Beyond the Bump

This week we are welcoming back author, speaker and parenting educator Michelle Mitchell, and her new book Friendship Smart: A Parent’s Guide, for a deep dive into friendships in the tween and teen years. From the drama of year seven to group chats that never switch off, it’s honest, practical and full of lines you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. We discuss…

Why kids can tell you what makes a good friend but not how relationships actually work

What puberty does to the brain, and why your voice becomes one of many in a teenager’s world

Why “best friend” is a tricky label

Kind vs nice: why honesty is sometimes the kindest option, and why conflict can be like exercise

Don’t step into the boxing ring with a teenager

What makes a great friendship: safety, chemistry and effort

Changing schools, friends vs a fresh start, and why school is only one location

Group chats, phones out of bedrooms and why nothing online is private

Bullying, when to step in, and how to teach kids to be the safe person in the room

Find Michelle:
michellemitchell.org
Instagram: @michellemitchell.author

Beyond the Bump is hosted by Jayde Couldwell (@jaydecouldwell) and Sophie Pearce (@svpearce)

Come say hey over on
Instagram @beyondthebump.podcast
TikTok @beyondthebumppodcast
Facebook - Beyond the Bump Community Chats group 

Sign up to our monthly newsletter here for BTS, recommendations, outfits and more.

If you’d love to partner with the podcast, send us an episode idea or find out more, you can over here. 

We couldn’t do this without you, Bumpies. If you’re liking what you’re hearing, we’d love it if you could send us to a mama mate or leave a 5 star review.

There’s a python in the bunny cage… Plus, from health anxiety to the kids' questions we just don’t know how to answer, November is really Novembering! We discuss…

Health anxiety, and how the internet makes it worse

The pre-Christmas panic

An embarrassing moment with a tube of cream and a seagull on the label

How do you respond to your child saying they don’t like themselves?

Beyond the Bump is hosted by Jayde Couldwell (@jaydecouldwell) and Sophie Pearce (@svpearce)

Come say hey over on
Instagram @beyondthebump.podcast
TikTok @beyondthebumppodcast
Facebook - Beyond the Bump Community Chats group 

Sign up to our monthly newsletter here for BTS, recommendations, outfits and more.

If you’d love to partner with the podcast, send us an episode idea or find out more, you can over here. 

We couldn’t do this without you, Bumpies. If you’re liking what you’re hearing, we’d love it if you could send us to a mama mate or leave a 5 star review.

Life feels heavy and hectic, so we've decided what everyone needs is a big dose of light and lols. So this week it’s a different kind of Tuesday episode: your motherhood would you rathers, picked from the choices you sent in. 

Along the way we settle the big questions, such as:

Clean up spew or clean up diarrhea?

Morning routine forever or evening routine forever?

Forget the snack bag or forget the nappy bag?

Be sneezed on or have boogers wiped on your shoulder?

Tiny Barbie accessories or the high chair clean-up?

Be sick while your kid bounces off the walls or have your kid sick too?

This episode is proudly sponsored by iL Tutto and their Lola Electric Recliner Glider from the Trend Collection.  20% off using code BUMP20 on full priced items at iltutto.com.au. Valid until November 16 2026. 

Beyond the Bump is hosted by Jayde Couldwell (@jaydecouldwell) and Sophie Pearce (@svpearce)

Come say hey over on
Instagram @beyondthebump.podcast
TikTok @beyondthebumppodcast
Facebook - Beyond the Bump Community Chats group 

Sign up to our monthly newsletter here for BTS, recommendations, outfits and more.

If you’d love to partner with the podcast, send us an episode idea or find out more, you can over here. 

We couldn’t do this without you, Bumpies. If you’re liking what you’re hearing, we’d love it if you could send us to a mama mate or leave a 5 star review.

This Bumpie Group Chat we’re sharing the Mercury in retrograde energy at home (flooded driveways, dead appliances and a laundromat business idea that someone needs to build), plus some big hormone moods and a hot take on playground etiquette. We discuss…

Life on a flooded farm: mould, bin chickens and a very busy rooster

Perimenopause and the mood diary

How Sophie’s 3 year old coped with mum going away for work, and a very wise 8 year old.

Budgeting for dinner: the $5 meal challenge

Halloween: who loves it, who hates it, Lord Farquaad and Princess Fiona, and why you should keep decorations kid friendly

Playground etiquette: when do you step in if the other parents aren’t parenting?

This episode is proudly sponsored by Bonds. Their new Christmas collection is here, with matching sets for the whole family. Shop now at bonds.com.au or in your local Bonds store, while stocks last!

Beyond the Bump is hosted by Jayde Couldwell (@jaydecouldwell) and Sophie Pearce (@svpearce)

Come say hey over on
Instagram @beyondthebump.podcast
TikTok @beyondthebumppodcast
Facebook - Beyond the Bump Community Chats group 

Sign up to our monthly newsletter here for BTS, recommendations, outfits and more.

If you’d love to partner with the podcast, send us an episode idea or find out more, you can over here. 

We couldn’t do this without you, Bumpies. If you’re liking what you’re hearing, we’d love it if you could send us to a mama mate or leave a 5 star review.

We’re so happy to welcome back psychologist Yara, founder of Life After Birth Psychology, to help us navigate parenting in a tech heavy world, especially with AI on the rise. We discuss…

What a healthy relationship with technology actually looks like for a child

Teaching digital and AI literacy early, and why critical thinking is the real skill

Why connection and secure attachment are your most powerful tools

How to talk to other parents about screen rules, and what to do when you see something concerning

Front loading kids about what they might come across online

Why it’s not about trusting your kids, but about the billion dollar companies behind the apps

Resources mentioned:

Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Boy Mum by Ruth Whitman

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures by Kristen Jenson (picture book and older-kids version)

Cozyla: family organiser screen used for routines

Adolescence (Netflix)

This episode is proudly sponsored by Michael Hill. What’s the word that defined your 2026? Use code BEYONDTHEBUMP to save 10% online at michaelhill.com.au

Beyond the Bump is hosted by Jayde Couldwell (@jaydecouldwell) and Sophie Pearce (@svpearce)

Come say hey over on
Instagram @beyondthebump.podcast
TikTok @beyondthebumppodcast
Facebook - Beyond the Bump Community Chats group 

Sign up to our monthly newsletter here for BTS, recommendations, outfits and more.

If you’d love to partner with the podcast, send us an episode idea or find out more, you can over here. 

We couldn’t do this without you, Bumpies. If you’re liking what you’re hearing, we’d love it if you could send us to a mama mate or leave a 5 star review.