Inadequate Mother – Details, episodes & analysis

In this powerful episode of The Inadequate Mother, host Hayley welcomes Javeno McLean, founder of the multi award-winning J7 Community Health Centre in Manchester. Renowned for his work with individuals facing disabilities, life-altering illnesses such as cancer and Parkinson’s, and the elderly, Javeno has redefined inclusivity in fitness and community health.

Javeno shares his perspective on gratitude and how it fuels his energy and dedication to others. From helping individuals with dementia reconnect with cherished memories to empowering young people with disabilities to break through their limits, he reveals the moments and philosophies that have shaped his extraordinary journey.

The conversation also delves into the challenges Javeno faces balancing his emotionally demanding work with family life, the lessons he’s learned from his clients, and how he’s used his platform to inspire millions around the world.

This episode offers a profound exploration of humanity, connection, and the power of seeing beyond limitations. Javeno’s work, his humour, and his unwavering belief in human potential make this an episode that will leave listeners inspired and uplifted.

Follow Javeno McLean on Instagram @j7healthjaveno and Hayley on Instagram @hayleybrown_andco.

Learn more about Javeno’s work at the J7 Health Centre.

This Podcast is produced by Bloody Vegans Productions

In this episode of The Inadequate Mother, Hayley is joined by confidence coach Claire Elizabeth to unpack the complex and often misunderstood concept of codependency. Together, they explore how codependent tendencies can stem from childhood experiences, impact romantic relationships, friendships, and most importantly, shape parenting styles.

From personal stories of being raised in households affected by addiction to the emotional challenges of motherhood, Hayley and Claire discuss:

• What is codependency? A deep dive into how codependent patterns develop and manifest in everyday life.
• Parenting and codependency: The struggle to balance connection with fostering independence in children.
• Romantic relationships: Breaking free from unhealthy dynamics and recognising patterns like over-giving and emotional rescuing.
• Practical tips for overcoming codependency: Claire shares actionable steps, including boundary-setting, journaling, and tools to build self-awareness and emotional resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• Codependency is often rooted in early life experiences and can manifest as either over-giving or over-relying on others.
• Setting boundaries and fostering internal emotional resilience are crucial steps toward healthier relationships.
• The importance of allowing children to navigate challenges independently to build emotional strength.

Recommended Resources:

• Codependent No More by Melody Beattie.
• The Holistic Psychologist on Instagram for insights on self-healing and boundaries.

Connect with Claire Elizabeth:

• Website: Claire Elizabeth Coaching
• Instagram: @claire.elizabeth.coaching
• Podcast: The Confidence Podcast\

Connect with Hayley:

• Instagram: @hayleybrown_andco

Join Hayley and Claire for an open, heartfelt discussion filled with personal revelations and insights into navigating codependency in relationships and parenting. If you’ve ever felt the weight of over-giving or struggled to set boundaries, this episode is for you.

This podcast is produced by Bloody Vegans Productions

In this episode, Hayley reflects on the loss of her mother to alcoholism and how it shaped her life. From the early signs of addiction to the challenges of grief and healing, Hayley shares her honest perspective 13 years later.

This episode is for anyone navigating the impact of addiction in their family or relationships. Hayley talks about guilt, forgiveness, and the importance of focusing on your own well-being while supporting others. It’s a candid and relatable conversation for those who’ve been affected by addiction and are looking for connection and hope.

Links Mentioned:

• Book Recommendation: Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie
• Support Resources: Al-Anon Family Groups – Support for families and friends of those affected by drinking.
• Connect with Hayley: @HayleyBrownAndCo on Instagram

Listen now and share with someone who might need it. It’s time to talk about the things that matter.

This podcast is produced by ⁠Bloody Vegans Productions⁠

In this first episode, I’m sharing why I started The Inadequate Mother. The name isn’t about feeling like I’m not enough – it’s about challenging society’s impossible standards on mothers. This podcast is in honour of my mom, who struggled with feeling inadequate and lost her life to alcohol addiction.

