Our daughter was seriously ill… until her brother saved her life

Our daughter was seriously ill… until her brother saved her life

Author: Giovanna Fletcher January 13, 2026 Duration: 1:10:40

Being able to share incredible stories is a huge reason why we do this podcast.


Last year, Giovanna read Lifeblood: A Mother in Search of Hope by author and journalist Mina Holland. The book reveals Mina’s harrowing journey after learning her baby, Vida, was critically ill just two days before turning 12 weeks old.


What unfolded next was nothing short of extraordinary. Now, Mina joins Gi to share her powerful story firsthand.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby picks up the threads of her bestselling book, creating a space where the polished facade of parenting is gently set aside. Each episode unfolds through candid, comforting conversations with well-known mothers and fathers, though the focus is less on their fame and more on their shared, human experience. Giovanna, or Gi as she’s often known, guides these discussions through every facet of raising children-the unexpected joys, the exhausting lows, the personal challenges, and the quiet rewards. The core idea that resonates throughout this podcast is the liberating notion that perfection is a myth; everyone is simply navigating parenthood as best they can. Listening feels like being part of a supportive, honest chat among friends who understand that the journey is messy and beautiful in equal measure. You’ll hear real stories that validate your own, offering both solace and a much-needed laugh. It’s a warm, inclusive audio journal that celebrates the collective reality of family life, making it a deeply relatable listen for anyone in the thick of it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Mum Happy Baby
Podcast Episodes
Jessica Brown Findlay on navigating fertility and twin parenting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:50
This week Giovanna is joined by the incredible Jessica Brown Findlay! Jessica is an actor, perhaps best known for her role as Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey.She opens up to Gi about becoming a mum to twin boys via IVF, and…
Fleur East on why she felt shame around feeding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:59
It’s a new year which means a whole host of brand new brilliant guests! To kick things off, Gi welcomes singer and presenter Fleur East to the studio.Fleur tells Gi the amazing story of her home birth, which ended in her…
Kate Thornton on raising a son as a single mum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:42
This week we caught up with broadcasting legend Kate Thornton!Kate shares her best advice for raising young teens, finding male role models for her son, and why we should be championing single parents.Plus, Kate tells Gi…
Rachel Ama on racial disparities in maternity care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:01
On this week’s episode, Giovanna is joined by vegan chef and Youtuber Rachel Ama!She and Gi discuss the systemic racial bias within healthcare, and how that influenced Rachel to fight for a home birth.Plus, the highs and…
Jane Dowden (Mum and a Mic) on going into labour at 21 weeks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:53
Gi’s guest this week is the hilarious actress, comedian, and content creator, Jane Dowden, aka Mum and a Mic!Jane shares her journey of conceiving her twin boys through IVF. She also reflects on the emotional turmoil she…
Kerry Hudson on how a difficult childhood shaped her as a mother [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:06
Giovanna is joined this week by the writer Kerry Hudson.Kerry had a turbulent upbringing marred by poverty. She tells Gi how homelessness and time spent in and out of foster care made her all the more determined to creat…
Fred Sirieix on dealing with dad guilt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:15
Love is in the air in the studio this week!Everyone’s favourite maître d', Fred Sirieix, perhaps best known for appearing on Channel 4's First Dates, joins Giovanna to talk all things fatherhood, food, and falling in lov…
Victoria Derbyshire on breaking the cycle of domestic abuse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:10
This week we have journalist and broadcasting legend Victoria Derbyshire in the studio! Victoria tells Gi all about life as a mum of two teenage boys, blending motherhood with a hugely successful career, and how her 2015…