Explore every episode of the podcast Black Mums Upfront
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61. American Dream???? | 05 Mar 2024 | 01:00:30 | |
In this episode of Black Mums Upfront, we delve into Carina's courageous move to America, exploring whether her experience has been the epitome of the American Dream or a nightmarish rollercoaster. As she settles into her new life, she realizes that finding Mr. Right might be more elusive than she initially thought. | |||
| 60. Back In The Mix | 08 Jan 2024 | 01:05:26 | |
After a year long hiatus, the Black Mums Upfront ladies are back and ready to reclaim the mic. They unravel the reasons behind their break, offering an intimate glimpse into the personal journeys that fuelled their absence. | |||
| 51. I Had A Baby, I'm Depressed | 04 Jul 2022 | 01:09:58 | |
Postnatal Depression affects 1 in 10 women following the birth of their baby - So it was about time that the BMU ladies finally sat down to face the very normal problem that creeps up on so many of us... including our Lauren who shared her shocking experience of it. But to make sure we gave you the best advice possible, we were joined by the fabulous GP, Dr Katie Benhura, who shared information on the causes of PND, dealing with it, and seeing hope for the future. | |||
| 50. No new friends! | 15 Jun 2022 | 01:06:15 | |
Who's your Ride or Die? Are you Thelma or Louise? Do you have that one friend who just gets you and you would do anything for?? Or, are friendships fleeting and seasonal for you, but provide what you need for that given time? | |||
| 49. If Columbus Was Black... | 24 May 2022 | 01:04:10 | |
'The world is your oyster', but does it bring as much pleasure if you're Black? | |||
| 48. Is It Appropriate? | 10 May 2022 | 01:10:43 | |
Which BMU sister is saying no to playdates and sleepovers; Who has no interest is mixing with other school mums; And who has no problem with their child sitting on the lap of their ex's new partner? Natalie, Carina and Nana-Adwoa go head to head in the latest episode, realising that they really do have different parenting styles, perhaps because of the way they were parented themselves. And one of the girls surprises us all! | |||
| 47. Stop Damaging Our Daughters | 26 Apr 2022 | 00:50:54 | |
Trigger Warning. | |||
| 46. The Mother Of All Dragons | 13 Apr 2022 | 01:02:28 | |
BMU Co-founder, Natalie Duvall, and her business partner, Alison Burton, slayed the beasts when they managed to secure a deal on the BBC's hit entrepreneurial show, 'Dragon's Den'. However, the deal didn't go through without causing a stir amongst the Black community - But why?? Listen as March Muses' owners spill the beans on their experience, plus offer some invaluable tips on starting a business as mums. | |||
| 45. The Men In Slap 🕶 | 29 Mar 2022 | 01:00:17 | |
Did Will Smith honour his wife by slapping Comedian Chris Rock who made a distasteful joke about her? Or did Smith cross the line and display unhinged violence? It has divided the opinion of many but was there a deeper side to it? In a BMU first, Nana-Adwoa and husband, Donald, and Lauren and partner, Ryan, discuss the deeper side of committed relationships and one of the men owns up to doing the same thing for his woman once. | |||
| 44. My Son Was Killed On Snapchat | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:59:23 | |
In 2021 in London alone, 30 young people tragically lost their lives to knife crime in the capital. One of those young people was 15yr old Tamim Ian Habimana who was stabbed and killed in July 2021. | |||
| 43. They Jumped Me After School | 01 Mar 2022 | 00:59:30 | |
Bully affects one in four children in the UK. It almost seems inevitable that we will have to arm our kids with the tools to tackle it...But what if your child is the bully?! The BMU ladies sat down to reminisce about their own childhoods, which stirred up emotions that would have rather been forgotten, including the incident which almost left one in hospital. | |||
| 42. That’s Not A Love Song! | 15 Feb 2022 | 01:17:46 | |
Boys ll Men or Pretty Ricky? Bruno Mars or Cardi B? Or do you prefer SILENCE in the bedroom? The girls get intimate and lay it all out. Plus, new girl Lauren, exposes her relationship by bringing her man Ryan Lewis onto the podcast! | |||
| 59. Goodbye My Friend 👋🏾✨ | 20 Dec 2022 | 00:54:26 | |
Our socialite girl is back on home soil as the year ends! Carina dishes the goss on the 'I'm a Celebrity' jungle mates...Can we guess which celeb she swerved *cough Hancock cough* and which of the BMU girls came to his defence! | |||
| 41. Bring home the bacon 🥓 | 02 Feb 2022 | 01:01:18 | |
