Parenting Out Loud
Parenting Out Loud is a weekly podcast from Mamamia that offers culture-savvy conversations for parents. It breaks down the latest trends, news, and MumTok discussions with smart, funny, and honest takes. The show aims to be a relatable and judgment-free space for parents to hear what they're already thinking.
Episodes
The Hit Show Making A Case For 'Best Friend' Parenting
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, a
Your Most Urgent Perimenopause Questions, Answered By 25 Leading Experts
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.G
Where Has All The Swearing Gone & The Bush Wee Rule
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 mo
A Celebrity’s Secret Children & The Dark Side Of An 'It' Toy
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 pare
Our Honest Toy Story Review & The Case For Child Free Spaces
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
The Birthday Post That Sparked A Sharenting Debate
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&rsqu
Buddy & Jesinta's Free-Range Flex & Are You A Relay Parent?
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 exh
The Royal School Run Is Just Like Yours & What Kids Think We Do All Day
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
The One Word You Need To Stop Saying & Were 90s Mums 'All That'?
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 apol
'Crying Cafes' & A Mother-In-Law Red Flag
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&rsq
Signs You’re A Beta Mum & How To ‘Bounce 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'
The School Holiday Rule & The Big Bluey Stuff Up
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 r
The Holiday Decision One Mum Regrets & Party Bags Are Officially Cancelled
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,
So, Are You A Popcorn Mum?
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
The Lunchbox Theory & Our Complicated Feelings About YouTube
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 th
The 3-Hour Mum & The Viral 'Jessica' Hack
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
Golden Retriever Dads & The ‘You Come Last’ Rule
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.
The Celebrity Who Loves Bad Kids & The Sibling Effect
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 w
The Bad Habit That's Back & The Politics Of ‘Bagsing’ The Playground
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
New Twin Dad Luca Enters The Chat & Divorce Just Got A Rebrand
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
Empty Weekend Parenting & The Viral Rocking Chair Test
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 ac
Wait, Did We Just Witness The Ultimate Co-Parenting Sin?
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&rsqu
The Problem With Being The 'Easy Kid'
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
FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House
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 me
So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo
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 quie
Michelle Obama’s Parenting Truth Bomb & A Middle Finger To Mothers
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 conflic
The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling?
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 look
The Clicker Test That Changes Everything & Our 'Public Nuisance' Park Fight
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 he
Bluey's Hottest Character & The Out-Of-Control Cost of Competition
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:
The Precise Reason We Need To Reverse The Parent-Child Hierarchy
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&rsquo
A Genius Mental Health Pyramid & Our Dirty Little Parenting Secrets
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 lit
No-Hugs Christmas & Where Are All The Weird Kids?
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 epid
Gentle Parenting Just Got Flipped Off & This Season's Ultimate Flex
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 “bound
Is This Our “Seatbelt Moment” & The Royal Christmas Spiral
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 nost
A Wicked Elephant In The Room & The Science Behind The Perfect Age Gap
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 d
The Exact Reason We Stopped Getting Naked
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? Welc
The Rise Of Trad Sons & Sheet Masks For 3 Year Olds
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-So
The Group Chat Is Out Of Control & Unpacking The Exhaustion Economy
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 i
The Favourite Child Taboo & Why Jennifer Lawrence's Honesty Hit So Hard
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
Picnic Table Politics & The Era Of Tiny Spies
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 fi
The Scariest Truth about Halloween & A Nepo Baby Debate
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, Hai
The Royal Who Flipped The Script On Dads & The Unholy Truth About 'The Squeeze'
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 a
So That's Why Magicians Are Back & The Eldest Daughter Theory
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 T
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's 'Love Junk' Rebrand & The TikTok Training Camp
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? Ho
Stealth Mums, The Roblox Controversy & A Tiny Internet Feud
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
Unpacking The KPop Demon Hunters Obsession & A Tracking Tool Controversy
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 j
The 'Normal' We Need To Interrogate & The Father's Day Rethink
Excellent news, friends. We're back with another episode of Parenting Out Loud. Father’s Day is tomorrow and there's been a distinct shift in its marketing. Amelia unpacks what’s changed and why. Bluey: adorable? Absolutely. But is this the kids' TV show that's also making us feel… bad? Welcome to the Bluey Inadequacy Complex. Monz explains all. Plus, ❤️💜 Two emojis,
The Third Kid Dessert Analogy & FFS, Stop With The Texts
🎉 Guess who's back, back again… 🎉 You asked. We listened. And now, it’s happening: Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks are officially back — and they’ve brought the one and only Monique Bowley with them. Yep, Monz has returned to the Mamamia family to bring you Parenting Out Loud. If you love it (OF COURSE YOU WILL), make it your new Saturday ritual. Just tap ‘+ follow&rs
Sleep Divorce, 'Hopeless' Dads & Goodnight To The Bedtime Story
Welcome to Parenting Out Loud where if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it. On the show today, Jessie Stephens, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks sit down to tackle; Glam retreats: a cultural necessity for post-partum mums? Why bedtime stories are being put to bed themselves. How some dads forget their kids names, refuse to change a nappy or fail to RSVP — and why some
Dr Becky's DFK Theory & The Great Trampoline Debate
We've got a fresh episode of Parenting Out Loud for you. Because if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it. On the show today, Jessie Stephens, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks join forces to chat all things including: 👩 'I abandoned my family without warning. It was the best thing I ever did.' We dive into the article that went viral on site this week and we have lots of though
The Ms Rachel Controversy & The Great Kids Vs Friendships Debate
Another week, another Parenting Out Loud episode where if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it. On today's show, Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester are joined by friend of the pod, and Mamamia's Deputy Editor, Stacey Hicks to discuss whether or not kids ruin your adult friendships. Also, to what extent should children's entertainment figures be apolitical, and why is YouTube'
A New Co-Parenting Rule & The 100% Work Dilemma
Should partners (and exes) automatically be each other’s parenting hype squad? We all know relationships are... complex and the answer to this question isn't straightforward — as Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester discover on this week's show. Plus, the Ellen Pompeo quote that made our hosts seriously question if mums can ever give 100% at work. And, is letting your kid play with
The Death Of The Dining Table & 'Outdated' Schooling
Is the family dinner really just a guilt trip with cutlery? One of the most pervasive pieces of parenting advice is making everyone feel bad about themselves. Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester unpack the pressure to sit and eat at a dining table together—even when that table (if you have actually have room for one) is buried under laundry and unopened mail. Also, Kourtney Kardashian says sch
Grandparents - It's Time For Your Performance Review
Big news, friends. Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester are bringing a whole new vibe to parenting podcasts with this brand new mini series: Parenting Out Loud. If you're deep in the trenches, Parenting Out Loud will help make your world feel just that little bit bigger with the week's hot topics explored, examined and digested. Because if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it.&
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