To mark the end of Mother of All Solutions, this episode is a conversation with two great friends and previous guests of the podcast, Lily Anderson-Nicholls and Kate Burt. Lily is an HR Professional and Kate a journalist - we discuss both our personal and the societal contexts for working parents today, and what's changed over the 6 years of making Mother of All Solutions.  As with all good conversations with friends, it ranges from the serious to the silly! We discuss changes in workplaces and work patterns, parental leave and rights for mums and dads, as well as the mental load, the juggle and parenting/career changes as kids get older.  Please do listen and excuse the sound quality in parts - we recorded around my dining table with one lovely pre-schooler and a whirring fish tank in the background!  Thank you for supporting this very personal indie production over the years. It's been a blast and I hope some useful and enjoyable listening along the way.  x Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. You can keep in touch with Laura on Instagram @SolutionsMother

In this episode Laura interviews Rumi Bose, urban designer and regeneration consultant. Rumi set up her own business 18 months ago after a successful career working in local authority. Whilst she was at Southwark Council she had her three boys now aged 12, 9 and 5. We discuss what motivated her to train as an urban designer (her second career) and what inspires her in this field and the types of roles she has had and is now developing herself.    I am sure you will enjoy listening to Rumi and do visit her website to find out more about her work rumibose.com    We also discuss maternity leave, flexible working, raising boys, sibling dynamics and parenting/places. Thank you for listening and do share with other parents who may benefit from this conversation about careers and caring.    Mother of All Solutions is an independent podcast produced by Laura Broderick with music by Ros Fraser. Connect with Laura on LinkedIn or Instagram @SolutionsMother

This first episode of the new series of Mother of All Solutions is an interview with Katy Marks - architect and designer.  Katy talks about her career as an architect, establishing her own business and navigating maternity leave and work. She then shares about her experience of going through a single mastectomy and later designing the Unobra for asymmetric bodies.  It was a pleasure to learn more about Katy and aspects of her life and work. You can connect with her:   Architectural practice via Citizens Design Bureau https://www.citizensdesignbureau.net/ Design work at Unobra https://www.unobra.co.uk/  Instagram @citizensdesignbureau and @_unobra   Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Listen out for the rest of the new 2024 mini-series - dropping Mondays in March and April. Subscribe so you don’t miss out, and it would be wonderful if you could share with your friends. Thank you x https://www.motherofallsolutions.com/  Instagram and X @SolutionsMother

I am delighted to announce a new mini-series for Mother of All Solutions. This teaser contains clips from interviews with some of the amazing mothers who joined me for the podcast. Full episodes will follow on Mondays through March/April, and I am excited to share many perspectives on parenting and work over the course of the season.  I hope you enjoy listening!  #mothersday #internationalwomensday  MOAS is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Portrait photo by Jannine Newman.  www.motherofallsolutions.com Do connect via Instagram and X @SolutionsMother

Hello! It's almost the holidays so this episode is a short n sweet end to the Mother of All Solutions podcast in 2023.  Featuring guest contributions from Suze Cooper, Vivi Koroma Kala and Molly Rowan, plus my mum and my daughter, there is chat about podcasts and books (my favourite things) plus a poem and a song. I really hope you enjoy it and it makes you feel festive in a friendly podcasty way.  Thank you for listening this year, and do listen out for more MOAS episodes in 2024 - likely March - all being well!  Thank you for all the support with the podcast. MOAS is produced and hosted by Laura Broderick - you can connect on socials via @SolutionsMother. Music by Ros Fraser.  Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year. Laura x

For this episode Laura interviews photographer Jannine Newman, who has adult sons and came to use the term ‘photographer’ professionally in her 50s.  We discuss her work and ambitions through the decades, and how being a mum has influenced her career moves. We also talk about looking after kids through their stages, parenting twins, ADHD in the family and more.  Jannine explains the term skill stacking and why she believes it's important to maximise your niche set of skills and experiences. She is also a stylist and vintage market host and we chat about side projects, business ideas and confidence.  I hope you enjoy the conversation!  You can find out more about Jannine and her work at www.janninenewman.com  And find her on Instagram as @underthecloth  The podcast Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick. You can connect on Instagram and X via @SolutionsMother  Music by Ros Fraser, and episode recorded in Content is Queen studios.

In this episode, timed with International Men’s Day 2023, Laura shares clips from a recording with dad-of-two Steve Folland, Being Freelance and Doing It For The Kids (DIFTK) podcast.  Laura and Steve spoke earlier this year as part of the DIFTK community meet up. It was a great conversation but there was a lot of chat I couldn’t squeeze into that episode - so here are some clips in this mini bonus one!  Steve shares his journey from starting as a freelancer when his kids were very young, to them now being 10 and 13. He also discusses running a community for freelancers and how workflow can be for those who are parents and those who aren’t. It was great to hear his thoughts and I hope you enjoy listening too.  #InternationalMensDay You can find out more about Being Freelance here:  https://www.beingfreelance.com/ You can also listen to Steve within 'The DIFTK Community' episode on the Mother of All Solutions podcast.  To keep in touch with Laura Broderick, host and producer of Mother of All Solutions, please do connect via: https://www.motherofallsolutions.com/ Instagram and X @SolutionsMother  Music for the series by Ros Fraser.

