Be a Happier Parent
Kids & Family
About
What does parenting do to us? Why do we do it? Why is there such a huge gap between what we think parenting will be and what it is? What are the jobs of Mums and Dads now: What’s a dad when he’s no longer just a provider, what’s a mum when she quite often is? Why, when we think having children will bring us together, does it so often push us apart? How do I know what to teach and model for my children when I don’t know what the world is going to look like in...
Episodes
- Ep 33: Do Less to Be More with Leah Ruppanner
This episode features Leah Ruppanner discussing social norms, gender roles, and the mental load. The conversation covers empirical research, societal expectations, and practical strategies for creating more balanced lives for both women an…
- Ep 32: Emotional Masculinity with Matt Salis
In this interview, Matt Salis discusses the concept of emotional masculinity. He explores strategies for men to foster emotional safety, vulnerability, and intimacy, and examines the role of these qualities in modern parenting and relation…
- Ep 31: Hidden Forces Behind Mothers' Choices with Corinne Low
Corinne Low discusses how societal norms, biological factors, and economic forces influence gender roles, career choices, and parenting. The episode covers structural barriers to equality, the evolution of fatherhood, and strategies for sh…
- Ep 30: The Stories We Tell Our Children with Francesca Cavallo
Francesca Cavallo joins the Be a Happier Parent podcast to discuss the importance of redefining masculinity through new narratives. The conversation covers the role of storytelling, emotional intelligence, consent, and male solidarity in s…
- Ep 29: Why is she the only one thinking about it? with Allison Daminger
Allison Daminger joins the podcast to discuss cognitive labor, mental load, and the impact of gender roles on household dynamics and parenting. They explore how societal expectations and personal essentialism influence the equity of family…
- Ep 28: The History of Marriage with Stephanie Coontz
Stephanie Coontz explores the history of marriage, noting its original purpose as a social connection between groups and how societal changes, particularly the rise of the breadwinner ideal, have reshaped relationships. The discussion high…
- Ep 27: The Arguments Every Couple Should Have with Divorce Lawyer turned Couples Therapist Joanna Harrison
Joanna Harrison, transitioning from divorce law to couples therapy, discusses the importance of communication and essential arguments for healthy relationships. She highlights how navigating conflict, understanding different parenting styl…
- Ep 26: The Philosophy of Care with Elissa Strauss
Elissa Strauss explores the philosophy of care, highlighting the importance of dependency in relationships and parenting. She argues that self-actualization is often a communal process, challenging the myth of independence and examining ge…
- Ep 25: The Joy of the Juggle with Dolly Jones
Dolly Jones shares her insights on the joys and challenges of working parenthood, addressing societal guilt, the importance of empathy and communication, and the value of caregiving.
- Ep 24: The Damaging Myth of the "Natural Mother" with Rose Stokes
Alex and Rose discuss the multifaceted journey of parenthood, exploring challenges, societal pressures, and the importance of trusting instincts and partner communication.
- Ep 23: Can We Parent Without Shame? With Elisabeth Harrod
Elisabeth Harrod and Alex discuss parenting dynamics, focusing on dads, emotional regulation, and the impact of shame. They emphasize allowing children to learn from mistakes, fostering self-worth, and navigating gender differences in pare…
- Ep 22: What we ALL want for Christmas with Rachel Childs and Kate Mangino
The episode explores evolving gender roles in parenting, the impact of traditional expectations on men and women, and the necessity of open conversations and shared emotional labor. It emphasizes redefining parenting scripts and challengin…
- Ep 21: Strength, Grief and Trust with Dr Anna Whitwham
This episode features a discussion between Alex and Anna Whitwham on masculinity, identity, and vulnerability, referencing Anna's book "Soft Tissue Damage." They explore how literature reflects the evolution of male identity, the impact of…
- Ep 20: How to be a Great Husband with Brian Page
Brian Page explores how men's involvement in household tasks and shared domestic labor can increase marital satisfaction and personal happiness. The episode covers the Fair Play system for task efficiency, emotional labor in managing a hom…
- Ep 19: Can We Build Resilience? With Tim Curtis
Tim Curtis explains that resilience is built through adversity and stress, highlighting the importance of struggle, free play, and community for children's development. He also touches on the impact of technology and the value of parental…
- Ep 18: Trauma, Healing and Change with Ben May
In this episode, Alex Trippier and Ben May explore the complexities of grief, trauma, and identity, discussing how personal experiences and societal expectations influence our healing processes. They emphasize the importance of communicati…
- Ep 17: What Happens When Dads are Put in Charge? With Dr Marte Bergan
This episode discusses Norway's cultural and governmental factors promoting gender equality, particularly through parental leave and the "daddy quota." It examines the changing roles of fathers in childcare, potential relationship resentme…
- Ep 16: How Not to Hate Your Partner with Jancee Dunn
Jancee Dunn shares insights on marriage and parenthood, discussing communication breakdowns, the transition to parenthood, and the importance of couples therapy and clear roles.
- Ep 15: Teenagers and the Wonder and Delight of Uncertainty with Rachel Kelly
Rachel Kelly explores the complexities of parenting teenagers, emphasizing the importance of self-relationship, connection, and understanding. The conversation highlights navigating parental needs, the illusion of control, societal expecta…
- Ep 14: Get Better at Being Angry with Sam Parker
This episode discusses anger as a multifaceted emotion influenced by gender and societal norms, emphasizing healthy expression, emotional awareness, and its role in relationships and parenting.
- Ep 13: Navigating Postnatal Depression with Sally Bunkham
Alex Trippier speaks with Sally from the Pandas Foundation about parenting challenges, mental health, and postnatal depression. They discuss the complexities of autism, family dynamics, and the importance of support systems for parents, in…
- Ep 12: Breadwinners and Caregivers with Melissa Hogenboom
Melissa Hogenboom and Alex Trippier explore the dynamics of power, status, and gender roles in parenting and relationships, discussing societal norms and evolving parental roles. Melissa Hogenboom touches on "faux power," while Alex Trippi…
- Ep 11: The Big Gender Gap with Rowan Whitehead
This episode explores the gender gap in parenting, focusing on how societal pressures contribute to burnout in mothers. It discusses the need for shared domestic responsibilities, the impact of emotional labor and weaponized incompetence,…
- Ep 10: Let Go of Great Parenting with Amiee Carlton
Alex Trippier speaks with Amiee Carlton about the pressures of modern parenting, including blame culture and perfectionism. They emphasize self-awareness, understanding children's needs over control, and adapting to socioeconomic influence…
- Ep 9: What Do Dads Do? with Steve Biddulph
Steve Biddulph explores the changing landscape of fatherhood, emphasizing the developmental needs of boys and the importance of emotional intelligence and mentorship. He touches on the impact of industrialization, the significance of vulne…
- Ep 8: The Magic of Caregiving with Elissa Strauss
Alex Trippier and Elissa Strauss explore the emotional complexities of motherhood, feminism, and caregiving. They discuss the evolving roles of men in parenting and the societal structures affecting caregivers, emphasizing the need for com…
- Ep 7: Psychological Growth in Parenthood with Lisa Marchiano
This episode features a conversation with Lisa Marchiano about Jungian psychology and motherhood, exploring themes of individuation, the importance of meaning, and the psychological challenges and growth experienced in parenting.
- Ep 6: The Impossible Age of Masculinity with Ruth Whippman
This episode discusses the complexities of parenting boys today, covering topics like gender language, emotional development, societal pressures, screen time, and consent. It highlights the challenges and ethical dilemmas parents face and…
- Ep 5: Redefining Fatherhood with Alex Lloyd Hunter
Alex Lloyd Hunter discusses the evolving role of fathers and the need for improved UK paternity leave policies. The conversation covers challenges for new fathers, societal expectations, and the importance of emotional connection, advocati…
- Ep 4: The Metamorphosis of Parenthood with Lucy Jones
This episode features a conversation between Lucy Jones and Alex on the complexities of motherhood, covering emotional transitions, societal expectations, childbirth realities, breastfeeding struggles, and mental health impacts. The dialog…
- Ep 3: Understanding our Partners with Dr Emma Svanberg
Dr. Emma Svanberg joins the podcast to discuss the complexities of parenting, emphasizing the importance of shared values, navigating differing parenting styles, and understanding individual backgrounds. The conversation covers societal ex…
- Ep 2: The Myths of Motherhood with Nancy Reddy
Nancy Reddy joins Alex Trippier to discuss the evolving ideals of parenting, particularly the critique of attachment theory's scientific backing. They explore the historical context, modern pressures on mothers, the role of fathers, and th…
- Ep 1: Finding Fairness with Eve Rodsky
Eve Rodsky discusses her book Fair Play, highlighting the division of household labor and its impact on relationships and parenting. The conversation covers accountability, invisible labor, and the concept of unicorn space for personal ful…