Parental Control

What is it like to dedicate your career to finding a cure for one of the deadliest childhood cancers? In this deeply personal episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson sits down with Dr Ashley Vardon , an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, whose pioneering research into diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is being part-funded by Billy's Battalion. Together, they...

If you've ever found yourself shouting over something small, only to be overwhelmed with guilt moments later, you're far from alone. In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by award-winning journalist and author Lauren Novak to explore one of motherhood's least talked about realities: mum rage. Lauren has spent more than two decades reporting on family life, child safety and...

Becoming parents changes everything, including your relationship. In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by relationship and sex therapist Georgina Vass to discuss what really happens to intimacy, communication and connection after children. Why do so many couples end up feeling more like colleagues than lovers? Is it normal for sex to disappear after kids? How much conflict...

Body image worries are starting younger. Diet culture may have changed its clothes, but it certainly hasn't gone away — it's simply rebranded as wellness, self-improvement and "health optimisation," all while our children scroll through TikTok, influencers and impossible appearance standards in real time. In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by Elle Mace , eating disorder...

Starting secondary school is one of the biggest milestones in childhood, and, if we're honest, often one of the most emotionally charged for parents, too. From agonising over school choices and friendship groups to worrying about long commutes, organisation, bullying, overwhelm and whether your child is actually ready for such a huge leap, the move to Year 7 can feel daunting for the whole family....

Exam season can bring stress to the entire household. From slammed bedroom doors and sleepless nights to younger children already feeling the pressure of assessment before secondary school is even on the horizon. In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by education expert Katharine Radice , author of The Parent's Guide to Exam Stress , to unpack what exam pressure is really d...

Andy Day is one of the UK's most recognisable faces in children's television, best known for sparking curiosity through his hugely popular Andy's Adventures series. But beyond the dinosaurs, safari trips and underwater explorations, Andy is also a musician, author, performer and all-round creative force. On this episode of the My Baba Podcast, Ellie chats to Andy about life beyond the screen — fro...

From homework meltdowns and bedtime battles to the growing conversation around medication, parenting a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming, confusing, and often isolating. And for many families—especially those with girls—getting a diagnosis (and the right support) can take years. In this episode of Parental Control, we sit down with Dr Olivia Kessel, medical doctor, neurodiversity advocate, and...

Today we're joined by Katie Harrison from Picture News , an organisation that's been working closely with schools for years to help children engage with the world around them in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way. In this episode, we're diving into something so many parents are thinking about right now — children's mental health, and the role movement can play in supporting it. We'll be talking abo...

Travelling with children can feel overwhelming. From packing and planning to keeping little ones entertained on long journeys. But according to family travel expert Jen Carr, it doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. Jen is the founder of The Travel Mum, a hugely popular online platform where she shares some of the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week, alongside pract...

There's no shortage of advice telling women how they should look, eat or exercise — and it's no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed, confused or stuck when it comes to our bodies. In this episode, we're joined by Emma Simarro, Women's Health Coach and founder of Building Body Confidence , to cut through the noise and talk about what actually helps women feel strong, confident and well, especiall...

Relationships don't usually fall apart overnight. More often, they unravel slowly through miscommunication, unmet needs and emotional distance. When connection feels lost, many couples are left wondering whether their relationship can be repaired — or whether it's already too late. In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by Sophie Orozco , a relationship coach whose work is r...

Heavy periods affect millions of women, yet for many, they remain something to quietly endure rather than openly discuss. In this episode, Parental Control explores the real impact of heavy and painful periods on women's physical health, emotional wellbeing, work and relationships — and asks why period-related disruption is still so often dismissed or minimised. Ellie Thompson is joined by Dr Nisa...

In this episode, Parental Control takes listeners inside the IVF lab to understand how embryos are assessed and selected during fertility treatment, including PGT-A and time-lapse IVF. Ellie Thompson is joined by embryologist and founder of All About Embryology , Victoria Wigley, to answer key questions about genetic testing, embryo development and the complex decisions made behind the scenes. Vic...

