Spinning Plates with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Episode 184: India de Beaufort 01.06.2026 1h 9min

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.

Episode 183: Siobhan Priest 25.05.2026 1h 10min

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 campaignOn 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/chargesafeCadetsLondon 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/RecruitmentIf 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=M0ASQfxHIO8Spinning 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.

Episode 182: Louise Boyce 18.05.2026 1h

Louise Boyce aka @mumastillgotit is a content creator, author and model.She has 3 children aged 13, 10 and 6, and she has developed a huge following for her fun and largely positive take on motherhood, which she makes fun of, in her online reels. She told me how she started modelling at the age of 15 and became bulimic to reach the weight goals set by the industry at that time.After she had her first baby she went back to modelling as a plus size (or size 12+) model, but after lockdown she started playing around with funny films about motherhood. Her USP is that she plays the child using tiny doll’s hands, and her husband is characterised as a bit of a buffoon - which she’s happy to say he’s totally supportive of.We agreed that laughter IS the best medicine. That, and having a rant with a girlfriend!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.

Episode 181: Dr Sian Williams 11.05.2026 1h 23min

Dr Sian Williams is a journalist and broadcaster and author. She trained as a trauma assessor while working at the BBC and is a registered counselling psychologist. She presents the fabulous Radio 4 series and podcast ‘Life Changing’ which I totally recommend.She has 5 children, the eldest being in their 30s, the youngest 17. Sian told me about having her glorious and unexpected first son when she had just got her first job in the newsroom in London. She also talked about how she values her close relationship with her step daughter.Sian has just published a new book called ‘The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave’ which talks about turns sensitivity into a strength. I felt instantly relaxed by Sian’s beautiful voice and gentle counseling manner… and almost revealed all my deepest secrets to her!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.

Episode 180:Helen Dukes 16.03.2026 1h 8min

Helen Dukes is an entrepreneur and DJ, and mum to 2 daughters, 11 year old Anya and 19 year old Lottie . She is the founder of Disko Kids, a clothes and accessories brand that I love for its roots in music, festivals, sparkles and fun. It also has at its heart a deep connection with charities such as Winston’s Wish. This child bereavement charity helped Helen navigate the death of her partner Ade when their daughter Lottie was just 3. Helen told me how she strove to create video memories of Ade for Lottie, which was very hard for Ade at the time, but which Lottie really appreciates now, aged 19.We talked about being a female founder and the passion for her business that has kept her going throughout the past 10 years. Helen says that Disko Kids is like her third child - frustrating at times but she loves it to bits. I know that feeling all too well! 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.

Episode 179: Anna Lunoe 09.03.2026 1h 10min

Anna Lunoe is an Australian DJ, singer, songwriter and producer. She lived and worked in LA for 8 years, performing at festivals such as Coachella.She’s now back in her hometown of Sydney, and has an 8 year old daughter and a 6 year old son and I caught up with her after she’d spent the night in Sydney Zoo for her son’s birthday. I loved her idea of 2 night reset away, alone, every few months, which she and her husband take turns in doing.Last year Anna released the song ‘Girl’, a collab with Melanie C, another of my inspiring Spinning Plates gals. 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.

Episode 178: Fran Cutler 02.03.2026 1h 6min

Fran Cutler is famous for organising wild parties attended by A-listers. Things really took off in the 90s when she started organising parties for Oasis albums with Meg Matthews. She’s a self-confessed technophobe and she’s using this fallow Glastonbury year, to write a memoir which she promises will be both salacious and funny.She brought up her daughter Mercy on her own, after the father left 3 months into her pregnancy. She resolved at that moment to work twice as hard as anyone else to support her daughter who she is super close to, along with her mum, sister and nieces. Fran told me about her dubious claim to fame: projectile vomitting! And she shared her tips for getting rid of problematic party guests. Let’s I hope I never prove to be one of them! 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.

