Your weekly dose of culture-savvy conversation parents actually want. We break down the latest from the zeitgeist, news cycle and trending MumTok conversations, with smart takes and zero sugar-coating. Sharp, funny, never sanctimonious: if parents are thinking it, we're talking about it.. Hit play and join the group chat.
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Would you let your five-year-old go to the park alone? One mum did, and the internet went straight to abduction, neglect and worst-case scenarios. So… have parents become addicted to imagining the worst? And what's all that fear doing to our kids? A baby cried in business class and another passenger decided that was simply not part of the premium experience. Anne Hathaway showed off a very normal,…
You're bleeding, leaking, sleep deprived. There is a lot of crying; mostly yours but also the baby. You can't remember what day it is, when you last showered, or even your own name. But hold on - are you soaking it up, mama? Because you should be! This week, the relentless pressure to enjoy every second of motherhood while you're still very much surviving it. Because apparently we only get 18…
Suri Cruise has dropped her megastar dad's surname and it's starting to look less like celebrity gossip and more like a new wave of family estrangement. We unpack why the adult children of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise are making their distance official, the PR strategy that helped both men quietly sidestep the conversation, and why mothers are still so often blamed when children cut contact with their…
There's a birthday party ritual that has snuck into the modern parenting mental load - so we're calling for a national amnesty. Meanwhile, the Ashley Tisdale has turned her toxic-mum-group drama into a TV show and Stacey is cancelling all plans to watch. A Wall Street Journal feature on "CEO parenting" blew up the internet this week. With wealthy parents detailing the tasks they outsource -…
The biggest show on TV right now - Amazon Prime's Elle - is making best friend parenting look deeply aspirational. Monz wants in. Amelia absolutely does not, and Stacey is blaming Gilmore Girls for making the whole thing look normal. Then, is reading really dying, or are kids just consuming words in completely different ways? Amelia brings the panic, Monique brings the Australian research, and…
You hot? Same. Grab a fan, because Very Peri is officially here. Created by Mamamia, we've sorted through the noise to answer your most urgent perimenopause questions. There is no shortage of perimenopause information out there. In fact, there is too much and most of it is unregulated, incomplete or contradictory. Consider Very peri your single trusted source, built purely around your needs. Get…
The sibling gold standard has officially been set by Harry Styles and his sister Gemma, but it's giving Stacey some serious 'parent of one' guilt. Plus, the Australian schools that are handing out codes of conduct to an unlikely group - the parents. Plus, in the celebrity world, can motherhood be used as a strategic 180 to swing public perception, or do we just inherently view mothers differently?…
Can a celebrity really keep their family a secret in 2026? One very famous parent is believed to have two children that most people don't even know exist, or do they? Plus, it's school holidays, which means one thing: Dad-cation season. But after we witnessed one father do absolutely nothing on a long-haul flight while his partner did everything, we need to ask... are we still having the same…
Fun playground or toddler emergency room invitation? Melbourne parents are fiercely divided over a controversial new playground featuring... checks notes... giant rocks. Is this brilliant independent play, or have we officially reached peak chaotic parenting? We have thoughts. Plus, Monz and Stacey ran to see Toy Story 5 and what they witnessed was a brutal gut punch. Pixar took our greatest…
Japan's national soccer team and their supporters have gone viral following their World Cup match after leaving the stadium and their locker room absolutely spotless. We want to know how we can get our kids to follow suit. Influencer and Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague has stepped out 10 days postpartum in a white dress and everyone has lost their minds, but not for the reason you'd think.…
Have you ever dreamt of packing up your family and escaping to the country? Former AFL player Buddy Franklin and his wife Jesinta have ditched the big city for something a little... quieter. Monz, Amelia and Stacey are unpacking whether it's possible to completely reinvent your family life. Plus, Stacey explains her 'Florist Theory.' Also, there's a new solution for parenting exhaustion that…
Future King Prince William claims his morning school run is actually just as chaotic and messy as ours. We're trying to decide whether or not we believe him. From a cryptic countdown to 13 clouds on a billboard. Taylor and Toy Story have officially collabbed. We're breaking down all the Easter eggs and whether she might be attempting to reach EGOT status with her new song ' I Knew It, I Knew You.'…
