Advertise on podcast: Parental Control

Today we're joined by Katie Harrison from Picture News, an organisation that's been working closely with schools for years to help children engage with the world around them in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way. In this episode, we're diving into something so many parents are thinking about right now — children's mental health, and the role movement can play in supporting it. We'll be talking about what's really going on for children today, what schools are seeing on the ground, and why initiatives like The Big School Workout, taking place this Mental Health Awareness Week on 14th May, in partnership with Joe Wicks, are more important than ever. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Join the live broadcast online. Insta @picturenewsprimary What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Travelling with children can feel overwhelming. From packing and planning to keeping little ones entertained on long journeys. But according to family travel expert Jen Carr, it doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. Jen is the founder of The Travel Mum, a hugely popular online platform where she shares some of the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week, alongside practical advice for travelling with children. Through her website and community, she has helped thousands of parents feel more confident about taking trips with their kids, from newborns to school age. Now, with the launch of her new book Yes, You Can Travel With Kids, Jen is on a mission to show parents that family travel really can be enjoyable — even with babies, toddlers and unpredictable schedules. In this interview, Jen shares her own experiences of travelling with children, the biggest fears parents have about family holidays, the money mistakes many families make when booking trips, and the simple mindset shifts that can make travelling with kids feel far more relaxed. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Yes, You Can Travel with Kids - Out Now at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bluqXb What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

There's no shortage of advice telling women how they should look, eat or exercise — and it's no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed, confused or stuck when it comes to our bodies. In this episode, we're joined by Emma Simarro, Women's Health Coach and founder of Building Body Confidence, to cut through the noise and talk about what actually helps women feel strong, confident and well, especially through midlife. Emma's work focuses on moving women away from restrictive diets and over-exercise, and towards strength, sustainable habits and long-term health. Drawing on her experience supporting women at every stage of life, she shares honest, practical advice on body confidence, strength training, nutrition, hormones and the mindset shifts that make lasting change possible. This is a reassuring, down-to-earth conversation for anyone who's tired of fitness fads, frustrated by conflicting advice, or unsure where to begin — and a reminder that feeling good in your body doesn't have to be complicated or punishing. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes emmasimarro.com Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Website What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Relationships don't usually fall apart overnight. More often, they unravel slowly through miscommunication, unmet needs and emotional distance. When connection feels lost, many couples are left wondering whether their relationship can be repaired — or whether it's already too late. In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by Sophie Orozco, a relationship coach whose work is rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience. After saving her own marriage from the brink of divorce, Sophie spent over a decade studying psychology, communication and intimacy dynamics to help couples rebuild connection from the ground up. Together, they explore what really happens when relationships reach breaking point, why traditional advice often falls short, and how couples can begin to repair trust, closeness and desire. This conversation looks beyond quick fixes, focusing instead on the deeper work required to create lasting change — and why it's possible to turn a relationship around, even when it feels deeply stuck. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Website sophieorozco.com Instagram @sophieorozcocoaching TikTok @sophieorozcocoaching Facebook @sophie.orozco.451411 What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Heavy periods affect millions of women, yet for many, they remain something to quietly endure rather than openly discuss. In this episode, Parental Control explores the real impact of heavy and painful periods on women's physical health, emotional wellbeing, work and relationships — and asks why period-related disruption is still so often dismissed or minimised. Ellie Thompson is joined by Dr Nisa Aslam, GP and women's health expert, and Anna Maxwell, pharmacist and founder of healthcare brand Maxwellia, to unpack the findings of the Don't Go With the Flow report. Together, they discuss what actually counts as a "normal" period, when pain or heavy bleeding may signal an underlying condition, and why so many women feel uncomfortable seeking help. From workplace stigma and iron deficiency to being dismissed by healthcare professionals, the conversation focuses on empowering women with clear information, reassurance and practical next steps — and challenges the long-held belief that period problems are simply something women should have to put up with. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Evana® and Ultravana®. Follow Dr Nisa Aslam on Insta @drnisaaslam What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

