Thriving & Surviving

The Things Women Whisper About

In this episode, we have a really open and honest conversation about some of the quieter struggles so many women go through behind closed doors.
We talk about burnout, mental health, ADHD traits and the emotional and physical changes that can come after pregnancy and motherhood.
We also open up about body image, parenting pressures, asking for help and the reality of trying to hold everything together whilst still looking like you’re coping on the outside.
This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone in the thoughts, feelings or worries you might keep to yourself.
It’s a safe, honest conversation about womanhood, motherhood and the importance of better support for women navigating it all.

From Overwhelmed to Balanced: Our Health Journey

In this episode, we have a really honest conversation about getting back into the gym and navigating our own wellness journeys.
One of us opens up about using GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy, sharing how they’ve impacted her relationship with food, helped manage cravings, and even supported things like endometriosis.
We also talk about how overwhelming social media can be when it comes to nutrition, with so much conflicting advice and pressure around what you should and shouldn’t be doing.
Alongside that, we share what actually works for us in real life, from feeding our families to finding a balance that doesn’t feel restrictive or unrealistic.
This is a raw, relatable chat about health, motherhood and learning to let go of perfection and focus on what actually feels good and sustainable.

Controversial Topics We Didn’t Hold Back On

In this episode, we’re chatting all things family life and diving into the latest episodes of At Home with the Furys. We get into traveller culture, the reality of a 16-year-old engagement, and the tension between respecting tradition and having real parental concerns.
From there, we move into some of the TV controversies doing the rounds, including David Haye’s behaviour, and give our honest opinions on it all.
We also have a proper conversation about period leave and endometriosis. We share our own experiences, but also look at the bigger picture — the challenges this brings for employers and where government policy actually stands on it.
It’s one of those episodes where we cover a lot… real life, strong opinions, and conversations that don’t have a simple answer.

Your Dilemmas, Our Honest Advice

In this episode, we’re diving into your dilemmas and giving our honest, unfiltered advice.
We talk about co-parenting boundaries and how to navigate tricky situations without losing your peace, as well as opening up about changing views on having children and what that can look like in real life.
We also get into relationships, from waning attraction to navigating casual dating as a single parent, and the reality of intimacy issues that people don’t always talk about.
Throughout the episode, we share our own experiences alongside practical advice, encouraging open communication, self-reflection and realistic next steps for whatever you’re going through.
If you’ve ever felt unsure, stuck or just needed a bit of outside perspective, this one’s for you.

We Said What We Said: Your Questions Answered

In this Q&A episode, we’re answering your questions… and nothing’s off limits.
We talk honestly about whether we actually hate men (spoiler: no), taking holidays without our kids and the guilt that can come with it, and what it really looks like juggling self-employment with single motherhood. We open up about how becoming mums has changed us, not just in our lives, but in who we are as women.
We also get into the bigger conversations… the manosphere, male allies, and where we think the balance actually sits. Alongside that, we share our real experiences of burnout, the pressures of childcare, and what it’s taken for us to start reclaiming our identity outside of being “mum”.
This episode is raw, practical, and very us. We chat boundaries, support systems, and why flexibility and self-care aren’t luxuries… they’re essential.
And as always, we want you involved. We’re already lining up future guests and we’ll definitely be doing more listener Q&As, so keep your questions coming.

The Things Our Kids Will Never Experience

In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane and chat all about what it was like growing up in the 90s and early 2000s.
From magazines, toys and TV shows to playing outside for hours, disposable cameras and the chaos of dial-up internet… we reminisce on the little things that made our childhood what it was.
We also compare it to what childhood looks like now for our kids, growing up in a world of screens, social media and constant connection.
We talk about parenting differences, safety, school life and the nostalgia we both feel, what we think has been lost, and what might actually be better today.
It’s a warm, honest and funny conversation that will definitely take you back.
 
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We Need to Talk About the Manosphere

In this episode, we’re unpacking Louis Theroux’s documentary on the manosphere, and honestly, it’s a lot. We dive into the toxic beliefs being pushed online, the hypocrisy around things like OnlyFans, and the real-life damage these influencers are causing behind the scenes.
We talk about some of the most shocking interviews, the way vulnerable men are being targeted and manipulated, and how these figures are profiting from it all. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s important.
As mums, it also made us really reflect on raising boys in today’s world, the kind of role models they’re exposed to, and what we can actually do to protect them. We also touch on the responsibility of social media platforms and why they need to be doing more.
This is a big conversation, and one we think everyone should be having. If you haven’t watched the documentary yet, we really recommend it.Don't forget to follow us on instagram @thrivingandsurviving.pod

Raising Kids in the TikTok Era

In this episode, Grace shares the story of why she decided to ban her daughter Ava from social media after one of her TikTok videos went viral. What started as a fun moment quickly turned into a bigger conversation about how addictive these platforms can be and the impact they can have on kids’ sleep, confidence and mental health, especially when online hate becomes involved.
We talk honestly about influencer culture and the unrealistic expectations it creates for young people, from appearance standards to skincare trends that teenagers suddenly feel pressure to keep up with.
The conversation also turns to how different childhood was for us growing up in the 90s compared to the digital world children are navigating today. We discuss whether technology and even AI are starting to shape parenting decisions in ways we never expected.
We also explore some practical ideas parents are considering, like delaying smartphones, using non-internet phones for younger children and whether schools and parents could work together to create boundaries around social media.
It’s a real conversation about the challenges of raising children in a world where going viral can happen overnight.Don't forget to follow us on instagram @thrivingandsurviving.pod 

Our Honest Mother’s Day Chat

*Trigger warning, mentions baby loss*
In this episode we’re talking all about Mother’s Day. From our own plans and family traditions to the pressure that social media and commercialization can put on what the day “should” look like.
We share our personal experiences of motherhood, co-parenting, pregnancy, and loss, and how these experiences can bring up a mix of emotions when Mother’s Day comes around.
We also talk about the simple things that really matter. A lie in, a cup of tea, flowers, or just feeling appreciated. Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that mean the most.
Most importantly, we remind ourselves that appreciation for mums shouldn’t just happen once a year. And while it’s a special day for many, it can also be a difficult one for others, so approaching it with kindness and understanding is so important.
 
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Is Stay at Home Parenting Really Not Hard?

This week we’re responding to a viral clip that claimed being a stay at home parent “isn’t hard” and we have a lot to say about that.
We’ve both experienced different versions of motherhood. We’ve done long days at home with young children. We’ve navigated the shift back into part time work. And we can say this honestly: both are hard in different ways.
In this episode, we talk about what it actually feels like being home full time. The mental load. The constant touch. The overstimulation. The invisible admin. The guilt for wanting space. And then the guilt for enjoying work when you get it.
We unpack attachment theory and the conversation around nursery. Does it help? Does it harm? Or is the reality more nuanced than social media makes it?
We dive into the financial pressures families are under and how that shapes our choices more than we admit. We explore gender double standards and ask why women are still expected to absorb the emotional and physical toll of parenting while men are praised for doing the basics.
This isn’t a mum guilt episode. It’s an honest one.
Parenting isn’t one size fits all. Staying home isn’t easy. Working isn’t easy. And the real issue isn’t which path you choose, it’s the lack of support around either.
If you’ve ever felt exhausted, conflicted, judged, or like you’re failing no matter what you do, this episode is for you.
Don't forget to follow us on instagram @thrivingandsurviving.pod