PODCAST · kids
BLUE MUMDAYS
by Vikki Stephenson
Blue MumDays is a podcast about perinatal illness, parenting and being kind to yourself. Up to 1 in 7 mums and 1 in 10 dads will suffer with their mental health after the birth of their baby. Having once interviewed the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer during my BBC career, I’m now speaking to mums, dads and mental health experts each week, in an effort to understand my own experience of postnatal depression. Dispelling myths, smashing stigma & bringing hope to parents having a hard time.
Episodes
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"Just Make It Stop!" - Driven to the Edge: Sophie Burch (Part 1)
Hypnotherapist Sophie Burch opens up about the intense struggles she faced after the births of her first two sons. These included a traumatic delivery with shoulder dystocia, and the challenges of colic and silent reflux. With little support, she reached a breaking point where she nearly harmed…
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The One About Breastfeeding: Sally Rickard, Lactation Consultant
In this special episode for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, host Vikki chats with lactation consultant Sally Rickard about the ups and downs of breastfeeding and early motherhood. Sally shares her personal and professional insights on common challenges like tongue-tie, milk supply issues,...
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Finding Hope After Baby Loss - Frontline Midwife to Mother: Anna Kent (Part 2)
In this second part of Frontline Midwife Anna Kent's story, Anna talks movingly about her own experience of motherhood, from an early miscarriage to the tragic loss of her baby daughter Fatima at only 6 months gestation, due to a rare brain condition. Anna discusses the impact this had on her...
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A Story of Conflict and Care - The Frontline Midwife: Anna Kent (Part 1)
In this powerful Christmas episode, Anna Kent - a humanitarian aid worker, NHS nurse and midwife - reflects on her experiences working in some of the world's most challenging environments, including South Sudan, Haiti and Bangladesh. She offers an intimate look at the difficulties of providing...
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"My culture has no real word for mental health". The Unlikely Mummy: Kavita Trevena
Kavita Trevena, founder of The Unlikely Mummy, shares her profoundly personal motherhood journey, including gestational diabetes, postnatal depression and being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder after two stressful births. Kavita also talks about a lack of openness around mental…
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Extreme Sickness, Intrusive Thoughts - Hyperemesis, Hallucinations and Healing: Sarah Edge (Part 2)
In the follow-up to Episode 35 (Part 1), perinatal psychotherapist Sarah Edge shares her contrasting experience with her second pregnancy. Her debilitating experience with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG or extreme sickness) took a significant toll on Sarah’s mental health. Sarah developed postnatal...
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Breastfeeding Trauma and Grief: Sarah Edge (Part 1)
To launch Blue MumDays Season 3, host Vikki welcomes Sarah Edge, a perinatal specialist psychotherapist. In the first part of their discussion, Sarah shares her deeply personal and emotional journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and the complex challenges of infant feeding. She discusses her...
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Blue MumDays Season 3 Teaser
Season 3 of Blue MumDays is here, the parental mental health podcast smashing stigma and normalising the conversation on perinatal illness. Upcoming episodes include discussion on infant feeding trauma, breastfeeding advice, pre-eclampsia, baby loss, birthing during Covid, neonatal intensive…
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Perinatal Rage + O.C.D: LAURA BISBEY
In this 'Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week' special, I speak to Laura Bisbey, who was diagnosed with perinatal distress and anxiety during her pregnancy. This sadly continued following the birth of her daughter. Laura tells me about her feelings of rage during the pregnancy, and - once her...
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My Kids' Birth Unlocked My Childhood Trauma: NICK RAEBURN
I chat to Nick Raeburn, aka 'That Social Nerd'. Nick came to my attention in a very brave and raw LinkedIn post, where he talked about the huge flood of emotion he experienced in becoming a dad. Prior to having children, Nick had never cried - a result of the awful abuse he suffered as a child....
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World Down Syndrome Day Special: JANNAH AND MUSA'S STORY
For this Blue MumDays special celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Day, I'm joined by the beautiful Jannah Hayah. Jannah talks to me about life with her gorgeous son Musa, who is 5. Musa has Down Syndrome, hearing loss and is fed via a feeding tube. Jannah is passionate about wanting the world to...
