This week, Wendy and Alison are beyond thrilled to welcome Adam Kay, the former doctor turned bestselling author, who joins them to chat about his unique journey into fatherhood. Adam opens up about the joys and challenges of raising two toddlers born just four months apart through surrogacy. He offers candid insights into the realities of fatherho…

“The Acolyte” is a cop procedural, right?? That’s our working thesis this week as we recap episode two, “Revenge / Justice,” which opens on a locked-room murder scene, and introduces fascinating new allies and enemies. This week, we dive deep into Mae’s revenge and Torbin’s justice—maybe. The Acolyte continues to twist our perceptions of what’s rea…

In a perfect galaxy, where our in-universe chronology could stretch uninterrupted, this would be our very first podcast episode. So…welcome to Growing Up Skywalker! We’re typewritering back in time to watch “The Acolyte” (2024). The season premiere, “Lost / Found,” invites us to ask about the elitism of the Jedi, the seeds of fascism, and the good …

In the final episode of this mini series, brought to you by Aldi Mamia, hosts Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry are talking about preparing for the arrival of a baby. It’s a journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and a fair share of nerves. Our guest on this episode is Marie Louise aka The Modern Midwife. Marie Louise is the author of The Mode…

Weaning can be one of the most daunting milestones for new parents. The transition from milk to solid foods is filled with questions, uncertainties, and often, stress. But what if we told you it doesn't have to be that way? Discover the secrets to stress-free weaning with Charlotte Stirling-Reed, Sunday Times best-selling author of "How to Wean You…

Freed from the tiny little raccoon hands of the Ewoks, our heroes immediately split up and start really moving the needle on the main plot of the Original Trilogy. Buckle in losers, we've got a redemption arc, a Death Star to destroy, and heroic (carnivorous) teddy bears! After 160 episodes of Growing Up Skywalker, we finally hit the end of the Ori…

The first half of "Return of the Jedi" is a who's who of who dies how on Jabba's sail barge. It also gives us the perfect opportunity to zoom out and discuss Luke's Hero's Journey and his 5 Jedi Trials, the big picture of galactic conflict, Leia's rebrand to Huttslayer, and teeny-weeny bikinis. Did Anna or did Anna not read an entire doctoral thesi…

Transforming Baby Sleep: Expert Tips from Eve Squires Welcome to another episode of a brand new Netmums Podcast mini series: Milestone Moments, brought to you by Aldi Mamia. Looking at some of the biggest milestones for new parents, our hosts Alison Perry and Wendy Golledge will be having bite sized chats with experts. On this episode we are lookin…

Welcome to Cloud City! This week, we’re covering 01:06:33 all the way to the end of “The Empire Strikes Back.” The Original Trilogy flexes its operatic muscles and hits on deep themes of family, loyalty, individuality, and fate. The second half of “The Empire Strikes Back” is massively influential and changes the entire course of Star Wars. But how…

Welcome to the first episode of a brand new Netmums Podcast mini series: Milestone Moments, brought to you by Aldi Mamia. Looking at some of the biggest milestones for new parents, our hosts Alison Perry and Wendy Golledge will be having bite sized chats with experts. On this first episode we are looking at potty training! It can be a right old rol…

The Rebellion struck..and The Empire Strikes Back. This week, join us for 00:00 to 01:06:33—the first half of 1980’s “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.” On a freezing planet, the Rebellion bides its time. On a swamp and fleeing through an asteroid belt, the Rebels run from enemies and dive into mystery. The first half of Empire Strikes Back sets …

We’re carrying the wisdom of 150+ episodes of Growing Up Skywalker into our viewing of the second half of 1977’s “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Turns out, we’re super jaded about Luke and Han shooting down a measly 4 TIE fighters—but Leia’s sass will never get old. This week, we’re diving into Star Wars archetypes, tropes, and sacred plotlines. We’re als…

Hello there! Welcome from a new point of view.After more than three years watching Star Wars in universe chronology, we hit the grandaddy of it all: 1977’s “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Watching this film with the context of everything that has come before it makes for an absolutely extraordinary viewing experience.Join us for 00:00 to 01:05:49—right wh…

