By Rachael Grealish
Parenthood is a journey filled with countless challenges, from sleepless nights to overwhelming responsibilities. For one mama, these trials became the catalyst for a remarkable venture that would soon resonate with parents everywhere.
In April 2023, Brenna Dickinson embarked on a podcasting journey, driven by a desire to communicate her struggles and triumphs without the risk of arguments or misunderstandings, and created Mamas Gone Mad. Little did she know that her raw and genuine approach would strike a chord with listeners across the UK.
Mamas Gone Mad Podcast Becomes A ‘Lifeline’
As a mother with young children, finding the time and energy to engage in social activities can be daunting, but the podcast provided the perfect outlet for Brenna, whose baby was still breastfeeding and ‘clingy’.
Longing for understanding and support, she decided to share her experiences through the power of spoken words. Juggling the demands of daily life, such as housework, cooking, work, and school activities, was taking its toll.
Something had to give, and the podcast became a lifeline—a way to communicate her struggles effectively and transparently to her husband, Stuart, and the world.
The mum-of-three said: “My youngest was at the age where no one is much bothered anymore and everyone kind of naturally expects you to go back to “normal” going out etc which I couldn’t do as at the time she was still very much breastfed and clingy.
“I had repeatedly told my husband I was struggling to do everything while running off such little sleep (sometimes less than an hour of broken sleep per night for weeks at a time).
“So, the podcast came about as a way of communication for me to get my point across to him without it turning into an argument, we have a great marriage don’t get me wrong but everyone with young kids knows how intense it can be.”
Starting a podcast from scratch might seem intimidating, but armed with determination and a little help from Google, Brenna discovered the tools and techniques to make it a reality.
Utilising Spreaker as her recording platform, she found a user-friendly solution that seamlessly distributed her episodes across popular podcasting platforms like Spotify and Audible.
Despite being a self-proclaimed ‘technophobe’, she embraced the challenge and honed her skills, learning and growing with each episode.
Unlike meticulously planned shows, her podcast embraced spontaneity and authenticity. With only two episodes prepared in advance, she relied on reaching out to others for stories and inspiration.
“I have only ever prepared for 2 episodes, the birth experience episodes. I simply reached out and asked for stories, other than that I totally wing it and half the time I lose my words,” Brenna explained.
The rest was pure improvisation, often recording during her youngest child’s naptime or with a baby on her hip while her other two children played nearby.
A Safe Space For Listeners
Listeners tuned in for unfiltered conversations covering a range of topics, from personal experiences to weekly updates. This podcast became a safe space for listeners to realise that the struggles of parenting are universal, and fairy tales often fall short of reality.
Word of her podcast quickly spread, and she found herself at the centre of an unexpected phenomenon. Encouragement poured in from a diverse group of individuals, including a company interested in collaborating and locally renowned figures such as Rachel Holliday and Kay Wayman.
Inspired by these interactions, she seized the opportunity to launch a mothers’ group pilot named The Mamas Village. Through this initiative, she aimed to create a community where moms could support and uplift one another, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity.
The turning point arrived when she received her first email from a mother she had never met. It was a testament to her podcast’s impact, reaching people who resonated with her candid storytelling.
Buoyed by this unexpected validation, she found solace in connecting with her growing audience, facilitating conversations and embracing the reality that parenting ‘isn’t always a fairy tale’.
She said: “I think the first moment of “holy moly people are actually listening to this” was when I received my first email, it was before I’d told anyone other than my mam and husband, I’d been recording and putting it out for a couple of weeks and a mother I didn’t know contacted me to say she had had the podcast recommended to her and she loved it.
“I’m still in touch with her and everyone who has contacted me about it, it’s amazing getting to speak to people and letting other mothers openly say that sometimes parenting really isn’t a fairy tale.”
An ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ Outcome
While anxiety lingered about potential criticism, she decided to share her podcast with a wider audience. To her relief, negativity was nowhere to be found. Instead, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Downloads steadily increased, fueled by new listeners captivated by her relatable anecdotes and honest musings. Surprised yet grateful, she marvelled at the fact that people were genuinely interested in her “boring life” and willing to invest their time in listening to her podcast.
In just a few short months, this mom’s podcast became a platform that transformed her journey from one of personal struggles to a collective celebration of parenthood.
It served as a reminder that real experiences resonate deeply with others, fostering connection, empathy, and the courage to embrace the challenges that come with raising children.
Through her willingness to share, she has given voice to the realities of motherhood, reminding us all that sometimes, it’s okay to admit that parenting is far from a fairy tale, but pretty great nonetheless.
Listen to Brenna’s podcast Mamas Gone Mad on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Spreaker.
THE HERDWICK NEWS 