Episodes
Our guest this week is personal trainer, podcaster, and former Made in Chelsea star Ryan Libbey!When Ryan’s partner Louise Thompson gave birth to their son Leo, she faced severe complications and trauma that turned their worlds upside down. We spoke to Louise last year on the podcast and now it’s Ryan’s turn to share his story. Ryan opens up to Gi about letting go of the pressure to always be the strong one in his family, and how showing up for himself was actually the key to showing up for Louise and Leo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're very excited this week to welcome everyone's favourite Youtube couple to the studio - it's Rose and Rosie!As a same-sex couple, finding information on how to start a family is not easy. Rose and Rosie open up to Gi about the challenges of navigating a heteronormative healthcare system, from choosing a sperm donor, to IUI vs IVF, and what it's like to be the 'other mother.'Plus, they discuss feeling the pressure to get everything right as a same-sex parent, Rose’s struggle with feeling rejected by her son, and Rosie’s experience with postpartum depression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
This week we welcome author, entrepreneur and mum of two Lottie Tomlinson to the Happy Mum Happy Baby studio! Lottie opens up to Gi about losing her mum and how she has navigated her own parenting journey without her mum by her side.Plus, Lottie reflects on finding her truest confidence since having her children and explains why she's no longer hiding behind beauty treatments.Lottie's memoir Lucky Girl is available now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For a special episode dedicated to breast cancer awareness, this week Giovanna sits down with actress and mum of two, Ali BastianLast year, while breastfeeding her youngest daughter, Ali began experiencing severe pain and discovered a lump in her breast. Despite her concerns, she was told it was likely a blocked duct from feeding.Ali opens up about what followed - her breast cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and a mastectomy. She reflects on what it meant to really show up for herself during that time, and the love and support she found in unexpected places in what can be an incredibly lonely...
WIth his iconic hit 'Mysterious Girl' turning 30 this year, we thought it was about time we caught up with dad of 5 Peter Andre!This episode is full of heart, with Peter opening up to Gi about the overwhelming emotion of meeting each of his children for the first time, and how he's embraced being a newborn dad again in his fifties.Plus, Peter reveals the one strict rule he's set for his teenagers, Junior and Princess, and reflects on the values instilled in him by his Jehovah’s Witness upbringing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Giovanna is joined by comedian and actor Cariad Lloyd.Cariad is also the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Griefcast. She shares with Gi the profound impact of losing her father unexpectedly as a teenager and how that experience has shaped her life and work.They also discuss the importance of language when talking about death and Cariad explains how she has approached conversations about her dad with her own children.Look out for Cariad's debut picture book Where Did She Go?, a reassuring resource for any parent worried about discussing grief and death with their littl...
Our guest this week is the hilarious radio & TV presenter Siân Welby!Siân's career has gone from strength to strength over the years, and she opens up about wanting to hide her pregnancy out of fear she would be replaced at work.Plus, the pressures of breastfeeding, 'too posh to push', and a case of mistaken midwife identity! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's episode of Parenting SOS, we’re joined by Dr. Mine Conkbayir. Mine is an expert in neuroscience and has worked in early childhood education and care for 25 years. She's also an ADHD mum of one.Mine and Gi discuss how hormonal changes during pregnancy and postpartum can impact ADHD behaviours, and the importance of honest, supportive conversation between ADHD and non-ADHD parents and children.Plus Mine answers your questions on all things ADHD.You can listen to ‘I’m ADHD! No You’re Not!' Mine's hit podcast with husband Paul Whitehouse here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