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The One About Hormones - POI, PMDD, Endometoriosis + PME: Dr HANNAH SHORT
My guest this week is Dr Hannah Short, a GP Specialist in Menopause, P.O.I. (Premature Ovarian Insufficiency) and Premenstrual Disorders. In this fascinating episode, Hannah educates me on P.O.I., P.M.D.D. (Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder), Endometriosis and P.M.E. (Premenstrual Exacerbation).…
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Navigating Pregnancy With An Eating Disorder: HOPE VIRGO
To mark 'Eating Disorder Awareness Week', I'm joined by Hope Virgo, who chats to me about navigating pregnancy with an eating disorder. Hope is an author and multi award winning campaigner. In 2018, Hope launched the #DumpTheScales campaign, which put eating disorders on the Government's agenda....
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"It's Not The End". Recovery after the Devastation of Stillbirth: KEJI MOSES of MAYAH'S LEGACY
In a very moving yet inspirational episode, I speak to author, podcaster and professional grief counsellor Keji Moses. Keji talks about her early loss through miscarriage and the devastation of losing her baby girl Mayah, who was stillborn at 35 weeks. She has since made it her mission to shed...
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"No, I Am Not Fine!" P.T.S.D. and Birth Trauma: AMY LEIGH LOOPER
This week's guest is Amy Leigh Looper, a maternal leadership coach based in the United States. After a hugely successful career in enterprise software sales, Amy suffered postpartum depression with both of her children. We discuss the impact this had on her life and how she has turned her drive…
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BLUE MONDAY BONUS: It's Good To Walk: JUSTIN EADE, WELLBEING SPECIALIST
As a special bonus for 'Blue Monday', wellbeing specialist Justin Eade of Glimpse ~ Moving Well shares 3 quick tips for making the most of a walk. He explains why time outside is so beneficial to us - no matter how short - and how a gym ball can help soothe a crying baby! Bringing together more...
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Our Altered Life - Parenting A Child With Disabilities: CHARLIE BESWICK
This week's episode is a wonderful lesson in triumphing over adversity - a brave, beautiful and inspiring conversation for 'Blue Monday'. My guest is the incredible Charlie Beswick of facial disfigurement and visible difference charity 'More Than A Face'. Charlie is mum to twins Oliver and Harry…
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I Was Called 'Aggressive' During My Labour: SANDRA IGWE of The Motherhood Group
Our Christmas/New Year episode is with the hugely inspiring Sandra Igwe - maternal health advocate, TEDx speaker and founder of The Motherhood Group. Sandra talked to me in Spring 2022 about her work raising awareness of the disparities of black women's maternal mental health outcomes and issues....
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Mum Guilt, Trauma and Systemic Inequality: DR ORINAYO ONABANJO
This week my guest is Dr Orinayo Onabanjo, a chartered counselling psychologist with a passion for perinatal mental health. Orin's skills include helping mums cultivate stronger attachments with their babies and addressing the impact unresolved childhood trauma can have on the journey of...
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I Felt Like A Bystander: PROFESSOR VIREN SWAMI
In a Movember male-mental-health special, this week I chat to Professor Viren Swami. Viren is Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University and is ranked in the top 2% of 'most-cited scientists' in the world. Viren's research is focused on the promotion of positive body image in...
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Parenting With ADHD: CHRISTINE CUNNINGHAM of PERINATAL WELLBEING ONTARIO
This week I'm joined by the wonderful Christine Cunningham of Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario. Despite sailing through motherhood with her first two children, Christine went on to suffer postnatal depression and anxiety with the birth of her third. In this mega-episode, Christine talks about the…
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PND: Your Most Asked Questions Answered
Season 2 launches with a Q&A with Liz Wise, specialist PND Counsellor and founder of the Cedar House Support Group. I put your most asked questions to Liz in this special episode, from "How do I know it's PND?" to "How long will recovery take?" Demystifying the illness and dispelling the myths,...
