Voicenote Vault

This week on the podcast we're serving a solo scoop of motherhood magic with a little update on all things, well, Alexandra & Khadija. We're bringing big brother energy, some mind blowing results and as always a sprinkling, or two, of realness.  Here is the link for our exclusive WhatsApp VIP Room: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FSrkR0TAIC91kHiEbuAJyw Right, let's get into it! ___ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com.   Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating, commenting and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts!   Love Alexandra & Khadija x

This week we are joined by our final guest of the season, Leandra Perrozzi, and WOW what an emotional episode this is. Leandra joins us to speak about how her motherhood experience went from having a blissful pregnancy to birthing a child with complex medical needs at only 33 weeks, following a placental abruption. Her daughter Alba has OA/TOF, a rare congenital condition of the oesophagus (food pipe) and/or trachea (airway) that affects 1 in every 3,500 people and ultimately means she was born without the ability to swallow. Alba also has other medical conditions, none of which were detected before she was born. She shares with us how her and her husband have navigated the unknown with Christ by their side, how they have learnt about and received training in Albas medical needs, how Leandra has been able to return to work with Alba now attending nursery and we discuss a big topic...what "weaning" looks like given Alba's conditions. We want to thank Leandra for coming on the podcast and sharing her very moving journey with us; we hope through her vulnerability we can help to spread awareness of Albas condition and the charity that plays a huge part in supporting them "TOFS". There were lots of tears recording this so this is just a heartfelt heads up in case you'd rather skip one of our 'heavier' episodes, or maybe save this one and come back to it later. If you would like to find out more about Albas condition please visit https://tofs.org.uk/what-is-oa-tof/ & if you would like to help support Alba & other children's stories please visit Leandra's fundraising page ahead of the 2025 London Marathon! Right, let's get into it! ___ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating, commenting and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x

This week we are discussing all things holiday and my goodness do we cover it all! From slip free shoes & stroller dupes, double buggies at dinner & unwanted in flight entertainment. We've seen what the tiktok influencers say you should pack now we're spilling the tea on what you really need & may actually use. Not only that but Alexandra shares her thoughts on two very different 5 star experiences and Khadija dishes the dirt on travelling with two. If you're about to embark on your first vacation or staycation with children then buckle up baby, as this one's for you. Now it might not be the holiday you're used too, & may even be slightly different in parts to the holiday you'd imagined, but as you'll hear from our own experiences, the memories made, both good and bad, will be priceless and last a lifetime. Parenting abroad is worth every second and we hope that this episode lightens the load (pun intended!) equips you with all the things you DO & don't need to take, and as always gives you some incite into what could be in-store. (Or perhaps just another slice of Wednesday waffling from us!) Don't forget to check out some of our holiday must haves below Right let's get into it ____________ Our Holiday Must Haves  Joolz Aer Stroller Hauck Travel n Care Stroller IKEA Mala Portable Drawing Case Mess Free Colouring Activity Resuable Childrens Wristbands  Marker Pen for Bands ___________ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x  

This week we are joined by our second guest of the series; Katie McGarry, Chartered Accountant, Music Artist Manager and Mum of one! We wanted to get Katie on our Podcast because from the outside it looks like she "has it all" and naturally we wanted all the tea on her life, as a super inspirational Mama! Specifically, Katie not only works for a company as a Finance Director, she has her own Professional Accounting Services business, she manages Music Artists, and she's doing all of this while raising her toddler son, Jax. We discuss what life as an entrepreneur looks like, what the definition of "having it all" really means and what sacrifices she has made to get to where she is now. Katie talks about how saying yes more and putting yourself out there can lead to new opportunities, why she no longer gives a f*ck what people think and how setting boundaries have played a crucial role in her balancing life as a working mum! Of course we couldn't help but discuss the concept of "mum friends", her maternity leave experience and how in general she copes with lifes stresses. We loved having her on the Podcast and her Vault Secret is defo not one to miss! A little bit more about Katies business: Pocketbook Accounting are your trusted partner in financial management. With over 15 years of experience, they offer accountancy services tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses. Whether you're navigating the complexities of self-assessment, managing the financials of a limited company, or streamlining payroll, their expert team will ensure accuracy, compliance, and peace of mind giving you finacial clarity and efficiency. You can contact them at www.pocketbookaccounting.co.uk or @pocket_book_accounting over on instagram! Right, let's get into it! ___ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x