I want this to be a space where we unpack those feelings of not measuring up and find comfort, growth, and maybe even a little laughter. It’s for anyone who feels like they’re getting it wrong – parents, caregivers, or anyone just trying their best. We’ll talk about parenting, self-discovery, and building confidence in who we are by understanding the world around us – not who we think we should be.

I’m also on a journey to make this podcast more accessible, including to the sign language community. So, let’s explore this together.

Connect with Hayley: @HayleyBrownAndCo on Instagram

Listen now and share with someone who might need it. It’s time to talk about the things that matter.

Welcome to The Inadequate Mother, a podcast dedicated to tearing down the walls of mum guilt, perfectionism, and the endless feeling of not being enough.

Join the conversation as we challenge societal expectations, embrace honesty, and create a space for confidence, connection, and community. This isn’t about being the perfect parent—it’s about being real, giving yourself grace, and finding solidarity in the shared experience of raising humans in a world full of judgment.

Subscribe now and be part of a movement that celebrates the perfectly imperfect. Together, let’s redefine what it means to be a parent.

👉 Follow on Instagram: @hayleybrown_andco

This podcast is produced by ⁠Bloody Vegans Productions⁠

In this episode of The Inadequate Mother, Hayley dives into the topic of parenting labels and the mixed emotions they can bring. Whether you identify as a single mum, solo parent, or co-parent, the terminology we use often sparks debate, and Hayley explores why.

Drawing on her 11 years as a single mum, Hayley shares her experiences of navigating life with that label and why she's questioning it now that she’s in a supportive relationship. This episode looks at:

• ​What these labels mean: Why terms like "single mum" can be a source of tension and how they’re shaped by individual circumstances.
• ​Generational shifts: How definitions and expectations of parenting roles have evolved—and why it’s okay if they mean different things to different people.
• ​The unseen load: Inspired by Paloma Faith’s reflections, Hayley discusses the mental and emotional weight that often falls on mums, even in co-parenting arrangements.
• ​A new chapter: Hayley opens up about adjusting to life with a partner who’s fully invested in her and her family—and how it’s changed her perspective.

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This episode isn’t about choosing the “right” term—it’s about understanding your own journey and giving yourself the space to embrace it.

Join the Conversation:How do you define your parenting role? Hayley would love to hear your thoughts—connect with her on Instagram to share your story.

💬 Tune in, join the conversation, and own your parenting story—whatever it looks like.

Connect with Hayley:

Instagram: ⁠@hayleybrown_andco⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInadequatemothers

This podcast is produced by ⁠Bloody Vegans Productions

Step parenting can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles in a blended family. In this episode of The Inadequate Mother Podcast, I sit down with Lisa Quait, an experienced life coach and stepmum, to talk about the realities of step parenting, setting healthy boundaries, and building strong relationships with stepchildren. If you're a single mum, co-parenting mum, or navigating blended family life, this episode is packed with parenting advice on how to foster connection, manage teenage emotions, and overcome the challenges of raising children that aren’t biologically yours. Lisa shares her journey of stepping into a motherly role for her late husband’s three children, alongside raising her own. 💡 Topics covered in this episode:

✅ Step parenting advice – How to bond with stepkids ✅ Blended family struggles – Managing different parenting styles ✅ Single mum life – Dating with kids & introducing a new partner ✅ Co-parenting tips – How to create harmony with an ex ✅ Building family routines – The power of consistency 📌 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, & SUBSCRIBE for more parenting support & real-life mum stories! #StepParenting #BlendedFamilies #SingleMumLife #ParentingTeens #CoParenting #StepMumTips #MumLife #ParentingAdvice

0:00:00 Hayley Brown introduces the topic and Lisa Quait 0:01:36 Lisa Quait discusses her first marriage and divorce 0:06:07 Lisa talks about not wanting to be a stepmother initially 0:09:45 Lisa describes meeting Adam and the timing with his wife's passing 0:15:38 Lisa discusses the challenges of becoming a stepmother to Adam's children 0:21:39 Lisa shares strategies for navigating the stepmother role 0:29:45 Hayley provides advice for stepparents Connect with Hayley: @HayleyBrownAndCo on Instagram Listen now and share with someone who might need it. It’s time to talk about the things that matter. This Podcast is produced by Bloody Vegans Productions - https://www.bloodyvegansproductions.com

