Milk and Mummies Podcast

Danielle Coleman hid her pregnancy from her friends — and some didn’t know she had a son until after he turned one. In this episode of Milk & Mummies, Danielle joins Raychel for a deeply open conversation about why she chose privacy during pregnancy, her experiences surrounding conception, and how trauma, trust and survival shaped her journey into motherhood. They explore the difference between pr...

When Selma Nicholls’ daughter Riley-Ann asked, “Why doesn’t anyone look like me?”, it sparked an idea that would grow into Looks Like Me — an award-winning casting agency and movement championing authentic representation across advertising, television and film. In this episode of Milk & Mummies, Raychel sits down with Selma to talk about the motherhood story behind the mission. They explore repres...

Can women really have it all — and should we even be asking that question? This week, Raychel is joined by entrepreneur, strategist, investor, mentor and mum of two Sedge Beswick. After becoming ASOS’ first social media hire, Sedge went on to found and scale influencer marketing agency SEEN Connects to a reported £24 million valuation. She’s since become an advisor, investor, speaker and mentor to...

Can women really have it all? This week on Milk & Mummies, Raychel sits down with actors and Mother Act co-founders Phoebe Sparrow and Allegra Marland to explore what happens when motherhood meets a career built on uncertainty. From navigating auditions with childcare to redefining success after becoming parents, Phoebe and Allegra share the honest realities of balancing family life with creative...

Can hypnobirthing really make a difference during labour? What does a doula actually do? And how can expectant parents prepare for birth with confidence instead of fear? This week on Milk & Mummies, Raychel Addo is joined by hypnobirthing teacher, birth and postpartum doula Carina Gillespie from Radiance Birthing. Together they explore hypnobirthing, birth preparation, labour, birth trauma, partne...

Success and motherhood don’t have to exist on opposite sides of the scale. This week, Raychel sits down with award-winning PR and communications entrepreneur, speaker and personal branding coach Ronke Lawal to explore what it really means to build a fulfilling career whilst raising a family. Together they discuss ambition, identity, confidence, visibility, burnout, leadership and the realities of...

Motherhood evolves—and so do we. When actor, singer and writer Eliza Williams first joined Milk & Mummies, we spoke about the realities of balancing motherhood and a creative career while raising young children. This time, we’re revisiting the conversation from a completely different chapter. Eliza reflects on what motherhood looks like when your children become more independent. We explore the un...

This week on Milk & Mummies, Raychel is joined by registered midwife, mother, author and founder of Black Baby Loss Awareness Week, Alicia Burnett. Alicia shares her experiences of motherhood, midwifery, advocacy and supporting Black families through pregnancy, birth and baby loss. Together, they discuss Black maternal health, culturally sensitive care, grief, motherhood, raising children, and wha...

We spend years learning about contraception, STIs and how to avoid pregnancy — but how much do we actually learn about fertility? In this clip from Milk & Mummies, fertility specialist Dr Nagla Elfaki discusses one of the biggest gaps in sex education and why so many women feel unprepared when they begin thinking about having children. 🎧 From the full conversation on fertility, motherhood and wom...

Actress Tahirah Sharif joins Milk & Mummies for an honest conversation about motherhood, ambition, identity and balancing a successful career with raising children. Known for her work in The Haunting of Bly Manor , The Tower and so much more , Tahirah shares how becoming a mother has changed her perspective on success, work, confidence and self-worth. Together we explore the realities of modern mo...

We spend years learning how NOT to get pregnant. But what happens when you’re finally ready to have a baby? In this clip from Milk & Mummies, fertility and reproductive medicine doctor Dr Nagla Elfaki discusses one of the biggest gaps in women’s health education: understanding how long trying to conceive can take, fertility timing, and why so many women feel unprepared when they start their journe...

Can a healthy lifestyle protect your fertility? In this clip from Milk & Mummies, fertility and reproductive medicine doctor Dr Nagla Elfaki explains why diet, exercise and healthy habits matter—but can’t completely prevent age-related fertility decline. A powerful conversation about fertility, timing and the realities many women aren’t told early enough. Watch the full episode with Dr Nagla Elfak...

