257: TV's Dr Zoe Williams on teenage girls, healthy farts and being a Gladiator! Our guest for the episode is the fabulous Dr Zoe Williams off of the This Morning and Gladiators. She tells us about how she became a doctor via an epiphany in Ayia Napa, what it's like to be an actual Gladiator, why it's important to get your teens into sports, and she attempts to solve Helen's farting problems. Then we have some brilliant chat about Dr Zoe's new book You Grow Girl: The Complete No Worries Guide...

Our guest for this episode is the awesome Kate Ferdinand! She tells us about her experience of becoming a stepmum to three kids at the age of 26, and shares what she wishes she'd known at the start of her parenting journey.  Kate is brilliantly honest about how she really feels about pregnancy, and the expectations around forming a blended family versus the reality. We discuss some hot topics like when you should introduce a new partner to your kids, whether you should kiss in front of them,...

What's the best food to make for date night? How long should you really cook a fish finger for? And is grapefruit ever acceptable? Answering all these questions is the brilliant Sarah Rossi, aka @tamingtwins!  We talk about her fab new book, What's for Dinner?, and how she saved Ellie's Christmas. We share our filthy food secrets including our laziest comfort recipes, and our favourite kitchen gadgets. Ellie has a confession to share about a romantic gesture she made for Pete, and Helen...

In this episode we're joined by Nicki Bamford-Bowes, aka @andthentheywentwild, and Wayne Perrey, the TV carpenter! They're here with loads of tips for improving your interiors, whatever your budget.  Nicki tells us the number one thing you should do before you start any design or diy project, and Wayne has a great idea for giving kids their own space in a shared room.  We talk about whether interior design skills can be learned, and dealing with clients who have their own ideas about what...

This month marks TEN YEARS together as the Scummy Mummies! So we decided to celebrate in the traditional way - by walking to the foot of Everest to break the world record for the highest ever stand-up comedy gig!  Listen in to find out how it all went, and why we decided to go on this nonsensical adventure in the first place. We discuss the joy of hot water bottles, the misery of sleeping in -25 conditions, and the consistency of Helen's farts. We explain what it's really like to spend a...

What a Mann, what a Mann, what a Mann, what a mighty fine Mann - it's Olly Mann! The podcasting legend from Answer Me This, Today in History with the Retrospectors, The Modern Mann and many more joins us for a chinwag. We cover everything from the invention of home pregnancy testing kits to the shock of fatherhood, and who we'd rather have it off with out of Colonel Sanders and Captain Birdseye. There's a bit of serious chat as Olly discusses the sudden loss of his Dad, just six days after...

One of our favourite guests returns to the podcast to tell us about her fabulous new book! And along the way we cover everything from family secrets and maternal relationships to pubic hair shame and Beowulf.  There's some chat about how we feel about our kids getting older, and Helen shares her experience of Teensplaining. Ellie explains why she's never taking advice on days out from Instagram again, and Abigail reveals a surprising fact about Marmite. Abigail's brilliantly dark and...

Why do we always want to eat rubbish when we're tired? Are low carb diets really a good idea? And is it OK to clap your own crap? Answering all these questions is Dr Sarah Berry!  Sarah is an associate professor at King's College and also the chief scientist at Zoe, which helps people to work out which foods suit them best. Ellie talks about her experience of the program, and how her favourite bit was probably the thing with the poo hammock. We quiz Sarah on the best way to talk to kids about...

Our guest for this episode is TV's Adrian Chiles! We talk about everything from booze and Bette Midler to coping when your kids go off to uni.  Adrian tells us why he decided to cut down on the booze, and Ellie apologises for copying him by doing a podcast about the same thing, titled Sort Your Shit Out and available now wherever you get your podcasts or https://pod.link/1663245629. We hear how Adrian's regional accent was an advantage when he started working at the BBC. He shares his advice...

Our guest for this episode is the hilarious comedian Alasdair Beckett-King. He tells us why he decided to write a children's murder mystery book, even though he has no kids and has never killed anyone.  We talk about how Alasdair went from doing shit gigs in terrible pubs with us to starring on Mock the Week. He explains how a failure at film school kicked off his comedy career, and why he believes a bad first gig is better than a good one.  Helen excels herself with the running order for...

What makes social media so addictive? How do we get our kids off their phones? Why is multitasking a myth? And what's it like to be mates with Oprah and fat-shamed by the Dalai Lama? Answering all these questions is best-selling author Johann Hari!  He tells us how a trip to Graceland with a phone-obsessed teenager kicked off his investigation into how our brains are being changed by technology. We discuss the rise in ADHD being diagnosed in kids, and the 12 factors affecting our ability to...

We are smashing the patriarchy in this episode with the help of Laura Bates - campaigner, writer, speaker, and all-round excellent woman. She explains why she started the Everyday Sexism project, and we discuss how the landscape has changed in the decade since.  Laura tells us what she'd change tomorrow if she had a magic wand, and we ask her advice on how to raise our kids so they don't turn out to be terrible sexists. There's some real talk about pornography, and the effect it's having on...

She's a campaigner, an author, a podcaster, and an all-round legend - it's the awesome Mika Simmons!  We talk about why she set up her brilliant foundation, Ladygarden, and what it was like to lose her mother to cancer. There are some very moving moments as Mika describes their last moments together, and what it's like to have to tell your mum she's going to die. Plus, she shares her number one piece of advice for coping with grief.  Then it's back to the usual old filth. We hear about Mika's...