This week we're talking all things transitioning from one child to two and we're looking straight at Khadija for all the hot tea tips! There certainly isn't a manual for this and nothing can truly prepare you for the high and lows of this transition, but it definitely gets easier (or not!) as they get older. After all you've given them the greatest gift they'll ever receive each other. We discuss introducing the new baby, ways to communicate with the toddler - so they don't feel pushed aside, the reality of the 'newborn bubble' (ha!) & whether its easier or harder than expected. Alexandra highlights some of her reservations & we hear about the different types of 'mum of 2' she's currenty taking notes from: are you still carrying the kitchen sink for your children or just whatever fits in the UniQlo crossbody bag? We get into some of the situations Khadija has been in, in order to keep up the daily life of a toddler & for the first time this series Alexandra is left, completely lost for words, when she's served an unexpected surprise! Right, let's get into it! ____ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating, commenting and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x

This week we are joined by our first EVER expert guest; Liz Halliday from Private Midwives, who joins us to discuss all things home birth and VBACs (that's a vaginal birth after caesarean) alongside discussing the ever important topic, medical intervention! Liz has recently retired as a home birth provider after 10 years on call but continues to manage Private Midwives in Ireland, and also works as a Tongue Tie Specialist. She joined us today to add a professional view to our last episode where we discussed Alexandra's home birth plans for baby no 2, following her caesarean birth in 2021. We talk about induction and the "need" for medical intervention, uterine rupture risk associated with VBAC, and why home birth might be a great choice for people to consider. Finally, we talk about children being present at birth, why we need to talk to them about birth, and what it looks like. It's defo full on, jam packed full of juicy information for you to consider if VBAC or home birth are choices you're interested in, and we would LOVE to hear your thoughts and comments Liz is the co-author of Chapter 10, "Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section (VBAC): Increasing Trust in Women and Birth" which can be found in "Giving Birth in Ireland" published by The Irish Birth Movement, to find out more or purchase this book please click here: https://sheelaghnagig.com/giving-birth-in-ireland_9781399971935 A bit more about Private Midwives: Private Midwives are a private midwifery service operating in the UK and Ireland and have recently been awarded the Winner of the Best Midwifery Service 2024 at the M&A Today Global Awards. They can provide you with complete continuity of care and aim to offer you the widest choices for your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Right, let's get into it! __ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating, commenting and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x

This week we are talking about Alexandra's Birth Plans for Baby No 2...a HBAC (that's a home birth after cesearean!) As you know by now, Alexandra is super passionate about all things birth and womens rights particularly within the birthing system & in her profession as a Doula. So in this episode she wanted to share how she is personally navigating her considered "High Risk' second pregnancy, after the cesearean birth of Master J in 2021. In this check in she shares her birth choices and what she will be doing differently, why and how she chose her doula, what you actually need for a home birth and how she's navigating pregnancy with a toddler! Disclaimer: thoughts and opinions that are discussed in this episode are personal and are in no way medical advice. Right, let's get into it! ___ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating, commenting and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x

This week we are discussing all things MUM and how we find time and space for ourselves on this wild journey! We get right into it and totally admit that we DO NOT have all the answers on how to look after ourselves! We discuss how we try to find time to still work on and develop ourselves whilst raising tiny humans but also admit that at times, we might in fact be the problem and may be limiting ourselves (to some extent!) by our need to control or do things our way. If we stepped back a little, would we free up ourselves for the aspirational TikTok 7-step skin care routine, and if we had the time, would we even choose to actually embark on that fiasco! Ultimately, it brought to mind, priorities. Everyone is going to have different ones, but we hope that our waffle this week gives you a chance to think about how you can find some time for yourself within yours. Right, let's get into it! ___ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating, commenting and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x

So this week we are discussing all things Expectations vs Reality of parenthood! We share our personal stories of how we expected motherhood to be vs. what we are experiencing now. We note a lot of hard times but also the really important point, that phases do pass and there is light in each of those stages to most definately enjoy! Do we have it all figured out? Absolutely not! But are we learning as we go and finding joy in the "WTF" moments? Absolutely. It doesn't mean it's all easy... and perhaps our experiences are not yours, but they are still valid in our journeys on this motherhood train! We get into how "holidays" have changed, how "acceptance" of things can help you rationalise things, and how personal development pre and post babies looks a little different...as do some of the simple things in life, like taking a poo! We might have felt a little lost at times, and perhaps sometimes we still do but we know it won't always be this way! We loved recording this episode and hope it gives you, our wonderful listeners, some food for thought, a feeling of "we're all just out here doing our best" or just a moment to check yourself and know you're doing a great job! Right, let's get into it! ___ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating, commenting and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x

It's official...we are back for another series; how could we not give the people what they wanted!? This week, we get quite intense (when do we not!?) talking about all things toddlers because we know a lot of our listeners are also in, or approaching this stage. So, whilst acknowledging that parenting can be terrifying at times, we discuss re-framing the concept of 'terrible twos', how we navigate the tantrums, and how we try to discipline and hold boundaries with our little love bugs. It's definitely not easy and we certainly don't have all the answers but maybe you will be able to relate and we can make you feel less alone in the uncharted territory. We also discuss if the concept of 'gentle parenting' can ever truly fully exist? How we talk about "rules", and whether or not toddlers can actually manipulate us?! Yup, we said it… It wouldn't be a new series without a new spicy game, and this ones called "voice it or vault it". We will be sharing different scenarios, including some from you, our listeners and decide if it's something we will be commenting on orrrr, keeping our lips firmly sealed! Ooooh, we love the tea! Welcome back to your safe space for all things motherhood; let's get into it! ___ If you would like us to discuss your “Voice it, or Vault it” scenarios, please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com. Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! Love Alexandra & Khadija x 

WE'RE BACK!

SURPRISE! So, it turns out, we aren't quiiiite done yet!   We are back this week with our first bonus episode and dang does Alexandra completely hijack the mic, but let us tell you, she spills the whole damn teapot! Offft that's all we're saying on that!  So tune in to hear Khadija absolutely speechless (for the first time this series!) and we hope you enjoy what really is our very last episode of this season. We'll be back for another series real soon but whilst we're gone, keep talking, keep supporting each other, keep doing your research but most importantly, keep doing you!  Right let's get into it!" ___ If you have any cute & spicy thoughts about our first ever podcast series, we would love to hear from you. Please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com   Finally, if you haven't done so yet, please show your support by rating our podcast on Spotify or even leave us a juicy review over on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this show! 

Well, how did we get here so fast? It's our final episode of the series...and to say we are sad about it is an understatement! So, to celebrate the success of the podcast we decided to give you, the listeners, exactly what you asked for... Yes that's right, we have taken those most pondered questions, post ep thoughts and given you our honest & unfiltered answers, our views, our feelings and of course, some juicy tips! We cover a whole range of topics from; toddler tantrums, periods, breastfeeding, how we create this podcast, and the ever sensitive topic...childhood immunisations. #awkward And even with the best intentions we attempted a "quick fire" round of questions which you will very quickly realise was quite the opposite…Alexandra! So, in true Voicenote Vault style, we bring you ALL the tea & the biscuits to go with it! Right for one last time, let's get into it!" ___ If you have any cute & spicy thoughts about our first ever podcast series, we would love to hear from you. Please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast or drop us an email at voicenotevault@gmail.com Before we cut & run we have two last things to share; Firstly we wouldn't be where we are without two of the worlds greatest podcast gods; Rob Sell & Paddy Gervers! Please check out what they get up to here: https://www.torchandcompass.com/about Finally, please kindly show your support by sharing, liking, rating and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts! ___ Oh wait…one more thing…are you ready for another series?

This week we bring you the thoughts and feelings of over 2000 women about how relationships in their lives have changed after have a child. Yes, that's right, we surveyed 2284 women to be exact using our favourite app PEANUT! Taking a slightly different format to our usual weekly dose of motherhood honesty, we get into detail about friends, parents and of course your significant other... including the question everyone wants to ask, how intimate are we all having after children? Thank you to everyone that got involved in our polls, we found it both insightful and also comforting knowing that many people are probably feeling how you are. If you liked this episode, we'd love if you could rate and review so we can keep bringing you you're new fave podcast!  Right, let's get into it!" — If you would like to share your motherhood wins or wings with us please slide into our  DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast  Or show your support by sharing, liking and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts.  —  TikTok @voicenotevaultpodcast  Email voicenotevault@gmail.com Original Music by Rob Sell & Paddy Gervers 

