MUMBELIEVABLE with Sonia Beldom

Sonia Beldom

MUMBELIEVABLE is a funny and insightful podcast about our maddening, mixed up and marvellous mums. When Sonia's mum, Margaret, was sectioned at age 80 and placed in a secure care home, she finally understood her mum’s neuro diversity and their fun-filled relationship flourished for the last ten years of Margaret’s life.   The inspiration for MUMBELIEVABLE comes from the hit blog soniasmum, which featured their hilarious conversations and back story. Inspired by hundreds of people sharing their own anecdotes, MUMBELIEVABLE was born. In each episode Sonia invites a famous face to talk about their relationship with their own mother, from the funny moments to the deeper stories. This is a celebration of the mumbelievable women who have made us who we are.   ABOUT SONIA   Curious to know more about neuro diversity, Sonia gained qualifications in NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and is trained in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). She is a media and speaking coach and regularly contributes to the national press on body language, particularly around royal events.   Sonia's background is in broadcasting as a radio producer and TV Executive Producer working with famous faces including Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant on “An Idiot Abroad”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Julie Peasgood “Walking the mum tightrope”

    4D AGO

    Julie Peasgood “Walking the mum tightrope”

    On the Mumbelievable Podcast, host Sonia Beldom welcomes actress, presenter, author and award-winning travel writer Julie Peasgood to talk about her mother, Pearl Margaret Peasgood. Julie shares how Pearl joined Bertram Mills Circus at 18, performed with Japanese artists, learned juggling and tightrope skills, and later raised four children while juggling three jobs—shop work, sewing as an expert seamstress, and laying out the deceased—during financially tight times. Julie recalls Pearl’s practical, resourceful “no such word as can’t” attitude, spontaneous overnight projects, love of gardening, and pride in Julie’s performing career, plus vivid family memories like “mum days,” custard tarts, and a favourite white-sauce fish dish. Sonia also contrasts her own mother’s unfiltered behaviour and later-life sectioning, while Julie reflects on the legacy of belief and ambition she’s passed to her daughter and grandchildren. 00:00 Welcome to Mumbelievable 00:36 Meet Julie Peasgood 01:23 Mum the Circus Star 02:38 Running Away to Perform 05:23 Pearl the Can Do Mum 07:16 Growing Up on a Budget 08:37 Food Memories and Laughs 12:28 Quirks and Big Dreams 14:26 Sonia on Her Mum 15:37 Sectioned at Eighty 17:34 Care Home Meds Drama 18:26 Wishing For Deeper Talks 19:01 Cruise Life And Pearl 21:32 Sex Tips Book Breakthrough 24:12 Unfiltered School Shock 25:40 Lessons Passed Down 26:45 Mini Mum Survey 27:25 Practical Surprises And Sight Loss 31:02 Lioness Mum And Big Energy 33:11 Legacy And Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  2. Robin Ince on His Mum’s Life-Changing Accident, Love, Laughter, and Unfinished Business

    MAR 7

    Robin Ince on His Mum’s Life-Changing Accident, Love, Laughter, and Unfinished Business

    In this episode of the Mumbelievable Podcast, Sonia celebrates all mums and welcomes broadcaster, author and comedian Robin Ince, who shares stories about his mother and the lasting impact of a major car crash just before his third birthday that left her in a coma and psychologically changed. Robin describes blaming himself as a child, trying to comfort her during mental-health struggles, and how the change affected his whole family, including his older sisters. He reflects on her eccentric humour—wigs, a Vatican letter, meeting the Pope—and later dementia, recalling how Rising Damp repeatedly made her laugh. The conversation also touches on anxiety, a late ADHD diagnosis, learning who a parent was before motherhood, and the love and resilience shown by both his mum and dad. 00:00 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro 01:25 Sock Radar and Dog Stories 02:05 The Unwritten Mum Book 02:29 Crash That Changed Everything 04:11 Flashbulb Memory and Guilt 04:48 Trying to Make Mum Smile 05:50 Kids Fear Change and Sartre Tale 07:01 Wigs Eccentricity and The Pope 08:43 Hidden Insecurities and School Trauma 09:29 Who She Was Before Motherhood 10:36 Wartime Selves and Lasting Loss 14:20 Dad Refused to Give Up 15:37 Sonia's Mum Sectioned and Aftermath 17:14 Funny Care Home Conversations 18:10 Blog to Podcast Origin Story 19:01 Telling Dad About Blog 20:00 Mum Quotes Two Hearts 20:55 Family at the Palladium 21:51 Funeral to Awards Night 23:44 Jokes and Protectiveness 24:27 Late ADHD Diagnosis 26:06 Mum Sectioned Story 28:14 Mumbelievable Mum Survey 28:48 Embarrassing Mum Moments 30:39 Rising Damp Poem 32:27 No Unfinished Business 32:42 Why She Was Mumbelievable 34:30 Her Legacy in You 35:16 Final Thanks and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  3. Julian Joseph jazzes up Mumbelievable

