Parents Who Think

Sex toys: ancient history, cultural icon, and—if Sarah Forbes has anything to say about it—essential to our understanding of sexuality. This week, Danusia sits down with the anthropologist and former curator of the Museum of Sex in New York to talk about the rise (and rise) of sex toys, the deep-rooted taboos around pleasure, and why we need to stop acting like vibrators were invented last week. W...

We've been sold a lie: that working parents can "have it all" if they just work hard enough. Today, we're tearing that fantasy to shreds. Danusia Malina-Derben PWT host is in conversation with journalist and author Christine Armstrong. They get  brutally honest about the impossible expectations of juggling kids, careers, and sanity. Burnout isn't a personal failure—it's a rigged system that needs...

From Self-Doubt to Self-Love with Jeanette Leblanc Ah, the old "you're too much" conundrum. Too loud, too opinionated, too ambitious, too everything—and somehow, simultaneously, not enough. If you've ever felt stuck in this impossible tug-of-war, you are not alone. Joining Danusia today is Jeanette Leblanc, writer, coach, and self-proclaimed champion of "too muchness." They get into what it means...

Motherhood and sexuality—two things we're told don't belong in the same sentence. But who made that rule? And why are we still following it? Steph wasn't about to. After decades of marriage, she found herself single, re-entering the dating world with a libido very much intact. But society had a different script for her: midlife divorce means fading into the background. Sex? Desire? Not for women p...

Danusia Parents Who Think host, gets real with Dr. Shahzadi Harper about hormones, libido and why women's sex lives shouldn't have an expiration date. Shahzadi, a badass in women's health, spills the tea on how hormonal changes—hello, perimenopause—mess with your libido, energy, and self-confidence. But it's not all doom and gloom. They unpack how testosterone (yep, women have it too), oestrogen,...

What happens when a woman builds an empire that shatters every outdated idea about female sexuality, and then dares to become a mother? Today, we feature Emma Sayle—founder of Killing Kittens, global disruptor, and all-around unapologetic powerhouse. We're talking about breaking taboos, rewriting the rules of partnership and parenting, and why self-care isn't a luxury—it's a damn necessity. Emma s...

Join Host, Danusia Malina-Derben brings you a powerful conversation with Dr Shoshana Garfield, a survivor of childhood torture and sexual abuse. Shoshana shares her journey of healing and self-reclamation, highlighting the importance of forgiveness,  self-compassion, and relentless kindness. This episode explores the long-term impacts of trauma and the process of overcoming adversity to create a l...

In this episode of Parents Who Think, Danusia is in conversation with Rachel Pesso, brand designer and unapologetic truth-teller, about her choice to skip motherhood—despite the relentless pressure to conform. Rachel gets real about the fear of judgment, the selfish-woman stereotype, and those infuriating "you'll change your mind" conversations. Spoiler: she hasn't. Together, they blow up the outd...

Danusia is joined by Yvadney Davis to explore the magic of fashion as self-expression. Whether it's metallic joggers, kaftans, or Katharine Hepburn-inspired classics, Yvadney serves up insights on owning your style unapologetically. From experimenting with bold looks to raising kids who feel confident in their clothing choices, this episode is a celebration of individuality. Yvadney even shares ho...

Today, host Danusia Malina-Derben is joined by author Uju Asika. She shares her powerful story of navigating childhood racism, the lessons it taught her, and why hope is at the heart of her work. We talk about when kids start noticing race, why "colorblind" parenting doesn't work, and how we can have honest, age-appropriate conversations about race. Uju also challenges us to lovingly examine our o...

In this episode of Parents Who Think, Danusia interviews Selling Sunset star Mary Bonnet about her inspiring journey from being a teen mom to becoming a powerhouse in high-end real estate. Mary opens up about the challenges she faced raising her son at 15, the grit it took to thrive, and how she's still raising the bar. They discuss the work ethic Mary developed as a teen mom and how it shaped her...

Why is asking for what we want so hard? In this episode, host Danusia Malina-Derben gets into this question with guest Emer Brady, exploring the barriers many women face when advocating for themselves. From the subtleties of language to the power of body language, this conversation is packed with practical tips for anyone looking to show up stronger—especially in the workplace. You'll hear why apo...

In this episode, Danusia is joined by her daughter, Harriet Malina-Derben, for a candid conversation about the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Together, they unpack the generational patterns that can trap these bonds in negativity, from societal expectations that pit women against each other to the stereotyped idea of "tricky" mother-daughter dynamics. This heartfelt exchange dives...

Perfection is overrated—especially in parenting. In this thought-provoking episode, Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with Dr Joanna Fortune, child psychotherapist and author, to challenge the myths of perfect parenting and embrace being "good enough." Joanna shares about the concept of parental stamina—how to recharge your tank without guilt—and why your own self-care isn't just essential but a pow...

Danusia Malina-Derben takes on the myth of "having it all" with Caroline Flanagan, author of Be the First and all-round powerhouse. Together, they shred the outdated idea that women need to do everything to have it all—and dig into what your "all" could look like. But that's not all. Imposter syndrome? They're calling it out for the fraud it is. Caroline shares her real-life experience of feeling...

What if you could feel more alive in your 80s than ever before? Meet Jane Wyker, the unstoppable force behind Soul Selfish: The Awakening of a Good Girl. Jane's story is proof that it's never too late to prioritise yourself, let go of toxic baggage, and embrace joy at every stage of life. Danusia and Jane unpack the inner work of shedding the "good girl" identity, balancing self-love with motherho...

Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with Rebekah Taussig, author of Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary, Resilient Disabled Body, to unpack the complexities of living with a disability. In this episode, Rebekah challenges the oversimplified narratives that often surround disabled lives and calls for a more inclusive, open-hearted perspective.   From embracing her body to navigating pregnancy, Re...

Want your heart to skip a beat? Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with poet Kate Baer—three-time New York Times bestselling author of What Kind of Woman, I Hope This Finds You Well, and her latest, And Yet. They get real about everything from raw realities to anger simmering beneath the surface.   Kate opens up about finding her voice amidst parenting, the poets who inspire her (think Mary Oliver an...

Guilt—it's the nagging companion of parenthood. Jo Wimble-Groves, creator of Guilty Mother, joins host Danusia Malina-Derben to unpack why so many parents feel this way and how to start shifting that guilt into something useful (yes, it's possible!).   From screen time to sandwich choices, Jo's refreshing take on embracing imperfection and rethinking what it means to care will leave you feeling li...

This week, Danusia Malina-Derben brings in Wies Bratby—founder of Women in Negotiation and self-proclaimed "women's butt kicker"—to break down why every woman needs to own her worth in the world of negotiation. It's not just about more zeros on the paycheck; it's about freedom, choices, and doing life on your own terms.   Wies shares her wisdom on the art of asking for what you deserve—without the...

Host Danusia Malina-Derben gets real with Molly Forbes, author of "Body Happy Kids: How to raise children who love the skin they're in" for adults and "Every Body" for children. They're talking about one thing every parent worries about—how to raise kids who love their bodies in a world obsessed with diet culture. Spoiler: It's not about looking "pretty."   Molly dishes out her no-BS take on raisi...

In this minisode of Parents Who Think, host Danusia Malina-Derben sits down with Sarah Peck, CEO of Start Up Parent, to discuss the often unspoken realities of postpartum sex and recovery. Sarah shares her personal experiences, from healing after childbirth to the surprising physical challenges that follow.   Danusia and Sarah also talk about living brazenly, including Sarah's daring naked swim fr...

In this episode of Parents Who Think, host Danusia Malina-Derben explores Stoicism and its relevance to parenting. Drawing on her experience as a mother to 10 children, she reflects on how Stoic principles like control, patience, and detachment have shaped her approach to raising kids. But it's not just about personal resilience ~ Danusia also gets into the limits of Stoicism, especially when it c...

In this episode of *Parents Who Think*, host Danusia Malina-Derben interviews Anna Pawlowicz, CEO of Humankind, about the often invisible role of caregivers in society. Anna opens up about the challenges faced by those who provide care, whether for children, elderly family members, or those with medical complexities, and why caregivers remain undervalued and unsupported.   They explore the heavy t...

In this rare solo episode, Danusia shares a self-care secret that's hiding in plain sight: cuddling a teddy bear. Yep, you heard right. We're talking about the comfort of snuggling up to a stuffed toy, and why it's not just for kids anymore. From CEOs sneaking plushies into bed to Supreme Court judges traveling with their own teddy, we unpack how this simple, often hidden habit can be a game-chang...