DISCLAIMER: This week we faced some audio technical difficulties but we couldn't not bring you another slice of the realness, after all this is a real & honest podcast (& we are just two mum learning, IT ALL, as we go!) So if you're here for the tea, thanks for listening, if it's not for you this week, we hope you'll still join us next week! Right, let's get into it;  ‘She's just a mum!', ‘She just goes for coffee and walks in the park!', ‘I didn't even know she wanted another one!', ‘How can she be tired?', ‘Can she even afford it?' Are all questions we've heard or had directed at us on our motherhood journeys, but did you ask for that person's opinion? & how did it make you feel? This week we dive into taboos around children and motherhood, we talk openly and honestly about shifting from office boss to head of the home, the impact choosing to have another baby can have on those around you and how we feel about the popular statement ‘oh I'm just a mum'. Can we reinvent this narrative? Can we enable others with, the room to make choices for their family, without judgement? Can we cheerlead each other better? This conversation will really give you something to think about, no matter your current parental status & we can't wait to hear your thoughts & reflections! — If you would like to share your motherhood wins or wings with us please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast  Or show your support by sharing, liking, rating and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts.  —  TikTok @voicenotevaultpodcast  Email voicenotevault@gmail.com Original music by Rob Sell & Paddy Gervers 

Now that you've heard our birth experiences, naturally that takes us into our Postpartum Era and boy, let's just say, we get into it!  We talk about the emotions, the confusion, the pressure, the feelings, the moments we can't remember and those we definitely won't forget! We could have spoken for hours on this topic, as that period of your life, the 4th trimester especially, can feel all consuming. But, we both made it through, Khadija is currently doing it for the second time! #sendhelp And of course, we are here to share the tea with you! Right, let's get into it!" — If you would like to share your motherhood wins or wings with us please slide into our  DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast  Or show your support by sharing, liking and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts.  —  TikTok @voicenotevaultpodcast  Email voicenotevault@gmail.com Original Music by Rob Sell & Paddy Gervers

This week Alexandra talks us through the birth of her Son, Master J. We hear how her plans of a home birth changed to an "unplanned" (but not an emergency) cesarean birth, what this really involved and how she still managed to have an "amazing cesarean"! Despite this being a positive birth, Alexandra opens up and reflects on how she feels things could have been different if she had been supported by a Doula and shares some learnings that all birthing women might find helpful! Thank you to Alexandra for being vulnerable enough to share how things didn't go to "Plan A" and a big shout out to her Developing Doula sisters that helped her hugely throughout this time in her life. Right, let's get into it!" — If you would like to share your motherhood wins or wings with us please slide into our  DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast Or show your support by sharing, liking and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts. — TikTok @voicenotevaultpodcast Email voicenotevault@gmail.com Original Music by Paddy Gervers & Rob Sell for Torch & Compass.

Are you ready because we think this is our most honest and vulnerable episode so far….Khadija's birth stories She explains how she felt bullied by the system, gave into multiple interventions in her first birth as a result, and what she learned going into her second birth to have a more positive outcome We hear Alexandra validate Khadijas stories with her perspective as a Doula. She shares how women are being let down and one of the most valuable tools that all birthing women need to know. Thank you to Khadija for being so open and a big shout out to her incredible midwives Shannon and Pam at St Helier Trust for helping her have a calm and peaceful birthing experience round two...  Right, let's get into it!” If you would like to share your motherhood wins or wings with us please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast Or show your support by sharing, liking, rating and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts. — TikTok @voicenotevaultpodcast Email voicenotevault@gmail.com Production by Khadija Smith Original Music by Paddy Gervers & Rob Sell for Torch & Compass.

Hold onto your stomach's because this week we are back & we're discussing our pregnancy experiences (including some unpleasant symptoms!). We hear about debilitating hyperemesis, working out throughout pregnancy, and why knowing your boundaries when it comes to navigating the UK maternity system is so valuable. We get into the nitty gritty of informed consent, why the language we use around birth is so important and whether we should or shouldn't be using trigger warnings! Right, let's get into it! — If you would like to share your motherhood wins or wings with us please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast Or show your support by sharing, liking, rating and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts. — TikTok @voicenotevaultpodcast Email voicenotevault@gmail.com Production & Original Music by Paddy Gervers & Rob Sell for Torch & Compass.

For our very first episode we thought we'd bless your ears with a little bit about - you guessed it - US! How we met each other, which of us got deep between the sheets in lockdown and whether there is ever a right time to give someone your eggs? And no, we're not talking about the poached kind… Right, let's get into it!  — If you would like to share your motherhood wins or wings with us please slide into our DMs @voicenotevaultpodcast  Or show your support by sharing, liking and reviewing this show wherever it is you get your podcasts.  —  TikTok: @voicenotevaultpodcast  Email: voicenotevault@gmail.com Production & Original Music by Paddy Gervers & Rob Sell for Torch & Compass.

Hey Mummas & all you lovely Mummas to be!  After the success of our IGTV series we present to you Voicenote Vault: The Podcast! Coming March 20th. Subscribe, and follow the podcast on socials; @voicenotevaultpodcast