    FEB 4

    Julian Joseph jazzes up Mumbelievable

    Join Sonia Beldom in another heartfelt episode of the Mumbelievable Podcast, where she delves into the inspiring stories of our marvellous and maddening mums. In this episode, Sonia interviews renowned British jazz musician Julian Joseph, where they discuss the profound influence of his mother, Ursula Joseph, on his life and career. From surprise pianos to powerful life lessons, Julian shares touching anecdotes and reflects on the unfiltered love and wisdom his mother imparted. Discover the fascinating intersections of music, culture, and family in this moving tribute to extraordinary moms. 00:00 Introduction to the Mumbelievable Podcast 00:53 Guest Introduction: Julian Joseph 01:31 Julian's Musical Journey and Family Influence 02:33 Julian's Mother's Influence and Early Life 04:00 Family Life and Musical Upbringing 06:37 Julian's Mother's Legacy and Personality 07:41 Julian's Mother's Journey to Britain 09:56 The Significance of the Letter 'J' 11:52 Julian's Mother's Commanding Presence 13:45 Sonia's Personal Reflections 15:42 Julian's Musical Tribute to His Mother 16:20 A Musical Tribute to My Mother 17:10 Embracing Heritage and Identity 17:55 A Mother's Belief and Support 20:06 Reflecting on Childhood Lessons 21:41 Cherished Memories and Cooking 22:35 Coping with Loss and Legacy 26:36 Parenting Wisdom and Boundaries 30:21 Current Projects and Inspirations 33:40 Final Thoughts and Tribute Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  4. Esther Stanhope - I’m neurosparky thanks to my mum

    11/05/2025

    Esther Stanhope - I’m neurosparky thanks to my mum

    Mumbelievable: Chaos, Confidence, and Creativity with Esther Stanhope Join us in this exciting episode of the Mumbelievable podcast, where we dive deep into the influence of mums on our lives. Host Sonia chats with the wonderful Esther Stanhope, author and motivational speaker, about their unique and sometimes chaotic relationships with their neurodiverse and extroverted mothers. From funny anecdotes to profound realisations, listen in as they share how their mums shaped their confidence, creativity, and perspectives. A perfect blend of humour, heartwarming moments, and valuable insights into the impactful role of mothers. Don't miss Esther's inspiring journey and the launch of her new book, 'Visibly Brilliant'. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:46 Guest Introduction: Esther Stanhope 01:07 Esther's Relationship with Her Mom 02:28 Neurodiversity and Eccentric Mums 04:21 Extroverted Mums and their quirks 06:06 Esther's Mum: Background and Upbringing 08:22 Parenting Challenges and Childhood Memories 15:36 Embracing Neurodiversity and Personal Growth 18:31 Broadcasting and Professional Experiences 22:19 The Planner vs. The Improviser 22:44 Embracing Flexibility in Planning 23:08 The Art of Improvisation 23:37 Personal Reflections on Planning 26:18 Cooking and Organisation Hacks 27:25 Mother's Influence and Career Success 30:54 The Journey to Writing a Book 31:34 The Importance of Visibility in the Workplace 38:10 Cherishing Moments with Mum 41:01 Final Thoughts and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  5. Catherine Loveday - Mumbelievable Legacies

    10/22/2025

    Catherine Loveday - Mumbelievable Legacies

    Mumbelievable Legacies: Understanding Our Moms with Professor Catherine Loveday In this heartfelt episode of the Mumbelievable podcast, host Sonia Beldom dives deep into how our mothers shape us, joined by special guest Professor Catherine Loveday. They share personal stories about their relationships with their own mums, their mental health challenges, and the legacies left behind. Catherine reveals insights from her professional and personal journey dealing with her mother's dementia, while Sonia reflects on her late mother's influential nature. This episode is a touching exploration of love, resilience, and understanding the impact of our mothers. Tune in for an engaging conversation about memory, empathy, and the unique bonds we share with our mums. 00:00 Introduction to the Mumbelievable Podcast 00:44 Guest Introduction: Professor Catherine Loveday 01:28 Catherine's Journey with Her Mother's Dementia 03:42 The Impact of Memory Loss on Family 05:17 Catherine's Mother's Background and Marriages 08:32 Parenting Styles and Childhood Reflections 13:37 Influence of Mothers on Personal Growth 19:28 Cultural Openness and Legacy 21:36 Understanding Mum's Mental Health 22:37 Collecting and Curating Memories 25:08 The Role Reversal: Becoming the Parent 26:35 The Concept of a 'Spar' 32:02 Embarrassing Moments and Vulnerabilities 35:26 The Healing Power of Laughter 37:35 Summing Up: Resilience and Determination Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

About

MUMBELIEVABLE is a funny and insightful podcast about our maddening, mixed up and marvellous mums. When Sonia's mum, Margaret, was sectioned at age 80 and placed in a secure care home, she finally understood her mum’s neuro diversity and their fun-filled relationship flourished for the last ten years of Margaret’s life.   The inspiration for MUMBELIEVABLE comes from the hit blog soniasmum, which featured their hilarious conversations and back story. Inspired by hundreds of people sharing their own anecdotes, MUMBELIEVABLE was born. In each episode Sonia invites a famous face to talk about their relationship with their own mother, from the funny moments to the deeper stories. This is a celebration of the mumbelievable women who have made us who we are.   ABOUT SONIA   Curious to know more about neuro diversity, Sonia gained qualifications in NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and is trained in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). She is a media and speaking coach and regularly contributes to the national press on body language, particularly around royal events.   Sonia's background is in broadcasting as a radio producer and TV Executive Producer working with famous faces including Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant on “An Idiot Abroad”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.