The Netmums Podcast

Netmums

The Netmums Podcast – the podcast where real parenting conversations happen. Series 18 marks a new chapter for the flag-ship podcast from Britain's biggest parent community with new hosts, JLS singer and TV presenter, JB Gill, and Netmums Editorial Director Louise Burke. Every Tuesday, they will discuss the things that matter most to modern families – from mental health, life online and relationships, to identity, work and the everyday parenting pressures – while also providing lots of ‘hard relate’ moments. Expect top parenting experts with real advice and brilliant names with fascinating stories – and some laughs along the way! Please share your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas with us! Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com

  1. 16h ago

    ELLIE TAYLOR: The truth about motherhood (that nobody says out loud)

    What happens when the parenting reality doesn't match the picture you imagined? On The Netmums Podcast this week, comedian, actress, author and mum of two Ellie Taylor joins JB Gill and Louise Burke for a special video episode full of brilliantly honest conversation about the messy, funny and emotional reality of family life. Ellie, a former Strictly contestant and also a star of the popular TV show, Ted Lasso, opens up about why she found the newborn stage so difficult, the guilt of not feeling an instant bond with her babies, and why she believes more parents need to be honest about those early struggles. She is also super honest about the moment she was struck by gender disappointment with her second child and the challenges of welcoming another baby after a five-year age gap. The conversation goes on to explore how she shares the parenting load with a stay-at-home dad, and how motherhood has reshaped her marriage.  Ellie talks openly about the love for her children while also reflecting on learning to let go of control and embracing a ‘good enough’ approach to parenting. Plus, she talks about balancing a busy career with family life and filming her latest ITV show The Box out this autumn.In this episode: Why Ellie didn't instantly fall in love with motherhood The reality of having a second child Gender disappointment and changing expectations Sharing parenting with a stay-at-home dad Keeping a relationship alive after children Why 'good enough' parenting is enough Whether you're in the newborn trenches, weighing up a second child or simply trying to hold everything together, this episode is full of honest reflections, big, big laughs and reassuring reminders that parenting doesn't have to be perfect to be enough. Fancy watching the full episode of The Netmums Podcast on Youtube? Visit the Netmums YouTube Channel now! Read more trusted parenting advice at Netmums and join the conversation on social @Netmums. JB and Louise would love to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be featured in a future episode.The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums, trusted by parents, backed by experts. This episode was produced by Further Films.

    ELLIE TAYLOR: The truth about motherhood (that nobody says out loud)
  2. Aug 3

    CHARLOTTE STIRLING-REED: How to feed the family this summer and healthy eating without the pressure

    Summer holidays are brilliant... until someone says, ‘I’m hungrrrry’ for the fifth time before 11am. In this episode of The Netmums Podcast, JB Gill and Louise Burke are joined by leading baby and child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed to tackle one of parents' biggest summer challenges: feeding the family without the guilt. From endless snack requests and picnic planning to heatwave eating habits, holiday treats and the pressure to get it ‘right’, Charlotte shares practical, reassuring advice to help parents take the stress out of mealtimes. She explains why one ice cream, or even one whole summer, won't define your child's relationship with food, why healthy eating is built over days, weeks, months and years, and how small, consistent habits matter far more than perfection. Charlotte also explores why the first 1,000 days of a child's life are so important, shares balanced advice following the BBC Panorama investigation into the safety of baby food pouches, and offers realistic, affordable tips for busy families. Plus, if you're wondering whether you've missed the boat with older children, she explains why it's never too late to build healthier eating habits. In this episode: Why children seem hungry all the time during the summer holidays Healthy picnic ideas and budget-friendly snacks for days out Should parents feel guilty about daily ice creams? How to encourage healthy eating without creating pressure or guilt Why the first 1,000 days matter and what that means in real life Baby food pouches, convenience foods and making informed choices without judgement Can you improve your child's eating habits if they're older? Find out more about Charlotte's work atwww.srnutrition.co.uk and discover her books How to Wean Your Baby, How to Feed Your Toddler, How to Feed Your Family and The Ultimate Weaning & Toddler Cookbook. Read more trusted parenting advice at Netmums and join the conversation on social @Netmums. JB and Louise would love to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could feature in a future episode. The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums – trusted by parents, backed by experts. Prefer to watch? Full episodes are available on the Netmums YouTube channel. This episode has been produced by Decibelle Creative.

