6 podcasts for parent carers

Keen to plug into a community of kindred spirits who truly understand where you’re at? Put on those headphones. There is no easier way to conjure up some camaraderie than in the cosy, open-all-hours club that is a podcast made for parents like you, by parents like you. The only problem is that, nowadays, there’s a cacophony of audio offerings for families travelling not-so-typical paths. So we’ve cut through the chatter and collected the crème de la crème of current parent-carer podcasts.

Here are six of our favourites:

F**king Normal Podcast

Let’s start strong with this sometimes sweary, always straight-talking series where hosts Rina Teslica and Lauren Fenton – both mothers to daughters with disability – shine a light on the highs and lows of parent-carer life. Chatting with other parents and people from the disability community, these Londoners have put a cool and colourful spin on the historically drab and dreary corner that was parent-carer resources. You’ll get hooked on this podcast’s theme music and stay for the warm and fuzzy feels that come from being seen.

The Rare Life

No topic is off limits in this raw, beautifully produced series that started soon after host Madeline Cheney welcomed her son, Kimball, who has a rare medical condition. In personal reflections and conversations with other parent carers and professionals in the space, this US-based mum unpacks questions that tend to occupy parent-carer minds, like, should I grow my family? How can I cope with the ‘life-limiting’ reality of my child’s condition? And, am I allowed to scale back my kid’s therapies? Essential listing for those of us caring for rare gems.

Too Peas in a Podcast

Australian mums Mandy Hose and Kate Jones bonded over both having premature twins with disabilities with additional needs – and decided to give parent carers some much-needed love, laughs and attention. In a series of discussions with each other and guests from the parent-carer and disability community, Mandy and Kate have found a place in the ears and hearts of tens of thousands of listeners each week. And with spinoff Too Beans in a Podcast for the dads, and a book, The Invisible Life of Us, their comforting content just keeps coming.

The Skies We’re Under

Feel like you’re winging it in this parent-carer gig? Tune into this one. Qualified nurse, author and “unqualified” parent of three Rachel Wright talks candidly with fellow parents of people with disability, delving into subjects such as “Sex, puberty, and ‘When I die’”. As founder of the UK’s Born at the Right Time – a community bringing together families and experts in the disability space – Rachel invites imperfect parents who are finding life hard while still loving their children to find solace in this series. As she says, “we are better together, whatever skies we’re under”.

Coffee with Caregivers

You might already know her as Jess + The Mess, a mother of eight (yes, eight) children in a big, blended American family that includes her son, Lucas, who has profound disability. In addition to publishing several books, co-creating and starring in the film doco, Unseen, and heading up The Lucas Project – a non-profit supporting fellow families in the disability space – Jess Ronne hosts the Coffee with Caregivers podcast. Here, she sits down with parent carers and digs deep into the joys and trials of raising a child with complex needs.

Once Upon a Gene

Effie Parks is as affable a host as you’ll ever find and, after tuning into her podcast, this US-based mum will feel like your bestie. Inspired by her son Ford, who has an extremely rare genetic condition, Effie interviews others who are parenting in uncharted territory and has clocked up more than 200 episodes – and close to 100 self-reflective ‘Effisodes’ – to date. Once Upon a Gene has won awards for its awareness raising and advocacy, with parent carers dubbing it “podcast perfection” and “a beacon of hope and encouragement”. We’re all ears!

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We’d love to know your parent-carer podcast recommendations. Get in touch with our team at hello@hibi.health