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Which phase of raising a child is the hardest? Are any of us the kind of mum we thought we'd be? And are there any lessons women can learn from men when it comes to saying sorry? Helping us answer all these questions is the amazing Em Clarkson! This episode was recorded at Big Feastival in August, in front of a live tent-based audience. We discuss Em's political activism and how she's finding motherhood. There's also some chat about exercise, and how you know if running is right for you. We end as always with some Scummy Mummy Confessions, this time involving an embarrassing incident abroad and some festival mishaps. Many thanks to Em for joining us on stage for this one. Follow her on Instagram @em_clarkson. There are only FOURTEEN Hot Mess shows to go! See us in IRELAND next month - we're coming to Galway, Dublin, Derry and Belfast. We're also going to Liverpool, Chipping Norton, Aldershot, Maidenhead, Guildford, Colchester, Woolwich and Finchley. After that it's our Christmas tour! And in 2026 we're back with a BRAND NEW tour - ON THE EDGE! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit our shop or our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY! scummymummies.com We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She's back! We are joined for this episode by Helen Russell, the brilliant author of The Year of Living Danishly and now a fantastic new novel.  Helen tells us why she's decided to return to her native Britain after more than a decade of living in glorious Denmark. We compare and contrast life in the two countries, plus English village life versus trying to survive in Catford.  We discuss Helen's hilarious and highly relatable novel Laura Clark is Away From Her Desk, which is out now. We talk about how hard it is to switch from writing non-fiction to novels, and Helen shares her top tips for getting that first draft finished. There's also some chat about the best novels we've read lately, including All Fours and Yesteryear. Plus, we live workshop a new idea for a comedy sketch that involves Miserable Steve being a donkey.  We finish, as always, with Scummy Mummy Confessions, involving having sex, not having sex, and a very unpleasant mystery.  Helen Russell is just a bloody delight so follow her on Instagram @mshelenrussell. **COME AND SEE US LIVE!** Less than 30 performances of Hot Mess to go! We're coming to Gloucester and Sevenoaks this month. Then off to Newcastle, Northallerton, Harrogate, Chipping Norton, Aldershot, Colchester, Guildford, and Finchley. In the first week of November we're doing a big road trip around Ireland - hope to see you there! Dates and tickets from scummymummies.com. WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies,com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we celebrate the kids going back to school. Join us as we sit down for a nice cup of tea and a catchup for the first time in six weeks.  We talk about what we did on our holidays, our differing laundry strategies, and a show on Netflix that Ellie hates yet watches compulsively. It's more fun than it sounds. (This episode, not the show.) It's a bumper crop of confessions this episode as we share the stories from our Big Feastival gig.  Helen announces some exciting personal news, and we exclusively reveal the title and theme of our new stage show, coming your way in 2027... The Wall Calendar Planner we mention is from Lucky Day Press luckydaypress.com and the hiking trip Helen went on was through Much Better Adventures and Live Breathe Hike. In the meantime, you can come and see us perform Hot Mess - less than 30 shows to go! We're coming to Gloucester and Sevenoaks this month. Then off to Newcastle, Northallerton, Harrogate, Chipping Norton, Aldershot, Colchester, Guildford, and Finchley. In the first week of November we're doing a big road trip around Ireland - hope to see you there! Dates and tickets from scummymummies.com. WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummiess.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the four things you need to be a writer? Why are we so fascinated by other people's sad stories? And what is the best way to get seeds out of a pomegranate? Answering all these questions is the wonderful Ella Risbridger!  She tells us all about her latest book, The Kitchen Book. We find out how she came up with brilliant recipes like No-Knife Potato and Prawn Curry, and learn why Heinz tomato soup is the secret ingredient Ellie has been seeking for the last six years.   There's some writing chat - Helen and Ella discuss the challenges of writing memoir, and how they feel about their books now they're out in the world.  We finish with some Scummy Mummy Confessions involving a lucky Ocado guy, a terrible Waitrose man, and the price of lamb. There's also a special cameo as the podcast's first ever live Confession unfolds in real time.  