the overwhelming demands of motherhood in today’s society. Many of us feel pressure to be supermums - calm, coping and in control at all times - and were raised to see anger as a ‘forbidden’ emotion for women. This often means our feelings stay simmering under the surface, until we reach a breaking point. Caroline shares her insight on what happens to us when we’re angry, how can we move through the emotion, and letting go of the inevitable guilt t...
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Cherry Healey on her successful co-parenting relationship with ex husband
Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Our guest this week is the insightful, witty, and all-round wonderful Cherry Healey, who over the years has graced our screens with the likes of SAS Who Dares Wins, Inside the Factory, and numerous BBC3 documentaries.Cherry opens up to Giovanna about her complex relationship with her dad, and how having children herself and leaning into therapy helped to heal her childhood wounds.Plus, Cherry admits that she once subscribed to the societal stereotypes associated with being a single parent - until she became one herself. She also expresses heartfelt admiration for her ex-husband and tells Gi...
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Sara Pascoe on trying to protect her comedy career from fertility struggles
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
This week Giovanna sits down for a raw and hilarious conversation with comedian Sara Pascoe.Sara speaks candidly about the highs and lows of her mental health during IVF and after having her first child.Plus Sara and Gi describe how their respective relationships evolved after becoming parents.Sara Pascoe will tour the UK and Ireland with all new show, I Am A Strange Gloop in 2025/26, including the London Palladium on Sunday 1st March 2026. Tickets: sarapascoe.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dani Dyer on pregnancy anxiety, single parenting, and mum shaming
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Giovanna's guest this week is Love Island winner, TV personality, and podcast host Dani Dyer!Dani opens up about becoming a single mum after the birth of her son, discussing the guilt she felt about how expanding her family might affect her first child.She also delves into the challenges of dating as a single mum and shares the story of how she met her fiancé footballer Jarrod Bowen.Plus how her dad, the legendary Danny Dyer, reacted to the news he was going to become a grandparent, and the chaos (and joy!) of raising three under three. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
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How do I handle my child’s fussy eating? Parenting SOS with Annabel Karmel
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Parenting SOS is back, and we’re diving into all things fussy eating with children's food guru Annabel Karmel!* Annabel, the leading expert on nutrition and cooking for babies and children, sits down with Gi to discuss why some kids are just fussy when it comes to food (spoiler: it's not your fault!), the importance of celebrating good eating habits, and she shares some creative ways to encourage our little ones to enjoy a more varied and nutritious diet. Plus, Annabel answers some of your questions about picky eating, offering a wealth of practical tips and delicious recipes along the way!...
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Holly Bourne on what to do when your baby won’t sleep
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
On this week's episode, Giovanna sits down with bestselling author Holly Bourne!Holly tells Gi about the impact sleep deprivation had on her mental state when her baby daughter just wouldn't sleep.She also opens up about her long and painful journey to getting treated for endometriosis, a condition that is still widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed.Plus, Holly talks about writing her latest novel in the throes of first-time motherhood. So Thrilled for You is a hilarious, raw and honest expose of early motherhood and friendship, and you can get your copy here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
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Fiona Button on ADHD, health anxiety, and postnatal depression
Tuesday, 4 February 2025
Giovanna’s guest this week is the brilliant Fiona Button!Fiona stars as Rose in one of Gi’s favourite shows, The Split, but off screen she has an even bigger role to play as mum to 7-year-old Fordy.Fiona opens up about her experience with health anxiety, how it impacted her pregnancy and postpartum, as well as the unique qualities of being a parent with ADHD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kate Ferdinand returns: talking mum guilt, blended families and birth trauma
