NOTE: This episode contains references to Christmas Magic that you may not want your children to hear!

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

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In this powerful conversation, Steph is joined by Elliott Rae, speaker, podcaster, writer and social changemaker, to explore how masculinity is being renegotiated in today's world.

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look at how we can create more equal partnerships, raise emotionally healthy boys, and support men to step outside the outdated "provider and protector" model.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.

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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.

Parenting teenagers and navigating midlife can feel like a perfect storm. One moment you’re managing eye-rolls and slammed doors, the next you’re questioning why no one warned you about perimenopause. In this episode, Steph is joined by journalist, author, and parenting pro Lorraine Candy for a frank and reassuring conversation about raising teens, handling hormones, and keeping a sense of humour through it all.

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.

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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.