    CHARLOTTE STIRLING-REED: How to feed the family this summer and healthy eating without the pressure
  3. Jul 27

    LAUREN GOODGER: Love, loss and learning to stay strong through motherhood

    *This episode contains discussions around baby loss, birth trauma and grief. Please listen in a way that feels right for you. This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by television personality and author Lauren Goodger for an honest and deeply moving conversation about motherhood, grief and finding the strength to keep going. In her new book, Mum of Two, Lauren shares the story behind the headlines – from the overwhelming joy of becoming a mum to daughter Larose, to the unimaginable heartbreak of losing her second daughter, Lorena. She opens up about navigating grief while parenting, learning to live alongside loss, and why she wants other bereaved parents to know they're not alone. Lauren also reflects on the realities of early motherhood, the pressure to appear as though you're coping, the importance of asking for help, and how she's found moments of hope and joy again. In this episode: Why becoming a mum changed Lauren's life forever The raw reality of early motherhood and feeling like you're in survival mode Parenting through grief and keeping Lorena's memory alive Why healing isn't about ‘moving on’ from loss Finding strength, purpose and hope after the hardest days If this episode raises difficult feelings for you, support is available through organisations including Sands, Tommy's and PANDAS. Read more trusted parenting advice at Netmums and join the conversation on social @Netmums. JB and Louise would love to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be featured in a future episode. The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums, trusted by parents, backed by experts. Fancy watching full episodes of The Netmums Podcast on YouTube? Visit the Netmums YouTube Channel now! Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative.

    LAUREN GOODGER: Love, loss and learning to stay strong through motherhood
  4. Jul 15

    KATIE PIPER: How do we raise confident children in an appearance-obsessed world?

    How do we raise our children to believe they're enough in a world that's constantly telling them they need to look different, be different or do more? This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by broadcaster, best-selling author, campaigner and mum-of-two Katie Piper for an inspiring conversation about confidence, resilience and raising children who value themselves for who they truly are. Drawing on both her own extraordinary life experiences (most notably surviving a life-changing acid attack in 2008, carried out at the request of her ex-boyfriend) and her work with international children's cleft charity Smile Train, Katie shares why true confidence isn't something we inherit – it's something we build. Together, they explore how parents can nurture resilience from an early age, support children through the pressures of social media and appearance culture, and encourage them to develop a strong sense of identity that goes far beyond external validation. Katie also reflects on becoming a mum, how parenthood changed her perspective, why she was determined not to pass her own fears onto her daughters, and what her children have taught her about healing, patience and self-compassion.In this episode: Why resilience is the real foundation of confidence Helping children build self-worth beyond appearance Raising girls in the age of filters, influencers and social media Why Katie encourages her daughter to focus on discovering who she is before worrying about relationships Katie's work with Smile Train and supporting families and children born with cleft lip and palate around the world Challenging stigma and misconceptions surrounding facial differences How becoming a mum transformed Katie's outlook on life The parenting lessons Katie's daughters have taught her Whether you're raising toddlers or teenagers, this episode is packed with thoughtful advice and reassuring reminders about helping children grow up believing that who they are matters far more than how they look. Read more expert advice at Netmums and join the conversation on social @Netmums. JB and Louise would love to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be featured in a future episode. The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums, trusted by parents, backed by experts. Proudly produced by Further

    KATIE PIPER: How do we raise confident children in an appearance-obsessed world?
  5. Jul 8

    LAUREN COWELL AND ELLEN ROOME: The online safety conversation every parent needs to hear

    This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill tackle one of the biggest parenting challenges of our time: keeping children safe online. With the UK moving towards restricting social media access for under-16s, this conversation couldn't be more timely. Joining the podcast are Lauren Cowell, campaigner for the Raise the Age movement, entrepreneur and fiancee to Simon Cowell, and Ellen Roome, who has dedicated herself to improving online safety following the devastating loss of her 14-year-old son, Jools. Together, they share powerful insights into the realities of parenting in the digital age, why parental controls alone aren't enough, and the practical steps every family can take to better protect their children online. From delaying smartphones and keeping devices out of bedrooms to building open conversations and recognising the hidden risks of social media, this episode offers honest advice every parent needs to hear.In this episode: Why many parents feel they're fighting a losing battle online The reality of navigating parental controls Practical ways to keep children safer online How to build trust so children come to you when something goes wrong The online risks every parent should understand, from algorithms to sextortion Why campaigners believe stronger protections for children are urgently needed * This episode touches on child loss and online harm. Please listen in a way that feels right for you. Read more expert advice at Netmums and join the conversation on social @Netmums. JB and Louise would love to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could feature in a future episode. The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums, trusted by parents, backed by experts. Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative.

    LAUREN COWELL AND ELLEN ROOME: The online safety conversation every parent needs to hear
  6. Jun 30

    ANNA MATHUR: I love my family... So why am I snapping at them?