A year ago I participated in Pregnant Then Screwed's event, The March of the Mummies, and recorded with parents on the march in Newcastle.  As it's been Halloween this week and there is a lot in this episode that is still relevant at the one year anniversary point I thought I would re-release it.  If you listened previously - thank you. If you missed the episode first time, I hope you enjoy it now. And please do share it if you can.  Happy listening, Laura (mummy, host and producer)  Do also keep in touch on X and Instagram as @SolutionsMother

In this episode Laura speaks with Rosa Schling, Co-Director of oral history production company On The Record and project manager of the Grow Your Own project, to discuss the project and the podcast series Childcare Voices. The episode was recorded at the Bishopsgate Institute in London during a childcare archive workshop day. Also on mic are participants involved in helping map the history of childcare in London - they share what they discover through looking at archives about settings and actions of the past.  To follow the Grow Your Own project and listen to the Childcare Voices podcast please visit:  https://on-the-record.org.uk/projects/grow-your-own/   Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick with music by Ros Fraser. You can keep in touch via: https://www.motherofallsolutions.com/  Instagram and Twitter/X @SolutionsMother  If you have enjoyed the episode please do subscribe, share it on your socials, or leave a rating and review!  And do listen through the MOAS archives - I also mention relevant past episodes - ‘The Childminder’ and ‘WOW Festival: Radical Childcare’

It was a pleasure to chat to comedian and writer Eleri Morgan about her work doing stand up and comedy writing, now as mother to an 8 month old baby. We discuss taking her son to gigs, being part of writing rooms and how to navigate work around childcare going forward.  We also discuss her documentary ‘DRYCH: Dyfodol i Dewi’ (on iPlayer for a few more days!) which follows her struggle to reconcile having a baby with leading a low-carbon life. And we chat about her plans for future documentaries on subjects such as the cost of childcare.   I hope you enjoy the episode, and please do keep in touch / share the episode with your friends.  You can connect with Eleri on X as @eleri_morgan or on Instagram as @eleri_morahan (and @eleri_morgan_comedy)  The Mother of All Solutions podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick - you can find me on X and Instagram as @solutionsmother  Music by Ros Fraser. Thank you for listening!

It's back to school, and a new term for MOAS too, starting with quarter-finalist Lauren Tedstone and semi-finalist Vicki Reid from the Great British Sewing Bee 2023 #sewingbee #gbsb #greatbritishsewingbee Both mums of two young children, we discuss their careers before entering the Sewing Bee, plus their work, family and sewing lives now. It was great to chat to these enthusiastic and talented sewists about hobbies, community and of course their friendship (formed over a cuppa.) So make a brew and take a listen! Do also keep in touch and tell your friends... Vicki Reid @whatvickimade  Lauren Tedstone @madebylaurentedstone Laura Broderick @solutionsmother   Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick with music by Ros Fraser.  Find out more via the website www.motherofallsolutions.com and subscribe to the podcast via your favourite app.

I am delighted to share this episode from the Creativity Found podcast… Claire Waite Brown interviews Caro Giles, author of Twelve Moons. I loved this conversation and love Caro’s book, which outlines her life as a single mother of four daughters living in rural Northumberland. There is family, nature, isolation, rediscovery - it’s practical and emotional.  I hope you enjoy Claire’s interview about Caro’s life and work, here on my podcast feed.  To connect with them both:  https://www.creativityfound.co.uk/Podcast @creativityfoundpodcast  https://www.carogiles.com/  @carogileswrites    Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.  Thank you for listening - please subscribe and keep in touch!  Website coming soon, for now find me @SolutionsMother

In this episode host Laura Broderick speaks with co-owner of Home Grown Brixton, Gill Springer.  Gill runs the cafe and catering business with chef Portia Eyeson. Both are mothers and Gill a grandmother. They are working hard to offer great food and a new community space in their home area of south London. They are using their skills and friendship to grow their community catering business.  Both have had interesting careers as well as busy caring roles, so it was great to learn more from Gill whilst Portia was busy in the kitchen! Please note the episode was recorded in the cafe so there is some background noise.  To find out more about Home Grown Brixton visit their website https://www.homegrown.cafe/ And to read more about Gill and Portia https://www.homegrown.cafe/index.php/about-us  You can connect with Home Grown Brixton via Instagram @home_grownbrixton and Mother of All Solutions @solutionsmother  If you have enjoyed the episode please do rate, review and share with people. Thank you for listening!

Ready for new Mother of All Solutions episodes from September 2023? New to the podcast? Well, take a listen to the trailer!  Mother of All Solutions - conversations about careers and caring for today's parents. So whether you are a parent, an employer or you just love a good chat/interview style listen then MOAS is made with you in mind.  The podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.  Listen to MOAS wherever you get your pods - and do subscribe, stay in touch (@SolutionsMother) and stay well.  Thanks for listening x

In the final episode of Mother of All Solutions before a summer break, Laura speaks with Becky Lamb-Pritchard, Head of Marketing at This is Distorted, and Lucy Critchley Head of Untold Creative.  https://www.thisisdistorted.com/  https://untold-creative.com/  We discuss marketing roles and workplace cultures and settings. We share stories of life with 3 year olds, and plans for the future. It's both serious and fun - and we cover LOTS.  Both Becky and Lucy have made significant location and career moves, and had their babies during the height of the pandemic. It was great to bring them together for this "Marketing Mums" chat. I really hope you enjoy hearing from a fantastic 'mum' and a wonderful 'mam' who are both busy doing great work and raising their equally busy preschoolers.    The conversation was recorded in This is Distorted's podcast studio in Leeds. MOAS is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.  Mother of All Solutions can be found on Instagram and Twitter as @SolutionsMother and we'll be back with more episodes in September 2023.  Thank you for listening and do subscribe to keep in touch after the summer!

