The Netmums Podcast

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by World Cup 2026 presenter and mum of one Kelly Somers for an honest conversation about returning to work after having a baby, rebuilding confidence, and navigating the juggle of motherhood and career.As one of the UK's leading sports presenters, Kelly has fronted some of football's biggest programmes, from Match of the Day and Football Focus to major international tournaments. But becoming a mum brought a whole new challenge: balancing a demanding career with the realities of family life.Kelly opens up about the fears she carried for years after being diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS, and why becoming a mother felt like something she could never take for granted. She reflects on returning to work after maternity leave, rebuilding her career confidence, and navigating the challenges that motherhood can throw your way when life doesn't go exactly to plan.With the FIFA World Cup taking her Stateside this summer, Kelly shares how she's making family life work while reporting on one of the biggest sporting events in the world. From travelling with a toddler to relying on an ‘army’ of family support, she offers a refreshingly honest insight into what modern working motherhood really looks like.In this episode:• Returning to work after having a baby and rebuilding career confidence• How motherhood changed Kelly's perspective on ambition and success• Living with endometriosis and PCOS and becoming a mum against the odds• Navigating guilt, identity and the pressure to do it all• Why asking for help is one of the most important parenting skillsWhether you're preparing to return to work after maternity leave, questioning how to balance career and family life, or simply trying to keep all the plates spinning, this episode is packed with reassurance, practical advice and a reminder that there's no one right way to do motherhood.Read more expert advice at Netmums.com and join the conversation on social @Netmums.JB and Louise also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be part of a future episode.The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums – trusted by parents, backed by experts.Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative.

**Sensitive content warning: This conversation explores some very serious themes, including self-harm, depression and sexual references. Please take care while listeningWe’re back for a brand new series of The Netmums Podcast! Meet your new parent hosts, TV presenter and JLS singer, JB Gill, and Netmums Editorial Director Louise Burke.JB and Louise are kicking off Series 18 with one of the hotly debated parenting topics right now: the issue of children’s screen time and the social media ban. How can we as parents tackle screen time and online use while raising a happy family?We’re joined by renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, who helps us explore the impact of smartphones on childhood, the difficult conversations parents face with their kids around social media use, and practical strategies for resetting family digital habits.In this episode of our podcast made by parents for parents:- The challenges of managing screen time in busy family lives – ‘bad’ screentime versus ‘good’ screentime- Insights into the effects of social media on children’s mental health- Practical tips for creating a balanced digital environment at home- The importance of play and outdoor activities in childhood development- Real-life stories from parents navigating these issuesThis episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for support when it comes to parenting your child online. It also provides you with expert insight if you’re looking to gain a better understanding of the current digital landscape such as the impact of social media and its effect on children today.The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price is out now at all good booksellers.Read more expert help on Netmums.com and join the conversation on socials @Netmums.We also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas! So please share them with us at thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and we can bring you into the conversations that matter on The Netmums Podcast.This podcast is brought to you by Netmums: backed by experts, trusted by parents. Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

*Sensitive content warning - a conversation around baby loss features in this episodeIn this final episode of Cloud 9, the Netmums podcast miniseries brought to you by Aldi Mamia, we are thrilled to welcome Charlotte Dawson, a familiar face from your social media feed and TV screen. Charlotte, mum to three little ones, Noah, Jude, and baby Gigi, shares with us her journey through the whirlwind of motherhood and how she juggles a toddler, a preschooler, and a newborn!In this episode:- Charlotte's experience with pregnancy and childbirth, including her unfortunate miscarriage after her first Noah. - The importance of community support and the emotional load of motherhood- Navigating the pressures of social media while being a mum- Tips for finding moments of self-care amidst the chaosEnjoyed this one? There are six episodes in the series, featuring honest conversations with mums you know and love – Olivia Bowen, Lacey Turner and Katie Thistleton included. Happy binge-listening!This episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia, the award-winning baby range loved by parents.Netmums – where real parents share the chaos and the comfort, so you know you’re not in it alone. Follow us on socials @Netmums and website:netmums.com Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

