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The Real Life. Real Kitchen. Podcast

The Real Life. Real Kitchen. Podcast

Written by: Zoe F. Willis
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About this listen

 Food. Family. Community. 
In a world that tells mothers to hustle harder, outsource home life, and silence their instincts, The Real Life. Real Kitchen Podcast offers a different rhythm. Hosted by Zoë F. Willis, mother-of-many & Mum Mentor, this podcast is a gentle but honest invitation to rethink what matters most. Through soulful musings & conversations with those who feed, heal, and raise our communities, from farmers and butchers to herbalists and healers, wise thinkers and mothers in the thick of it, we’ll explore how women can reclaim their homes, health, and children’s future. All this one small, trusting step at a time. Whether we’re talking about cooking nourishing food on a budget, the quiet courage of stay-at-home mums, the reality of food waste, or why it’s okay to question what modern motherhood has become…each episode gives you something real to hold onto. If you’re a mother who’s curious, tired of the noise, and longing for more connection, tradition, and truth… well, you’re not alone. Pull up a chair. There’s room at the table.Copyright 2026 Zoe F. Willis Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • How Regenerative Farming Can Heal Our Children & Save the World || Pia Crofton

    How Regenerative Farming Can Heal Our Children & Save the World || Pia Crofton
    May 6 2026

    In this in-depth interview on the Real Life. Real Kitchen. Podcast, Pia Crofton of Ireland Fresh shares her journey from working in the Irish food industry to becoming a passionate advocate for nutrient-dense, regenerative food systems. She discusses the impact of global supply chains, the importance of local and organic food, and practical ways mothers can heal their children of autoimmune conditions and chronic illness through dietary interventions.

    The conversation also takes in the political and societal implications of modern farming practices, Big Food and government policies on motherhood, families and the health of nations. Personal autonomy, mutual support and a crie du coeur from mothers across the Western World just might save us all…

    Welcome to the Real Life. Real Kitchen Podcast with your host, Zoë F. Willis, English mother-of-many, Mum Mentor, and your host at this weekly gathering of real talk, real food, and real family life.

    Each week I sit down with someone whose work nourishes minds, bodies, or communities. From the kitchen table to the wider world, these are the quiet voices making a loud difference.

    👤 About Pia Crofton

    After 20 years in the food industry, Pia is a mother now on a mission to connect families directly with real food and its producers to make a difference to children, health and society.

    🌐 Where to Find Pia Crofton
    • Website: https://irelandfresh.com/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pia.crofton
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pia-crofton/

    🧰 Links & Resources Mentioned

    🥑 GAPS Diet by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride - https://gaps.me

    💌 Join The Kitchen Correspondence – my weekly newsletter with episodes, reflections & family food wisdom

    https://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socials

    ☕ Support the Show – help keep the kettle on and the podcast going

    https://the-real-life-real-kitchen.captivate.fm/support

    ❤️ Share the Love

    If this episode made you nod, laugh, or breathe a little deeper then please:

    • Follow or subscribe to the show
    • Leave a short review (it really helps!)
    • Share this episode with a fellow mum who might be quietly asking the same questions

    🌍 Where Else You Can Find Me

    All the links are here ⬇️! Come say hello.

    • 🥰 https://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socials

    Key Topics
    • Impact of global supply chains on food quality
    • The role of regenerative agriculture in health
    • How glyphosate and chemicals affect our bodies
    • The importance of local, nutrient-dense food
    • Practical steps for mothers to heal their children

    Takeaways:

    • The podcast emphasizes the significant role of mothers in connecting with food producers to ensure the nutritional health of their families.
    • Pia Crofton discusses the detrimental effects of the current food supply chain, particularly the dominance of large corporations over family-run businesses.
    • The conversation highlights the alarming rise in chronic illnesses and autoimmune conditions among children, attributed to poor diet and exposure to chemicals.
    • Listeners are encouraged to advocate for better food policies and support local food systems to improve community health and well-being.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Navigating Loneliness In Motherhood || Insights from Parenting Coach, Vanessa Coultas