Leading UK psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE joins Ellie Thompson to talk about child loss and the lifelong impact of grief. Julia is one of the most trusted voices in the UK on bereavement, trauma and healing, and has spent decades supporting families through the unimaginable. Her work has shaped how we understand grief, not as something to "get over", but as something we learn to live alongside....

Ellie welcomes world-renowned fitness trainer Ryan Shanahan , best known globally as The Kettlebell King. With over 35 years of experience coaching everyone from elite athletes to absolute beginners, Ryan is famous for making fitness fun, fast and completely achievable. Ellie has trained with Ryan online since 2010, so she knows firsthand how his unique approach transforms not only bodies, but min...

Welcome to Part 2 with Valerie Millington. In this episode, we dive deeper into safety within the aesthetics industry, what a truly effective at-home skincare routine should look like, and the real science behind hair and hair removal — including the big question: should you pluck, shave or laser? Ellie has known Val for years and, like so many of her loyal clients, trusts her implicitly. Val is k...

Ellie Thompson sits down with a dear friend and go-to skin expert, Valerie Millington this week to discuss everything from fillers, botox, fat dissolvers, laser hair removal and more. Ellie has known Val for years, and like so many of her loyal clients, she trusts her completely. Val is known for her honesty, her integrity, and her deep commitment to natural, healthy skin. Val focuses on education...

Today's episode is one that sits incredibly close to Ellie's heart, as she discusses coping with Christmas after child loss. As many listeners will know, Ellie lost her beautiful boy Billy to DIPG, and this is her second Christmas without him. The festive season can bring a complex mix of emotions for bereaved parents, the memories, the empty space, and the pressure to appear "festive" when the he...

One of the most-searched questions in sexual wellness today is "Why are vibrators healthy?" — and few people are better positioned to answer it than Samantha Marshall, Head of Brand at Smile Makers Collection . As a leader in the global intimate-wellness space, Sam has spent the past five years helping redefine pleasure as an important part of self-care. Under her leadership, Smile Makers' colourf...

This week on the podcast, Ellie Thompson is joined by Laura Guckian , motherhood coach, award-winning host of Momfessions , and ambassador for perinatal mental health charity Mothers for Mothers . Combining lived experience with expert insight, Laura has supported thousands of women to navigate the realities of motherhood with more confidence, compassion, and care. In this conversation, we discuss...

This week on the podcast, Ellie Thompson catches up with the brilliant Jaime Amor, the creative force behind Cosmic Kids Yoga, and now star of her brand-new Sky Kids Original series, Jaime's Yoga Adventures. If you've ever done a downward dog with your little ones, you'll already know Jaime — her YouTube channel has inspired millions of children to move, stretch, and breathe through storytelling....

This week on the podcast, Leonora Bamford catches up with the incredible Dr Megan Rossi, aka The Gut Health Doctor . Dr Rossi isn't just a Sunday Times bestselling author – she also holds a PhD in Probiotics and is one of the UK's leading experts on gut health. In this episode, we talk about how to improve gut health at any age, with everyday, family-friendly tips you can actually use. From unders...

Ellie Thompson is joined by the amazing Fran Amber , the viral manifesting mum behind the chart-topping Law of Attraction Changed My Life podcast. Fran joins the show to talk about her new book, Manifest Like A Mother (out 4 September). After losing her businesses and becoming a single mum, Fran used manifesting to rebuild her life into a thriving brand, near-sold-out tour, and millions of downloa...

Host Ellie Thompson welcomes GP and certified paediatric sleep consultant Francesca Brewer, founder of The Baby Sleep G P, to answer a question every parent asks: why is my baby not sleeping? Drawing on 15+ years of medical experience, Francesca shares safe sleep guidelines, how to manage baby sleep during illness and after vaccinations, and the medical causes of poor sleep in infants and toddlers...