Brummie Mummies

Frida Kahlo was a flamboyant trailblazer and feminist, who sought out the joy in every moment despite the cruelties life threw at her. So it is fitting that the new The Life and Work of Frida Kahlo exhibition at The Reel Store in Coventry is equally flamboyant and trailblazing. In this episode, Zoe talks to the exhibition’s artistic director Carla Prat Perxachs, who tells us all about the exhibiti...

If you’re feeling the need for a bit of R&R then you’ve come to the right place. Join Birmingham yoga teacher Kate Forde as she shares a Yogi Birds relaxation session that will lift your spirits and leave you ready to face the rest of your day. Enjoy! Kate runs Yogi Birds classes in Birmingham and hosts workshops in schools too. Find out more about Kate on the BirminghamLive website, the Brummie M...

In this episode we have a very special treat for you. We know that family life is hectic and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we asked Kate Forde if she could help us out. Kate runs Yogi Birds Yoga teaching yoga and relaxation to pregnant mums, mothers and babies, kids and teens. For her, it’s about getting everyone to take a moment’s pause to stop, breathe and relax. Zoe chats to th...

Want to know how to budget for school trips, save on school uniform, make days out affordable, have a great Christmas without spending a fortune and even how to chip away at your mortgage? Well, this week’s guest has the savvy know-how to do just that. Zoe chats with Gemma Bird, who is best known to hundreds of thousands of parents on Insta and TikTok as Money Mum. Find out the tricks Gemma has up...

In this special episode of Brummie Mummies, Zoe visits Oasis Academy in Short Heath Birmingham to talk to mums about the struggles they are facing due to the cost of living crisis. The school has an amazing community hub, helping parents with everything from food and finances to a warm place to talk with fellow mums and dads. In this episode you’ll also hear from the hub’s leader Pam Atwell who ta...

In this episode we chat to Raj Mann, headteacher at Arena Academy in Great Barr. He has loads of practical suggestions on what families can do to prepare for parents' evening. The Brummie Mummies podcast is a Laudable production brought to you by Brummie Mummies and Birmingham Live. Hosted by Zoe ChamberlainProduced and edited by Matt Millard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....

It’s the 2022 Brummie Mummies Christmas guide! In this episode you can hear all about the amazing things happening in Birmingham and the Midlands during this year’s festive season. Zoe and producer Matt talk about all things Christmas, sharing top tips and what they’re most looking forward to this year. We’ve put together a guide to all the events we mentioned - you can find it on the BirminghamLi...

Made By Dyslexia founder Kate Griggs is calling for all teachers to be trained in dyslexic thinking. She believes dyslexia is a superpower, stemming from an innate source of creativity and big picture thinking - and that our future workforces need these strengths far more than the rote learning that takes place in schools. In this episode Kate shares how to spot the signs that your child might be...

At just 22, Sophie Rodgers was diagnosed with cervical cancer and her treatment, whilst thankfully helping her to go into remission, plunged her into early menopause. Sophie discovered the benefits of yoga, meditation and crystals and found them so healing she wanted to share them with others. She now runs yoga classes and offers advice on meditation and mindfulness from a hidden away crystal heal...

What are the three things you love to do every day? That’s a question we ask all of our guests. In this episode we look back at some of the incredible suggestions from our guests, find out what gives them a great routine, a perfect start and end to each day and what helps them to tackle all the things that being a parent brings. The Brummie Mummies podcast is a Laudable production brought to you b...

Moving from primary to high school is a big step for any child. But there are steps we can take as parents to help make the transition as smooth and easy as possible. Zoe talks to Rebecca Bakewell, headteacher at City Academy near Birmingham city centre, who has loads of practical suggestions on what families can do to prepare. Find out how to inspire confidence in your kids for that all important...

Have you ever had the feeling you want more but you’re not sure what it is you’re looking for? Laura Best tells us her story and shares all on the Passion Collective, a place where women from across the world can come together for virtual social events to empower and support each other. For Laura, it’s all about a sense of belonging. The Brummie Mummies podcast is a Laudable production brought to...

