Spinning Plates with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Lisa Oxenham is a mum to Eliza who’s 10 and to Wolfgang who’s nine and a half months old.

She started out as beauty editor at More magazine and then worked for Marie Claire magazine for 20 years concentrating on beauty and, later, on wellness too.

Lisa became a mum for the second time at the age of 50 and she now has her own YouTube channel concentrating on wellness and motherhood.

She told me how she hit fertility problems in her 40s but her determination to have a sibling for Eliza meant she continued with her IVF journey through her 40s, and eventually had her much-longed for son Wolfgang as she entered her 50s.

She told me how she’s experienced trolls telling her she’s too old to be a new mum, and will be too tired to bring up her baby, but she says she’s never had so much energy - or confidence - in her life before.

Lisa certainly radiates joy in her new motherhood - and fittingly baby Wolfgang refused to be parted from her for this interview. So please excuse the background noises in this chat, as he explores the nooks and crannies of my living room during the recording!

Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nadine Merabi is a British-Lebanese clothes designer. She is the founder of the brand which shares her name and is based in Manchester. She is mother to two little girls aged 4 and 5.

Nadine says at the heart of the brand is a desire to instil confidence in young women and make them feel great about themselves.

Nadine played hockey for England for 10 years and always felt she struggled to fit in. She says it took until the age of 29 to stop worrying about what everyone thought about her.

Post-hockey, Nadine explored other career options and I loved her story about how she reframed a lowly bar job as a glass collector, as being a chance to network.

She taught herself how to sew by watching YouTube tutorial videos, and built the Merabi clothes business because she couldn’t find anything to wear. Her brand is now over 10 years old, and in 2025 she won the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the World Retail Congress.

She loves it when her daughters see ‘one of mummy’s dresses’ on Strictly. They are certainly part of my go-to touring wardrobe too. They are fun, they make me feel supported, and often - the icing on the cake! - they have pockets!!

Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becky Barnicoat is a cartoonist who has recently published the paperback version of her memoir ‘Cry When The Baby Cries’. It’s a cartoon depiction of new motherhood and it makes me laugh out loud. Sleep deprivation; the tricky time-consuming bedtime routine; the body after birth with deflated stomach and huge boobs; and perky youthful-looking parents pre-birth compared to the same couple with their new baby, but now looking haggard and baggy-eyed. Brilliant obsevations!

Becky started out as a journalist writing horoscopes for Bliss magazine and then junior editing at The Guardian, but drawing cartoons was always her first love and she’d get up an hour early every day to draw before work.

Becky told me about her journey to motherhood, going through fertility problems, and then how she chose to enjoy every minute of her pregnancy rather than worry all the way through it. She now has two boys age 6 and 8.

Becky and I went to the same school and I’m pretty sure I know exactly which teachers she honed her cartoon skills on - and they very much deserved it in my opinion!

Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India de Beaufort @indiadebeaufort is a British actress who lives in Los Angeles. She is also an influencer who shares my passion for vintage and antique clothing. I love her natural flowing posts because the strands of her life will be woven in as she’s snipping a dress with a scissors while wearing it!

India has an 8 year old son Crosby. She shared with me how she had terrible postpartum depression. She told me how medication and the unshakeable support of her husband helped her recover, and she said that she intentionally looks for the joy in life.

India and I have very similar tastes in vintage clothes so we tentatively plan to go shopping together one day - but realise we’ll have to share any items we buy!

Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Siobhan Priest - or Shiv - appears as @thefiremum on Instagram and I love seeing her posts about her life as a firefighter in the London Fire Brigade.

Shiv started her working life as a model and continued in that job when she became a single mum to her daughter, at the age of 24.

However she says she was always looking for a helping role in life. Firefighting appealed from an early age but it took many years for her to research it properly and then go for it when her second child, her little boy, was starting school.

She loves the routine and stability that her job gives her, and being part of a watch where she has 10 ‘brothers’.

Shiv says that every day is different, and putting out a fire is fun, as it’s a hands-on job and they are professional problem-solvers.

Shiv is proud of being a firefighter and of influencing other women to follow in her footsteps, and it was an absolute joy to meet someone so excited and fulfilled by their job.

Extra info:

Home Fire Safety Checker:
Get tailored advice for your home or for someone you care for. Our tool allows you to carry out a thorough check of your home in only a few minutes. It’s simple and practical, giving you specific advice for your family and your home. Visit: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/home-fire-safety-checker/

#ChargeSafe campaign
On average there is a fire from a lithium battery in an e-bike or e-scooter every two days in London. Many of these fires are caused by incompatible chargers, modifications to e-bikes, or faulty or counterfeit products which are purchased online. This includes chargers, lithium batteries and conversion kits for e-bikes. For safety tips, check out our campaign webpage: www.london-fire.gov.uk/chargesafe

Cadets
London Fire Brigade Fire Cadets is a free programme for young people aged 13-17, available across all London boroughs. The course gives young people a chance to learn valuable life skills and build their confidence, whilst gaining an insight into careers in the emergency services. https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/community/young-people/fire-cadets/

Outreach/Recruitment
If you are interested in finding out more about jobs/careers at London Fire Brigade, email: outreach@london-fire.gov.uk to request updates and info on recruitment activities and events. To find out more about Firefighter Siobhan Priest’s typical working day, watch her in London Fire Brigade’s You Tube film - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ASQfxHIO8

Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.