Woman stays at home + Man goes to work = One successful income stream for the family. Or, is that sum an outdated view of family life, living costs and who, in reality, is bringing home the bread. | |||
| 40. Twenty Twenty Too | 18 Jan 2022 | 01:05:54 | |
The mums are back from an extended break and feel no shame about the extra "me" time. They're entering into 2022 with the same witty banter, the same witty kids and the same Chris Whitty advising us on you-know-what! | |||
| 39. Introducing The Other Woman At Christmas 🎄 | 22 Dec 2021 | 01:05:40 | |
Welcome to Black Mums Upfront Christmas Office Party. | |||
| 38. Mums Know Best | 30 Nov 2021 | 01:02:21 | |
Ask and you shall receive! We gave you the control this week - You asked us questions about 'special' massages, losing non-mummy friends, raising allies and more. We gave you our answers, we didn't always agree, but we do believe that mums know best! | |||
| 37. Dying to Breathe | 25 Nov 2021 | 01:03:55 | |
“Black people are disproportionately affected by climate change" - Some may say we're 'playing the race card', but could it actually be possible that racism means that the air our children breath is worst and the harvest back home in the Motherland is dying? | |||
| 36. My Son Drowned In a Pond | 17 Nov 2021 | 01:07:16 | |
Would you know how to save your child's life, should the unthinkable happen? We would be outraged if teachers and staff didn't know basic First Aid, but many of us parents don't either. Thankfully, in the story you'll hear today, Auntie and Uncle rushed to the rescue with CPR, literally saving the life of Sade Palmer's young son. Listen, learn and repeat as you compress "ah ah ah ah staying alive, staying alive". | |||
| 35. Black Table Talk: The Overshare | 10 Nov 2021 | 01:06:01 | |
Breastfeeding your husband, publically pulling up your mother-in-law, and sharing your man's 'ding-a-ling'...Have we shared too much already?! | |||
| 34. She'll Never Meet Her Mum | 04 Nov 2021 | 01:06:23 | |
Picture the scene: You've just found out you're pregnant, you tell the father, he's not interested and so he leaves you in "peace"! Is your blood boiling yet?! This week's guest, award-winning entrepreneur Abdul Bangura, confesses to doing just that! But before you judge him, listen to his story. His honest, his heart and his humour will move you, when you hear of his dramatic u-turn as he raises his daughter singlehandedly following the death of her mother. | |||
| 33. Something Fishy | 26 Oct 2021 | 01:01:16 | |
School is in session - For the parents! Whilst the kids relax into half term, we felt the parents, and we (!), needed some education on racial terms flying around. Is blackfishing a tasty native dish? Is it appropriate to indulge in cultural appropriation? And is it ever possible for a Black person to be racist towards another race? | |||
| 32. Black Activism and Blonde Highlights | 18 Oct 2021 | 01:08:53 | |
Does wearing an Afro make you an activist? Are plaits political? And is straight hair _so_ last year? This episode we are super excited to welcome academic, activist and author of the powerful book “Don’t Touch My Hair”, Emma Dabiri! Join us as we delve deep into Emma’s upbringing in Ireland as a mixed-race woman, and the roots and reasons why she went on this fascinating hair journey. We comb through the history of Black hair and the choices we, as Black women of the diaspora, have made over the decades. And we ask now, in 2021, are we limiting our right to expression by making hair too political? Or are we just starting to uncover what our hair choices really say about us? | |||
| 58. Let’s get back together…. For the kids. | 25 Nov 2022 | 01:34:46 | |
Can co-parenting ever work successfully? Will the kids thank you for your efforts or resent the "broken" family? | |||
| 31. And Still We Rise - Baby Loss, Divorce, Cancer | 13 Oct 2021 | 01:05:43 | |
It's Sister Circle time - This week there's laughter and there's pain. Yet still we rise. Our guest, Tola-Doll Fisher, suffered baby loss, divorce and cancer. Still she rose. Our very own Lauren experienced Post Natal Depression. She's still standing. Natalie's long term relationship broke down. Her head is held high. And Nana-Adwoa wonders if this Baby Loss Awareness Week will be too much for her. Yet grace is helping her stand firm. Despite the hardships, with a bit of sexy lingerie and affirmations, this episode will surprisingly leave you feeling like you too, WILL rise. | |||
| 30. R.Kelly, Police & Power | 06 Oct 2021 | 00:57:33 | |