Are Australian parents okay? If you're finding parenting deeply exhausting, a study has found you're not the only one. Monique Bowley, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks are unpacking why parents are feeling so stressed out. Plus, Stacey has a theory that might just be genius. Also, are you constantly saying sorry for your kids just being...kids? We're discussing why we feel the need to apologise all…
Sienna Miller and Laura Henshaw are presenting two very different versions of new motherhood in our feeds - so why is the internet upset with both of them? Monique Bowley, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks dive into the unrealistic expectations on new mums and how there might be no right answer. Also, Mandy Moore has officially entered the chat over Ashley Tisdale's viral 'toxic' mum group essay back…
How soon is too soon to return to work after having a baby? Netballer Paige Hadley was back on the court ten weeks postpartum - and the internet had thoughts . Monique, Amelia, and Clare unpack why we all have so much to say about other women's postpartum choices. If you've ever given up on pairing the kids' sock or let them quit that extracurricular activity - you might be a 'Beta Mum'. We dive…
Naming a person is a challenge-but one Melbourne family has made their relatives compete for the privilege of a surname. This week Monz, Stacey and Amelia are talking about the Melbourne couple who settled their surname debate with a best-of-three rock-paper-scissors showdown. So, should we be making all family decisions via a game of competitive Jenga from now on? Plus, the school holiday rule…
Have school photos become redundant? This week, Monz, Stacey and Amelia are unpacking the $180 million industry that's preys on nostalgia, guilt and the trust that no parent wants to be the one to opt out, despite their phones overflowing with perfectly good pictures of their kids. Plus, an Aussie influencer sparked a firestorm after leaving her baby in a hotel room to grab a quick massage, baby…
This week, Monz, Amelia and Stacey explore the 'performance' of public parenting, inspired by Elin Strong's viral article. So, are you actually parenting for the other people at the park? If the answer is yes, you might be a popcorn mum. The swaddling fail by TV's favourite doctor has ignited a firestorm amongst fans of medical drama The Pitt and we have thoughts. Also, we discuss Schitt's Creek…
This week, Monique, Amelia, and Stacey are discussing the 'Jessica' hack gone slightly awry. We talked about it. Our listeners tried it, and some of the results were…spooky. So, why has even Jessica Biel weighed in on this viral trend? Also, we unpack the YouTube-ification of Netflix and why Danny Goh and Miss Rachel are suddenly taking over our Netflix profiles. We dive into the 'Wild West' of…
This week, Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks and Amelia Lester unpack the 'max 3-hour mum' theory. That's how long Skims co-founder and Kardashian-adjacent CEO Emma Grede thinks women should spend with their kids each day on weekends. We discuss whetther the mother of four's 'quality over quantity' approach is genius - or missing the point. Also, is kids' sport officially broken? From private strength…
We're unpacking the 'parenting rule' that blew up the comments section this week: While the kids are awake, you come last. The Internet had thoughts and so do Monique Bowley, Clare Stephens and Amelia Lester. So, does putting yourself first actually make you a better parent? Plus, we look at the the Barbie Dream Fest - or as the internet is calling it, Fyre Festival for toddlers. Imagine paying…
Have you ever seen a video online that made you feel like you were failing at a job you didn't even apply for? Welcome to parenting in 2026. This week, Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks and special guest, Clare Stephens, are diving into a viral trend romanticising the bond between young siblings-and it's left some only-child parents feeling a little judged. Plus, we discuss the basketball coach who…
Today, the rise of the Gen Alpha CEO is officially in full swing as Victoria Beckham's daughter, Harper Seven, launches a beauty brand at 13. Monz, Stacey and Amelia ask at what point we decided teenagers need a corner office and a dedicated PR team instead of just... a hobby. Plus, is 'bagsing' a spot in the playground slide queue ever acceptable, or have we officially lost our collective…
Move over "conscious uncoupling". Divorce is getting a rebrand. This week, Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks and Amelia Lester unpack Hollywood Actor Lake Bell's unconventional approach to explaining her split to her kids. So, why is she banning the word 'but,' and is she onto something? Plus, Australian influencer Indy Clinton has gone viral for struggling with her sons kindergarten times tables, and…
