The PANDAS Foundation Podcast

Becoming a father can bring huge changes to identity, relationships and mental health, but men can often be treated as supporting characters in the parenting story.

In this episode of the PANDAS Foundation Podcast, Annie Belasco speaks to Dr Anna Machin, evolutionary anthropologist and leading expert on fatherhood, about what really happens to men when they become dads.

From bonding, the pressure to be “the rock” to relationship strain, they also discuss why perinatal depression and anxiety can sometimes look different in men in the form of frustration, withdrawal or feeling unable to cope.

For women, it’s a look at what may be happening for a partner alongside your own transition into parenthood. And for men, whether you’re preparing for fatherhood, finding your feet, or struggling quietly, it’s a reminder that your experience matters too.

PANDAS Foundation is here to support you and we’d love to hear about your transition to fatherhood too, so please reach out.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does genuinely inclusive care look like during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood?

In this episode, Sally speaks with Safura Houghton from The Lantern Initiative, an organisation working to improve mental wellbeing within Muslim communities, to explore how faith, culture and mental health intersect during one of the most vulnerable periods of a parent’s life.

They explore the experiences of Muslim women within maternity services, from repeatedly having to request privacy and modesty to feeling judged, unheard or unable to bring spiritual practices into the birth room. They also consider the emotional cost of constantly monitoring how you speak, dress or express your needs and the lasting impact that a loss of dignity or agency can have after birth.

They ask how healthcare professionals, organisations and all of us to move beyond assumptions and make space for each parent as a whole person. Sometimes inclusion begins with one simple question: “Are there any considerations or adjustments you would like us to be aware of?”

Follow The Lantern Initiative on Instagram.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the baby you dreamed of isn’t quite as you imagined?

Dr Nina Francis explores the phenomenon often called 'gender disappointment' and explains why the term may be doing more harm than good.

She and Sally unpack the language, stigma and silence surrounding a topic many parents experience but few feel able to talk about openly.

Drawing on her ground-breaking research and lived experience, Nina explains why these feelings are about far more than disappointment, how societal expectations shape our hopes and expectations for parenthood, and why shame and dismissal can stop parents seeking support when they need it most.

But it’s also a reminder that difficult feelings do not make you a bad parent and that there are ways to face and move past these thoughts and emotions.

You can learn more about Nina and find support for RIFis (Rupture of an Imagined Future due to infant sex) at her website.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Just cherish every moment."

It's one of the most common messages parents hear but it can be one of the most difficult.

Sally Bunkham talks to award-winning podcast host, motherhood coach and maternal mental health advocate Laura Guckian about the realities of modern motherhood. Together they explore the pressure to be the "perfect mother", the myth of mum guilt, neurodivergence, identity shifts, and what happens when motherhood looks very different from the picture we were sold.

Laura shares her own experience of severe maternal mental health challenges, including spending time in a psychiatric hospital when her son was ten months old, and the journey that ultimately led to discovering her family's neurodivergence.

This is a conversation about throwing away impossible expectations, questioning the "shoulds" of motherhood, and creating a version of parenting that works for you.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From identity loss to perfectionism, overwhelm, overstimulation and neurodivergence, parenthood can often throw us challenges we don’t expect.

Psychologist and maternal wellbeing advocate Dr Tuesday Watts Overall joins Sally Bunkham to talk about the emotional realities that so many parents experience but rarely talk about.

Alongside all the good stuff – love, gratitude and joy – parents can also end up placing impossible pressure on themselves to "get it right". Tuesday shares her own journey from academic psychologist to mother of three, and explains why so many women feel lost when their pre-parenthood rules for success don’t work in a new context. Plus, she shares how she navigated this transition as a family for a happier, more balanced experience.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply moving episode, Annie is joined by Pete Wallroth, father and CEO of Mummy's Star, a leading charity supporting families affected by cancer during pregnancy or in the early years of parenthood. Annie Belasco, CEO of PANDAS, brings personal insight to this conversation, having previously been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.

Pete shares the story of his wife Maya’s breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy, the shock and uncertainty that followed, and the realities of navigating cancer treatment alongside impending parenthood. He speaks honestly about balancing fear and pragmatism, supporting a partner through treatment, maintaining normality for their daughter, and welcoming their son while living with the constant unknown.

Pete reflects on Maya as a woman and a mother her compassion, inclusivity and quiet strength. He also describes the intimate, everyday moments that helped their family cope, from honest conversations with their young daughter to finding control during physical changes brought on by treatment.