Hannah Russell, Co-founder of Mags Creative podcast business is the guest on this episode of Mother of All Solutions.  Hannah is mum to a 3 year old, and her second child is due in a few months time. Hannah and Laura talk business and parenting - the highs, lows and parallels. We discuss the rollercoaster of founding a company (Mags recently turned 5!) and being a mother, boundaries in both professional and family life, and being fully present with your work and kids.   Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. I hope you enjoy the episode and can share with friends and colleagues. To stay in touch please follow @SolutionsMother on Instagram and Twitter. To find out more about Mags Creative visit www.magscreative.co.uk and connect on Instagram @mags.creative  Thank you for listening!

For this recording, host Laura Broderick speaks with Lauren Ingram, Founder of Women of Web3, a community helping women around the world make the leap into the exciting new world of Web3. We discuss Web3 - what it is, and what Lauren is doing to support women learn more about its potential. We then talk about Lauren’s pivot and career shift during her pregnancy and various aspects of life as a ‘working mum’ and business founder/entrepreneur.  Lauren is also the host of the Women of Web3 podcast, and there is a new season coming soon on 8th June! Search on your podcast platforms to find this and past episodes. To connect with Women of Web3, please check out:  https://www.womenofweb3.co/  Twitter and Instagram @womenofweb3co   Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. To connect on Twitter and Instagram please follow @SolutionsMother and if you can rate, review and subscribe to the podcast that would be much appreciated. Thank you!  This episode was recorded on the Shure stand at The Podcast Show, London, on 24 May 2023. Thank you to Shure, and to Everybody Media - the collective of podcasters that Laura and Lauren are both part of.

In this episode Laura interviews Katie Carr - author, business coach, mum and kayaker. Katie is currently on a huge adventure to plan and kayak the remaining areas of the shipping forecast that her late brother, Toby Carr, wasn’t able to complete.  Katie finished the book 'Moderate Becoming Good Later - Sea Kayaking the Shipping Forecast' earlier this year - this is the book Toby hoped he would have had time to complete. Toby captured his adventures in recordings, photos, notes and videos - all of which made it possible for Katie to write 'Moderate Becoming Good Later' after his death.  Not only was Katie determined to tell Toby’s story, but she is now determined to take on the challenge of kayaking the areas of the shipping forecast that he was sadly unable to - notably Wales, Ireland, Scotland and the North East of England.  Laura had the pleasure of learning more about Katie’s challenge and motivations. Parenting two young children is a huge part of her planning, and we talk about navigating adventures as a mum, and taking on ‘mini adventures’ for ourselves and our kids too.  I hope you enjoy hearing more about the resilient and inspirational Carrs through this interview with Katie. The book will be available to buy in all good book shops and online on 8 June 2023. To connect with Katie Carr:  Instagram @moderatebecominggoodlater / @katieannice  Twitter @KayakForecast www.katieannicecarr.com    The episode of the Mother of All Solutions has been hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. You can find the podcast on Twitter and Instagram as @SolutionsMother

For this episode, Laura recorded with members of the Doing It For The Kids (DIFTK) community - a platform and podcast for freelance parents trying to make flexible working work.  Joining their London meet-up on 27 April 2023, Laura had a chance to chat with various members about what makes the community so special. It was a real pleasure. I also had some pre-chats and the result is hopefully a good overview of how the community operates - the people and purpose.  I do hope you enjoy it. Thank you to Frankie, Steve, Karina, Kayleigh and Jon for their time and trust. You can find out more about DIFTK via:  doingitforthekids.net  The Mother of All Solutions podcast is produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. You can connect with via socials @SolutionsMother and please do subscribe for future MOAS episodes on your favourite podcast app. If you have enjoyed this episode a rating/review would be much appreciated too!

In this special episode for the Women of the World Festival (WOW) London, host Laura Broderick speaks with parents and panellists at the Southbank Centre on Saturday 11 March 2023. https://thewowfoundation.com  The topic is childcare – lived experiences of using, accessing and affording it. Following the WOW panel discussion, The Case for Free Childcare, Laura caught up with Catherine Mayer (Co-founder of Primadonna Festival) and Hannah Peaker (Women’s Equality Party Chief of Staff.) I hope you enjoy hearing what people had to say on the topic of childcare; and what can be done to support working parents - and parents wanting to work. Thank you to all caregivers (and kids) featured in this episode. Links: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/mar/08/some-parents-england-spending-80-per-cent-pay-childcare-study https://www.nesta.org.uk/data-visualisation-and-interactive/the-cost-of-childcare-where-are-englands-affordability-blackspots/  Mother of All Solutions podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Please keep in touch via Twitter or Instagram @SolutionsMother – it would also be great if you could take the time to listen to past episodes, and subscribe for future ones.  Thank you for listening.

In the final episode of 2022, Laura interviews Jessica Moxham, the author of The Cracks That Let The Light In - a mother's story of raising her disabled son and the life-changing power of books.  Jess discusses sections of her memoir, particularly around maternity leave and going back to work as an architect after having Ben, and then her later decisions and starting to write once Ben's siblings were born.  It's a fascinating book, with lots to learn about Jess's family and disability. You can find in all good bookshops!  To connect with Jess on Instagram and Twitter @jessmoxham  Jess's blog can be found at https://son-stories.com/ Thank you for listening. If you have enjoyed the episode, please do share and if possible leave a review.  Do keep in touch and subscribe for future episodes of Mother of All Solutions. The podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.  To connect with Laura on Instagram and Twitter @SolutionsMother

In this episode, Laura starts her visit to the Mother House Studios in Catford in SE London, with a conversation with Dyana Gravina, founder of the Procreate Project. https://www.procreateproject.com/ Laura then talks with 3 artists who use Motherhouse Studio and the co-director of this unique space with integrated childcare.  https://www.motherhousestudios.com/ I hope you enjoy learning more about this special model of work and care, and hearing from the artist parents who use the space.    Mother of All Solutions podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.  Thank you for listening x @SolutionsMother