Welcome to a brand new miniseries of the Netmums Podcast: Cloud 9 is brought to you by the award-winning baby range Aldi Mamia. Hosted by Louise Burke, the editorial director of Netmums, this series is designed for those quiet, early hours when you’re feeding or rocking your little one and feeling like you’re the only one awake. Join us as we delve into the highs, lows, and everything in between of new motherhood.In this episode we’re joined by actress, mum of three, and all-round lovely human Lacey Turner, best known for her nearly two decades on EastEnders. Lacey recently welcomed her third baby, a little girl named Gipsy Olive, and she joins us to chat about life in her busy household; the beautiful chaos, the sleepless nights, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Lacey opens up about the reality of motherhood with three small children and her decision to step back from acting. She reflects on mum guilt, finding moments of calm, and the importance of carving out time for herself amidst the noise of family life (and the chickens!).In this episode: The joy and chaos of welcoming a third baby How Lacey manages sleepless nights and the juggle of three little ones Finding small, meaningful moments of calm and connection Letting go of guilt and embracing “good enough” parenting The importance of time outdoors, community, and self-care Why Lacey chose to step away from EastEnders to focus on family life There are six brilliant episodes in this special series featuring some of your favourite celebrity mums including Olivia Bowen, Lacey Turner, actress Lucy Fallon and Charlotte Dawson. Each episode brings a completely different kind of conversation about early motherhood – new voices, new experiences, and new truths, all of which reminds us that there’s no one way to do this.This episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia, the award-winning baby range loved by parents.Netmums – where real parents share the chaos and the comfort, so you know you’re not in it alone. Follow us on socials @Netmums and website:netmums.com Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

Welcome to this brand new miniseries of the Netmums Podcast: Cloud 9, brought to you by Aldi Mamia. Hosted by Louise Burke, the Editorial Director of Netmums, this series is designed for those quiet, early hours when you’re feeding or rocking your little one and possibly feeling like you’re the only one awake. Join us as we delve into the highs, lows, and everything in between of new motherhood.In this episode we’re joined by the fabulous Lucy Fallon, the award-wining actress from Coronation Street and a mum of two little ones. Lucy, 30, shares her journey of navigating motherhood with a newborn and a toddler, revealing the beautiful chaos that comes with welcoming her second child, Nancy, earlier this year. Lucy opens up about the realities of life as a mum of two, the emotional rollercoaster of those early days, and the juggle between parenting and her career. She shares her experiences with guilt, the importance of community support, and the joy of witnessing the bond forming between her children.In this episode: The challenges and joys of having children close in age Strategies for managing the chaos of everyday life with two little ones How to find moments of self-care amidst the demands of motherhood The significance of community and connection with other parents Lucy’s reflections on the pressures of ‘bouncing back’ to feeling ‘me’ again after childbirth There are six brilliant episodes in this special series featuring some of your favourite celebrity mums including Olivia Bowen, Lacey Turner, Katie Thistleton and Charlotte Dawson. Each pod delves into different aspects of early motherhood – they are all conversations that are relatable, comforting and entertaining. Enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia, the award-winning baby range loved by parents.Netmums – where real parents share the chaos and the comfort, so you know you’re not in it alone. Follow us on socials @Netmums and website:netmums.com Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry welcome Capital Breakfast’s Sian Welby. Sian, a devoted mum to one-year-old Ruby, shares her journey of balancing motherhood with a high-profile career, and the joys and challenges that come with it.In this chat Sian opens up about the realities of parenting, the pressures of returning to work shortly after giving birth, and the importance of maintaining her identity amidst the chaos of motherhood. She reflects on her own experiences, including her recent interview with the iconic Taylor Swift, revealing how these moments shape her perspective as both a parent and a professional.In this episode: The challenges of balancing a high-profile career with motherhood How to navigate the pressures of returning to work after maternity leave The importance of self-care for parents and caregivers Finding joy in the small moments with your children Encouraging open conversations about parenting roles in relationships Sian's refreshing honesty and humour shine through as she discusses the complexities of modern parenting, offering relatable insights for all parents juggling similar struggles.Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry are joined by Joeli Brearley, campaigner, author, and founder of Pregnant, Then Screwed. This episode explores the challenges of juggling motherhood with a career while tackling the systemic issues surrounding maternity discrimination.Joeli shares her personal journey from experiencing pregnancy discrimination to launching a movement that has shaped policies and attitudes towards working parents. She discusses her new venture, Growth Spurt, designed to support parents as they navigate the return to work, providing practical resources and peer support.In this episode:- Joeli’s experience with pregnancy discrimination and its impact- The importance of peer-to-peer support for parents- Understanding the motherhood penalty and its implications- Joeli’s vision for accessible childcare and its societal benefits- The significance of having open dialogues with children about growing upThis episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia. Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative