MUMBELIEVABLE with Sonia Beldom
MUMBELIEVABLE is a funny and insightful podcast about our maddening, mixed up and marvellous mums. When Sonia's mum, Margaret, was sectioned at age 80 and placed in a secure care home, she finally understood her mum’s neuro diversity and their fun-filled relationship flourished for the last ten years of Margaret’s life. The inspiration for MUMBELIEVABLE comes from the hit blog soniasmum, which featured their hilarious conversations and back story. Inspired by hundreds of people sharing their own anecdotes, MUMBELIEVABLE was born.In each episode Sonia invites a famous face to talk about their relationship with their own mother, from the fu...
S1 E19 · Wed, September 18, 2024
Danny Clarke growing to love my mum
Danny Clarke is a British Garden Designer who shot to fame in 2015 as BBC’s Instant Gardener aged 58. When he branded himself “The Black Gardener” everything went crazy and he was in demand and discovered as an emerging television star. He has also graced our screens with a host of popular garden makeover shows and horticultural advice. In 2019, he joined the ITV ‘This Morning’ team presenting colourful and creative garden transformations. Danny is now a member of Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden team, the current season being televised on ITV. November 2021 saw Danny co-present a unique garden makeover show on 5Star/Channel 5, Filthy Garden SOS. Despite a troubled childhood with a difficult mother who used to beat him and subject him to emotional abuse, Danny is committed to help bring change and harmony to young people and disadvantaged communities by encouraging them into horticulture ana into a good relationship with our planet. His father came to England aged 20 and spent a lot of time away from his young family while on active duty and leave. He also runs his own bespoke garden design company, the Black Gardener and co-directs CIC Grow 2 Know, who are committed to bringing horticulture to young people and disadvantaged communities. His story is a bittersweet tale of a child who grew up convinced his mother didn’t love him, never having his birthdays celebrated or his parents telling him they were proud of him. But all this has shaped him into a strong, caring grandfather and business man who inspires everyone he meets. 00.0 00.00 Introduction to Danny Clark and his gardening journey 02.51 The Impact of gardening on mental health 06.05 Reflection on family and dhildhood trauma 12.13 Understanding maternal relationships and their complicated links 17.49 The journey of forgiveness and acceptance 24.06 Legacy and lessons from motherhood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E18 · Wed, August 28, 2024
Martine Croxall - when your mum hits the headlines
Martine Croxall is a journalist and TV news presenter, currently working for the BBC. Her tenure at the beeb has not been without incident. She was suspended for 11 days for an impartiality review after a comment she made about Boris Johnson withdrawing from the Conservative party leadership contest being "very exciting". She was reinstated but later, along with a number of other journalists, was axed from her presenting job. She sued the BBC for discrimination on a number of grounds and she's back on the air. Sonia finds out about Martine's background and the influence of her parents but particularly her mother. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E17 · Wed, August 14, 2024
Edd China and the world's fastest sofa
Edd China is the quintessential British eccentric; TV presenter, inventor, engineering product designer and Wheeler Dealers’ favourite mechanic. Fixing things, Engineering Product Design, innovation and mechanical engineering are what make him tick. Always keen to connect things that aren't normally connected, he created the World's first street legal driving sofa in 1998; the ‘Casual Lofa’, which got him his first Guinness World Record for “Fastest Furniture” at 87mph! Since then he’s gone on to set many other records, most recently; World's Fastest Electric Ice Cream Van revolutionising the industry by developing the World's first all electric ice cream van. In Mumbelievable he talks to Sonia about the influence his dynamic mother had on him and how she stopped him becoming a top sportsman instead of the career he chose. Sonia was his producer on the successful Panic Mechanic tv show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E16 · Wed, July 31, 2024
Andrew Pierce on his two mums, Betty and Margaret
In this deeply moving and personal episode, Sonia Beldom interviews Andrew Pierce, a journalist and political pundit, about his latest book, 'Finding Margaret, Solving the Mystery of My Birth Mother.' Pierce shares his heart-wrenching journey of being adopted by his loving mum, Betty, while also uncovering the story of his birth mother, Margaret, an Irish nurse. The conversation delves into the challenges of adoption, the quest for identity, and the emotional reunions that shaped Andrew's understanding of family and heritage. This episode offers a poignant look at the extraordinary lives of the two women who made Andrew who he is today. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Background 00:35 Introducing Andrew Pierce and His Book 01:08 Andrew's Adoption Story 02:49 Margaret's Struggles and Sacrifices 05:11 Discovering the Truth About Margaret 06:49 The Search for Margaret 10:03 Reuniting with Margaret 16:00 Reflecting on Family and Identity 21:25 A Letter Published in the Daily Mirror 22:15 Family Reactions and Emotional Impact 24:14 Career Beginnings and Family Support 26:15 Reflections on Adoption and Family Bonds 30:07 Traits and Characteristics from Both Mothers 32:50 Memorable Moments and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E15 · Wed, July 17, 2024
Ian Shaw on his mum's agoraphobia, Tupperware parties and keeping secrets
In this episode of 'Mumbelievable,' host Sonia welcomes renowned jazz singer Ian Shaw to share heartfelt and humorous stories about his mother, Megan. From her life in North Wales and her eccentric ways to her struggle with agoraphobia, Ian's recounting of his childhood is both touching and amusing. The episode delves into Megan's influence on Ian's musical journey, her remarkable red hair, and her battle with agoraphobia. Ian talks about how his mother's unique character had a profound impact on his life and career. The episode wraps up with Sonia's 'Mini Mum Survey,' where Ian reflects on the funniest, most cringe-worthy, and most admirable aspects of his mum. Ian was born in St Asaph in North Wales and took his music degree at the University of London. His career in performance began in the 1980s on the alternative cabaret circuit, alongside such performers as Julian Clary and Jo Brand. At the same time, he was playing in piano bars and at festivals in London and throughout Europe. He is the host of International Ronnie Scott's Radio. 00:00 Introduction to Mumbelievable Podcast 00:42 Guest Introduction: Ian Shaw 01:46 Ian Shaw's Mother: Megan's Story 02:16 Musical Family Background 03:29 Eccentricities and Agoraphobia 05:04 Food Memories and Eating Disorders 06:26 Neighbourhood Characters and Childhood Memories 08:48 Unfulfilled Talents and Rejection Letters 14:23 Funny Misunderstandings and Mix-ups 16:25 Funny Group Names and TV Concepts 17:02 Memories of Barbara Windsor 17:59 Mother's Agoraphobia and Support 21:06 Post-War Generational Issues 25:06 Cherished Memories and Voices 29:26 Mini Mum Survey 31:44 Conclusion and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E14 · Wed, July 03, 2024
David Baddiel - Mum’s porno poetry nearly ruined my life
David Baddiel's latest book is all about his family and much of the narrative concerns his Mumbelievable mother. You possibly won't believe some of the stories about her but they're true. Sonia shares mum stories with David - two women who were in some ways similar but in reality poles apart. This is a must listen! In this episode of Mumbelievable, host Sonia Beldom talks with comedian, author, and television presenter David Baddiel about his new book "My Family: The Memoir" They dive into the quirky and often embarrassing antics of their mothers, sharing stories that are both hilarious and poignant. David recounts his mother's obsession with golf memorabilia and her affair with a collector, revealing the complexity of her character and the unusual upbringing he experienced. They also discuss the challenges and joys of having eccentric, transgressive mothers and how these relationships shaped their lives. Sonia and David celebrate the vivid, flawed, and ultimately lovable personalities of their mums, weaving humour and heartfelt moments into their conversation. 00:00 Introduction to Mumbelievable podcast 00:27 Meet David Baddiel: A Comedian's Tale 01:44 Embarrassing Mum Stories 02:07 The Truth About Family Dynamics 07:20 The Golf Obsession and David White 10:31 A Mother's Fantasies and Realities 14:27 The Impact of Trauma and War 22:20 Reflections on a Flawed but Beloved Mother 22:40 The Complexity of Maternal Love 23:32 A Mother's Eccentricities and Love 24:25 The Impact of a Mother's Actions 25:11 Family Dynamics and Mental Health 27:38 Parental Neglect and Personal Growth 31:15 Humour as a Coping Mechanism 33:49 Exploring Maternal Sexuality 37:55 The Blurred Lines of Truth and Fiction 44:38 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E13 · Wed, June 26, 2024
Zeb Soanes announces his Mumbelievable Mum
Zebedee Soanes, was born in Lowestoft in Suffolk. Zeb is a British radio presenter, you’ll recognise the voice, who hosts the weekday evening music show Relaxing Evenings with Zeb Soanes on Classic FM. He was previously a newsreader and continuity announcer on BBC Radio 4. He presents live concerts, specialising in narrated orchestral work. He’s also published the children’s book series Gaspard the Fox . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E12 · Tue, June 11, 2024
Judi Spiers on her Mumbelievable mum
Judi Spiers, the amazing broadcaster on tv and radio (currently Boom Radio), has a whole raft of stories to share with Sonia about her mum. From the Buckingham Palace garden party story to the Passover recipe she demonstrated on Judi's tv show, Judi is clearly a chip of the old block! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E11 · Wed, May 29, 2024
Frank Allen searches for memories of his Mum
Frank Allen was a leading light, well actually, bass guitar with the 60s super group, The Searchers - 6 Top 10 Hits including 3 No1s. His mum never had a record player so she didn't buy any of his records and she didn't actually go to see him play. Nevertheless, she was a supportive mum even though she thought leaving his job at Penguin Books was a bit of a risk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E10 · Wed, May 15, 2024
With The Coupon Kid, Jordon Cox
At the age of 15, Jordon Cox started to look for ways to save money in a bid to help his mum who was struggling with her finances. In the process he discovered the benefit of coupons and has dedicated himself to sharing that knowledge, earning him the nickname, The Coupon Kid. Jordon tells us about his mum, Debbie, their visual similarities (and differences!), how she reacted to him appearing on TV and why Disney World is such a special destination for them both. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E9 · Wed, May 01, 2024
Justin Moorhouse and his Mumbelievable complicated Mum
Justin Moorhouse grew up in Ashton under Lyne and after a short spell as a salesman he entered a stand-up comedy competition and won it. It led to a part in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, and to numerous tv and radio aopearances. On this edition of Mumbelievable he talks to Sonia about the complicated relationship he has with his mum, Janice. Justin never met his biological father, Keith, but had a step dad called Phil, Janice's teenage boyfriend. Janice was a tough lady, she had to be and Justin tells us why and how that has affected the relationship they have today. Intelligent, considered and sensitive, it's not all laughs with Justin, but there are some funny bits! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E8 · Wed, April 17, 2024
Helen Lederer is not bitter - about her MUMBELIEVABLE Mum
Helen Lederer has just released her memoir "Not That I'm Bitter" and as well as plugging the book (gently) Helen talks to Sonia about her mum and quizzes Sonia about her mum. Lederer is without doubt a leader in British comedy, being one of the first women to do stand-up in the 80's. She appeared in Absolutely Fabulous as Catriona and you've seen and heard her in a huge variety of shows on screen, on radio and on stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E7 · Wed, April 17, 2024
Bill Buckley doesn't keep Mum
Ex-That's Life presenter Bill Buckley joins Sonia to to talk about his late mother who wrote his application to Esther Rantzen and got him the job on the iconic TV show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E6 · Wed, April 10, 2024
Su Pollard - Queen of British showbiz
Su Pollard has been entertaining, in every sense of the word, since she was a kid. You may first have seen her in tv's Hi-Di-Hi but her career on stage, screen and even on record has spanned 45 years. Here she talks to Sonia about her Mumbelievable mum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E5 · Wed, April 03, 2024
Fuzz Townshend - man with two MUMBELIEVABLE mums
Car SOS presenter Fuzz Townshend tells how he grew up with two mothers, his birth mum and his foster mum or "Auntie" who along with his "Nunk" who looked after him 6 out of 7 days a week. Fuzz got into music early when his birth mother won a Vauxhall Chevette in a newspaper competition but took the cash instead and put some of it towards buying Fuzz a drum kit. His career has been interesting, ranging from drumming with his own band, The Wonder Stuff and currently The Beat, to writing and editing Practical Classics and opening a classic car restoration business. It was his business, SOS Classics, that led to the TV show Car SOS seen on Channel4. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E4 · Wed, March 27, 2024
Shazia Mirza - mum's the word
Shazia Mirza was born in Birmingham, the eldest daughter of Muslim Pakistani parents who moved to Birmingham in the 1950s. She read Biochemistry at Manchester University and then achieved a post-grad certificate in education at Goldsmiths. Before beginning her career in comedy, Shazia was a science teacher at Langdon Park School where she taught Dizzee Rascal ! She later went to Rose Bruford College where she studied acting part time while working as a supply teacher. Shazia's comedy is often described as "brave" drawing on her family's background for humour. She's appeared on tv, on stage, on radio and you can find out more at https://www.shazia-mirza.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E3 · Wed, March 20, 2024
Bobby Crush keys in on his MUMBELIEVABLE mother
Incredibly, Bobby Crush won Hughie Green's legendary "Opportunity Knocks" six times - we mean that most sincerely folks. Since then Bobby has had an illustrious show biz career appearing on film on tv and on the biggest stages in the West End. On record he's had chart success on both single and album charts in the UK. On this MUMBELIEVABLE Bobby tells Sonia all about his incredible mum, the support and the love she gave him - get your hanky out this will bring a tear to your eye. And did you know Crush is not a stage name - it's his real name. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E2 · Wed, March 06, 2024
Steve Nallon aka Maggie Thatcher and his mums
You’ll remember Maggie Thatcher in Spitting Image - the voice of that Maggie was, and is Steve Nallon. Growing up in Leeds he began his career as a stand-up performer on the northern club circuit in the 1970s. In his career Steve Nallon has performed a number of roles and characters as an actor and as a voice artist in theatre, film, television and radio. His mother died suddenly in 1970 when Steve was just nine. Because of his father's mental instability it became necessary for Steve and his sister to move in with their maternal grandparents. Nallon later described his early years as "at times a tough and sometimes rocky childhood." With Sonia you'll hear Maggie, Harold Wilson, David Attenborough and even Eddie Waring - remember him? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E1 · Wed, March 06, 2024
Kerry Howard - My boobs AREN’T sprouts, mum!
Kerry Howard comes from a pure showbiz family. Brother Russell is a world-famous comedian, mum Ninette has appeared in numerous productions including a series with Russell and Kerry herself is a BAFTA nominated actress no less! Kerry regales Sonia with tales of their mum. She played Laura in the BBC Three comedy series Him & Her and Leanne in Witless. She also appears in BBC Three's "Feed My Funny" a series of comedy sketches with Lu Corfield and she acted as courtroom clerk in the first series of Judge Romesh. You may also remember her in Doc Martin and Waterloo Road. In "Mumbelievable," Sonia Beldom engages in a heartfelt and humorous conversation with comedian Kerry Howard about the unique and impactful relationship she has with her mum. Kerry shares personal anecdotes, reflecting on how her mum's quirks, wisdom, and love have shaped her life and career. Through laughter and touching stories, the episode highlights the profound influence of mothers and celebrates the bond between mother and child. 00:00 Introduction to Mumbelievable 00:31 Meet Kerry Howard 00:53 Living with Mum 02:55 Kerry's Family Background 05:18 Musical Talents and Aspirations 08:29 Kerry's Theatre Experience 10:05 Mum's Career and Artistic Dreams 13:03 Mental Health and Family Challenges 15:04 Generational Expectations and Self-Sacrifice 15:45 Creative Outlets and Social Connections 17:14 Rediscovering Old Passions 18:06 Embarrassing Mom Moments 20:13 Travel and New Experiences 22:58 Life Lessons from Mom 27:47 Acting and Family Reactions 30:52 Mom's Hidden Talents 33:35 Concluding Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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