0:00 - Launching a Podcast: Motivations and Challenges

2:30 - Diverse Podcast Topics and Guest Selection

5:28 - Navigating Motherhood and Personal Identity 

9:57 - Balancing Personal and Professional Life

13:37 - Financial and Emotional Challenges of Single Parenting

18:59 - Navigating Co-Parenting and Conflict

22:30 - Support Systems and Self-Care

26:41 - Balancing Work and Family Life

30:18 - Financial Pressures and Parenting

34:44 - Supporting Children's Individuality

42:27 - Final Thoughts and Advice

Being a single mum isn’t easy. Between juggling co-parenting, handling the mental load, and trying to have a life of your own, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I chat with Hayley Owens, solo mum and host of Spin Justice Podcast, about the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

We talk about:

✔️ Co-parenting struggles – sharing time with your ex, handling holidays & keeping things fair.

✔️ Being a solo parent – carrying the mental and emotional load on your own.

✔️ Finding purpose – how starting a podcast gave Hayley something just for her.

✔️ Self-care & mental health – why looking after yourself helps you be a better mum.

This is a real, honest conversation about the challenges of motherhood, rebuilding life after a breakup, and creating something meaningful for yourself.

🎙 Subscribe for more real talk about motherhood, mindset & making it work!

📩 Let’s chat! Drop a comment below: What’s the hardest part about co-parenting for you?

📩 Let’s connect! DM me on Instagram ⁠⁠@hayleybrown_andco⁠

#Parenting #SingleMum #CoParenting #MumLife #SoloParent #Podcasting #Motherhood #SpinJusticePodcast

This Podcast is produced by Bloody Vegans Productions - https://www.bloodyvegansproductions.com 

Navigating step-parenting and blended families can be an emotional rollercoaster, especially when your ex introduces a new partner into your child's life.

In this episode of The Inadequate Mother, Hayley shares her raw, honest experience of co-parenting and adjusting to her children having a stepmum. Whether you’re a single mum, solo parent, or managing co-parenting challenges, this episode is packed with blended family advice, practical tips, and a refreshing perspective on how to embrace step-parents as a positive role model in your child’s life.

💡 Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The emotional challenges of your child bonding with a stepmum
• How to overcome resentment and embrace the positives
• Why step-parents can actually be a huge support in your child’s life
• Setting healthy boundaries in a blended family
• Coping with comparison, guilt, and parenting insecurities

This conversation is for any mum navigating step-parenting, struggling with ex-partner dynamics, or simply trying to let go of mum guilt. If you’ve ever felt territorial, anxious, or inadequate about your child having another parental figure, this episode is for you.

📩 Let’s connect! DM me on Instagram @hayleybrown_andco

📩 Tag a stepmum who deserves some appreciation!

🔔 Subscribe for More Parenting Support & Honest Conversations!

This Podcast is produced by Bloody Vegans Productions - https://www.bloodyvegansproductions.com

Welcome to Inadequate Mother! In this episode, I sit down with Tilly Hawkes, the inspiring mother behind Learning Ada’s Language, to discuss raising a Deaf child, navigating the medical system, and advocating for British Sign Language (BSL) access.

💬 Topics we cover:

✔️ Discovering her daughter Ada’s deafness & CMV diagnosis
✔️ Overcoming challenges in deaf education and school placement
✔️ The barriers to learning sign language & why BSL should be free
✔️ How social media has been a game-changer for Deaf awareness
✔️ Fighting for interpreter access in hospitals & public spaces
✔️ Breaking myths around Deaf culture, cochlear implants & Makaton

🎙️ If you're a parent of a Deaf child, a BSL learner, or passionate about deaf rights, this episode is for you!

📌 Subscribe for more conversations on parenting, disability rights & sign language advocacy!

👉 Follow Tilly on Instagram: @LearningAdasLanguage
👉 Follow me for more: @HayleyBrownAndCo

🔔 Like, comment, and share to support Deaf awareness & inclusive parenting!