Happy Mum

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.

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336 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes336

Newest first

January 13 · 1 hr 10 min
Our daughter was seriously ill… until her brother saved her life
Being able to share incredible stories is a huge reason why we do this podcast. Last year, Giovanna read Lifeblood: A Mother in Search of Hope by author and journalist Mina Holland. The book reveals Mina’s harrowing journey after learning her baby, Vida, was critically ill just two days before turning 12 weeks old. What unfolded next was nothing short of extraordinary. Now, Mina joins Gi to share her powerful story firsthand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 8 · 49 min
Leanne Quigley on filming The Traitors and the life-changing moment that followed (2/2)
Leanne Quigley is back for part two of her extraordinary conversation - if you haven't already heard part 1 you can listen here. In this episode, Leanne opens up to Gi about her experience on The Traitors, including the emotional challenge of leaving her two young boys while filming. She also reflects on the life-changing moment after filming when her fiancée, Sophie, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 6 · 56 min
The Traitors winner Leanne Quigley on giving birth three and a half months early (1/2)
We’re hooked once again on the new series of The Traitors, so it felt only right that we sit down with Season 3 champion, Leanne Quigley for a chat on all things motherhood (and reality TV!) Leanne’s story is truly remarkable, and with so much to unpack we've divided this episode into two parts. In this first episode, Leanne opens up to Gi about her IVF journey with her partner Sophie, and the incredible moment they discovered they were expecting twins. She also shares the intense experience of giving birth three and a half months early, along with the challenges that followed and subsequent hospital visits. Tune in for part 2 this Thursday - you definitely won’t want to miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 30, 2025 · 26 min
New Year Special: UNRELEASED moments from 2025
This special episode features never-before-heard snippets from some of our favourite conversations, including: Dr Emily MacDonagh on the importance of honest conversations about the realities of parenting; Joanna Page on the chaos of writing a book while managing four children, and a bonus Q&A with Midwife Pip. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 23, 2025 · 43 min
Carrie Hope Fletcher & Joel Montague: how to perform when you're sleep deprived (part 2)
Carrie and Joel are back for part 2 of their Christmassy chat! This time, we hear about the birth of their daughter Mabel, the challenges of sleep deprivation, and balancing work and family life in the theatre industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 16, 2025 · 44 min
Carrie Hope Fletcher & Joel Montague on stepping into their greatest roles yet (part 1)
It’s a true family affair on this week’s episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby! Gi’s sister-in-law Carrie Hope Fletcher and her husband Joel Montague stop by Gi's house for a very festive chat. The couple share what it’s like working together in their new roles in Elf The Musical, plus talk about how they prepared for the arrival of their now one-year-old daughter, Mabel. Don’t miss the second part of their conversation, coming next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 9, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Nutritionist GQ Jordan: "recovering from a c-section changed my attitude to health"
This week Gi sits down with women's health nutritionist GQ Jordan, whose philosophy centres on listening to and nourishing your body - and making healthy eating feel simple and achievable. GQ opens up about her personal journey with IUI and IVF, sharing how nutrition can play a role in supporting our bodies through fertility treatment and beyond. She also opens up to Gi about her experience of baby loss and navigating grief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 2, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Sophie Ellis-Bextor: five c-sections, Murder on the Dance Floor, and the power of Perimenopop
The queen of disco is in the house! Pop icon and mother of five Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins Giovanna to chat motherhood, music, and everything in between. She tells Gi about falling pregnant with her son just 6 weeks into a new relationship, and shares her experiences with pre-eclampsia and caring for babies who battled sepsis and meningitis. Sophie's brilliant new album Perimenopop is out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 25, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Harriet Kemsley: "DON'T stay together for the kids"
Get ready for laughs, tears, and everything in between as Giovanna sits down with stand-up comedian Harriet Kemsley. Harriet opens up to Gi about the end of her marriage and why walking away was ultimately the best thing she could do for her family. She also talks about her PTSD and how it affected her during birth. Plus, Gi gets the inside scoop on Harriet’s new adventures in dating! Ps. Harriet is back on tour! Catch her in 2026 with her brand-new stand-up show Floozy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 18, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
How can we help men and boys with their mental health? Parenting SOS with Dr Alex George.
This November is Men's Mental Health Month so we're joined by the UK's Youth Metal Health Ambassador, Dr Alex George to discuss Paternal wellbeing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 11, 2025 · 54 min
From addiction to fatherhood: Jason Donovan on the letter that changed his life
Everybody needs good Neighbours — and this week, Gi’s joined by the ultimate one! Singer, actor, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat LEGEND Jason Donovan opens up about the highs and lows of fame, his struggle with addiction, and the life-changing decision he made after becoming a dad for the first time. Plus, he opens up about the challenges and rewards of watching his three children grow up and what they've taught him about trusting the process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 4, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Pixie Lott: “I’m ready to have this baby… let’s make it happen RIGHT now!”