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Kate Ferdinand is back! We last spoke to Kate back in 2020, and her blended family has since grown with the arrival of Cree and Shae.Kate tells Gi all about the challenges of this new phase of motherhood, including her difficult births and spending time in NICU. She also opens up about how she and husband Rio suffered a miscarriage and the heartbreak of having to tell their children.Plus, the guilt that comes with trying to accommodate babies and teenagers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Finding time for wellness in a busy world with Ancient & Brave
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
We're bringing ancient practices of health and wellness into the modern day for this very special episode.As parents, we know how tricky it can be to stay on top of everything but luckily Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient & Brave, is here to guide us through some simple changes you can make to help your family feel their very best.Gi and Jo discuss it all, from laying foundations for nourishing nutrition to some practical tips on getting the best night's sleep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jessica Brown Findlay on navigating fertility and twin parenting
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
This week Giovanna is joined by the incredible Jessica Brown Findlay! Jessica is an actor, perhaps best known for her role as Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey.She opens up to Gi about becoming a mum to twin boys via IVF, and the complicated feelings she experienced around her friends' pregnancies whilst struggling with her own fertility.Jessica also discusses how pregnancy affected her acting career, plus makes us all fall a little bit in love with her husband Ziggy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Fleur East on why she felt shame around feeding
Tuesday, 7 January 2025
It’s a new year which means a whole host of brand new brilliant guests! To kick things off, Gi welcomes singer and presenter Fleur East to the studio.Fleur tells Gi the amazing story of her home birth, which ended in her giving birth on her husband’s lap..!Fleur also opens up about the pressure she felt over feeding her baby girl, plus pays tribute to her late father who passed away just before Nova was born. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kate Thornton on raising a son as a single mum
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
This week we caught up with broadcasting legend Kate Thornton!Kate shares her best advice for raising young teens, finding male role models for her son, and why we should be championing single parents.Plus, Kate tells Gi why she’s not dreading the prospect empty nest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Rachel Ama on racial disparities in maternity care
Tuesday, 10 December 2024
On this week’s episode, Giovanna is joined by vegan chef and Youtuber Rachel Ama!She and Gi discuss the systemic racial bias within healthcare, and how that influenced Rachel to fight for a home birth.Plus, the highs and lows of having a covid pregnancy, the pressures of being a single mum, and of course, food! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jane Dowden (Mum and a Mic) on going into labour at 21 weeks
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Gi’s guest this week is the hilarious actress, comedian, and content creator, Jane Dowden, aka Mum and a Mic!Jane shares her journey of conceiving her twin boys through IVF. She also reflects on the emotional turmoil she faced when she went into early labour at just 21 weeks, being forced to confront the possibility that she could lose her babies.Plus, finding a work-life balance with acting jobs, and why being a parent can often feel like being a referee! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kerry Hudson on how a difficult childhood shaped her as a mother
Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Giovanna is joined this week by the writer Kerry Hudson.Kerry had a turbulent upbringing marred by poverty. She tells Gi how homelessness and time spent in and out of foster care made her all the more determined to create a sense of stability and comfort for her own son.Kerry also shares her experience of giving birth in Prague, living life to the full with a chronic illness, plus how parenthood has affected her marriage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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“Everyone has trust in Great Ormond Street” - A mother’s story navigating childhood cancer
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
For this very special episode we’ve been working with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, which is currently in the middle of its biggest-ever fundraising appeal to build a world-leading cancer centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.And no-one understands the significance of this appeal more than this week’s amazing guest Shaima, whose daughter Tia was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer when she was just 4 years old. Tia is now 12 and doing well at home, but has spent over half of her life in hospital.Shaima sits down with Gi for a very candid conversation about her journey with Tia’s c...
