The summer holidays are in full swing... and if your usual routines have gone completely out the window, you're definitely not alone!

Whether you're juggling work and childcare, surviving later bedtimes, entertaining little ones, or simply trying to keep everyone fed, this special episode is here to remind you that you're doing a better job than you think.

00:54 – Keira Knightley gets refreshingly honest about sleep deprivation, survival mode and the reality of those early months

09:47 – Lucy Watson on letting go of expectations, trusting your instincts and why comparison is never helpful

19:03 – Carrie Hope Fletcher & Joel Montague discuss juggling careers and family life, and why you don't have to follow anyone else's path

25:18 – Lacey Turner shares why she's become more relaxed with each child, and why sometimes you just have to throw the parenting books out the window

35:37 – Emma Willis on why accepting help doesn't make you a bad parent...it makes you human!

☀️☀️☀️

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We might only be halfway through the summer holidays, but for many families the countdown to a new school year has already begun. And September can bring a whole mix of emotions for children and parents alike.

So, as part of Matalan’s Back to School Special, Giovanna sits down with NSPCC expert Gail Sayles to talk about something that can make all the difference when those school gates open again: confidence.

Drawing on years of supporting children through everything from school anxiety and bullying, to exams and friendship worries, Gail shares thoughtful, practical advice on how we can help our children navigate big feelings, build self-belief and feel empowered as they head back to school.

And the confidence doesn’t stop here! The Matalan Confidence Caravan is hitting the road this August, giving you the opportunity to add a personalised message to your little one’s pre-purchased Matalan uniform. The Confidence Caravan will be visiting four stores: Bilston, Preston, Luton and Swindon - check @shopmatalan or in-store for dates.

For more support, please visit the links below:

Childline counsellors are available to take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from children and young people under 19

NSPCC Helpline is available between 10am and 4pm, Monday - Friday if you have concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing

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Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. If you think you may find this difficult to listen to, please choose another episode x

You might know her from Pop Idol, starring in the West End as Tina Turner, or her recent stint joining Take That on tour, but this week Zoe Birkett is reflecting on her role as a mum.

Zoe shares with Gi how she never imagined motherhood for herself, how meeting her husband changed everything, and why returning to a career she loves has made her a better mum.

She also opens up about her experience of pregnancy loss while performing as a leading lady in the West End, opening up about navigating grief behind the scenes, and the support that helped her through.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of suicide, mental illness and childhood trauma that some listeners may find upsetting.

Ruthie Henshall has spent decades captivating audiences on stage, but in this episode she joins Giovanna to talk about the role that has shaped her most: being a mum!

Ruthie reflects on choosing motherhood at the height of her career, raising two daughters as a single parent, and how becoming a mum changed her ambitions forever.

She also opens up about her own childhood, the lasting impact it had on her parenting, and the unexpected healing she found with her mother later in life.

Ruthie's new memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, is out now!

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How has maternity care changed over the last few decades, and what still needs to improve?

In the final episode of this series, we reflect on the evolution of birth and look forward to the future of maternity care.

If you're interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife we'd love to hear from you! Just drop us an email [email protected]

Links from our midwives:

All4Maternity is the go to place for education and support if you’re a midwife or student midwife.

And All4Birth is the home for expectant and new parents - free, non-biased, evidence-based information! Curated by a midwife ❤️

BabySZN™ is a platform built to help women train specifically for fertility, pregnancy from a birthdual-qualified midwife and performance trainer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: This episode contains devastating conversations around child loss from a traumatic event, and themes of grief. Please do take care of yourself while listening, and know that it’s completely okay to step away and come back when you’re ready.

In this week's episode, Gi sits down with Jen Stancombe to honour the life of her daughter, Elsie Dot Stancombe.

In July 2024, seven-year-old Elsie was one of three young girls killed in the Southport attack. Jen joins Gi to share who Elsie truly was beyond the headlines: a joyful, caring, and inspirational big sister, who brought light to everyone she met.

Jen speaks about navigating the unimaginable grief alongside her husband David and their younger daughter, while sharing how love for Elsie continues to shape their family every day. She also reflects on the strength they've found in keeping Elsie's memory alive and the purpose they've discovered through the foundation created in her name.

We are incredibly grateful to Jen for trusting us with Elsie's story. To find out more about the incredible work being carried out in Elsie's memory, or to support the foundation, please visit Elsie's Story.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: this episode incudes challenging experiences relating to birth and baby loss. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please consider choosing another episode 💜

Fear and hope often exist side by side throughout pregnancy and birth.

This week two midwives highlight the importance of clear, compassionate communication -- from easing birth anxieties to supporting families through pregnancy loss.

If you're interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife we'd love to hear from you! Just drop us an email [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week make some noise for the first wrestler to join us on the podcast: WWE icon Becky Lynch!

Known to millions as The Man, Becky tells Gi about the moment she found out she was pregnant — while reigning as WWE Champion.

She also opens up about becoming a mum to daughter Roux during the pandemic and the challenges that followed, including post-weaning depression, grief after losing her father, and learning to see her body in a whole new light.

Watch Becky on WWE Raw live every Monday night exclusively on Netflix!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: this episode incudes challenging experiences relating to birth. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please consider choosing another episode 💜

When birth takes an unexpected turn, staying calm can make all the difference.

This week two midwives share the emergencies they'll never forget.

If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected]

Links from our midwives:

Little Light Support offers independent, trauma-informed birth debriefs for women and families — particularly those who’ve had complex, confusing or difficult experiences

East Anglian Midwives offer personalised pregnancy care, homebirth and hospital birth support, and postnatal care in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridge

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: this episode contains discussions around some difficult subjects including traumatic birth. If you think you may find this difficult to listen to, please choose another episode x

Former MP Theo Clarke joins Giovanna this week to share the story of how the birth of her daughter led her to become a campaigner for better maternity care.

Theo talks about navigating pregnancy while working in politics, including the challenges of having no statutory maternity leave as an MP and the pressure of being on duty during a period of major political upheaval.

She also opens up about her traumatic birth experience and the lack of adequate postnatal support she received afterwards, experiences that led her to launch the first UK parliamentary debate on birth trauma. Since then, she has continued campaigning alongside Louise Thompson for the introduction of an independent maternity commissioner.

UPDATE: Since recording this episode, the government has announced the appointment of the UK’s first-ever Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner, as part of efforts to improve maternity and neonatal care across England.

Links:

Follow Theo on Substack 

Breaking the Taboo book

Birth Trauma Association

Maternity Commissioner Petition

Our interview with Louise Thompson

Do you follow our new Substack yet? Join the private village behind the podcast! xx

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Was home birth different in the 1970s compared to today?

This week, two midwives take us inside the world of birth beyond the hospital: from pioneering one of the earliest home water births to facing the realities, risks, and unexpected moments that come with bringing a baby into the world at home — even when the carpet is cream!

If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected]

Links from our midwives:

All4Maternity is the go to place for education and support if you’re a midwife or student midwife.

And All4Birth is the home for expectant and new parents - free, non-biased, evidence-based information! Curated by a midwife ❤️

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.