Parental Control

What is it like to dedicate your career to finding a cure for one of the deadliest childhood cancers?

In this deeply personal episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson sits down with Dr Ashley Vardon, an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, whose pioneering research into diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is being part-funded by Billy's Battalion.

Together, they explore what life is like on "the other side of the room"—the side where doctors and researchers must deliver devastating diagnoses while working tirelessly to change the future. From the latest breakthroughs in childhood brain cancer research to the hope emerging from global scientific collaboration, this is an honest conversation about grief, determination and why every research project matters.

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Show notes

Billy's Battalion JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/billysbattalionofficial

More on Dr Ashley Vardon x Billy Battalion Research Project

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

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The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

If you've ever found yourself shouting over something small, only to be overwhelmed with guilt moments later, you're far from alone.

In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by award-winning journalist and author Lauren Novak to explore one of motherhood's least talked about realities: mum rage.

Lauren has spent more than two decades reporting on family life, child safety and social issues, and after becoming a mother herself during the Covid-19 pandemic, she turned her attention to the hidden pressures facing modern mums. In her book Meltdown, she explores what really sits beneath the anger, from the relentless mental load and sleep deprivation to hormones, guilt and the impossible expectations placed on mothers today.

Together, Ellie and Lauren discuss why so many mums feel they're constantly on the edge, why maternal anger is still surrounded by shame, and what parents can do to recognise the warning signs before they reach breaking point.

If you've ever wondered, "Why am I so angry all the time?" this honest and reassuring conversation is for you.

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Show notes

• Mum Rage Survey
• Buy the book Meltdown, by Laura Novak
• Instagram @lauranovakwrites

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Becoming parents changes everything, including your relationship. In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by relationship and sex therapist Georgina Vass to discuss what really happens to intimacy, communication and connection after children.

Why do so many couples end up feeling more like colleagues than lovers? Is it normal for sex to disappear after kids? How much conflict comes down to the mental load? And how do you know the difference between a rough patch and a relationship that's genuinely in trouble?

Together, they explore the biggest communication mistakes couples make, the impact of social media on modern relationships, and why many women feel unprepared for the effect motherhood can have on sexual wellbeing.

An honest, insightful and reassuring conversation for anyone navigating love, sex and family life.

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Show notes

• Website: georginavass.com
• Instagram: georginavasstherapist

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Body image worries are starting younger. Diet culture may have changed its clothes, but it certainly hasn't gone away — it's simply rebranded as wellness, self-improvement and "health optimisation," all while our children scroll through TikTok, influencers and impossible appearance standards in real time.

In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by Elle Mace, eating disorder expert, coach, author of the upcoming book Food Freedom, and someone whose own struggles with body image and disordered eating began at just 10 years old.

Together, they explore the early warning signs parents may miss, how to tell the difference between normal food fussiness and something more concerning, the everyday language around food and bodies that can accidentally cause harm, and what today's obsession with wellness, weight-loss drugs, and appearance culture is doing to young minds.

A thoughtful, honest and hugely important conversation for any parent raising children in a world obsessed with bodies.

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Show notes

Instagram: @iamellemace

Food Freedom is available from 27th August at £14.99 via major retailers including Penguin, Amazon and Waterstones.

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Starting secondary school is one of the biggest milestones in childhood, and, if we're honest, often one of the most emotionally charged for parents, too.

From agonising over school choices and friendship groups to worrying about long commutes, organisation, bullying, overwhelm and whether your child is actually ready for such a huge leap, the move to Year 7 can feel daunting for the whole family.

In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined once again by education expert Katharine Radice to discuss how parents can support children through the transition to secondary school with confidence.

Together, they explore how to choose the right school without becoming consumed by league tables and pressure, why the "best" school isn't always the best fit, how to build independence before September, what to expect emotionally in those early weeks and how transitions can feel different for children with ADHD, autism, anxiety or additional needs.

A practical, reassuring listen for any parent preparing to wave goodbye at the Year 7 gates.

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Show notes

The Parent's Guide to Exam Stress is a new release and available via all usual booksellers. Website: katharineradice.co.uk

To join Katharine's mailing list for a fortnightly conversation piece about supporting children through school, it's https://katharineradice.co.uk/join-in.

