In this episode of What They Don’t Tell You, Matt and Emily Norris sit down with Zak Marks, founder of Kitt Medical, to talk about the reality of living with severe allergies, both as someone who has them, and as parents raising a child with one.

Zak shares how his own experience with a life-threatening nut allergy inspired him to create Kitt Medical, a company on a mission to make schools and public spaces safer and better prepared for allergy emergencies.

Together, they dive into the everyday fears that come with allergies, from navigating school lunches and birthday parties to managing anxiety and helping kids gain independence.

Matt and Emily also open up about their son’s allergy journey, while Zak explains how Kitt Medical is changing the landscape of allergy preparedness and saving lives along the way.

This is an honest, hopeful, and empowering conversation for any parent navigating allergies, or anyone who wants to understand just how serious, and misunderstood,  they can be.

🎧 What They Don’t Tell You - Real conversations about parenting, marriage, and everything in between.

Speak to Kitt Medical:

https://kittmedical.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kittmedical

https://www.tiktok.com/@kittmedical

This week’s episode of What They Don’t Tell You is extra special, we’re joined by our 9-year-old son, Jackson. He has requested to make this episode for some time!

We ask him everything from the best thing about being nine to what food he’d eat forever, and his answers are just as funny and surprising as you’d expect. We also chat about what school should be like, the “totally unfair” rules at home, and what he thinks we get up to when he’s not around.

Along the way, we talk about sibling love, big future dreams, and even what law Jackson would make if he ruled the world. And of course, we finish with a rapid-fire round to find out if he’s team dogs or cats, pizza or tacos, and whether he’d rather fly or be invisible.

It’s a lighthearted, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud episode that gives you a glimpse into family life, from Jackson’s point of view.

This week on What They Don’t Tell You, we sit down with writer, podcaster, and queen of parenting honesty Cat Sims (@notsosmugnow) for a conversation that’s as funny as it is heartfelt.

From the hilarious chaos of parenting fails to the surprising lessons that come with raising kids, Cat opens up about the highs and lows of family life. 

She chats with us about how social media can be both a lifeline and a pressure cooker for parents, and shares her own approach to keeping her marriage strong while juggling kids, work, and everything in between.

We also dive into how to talk about anxiety and mental health with children, and what it really takes to keep the spark alive when you’re knee-deep in family life.

If you’ve ever laughed through a parenting fail, felt the weight of comparison online, or wondered how other couples make it work, this episode is a must-listen.

 

Follow Cat and order her books https://notsosmugnow.komi.io/

Back to School with Sophie David (Happy Little Learners)

Back-to-school season can stir up a mix of emotions - excitement, nerves, and even a bit of Sunday-night dread, for both kids and parents. 

In this episode, Emily and Matt sit down with Sophie David, founder of Happy Little Learners, to explore the unspoken pressures families face as September rolls around.

From big transitions like starting school for the first time or moving up to secondary, to supporting kids through worry and building motivation for learning, Sophie shares practical, play-based strategies to make the school journey smoother.

We talk about:

- Signs a child might be struggling with school changes

- How to support anxious children without overreacting

- Practical ways to beat the Sunday-night worry

- Making learning playful (and avoiding power struggles!)

- The surprising things parents overthink when it comes to school prep

Whether your child is eager to get back into the classroom or dragging their heels, this conversation is packed with tips to help you—and them—navigate the new term with confidence.

Follow Sophie https://www.instagram.com/littlehappylearners/

Visit her website https://www.littlehappylearners.co.uk/

This week on What They Don’t Tell You, Emily and Matt sit down with dietitian and author Nichola Ludlam-Raine to unpack the hot topic of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). From sneaky “healthy” products that are more processed than you’d think, to the everyday guilt parents feel about feeding their kids, Nichola breaks down the science in a relatable, real-world way.

They chat about how to make peace with UPFs without cutting everything out, the swaps that actually work for busy families, and why balance matters more than perfection. Plus, Nichola shares how writing her book changed the way she feeds her own family, and gives her top one small change tip for anyone feeling overwhelmed.

It’s a refreshing, guilt-free conversation about food, family, and the reality of modern life.

Follow Nichola https://www.instagram.com/nicsnutrition

Visit her website https://nicsnutrition.com/

Grab her book https://amzn.eu/d/3VZ9Uvw

This week on What They Don’t Tell You, we’re joined by the wonderful Louise Pentland - YouTuber, author, Disney superfan, and proud mum of two girls.

Emily and Matt sit down with Louise to chat about:

✨ Her lifelong love of Disney (and the magic that never fades)

✨ How her childhood shaped the way she parents today

✨ The unexpected joys and challenges of raising girls in 2025

✨ What it was really like being one of the original YouTubers

✨ Writing her brand-new children’s book, and whether her daughters approved!

