Super Mumma Podcast

What if the Mum you’re beating yourself up for not being is actually the exact Mum your children need - once you stop masking and start understanding?In this episode, Jenny Lucas shares her late autism diagnosis at 38, the shock of not feeling that instant rush of love, the breastfeeding battles, the sensory overload, and the crushing guilt of “failing” at the motherhood she’d imagined.What You’ll Learn- The Bond That Takes Time: Why not feeling instant love when your baby arrives is common, painful, and doesn’t make you a bad Mum.- Autism Behind the Overwhelm: How undiagnosed neurodivergence turned everyday motherhood into constant struggle and the relief of finally understanding why.- You Are Enough: Letting go of the “perfect Mum” myth and embracing that doing your best with the brain you have is more than enough. Jenny’s story is a gentle reminder that lands like a warm hug: you are enough, exactly as you are – neurodivergent wiring, messy days, and all. Learn more about Jenny at audhdistically.me.

In this episode, I sit down with Pete Wallroth, widower, single dad to Martha and Merlin, and founder of the charity Mummy's Star. Pete shares his family's story: discovering breast cancer at 22 weeks pregnant with their second child, navigating chemotherapy alongside maternity care, the joy of donor milk, and the devastating loss of his wife Maya. We explore maintaining normality for a three-year-old, the power of honest conversations, and how grief transformed into purpose through launching Mummy's Star. What You’ll Learn Navigating Diagnosis: How early referral and proactive midwifery support turned fear into a manageable plan, preserving pregnancy choices where possible. Family Resilience: Practical ways to involve young children through role play, scarf routines, and open honesty to ease the unknown and build connection. Turning Loss into Legacy: Steps to channel personal tragedy into peer support, from informal cafe chats to training thousands of health professionals on cancer in pregnancy. Pete's courage in rebuilding life as a trio while creating Mummy's Star reminds us that even in deepest grief, we can forge paths of profound support and healing for others.Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What happens when the classroom stops working for your child but the world keeps insisting it should? In this episode, I sit down with Caro Giles, author of Unschooled. Through honest, raw and hopeful conversation, Caro shares her journey as a single mother raising four children, two of whom cannot thrive in a traditional school setting. What begins as a story of education quickly unfolds into a broader exploration of identity, motherhood, and the invisible labour of unpaid carers. Caro reflects on the reality of fighting systems that don’t quite fit, the emotional toll of advocating for children who mask their struggles, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild a sense of self amidst it all. What You’ll Learn When School Doesn’t Fit: Why some children simply can’t thrive in mainstream education and what unschooling really means in practice. The Invisible Load: How unpaid caring affects identity, mental health and everyday life and why mothers’ voices matter. Finding Yourself Again: Caro’s reflections on reclaiming joy, hope and identity while parenting through complexity. Caro’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and honesty. It’s a reminder to every mum who’s fighting battles no one else can see: you’re not alone, and your story matters.Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if the biggest pressure in motherhood isn’t what others expect of us but what we expect of ourselves? In this episode, I’m joined by writer and journalist Rhiannon Cosslett, author of The Republic of Parenthood. Drawing from her much-loved Guardian columns and her own experiences as a mum, Rhiannon explores why so many of us feel the need to get everything “right” - from the perfect nursery to the perfect bedtime routine and how that pressure seeps into our everyday lives. Rhiannon speaks openly about the mental load of modern motherhood, the power of honest conversations, and why letting go of the idea of perfection can create space for something far more meaningful: connection, community, and self-compassion. What You’ll Learn Releasing Perfection: How social media, comparison, and unrealistic expectations feed mum guilt and how to step back from it. Redefining Motherhood: Why honest conversations and shared experiences can ease isolation and build real community. Owning Your Journey: How embracing imperfection helps you trust your instincts and reclaim your confidence as a parent. This conversation is a powerful reminder that perfection was never the goal - love, presence and doing our best is more than enough. The Republic of Parenthood: On Bringing Up Babies is a powerful and honest exploration of what it really means to raise children today. Blending personal reflection with sharp cultural insight, Rhiannon’s’ book examines how parenthood shape’s identity, community, society and why it deserves to be treated as a shared responsibility, not a private struggle.Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Laura Kyrke Smith MP, representing Aylesbury, shares her personal journey of loss and advocacy for maternal mental health. Following the tragic loss of her best friend Sophie, who struggled with postnatal depression, Laura opens up about the impact of grief on her motherhood journey and the urgent need for mental health support for new mothers.We discuss the challenges of motherhood, the stigma that often surrounds maternal mental health, and the systemic changes needed in healthcare to better support mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. Laura also shares how she is using her role in Parliament to raise awareness, implement meaningful changes, and highlight the vital role of community support for mothers.This episode is a heartfelt and honest conversation about the realities of postnatal depression, the importance of speaking openly about mental health, and why every mum deserves support, understanding, and connection.*A gentle trigger warning* In this episode we will be talking about suicide and mental health. They are sensitive topics so please take care of yourself while listening and it is absolutely okay to pause and come back to it if you're not ready.

In this episode of the Super Mumma podcast, I chat with Greer Jones about the real impact of public statements on neurodivergent children and their mum. Sparked by some recent, controversial comments in the media. We dive into the emotional weight of stigma, the guilt and judgement mums often feel, and why it’s so important to shift the focus from “fixing” neurodivergence to offering support and understanding. We also talk about the role media plays in shaping perceptions of autism and why community, connection, and advocacy are so vital for neurodivergent families. This is a conversation for any mumma who’s ever felt blamed, misunderstood, or simply in need of solidarity.

In this heartfelt episode, Esther and I dive into the beautiful and empowering world of homebirth. Whether you’re curious about what it really involves, weighing your birth options, or simply want to hear authentic stories from mums who’ve chosen to welcome their babies at home, this episode is for you. We explore the emotional journey, practical preparations, and the realities of homebirth, offering support and insight for every mum-to-be.Join us as we discuss:The key benefits and challenges of homebirthPersonal stories from mums who’ve experienced homebirthHow to prepare emotionally and physically for birthing at homeThe role of midwives and support networksTips for creating a calm, safe environmentCommon myths and fears around homebirth debunkedIf you’re considering homebirth or simply want to understand it better, this conversation will give you a warm, honest look into this beautiful way of bringing new life into the world.Let's get the conversation started...

In this solo episode, I’m sharing something really personal... the grief that came with realising I live with anxiety and that it’s not something I can just get rid of.I open up about the moment it hit me that I’d never go back to the version of me who could do things without overthinking, who wasn’t constantly managing anxious thoughts in the background. And how that realisation came with its own kind of grief , one we don’t often talk about as mums.This isn’t about being ‘fixed’ or ‘cured’, it’s about learning to live with anxiety, understanding it, managing it, and finding acceptance (on the good days and the tough ones). I also talk about how isolating this journey can feel and why these honest conversations really matter.So if you’ve ever found yourself missing the ‘old you’ or wondering why it’s so hard to just be okay ,this one’s for you. You’re not alone in this, and it’s okay to grieve the version of yourself you’ve had to leave behind.Let’s keep talking about the bits of motherhood and mental health that don’t always get said out loud.