In this episode Laura interviews audio producer and Creative Director of Inkslingers Media, Leona Fensome.  We talk about her varied career and interests, including running an independent production company with a focus on oral histories. We discuss her work in journalism, then community radio and her current role supporting creative industries at University of Bedfordshire. We also share thoughts on the arts, heritage, creativity and parenting!  To find out more about Leona please visit:  https://inkslingersmedia.com/ And to listen to the Tape Letters project:  https://tapeletters.com/ I hope you enjoy hearing from Leona and enjoy the episode.  Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Do subscribe for more episodes, and please keep in touch! @SolutionsMother

In this Special Episode I share an interview with photographer Rachel Larsen from the Creativity Found podcast.I enjoyed listening to Rachel speak about her work and family life with host Claire Waite Brown, and am delighted to now be able to share it with listeners of Mother of All Solutions. Rachel is a writer and photographer who documents and is commissioned to take pictures of families. She talks about her career decisions to fit creativity and work around her caring responsibilities, as well as how she likes to document families with all the joys and stresses of home life. I thought it was a great episode for the summer holidays when we are at home and juggling even more than usual!  I hope you enjoy listening and do keep in touch with myself, Rachel and Claire via our Instagram feeds @solutionsmother @rachel.larsen.weaver @creativityfoundpodcast   Finally, this episode is released with Mother of All Solutions turning 5!!! So if you can take 5 min to leave a review, give the podcast a 5 star rating or tell 5 friends about the show that would be much appreciated. Thanks for listening and stay well this summer x

For World Prematurity Day on Thursday 17 November 2022, we have an episode with Catriona Ogilvy, founder of The Smallest Things. The charity is dedicated to creating a better world for premature babies and their families after neonatal care. Catriona shares her own experiences of having two sons born preterm. She also discusses the mission and work of The Smallest Things, including the campaign to extend parental leave and the Employer with Heart scheme.  To read more about the charity please link to the following:  https://www.thesmallestthings.org/ https://www.thesmallestthings.org/after-nicu-a-post-pandemic-report-2021  The Employer with Heart scheme mentioned is:  https://www.thesmallestthings.org/employer-with-heart You can connect on Facebook and follow the charity on Twitter and Instagram @_smallestthings #AfterNICU  Thank you for listening.  Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. You can connect with the podcast via Instagram and Twitter @SolutionsMother

This episode is a compilation of voices and stories from speakers and participants at March of the Mummies in Newcastle, Saturday 29 October 2022.  #marchofthemummies protests were taking place in London, Newcastle and other UK cities, organised by Pregnant then Screwed:   https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/event-march-of-the-mummies/ Laura Broderick, host and producer of Mother of All Solutions, was part of the crowd and took the opportunity to record with union rep Mel Wilson, councillor Erin Parker-Leonard and MP Catherine McKinnell. Also recorded for this episode is trustee of Pregnant then Screwed, Beth Hazon, and mums and dads on the march. Thank you to everyone for sharing - it was great to hear your reasons for attending #marchofthemummies and I hope the podcast captures some of the atmosphere and issues from the day. Listeners - I would love to hear your thoughts so do get in touch via Insta or Twitter @SolutionsMother  Music for the podcast is by Ros Fraser; the protest song featured within the episode was written and performed by Beccy Owens. Chants by all marchers - including children!

In this episode, released on World Mental Health Day 2022, Laura speaks with Clinical Psychologist Dr Emma Svanberg.  We speak about burnout and what that means for parents in particular. We cover recognising our feelings, and why we should take time to rest - even in small bursts. We also discuss the need for collective as well as individual healing. It was a fascinating and helpful conversation for me as the host - and I hope for you too.  If you enjoyed the interview please do rate, review and subscribe to Mother of All Solutions on your favourite podcast app. To connect with Laura Broderick you can via Instagram and Twitter @SolutionsMother.  Dr Emma Svanberg can be contacted via https://dremmasvanberg.com/ or Instagram as @mumologist  Also discussed were:  Make Birth Better: https://www.makebirthbetter.org/ March of the Mummies on Saturday 29 October: https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/event-march-of-the-mummies/    The podcast is presented and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Thank you for listening!

In this episode Laura speaks with Emma Mitchell, captain of Reading FC Women and member of Scotland’s National Team. We talk about her career as a professional footballer, maternity leave and motherhood. Emma’s daughter Innes is 10 months old and Emma returned to football after 8 months of mat leave. We touch upon mental health, physical recovery from birth and logistics of being a mum and training/playing professional football. It was brilliant to talk with Emma and hear what she had to say about motherhood and an athletic career. I hope you enjoy listening. You can watch Emma in the BBC programme The Future of Women’s Football: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cdwd26 And the Scotland team video following Emma’s return to her national team and qualifying camp can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwRJ1E6KRwo Thank you for listening and supporting the Mother of All Solutions podcast - hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Do subscribe and keep in touch via @SolutionsMother on Twitter and Instagram - it would be great to hear from you.

This episode of Mother of All Solutions, with content creator Vivi Koroma Kala, is part interview part book chat! Vivi is Head of Content for Amazing If and also the creator of the bookstagram, The Cultured Life, which she set up whilst on maternity leave. We talk about her career choices and changes, and have a conversation about the 3 books Vivi chose for us to read and review together: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis I hope you enjoy learning more about content creation and the books we discuss!  Vivi is on Instagram as the @thecultured.life and her website is www.theculturedmarketer.co.uk You can connect to Laura via Instagram and Twitter via @SolutionsMother Thank you for listening - if you can rate or review the episode that would be amazing. And do subscribe for future episodes! Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.

