Mothers talking podcast

Jenna Rutherford Natalie Meddings
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Natalie Meddings and Jenna Rutherford are mothers talking. We chat babies, birth and bigger motherhood issues. Sometimes it’s us and sometimes it’s another mother (or father) sharing their story. So grab a cuppa, settle in and come be part of the chat.

  1. JAN 30

    School of Dreams with Kimberley Olliff Cooper

    We're starting the year off right with this uplifting episode of mothers talking.  Jenna talks to Kimberley, co-founder of ThriveNow Education and mum of three, whose own family tragedy has driven her to redefine education.  Kim is an experienced educator with over twenty years in the field and Kim is reimagining how school can be for young people.  Not only that, she is making this school a reality and it will open it's doors in September 2026 in Kingston-upon-Thames in South West London.  With a holistic approach, Kim is helping shape education to fit the child, not the other way around.  Beautifully warm and so inspiring, Kim tells us about her journey to build her school of dreams. Kim is also generously open sourcing all the assets so anyone can use them to build their own schools and learning communities without the usual financial barriers to entry.  So if you would like to know more or offer your help please contact  Kimberley at ThriveNow Education - https://linktr.ee/thrivenoweducation https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveNowEducation For anyone who is interested in their child coming to the school, please email us at admissions@thrive-now.org   Thank you so much Kim! As always, thanks for listening. Jenna and Natalie motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com @jenna_andjude @natalie_meddingsdoula

    53 min

  2. 12/20/2025

    Freya's story - Unbecoming, how motherhood shapes our identity

    In this festive episode of mothers talking, Natalie and Jenna chat to lovely Freya Haines about everything hair and identity in motherhood. Freya is a mum of two and a hairdresser and in her new video series called 'Unbecoming' Freya is exploring a new mother's identity and how it transforms when they have a baby and how empowering it can be to get a new hairstyle.  Freya chats about how she nurtures new mothers in the postnatal period through their hair and gives them a chance to explore the changes they are going through.  This episode really sheds a light on how important our hair can be to us and how something simple can have a profound effect on our wellbeing.  Thanks so much Freya. If you would like to contact Freya, her details are below -  @kaiahairbyfreya freyaclarehair@gmail.com Salon - www.sta-studios.com   As always, thanks for listening, Natalie and Jenna motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com www.nataliemeddings.com www.theminimalistdoula.com

    46 min

  3. 11/30/2025

    Jenna's story - Steiner school

    As you probably know by now, Natalie can get quite excited about education. So she was especially pleased to have a chance to explore and explain the mysteries of Steiner schooling with Jenna Kim, mother of Cora, Ada and Iris, who are just starting out on that journey.  If thoughts like 'weird', 'cult', or 'alternative nonsense' are coming to mind, stop right there and have a listen. You may be surprised.    If this episode sparks your interest in Steiner schools, here are some resources;   Recommended reading -  You Are Your Child's First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin Dancy  All Year Round by Ann Druitt and Christine Fynes-Clinton The Five Golden Keys by Helle Heckmann   Jenna's article - https://nhmoms.com/school-years/8-elements-of-waldorf-education-i-love/ www.hawthornpress.com for wonderful books  www.myriadonline.co.uk for natural toys and play   and if you are south London based, parent & child groups are held every morning at St Michael Steiner School - www.stmichaelsteier.hounselow.sch.uk or email velikiadimova@stmichaelsteiner.com   Thanks as always for listening Natalie and Jenna   motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com www.nataliemeddings.com www.theminimalistdoula.com

    1h 10m

  4. 10/30/2025

    The best of all possible worlds

    In this much needed episode of mothers talking, Natalie (author of Why Home Birth Matters) chats to Alex Smith.  Alex Smith has been a childbirth educator since the 1970s and an observer of the changing attitudes to childbirth during that time. She has had the privilege of attending many home births and believes that this is probably the only setting where truly physiological birth is able to unfold. She regards the rapid escalation of induced labour and caesarean birth as an ecological issue with consequences for mankind that are as grave as the melting ice floes. As a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Alex wants to see the winds of change shift in a way that will allow future generations of women to have restored faith in the natural process of birth - secure in their trust that medical resources are at hand, if needed, but as a safety net and not a conveyor belt. This deep dive into the history of birth and how it has shaped maternity care today, is as fascinating as it is reassuring especially about how safe birth actually is when you can trust it.  If you're wondering how to trust yourself when faced with the challenges of the maternity system, well you can use Alex's simple but very effective traffic light system... Thank you so much to Alex for this wonderful episode. AIMS (Association for Improvements in Maternity Services) https://www.aims.org.uk/ Natalie's website where you can buy her books, Why Home Birth Matters and How to Have a Baby www.nataliemeddings.com   As always, thanks for listening. If you would like to contact us please email motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com

