Shows
First Time Mum's ChatTummy Time Without Tears: 5 Powerful Ways to Build Confident Little Movers!#184 - Struggling with tummy time? You're not alone. In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, certified baby massage instructor and childcare educator Helen Thompson introduces the new series, "Move, Play, Grow," and shares 5 powerful ways to transform tummy time from a daily battle into a bonding experience that builds your baby's strength, confidence, and curiosity. Learn why those tiny early movements matter more than you think—and how to nurture them with rhythm, connection, and joy.Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/184.2025-04-3013 min
First Time Mum's Chat3 Signs an Infant Tantrum Isn’t Bad Behavior But a Cry for Help#182 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson welcomes Joss Goulden, a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor with over 30 years of experience supporting families.They delve into understanding children's behaviors, emphasizing that actions like tantrums are often a child's way of communicating underlying needs and emotions.Joss shares insights on interpreting these behaviors and offers strategies to respond with empathy and connection, aiming to foster a nurturing environment for both children and parents.Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on nurturing your child's emotional well-being and enhancing your parenting journey. Ch...2025-04-0236 min
The Baby Sleep Connection: Holistic help for tired, responsive parents who don't want to sleep trainEp 38: Baby Massage with Helen ThompsonHeather is joined today by Helen Thompson, Tasmania-based infant massage instructor with over 3 decades of experience working with babies, toddlers, and their families.In this episode, Helen helps break down:How to be “baby-led” when doing baby massageWhat signals a baby gives so you can tune into their cuesHow a gentle massage routine can help babies relax and settle into easier sleepThe role massage plays in building connection, bonding, and communicationHow parents benefit from infant massageAnd moreHele...2025-03-1326 min
First Time Mum's ChatThe #1 Mistake Parents Make When Responding to Newborn Crying Sounds – Do You?#180 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson delves into the nuances of infant communication, focusing on how to interpret your baby's various cries.With her extensive background as a childcare educator and baby massage instructor, Helen offers practical insights to help you distinguish between cries signaling hunger, fatigue, or discomfort.She emphasizes the importance of responding empathetically to these cues to foster a strong parent-child bond. Tune in to enhance your understanding of your baby's needs and strengthen your connection.Check out the show notes at https://www...2025-03-0514 min
First Time Mum's ChatToddler Bedtime Battles? Steal These 4 Must-Try Sleep Strategies Tonight!#179 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson delves into the challenges of toddler bedtime routines. Building upon insights from the previous episode on newborn sleep, Helen offers practical strategies to help your toddler recognize their own sleep cues and establish a peaceful, independent bedtime routine.Tune in to transform bedtime struggles into a calming experience for both you and your child.👉 Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/179.2025-02-1915 min
First Time Mum's Chat5 Baby Sleep Secrets Every Exhausted Mum Needs to Know – #3 is a Game Changer!#178 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson delves into the challenges of newborn sleep.Drawing from her extensive experience as a childcare educator and baby massage instructor, Helen shares five essential strategies to help your baby—and you—get more restful nights.Discover how to interpret your baby's unique sleep cues, establish a calming bedtime routine, and learn why baby massage can be a game-changer in promoting better sleep. Tune in to uncover practical tips that can make your parenting journey smoother and more enjoyable.👉 Check out the show no...2025-02-0524 min
First Time Mum's ChatCan Babies Read Your Mind? The Truth About Communicating With InfantsIn this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson sits down with Lauren Dionysius, a former NICU nurse turned baby soul communicator, to explore the profound ways babies connect beyond traditional cues.Discover how understanding your baby's energy and telepathic abilities can deepen your bond and enhance your parenting journey.Are you ready to uncover the hidden wisdom your baby holds? Tune in to learn how to support your little one's unique path with insights that may transform your approach to motherhood.Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage...2025-01-2227 min
ColivingDAO Insights: The Web3 Path for Regen LivingTrust and Collaboration in the Digital Age with Helen PuryerSend us a textHelen Puryer, a visionary in the blockchain space and a driving force at Chromia, joins us to unravel the transformative power of decentralized governance. From her beginnings in politics to pioneering new models of participation and inclusivity in blockchain, Helen shares how this technology is reshaping governance. We explore how decentralized systems are empowering stakeholders, enhancing community involvement, and why the journey isn't without its hurdles, such as varying levels of understanding and engagement in these innovative governance structures.We delve into the groundbreaking ColivingDAO model, where traditional cooperative structures intersect...2025-01-2239 min
