The Scummy Mummies Podcast

How come different people find different things funny? Why is  When Harry Met Sally  a better film than  Love Actually ? And can dogs laugh? Helping us to answer all these questions is award-winning comedy writer Joel Morris!  He tells us about his new book,  Be Funny or Die: How Comedy Works and Why It Matters . We find out what it's like to write jokes for Charlie B...

Do you really need to follow fashion when you've just had a baby? What's the best way to work on self-esteem? Is it still OK to wear skinny jeans? And why is Ellie in trouble with her Dad even though she's 46? Helping us to answer all these questions is stylist extraordinaire Sophia Lorimer! Known on the socials as @finedtunedwardrobe, Sophia is a fashionista with a difference. She's all abou...

What's it like to perform a hilarious comedy show about death? Here to tell us all about it is stand-up legend Ed Byrne. We discuss his 30 year career in comedy and how he got started. Then there's some chat about his latest show, Tragedy Plus Time. We talk about the loss of Ed's brother, Paul, and Ellie explains why his was the funniest funeral she's ever been to. We also discuss the difference b...

Our guest for this episode is the hilarious comedian Helen Lederer! We talk about how she helped pave the way for slags trying to be funny like us. She tells us what it was like to do stand-up in the eighties, alongside the likes of Ben Elton and Ellie's Dad, and we discuss what's changed since.  Lederer tells us all about her brilliant book,  Not That I'm Bitter , which is out now....

What's the best thing to say to someone who's in mourning? Is the second year of grief really the hardest? And who was the lead singer of Westlife? Helping us answer all these questions is the amazing Stacey Heale!  She tells us what it was like to lose her husband, Greg, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer on their daughter's first birthday. Stacey explains what life is like now, nea...

This special bonus episode was recorded on Saturday 6 July, just two days after the general election. We got to interview Jess Phillips MP in front of a live audience at the Birmingham MAC, and she was brilliant.  We covered loads of topics including Jess's work in the areas of women's rights and domestic violence, what she wants the new Labour government to prioritise, and what she thin...

Our guest for this episode is best-selling author, dear friend and Saturday Kitchen wine expert Helen McGinn!  She tells us what wine we should be looking for in the shops this summer. We discuss whether Whispering Angel is worth the money, and McGinn gives us some suggestions for budget rosés, cheap fizz, picnic wines, and what to stick in the fridge if you fancy a nice chilled red. We...

How do you get a book deal? Is Michael Buble's music for life, or just for Christmas? What's it like to watch your husband simulate anal sex with one of Britain's leading actors? Answering all these questions is the brilliant Beth Morrey!  She tells us how her first novel ended up in a bidding war after facing loads of rejections, and how her writing process works now. We hear her t...

Our guest for this episode is the amazing Caro Tasker. We cover a huge range of topics, including baby loss, raising autistic kids, and how trauma can help you discover who you are.  There's also some much less serious nonsense. Why doesn't anyone use the word git any more? Is being married to a famous rugby player like being in Footballers Wives, only with different shaped balls? W...

It's a transatlantic party in this episode as we meet KK and Kerry, the world's second best female comedy double act! We hear about their fab show,  Six Chick Flicks , and they tell us the best meet cute stories they've heard from audience members.  We discuss how they're enjoying their UK tour, including what they think of Scunthorpe and why they love M&S. Kerry tells us a...

This episode is all about the new weight loss drug Ozempic - what are the risks? What are the benefits? How does it actually work? Joining us is author Johann Hari, who has written a book all about it.  Just to be clear: this is a full and frank discussion about the issues around weight loss, the body positivity movement, and the health risks of obesity. We hear some tough stats about th...

Yes, it really has been 25 years since Ralph's Party was released! You are that old! Here to talk about that book, and all the brilliant ones she's written since, is best-selling author Lisa Jewell.  She tells us about her writing process, and how she cured herself of imposter syndrome. Lisa shares her top tips for budding authors, and introduces us to our new favourite we...

We sit down for a serious chat in this episode as we celebrate the life of Lee, Helen's Mum, who passed away recently. And of course, we manage to have a few laughs along the way.  We talk about the kind of person Lee was, and how lucky Helen was to have her as a parent. We discuss what it's like to prepare for the death of someone you love, and strategies for managing grief. P...

