Perfection is overrated—especially in parenting. In this thought-provoking episode, Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with Dr Joanna Fortune, child psychotherapist and author, to challenge the myths of perfect parenting and embrace being “good enough.”

 

Joanna shares about the concept of parental stamina—how to recharge your tank without guilt—and why your own self-care isn’t just essential but a powerful teaching tool for your kids. From playful strategies (hello, dance breaks!) to the importance of taking time-outs (for parents too!), you’ll discover practical ways to lighten the load without compromising connection.

 

And here’s the kicker: Joanna shares her bold take on why kids shouldn’t be the centre of the family universe. Spoiler alert: happy parents create a solid foundation for happy kids.

 

This episode? A guilt-free guide to doing your best, showing your kids it’s okay to make mistakes, and letting go of the pressure to be perfect. Permission to be good enough granted.

 

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• Join PWT community on Substack

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• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

Danusia Malina-Derben takes on the myth of “having it all” with Caroline Flanagan, author of Be the First and all-round powerhouse. Together, they shred the outdated idea that women need to do everything to have it all—and dig into what your “all” could look like.

 

But that’s not all. Imposter syndrome? They’re calling it out for the fraud it is. Caroline shares her real-life experience of feeling like she didn’t belong and how she flipped the script to reclaim her power.

 

This isn’t about perfection or keeping up appearances—it’s about learning to own your worth, rewrite the rules and reframe your inner narrative to find solutions (instead of self-doubt).

 

Discover more from us:

• Join PWT community on Substack

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• Connect with Danusia

• Buy Danusia’s Motherhood book: NOISE

• Caroline Flanagan’s book: Be the First

• Mentioned reads: Your Brain at Work by David Rock and My Hidden Chimp by Prof. Steve Peters

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

What if you could feel more alive in your 80s than ever before? Meet Jane Wyker, the unstoppable force behind Soul Selfish: The Awakening of a Good Girl. Jane’s story is proof that it’s never too late to prioritise yourself, let go of toxic baggage, and embrace joy at every stage of life.

 

Danusia and Jane unpack the inner work of shedding the “good girl” identity, balancing self-love with motherhood, and yes, even the realities of sex, dating, and pleasure in your 80s. Jane’s advice on “inner housekeeping” is a game-changer—because let’s face it, no one thrives in a cluttered emotional home.

 

This episode is a masterclass in how to own your life, your choices, and your happiness—no matter your age. Tune in for some unforgettable wisdom and a bold call to put pleasure (and yourself!) at the centre of your world.

 

Discover more from us:

• Join PWT community on Substack

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• Connect with Danusia

• Find Jane Wyker here

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with Rebekah Taussig, author of Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary, Resilient Disabled Body, to unpack the complexities of living with a disability. In this episode, Rebekah challenges the oversimplified narratives that often surround disabled lives and calls for a more inclusive, open-hearted perspective.

 

From embracing her body to navigating pregnancy, Rebekah shares stories that illuminate the richness, challenges, and ordinariness of disability—pushing past stereotypes of pity or inspiration. They discuss how society’s fear of disability limits understanding and how breaking those barriers starts with recognizing the nuance in every human experience.

 

Danusia and Rebekah also dive into the untold stories of disabled motherhood, touching on everything from baby kicks to the broader need for representation.

 

This conversation is a profound reminder: disability doesn’t diminish humanity—it enriches it.

 

Discover more from us:

• Join PWT community on Substack

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• Connect with Danusia

• Find Rebekah’s book here

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

Want your heart to skip a beat? Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with poet Kate Baer—three-time New York Times bestselling author of What Kind of Woman, I Hope This Finds You Well, and her latest, And Yet. They get real about everything from raw realities to anger simmering beneath the surface.

 

Kate opens up about finding her voice amidst parenting, the poets who inspire her (think Mary Oliver and Sharon Olds), and tackling taboo topics with honesty and wit (yes, including poems like "The Pope's Penis"). They delve into the visceral experience of being a woman today, the societal pressures we face, and why it's high time mothers' voices are heard and valued.

 

If you're ready for a conversation that cuts deep into the soul of womanhood and leaves you feeling seen and understood, this episode is a must-listen.

 

Discover more from us:

• Join PWT community on Substack

• Follow us on Instagram

• Connect with Danusia

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

Guilt—it’s the nagging companion of parenthood. Jo Wimble-Groves, creator of Guilty Mother, joins host Danusia Malina-Derben to unpack why so many parents feel this way and how to start shifting that guilt into something useful (yes, it’s possible!).