First Time Mum's Chat4 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Introducing Dog to Newborn#176 - Welcoming a new baby into your family is an exciting journey, but what happens when you have a furry family member to consider too? In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, Helen Thompson chats with Aileen Cronin, a seasoned Canine Behavior Consultant and founder of Baby Pack Leader.Aileen shares her expert advice on fostering safe and harmonious relationships between dogs and babies, drawn from over a decade of hands-on experience and her personal journey as a mother.Listen now to gain confidence in managing this exciting transition and start fostering a stronger...2025-01-0826 min
The Great Simplification with Nate HagensEnergy Crises & Global Power Shifts: The Struggle for Stability in Israel, Iran, and Beyond | Helen Thompson(Conversation recorded on November 11th, 2024, prior to a ceasefire declared between Israel and Lebanon on November 27th, 2024) If you’ve followed TGS for some time, you’ve heard Nate speak about The 5 Horsemen – the biggest risks for humans and civilization in the coming decade. Today’s episode delves into one of the most rapidly escalating: geopolitics. Today, Nate is joined by Political Economy Professor Helen Thompson to explore the evolving understanding of energy's role in international relations, particularly in the context of recent conflicts in the Middle East. They discuss the challenge of anticipati...2024-11-271h 11The Great Simplification with Nate HagensEnergy Crises & Global Power Shifts: The Struggle for Stability in Israel, Iran, and Beyond | Helen Thompson(Conversation recorded on November 11th, 2024, prior to a ceasefire declared between Israel and Lebanon on November 27th, 2024) If you’ve followed TGS for some time, you’ve heard Nate speak about The 5 Horsemen – the biggest risks for humans and civilization in the coming decade. Today’s episode delves into one of the most rapidly escalating: geopolitics. Today, Nate is joined by Political Economy Professor Helen Thompson to explore the evolving understanding of energy's role in international relations, particularly in the context of recent conflicts in the Middle East. They discuss the challenge of anticipati...2024-11-271h 11
First Time Mum's ChatBaby Won't Stop Crying? 4 Must-Try Baby Massage Techniques for Colic Relief!#173 - Is your newborn's relentless crying leaving you feeling helpless?In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, Helen Thompson, a seasoned childcare educator and baby massage instructor, delves into effective baby massage techniques designed to alleviate colic and soothe your little one. Discover how gentle touch can transform fussy moments into peaceful bonding experiences, bringing comfort to both you and your baby. Plus, don't miss out on Helen's free guide, '4 Simple Ways to Soothe Your Colicky Baby,' offering practical tips to ease your baby's discomfort.Tune in to learn how...2024-11-1309 min
First Time Mum's ChatBreast Milk Leaking? Discover This Mum’s Innovative Eco-Friendly Solution!#171 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson interviews Garrett Wood Kusmierz, founder of Kozēkozē.Garrett shares how her personal challenges with postpartum breast milk leakage led her to create a sustainable, absorbent bra that provides comfort and ease for breastfeeding mums. Learn how her innovative approach can help you manage common postpartum issues like engorgement and leakage.If you're looking for practical, eco-friendly solutions to make your postpartum journey smoother, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in now for expert insights and Garrett’s inspiring story.Check out...2024-10-1627 min
First Time Mum's ChatSeptember Q&A: Postpartum Anxiety and Depression – The Dark Secret No One Warned You About#169 - In this special Q&A episode of First Time Mum's Chat, Helen Thompson dives into your most pressing questions about postpartum depression and anxiety. Drawing on wisdom from previous episodes, Helen shares powerful excerpts from past interviews with experts and real mums who have experienced the ups and downs of early motherhood.Here’s what you’ll learn:🌟 Expert Insights & Real Stories: Hear from mental health professionals and mums who’ve been there, as they share actionable tips and strategies to help you manage anxiety and depression during this challenging time.🛑 Identifying Key Signs: D...2024-09-1819 min
New EnlightenmentThe Geopolitics of the Energy Transition with Helen ThompsonIn this episode, we are joined by Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge, and co-host of the popular podcast from UnHerd, These Times. We discuss how energy has become a key issue in political economy, which Thompson’s work is a key example of. Our conversation moves to discussing the differences and similarities with the development of an oil-based global economy in the 20th century to the current energy transition. We examine China’s specific advantages in mining and minerals for the energy transition and how the West, specifically the United States, is trying to c...2024-05-171h 05
The Great Tech Game, with Anirudh Suri: Smart conversations on Technology, Business and GeopoliticsThe Geopolitics of Energy and the Climate Transition, feat. Helen ThompsonIn this episode of the Great Tech Game podcast, Anirudh Suri talks to Prof. Helen Thompson, one of the leading experts on geopolitics and political economy. They discuss how the geopolitics is likely to shape the outcomes of national elections in 2024 (and vice versa), the worrying trends around populism, nativism and nationalism, and how climate and energy transitions are shaping the global order and the future of international relations.
