What They Don’t Tell You (but we will!)

What They Don’t Tell You (but we will!)

Join Emily and Matt Norris as they pull back the curtain on real-life parenting, the highs and lows of marriage, and everything in between. With 20 years together, three kids, a dog, and a home renovation under their belts, Emily brings her signature positivity and practical tips, while Matt keeps things grounded with his honest, often humorous, dad’s-eye view. Expect raw and relatable chats, lessons learned (and mistakes made), and the advice they wish they had heard sooner. Whether you’re in the thick of parenting or just love a good family chat, What They Don’t Tell You (but we will!) is here to tell you what no one else does – with warmth, wit, and a touch of British moaning. Parenting, marriage, and family life – no one hands you a manual, but we’re here to share what we’ve learned along the way. New episodes every Monday

Episodes

September 29, 2025 16 mins
This week’s episode of What They Don’t Tell You is extra special, we’re joined by our 9-year-old son, Jackson. He has requested to make this episode for some time!

We ask him everything from the best thing about being nine to what food he’d eat forever, and his answers are just as funny and surprising as you’d expect. We also chat about what school should be like, the “totally unfair” rules at home, and what he thinks...
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This week on What They Don’t Tell You, we sit down with writer, podcaster, and queen of parenting honesty Cat Sims (@notsosmugnow) for a conversation that’s as funny as it is heartfelt.

From the hilarious chaos of parenting fails to the surprising lessons that come with raising kids, Cat opens up about the highs and lows of family life. 

She chats with us about how social media can be both a lifeline and a pr...
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Back to School with Sophie David (Happy Little Learners)
Back-to-school season can stir up a mix of emotions - excitement, nerves, and even a bit of Sunday-night dread, for both kids and parents. 

In this episode, Emily and Matt sit down with Sophie David, founder of Happy Little Learners, to explore the unspoken pressures families face as September rolls around.

From big transitions like starting school ...
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This week on What They Don’t Tell You, Emily and Matt sit down with dietitian and author Nichola Ludlam-Raine to unpack the hot topic of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). From sneaky “healthy” products that are more processed than you’d think, to the everyday guilt parents feel about feeding their kids, Nichola breaks down the science in a relatable, real-world way.

They chat about how to make peace with UPFs without cutt...
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This week on What They Don’t Tell You, we’re joined by the wonderful Louise Pentland - YouTuber, author, Disney superfan, and proud mum of two girls.

Emily and Matt sit down with Louise to chat about:
✨ Her lifelong love of Disney (and the magic that never fades)
✨ How her childhood shaped the way she parents today
✨ The unexpected joys and challenges of raising girls in 2025
✨ What it was really like ...
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Fussy eating is one of those parenting challenges that can leave you stressed, second-guessing yourself, and wondering if your child will ever eat more than pasta and plain bread. In this episode of What They Don’t Tell You, we sit down with children’s eating expert Emma Shafqat to unpack everything parents need to know about picky eating.

We dive into:

What actually defines a “fussy eater” (and why it’s not ...
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In this episode of What They Don’t Tell You, we’re joined by the brilliant Daisy Woods, better known online as Muddle Through Mummy. Daisy is hilarious, refreshingly honest, and a total pro when it comes to navigating life as a boy mum.

We chat all things raising boys, from sibling dynamics and never-ending mess to fussy eaters and the reality of screen time. Daisy also opens up about her journey into motherhood, incl...
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In this episode of "What They Don’t Tell You", we sit down with the incredible Nadia Thorburn, mum of four, including a set of spontaneous triplets, for a raw and relatable conversation about what it’s really like to go from one child to four almost overnight.
From the moment she found out she was expecting triplets, to navigating a high-risk pregnancy, endless nappies, and zero sleep, Nadia shares the emotional and physic...
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Today, we’re joined by two amazing guests - Stuart Armfield and Francis Haugen - for a powerful and honest conversation all about their journey to parenthood through surrogacy.

