This week our host, Theo Clarke, is joined by entrepreneur, author and Peanut founder Michelle Kennedy to discuss loneliness in motherhood, building support networks and why no mother should feel alone.
Topics discussed on the show include: the emotional reality of new motherhood; loneliness and isolation after having a baby; expectations versus reality; building a support network; asking for help; identity and motherhood; what women need most in the early weeks after birth; and the importance of community and connection throughout motherhood.
BIOGRAPHY
Michelle Kennedy is founder and CEO of Peanut, one of the fastest-growing social networking apps for women focusing on fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause, which has raised $23m to date. Michelle was formerly Deputy CEO of dating behemoth Badoo, and during her tenure was integral to and inaugural board member of Bumble, (which IPOd at a $13bn valuation).
Having worked in social discovery for ten years, Michelle has unprecedented experience and understanding of the safety and growth components of building a social network for women and continues to execute on her mission to make Peanut the leading network to connect women when they need each other most. She is also a strategic investor in several early and late stage startups, and institutional venture capital funds.
Michelle is also the author of It Takes a Village: And Other Essential Truths for New Mothers, which brings together stories from women in the Peanut community alongside expert insights on fertility, pregnancy, birth and motherhood.
RESOURCES
Peanut
https://www.peanut-app.io
It Takes a Village: And Other Essential Truths for New Mothers
https://www.peanut-app.io/book
ABOUT THE HOST
Theo Clarke hosts the hit podcast Breaking the Taboo which ranks in the Top 5 most listened to shows in the UK for alternative health. She has also published a bestselling memoir Breaking the Taboo: Why We Need to Talk About Birth Trauma. She was the Member of Parliament for Stafford and won Speech of the Year at the Parliamentarian of the Year Awards in the UK. Theo was included in the prestigious Top 100 Women in Westminster list three years in a row.
This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.
DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice – please seek advice from a GP or doctor.
www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
Instagram: @theoclarkemp
Breaking The Taboo production team
Host and Founder: Theo Clarke
Producer: Natasha Feroze
Researcher: Kate Kenyon
Designer: Emily Ryder
Social Media: Bella Carter
Studio Manager: Adam Woodward
Studio: Studio 55, part of Wolfe Power Club
