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Ep 12: Conversations with Stuart Armfield and Francis Haugen: On Love, Positive Mindset, and Becoming Fathers Through Surrogacy


In this episode, Laura discusses love, happiness, and masculine/feminine relationship dynamics with Stuart and Francis, who recently became fathers through surrogacy. We discuss what it means to embark on a surrogacy journey as a gay couple, what life looks like as new parents, and how to go after your dreams. Stuart and Francis are successful business owners who teach others about personal freedom, leadership, positive mindset and how to become the best version of yourself. The two men have always been big advocates for women´s health and wellness and are delighted to be working with a brand like Lola&Lykke that endorses and supports parenting in all its different formats. Stuart and Francis candidly speak about their experiences and agree that having more feminine energy as gay men may make it easier to navigate parenting, business, and life in general. Laura draws attention to Stuart´s post: ´I am creating the life of my dreams´ and compliments the two men of setting an incredibly positive example and living their ideal life, which has been made possible through digitalisation and the acceptance of difference in general. Stay tuned until the end to learn some exciting news about what the men have in plans next!

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Dec 10, 2021

Ep 9: Conversations with Elliott Rae: Music, Football, and Fatherhood

This time, Laura and Maana are joined by Elliott, a dad of one, a newly published author, and the founder of MusicFootballFatherhood, “The dads’ version of Mumsnet.” (BBC)

The three launch into a conversation through how MFF became to be, and how a hobby turned into a fulltime job. Talking...

Oct 1, 2021

Ep 8: Conversations with Sophie Martin: Becoming a Mother

This time Laura and Maana are joined by the person behind @the.infertile.midwife, Sophie Martin, an NHS midwife and a mum to Cecil and Wilfred, who never made it home, and to Percy, who did.

The three talk about the painful experience of second trimester loss and infertility, which for Sophie...

Aug 1, 2021

Ep 6: Conversations with Eeva Hiila: The Midwife Perspective

THIS EPISODE IS IN FINNISH. This time Laura and Maana are joined by Eeva Hiila, the chairwoman of the Uusimaa Midwifery Union, municipal councillor, and a deputy member of Tehy council, a midwife with nearly 20 years’ of experience, and a mum. The three women talk about the midwives’ call...

Jul 1, 2021

Ep 5: Conversations with Ann Bacon: On Being a Working Mother

This time Laura and Maana are joined by Ann Bacon, a mum and baby nurse from California, and a mum of two.

The three talk about Ann’s incredible journey from psychiatric nursing to paediatrics care with HIV positive children and being a mum and baby nurse, to having children of...

Jun 1, 2021

Ep 4: Conversations with Lähiöfaijat: The Opportunities of Modern Fatherhood

This time Laura and Maana are joined by Emppu and Tomppa, two dads from East-Helsinki who host the Lähiöfaijat- podcast.

Traditionally maternity spaces have been signposted to be women-only areas. Modern fathers have challenged this discourse, and the conversation flows accordingly: Tomppa and Emppu share the origins of how the...

May 30, 2021

Ep 3: Conversations with Stiliyana Minkovska: Bridging design and maternity care

This time Laura and Maana are joined by Stiliyana Minkovska, a London-based architect, designer, and mum of two.

The conversation flows from birth experiences to the lack of mother-centred design in the equipment and surroundings at hospital birth. The women talk in-depth about Ultima Thule, an alternative birthing experience designed...

May 15, 2021

Ep 2: Conversations with the Modern Midwife: Mental health and Motherhood

This time Laura and Maana are joined by Marie Louise, a UK based Modern Midwife and a new mum herself.

The three discuss pregnancy, motherhood, and the challenges women face during their pregnancy journey through personal experiences and professional knowledge, and bond over shared desire to have a positive impact...

May 1, 2021

Ep 1: Conversations about Birth Experiences: Healing Trauma and Gaining Control

In the first episode of the Female Changemakers Podcast, Laura and Sanna talk through the effects of birth trauma, miscarriage and gaining control that led Laura to create Lola&Lykke, a support platform for mums.

When Laura´s first baby was born, she experienced severe complications that were nearly fatal due to...