    1h 26m

  5. 09/30/2025

    Unschooled with Caro Giles

    In this open-hearted conversation of Mothers talking, Jenna chats to Caro Giles, author of Twelve Moons and her latest book, Unschooled, about her journey with her daughters and the school system.  Caro as a single mum and full time carer to two of her four daughters who are autistic, shares how she has had to navigate a broken system while it failed her family and she had to be the one to pick up the pieces.  However with her wonderful book, she is hoping to advocate for a kinder and more supportive conversation around schooling for children who don't fit in from a family who didn't.  Thank you Caro for sharing your story with us. Caro's instagram   @carogileswrites Caro's substack      https://carogiles.substack.com/ Caro's latest book 'Unschooled'  https://www.littletoller.co.uk/shop/books/little-toller/new-books/unschooled-by-caro-giles/ Caro's audiobook for 'Twelve Moons' is also available to accompany the book Thanks as always for listening Jenna & Natalie motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com Jenna - www.theminimalistdoula.com Natalie - www.nataliemeddings.com

    38 min

  6. 09/12/2025

    Kate's story - 99 days in NICU

    In part one of this beautiful conversation between Natalie and Kate Merrick, a psychotherapist and mum, Kate shares her incredible journey with her daughter Eliza and their 99 days in hospital after Eliza was born early at 29 weeks.  This remarkable story is a true testament to the deep knowing of a woman's body, a teeny but mighty baby girl and a mother's unwavering love and trust.  Kate sees the gifts of her experience and also shares how her emergency caesarean birth was utterly sacred.  Part two will follow soon, not to be missed, thanks so much for your openness and honesty Kate. Kate's IG - @rushmead_farm Kate's websites -  www.rushmeadfarm.com https://www.katemerrickpsychotherapy.co.uk/ Natalie's website www.nataliemeddings.com If you'd like to get in touch with Jenna & Natalie please email motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com Thanks as always for listening.

    1h 12m

  7. 07/31/2025

    Rachel's story - on the road

    This month on Mothers Talking,  Jenna is chatting to Rachel Parker Soden about her current living situation, how it came about and how her and her two boys are 'letting the road guide us'.  In this inspiring conversation, Rachel shares how sometimes the best thing we can do, is just to do, not overthink and let fear take over but let action lead you somewhere beautiful.  Rachel is experiencing how staying present can make life so much better and her rare ability to let go, practice deep gratitude and allow her hard feelings is truly refreshing.  Thank you Rachel for your mindful reflections on motherhood. If you'd like to explore Rachel's beautiful artwork, please go to her website. https://rachelparkersoden.co.uk/ If you'd like to contact us at mothers talking please email us at motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com Thanks as always for listening Jenna & Natalie www.nataliemeddings.com www.theminimalistdoula.com

    42 min

  8. 06/30/2025

    Body led birth

    Natalie and Jenna are chatting birth in this month's episode of mothers talking.  We look at the current landscape of birth preparation and explore how we feel about it.  We discuss what we think is more helpful when preparing for birth and how listening and tuning into yourself is much more important than listening to others.  Come with us on this journey to uncover the deep needs of pregnancy and find your way to birth with curiosity and calm. Natalie's website is below where you can order her book, How to Have a Baby and the walk talk, Gathering your forces. www.nataliemeddings.com Jenna's website www.theminimalistdoula.com If you would like to get in touch with us please email us at motherstalkingpodcast@gmail.com Thanks as always for listening x

    59 min
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About

Natalie Meddings and Jenna Rutherford are mothers talking. We chat babies, birth and bigger motherhood issues. Sometimes it’s us and sometimes it’s another mother (or father) sharing their story. So grab a cuppa, settle in and come be part of the chat.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenna Rutherford Natalie Meddings
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Mothers talking podcast