Making Up As We Go

Episode 9: Marriage, Date Nights & Keeping Love Alive in the Chaos | with Sarah & Paul Grant

In this episode of Making Up As We Go, Elanna and Paddy are joined by their close friends Sarah and Paul Grant for a relaxed, funny and honest conversation about marriage, parenting, friendship and keeping your relationship strong in the middle of everyday chaos. From how Sarah and Paul met, to raising three kids, navigating conflict, prioritising date nights, and learning how to communicate well, this episode is full of real-life chat, shared wisdom and plenty of laughs along the way. There’s also a quick-fire round, stories from years of friendship, and of course, a round of Pearls of Wisdom to finish. This is a conversation about building a healthy marriage, making space for each other, and remembering that even in the busiest seasons of life, connection still matters. If you enjoy podcasts about marriage, parenting, family life, relationships, faith, friendship and honest conversations, you’re in the right place. In this episode: * How Sarah & Paul met * Marriage and communication in busy family life * Conflict, connection and understanding each other * Why date nights matter after kids * Friendship, shared history and family life * Quick-fire questions * Pearls of Wisdom Hosted by: Elanna & Paddy Podcast: Making Up As We Go

Episode 8: Movies, TV & Podcasts

What started as a university sign-up 15 years ago just became a reality—this week, we’re talking through the surprise of becoming a bone marrow match. Between the "phlebotomist vs. lobotomy" confusion and our (very) different takes on pain tolerance, we’re diving into the media that keeps us sane. From the "psychology" of why women love true crime to the shows we’ve binged, binned, or rewatched 300 times, it’s a classic catch-up. Plus, we settle the "puff vs. fluff" debate, share a two-minute rule for procrastinators, and reveal the ultimate toilet paper beauty hack.

Episode 7: Was Dua Lipa Right? The Copenhagen Trip Recap

We’re coming to you live (and in our PJs) from a hotel bed in Copenhagen! In this episode, we’re sharing why we’ve officially decided to ditch the video and stick to audio-only for the time being. We’re breaking down the ultimate birthday trip to Denmark, including: * The Great Storage Crisis: Why our hard drives forced us into a "radio-only" era. * Biking the City: Dodging intersections at 25km/h in mesh flats and zero-degree weather. * The Vintage Hunt: How the "one clothing item a month" rule was bent (but not broken) for a 28-pound vintage Wrangler jacket. * Copenhagen Food Scene: Is the Dua Lipa-approved chicken sandwich actually worth the hype? (Spoiler: Yes). From the impossibly clean streets to re-watching Pirates of the Caribbean in a hotel room, this is our unfiltered recap of a birthday well spent.

Ep 6: Seldom Wrong, Right Again: Life Lessons with Mum

In this heartfelt and hilariously unscripted episode, Patrick sits down with the woman who (allegedly) is never wrong: his mum, Jane. Timed just ahead of Mother’s Day, Jane opens up about her journey—from growing up as one of seven in a tight-knit family in Ballycastle to navigating the profound challenges of the Northern Ireland Troubles. She shares the moving story of her brother Robert and how her family’s unshakable faith guided them through grief without bitterness. The conversation lightens up as they dive into: * The Great "Mince" Mystery: How a pound of ground beef led to a 40+ year marriage. * Parenting Then vs. Now: Jane’s take on the "gentle parenting" of today versus the "do it because I said so" era. * The Nana Life: Why the rules for sugar and discipline seem to vanish once the grandkids arrive. * Rapid Fire Revelations: Jane reveals her first celebrity crush, her "guilty" TV pleasure, and the one habit Patrick still needs to kick. Whether you're looking for pearls of wisdom on faith and resilience or just want to hear a mother chat to her son, this episode is the perfect pre-Mother's Day listen. * [00:00] Intro: Meeting "Jinny Mac" and the struggle of changing Instagram handles. * [05:30] The "Favorite Child" Debate: Jessica, Patrick, and Niall the "surprise" third. * [09:15] Growing Up in Ballycastle: Family ties and losing her father at a young age. * [12:40] A Legacy of Peace: Remembering her brother Robert and choosing faith over bitterness. * [18:22] The Origin Story: Meeting Peter, long hair, and the "Mince" dinner date. * [24:55] Navigating Health: Jane’s journey with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME) and the power of community support. * [32:10] Grandparenting vs. Parenting: Why being a Nana is "mission accomplished." * [38:45] Rapid Fire Round: Annoying habits, celebrity crushes, and secret talents.

Ep 5: Florida Debrief | Sunday Scaries, Home DIY Hacks, & Legoland Wins

We’re back! After two weeks in the Florida sun, we’re back in a rainy Northern Ireland, catching you up on our family holiday and how we survived a transatlantic flight with three kids. ✈️In this episode, we talk about the "four-episode drop-off" stat and why we’re determined to keep this podcast moving. We dive into our Florida highlights (including why we chose Legoland over Disney this year), the reality of "Sunday scaries" even when you're self-employed, and why you should ignore the 5 AM "hustle culture" gurus.Stick around for a rapid-fire holiday round and our weekly Pearls of Wisdom—including Paddy’s advice on sustainable success and Elanna’s surprising shaving hack!