Young Millennials and Gen Z are currently spiralling over the ultimate 'Why Now?' question: To procreate, or not to procreate? To help, they've resurrected an unlikely guru from the 1980s - Merle Bombardieri - whose decades-old 'Rocking Chair Test' is currently trending as the ultimate fix for biological-clock-induced brain rot. We unpack whether a 40-year-old therapy book can actually solve the…
Parents of children who are 'short sleepers' - kids genetically programmed to survive on four hours of rest (and pure chaos) - we see you. We unpack the science on Parenting Out Loud this week of why some kids are simply 'built different'... and why the rest of us are drowning in caffeine. Plus, we need to talk about the fetishisation of the 'Involved Father'. From Chris Hemsworth's commemorative…
This week, Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester, and guest host Clare Stephens are diving into the 'beige food' epidemic and why modern snack culture might be to blame for your toddler's refusal to eat anything that isn't plain pasta or chicken nuggets. And we discuss the the emotional cost of being an 'easy kid'. If you were the child who always got a gold star, never made a fuss, and now find yourself…
This week on Parenting Out Loud, we're joined again by Luca Lavigne, so of course things went off without a hitch. 👀 Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester and Luca are here to unpack the rise of 'Trimester Zero,' and why the over-optimisation of parenting our kids is officially getting out of hand. Plus, is the art of 'gathering' officially dead? Are we too scared of judgement, toddler tantrums and messy…
Is a mum's job ever done? That's the question that's come off the back of a viral moment from the Wuthering Heights press tour after its star Jacob Elordi was spotted doing something that has everyone talking. Monz, Stacey, and special guest Luca Lavigne debate whether this red carpet incident was a sweet moment for Jacob and his mum or... totally gross. Plus, Claire Danes just said the quiet part…
Michelle Obama spoke about a very specific kind of reality check on the Call Her Daddy podcast: the exact moment you realise you're no longer the main character in your child's life. Monz is feeling this deeply and Amelia and Stacey unpack precisely why it hits so hard. Plus, a viral video of an airport lounge meltdown has us asking whether we've lost the ability to handle conflict without…
The Brooklyn Beckham family drama that's been all over the news and in our group chats this week has us questioning where 'doing your best' ends and maternal control begins. We unpack the power dynamics of the family unit and why the internet is obsessed with a 26-year-old finally finding his voice. Plus, from "Make Whole Milk Great Again" to the sudden arrival of Autistic Barbie, we're looking at…
Are you an intensive millennial parent who feels stressed and burnt out? This week, we introduce the "Click Test," which Amelia claims will change parenting for the better. Meanwhile, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell are taking an unconventional approach - why they are raising their children to be "intentionally disrespectful". Plus, Monz had a park fight with a man who told her to "get some f***ing…
Parenting comes with big ideas, cultural moments and the occasional guilty pleasure, and this week we're unpacking all three. Are fancy lollies the new Labubus? Stacey thinks this might be another sign adults are craving whimsy. Plus, Amelia has declared Bluey's dad Bandit a certified DILF, and we dig into why hot dads are suddenly everywhere. And finally, Monz asks the hard question: has kids…
Friends, do you too have a box of keepsakes? Perhaps teeny tiny socks, some pre-school era artworks, maybe even some old baby teeth or twenty? Well your parents might have been a collector and we pitch that perhaps there's some truth to this form of maximalism. Plus, are we rushing kids out of childhood? Experts are saying that to delay delay delay when it comes to kids' first years of school but…
Happy Holidays Parents! Are you having fun, are you a bit sweaty, dehydrated? Well don't be, because today we're going to talk about: The mental health pyramid for both kids and adults that is both genius and incredibly simple. Plus, should you be able to choose who you sit next to on a flight and if so, would you ever sit next to a stranger's baby again? And, do you have shameful little secrets?…
The Christmas rush has officially brought a new generational conflict: Grandparenting on Eggshells. We unpack the tension between teaching kids bodily autonomy and avoiding the Grandma guilt trip. Plus, where did all the weird kids go? Monique Bowley, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks blame late-stage capitalism, social media surveillance, and a collective fear of deviance for the new conformity…
Is the ultimate parenting flex actually… no gifts at all? Because according to The Cut , Millennial parents now fall into two dramatic camps: Camp Maximalist: "Here's every toy that's ever been produced." Camp Minimalist: "Your present is… presence." Meanwhile, gentle parenting has officially been cancelled. After a viral post dragged the whole "boundary-less vibes only" approach, we're gathered…
