In this honest and often hilarious Christmas bonus conversation, Steph sits down with psychotherapist Emma Reed Turrell to talk about the emotional, logistical and often invisible labour of Christmas; especially for women. From managing everyone’s expectations to trying to manufacture magical memories, from teenage eye-rolls to “it’s not that deep, Mum,” the pair unravel the layered reality behind creating a holiday that feels good for everyone but you.

Emma offers sharp insight into why December feels like it shrinks every year, why the list keeps getting longer and how social media quietly fuels our “shoulds.” They discuss the pressure to keep traditions alive, the moments that actually matter, and the quiet grief and shifting dynamics that shape Christmas behind the scenes.

Whether you're overwhelmed, exhausted, sentimental, or simply curious about how to make Christmas feel more human, this episode will land with warmth, compassion and a welcome dose of realism.

Emma Reed Turrell grew up near Portsmouth and went on to read English at Queens’ College, Cambridge. Following ten years working in business, she returned to her earlier passion for psychology and retrained as a psychotherapist.

Get a copy of Emma's book, What Am I Missing here.

Listen to Emma's podcast, Dial Emma, here.

For thoughtful gifts, for Christmas or any time of year, please have a look at dontbuyherflowers.com

Follow Steph on Instagram.

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They dig into how traditional gender roles are evolving, why relationships shift after having children, and the ways societal expectations impact men’s mental health and fatherhood. They also discuss the influence of online culture on teenage boys, the lessons from the BBC drama Adolescence, and why open conversations (especially the messy, imperfect ones) are critical for change.

This episode is an honest, moving and often funny look at how we can create more equal partnerships, raise emotionally healthy boys, and support men to step outside the outdated "provider and protector" model. Steph and Elliott reflect on friendship, community, parenting through adolescence, and how small changes in how we live, talk, and connect can make a huge difference - for men, for families, and for society as a whole.

Elliott Rae is one of the UK’s most prominent writers and speakers on fatherhood, men’s mental health and masculinity. Elliott created the Parenting Out Loud campaign and culture change programme which has revolutionised the national conversation about working fathers. Through Parenting Out Loud, Elliott supports employers to build workplace cultures where dads can be loud and proud about their caring responsibilities at work.

As an author, Elliott curated the bestselling book, DAD, and as a presenter, he fronted the seminal BBC One documentary ‘Becoming Dad’ which was one of the 20 most watched documentaries across the whole BBC network in 2022.

Elliott co-hosts the popular podcast, To Be A Boy, which is one of the top parenting podcasts in the UK and he has written for publications such as The Independent, The Telegraph and Grazia and frequently appears across the media, including a feature on Loose Women and regular contributions to Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London.

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

This episode we are proud to have an excellent sponsor:

Sweet Freedom - award winning syrups and spreads, always sweet, always natural. Use code DBHF15 for 15% off.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Steph and Lorraine cover:

• Why teenagers behave like they do (and how to stay calm when they don’t)
• Talking to your kids about relationships, social media and boundaries
• The truth about perimenopause and why so many women feel dismissed
• Why midlife and parenting teens can feel like an emotional rollercoaster
• Practical strategies for keeping communication open and family life less stressful

Lorraine also opens up about midlife, perimenopause and why so many women feel unsupported when they seek medical help. From advocating for yourself at the GP to understanding why teenagers don’t seem to "see" mess, this conversation is packed with insights, humour and reassurance for parents in the thick of it.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The teenage brain: why logic often goes out the window
• How to talk to your kids about sex, relationships, and social media
• The struggles of perimenopause and why GPs still don’t have the right answers
• Why midlife and parenting teens collide in unexpected ways
• The importance of connection, dinner table conversations, and knowing when to back off

Lorraine Candy, is an author, editor and podcaster. She co-hosts the Postcards From Midlife podcast with Trish Halpin, host of The Times' podcast, The Parent Pod and is the author of 3 incredible books. She is a former editor of Cosmo, ELLE and Sunday Times Style and a mum of four children.

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

This episode we are proud to have two excellent sponsors:

Anara Skincare - luxury, natural skincare without compromise. Use code DBHF20 for 20% off.

Sweet Freedom - award winning syrups and spreads, always sweet, always natural. Use code DBHF15 for 15% off.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug is a finance professional navigating the ever-evolving dynamics of modern partnerships. As a couple, Steph and Doug have had to unlearn traditional gender roles, redefine teamwork, and figure out how to stop bickering about the food shop. Spoiler alert - they don’t have it all figured out!

We Talk About:

The Mental Load & Motherhood - Why Steph felt trapped while Doug got to enjoy a solo train ride and a Pret sandwich.

When the Kindness Goes - How exhaustion and resentment creep into long-term relationships.
Relearning Equality - The moment Doug realized doing the food shop wasn’t just about clicking ‘repeat order’ on Tesco.

Paternity Leave & Male Privilege - Why many men still hesitate to take time off and what needs to change.

The Pancake Revelation - A seemingly small act that transformed their approach to sharing responsibilities.

The Chats That Changed Everything - From Eve Rodsky’s episode, How to Make it Fair to Matt Frey's This Is How Your Marriage Ends, the resources that helped them shift their mindset.

With plenty of laughter, some uncomfortable truths, and a whole lot of real talk, this episode is for anyone who has ever argued about housework, felt unseen in their relationship, or just wants to feel less alone in the chaos of modern family life.

And for those of you listening in real time, let's not forget that Mother's Day is just around the corner and Don't Buy Her Flowers is on standby to help you with a thoughtful gift that shows the mother in your life the gratitude they so deserve!

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

This episode we are proud to have two excellent sponsors:

Anara Skincare - luxury, natural skincare without compromise. Use code DBHF20 for 20% off.

Sweet Freedom - award winning syrups and spreads, always sweet, always natural. Use code DBHF15 for 15% off.

We recorded this episode at Patch in Twickenham, which is a co-working space and they have another four locations in England. Patch are offering 50% off the first two months membership with the code Steph50. Go to patch.work

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Gen is a freelance makeup artist and content creator helping women over 30 navigate the beauty industry. With a previous career as a burns specialist nurse in the RAF, Gen is on a mission for women to rethink the way they talk to themselves and encourages them to have a better relationship with their reflection. 

