MUMBELIEVABLE with Sonia Beldom

Martine Croxall is a journalist and TV news presenter, currently working for the BBC. Her tenure at the beeb has not been without incident. She was suspended for 11 days for an impartiality review after a comment she made about Boris Johnson withdrawing from the Conservative party leadership contest being "very exciting". She was reinstated but later, along with a number of other journalists, was axed from her presenting job. She sued the BBC for discrimination on a number of grounds and she's back on the air. Sonia finds out about Martine's background and the influence of her parents but particularly her mother.

Edd China is the quintessential British eccentric; TV presenter, inventor, engineering product designer and Wheeler Dealers’ favourite mechanic. Fixing things, Engineering Product Design, innovation and mechanical engineering are what make him tick. Always keen to connect things that aren't normally connected, he created the World's first street legal driving sofa in 1998; the ‘Casual Lofa’, which got him his first Guinness World Record for “Fastest Furniture” at 87mph! Since then he’s gone on to set many other records, most recently; World's Fastest Electric Ice Cream Van revolutionising the industry by developing the World's first all electric ice cream van. In Mumbelievable he talks to Sonia about the influence his dynamic mother had on him and how she stopped him becoming a top sportsman instead of the career he chose. Sonia was his producer on the successful Panic Mechanic tv show.

In this episode of 'Mumbelievable,' host Sonia welcomes renowned jazz singer Ian Shaw to share heartfelt and humorous stories about his mother, Megan. From her life in North Wales and her eccentric ways to her struggle with agoraphobia, Ian's recounting of his childhood is both touching and amusing. The episode delves into Megan's influence on Ian's musical journey, her remarkable red hair, and her battle with agoraphobia. Ian talks about how his mother's unique character had a profound impact on his life and career. The episode wraps up with Sonia's 'Mini Mum Survey,' where Ian reflects on the funniest, most cringe-worthy, and most admirable aspects of his mum. Ian was born in St Asaph in North Wales and took his music degree at the University of London. His career in performance began in the 1980s on the alternative cabaret circuit, alongside such performers as Julian Clary and Jo Brand. At the same time, he was playing in piano bars and at festivals in London and throughout Europe. He is the host of International Ronnie Scott's Radio.00:00 Introduction to Mumbelievable Podcast00:42 Guest Introduction: Ian Shaw01:46 Ian Shaw's Mother: Megan's Story02:16 Musical Family Background03:29 Eccentricities and Agoraphobia05:04 Food Memories and Eating Disorders06:26 Neighbourhood Characters and Childhood Memories08:48 Unfulfilled Talents and Rejection Letters14:23 Funny Misunderstandings and Mix-ups16:25 Funny Group Names and TV Concepts17:02 Memories of Barbara Windsor17:59 Mother's Agoraphobia and Support21:06 Post-War Generational Issues25:06 Cherished Memories and Voices29:26 Mini Mum Survey31:44 Conclusion and Farewell

David Baddiel's latest book is all about his family and much of the narrative concerns his Mumbelievable mother. You possibly won't believe some of the stories about her but they're true. Sonia shares mum stories with David - two women who were in some ways similar but in reality poles apart. This is a must listen!In this episode of Mumbelievable, host Sonia Beldom talks with comedian, author, and television presenter David Baddiel about his new book "My Family: The Memoir" They dive into the quirky and often embarrassing antics of their mothers, sharing stories that are both hilarious and poignant. David recounts his mother's obsession with golf memorabilia and her affair with a collector, revealing the complexity of her character and the unusual upbringing he experienced. They also discuss the challenges and joys of having eccentric, transgressive mothers and how these relationships shaped their lives. Sonia and David celebrate the vivid, flawed, and ultimately lovable personalities of their mums, weaving humour and heartfelt moments into their conversation.00:00 Introduction to Mumbelievable podcast00:27 Meet David Baddiel: A Comedian's Tale01:44 Embarrassing Mum Stories02:07 The Truth About Family Dynamics07:20 The Golf Obsession and David White10:31 A Mother's Fantasies and Realities14:27 The Impact of Trauma and War22:20 Reflections on a Flawed but Beloved Mother22:40 The Complexity of Maternal Love23:32 A Mother's Eccentricities and Love24:25 The Impact of a Mother's Actions25:11 Family Dynamics and Mental Health27:38 Parental Neglect and Personal Growth31:15 Humour as a Coping Mechanism33:49 Exploring Maternal Sexuality37:55 The Blurred Lines of Truth and Fiction44:38 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Zebedee Soanes, was born in Lowestoft in Suffolk. Zeb is a British radio presenter, you’ll recognise the voice, who hosts the weekday evening music show Relaxing Evenings with Zeb Soanes on Classic FM. He was previously a newsreader and continuity announcer on BBC Radio 4. He presents live concerts, specialising in narrated orchestral work. He’s also published the children’s book series Gaspard the Fox.

Judi Spiers, the amazing broadcaster on tv and radio (currently Boom Radio), has a whole raft of stories to share with Sonia about her mum. From the Buckingham Palace garden party story to the Passover recipe she demonstrated on Judi's tv show, Judi is clearly a chip of the old block!

Frank Allen was a leading light, well actually, bass guitar with the 60s super group, The Searchers - 6 Top 10 Hits including 3 No1s. His mum never had a record player so she didn't buy any of his records and she didn't actually go to see him play. Nevertheless, she was a supportive mum even though she thought leaving his job at Penguin Books was a bit of a risk.

At the age of 15, Jordon Cox started to look for ways to save money in a bid to help his mum who was struggling with her finances. In the process he discovered the benefit of coupons and has dedicated himself to sharing that knowledge, earning him the nickname, The Coupon Kid. Jordon tells us about his mum, Debbie, their visual similarities (and differences!), how she reacted to him appearing on TV and why Disney World is such a special destination for them both.