What's the best thing to say to someone who's in mourning? Is the second year of grief really the hardest? And who was the lead singer of Westlife? Helping us answer all these questions is the amazing Stacey Heale! 

She tells us what it was like to lose her husband, Greg, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer on their daughter's first birthday. Stacey explains what life is like now, nearly three years after his death. We discuss Widow's Fire - the phenomenon of bereaved people who turn to sex for comfort. Plus, the best and worst ways to help someone you love through the grieving process. 

It all sounds a bit dark, doesn't it? But honestly, we have loads of laughs along the way. We also take a deep dive into the live advice of Ireland's greatest philosopher-king, Ronan Keating, and discover Helen knows nothing about boy bands. We finish with some Scummy Mummy Confessions involving wee and a close encounter with a member of Bros. 

Stacey's brilliant book, Now is Not the Time for Flowers, is out now. Follow her on insta @stacey_heale.

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* We have one more show this summer, in Sevenoaks on 19 July. Then in the autumn we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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This special bonus episode was recorded on Saturday 6 July, just two days after the general election. We got to interview Jess Phillips MP in front of a live audience at the Birmingham MAC, and she was brilliant. 

We covered loads of topics including Jess's work in the areas of women's rights and domestic violence, what she wants the new Labour government to prioritise, and what she thinks of Starmer's cabinet appointments. We also talk about the abuse suffered by Jess and her staff in the run-up to the election, and why she thinks it was the worst campaign she's ever been involved in. 

Plus: fancying Stanley Tucci, why becoming an MP is like joining the NCT, and parliamentary hairdressers - do Tories have better hair? 

After all that we had some questions from the audience that were so brilliant we ran out of time (forgot) to do the Scummy Mummy Confessions. But if that's your favourite bit of the show, have no fear - we have something special coming soon. Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you don't miss out. 

Huge thanks to Jess Phillips, and a massive thank you to the Birmingham MAC for having us. If you're round that way do check out their Motherhood Season - there are loads of amazing talks, exhibitions, workshops and more running right through September. 

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* We have one more show this summer, in Sevenoaks on 19 July. Then in the autumn we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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

Our guest for this episode is best-selling author, dear friend and Saturday Kitchen wine expert Helen McGinn! 

She tells us what wine we should be looking for in the shops this summer. We discuss whether Whispering Angel is worth the money, and McGinn gives us some suggestions for budget rosés, cheap fizz, picnic wines, and what to stick in the fridge if you fancy a nice chilled red. We find out what goes on behind the scenes at Saturday Kitchen, who McGinn's favourite celeb guests have been, and which one she got told off for staring at.

There's also some book chat as McGinn tells us how she's managed to write four bestsellers and counting. She explains how her creative process has changed, and reveals the biggest lesson she's learned about writing fiction. We round off with some Scummy Mummy Confessions involving a hamster, lying to children, and al fresco rumpy pumpy.

This episode was recorded at the Park Lane Hilton - huge thanks to them for having us.

Here are McGinn's wine recommendations.

Majestic Agapi rosé

M&S Asti Secco

Sainsbury's rosé cava

Waitrose Susumaniello

McGinn's brilliant new book, Island of Dreams, is out now. Do check out the Knackered Mother's Wine Club, Homemade Cocktails and Helen's other novels, too. 

Thanks for listening!

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How do you get a book deal? Is Michael Buble's music for life, or just for Christmas? What's it like to watch your husband simulate anal sex with one of Britain's leading actors? Answering all these questions is the brilliant Beth Morrey! 

She tells us how her first novel ended up in a bidding war after facing loads of rejections, and how her writing process works now. We hear her top tip for avoiding procrastination, and learn why she doesn't read her own reviews. 

Then yes, it's a bit early, but we discuss Ellie and Beth's shared love of all things Christmas. Are they insane, or just organised? You decide! (NB There is a bit of Santa chat here, so maybe skip ahead if there are little ones around...)

Beth talks about the hilarious back to school photos she does every year with her husband, Magic Radio's Tom Price. We brainstorm some new ideas for her. And if you remember Tom's Billie Piper story from previous episodes, get ready to enjoy a whole new layer of hilarity. 

We end with Scummy Mummy Confessions - you may never eat cherries again. 

Beth's fantastic new book, Lucky Day, is out now. Find her on Insta and X @bethmorrey.

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Come and see our live comedy show in Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, Sevenoaks... Big Scottish tour in October... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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

Our guest for this episode is the amazing Caro Tasker. We cover a huge range of topics, including baby loss, raising autistic kids, and how trauma can help you discover who you are. 

There's also some much less serious nonsense. Why doesn't anyone use the word git any more? Is being married to a famous rugby player like being in Footballers Wives, only with different shaped balls? What was it like to be a guest at Harry and Meghan's wedding, and what's the one sentence George Clooney said to Caro? 

Ellie and Caro are co-hosting the new Borne Podcast, so we chat about that, and the amazing research the charity is doing into preventing premature birth. We sing the praises of Professor Mark Johnson and his Justice League of Fannies (not his terminology.) Caro discusses the amazing gift the prof gave her, and Ellie talks about the weight he took off her shoulders. 

You can follow Caro on Insta @spikey, and find The Borne Podcast wherever you found this one. 

This episode is dedicated to Freddie, with love. 