We Talk About:

• From Air Force Nurse to Makeup Artist - Gen’s unconventional career path and how nursing skills helped her in the bridal industry.
• Motherhood & Chaos - Juggling work, kids, and life admin, plus her thoughts on the early years of parenting.
• The Power of Comedy - How her love for Absolutely Fabulous, French & Saunders, and British comedy shaped her online presence.
• Beauty Standards & Aging - Breaking the cycle of unrealistic beauty ideals and why she champions real skin, real faces, and confidence.
• Instagram Fame & Finding Balance - The joy (and pressure) of content creation and why she still prioritizes her bridal clients.
• Supporting Women - Encouraging genuine compliments, shutting down negative talk, and lifting each other up.

This episode is sponsored by Anara Skincare, luxury, natural skincare without compromise. Use code DBHF20 for 20% off.

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Camp Bestival around the corner, in Dorset and then Shropshire, Rob and Josie share what they’re excited about. Their book ‘Camp Bestival at Home’ is out now, giving readers a behind the scenes peak at Camp Bestival as well as recipes and activities to enjoy through the seasons, and thoughts on festivals from the likes of Fatboy Slim, Sara Cox and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

This episode is sponsored by Kiddiwhizz, creator of the Whizzer, a portable loo for kids and adults. Use code DBHF for a 20% discount until the end of June www.kiddiwhizz.com

Camp Bestival at Home book (and available in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages)

Camp Bestival Instagram

Rob da Bank’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Eve is working to change society one partnership at a time by coming up with a new 21st-century solution to an age-old problem: women shouldering 2/3 or more of the unpaid domestic work and childcare for their homes and families. Eve and Steph talk about the massive impact this has not only on relationships, with couples everywhere hissing and resentful while trying to navigate this, but also the workplace, the pay gap, and our mental and physical health. They also talk about what’s in it for men to get more involved, and how do you bring them to the table.

Eve’s book Fair Play

Find out more about the Fair Play system

Eve’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

This episode is sponsored by gift experience website The Indytute

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a live audience at Henley Literary Festival, in classic Bryony-style, she brings lots of energy, honesty and humour to the conversation, in which they discuss depression, OCD, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder, addiction and alcoholism and being perimenopausal and a woman in her 40s.

Bryony’s Instagram

Mental Health Mates

Buy Bryony’s book Mad Woman

Steph’s Instagram

Steph’s gift company Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Henley Literary Festival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation starts by understanding what anxiety is, what happens when we’re anxious, what are the triggers and what is happening to our nervous system. They discuss the impact having children can have on anxiety, and with the festive season around the corner, they also talk about how to avoid Christmas anxiety.

Steph and Kirren then chat about some of the basics for good mental health, plus Dr Kirren talks through some of the tools to help bring some calm.

This episode is sponsored by The Indytute, handpicked experiences all tried and tested by another female founder, Calypso Rose. Use the code Steph10 for 10% off via www.indytute.com

Ten Times Calmer: Beat Anxiety and Change Your Life by Dr Kirren Schnack

Kirren’s website

Kirren’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

Don’t Buy Her Flowers Christmas Gift Guide

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave, who create pure, potent and sustainable supplements, and are offering 20% off with the code DBHF20

Louise’s Instagram and book 

Gill’s Instagram, Facebook and book 

Clara’s Instagram, Tik Tok and book

Steph’s Instagram

For future Henley Literary Festival events

Don’t Buy Her Flowers Christmas Gift Guide

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Now Karen, AKA The Sex Doctor, has written a book specifically for parents - How Not to Let Having Kids Ruin Your Sex Life - out in April 2024. Steph and Karen talk about how tiredness, distraction, lack of time and the mental load affect sex lives, and Karen describes the ‘storm’ that children often bring to a relationship. They talk about the different impacts of new babies, primary school age kids and teens. Karen and Steph also discuss spontaneous vs responsive desire and the idea that it is normal to never feel spontaneous desire in a long term relationship. Karen also explains how key it is to understand the different role sex plays for individuals, communicating better about sex, and offers advice and practical ways to maintain (or bring back) sexual connection, particularly when there is no time.

Karen’s first episode on the DBHF podcast on Apple or Spotify

Karen’s Instagram

How Not to Let Having Kids Ruin Your Sex Life, out in April 2024 and available to pre-order now

Karen’s first book Mind the Gap 

Eve Rodsky’s book FairPlay

Darcy Lockman’s book All the rage: Mothers, Fathers and the myth of equal partnership

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts www.dontbuyherflowers.com

This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave, a new generation of sustainably sourced collagen, blends and supplements with targeted health benefits. Use the code DBHF20 for 20% off any product on their website

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Fi and Jane describe how they found juggling a broadcast career with small children, with Fi owning that hers ‘ground to a halt’ for a period, but that she now has a job she loves that may not have been where she’d have ended up without the career break. They discuss phones, teenagers, teenagers with phones, the impact of Perimenopause, Tweakments and what advice they’d give to their 35 year old selves. Most of all, they offer HOPE to women in the rush hour feeling overwhelmed - there is good stuff to come in the future. 

Thank you to sponsors Ancient & Brave, a new generation of sustainably sourced collagen, blends and supplements. Listeners can get 20% off orders with the code DBHF20 on their website

Times Radio (Jane & Fi are on air 3-5pm, Monday to Thursday)

Off Air Podcast with Fi and Jane

Jane & Fi’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Steph talks with bestselling author, journalist and speaker Helen Russell about how and why so many of us try to bury sadness, and the harm that causes.

After eight years of researching happiness, Helen realised that most of us desperately want to avoid sadness, but all the experts have said we can’t, so we need to work out how to be sad, better. Helen and Steph talk about grief, infertility, perfectionism, anorexia, men and sadness, and a whole lot in between. 

Helen’s website

Helen’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a stand up, they discuss the pros and cons of Kelly being back onstage supporting Alan Carr three months after having a baby, trying to find balance between work and babies, and how she feels that becoming a mum has helped her comedy and connection with the audience.

This episode is sponsored by HotTea Mama, makers of delicious, organic, award-winning, whole leaf teas specially designed to support women’s wellness. Get 20% off with the code DBHF20 at hotteamama.com

Kelly’s TikTok

Kelly’s website

Kelly’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

The Don’t Buy Her Flowers updated Create a New Mum Gift Box

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brigid explains why women feel they don’t deserve free time, why we feel we have to ‘excel’ at motherhood and importantly, what all this pressure and juggling does to women’s physical and mental health, careers and relationships. They discuss how women find it difficult to live in the moment because of the volume of roles and responsibilities they’re juggling, how children coming along makes the imbalance even more difficult, and the societal expectations that impacts men and women trying to find a better balance. And Brigid offers some advice on how to turn down the volume on it all, and advises we all need to ‘let that shit go’

Brigid shares what she’s learned as a journalist at The Washington Post, author of ‘Overwhelmed’ (2014) and the Director of Better Life Lab at New America,  the work-family justice and gender equity program at New America, a nonpartisan think tank.

Thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this episode, handmakers of organic beds and mattresses, and DBHF podcast listeners can get 15% off with the code DBHF15

Brigid’s book ‘Overwhelmed – How to work, love and play when noone has the time’.

Brigid’s Twitter

Better Life Lab at New America

Brigid’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful Gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Jo talks about setting up and then leaving her previous PR business, in a not ideal situation after her second child was born and then being told that she would need brain surgery. Jo tells Steph how that has fundamentally changed her and impacted her as owner at Scamp & Dude. They talk about the thrill of spotting Scamp & Dude in the wild, managing a team, working with her husband Rob, and how Jo copes (or sometimes doesn’t) with running a business and having a family.

This episode is sponsored by HR consultancy HR Star, who want to reinvent the poor reputation of HR. Visit http://www.hr-star.co.uk/ for more information and quote DBHF for 10% off their People Strategy Session. 

Scamp & Dude’s website

Jo’s Instagram

Scamp & Dude’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

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Siobhan goes into ideas on how to manage burnout, and gives some detail on the tools that will help, which are explained in her book The Burnout Solution, a step-by-step 12 week plan.

This episode is sponsored by HR consultancy HR Star, who want to reinvent the poor reputation of HR. Visit http://www.hr-star.co.uk/ for more information and quote DBHF for 10% off their People Strategy Session. 

The Burnout Solution by Siobhán Murray 

Siobhan’s website

Siobhan’s Instagram

Steph’s Grazia article on The Rush Hour

Steph’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/steph_dontbuyherflowers/?hl=en

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Sarah talks about blogging for ten years, growing a steady following and then pausing after a book deal came along, when she asked herself and her followers ‘what do people actually want?’. Simply, the feedback told her what they wanted was help with dinner. What ingredients did they need? What could they cook that everyone would eat? And make it quick! Off the back of that renewed focus on her customer, Sarah’s following on insta alone is over 350k, she has written Sunday Times bestseller ‘What’s for Dinner?’, quick and easy fuss-free family meals, and has a second book out in September 2023.

Sarah talks about her income, becoming very strategic with her use of SEO and display ads and not relying on sponsorship and avoiding having to flog something to her followers that they don’t want, now that she is clear on her mission that she wants to be useful to families and take the stress out of the question ‘What’s For Dinner?’.

Sarah’s book What’s for Dinner?

Preorder Book Two What’s for Dinner in One Pot? 

Sarah’s Instagram and TikTok

Sarah’s website Taming Twins for fuss-free recipes and meal plans

Steph’s Instagram

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Alex is undoubtedly a brilliant entrepreneur, having co-founded, grown and sold first business Hassle.com for €32m, before starting another tech platform – Resi.co.uk – the UK's largest and only nationwide residential architectural platform. Alex’s ‘thing’ is disrupting with a tech solution, and cutting deals, both of which she’s very good at. She appears to have no fear, has been involved with a number of bodies, boards and think tanks, and is passionately championing women in a male-dominated industry.

Alex is incredibly straight-talking but doesn’t shy away from being vulnerable, about the challenges of being the boss, including the stress and emotion of leading a business through Covid, trying to balance work and family. Alex also says that she’s grateful for the burnout she went through at 27, because it taught her a lot early on that most people experience a bit later while also trying to manage a family and having greater responsibility to juggle.

This episode is sponsored by HR consultancy HR Star, who want to reinvent the poor reputation of HR. Visit http://www.hr-star.co.uk/ for more information and quote DBHF for 10% off their People Strategy Session. 

Resi.co.uk

Alex talks about starting and selling Hassle.com on the Secret Leaders podcast

Alex on Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future podcast

Alex’s Instagram 

Steph’s Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Illy and Sophie talk about the early days, their feelings of failure and guilt about not doing it ‘right’, whether that’s the birth, breastfeeding, or just being a mum. They talk about obsessing about sleep and feeding, sweaty weigh ins, baby groups and having babies at the same time as Kate Middleton. They also discuss comparison and expectation, and the impact babies can have on a relationship. This conversation will make new mums feel better, or if someone further down the line thinks they did a terrible job, it will let them know that none of us knew what we were doing.

Thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this series, handmakers of organic beds and mattresses, and DBHF podcast listeners can get 15% off with the code DBHF15

• Tired and Tested: The Wild Ride into Parenthood by Sophie McCartney 

• The Birth Debrief by Illiyin Morrison (out 16th March 2023) 

• Mother Hens by Sophie McCartney (out 30th March 2023)

If you’re struggling with parenthood, try contacting Home-Start UK

Illy’s Instagram 

Sophie’s Instagram 

Steph’s Instagram

The NEW Create a New Mum Gift Box at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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The strapline for Alison Burton and Natalie Duvall’s business March Muses is ‘Celebrating Diversity by Diversifying Celebrations’. It begun from a search for Christmas decorations that represented the black community, and opened up a world of possibilities with the realisation that so many celebrations are lacking that representation.

Steph talks with Alison and Natalie about how they started, their successful Dragon’s Den pitch that resulted in investment from Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones, and the impact 2020 had on their business with the murder of George Floyd, the BLM movement and the pandemic. They also explain how it feels when the swell of support subsides but the racism and need for support hasn’t gone away. As single mums who work full time as well as managing March Muses, Alison and Natalie talk about how they cope with the juggle and their hopes for the future of the business.

This episode is sponsored by HR consultancy HR Star, who want to reinvent the poor reputation of HR. Visit http://www.hr-star.co.uk/ for more information and quote DBHF for 10% off their People Strategy Session. 

• March Muses
• Watch the Dragon’s Den pitch
• Black Mums Upfront
• Shonda Rhimes ‘How do you do it all?’ speech
• March Muses Instagram
• Steph’s Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leanne talks about the stigma around cancer in the black community, that lead her to found Black Women Rising. Listen to Leanne on the Black Women Rising podcast with Leanne

Emma’s advice on what to say to someone who has been diagnosed with Cancer

Leanne on Emma’s podcast Open

Emma’s Book All That Followed 

Leanne’s Instagram

Emma’s Instagram 

Steph’s Instagram

The Stand Up To Cancer Care Package

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through their tragic experiences of baby loss, which include stillbirth, neonatal death and SIDS (formerly known as cot death), Caro, Elle and Jen explain to Steph how those early weeks felt. The ladies talk honestly about the impact on their identity, friendships and their relationship, and feelings of guilt. They also provide some really helpful advice on how to help someone going through baby loss and what to say, as well as what not to say or do. 

All three women are involved in charity work, to do what they can to stop others having to go through the pain they have felt. Jen set up charity Teddy’s Wish with her husband Chris to fund potentially life-saving research into SIDS (formerly known as cot death), Neonatal death and Stillbirth and to provide bereavement support for grieving families. Teddy’s Wish and Don’t Buy Her Flowers created two Baby Loss Care Packages together. If you are going through any loss to stillbirth (from 24 weeks), neonatal death or SIDS in the past 6 months, they would love to send a package paid for by Teddy’s Wish and DBHF gives a donation for each package too. Email jennifer@teddyswish.org or if you want to send a Baby Loss Care Package to someone, visit here.

Thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this series, handmakers of organic beds and mattresses, and DBHF podcast listeners can get 15% off with the code DBHF15

The Other Mothers podcast

Elle’s first book Ask Me His Name and her second book of fertility and hope Bump in the Road

Caro’s Instagram

Elle’s Instagram

Jen’s Teddy Wish Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

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Steph and Cariad talk about Cariad’s experience of her Dad dying when she was fifteen, and how it has impacted her life. Cariad offers up some brilliant advice on how to support someone grieving – what to do or say as well as what not to say. Steph and Cariad talk about the impact on identity when a loved one dies, the different ways people grieve and how we might better prepare for it, awarding a gold star to Steph’s Mum who has been filling out a book titled ‘I’m Dead, what next?’.

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Cariad is also about to publish her book You Are Not Alone, out 19th January when it will also be available in DBHF gift boxes. 

Thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this series. Naturalmat handmake organic beds and mattresses, and podcast listeners can get 15% off online or in their showrooms with the code DBHF15

• Griefcast podcast
• Cariad’s book You Are Not Alone (out 19th January 2023 or pre-order)
• Cariad’s book is available in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages from 19th January
• Cariad’s Instagram
• Steph’s Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation centres around motherhood, identity, relationships and sex. Zoe has chosen Psychologists Dr Rick Hanson and Dr Becky Kennedy, both experts in motherhood, family and relationships, who speak brilliantly about our standards and expectations, where they might have come from and how we can lower them. Steph chose Dr Karen Gurney AKA The Sex Doctor and Laura Danger, who is a facilitator of the Fair Play method and wants to help couples understand and better divide the mental load. And then both Steph and Zoe interviewed Matt Fray, author of This Is How Your Marriage Ends. Some really beefy topics and thought provoking conversations.

And thank you for listening in 2022! Please rate, review and subscribe and we’ll be back with more in 2023.

• Zoe Blaskey Instagram
• Zoe’s website and information on coaching
• Steph’s Instagram
• Dr Rick Hanson’s episode with Zoe, Instagram and website
• Dr Karen Gurney’s episode with Steph, Instagram and website
• Dr Becky Kennedy’s, Instagram and book Good Inside
• Laura Danger AKA @thatdarnchat’s episode with Steph, Instagram and website 
• Matt Fray’s Instagram and website. Matt’s episode with Steph and with Zoe

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Laura and Victoria chat openly about how they fell in to these careers, their plans for Christmas, the challenges of motherhood and how to talk to new mums without terrifying them. They also discuss how they handle social media and then reflect on 2022 – an emotional rollercoaster of heroes, villains, crushes and triumphs. They talk about their love of each other, and it is delightful to hear two people that have clearly built a really genuine relationship based on respect and support as well as smut and hearty guffawing at how crackers life can be.

This episode is sponsored by Resi Design, an architectural platform whose aim is to demystify what is a complex process and help people to create their dream home faster, on budget, with less drama and in a climate-friendly way. Check them out at resi.co.uk

• Laura’s Instagram ‘Knee Deep in Life’
• Victoria’s Instagram
• Steph’s Instagram

If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts, have a look at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beth talks about the sadness she felt, like a heartbreak, but also two years on she can recognise the relief she felt and talks about staying optimistic.

We have got a brilliant giveaway with Spabreaks to win a £250 voucher and a DBHF Recovery Hamper of gorgeous products to relax with. Sign up to the DBHF newsletter HERE by 11.59pm on Friday 11th Nov. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, no need to do anything and you will be automatically entered. 

This episode is sponsored by Naturalmat, an organic bed and mattress company who use exclusively natural, organic and sustainable material and make mattresses and bedding for grown ups and babies and kids All handmade in Devon. Use the code DBHF15 for 15% off your first order, valid until 31st Jan. visit naturalmat.co.uk

• Beth’s new Personal Styling website
• Beth’s Instagram
• Steph’s LinkedIn
• Steph’s Instagram

Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yvonne talks with Steph about the boom Kemi Telford experienced during the Pandemic, and the importance of remembering her ‘Why?’ as retail slows down. They discuss how it’s easy to lose focus with the distraction of other people’s ideas and other businesses. Yvonne explains her decision around focusing on selling direct, stripping back to her core values and how she stays close to her customers.

We have got a brilliant giveaway with Spabreaks to win a £250 voucher and a DBHF Recovery Hamper of gorgeous products to relax with. Sign up to the DBHF newsletter HERE by 11.59pm on Friday 11th Nov. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, no need to do anything and you will be automatically entered.

This episode is sponsored by Naturalmat, an organic bed and mattress company who use exclusively natural, organic and sustainable material and make mattresses and bedding for grown ups and babies and kids All handmade in Devon. Use the code DBHF15 for 15% off your first order, valid until 31st Jan. visit naturalmat.co.uk 

• Yvonne’s Instagram
• Kemi Telford website 
• Kemi Telford Instagram
• Steph’s LinkedIn
• Steph’s Instagram

Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James’ career in hospitality started with a club night in Sheffield; James has a talent for spotting what customers are after next, and now owns multiple bars and venues and is part of the team that recently rescued Kelham Island Brewery after it went in to liquidation. He co-founded Tramlines Festival, which he sold in 2020, and is currently working towards the opening of Leah’s Yard in Sheffield.