This week on Happy Mum Happy Baby we’re joined by Made in Chelsea veteran and RENUE founder Lucy Watson!Lucy and Gi catch up on life since Made in Chelsea and delve into Lucy's journey as a first-time mother to one-year-old Willoughby.Lucy also opens up about her struggle to conceive, the emotional impact of fertility testing, and the challenges of witnessing loved ones becoming pregnant while navigating fertility struggles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We welcome soap royalty into the studio for this week's episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby...Best known for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, it is of course the iconic Lacey Turner!Mum-of-three Lacey opens up to Gi about the importance of talking about pregnancy loss.Plus we get the lowdown on the EastEnders 40th Anniversary live episode, and Lacey talks about filming scenes DAYS after giving birth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fresh from celebrating Mother’s Day, Gi has delved into the archives and picked out some of her favourite moments that celebrate what it really means to be a mum:Kamille on finding her way as a new mumColeen Rooney on embracing the chaos of four boysIsma Almas on adopting her son and the moment she first felt like his mumLydia Bright on the guilt from balancing her career and motherhoodAshley James on healing from traumatic birth and regaining her ‘pink’Plus, we receive some questions from a very special guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby, Clinical Psychologist Dr Julie joins Giovanna to talk about perfection, parenting and letting go of the expectations we place on ourselves. Julie opens up about being diagnosed with breast cancer last year and tells Gi why and how she talked to her three children about it.Plus Gi and Julie discuss hypnobirthing and the importance of having agency during birth. Dr Julie’s new book Open When is available to buy now: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453995/open-when-by-smith-dr-julie/9780241663936 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
On this month's Parenting SOS, we’re joined by Clinical Psychologist and expert on maternal rage Dr Caroline Boyd.Anger is a natural response to the overwhelming demands of motherhood in today’s society. Many of us feel pressure to be supermums - calm, coping and in control at all times - and were raised to see anger as a ‘forbidden’ emotion for women. This often means our feelings stay simmering under the surface, until we reach a breaking point. Caroline shares her insight on what happens to us when we’re angry, how can we move through the emotion, and letting go of the inevitable guilt t...
Our guest this week is the insightful, witty, and all-round wonderful Cherry Healey, who over the years has graced our screens with the likes of SAS Who Dares Wins, Inside the Factory, and numerous BBC3 documentaries.Cherry opens up to Giovanna about her complex relationship with her dad, and how having children herself and leaning into therapy helped to heal her childhood wounds.Plus, Cherry admits that she once subscribed to the societal stereotypes associated with being a single parent - until she became one herself. She also expresses heartfelt admiration for her ex-husband and tells Gi...
This week Giovanna sits down for a raw and hilarious conversation with comedian Sara Pascoe.Sara speaks candidly about the highs and lows of her mental health during IVF and after having her first child.Plus Sara and Gi describe how their respective relationships evolved after becoming parents.Sara Pascoe will tour the UK and Ireland with all new show, I Am A Strange Gloop in 2025/26, including the London Palladium on Sunday 1st March 2026. Tickets: sarapascoe.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Giovanna's guest this week is Love Island winner, TV personality, and podcast host Dani Dyer!Dani opens up about becoming a single mum after the birth of her son, discussing the guilt she felt about how expanding her family might affect her first child.She also delves into the challenges of dating as a single mum and shares the story of how she met her fiancé footballer Jarrod Bowen.Plus how her dad, the legendary Danny Dyer, reacted to the news he was going to become a grandparent, and the chaos (and joy!) of raising three under three. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
Parenting SOS is back, and we’re diving into all things fussy eating with children's food guru Annabel Karmel!* Annabel, the leading expert on nutrition and cooking for babies and children, sits down with Gi to discuss why some kids are just fussy when it comes to food (spoiler: it's not your fault!), the importance of celebrating good eating habits, and she shares some creative ways to encourage our little ones to enjoy a more varied and nutritious diet. Plus, Annabel answers some of your questions about picky eating, offering a wealth of practical tips and delicious recipes along the way!...
