Baby On The Brain

Ever feel like you’re throwing everything you’ve got at parenting only to end up completely exhausted? Whether you're a Type A mum battling a loss of control or a Type B struggling to keep up with the relentless mental load, maternal overwhelm hits us all differently.
In this episode of Baby on the Brain, we sit down with expert Emily to unpack why conventional wisdom fails mums and how to finally reclaim your balance. Plus, we introduce the Wheel of Life: a simple, game-changing coaching framework designed to help you pinpoint where your energy is leaking, set better boundaries and get back to feeling like you.

In this episode, we cover:
Why Type A and Type B personalities experience burnout differently
The trap of "working harder"
How to use the Wheel of Life tool to audit your mental load
Practical, micro-habits to restore balance this week
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you and your partner feeling less like lovers and more like logistics managers for a tiny, demanding boss? Welcome to Roommate Syndrome – the ultimate parenting rite of passage.
This week on Baby on the Brain, hosts Fliss and Miranda sit down with relationship and sex therapist Georgina Vass (15+ years experience) to break down what actually happens to our romantic dynamics after having children—and, most importantly, how to get the spark back.
Together, they dive deep into:
What "Roommate Syndrome" really is: Why it’s not a clinical diagnosis or a sign of falling out of love, but a natural (and temporary!) chapter.
Red flags vs. temporary slumps: How to tell if your relationship is going through a developmental "leap" or if you're sliding into deeper trouble.
The truth about scheduled sex: Why taking performance pressure off the table can actually save your sex life.
Why absence makes the heart grow fonder: The surprising downside of shared calendars, location tracking, and 24/7 texting.
Small wins & simple shifts: One immediate action you can take tonight to reconnect with your partner without taking a hot-air balloon to Paris!
Whether you’re stuck in the middle of bed-sharing logistics, drowning in task management, or just missing your partner's eye contact, this warm, honest, and funny episode is the realistic reality-check every parent needs.

Show notes and timestamps:
00:55 — What is Roommate Syndrome?
03:33 — Warning signs vs. temporary parenting chapters
06:36 — Tackling cognitive load imbalances and desire gaps
08:52 — Is scheduled sex actually effective?
11:17 — Competing with screens and household admin
17:55 — Why closeness can kill desire (and why you need "separateness")
23:30 — The single easiest thing you can do tonight to shift the dynamic
24:35 — This or That: Shared calendars vs. separate responsibilities
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Balancing fitness with the relentless demands of parenting often feels like an impossible task. Between juggling childcare logistics, full-time work and constant sleep deprivation, carving out time for personal wellness is usually the first thing to fall off the to-do list.

In this episode of Baby On The Brain, hosts Felicity Thistlethwaite and Miranda Larbi are joined by Shakira Akabusi – founder of Strong Like Mum, fitness expert, and mother of four – for an unfiltered, relatable dive into post-baby fitness. Together, they unpack why movement so often feels like a chore, dismantle the pressure of wellness tracking and high-intensity burnout and share how to rebuild a sustainable relationship with exercise.

From navigating different stages of motherhood to the power of micro-habits like ten-minute walking breaks and simple morning routines, this conversation offers a refreshing roadmap for taking the guilt out of movement. Tune in for practical advice, honest laughs, and a compassionate reminder that exercise should leave you feeling energised, not exhausted.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content note: discussion of severe depression and suicidal thoughts

In this episode of Baby On The Brain, host Stylist's Felicity Thistlethwaite and guest Alice Holland-Lu dive deep into the raw reality of early motherhood, maternal mental health and identity shifts.

Alice shares her personal journey through severe postnatal depression after giving birth during the 2021 lockdown – a period marked by isolation, a complex birth and a baby suffering from undiagnosed allergies. She speaks candidly about trying to "power through" before getting life-changing support from the NHS perinatal mental health team.

The conversation explores how women can feel blindsided by parenthood, the emotional toll of carrying an invisible workload and how Alice channeled her recovery into creating The Female Archetypes – an ethical London fashion brand designed to honour women’s changing bodies. Packed with honesty, comfort and practical wisdom, this episode is a reassuring reminder to take the pressure off and be kind to yourself.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Baby On The Brain, former fashion editor and celebrity stylist Kylie joins Stylist's Felicity Thistlethwaite to discuss her journey from high-pressure shoots and a hectic schedule to a grounded life running her stress-management platform, Stress Sucks, from a seaside cottage in Cornwall.

After years of traveling with bands and ignoring red flags from her body – including recurring infections, constant colds and sudden panic attacks – Kylie shares the turning point that forced her to redefine her relationship with work and wellness. Through encounters with an acupuncturist, a natural skincare expert and the reality of raising two young children while starting a new business, she realised how deeply chronic stress impacts the mind and body.

Kylie breaks down the physiological realities of fight-or-flight, demystifies burnout and offers practical, guilt-free strategies for overwhelmed mothers. Emphasising that rest is productive and "done is better than none," she shares four actionable micro-wellness habits – from low-pressure gratitude lists to spotting morning digital triggers—to help listeners navigate parenting and careers without burning out.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.