In this episode, Parental Control takes listeners inside the IVF lab to understand how embryos are assessed and selected during fertility treatment, including PGT-A and time-lapse IVF. Ellie Thompson is joined by embryologist and founder of All About Embryology, Victoria Wigley, to answer key questions about genetic testing, embryo development and the complex decisions made behind the scenes. Victoria explains what embryologists do during the IVF process and breaks down PGT-A testing, including what it can and cannot tell patients. She also discusses how recent reports of healthy babies born from embryos labelled aneuploid are challenging long-held assumptions. The conversation explores the difference between aneuploid and mosaic embryos, whether viable embryos may sometimes be ruled out, and how patients can interpret results when the science is uncertain. The episode also looks at how time-lapse incubators have transformed embryo observation, allowing embryologists to track development over time and support clinical decisions. Drawing on both professional expertise and patient experience, the discussion highlights how fertility specialists balance transparency, uncertainty and hope, and examines the advances shaping the future of IVF. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Follow Victoria on Instagram:@allaboutembryology Book a consultation with Victoria today: https://www.allaboutembryology.co.uk/contact What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Leading UK psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE joins Ellie Thompson to talk about child loss and the lifelong impact of grief. Julia is one of the most trusted voices in the UK on bereavement, trauma and healing, and has spent decades supporting families through the unimaginable. Her work has shaped how we understand grief, not as something to "get over", but as something we learn to live alongside. As many listeners will know, Ellie lost her son Billy, aka Billy the Brave, to DIPG, and grief has since become woven into everyday life in ways she could never have imagined. Like so many bereaved parents, she has learned that we don't move on from our children; we move forward carrying them with us. In this conversation, Julia brings compassion, clarity and deep insight as we explore what it truly means to live with grief: how it shows up in relationships, how siblings experience loss, and how parents can find moments of meaning and hope again — while continuing to hold the profound love we have for the children no longer in our arms. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Child Bereavement UK - Child Bereavement UK helps children and young people (up to the age of 25), parents and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. Podcast Therapy Works — Julia's main podcast Grief Works A Living Loss Books Grief Works – A compassionate guide to understanding grief and how it affects us. This Too Shall Pass – On surviving life's challenges and finding strength through adversity. Every Family Has a Story – Exploring family relationships, trauma and healing. App Grief Works App - A supportive grief app offering tools, reflections and guidance for those living with loss. Social Media Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe X (Twitter): @juliasamuelmbe Website juliasamuel.co.uk — for therapy work, writing, speaking and resources What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions, please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Ellie welcomes world-renowned fitness trainer Ryan Shanahan, best known globally as The Kettlebell King. With over 35 years of experience coaching everyone from elite athletes to absolute beginners, Ryan is famous for making fitness fun, fast and completely achievable. Ellie has trained with Ryan online since 2010, so she knows firsthand how his unique approach transforms not only bodies, but mindsets. In this episode, Ryan shares the philosophy behind his hugely popular training method, his early rise to global fame, and the insights from his two new books: Issues in Your Tissues and Muscles of the Mind: The Ripitude Method. Together, Ellie and Ryan explore sustainable fitness, movement for longevity, motivation that actually lasts, and why your mindset may be the most important muscle you ever train.   Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Youtube & Book Link: https://linktr.ee/ryanraw88 Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryanraw88 Signs, Laura Lynn Jackson Regan Hillyer What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Welcome to Part 2 with Valerie Millington. In this episode, we dive deeper into safety within the aesthetics industry, what a truly effective at-home skincare routine should look like, and the real science behind hair and hair removal — including the big question: should you pluck, shave or laser? Ellie has known Val for years and, like so many of her loyal clients, trusts her implicitly. Val is known for her honesty, integrity and her unwavering commitment to natural, healthy skin. Her approach is rooted in education, skin health and treatments that support — not disguise — the skin. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, COSRX Instagram: @vee_aesthetics_cobham/  What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Ellie Thompson sits down with a dear friend and go-to skin expert, Valerie Millington this week to discuss everything from fillers, botox, fat dissolvers, laser hair removal and more. Ellie has known Val for years, and like so many of her loyal clients, she trusts her completely. Val is known for her honesty, her integrity, and her deep commitment to natural, healthy skin. Val focuses on education, skin health, and treatments that truly support the skin rather than mask it. In this episode, Val and Ellie dive into all things skin: what actually works, what's a waste of money, the biggest mistakes people make, how to care for skin at every age, and why healthy skin never needs overdoing. Welcome to part one of a warm, honest, myth-busting episode with a woman who has devoted her career to understanding skin, and isn't afraid to tell the truth about what really works. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Valerie Millington's website: https://www.veeaesthetics.com/ Valerie Millington's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vee_aesthetics_cobham/ What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