Stuart and Francis open up about the emotional rollercoaster of starting a family as a same-sex couple, the challenges they faced along the way, and the absolute joy of becoming dads. From the very first step to meeting their baby for the first...
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Today’s guest is Emily’s lovely friend Jemma Solomon - aka The Label Lady! Jemma is a mum of three, a former nurse, and the founder of one of the most recognisable home organisation brands in the UK. She's someone who’s built a hugely successful business from scratch - using Instagram and a whole lot of grit.

In this fun, honest, and inspiring chat, we cover everything from career changes to family life, social media ...
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    Today we’re diving into a topic that affects women eventually — What They Don’t Tell You About... Perimenopause & Menopause. We’re joined by Dr. Alice Scott, GP and British Menopause Society specialist (and Emily’s own doctor), for a myth-busting, info-packed, and empowering conversation about hormones, symptoms, and support.

    In this episode, we’ll cover:
    • What perimenopause actually is — and why so many...
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    Today, we're joined by the brilliant Marie Louise – better known as The Modern Midwife – to talk about What They Don’t Tell You... about birth, recovery and the mental load of motherhood. With over a decade of NHS experience and two children of her own, Marie shares expert advice and honest truths about pregnancy, birth plans, pain relief, mum guilt, intrusive thoughts, and the pressure on modern mums to “do it all.”

    ...
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    Today, we’re chatting with the fabulous Kimberley Walsh about What They Don’t Tell You... About Raising Boys, Rediscovering Yourself and Staying Sane(ish). As a singer, presenter, interiors lover and mum of three boys, Kimberley opens up about parenting chaos, career balance, and why she has a secret stash of toothbrushes in the downstairs utility room!

    In this episode, we talk about:

    • The beauty ...
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    Today, we're joined by a very special guest — former Love Islander, presenter, and total straight-talker Amy Hart! In this honest and hilarious episode, we chat about What They Don’t Tell You About... New Motherhood, Influencing, and Finding Your Magic. Amy shares what life is really like behind the grid.

    In this episode, we’ll talk about:
    • The parts of motherhood no one prepares you for 
    • Feeding journeys, s...
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    Today, we're talking about something really fun and surprisingly controversial — What They Don’t Tell You About... Baby Names! We’re joined by the UK's leading baby name consultant, YouTuber and author SJ Strum, who has helped thousands of parents around the world choose the perfect name — and who knows all the trends, pitfalls and behind-the-scenes baby name drama.

    In this episode, we chat about:
    • Why choos...
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    Today, we’re talking about something fun, practical and full of personality — What They Don’t Tell You About... Designing a Family Home! We’re joined by interior designer and mum-of-two Abby from Ginger Nest Interiors, who helps families create homes that are stylish, functional and genuinely liveable (yes, even with messy kids).

    In this episode, we talk:
    • How to design kids’ rooms that grow with them
    • Mistak...
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    Today, we're talking about something that definitely doesn't get spoken about enough — What They Don’t Tell You About… Style, Identity and Dressing After Kids. We're joined by celebrity stylist and mum-of-two Tatiana de Normann, who shares her expert tips on how to feel good in your clothes again — no matter your shape, size or budget.

    In this episode, we chat about:
    • Why so many mums feel lost in their styl...
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    Today, we’re talking about something really important and long overdue — What They Don’t Tell You About... Talking To Your Kids About P0rn. We’re joined by leading child psychologist Aisling O'Connor, who’s here to help parents protect their children from online dangers — including exposure to pornography, predators in gaming apps, and the reality of growing up in a digital world.

    This episode covers:
    • The s...
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    Today, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges of parenting — What They Don’t Tell You About... Baby Sleep! In our first-ever guest episode, we’re joined by sleep consultant, author, and mum-of-three Rosey Davidson, founder of Just Chill Baby Sleep. If you’re sleep-deprived, confused by regressions, or just wondering when your child will ever sleep through the night — this one’s for you.

    In this episode, we’ll ta...
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    Today, we're doing something a little different — it’s a What They Don’t Tell You Q&A Special! We asked for your parenting questions, and you delivered. From tips and tricks to struggles and transitions, we’re chatting through it all with our usual mix of honesty, humour and chaos!

    In this episode, we’ll talk about:

    • The easiest (and hardest!) ages so far
    • Potty training, co-sleeping and surviv...
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