HAVE YOU HEARD?
Mother of All Solutions: A podcast about careers and caring
Have You Heard? is where the Pod Bible team meet the people behind the podcasts you may not have heard of yet, we think you should have. Mother of All Solutions is an independent podcast that was nominated in the ‘Best Family Podcast’ at the British Podcast Awards in 2022, and features conversations about careers and caring for today’s parents. We caught up with host, Laura Broderick…
Who are you and what’s your podcast about?
I’m Laura Broderick and my day job is not at all podcast related – I’m a partnerships manager working with architecture and built environment companies. I’m also a mum to two young kids and my podcast, Mother of All Solutions, is all about careers and caring – conversations with parents about their work and family lives, as the juggle is real!
What was the first podcast you ever listened to?
One of the first was definitely The Guilty Feminist – it was in 2018 and my friend recommended it. I still think friend recommendations are a great way to share and find out about podcasts.
Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?
I was on maternity leave with my second child and was having lots of conversations with other mums about the stresses of working around your kids – being kept in the loop, finding flexible roles, securing childcare etc. I felt it was important to record and share those stories – and luckily I had a friend who already had a podcast and said he would help me get started. That was 4 years ago.
Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?
Well, I like lots of podcasts – comedy, news, culture, companion podcasts. But in terms of inspiration for my own I am really inspired by how the Doing It For The Kids podcast support parents and what they produce for their listeners. It’s a special community.
Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?
That’s hard as I really like speaking to lots of people, including ordinary parents. I would love to do more mini series focusing on mothers who aren’t typically spotlighted, and have more time to get to know them and put their voices/experiences into something really special. But it would be pretty cool to interview Jacinda Ardern as a dream guest!
Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?
I have a new trailer that hopefully communicates what the podcast is about, so start with that. And if you would like to hear a range of voices and sounds – mums, dads, campaigners, an MP – try The March of the Mummies – I really enjoyed making that one in Newcastle. Or if you prefer a good old chat I just interviewed Vicki and Lauren from the TV show Sewing Bee!
Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?
I’m on Instagram and Twitter X as @SolutionsMother and I have a new website (still a work in progress) that’s motherofallsolutions.com and would love people’s ideas and feedback.
Listen to Mother of All Solutions now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>