It's the stupidest podcast episode of the year! Sam Pamphilon and Nurse Jessie join us once again to get drunk in Ellie's lounge and forget their conversation is going on the internet.  As is tradition, we discuss Jessie's new job, and try to get to the bottom of what the f**k she actually does for a living. Sam tells us whether he's divorced yet, and it's the return of Linda Chat - which Linda would Sam do in a pinch? Plus: where the f**k is Steve?   Then it's time for Ham Review, followed...

YES DALLYN! Our guest for this episode is the hilarious Gareth Howells - Hunsnet founder, brunch hoster, Victoria Beckham fan and all around legend.  He tells us about why he started Hunsnet, and how it's grown into an amazing social media phenomenon that makes us laugh every day. We hear about Gareth's brilliant book, The Hundamental Guide to Life, and his tips for shitting your pants and doing it anyway.  Plus: which of us is the hunniest hun? Which font makes Gareth physically ill? What...

Our guest for this episode is author, podcaster and Instagram sensation Cat Sims, aka notsosmugnow! We tackle some tricky topics such as Cat's struggle with drink and drugs, getting clean, and what to do if you think you have a problem. We also talk about  her experience of post-natal depression - what's the one sentence that sent her on a downward spiral, and how did she manage to climb back up?  There's some jollier chat as Helen sets a new date for giving up smoking, and Ellie shares her...

What's the best place to start if you want to declutter your house? How do you get teenagers to talk to you? And what's it like to meet one of your online trolls? Answering all these questions and more is the amazing Sali Hughes! She tells us about her brilliant new book, Everything is Washable and Other Life Lessons. We discuss our favourite bits, and Ellie reveals which of Sali's superb tips has already changed her life (spoiler: it involves gravy.)  There's some chat about getting through...

Our guest for this episode is the awesome author Jenny Colgan! She tells us about how she got her book deal, and what it's like to write 36 best-selling novels. Plus: is she the Kylie of women's fiction, or the Madonna?  We also hear about Jenny's own love story, and why it's like a romantic comedy come to life. Plus, we find out which nationality of man she'd date first if her husband was dead. For more from Jenny, follow her on Instagram @jennycolganbooks and twitter @jennycolgan. Tickets...

239: Raastawala's Rinku Dutt on her new cookbook, divorce, and starting again.  She's a fabulous cook, an amazing entrepreneur, and an awesome author - meet our guest for this episode, Rinku Dutt!  She tells us how she came out of a divorce in her twenties to start a whole new career in India - before moving back to the UK to launch her hugely successful street food business, Raastawala. We also hear about her brilliant new cookbook, Kolkata: Recipes from the Heart of Bengal, and how she...

Our guest for this episode is Camille O'Sullivan - amazing singer, fabulous performer, and all-round extraordinary woman!  She tells us what it's like to break up with your partner three weeks after the birth of your baby, then go on stage to sing with Yoko Ono. We talk about her dual heritage, and what being Irish means to her.  There's also some chat about getting older, and being unhappy with your appearance. We discuss whether being a performer is a compulsion or a career, and why we...

Our guest for this episode is the hilarious Lucy Porter! She tells us all about her latest comedy show, and how it was inspired by hitting middle age.  We chat about everything from hanging out with Christian Slater to breast cancer scares, sports cars, and why baby swimming is a total waste of time. Plus, Ellie and Lucy have a heated debate over the big question that's on everyone's lips: is Center Parcs good or rubbish?  For more from Lucy, including tickets to her 22/23 UK tour,...

It's SIMON LONDON! One of our favourite guests of all time returns for some hilarious chat about everything from parenting to politics.  Simon discusses the practical things he's been doing to deal with empty nest syndrome, and the best piece of advice he's ever given his teenage son. We also talk about the tweet he wrote in response to partygate that went viral.  Do check out Simon's brilliant website kidrated.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @slondonuk.  **EDINBURGH KLAXON**...

How do you cope with the anxiety of parenthood? Is wearing make-up anti-feminist? And what's the most fun way to dispose of a prophylactic after sex? Helping us answer all these questions is the hilarious Harriet Kemsley! She tells us all about her new Edinburgh show, and what it was like to get back on stage just one month after having a baby. We hear how having dyspraxia has affected her experience of motherhood, and why she believes marrying another stand-up comedian was a terrible...

Our guest for this episode is the awesome Dr Angharad Rudkin, a child psychologist for over 20 years. She has lots of advice about helping kids with their emotions, and explains why we shouldn't feel guilty if we let parenting standards slip during the pandemic. Phew.  We talk about Anghard's brilliant new book, Split Survival Kit: 10 Steps for Coping With Your Parents' Separation. She co-wrote it with children's author Ruth Fitzgerald and it's out now.  Angharad answers lots of important...

What's sex like after separation? Is it OK to look at porn? Should Helen have it off with a lady? Helping us to answer all these questions is the awesome Natalie Lee, aka Style Me Sunday!  She tells us about her brilliant new book, Feeling Myself: How I Shed My Shame to Find Sexual Freedom and You Can Too, which is out now. We touch on everything from masturbation and ageing pubes to whether leisure wear is sexy.  Natalie tells us about her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD, and why...