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Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Special: EVE CANAVAN Pt.2
I chat to perinatal mental health blogger, peer supporter and charity campaigner Eve Canavan, BEM in this Blue MumDays special for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Eve is a founding member of the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership and the lead co-ordinator for MMHAW - now in its 6th year…
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Frightened of My Baby: EVE CANAVAN (MMHAW Special Pt.1)
I chat to perinatal mental health blogger, peer supporter and charity campaigner Eve Canavan, BEM in this Blue MumDays special for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Eve is a founding member of the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership and the lead co-ordinator for MMHAW - now in its 6th year…
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Bonding, Guilt & Psychosis - An Expert View: DR. ANDREW MAYERS
Dr Andrew Mayers joins me for the final episode of Season 1. He's an academic psychologist specialising in - and campaigning for - better maternal and paternal mental health. We discuss MBUs, bonding issues suffered by some parents with perinatal illness, mum guilt, postpartum psychosis and the...
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When Birth Leads To Trauma: DR. REBECCA MOORE
Dr Rebecca Moore joins me for a Blue MumDays special discussing birth trauma. Rebecca is a perinatal psychiatrist, mother and co-founder of 'Make Birth Better', a collective of experts who offer support and training and campaign for better understanding of birth trauma and vicarious trauma....
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The Doula's Story: AJ SILVER of QUEER BIRTH CLUB
The delightful AJ Silver joins me this week for an entertaining and very moving chat about their traumatic first birth experience, which led them to go on to train and work as a Doula. We discuss everything from the difficulties faced by same sex couples within the perinatal system, to the warmth...
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My mum's story - PND in the 60s & 70s: NINA SPILSTED
MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL: My mum is a warrior - she has not had an easy life. From an early career as an Astronomer Royal's Personal Computer at Herstmonceux, mum had to give this up to follow my dad's job. After multiple miscarriages she experienced pre-eclampsia, a traumatic birth and PTSD with my...
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Pregnant again within 3 months of birth: CHRISTINA BROWN
Today's guest is the wonderful Christina Brown of the Motivational Mums Club, who found herself pregnant again within months of giving birth. As someone who was very career driven, this was a huge shock and she developed maternal mental health issues after the birth of her daughter. Chrissy talks...
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Having a baby made me manic: HANNAH HARDY-JONES (Part 2)
Hannah Hardy-Jones, mental health advocate and CEO of the Kite Program, developed bipolar disorder after the traumatic birth of her daughter. In Part 2, Hannah talks about what inspired her to start Kite to support the mental health of others, the benefits of having bipolar and the hugely…
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Having a baby made me manic: HANNAH HARDY-JONES (Part 1)
Hannah Hardy-Jones, mental health advocate and CEO of the Kite Program, speaks bravely and honestly about how the traumatic birth of her daughter triggered bi-polar disorder. Instead of falling into depression, Hannah experienced intense highs within the first few days of giving birth on barely…
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If you can survive PND, you can survive anything: LIZ WISE (Part 2)
I catch up again with Liz Wise, specialist PND Counsellor. In Episode 1 she talked to me about her lived experience of PND. This time she talks about her work with her charity Cedar House Support Group and how out of the thousands of women she has helped over 30 years, every one has made a full...
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Twins, Me and PND: LEONIE HUIE
A really entertaining and moving chat with the amazing Leonie Huie BEM, author of 'The First Year is Survival'. Leonie found out she was pregnant unexpectedly - with twins! She talks about her early struggles as a new mum of multiples and the trauma of having to perform CPR on one of her…
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The Daddy Blues: MARK WILLIAMS (Part 2)
The second part of my conversation with pioneering mental health campaigner Mark Williams, who has highlighted the need to include fathers in perinatal services. *TRIGGER WARNING: THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE* IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [00:00] Teaser quote for this episode [00:32] Introduction to Mark...
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The Daddy Blues: MARK WILLIAMS (Part 1)
I chat to pioneering parental mental health campaigner and author Mark Williams. In this first part, Mark talks about the traumatic birth of his son which triggered postnatal depression in both his wife and himself. We discuss the added stigma of fathers struggling and the pressure put on men to...
