Welcome to Unsolicited Advice With Mum, hosted by us, Jenny and Zoë Ottaway.
And look, we use the word 'advice' very loosely here.
This podcast is basically just us sitting at the kitchen bench gossiping. We're talking about everyday dramas, dating and bridging our generational gap over all those hilarious, unfiltered life moments we probably shouldn't be sharing with the internet. But here we are.
Hit follow and hang out with us!
Hey Friends,
Zoe was unable to join Jenny on this episode, so she's solo again. Enjoy this personal take as Jenny talks about pivoting in her career, looking back in the rear view mirror she can see where she was, and from the outside it looks very impressive but from the inside, something was missing.
Through a few zigs and zags she finally landed on a career that speaks to her heart, Pilates Instructing.
If you're thinking about changing careers or just want to hear another perspective, then, this episode is for you.
Sending you lots of love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
30 Aug 2026
5 things Jenny has learned being an empty nester
Hey Friends!
In this episode, whilst Zoe is off galavanting in a European country on a travel adventure, Mum Jenny is holding down the fort and sharing something that mums and dads everywhere eventually face, the empty nest.
She shares what it's like finding herself temporarily being an empty nester, or as autocorrect calls it, "snotty jester". Ha!
There are 5 things Jenny has learned in the first few months of being an empty nester, and she shares everything from suddenly realising the focus can be on her and her goals without the happy chaos that fills a home populated by family, to the realisation that time waits for no one.
She talks about watching her young adult kids' lives from afar, and the sense of pride and achievement she feels as they learn how to make their way in the world independently. It's exciting times for everyone and definitely a new chapter is being written with new experiences being had that are life-changing and life-affirming. Lives filled with possibility and learning.
Which is really what life is all about.
We hope you enjoy!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
24 Aug 2026
Best friends, why you can't have just one
Hey Friends! In this episode, we delve into the world of female friendships and more specifically, best friends and the we discuss the belief that there is one exclusive 'Best Friend Forever' for you out there.
But what if there are different friendships that serve you in different ways? And you have multiple best friends?
Zoe talks about the complexities of having multiple best friends and how friendship shouldn't have a ranking system, ie 'best' is first.
Jenny shares her experiences with friendship through the different seasons of her life.
And finally, can mothers and their daughters be friends? What do you think? We discuss this topic and more. Be sure to listen and also if you like the episode, leave us 5 stars!
Sendng you lots of love,
Jenny and Zoe xxx
17 Aug 2026
quitting a toxic job with no plan
Hey friends!
In this episode, we dive into what it’s like to quit a job without having another one lined up. We chat about the decision to walk away from something that no longer felt right, the fear that comes with giving up security, and the reality of not knowing what comes next.
We talk about why Zoe stayed in a job that she knew wasn’t making her happy and what pushed her to leave.
We hope you enjoy listening!
Sending you lots of love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
10 Aug 2026
our biggest fears
Hey friends!
In this episode, we dive into our biggest fears. We chat about Zoe's fears on being single and not having children and Jenny's fears around reaching retirement and discovering what that could look like.
We also chat about how exhausting it can be trying to plan every next step when sometimes you just have to figure things out along the way.
We hope you enjoy !
Sending you love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
3 Aug 2026
Shedding your old life and creating your new one
Hey friends!
In this episode, we reflect on shedding old skins and stepping into new chapters. Wether it's travel, career pivots, breakups, graduations, age milestones or illness, it forces us to reexamine our priorities.
We dive into how Substack feels like entering our ultimate Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City era. Zoe shares her breakthroughs with learning to genuinely love and be excited by her life.
Jenny opens up about her financial mentality breakthroughs, being temporarily slowed down by her cancer journey, and stepping into temporary empty-nest life. She also opens up about her dreams of moving to Italy.
Plus, we unpack what it really takes to enter a new stage of life: taking action, opening new doors, meeting new people, and leaning into the butterfly effect of stepping out of your comfort zone.
We hope you enjoy listening!
Sending you love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
27 Jul 2026
the quest for phone discipline
Hey friends!
In this episode, we dive into phone addiction, screen time overload, and the quest for balance. We chat about screen time, doomscrolling and the never ending slog of phone discipline.
We hope you enjoy listening!
Sending you lots of love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
20 Jul 2026
How breakup baddies get closure
Hey friends!
In this episode, we dive into breakups, closure, and the road to acceptance. We chat about overanalysing every little detail after a relationship ends, and how sometimes it's the matter-of-fact words from the other person that finally help you let go.
We talk about the surprising realisation that Zoe feels more like herself now than she did in the relationship, how easy it is to lose parts of your identity when you're with someone.
We also chat about the book, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and how its principles have become a lens for navigating heartbreak and acceptance. From being impeccable with your word to not taking things personally or making assumptions and doing your best.
Plus, we unpack one of the biggest mindset shifts after a breakup, that the end of a relationship often has more to do with the other person than it does with you.
We hope you enjoy listening!
Sending you lots of love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
13 Jul 2026
Dishing on our dating stories with a special guest!
Hey hey!
In this episode, we chat about dating. We talk about the age-old debate of who pays for the bill on a first date. We look at Zoe dipping her toes into the dating scene post-breakup, and Mum’s unwavering optimism as she continues to see the best in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, despite some less-than-ideal dates.
We share Zoe's first date horror story involving a gambling addict and discuss whether pre-date phone calls are a must-do. We also debate a major hot take: do you know if someone is a good match from the first date? Plus, Mum is going on a blind date......stay tuned!
We hope you enjoy!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
6 Jul 2026
The Summer (or Winter) of Hobbies
Hey there!
In this episode, we chat about hobbies, and specifically, the habit of starting them and absolutely not sticking with them. We talk about the sudden pressure to find new things to fill your time when you find yourself single, and whether everyday habits like exercise actually count as a real hobby.
We talk about our own current rotations, from reading to trying to cultivate a green thumb. We look at the daily battle of screen time and we share some hobby inspiration. We unpack why it’s completely okay to love a constant evolution of different things rather than locking yourself into just one.
We hope you enjoy!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
29 Jun 2026
Why you should solo travel
Hey there!
In this episode, Zoe chats about her recent solo trip to Lisbon, Portugal, which turned out to be a lot more social than solo. We dive into what it’s like rocking up to a new city with absolutely no plans, hoping for the best, and the confidence that comes from striking up conversations with strangers.
We talk about Zoe's "summer of free will" and saying yes to new opportunities.
We discuss navigating FOMO and the ultimate question: do you need to isolate yourself to actually feel confident alone? We unpack the struggle of not just sitting with your own company, but learning how to truly enjoy it.
We hope you love this one!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
22 Jun 2026
Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing?
Heya!!
In this episode, we are chatting about the infamous Vogue article 'Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?' written by Chanté Jospeh. Zoe and Jenny kick things off by disagreeing on a premise, opening up an honest conversation about the anxieties of modern dating, from Zoe feeling self-conscious about posting her partner too much, to Jenny worrying about needing permission to post them at all.
We break down why feeling "embarrassed" is really just us caring about other people's judgment, and why it's time to stop letting outside opinions dictate our lives.
We talk about navigating the ultimate relationship risk: losing and abandoning yourself. We tackle the idea that being single is just a form of "purgatory" we have to endure until the next partner arrives, and instead discuss how empowering it is to focus on your own aspirations. Whether you're single or in a relationship, it's all about intentionally choosing your status and feeling empowered.
Zoe shares a crazy, serendipitous story from a night she went solo to an event and met Chanté Joseph. Plus, we dive into why women absolutely love to dissect situations, (so much so that we literally created a whole podcast dedicated to doing exactly that)!
We hope you enjoy listening!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
15 Jun 2026
Finding Self-Love and Self-Worth When Heartbroken
Hey there!
In this episode, Zoe discusses her need to be liked by others. We talk about the reality of moving overseas, the pressure to impress a brand-new crowd, and how relying on external approval can feel like a validation rollercoaster.
We talk about navigating breakups and rejection. Zoe and Jenny share why we should never accept someone who is "unsure" about us, how self-worth is about setting the boundary, and why self-love means holding your own hand and choosing those who choose us back.
To lighten things up, we share how we're finding peace through detachment, saying yes to new opportunities, and expanding our worlds. It’s a beautiful reminder it’s everyone's first time doing life and everything is going to be okay.
We hope you enjoy this one!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
8 Jun 2026
What Cancer Was Like for Mum
Hey there!
In this episode, Jenny shares her personal journey with breast cancer. From the initial shock of diagnosis to the overwhelming love from family, friends, and an incredible medical team.
Throughout it all, Jenny’s unwavering optimism and positivity carried her through, and now, one year on, she shares the ultimate milestone, she is officially, cancer-free!
Tune in for a beautiful conversation about resilience and how Jenny and Zoe coped with this life altering experience. We hope you enjoy listening!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
1 Jun 2026
How to Move On from a Heartbreak Like a Baddie
Well, hello there!
In this episode, we are diving deep into life post-breakup. Zoe opens up about how she’s really feeling, the journey of trying to stay friends with an ex, and how she's finding closure independently.
Zoe talks about staying optimistic for the future, finding gratitude for the good parts of the relationship, and the power of acceptance and time.
To lighten things up, Zoe shares how she's saying 'yes' to new experiences, stepping way out of her comfort zone, and doing the work to become the best version of herself.
We hope you enjoy listening!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
25 May 2026
Moving Overseas In Our 20s
Well, hello there!
Welcome to our first EVER episode! We wanted to kick things off introducing ourselves, Jenny talks about living in London in the 80s, meeting Zoe's dad and moving to Australia as an American. Zoe breaks down her life after living in London for the last year and a half.
They unpack why they moved overseas, the experience of making new friends, job hunt struggles, from finding love to navigating a breakup, the importance of therapy and more!
We hope you enjoy listening!
Much love,
Jenny & Zoe xxx
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
4.4 / 5
17 ratings
Contact Unsolicited Advice With Mum
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Unsolicited Advice With Mum?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