    Navigating Loneliness In Motherhood || Insights from Parenting Coach, Vanessa Coultas
    Apr 26 2026
    This episode of the Real Life. Real Kitchen podcast delves into the quiet & painful issue of loneliness experienced by mothers, particularly new mamas. Vanessa Coultas, Parenting Coach and host, Zoë F. Willis, discuss the societal changes that contribute to this loneliness, such as the shift from work to motherhood and the lack of community support. We explore the importance of social connections, the challenges faced by introverts, and the need for mothers to actively create support networks. The discussion emphasizes that loneliness is a common experience and encourages mothers to take small steps towards building connections and seeking support.Welcome to the Real Life. Real Kitchen Podcast with your host, Zoë F. Willis, English mother-of-many, Mum Mentor, and your host at this weekly gathering of real talk, real food, and real family life.Each week I sit down with someone whose work nourishes minds, bodies, or communities. From the kitchen table to the wider world, these are the quiet voices making a loud difference.👤 About Vanessa CoultasVanessa brings over a decade of dedicated experience to the profound task of guiding individuals in reshaping their lives with a specific focus on parenting.​Commencing with a degree in Psychology, her professional journey has evolved to encompass qualifications in Life Coaching, Solution-Based Counselling, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Hypnosis. Despite the broadening of her expertise, psychology - with a specific emphasis on understanding human behavior - remains her central passion, which she uses to help families in their parenting.🌐 Where to Find Vanessa CoultasWebsite: https://www.lifementoringnz.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifementoring_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/energisingmumsPodcast: Chaos, Courage & Coffee https://open.spotify.com/show/784MVlm8skiUcTTH6Vb8tE 🧰 Links & Resources Mentioned📝 Command the Chaos – The Mum Life Management Plannerhttps://shorturl.at/bbzm7💌 Join The Kitchen Correspondence – my weekly newsletter with episodes, reflections & family food wisdomhttps://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socials☕ Support the Show – help keep the kettle on and the podcast goinghttps://the-real-life-real-kitchen.captivate.fm/support❤️ Share the LoveIf this episode made you nod, laugh, or breathe a little deeper then please:Follow or subscribe to the showLeave a short review (it really helps!)Share this episode with a fellow mum who might be quietly asking the same questions🌍 Where Else You Can Find MeAll the links are here ⬇️! Come say hello.🥰 https://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socialsTakeaways:The podcast highlighted the pervasive issue of loneliness experienced by mothers, particularly during early motherhood.Vanessa emphasised the importance of creating a supportive community to combat loneliness effectively.Listeners were encouraged to seek connections with other mothers through groups and regular social interactions.The hosts discussed the significance of recognizing loneliness as a normal experience, rather than a personal failing.Practical suggestions were offered for mothers to maintain social connections, even amidst busy schedules.The conversation underscored that small steps towards building relationships can mitigate feelings of isolation.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Non-Linear Careers for Mums || Deb Smallwood on Identity, Choice & SelfPowerment

    Non-Linear Careers for Mums || Deb Smallwood on Identity, Choice & SelfPowerment
    Apr 11 2026
    In this episode of the Real Life Real Kitchen podcast, Zoe Willis engages in a profound conversation with Deb Smallwood, a trailblazing executive and advocate for women's empowerment. Deb shares her insights from a 46-year career, focusing on the non-linear paths women and importantly, mothers, often take in their careers, the importance of financial independence, and the common struggles of self-doubt among women in leadership roles. The discussion also touches on the differences in how men and women process experiences and the necessity of support and vulnerability in both personal and professional lives. Deb emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself, accepting one's identity beyond roles, and making conscious choices to navigate life's challenges. The episode concludes with reflections on finding joy and acceptance in difficult situations, reinforcing the message that empowerment comes from within and that we all have the power to shape our narratives.Welcome to the Real Life. Real Kitchen Podcast with your host, Zoë F. Willis, English mother-of-many, Mum Mentor, and your host at this weekly gathering of real talk, real food, and real family life.Each week I sit down with someone whose work nourishes minds, bodies, or communities. From the kitchen table to the wider world, these are the quiet voices making a loud difference.👤 About Deb SmallwoodDeb Smallwood spent four decades rising through corporate leadership into C-suite roles—often with exhaustion, anxiety, and the need to constantly prove her worth. Her inner shift led her to research the experiences of more than fifty high-achieving women leaders and inspired her book SelfPowerment: The Inner Shift for High Achieving Women Who Want More Than Just Success and the research-informed framework that redefines success from within and invite women to shift the question from “Will they choose me?” to “Do I choose them?”🌐 Where to Find Deb SmallwoodWebsite: www.selfpowerment.com Buy Her Book: https://amzn.to/4cBny9P Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deb.smallwood.94 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-smallwood/ 🧰 Links & Resources Mentioned📝 Command the Chaos – The Mum Life Management Plannerhttps://shorturl.at/bbzm7💌 Join The Kitchen Correspondence – my weekly newsletter with episodes, reflections & family food wisdomhttps://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socials☕ Support the Show – help keep the kettle on and the podcast goinghttps://the-real-life-real-kitchen.captivate.fm/support❤️ Share the LoveIf this episode made you nod, laugh, or breathe a little deeper then please:Follow or subscribe to the showLeave a short review (it really helps!)Share this episode with a fellow mum who might be quietly asking the same questions🌍 Where Else You Can Find MeAll the links are here ⬇️! Come say hello.🥰 https://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socialsTakeaways:Deb Smallwood, a renowned advocate for women's empowerment, shares invaluable insights from her extensive career.The podcast emphasizes the importance of financial independence for women to enhance their life choices.Listeners learn that self-doubt is a common struggle among successful women in leadership roles.The discussion highlights the necessity of personal accountability in managing one's emotions and life direction.Deb's upcoming book, Of Self Powerment, aims to assist women in discovering their true purpose and identity.The conversation reveals that both men and women face unique challenges in their professional journeys.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
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