MUMBELIEVABLE with Sonia Beldom

In this heartfelt episode of Mumbelievable, host Sonia Beldom welcomes broadcaster, novelist, and television personality Fern Britton. Fern reflects on her glamorous yet emotionally complex mother, Ruth, whose wartime experiences, fierce personality, and unconventional parenting shaped her life. She shares vivid memories of Cornwall, family holidays, military drills in the garden, and a mother who never complained despite enduring separation, war, heartbreak, and hardship. Fern also opens up about her own experiences with depression and postnatal depression, the misunderstandings surrounding mental health, and how grief and divorce later led her to rebuild herself physically and emotionally. Alongside Sonia’s own reflections on growing up with a mentally ill mother, the episode becomes a moving exploration of the complicated but enduring bonds between mothers and children — the love, humour, damage, strength, and legacies passed down through generations.00:00Introduction to Mumbelievable and Personal Stories01:17A Cornish Legacy: Exploring Family Secrets03:12Childhood Memories and the Influence of Place04:36Growing Up Without a Father Figure06:03Ruth: A Glamorous and Complex Mother08:27The Impact of Parental Relationships on Life Choices10:18The Journey into Showbiz and Career Beginnings11:45Mother's Pride and the Legacy of Scrapbooks12:15Understanding Mental Health and Family Dynamics14:50War Experiences and Their Lasting Effects16:14Generational Legacies and Family Traditions18:12Reinventing Oneself After Loss20:06Navigating Postnatal Depression and Support22:32Coping Mechanisms and Personal Struggles25:39Turning Points and Health Transformations27:07Reflections on Maternal Influence and Legacy28:03Conclusion: Celebrating Unbelievable Mothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An in-depth conversation with Ann Widdicombe exploring her life, her mother's influence, her political career, and her personal beliefs. Discover how her upbringing shaped her independence, her views on religion, and her journey through public life.00:00Introduction and Guest Credibility01:00Ann Widdicombe's Public Persona and Career Highlights01:54Memories of Her Mother and Childhood Experiences03:43Parenting, Bravery, and Emotional Resilience05:37Impact of Nomadic Childhood on Independence07:29Her Mother’s Background and Views on Women in Religion09:54Political Journey and Return to Politics in 201913:11Religious Beliefs and Views on Women in the Church16:30Educational Background and Early Life Influences20:11Memorable Encounters with the Pope and Religious Experiences22:55Humorous Family Stories and Personal Anecdotes25:48Family Life, Moving, and Caring for Parents28:31Reflections on Achievements and Personal Growth32:22Political Changes and Future Outlook34:36Legacy, Inspiration, and Personal Traits35:35Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Sonia Beldom welcomes stylist Alicia Kite to Mumbelievable, a podcast exploring how mums shape their children. Alicia shares how her mother, Fawn, loved clothes as a source of joy and identity, collecting and caring for special pieces and inspiring Alicia’s 40-year career helping women feel confident through style. She recalls humorous moments like finding Fawn hiding extra clothes in a wardrobe and a car filled with hatched maggots from helping Alicia’s father’s bait business. Alicia reflects on her father’s charisma, affairs, and control over Fawn’s ambitions, and the heartbreak of discovering Fawn’s private “pink book” expressing a lifelong longing to be loved. Alicia wishes she’d asked her mother more, vows not to live “as a pink book,” and says Audrey Hepburn would play Fawn in a film.00:00 Into to Mumbelievable00:59 Meet Alicia Sia01:53 Wardrobe Emotions03:13 Mum Loved Clothes04:49 The Hidden Wardrobe07:06 Shopping as Joy10:20 Clothes as Armor13:33 The Pink Book15:59 Healing Conversations17:15 Regrets and Resolve18:05 Codependency and Control19:15 Maggot Farm Mayhem21:33 Cafe Dreams and Hotel Move23:32 Rebuilding After Loss25:04 Fawn’s Early Life27:29 No Filter Mother in Law28:36 Self Worth Lesson29:40 Audrey Hepburn Casting30:20 Why She Was Mumbelievable31:07 Closing Thanks and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Mumbelievable, the podcast about mothers, Sonia Beldom speaks with broadcaster, singer and author Janie Lee Grace (From Wham to Woo), whose career spans touring with Wham, working with George Michael and Boy George, and radio success including launching the Steve Wright afternoon show, plus her wellbeing work and The Sober Club. Janie describes growing up anxious and insecure with a mother, Norma, who had bipolar disorder and was repeatedly sectioned and hospitalised, while her father also struggled, leaving her without stability. She explains how family constellations and therapy transformed her perspective by revealing her mother’s childhood trauma—her own mother died when she was nine and she wasn’t told—allowing Janie to make peace in Norma’s later years. They discuss parenting fears, Janie’s later-in-life accidental pregnancy and four children, her alcohol-free advocacy, and Norma’s vibrant, kind, no-filter personality.00:00 Welcome to Mumbelievable00:39 Meet Janie Lee Grace01:54 Ambition vs upbringing04:15 Mum's mental illness07:17 Making peace at last08:05 Family constellations breakthrough13:25 Reframing motherhood fears15:27 Painting a picture of Norma17:17 When illness becomes identity18:28 Parents Meet Pop Stars19:23 Mum With No Filter20:12 Wig Crash At Work22:20 Why I Avoided Motherhood23:48 Pregnancy Mistaken For Cyst24:55 Kids Discover My Pop Past26:02 Sober Club And Family27:46 Alcohol Myths And Choice29:06 Mum’s Late-Life Drinking31:32 New Projects And Awards32:21 Julie Walters Casting Pick32:59 Wig Holiday And Tooth Fairy34:40 Daffodils Sea And Farewell35:17 Why Mum Was Unbelievable Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Mumbelievable Podcast, host Sonia Beldom welcomes actress, presenter, author and award-winning travel writer Julie Peasgood to talk about her mother, Pearl Margaret Peasgood. Julie shares how Pearl joined Bertram Mills Circus at 18, performed with Japanese artists, learned juggling and tightrope skills, and later raised four children while juggling three jobs—shop work, sewing as an expert seamstress, and laying out the deceased—during financially tight times. Julie recalls Pearl’s practical, resourceful “no such word as can’t” attitude, spontaneous overnight projects, love of gardening, and pride in Julie’s performing career, plus vivid family memories like “mum days,” custard tarts, and a favourite white-sauce fish dish. Sonia also contrasts her own mother’s unfiltered behaviour and later-life sectioning, while Julie reflects on the legacy of belief and ambition she’s passed to her daughter and grandchildren.00:00 Welcome to Mumbelievable00:36 Meet Julie Peasgood01:23 Mum the Circus Star02:38 Running Away to Perform05:23 Pearl the Can Do Mum07:16 Growing Up on a Budget08:37 Food Memories and Laughs12:28 Quirks and Big Dreams14:26 Sonia on Her Mum15:37 Sectioned at Eighty17:34 Care Home Meds Drama18:26 Wishing For Deeper Talks19:01 Cruise Life And Pearl21:32 Sex Tips Book Breakthrough24:12 Unfiltered School Shock25:40 Lessons Passed Down26:45 Mini Mum Survey27:25 Practical Surprises And Sight Loss31:02 Lioness Mum And Big Energy33:11 Legacy And Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.