The Mum Mind Podcast

Stef McSherry

In a digital world overflowing with conflicting parenting advice, The Mum Mind Podcast offers a breath of fresh air. Hosted by former radio DJ, pre-school educator and mum-of-two Stef McSherry, the podcast is the antidote to the judgment, pressure, and confusion that many parents face online. Blending humour, heartfelt honesty, expert insight, and real-life stories, Stef answers listener questions and interviews professionals across psychology, education, and healthcare to bring clarity to the chaos of raising children. From sleep struggles and toddler tantrums to self-harm, parental guilt and screen use, no topic is off limits. “I want parents to know they’re not alone and there’s no such thing as a perfect parent,” says host Stef McSherry. Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity and behaviour specialist. Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for active classes for your pre-schooler in school, at events or online, check out Kinderama here www.kinderama.com. And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/ Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets! Thanks for listening to the podcast. I really hope it helps! Please Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continuing to produce free and essential parenting content.  Want to ask us a question? Email themummind@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Oct 20

    Dr. Bronagh Fitzpatrick on Post-Natal Mental Health

    Dr. Bronagh Fitzpatrick is a Clinical and Health Psychologist with extensive experience across public healthcare systems. Known online as "The Parental Psychologist," she uses her platform to share practical, evidence-based guidance on child development, parenting, and co-regulation tools for managing both parent and child nervous systems. Following the high-profile Lindsay Clancy case in the U.S., where severe postpartum mental health conditions were placed under an intense global spotlight, we thought it was a critical time to open up a broader discussion on maternal mental health. This tragic case sparked worldwide conversations and raised urgent questions about how we identify, understand, and handle extreme postpartum conditions—most notably the sharp distinction between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. With so much fear, confusion, and stigma surrounding these topics, we wanted to break down what is actually happening psychologically and biologically during the postpartum period, how early warning signs are often missed, and how we can better support mothers and families when a crisis strikes. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/postnatal-depression/getting-help/ Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years. Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com. And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/ Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets! Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way. Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content. Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Oct 13

    Dr. Katherine Nunn on Families Navigating Serious Illness

    Families navigating serious childhood illness often say they feel invisible. While there is some excellent parenting and mental health content available, much of it doesn't quite fit the realities of hospital admissions, medical uncertainty, repeated procedures, or the unique challenges of supporting well siblings. It can be an incredibly isolating experience. Dr. Katherine Nunn (aka @drkatherinewrites) is a Senior NHS Clinical Psychologist, Co-Director of Clinical Psychology Collective, and the parent of a child with congenital heart disease. Her clinical and lived experience has led Katherine to develop a particular interest in the psychological impact of serious childhood illness on the whole family, especially the often-overlooked experiences of parents and well siblings. You can find out more about Katherine and her week here https://drkatherinewrites.co.uk/ Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years. Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com. And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/ Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets! Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way. Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content. Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Thanks to @thefamilyedit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Sep 29

    Mrs Smart Money aka Kel Galavan

    Kel Galavan, widely known as Mrs Smart Money, is an Irish personal finance educator, money coach, and bestselling author who empowers individuals and corporate workforces to achieve financial security. Kel eliminated a six-figure debt and cut her household outgoings by over €27,000 in a single year through her widely publicized "No Spend Year". Combining her background in science (holding an MSc) with formal financial expertise as a Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA), she wrote the book Mindful Money and established Mrs Smart Money to deliver jargon-free, region-specific financial education covering budgeting, debt management, and investing in Ireland. You can find Kel here: https://www.mrssmartmoney.com/ You can find MABS here: https://www.mabs.ie/en/ Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years.Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com. And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/ Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets! Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way. Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content. Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Brought to you by thefamilyedit.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Sep 22