Today's episode is one that sits incredibly close to Ellie's heart, as she discusses coping with Christmas after child loss. As many listeners will know, Ellie lost her beautiful boy Billy to DIPG, and this is her second Christmas without him. The festive season can bring a complex mix of emotions for bereaved parents, the memories, the empty space, and the pressure to appear "festive" when the heart is somewhere else entirely. In this episode, Ellie is joined by Bereavement Support Service Lead Rachel Tegg from Child Bereavement UK for an open, gentle and honest conversation about what it means to face Christmas after losing a child. Whether someone is in their first year, their fifth year or anywhere in between, this discussion offers comfort, understanding and the reminder that no parent walks this path alone. Content Warning This episode includes discussion around the death of a child, grief and the emotional challenges of Christmas. Listeners are encouraged to take care of themselves while listening and to step away at any time if needed.   Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Child Bereavement UK - Helpful Resources Helpline Number: 0800 02 888 40. Normal Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Christmas Opening Hours: Friday 24th December, 9.00 am – 1.30 pm Saturday 25th December - Tuesday 28th December, Closed Wednesday 29th December - Friday 31st December, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Monday 3rd January, Closed Tuesday 4th January onwards, Normal hours 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Email: [email protected] Website: www.childbereavementuk.org (Live Chat support and other resources can be found here) Managing Christmas Resource: https://www.childbereavementuk.org/managing-special-occasions What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

One of the most-searched questions in sexual wellness today is "Why are vibrators healthy?" — and few people are better positioned to answer it than Samantha Marshall, Head of Brand at Smile Makers Collection. As a leader in the global intimate-wellness space, Sam has spent the past five years helping redefine pleasure as an important part of self-care. Under her leadership, Smile Makers' colourful, wellness-driven vibrators and tools have entered mainstream retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and Selfridges, pushing the conversation around sexual wellbeing further into the open. Sam also leads Vulva Talks, Smile Makers' free, pleasure-positive sex-education programme, where she offers clear, accessible guidance on everything from self-pleasure to understanding your body. Her work directly addresses why vibrators can support sexual health — from boosting confidence to reducing stress and improving body awareness. In today's episode, we explore sexual wellness, self-pleasure, and how changing the narrative around intimacy empowers people to build healthier relationships with their bodies. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Debby Herbernick: https://theweek.com/articles/749978/female-price-male-pleasure   Smile Makers Collection Instagram: @smilemakerscollection What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

This week on the podcast, Ellie Thompson is joined by Laura Guckian, motherhood coach, award-winning host of Momfessions, and ambassador for perinatal mental health charity Mothers for Mothers. Combining lived experience with expert insight, Laura has supported thousands of women to navigate the realities of motherhood with more confidence, compassion, and care. In this conversation, we discuss the moments that matter most in early parenthood, from recognising when your mental health needs support to understanding how partners can truly help. Laura shares practical advice on navigating neurodiversity, setting boundaries around social media, and building a self-care plan that actually fits into real life. We also tackle tricky topics like postnatal depression, relationship dynamics, and how to support a friend who might be struggling. If you're a new parent, a partner, or simply want to understand the messy, beautiful reality of life after birth, this episode is worth a listen. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Follow Laura Guckian on Instagram. What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

This week on the podcast, Ellie Thompson catches up with the brilliant Jaime Amor, the creative force behind Cosmic Kids Yoga, and now star of her brand-new Sky Kids Original series, Jaime's Yoga Adventures. If you've ever done a downward dog with your little ones, you'll already know Jaime — her YouTube channel has inspired millions of children to move, stretch, and breathe through storytelling. And now, she's bringing that same magic to television, blending adventure, mindfulness, and movement in a fun, family-friendly format. In this episode, we chat about Jaime's Yoga Adventures, the power of storytelling to help children connect with their emotions, and how yoga can build strength, balance, and resilience — both physically and mentally. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes Follow Cosmic Kids on Instagram and YouTube. What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/

This week on the podcast, Leonora Bamford catches up with the incredible Dr Megan Rossi, aka The Gut Health Doctor. Dr Rossi isn't just a Sunday Times bestselling author – she also holds a PhD in Probiotics and is one of the UK's leading experts on gut health. In this episode, we talk about how to improve gut health at any age, with everyday, family-friendly tips you can actually use. From understanding how your gut affects mood, energy, and immunity to clever ways to introduce kids to gut-friendly foods (yes, even picky eaters!), this episode is packed with practical advice and myth-busting insights. Dr Rossi also shares the truth about supplements, the gut–brain connection (those butterflies in your tummy really do mean something), and why feeding your gut microbes with the "Super 6" – wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds – is key to lifelong health. It's an inspiring, science-backed conversation that'll leave you wanting to give your gut the love it deserves. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @mybabainsta and @mybabagram Show notes What is My Baba? My Baba provides the daily scoop on family, food and lifestyle - we're not just experts at all things parenting. Visit mybaba.com  The Content on this podcast is provided by My Baba and represents our sole opinions and views. For more information on our terms and conditions please refer to the website: https://www.mybaba.com/terms-conditions/