Lessons From Our Mothers
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt from your mum? How have the maternal figures in your life shaped you? In Lessons from Our Mothers, sisters Isabella and Cressida explore the wisdom, love, and lessons passed down through generations. They speak with remarkable people like Kate Winslett, Mary Berry, Alain de Botton and Dr Shefali about the maternal figures - biological or not - who influenced them. The life lessons they’ve carried forward, the things they’ve chosen to leave behind, and how certain experiences have informed the way they parent. Whether they had a strong relationship or a mor...
Vanessa Branson: “I pulled adventure out of adversity”
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by entrepreneur and author Vanessa Branson.
🌸 Vanessa shares what she believes lies behind the success of the Branson family, the experience of growing up dyslexic, and what she describes as “the unexpected freedom” that came with losing both of her parents and reflects on how her mother's adventurous spirit and positive attitude have shaped her own outlook on life.
🌸 Vanessa also shares more about her memoir ‘One Hundred Summers’ and her new novel ‘All That Is Fragile’ which is out on the 3rd November!
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they...
Jools Oliver: “It's ruined 45 years of my life thinking it's something else”
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by entrepreneur, designer and mother of five, Jools Oliver.
🌸 Jools opens up about raising five children, navigating the teenage years and life in a neurodivergent household. She reflects on how her father’s stroke shaped her childhood and the impact she believes it had on her OCD. Plus, she shares why she believes the greatest gift she and Jamie have given their children is the close bond they share as siblings.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episod...
Susan George: “We can't look back. We must look forward in life”
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by actress and 70s film icon Susan George.
🌸 Susan shares stories from her remarkable Hollywood acting career, her unbreakable bond with her late husband Simon MacCorkindale, and her lifelong friendship with Olivia Newton-John. She also talks about her deep connection with her Arab horses and her belief in their extraordinary ability to heal, as well as the inspiration behind her beautiful new book, SMILE.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into the valuable lessons they've c...
Sarah Wright Olsen: “Our school was gone, our community was gone, our home was gone”
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by actor, author and mother of four, Sarah Wright Olsen.
🌸 Sarah shares why she is a “get on the floor and play” kind of mum, how she balances work with raising four children, and the little things she does to make their childhood feel magical. She also opens up about losing her home in the 2025 Southern California wildfires, how her own mother parented her through her teenage years, and the inspiration behind her book, When I Am Not With You: How We’re Together Even When We’re Apart.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas an...
Sir Michael Morpurgo: “My mother gave me the magic of storytelling”
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by one of Britain's best loved children's authors, Michael Morpurgo.
🌸 Michael reflects on the profound influence of his mother, who read to him every night as a child, and how those early stories shaped the author he would become. He shares his deep gratitude for his wife Clare, plus we hear the remarkable story of how an experience through their charity, Farms for City Children, inspired him to write one of his most famous stories, War Horse.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped th...
Poppy Jamie: Lessons in Intuition, Magic and Trusting Yourself
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by entrepreneur, bestselling author and wellness advocate Poppy Jamie.
🌸 Poppy shares the inspiration behind her new book, opens up about growing up with a mother who is a witch, and explores how that unique upbringing shaped her relationship with intuition. Together, they discuss why so many of us have become disconnected from our inner voice, how to tune back into it, and why learning to trust ourselves can be one of life's greatest gifts.
🌸 Plus, Poppy has a very special surprise announcement that you won't want to miss...
🌸 Join Cressid...
Dr Lousie Newson: Lessons in Hormonal Wellbeing- From Misinformation to Empowerment
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by Dr Louise Newson, Leading Hormone expert, menopause specialist and best selling author.
🌸Louise discusses her mission to transform the conversation around women's health and shares insights from her latest book, The Power of Hormones: Break Free from Fear and Misinformation About Hormones and Harness Them for a Healthier, Happier Life.
She explains why she wants audiences to leave her theatre tour feeling angry and unpacks some of the biggest myths surrounding natural versus synthetic hormone treatment. She also highlights the hormone realted symptoms women should never ignore and the link b...
Jennifer O’Connell: Lessons in Putting Women at the Heart of Health Research
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by Jennifer O'Connell, co-founder of the supplement brand, Sisterly.
🌸Jennifer discusses the importance of women being properly represented in women's health research and science, and shares the inspiration behind Sisterly - a brand created to simplify wellness and take the mental load out of choosing the right supplements. She also talks openly about balancing motherhood with the demands of leading a growing business and reflects on the maternal figures who have guided her throughout her life.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives o...
Dr Karan Rajan: Lessons In The Simple Health Habits Everyone Should Know
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by doctor, author and TikTok star Dr Karan.
🌸Karan reflects on how growing up with a mum who was also a doctor shaped his path into medicine, he explores the often underestimated role grandparents play in a child’s development, and looks ahead to becoming a parent himself - opening up about the lessons he hopes to carry forward. He also shares practical and accessible health advice, including the importance of fibre in our diets and how small changes can have a big impact on overall wellbeing.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella...
Natalie Imbruglia: Fame, ‘Torn’ And Her Journey To Motherhood
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by singer and songwriter Natalie Imbruglia.
🌸 In this honest and reflective conversation, Natalie opens up about the whirlwind success of ‘Torn’ and the pressures that came with sudden global fame. She shares how her mum remained a constant source of strength despite living on the other side of the world, and how that support grounded her through the highs and lows of her career. Natalie also speaks candidly about her journey to motherhood through IVF, and what becoming a mother later in life has meant to her. We also hear about Natalie’s new album, A...
Nerina Pallot: Lessons In Resilience, Rejection, and Finding Her Way
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot.
🌸 Nerina reflects on her relationship with her mother, including the challenges they faced during her teenage years, and the lessons she’s carried into parenting her own teenager today. She shares how motherhood has shaped her songwriting and creativity, and opens up about how she’s balanced family life with a successful music career. We also hear what it’s really like working with global stars like Kylie Minogue, navigating a long-distance relationship with her mum, and how her understanding of motherhood has evolved over time.
🌸 Join Cressida Bo...
Jessica Brown Findlay: Lessons From the Women Who Helped Me Find My Voice
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by actor Jessica Brown Findlay, best known for her role as Lady Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey.
🌸 Jessie shares what it was like growing up with dyslexia in a small village, guided by her mother and grandmother, and the impact an eating disorder had on her whole family. She reflects on how an injury changed the course of her life, disrupting the ballerina path she had planned for herself, plus how she navigated her IVF journey through connection with other women.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how matern...
Dacher Keltner: The Science Behind Awe and Where to Find It
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by psychologist, author, and awe researcher Dacher Keltner, whose work explores the science of human emotion, connection, and the power of awe in everyday life.
🌸 Dacher shares how the loss of his younger brother inspired his exploration of awe, and reflects on what awe means to him personally. He opens up about the deep and meaningful relationship his mother fostered with his brother - something he later tried to emulate when raising his own children. Dasher also shares why emotions like compassion, gratitude, and awe are essential to our wellbeing, plus shares his to...
Jessica Urlichs: The Poetry That Found Me in Motherhood
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by poet Jessica Urlichs, whose widely shared work captures the raw realities of modern motherhood.
🌸 Jessica opens up about her early days of motherhood and the postpartum anxiety that inspired her to start sharing her writing. She shares how poetry became a way to process all that comes with being a new mum - and how her words have gone on to resonate with hundreds of thousands of women around the world.
🌸 Jessica also reflects on her own upbringing, exploring the lessons from her mum that she’s chosen to carry forwar...
Pearl & Daisy Lowe: An ADHD Diagnosis That Explained Everything
🌸 And the secret to raising kids who still come home.
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by fashion designer, writer and former singer Pearl Lowe, alongside her daughter - model and presenter Daisy Lowe.
🌸 In this heartfelt conversation between mother and daughter, Pearl reflects on becoming a mum at a very young age and the challenges she faced along the way, including her struggles with addiction and receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life. Daisy shares what it was like growing up with a rockstar mum, the lessons she took from her mother’s openness, and how those ex...
Nazanin Boniadi: Raised by Women Who Refused to Be Silenced
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by actor Nazanin Boniadi, known for her roles in How I Met Your Mother, Homeland and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
🌸 In a conversation recorded just before the recent war, we spoke with Nazanin - an Iranian-born actress, activist, and a granddaughter in mourning - about the timeless wisdom of mothers. Reflecting on her own mother, her late grandmother, and the courageous mothers of Iran, she speaks about the love and resilience that endure even in the darkest times. Our hearts are with the people of Iran, and anyone...
Two Cultures. One Truth: Gurinder Chadha on Identity, Belonging & Owning Your Story
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by award-winning film director Gurinder Chadha. Best known for her 2002 hit Bend It Like Beckham, Gurinder has spent her career telling stories that explore identity, family and belonging.
🌸Gurinder shares what it was like growing up as the daughter of Punjabi Sikh immigrants in Britain, and how she navigated her mother’s cultural expectations while carving out a path of her own. She reflects on the unexpected success of Bend It Like Beckham and shares the spiritual lessons her mother instilled in her that continue to guide her life and work today.
🌸 J...
Gabriella Wilde: How My Mother Showed Me We Can Always Transform Ourselves For The Better
💬 Raising three boys and honouring a mother’s courage to change.
🌸 This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by their sister - actor, grief counsellor and palliative care Soul Midwife, Gabriella Wilde.
🌸 Gabriella opens up about growing up with a mother battling addiction. She reflects on the duality of her childhood - a mother who was carefree and childlike in many ways, yet whose mental health struggles created instability. Gabriella also reflects on becoming a mother herself at 24, and how her work in grief and palliative care has shaped her understanding of motherhood - including how death a...
Tilly Rose: My Mother’s Relentless Quest to Save my Life
💬 “I got the worst luck medically, but all the luck getting her as my mum” ~ Tilly Rose
🌸 This week, Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson are joined by author and chronic illness advocate, Tilly Rose, whose life was saved by a mother who refused to stop searching for answers long after doctors had given up.
🌸 For nearly 20 years, Tilly lived as a medical mystery. As her health deteriorated and clinicians failed to find a diagnosis, she was eventually placed on end-of-life care. It was an ending her mum simply would not accept. In this powerful conversation, Tilly shares...
Julia Samuel: How a Therapist Deals with a Complex Maternal Relationship
💬 “When someone dies, you can always write to them” ~Julia Samuel
🌸 This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by psychotherapist, author, and mother of 4 Julia Samuel.
🌸 Julia explores the very complex relationship she had with her mother - whose old fashioned parenting style had knock-on effects throughout her life. She discusses the pain of being separated from her twin brother from a young age. She’s also especially skilled at guiding people through grief and loss - and shares her best lessons as a psychotherapist.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how matern...
Riley Keough: The Gift and Challenge of Finishing Lisa Marie Presley’s Memoir
🌸 This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by actor, filmmaker and producer Riley Keough.
🌸 Riley opens up about the extraordinary journey of finishing her mother Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir after her death - a process she describes as both a gift and the hardest thing she has ever done. Riley also shares what it was really like growing up as the oldest granddaughter of Elvis Presley. Plus, we hear how she coped with the unexpected loss of her brother Benjamin.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives o...
Kate Winslet: From “Put Up and Shut Up” to Raising Confident Children
On breaking generational silence and raising children who know their voice matters.
🌸 This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by the incredible, award-winning actor Kate Winslet.
🌸 Kate discusses the launch of ‘Goodbye June’ - a moving film written by her son Joe, which she directed, produced and acted in. She opens up about the realities of experiencing an unexpected rise to fame at a young age - and the challenges it posed to her mother. And she explores her own approach to motherhood, from breaking generational cycles of self-doubt to keeping her children’s lives social media...
India Rakusen: The surprising truths about motherhood uncovered making BBC’s ‘Child’
🌸This week Cressida and Isabella are joined by journalist, documentary producer, presenter and award-winning podcaster India Rakusen.
🌸India shares some of the fascinating insights she uncovered while making the second series of the BBC podcast Child - from the extraordinary complexity of toddler brains to understanding big emotions and unpacking the idea of “unconditional love”. India also reflects on her own early experiences and how they shaped her approach to storytelling. She also touches on how becoming a mother herself has transformed her perspective.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have...
Chelsea Hirschhorn: How her mother’s influence ignited a revolution in mothercare
🌸This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by Chelsea Hirschhorn, the founder and CEO of Frida.
🌸Chelsea reflects on the lessons she learned from her mother - from resilience and empathy to courage and ambition - and how these shaped her journey as an entrepreneur. She shares how she has dedicated her life to living in service to mothers through her business, helping to support and empower mothers everywhere. And how her own mum helped her understand motherhood is part of your identity and not your whole identity.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explor...
Alex Ikonn: How extreme challenge shaped his mindset, attitude and choices
🌸This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by Alex Ikonn, founder of Intelligent Change and creator of The Five Minute Journal.
🌸Alex reflects on how gratitude was born for him through extreme challenges. From escaping a murderous Uncle in Russia when he was young, to starting over in the United States, Alex watched his mother work tirelessly to build a new life for their family while somehow staying positive throughout.
🌸Alex shares how reframing difficulty became the foundation for course-correcting his life when he found himself headed down the wrong path. He explains how just a few min...
Alan Titchmarsh: From Yorkshire roots to national treasure
🌸This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by gardening royalty, TV presenter and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh.
🌸 Alan reflects on what he calls a ‘blissful’ childhood in Yorkshire, and how the unwavering support of his parents allowed him to follow his passion for gardening. He also opens up about the tougher moments in life - from being bullied at school to coping with the death of his parents.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into the valuable lessons they’ve carried forwa...
Donna Lancaster: The pain of being “unmothered” and the journey back to love
🌸This week, Cressida and Isabella are joined by writer, teacher and spiritual mentor Donna Lancaster.
🌸 Donna speaks openly about her complex relationship with her mother - a woman deeply affected by the trauma of growing up in a 1940s children’s home. She shares her powerful journey of healing, forgiveness, and ultimately repairing the bond with her mother shortly before her passing. She also reflects on the lessons she’s learned from mothering her own daughter, and the importance of not hiding our imperfections from our children.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how m...
Jamie Laing: How his mum shaped his life, business, and views on parenthood
🌸This episode, Cressida and Isabella are joined by presenter, podcaster, and entrepreneur Jamie Laing.
🌸Jamie opens up about his anxieties around soon becoming a parent, sharing what he’s most looking forward to in this exciting new chapter of life. He reflects on his time at boarding school away from his mother, and how her approach to parenting - like not letting him eat sweets as a child - inspired him to create his own multi-million-pound confectionery business.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guest...
Jo Woodhurst: How her mother’s cancer journey inspired a life of wellness
🌸This episode Cressida and Isabella are joined by Jo Woodhurst, Director of Nutrition at Ancient + Brave.
🌸Jo shares how her mum’s dedication to nutrition, mindset, and holistic wellbeing helped her live ten years longer than doctors predicted, and how witnessing that journey inspired Jo to devote her own life to health, wellness, and the science of nourishment.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into the valuable lessons they’ve carried forward, those they’ve left behind, and the profound impact...
Tanya Burr: How A YouTube Star Navigates Motherhood in the Public Eye
🌸This episode Cressida and Isabella are joined by OG YouTuber and actor Tanya Burr.
🌸Tanya opens up about navigating motherhood while keeping her son (and husband) out of the public eye. She discusses the importance of setting boundaries around phone use and social media, despite it being her job. She explores the influences of her mum and nanny on her love of fashion and make-up. And she explains how her family keeps her grounded, even with more than 4 million followers!
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of t...
Haemin Sunim: A Zen Buddhist monk’s guide to healing old wounds and finding inner peace
🌸This episode Cressida and Isabella are joined by one of the most influential Zen Buddhist monks in the world, the best-selling author Haemin Sunim.
🌸 Haemin shares his gentle wisdom on how to speak to children about death, the importance of self-compassion, and how to foster emotional and spiritual well-being in our homes. He also speaks candidly about a childhood incident that left him with a deep fear of abandonment and how years of reflection and inner work helped him heal.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of t...
Parenting Differently: Donna Ashworth on embracing neurodiversity
🌸This episode Cressida and Isabella are joined by best-selling Scottish poet and author Donna Ashworth.
🌸Donna opens up about her son’s autism and ADHD diagnoses and what they’ve taught her about embracing different ways of experiencing the world. She reflects on how humans have lost touch with their instincts and shares tips on how to look within ourselves for answers. Plus, she discusses how to cope with the loss of a mother.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into th...
Elizabeth Day: How struggling to conceive made her reimagine motherhood
🌸Welcome back to season two of Lessons From Our Mother. In this episode Cressida and Isabella are joined by acclaimed novelist, journalist, and broadcaster Elizabeth Day.
🌸Elizabeth shares how her mother inspired her love of books, reading, and writing, and opens up about her own journey with motherhood. She talks candidly about reaching acceptance that she would not be a biological mother - and how she’s discovered many different, meaningful ways to mother in the world.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Eac...
Geri Horner-Halliwell: "Motherhood is better than a number one record"
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by pop icon turned author, Geri Halliwell. The former Spice Girl reveals how she naturally took on a motherly role within the band, why she’ll always support her former bandmates, and we hear what her own mum thought of her fame. Geri also shares her experience of parenting a 19-year-old daughter, and her candid thoughts on screen time for kids and teens in today’s digital world.
🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into the valuable l...
Sarah Hoover: “ I was allergic to being a mother. It was the worst thing that could have happened to me, and I felt monstrous for thinking that way”
🌸Cressida and Isabella are joined by bestselling author, Sarah Hoover who opens up about her path to motherhood, marked by birth trauma and the often-overlooked realities of postpartum depression. Sarah reflects on the complex lessons she inherited from her own mother - some she carries forward, others she’s chosen to leave behind. Plus we hear how her memoir, The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood, became both a creative outlet and a lifeline as it explores what it means to become a mother in the modern world.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they continue...
Jonathan Haidt: “All of these things are designed to take over your child's life”
🌸Cressida and Isabella are joined by social psychologist, bestselling author, and cultural commentator Jonathan Haidt. Known for his powerful insights into the modern world, Jonathan reveals how smartphones and screen time are reshaping childhood - and not for the better. He shares practical, research-backed advice for parents raising children in the digital age: from how to set healthy screen boundaries to helping kids build real-world resilience. Jonathan also reflects on his own childhood, sharing fond memories of his late mother.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they continue to explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives o...
Camila Alves McConaughey: “Finding the balance of giving them everything I think they deserve and also what I think I deserve, is a challenge”
🌸This week, Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson are joined by Brazilian-American model, designer, and entrepreneur Camila Alves McConaughey. Camila opens up about the complexities of her relationship with her mother, the balancing act of motherhood, her career and life alongside her husband, Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey. Plus, she shares her top tips for parenting teenagers with wisdom and humour.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into the valuable lessons they’ve carried forward, those they’ve left behind, and the profound impact the...
Mishal Husain: “She really liberated me - she said, your life is completely different from mine, you've got to pursue the talents God's given you”
🌸This week, Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson are joined by award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author Mishal Husain. Known for her work with the BBC and now Bloomberg, Mishal reflects on the powerful lessons she learned from her mother - and how those lessons have shaped both her journalism and her approach to motherhood.
📚Mishal also shares the inspiration behind her book, Broken Threads, which traces the lives of her four grandparents as they migrated to the newly formed Pakistan in the 1940s.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the...
Alain de Botton: “Children will smell their parents' compromises, neuroses - to force the parent towards maturity"
🌸This week, Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson are joined by philosopher, bestselling author and founder of The School of Life, Alain de Botton. In this episode, Alain explores the complexity of a mother’s love, how our relationships with our mothers shape us as adults, and why parenting doesn’t require perfection - just being “good enough”.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into the valuable lessons they’ve carried forward, those they’ve left behind, and the profound impact their maternal figures hav...
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice: “We'd have to do 10 of these recordings to really get into the many different things she's done for us”
🌸This week, Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson are joined by two very special guests: Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie.
👑In this deeply personal and heartwarming conversation, the sisters share how they balance their roles in the public eye with being mothers and professionals. They explore their unique upbringing and how their mother has served as a guiding force throughout their lives. And they offer a moving tribute to their late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, sharing the profound life lessons they’ve learnt from her.
🌸Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as...
