Happy Mum Happy Baby

This week, we welcome broadcaster, High Performance Podcast host, and father of two, Jake Humphrey, to the studio.Jake and Giovanna share their experiences of being bullied at school, with Jake sharing how those early challenges later helped him navigate public scrutiny as the BBC’s F1 presenter. He also talks candidly about fertility struggles and the deal he made with his wife while trying to conceive their first child during long periods away for work...!'Game Plan: Level Up Your Mindset. Own Your Future' is out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Gi sits down with comedian Hannah East to talk about the chaos of parenting three children.Hannah shares her unique career journey, from competing on Gladiators (where she met her husband) to presenting at the 2012 Olympics.She also opens up about her fertility struggles and two miscarriages, and how her experiences with grief inspired her to create a stand-up show to help others feel less alone.Buy tickets to Hannah's tour here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Giovanna sits down with Debbie Bright for an eye-opening conversation about what it’s really like to be a foster carer. Best known to many from TOWIE, Debbie is also one of the UK’s longest-serving foster carers, having cared for over 200 children across 35 years.Gi and Debbie talk about why children enter care, the importance of showing compassion rather than judgment toward birth parents, and the emotional reality of saying goodbye when children move on.Debbie also opens up about her own turbulent childhood, and offers heartfelt advice to anyone considering fostering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest this week is presenter and author Chessie King!Chessie opens up to Giovanna about navigating her husband’s postnatal depression and the incredibly tough time that left their marriage on the brink of divorce.She also talks about the emotional journey of trying to conceive again after experiencing fertility struggles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Giovanna is joined by adventurer and explorer Steve Backshall Steve and Gi catch up on family life as he reflects on his childhood and how it shaped the person he is today. He also opens up about his wife Helen's inspiring journey training for the Tokyo Olympics just months after giving birth, and of course, there are plenty of tales from his iconic adventures along the way.LEGO® Education has launched four innovative STEM sets for young builders aged 7+, championed by explorer Steve Backshall. These sets turn children's big 'Why?' questions into hands-on, independent scientific discovery. Available today via select LEGO Stores and LEGO.com/LEGOEducation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One huge milestone. One unforgettable twist 👀To celebrate 300 incredible episodes of Happy Mum Happy Baby, Giovanna finally finds herself on the other side of the table, lovingly nudged out of the hosting chair by none other than her best friend Emma Willis!In a perfect full-circle moment, Emma—who was HMHB’s very first guest—returns to turn the tables and get the full story on Gi’s parenting journey.It’s raw, revealing, and the perfect way to honour 300 episodes of honest conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains explicit discussion surrounding issues including depression, postpartum psychosis and suicidal thoughts. This may prove a difficult listen for some and if you feel that listening may affect you negatively then please choose another episode.This week Giovanna sits down with Jade Lloyd for a powerful and deeply personal interview about her experience with postpartum psychosis. Jade tells Gi about her traumatic birth during COVID-19, followed by a descent into severe postpartum psychosis that required her being admitted to a mother and baby unit and sectioned.Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate intervention. If you are worried about yourself or a loved one it’s important to speak to a health professional such as a GP, midwife or health visitor. If it's an emergency and you don’t feel safe, call 999 or go straight to A&E. If Jade’s story has resonated with you and you need help or support, please don’t hesitate to use the resources below:Action on Postpartum Psychosis https://www.app-network.org/Pandas https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/Samaritans https://www.samaritans.orgMind UK https://www.mind.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Giovanna is joined by the brilliantly funny reality star and mum of three, Charlotte Dawson!Charlotte opens up to Gi about honouring her dad Les Dawson’s memory at home, alongside her mission to champion body positivity for women everywhere.A hilarious, honest, and slightly chaotic episode — enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Happy Mum Happy Baby, Giovanna chats with the brilliant Lou Beckett!Lou opens up about the pressures of breastfeeding, and shares how she and her husband Rob navigated the all-too-real 'roommate phase' during their early days of parenthood.She also talks about the mental load of being the 'default parent': the one who keeps family life ticking, from organising clubs and parties to taking on the emotional and administrative side of home life.Lou's book Lessons From a Default Parent is available for preorder now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

