Blended
Psychology & Relationships
About
Hosted by Kate Ferdinand, this podcast is a celebration of blended families - exploring the stories of relationships bound by love, no matter what their circumstances are. Covering subjects such as second marriages, divorce, grief and life after loss, adoption, fostering and (not-so-wicked!) stepmothers, Kate will champion different voices and experiences by speaking with experts, everyday people and celebrities in the public eye.
Episodes
- A Look Into My World: Welcome Home, Baby Shae!
The host shares a personal update about welcoming baby Shae, discussing the challenges of adjusting to life with a newborn, a toddler, and teenagers. The episode also covers the experience of Shae being born with congenital pneumonia.
- A Look Into My World: My Final Baby Prep and My Favourite Blended Moments
The host is going on maternity leave at 37 weeks pregnant and shares final baby preparations and favorite moments from the Blended season, including an update from the team. Listener discretion is advised due to a clip referencing miscarri…
- The Realities of IVF with Vicky Pattison
Vicky Pattison shares her experiences with IVF on the Blended podcast, detailing the physical and mental challenges, including a diagnosis of an ovarian cyst and her current feelings about pregnancy.
- Becoming Blended Through Displacement with Waad Al-Kateab
Waad Al-Kateab, filmmaker and activist, discusses the challenges of displacement due to war, resilience in motherhood, and building chosen families. The episode touches on the difficult decision to leave Aleppo for her family's safety and…
- A Look Into My World: Busy Weeks, Baby Prep and Answering Your Questions!
The host of Blended discusses recent busy weeks, including baby preparations, book launches, and birthdays, while also answering audience questions submitted via Instagram.
- What To Do If Your Blended Family Doesn’t Work Out With Nevine Coutry
Nevine Coutry discusses her experience with a blended family that ultimately didn't work out, finding the experience enriching and leading her to create 'Playdate', a dating app for single parents. She reflects on this bittersweet journey,…
- Social Media For Children & Managing Trauma with Psychotherapist Louis Weinstock
Psychotherapist Louis Weinstock joins Blended to discuss social media use for children and managing trauma. The episode covers navigating social media between households and the importance of parental self-care in helping children cope wit…
- A Look Into My World: Q&A with Rio
Kate Ferdinand hosts Rio for a Q&A episode of Blended, discussing their relationship's beginnings, how they've blended their lifestyles, and their methods for resolving arguments. The conversation includes honest answers and lighthearted b…
- Introducing… The Motherkind Podcast
This Blended episode features an interview from the Motherkind podcast where host Zoe Blaskey talks to Reshma Saujani. Saujani shares her evolved perspective on parenting and work, a shift from her previous focus on career advancement for…
- A Look Into My World: Releasing my Blended Books!
Kate Ferdinand announces the release of her new books, 'How To Build a Family' and 'The Family Tree.' 'How To Build a Family' is a handbook with expert advice for blended families, while 'The Family Tree' is a children's book designed to h…
- Learning to Parent in Your ’Second Life’ With Grace Victory
Grace Victory recounts her experience of being diagnosed with severe COVID-19, delivering her son via C-section while in emergency care, and subsequently falling into a coma. She discusses her recovery, the challenges of missing her son's…
- A Look Into My World: Holidays, Hospitals & Baby Brain
This episode of Blended covers recent life events including holidays and hospital visits, alongside a discussion about 'baby brain.' The host also shares an update on the relatable and interesting experiences with potty training.
- Advice from Dr Martha's Talking Sense Podcast
This episode shares advice from parenting expert Dr. Martha Deiros Collado, drawing from her podcast "Talking Sense." Key topics include preparing children for new siblings, understanding when childhood outbursts may stop, and navigating e…
- Growing Up with Foster Siblings and Becoming a Single Mother with Lydia Bright
Reality TV star Lydia Bright joins the podcast to share her experiences of growing up with foster siblings and becoming a single mother during the pandemic. She discusses the challenges and rewards of a blended family life.
- Blending Families Harmoniously and Co-Parenting with Rickie Haywood-Williams & Natalie Harman
Rickie Haywood-Williams and Natalie Harman join Blended to share their experiences with positive co-parenting and merging two families. They discuss navigating discipline, prioritizing couple time, and creating a harmonious blended family…
- Blending a Family from Rio Ferdinand's Perspective
In this episode of Blended, Rio Ferdinand shares his perspective on how his family has evolved, discusses his own experience growing up in a blended family, and explains how his upbringing impacts his current parenting decisions. The conve…
- Leaning Into Joy While Managing the Fear, Navigating Pregnancy After Loss
Zoe Clark-Coates MBE, an expert on grief and loss, shares advice from her book "Pregnancy After Loss" on managing the emotional complexities of carrying a child after experiencing loss.
- Planning Solo Parenthood with Liv Thorne
Liv Thorne shares her personal experience of becoming a solo mother via sperm donation, detailing the fertility treatments, financial aspects, and emotional journey. The conversation highlights that there are many ways to form a family, wi…
- A Look into My World: Rio and I Reflect On Mother’s Day
In this episode of Blended, the host and her husband Rio reflect on Mother's Day, discussing how their family has evolved and how their feelings of grief change over time. They offer a takeaway message of prioritizing individual needs and…
- Taking Time for Yourself to Benefit Your Family; Advice from Emily Samuel
Child psychotherapist Emily Samuel discusses practical strategies for parents on Blended, covering emotional management, grief, divorce, neurodiversity, and toddler tantrums.
- Why Everybody’s 'Normal' is Different with Lisa Timoney
Author Lisa Timoney joins Blended to discuss her experiences as an adopted individual and within blended family dynamics. Her story, centered around her novels, emphasizes a positive perspective on adoption and the idea that individual def…
- A Look into My World: Rio and I Reveal our Baby’s Gender
Hosts Rio and I discuss the gender of their baby on Blended, sharing the chaotic story of how they found out. The episode includes a family update and humorous anecdotes.
- The Importance of Embracing Heritage with Adrienne Herbert
Adrienne Herbert joins Blended to discuss celebrating diverse ethnicities in blended families and embracing one's authentic self. She shares her personal experience with her Jamaican heritage and offers advice for parents raising interraci…
- The Rewarding Reality of Fostering with Caz and Britney
Caz Bullivant and Britney Coole discuss the realities of fostering, sharing personal experiences about the challenges and rewards. Britney reflects on her childhood and how Caz influenced her own parenting, while Caz offers wisdom on conne…
- Roxie Nafousi Opens Up on How To Form a Positive Co-Parenting Relationship
This episode features author Roxie Nafousi discussing how to build positive co-parenting relationships, even after separation. Nafousi shares her journey, including overcoming addiction and prioritizing her son's happiness.
- How Loss Shaped My Blended Family with Emily Dean
Emily Dean, author of 'Everybody Died, So I Got a Dog,' shares her emotional story on the Blended podcast. After losing her sister and parents, she built a blended family with her nieces and friends.
- A Look into My World: A Personal Update
The Blended podcast host shares personal news: she is expecting another baby and is excited to document this journey on the podcast's mini-episodes. She invites listeners to follow the journey and the Blended community on Instagram.
- How to Effectively Engage With Your Children with Dr Martha Deiros Collado
This episode features clinical psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado discussing actionable advice for parents to engage with their children. Topics include managing anxiety, co-parenting challenges, and imposter syndrome, drawing from psyc…
- BONUS: How I've Created New Traditions in a Blended Family
This episode discusses the creation of new traditions within a blended family, particularly focusing on the first Christmas experience and strategies for managing stressful moments. It aims to leave listeners feeling calm and prepared for…
- BONUS: Managing the Expectations of Christmas with Emily Samuel
This Blended podcast minisode features child psychotherapist Emily Samuel discussing managing children's Christmas expectations, behavior, presents, and mental health, addressing listener questions.
- Navigating the world as a 'childless stepmum' with Alex Willumsen
Alex Willumsen discusses her journey as a childless stepmum on the Blended podcast. She shares her experiences and talks about founding the "Step by Step" support group for blended families, which caters to members with and without their o…
- BONUS: Tips for dealing with grief and loss during the festive season with Ann Chalmers
In this minisode of Blended, Ann Chalmers, CEO of Child Bereavement UK, offers advice on helping children and young people cope with grief and loss during the festive season. The episode addresses listener questions and provides guidance f…
- How being raised by a single mum has shaped me as a father with Babatunde Aléshé
Babatunde Aléshé shares how being raised by a single mother influenced his parenting style. The conversation also touches on blending cultures and discipline within the family.