They say that women talk a lot, but when will men listen? It’s a mans world and we simply live in it - Right? If we teach our girls to cover up their legs, will perverts cease to exist? Because its just on us women to protect ourselves right? Or can that only happen if us parents stop feeding our children to the R. Kelly-esque predators, just to bring our 'beloved child' some fame and glory? And as for the police...Do you trust them? With you child? Really really? They say, "behind every powerful man is a powerful woman"...Well clearly he's not listening. Let’s take back the power. | |||
| 29. Man Like Steve | 28 Sep 2021 | 00:51:52 | |
So this episode you are in for a treat and a half as we welcome the newest mother to Black Mums Upfront. We 👏🏾 are 👏🏾 gassed👏🏾 and we know you will be too. And of course we get stuck into this week’s upfront conversation... Should we be encouraging boys to play with dolls? Do we, as black parents, have an issue with gender identity? And how, as mothers, can we raise empathetic men? (Because, let’s face it, we need more of them!) We also discuss upcoming Black History Month and give tips and advice on everything, from dressing up as a slave (it’s a no), to how to speak up as an ally. Yup that’s right, we got you. 🖤 | |||
| 28. Upfront with Demi Stokes | 21 Sep 2021 | 00:59:23 | |
✊🏾⚽️WE’RE GOING ALL FOOTBALL FANGIRLING ON England Lioness Demi Stokes! | |||
| 27. Sorry, Your Child Has Cancer | 14 Sep 2021 | 00:51:47 | |
In this heartfelt episode we get Upfront and candid with Dad of 4, Anton, as he recounts the day his son Teddy was diagnosed with Cancer at the tender age of 1. | |||
| Season 2. Knocked Down, Knocked Up | 07 Sep 2021 | 01:05:30 | |
Well it’s been a long long Summer ... but fear not, as we are back with your weekly dose of unapologetic upfront Black motherhood! And boy have we been busy... Join us to find out which mum got that phone call we all dread, which mum got knocked over at a day rave, and which much mum got knocked up (not at a day rave, mind you). Grab your Tetley/Pinot and join us as we discuss vaccines, that Cheryl Cole decision, Black Reality TV and our kids starting primary and secondary school (eek!). Oh and as if that isn’t enough, one Black Mum Upfront says farewell. So just an average episode, really 😉. | |||
| 25. Meet the (MVP) Midwife | 20 Jul 2021 | 00:55:36 | |
This week we get upfront, down low and everywhere in between with UCL Consultant Midwife and global advisor to The Royal College of Midwives, Dr Yana Richens OBE. Dr Richens, or Yana, as she says we can call her, was the first midwife to be appointed with the prestigious Mary Seacole Fellowship by the Department of Health and has been recognised by the Queen for her tireless work not only delivering babies but improving the outcome of Black and minority mothers. This episode we ask Yana about the reality of life as a midwife, what we can expect from the NHS as Black mothers, and how we can advocate best for ourselves when we give birth. We talk everything from birthing partners to policy making to pooing yourself, in this open, eye-watering and essential pod. 💩🤱🏾 | |||
| 24. Is Beauty Only Skin Deep? | 06 Jul 2021 | 01:08:06 | |
As a Black woman what does it mean to be beautiful? To be sexy? And to feel attractive and accepted? This episode we delve into our own beliefs about beauty, body image and hair choice (on our head and elsewhere), unpacking what we truly think verses what society would have us believe. How much are we, and more importantly our children, influenced by popular mainstream culture? Are Black features deemed more attractive on racially ambiguous women? And should we let our ten-year-old daughters shave their legs? Join us as we undress our thoughts and feelings on what’s hot, what’s not, and why we do what we do to feel beautiful. This episode is proudly part of Dove’s Crowning Glory campaign. 💅🏾👙🕊 | |||
| 23. Black In White Spaces | 23 Jun 2021 | 01:15:13 | |
This episode we get upfront about the D word. Diversity. We all need some D in our lives, but how much is too much? And how much is too little? We’ve all been the only Black in the room at some point in our lives. But what about the only Black in the private school? The only Black in the corporate office? The rural Village? Are we gifting our children opportunities by being in predominately white spaces? Or gifting them therapy-worthy baggage? We reflect on our own eclectic experiences and ~argue~ debate about the pros and cons of being the Only Black. | |||
| 22. One Shot Is All It Took - A Father’s Day Special | 15 Jun 2021 | 01:16:04 | |