On this week's episode, Giovanna sits down with bestselling author Holly Bourne!Holly tells Gi about the impact sleep deprivation had on her mental state when her baby daughter just wouldn't sleep.She also opens up about her long and painful journey to getting treated for endometriosis, a condition that is still widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed.Plus, Holly talks about writing her latest novel in the throes of first-time motherhood. So Thrilled for You is a hilarious, raw and honest expose of early motherhood and friendship, and you can get your copy here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
Giovanna’s guest this week is the brilliant Fiona Button!Fiona stars as Rose in one of Gi’s favourite shows, The Split, but off screen she has an even bigger role to play as mum to 7-year-old Fordy.Fiona opens up about her experience with health anxiety, how it impacted her pregnancy and postpartum, as well as the unique qualities of being a parent with ADHD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kate Ferdinand is back! We last spoke to Kate back in 2020, and her blended family has since grown with the arrival of Cree and Shae.Kate tells Gi all about the challenges of this new phase of motherhood, including her difficult births and spending time in NICU. She also opens up about how she and husband Rio suffered a miscarriage and the heartbreak of having to tell their children.Plus, the guilt that comes with trying to accommodate babies and teenagers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're bringing ancient practices of health and wellness into the modern day for this very special episode.As parents, we know how tricky it can be to stay on top of everything but luckily Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient & Brave, is here to guide us through some simple changes you can make to help your family feel their very best.Gi and Jo discuss it all, from laying foundations for nourishing nutrition to some practical tips on getting the best night's sleep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Giovanna is joined by the incredible Jessica Brown Findlay! Jessica is an actor, perhaps best known for her role as Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey.She opens up to Gi about becoming a mum to twin boys via IVF, and the complicated feelings she experienced around her friends' pregnancies whilst struggling with her own fertility.Jessica also discusses how pregnancy affected her acting career, plus makes us all fall a little bit in love with her husband Ziggy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s a new year which means a whole host of brand new brilliant guests! To kick things off, Gi welcomes singer and presenter Fleur East to the studio.Fleur tells Gi the amazing story of her home birth, which ended in her giving birth on her husband’s lap..!Fleur also opens up about the pressure she felt over feeding her baby girl, plus pays tribute to her late father who passed away just before Nova was born. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we caught up with broadcasting legend Kate Thornton!Kate shares her best advice for raising young teens, finding male role models for her son, and why we should be championing single parents.Plus, Kate tells Gi why she’s not dreading the prospect empty nest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week’s episode, Giovanna is joined by vegan chef and Youtuber Rachel Ama!She and Gi discuss the systemic racial bias within healthcare, and how that influenced Rachel to fight for a home birth.Plus, the highs and lows of having a covid pregnancy, the pressures of being a single mum, and of course, food! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gi’s guest this week is the hilarious actress, comedian, and content creator, Jane Dowden, aka Mum and a Mic!Jane shares her journey of conceiving her twin boys through IVF. She also reflects on the emotional turmoil she faced when she went into early labour at just 21 weeks, being forced to confront the possibility that she could lose her babies.Plus, finding a work-life balance with acting jobs, and why being a parent can often feel like being a referee! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Giovanna is joined this week by the writer Kerry Hudson.Kerry had a turbulent upbringing marred by poverty. She tells Gi how homelessness and time spent in and out of foster care made her all the more determined to create a sense of stability and comfort for her own son.Kerry also shares her experience of giving birth in Prague, living life to the full with a chronic illness, plus how parenthood has affected her marriage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For this very special episode we’ve been working with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, which is currently in the middle of its biggest-ever fundraising appeal to build a world-leading cancer centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.And no-one understands the significance of this appeal more than this week’s amazing guest Shaima, whose daughter Tia was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer when she was just 4 years old. Tia is now 12 and doing well at home, but has spent over half of her life in hospital.Shaima sits down with Gi for a very candid conversation about her journey with Tia’s c...
Love is in the air in the studio this week!Everyone’s favourite maître d', Fred Sirieix, perhaps best known for appearing on Channel 4's First Dates, joins Giovanna to talk all things fatherhood, food, and falling in love with the UK.Fred also opens up about dad guilt, his upbringing in France, and the pride he felt when his daughter Andrea won a bronze medal for diving in this year’s olympics! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Giovanna quite literally fell off her chair from laughing so hard with this week’s guest Olivia Bowen!Reality royalty Olivia was runner-up on the second series of Love Island in 2016 with her now husband Alex Bowen. And six years later they became parents to baby Abel!Olivia and Gi talk body confidence, with Olivia opening up about her struggles with body image after giving birth, plus how much she loved dressing her baby bump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.