Rephonic
Artwork for Parent Unplugged

Parent Unplugged

Charis Halsall
Parenting
Autism
Play-Based Learning
ADHD
Motherhood
Divorce
Fostering
Potty Training
Breastfeeding
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sarcoma
Cancer
Screen Time
Miscarriage
Body Image
Self-Ccare
Covid-19
Self-Compassion
Love Needs No Words
Weaning

Parent Unplugged is a parenting podcast built on real stories. Through raw, honest conversations, we explore what it actually feels like to raise children - the moments no one prepares you for, the thoughts you don’t say out loud, and the experiences that change you. From everyday overwhelm to life-altering challenges, each episode brings you inside the reality of parenting - not the polished vers... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes110Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & Family

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Parent Unplugged

Latest Episodes

In this eye-opening podcast episode, we unpack the truth about potty training, nappies, toilet learning, constipation, poo withholding, and the “readiness” myth many parents are told to follow. A research nurse explains why children historically pott... more

Helen Thorn - comedian, author and one half of Scummy Mummies — joins me to share the story behind the smile. After discovering her husband had been having an affair, Helen suddenly found herself navigating heartbreak, divorce, single motherhood and ... more

Breastfeeding is often described as “the most natural thing in the world” - so why do so many parents struggle with it?In this powerful conversation, midwife Louise Broadridge explores the emotional reality of infant feeding, the pressure placed on n... more

What is it really like to foster a child?

In this powerful episode, Charis sits down with Deborah Bright, who has spent the last 35 years fostering more than 200 children alongside raising her own family and adopting two children herself.

Deborah s... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

No Parental Guidance
No Parental GuidanceHannah East & Louise Boyce
Happy Mum
Happy MumGiovanna Fletcher
Happy Place
Happy PlaceFearne Cotton
The Scummy Mummies Podcast
The Scummy Mummies PodcastEllie Gibson and Helen Thorn

Recent Guests

Helen Thorn
Comedian, author and one half of Scummy Mummies
Scummy Mummies
Episode: She Found a Love Letter in His Jacket Pocket After 22 Years of Marriage
Deborah Bright
Foster carer with 200+ fostered children over 35 years
Independent foster care practitioner
Episode: I Fostered Over 200 Children
Chris Willems
A widowed father who shared his family's cancer journey on the episode
Episode: Losing My Wife at 31: Raising Our Daughter Alone
Emma Offord
Clinical psychologist and mother; neurodivergent advocate
Private practice focusing on trauma, neurodivergence, and nervous system
Episode: “What If I Hurt My Baby?” Understanding Intrusive Thoughts
Frankie Harrison
Clinical psychologist and mother who experienced a traumatic pregnancy, loss of a twin, and a NICU journey for her surviving baby
Episode: The Trauma of Leaving My Baby in NICU
Bex Gunn
co-founder of The Worst Girl Gang Ever
The Worst Girl Gang Ever
Episode: The Scan Changed Everything
Alice Living
Body-image author and former dancer who discusses her relationship with her body, motherhood, and recovery from restrictive health behaviours
Self (Alice Living)
Episode: No One Talks About How Motherhood Changes You
Charlotte Stirling-Reed
Registered nutritionist who specializes in baby, toddler, and child nutrition
Self-employed nutritionist / nutrition expert
Episode: Parents Are Using Pouches Wrong
Ruth Lue-Quee
Founder of MMT Play, advocate for play-based learning
MMT Play
Episode: Play Based Learning Beats Classrooms

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 38 ratings
  • A Rare Gem for Modern Parents

    Listening to Parent Unplugged feels like sitting down with someone who truly gets parenting; the messy, beautiful and sometimes overwhelming reality of it all. The conversations are honest, reassuring and full of gentle wisdom, helping you feel less alone while offering practical tools you can actually use.

