My Mum Made Me (mom, relationships)
My Mum Made Me
An award-winning podcast on the relationships we have with our mums (or moms if you're not British). Paul Reza Afshar explores the wonderful and sometimes weird ways our mums make us who we are today with famous faces from the BBC, The Witcher (Netflix) and ITV, opening up about the relationships with their mums.
Over the course of a light-hearted 40-minute conversation, ‘My Mum Made Me’ explores the wonderful ways in which mums make successful actors, athletes, authors and activists, told through their childhood stories.
Behind every successful person is a magnificent mum, with all her love and eccentricities. And alth...
Witcher Wisdom: Unveiling the Secrets of Cahir with Eamon Farren - An Exclusive Interview with The Witcher star on how his mum shaped his acting
Actor Eamon Farren from Netflix show The Witcher talks about how his relationship with his mom, Roslyn, shaped the actor he’s become and how she fought off death to see him collect his first television award. Rosyln has now unfortunately passed and Eamon shares the beautiful memories of his beautiful mother, including how he found 'The Book of Eamon' after she had died.About Eamon Farren and The WitcherDive into Eamon Farren's portrayal of Cahir in The Witcher, as we unravel his compelling perfo
Shohana Sharmin on finding funny in death, coming out to her mum and teaching us how to grieve (mom, relationships)
Shohana SharminDeath isn't scary to Shohana. She faced her mum's passing by starting a podcast about grief (Finders Grievers) and an on-stage comedy revue "Dead Parents Society". She is resilient, she is brave and she is a brilliantly witty queer Muslim woman of colour who talks openly and with words of wisdom about her mum's passing six years ago. More about ShohanaShohana Sharmin is a Bangladeshi-Canadian emerging comedian, writer and theatre artist. Born and raised in Bangladesh, Shohana is a
(II of II) Comedian Josh Jones on fame, Sarah Lancashire and the special powers of his mum's leather jacket (mom, relationships)
Part II of II. What makes Josh Jones a Gobby Manc Princess? The TV funny man gets a lot of his sense of humour from his mum. But in spite of being Manchester's favourite "gobby princess" it's him who's more prude than his mum. 8am nights out, making fun of mum on the telly and more in this episode of My Mum Made Me. Josh Jones - The Comedian Who Captivates Audiences WorldwideJosh Jones, born in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, is a fast-rising star in the world of comedy. With his unique wi
(I of II) Comedian Josh Jones on my mum's biodegradable funeral (mom, relationships)
Part I of II. When I told Josh Jones that when I was 11 my mum asked me and my sister to, upon her death, bury her biodegradably in the local park, he had some sage advice. Don't do it... one of the funniest men I've ever spoken with and self-confessed Gobby Manc Princess, Josh Jones....Josh Jones - The Comedian Who Captivates Audiences WorldwideJosh Jones, born in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, is a fast-rising star in the world of comedy. With his unique wit, charm, and relatable humor,
(II of II) Sydney Mae Diaz on Aunt Viv playing his mom and working with Christopher Waltz (mum, relationships)
Screen star Sydney Mae Diaz's first love is his mom, Clara. But having worked alongside Christopher Waltz it's clear who his second is... In Part I we talked Sydney's achingly cool mom Clara - so cool she busted him out of school and drove him 2 hours for a gig. In Part II we talk about Sydney's role on The Consultant, being a one-take wonder with his audition tape and having Fresh Prince of Belair's "Aunt Viv" play his mom on screen. Sydney also starred in HBO Gen Z drama Genera+ion about a gro
(I of II) Sydney Mae Diaz on musical moms, growing up Cuban American and his big break (mum, relationships)
Sydney Mae Diaz has just finished starring alongside Christopher Waltz in hit Prime TV show "The Consultant" & takes a break to talk to us here at My Mum Made Me (or Mom if you're from the US like Sydney). Sydney grew up in Queens NY but his mom Clara hails from Cuba. Like host Paul Afshar, Sydney has the unique flavour of being raised by an immigrant parent in an English-speaking country, and all the fun, frolics and frustrations that come along with that. Sydney's mom is no doubt cool - sh
(II of II) Surviving abuse: Dad beat mom unconscious. Then she developed ALS (mum, relationships)
Listen to Part II of Jonathon's heartbreaking and inspiring story of surviving abuse on My Mum Made Me, where he shares his experiences of growing up in a household filled with violence, emotional abuse, and neglect. Jonathon's dad's beatings were violent and sustained and left such a scar on his memory that he still recounts them to this day. The head trauma suffered by his mom was so severe she developed ALS** - from which she tragically died. Nursing her in the final part of her life took its
(I of II) Surviving abuse - the boy who wasn't potty trained until 1st grade (relationships, mum, mom)
Listen to Part I of Jonathon's heartbreaking story on My Mum Made Me, where he shares his experiences of growing up in a household filled with violence, emotional abuse, and neglect. A phone call one night from his birth mom to her cousin warning of danger changed Jonathon's life forever, removing him from a household used to violence, emotional abuse, and neglect. Jonathon's story sheds light on the devastating impact of domestic violence on children and how it can lead to long-term trauma. Di
Britain's Got Talent Mindreader Tomas McCabe on Simon Cowell, Meryl Streep playing his mum and her role in the Troubles (relationship, mom)
Simon Cowell once described mindreader and hypnotist Tomas McCabe as having "something really special", but his mum Pauline knew that anyway. She grew up in the UK and went on to receive an OBE for her work with the Northern Ireland Policing Board from Prince William. In this episode of My Mum Made Me we talk swapping trousers with Stephen Mulhern, Meryl Streep, Love Actually in bed on Boxing Day and never being grounded.
(II of II) Simon Squibb - can you say you don't like your mum? (relationships, mom)
In part I Simon revealed that after being kicked out by his mum aged 15, and sleeping on the streets, he attempted reconciliation but to no avail. In this moving and candid episode, Simon makes a challenging conclusion - he's just not sure he likes his mum. We discuss what made Simon feel this way, and whether there are others who, deep down, have the same feelings about their mums in this episode of My Mum Made Me.
(I of II) Mother's Day Special: Simon Squibb - from homeless at 15 to giving away his fortune on the street and the difficult relationship with his mum (Investor, Philanthropist, TikTok star, mom, relationships)
By any measure, Simon Squibb is making a success of his life. But it didn't start this way. Kicked out by his mum aged 15, Simon found himself homeless and jobless. He's now a multi-millionaire taking TikTok by storm (1 million followers) by giving away money on the street to strangers wanting to start their own businesses. In this episode we unpack the hurt and attempts to reconcile with his mum, which don't always have a happy ending.
(II of II) Holywood actor Cameron Moir on Liam Neeson, hiding men in his closet as a teenager and his mum's renaissance (mom, relationships)
After escaping her gangster ex-boyfriend Cameron's mum throws herself into raising her two boys, at the expense of her own life, at least that's what Cameron thinks. Cameron comes to terms with his sexuality, hiding men in his closet to keep his mum from finding out. Returning to Glasgow in her latter years, Cameron's mum rediscovers her sense of self, hailing a renaissance in their relationship. In the second part of this episode, Cameron talks about starring opposite Liam Neeson, sex and silly
(I of II) Holywood actor Cameron Moir on being catfished by Sarah Jessica Parker and his gangster dating mum (mom, relationships)
When Cameron Moir's mum first came to London aged 18 she didn't expect to become embroiled with a senior member of the capital's gangland. After a dicey encounter, Cameron's mum escaped to the island of Jersey, bringing Cameron into the world. Now in his 30s Cameron talks Hollywood and theatre, playing opposite Liam Neeson and being catfished by Carrie Bradshaw, or was he?
SWEDISH TAKEOVER: Ikea mums, "Melodifestivalen" the 6-week Eurovision, Swedish family Christmas and playing Princess Diana with the jellicle Linus Karp (mom, relationships)
Linus Karp devoted the last year of his life to educating the world on how to be "jellicle" based on the Andrew Lloyd Weber movie "Cats" starring James Cordon. Now he's educating us on all things Sweden - from the traditional Swedish Christmas, the 6-week "Melodifestivalen" Eurovision contest in Sweden and the true meaning of Gratrunk. The wonderful Linus talks to Paul Reza Afshar on his mum's upbringing by a Conservative Swedish priest who kicked her out of home aged 18 and her transformation i
Dame Ann Limb (II of II) the 1st gay and female Scouts head on her mum, life in Manchester and meeting Princess Kate (mom, relationships)
In this episode, part II of II, Dame Ann Limb, the first female and first gay Chair of The Scouts, talks about why she thinks her mum might have been gay, her experience living as an out woman in the 1980s and 1990s, and why Brits take a different attitude to Americans about rags to riches real life stories. (She's also met Kate, Princess of Wales, which I'm very jealous of) #mum #mom #relationships #britain
Dame Ann Limb (I of II) the 1st gay and female Scouts head on her mum, life in Manchester and meeting Princess Kate (mom, relationships)
The first female and first gay Chair of The Scouts in its 108-year history, Dr Dame Ann Limb speaks about her rise from a working-class neighbourhood in Manchester to being awarded a Damehood for her public service. In this episode, Ann unpacks everything from women in public life to how she thinks her mum gave up her ambitions to conform in 1950s Britain. (She's also met Kate, Princess of Wales, which I'm very jealous of) #mum #mom #relationships #britain
Benny Jee on Genz & the holocaust (told through the eyes of holocaust survivor grandad and his daughter, Benny's mum) #relationships
In this touching episode #tiktok star Benny Jee opens up about how we can help #genZ understand the horrors of the #Holocaust, told through the inspiring story of his Grandad. Hear how Benny's grandad survived the Nazi's death march, staving off starvation when he found a single pea on a derelict farm. And how his mum has carried on the mantle of her father's work in making sure we #neverforget
Humanist mums (II of II) more on Humanism, conscientious objectors and human shields in Ukraine with Andrew Copson (Humanists UK)
In this episode, the second of two, I ask for Andrew's help in persuading my mum not to be a human shield in Ukraine (she wants to learn Ukrainian as a 70th birthday present to herself) and we talk more about people who resist war, humanism and pacificism.
