The Second Shift

Grilled - Conversations about Food

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:24 +0000

In this episode, Karen indulges in chat about food, cooking and recipe books.

Here are some of the recipes she and Nick share: Dimlama: https://thefoodhog.com/dimlama-recipe/ Arroz chaufa: https://whiskitrealgud.com/peruvian-fried-rice-arroz-chaufa-6/ Ethiopian lentil stew: https://www.africanbites.com/ethiopian-lentil-stew/ Lebanese meatballs: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/meatballs-recipe-lebanese-tomato-sauce/ Pork vindalho: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/jan/25/20-best-curry-recipes-vivek-singh-pork-vindalho

This is Cat's cookery school: https://www.totallytangerinecookery.co.uk/

And here's where you can find the potato project: https://rebeccaearle.co.uk/research/potatoes/

Warm Hug - Raising disabled children

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:10 +0000

In this episode, Karen chats with Genevieve, Lauren, Victoria and Rina, who are all mothers of disabled or SEN children, and makers of the Fking Normal Podcast. You can find them and all their social media presence at https://www.fkingnormalpodcast.com/

The Milky Way - Perspectives on Breastfeeding

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 00:00:15 +0000

Karen chats with Art Historian Joanna Wolfarth about her new book Milk, and then to Philosopher Fiona Woollard, about whether breastfeeding is a right or a duty, and how parents make decisions.

https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/joanna-wolfarth

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/5x7vz5/professor-fiona-woollard

Avalanche - Researching aspects of becoming a parent

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:19 +0000

Exploring the life of academics who are also mothers, or mothers who are also academics, researching aspects of motherhood.

El mentions https://www.srip.org/ for PhD students and early career researchers.

Stepping Stones - coping with the loss of a baby

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:14 +0000

Karen talks with Lyanne Nicholl, author of Your Postnatal Body; and Bex and Laura the creators of The Worst Girl Gang Ever podcast. This is a dark and difficult subject, but there are so many positive things going on that can be helpful in the period after losing a baby.

A Postcard from Germany

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:25 +0000

A travelogue of our summer trip around Germany, with lots of recommendations and tips, and a bit where Pete is outraged at the accusation of snoring.

Unintended - The right to abortion care

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:11 +0000

This episode has been simmering for a few weeks, post Roe v Wade being trashed in the US; but in some ways it's been simmering for 20 years. I feel very strongly indeed that this subject should be spoken about without shame, and I've tried to do that here. I'm in conversation with Dr Fiona Bloomer of Ulster University, and Katherine O'Brien of BPAS.

Fiona was involved in this recent piece of research, amongst other things, which is a really interesting read: Pierson, C., Bloomer, F., Allamby, L., Campbell, E., Hughes, B., McLaughlin, L., & Powell, R. (2022). After a CEDAW Optional Protocol Inquiry into abortion law: a conversation with activists for change in Northern Ireland. International Feminist Journal of Politics, 0(0), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616742.2022.2053297

And here's where you can support BPAS campaigns: https://bpas-campaigns.org/

The White Stuff - equity and diversity in breastfeeding support

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:00:18 +0000

In this episode, Karen starts by hearing from Zurina Ali and Debbie Barnett about milk banking, milk sharing, and the challenges this poses to families in the Muslim community. Then has a conversation with Louise Oliver about further questions of equity, diversity and inclusion when it comes to supporting families to feed their babies.

Education Implosion - the impact of school closures on children

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:16 +0000

What did you do in the pandemic to protect the NHS, and was it worth the cost? Karen talks to teachers and researchers about the impact of lockdowns and school closures on children, over the last two years.

Some of Emily and Michaela's research can be found here:

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0264023

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0260640

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34625414/

Autism and Motherhood

Sun, 01 May 2022 00:00:10 +0000

Karen chats with researcher Dr Aimee Grant who has recently been looking into the experiences that autistic mothers have of feeding their babies, and then goes on to talk to antenatal teacher and autistic mother Ruth Jenks, who volunteers for the organisation Autistic Parents UK.

Great blog about Dr Aimee Grant's research: https://autisticuk.org/autistic-mothers-experiences-of-breast-and-formula-feeding-babies-what-does-the-evidence-say/

Aimee's most recent paper on the subject:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613221089374

https://www.autisticparentsuk.org/

Quality Screen Time - videogaming together as a family

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:16 +0000

In this episode, Karen ropes in her partner and offspring to talk about what they know best: the joy of gaming. She also chats with psychologist Dr Pete Etchells, who is more authoritative on the matter.

Pete Etchells: https://www.peteetchells.com/

What's an IBCLC?

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:01:29 +0000

This is an episode exploring what it means to be an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and how one reaches those lofty heights. I had the help of a few of my lovely NCT colleagues, including Jill Shepherd whose website is here:

http://www.horshambreastfeeding.co.uk/

We also hear about Breastfeeding London, who offer some of the necessary training, and they can be found here:

https://breastfeedinglondon.co.uk/breastfeeding-course/

And for all the rest, the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners is here:

https://iblce.org/

Cold Splash - the delights of open water swimming

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 08:00:07 +0000

Cold Splash – shownotes

Many thanks to Dr Heather Massey and Dr Catherine Kelly

Also to my good friend Susan, and my mum

Deakin, R. 2000 Waterlog London, Chatto & Windus

Kelly, C. 2021 Blue Spaces: How and why water can make you feel better London, Wellbeck Balance

Kelly, JS, Bird, E. Improved mood following a single immersion in cold water. Lifestyle Med. 2021;e53. https://doi.org/10.1002/lim2.53

Outdoor Swimmer magazine: https://outdoorswimmer.com/assets/site/TrendsReport_Full_LR.pdf

Out and about with your baby - breastfeeding in public

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 00:06:44 +0000

Out and About With Your Baby is an episode about exactly that: Breastfeeding in Public. This is another episode prompted by Amy Brown (I’m noticing a theme here) recommending that I speak to her research colleague Aimee Grant, with whom I had a lovely conversation. I honestly didn’t think I had much to learn about this, as a breastfeeding mother for over three years and a breastfeeding counsellor for over a decade. Of course I was wrong.