    It’s a rare podcast that manages to feel both deeply comforting and genuinely empowering. I find myself finishing each episode feeling more grounded, more compassionate towards myself, and m... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr Katie Barge
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Perfect for parents

    Whether your child is going through the terrible twos, or is navigating the transition from home life to school life, Charis imparts incredible wisdom as well as getting the best of out her guests for each tantalising listen. My favourite podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ashleyttt
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • A must listen for parents

    This is such a great podcast and a must listen for parents. Charis interviews such a range of experts and fabulous guests and there are always really actionable, takeaways that are easy to implement. It really cuts through the noise of some of the ‘perfect’ parenting advice out there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SpannaC
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Brilliant podcasts

    Such a brilliant podcast with wonderful guests. I love that there are such a variety of experts all with wonderful advice that can be used practically day to day. Love your work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Liv in Flow
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Dr Tara Porter

    Love what Charis is doing here! Really feels as though she’s asking questions for every-parent; to understand all the advice, all the science and all the trends in parenting. Her interest and passion shine through.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mama T No 1
    United Kingdom8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners describe the show as honest, comforting, and practical for navigating parenting's ups and downs.
The host's warmth and thoughtful questioning are frequently highlighted as a key strength.
Audiences appreciate the range of experts and guests who offer concrete takeaways for real-life parenting.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

We’re Getting Screen Time Wrong… Here’s Why
Q: What age do you think is appropriate for a child to have a smartphone or iPhone?
Given the realities of modern life and peer pressure, she suggests delaying smartphones for as long as feasible, using family agreements and education around healthy usage; if a device is introduced, set boundaries, monitor content, and emphasize open dialogue.
Struggling To Parent With ADHD
Q: A lot of parenting advice assumes that the parent has unlimited organization, patience and consistency. So what happens if the parent actually themselves has ADHD?
The guest explains that ADHD makes traditional parenting expectations hard, emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, diagnosis, and practical strategies to regulate emotions and co-regulate with children, rather than blaming oneself.
“What If I Hurt My Baby?” Understanding Intrusive Thoughts
Q: What helped you start seeking support and talking about these experiences?
I began by slowly sharing with trusted professionals and acknowledging patterns rather than trying to solve everything at once; I also emphasized that a diagnosis isn't necessary to seek accommodations or professional guidance to support the child and mother.
“What If I Hurt My Baby?” Understanding Intrusive Thoughts
Q: Can you tell us when you first suspected OCD or intrusive thoughts were at play?
The first intrusive memory I recall was around eight or nine on a boat; I thought there might be cameras in the shower head and believed cameras were everywhere in public spaces, which felt distinct and alarming compared to how others seemed to think at that age.
I Fostered Over 200 Children
Q: What age range did you focus on, and why?
I started with babies to fit around my own kids and lifestyle, then gradually welcomed children from primary through secondary school as I grew more confident and learned what I'm strong at, especially valuing the baby stage but expanding to teens when the fit was right.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Parent Unplugged

What is Parent Unplugged about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Parent Unplugged centers real, unscripted conversations about the messy, often overwhelming realities of parenting. Episodes cover a broad spectrum—from practical child-rearing strategies and transitions (potty training timelines, feeding decisions, managing tantrums) to deeper journeys through caregiving challenges, trauma, disability, and mental health in families. Guests tend to be parents, professionals, and advocates who share lived experience and evidence-based insights, aiming to normalize difficult topics and offer actionable guidance for listeners. The show stands out for its intimate, empathetic tone, willingness to tackle stigmatized issues (ADHD, OCD, perinatal mental health, foster care, miscarriage), and a strong emphasis on p... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Parent Unplugged?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Parent Unplugged. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Parent Unplugged and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Parent Unplugged get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Parent Unplugged, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Parent Unplugged?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Parent Unplugged, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Parent Unplugged have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Parent Unplugged has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Parent Unplugged?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Parent Unplugged:

1. No Parental Guidance
2. Begin Again with Davina McCall
3. Happy Mum
4. Happy Place
5. The Scummy Mummies Podcast

How many episodes of Parent Unplugged are there?

Parent Unplugged launched a year ago and published 110 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Parent Unplugged?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Parent Unplugged?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Parent Unplugged from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Parent Unplugged?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Parent Unplugged. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Parent Unplugged?

Recent guests on Parent Unplugged include:

1. Helen Thorn
2. Deborah Bright
3. Chris Willems
4. Emma Offord
5. Frankie Harrison
6. Bex Gunn
7. Alice Living
8. Charlotte Stirling-Reed

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days