Prof. Thompson shares invaluable insights on key global topics. From the potential impact of the 2024 US presidential election on global power dynamics to the intricate interplay between domestic politics and...2024-02-151h 13The Great Simplification with Nate HagensHelen Thompson: "The Complex History of Energy & Geopolitics”On this episode, political economist Helen Thompson and Nate discuss how energy and geopolitics have interconnected over the past century, building to the entangled political relationships we see around us today. The dynamics of power on a global scale are complex - stemming from access to energy, financial control, military strength, credibility/trust, and much more - yet we can understand these a bit better by learning the history that shaped them. How have geologic provinces of energy dense carbon created inherent hot spots on the geopolitical playing field? How has the global monetary system and debt evolved to...2023-11-152h 00The Great Simplification with Nate HagensHelen Thompson: "The Complex History of Energy & Geopolitics”On this episode, political economist Helen Thompson and Nate discuss how energy and geopolitics have interconnected over the past century, building to the entangled political relationships we see around us today. The dynamics of power on a global scale are complex - stemming from access to energy, financial control, military strength, credibility/trust, and much more - yet we can understand these a bit better by learning the history that shaped them. How have geologic provinces of energy dense carbon created inherent hot spots on the geopolitical playing field? How has the global monetary system and debt evolved to...2023-11-152h 00
The Sweet Slumber Podcast: Baby-Centered SleepEpisode 36- "Discover the Magic of Baby Massage: A Pathway to Relaxation, Connection, & Communication" with Helen ThompsonSend us a textIn this insightful podcast episode, our host Meredith Brough sits down with the talented Helen Thompson, a true expert in the world of baby massage. With over 30 years of experience in childcare, Helen is here to share her wealth of knowledge and passion for this amazing practice.Helen dives right into the impressive benefits of baby massage. Not only does it help with sleep, but it can also provide relief for colic and constipation. Who knew a simple touch could do so much?Helen emphasizes the importance of touch...2023-11-1239 min
Forward GuidanceThe Future Of Financial Repression | Helen Thompson on Energy, Capital Controls, and the Federal ReserveHelen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge and author of “Disorder: Hard Times In The 21st Century,” joins Forward Guidance to share her outlook on European energy, the Federal Reserve, financial repression, and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Filmed on October 12, 2023. __Helen Thompson’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Disorder-Hard-Times-21st-Century/dp/0198864981Helen Thompson’s book on Oxford Press: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/disorder-9780198864981Helen Thompson at Cambridge: https://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/Staff_and_Students/dr-helen-thompson__Follow...2023-10-161h 03
Top Traders UnpluggedGM50: A Century of Disorder ft. Helen ThompsonJoin us for a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Helen Thompson of Cambridge University, author of Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century, as we take a big picture perspective on the current global macro landscape. A key focus of Helen’s work is the role of energy markets in understanding global macro developments and we delve into Europe’s energy dependence on Russia. We hear about the factors which enabled Europe avoid an energy shortage in the winter of 2022 but why energy markets remain a risk factor for the Eurozone economy. We discuss the shift towards more proactive industrial poli...2023-09-271h 02
It Begins With You45. Creating a spiritual connection with your baby through baby massage with Helen ThompsonMany of the topics I cover here on the podcast are around the spiritual connection you have with yourself and the people around you.
But something I haven’t spoken about is the beautiful connection you can form with your baby.
Until today!
Today’s guest on the Matrescence Awakening with Kirryn Lee podcast is Helen Thompson.
Helen has spent more than three decades working with babies and toddlers, and currently lives on the beautiful northwest coast of Tasmania in Australia.