Aimee’s books and research can all be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/human-and-health-sciences/interprofessional-health-studies/grant-a/

I also spoke to two local mothers who shared their experiences of breastfeeding in public – Claire and Lauren were generous with their time and their stories.

Close for Comfort - attachment, brain development, and babywearing

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:14 +0000

This is an episode about how carrying babies allows/helps carers to respond to them, keep them close, and regulate their systems. I talk to GP and sling expert Dr Rosie Knowles, antenatal teacher Bridget Supple, and mother/dedicated babywearer Amanda Leon Joyce.

In my conversation with Rosie, some interesting studies were mentioned:

The Anisfeld study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2245751/ Hunziker and Barr https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3517799/ The Mother Baby Bonding studies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31877392/

All the young dads - new fathers transition to parenthood

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:17:40 +0000

I was inspired to make this episode by two things. Firstly, Amy Brown nagging me to interview Mark Williams “because he’s so lovely,” and secondly hearing about the novel NCT Mental Health Peer Support training for new fathers.

This is an important and under-served issue. One of the peer support dads I spoke to, Pete, says, “I’ve never been so lonely as in the first year of fatherhood.” Relationships break down when men’s mental health is suffering, and suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45.

Some resources are mentioned:

Hub of Hope: https://hubofhope.co.uk/

Mark’s website, Fathers Reaching Out https://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/

How Are You Dad podcast https://micmedia.co.uk/portfolio/mic-produces-the-how-are-you-dad-podcast/

MIND https://www.mind.org.uk/

Offload https://warringtonwolvesfoundation.com/offload/

DadAF https://www.dadaf.co.uk/

A minute on the hips - stories of hip dysplasia

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:00:18 +0000

In this episode of The Second Shift, you hear from my mum (whose social media you don't need!), Dr Pranai Buddhev @Pranai_B, and my colleague Katherine Walker @chirpycakes

Pranai also has a current podcast @thekidsbonedoc and a planned podcast called @paedipod

The International Hip Dysplasia Institute is a good source, and we discussed hip-safe swaddling after I stopped recording: https://hipdysplasia.org/infant-child/hip-healthy-swaddling/

And if you scroll down a bit, you can see an image of the koala hold, which we agreed was a good one for breastfeeding a baby in a harness: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a8784/good-positions-for-breastfeeding

The Joy of Menopause

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 09:00:15 +0000

This subject has crept up on me. I turned 50 in November, and have – so far – barely noticed symptoms that I attribute to menopause. Sure my sleep is crazy, it has been for as long as I can remember. Mood swings? I’ve always been a bit grumpy. Brain fog? Rude. Oh, maybe I should find out more…

Contributors to the show are Dr Annice Mukherjee, Diane Danzebrink, and Pauline Eyre.

Annice talks about some of the positives as well as symptoms, lifestyle tweaks that can help, and the benefits of HRT. Her interview includes an endocrinologists’ in-joke which none of the rest of us will really get. We talk politics: why the health system lets women of my age down, and what should be done about it; and we talk society: why don’t we talk about this more?

Here’s a link to Annice’s book, The Complete Guide to the Menopause.

I interviewed Diane on a day when she was bursting with excitement about the announcement of Carolyn Harris MP’s Menopause Private Members Bill, something for which she has long been campaigning. Diane runs Menopause Support, offering paid services, free information, and access to a large facebook group which you can find via the website, along with the petition for better GP education, workplace support, and for it to be included on the PHSE curriculum.

Finally Pauline Eyre’s current standup show All Change is about her experience of the menopause, and we chat about how the lives of us middle-aged women are really complicated. She mentions Flushfest.

I also need to mention another support group/website, The Merry Menopause. I would have loved to interview Jo as well, but couldn’t fit everyone in – it’s the podcaster’s eternal dilemma: so many people, so few minutes to allocate to them.

And as if this wasn’t enough, you might like to listen to another podcast about menopause, so here’s Your Next Episode

So Much Love - adventures in polyamorous parenting

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:00:32 +0000

This is the Second Shift. In this first episode, you’ll meet Amanda Leon-Joyce, a new mum with a lockdown baby, enjoying a hybrid maternity leave/furlough. What’s different about Amanda is the shape of her family: she’s in a polyamorous relationship, so her baby has two dads as well as a mum. We talk about how this came about, what it meant in the context of pregnancy in lockdown, and Amanda shares her homebirth story.

Amanda is on all the social media – you can find her instagram @mandaleonjoyce and that’s a good place to start.

This is the Positive Birth hypnobirthing digital pack that she used: https://thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/digital-pack

I asked her after the recording to recommend any other resources on polyamory, which is just not a well-documented or much talked about subject. Here’s our reading list:

Polyamory and Pregnancy, by Jessica Burde

For a more general book on polyamory, Opening Up, by Tristan Taormino

‘'There’s zero evidence that it’s worse for children': parenting in a polyamorous relationship’ - Guardian article by Lucy Fry, Feb 2020