Uh-oh. The Wiggles are in hot water after popping up in a video with some 'unusual' lyrics - and it's forcing us to ask what we really expect from children's entertainers. We're also calling out the new under-16 social media laws as this generation's 'seatbelt moment': a long-overdue, system-wide safeguard for kids' developing brains. Plus, the problem with nostalgia. The 'last time' TikTok trend…
Science has finally established the perfect age gap for siblings, but who is this helping? One of our hosts hates it more than others. And it's the Wicked elephant in the room: Hollywood's return to extreme thinness is prompting us to question what's being modelled to our sons and daughters. Also, the rising trend of kindymoons. What are they? Who's taking them and why? We discuss. Plus, we…
The new trend of 'underconsumption core' is taking on Black Friday, but is this thrifty, anti-consumerist vibe even achievable for parents who are the ultimate victims of the 'stuff' economy? Special guest host Luca Lavigne joins Stacey Hicks and Monique Bowley to unpack. Plus, casual nudity is slowly disappearing from the public pool and gym change rooms but what does this mean for our kids?…
Shay Mitchell's skincare line for toddlers is here. So, are sheet masks for your three-year-old just some harmless fun, or the latest commodification of girlhood? And, everyone says "it takes a village", but we beg to differ. Monique, Stacey and Amelia unpack why community is harder than ever to build, and whether we even want a village at all. Plus, we have a new term for you: 'Hub-Sons' (aka…
Call it what you like - sleep deprivation/sleep recession/The Exhaustion Economy -but when you're not getting enough sleep as a parent, it's sheer torture. And when actor Keira Knightley named it for the hell it is, every parent felt it in their (tired) bones. This week, we're unpacking the long-haul burnout that comes with parenting - and the societal shrug that keeps it invisible. Meanwhile, if…
Did you grow up in a home with a favourite child? Do you secretly favour one of your own kids? We unpack the expert opinions and whether or not parental favouritism actually matters in the long run. Plus, we deep-dive into Jennifer Lawrence's recent The New Yorker profile where she shares what her life looks like postpartum and how returning to work has left her feeling like a fundamentally…
Parenting can involve big ideas, public debates and the odd festive guilt trip - and this week, we're tackling all three. The man who created Adolescence has a new idea for how dads can connect with their sons - it's beautiful, but one of us hates it. Plus, Amelia dives into the kids party photo that's divided Australia: can you really "bags" a park table? And finally, it's Elf O'Clock. Monz…
Spooky season is just about to hit and we're asking: what's the point of Halloween, anyway? And are Australians missing one crucial trick about it that could change... everything? Monz unpacks. Then, Amelia makes a bold claim - some nepo babies are better than others. But why do some rise while others flop, even within the same famous family? And in a twist no one saw coming, Hailey Bieber just…
Your weekend sanity check has arrived. A new episode of Parenting Out Loud is here with all the conversations you need - because if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it. Are you feeling 'The Squeeze'? The daily chaos of modern parenting is real. We unpack why you're feeling maxed out and overwhelmed and talk about whether there's actually anything you can do about it. Plus, are…
The kids are at home, the holiday activities are seemingly endless and you probably need a break. So welcome back to the podcast that's not just any parenting podcast. On the show today: You're officially excused from ever attending your child's sport practice. Don't believe us? Just ask the professional soccer player Abby Wambach. Plus, are you an eldest daughter? Well, so is Taylor Swift and the…
The school holidays are upon us and Monz, Amelia & Stacey are back to distract you with some Millennial core memories, a flashback to Shania Twain and a playlist that will lift your mood. On the show this week: Genius or completely unhinged? Do our kids need 'Social Media Prep School'? We've got thoughts. And, are you holding onto a room full of stuff to hand down to your kids? How A$AP Rocky &…
Welcome back to Parenting Out Loud where we've got a brand new episode to start your weekend off right. On the show this week: The rise of the stealth mum. From Margot Robbie's press tour to your work colleague who's never mentioned having kids, we're exploring why hiding motherhood has become the new cultural currency. Plus, praising your child is a fraught business. Do you compliment their…
Welcome to Parenting Out Loud where you can be sure you're kicking off your weekend right. Monz, Amelia and Stacey are here to unpack the week once more - through the wild, wonderful lens of parenthood. On the show this week: KPop Demon Hunters is smashing records. Kids love it, parents ADORE it so, what's behind all the hype? Tracking apps: a non-negotiable today, or are we just spying on the…