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Exam season can bring stress to the entire household. From slammed bedroom doors and sleepless nights to younger children already feeling the pressure of assessment before secondary school is even on the horizon.

In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by education expert Katharine Radice, author of The Parent's Guide to Exam Stress, to unpack what exam pressure is really doing to our children, and to us as parents.

Are SATs putting too much pressure on children far too young? How do anxiety, ADHD, autism and perfectionism change the way exam stress shows up? And how can parents support revision without becoming the household drill sergeant?

With more than 20 years in education, Katharine shares practical, reassuring advice on spotting the signs a child is struggling, managing expectations, navigating post-exam meltdowns, and helping children build resilience without tying their self-worth to academic performance.

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Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram

Show notes

The Parent's Guide to Exam Stress is a new release and available via all usual booksellers. Website: katharineradice.co.uk

To join Katharine's mailing list for a fortnightly conversation piece about supporting children through school, it's https://katharineradice.co.uk/join-in.

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Andy Day is one of the UK's most recognisable faces in children's television, best known for sparking curiosity through his hugely popular Andy's Adventures series. But beyond the dinosaurs, safari trips and underwater explorations, Andy is also a musician, author, performer and all-round creative force.

On this episode of the My Baba Podcast, Ellie chats to Andy about life beyond the screen — from favourite films and bands to his real-life pop band Andy and the Odd Socks, writing bestselling children's books, and the brand new adventures currently in the works. If your family loves Andy, or you're simply curious about the man behind the khakis, this is a joyful listen.

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Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram

Show notes

Dino Racers: The Jungle Cup and The Lava Cup, by Andy Day. Illustrated by Alex Patrick. Availble from 18th June.

Instagram: @andyday81

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

From homework meltdowns and bedtime battles to the growing conversation around medication, parenting a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming, confusing, and often isolating. And for many families—especially those with girls—getting a diagnosis (and the right support) can take years.

In this episode of Parental Control, we sit down with Dr Olivia Kessel, medical doctor, neurodiversity advocate, and author of Beyond the Label, to unpack what ADHD really looks like behind the scenes.

We cover the realities parents don't always hear about: why homework becomes a nightly battle, how ADHD shows up differently in girls, the truth about medication stigma, and what's actually going on in the brain when sleep becomes a struggle.

Whether you're navigating a diagnosis, stuck on a waiting list, or simply wondering if your child might have ADHD, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight you can actually use.

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Show notes

BEYOND THE LABEL: EMPOWERING PARENTS OF ADHD GIRLS, by Dr Olivia Kessel, £16.99

https://sendparenting.com/

Dr Olivia on Insta: @drolivia.sendparenting

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Today we're joined by Katie Harrison from Picture News, an organisation that's been working closely with schools for years to help children engage with the world around them in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way.

In this episode, we're diving into something so many parents are thinking about right now — children's mental health, and the role movement can play in supporting it. We'll be talking about what's really going on for children today, what schools are seeing on the ground, and why initiatives like The Big School Workout, taking place this Mental Health Awareness Week on 14th May, in partnership with Joe Wicks, are more important than ever.

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Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram

Show notes

• Join the live broadcast online.
• Insta @picturenewsprimary

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Travelling with children can feel overwhelming. From packing and planning to keeping little ones entertained on long journeys. But according to family travel expert Jen Carr, it doesn't have to be stressful or expensive.

Jen is the founder of The Travel Mum, a hugely popular online platform where she shares some of the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week, alongside practical advice for travelling with children. Through her website and community, she has helped thousands of parents feel more confident about taking trips with their kids, from newborns to school age.

Now, with the launch of her new book Yes, You Can Travel With Kids, Jen is on a mission to show parents that family travel really can be enjoyable — even with babies, toddlers and unpredictable schedules.

In this interview, Jen shares her own experiences of travelling with children, the biggest fears parents have about family holidays, the money mistakes many families make when booking trips, and the simple mindset shifts that can make travelling with kids feel far more relaxed.

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Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram

Show notes

Yes, You Can Travel with Kids - Out Now at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bluqXb

What is My Baba?

My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting.

Visit mybaba.com

The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/