Happy Mum

We have an international bestselling author in the studio this week! It’s the brilliant Matt Haig.

Matt talks to Gi about his decision to homeschool his children and, drawing on his own experiences of depression and recovery, why he believes it’s not about shielding our children from life’s difficulties, but helping them develop the tools to cope when things get hard.

He also shares how his son’s autism diagnosis led him to discover he had autism and ADHD himself, and how better understanding himself has helped him understand his son.

Matt’s latest novel, The Midnight Train, and a graphic novel adaptation of his multi-million-copy bestseller The Midnight Library are out now!
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This week Giovanna is joined by model and presenter Hannah Cooper-Dommett.

Hannah opens up about how her relationship with husband Joel has changed since they became parents to their two boys, and how they've navigated keeping their marriage strong amid the chaos of family life.

She also shares what it was like to step into the role of carer when her mum was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and how she came to accept that her mum couldn’t be the support for her children that she had always imagined.
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Giovanna catches up with her friend Becky Cheetham this week to talk about Becky's experience as a sibling carer.

Becky’s sister, Hannah, has cerebral palsy, and Becky opens up to Gi about the challenges and joys of growing up as part of a family shaped by disability. She reflects on feeling like ‘the glass child’ – the sibling whose needs can sometimes take a back seat – and the impact this has had on her life.

Plus, Becky shares her thoughts on the future, navigating her role as a sibling carer and what it means for her relationship with Hannah as they get older.

You can follow Hannah and Becky (Cheethams with Dreams) on Instagram and TikTok x
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This week Giovanna sits down with the incredibly talented Annabel Scholey!

You’ll know Annabel from Rivals and, of course (the Happy Mum team’s personal favourite) The Split. But behind the scenes, Annabel was navigating the end of her own marriage, alongside balancing her acting career and raising her daughter.

Annabel opens up to Gi about the moment she knew her marriage was over, and talks about the grief that came with accepting she doesn’t have the ‘traditional’ family unit she once planned.

You can catch Annabel in Winter on ITV now, and Rivals Part 2 arrives on 11 November.
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What happens when you’ve spent so long holding everything together that you simply can’t anymore?

This week, Giovanna sits down with former Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! Magazine Rosie Nixon to talk about the breakdown that became the catalyst for transforming her life.

Rosie opens up about motherhood, the pressure to keep going and the guilt that can come with admitting you’re struggling.

Rosie’s book, The PRO Method: Pause, Reflect & Organise, is available now!
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