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Helping Mums Help Themselves: NAOMI BUFFERY (Part 2)
I continue my chat with inspiring maternal mental health specialist Naomi Buffery. In this part we discuss her mission to empower other mums to beat anxiety and depression, following her own experience of PND. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [00:00] Teaser quote [00:51] Introduction to Naomi Buffery...
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The Self-Compassion Episode: POONAM DHUFFER (Part 2)
Wellbeing Practitioner Poonam Dhuffer of YSM8 talks self-compassion and being kind to yourself, in the second part of this 'Blue Monday' special. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [00:00] Teaser quote [00:55] Introduction to Poonam Dhuffer (Part 2) [01:15] The loop of negative thought and worry - let…
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Loving Kindness Meditation
A soothing, restorative 15 minute Loving Kindness Meditation, to help you relax and reset. Created especially for us by Poonam Dhuffer of YSM8, this practice has self-compassion at its heart. As a new mum I suffered terribly from self-criticism, anxiety, negative thoughts and insomnia - this is...
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The Self-Compassion Episode: POONAM DHUFFER (Part 1)
Wellbeing Practitioner Poonam Dhuffer of YSM8 talks self-compassion and being kind to yourself, in the first part of this 'Blue Monday' special. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [00:17] Introduction to Poonam Dhuffer [01:20] What actually is self-compassion? [05:05] The research behind the theory...
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I had to be the best, or else I was a failure: NAOMI BUFFERY (Part 1)
I talk to inspiring maternal mental health specialist Naomi Buffery, on her own experience of PND. In Part 2 we'll discuss how she's on a mission to empower other mums to beat anxiety and depression. But in this episode we learn how hard it was for Naomi navigating early motherhood, following a...
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Dads Suffer Too. I Had PTSD after my daughter's Traumatic Birth: ELLIOTT RAE
With 1 in 10 dads suffering after the birth of their baby, Elliott Rae of 'Music, Football, Fatherhood' talks about his PTSD, following the traumatic birth of his daughter. Elliott went on to found MFF (the "Dad's version of Mumsnet") to change the narrative on what it means to be a father. He…
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The Lockdown Mum: EMILY GOLDHILL
I speak to Emily Goldhill about what it was like to have her baby during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020. From her husband not being able to attend scans, to a lack of support and activities during the early months, it heavily contributed to her developing postnatal depression. Becoming…
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Double cancer didn't cause depression. Giving birth did: LIZ WISE
Specialist Postnatal Depression Counsellor Liz Wise talks about her own personal experience of PND, which she suffered from with the birth of both her daughters. Despite surviving cancer twice, losing both her parents, losing two of her best friends and going through a very stressful divorce…
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Introduction to Blue MumDays
An introduction to the Blue MumDays parental mental health podcast. Hear from guests such as PND Counsellor Liz Wise and Elliott Rae of Music, Football Fatherhood in this short taster. MUSIC: Joseph McDade.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Blue MumDays is a podcast about perinatal illness, parenting and being kind to yourself. Up to 1 in 7 mums and 1 in 10 dads will suffer with their mental health after the birth of their baby. Having once interviewed the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer during my BBC career, I’m now speaking to mums, dads and mental health experts each week, in an effort to understand my own experience of postnatal depression. Dispelling myths, smashing stigma & bringing hope to parents having a hard time.
HOSTED BY
Vikki Stephenson
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does BLUE MUMDAYS have?
BLUE MUMDAYS currently has 44 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is BLUE MUMDAYS about?
Blue MumDays is a podcast about perinatal illness, parenting and being kind to yourself. Up to 1 in 7 mums and 1 in 10 dads will suffer with their mental health after the birth of their baby. Having once interviewed the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer during my BBC career, I’m now...
How often does BLUE MUMDAYS release new episodes?
BLUE MUMDAYS has 44 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to BLUE MUMDAYS?
You can listen to BLUE MUMDAYS on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts BLUE MUMDAYS?
BLUE MUMDAYS is created and hosted by Vikki Stephenson.
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