A Few Things I've Learnt is a podcast for when parenting gets hard and you're in need of some soothing words. Every guest answers the same three questions:
• What’s been the toughest challenge you’ve faced as a parent?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What soothing words do you wish you’d heard at the time?
Across 32 seven-minute episodes, the podcast offers an audio library of wisdom and comfort for parents — no advice, no answers, just lived experience. Guests include: Annie Macmanus, Jack Thorne, Ria Lina, Waad al-Kateab, Oliver Burkeman, Yasmin Khan and Rebecca Adlington.
Get in touch: sophie.powling@gmail.com or abbyhollick@hotmail.com
Subscribe to our Substack: afewthingsivelearnt.substack.com
Catherine Newman on her daughter's mental health crisis after being bullied
New York Times bestselling author Catherine Newman (Wreck, Sandwich) reflects on three questions:
1. What’s been the toughest challenge you’ve gone through as a parent?
2. What did you learn about yourself?
3. What soothing words do you wish you’d heard at the time?
She recalls the painful period when her teenage daughter faced anxiety and bullying, while she was also grieving her best friend’s death from ovarian cancer. She shares what it means to stay present through suffering and to simply be a steady “body in the room.”
LINKS:
@catherinewman
www.catherinenewmanwriter.com
Substack: Crone Sandwich: https://cronesandwich.substack.com/about
Catherine's book - Wrecked - https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/290017/catherine-newman
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Executive Producers: Sophie Powling and Abby Hollick
Music: Joseph Benoliel
Artwork: Tania Estevez
Get in touch: sophie.powling@gmail.com or abbyhollick@hotmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and Substack: @a_few_things_ive_learnt and afewthingsivelearnt.substack.com
21 Jun 2026
Annie Macmanus on changing work to fit family life
DJ, broadcaster and writer Annie Macmanus, explains why she decided to leave her successful radio show at BBC Radio 1 to focus on family time and how she came to understand that there is something feminist about being able to make choices for yourself.
LINKS:
@Anniemacmanus
https://www.anniemacmanus.com/
https://anniemacmanus.substack.com/
Annie's book - The Mess We're In - https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/annie-macmanus/the-mess-were-in/9781472297167/
The Fox out April 2027
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Executive Producers: Sophie Powling and Abby Hollick
Music: Joseph Benoliel
Artwork: Tania Estevez
Get in touch: sophie.powling@gmail.com or abbyhollick@hotmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and Substack: @a_few_things_ive_learnt and afewthingsivelearnt.substack.com
20 Jun 2026
Ria Lina on sticking up for her neurodivergent children
British comedian Ria Lina (Mock the Week, Pointless) reveals what she has learnt from being an autistic mum raising neurodivergent children. She shares the realisation that standing up for her kids was not always helpful for them.
A Few Things I've Learnt is a podcast for when parenting gets hard and you're in need of some soothing words. Every guest answers the same three questions:
• What’s been the toughest challenge you’ve faced as a parent?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What soothing words do you wish you’d heard at the time?
Across 32 seven-minute episodes, the podcast offers an audio library of wisdom and comfort for parents — no advice, no answers, just lived experience.
Links:
@rialina_
www.rialina.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producers: Sophie Powling and Abby Hollick
Music: Joseph Benoliel
Artwork: Tania Estevez
Get in touch: sophie.powling@gmail.com or abbyhollick@hotmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and Substack: @a_few_things_ive_learnt and afewthingsivelearnt.substack.com
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