Frankie Tortora, graphic designer and host of the Doing It For The Kids (DIFTK) community and podcast is on Mother of All Solutions! DIFTK is for "parents who freelance", and was set up by Frankie following her first maternity leave. She co-hosts the DIFTK podcast with fellow parent and freelancer Steve Folland, and they won Gold in the business category of the British Podcast Awards 2021.   Laura and Frankie discuss managing maternity leave as a freelancer, navigating school summer holidays, community building and support networks. It was a joy to speak with Frankie about her work, family and podcast.  Doing It For The Kids website for all the DIFTK community, podcast and social links:  https://www.doingitforthekids.net/  Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick with music by Ros Fraser. Connect with MOAS via Twitter and Instagram @SolutionsMother.  Further listening - Laura recommends listening to Episode #72 of DIFTK 'Planning your maternity leave as a freelancer.' On MOAS there is also Episode 5 - The Freelancers.  Further research - Frankie suggests searching Maternity Action's website https://maternityaction.org.uk/

For the MOAS summer 2022 episode Laura interviews Namulanta Kombo, the host of the award-winning Dear Daughter. The podcast is a BBC World Service series and won Gold in the Family category and was named Podcast of the Year in the recent British Podcast Awards. Namulanta is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and started the podcast a year ago after winning an international competition from the BBC World Service. The idea began with her writing letters to her own daughter, and the podcast extended this to include wider contributions globally - what do women write about to the younger generation. The series is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always warm and interesting. It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Namulanta and find out more about her life, the podcast and her journey to make it.  Dear Daughter can be found as a podcast on BBC Sounds or as show on the BBC World Service. You can also listen on your favourite podcast app. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtvlp To reach out to Namulanta you can do so via Twitter and Instagram @namulanta. Her podcast recommendations were: The Moth https://themoth.org/podcast The Comb https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtv78 Jesus and Jollof https://jesusandjollof.simplecast.com/   Mother of All Solutions is presented and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. The show was nominated in the Family category of the British Podcast Awards 2022. To connect with Laura on Twitter and Instagram search @SolutionsMother or message via motherofallsolutions@gmail.com   Thank you for listening, and if you enjoyed the conversation please do take a moment to rate/review and tell your friends!

In this episode Laura speaks with Thomas Pondevie, Co-Director of the theatre company, La Compagnie Babel.  Thomas Pondevie and Elise Chatauret have brought their French production of the play Fathers to the Brixton House theatre.  The play is a line of enquiry about fatherhood & family, and addresses, 'How can we imagine fatherhood outside of the patriarchy?'  It is based on interviews (the practice of documentary theatre) and the end result is a very special show with portraits of fathers played by two male actors on stage.  I hope you enjoy learning about the play, how it was created and the aim of the production.  To find out more visit: www.compagniebabel.com  Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. The sound clips from Fathers in this episode were created by Maxime Tisserand.

In this episode of Mother of All Solutions, Laura shares her short conversations recorded with women at the International Women's Podcast Festival at King's Place, London, on Saturday 18 June 2022.  The festival was organised by Content is Queen podcasting agency and I speak with Imriel Morgan CEO of the business. I also chat with Sophie Doyle who is keen to start podcasting, and Karen Arthur who hosts the Menopause Whilst Black podcast.  I hope this episode offers some interesting reflections on motherhood, maternity leave and work - as well as celebrating the podcasting community. Do reach out if you want to connect and listen some more:  Content is Queen https://contentisqueen.org/  Menopause Whilst Black https://www.thekarenarthur.com/  Thank you to the women who recorded with me for this episode, and those I chatted to in the breaks between the festival sessions!  The podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.  Find Mother of All Solutions on Instagram and Twitter as @SolutionsMother or email Laura via motherofallsolutions@gmail.com

In this episode Laura attempts to summarise the John Lewis Partnership event, Sharing the Juggle, held at the House of Commons on Tuesday 7 June 2022.  To get to the real content of the panel discussion, Laura speaks with panellists Elliott Rae, Music Football Fatherhood, and Joeli Brearley of Pregnant then Screwed. They have great reflections...and news!  The panel also included MPs Caroline Nokes (Chair of Women & Equalities Committee) and Minister Paul Scully, along with representatives from John Lewis and Home Start. The event was attended by parents, employers and even a few lovely kids!  I hope by sharing what happened, and the voices of some of the panellists, we can all feel better equipped to know what businesses and government can do to support families. I hope you enjoy the episode. Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Thank you for listening.

Hello and Happy Father's Day! For this special episode I talk with my manager and three of my colleagues who are all dads.  We discuss hybrid working, sharing the juggle with your partner, being vocal about your role and life as a dad and more! We also just have some nice chats about our kids.  I hope you enjoy the episode and it's useful to see how a group of colleagues can support each other through the highs and lows of parenting.  Thank you for listening - and please do rate, review and share if you can!    Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. To stay in touch please do subscribe to the podcast and connect via Instagram @SolutionsMother