This episode we get upfront and personal with renowned podcaster, entrepreneur and single Dad, Tazer, from 3 Shots of Tequila. With Father’s Day fast approaching we decided to hear first hand from a very upfront dad, to understand better a man’s perspective on the reality of raising a daughter. How is parenting across gender, and what’s with the much talked about daddy-daughter dynamic? Tazer bares all, sharing his shocking ‘one night only’ crash journey into fatherhood (yes, it seems one shot is all it took) as we dive into the dos and don’ts of co parenting and unpack the way we were parented verses our parenting choices. Join us for some serious baby father banter whilst picking up some gems of advice from this Black upfront Dad. | |||
| 57. Can We Reclaim Birth? Please. | 09 Nov 2022 | 01:16:02 | |
(Trigger Warning: Discussions around birth trauma and death.) | |||
| 21. Upfront with Candice Brathwaite | 08 Jun 2021 | 01:05:19 | |
Thanks to Nike we’ve caught up with Olympic athlete mothers and gold champion medalists, so it’s only right that this week we get upfront with the front runner of Black motherhood, best selling author, presenter and change maker, Candice Braithwaite. | |||
| 20. Black Queen of England 👸🏾 | 01 Jun 2021 | 00:54:19 | |
| 19. Married. Single. Separated. | 19 May 2021 | 01:02:08 | |
Between us, we’ve got it covered. But can separation ever be a good thing? Is successful co-parenting a myth? And how do you navigate a family breakup without having a family breakdown? This emotive episode sees us go head to head with each other as we hash out if the traditional family unit is always the optimum set up to raise a child. And what to do if, like some of us, that family unit comes crashing down. Upfront feelings of parental guilt, shame and despair will be shared. 🤯 | |||
| 18. Becky with the Good Hair | 11 May 2021 | 01:04:51 | |
Kinky, curly, nappy, frizzy, tough, wild. Good, bad, straight, natural, processed, difficult. Black women and our hair. It seems like everyone has an opinion. But why is Afro hair such a hot topic? Is society trying to police our blackness through policing our hair? Are we now policing each other as Black women? Or should we just keep our hair on cos it really ain’t that deep? This episode we comb through the micro-aggressions that we’ve all experienced and dig deep into our own thoughts, feelings and hair hang ups. This episode is proudly part of Dove’s Crowning Glory campaign. And no, you can’t touch it. Ever. 💁🏾♀️ | |||
| 17. Upfront with Perri Edwards 🇳🇬🇬🇩🏃🏾♀️ | 04 May 2021 | 00:53:37 | |
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| 16. Getting Upfront with Infertility | 27 Apr 2021 | 01:11:59 | |
‘First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes infertility, hormones and IVF.’ Yup, it’s time to get upfront. Last week was National Infertility Awareness week and it is a good time to remember that one in six couples in the UK experience infertility. And yet we _still_ don’t really talk about. So, this episode we caught up with founder of Femelanin, upfront Black mum, Vanessa Haye, to talk about the reality of infertility and the effects it had on her mental health, her body and her marriage. Vanessa opens up about her challenging journey to motherhood which included years of ‘trying’, baby-loss, IVF and her beautiful miracle baby boy. Vanessa is passionate about sharing her story to help other Black women feel supported and informed. Vanessa is a fountain of information and inspiration, and we are thrilled to deliver this podcast to you. 🍳 | |||
| 15. Supermodel, Super-mum and Sickle Cell | 19 Apr 2021 | 01:04:55 | |
This episode we are joined by Black British supermodel and super-mum, Jourdan Dunn, as we talk super-modelling whilst Black, blended families, and raising a son with Sickle Cell anaemia. When Jourdan gave birth at the age of 19, she discovered that her son was suffering from Sickle Cell. She opens up about the realities of parenting a child with a blood disease, why we need to talk about it and what we can all do to help. Thank you Jourdan for your words, your wisdom and proving once again why Jourdan Dunn ain’t done yet. This podcast is in honour of Richard Okorogheye and Evan Smith, who both had sickle cell anaemia. | |||
| 14. Upfront with Sanya Richards-Ross | 06 Apr 2021 | 01:00:13 | |
Should you submit to your husband? No, seriously, should you? Can you really manifest your dream goal in life? And what do you do when someone steps on your toe and in that instant ruins your career? (#fml) All this and more in this week’s episode... Yes, we head across the pond to Atlanta to talk to Nike Ambassador, Olympian runner and founder of Mommination, Sanya Richards-Ross. Sanya also opens up about smashing her career goals, marrying the love of her life and what she did when her dream career shattered. Join us as we get upfront and personal with a powerhouse Black mother who always stays ahead of the game. 🦶🏾🇺🇸 | |||