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Fred Sirieix on dealing with dad guilt
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Love is in the air in the studio this week!Everyone’s favourite maître d', Fred Sirieix, perhaps best known for appearing on Channel 4's First Dates, joins Giovanna to talk all things fatherhood, food, and falling in love with the UK.Fred also opens up about dad guilt, his upbringing in France, and the pride he felt when his daughter Andrea won a bronze medal for diving in this year’s olympics! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Olivia Bowen on body image struggles, birth challenges, and life after Love Island
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Giovanna quite literally fell off her chair from laughing so hard with this week’s guest Olivia Bowen!Reality royalty Olivia was runner-up on the second series of Love Island in 2016 with her now husband Alex Bowen. And six years later they became parents to baby Abel!Olivia and Gi talk body confidence, with Olivia opening up about her struggles with body image after giving birth, plus how much she loved dressing her baby bump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Victoria Derbyshire on breaking the cycle of domestic abuse
Tuesday, 29 October 2024
This week we have journalist and broadcasting legend Victoria Derbyshire in the studio! Victoria tells Gi all about life as a mum of two teenage boys, blending motherhood with a hugely successful career, and how her 2015 breast cancer diagnosis inspired her to marry her partner of 17 years.Plus Victoria speaks about the domestic abuse she faced in her childhood growing up with a violent father.Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions about domestic abuse. If you feel this may be a difficult listen, please choose another episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
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Melissa Hemsley on fertility, food and feeling like a failure
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
Giovanna sits down with Melissa Hemsley for this week’s delicious episode!Melissa is a former private chef, a writer, and a huge champion of sustainable, nourishing food. Now mum to baby Summer, Melissa and Gi had so much to catch up on, from IVF and pregnancy to ultra-processed foods and placenta smoothies…Melissa also opens up to Gi about her struggles with fertility and postnatal anxiety, and the steps she took to healing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Your mental health questions answered: Parenting SOS with Professor Sam Wass
Tuesday, 15 October 2024
This week’s Parenting SOS is another bonus episode brought to you by Bupa, who have identified some of the most urgent questions when it comes to helping our children with their mental health.Giovanna welcomes back child psychologist Professor Sam Wass to guide us through these questions, which include how to have conversations about drugs and alcohol, and how to support a child through a period of change or stress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kellie Bright on her fight for SEND support
Tuesday, 8 October 2024
On this week’s episode, Giovanna is joined by Bad Girls and Eastenders actress Kellie Bright, who is also mum to three boys!Kellie talks about having two of her babies via IVF, plus tells Gi what it was like being pregnant at 44.Kellie also talks about her fight to get her son an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP), a document which describes a child’s special educational needs and should entitle them to support in school from the local council. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Olly & Amelia Murs on juggling popstar life with new parenthood
Tuesday, 1 October 2024
An exclusive this week as new parents Olly and Amelia Murs join Giovanna for their first interview as a couple!They tell Gi all about life with baby Madison, and Olly shares his heartbreak at having to leave Amelia and their newborn baby daughter to go on tour.Plus bodybuilder Amelia talks about training during pregnancy and her struggle with recovery after her c-section. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Anton Du Beke on IVF, Strictly, and fatherhood at 50
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Prepare to be dazzled on this week’s episode as Giovanna is joined by none other than Strictly Come Dancing legend Anton Du Beke!Anton speaks candidly about his IVF journey with wife Hannah, who was initially told she wouldn’t be able to have children, and their joy at becoming parents to twins. Plus, Gi and Anton talk writing books for children, learning to dance, and even throw in some spontaneous singing! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How do I talk to my child about mental health? Parenting SOS with Professor Sam Wass
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Did you know that 50% of mental health conditions start by the age of 14? Child psychologist Professor Sam Wass, who you might recognise from Channel 4's The Secret Life of 4- and 5-Year Olds, joins Gi to chat all things young people’s mental health, in a special Parenting SOS episode brought to you by Bupa. Sam shares his tips and strategies for parents to have open conversations about their children’s mental health, plus the steps to take if you’re feeling concerned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Andrea McLean on parenting through divorce
Tuesday, 10 September 2024
This week, Giovanna catches up with Loose Women royalty, tv presenter and mum of two, Andrea McLean!There was so much to talk about with Andrea, from her childhood in Trinidad, to getting diagnosed with endometriosis, and feeling the pressure to go back to work as the breadwinner.Plus, Andrea opens up about the ending of her marriages and navigating her role as a stepmum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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