In this special episode, Laura speaks with two fantastic women working to alleviate child poverty in the UK - Kelly Fort, Head of Operations at MammaKind (baby bank) and Sophia Parker, Director of Emerging Futures at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (social change organisation.)  We talk about what baby banks are, the families using them and why, unfortunately, as Sophia tells us, "Baby banks are anticipating their busiest year yet." With huge cost of living rises on food and energy bills, insecure and low paid work, more and more families are in poverty and this has a massive impact on children and mums.  I hope the conversation helps you better understand the situation many households are currently in. Kelly and Sophia also share some ideas on what we can do to help.  If you think you might benefit from using a baby bank service, or would like to volunteer your time or gift a donation you can find one of the 150+ baby banks in the UK via this map:  https://littlevillagehq.org/uk-baby-banks/ To read the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports visit:  https://www.jrf.org.uk/reports   To connect with the baby banks discussed:  MammaKind Instagram @mamma_kind (also on Facebook or email info@mammakind.or.uk)  Little Village Instagram @littlevillagehq Sophia Parker Twitter @mssophiaparker   This special episode is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick with music by Ros Fraser.  Thank you for listening and do share, rate, review and keep in touch...Mother of All Solutions @SolutionsMother

In this episode Laura interviews journalist Phillippa Guillou, presenter of the Lockdown Babies podcast.  We discuss why Phillippa wanted to make the podcast, her own experiences of having a baby in July 2020, and her career now.  We also share some clips from Lockdown Babies - the remarkable and heartbreaking stories of the families who had babies in the middle of a global pandemic.  I hope you enjoy this conversation focused on pregnancy and parenthood in the pandemic. To contact Phillippa on socials:  Twitter @philly_guillou Instagram @lockdown_babies_podcast https://anchor.fm/lockdown-babies   The Mother of All Solutions podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. Please subscribe for further episodes and connect via @SolutionsMother  Thank you for listening.

In this short special I have selected clips ("MOAS moments") from 6 past episodes to give you a flavour of the series and recent interviews. The moments come from:  The Chapter - Lockdown, with writer Kate Burt  The Job Sharers, with The Job Share Pair  The Playworker, with author Adele Cleaver The Mums of Twins, with author Alison Perry The Dads, with teacher Will Blatherwick The Collective, with Georgie Grant of Onion Collective You will hear chats about maternity leave and lockdown, job sharing, the cost of childcare, celebrations of motherhood and a dad's perspective.  Thank you to all my guests and listeners!  And do listen on at the end of the MOAS Moments special - there are some outtakes from my conversation with Kate Burt that we hope you will enjoy!  If you are new to the Mother of All Solutions I hope this offers an interesting intro to the podcast - do listen back to the full episodes and subscribe for more to come.  Thank you,  Laura, Host & Producer @SolutionsMother  Music by Ros Fraser

In this episode Laura talks to Adele Cleaver, playworker and author of the memoir Children Don’t Dissolve in the Rain. Adele is a mom from Birmingham with two girls - a 5 year old and 7 month old. We talk about her professional and personal experiences of play settings, and how her book aims to encourage parents to play and rest more effectively. You can find Adele on social media @adeleplayworker Children Don’t Dissolve in the Rain is available from her website as well as book retailers: https://adeleplayworker.bigcartel.com/product/signed-copy-children-don-t-dissolve-in-the-rain-by-adele-cleaver Mother of All Solutions is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick with music by Ros Fraser. You can connect with Laura via Twitter or Instagram @SolutionsMother Show notes:  In the episode Adele and I talk about: Assemble Play @assembleplay #hibernationplay Big Blue Play @bigblueplay Julia Cameron’s books, The Artist’s Way and The Artist’s Way for Parents The Parent Journey podcast If you enjoyed the themes in this episode I would recommend you also listen to the Radical Childcare episode in the MOAS playlist! Thank you for listening.  Photo of Adele Cleaver and daughter by Vero Leopoldino

In this episode of Mother of All Solutions, host Laura Broderick and guest Kate Burt revisit Joeli Brearley’s book The Motherhood Penalty and discuss the NEW chapter, Lockdown, available in the newly released paperback edition! The original book review episode saw Laura and Kate, along with other members of their book group, discuss Joeli’s book in May 2021. It was a chance to explore our experiences of motherhood and the workplace, and reflect on the founder of Pregnant then Screwed’s book as a “call to arms.” Ten months later, and a new baby for Kate, we sat down to see what Joeli had put to page recently and share our own experiences from the pandemic around her writings. We hope it’s an enjoyable and insightful discussion and we would love to hear what you think and/or your experiences of lockdown life (especially from first time mums or those with insights from other countries.) You can reach out via social media to @SolutionsMother or email motherofallsolutions@gmail.com – we would love to hear from you. If you haven’t yet read the book, The Motherhood Penalty – How to stop motherhood being the kiss of death for your career, it is available here: The Motherhood Penalty | Book by Joeli Brearley | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster UK (simonandschuster.co.uk) And to listen to the original book review episode we released it’s called ‘The Book – Pregnant then Screwed’ on the Mother of All Solutions pod platform. You can also listen to other relevant past episodes, including an important discussion on Childcare for WOW Festival March 2021.  Happy listening and Happy International Women’s Day 2022!

For this Mother of All Solutions episode, host and producer Laura Broderick talks to Rachel Maguire, one half of The Job Share Pair. We discuss what job sharing is, the benefits of working in a pair and Rachel’s work story of maternity leave and returning to job share in HR with Hannah Hall-Turner. They are now running The Job Share Pair consultancy together and you can follow Rachel and Hannah on LinkedIn and Instagram as @thejobsharepair The latter section of the episode is me responding to questions from Hannah and sharing my experience of job-sharing! I job shared for a year between 2019-20 after my second maternity leave. And my previous job share partner, Ros Fraser, is the composer of the music for Mother of All Solutions. I really hope you enjoy the episode (sorry about the sound quality in some parts.) It would be great if you could “share” the episode, follow Mother of All Solutions podcast on Twitter and host Laura Broderick on Instagram as @SolutionsMother Or contact me via motherofallsolutions@gmail.com – I would love to hear from you!