✨ The highs, lows, and funny behind-the-scenes moments of her wedding day

Plus, Louise opens up about the pressures of sharing so much of her life online, how she protects time for herself and her family, and of course, she takes on our quick-fire round (spoiler: we get her ultimate Disney princess pick 👑).

It’s honest, heartfelt, and full of laughs, the kind of chat you’ll wish you were having over a glass of wine (or a Diet Coke!).

Get a copy of her amazing new children's novel 'Adventures in Lylaland' here https://amzn.eu/d/5FbAp9t

Follow Louise on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/louisepentland

and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Louisepentland

You will not be disappointed! xx

Fussy eating is one of those parenting challenges that can leave you stressed, second-guessing yourself, and wondering if your child will ever eat more than pasta and plain bread. In this episode of What They Don’t Tell You, we sit down with children’s eating expert Emma Shafqat to unpack everything parents need to know about picky eating.

We dive into:

What actually defines a “fussy eater” (and why it’s not just about refusing veggies)

The myths and misunderstandings that make parents feel like they’re failing

The biological and psychological reasons behind why kids might reject foods

The biggest mistakes parents make (without even realising it!)

Practical, realistic strategies to ease mealtime battles and help kids expand their food choices

When fussy eating is normal—and when it might signal a deeper issue

Whether you’ve got a toddler throwing peas on the floor or a school-aged child who won’t touch anything green, this conversation is full of reassurance, expert insight, and down-to-earth advice.

Reach Emma via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.withadifference/ 

or her website https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/emma-shafqat/

In this episode of What They Don’t Tell You, we’re joined by the brilliant Daisy Woods, better known online as Muddle Through Mummy. Daisy is hilarious, refreshingly honest, and a total pro when it comes to navigating life as a boy mum.

We chat all things raising boys, from sibling dynamics and never-ending mess to fussy eaters and the reality of screen time. Daisy also opens up about her journey into motherhood, including the challenges of postnatal depression, and shares her best mum hacks for making daily life that little bit easier.

And of course, we couldn’t resist talking family travel, from genius survival tips to hilarious holiday fails (we’ve had plenty of those too!).

We wrap things up with a quick-fire round where Daisy reveals her go-to dinner on busy nights, the one thing she wishes she could outsource forever, and the truth about what she wishes she’d known before becoming a parent.

If you’re a parent looking for a mix of laughter, honesty, and practical hacks, this one’s for you.

Follow Daisy on instagram https://www.instagram.com/muddlethroughmummy

and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@muddlethroughmummy 

In this episode of "What They Don’t Tell You", we sit down with the incredible Nadia Thorburn, mum of four, including a set of spontaneous triplets, for a raw and relatable conversation about what it’s really like to go from one child to four almost overnight.

From the moment she found out she was expecting triplets, to navigating a high-risk pregnancy, endless nappies, and zero sleep, Nadia shares the emotional and physical toll of raising multiples, and the unexpected joys too. She opens up about the impact on her relationship, mental health, and identity, as well as the often-overlooked reality of parenting three babies at once.

We dive into what daily life looks like, the myths people believe about triplets, and the incredible support system that keeps her going. Plus, she shares her top hacks and one golden piece of advice for any parent-to-be hearing the word "triplets" for the first time.

This is an honest, warm, and inspiring chat that pulls back the curtain on a parenting experience few truly understand, and you won’t want to miss it.

Follow Nadia on instagram https://www.instagram.com/nadia_thorburn

Today, we’re joined by two amazing guests - Stuart Armfield and Francis Haugen - for a powerful and honest conversation all about their journey to parenthood through surrogacy.

Stuart and Francis open up about the emotional rollercoaster of starting a family as a same-sex couple, the challenges they faced along the way, and the absolute joy of becoming dads. From the very first step to meeting their baby for the first time, this episode is full of heart, hope, and helpful advice for anyone considering surrogacy or curious about what the journey really looks like.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

When and why surrogacy became the right path for them

The emotional and practical realities of finding a surrogate

How they navigated unexpected challenges and supported each other

Handling judgment, assumptions, and awkward questions

What it felt like to meet their baby for the very first time

How becoming parents changed their relationship

The biggest surprises of fatherhood - and what they wish they’d known

Whether you’re exploring alternative paths to parenthood or just want to hear a truly heartwarming story, Stuart and Francis bring vulnerability, humour and inspiration to one of our most moving episodes yet.

✨ Follow Stuart https://www.instagram.com/stueyarmfield and Francis https://www.instagram.com/francishaugen

🎥 You can also watch their family journey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4851n8f6HEqxxpK8JCZ4bg  

Go to see their show

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2025/oct/stuart-and-francis-show-live