1: Finding Strength: Mum of two Olivia Bowen on the support that saved her after pregnancy and birth trauma
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
*Sensitive content warning – this episode features discussions on baby loss, birth trauma and postnatal depression.
This episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia, the award-winning baby range loved by parents.
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
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S17 Ep10: The reality of juggling parenting and career ambition with Sian Welby
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:
The challenges of balancing a high-profile career with motherhood
How to navigate the pressures of returning to work after maternity leave
The importance of self-care for parents and caregivers
Finding joy in the small moments with your children
Encouraging open conversations about parenting roles in relationships
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
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S17 Ep9: Being a mum whilst running a country with Jacinda Ardern
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.
In this episode:
The realities of being a working mother in a high-profile role
Managing ‘Mum guilt’ and expectations as a parent
The importance of sharing the parental load between partners
How to maintain values and kindness in parenting
Advice for new parents returning to work after maternity leave
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
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S17 Ep8: What is the motherhood penalty? With Pregnant Then Screwed founder, Joeli Brearley
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
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S17 Ep7: Happy kids, happy lives: parenting insights from Dr. Alex George
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:
Why schools should balance grades with wellbeing (and life skills like money basics)
The “life audit”: a 5-minute way to choose the one habit that moves the needle
Simple family habits that stick (hello, 10-minute morning nature walk)
How to talk to children about grief, worry and eating disorders without “fixing”
Mental fitness vs. mental health: building resilience and capacity for joy
Alex on ADHD & OCD: what diagnosis changed and what “normal” even means
Boundaries with reality TV and choosing goals that align with your values
A sneak peek at Alex’s next book, Am I Normal?, coming in January
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
The award-nominated podcast with an unvarnished take on parenting, featuring well-known guests. Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry chat with celebrities, authors and public figures about birth stories, parenting fails, teen troubles and everything in between.
Ireland