Inadequate Mother

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and colleague Pearl Clinton — a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), powerhouse businesswoman, and lifelong advocate for Deaf rights . Pearl is also the heart behind Sign Life , which highlights the importance of Deaf Support Workers and lived experience in supporting the Deaf community. This is an honest and emotional conversation where Pearl shares h...

In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my career as a sign language interpreter. I share where you might find interpreters, the kinds of work we do (and don’t do), who’s responsible for booking access, and why the “third person in the room” dynamic can feel awkward if you’re not used to it. I’ll also give you some top tips for working with interpreters, a quick overview of quali...

In this episode of Inadequate Mother, I sit down with my friend and fellow interpreter — a single mum whose journey to motherhood is nothing short of a miracle. As soon as I met Cat at university, I could see she was born to be a mother. After being diagnosed with a blocked fallopian tube and going through the challenges of IVF treatment, she was told her chances of conceiving were very slim. Agai...

This week, I’m diving into a topic that could be seen as controversial….— the intersection of being a sign language interpreter and a content creator in today’s digital world. Managing professional Boundaries.  I’ve been creating social media content for over six years, and it’s become part of my identity — bold, raw, transparent, creative, and unapologetically myself. But working in a professiona...

In this honest solo episode of Inadequate Mother Podcast I’m sharing a life update six months after publishing my ambitious “goals before 40” list in February. It was born from a place of fear, watching my mum’s mental health crumble at 40, spiralling into alcohol addiction, and ultimately losing her five years later. Seeing echoes of her journey in my mothering has lit a fire for change in my who...

What does it take to get your whole self — body, soul, and identity — out into the Moroccan desert? In this powerful and intimate episode of  Inadequate Mother , I sit down beneath the desert sun with Penny Gunn, founder of  Sign for Thoughts , an organisation delivering Deafblind awareness training and challenging societal norms around disability and communication. Penny shares her incredible jou...

This is a mini vlog This is a mini vlog capturing some of the feelings I’m leaving with after attending my very first Deaf yoga retreat—not as an interpreter, not as a facilitator, but simply as me, sharing space with a Deaf community in a social and embodied way. Even though I’m regularly immersed in sign languages and the Deaf community in my professional life, this retreat was something else en...

🎙️ This Week on An Indequate Mother | “Interpreter Inadequacy: A Real Talk with My Uni Mate 13 Years On” This episode is one you’ve asked for — and I’m so grateful to finally share it. Just before flying off to Morocco, I was joined by a brilliant, qualified Sign Language Interpreter — a dear friend and fellow graduate from our university cohort 13 years ago. We trained together, grew together, an...

Welcome to the “Inadequate Mother” podcast a space dedicated to real conversations about feeling inadequate, breaking barriers, and building true inclusivity. Each month, we feature a special guest to explore powerful stories and random topics that challenge the single narrative and help us all feel less alone. This season, we’re diving deep into issues like representation, neurodiversity, and the...

If you’ve ever found yourself drawn to British Sign Language and thought, Why does this just make sense to me? — You’re not alone. This Part 2 of my signlanguage series In this week’s episode of Inadequate Mother , I’m going full Hayley Brown waffle about how BSL became not just a job, but part of my identity. I share how learning sign language helped me come to terms with my dyslexia in a whole n...

In this heartfelt episode of INADEQUATE Mother, I share my personal journey into the world of British Sign Language (BSL) and becoming a BSL interpreter. This is the first in a series where I’ll speak openly about the path into this beautiful, challenging, and often misunderstood career — especially for those of us who didn’t grow up in the Deaf community. 👉 If you’re learning sign language, trai...

00:00 Introduction & welcoming Jassa Ahluwalia   01:47 Jassa's background and dual heritage   05:22 Growing up British-Indian and navigating identity   09:10 Language, accent, and being ‘not Punjabi enough’   13:35 Jassa’s journey into acting and early career experiences   17:20 Being mixed race in the media industry   21:45 Creating #BothNotHalf and its impact   27:12 The power of storytellin...

0:00:09 - Introduction of Leanne Edge and her background 0:05:00 - Discussion about working as a single mom and business flexibility 0:11:48 - Challenges of parenting teenagers 0:20:00 - Conversation about family dynamics and single parenting 0:34:57 - Discussion about Botox regulations changes 0:40:35 - Introduction of PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatment for hair loss 0:42:00 - Details about PRP...

In this insightful episode of Inadequate Mother, host Hayley Brown sits down with returning guest Andy Palmer for a candid conversation spanning weight loss drugs, body image, gym confidence, parenting challenges, and societal pressures. Andy bravely shares his personal journey using Mounjaro (a weight loss drug), the psychological struggles around food, and how he’s transforming his health while...

0:00:00 - Podcast introduction 0:02:23 - COVID mask campaign details 0:10:40 - Identity journey discussion 0:22:16 - Birth and communication challenges 0:29:34 - Making friends as a deaf mother 0:38:52 - Advice for deaf mothers 0:42:46 - Hearing aid technology discussion Deaf Motherhood, Identity & Lipreading in a Pandemic Episode with Amy MortonThe Inadequate Mother Podcast I sit down with th...

[0:04:15] - Start of the main podcast interview [0:06:16] - Discussion about being a psychic [0:08:00] - Difference between intuition and psychic abilities [0:14:01] - Conversation about masculine and feminine energy [0:22:56] - Discussing challenges for mothers [0:34:37] - Twin flame experiences [0:45:25] - Discussion about deaf intuition and access to information [0:52:22] - Self-acceptance and...

In this open, honest and insightful episode of An Inadequate Mother, Hayley Brown sits down with Lenny, a devoted father with a background in the military and police, to talk about the myths and realities of “inadequate parenting.” Together, they explore what it truly means to parent in today’s high-pressure society, the importance of emotional repair, and how gentle parenting differs from permiss...

0:00 - Podcast Introduction 0:03 - Meeting Andy Palmer 0:04 - Relationship Breakup Discussion 0:08 - Parenting Transitions 0:10 - Changing Masculinity 0:13 - Women's Changing Needs 0:22 - Single Life Insights 0:29 - Vulnerability and Attractiveness 0:33 - Social Media and Relationships 0:38 - Dating Apps Talk 0:41 - Closing Thoughts In this candid and heartfelt episode of An Inadequate Mother , Ha...

0:00 - Introduction and podcast overview 1:37 - Importance of talking about parenting challenges 2:20 - Hope for reconnecting with teenagers 4:46 - Teenage brain development and natural rebellion 6:22 - Discussing family conflict and emotional expression 9:36 - Generational gap and societal changes 13:32 - Impact of past trauma on parenting 15:55 - Bringing subconscious patterns into conscious awa...

[00:00] Introduction and podcast overview [02:28] Welcoming Siobhan, discussing interpreting and comedy [03:08] Talking about being a comedian [04:12] Siobhan winning a comedy competition [05:00] Discussion about financial inadequacy [06:35] Bedtime challenges with children [07:19] Parenting and children growing up [09:27] Parenting advice and information overload [11:46] Discussion about young mo...

⚠️ Trigger Warning This episode of Inadequate Mother features an open and honest conversation about mental health, including discussions of bipolar disorder, addiction, trauma, and suicide. These themes may be distressing for some listeners and viewers. Please take care while listening and feel free to pause or skip the episode if needed. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the topics...

This Mother’s Day special is all about celebrating young mums. Hayley is joined by Cindy Powell – a powerful voice for young mothers and host of Diary of a Young Mum – for a raw and relatable chat about growing up fast, raising two babies under two, and starting a podcast at just 22. Cindy opens up about becoming a mum at 20, how she handled unexpected pregnancies, overcoming cannabis addiction, a...

In this personal solo episode of Inadequate Mother , Hayley Brown opens up like never before. From questioning whether she has undiagnosed ADHD to navigating her relationship, planning a house purchase, and reflecting on the legacy of her mother—this episode is raw, real, and refreshingly relatable. Hayley shares her unfiltered thoughts about ADHD symptoms, sensory sensitivities, hormonal changes,...

Relationships can feel overwhelming—especially as a single mum. In this episode of Inadequate Mother , host Hayley Brown sits down with professional relationship coach Anne Skelton to dive deep into the challenges of dating, friendships, and personal growth as a parent. 💬 Topics covered in this episode: The stigma around single mums dating and finding love. Solo travel for mums—how it helps self-...

Have you ever felt anxious about booking a solo trip? As a mom, it can feel overwhelming to travel alone, especially when you’ve spent years prioritising your kids. In this episode of Inadequate Mother, Hayley Brown shares her personal journey of solo travel—why it felt so daunting, how she overcame her fears, and why taking time for yourself is essential for both you and your children. From deali...