Strictly Speaking - Ann Widdicombe

Fern, Family and Fame - Fern Britton

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. 00:00 Introduction to Mumbelievable and Personal Stories 01:17 A Cornish Legacy: Exploring Family Secrets 03:12 Childhood Memories and the Influence of Place 04:36 Growing Up Without a Father Figure 06:03 Ruth: A Glamorous and Complex Mother 08:27 The Impact of Parental Relationships on Life Choices 10:18 The Journey into Showbiz and Career Beginnings 11:45 Mother's Pride and the Legacy of Scrapbooks 12:15 Understanding Mental Health and Family Dynamics 14:50 War Experiences and Their Lasting Effects 16:14 Generational Legacies and Family Traditions 18:12 Reinventing Oneself After Loss 20:06 Navigating Postnatal Depression and Support 22:32 Coping Mechanisms and Personal Struggles 25:39 Turning Points and Health Transformations 27:07 Reflections on Maternal Influence and Legacy 28:03 Conclusion: Celebrating Unbelievable Mothers ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Strictly Speaking - Ann Widdicombe

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. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility 01:00 Ann Widdicombe's Public Persona and Career Highlights 01:54 Memories of Her Mother and Childhood Experiences 03:43 Parenting, Bravery, and Emotional Resilience 05:37 Impact of Nomadic Childhood on Independence 07:29 Her Mother’s Background and Views on Women in Religion 09:54 Political Journey and Return to Politics in 2019 13:11 Religious Beliefs and Views on Women in the Church 16:30 Educational Background and Early Life Influences 20:11 Memorable Encounters with the Pope and Religious Experiences 22:55 Humorous Family Stories and Personal Anecdotes 25:48 Family Life, Moving, and Caring for Parents 28:31 Reflections on Achievements and Personal Growth 32:22 Political Changes and Future Outlook 34:36 Legacy, Inspiration, and Personal Traits 35:35 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Alicia Kite “Mum wore elegance in the absence of love”

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 Mumbelievable 00:59 Meet Alicia Sia 01:53 Wardrobe Emotions 03:13 Mum Loved Clothes 04:49 The Hidden Wardrobe 07:06 Shopping as Joy 10:20 Clothes as Armor 13:33 The Pink Book 15:59 Healing Conversations 17:15 Regrets and Resolve 18:05 Codependency and Control 19:15 Maggot Farm Mayhem 21:33 Cafe Dreams and Hotel Move 23:32 Rebuilding After Loss 25:04 Fawn’s Early Life 27:29 No Filter Mother in Law 28:36 Self Worth Lesson 29:40 Audrey Hepburn Casting 30:20 Why She Was Mumbelievable 31:07 Closing Thanks and Farewell ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Janey Lee Grace “She Couldn’t Mother Me—But She Made Me”

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 Mumbelievable 00:39 Meet Janie Lee Grace 01:54 Ambition vs upbringing 04:15 Mum's mental illness 07:17 Making peace at last 08:05 Family constellations breakthrough 13:25 Reframing motherhood fears 15:27 Painting a picture of Norma 17:17 When illness becomes identity 18:28 Parents Meet Pop Stars 19:23 Mum With No Filter 20:12 Wig Crash At Work 22:20 Why I Avoided Motherhood 23:48 Pregnancy Mistaken For Cyst 24:55 Kids Discover My Pop Past 26:02 Sober Club And Family 27:46 Alcohol Myths And Choice 29:06 Mum’s Late-Life Drinking 31:32 New Projects And Awards 32:21 Julie Walters Casting Pick 32:59 Wig Holiday And Tooth Fairy 34:40 Daffodils Sea And Farewell 35:17 Why Mum Was Unbelievable ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Julie Peasgood “Walking the mum tightrope”

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 Mumbelievable 00:36 Meet Julie Peasgood 01:23 Mum the Circus Star 02:38 Running Away to Perform 05:23 Pearl the Can Do Mum 07:16 Growing Up on a Budget 08:37 Food Memories and Laughs 12:28 Quirks and Big Dreams 14:26 Sonia on Her Mum 15:37 Sectioned at Eighty 17:34 Care Home Meds Drama 18:26 Wishing For Deeper Talks 19:01 Cruise Life And Pearl 21:32 Sex Tips Book Breakthrough 24:12 Unfiltered School Shock 25:40 Lessons Passed Down 26:45 Mini Mum Survey 27:25 Practical Surprises And Sight Loss 31:02 Lioness Mum And Big Energy 33:11 Legacy And Farewell ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.