Lou Beckett is back to talk about the three things she simply cannot live without. From accepting help without guilt to refusing to dismiss “just a coffee” with friends as frivolous, Lou shares the habits and mindsets that keep her vaguely upright while juggling kids, school admin and everyone else’s emotions. We chat about why asking for help is actually a life skill we need to model for our children, why social time is stress relief not indulgence, and how finding a comforting, low-stakes TV obsession can be its own form of meditation. If you’re an exhausted default parent, this one is for you.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Lou’s Book, Lessons from a Default Parent: Surviving the Front Line of Family Life (Without Losing Your Sh*t), is available to buy from 12th February 2026.

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Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Lou Beckett

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Sam Rhodes

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

This week, I’m joined by Lou Beckett – mum of two, history teacher and wife of comedian Rob Beckett – who shares a hilariously raw take on what it really means to be the default parent. Lou talks about carrying the invisible labour and mental load while Rob is away, the identity freefall of stepping away from work, and why women are still expected to “have it all” while running on no sleep. We get into birth trauma, breastfeeding guilt, and why feeding your baby formula is not a moral failing. Lou explains what it really means to be the default parent, why schools always ring mum first, and how resentment quietly builds over time. We also talk about being completely “touched out” by kids hanging off you all day, and then being expected to switch into sex kitten mode the minute your partner walks through the door. This is a funny, deeply validating conversation for anyone who has ever thought: I love my kids, but I am absolutely done.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Lou’s Book, Lessons from a Default Parent: Surviving the Front Line of Family Life (Without Losing Your Sh*t), is available to buy from 12th February 2026.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Lou Beckett

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Sam Rhodes

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

Today, the wonderful Emma Kirk-Odunubi is back with us. If you heard her main episode, you’ll know she’s a 15-time marathon runner, coach and all‑round running legend – but today, we’re finding out the three things she simply cannot live without.​ We talk about why the most important part of running might happen when you’re not running at all, why it’s sometimes not just okay but wise to skip a run, and how “forwards is a pace” became Emma’s mantra on and off the road. This is a gorgeous, grounding conversation for anyone who needs permission to slow down, be kinder to themselves, and still call themselves a runner.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Emma’s book, Find Your Pace, is available from 5th February 2026.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Emma Kirk-Odunubi

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Sam Rhodes

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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