We have got a brilliant giveaway with Spabreaks.com to win a £250 voucher and a DBHF Recovery Hamper of gorgeous products to relax with. Sign up to the DBHF newsletter HERE by 11.59pm on Friday 11th Nov. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, no need to do anything and you will be automatically entered. 

This episode is sponsored by Naturalmat, an organic bed and mattress company who use exclusively natural, organic and sustainable material and make mattresses and bedding for grown ups and babies and kids All handmade in Devon. Use the code DBHF15 for 15% off your first order, valid until 31st Jan. visit naturalmat.co.uk

• James’ LinkedIn
• James’ Twitter 
• Steph’s LinkedIn
• Steph’s Instagram

Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Since then, Emma and her team have added more services including advising families on where they can get additional help, peer support and one to one coaching. Emma talks about how she has had to find balance, how to cope with doing a job where the stakes are so high and what the current cost of living crisis means for her and the team. In recent years demand has doubled, making Emma’s job more difficult, but even more important.

This episode is sponsored by Naturalmat, an organic bed and mattress company who use exclusively natural, organic and sustainable material and make mattresses and bedding for grown ups and babies and kids All handmade in Devon. Use the code DBHF15 for 15% off your first order, valid until 31st Jan. visit naturalmat.co.uk

How to get involved with First Days:

• Donate
• Buy a toy for a child from the Christmas wishlist here
• Raise awareness and share on social media - if you can't donate or buy anything then share their posts to your followers and they might be able to help.
• First Days Twitter
• First Days Instagram

• Emma’s LinkedIn
• Emma’s Instagram
• Steph’s LinkedIn
• Steph’s Instagram

We have got a brilliant giveaway with Spabreaks to win a £250 voucher and a DBHF Recovery Hamper of gorgeous products to relax with. Sign up to the DBHF newsletter HERE by 11.59pm on Friday 11th Nov. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, no need to do anything and you will be automatically entered.

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Abi talks with Steph about realising the opportunity in the spa industry, starting a business shortly after having a baby and trying to find a way of work that works for her family and her business. She describes the impact of Covid, what she loves most about running a business and the biggest challenge.

We have got a brilliant giveaway with Abi and Spabreaks to win a £250 voucher and a DBHF Recovery Hamper of gorgeous products to relax with. Sign up to the DBHF newsletter HERE by 11.59pm on Friday 11th Nov. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, no need to do anything and you will be automatically entered.

This episode is sponsored by Naturalmat, an organic bed and mattress company who use exclusively natural, organic and sustainable material and make mattresses and bedding for grown ups and babies and kids All handmade in Devon. Use the code DBHF15 for 15% off your first order, valid until 31st Jan. Visit naturalmat.co.uk

• Spabreaks.com
• Spabreaks Instagram 
• Abi’s LinkedIn
• Steph’s LinkedIn
• Steph’s Instagram

Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Zara specialises in couples and new parents improving communication, and helping people in relationships during what is a tricky time. They discuss the most common issues that couples go to Zara with, a predominant one being anger. Zara explains the core reasons behind that anger and ways couples can voice how they’re feeling in a more productive way (ie not ‘You are useless and I hate you! Apparently that doesn’t work). Zara provides advice on ways couples can prepare before the baby arrives, managing expectations of each other, and how to communicate better.

Look out for updates on Zara’s soon to be available book ‘Stronger together: A couple’s guide to navigating your relationship after baby’

For more chat about relationships on the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Podcast, listen to Steph’s conversations with Matt Fray, Karen Gurney, Laura Danger and Aileen Barratt.

Contact us at podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com with any thoughts or feedback.

• Zara’s Instagram 
• Zara’s Website 
• Steph’s The Post Baby Fog blog and When New Mums Get Angry blog
• Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers (including gifts for new parents!)

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They discuss the wider impact on society of inequality at home, how writing lists isn’t the solution, and ask why women are ok in their own discomfort for everyone else’s comfort.

Steph asks Laura, if we’re asking men to do more, what’s in it for them? Steph and Laura also raise the massive question – if you do raise the mental load as an issue with your partner and they don’t respond in any way except negatively, where does that leave you?

Laura is a facilitator of the Fair Play Method; founded by Eve Rodsky, Fair Play is ‘a time and anxiety saving system that offers couples a completely new way to divvy up their domestic responsibilities’. Steph and Laura discuss how this is a huge change from what society has expected from women, but one that when ignored, is often leaving women resentful and ultimately jeopardising relationships. Laura’s aim it to equip women with the language and understanding to have difficult conversations.

This episode is sponsored by boutique mortgage and insurance broker Hudson Rose. Quote ‘Don’t Buy Flowers’ if you go to Hudson Rose for advice, and they will donate £50 to your local food bank.

• Laura’s Instagram @thatdarnchat

• Laura’s TikTok @thatdarnchat

• The ‘What are you afraid of?’ clip discussed

• Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play

• Eve Rodsky explains ‘Conception, Planning and Execution’ of the Fair Play method on the Motherkind Podcast (9 minute clip)

• Liz Plank ‘For the Love of Men’ 

• Nedra Glover Tawwab ‘Set Boundaries, Find Peace’

• Steph’s Instagram 

• Steph’s business Don’t Buy Her Flowers 

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After sharing funny (dreadful) dating bios and stories, Steph and Aileen get into what these profiles say about how some men treat women, but also ask why women don’t expect more for themselves. They discuss the impact of growing up in the 90s, when they may have thought they had Girl Power, but realise now that they really just wanted the approval of men.  

They also talk about what happens when women start to realise they are full human beings, with all the emotions, that they deserve to take up space and how that might impact their relationships. 

Thank you to our sponsors Hudson Rose, the boutique mortgage and insurance brokerage who are doing things a bit differently and putting bespoke customer service at the heart of all that they do.

• Aileen’s Instagram Tinder Translator
• Aileen’s Book Tinder Translator: An AZ of Modern Misogyny
• Psychology Today article ‘The Rise of Lonely, Single Men’ by Greg Matos

• Laura Bates book Men Who Hate Women
• How to Recognise Coercive Control

• Steph’s Instagram

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With 180k followers on Instagram, Anna’s drive to take therapy out of the therapy room and support more women comes from a trickier experience with her second child, when she couldn’t keep up the façade anymore. She talks about feeling guilt and shame, and invalidating those feelings because she felt she should be good at being a mum.  