National treasure of stage and screen Denise Van Outen joins Giovanna this week!Denise and Gi chat about their stagey childhoods and the impact motherhood has had on their careers in the performing arts.Plus, Denise opens up about her relationship with ex-partner Lee Mead and how they successfully co-parent their daughter, Betsy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Giovanna is joined by manifestation expert and two-time Sunday Times bestselling author, Roxie Nafousi!Roxie opens up about her turbulent past with addiction and the powerful journey of finding sobriety when she became pregnant.Roxie also tells Gi about manifesting and the simple steps you can take now to shape the life you want later. You can check out Roxie’s guided visualisation for future-self and retirement here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being able to share incredible stories is a huge reason why we do this podcast.Last year, Giovanna read Lifeblood: A Mother in Search of Hope by author and journalist Mina Holland. The book reveals Mina’s harrowing journey after learning her baby, Vida, was critically ill just two days before turning 12 weeks old. What unfolded next was nothing short of extraordinary. Now, Mina joins Gi to share her powerful story firsthand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leanne Quigley is back for part two of her extraordinary conversation - if you haven't already heard part 1 you can listen here.In this episode, Leanne opens up to Gi about her experience on The Traitors, including the emotional challenge of leaving her two young boys while filming.She also reflects on the life-changing moment after filming when her fiancée, Sophie, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re hooked once again on the new series of The Traitors, so it felt only right that we sit down with Season 3 champion, Leanne Quigley for a chat on all things motherhood (and reality TV!)Leanne’s story is truly remarkable, and with so much to unpack we've divided this episode into two parts. In this first episode, Leanne opens up to Gi about her IVF journey with her partner Sophie, and the incredible moment they discovered they were expecting twins.She also shares the intense experience of giving birth three and a half months early, along with the challenges that followed and subsequent hospital visits.Tune in for part 2 this Thursday - you definitely won’t want to miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special episode features never-before-heard snippets from some of our favourite conversations, including: Dr Emily MacDonagh on the importance of honest conversations about the realities of parenting; Joanna Page on the chaos of writing a book while managing four children, and a bonus Q&A with Midwife Pip. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carrie and Joel are back for part 2 of their Christmassy chat!This time, we hear about the birth of their daughter Mabel, the challenges of sleep deprivation, and balancing work and family life in the theatre industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a true family affair on this week’s episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby!Gi’s sister-in-law Carrie Hope Fletcher and her husband Joel Montague stop by Gi's house for a very festive chat. The couple share what it’s like working together in their new roles in Elf The Musical, plus talk about how they prepared for the arrival of their now one-year-old daughter, Mabel.Don’t miss the second part of their conversation, coming next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Gi sits down with women's health nutritionist GQ Jordan, whose philosophy centres on listening to and nourishing your body - and making healthy eating feel simple and achievable.GQ opens up about her personal journey with IUI and IVF, sharing how nutrition can play a role in supporting our bodies through fertility treatment and beyond.She also opens up to Gi about her experience of baby loss and navigating grief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The queen of disco is in the house!Pop icon and mother of five Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins Giovanna to chat motherhood, music, and everything in between.She tells Gi about falling pregnant with her son just 6 weeks into a new relationship, and shares her experiences with pre-eclampsia and caring for babies who battled sepsis and meningitis.Sophie's brilliant new album Perimenopop is out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready for laughs, tears, and everything in between as Giovanna sits down with stand-up comedian Harriet Kemsley.Harriet opens up to Gi about the end of her marriage and why walking away was ultimately the best thing she could do for her family. She also talks about her PTSD and how it affected her during birth.Plus, Gi gets the inside scoop on Harriet’s new adventures in dating!Ps. Harriet is back on tour! Catch her in 2026 with her brand-new stand-up show Floozy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This November is Men's Mental Health Month so we're joined by the UK's Youth Metal Health Ambassador, Dr Alex George to discuss Paternal wellbeing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everybody needs good Neighbours — and this week, Gi’s joined by the ultimate one! Singer, actor, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat LEGEND Jason Donovan opens up about the highs and lows of fame, his struggle with addiction, and the life-changing decision he made after becoming a dad for the first time.Plus, he opens up about the challenges and rewards of watching his three children grow up and what they've taught him about trusting the process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turn It Up as this week we’re joined by perhaps our most pregnant guest yet...? the incredible singer and pop superstar, Pixie Lott! Pixie chats with Gi about her second pregnancy, from what it’s like to perform while heavily pregnant to how she’s helping her toddler get ready to become a big sibling.Plus, Pixie opens up about how meditation has helped her through some of life’s tougher moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roll out the red carpet because this week we welcome the one and only Keira Knightley to the Happy Mum Happy Baby studio!She's known all around the world for her unforgettable roles in Pride and Prejudice, Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean and Bend It Like Beckham (just to name a few!). Now a proud mum of two, Keira sits down with Giovanna for a brilliantly unfiltered conversation about the highs and lows of motherhood.Expect laughter, honesty, and a whole lot of heart — this is Keira Knightley as you’ve never heard her before!Keira's debut children’s book, I Love You Just The Same, is available now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to ‘And The Award Goes To…’ hereIn this bonus episode, Giovanna appears on a brand new podcast, ‘And The Award Goes To….’