    Practical Parenting with Louise Brennan

    Louise Brennan is a parenting coach, a mother of 3 teens, a teacher with 25+ years experience and she has multiple additional qualifications in the psychology and leadership field. Louise is chatting all things parenting with Stef today and sharing her extensive knowledge of tips, strategies, practices, and routines that have been proven to work, not only in scientific research, but also in her own life and in those of the parents she has supported. You can find Louise at https://www.parentcoach.ie/  Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity and behaviour specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years.  Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com.  And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/  Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets!  Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way.  Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content.  Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.com  Join us on Instagram:  Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails  The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast  This episode is brought to you in collaboration with https://thefamilyedit.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Sep 15

    Sensory Processing with Grace Magennis

    In this week's episode, Stef is joined by paediatric Occupational Therapist and founder of The Sensory Submarine, Grace Magennis. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Grace is passionate about making sensory integration and emotional regulation practical, accessible, and fun for families. Through The Sensory Submarine, she helps parents support children with sensory processing challenges, developmental needs, and everyday self-care struggles using connection-focused, play-based strategies. Whether you are looking for simple ways to enrich play at home or need sensory-informed advice for routines like hair washing and nail cutting, Grace shares compassionate insights and doable tips that every parent can start using today.  Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity and behaviour specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years.  Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com.  And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/  Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets!  Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way.  Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content.  Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.com  Join us on Instagram:  Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails  The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast  Brought to you by https://thefamilyedit.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Sep 8

    Bronagh Starrs on Understanding School Anxiety

    School anxiety is one of the fastest-growing challenges facing families today, yet few parents know what to do when a child simply can’t bring themselves to walk through the school gates. In this episode Stef McSherry is talking to leading psychotherapist Bronagh Starrs as she unpacks the hidden drivers of school anxiety and explains why willpower, rewards and pressure rarely work. Drawing on a mix of evidence-based strategies and Bronagh’s own decades of clinical experience, her new book I Can't Go In - Understanding School Anxiety & Help Your Child Find A Way Back to Class, offers clear steps to help calm morning panic, rebuild trust and help children feel safe enough to get back to learning again. Bronagh Starrs is a mental health consultant and an expert in contemporary adolescence. An experienced psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, parenting consultant, writer and trainer, she is based in Omagh, Northern Ireland. Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years. Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com. And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/ Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets!  This episode is brought to you in collaboration with thefamilyedit.ie Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way.  Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content. Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jun 9

    Saving Grace with Sinéad Moriarty

    In our final episode for this season Stef chats to author Sinéad Moriarty. Sinéad is an award-winning and much-loved novelist whose books have won over readers and critics by telling stories that are humane, moving and relevant. Her children’s books are now inspiring a new generation of readers to be empathetic and understanding. Saving Grace follows Grace, who suffers burns to her ear and the side of her face and a Halloween fire pit at a family friend’s house, and her journey to accept her new appearance and the reality of her injuries with the support of her family and friends. It also explores the challenges families can face when an incident happens at someone else's home. Saving Grace is now available in all good book shops and you can follow Sinéad on Instagram @sineadmoriartywriter Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years. Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com. And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/ Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets!   Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way.  Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content. Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About

In a digital world overflowing with conflicting parenting advice, The Mum Mind Podcast offers a breath of fresh air. Hosted by former radio DJ, pre-school educator and mum-of-two Stef McSherry, the podcast is the antidote to the judgment, pressure, and confusion that many parents face online. Blending humour, heartfelt honesty, expert insight, and real-life stories, Stef answers listener questions and interviews professionals across psychology, education, and healthcare to bring clarity to the chaos of raising children. From sleep struggles and toddler tantrums to self-harm, parental guilt and screen use, no topic is off limits. “I want parents to know they’re not alone and there’s no such thing as a perfect parent,” says host Stef McSherry. Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity and behaviour specialist. Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for active classes for your pre-schooler in school, at events or online, check out Kinderama here www.kinderama.com. And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/ Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets! Thanks for listening to the podcast. I really hope it helps! Please Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continuing to produce free and essential parenting content.  Want to ask us a question? Email themummind@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytails The Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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