Why do lesbians have the highest divorce rate? How do you navigate an open relationship? What goes on in a sex lab? Answering all these questions is the amazing Rosie Wilby!  The comedian and author tells us all about her brilliant books,  Is Monogamy Dead?   and  The Breakup Monologues.  We discuss some of the fascinating things she's discovered through her research, and...

What makes the Danish some of the happiest people on earth? How can we steal their ideas, and what's stopping us? Why are Norwegian women like oil rigs? Answering all these questions is the amazing Helen Russell!  We talk about her brilliant new book, How to Raise a Viking . Join us as we go on a wonderful journey to a land where the streets are paved with trampolines, children are given kniv...

Comedian, immigration lawyer, burlesque dancer, trainee wrestler, and absolute legend - it's Sikisa! She tells us how she went from being a barmaid to being on stage, and some of the weirder things she's seen while MCing one of London's most famous open mic comedy nights. We learn what it's like to go on Live at the Apollo with a concussion.  There's a bit of serious chat as Sikisa discu...

What's the best way to write a bestselling book? Who would win in a fight between a shark and a gorilla? And what's it like to be bitten on the penis by a piranha? Answering all these questions is Matt Coyne, aka Man vs Baby!  He tells us all about his brilliant new novel, Frank and Red, which is  out now . We discuss our different writing processes, and the best way to deal with procras...

HELLO READERS! What's it like to go to Antarctica with your 76 year-old Dad? What is Ellie's problem with penguins? Why did she get taken away by Buenos Aires airport security, and why was it Jim's fault?   Answering all these questions are Ellie and Ellie's Dad! Helen quizzes them to find out all about the fortnight they've just spent on the frozen Continent. We hear all about the...

Why are PTA quizzes the worst? Is Croydon really the Manhattan of London? And which star of The Chase has the most erotic fan fiction written about them? Here to play for a four-berth caravan and a fortnight in Tenerife are Lucy Porter and Jenny Ryan!  Lucy tells us how she went from comedian to quizzing legend, and Jenny reveals the origin story behind her Chase nickname, The Vixen. We discu...

What's it like to embrace Hugh Jackman? Which celebrity does Tom Price still dream of interviewing? And why does he want us to eat prawns off his wife's back? Answering all these questions is the actual Tom Price!  The Magic FM drive time DJ takes a break from his busy three hours of work a day schedule to spend some quality time with us. We have a good old moan about...

What is the collective noun for a group of Lindas? How is anal sex like relationship bitcoin? And which Hollywood action star would Sam Pamphilon pleasure orally for £50,000? Yes, it's the Scummy Mummies Christmas Special! As usual, we get too drunk and talk absolute nonsense for too long. The same old Christmas podcast traditions are back, but Ham Review gets a new twist this year, and Nurse...

Christmas eating is great, but Christmas cooking can be stressful. Joining us with her top tips for creating calm in the kitchen is Sarah Rossi, aka  @TamingTwins !  She shares easy make-ahead recipes for starters and desserts, and a great idea for what to feed picky eaters on the big day. We talk about how we should all be getting into dump bags, which are nicer than they...

Is there a way to argue constructively? What is the best way to help someone in crisis? Should we aim for happiness, or be content with contentment? Answering all these questions is the amazing psychotherapist, author, agony aunt and artist, Philippa Perry!  She tells us all about her brilliant new book,  The Book You Want Everyone You Love to Read . We learn about the various style...

We know it's only November, but we can't help it - we bloody love Christmas! So in our latest podcast episode, we are sharing some of our favourite festive confessions from previous shows - along with some personal stories of Christmas chaos.   We discuss our favourite things about Xmas, the worst gifts we've ever received, and what we're planning to wear on the big day. Ellie comes clean abo...

267: From Morrisons to Drag Race with Ella Vaday Our guest for this episode is Nick Collier, aka drag superstar Ella Vaday! He tells us how he went from working in Morrisons to wowing us with his Nigella impression on season three of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.  We hear about his time performing in the West End, and why he was banned from selling perfume in Harrods. We find out...