Rogue One's second half starts with a crash and gets wilder from there. From 56:17 on, we string together heroic space battles, Vietnam war techniques, and Star Wars’ classically atrocious file-sharing practices. We do, indeed, both cry about X-wings. But now, the real question. Does this Growing Up Skywalker experiment work? Is the strict internal…

Welcome to the magnificent, galaxy-sweeping, planet-shattering Rogue One (Part One). From its first scenes, "Rogue One" carries weight. This week, we watched until 56:17, when Cassian’s crew lands on Eadu, and talk through the thematic ties between Andor and Rogue One, the film’s critical reception, and deep dives into our main characters: Cassian,…

Well, that's it. Rebels is done. What a ride! From the epic action to the thrilling post-war coda, this episode encapsulated the true meaning of rebellion. We cried (a lot). "Family Reunion - And Farewell" (Season 4, Episode 15) pulls together everything the Rebels needed to pull off the biggest mission they've ever undertaken—the polestar of the w…

This is the final countdown…before the end of Rebels!! Everything comes together in these episodes: Ahsoka, Ezra, Palpatine, the past, the future, and the necessity of sacrifice. In "A World Between Worlds" (Season 4, Episode 13), we get the answer to Ahsoka’s fate from waaaaaay back in Season 3. (SHE LIVES!!!) As Ezra is forced into a devastating …

Welcome to our most mystical, magical episode of Rebels (and Growing Up Skywalker…and probably Star Wars) ever. “Dume” and “Wolves and a Door” (Rebels S4, 11–12) bring back the mysteries of the Mortis Arc and take us deep into the heart of Force magic. We guess about the connection between Kanan and the Loth-wolf Dume, and question what Palpatine w…

In this week's episode of The Netmums Podcast, Wendy and Alison are joined by double Olympic champion and winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Dame Kelly Holmes. Dame Kelly opens up about her early years, growing up as a mixed-race child in Kent, and the pivotal moments that shaped her. From being inspired by her PE teacher to joining the …

X-wings and Major Plot Development, here we come. The rebel assault in "Rebel Assault" (Rebels S4, 9) goes off with a bang, but then goes down in flames. With our heroes on the run or worse, the Loth-wolves have important information to share with Kanan. However, "Jedi Night"(Rebels S4,10) breaks the mold about what a star wars episode is, and we a…

Passionate about taking therapy out of the therapy room, psychotherapist Anna Mathur is widely celebrated for her accessible mental health advice and light-bulb moments she offers mothers on Instagram and in her popular parenting books such as "Mind Over Mother" and "Know Your Worth." Anna shares her personal experience with burnout and emphasises …

On all levels except physical, this episode is just wolves. We delve deeper into Loth-wolf lore in “Kindred” and “Crawler Commandeers” (Rebels S4, 7–8) as we learn they can step across space and time…and drop our intrepid heroes in the path of sinister Imperial plots on Lothal. As the Rebellion’s invasion of Lothal approaches, TIE Defenders may be …

In this week's episode of the Netmums Podcast, Wendy Gollage and Alison Perry tackle the the quest for balance between parenting and personal health with Jenni Falconer. Broadcaster, running enthusiast, podcaster and author of "Runners High," Jenni shares the transformative power of running on both body and mind. This episode covers Jenni’s maratho…

A tension has settled over Lothal. The Empire has locked down the entire planet, and is debuting the new and improved TIE defender. Fortunately, this gives Sabine and Ezra pretty much every chance to shine. In our recap of “The Occupation” and “Flight of the Defender” (Rebels S4, 5–6) we talk about Loth-wolves, environmentalism, and the fever pitch…

Parenting is a journey with its own set of challenges. But when you add special educational needs into the mix, that journey takes a unique turn. This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy Gollage and Alison Perry are joined by comedy writer and producer Ashley Blaker, a father of six, three of whom have special educational needs. Ashley is not only a…

It’s iconic vistas time. For the first time in Star Wars chronology, welcome to Yavin 4! Joining back up with the rest of the Phoenix cell on Yavin 4 for the first time, our heroes are once again confronted with doing good versus doing right. When Saw Gerrera shows back up to solve problems his way, we're brought along as well! “In the Name of the …

On this week’s episode of The Netmums Podcast we get a taste of the chaotic world of a parent and entrepreneur: Tom Skinner; star of The Apprentice, and a father of 3 sits down with Wendyand Alison to chat about raising three young kids, including a pair of twins. Tom shares his rollercoaster journey from boardroom battles with Lord Sugar to the ne…

While the Phoenix cell was getting obliterated on Atollon last week, war was brewing on Mandalore. Joining Clan Wren and the Protectors is our favorite redhead (besides Anna)—Bo-Katan Kryze! In "Heroes of Mandalore" (Rebels S4, Ep. 1–2) we talk about Mandalorian warrior culture, the ethics of imperialism, the darksaber, and the importance of family…

“No snowflake thinks they’ve caused the avalanche”. This episode of the Netmums Podcast dives into mental health, online culture, and finding balance in the avalanche of social media. Wendy Gollage and Alison Perry welcome Zara McDermott, a media personality and documentary maker, to discuss the digital age's impact on our children and society. Fro…

Welcome to the end of Rebels Season 3. In the most cinematic Rebels episodes yet, “Zero Hour” (Rebels S3, Ep. 21–22) brings all the elements of Season 3 crashing together. In our recap, we tally up the wins and losses for the Rebellion and the Empire, wonder what people across the galaxy think about it, and talk about the Bendu’s fate. We also pick…

Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry sit down with the remarkable Liz Earle, a true beacon in the wellness industry with over three decades of experience. Liz, a (now Sunday Times) best-selling author, TV presenter, and podcast host, dives deep into the transformative journey of midlife, discussing her latest triumph, 'A Better Second Half'. Liz's messa…

It’s the final countdown…to the duel that took 30 years to finish. This week, we have special guest Tim Beisiegel of the FSF Popcast on the show to talk about the final duel between Maul and Obi-Wan Kenobi. We talked all about THAT DUEL THO, in addition to the prophecy of the Chosen One, the end of Darth Maul’s journey, the significance of these tw…

Alison Perry is flying solo in this episode and sits down with TV presenter and property developer, Laura Hamilton. Known for whisking hopeful homeowners to dreamy locales on "A Place in the Sun," Laura, mum of two, spills her best-kept secrets for travelling with kids, from essential travel gear to encouraging adventurous eating. Laura talks about…

Welcome to the Rebel Alliance. “Secret Cargo” (Rebels S3, Ep. 18) starts off with a bang and finishes with Mon Mothma—last seen in Andor—calling for each rebel cell to unite. But to get there, the Spectres have to fly through a nebula, chased by Thrawn’s TIE Defender, and barely escape with their lives. Sam cried so much at all of this. We also mad…

Wendy and Alison are joined by Dr. Chris Van Tulleken, infectious diseases doctor and familiar face from CBBC's Operation Ouch. Chris discusses his latest book, "Ultra Processed People," which dives into the world of ultra-processed foods and their profound impact on our health, especially that of our children. Chris unpacks the definition of ultra…

The darksaber saga continues! Following up on the stellar darksaber training montages of last week, "Legacy of Mandalore" (Rebels S3, Ep. 16) brings Sabine and her family into direct conflict—over Satine’s past mistakes and her potential to lead all Mandalorians. Will found family fight blood? We dive deep into Mandalorian culture and the futility …

This episode of the Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Johnson's Baby, the family favourite brand that's gentle on babys’ skin. In this episode of The Netmums Podcast, hosts Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry delve into the often-exhausting world of baby sleep with the award-winning parenting and baby sleep expert, Heidi Skudder. With a wealth of ex…

“Trials of the Darksaber” (Rebels S3, Ep. 15) is, quite simply, one of the tightest-scripted, haunting, and beautiful episodes of Rebels so far. And “Warhead” (Ep. 14) is a delightful buddy cop special feat. Zeb and AP-5. This week, we dive deep into the lore of lightsabers and darksabers. We talk about what it means to wield the Force, rather than…

Have you ever wanted to spend half an hour debating the moral calculus of war and the conflicting ethics embodied by Saw Gerrera? Boy are you in the right place! In “Ghosts of Geonosis,” Rebels’ mid-season 3 arc, we do a deep dive into fanaticism, rebellion, and the meta-narrative of a character who has been in just about every single Star Wars ser…

Not to dunk on it too badly, but so little of note happened in “The Wynkahthu Job” (Rebels S3, Ep. 9) that we added “Visions and Voices” (Rebels S3, Ep. 11) to our watch this week. Combined, these episodes show that there are two Boomers inside of you—a Hondo and a Maul—and you become the one you feed. We spend quality time on Dathomir getting hass…

Joining Alison and Wendy on this final episode of series 12 of the Netmums podcast is the nation's favourite PE teacher, Joe Wicks. In his third appearance on the podcast, Joe opens up about his love of the chaos that comes with an expanding family, from the trials of travelling with toddlers, to how he and his wife Rosie navigate meal times. Joe d…

Do you want to know everything there is to know about Mandalorian internal politics? You’re in luck! In our discussion of “Imperial Supercommandos” (Rebels S3, Ep. 7) we explore Mandalorian clans, the Protectors of Concord Dawn, family loyalty, treason, and responsibility. Star Wars was only mostly samurai-inspired before this! On the flip side, “I…

Welcome to a “Best of Thrawn” homage. In “Hera’s Heroes” (Rebels S3, Ep. 5) we talk all about the grandest art appropriator of them all—and how art theft is a theft of self. In the second installment this week,”The Last Battle,” we get a deeply ominous situation which ends up being DELIGHTFULLY silly. We see the Clone Wars from the other side—from …

In this episode of The Netmums Podcast, Alison Perry flies solo to bring us a delightful conversation with Rebecca Wilson, the Sunday Times bestselling author and culinary maestro behind "Budget Family Food." With a focus on feeding families in a budget-friendly way, Rebecca shares her journey from a new mum seeking a creative outlet to a social me…

In this episode of The Netmums Podcast, hosts Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry chat to the multi-talented Ben Miller. Known for his work in "The Armstrong and Miller Show," "Death in Paradise," and "Bridgerton," Ben is also a bestselling children's author. His latest book, "Diary of a Big Bad Wolf," turns classic fairytales on their heads, offering …

Fate in the Star Wars universe: Can you escape it? Does free will exist? All these questions and more come up during “The Holocrons of Fate” (Rebels Season 3, Ep. 3) as our heroes have to contend once again with an angry Maul. We also dance around some of the setup and payoff for the events of the original trilogy in “The Antilles Extraction” (Rebe…

*Content warning* This episode covers personal experience of baby loss and mental health issues, and the importance of seeking support. If you or someone you know is struggling with maternal mental health in the UK, support is available: online platforms like Netmums' forum provide a safe space for parents to connect, share experiences, and seek ad…

And you thought we were anxious during the Rebels S2 finale! After a six-month time skip, everyone has new hair and new vibes. We’re also introduced to two new characters: the Bendu (iconic, btw) and GRAND. ADMIRAL. THRAWN. We talk about Thrawn’s canon importance, the nature of the Force, and absentee parents. We also question when a healthy relati…

"I almost think that when you become a single mum, you become part of this club." This week on The Netmums Podcast, Wendy and Alison are joined by the effervescent (and very chatty!) Lydia Bright, who has journeyed from reality TV fame on 'The Only Way Is Essex' to the challenges and triumphs of solo motherhood. Lydia opens up about the unexpected …

In the Rebels Season 2 finale, the Force users of the Rebels crew head to Malachor to find answers. However, between a new Inquisitor, MAUL, DARTH VADER, and a ton of lightsaber fighting, things get pretty scary this week too! But whose twilight is this? Depa Billaba’s apprentice, recently blinded? Palpatine’s apprentice, shaken in faith? Kanan Jar…