Turn It Up as this week we’re joined by perhaps our most pregnant guest yet...? the incredible singer and pop superstar, Pixie Lott! Pixie chats with Gi about her second pregnancy, from what it’s like to perform while heavily pregnant to how she’s helping her toddler get ready to become a big sibling. Plus, Pixie opens up about how meditation has helped her through some of life’s tougher moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 28, 2025 · 1 hr 15 min
Keira Knightley: "I was suddenly pregnant doing an Oscar campaign"
Roll out the red carpet because this week we welcome the one and only Keira Knightley to the Happy Mum Happy Baby studio! She's known all around the world for her unforgettable roles in Pride and Prejudice, Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean and Bend It Like Beckham (just to name a few!). Now a proud mum of two, Keira sits down with Giovanna for a brilliantly unfiltered conversation about the highs and lows of motherhood. Expect laughter, honesty, and a whole lot of heart — this is Keira Knightley as you’ve never heard her before! Keira's debut children’s book, I Love You Just The Same, is available now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 22, 2025 · 43 min
Giovanna Joins Joel Dommett on ‘And The Award Goes To…’!!
Subscribe to ‘And The Award Goes To…’ here In this bonus episode, Giovanna appears on a brand new podcast, ‘And The Award Goes To….’. It’s the awards show that’s also a podcast, where guests dish out five awards across five categories created especially for her So listen in, as Gi offers up her winners for a whole host of awards, including the Best Line From a Film, the Best Way to Keep The Kids Entertained and The Best Gift For a Father Who is Approaching Middle Age! On Spotify: link https://tinyurl.com/spotify-and-the-award-goes-to On Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/and-the-award-goes-to On Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/amazon-and-the-award-goes-to On TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/tiktok-and-the-award-goes-to On Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/Insta-And-The-Award-Goes-To On YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTube-And-The-Award-Goes-To Brand new episodes of ‘And The Award Goes To’ drop every Friday. Brought to you by Argos and Acast Creative. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view or position of Argos or any of its group companies. Descriptions of the products mentioned in this podcast are accurate as at the time of recording. Check your local store or argos.co.uk for product availability, which may vary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 21, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
The ultimate guide to preparing for birth: Parenting SOS with Midwife Pip
For this month's Parenting SOS, Gi is joined by the wonderful Midwife Pip to chat all things pregnancy and postpartum. From the rollercoaster of pregnancy hormones to who is actually in the delivery room, Pip shares what to expect every step of the way. Plus, she sets the record straight on some of the biggest birth myths, like does having sex actually induce labour?? A must-listen for anyone getting ready to welcome their little one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2025 · 54 min
Tess Daly: " the show must go on, no matter what"
Put your feet up and get cosy, this episode of Happy Mum Happy Baby comes straight to you from Gi’s sofa! And who better to join her than Mrs Saturday Night, Tess Daly! Tess has been a familiar face on our screens for over two decades, but what does motherhood look like beyond the glitter of the Strictly ballroom? Gi and Tess dive into sleepless nights, the trials and triumphs of raising teenagers, and the importance of friendships in motherhood. Plus Tess describes the whirlwind of returning to live television just six weeks after having her daughter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 7, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Natalie Cassidy beyond Albert Square: grief, body image, and motherhood
They don't get more iconic than this... this week Giovanna welcomes EastEnders legend and ultimate hun, Natalie Cassidy! Natalie and Gi talk about growing up in the public eye, the rollercoaster of raising teens, and how her feelings about her body image have shifted over the years. Plus, Natalie opens up about navigating grief after the death of her parents. You can read more about Natalie's journey in her memoir Happy Days, out October 9th! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 30, 2025 · 54 min
Joanna Page on placenta praevia, babies on set, and tandem breastfeeding
This week on Happy Mum Happy Baby we say hiya to actress, presenter and mother of four Joanna Page! Joanna opens up to Gi about life after Gavin & Stacey, and shares how she juggles the chaos of raising four children (and many pets!) alongside her acting career. She also reflects on the complications she faced during pregnancy, as well as her experience of becoming pregnant again at 44. Joanna's new autobiography Lush!: My Story - From Swansea to Stacey and Everything in Between is available now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 23, 2025 · 40 min
Why do I feel so lonely? Parenting SOS with Michelle Kennedy
94% of new mums experience loneliness... but you don’t have to go through it alone. This month on Parenting SOS, Gi sits down with Michelle Kennedy, founder and CEO of networking app Peanut. Together, they explore why motherhood can feel so isolating, and what it means to build a village. Plus, Michelle answers your questions and shares some simple, practical ways to start creating meaningful connections in your everyday life. Michelle's new book It Takes A Village is the essential parenting guide that blends expert advice with the real stories of mums worldwide - available now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 16, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Davina McCall on motherhood, finding love again, and recovering from brain surgery
Back in 2018, the iconic Davina McCall kicked off the second series of Happy Mum Happy Baby. And now… she’s back!! The legendary TV host behind some of the UK’s biggest reality shows and a fierce advocate for women’s health joins Gi once again for an honest and unfiltered conversation about childbirth, motherhood, and the realities of womanhood. She also opens up about undergoing brain surgery last year, sharing what that experience has taught her and how recovery is reshaping the way she sees herself. Davina’s brand-new book, Birthing, the ultimate guide to conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.