Steph and Anna talk about the biggest challenges for new mums, how these feelings can impact your relationship and what happens if you don’t recognise and allow the feelings (hint: it’s not good!). Anna gives advice on managing guilt, talking with your partner and why mothers need to show their children and everyone around them that they matter too.  

This episode is sponsored by The Happy Newspaper, a platform to share positive news and wonderful people and celebrate all that is good in the world. As well as planting a tree for every newspaper sent to a subscriber, under the initiative ‘The Happy News for Schools’ the team send a newspaper to a UK school for every two subscribers. AND they have kindly given a discount on products and subscription for DBHF podcast listeners, details in this episode. The Happy Newspaper is also a very popular option in Don’t Buy Her Flowers gift boxes! 

• Anna’s Instagram
• Anna Mathur website and courses
• Anna’s books Mind Over Mother, Know Your Worth and The Little Book of Calm for New Mums
• Clip of Glennon Doyle mentioned in the episode
• Steph’s Instagram

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Natalie has undergone a lot of change in the last five years, on her view of her body and sexuality as well as ending her marriage. Steph and Natalie talk about summer bodies, growing up in the 80s and being taught that sex for women is a performance. She also encourages us to stop feeling guilty if we don’t love our bodies yet, pointing out that everything in society has told us that our value comes from how we look so it’ll take some work to get there. 

Listener questions include how to stop hating your body and avoid passing teach our kids to too, talking to children about masturbation, and how to approach using a vibrator with a partner who isn’t keen. Nat’s straight talking is eye opening and a breath of fresh air!  

This episode is sponsored by The Natural Deodorant Co - a 100% natural, zero plastic deodorant that offers 24 hours of protection from a single application. They have kindly given us a discount for DBHF podcast listeners, details in this episode. It’s also an excellent product available in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages.

• Natalie’s book Feeling Myself: How I shed my shame to find sexual freedom and you can too

• Natalie’s Instagram

• Dr Karen Gurney’s episode on sex

• Steph’s Instagram

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Steph and Sarah met on the ‘blogging scene’ back in 2014, and they recall what it was like back then in the world of mummy bloggers, when influencers were but a twinkle. They also talk about end of term madness, strategies for surviving summer holidays, vasectomies, stopping breastfeeding and having rubbish tits, among other things. Including the infamous Mumsnet Penis Beaker thread.  

Huge thanks to Spabreaks.com for sponsoring this episode. For deals including 63% off, 2 for 1 spa days and free treatments visit here and listeners can get a further 10% off with the code SPA10 

• Sarah’s Instagram and The Turner House Project Instagram
• Sarah’s latest book Stepping Up
• The Penis Beaker Mumsnet thread
• Steph’s Instagram

If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts, please have a look at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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As a Stay at Home Dad, Matt shares his insight in to men being praised for showing up, with expectations on women so much tougher, and the narrative of dads as either wet or buffoons. Steph and Matt talk about Kate’s handling of Prince Louis at the Jubilee, what happens when your toddler wants to touch a goat’s testicles, and how the role of fatherhood is changing.

Steph also quizzes Matt on why men do strange things at the least appropriate time, sharing some brilliant stories of blokes jetwashing bins and changing electricity supplier when their partner was in labour.

This episode is sponsored by Kokoso Baby, creators of award-winning baby skincare products including an Organic Coconut Oil which we love and is available in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages and is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

• Matt’s books Dummy, Man Versus Toddler and The Mum Who Lost Her Sh*t 

• Matt’s TedX talk ‘Be More Toddler’ 

• The Likely Dads podcast

• Matt’s Instagram and Twitter

• Steph’s Instagram

For awesome Father’s Day gifts, have a look at the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Gift Guide 

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Jimi talks about the nostalgia of learning Nigerian cooking with his mum over Zoom during lockdown, the bizarre feeling of his career really taking off just as restaurants were closing during the Pandemic, and his role on The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver. Steph also probes him on whether he really eats all the courses when judging Masterchef. 

Preorder Jimi’s Book Settlers: Journeys Through the Food, Faith and Culture of Black African London

Jimi’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

For Father’s Day gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers, visit the gift guide

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Jonathan explains the complicated process of surrogacy, discrimination he’s experienced, and what he would like to see change in people's understanding of surrogacy. They also discuss the impact of becoming a dad on Jonathan’s relationship and lifestyle. 

Steph and Jonathan talk about the 50/50 split of parenting with his partner, dad guilt and how the visibility of gay dads is changing. Jonathan finishes with an epic tale of a vomit and diarrhea filled nightmare flight - a right of passage for all parents right? 

Jonathan’s Communication Agency Instinct PR

Jonathan’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram

For excellent Father’s Day gifts, visit Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Steph and Matt discuss Matt’s ‘Invalidation Triple Threat’ Theory, as well as how male identity and masculinity impacts how men behave in relationships - often unintentionally - and how consideration is something that women do so much more than men but is essential to a healthy relationship.  

• Matt’s book ‘This is How Your Marriage Ends’
• Matt’s website and Instagram
• Matt’s Article ‘She Divorced me Because I left Dishes by the Sink’
• Matt on the Mark Groves Podcast

Steph’s Instagram

Thoughtful GIfts from Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Contact Steph podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com 

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As well as female desire, Steph and Karen discuss how sex changes from those exciting early flushes at the start of a relationship, the impact of having children and the mental load, talking to kids about sex, and how we can future-proof our sex life, including through increasing ‘Sexual Currency’.

Dr Karen also answers listener questions, about sex after having a baby, infidelity, not feeling attracted to your partner and never feeling like sex, even though it’s always good ‘once we’re doing it’.

• Karen’s book Mind the Gap and Online Courses 

• Karen’s TedX Talk ‘The Surprising Truth About Desire’ 

• Karen’s TedX Talk ‘The Power of Orgasms to Address Gender Equality’ 

• Karen’s Instagram

• Steph’s Instagram 

• Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth – book for kids 

• State of Affairs by Esther Perel 

• Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers 

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Caroline explains why new mums might feel all these emotions, and shares evidence-based psychological ideas to help new mums cope. 

For anyone experiencing feelings of overwhelm and rage a lot, Caroline recommends speaking to a supportive friend and a trusted health professional, such as a GP 

Caroline’s book Mindful New Mum, a mind-body approach to the first year of motherhood and is also available in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages

Caroline’s Instagram

Steph’s article ‘When New Mums Get Angry’

Steph’s Instagram

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Steph talks with Anna and Louise about why their message is important and reframing death, how we prepare for parents dying, talking to children and showing up for someone who has been bereaved.

