Welcome to this brand new mini-series of the Netmums Podcast: Cloud 9 is brought to you by Aldi Mamia. Hosted by Netmums Editorial Director Louise Burke, this series is designed for those quiet, early hours when you’re feeding or rocking your little one and feeling like you’re the only one awake. Join us as we delve into the highs, lows, and everything in between of new motherhood.

Today we welcome Olivia Bowen, a very familiar face for Love Island fans and star of ITV series Parenthood, alongside husband Alex. Olivia shares her journey through motherhood, including the recent arrival of her second child, baby Siena. She opens up about her traumatic birth experience and discusses the emotional complexities of postpartum recovery, including baby loss, birth trauma, and postnatal depression.

In this episode:

- Olivia’s candid reflections on her birth experience and recovery

- How she navigates the transition from one to two children

- The impact of postpartum anxiety and depression on her journey

- Strategies for managing the chaos of motherhood

- Finding joy in the small moments with her children

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content.

Website: netmums.com / Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry welcome Capital Breakfast’s Sian Welby. Sian, a devoted mum to one-year-old Ruby, shares her journey of balancing motherhood with a high-profile career, and the joys and challenges that come with it.

In this chat Sian opens up about the realities of parenting, the pressures of returning to work shortly after giving birth, and the importance of maintaining her identity amidst the chaos of motherhood. She reflects on her own experiences, including her recent interview with the iconic Taylor Swift, revealing how these moments shape her perspective as both a parent and a professional.

In this episode:

Sian's refreshing honesty and humour shine through as she discusses the complexities of modern parenting, offering relatable insights for all parents juggling similar struggles.

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry are joined by the remarkable Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and author of the memoir A Different Kind of Power. In this episode, Jacinda shares her unique experiences of balancing motherhood with the demands of leading a country, and parenting while in the public eye.

Jacinda opens up about the emotional juggle of early motherhood, the challenges of maternity leave, and the guilt that often accompanies working parents. She discusses her new picture book, Mum's Busy Work, which addresses the struggles parents face in managing work and family life, and how to communicate these challenges to children.

Jacinda’s book, Mum's Busy Work, is an inspiring and heartwarming book about the relationship between a working mum and her daughter.

This episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry are joined by Joeli Brearley, campaigner, author, and founder of Pregnant, Then Screwed. This episode explores the challenges of juggling motherhood with a career while tackling the systemic issues surrounding maternity discrimination.

Joeli shares her personal journey from experiencing pregnancy discrimination to launching a movement that has shaped policies and attitudes towards working parents. She discusses her new venture, Growth Spurt, designed to support parents as they navigate the return to work, providing practical resources and peer support.

In this episode:

- Joeli’s experience with pregnancy discrimination and its impact

- The importance of peer-to-peer support for parents

- Understanding the motherhood penalty and its implications

- Joeli’s vision for accessible childcare and its societal benefits

- The significance of having open dialogues with children about growing up

This episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia. 

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry are joined by A&E doctor turned mental health campaigner, author and Stompcast host Dr Alex George. Together, they dig into what young people are up against right now, how tiny daily routines can build big resilience, and why honest, calm conversations at home matter more than perfect fixes.

Dr Alex talks through “mental fitness,” the case for more wellbeing in schools, and his new children’s book Happy Habits, which helps kids build small, realistic routines for happier, healthier days. (Plus: Alison’s “raffle to buy a toy” saga becomes a teachable moment on dopamine!)

In this episode:

This episode is proudly sponsored by Aldi Mamia. 

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry are joined by the insightful author and podcaster, Gemma Styles. Together, they delve into the realities of motherhood, neurodiversity, and the importance of self-compassion amidst the chaos of parenting.

Gemma shares her journey as a new mum, discussing the challenges of navigating toddlerhood while managing her own mental health and ADHD. The conversation touches on the significance of building a supportive village, the joys and trials of second-hand shopping, and the impact of social media on parenting.

In this episode Gemma also shares some details with us about her partnership with Pura. Pura, the eco-conscious baby care brand. Pura’s wipes and nappies are toxin-free, allergy-approved, and designed with less plastic and more sustainable manufacturing. Gemma tells us all about Pura’s exciting nappy recycling initiative which currently recycles 60 million nappies annually in Wales, and the brand’s large-scale trial which is currently underway in Bristol.

In this episode:- 

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

In this episode of the Netmums podcast, hosts Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry discuss the often-overlooked issue of stress and its impact on parenting and self-care. Joined by fitness expert Shakira Akabusi, they explore the misconceptions surrounding postnatal bodies, the importance of pelvic floor health, and how movement can serve as medicine for mental well-being.

Shakira shares her personal experiences with motherhood and mental health, offering valuable insights for parents navigating the challenges of raising children while maintaining their health. Tune in for practical tips on how to prioritise self-care and foster a healthy mindset!

In this episode:

This episode is proudly sponsored by Aldi UK. 

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

In this episode of the Netmums Podcast, Stella Creasy, a Labour MP, discusses the challenges of balancing her political career with motherhood. She reflects on personal milestones, the importance of maternity leave, and the need for better childcare support. 

Stella also addresses the motherhood penalty, online abuse faced by women in politics, and advocates for changes in policies related to special educational needs and period poverty. The conversation emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of parents in political discussions and creating a more inclusive environment for all families.

In this episode:

This episode is proudly sponsored by Aldi UK.

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Alison & Wendy are thrilled to welcome the beloved Davina McCall, a true national treasure, and her co-author, midwife Marley Henry, to discuss their new book, Birthing. Fair warning - this episode gets emotional! The chat gets into the realities of conception, pregnancy, birth, and the often-overlooked postpartum period.

Davina shares her personal journey through motherhood, from the challenges of the fourth trimester to the importance of listening to her own needs, she emphasises the significance of love and boundaries in parenting. Midwife Marley Henry enters the chat half way through and adds her expertise as a midwife, offering invaluable advice to expectant parents about the birthing process and the importance of being informed about all available options.

In this episode: 

Don't miss out on the chance to grab a copy of Birthing for a comprehensive guide to your pregnancy journey.

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Alison & Wendy are joined by TV presenter, qualified life coach and therapist Anna Williamson (Celebs Go Dating, LuAnna podcast), for an honest chat about modern motherhood. Anna opens up about perinatal anxiety, postnatal depression, bonding struggles, and why asking for help is strength, not shame. She also talks about her Channel 4 series, The Great British Phone Switch, and her chart-topping podcast, The Affair, exploring why infidelity fascinates us and how some couples come back stronger.

In this episode:

Watch The Great British Phone Switch on Channel 4 (stream on demand), and listen to Anna’s podcast The Affair wherever you get your podcasts.

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums 

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative