13 episodes

When writer and illustrator Laura Dockrill first became a mum, the experience was life changing - but not in the way she was expecting. She woke up on her first Mother’s Day in a psychiatric ward, without a clue where she was, separated from her newborn, with a diagnosis of postpartum psychosis. Since her experience, she’s been on a mission to uncover the psychological effects of bringing a small person into this world and smash the stigmas associated with them. Each week Laura will be talking to guests from a range of different backgrounds and disciplines all with their own unique experience for some heart-breaking, heart warming, gut wrenching, generous, reassuring real talk. #Zombiemum

Zombiemum Broccoli Productions

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.2 • 14 Ratings

When writer and illustrator Laura Dockrill first became a mum, the experience was life changing - but not in the way she was expecting. She woke up on her first Mother’s Day in a psychiatric ward, without a clue where she was, separated from her newborn, with a diagnosis of postpartum psychosis. Since her experience, she’s been on a mission to uncover the psychological effects of bringing a small person into this world and smash the stigmas associated with them. Each week Laura will be talking to guests from a range of different backgrounds and disciplines all with their own unique experience for some heart-breaking, heart warming, gut wrenching, generous, reassuring real talk. #Zombiemum

    Introducing: We Were Always Here

    Introducing: We Were Always Here

    Hello fellow Zombies!



    Been missing Zombiemum? Well, we're delighted to introduce We Were Always Here our new weekly documentary series - exploring the history of the UK AIDS pandemic from the perspective of those most marginalized communities. 



    This is the first episode, introducing our host Marc Thompson, a lifelong activist diagnosed with HIV in 1986 at just 17 years old. He’ll be talking about his childhood, growing up as a black gay man in Brixton, as well as the impact of those first reports of a strange cancer that had begun to emerge from the US... 

    These are stories of loss, activism, rage and resilience, and most importantly - community. 



    We hope you enjoy!

    If you'd like to hear more follow the series here - bit.ly/wewerealwayshere

    Or search 'We were always here' in your favourite podcast app. 


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    • 28 min
    Bryony Gordon | 'Everything is manageable'

    Bryony Gordon | 'Everything is manageable'

    In this episode, Laura talks to writer, podcaster and Telegraph columnist Bryony Gordon. They discuss Bryony’s experience coping with addiction as a parent, her journey of recovery, and living with OCD.



    CW: This podcast contains open, honest and often detailed discussions about mental health. This episode contains discussion of alcoholism, addiction and OCD.



    #Zombiemum is produced by Bea Duncan. It was mastered by Rob Fincham, with original music by Hugo White. The artwork is by Mars West. The Executive Producer is Hana Walker-Brown.



    RESOURCES:

    Action on Postpartum psychosis

    The national charity for women and families affected by postpartum psychosis.

    Website: https://www.app-network.org



    Mind

    Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

    Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

    Website: www.mind.org.uk



    Samaritans

    Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

    Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

    Website: www.samaritans.org.uk



    Recovery

    Advice on recovery sources across the United Kingdom.

    Website: https://www.recovery.org.uk

    Phone: 0203 553 0324 (24 hours)



    OCD UK

    A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.

    Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

    Website: www.ocduk.org
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    • 43 min
    Nikesh Shukla | 'Small pockets of joy'

    Nikesh Shukla | 'Small pockets of joy'

    In this episode, Laura talks to writer and podcaster Nikesh Shukla. They discuss the difficulties of raising tough topics with kids, processing grief while raising children and the impact of sleep deprivation.



    CW: This podcast contains open, honest and often detailed discussions about mental health. This episode contains discussion of greif and racism.



    #Zombiemum is produced by Bea Duncan. It was mastered by Rob Fincham, with original music by Hugo White. The artwork is by Mars West. The Executive Producer is Hana Walker-Brown.



    RESOURCES:

    Action on Postpartum psychosis

    The national charity for women and families affected by postpartum psychosis.

    Website: https://www.app-network.org



    Mind

    Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

    Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

    Website: www.mind.org.uk



    Samaritans

    Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

    Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

    Website: www.samaritans.org.uk



    Cruse Bereavement Care

    The leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

    Website: www.cruse.org.uk



    Stand against Racism & Inequality

    Support for victims of any type of hate crime

    Phone: 0800 171 2272 (Reporting line)

    Website: https://www.sariweb.org.uk/help-support/online-reporting-form/
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    • 36 min
    Bryony Kimmings | 'The mad woman route'

    Bryony Kimmings | 'The mad woman route'

    In this episode, Laura talks to live artist and theatre maker Bryony Kimmings. They discuss her birth experience, the trauma she faced afterwards with her own health and her son’s, and her recovery.



