Things Nobody Tells You

From the beauty counters of the early 2000s to the spotlight of Gogglebox, Sarah-Marie Fahd has navigated a lot - career shifts, motherhood, media attention, and the messy reality of raising two boys while learning to trust her gut along the way.

In this episode, Emmy sits down with her longtime friend Sarah-Marie for a deeply honest conversation about the stuff nobody prepares you for. From the overwhelming fog of postnatal depression and anxiety with her first baby during COVID, to the stark difference she felt with her second - finally understanding what people meant when they said "this is how it's meant to feel."

They unpack the pressure to have it all together, the myth of the perfect parenting timeline, why deleting the milestone app was one of the best decisions she made, and how her two boys - Zen Master Malik and "Hulk Baby" Leon - taught her that every child is completely different. They talk about the beauty industry's obsession with perfection, losing yourself in early motherhood, the mental load of being the default parent, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is lie on the kitchen floor and look at the ceiling with your toddler.

Real talk. Real friendship. Real motherhood.

Perimenopause. The word alone can make you feel like you're losing your mind - wondering if it's stress, relationship issues, or just you being 'crazy.' But what if the brain fog, the rage, the dryness, the exhaustion, and the overwhelming mental load aren't about you at all - but about a hormonal shift nobody prepared you for?

In this episode, Emmy sits down with her OG crew - the friends she's known since high school - for the most honest, unfiltered conversation about perimenopause you'll ever hear. From dry vaginas to joint pain, hair loss, anxiety spikes, and the internal rage that comes out of nowhere, nothing is off limits.

Together, they unpack what it's really like navigating this phase while raising kids, managing relationships, working full-time, and trying to remember what you walked into the room for. They talk about the stuff nobody tells you - that your cycle might go wild, your libido might tank, your skin might change overnight, and you might cry at a bird ad on TV. They also dig into the lack of education, the dismissive doctors, the self-doubt, and why so many women are told they're "too young" when they know something's not right.

With raw stories about single parenting through perimenopause, long-distance friendships, the pressure to do it all, sexual wellness, pelvic floor physio, HRT patches, and why pleasure matters just as much as everything else - this is a grounding, laugh-out-loud, cry-in-your-wine kind of conversation.

Real talk. Real women. Real bloody perimenopause.

Consent starts with nappy changes, hugs from relatives, and the language we use when our kids are still tiny. But somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that children's bodies aren't really their own - that they should hug on command, stay quiet during bath time, and never question what adults do to them.

In this episode, Emmy sits down with Vanessa Hamilton - Sex and Health Educator, author, and one of the original expert voices behind the work we do. Together, they unpack what body autonomy actually looks like from birth, how to talk about private parts without shame, and why teaching consent early is one of the most protective things we can do as parents.

They cover the practical stuff but also go deeper - into grooming, online safety, sexual extortion, gender diversity, and how to be the ‘askable parent’ your child needs as they grow.

With real examples, scripts you can actually use, and a reminder that it's never too early (or too late) to start these conversations - this is an empowering listen for anyone raising kids in a world that doesn't always respect their boundaries.

Be curious. Start early.

Milestones are everywhere - the apps, the books, the comments at playgroup. But what happens when your child's timeline looks completely different? When sitting up takes months of therapy, or walking is still a work in progress at two?

In this episode, Emmy sits down with Christa, mum to gorgeous Frankie - a little one born with Down syndrome who has already navigated heart surgery, feeding tubes, and a development path that doesn't fit the textbook. Together, they unpack what it's really like to parent outside the milestones, the weight of comparison, and why sometimes an innocent question can trigger what Christa calls a "milestone meltdown."

They talk about reality of advocating for your child in spaces that weren't built with them in mind. From daycare to dance classes, keyword signing to crawling at two, this is a raw and grounding conversation about pressure, isolation, community and why you don't owe anyone an explanation.

With reflections on finding your people, letting go of control, the power of inclusive environments, and why checking in on a parent navigating extra needs can mean everything - this one's for anyone who’s ever worried their child is “behind” or felt unseen in the early years.

Real, honest, and full of heart.

Immunisations are one of those big early milestones - not just for your baby, but for you. The tiny body, the sting, the cry, the weight of knowing you're doing the right thing while also wishing you could take the discomfort away.

In this episode, Emmy brings together three trusted voices to give you a truly holistic view of how to navigate immunisations with confidence - from preparation and emotional support, to managing pain, fever, and everything that comes after.

First up is Gen from Connected Parenting, who walks through how to prepare your child (and yourself) before the appointment, what to do during those big feelings, and how to support them afterwards - with real scripts, play-based prep ideas, and a reminder that connection is everything.

Then Chris Minogue, Mothercraft Nurse and the original baby whisperer, steps in to unpack what actually happens after immunisations - the irritability, the sleep disruptions, the feeding changes - and why most of it settles within 48 hours. She also shares when to watch, when to wait, and when to check in with your GP.

Finally, Dr Michaela Sorenson braks down the different types of pain our little ones experience - from teething and earaches to fevers, headaches, growing pains, and post-immunisation discomfort. With clear advice on what to look for, how to treat it, and when to seek help, this is the kind of practical, reassuring information every parent needs.

Whether it's your first baby or your fourth, this episode will help you feel more prepared, more informed, and more confident in supporting your child through one of the most protective things we do as parents.