Buy Ella's book so she can afford a fizzy water tap. But also because it's absolutely brilliant - Ellie has cooked seven hundred things out of it already, and they have all been delicious and feasible. The Kitchen Book is out now. COME AND SEE OUR LIVE SHOW! We're taking a break from our tour this summer, although you can still catch us at the Big Feastival this month. Then in September we're back on the road, beginning in Gloucester and Sevenoaks, then off to Newcastle, Northallerton, Harrogate, Chipping Norton, Aldershot, Colchester, Guildford, and Finchley. In the first week of November we're doing a big road trip around Ireland - hope to see you there! Dates and tickets from scummymummies.com. WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a spectacular summer special as we hang out with the legendary and hilarious Dick and Dom! Not in da bungalow, but live on stage at the brilliant Camp Bestival!  Having been together for 30 years, they know a thing or two about being in a double act, so we talk about that. Which Scummy Mummy is most like Dom, and who is a Dick? How does neurodiversity affect the dynamic, and what are the positives of having different traits?  There's a bit of fatherhood chat - Dick reveals what he thinks is the hardest job in the world, and Dom shares his best parenting advice. We learn how they ended up getting discussed in the House of Commons, and Ellie announces her policy proposals for when she is a member of Count Binface's cabinet.  Then it all descends into chaos as we play our favourite game - listen in to find out whether Dick and Dom would do Anything for Money!  NB This is a family friendly episode, so it's safe to listen to with kids in the room/car, and we hope they'll really enjoy it :)  For more from Dick and Dom, and to keep an eye on their DJ dates, follow them on Instagram @dickanddomofficial.  COME AND SEE OUR LIVE SHOW! We're taking a break from our tour this summer, although you can still catch us at the Big Feastival this month. Then in September we're back on the road, beginning in Gloucester and Sevenoaks, then off to Newcastle, Northallerton, Harrogate, Chipping Norton, Aldershot, Colchester, Guildford, and Finchley. In the first week of November we're doing a big road trip around Ireland - hope to see you there! Dates and tickets from scummymummies.com. WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this episode is the hilarious comedian, cook and author George Egg! He shares some of his best recipes, including the chicken dish Ellie makes every week. We discuss George's favourite comfort food and argue about the best way to make cheese on toast. As usual we go off on a variety of tangents, including grandparenthood, skiffle, chutney, and being locked in the freezer at McDonald's birthday parties in the eighties. Plus we share our top foodie hacks for surviving festivals.  As always we end with Scummy Mummy Confessions - Ellie's urinal gourd, George's school fete face painting fiasco, and why Helen can never go back to that petrol station in Ulverston. This episode is fuelled by delicious and bold flavour flipping snacks, thanks to Pilgrims Choice. #AD George's book, Snack Hacker, is out now, and it's brilliant. Ask Nigella! Follow him on Instagram @georgeegg. COME AND SEE OUR LIVE SHOW! We're taking a break from our tour this summer, although you can still catch us at Camp Bestival and the Big Feastival. Then in September we're back on the road, beginning in Gloucester and Sevenoaks, then off to Newcastle, Northallerton, Harrogate, Chipping Norton, Aldershot, Colchester, Guildford, and Finchley. In the first week of November we're doing a big road trip around Ireland - hope to see you there! Dates and tickets from scummymummies.com. WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode we have a rollercoaster of a conversation with TV legend Andrea McLean. We cover everything from the menopause to money problems, losing your home to losing your libido and more.  Andrea tells us about her latest book, Shameless, which is out now. She discusses leaving her job as a presenter on Loose Women to build her own business, and what happened when it all went wrong. We find out how she managed to shed the shame and why she decided to tell the world all about it.  There's some menopause chat - we compare our fave HRT medications, and Helen shares a sexy tip for anyone on testosterone. Andrea has some tips for how to tackle difficult conversations around sex drive.  This episode's Scummy Mummy Confessions involve lying to Ellie's Dad, some questionable smoked salmon and a flotation tank.  Huge thanks to the lovely Andrea for coming on the podcast! Follow her on Instagram @andreamclean1. We are having a little break from touring this summer - although we will be doing live shows and podcasts at Camp Bestival in July and Big Feastival in August, so come and see us there!  We're back on the road from September, beginning in Gloucester and Sevenoaks then heading to Newcastle, Northampton and Harrogate. In October we're off to Chipping Norton, Aldershot, Colchester, Guildford and Finchley.  The last performances of Hot Mess will be in November - Liverpool, Woolwich and Maidenhead, plus our epic IRISH TOUR! We are coming to Galway, Dublin, Derry and Belfast and WE CAN'T WAIT! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit for scummymummies.com our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a travel special! We sit down for a good old chinwag about our latest jaunts to the opposite ends of the world.  Helen talks about her trip to South Africa with Sports Tours International, and what it's like to run the Cape Town marathon when you're suffering from gastroenteritis. Listen in to find out what got her through, and the biggest lessons she's learned over the course of running 14 marathons.  Then it's Ellie's turn to discuss her visit to the Arctic with HX Expeditions. We find out why she thought taking her disabled 80 year-old Mum was a good idea, and how it turned out to be even better than either of them had imagined. Then of course it's time for Scummy Mummy Confessions. Helen's son says too much, and Ellie reveals why she secretly doesn't want England to make the World Cup final.   Huge thanks to Sports Tours International and HX Expeditions for allowing us to have such brilliant adventures, and giving Ellie's Mum the time of her life. #presstrip Check out sportstoursinternational.co.uk for details of the amazing running and cycling holidays they offer all over the world. And visit travelhx.com if you fancy a visit to the Arctic, Antarctica, or one of their other stunning destinations - they're currently offering up to 25% off, so go have a look.  We are on tour! See you soon, Chester and Ulverston! Then we're visiting all sorts of venues all over the country right up till 2027. Yes, INCLUDING NORWICH! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this episode is the brilliant Sheyi Martins-Allen. You might know her for her political rants on Instagram, her hilarious agony aunting, or her strong views on adapting Pride and Prejudice for the small screen.  She is also a fantastic singer - she tells us how her recent show went, and about her plans for the future. We find out how she became friendly with Dolly Alderton, how she deals with Trump supporters in her DMs, and why her Dad is struggling with the behaviour of Brooklyn Beckham.  Plus: we discuss the use of humour to talk about politics, and teach Sheyi a new and unpleasant word. We finish with some Confessions involving a series of unfortunate incidents at the Stratford Upon Avon Literary festival, and school run politics.  Do go and check out Sheyi's Instagram account, we love it - @sheyimartinsallen We are on tour! See you soon, Manchester, Watford and Eastleigh! Then we're visiting all sorts of venues all over the country right up till 2027. Yes, INCLUDING NORWICH! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does it take a whole year to make a kids' book? What's it like to visit Richard Branson's private island? And who doesn't love a Nissan Micra? Answering all these questions is bestselling children's author Rachel Bright!  She tells us how she went from losing hope after an early rejection to landing a three-book publishing deal, and enjoying huge success with The Lion Inside. We talk about talent, timing, and the third magic ingredient that got Rachel where she is today.  We also discuss Rachel's time working as an air hostess for Virgin Atlantic, and what happened when she went to Necker Island. We find out how to wear hats, and in a podcast exclusive, Rachel shares her favourite verruca hack.  As is tradition, we finish with Scummy Mummy Confessions - this time involving a basketball and an erect horse penis.  Find out more about Rachel's brilliant books by following her on Instagram @rachelbrightbooks. Her latest titles, The Turtle Who Turned the Tide and The Messysaurus, are out now.  We are on tour! See you soon, Tiverton, Watford, Manchester and Eastleigh! Then we're visiting all sorts of venues all over the country right up till 2027. Yes, INCLUDING NORWICH! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How common is sibling estrangement? Does birth order really determine your destiny? And is there anything we can do to make our kids get along? Helping us to answer all these questions is the awesome author Catherine Carr.  It's a big episode for Ellie, as she talks publicly for the first time about being estranged from her brother - why it's happened, and how she's learned to make peace with it.  Catherine shares what she's learned about the subject in the course of writing her excellent book, Who's the Favourite? We also discuss whether the myths about elder and younger siblings are true, and the role gender plays in family dynamics. Plus, we ask Catherine whether there's anything parents can do to help their kids' relationships run smoothly.  We finish of course with Scummy Mummy Confessions. This week: a sweaty incident, school admin stress, and Ellie's husband's peen.  Catherine's book is out now. Her podcast is called Relatively, and do check out her episode on Woman's Hour. You can follow her on Instagram @tall.lady.carr.  We are on tour! See you soon, Tiverton, Watford, Manchester and Eastleigh! Then we're visiting all sorts of venues all over the country right up till 2027. Yes, INCLUDING NORWICH! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She's Britain's favourite pantomime dame (oh no she isn't, etc) - it's Mama G! Join us for a hilarious chat covering everything from panto and children's books to lesbian grandmas and Irene from Home and Away.  We delve deep into Mama G's origin story, and find out how she got started in the panto game. What was it like to play Bungle in the Rainbow stage show, and what happened when she met the one from the telly? And is Zippy a dick in real life?  We also talk about Mama G's experience of leading a team of dames to the semi-final on Britain's Got Talent. What's Simon Cowell like when the cameras are off? And what's her one regret about appearing on the show? For more from Mama G, follow her on Instagram @mamagstories. Her latest book, The Proudest Bird in the World, is out in July, but you can preorder now. And you can see her brilliant show at the Edinburgh Fringe this August.  We are on tour! See you soon, Stratford and South Norwood! Then we're visiting all sorts of venues all over the country right up till 2027. Yes, INCLUDING MANCHESTER AND NORWICH! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on Instagram and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you stop being a people pleaser? Is it wrong to pee in the shower? And how do you end up having a fight with Giles Brandreth? Helping us to answer all these questions is the brilliant Bryony Gordon. Bryony tells us all about her new novel, People Pleaser, which is out on Thursday. Helen reveals how she learned to ask for what she wants, and Ellie explains how it has made their relationship stronger. We talk about the pros and cons of rawdogging your emotions, and whether you can be 80 per cent sober.  There's also a bit of chat about shagging, and of course Scummy Mummy Confessions, in which Helen manages to leave Bryony actively disgusted.  Follow Bryony on Instagram @bryonygordon. Her latest book is available to pre-order now.  Helen's new book is OUT NOW - it's a hopeful, brutally honest and witty guidebook for navigating big hard life things. How to Face Big Change is out now in Hardback, Audiobook and eBook. We are on tour! See you soon Cambridge, Stratford and South Norwood! Then we're visiting all sorts of venues all over the country right up till 2027. Yes, INCLUDING MANCHESTER AND NORWICH! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com  for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on X, Instagram, and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's going on in our brains when we can't sleep? What if you find it easy to drop off, but wake up a few hours later? How does the perimenopause play a part? Joining us to answer all these questions is the brilliant Lorna MacDonald.  Lorna is a neuroscience-based hypnotherapist and coach who's been helping Ellie get a bit more shut-eye. She explains why so many middle-aged women struggle with sleep, and gives us lots of practical ideas for improving things.  We talk about the stress bucket, and the difference between slutty and classy dopamine. There's some chat about alcohol and hormonal change. Lorna tells us the story of how she came back from burnout, and we talk about what it is, how to recognise the first signs, and what we can do to manage it.  Plus: why it's OK to be selfish, and how it can actually make you happier.  For more from Lorna, including how to get in touch with her and pricing, thehypnotherapynook.com or follow her on Instagram @thehypnotherapynook. Helen's book "How to Face Big Change and Come Back Stronger" is now out and all about how women rebuild their lives after big s****y life things, it is uplifting, funny and brutally honest. You can buy a copy here. https://lnk.to/howtofacebigchange We are on tour! See you soon Newbury, Cambridge, Stratford and South Norwood! Then we're visiting all sorts of venues all over the country right up till 2027. Yes, INCLUDING MANCHESTER AND NORWICH! Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets.  WE HAVE A SHOP! Visit scummymummies.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, and sweatshirts. FREE UK DELIVERY!     We're on X, Instagram, and Facebook @scummymummies. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe.   Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IT'S HERE! Well, almost. Helen's brand new book, How to Face Big Change and Come Back Stronger, is out on 2nd April! So we sat down for a chat about it.  Listen in to find out why Helen wanted to write the book, and what she learned during the writing process. Ellie discusses what it's like to support a friend through hard times, and there's some chat about healthy and not-so-healthy ways of coping. Plus, discover what makes Helen laugh more than anything else, and why Ellie is now really into oil rigs.  We are on tour, just for a change. But also - Helen is doing a book tour! And Ellie is joining her for a couple of the dates! Bath 27 March, Chorleywood 7 April, Nottingham 9 April, Leeds 10 April, Mold 11 April. Tickets from tix.to/helenthorn Helen's book is out next week but you can pre-order now! Go go go! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.