

Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe
Keep It Light Media / Spotify Studios
Parenting... just not as you know it.Join Rob & Josh twice a week as they share their tales of parenting woe and chat to celebrity parents about how they're coping, or not coping. Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available everywhere - new episodes are available on Tuesdays and Fridays every week.
Episodes
Mentioned books

11 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 5min
S11 EP27: Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley, a veteran radio DJ and broadcaster, shares her parenting journey while juggling a vibrant career. She reminisces about bringing her kids to gigs and navigating early motherhood in the broadcasting world. Jo discusses her laid-back parenting style, the challenges of balancing work with family time, and her new podcast with Zoe Ball that dives into real-life issues. With humor and relatable anecdotes, she reflects on family dynamics, her children meeting famous musicians, and even a wild household party that almost got out of hand.

10 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 56min
S11 EP26: Top 3 Arguments
Rob Beckett shares his chaotic holiday tales from Australia and Japan, highlighting disastrous parenting moments, including the infamous queue meltdown at DisneySea. He discusses the unique Japanese tooth fairy traditions, showcasing a cultural twist on childhood rituals. Lou makes a guest appearance via voice notes to critique Rob’s grooming habits, leading to funny debates about parenting chores. With a mix of travel fatigue and sugar highs, the guys hilariously unpack the ups and downs of family adventures.

10 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 1h 2min
S11 EP25: Amol Rajan
Amol Rajan, a prominent journalist and broadcaster known for his roles on BBC Radio 4's Today and University Challenge, shares his parenting journey with humor and candor. He opens up about navigating family dynamics with four kids and the challenges of IVF. Amol discusses the impact of social mobility, the importance of shielding children from the news, and the complexities of modern parenting, including screen time and the role of technology. He also reflects on cultural influences and the evolving landscape of education and opportunities for youth.

18 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 43min
S11 EP24: Normal For The Time
Join Rob and Josh as they delve into the hilarious chaos of parenthood with listener anecdotes. From a daughter accusing her dad of smelling like poo to joys of babysitting celebrity kids, their chat is pure comedic gold. They explore quirky local traditions and dissect the pressures of school drop-offs. Expect bizarre phobias, unexpected childhood memories, and the evolving norms of parenting. With a mix of laughter and nostalgia, it’s a relatable ride through modern parenting woes.

Oct 31, 2025 • 50min
S11 EP23: Joe Thomas
Joe Thomas, a talented comedian and actor, shares his journey of parenthood with a three-year-old daughter. He humorously reflects on the chaotic experience of parenting, where he feels like two babies are raising one. Joe reveals the challenges of working while parenting, like being scolded by his daughter for checking emails in the park. He also discusses his new podcast with James Buckley, where they swap bizarre facts and tell urban myths, sharing laughs about his own experiences in life and parenthood.

8 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 51min
S11 EP22: Back to Parenting
Rob shares his heartfelt airport reunion with his family in Australia and the chaos of jet lag with kids. Josh recounts a hilarious train confrontation involving an annoyed passenger and his four-year-old. They dive into the charming quirks of Aussie wildlife and the parenting lessons gleaned from scary moments. The duo discusses the trials of organizing a massive ice-skating party and their thoughts on living in Australia for a year, all while navigating the funny complexities of modern parenting.

10 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 51min
S11 EP21: Customer Service Revenge
Join Rob and Josh as they dive into hilarious listener stories about parenting and work revenge tactics. From cheeky bar tips for rude customers to a former check-in worker sabotaging an abusive passenger's bag, the comedic anecdotes fly. They reflect on their early career struggles, shared warm moments with family, and even touch on the complexities of boarding school experiences. With a sprinkle of nostalgia for childhood jobs and funny mishaps, this discussion captures the ups and downs of life through a humorous lens.

9 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 40min
S11 EP20: Rugged and Ready
Rob and Josh share hilarious tales of parenting while navigating their touring lives. They discuss the chaos of coordinating gigs with family time and the struggle for sleep amidst travel. Comedic gems arise from bizarre vending machine discoveries and silly birthday party mishaps. Listener emails add to the laughter, with humorous stories about domestic grooming rituals. The duo balances candid insights about career pressures and family logistics, all wrapped in their signature banter.

10 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 56min
S11 EP19: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, a former Commonwealth sprinter and TV personality known as 'Nitro' from Gladiators, joins the discussion. He dives into the thrills and challenges of parenting, revealing his unique style of raising daughter Aubrey while balancing fun and discipline. Harry shares his surprise at her passion for cooking over sports and reflects on his journey in athletics. He also opens up about his experience on Strictly Come Dancing and the funny moments of maintaining his athlete identity alongside his TV fame.

12 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 56min
S11 EP18: A Sneeze is Normal
Join Rob and Josh as they dive into the chaos of touring and parenting. They share laugh-out-loud moments from their travel mishaps and viral audience encounters. Discussions on awkward onstage interactions and the challenges of balancing family life while on the road offer relatable humor. Listener stories about childhood injuries and unexpected babysitter pay keep the laughs coming. Plus, they explore playground gossip and small business highlights, making this an entertaining listen for any parent!