Episode 177: Jamie Genevieve 23.02.2026 1h 18min

Jamie Genevieve is a Scottish make up artist and entrepreneur. I follow her on Instagram and am so impressed by the brand she’s launched. Some of her products have now become my make up staples. We talked last month about how she started out as a makeup counter girl, loving demonstrating makeup and selling it, moving onto YouTube herself and then launching her own brand Vieve.Jamie has a little girl called Romy who will be 3 in May, and she revealed to me mid podcast that she has a second baby due in August! 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.

Episode 176: Nicole Appleton 16.02.2026 55min

Nicole Appleton is a singer and a mum to Gene aged 24, and Skipper who is nearly 6. She first came into our lives in the 90s when she and her elder sister Natalie were members of the hugely successful band All Saints. Together, the Appleton sisters have just brought out a new single ‘Falling Into You’ and it’s gorgeous. Very much their classic, warm and optimistic selves. She and I talked about the joy of having children so far apart in age. Nicole said she feels she and her eldest, Gene, grew up together. And with Skipper, who she had at 44, she felt more of a mum.She also talked about how she kept her whole pregnancy with Skipper a complete secret, even from her closest friends. How incredible is that! In all the podcast conversations I’ve had, I think this was the most impressive birth announcement story I’ve ever heard.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.

Episode 175: Dawn Williams 09.02.2026 1h 3min

Dawn Williams is a mum of three and an Olympic weightlifter. She is also a campaigner for exercising throughout cancer treatment to get the best possible chance of recovery. And this is all before we even touch on her full-time job in life sciences. Dawn and I met by chance on a train when I was travelling to a gig. We got talking and I knew I wanted to share her amazing story with you.In the podcast we talk about the way Dawn faced her breast cancer diagnosis, not long after becoming a single mum, how she talked to her children about having breast cancer, and how they supported her and kept a mini fridge and a snack box stocked in her room, for any time she needed to be on her own. Dawn carried on training, and even became stronger throughout her treatment. She also told me about recent research which shows that carrying on exercising may reduce the risk of cancer coming back. Dawn is now cancer-free and trains 5 times a week before coming home to the place she and her children call Team Dawn. Was it the fact that she’s an ex-paramedic or that she has 5 gold medals and can snatch 45 kilos that made me feel very safe in her presence? Either way, I very much did!Here's to more conversations on trains!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.

Episode 174: Kelly Rutherford 02.02.2026 1h

Kelly Rutherford is an American actress probably best known for her starring role in 7 series of Gossip Girl (2007-2012).Kelly's instagram is the most intentional and curated grid I have ever seen, with beautiful quotes interspersed with stylish selfies, many of which are taken in an elevator. It’s very beautiful and peaceful. Kelly has a son Hermes aged 19 and a daughter Helena aged 16, who were subject to a custody battle which their father won. This meant that they have grown up mostly in Monaco where he lives, and where Kelly has therefore spent most of her time, so as to be able to see the children.Kelly has a calm and philosphical air, and we talked about how the greatest gift you can give your children is to be happy. She also said that nothing matters more to her than the love of her children.We also talked about our shared joy of shopping in vintage clothes shops... a quick route to happiness for us both.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.

Episode 173: Dr Eliza Filby 26.01.2026 1h 17min

Dr Eliza Filby is a writer, a generational historian and mum to two children aged 8 and 5.I loved her book ‘Inheritocracy. It’s time to Talk about the Bank of Mum and Dad’ which came out in paperback last year which contains some fascinating stuff about money and the generations of today. We talked about how children often rely on a financial springboard from their parents these days, and how that dependency can make the relationship rarther complicated going forward. We acknowledged that the linear path we were sold in the ‘90s and Noughties - of education, university, buying a house, and then retiring - is now a lie. We also talked about the sandwich generation - people who are looking after their children and their parents at the same time. I shared with Dr Eliza that I once asked one of my sons if he would look after me when I get old. He replied: “Yes. But only for a day or two.”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.

