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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 through gendered parenting, societal expectations, masculinity, and what life can look like for working dads, the three end up with possibilities for dads. Exploring the importance and presence of partners in mum’s wellbeing and child’s formative years, the three conclude that fatherhood is in transition and most men fit neither the ultra-masculine nor the more soft, even feminine fit given to men through social media. How the gap fills with time through workplaces engaging with fatherhood, and the society levelling up with dads is something all three are hoping to contribute to. The natural conversation flows through Elliott’s experience in the workplace, NHS, among dads and with collaborations like the commencing one with Lola&Lykke – catching up to and allowing the modern dad experience, everyone needs to do their part.

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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...