Humanist mums (I of II) Andrew Copson (Chief Exec, Humanists UK) on his two great grandmothers at uni and his humanist mum (mom, relatoonships)
Andrew Copson (Chief Executive, @HumanistsUK ) tells us about how his two great grandmothers (who saw him off to #oxforduniversity) were "unchurched" and what #humanism actually is. His mum Julia raised him in the #humanist tradition, worked as a dinner lady in his school and sent him off for a private education under the Government's Assisted Places Scheme. Andrew talks touchingly about the untimely #death of his younger brother and memories of the two of them from #childhood . Fun fact: Andrew
Mark Bittlestone ("TikTok Poof") on losing his mum and dad before finishing uni (mom, relationships)
In this touching episode Mark opens up about losing both his parents - mum during his A-Levels and Dad during his university finals (he still got a double first from Cambridge - a fact he reminded me of during our chat). Although on stage (he's a thriving comedian) punters mistake Mark for a "boy" as an adult he has taken TikTok by storm with a series of videos looking at the idiosyncracies of gay life, imaginatively called "poofsRus". Hear more from Mark on using his comedy to cope with grief i
James Barr (Hits Radio) on arguing Trans people with Piers Morgan and his mum walking in on him (mom, relationships)
James Barr (Hits Radio presenter, host of A Gay and a Non Gay, and Fleur East superfan) talks about going toe to toe with GB News' Piers Morgan on protecting trans people. With his trademark saucy wit James gives us an insight into growing up gay, and what his mum (mom) said when she walked in on him and his boyfriend for the second time.
Aidan Jones, his mum & their relationship with his bank robber dad (Edinburgh Fringe comedian)
When Edinburgh Fringe's Aidan Jones asked his mom about his biological dad, she told him he was a bank robber. And it wasn't a lie. His parents fell in love young but couldn't live in the same country so separated, with Aidan's dad pursuing his dream of opening a music venue in Vienna. But after discovering he'd borrowed money he couldn't pay back from the mafia, Aidan's dad unsuccessfully robbed a bank and ended up in jail. Hear the rest of the story and how Aidan found his dad with the help of
Spencer Matthews - relationship with his heroic brother, family and sobriety (CleanCo, Made In Chelsea, mum)
Channel 4 TV star and successful entrepreneur Spencer Matthews opens up about the tragic death of his brother, Michael, the youngest Brit to summit Everest, and the love and memories he felt as a child. Spencer travelled with Bear Grylls to recover his brother's body, the subject of a Netflix/ Disney + documentary coming soon, and talks about the impact his dad had on his ambition as a kid. Spencer now runs a successful low-alcohol spirits company, CleanCo - and spills the secrets of his success
Mini mum: a voicenote from mum after I paid off her mortgage
A lot of you have been asking for more voicenotes from my mum. So here's a short snippet of one after I paid off her mortgage.
Paul Afshar on depression and finding a new love for his mum (III of III, relationship, mom)
In the final of this three part mini-series (III of III) Paul tells Julian the things that have been left unsaid between him and his mum, Teresa. Reflections on Teresa's girlfriends, her refusal to shake teachers' hands at school parent's evening and how reconciling the relationship with his mum helped cure Paul's depression.
Paul Afshar on his feminist mum coming to terms with him becoming a man (II of III, relationship, mom))
In the second of this no-holds-barred mini-series (II of III) Paul delves deeper into his relationship with Teresa - hoping to find answers to the question - has his mum made him? A survivor of male violence in her own family Teresa struggles to accept Paul growing from a child into a man - a conflict which, in a darkly ironic twist, comes to the fore at a female-only festival in Bradford for Muslim women. Teresa takes in a 70-year-old Jamaican refugee, who leaves after one night, and has more a
Paul Afshar on growing up in poverty with his mum (I of III, relationships, mom)
In this no-holds-barred episode (the first of three) the tables are turned as Paul talks about his mum, Teresa. Teresa’s wayward interventions from making Paul fashion International Women’s Day gifts at school and her presence at a peace camp in the centre of Bradford underline his eccentric childhood. Facing disadvantage at home living on welfare, things begin to look up as his mum’s new lover TJ begins to temper some of her eccentricities and the possibility for a new home and life beckons. Bu
BBC Comedian Lord Rajj on his Gujarati mum telling people to "die" at airports (relationship, mom)
BBC funny man Lord Rajj (yes, he's actually a "Lord", well, sort of) is a comedian with a kick. Gujarati by heritage, Londoner by birth, his mum Rita heralded her arrival in the UK from India by telling people to "go away and die" at the airport (a line her brother gave Rita in case people bothered her on her journey). The comedy doesn't end there. We talk blue gods, bad jokes and buying a Lordship in this episode of My Mum Made Me.