 

From screen time to sandwich choices, Jo’s refreshing take on embracing imperfection and rethinking what it means to care will leave you feeling lighter. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re never doing enough, this episode offers some much-needed relief.

 

Tune in to discover why guilt doesn’t equal love and why it’s time to put down the “perfect parent” yardstick!

 

Discover more from us:

• Join PWT community on Substack

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• Connect with Danusia

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

This week, Danusia Malina-Derben brings in Wies Bratby—founder of Women in Negotiation and self-proclaimed “women’s butt kicker”—to break down why every woman needs to own her worth in the world of negotiation. It’s not just about more zeros on the paycheck; it’s about freedom, choices, and doing life on your own terms.

 

Wies shares her wisdom on the art of asking for what you deserve—without the guilt trip. From salary boosts to the (often trickier) negotiations at home, she dishes out practical tips for women ready to stand up, speak up, and stop settling. And heads up: there’s no room for playing small here.

 

This episode is a masterclass in confidence, clarity, and the sheer power of knowing your worth. Tune in to get fired up, and don’t miss Wies’s top tips on making every negotiation a win.

 

Discover more from us:

• Join PWT community on Substack

• Follow us on Instagram

• Connect with Danusia

• Find Wies here

• The Harvard Negotiation Method

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

Host Danusia Malina-Derben gets real with Molly Forbes, author of “Body Happy Kids: How to raise children who love the skin they're in” for adults and “Every Body” for children. They’re talking about one thing every parent worries about—how to raise kids who love their bodies in a world obsessed with diet culture. Spoiler: It’s not about looking “pretty.”

 

Molly dishes out her no-BS take on raising confident kids, from smashing beauty ideals to using her household mantra “It’s not my job to be pretty.” You’ll learn how to dodge diet culture’s sneaky traps and arm your kids with the self-love they need to stay strong. Oh, and Molly even has a genius idea involving compliment circles that you’ll definitely want to steal for your next family hangout.

 

This episode? Pure fire for anyone ready to raise resilient, body-happy kids.

 

Discover more from us:

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• Connect with Danusia

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

In this minisode of Parents Who Think, host Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with Sarah Peck, CEO of Start Up Parent, to discuss the often unspoken realities of postpartum sex and recovery. Sarah shares her personal experiences, from healing after childbirth to the surprising physical challenges that follow.

 

Danusia and Sarah also talk about living brazenly, including Sarah’s daring naked swim from Alcatraz, and what it means to push past conventional metrics of success.

 

This episode offers a fresh, unfiltered look at life after giving birth and how to embrace boldness in all areas of life. Tune in for real talk on postpartum recovery, relationships, and living by your own values!

 

Discover more from us:

• Follow PWT on Substack

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• Connect with Danusia

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

In this episode of Parents Who Think, host Danusia Malina-Derben explores Stoicism and its relevance to parenting. Drawing on her experience as a mother to 10 children, she reflects on how Stoic principles like control, patience, and detachment have shaped her approach to raising kids. But it’s not just about personal resilience ~ Danusia also gets into the limits of Stoicism, especially when it comes to addressing the broader systemic challenges that families face.

 

Through thoughtful reflections, she balances Stoic ideas with insights from feminist and care ethicists like bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and Carol Gilligan, showing that emotional engagement and systemic awareness are essential in parenting.

 

This episode challenges listeners to consider how they can raise resilient children while also recognising and addressing the societal pressures their children face.

 

Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of Stoicism, love, and the complexities of modern parenting.

 

Head over to comment on this episode on the “Parents Who Think” on Substack. 

 

Discover more from us:

• Follow PWT on Substack

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• Connect with Danusia

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram

In this episode of *Parents Who Think*, host Danusia Malina-Derben interviews Anna Pawlowicz, CEO of Humankind, about the often invisible role of caregivers in society. Anna opens up about the challenges faced by those who provide care, whether for children, elderly family members, or those with medical complexities, and why caregivers remain undervalued and unsupported.

 

They explore the heavy toll caregiving takes on mental health, work, and personal relationships, and question why governments and workplaces aren’t doing more, despite the fact that caregiving touches us all at some point in our lives.

 

With insights from both personal experience and a broader societal lens, this episode asks us to rethink how we value care and what needs to change to better support caregivers. It’s a conversation that goes beyond caregiving—it’s about the systems that shape all of our lives.

 

Tune in for an essential discussion on why care matters to everyone.

 

Want to join the conversation and share your own caregiver story? Head over to “Parents Who Think” on Substack.

 

Discover more from us:

• Follow PWT on Substack

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• Connect with Danusia

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

 

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram