The 10 Podcasts to Listen to Under Your Parasol
1 – Histoire de darons, the podcast that gives fathers a voice
At last, a podcast that gives fathers a voice! In each episode, Fabrice Florent invites a father — well-known or anonymous — to share his story around the theme of fatherhood. The episodes take us into the intimacy of his guest, who opens up without holding back and gets to the heart of things. Medical termination of pregnancy, difficulty finding one's place as a father, being a stepfather before having children, divorce and children one week in two… The topics are varied and free from taboos. They may resonate with your own experience, as each guest scrutinises and analyses their feelings with complete honesty. A podcast that simply helps you understand them better.
2 – Change ma vie, the podcast that provides tools for the mind
Mental load, mum guilt, finding balance, feeling comfortable in your own skin… Does that speak to you? Then the podcast by Clothilde Dussolier is made for you! This life coach with a radiant smile breaks down each topic with examples and explanations while delivering concrete tools. Over 200 episodes await you, ready to make you happier and more fulfilled in your everyday life.
3 – Vulgaire, the podcast that popularises general knowledge
Tired of talking about motherhood, nappies and baby food? Feel like learning things to bring up at your next brunch and impress your in-laws by the pool? Our latest obsession is called Vulgaire, a podcast that makes things… accessible, by someone who knows nothing about them. Rest assured, you will not learn to swear like a sailor, but you will discover a little more about the French Popular Front or the Vikings and come back for more, thanks in no small part to the sharp humour of Marine Baousson, founder and host of Vulgaire as well as a stand-up comedian (promising, right?). Recently, Marine launched "Petit Vulgaire", the version for kids. A gem worth knowing.
4 – Bliss, or motherhood unfiltered
Bliss is THE podcast to listen to before, during and after pregnancy. It is Clémentine Galey herself, the founder and host, who speaks best about Bliss: "There was a sense of urgency to offer women a space where words are free, unfiltered; where every topic related to motherhood is addressed without judgement or taboo, but with complicity and kindness. Every day I am driven by an irrepressible desire to inform, share, pass on knowledge and free women from guilt." The young woman welcomes public figures and unknown guests around a specific theme: prematurity, adoption, medically assisted reproduction, perinatal bereavement, obstetric violence, fatherhood… Each episode is savoured like a sweet. Guilt-free and delightful all at once.
5 – Grand bien vous fasse, by Ali Rebeihi
In his programme on France Inter, journalist Ali Rebeihi welcomes doctors, psychologists, professors… experts who speak to us with poetry and simplicity about everyday subjects: social issues, lifestyles, psychology, family, education, health, relationships, sexuality… This summer, the team has already explored the benefits of travelling by train, the stress of moving house, the art of the nap… A wide range of topics that will resonate with everyone.
6 – La Matrescence or the birth of mothers
Clémentine is the other Madame Maternity Podcast we adore. This multi-hyphenate (TV journalist, yoga teacher…) welcomes expert guests to share their discoveries on education, the postpartum period and newborns. These episodes are interspersed with testimonials from "ordinary" parents, just like you and us. In fact, the philosophy of this podcast is contained in its name: Matrescence. It is a blend of the words maternity and adolescence, to describe the birth of a mother — the process a woman goes through when becoming a mother, whether on a physical, emotional, neurobiological or hormonal level. Our favourite episodes? Children's nutrition and the interview with Dr Catherine Guegeun to better understand your little one's brain.
7 – Mom you rock (says it all)
Attention Mumpreneures, this podcast is made for you. Almost every Wednesday, the Mom You Rock team and their guests discuss their journeys and projects, as well as their multi-faceted roles as women, mothers and business leaders. They share their experiences and advice. Experts also weigh in on topics related to entrepreneurship (business, new technologies, legal matters, productivity, mindset…). The idea behind it all? To inspire you, encourage you, free you from complexes, and above all give you the impetus to bring your projects and ideas to life. A breath of sisterhood for women entrepreneurs!
8 – Les couilles sur la table (voted best podcast title)
Behind this poetic name, you will hear the gentle voice of Victoire Tuaillon. In each episode, the journalist and author explores in depth one aspect of contemporary masculinities with a guest. Her credo? You are not born a man, you become one. Patriarchy, fatherhood, mother-father equality… Essential episodes that deserve to be listened to a thousand times over. A word to the wise…
9 – Mères, the podcast by Les Louves
Marion and Marine are the duo behind Les Louves, an online magazine dedicated to motherhood. The two journalists launched their podcast in 2020 to offer an audio format to their community. They welcome young mothers who share their experience of motherhood. The guests open up in a spontaneous and intimate way about their own journey. The podcast is to be listened to during and after pregnancy…
10 – The whirlwind
Le tourbillon is the feeling that hits you when a child arrives in your life! That of being swept along in a great river that blends rapid currents with calm, still waters. Shane Love, founder of Le Tourbillon, welcomes mothers who share their stories to light the way for other (future) mothers.
And if you enjoy audio formats, you can listen to Thomas Lépine, the founder of Charlie Crane, in the Décodeur – the podcast that talks about those shaping interior design today.
Happy listening and happy holidays!
For our English-speaking readers, here are our 3 favourite podcasts in the language of Shakespeare:
- The Longest Shortest Time (untranslatable but meaning that time is both short and long with children, so true!) is an award-winning podcast about parenthood in all its forms. But you do not need to be a parent yourself to listen to it!
- The Double Shift is a show that challenges the status quo of motherhood in the United States. On the agenda: frank conversation and groundbreaking journalism. Nothing less!
- What Fresh Hell is a parenting podcast with 3.5 million downloads. If you are looking for guilt-free advice and enjoy laughing about this new life as a parent, then you are in the right place.
