I am SO thrilled to welcome Amanda Ruggeri to the podcast. Amanda is an award-winning journalist, editor, and photographer with a passion for storytelling that bridges cultures and perspectives and I had a huuuuuge fangirl moment over this chat not just because of her incredible career and how smart she is, but the AWESOME work she does myth busting and exploring science in understandable terms to EMPOWER parents to make their own decisions confidently, rooted in actual evidence is so important and sanity saving in this world of fake news, online noise and distorted claims.

Known widely for her work as the Senior Content Editor and Journalist at BBC Future, Amanda has a knack for diving deep into topics that span science, history, and social issues, always with a fresh, human-centered approach and she is just such a wonderful, warm person and a joy to chat to.

Her knack for breaking down complex topics in clear and accessible ways has made her a trusted voice for audiences looking to understand the world in a nuanced way so you can imagine why I was SO excited to have her on the show.

In this episode we dive into:

• Empowering parents with knowing the nuances of issue and understanding the ACTUAL evidence
• Myth busting and what the research really says about only children vs siblings
• The research on big families (4/5+ children)
• How to spot where claims online (even ‘studies show’) are not legit when you don’t always have time to deep dive or fact check
• How we need to understand instagram might be a great source of information but view it as a shopping mall rather than a library
• Sleep training, cosleeping, the debates and the research and the problem with absolutes
• The truth about the research and claims around attachment
• The value of listening to your intuition around sleep decisions
• Doing a story for the BBC on milestones
• Spotting logical fallacies and why we need to question them!
• A little perspective from parenting in different cultures

And so much more!

Connect with Amanda

Instagram: @mandyruggeri

FOLLOW the podcast on instagram - @themorethanmamapod + @brionywrites

Reminder and disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational and informational purposes only and does not provide (or purport to provide) medical, legal, financial, business, nutritional or other advice. Please always consult the appropriate professional for such advice.

This podcast is a judgment free space sharing a range of views, experiences and perspectives and those expressed in these conversations are not necessarily those of the host or any brands or corporations referenced.

This podcast stands for supporting mothers (parents and carers too!) and lifting them up, whatever their journey looks like. Where guests and the host have made certain choices does not mean we believe everyone else should do the same. You know your family best.

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

Something a little different this week - my very first solo episode! - not long after my eldest has turned 4, and I look back over my two cesaerean section births. I know c sections receive a lot of negative press so I am always anxious to reassure women they can also be truly beautiful birth experiences.

Trigger warning: this episode contains mentions and/or discussion of trying to conceive, reduced movement, vaginal assault and vaginismus.

Ultimately, I had two very positive c section (abdominal) births and hope sharing the story is useful - I know I found positive c section stories useful and reassuring ahead of my experience. Despite covid and lockdowns and all of the crazy consequences of that during my first birth, I still ended up with a positive birth experience.

FOLLOW the podcast on instagram - @themorethanmamapod + @brionywrites

Reminder and disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational and informational purposes only and does not provide (or purport to provide) medical, legal, financial, business, nutritional or other advice. Please always consult the appropriate professional for such advice.

This podcast is a judgment free space sharing a range of views, experiences and perspectives and those expressed in these conversations are not necessarily those of the host or any brands or corporations referenced.

This podcast stands for supporting mothers (parents and carers too!) and lifting them up, whatever their journey looks like. Where guests and the host have made certain choices does not mean we believe everyone else should do the same. You know your family best.

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

Oh my god I loved chatting to Alex SO much. This has to be one of my favourite ever motherhood conversations.

In this episode I’m chatting with Alexandria Maria Wombwell-Povey @iamalexandriamaria who you may know as a passionate entrepreneur, mindset coach, and motivational speaker and from her features in Forbes, the Telegraph and BBC radio and host of the podcast It's Upgrade Season. Her instagram bio also currently says putting the MILF in motherhood which I LOVE!

Through her coaching programs, retreats, online work, and speaking engagements, Alex has inspired thousands of women globally to overcome limiting beliefs, pursue their dreams, and cultivate both personal and professional success and ambition with well-being.

Also, fun fact - did you know in 2022 she was invited to visit Necker Island with Richard Branson and other 7 figure entrepreneurs?!

But what's so wonderful about this chat is Alex's open and honest sharing of her motherhood experience and all of the changes and transitions that go with it.

Connect with Alex

IG: @iamalexandriamaria

Podcast: It's Upgrade Season

FOLLOW the pod on @themorethanmamapod + @brionywrites

Reminder and disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational and informational purposes only and does not provide (or purport to provide) medical, legal, financial, business, nutritional or other advice. Please always consult the appropriate professional for such advice.

This podcast is a judgment free space sharing a range of views, experiences and perspectives and those expressed in these conversations are not necessarily those of the host or any brands or corporations referenced.

This podcast stands for supporting mothers (parents and carers too!) and lifting them up, whatever their journey looks like. Where guests and the host have made certain choices does not mean we believe everyone else should do the same. You know your family best.

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