She's qualified in the UK as a nursery nurse...2023-08-2427 min
Entering Motherhood: Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Support126. How to Use Baby Massage to Bond With Our Baby With Helen ThompsonIn this episode we talk with Helen Thompson who is a past childcare provider and now teaches baby massage. We go into how baby massage can help not only with bonding but also social skills, digestive issues, teething, and vital developmental skills. As a parent who works and utilizes childcare I am all about utilizing my time with my baby more efficiently and learning how to best bond with them in the time that I have with them. This conversation is full of benefits that correlate to baby massage and learning how we can discover more about our babies...2023-02-2031 min
Parenting on the Spectrum#46 - Helen Thompson Shares the Importance of Baby MassageHave a baby? Listen up! Helen shares valuable tips to help reduce crying (yours and your baby's) with massage.
About Helen
Helen Thompson. She's a certified nursery nurse with a professional background as a childcare educator for many years and more recently as an infant massage and tummy time instructor. She helps parents who are beginning their journeys into parenthood often for the first time. Her aim is to share fun and interactive ways that can improve their bond whilst experiencing less, crying, less stress, and have a happier, more contented little one.
Lear...2022-11-2427 min
First Time Mum's ChatHow to Relieve Colic in a Newborn Naturally Using Baby MassageIn this episode you'll hear me share:-Tips on how to identify whether your baby is likely to be suffering from colic.Simple to follow baby massage techniques to help relieve your baby's colic.So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." 2022-11-1611 min
First Time Mum's ChatHelping Parents Cope With Challenging BehaviorIn this week's episode of First Time Mum's Chat, I'm chatting with Sandra Kwesell who has a background working with children, youth and families in settings including day treatment, counselling, education and therapeutic settings.Sandra's life journey is the result of her brother's mental health issues that ended in his suicide at the age of 18.Sandra has developed her Pillars for Success parenting program to find solutions for other families that hers could not and in this episode you'll hear Sandra talk about:-The 3...2022-11-0933 min
First Time Mum's ChatAdvice For New Moms Commencing Their Parenting JourneyThere is a lot of tension and insecurity around being a new parent and this becomes even more of an issue when you are away from your family. Ann-Christin Villegas knows all about this, after relocating from her native Germany to Virginia in the USA and giving birth to two girls, both in the USA!Ann found the process frustrating and challenging finding information and resources and she kept meeting other moms and expecting women who were in the same situation and frustrated.Ann was so passionate about the...2022-11-0227 min
First Time Mum's ChatTips to Handle Fussy Eaters and Allergy to Cow MilkAs a first time parent coping with infant feeding problems, identifying allergies and finding ways to deal with fussy eaters often feels like a fulltime occupation doesn't it! It's the last thing you need on top of the other stresses you have to deal with daily as a new parent.I've wanted to chat with someone such as a paediatric dietitian for sometime and was delighted to recently meet Judith Lynn. Judith lives in Northern Ireland and has a background in the British health system and has tons of experience and expertise, including 10 years...2022-10-2637 min
First Time Mum's ChatA Conversation With Kinesiologist and Transformational Coach Amanda KateKinesiology is an area that has always fascinated me and something I did some training in many years ago. For those unfamiliar with kinesiology, briefly it is a system of diffusing stress and energy blocks within the body to help people move out of dis-ease into a place of wellness. It amalgamates Eastern wisdom with Western Science to facilitate energetic shifts that allow your body to heal itself from the inside out.This week's guest Amanda Kate is a highly trained kinesiologist and transformational coach and it was great chatting with her about how...2022-10-1935 min
First Time Mum's ChatHow Can Baby Massage Help You With Your Baby's Non-Verbal CommunicationHaving spent many years looking after babies and toddlers during my career as a child care educator and more recently as a baby massage instructor, I'm not surprisingly very much used to interpreting their often non-verbal communication.Many parents question me when I talk about this a lot when I'm teaching them how to massage their baby using the baby massage techniques.One of the important aspects of baby massages is that you always ask your baby's permission before getting started, and many parents have no idea how to...2022-10-1209 min
First Time Mum's ChatHow to Help With Postpartum Depression and Baby Blues After PregnancyThe transition into motherhood is a challenging time for many moms and there's never a more important time to ensure you look after and nurture yourself.A recurring theme on First Time Mum's Chat has been the lack of information available to moms to help them with their own health and wellbeing during the postpartum period. Yes, it's important to always ensure that your little one is well looked after, but please don't forget to take care of you also! After all, you're not going to be at your best and give your all...2022-10-0528 min