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Come and see our live comedy show in Liverpool, Nottingham, Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, York, Sevenoaks... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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

It's a transatlantic party in this episode as we meet KK and Kerry, the world's second best female comedy double act! We hear about their fab show, Six Chick Flicks, and they tell us the best meet cute stories they've heard from audience members. 

We discuss how they're enjoying their UK tour, including what they think of Scunthorpe and why they love M&S. Kerry tells us about the time she auditioned to be a theme park princess, and Ellie reveals the reason she got turned down for a job at the Disney Store. 

There's a bit of political chat - we touch on Trump, Sunak, and the terrifying recent changes to US abortion law. Then it's business as usual as we round up with some incredibly low brow confessions involving broken toilets and peeing yourself on stage. 

Six Chick Flicks - aka A Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced on the Beaches while writing a Notebook on the Titanic - is going all around the UK right now! Grab your tickets from sixchickflicks.com.

*WE ARE ON TOUR TOO!* Come and see our live comedy show in Mansfield, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, York, Sevenoaks... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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This episode is all about the new weight loss drug Ozempic - what are the risks? What are the benefits? How does it actually work? Joining us is author Johann Hari, who has written a book all about it. 

Just to be clear: this is a full and frank discussion about the issues around weight loss, the body positivity movement, and the health risks of obesity. We hear some tough stats about the dangers of being overweight, and some graphic descriptions of fat shaming. There's also some strong language. 

Johann tells us about his personal experience of taking Ozempic, and whether he'd recommend it to his friends. We find out why one scientist has predicted 30 per cent of us will be on the drug in a few years, and why its invention could be as significant for society as the arrival of the smartphone. 

Speaking of which - we ask Johann if he's successfully cured himself of his phone addiction since we last had him on the podcast to discuss his previous book, Stolen Focus. 

We end of course with Scummy Mummy Confessions, and a discussion of whether Princess Diana used the C word. 

Johann's book, Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight Loss Drugs, is out now. You can find all his gubbins over at johannhari.com.

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Come and see our live comedy show in 2024! We are on our way to Oxford, Swansea, Cardiff, Mansfield, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, York, Sevenoaks... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

Correction: ‘In episode 281 interview with Johann Hari, discussing the new weight-loss drugs, Johann said the British food critic Jay Rayner took Ozempic and lost his pleasure in food. It was, in fact, a different writer.’

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Yes, it really has been 25 years since Ralph's Party was released! You are that old! Here to talk about that book, and all the brilliant ones she's written since, is best-selling author Lisa Jewell. 

She tells us about her writing process, and how she cured herself of imposter syndrome. Lisa shares her top tips for budding authors, and introduces us to our new favourite website, doesthedogdie.com. 

We talk discuss true crime, and why so many of us women like it so much. Then there's some chat about raising adolescents - Lisa reveals why her parenting style differs from her partner's, and offers some advice on getting through the teenage years. We finish with a Scummy Mummy Confession from Helen that leaves Lisa more horrified than any of the terrible things she's written about in her books. 

The sexy new anniversary edition of Ralph's Party is out on 23 May. The paperback of Lisa's latest thriller, None of This is True, is out now. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @lisajewelluk. 

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Come and see our live comedy show in 2024! We are on our way to Cockfosters THIS SATURDAY, then Kent, Oxford, Swansea, Cardiff, Mansfield, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, York, Sevenoaks... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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

We sit down for a serious chat in this episode as we celebrate the life of Lee, Helen's Mum, who passed away recently. And of course, we manage to have a few laughs along the way. 

We talk about the kind of person Lee was, and how lucky Helen was to have her as a parent. We discuss what it's like to prepare for the death of someone you love, and strategies for managing grief. Plus, find out the roles ABBA and East 17 played in Lee's passing. 

This episode is dedicated to Lee, with love. Thank you for listening. 

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

Why do lesbians have the highest divorce rate? How do you navigate an open relationship? What goes on in a sex lab? Answering all these questions is the amazing Rosie Wilby! 

The comedian and author tells us all about her brilliant books, Is Monogamy Dead? and The Breakup Monologues. We discuss some of the fascinating things she's discovered through her research, and learn a superb fact about bonobos. Rosie explains why she and her wife are considering opening up their marriage, and reveals what it's like to perform stand-up at a sex party.

You can follow Rosie on X @rosiewilby and on Instagram @breakupmonologues. And you can find the Breakup Monologues podcast in all the usual places. 

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Come and see our live comedy show in 2024! We are on our way to Stockport, North London, Kent, Oxford, Swansea, Cardiff, Mansfield, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, York, Sevenoaks... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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

What makes the Danish some of the happiest people on earth? How can we steal their ideas, and what's stopping us? Why are Norwegian women like oil rigs? Answering all these questions is the amazing Helen Russell! 

We talk about her brilliant new book,How to Raise a Viking. Join us as we go on a wonderful journey to a land where the streets are paved with trampolines, children are given knives to play with, and men are having VR sex in enormous spunk factories. 

We talk about dating in Denmark, and the dark side of living Danishly - is it really all hygge, all the time? And to finish, we have some super Scummy Mummy Confessions involving cat pee and Easter treats. 

Helen's book is out now! You can follow her on Instagram and X @mshelenrussell. 

*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Come and see our live comedy show in 2024! We are on our way to Northampton, Sutton Coldfield, Stockport, North London, Kent, Oxford, Swansea, Cardiff, Mansfield, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, York, Sevenoaks... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets.

*WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!  

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.

Thank you for listening! 

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