Pretty Covered

Polly

Pretty Covered, hosted by Jess Silva, is about holding space for authentic and honest conversations about life, independence, and facing the unexpected. We’re here to help make financial protection feel simple, relatable, and empowering, because small steps today can help make a big difference when life doesn’t go to plan. Brought to you by Polly. Pretty Covered is a podcast brought to you by Polly, a trading style of Clark Insurance UK Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registered company name changed in July 2026. All podcasts episodes released prior to this date will state Candid Insurance Services Ltd and were correct on the date of release. The content of this podcast is meant to be informational, and it should not be considered as financial advice. Terms and conditions may apply.

  1. 1d ago

    Helen Flanagan: Juggling It All as a Single Mum of Three

    In this warm and honest episode of Pretty Covered, host Jess Silva sits down with actress and mum of three Helen Flanagan, who grew up in the public eye after landing the role of Rosie Webster on Coronation Street at just nine years old. Helen reflects on growing up on the cobbles, dealing with bullying and online comments about her skin as a teenager, and how her time in the jungle meant people finally got to know her as Helen rather than Rosie. She also opens up about how much she loves being a mum, and the postnatal depression and postnatal OCD she experienced after having her children. Now a single parent who has her children most of the time, Helen talks candidly about separating from her partner of 13 years, the career she put on the back burner to support his, and what it means to start again financially when you were never married. She shares why she believes every woman should have her own money and independence, how her mum and dad keep everything going, and how living with ADHD can make life admin all too easy to put off. Looking ahead, Helen talks about focusing on her career, staying open to love, the importance of being kind to yourself, and the advice she'd give Jess as a first-time mum. 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly. If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: 👉 www.polly.co.uk 💫 Find Helen and the show details here: ✨ Helen Flanagan → @hjgflanagan ✨ Host - Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild ✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod ✨ Learn more about Polly → www.polly.co.uk ⏱️ Chapters (01:45) – Growing up on Coronation Street: becoming Rosie Webster at nine (07:48) – Bullying, acne and growing a thick skin in the public eye (09:15) – The jungle, and being known as Helen, not Rosie (11:00) – Always wanting to be a mum (12:07) – Postnatal depression and postnatal OCD (16:42) – How motherhood gives you strength (17:34) – Single parenting and the support of her mum and dad (19:27) – Why every woman needs her own money (24:43) – Separation and becoming the main carer (30:11) – Putting his career first and starting again financially (32:36) – Health, mortality and putting protection in place (36:21) – ADHD, life admin and why we put things off (39:51) – Looking ahead: career, love and never saying never (43:12) – Being kind to yourself and curating your feed (45:30) – Helen’s advice for first-time mums 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖 Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered. Terms and conditions apply. Life insurance is designed to help provide financial security. Premiums can vary based on health and other risk factors. Some sports and pastimes may not be covered.

    Helen Flanagan: Juggling It All as a Single Mum of Three
  2. Oct 2

    Fay Mahon: I Survived Cervical Cancer, Then Lost My Husband

    In this deeply personal episode of Pretty Covered, host Jess Silva sits down with mum of three and content creator Fay Mahon, who shares her experience of surviving cervical cancer in her twenties, losing her first husband Karl suddenly at 29, and rebuilding her life while raising two young children. Fay opens up about being diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer following her first smear test, the complicated pregnancy that followed, and the arrival of her daughter Seren, who Fay describes as her “miracle baby.”  She also shares the devastating story of Karl’s sudden death following a bleed on the brain, and the reality of becoming a young widow with two children. With Karl as the main breadwinner and no wider life insurance beyond their mortgage cover. Fay found herself with no money in her bank account and bills, childcare and funeral costs still needing to be paid.  Now remarried with three daughters, Fay reflects on finding love again, creating a new chapter for her family and why everything she has experienced has changed the way she thinks about life, money and protecting the people she loves. 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly. If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here:👉 www.polly.co.uk 💫 Find Fay and the show details here:✨ Fay Mahon → @homewithfay✨ Host - Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod✨ Learn more about Polly →  www.polly.co.uk ⏱️ Chapters (05:31) – Fay’s story: cancer, motherhood and becoming a young widow (08:14) – Being diagnosed with cervical cancer at 25 (12:10) – Pregnancy after cancer and fighting to carry Seren (16:56) – Welcoming her “miracle baby” (23:25) – The morning Karl suddenly collapsed (28:24) – Becoming a widow with two young children (37:07) – The financial reality of losing the family breadwinner (42:03) – How loss changed Fay’s approach to insurance and protection (51:07) – Finding love again and rebuilding her family (53:11) – How loss changed Fay’s outlook on life and motherhood 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖 Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered. Terms and conditions apply. Life insurance is designed to help provide financial security. Premiums can vary based on health and other risk factors. Some sports and pastimes may not be covered.

    Fay Mahon: I Survived Cervical Cancer, Then Lost My Husband
  3. Aug 28

    Demi Jones: Surviving Thyroid Cancer Showed Me What Really Matters

    In this uplifting episode of Pretty Covered, host Jess Silva sits down with influencer and thyroid cancer survivor Demi Jones, who opens up about her whirlwind diagnosis at just 22 years old, after being dismissed for months as “young and healthy.” Demi walks us through the emotional and practical challenges of receiving a cancer diagnosis so early in life, the urgent need for self-advocacy, and the complicated identity shift that followed. From confronting her own mortality to navigating surgery, fertility fears, and rebuilding confidence in the spotlight, Demi shares how this experience changed her outlook forever. Together, they explore the realities of recovery, dating after cancer, financial stability, and what protection really means when the unimaginable happens. 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly. If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: 👉 Polly 💫 Find Demi and the show details here: ✨ Demi Jones → @demijones1 ✨ Host - Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild ✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod ✨ Learn more about Polly → Polly ⏱️ Chapters (00:00) – Introducing Demi: life before diagnosis (04:20) – Spotting the lump: early symptoms and GP visits (08:50) – Being dismissed: fighting to be taken seriously (12:30) – The diagnosis: thyroid cancer at 22 (17:40) – Surgery, recovery and emotional whiplash (23:10) – How cancer changed her sense of identity (28:00) – Dating, confidence and scars (32:00) – Career changes and finding a new normal (37:00) – Fertility fears and financial pressure (41:00) – The importance of planning ahead (46:30) – What Demi wants other women to know 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖 Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered.

    Demi Jones: Surviving Thyroid Cancer Showed Me What Really Matters
  4. Jul 31

    Kat Dodd: 16 Minutes That Felt Like a Lifetime

    In this raw episode of Pretty Covered, host Jess Silva sits down with home and fashion influencer Kat Dodd (@homewithkat_), who shares the terrifying night she found her partner, Adam, in cardiac arrest and the aftermath that followed. Kat takes us through the harrowing moment she performed CPR in the middle of the night, how her quick thinking saved Adam’s life, and the five agonising days that followed as he lay in a coma. She opens up about the long journey of recovery, the PTSD that lingered, and the strength it took to rebuild their lives. Together, they explore how this experience changed everything: from Kat’s relationship with fear, to her career, to her perspective on planning for the future. It’s a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant, and why learning CPR is so important! 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly. If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: 👉 Polly 💫 Find Kat and the show details here: ✨ Kat Dodd → @homewithkat_ ✨ Host - Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild ✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod ✨ Learn more about Polly → Polly ⏱️ Chapters (00:00) – The night everything changed (03:20) – Recognising the signs of cardiac arrest (08:10) – Performing CPR on her partner (13:00) – Waiting for a pulse, and the ambulance arrives (17:40) – Five days in a coma: the unbearable wait (24:00) – Waking up and the long road to recovery (31:30) – PTSD, sleep struggles, and navigating trauma (35:00) – The push to leave teaching and start something new (38:00) – Why CPR awareness matters—and how sharing her story saved another life (41:45) – Life insurance, planning ahead, and protecting your family (47:30) – Moving forward, and what life looks like today 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖  Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered. Terms and conditions apply. Life insurance is designed to help provide financial security. Premiums can vary based on health and other risk factors. Some sports and pastimes may not be covered.

    Kat Dodd: 16 Minutes That Felt Like a Lifetime
  5. Jun 26

    Gabby Allen: What Losing My Dad Taught Me

    In this empowering episode of Pretty Covered, host Jess Silva is joined by fitness coach and TV personality Gabby Allen. Gabby opens up about losing her dad to a brain tumour when she was just 20 years old, the suddenness of it all, and the financial and emotional aftermath that followed. Gabby speaks candidly about how her dad’s illness reshaped her outlook on life, responsibility, and legacy. From navigating grief as a young adult to becoming the main support system for her mum, Gabby reflects on how this loss has influenced the way she approaches her own future and financial planning. This episode explores how the loss of a parent early in life can impact your mindset long-term, and how Gabby channels that pain into purpose. 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly. If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: 👉 Polly 💫 Find Gabby and the show details here:✨ Gabby Allen → @gabbydawnallen ✨ Host - Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild ✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod ✨ Learn more about Polly → Polly ⏱️ Chapters (00:00) – Gabby’s reflections on her dad and how quickly life can change (03:20) – The diagnosis: from healthy to terminal in weeks (08:10) – Losing her dad at 20 and stepping into responsibility (14:05) – Becoming the support system for her mum (21:40) – Channeling grief into purpose through fitness (26:00) – How the loss changed Gabby’s view on planning and protection (31:15) – Advice for others facing sudden family illness (37:00) – The ripple effects of loss on identity and mindset (41:50) – Gabby’s approach to life now: balance, strength and vulnerability (47:30) – Final thoughts: what her dad taught her 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered. Terms and conditions apply. Life insurance is designed to help provide financial security. Premiums can vary based on health and other risk factors. Some sports and pastimes may not be covered.

    Gabby Allen: What Losing My Dad Taught Me
  6. May 29

    Frankie Essex: What Losing My Mum Taught Me About Being One

    In this heartfelt episode, Jess Silva is joined by TV personality and mum of twins, Frankie Essex. Frankie opens up about the devastating loss of her mum at just 13 years old, the silence that followed, and how she pieced together the truth herself in the years that came after. She reflects on stepping into a parental role far too young, how grief shaped her teenage years, and how becoming a mum herself changed everything. Frankie also shares why her experience has made her determined to put protection in place, and how life insurance helped her family when they needed it most. 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: 👉 www.polly.co.uk 💫 Find our guest and show details here: ✨ Frankie Essex → @frankieessex87 ✨ Host – Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild ✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod ✨ Learn more about Polly → www.polly.co.uk ⏱️ Chapters: (00:00:00) – Growing up in Bermondsey and moving to Essex (00:03:41) – Losing her mum at 13 (00:08:59) – Discovering the truth (00:15:10) – Taking on a parental role (00:21:25) – Teenage grief and early adulthood (00:28:07) – Joining TOWIE and losing friendships (00:36:02) – Life insurance and protection for her dad (00:41:23) – Becoming a mum and setting up her cover (00:48:00) – Learning to feel proud again (00:54:40) – Preparing for the future 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered. Terms and conditions apply. Life insurance is designed to help provide financial security. Premiums can vary based on health and other risk factors. Some sports and pastimes may not be covered.

    Frankie Essex: What Losing My Mum Taught Me About Being One
  7. Apr 24

    Rosie Moss: The Day Ben Was Lost At Sea

    In this moving episode, Jess Silva is joined by Rosie Moss, Widowed AF founder and mother of three whose life changed overnight when her husband Ben was tragically lost at sea whilst diving in 2018. His body was never recovered. Rosie speaks candidly about the heartbreak of her sudden loss, navigating through her traumatic grief, and the pressure of taking over her husband’s business while raising their three children alone. She shares how the experience shaped her resilience and why she now speaks out about financial planning, family security, and the realities of loss. 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: 👉 Polly 💫 Find our guest and show details here: ✨ Rosie Moss → @rosie_gill_moss  ✨ Widowed AF → https://widowedaf.com/  ✨ Rosie’s Book → Widowed As F**K: A Guidebook for Grieving Your Partner  ✨ Host – Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild ✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod ✨ Learn more about Polly → www.polly.co.uk ⏱️ Chapters: (00:00:00) – Introduction and Rosie's journey to the podcast (00:05:05) – Rosie and Ben's Story  (00:09:45) – The night everything changed (00:17:07) – Accepting reality  (00:23:40) – Running a business and parenting through grief (00:29:56) – Coping mechanisms (00:35:14) – How life insurance helped  (00:44:36) – Building an award winning podcast and community for widows (00:56:47) – Looking ahead 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖 Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered. Terms and conditions apply. Life insurance is designed to help provide financial security. Premiums can vary based on health and other risk factors. Some sports and pastimes may not be covered.

    Rosie Moss: The Day Ben Was Lost At Sea
  8. Mar 27

    Lauren Mahon: From Diagnosis to GIRLvsCANCER

    In this episode, host Jess Silva is joined by broadcaster, activist, and founder of GIRLvsCANCER, Lauren Mahon. Lauren opens up about receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in her early 30s, the emotional and financial challenges that followed, and why honest conversations around health, money, and the messy parts of life are more important than ever. This powerful and candid conversation explores the impact of serious illness on work, finances, and mental wellbeing, and why the systems meant to support people often fall short. From benefit forms to fear of the future, Lauren doesn’t shy away from the real stuff and encourages us all to think about how we prepare for life’s curveballs. 💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly. If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: 👉 Polly 💫 Find Lauren and the show details here: ✨Lauren Mahon: @iamlaurenmahon ✨GIRLvsCANCER: @girlvscancer, https://girlvscancer.co.uk/ ✨ Host - Jess Silva → @jess.silva.wild ✨ Follow the show → @pretty_covered_pod ✨ Learn more about Polly → Polly  ⏱️ Chapters (00:00) – Diagnosis, denial and confronting the unknown (06:15) – Facing work, finances and the emotional fallout (14:40) – Making the system work for you (23:30) – Talking about illness and money with confidence (36:00) – What we don’t prepare for - and why we should (44:55) – GIRLvsCANCER and using her voice (56:20) – The power of community and being honest about fear 💖 Thanks for listening to Pretty Covered 💖 Subscribe for more real stories, heartfelt conversations, and empowering moments that remind us,  it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being Pretty Covered. Statistics, amounts, and available resources mentioned in this episode are verified and correct as of the time of filming. During the podcast, Lauren mentioned that prices are cheaper the younger you are. Please note that this can vary depending on health and other risk factors.

    Lauren Mahon: From Diagnosis to GIRLvsCANCER

About

Pretty Covered, hosted by Jess Silva, is about holding space for authentic and honest conversations about life, independence, and facing the unexpected. We’re here to help make financial protection feel simple, relatable, and empowering, because small steps today can help make a big difference when life doesn’t go to plan. Brought to you by Polly. Pretty Covered is a podcast brought to you by Polly, a trading style of Clark Insurance UK Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registered company name changed in July 2026. All podcasts episodes released prior to this date will state Candid Insurance Services Ltd and were correct on the date of release. The content of this podcast is meant to be informational, and it should not be considered as financial advice. Terms and conditions may apply.

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