In this episode Zoe is joined by family blogger Lavania Oluban and they’re talking all things summer. School holidays are expensive so we talk about some free and cheap places to go, how we save money on days out, plus some hidden places you might not have heard about before. You can read our full guide on our Brummie Mummies Facebook page and on the BirminghamLive website. Also head over to Lavan...

We all love holidays but, let’s face it, when you have kids, it becomes a whole load more complicated. If the thought of a long drive, train journey or flight is putting you off the idea of travelling with your kids, then give this episode a listen - We encourage you to rethink how you plan your break. Zoe chats to our producer Matt Millard about an epic adventure she took with her kids in Spring...

Many of us can only imagine how difficult it was to have a baby during the global pandemic lockdowns. As parents, we’re still feeling the aftermath of that with all of our kids, but what was it like to be a new mum unable to get out and about with your baby? And what effect has that had on our little ones? Today Zoe is talking to Birmingham mum Priya Chauhan who had a baby and a toddler during loc...

In this episode Zoe introduces a festival she’s been to nearly every year for 13 years with her kids. The Just So Festival is the brainchild of two mums - Sarah Bird and Rowan Cannon - who loved the idea of taking their kids to festivals but found the reality wasn’t quite so much fun. So they decided to do it on their own terms. We hear from Sarah Bird to find out more. You can discover more about...

We’re all feeling stretched when it comes to paying the bills and putting food on the table at the moment as the cost of living continues to rise. Today Zoe is joined by Dawn Baker from Home Start Birmingham, a charity that helps families in crisis. Dawn has helped hundreds of families get on top of their finances over the years and has loads of innovative ideas on making your money go further - a...

With rising fuel prices, many of us are thinking twice about using the car. But would you be brave enough to ditch your car completely, especially when you’ve got kids? This week’s guest Ruth Cumming did exactly that - and she has four young children! She says that instead of feeling restricted, the family now feel liberated and enjoy working out how they can get from A to B by bike, on foot and v...

How do you help your child to do their best in their exams without them getting too overwhelmed in the process? It’s a fine balance, says this week's guest Nicola Lappage. She’s an assistant principal and history teacher at Ninestiles Academy in Acocks Green and has helped hundreds of children through their GCSEs. Nicola shares advice on revision timetables, how much needs to be done each day, too...

Zoe talks to Birmingham MP Jess Phillips about motherhood and why family and friends are so important to her. Jess opens up about her childhood, being a young mum, having an abortion, the impact of losing her mother and what it’s like to be a working mum in Westminster. You can read our interview with Jess Phillips on our Brummie Mummies Facebook page and on the BirminghamLive website. Find out mo...

Brummie Mummies has called on the help of expert declutterer Victoria Trevor who is bursting with ideas on how you can get rid of your clutter and, more importantly, stay on top of it afterwards - even if you have little ones running around messing it all up! Victoria shares her great tips for encouraging tidying habits amongst every family member, including using constellation charts, labels, rev...

In this episode we’re talking to an amazing mum about her family’s healing journey from devastating trauma. Sinead Soffe’s life changed forever the moment a house fire engulfed her baby Elizabeth as she slept in her cot. Elizabeth suffered third degree burns over 60 percent of her body. Since then Elizabeth has undergone more than 70 operations at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, but she and her fa...

Have you fallen into the trap of being a grown up? That’s what Heart FM radio presenter and dad-of-three Ed James discovered the moment he hit the reset button on his life. Ed talks candidly with Zoe about the highs and lows of the last few years, how he went through a bankruptcy, driving ban and relationship breakup all at the same time and how he discovered that the best approach in life is simp...

You’ll probably remember Dee Kelly as White Dee from the Channel 4 documentary Benefits Street and on Celebrity Big Brother. Dee talks about the impact the programme had on her and her children’s lives and why she felt she wanted to help others by co-launching Birmingham Says No, a group dedicated to empowering young people in the city. In this episode you'll discover everything that’s happened si...

How does homework play out in your house? Is it a battle of wits or is your child keen to get pen to paper? Do you think they get too much extra school work or not enough? In this episode we’re talking all things homework with Jamie Barton who is head of school for the Jewellery Quarter Academy. He tells us that doing homework can actually improve a child’s progress by as much as five months - oh,...