How much do women really know about their fertility? This week on Milk & Mummies, I’m joined by fertility and reproductive medicine doctor Dr Nagla Elfaki for an honest conversation about fertility, motherhood, ambition and the realities many women aren’t told about reproductive health. We discuss fertility myths, IVF, trying to conceive, balancing career ambitions with family life, and what women...

Actress Jade Anouka talks about why rejection never really gets easier — even after years in the industry. Listen to the full episode of Milk & Mummies for more conversations on motherhood, creativity and ambition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actress, writer and poet Jade Anouka joins Milk & Mummies for a beautiful conversation on queer motherhood, creativity, identity and ambition. From balancing parenting with a creative career to navigating visibility, legacy and self-expression, this episode is honest, layered and deeply reflective. Jade also opens up about her work on Dune: Prophecy and His Dark Materials, and how poetry continues...

In this episode, I’m joined by Marsha Martin, founder of Black SEN Mamas, for a deeply honest conversation about motherhood, neurodiversity, and navigating systems that often feel impossible to access. We talk about the emotional journey of raising a neurodivergent child, the unseen labour that comes with advocacy, and the unique experience of Black mothers in the SEND space. Marsha also shares ho...

In this episode, I’m joined by SheRise Blackman — actor, writer and executive producer of Audible’s Do Not Disturb. We talk about faith, purpose, motherhood and what it really takes to build a creative career while staying grounded. A powerful conversation for anyone navigating ambition, identity and growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What really happens to your identity after becoming a mother? This week on Milk & Mummies, I’m joined by singer-songwriter Kyra to talk about motherhood, creativity, and the emotional load that so many women carry silently. We explore: Postpartum identity shifts Balancing ambition and motherhood Creating while raising a child Guilt, growth and redefining success Kyra’s singles Strong Ones, Feeling...

This week on Milk & Mummies, I’m joined by Maryam Javaid — parent mentor, speaker, and founder of Black and Brown Parenting. Together, we explore what it really means to break generational cycles and challenge the cultural narratives that shape how we parent. From emotional safety to leadership in the home, this conversation dives into the realities of healing as a mother — and the courage it take...

What happens when you’re living in a house of 10, raising kids, renovating a home, and building a life all at the same time? Kyra Bruce shares the honest reality. In this episode of Milk & Mummies, host Raychel Addo is joined by content creator and mum of two Kyra Bruce. Kyra shares her experience of navigating motherhood, marriage, and renovating a home while raising young children. Together, we...

How do you balance motherhood with a career in criminal and family law? In this episode of Milk & Mummies, Raychel speaks with barrister Creanna Dodson about her journey from social work to the courtroom — and how becoming a mother reshaped her perspective on ambition, pressure and purpose. We explore: Motherhood and high-pressure careers Family law and care proceedings Emotional resilience in dem...

In this honest and deeply relatable episode of Milk & Mummies, Raychel Addo sits down with content creator, podcaster, and mum of two Rhea Ellen to talk about the side of motherhood we rarely hear about. From pregnancy and birth to burnout, mum guilt, and admitting she doesn’t always enjoy being a mother, Rhea shares the truth so many women are afraid to say out loud. Together, they explore: ✨ Li...

In this episode of Milk & Mummies, Raychel Addo speaks with Stephanie Mensah, founder of award-winning diversity toy brand Bibinee Dolls. After her young son was bullied at nursery because of his skin colour, Stephanie was determined to create something that would help children feel proud of who they are. What began as a mother’s response to heartbreak became a powerful mission to promote represen...

In this episode of Milk & Mummies, Raychel Addo is joined by Michelle Kirby, founder of Daisy & Dukes — one of the UK’s top talent agencies for young performers. Michelle opens up about her journey into the entertainment industry, building a successful agency, and how motherhood shaped her both personally and professionally. With her children now grown, she reflects on identity shifts, ambition be...

In this episode of Milk & Mummies host, Raychel Addo is joined by Casting Director Leanne Flinn for an honest conversation about career, creativity, motherhood, and ambition. Leanne shares her journey into casting, her biggest professional achievements, and how pregnancy, birth, and becoming a mum reshaped her identity, priorities, and creative instincts. Together, they explore the realities of wo...