- BONUS: Lisa Doodson Answers Your Christmas Questions
In this bonus episode, Professor Lisa Doodson returns to Blended to answer listener questions about managing Christmas with a blended family. Topics include splitting time, managing grief, creating new traditions, and balancing bio and ste…
- Starting a family at 16 years old with Chloe Patton
Chloe Patton of Teen Mom UK shares her experience becoming pregnant at 16, navigating teen parenthood with her partner Jordan, and embracing blended family life. She discusses overcoming postnatal depression and personal loss, highlighting…
- My Sister was our Surrogate with Brian Dowling
Brian Dowling shares his family's surrogacy journey with his sister Aoife and discusses the emotional highs and lows. He also touches on the sudden loss of his mother, emphasizing the deep connection between identity and family.
- Embracing Imposter Syndrome as a Step-Parent with Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton joins Blended to discuss the transition into parenthood, particularly as a step-parent. She shares insights on imposter syndrome, confidence fluctuations, and mental health, offering advice on embracing all aspects of parenti…
- Does being a Step-Parent get easier over time? with Lynsey Hipgrave
On the Blended podcast, Lynsey Hipgrave shares her journey as a step-parent, discussing the transition into a blended family, the importance of co-parenting communication, and navigating media attention. She emphasizes that family life imp…
- Blending Biological and Foster Families with Jimmy Akingbola
Jimmy Akingbola shares his experiences growing up in foster care with parents of different ethnicities and reflects on his documentary 'Handle with Care'. He discusses processing abandonment and his blended upbringing, expressing gratitude…
- Fatherhood in a Blended family with Bodé Aboderin
Bodé Aboderin, author of 'Fatherhood', joins Blended to discuss contemporary fatherhood and masculinity. The episode offers advice for parents in blended families on integrating new siblings and maintaining one-on-one connections.
- Domestic Abuse with Phoenix Brown
In this episode of Blended, Phoenix Brown bravely discusses her experiences with domestic violence and emotional abuse from her childhood. She shares how escaping the abusive relationship her mother was in impacted her and her current work…
- Black Mums Upfront with Carina White, Natalie Duvall, and Nana-Adwoa Mbeutcha
In this episode of Blended, hosts Carina White, Natalie Duvall, and Nana-Adwoa Mbeutcha discuss the Black Motherhood experience in the UK, sharing their diverse perspectives on blended families and navigating cultural differences.
- Advice for Baby Loss Awareness Week
This episode provides bonus advice from Zoe Clarke Coates on baby loss, miscarriage, and pregnancy after loss, offering support during Baby Loss Awareness Week. Resources like babyloss-awareness.org and sayinggoodbye.org are mentioned for…
- Estrangement with Robyn Donaldson
Robyn Donaldson, an interior designer, writer, and influencer, shares her experiences with family estrangement from her mother and the profound impact of losing her grandmother, who served as a maternal figure. The episode touches upon the…
- Blended Families & Cultures with Ellie & Sonia Prohan
Ellie Prohan and her mother Sonia discuss their experiences with displacement due to war, resilience, and solo parenting, highlighting themes of strength, love, and acceptance within their blended family and cultures.
- Life After Loss… Breaking the stigma of Baby Loss with Zoe Clark-Coates
Zoe Clark-Coates, author and grief counselor, shares her experience with baby loss and discusses her work founding The Mariposa Trust. The episode offers resources and advice for individuals and loved ones affected by baby loss.
- Opening Up About Miscarriage
The host of Blended discusses her recent miscarriage, sharing her experience and feelings in an effort to help others who may be going through similar struggles.
- Co-Parenting with Krept and Sasha Ellese
Krept and Sasha Ellese share their co-parenting journey and the launch of their new children's skincare brand, Nala's Baby. They discuss juggling parenthood with running a business and offer advice for new co-parents.
- Father’s Day Special
This Father's Day Special episode of Blended features Kate sharing stories from contributors about navigating the holiday after experiencing pregnancy loss, fertility struggles, or the death of loved ones. The episode includes advice from…
- How To Be a Happy Stepparent With Professor Lisa Doodson
Professor Lisa Doodson, founder of Happy Steps, shares insights on steparenting challenges and strategies on the Blended podcast. The episode addresses common feelings of inadequacy and offers tools for building a happy blended family, inc…