

Happy Mum Happy Baby
Giovanna Fletcher
In the Happy Mum, Happy Baby Podcast, Giovanna Fletcher continues the conversation about motherhood she began in her bestselling book of the same title. In a series of frank and warm conversations with other high-profile mums and dads, Gi discusses all aspects of parenthood - the highs, the lows, the challenges and rewards. There is no such thing as the perfect parent, and we’re all simply doing our best, something Giovanna fully encourages. It’s time to stop comparing ourselves and champion each other instead. Each episode is truly unique yet unifying. No topic is out of bounds, therefore this podcast is essential listening for any parent seeking solidarity and support. A Pixiu production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 4, 2025 • 56min
Fiona Button on ADHD, health anxiety, and postnatal depression
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.

Jan 28, 2025 • 58min
Kate Ferdinand returns: talking mum guilt, blended families and birth trauma
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.

Jan 21, 2025 • 46min
Finding time for wellness in a busy world with Ancient & Brave
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.

Jan 14, 2025 • 1h 11min
Jessica Brown Findlay on navigating fertility and twin parenting
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.

Jan 7, 2025 • 58min
Fleur East on why she felt shame around feeding
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.

Dec 17, 2024 • 54min
Kate Thornton on raising a son as a single mum
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.

Dec 10, 2024 • 50min
Rachel Ama on racial disparities in maternity care
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.

Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 3min
Jane Dowden (Mum and a Mic) on going into labour at 21 weeks
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.

Nov 26, 2024 • 53min
Kerry Hudson on how a difficult childhood shaped her as a mother
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.

Nov 19, 2024 • 53min
“Everyone has trust in Great Ormond Street” - A mother’s story navigating childhood cancer
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 cancer treatment and why places like Great Ormond Street Hospital need our support.Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions about cancer. If you feel this may be a difficult listen, please choose another episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.