. It’s the awards show that’s also a podcast, where guests dish out five awards across five categories created especially for herSo listen in, as Gi offers up her winners for a whole host of awards, including the Best Line From a Film, the Best Way to Keep The Kids Entertained and The Best Gift For a Father Who is Approaching Middle Age!On Spotify: link https://tinyurl.com/spotify-and-the-award-goes-to On Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/and-the-award-goes-to On Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/amazon-and-the-award-goes-to On TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/tiktok-and-the-award-goes-to On Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/Insta-And-The-Award-Goes-To On YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTube-And-The-Award-Goes-To Brand new episodes of ‘And The Award Goes To’ drop every Friday. Brought to you by Argos and Acast Creative. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view or position of Argos or any of its group companies. Descriptions of the products mentioned in this podcast are accurate as at the time of recording. Check your local store or argos.co.uk for product availability, which may vary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this month's Parenting SOS, Gi is joined by the wonderful Midwife Pip to chat all things pregnancy and postpartum.From the rollercoaster of pregnancy hormones to who is actually in the delivery room, Pip shares what to expect every step of the way. Plus, she sets the record straight on some of the biggest birth myths, like does having sex actually induce labour??A must-listen for anyone getting ready to welcome their little one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Put your feet up and get cosy, this episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby comes straight to you from Gi’s sofa! And who better to join her than Mrs Saturday Night, Tess Daly!Tess has been a familiar face on our screens for over two decades, but what does motherhood look like beyond the glitter of the Strictly ballroom?Gi and Tess dive into sleepless nights, the trials and triumphs of raising teenagers, and the importance of friendships in motherhood.Plus Tess describes the whirlwind of returning to live television just six weeks after having her daughter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They don't get more iconic than this... this week Giovanna welcomes EastEnders legend and ultimate hun, Natalie Cassidy!Natalie and Gi talk about growing up in the public eye, the rollercoaster of raising teens, and how her feelings about her body image have shifted over the years.Plus, Natalie opens up about navigating grief after the death of her parents.You can read more about Natalie's journey in her memoir Happy Days, out October 9th! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Happy Mum Happy Baby we say hiya to actress, presenter and mother of four Joanna Page!Joanna opens up to Gi about life after Gavin & Stacey, and shares how she juggles the chaos of raising four children (and many pets!) alongside her acting career.She also reflects on the complications she faced during pregnancy, as well as her experience of becoming pregnant again at 44.Joanna's new autobiography Lush!: My Story - From Swansea to Stacey and Everything in Between is available now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

94% of new mums experience loneliness... but you don’t have to go through it alone.This month on Parenting SOS, Gi sits down with Michelle Kennedy, founder and CEO of networking app Peanut. Together, they explore why motherhood can feel so isolating, and what it means to build a village.Plus, Michelle answers your questions and shares some simple, practical ways to start creating meaningful connections in your everyday life.Michelle's new book It Takes A Village is the essential parenting guide that blends expert advice with the real stories of mums worldwide - available now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in 2018, the iconic Davina McCall kicked off the second series of Happy Mum Happy Baby. And now… she’s back!!The legendary TV host behind some of the UK’s biggest reality shows and a fierce advocate for women’s health joins Gi once again for an honest and unfiltered conversation about childbirth, motherhood, and the realities of womanhood.She also opens up about undergoing brain surgery last year, sharing what that experience has taught her and how recovery is reshaping the way she sees herself.Davina’s brand-new book, Birthing, the ultimate guide to conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, Giovanna sits down with author Ali Harris for a deeply moving conversation about love, loss and finding hope through grief.Ali carried her third child, Poppy, for just under twenty-four weeks until the day she delivered her, knowing she had already died. She opens up to Gi about navigating this loss, and how she has channeled that pain, healing, and hope into writing. Her latest novel received countless rejections - “no one wants to read about baby loss'. But Ali was determined to create space for these stories in fiction, not only for the millions of women who know this grief firsthand, but also to help bring these experiences into the wider world of storytelling.Ali's new book, This Wasn’t Meant to Happen, is available from September 11th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olympic champion, presenter and author Dame Denise Lewis joins us this week for an inspiring chat about