In this episode Laura interviews Georgie Grant, Co-Director of The Onion Collective CIC based in Watchet, West Somerset. “The Onions” met as a group of mums in the town – some local and some new, but all with a desire to improve the area for their children. Bringing their skills, and friendships, to the table they set about to find out what the residents of Watchet also wanted to see happen to improve where they live. Over years of development and fundraising the result is a fascinating new building. Recently opened, the East Quay development is a community hub, youth space and art gallery. The ideas of generations of the town fed into the design but it was this group of mums driving it to happen over 9 years. To find out more about East Quay: https://www.eastquaywatchet.co.uk/ The current exhibition by artist Bedwyr Williams: https://www.eastquaywatchet.co.uk/events/exhibition-the-see-wall Architecture article on the building: https://architecturetoday.co.uk/east-quay-arts-centre/ The Watchet Boat Museum: https://www.onioncollective.co.uk/boatmuseum Valentine, the Carol Ann Duffy poem that inspired their name: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/valentine/ I give you an onion.It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. From Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy   I hope you enjoy hearing about this group of women - their achievements for their own kids and their whole community. It would be much appreciated if you could rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. And do follow East Quay and Mother of All Solutions on social media at @eastquaywatchet / @SolutionsMother The podcast is hosted and produced by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser.

For this episode, MOAS host Laura Broderick interviews Laura Godfrey-Isaacs, an artist and midwife and co-author of the book Maternal Journal, A creative guide to journalling through pregnancy birth and beyond. We talk about Laura’s experiences of work as an artist and a producer, and later training to be a midwife. We cover lots! The new book and the origins of the Maternal Journal project, birth experiences, creative practice, the pandemic and the March with Midwives (on the the day we recorded.) Laura has two adult daughters and lives in London. To find out more about the book and the Maternal Journal process: Book — Maternal Journal To connect with Laura on Twitter and Instagram @godfrey_isaacs / @maternaljtnl #maternaljournal Thank you for listening – if you enjoyed this episode please do share with your friends. You can also subscribe for future listens, and explore past episodes of Mother of All Solutions, rate and review the podcast! Also please do email your ideas to host and producer Laura Broderick via motherofallsolutions@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram @SolutionsMother

In this episode Laura Broderick interviews Alison Perry, author, podcaster and blogger, about her experiences of maternity leave and her career as a mum of three, including twins. She shares the specifics of parenting twins through pregnancy, parental leave and returning to work. We discuss being employed in a workplace and being self-employed, as well about the huge cost of childcare when you have multiples. We also talk about Alison’s book OMG It’s Twins! published earlier this year. After the interview with Alison the episode contains audio contributions from two other mums of twins, both currently on maternity leave, and how they are considering their situations and solutions. We hope you enjoy the episode and it offers support or useful points of reflection. Mother of All Solutions is produced and hosted by Laura Broderick, with music by Ros Fraser. To contact Laura you can email: motherofallsolutions@gmail.com Mother of All Solutions: Twitter and Instagram @solutionsmother Alison Perry: Twitter and Instagram @iamalisonperry Find Mother of All Solutions and Not Another Mummy Podcast on your favourite podcast apps! To find out more about Alison’s book OMG It’s Twins! https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1119275/omg-it-s-twins-/9781785043130.html

In this episode Laura Broderick discusses the book DAD (Untold Stories of Fatherhood, Love, Mental Health and Masculinity) with Will Blatherwick, history teacher and dad of two. The conversation is structured around our thoughts on the book (with an emphasis on work and parenting) and audio contributions from two other dads who have read the book alongside us. Music in the episode is by Ros Fraser. DAD is curated by Elliott Rae and is a collection of stories from dads in the Music Football Fatherhood (MFF) platform. Music Football Fatherhood | For dads who want more open conversations around fatherhood - Music.Football.Fatherhood - open conversations around fatherhood The book DAD is a call for open conversations around fatherhood. Founder of MFF, Elliott Rae, regularly works with organisations and staff networks to help support working fathers and parents, and work towards equal parenting and gender equality, through workshops and talks. To connect with the MFF network you can do so on Twitter and Instagram via @MFFonline_ I enjoyed reading DAD, having an open conversation with Will and hopefully connecting with more dads through the Mother of All Solutions podcast. If you enjoyed the episode please do subscribe to Mother of All Solutions on your favourite podcast app and listen back to past MOAS episodes. You can get in touch with MOAS host and producer Laura Broderick via Twitter and Instagram via @SolutionsMother / Email: motherofallsolutions@gmail.com   This episode is in memory of my friend Sègun Akingbola – he loved open conversations and he loved being a dad.

In this special episode of Mother of All Solutions, recorded at The Podcast Show 2024 London / Shure stand, we have guest Samantha Baines - actor, comedian, author, broadcaster and "new mum".  Sam shares her career choices, chats about her podcast The Divorce Social, and talks about living with hearing loss and writing books based on her experiences of being deaf. She shares information on her pregnancy and early motherhood, as well as next steps now she's back at work and acting again.  It was great to speak with Sam and I hope you enjoy learning more about her roles and work. To connect with her on socials follow @samanthabaines / www.samanthabaines.com  To keep in touch with your host and producer Laura Broderick, please connect on Instagram @SolutionsMother  Thanks for listening! Do subscribe for future shows - I have something planned for Father's Day :-) And if you have enjoyed this episode a rating, review or mention to a friend would be much appreciated.