Anna and Louise’s book ‘We All Know How This Ends’, is also available in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages from 26th May.

Life. Death. Whatever. and their Instagram

Steph’s Instagram 

Thoughtful gifts Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Steph spoke to Kate during what was a crazy week of book promo as well as her partner Boj getting Covid, which meant that as well as being crazy busy, their usual support network couldn’t help. Kate ended up in hospital and they talk about finding the juggle impossible, which has lead to Kate quitting her Virgin Radio job to try and find a better balance and spend more time with her daughter. She describes seeing happiness just in front of her, if she could just stay on top of work, her relationship, being a parent, seeing friends, getting to the gym… and all the things we classically know to contribute to the madness of the Rush Hour we talk about on this podcast.

As well as The Juggle, Steph and Kate discuss the Postnatal Depression Kate describes in her book, getting help after having a baby and the impact on her relationship as well as why they’re not fans of holidays with kids and friends. 

Kate’s Instagram

Maybe Baby: On the Mother Side by Kate Lawler

Kate and Boj’s Maybe Baby podcast

Steph’s Instagram

If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts, try Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Contact us podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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Steph and Em discuss mother’s guilt, which Em says can feel even more intense when you’ve adopted as the parent can feel they need to do even more to make life ‘good’ for their child. Em talks with Steph about wishing people didn’t do a head tilt and say ‘aren’t you doing a wonderful thing, you must be a really special person’. She says it’s not a romantic concept or a moral manoeuvre - she is their parent, this was her route to becoming a mum (and sometimes they’re hard work, like all children).

Steph and Em also talk about feeling isolated and incapable in those early months, heightened by doing it in a pandemic, how different holidays feel, and feeling like she lost her sense of style when she became a mum. As a plus-size model, Em has gone on a journey with her body, and also talks with Steph about aiming for body neutrality.

Em’s Instagram 

For more information on adoption, go to Adoption UK or contact your local authority

Steph’s Instagram 

Thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers 

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Rosie describes the phase they’re in as ‘The Drowning Stage’, explaining how she feels the overwhelm and mum guilt doing all of the above while juggling two young boys. Rosie has brilliantly funny bones, which you can hear from the way Steph sniggers throughout, as they discuss marriage, sex, smut, men’s obsession with spunk, and Rosie’s Beefs with Chris. 

Shagged. Married. Annoyed. Podcast with Chris and Rosie Ramsey 

Rosie’s Instagram 

When I Became a Mum by Rosie Ramsey, written for Don’t Buy Her Flowers 

Steph’s Instagram 

For thoughtful gifts, including for Mother’s Day, take a look at Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Steph and Annie discuss social media and Annie’s decision to manage her time online after finding it made her feel isolated and like she wasn’t enough – at work, at home, with her kids and in relation to how much she ‘did’. Annie talks about swapping BBC Radio 1 for writing, more time at home and a career she is currently falling in love with.

Annie shares that turning forty was a point where she paused to think about what she actually wanted, something they discuss very few of us do, and that what we want can – and probably should – change with time.

• Annie’s article about social media ‘Using’ 
• Annie’s podcast Changes and Annie’s instagram 

Her debut novel and Sunday Times Bestseller Mother, Mother is out now in paperback and available in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages 

Steph’s Instagram 

For thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts, see the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Mother’s Day Gift Guide 

£1 from every Mother’s Day order will go to Home-Start UK, a charity helping families with young children through challenging times.

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Sarah Gwonyoma, founder of @WhatSarahReadNext talks honestly about what happens when life throws a lot of grief your way, coping when life is turned upside down, and making big career moves when she stopped to work out what she really wanted.

As part of our Motherhood series, Sarah talks with Steph about how it feels to become fixated with having a baby, and going through multiple losses and IVF while everyone around you seems to be getting pregnant. Sarah has been through so much, in addition to baby loss, with the death of her brother and her husband; as she says ‘She’s taken a load for the team’. After the death of husband Tim and at the start of the pandemic, Sarah – who lives with her son in Fiji – took stock of her 20 year career in International Development and decided on a career change, turning her passion for books in to her job. 

Sarah’s Instagram, where you’ll find book recommendations, reviews and author chat, as well as a world of colour Sarah G style 

Julia Samuel ‘Griefworks: stories of life, death and surviving’ 

Brendan Cox ‘Jo Cox: More in Common’ 

Don’t Buy Her Flowers is donating £1 from every Mother’s Day order to Home-Start UK, a nationwide charity who help families with young children through their challenging times. See Don’t Buy Her Flowers 

Steph’s Instagram

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Ellie says new mums are her catnip and in her book ‘My Child and Other Mistakes’ describes how pregnancy and motherhood really felt, with a perfect blend of gentle empathy and honesty, gross-out reality and hilarious anecdotes (she is a comedian after all). She reassures ‘It’s okay to like your child but fucking hate the parenting bit sometimes and to find the newborn days awful…you can hold these two thoughts in your head’ before reassuring new mums that it gets easier. Steph and Ellie finish by discussing therapy and learning to be gentler with yourself, in a very grown up manner. 

Ellie’s Instagram 

Ellie’s book My Child and Other Mistakes is out in paperback from 10th March and will also available as an option in Don’t Buy Her Flowers packages 

The Mash Report’s ‘A message from women everywhere’ 

Steph’s Instagram 

Get in touch podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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Nina was born with Spina Bifida; she educates her followers and advocates for people with disabilities on her Instagram as well as displaying fabulous hair, outfits and interiors. Steph and Nina discuss ableism, access and Nina’s ‘journey’ (sorry) to reclaiming her body, which she admits has taken time, and throughout the conversation doesn’t shy away from explaining how her own views have changed on lots of things.

Nina wrote for Don’t Buy Her Flowers about her ‘one wish as a mum’ a couple of years ago https://www.dontbuyherflowers.com/motherhood/nina-tame-onemumswish/

Steph Instagram

Email Steph with your rush hour thoughts - podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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Kiran talks about her experience of Burnout, which she describes as the worst thing she’s gone through in her life, and left her with a loss of identity and hope. They discuss the dangers of labelling women ‘Superwomen’ when they appear to juggle everything well, as they can then struggle to admit or recognise when they’re not ok, and the increased expectations that can come from South Asian culture.

