Blended

• I Love Being a Stepmum: But I Still Want My Own Baby

  This week on Blended, Kate is joined by Cilla and Nathalie to explore a dilemma that hits hard for so many women in blended families: loving your partner, loving their children but still wanting a baby of your own.A listener writes in to say she’s been a stepmum for five years and adores her partner’s children but she’s always imagined having her own baby too. The problem? Her partner says he’s done. No more kids. And now she’s wondering if she can really accept that… or if she’s risking a lifetime of regret.The ladies explore what it means to compromise on something this big and whether love alone is enough when your dreams don’t align. They also reflect on how desires can shift, how long you should “wait and see" before resentment kicks in.Cilla shares the emotional story of someone who waited, missed her window, and ended up heartbroken. They also reflect on the pressure of the biological clock, the power of honesty, and the importance of advocating for what you want before it’s too late. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Rio Ferdinand Is Back: How Do You Support A Solo Parent?

  This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by Cilla and special guest co-host Rio to respond to a heartfelt dilemma from a listener asking how she can best support her brother, a single dad raising two daughters on his own. Rio shares his personal experiences of solo parenting after loss, opening up about the emotional guilt of leaving your children even briefly, the pressure to always “get it right,” and why having a support system matters so much. The conversation turns to the emotional wellbeing of single dads how men can be encouraged to look after themselves, make space to date again, and allow themselves to feel.Kate becomes emotional as she reflects on her stepchildren’s experiences with grief and how her understanding has deepened now that she’s also a biological mum. Together, the trio explore how solo parents, especially fathers can be supported emotionally, practically, and socially without judgment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Discipline Disagreements: Should Stepparents Have a Say?

  This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by co-hosts Cilla and Nathalie to unpack a dilemma that so many stepparents silently struggle with: discipline.A listener writes in feeling completely overridden by her partner when it comes to setting boundaries with his children. She tried to discipline calmly and respectfully but he jumped in, reversed her decision, and made her feel like she had no right to step in at all.The trio discusses what discipline should look like in blended homes, and how stepparents can feel confident in their role without overstepping. Is discipline only for biological parents? What message does it send to children when their stepparent’s authority is constantly undermined?They also explore how couples can get on the same page when it comes to parenting, the difference between discipline and telling off, and why real teamwork is essential Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Ashley John-Baptiste: From Foster Care to Fatherhood

  This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by co-host Nathalie and special guest co-host Ashley John-Baptiste — , journalist, documentary-maker and now author of Looked After, his powerful memoir.Ashley’s no stranger to the podcast and he’s back to talk about his own story growing up in the UK care system, living with five different families, and never quite feeling like he belonged. In this emotional and honest conversation, he shares how that shaped his sense of identity, his education, his relationships, and the kind of father he is today.The trio also tackle a heartfelt dilemma from a listener who's trying to help her foster son feel welcomed into their family especially by her partner, who’s parenting for the first time. Ashley shares real insight into what children in care may be feeling in moments like this, while Nathalie opens up about her own past and how childhood trauma can lead to emotional walls and coping mechanisms.This is a moving episode about identity, resilience, and the healing power of love and a reminder that family isn’t always where you start, but what you grow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• The Father’s Day Special: The Husbands Takeover

  This week on Blended, it’s the Father’s Day special and Kate’s handed over the mic. Rio Ferdinand takes on hosting duties, joined by Cilla’s husband Philo Appeaning and Nathalie’s husband Sayce Holmes-Lewis for a rare and honest conversation from the men’s side of the blended family dynamic.The trio tackle a dilemma sent in by a man who didn’t tell his partner that his ex would be at a party he was taking his daughter to. When she found out, it caused serious drama but now he’s asking: should you always tell your partner the truth, even if you know it’ll cause problems?That sparks a deeper chat about communication in relationships, how the men have evolved emotionally since their younger years, and the impact their wives have had on the way they express themselves now.They reflect on how easy it is to slip back into old patterns, and why working on emotional growth in your home is worth the effort especially when you’re trying to break cycles.They also open up about boundaries with exes and extended family, and share how those lines have had to shift over time to protect their wives and their peace.Then comes the surprise: Kate hits them with some loaded questions submitted by their wives and they have to answer on the spot. Plus, they have a proud moment as they hear unexpected Father’s Day messages from their children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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