The Book: Pregnant then Screwed In this Mother of All Solutions episode Laura and friends from her book group share notes on the book Pregnant then Screwed: The Truth About the Motherhood Penalty and How To Fix It by Joeli Brearley. With guest Kate Burt, Laura talks about this book (published March 2021) and how as author Joeli Brearley states, “This book is a call to arms for women.” With audio contributions from other members of book club we share sections of the book and our own experiences of work and motherhood. We hope you enjoy listening and we hope you enjoy the book too – as Kate ends, “It’s a textbook but doesn’t read like a textbook!” The book is full of data and case studies about pregnancy and maternity discrimination, the motherhood penalty and solutions. Pregnant then Screwed: Website: Pregnant Then Screwed - Pregnant Then Screwed Helpline: Helpline - 0161 222 9879 - Pregnant Then Screwed Book: Pregnant Then Screwed by Joeli Brearley | Waterstones Instagram: @pregnant_and_screwed / @pregnant_and_screwed_mum Twitter: @PregnantScrewed / @Joeli_Brearley Other links: Article I reference during conversation about Shared and Equal Parental Leave: Shared parental leave: scrap ‘deeply flawed’ policy, say campaigners | Maternity & paternity rights | The Guardian Reference made to new maternal mental health units: Mental health: More help for new and expectant mothers in England - BBC News MOAS: If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe to Mother of All Solutions on your podcast app and listen back to past episodes. And if you can leave a review that would be amazing! It would be great to hear your thoughts on Joeli Brearley's book or ideas for the podcast – you can get in touch with MOAS via: Twitter: @SolutionsMother / Email: motherofallsolutions@gmail.com Host and producer: Laura Broderick Music by Ros Fraser Editing by Nat Lee

For this episode Laura interviews Midlands based Creative Producer Amy Martin to discuss Radical Childcare and her workshop for the Women of the World (WOW) UK Festival 2021. Amy introduces lots of interesting models of childcare, ideas around childhood and individuals/organisation working on this – below you will find the links discussed in the interview. Following the conversation there are also some audio notes from participants in the workshop – we hope you enjoy learning more and the episode prompts you to use the hashtag to share and explore ideas local to you.   To find out more: #RadicalChildcare https://www.radicalchild.care https://vimeo.com/370152932   The Parakeet: https://theparakeet.co.uk/   Parakeet @The_Parakeet_ Amy Martin @amyrozelmartin   TEDx Talk: Why childcare needs reinvention | Amy Martin | TEDxBrum - YouTube WOW UK Festival 2021: WOW UK Festival 2021 | The WOW Foundation Links and examples Motherhouse Studios: www.motherhousestudios.com PiPA Parents & Carers in Performing Arts: https://pipacampaign.org Mothership Hackermoms https://hackermoms.org Patagonia: www.patagonia.com/family-business/ Workshop content Dadvengers: https://dadvengers.com ROAM: www.roam.org.uk Glue Collective: www.gluecollective.co.uk Reggio Emilia: www.reggiochildren.it/en/reggio-emilia-approach/   Thank you for listening - to connect with Mother of All Solutions podcast Email: motherofallsolutions@gmail.com Twitter: @SolutionsMother And please do explore past episodes, subscribe, rate, review and let your friends know! Thank you from MOAS. Host and producer - Laura Broderick Editor - Owen Wainhouse  Music by Ros Fraser

For the third and final episode of the MOAS mini-series, Laura interviews Sahm Harris-Thomas, a school nurse in London and mum to two ‘wondergirls’. Sahm began training as a nurse aged 26 and navigated her two maternity leaves around her studies and nursing roles. She also completed her postgraduate diploma during the pandemic. She talks about her career shifts, and importantly her role as a key worker in the community during this crisis. We also find out how Sahm and her partner, also a key worker, managed their roles and childcare with the help of Sahm’s parents. Sahm shares some of the stresses of being both a student nurse and parent, and she talks about the importance of her professional and personal support networks. We discuss burn out, mental health of young people and the value of listening. Recorded just before Christmas 2020, we end by sharing some thoughts on community and neighbourhood. With us now in 2021 during a new lockdown and schools closed to most young people, it is good to reflect on the work of community as well as frontline NHS staff. This lockdown Sahm can still visit her schools.  If you enjoyed this episode, do download the rest of the mini-series and listen to past MOAS conversations. It would be great to know what you think or want to hear more of. Thank you and stay well.     motherofallsolutions@gmail.com Twitter @SolutionsMother   Host and producer: Laura Broderick Editor: Owen Wainhouse Music by Ros Fraser

For the second episode of the mini-series, Laura interviews Dr Susanna Graham. Before pursuing an academic career Susanna qualified as a medical doctor. She has three children. In July 2020 Susanna resigned from her role as Research Associate – she explains the point to get this decision and how the pandemic and homeschooling/childcare was a key factor. She also talks about her plans for the future as she retrains to be a counsellor, and how studying this subject has helped her process her resignation, career and choices. We also discuss the pitfalls of being “too part-time”, equal parenting, 4 day working weeks and the limits of flexibility. Susanna also shares her experience of being mum to three kids and attempting to complete a PhD during her first maternity leave. A highly qualified professional and a highly supportive individual, Susanna is a fantastic voice on the mini-series. As reports grow of women taking a step back in their careers, we hope you find the episode topical and enjoyable. We recorded in December 2020 before we found ourselves starting the new year in a new lockdown. If you enjoyed Susanna’s story, do check out the rest of the mini-series and past episodes from Season 1. We would love your feedback and a review too if you can!   Thank you for listening and supporting MOAS. motherofallsolutions@gmail.com Twitter @SolutionsMother   Host and producer: Laura Broderick Editor: Owen Wainhouse Music by Ros Fraser