    CW: This podcast contains open, honest and often detailed discussions about mental health. This episode contains discussion of anxiety, psychosis and postnatal trauma.



    #Zombiemum is produced by Bea Duncan. It was mastered by Rob Fincham, with original music by Hugo White. The artwork is by Mars West. The Executive Producer is Hana Walker-Brown.



    RESOURCES:

    Action on Postpartum psychosis

    The national charity for women and families affected by postpartum psychosis.

    Website: https://www.app-network.org



    Mind

    Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

    Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

    Website: www.mind.org.uk



    Samaritans

    Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

    Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

    Website: www.samaritans.org.uk



    Association for Post Natal Illness

    Leading organisation providing support to people suffering from postnatal illness

    Website: https://apni.org

    Helpline: 0207 386 0868 (Weekdays 10am-2pm)



    Anxiety UK

    Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

    Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)

    Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 45 min
    Lemn Sissay | 'Its name was care'

    Lemn Sissay | 'Its name was care'

    In this episode, Laura talks to BAFTA nominated International prize winning writer Lemn Sissay. They discuss his experience of being taken from his birth mother against her will and put into care, and the ways that this affected him and his views of family in later life.



    CW: This podcast contains open, honest and often detailed discussions about mental health. This episode contains discussion of depression and abuse in the care system.



    #Zombiemum is produced by Bea Duncan. It was mastered by Rob Fincham, with original music by Hugo White. The artwork is by Mars West. The Executive Producer is Hana Walker-Brown.



    RESOURCES:

    Action on Postpartum psychosis

    The national charity for women and families affected by postpartum psychosis.

    Website: https://www.app-network.org



    Mind

    Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

    Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

    Website: www.mind.org.uk



    Samaritans

    Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

    Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

    Website: www.samaritans.org.uk



    PAPYRUS

    Young suicide prevention society.

    Phone: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays)

    Website: www.papyrus-uk.org



    YoungMinds

    Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.

    Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)

    Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 39 min
    Hugo White | 'We're here now'

    Hugo White | 'We're here now'

    In this episode, Laura talks to her partner Hugo White, a musician, record producer and guitarist of band The Maccabees. They discuss the experience of having their first child Jet, how it was for Hugo when Laura was hospitalised with postpartum psychosis, and the ways they approached recovery together. 



    CW: This podcast contains open, honest and often detailed discussions about mental health. This episode contains discussion of postpartum psychosis.



    #Zombiemum is produced by Bea Duncan. It was mastered by Rob Fincham, with original music by Hugo White. The artwork is by Mars West. The Executive Producer is Hana Walker-Brown.



    RESOURCES:

    Action on Postpartum psychosis

    The national charity for women and families affected by postpartum psychosis.

    Website: https://www.app-network.org



    Mind

    Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

    Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

    Website: www.mind.org.uk



    Samaritans

    Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

    Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

    Website: www.samaritans.org.uk


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

SundaeSunshine ,

Can’t wait for more!

Wow! I am so happy to have found this podcast in its beginning! I am currently just under 10 months postpartum and have struggled with PPD/PPA, so to hear this and know that so many other Moms struggle is so helpful (though so heartbreaking at the same time). I look forward to future episodes! Will be recommending to all my Mom friends!

pvscx preston ,

Great new program

This new podcast is the deeply needed conversation we need about post-partum depression.

Years ago, as a new Dad and husband I found myself unable to assist my wife in her struggle with depression. What befuddled me was that there seemed to be no resources or help at the hospital! I felt we were explaining a completely unknown condition. I remain confused about it all to this day.

Thanks for talking about this ❤️

LisaTski ,

Open, honest & real talk

Such an important topic that up until recently was not really talked about. Having a child is a gift but there is a lot to unpack with it! Laura’s book was beautiful written and now this podcast-Share it with all of your friends. We don’t know who will be affected by postpartum so this could help make someone not feel so alone. Kick the shame and stigma to the corner- start the discussion and share this podcast!

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