balancing ambition and career with motherhood. Denise discusses the lack of support she experienced in the sporting world when she became pregnant at the peak of her career. Plus, she recounts an unexpected chapter in her life when, at 46, symptoms she attributed to perimenopause were actually signs of her fourth pregnancy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're very excited this week to be joined by Geordie Shore legend Sophie Kasaei! Sophie first graced our screens in 2011 as part of the OG Geordie Shore cast and is now using her platform to shine a light on the many different journeys to parenthood.Sophie opens up to Gi about her personal struggle with conceiving, the emotional highs and lows she's experienced so far, and the impact it’s had on her relationship with TOWIE’s Jordan Brook.Sending love and support to anyone that may be on this journey too; you are not alone 🤍You can catch more of Sophie on Geordie Stories: Sophie’s Fertility Journey, now available to stream on Paramount+ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Returning to school after the summer holidays can be an anxious time for many children. So for this month's Parenting SOS, we invited child anxiety specialist and author of Help! My Child's Anxiety is Giving me Anxiety Saskia Joss to the studio to help us make the back-to-school transition as smooth as possible.Saskia ad Gi talk about some of the reasons why children might feel anxious about returning to school, and what we can do to support them. Plus, Saskia offers guidance for addressing emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA) and outlines actionable steps to take if your child feels unable to attend school. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Giovanna is joined by musician and father of one Marcel Somerville!First finding fame in the early 2000s with Blazin’ Squad, Marcel went on to appear on our screens in Love Island and then Love Island: All stars.He opens up to Gi about prioritising his son throughout his marriage breakup, his Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis, and how he really feels about his return to the Love Island Villa.Marcel's new single What I Did For Love is out now! And you can catch Marcel at The Blazin’ Squad Brunch, taking over 6 cities across the country from August 30th! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stand-up comedian, podcaster and author Suzi Ruffell joins us for this week’s episode!Suzi tells Gi about the lack of queer representation she saw growing up and how it made her feel shame around her sexuality for a long time.Plus, she opens up about navigating motherhood as someone with anxiety and the ongoing challenge of learning not to catastrophise.Suzi's brilliant new book 'Am I Having Fun Now? is available NOW! And she is of course back on tour with 'The Juggle' from September. Check it out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gi is back from her family holiday and ready for a chat!Plus we revisit some of our episodes to hear what summer tips and tales our guests have shared with us over the years, including:Kerry Hudson on the joy of travelling with kidsHarry and Izzy Judd on having a summer babyThe Travelling Gays on keeping their routine on holidayLouise Thompson on struggling to leave the house when living with PTSDLaura Anderson on the hacks she's picked up from her career as a flight attendant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The summer holidays are here! Whether we're going away or staying closer to home, keeping our little ones safe is always top of mind. So this month on Parenting SOS, founder of Mini First Aid Kate Ball is here to share her top tips to get you ready for a great summer!Kate and Gi run through some of the best ways to prevent accidents, from swimming safety to sunburn protection.Plus, Kate explains the importance of trusting your gut when it comes to your child’s health, and of course answers some of your first aid questions.Get 10% off with the code HAPPYMUM in the Mini First Aid shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We love a couples interview on Happy Mum Happy Baby and this week is no exception as broadcaster Rick Edwards and actor & writer Emer Kenny join Gi in the studio.They chat about getting engaged after six weeks(!), plus Rick shares how he tried to make himself useful during Emer's 40+ hour labour.The couple also open up about navigating freelancing and family, with Emer explaining how she managed to juggle writing a tv show with having a baby. And you can check out Emer's incredible work for yourself - the second series of Karen Pirie returns to ITV1 and ITVX this Sunday 20th July! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A couple of months ago we welcomed Peter Andre onto the podcast... and now his wife Dr Emily MacDonagh is here to set the record straight!Emily opens up to Gi about becoming a mum at 24 whilst completing her doctor training, and discusses what being a step parent means to her.Plus, Emily shares the story of her third birth for the first time, the complications of which led to the realisation that Belle would be her last child.Emily also has a book coming out! Incredible Things Your Body Can Do is Emily's debut picture book that teaches children about their bodies from an early age. Aimed at children aged 3 and up, Incredible Things Your Body Can Do celebrates the human body and its amazing abilities. Make sure you preorder your copy here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Gi is joined by fashion designer and queen of colour Olivia Rubin!Olivia talks about balancing the success of her growing business with parenting her two daughters, and tells Gi why she's decided to scale things back.Olivia also opens up about struggling mentally after the birth of her first child. As postnatal mental health was rarely spoken about, Olivia admits at the time she didn't know what she was experiencing, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.