Episode 172: Monisha Rajesh 19.01.2026 1h 8min

Monisha Rajesh is a travel writer who focuses on train travel adventures.She wrote her first book ‘Around India in 80 Trains’ after being made redundant, and she wrote ‘Around the World in 80 Trains’ just after her first daughter was born. My favourite of all though is Moonlight Express, her most recent book which is all about her experiences on night trains. Monisha is a lovely writer, and I love so many of the pictures she paints of her journeys. One particular favourite is when she is travelling in India and the train door is open to the elements, and hearing the slap of leaves on the side of the train as it trundles along at just above jogging pace. Also I love the descriptions of dining cars. I flipping love a dining car! Monisha talked about taking her two small daughters on train adventures and I feel very inspired to do the same. I hope if I do that I am as brave as she is in imposing a ban on screens for my small people. I want us to look out the window and see all the little worlds going by.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.

Episode 171: Rachel Reeves 12.01.2026 1h 23min

Welcome to a new series of Spinning Plates! My podcast where I speak to working women who happen to be mothers. We are up to episode 171 now, and fast approaching 6 years since I started the podcast with Fearne Cotton in 2020. My first guest of the new series is Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer. She has made history as the first woman in 800 years to hold that title. I spoke to her in December, just after the budget, and she explained the long process that leads up to a budget, and the immediate aftermath. I must confess I was initially hesitant about taking up the invitation from Downing Street’s press office about having Rachel on the podcast. She has had a lot of public scrutiny and I know from experience that when I’ve had political guests, the comments can get fiery. That being said, I was too curious and intrigued to know what it feels like to be in that role.. the public gaze, the Westminster culture, the power of holding the UK purse strings and the reality of raising a young family alongside it all. We’re pretty much the same age and we discussed how there were only 19 women in parliament out of 650 when we were born, compared to now when there are about 250 female MPs. I know Rachel cares about encouraging women into politics and shared her belief that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’. She hopes that young girls will feel a job at the top of politics is possible after seeing her as chancellor.We spoke about what a shock it was for her children, now aged 10 and 12, to have to move house two weeks after the election, how their home life in No 11 Downing Street differs from ‘normal’ families, and how Rachel and her husband try to shield them from the news, tuning into Capital Radio rather than the Today programme when they're all together at breakfast time. I found our chat fascinating and I appreciate how open Rachel was, letting us get a little insight into how she navigates the pressures of work and power and motherhood.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.

Episode 170: Amanda Ross 17.11.2025 1h 15min

Amanda Ross is a highly influential TV producer who has brought us the likes of Saturday Kitchen which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, the Richard and Judy show which ran for 9 years, and the book show, Between the Covers, which she is now touring live and presenting herself. Amanda and her husband and business partner Simon Ross, own and run Cactus TV. Amanda told me that running their own TV company means that they can organise their lives around bringing up their two adopted sons, now aged 16 and 19.TRIGGER WARNING: Amanda also revealed to me that she suffered sexual abuse from her stepfather as a child. She wanted to share her story here, so that other people who might have gone through similar ordeals can, like her, learn that it wasn’t their fault, and that they should not feel guilty about what happened to them.Amanda's other big message is: just do everything with your children because you can take your kids anywhere. It’s just about attitude.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.

Episode 169: Jacinda Ardern 10.11.2025 1h 11min

Dame Jacinda Ardern is the former prime minister of New Zealand, who was elected in 2017 and in post for 6 years.In 2018 she became the second elected World leader to ever give birth. Her partner Clarke (often referred to as 'first bloke'!) frequently took on the role of stay-at-home dad. Together they took baby Neve with them to many important meetings, including the UN summit in New York in 2018, while she was still breastfeeding. Jacinda told me she felt she needed to prove she could lead the country despite being a mother... and also show the world she was a mother, in order to be a positive role model. Jacinda and I talked about the fascinating and intimate documentary ‘Prime Minister’ which will have its UK release on December 5th, in which we get to see behind the scenes both in government, and at home through videos shot by Clarke. It really brings a humanity to the role of leadership and this insight makes Jacinda’s style of leadership all the more impressive, modern and inspirational. Jacinda really wanted to reiterate that she was lucky enough to have support, that she never did anything alone, and that we should not expect women to do everything on their own: ‘Yes, we can be wonder woman… but even wonder woman deserves a sidekick.’ She now still remains dedicated to helping encourage leaders to highlight their humantity by teaching empathetic leadership. Special shoutout to her gorgeous children’s book, Mum’s Busy Work. It’s so sweet to see a lovely picture book for young kids where the mum works hard, yes, but it doesn’t mean she’s any less dedicated to motherhood. Cheers to that! XSpinning 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.

Episode 168: Fiona Bell 03.11.2025 1h 1min

Fiona Bell is the founder of Their Nibs clothing brand which specialises in night wear. I first came across Fiona’s shop when pushing my eldest son around Ladbroke Grove in his buggy in the mid naughties. And I still think she makes the loveliest pyjamas in the land!Fiona has a 25 year old son Finn and an adoptive daughter Maggie who is 11.We talked about the close link Fiona still keeps with the adoption agency Coram, which made her and her husband Charlie’s adoption of Maggie possible. It has been an emotional journey but so worth it, she says. And her advice to anyone planning to adopt is: 'as an adoptive parent you've got to be selfless because you've got to accept you might not get very much back, but if you work at that, you definitely do'.Maggie has obviously brought so much joy to the whole family. Listen to the interview to hear why I think Fiona’s next PJ print should be rainbows and ginger cats. 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.

Episode 167: Lavina Mehta 27.10.2025 1h 2min

Lavina Mehta MBE is a health campaigner, a personal trainer, and an author. She came to my notice during Covid when she started doing weekly exercises on YouTube with her mother-in-law.She’s just published her book The Feel Good Fix which is designed to improve your health during menopause, and presents her idea of exercise snacking - incorporating short bursts of activity into your normal day rather than maybe going to the gym for an hour.We talked about her religion of Jainism which is about non-harm, karma and non-violence and how she still presents an exercise class online with her mum-in-law every Friday now.When we finished our sit-down interview, Lavina encouraged me to do some wall press-ups, and left me with her slogan ringing in my ears: ‘Sanity, not vanity!’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.

Episode 166: Lara Maiklem 20.10.2025 1h 5min

Lara Maiklem is an author and a mudlark. She told me there’s nothing she likes more than kneeling on the banks of the River Thames for 5-6 hours at a time, scanning the mud for tiny treasures which are twice daily being given up by the tide! Lara shares her fascinating finds on Instagram, where I've been following her for a while. Her favourite finds include a Tudor shoe, part of a Roman sword and some tiny gold beads from a necklace which she thinks must have broken as someone was boarding a boat on the river hundreds of years ago.Lara told me how mudlarking gave her peace and alone time when she moved to London, and how, when their twins were small, her wife used to send her off to mudlark, knowing she’d come back ‘a nicer person’! Living near the Thames myself, I think I might try mudlarking too, as I’m still hopeful of finding Mickey’s PJ Masks watch that he threw in the river near Richmond a while back!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.

Episode 165: Julie Samuel 13.10.2025 1h 4min

Julia Samuel is a psychotherapist and an author, who is best known as a grief counsellor. She was one of the founders of Child Bereavement UK which has just had its 30th anniversary. She has an agony aunt column for Times Luxury, she has a podcast, and she sees about 15 clients a week, describing that as ‘the heart of me’. She has 4 grown up children and 10 grandchildren aged 18 months to 18 years. When I met with Julia, we talked about the guilt she felt as a mum to young children, when she felt her work sometimes became her priority.Julia also talk to me about an area she feels needs more conversation and exploration, which is the parenting of adult children (aged 18-25) during a phase called ‘emerging adulthood’. I was all ears about that! 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.