Kiran and Steph also discuss the idea that ‘Motherhood isn’t enough’ and Kiran’s statement ‘the biggest trial our marriage has ever faced is having children’, how counselling has helped, and the power of vulnerability.

If you need someone to talk to, contact Mind

Kiran’s Instagram The Munching Medic and her post from 10th Oct 2021 about mental health where she discusses the idea of ‘Superwoman’ seeping in and defining her.

Kiran on the She Speaks, We Hear podcast

Steph wrote about Pulling Up The Drawbridge after her third child

Steph’s Instagram

Email Steph podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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Steph and Natasha talk about romantic relationships and how we might maintain a them once the initial lust has gone and also after having kids (when you might sometimes not be your kindest self…!). They also talk about friendships and how those change over time from our schools days or twenties but can be essential to our wellbeing, especially in the Rush Hour when you might feel a bit lost.

Natasha’s personal quest to better understand love involved her speaking to many experts and she shares a vow to pay attention to all the different interactions we have that might count as love. 

Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn 

Sign up to Natasha’s CoL newsletter Conversations on Love | Natasha Lunn

Natasha’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram 

Add Natasha’s book to a Don’t Buy Her Flowers package Create a Gift Package - Don't Buy Her Flowers

Email Steph podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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Sam and Steph talk about losing yourself in a relationship, and the ‘phases’ after a marriage ends. Sam gives some excellent advice on how to support a friend (and what not to say) and some thoughts on not seeing the relationship as all just a horrible mistake. Also, everyone should apparently spend a week with Channing Tatum to get through a divorce. Righto, we’re in. 

This episode is sponsored by Lovehoney, the Sexual Happiness Company,  the UK’s most popular online shop for buying adult toys and lingerie discreetly and whose Bullet vibrator is now featuring in the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Break Up Package 

• Sam’s podcast The Divorce Social
• Sam’s YouTube (including the Magic Mike clips mentioned!)
• Sam’s Instagram 
• Sam has written two children books with a deaf protagonist (Sam wears a hearing aid) Harriet vs The Galaxy and The Night the Moon Went Out 

Steph’s Instagram

Email Steph podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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Stacey, a writer, mother of two, and academic in her ‘previous’ life, shares how seeing your partner diagnosed feels and what people can do to help, what becoming a carer was like and how she has coped (or not at times) with his death and the subsequent grief. As big fans of Glennon Doyle, they discuss Overwhelm and not being able to do it all. Steph and Stacey also discuss the difference between expectation and reality of death and grieving and not having time to discuss all the things you think you’ll want to speak about knowing a life is coming to an end. Ultimately, Stacey says she wants to honour Greg by trying to live in a big way, because Life. Is. Short. 

Stacey’s Instagram

Stacey’s TEDx Talk The Transformative Power of Social Media

Glennon Doyle on women showing their families that they are a full person 

Meeting Rocket Man, written by Greg Gilbert

The package selection Stacey put together for Don’t Buy Her Flowers 

Steph’s Instagram 

Email us podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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After eight years of researching happiness, Helen realised that most of us desperately want to avoid sadness, but all the experts have said we can’t, so we need to work out how to be sad, better. Helen and Steph talk about grief, infertility, perfectionism, anorexia, men and sadness, and a whole lot in between. 

The DBHF How to Be Sad Package, with products selected by Helen

Helen’s website https://www.helenrussell.co.uk/

Helen’s Instagram

Steph’s Instagram 

Contact us podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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As a self-confessed oversharer, in this episode Jessie talks openly with Steph about pregnancy and babies, how relationships can struggle when children come along and how starting the Table Manners podcast in 2017 gave her a creative outlet when she felt a bit lost as a mum in the music industry. Steph and Jessie also swap gross (but perfectly natural!) tales of bodily fluids and birth when talking about Jessie’s pregnancy podcast, Is It Normal?

For information about Jessie’s latest music and tour dates https://www.jessieware.com/

The Table Manners Podcast

Jessie performing Wildest Moments at Glastonbury in 2015

Browse thoughtful gifts at Don’t Buy Her Flowers (as recommended by Jessie Flippin’ Ware!)

Steph’s Instagram

Contact us podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

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Emma has launched A Year of Reflection & Recovery – a year focused on understanding, healing and processing the last two years. As she says ‘We live in a culture so set on quick fixes, but we are dealing with a global crisis. A six week online course is not going to cut it’. Find out more on her Instagram @Mumologist

The Village Facebook Group

Nova Reid The Good Ally

Steph’s Instagram

Steph runs thoughtful gift company Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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Tamu recommends a 17 second practice to help slow your body and mind and ‘take in the good’. They also discuss every day joy, abandoning ourselves to care for others, the mental load and how to better communicate with a partner when you’re feeling overwhelmed and resentful.

We’d love for you to subscribe and leave any feedback, and you can send voice notes and suggestions of anything you’d like discussed on the podcast. Email podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

Tamu’s Instagram 

Tamu’s website and coaching programme 

Steph’s Instagram 

Christmas shop with us with the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Gift Guide 

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They also discuss bad Christmas gifts, throwing up at the in laws and THAT elf on the shelf.

Get in touch with any thoughts, voice notes, dilemmas at podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

Get tickets to the Scummy Mummies Show

Scummy Mummies Instagram

Scummy Mummies shop 

Get Divorced Be Happy by Helen Thorn 

Steph’s Instagram

Get some help with your Christmas shopping with the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Gift Guide

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Emma gives some advice on how to enjoy Christmas and not spend it only pleasing others while feeling a *little* resentful, they discuss the joy of Die Hard and circling the Radio Times, and hear from some listeners who want some help with their people-pleasing ways and navigating family drama ahead of the festive period.

Emma’s book ‘Please Yourself: How to Stop People-Pleasing and Transform the Way You Live’ is available in DBHF packages from 9th November.

Emma’s Instagram @emmareedturrell

If you want to get in touch with Steph:

podcast@dontbuyherflowers.com

Instagram: steph_dontbuyherflowers

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Seven years on DBHF now has 20+ employees, are in their second warehouse (a far cry from Steph packing on her bedroom floor for the first couple of years) and saw huge growth during the pandemic as people looked for thoughtful gifts, allowing them invest in growth but also importantly increase donations to long-term charity partners including Cancer Research UK and introduce new ones too.

Steph has three children under twelve, is married to Doug and loves naps, gin and watching anything she’s seen a hundred times so it doesn’t require her brain.

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