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

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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 that comes after an angry reaction. Gi and Caroline also touch on the different contextual forces at play that shape our responses to anger. These social contexts are numerous and varied for every individual, often including important identities such as race, class and sexuality, which influence how we feel and express anger.

Plus, we answer some of your questions, including how to manage anger towards your partner, keeping your cool when overstimulated, and identifying burn out.

Caroline offers a self-paced anger course for mothers (USE THE CODE “HMHB” TO CLAIM YOUR £100 DISCOUNT):

https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/maternal-rage-sign-up

Download Caroline’s FREE GUIDE on how to handle partner rage: 

https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/3rs-free-download

Caroline’s book, Mindful New Mum: A Mind-Body Approach to the Highs and Lows of Motherhood, is available to buy online Amazon, Waterstones or Bookshop

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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 she feels lucky that her children have the best dad in the world.

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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

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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.

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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!

*Our discussion with Annabel focuses specifically on picky eating and Annabel’s area of expertise as a nutritionist and chef. While we do touch on the differences between fussy eating and ARFID in the episode, we recognise that restrictive eating and sensory issues with eating are much more complex than what our discussion covers, and requires its own specialist support. For our listeners with children experiencing extreme food aversions, we encourage them to seek guidance from health professionals who specialise in this area, and hopefully it’s a topic we can discuss more in the future.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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