First Time Mum's ChatEarly Childhood Development - Shaping Your Little One's Mindset & Behavior For SuccessThis week's guest Dr. Ravi Rajaratnam, is a management consultant. So what does a management consultant have to offer someone commencing their parenting journey you ask?Well, Dr. Ravi is an accomplished mentor, coach, and speaker, and specializes in mind and brain wellness and has spent decades teaching business leaders to reach their full potential. He realized that there is a common theme that kept popping up, their belief systems, which always led back to their childhood.This led Dr. Ravi to write his book, Hardwiring vs. Rewiring, in...2022-09-2827 min
First Time Mum's ChatHow to Improve Diastasis Recti & Aid Your Postpartum Recovery After BirthBeing pregnant and giving birth is a dramatic time for women and taking the time to help your physical postpartum recovery is extremely important. I've interviewed a number of guests on First Time Mum's Chat who've shared their expertise and tips on dealing with such issues as pelvic floor problems, postpartum back problems and diastasis recti.This week's guest Peter Lap has worked as a personal trainer over many years and found himself with many female clients in their 20's. Some years ago he made the decision to specialise as a post-natal exercise expert...2022-09-2126 min
First Time Mum's ChatEncouraging Your Little One's Learning Using the Montessori MethodDuring my many years as a childcare educator, I've always tried to encourage the infants I've worked with to develop their own imagination and create their own fun and activities. Over the years, this has become increasingly challenging. There is so much competing for our kids' attention spans today isn't there! Whether it's advertising or television or the internet or social media, the list goes on and on and on.It has been my observation that with so much content on offer, many infants and parents are losing the ability to stimulate and build t...2022-09-1412 min
First Time Mum's ChatThe Importance of Diagnosing Autism & Other Conditions Early in Infant DevelopmentWhen it comes to the growth and development of your little one, I think it's safe to say that most mums have a tendency to be oversensitive. We all have stories to relate of parents we know or have seen being hugely over protective.However, no one knows your little one like you do, so it's important to seek professional help if you feel something is amiss with their natural development. Always trust that gut feeling!The earlier conditions such as ADHD and autism are diagnosed, the better, so...2022-09-0722 min
First Time Mum's ChatThe Power Of Touch For Premature BabiesAs a baby massage instructor, I'm always striving to impart to new parents the importance and massive benefits of massaging and touching their little one.When they are born, after 9 months in a safe, nurturing environment, they find themselves in a very different place with much to adjust to.However, their journey is far more challenging and dramatic when they are born prematurely. Firstly they are likely to find themselves in the NICU with the goal of keeping them alive and then they face being poked and prodded with...2022-08-3128 min
First Time Mum's ChatTips on Parenting With Parenting Coach Sue AtkinsIn this week's episode of First Time Mum's Chat I'm thrilled to have the opportunity of chatting with Sue Atkins. Sue is an internationally recognized parenting expert, broadcaster, speaker and author.Sue has written numerous books and regularly appears on the award-winning flagship ITV show "This Morning", Good Morning Britain and Sky News as well as being the parenting expert for many BBC Radio stations around the UK. She is also the parenting expert for Disney Family and is the host of "The Sue Atkins Parenting Show".I can't...2022-08-2422 min
The Brie PodYour Guide to Baby Massage with Special Guest Helen ThompsonHelen Thompson, @babymassagehelen from First Time Mum Podcast & www.mybabymassage.net. Helen is a Child Care Educator + Baby Massage Instructor. In this episode, We talk about the benefits of Baby Massage and how it can help with parent-child bonding, colic, teething, tummy issues, how to help your baby get better sleep, and all the amazing benefits of what baby massage has to offer. This episode was also video recorded and has a few instructional tips on how you can start today! Links:Website: https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcastInstagram: https://instagram.com...2022-08-2456 min
First Time Mum's ChatTips To Engage With Your Child Using Non-Verbal CommunicationSo what do you do when your little one isn't speaking or trying to communicate with you verbally? In our modern hustle and bustle and highly competitive world, it's easy for parents to worry if their baby's verbal development seems slow or delayed.As a childcare educator and baby massage instructor, it's second nature to me to look for and interpret those non verbal cues. I highly recommend that all parents learn to read their little one's non verbal communication and to help you, in this week's episode, you'll hear me speaking with Louise...2022-08-1722 min