Ethan Spibey on the NHS & making his mum cry in Parliament (relationship, mom)
In the second half of our 2 part series on the NHS we speak with campaigner Ethan Spibey, whose mum, "Vron Vron", helped deliver hundreds of our nation's babies while working in the health service. Ethan led a successful campaign so gay men could legally give blood and it's clear where his sense of duty and right and wrong have come from. In this episode we talk coming out, carrying babies and crying in the House of Commons.
Lewis Iwu on interviewing Malala, his mum and the NHS (relationship, mom)
As a former World Debating Champion, Lewis Iwu has many accolades to his name. But none makes him more proud than one: son of Edith, an NHS nurse of over four decades. Edith's fortitude and unquestioning dedication to caring for others has so strongly shaped Lewis, he now spends his career campaigning for social justice. In this episode, the first of two looking at how the NHS shapes us, we talk gossiping mums, cooking and campaigning.
Owen Gould, his mom, Grindr haircuts being a stylist to Grimes (relationship, mum)
Celebrity stylist Owen Gould has worked with artists from Grimes to Kirsten Dunst, but it was his mum Donna's hair where it all started. Dana met Owen's dad in an Ashram and sent her son to "hippie summer camps" where, he found the confidence to come out. We talk gurus, Grindr haircuts and Golden Globes with Owen Gould.
Charlies Jones (BBC) on Ian McKellan, simulating sex and his mum (mom relationship)
The BBC's Charlie Jones was once so stunned by a withering line from his mum, Po, that he changed careers. And while Po had to once sit through a play where Charlie simulated sex with a chair, their bond is unbreakable. We talk Ian McKellan, acting and that line from Po.
Singer Duane Forrest, a homeless man and his mom (relationship, mum)
As a teenager, Duane Forrest once brought a homeless man into his mum's house to offer him shelter and food for the night. He dreamed of seeing the world as a kid but thought it a "silly" expectation for a young black boy living in social housing. Now he's an international singer and songwriter whose mum is the "model of a woman I want to be with". The strength she showed after losing her daughter during an operation and stories of her journey from Jamaica to Canada inform Duane's unique music,
Popstar NEO 10Y, his mum and their relationship with veganism (popstar, mom)
NEO 10Y is a non-binary pop star whose mum fled Uganda as a child after being expelled by Idi Amin. They talk about Jay (their mum), the Last King of Scotland, and their quest to make the world...vegan.
Jay Made NEO 10Y
NEO 10Y is a non-binary pop star whose mum fled Uganda as a child after being expelled by Idi Amin. They talk about Jay (their mum), the Last King of Scotland, and their quest to make the world...vegan.
Tom Wright - his mum & the relationship with his alcoholic dad (mom, playwright)
Tom Wright's first play was about his dad's battle with alcoholism and untimely death. But it's his mum who has the untold story. In this episode, we unpack Alison's story with her loving son, Tom.
TV's Edwardine Made Rochelle on how Alan Carr made her mum cry (relationship, mom)
BBC TV's Rochelle Dalphinis was best known on Alan Carr's Interior Design Masters for her catchphrase "champagne taste, lemonade money", but also a lack of confidence in her own talent. It's something her mum Edwardine has sought to build back up. Hear more in Episode 3 of My Mum Made Me.
Kirsty McNeill on politics and her pioneering mum Morag (relationship mom)
Kirsty's Mum Morag ran away from her foster parents aged 13 after both her parents died, going on to pioneer a system of child justice in Scotland. In a big way, Morag made Kirsty McNeill the woman she is today. (Executive Director, Save the Children)
Why I'm doing My Mum Made Me
60 seconds on why I'm doing My Mum Made Me
Eamon Farren (Netflix, The Witcher) on death & dancing with mum (mom relationship)
Actor Eamon Farren from Netflix show The Witcher talks about how his relationship with his mom, Roslyn, shaped the actor he’s become and how she fought off death to see him collect his first television award. Rosyln has now unfortunately passed and Eamon shares the beautiful memories of his beautiful mother, including how he found 'The Book of Eamon' after she had died.