Raising boys is a unique and profound experience, one filled with love, hope and the unwavering belief in our son's potential. But as a black boy, it can also be a journey fraught with obstacles, stereotypes and systemic injustices that threaten to derail their dreams. Raising black boys in Britain comes off its own set of challenges and considerations.  Joining us today to discuss this are Aaron Dale, father of two and podcast host of Raising Boys 2 Men and Andrez Harriott, singer in the...

We've all heard the saying that you don't marry the individual but the family. But how true is that in real life? In-laws come in all shapes and sizes, and Viola Fields from “Monster-in-Law” illustrates just what a nightmare it can be when all parties are not happy with the partnership that's about to take place. Likewise, it doesn't just stop at the mother-in-law, but the surrounding family members can also affect the smooth sailing relationship of a new couple.  We’ll be discussing toxic...

At the heart of the polyamorous versus monogamy debate lies the very fabric of human relationships, societal norms and individual freedoms. As we delve into this complex and multifaceted topic, it is imperative that we approach it with an open mind, a spirit of critical inquiry, and a deep respect for differing perspectives.  On one hand, we have monogamy, a relationship structure deeply ingrained in many cultures and societies around the world. On the other hand, we have polyamory, a...

How does social media impact our kids? On a TV show, the U.S. surgeon general commented that 95% of teens ages 13 to 17 are using social media. Additionally, in recent months, Common Sense Media also found that 8% of 16-year-olds have their own smartphone.  Although there are a lot of positives associated with connecting with friends online, there are also some very real dangers. With smartphones and social media here to stay, do parents need to be more vigilant? What we Cover:  -What...

This week, we will be exploring the highs, the lows and everything in between of parenthood specifically related to those nightmare playdates. Most parents have experienced at least one tale of terror and we've searched the internet to bring you just a few of those tales today. We've all been there excited that our child is going to have a fun afternoon full of positive social interactions that spirals out of control and ends up with meltdowns and total mess.  So we put together a list of...

Birth order theory suggests that our place among siblings can leave a lasting imprint on our personalities and behaviour. You've probably heard people joke about how the eldest child is the boss you want, the middle child is the peacemaker and the youngest child is the responsible rebel. Whilst each birth order position comes with its own set of characteristics and challenges, does the order of your child's have really determined their personality? In this episode, we’re going to discuss...

Pregnancy and childbirth are incredible experiences filled with joy, anticipation, and a fair share of challenges, whether you are a first-time parent-to-be or a seasoned pro preparing for another addition to the family. So is the challenge of having a baby or family worth it?  That’s what we are going to discuss in this episode. We’ll also share the voice messages we received from our lovely listeners sharing their experiences with conception, pregnancy or delivery.  What is Covered:  -The...

In today's society, where governmental intervention into family life has become more frequent occurrence, are children overly protected by this, empowering a nanny's state, or has moving away from the types of traditional discipline, outlawed in places like Scotland, seen the growth of empowered youth? In this episode, we’re looking into how we discipline our children. There is no right way or wrong way, obviously, but have our children grown into society the way that we want them to grow?  ...

It can be argued that today's parents are being urged to encourage their sons to be more emotional and sensitive to the needs of others. When we think of femininity, traits include particular roles in society, stereotypes, behaviours and appearances that are associated with women and girls. The less dominant a boy is deemed to be, the more acceptable he is viewed in society. The question is: are we encouraging our boys to embrace traits and behaviours traditionally associated with femininity,...

When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you. They will paint a picture of themselves as being the victim in every situation, and make you question truth and reality between your interactions, whilst they seek to boost their ego and perception of self in public. While it can be frightening to be the target of their gaslighting, we live in the belief that what is done in the dark will always come to light. So this week, we’re talking about the...

We all need to belong to a group, a tribe, a sector in society And this is labelled with clear distinct language such as men, women, workers, breadwinners, homemakers etc. The point in which we join one tribe over another by initiation or otherwise can very much depend on what culture you are from. As both mothers of sons, we have spent a lot of time thinking what kind of men our sons will be.  Whilst girls have a very distinct transition into womanhood marked by her menstruation, the...

Let’s begin with some wisdom from Instagram: “There is no amount of gifts, affirmations, courtesy or kindness you can offer to a person who has already determined they're not going to like you. Learn not to take ownership of their toxic feelings, especially when you know you haven't done anything to warrant that type of reaction. If they're determined not to like you, be determined not to care.”  Today, we’re talking about frenemies. A frenemy is a person who pretends to be a friend, but is...

In this episode, we’re discussing private school versus state school education.  Research has suggested that 7% of the population are educated privately and yet seem to form the majority of the top echelons of our corporations and political elite. For most parents, independent schools are aspirational. The decision to send a child is determined by parents' financial ability. In contrast, however, the state is publicly funded and free at the point of entry. The question that we’re trying to...

For many couples, marriage is seen as something that only death can part. But in recent  years, we have seen the rise of divorces, separations and an increase in cohabiting families. Even strong couples who weren't facing problems before the pandemic, and who managed to avoid major shifts in the household during this time, have fallen susceptible to breakup.  In this episode, we talk about marital breakup with the aim to answer the question: are we too quick to jump ship?   What is...

Dating in the 2020s has been described as a dating apocalypse, with the remaining participants picking at the carcass of somebody else's cast off in the wasteland. With the rise of dating apps exacerbated by Covid, with  quarantine dating, post the lockdowns, the landscape of dating has fostered an environment of hookup culture, ghosting, and created a breeding ground for toxic narcissistic masculinity and femininity.  In this episode, we are going to discuss whether modern dating is as doom...

What does 50/50 mean in terms of sharing the load in the household?  For many it’s equal distribution and responsibility between the partners when it comes to finance, child-rearing, housekeeping, bills, cooking and cleaning. But as you’ll hear in this episode, 50/50 means different things to us! We discuss our experiences and views on sharing the household load, the pros and cons of 50/50, the different ways to see 50/50, as well as what 50/50 means in dating. As we challenge each other on...

Welcome to the Big Chat Small Talk Podcast! This is a show for dynamic and engaged minds, who love thought-provoking discussions about big life challenges in an approachable way.  Who are your hosts?  Your co-host Vernie Bennett has a professional background in the music industry and law. She is a mother, wife, barrister Called to the Bar, singer, songwriter and founding member of the music group Eternal. This podcast is a diamond opportunity for Vernie to talk candidly about the things that...