    This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by psychotherapist and best-selling author Anna Mathur for an honest conversation about the parenting moments we're often too ashamed to admit. Why do we snap at the people we love most? And what does it really say about us? Drawing on both her professional expertise and her own experiences as a mum of three, Anna explains why anger is so often the final symptom of stress, overwhelm and impossible expectations – not bad parenting. Inspired by her new book, How to Stop Snapping at the People You Love, she shares practical ways to recognise the warning signs before we reach breaking point, repair after we've lost our temper, and show ourselves the same compassion we offer everyone else. If you've ever ended the day thinking, 'That wasn't the parent I wanted to be,' this episode is for you. In this episode: Why we snap at the people we love most The hidden link between stress, perfectionism and parental rage How to spot your personal warning signs before you boil over The power of repair after losing your temper Why rest isn't selfish – it's essential How to model healthy emotions and apologies for your children Simple ways to lower the pressure and parent with more self-compassion Anna's book, How to Stop Snapping at the People You Love (As Well As the Ones You Don't): A Compassionate Guide to Rage, Regulation and Repair, is available from 2 July 2026. Read more expert advice at Netmums and join the conversation on social @Netmums. JB and Louise would love to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be featured in a future episode. The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums, trusted by parents, backed by experts. This episode is sponsored by M&S Thank You Teacher Gift Cards. You can buy gift cards in store or e-gift cards online. Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative. Anna Mathur/Picture credit: Oliver Spencer

    ANNA MATHUR: I love my family... So why am I snapping at them?
  7. Jun 23

    Gladiator Matt Morsia on fitness, family and raising resilient children

    This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by Gladiator star, author and dad-of-two Matt Morsia for a thought-provoking conversation about raising healthy, resilient and active children. Best known to millions as Legend on Gladiators, Matt opens up about the career-ending injury that shattered his Olympic ambitions, the resilience that helped him rebuild, and how becoming a parent has shaped his outlook on health, fitness and family life. Matt shares why he believes physical activity deserves the same attention as academic achievement, explains the habits he thinks set children up for long-term health, and tackles some of the biggest debates facing parents today – from childhood obesity to food, exercise and the pressure to get it all right. The conversation also explores the importance of role modelling healthy behaviours, encouraging children to try different activities, and helping them develop perseverance without pressure. Whether you're a fitness fanatic or simply trying to get the family moving a little more, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and plenty of food for thought. In this episode: Why resilience matters more than talent Should PE be treated as seriously as literacy in schools? How parents can encourage activity without creating pressure The reality of screen time and inactive lifestyles Why role modelling matters more than lecturing The simple changes families can make to become more active Creating a positive relationship with food and exercise Matt's new book, FITNESS UNLOCKED, published by Sphere available now in Paperback, audio and ebook Read more expert advice at Netmums and join the conversation on social @Netmums. JB and Louise would love to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be featured in a future episode. The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums, trusted by parents, backed by experts. This episode is sponsored M&S Teacher Gift Cards. You can buy cards or e-gift cards online. Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative. Picture credit: Nicky Johnston

    Gladiator Matt Morsia on fitness, family and raising resilient children
  8. Jun 16

    KELLY SOMERS: Returning to work after your baby, motherhood and doing it your way

    This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by World Cup 2026 presenter and mum of one Kelly Somers for an honest conversation about returning to work after having a baby, rebuilding confidence, and navigating the juggle of motherhood and career. As one of the UK's leading sports presenters, Kelly has fronted some of football's biggest programmes, from Match of the Day and Football Focus to major international tournaments. But becoming a mum brought a whole new challenge: balancing a demanding career with the realities of family life. Kelly opens up about the fears she carried for years after being diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS, and why becoming a mother felt like something she could never take for granted. She reflects on returning to work after maternity leave, rebuilding her career confidence, and navigating the challenges that motherhood can throw your way when life doesn't go exactly to plan. With the FIFA World Cup taking her Stateside this summer, Kelly shares how she's making family life work while reporting on one of the biggest sporting events in the world. From travelling with a toddler to relying on an ‘army’ of family support, she offers a refreshingly honest insight into what modern working motherhood really looks like. In this episode:• Returning to work after having a baby and rebuilding career confidence• How motherhood changed Kelly's perspective on ambition and success• Living with endometriosis and PCOS and becoming a mum against the odds• Navigating guilt, identity and the pressure to do it all• Why asking for help is one of the most important parenting skills Whether you're preparing to return to work after maternity leave, questioning how to balance career and family life, or simply trying to keep all the plates spinning, this episode is packed with reassurance, practical advice and a reminder that there's no one right way to do motherhood. Read more expert advice at Netmums.com and join the conversation on social @Netmums.JB and Louise also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be part of a future episode. The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums – trusted by parents, backed by experts. Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative.

    KELLY SOMERS: Returning to work after your baby, motherhood and doing it your way

Ratings & Reviews

3.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Netmums Podcast – the podcast where real parenting conversations happen. Series 18 marks a new chapter for the flag-ship podcast from Britain's biggest parent community with new hosts, JLS singer and TV presenter, JB Gill, and Netmums Editorial Director Louise Burke. Every Tuesday, they will discuss the things that matter most to modern families – from mental health, life online and relationships, to identity, work and the everyday parenting pressures – while also providing lots of ‘hard relate’ moments. Expect top parenting experts with real advice and brilliant names with fascinating stories – and some laughs along the way! Please share your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas with us! Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com

You Might Also Like