| 13. Getting Woke About Sleep | 30 Mar 2021 | 01:08:35 | |
To sleep or not to sleep, that is the question. In a world that doesn’t seem to stop, we decided to take some time out and discuss all things sleep related. Do you do it enough? Do you do it alone or with a partner? And do you do it with your little ones (or big ones) in the bed with you? This week we dive deep into the land of nod and discover the reality of what really goes on in our beds and in our dreams. Get comfy and cosy and join us for this intimate episode, generously sponsored by Emma Mattress. And get your little toosh on their products - Use our discount code MUMS42 for 42% off all products on their website until 12th April. | |||
| 12. I Didn't Choose To Be A Mum | 22 Mar 2021 | 00:56:24 | |
Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it even comes whether we want it or not. This episode we are joined by guest Sabine Telesford who gets upfront about her unconventional journey to motherhood. Following a series of tragic events Sabine found herself thrust into parenthood as she became legal guardian of a young teen. We discuss the reality of going from Prosecco brunches with the girls to Parents Evenings with a boy. There’s tears, laughter and a whole heap of realness in this heartfelt episode. | |||
| 56. Just The Two Of Us | 26 Oct 2022 | 00:38:54 | |
Maternity leave have left the Black Mums Upfront team depleted, but this week Carina and Natalie continue to fly the flag on this intimate and fun episode. Can they get to the bottom of child care costs... and just who on earth is Rashid Sonab? | |||
| 11. It’s A Man’s World. | 17 Mar 2021 | 01:10:06 | |
What a week for women. And Piers Morgan. This episode we discuss how safe it really is to be a woman, particularly a woman of colour, as we open up about our own experiences of male threat and danger. With the fall-out from the Meghan, Harry and Oprah interview in full display, plus the headline news about the murder of Sarah Everard, the UK is left in disarray. But what does the reporting say about racism and sexism in modern day Britain? Which stories get a chance to be heard? And how do we ensure both ourselves and our daughters have a safer future. | |||
| 10. Upfront with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce🚀🇯🇲 | 09 Mar 2021 | 01:11:43 | |
This episode we bolt over to Jamaica to chat with none other than the fastest woman in the world, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce! The ‘pocket-rocket’ powerhouse opens up about her childhood in Waterhouse, poverty and complex family dynamics. Shelly-Ann keeps us on our toes as we discuss everything from wigs to toxic masculinity to deal breakers in relationships. Pull up a chair, pour out the rum, and join the gold medal Olympian mother who is truly slaying in her (very fast) lane. www.instagram.com/blackmumsupfront www.instagram.com/brownstown29 www.instagram.com/nanaadwoambeutcha www.instagram.com/from_da_endz | |||
| 9. From The Mouth Of Babes | 03 Mar 2021 | 00:52:38 | |
Say What?! So it seems we are not the only ones who like to be upfront about things. This week we open up about all the ways our kids have shamed, outed and exposed us with their curiosity, honesty and realness. They say that children are our biggest mirrors and this week we take a long hard look into those reflections. Is it a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ or should we always be leading by example? Put yourself on timeout and enjoy plenty of parenting fails and plenty of laughter, in this eye watering episode. www.blackmumsupfront.com www.instagram.com/blackmumsupfront www.instagram.com/brownstown29 www.instagram.com/natsduv www.instagram.com/nanaadwoambeutcha www.instagram.com/from_da_endz | |||
| 8. 'Til Death Do Us Part | 23 Feb 2021 | 01:06:37 | |
‘Mummy, what happens when we die?’ are words we’re never dying to hear. Perhaps now more than ever death seems to be around us, and yet we still rarely talk about this one guarantee in life. Well we’re up for changing that. This week we get upfront with death, and talk loss, funerals and the afterlife. We open up about our own experiences of losing loved ones, discuss which culture has the best death rituals and sing our own funeral anthems. Whether death is something you celebrate, embrace or fear, join us as we explore the last taboo. www.instagram.com/blackmumsupfront www.instagram.com/brownstown29 | |||