Advertise on podcast: Spinning Plates with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Amy Lee is an American singer songwriter and co-founder of the rock group Evanescence who have sold over 30 million albums worldwide. I spoke to her mid tour, after the release of her 6th album ‘Sanctuary’. We agreed that we have found our 40s is our most exciting and powerful decade yet, and we swapped notes on the pros and cons of taking our children on tour with us. Amy’s 12 year old son Jack loves coming on the road and often watches the gigs. We also spoke about singing and music making as a catharsis and a place to explore all our emotions including grief, which was a driving force for Amy in the founding of her band. As creatives, we feel lucky to have a place to put all our big emotions. It’s especially sacred for Amy when she’s signing to see how those emotions resonate with the crowd. Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Harnett is an entrepreneur and mum of two teenagers. She is the founder of Seep, a non toxic cleaning range of eco-friendly, plastic-free sponges. The idea came to Laura in her late 30s when she was recovering from breast cancer treatment, when she realised she wanted to take as many toxins out of her household as possible. Laura and I talked about her nerve-wracking appearance on Dragons Den, including the rush of adrenalin in the lift and her mind going blank when the lift doors opened! She was successful though, and she talked about the great support she’s had while growing the brand, from her two dragons, Deborah Meadon and Trinny. She also revealed she has become addicted to checking on how Seep sales are going, through an app on her phone. This has resulted in her teenagers sometimes hiding her phone from her, especially on holiday. I love that role reversal! Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frankie Bridge began her pop career aged just 12, as a member of S-Club Juniors. She was later in the hugely successful girl band The Saturdays. We talked about the pressures of being successful as a young teenager, and how Frankie has pivoted and reinvented herself so many times since. Frankie had her two boys, now aged 11 and 13, when she in her 20s. We talked about how her mental health was affected when her body changed during her first pregnancy, while she was still performing on stage, and how every change was scrutinised and criticised in the press. 10 years ago she started the online business @favestheedit. Faves began as a place where she shared her high street fashion finds every week, and has now become a strong online community where Frankie aims to empower women and give them confidence and authority as their own lives change. Frankie and I agreed that the timing of our chat was perfect as it marks a very special anniversary for us - our Trick or Treating anniversary! Frankie was about 12 at the time, and I was about 22! Tune in to find out how my Halloween maths let me down disastrously that day! Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joeli Brearley is a mum of two boys aged 10 and 12. She is a campaigner and author who founded the charity Pregnant Then Screwed, which campaigns against female discrimination in the workplace. Her work on the campaign was so all-consuming that she suffered burnout after the pandemic and now suffers from auto immune disease caused by that stress. Some stark statistics for you: 77% of women experience some form of discrimination in the workplace. And 74,000 women a year get pushed out of their job for being pregnant or taking maternity leave. Joeli herself was pushed out of her job the day after she informed them she was pregnant. She was sacked by voicemail. Her campaigning has influenced Westminster, with the huge aim to end the motherhood penalty, where women end up so much poorer than men, as soon as they become parents. Joeli also co-hosts a podcast To Be A Boy, about modern boyhood, and we talked about how useful car journeys are with her sons as they can talk about difficult subjects, while staring ahead at the road, with no eye contact whatsoever! Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren Petrie is a bereavement midwife. The time when you would meet her in her professional capacity is at the most painful time of a parent’s life: when you have been told, during your pregnancy, that your baby has died. Lauren’s eldest daughter Mia is studying at University. Her second daughter Jada was stillborn. It was Lauren’s experience of how she was treated - good and bad - during that traumatic time, that has influenced her career and determination to create positive changes in Jada’s name. Lauren’s story came to my attention when comedian Russell Howard shared earlier this year that he and his wife Cerys had lost their baby, and how they had been helped in their darkest times by Lauren. We talked about how important it is for parents to spend time with their beautiful baby after the birth, to hold and talk to their baby and to take photos, to create the only memories they will ever have of that child. With Baby Loss Awareness Week running 9-15 October, this felt like the right time to bring this chat to you. Although this is incredibly difficult subject matter, Lauren is warm, generous and wise, and she left me feeling inspired by the way she has leaned into her grief, and has created a hugely positive legacy for Jada. TRIGGER WARNING. This podcast contains upsetting content about losing a baby. Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dolly Jones is a former Vogue.com editor who spent over 20 years at Condé Nast overseeing digital content at director level. Based on her experience of motherhood whilst in these roles, she has written a book called 'Leaving the Ladder Down' which is a funny, positive and practical guide for women thinking about how parenthood might affect their career. She has two children aged 11 and 13. Dolly describes getting support for young children during your working hours as the 'patchwork quilt of childcare'. She also said that one of the many women she spoke to for the book, hadn't realised till she had children herself, that as a parent you can feel that you've run a marathon before you even get to work! She also asked people to share their worst parenting mistakes, and once she had shared her own, people were very forthcoming with some great stories! Overall the book has a reassuring positivity, which I love. With both of Dolly's children now at secondary school, she spoke about how our identity is like a little candle flame, and said that now that school drop offs and pick ups are a thing of the past, she is looking forward to putting a bit more time into nurturing that flame. For instance she's started learning the piano, and can now play 'very badly'. So I asked her to play us out with a tune. But she seemed oddly reluctant to do so! Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caroline Hirons is a skin care expert, author and founder of Skin Rocks. She has just pulished her 4th book 'Skin Rules: Expert Advice You Can Trust'. She told me that she hates writing books becuase of her ADHD but that she is extrememly proud of her books and feels this is the best one yet. It includes advice on looking after your skin through some of life's huge changes including pregnancy, GLP-1s, cancer treatment and the menopause. Caroline has 4 grown up children: two in their 20s and two in their 30s. She built her career alongside motherhood, as she wanted two children before she was 25 and says she planned her pregnancies 'like a machine'. We talked about how she kept a priority space for the thing she really cared about, in amongst having such a young family. Caroline told me how she's still parenting (about 25 times a day onthe phone!) even though her children are now aged 34 to 22. In fact she took a call from one of them mid interview! She describes being the parent of adult children as being a bank teller, taxi driver and consultant! Caroline now has three granchildren and has talked with great passion about the new level of love to which granchildren take you. She made me laugh talking about her love for her own children now being downgraded by the arrival of her granchildren! The love she feels for her grandkids does sound pure magic! Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martha Keith has run her stationery business ‘Martha Brook’ for over a decade, and started the Business Secrets Club two years ago, to help small business owners with things she wishes she’d known when she started out.  Martha told me about her 10 year fertility journey and her two IVF daughters aged 8 and 3. We also talked about how she’d had a late diagnosis of endometriosis, a very difficult birth with her first daughter and how she’d lost her beloved Dad Philip just before she became pregnant for the second time.  I really valued Martha sharing all those things, and her takeaway advice for listeners is so valuable: 1. never assume what you see on social media is real 2. ask for help if you need it and 3. don’t neglect your health. If you’re in pain that’s a sign that something is wrong. Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine Anne Davies is better known by her stage name The Anchoress.  She is a musician, producer and a former academic, which results in her providing a fascinating reading list with her art pop albums, of poems and other writing that inspired her. After many losses, Catherine had a successful 7th pregnancy and her daughter is now 5 years old.  She told me how becoming a mum radicalised her, and also how she kept her new motherhood a secret for two and a half years.  Catherine told me how work offers became less when people knew she had a child, inspiring one of her new album’s tracks to be called ‘I Had a Baby, Not a Lobotomy’!  Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Honey Spencer is a wine expert who has two little boys aged 6 and 1.  She and her husband Charlie run a neighbourhood restaurant called ‘Sune’ in Hackney in East London, which she describes as feeling ‘wholesome and right’. Honey told me that Georgia is the birthplace of wine, and how she is a fan of ‘skin contact’ wine. She also described how vineyards are like the ‘canary in the coal mine’ of climate change. Honey has written a book about natural (organic) wines and is the wine director of Eurostar. She told me how pregnancy gave her a superhero palate, and we debated the wisdom of eating ginger biscuits during wine tasting… Listen to the podcast to come to your own conclusion! Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa Oxenham is a mum to Eliza who’s 10 and to Wolfgang who’s nine and a half months old.  She started out as beauty editor at More magazine and then worked for Marie Claire magazine for 20 years concentrating on beauty and, later, on wellness too. Lisa became a mum for the second time at the age of 50 and she now has her own YouTube channel concentrating on wellness and motherhood. She told me how she hit fertility problems in her 40s but her determination to have a sibling for Eliza meant she continued with her IVF journey through her 40s, and eventually had her much-longed for son Wolfgang as she entered her 50s.  She told me how she’s experienced trolls telling her she’s too old to be a new mum, and will be too tired to bring up her baby, but she says she’s never had so much energy - or confidence - in her life before. Lisa certainly radiates joy in her new motherhood - and fittingly baby Wolfgang refused to be parted from her for this interview. So please excuse the background noises in this chat, as he explores the nooks and crannies of my living room during the recording!  Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nadine Merabi is a British-Lebanese clothes designer. She is the founder of the brand which shares her name and is based in Manchester. She is mother to two little girls aged 4 and 5. Nadine says at the heart of the brand is a desire to instil confidence in young women and make them feel great about themselves.  Nadine played hockey for England for 10 years and always felt she struggled to fit in. She says it took until the age of 29 to stop worrying about what everyone thought about her. Post-hockey, Nadine explored other career options and I loved her story about how she reframed a lowly bar job as a glass collector, as being a chance to network.  She taught herself how to sew by watching YouTube tutorial videos, and built the Merabi clothes business because she couldn’t find anything to wear. Her brand is now over 10 years old, and in 2025 she won the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the World Retail Congress. She loves it when her daughters see ‘one of mummy’s dresses’ on Strictly. They are certainly part of my go-to touring wardrobe too. They are fun, they make me feel supported, and often - the icing on the cake! - they have pockets!!  Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becky Barnicoat is a cartoonist who has recently published the paperback version of her memoir ‘Cry When The Baby Cries’. It’s a cartoon depiction of new motherhood and it makes me laugh out loud. Sleep deprivation; the tricky time-consuming bedtime routine; the body after birth with deflated stomach and huge boobs; and perky youthful-looking parents pre-birth compared to the same couple with their new baby, but now looking haggard and baggy-eyed. Brilliant obsevations! Becky started out as a journalist writing horoscopes for Bliss magazine and then junior editing at The Guardian, but drawing cartoons was always her first love and she’d get up an hour early every day to draw before work. Becky told me about her journey to motherhood, going through fertility problems, and then how she chose to enjoy every minute of her pregnancy rather than worry all the way through it. She now has two boys age 6 and 8.  Becky and I went to the same school and I’m pretty sure I know exactly which teachers she honed her cartoon skills on - and they very much deserved it in my opinion!  Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India de Beaufort @indiadebeaufort is a British actress who lives in Los Angeles. She is also an influencer who shares my passion for vintage and antique clothing. I love her natural flowing posts because the strands of her life will be woven in as she’s snipping a dress with a scissors while wearing it!  India has an 8 year old son Crosby. She shared with me how she had terrible postpartum depression. She told me how medication and the unshakeable support of her husband helped her recover, and she said that she intentionally looks for the joy in life.  India and I have very similar tastes in vintage clothes so we tentatively plan to go shopping together one day - but realise we’ll have to share any items we buy!  Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Siobhan Priest - or Shiv - appears as @thefiremum on Instagram and I love seeing her posts about her life as a firefighter in the London Fire Brigade. Shiv started her working life as a model and continued in that job when she became a single mum to her daughter, at the age of 24.  However she says she was always looking for a helping role in life. Firefighting appealed from an early age but it took many years for her to research it properly and then go for it when her second child, her little boy, was starting school. She loves the routine and stability that her job gives her, and being part of a watch where she has 10 ‘brothers’. Shiv says that every day is different, and putting out a fire is fun, as it’s a hands-on job and they are professional problem-solvers. Shiv is proud of being a firefighter and of influencing other women to follow in her footsteps, and it was an absolute joy to meet someone so excited and fulfilled by their job. Extra info: Home Fire Safety Checker: Get tailored advice for your home or for someone you care for. Our tool allows you to carry out a thorough check of your home in only a few minutes. It’s simple and practical, giving you specific advice for your family and your home. Visit: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/home-fire-safety-checker/ #ChargeSafe campaign On average there is a fire from a lithium battery in an e-bike or e-scooter every two days in London. Many of these fires are caused by incompatible chargers, modifications to e-bikes, or faulty or counterfeit products which are purchased online. This includes chargers, lithium batteries and conversion kits for e-bikes. For safety tips, check out our campaign webpage: www.london-fire.gov.uk/chargesafe Cadets London Fire Brigade Fire Cadets is a free programme for young people aged 13-17, available across all London boroughs. The course gives young people a chance to learn valuable life skills and build their confidence, whilst gaining an insight into careers in the emergency services. https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/community/young-people/fire-cadets/ Outreach/Recruitment If you are interested in finding out more about jobs/careers at London Fire Brigade, email: [email protected] to request updates and info on recruitment activities and events. To find out more about Firefighter Siobhan Priest’s typical working day, watch her in London Fire Brigade’s You Tube film - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ASQfxHIO8 Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.