Following Maya’s death just weeks after their son’s birth, Pete explains how grief, isolation and a lack of tailored support became the driving force behind the creation of Mummy's Star. What began as a response to lived experience has grown into a vital service offering emotional support, advocacy and financial help to families facing cancer during pregnancy or early parenthood.

This episode is raw, compassionate and powerful a testament to love, loss, resilience and the life-changing impact of being truly seen and supported during the hardest moments.

Important:

A gentle heads-up that this podcast series may include themes across the full spectrum of mental illness. Topics may include cancer, bereavement, suicide, baby loss, self-harm, domestic violence and other upsetting subjects. Please take care while listening.

Since this episode was recorded, our CEO Annie has received a cancer diagnosis. She is now recovering and surrounded by love and support, and we look forward to warmly welcoming her back in January 2026.

To listen, search for The PANDAS Foundation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. More episodes will be released over the coming weeks

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. 

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the “problem” was never you or your baby but a world that hasn’t learned how to support neurodivergent families?

This time on the PANDAS Foundation Podcast, Sally Bunkham speaks with Victoria White — birth and postnatal doula, founder of Neurodivergent Birth CIC, and mother to two neurodivergent children — about her powerful journey through new parenthood, mental health struggles, and discovering neurodivergence in her family and herself.

From the challenging early days with her first baby, Victoria became aware of the overwhelming sensory needs that no professional seemed able to explain, and the fear and burnout that shaped her postnatal mental health. As she searched for answers, her daughter’s autism and ADHD diagnoses opened a new chapter of understanding and ultimately inspired Victoria to build the ground-breaking service she wished she’d had herself.

In this chat we explore the barriers neurodivergent parents face in pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood; how sensory processing, executive functioning, and communication differences shape the perinatal experience; and why so many neurodivergent families fall through the gaps of traditional maternity care. They also discuss the incredible new research emerging in this area, the free resources now available through Neurodivergent Birth and PANDAS, and the urgent need for policy change to support families more holistically.

Every journey is different, and every experience is valid.

You can find Victoria’s book here.

And listen to the Neurodivergent Birth Podcast here.

Trigger Warning: This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The journey into parenthood looks different for all of us, but getting the right help can transform our experiences.

This week, Annie Belasco speaks with Rachel — a mum of two whose journey through perinatal mental illness, baby loss and PTSD ultimately became a powerful story of recovery. From the moment her mental health spiralled after a traumatic birth, to the heartbreak of losing a much-wanted pregnancy, Rachel opens up about how she found her way back with the right support, compassionate care and transformative therapy.

Rachel shares the reality of intrusive thoughts, the loneliness of grief, and the fear of facing pregnancy again — but also the turning points: reaching out for help, discovering EMDR therapy, reconnecting with her baby, and finally welcoming her son with joy and confidence.

Rachel’s story is honest and hopeful — a reminder that recovery is possible, support is out there, and no parent should face these feelings alone.

Trigger Warning: This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the PANDAS Foundation Podcast, Charlotte Howden, CEO of Pregnancy Sickness Support, shares her personal journey through hyperemesis gravidarum (HG): a severe and often misunderstood condition causing extreme sickness during pregnancy.

Charlotte tells us about her own harrowing experience with HG, the struggle to be taken seriously by healthcare professionals, and how her journey led her to dedicate her career to helping others facing the same battle. Sally and Charlotte discuss the vital link between HG and perinatal mental health, the groundbreaking research that’s finally shedding light on the causes of HG, and the life-saving work her charity is doing to support sufferers and their families.

They also touch on the stigma and misinformation surrounding pregnancy sickness, the devastating impact of being dismissed by medical professionals, and the importance of early intervention and compassionate care.

Trigger Warning: This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Emma Hilling is a dedicated PANDAS volunteer and mum of two enjoying the chaos of birthday parties and toddler milestones. But when her second child was born she experienced severe postnatal anxiety.

She speaks to Sally Bunkham about her experiences of perinatal anxiety, insomnia and recovery through the support of a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU).

Emma talks about the terrifying physical symptoms that first masked her anxiety, the loneliness of sleepless nights, and the moment she realised she needed urgent help. She takes us through her time in an MBU — the fear, the kindness, the friendships - and ultimately the hope that came from the support she found there.

Now thriving and giving back as a volunteer for PANDAS, Emma reflects on how far she’s come and offers wisdom for any parent feeling lost, anxious, or scared to reach out for help.

Trigger Warning: This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.