Podcast / 30 June, 2026 / My Baba

Parental Control, Ep 136: Mum Rage: You Are Not Bad For Getting Mad

If you’ve ever found yourself shouting over something small, only to be overwhelmed with guilt moments later, you’re far from alone.

In this episode of Parental Control, Ellie Thompson is joined by award-winning journalist and author Lauren Novak to explore one of motherhood’s least talked about realities: mum rage.

Lauren has spent more than two decades reporting on family life, child safety and social issues, and after becoming a mother herself during the Covid-19 pandemic, she turned her attention to the hidden pressures facing modern mums. In her book Meltdown, she explores what really sits beneath the anger, from the relentless mental load and sleep deprivation to hormones, guilt and the impossible expectations placed on mothers today.

Together, Ellie and Lauren discuss why so many mums feel they’re constantly on the edge, why maternal anger is still surrounded by shame, and what parents can do to recognise the warning signs before they reach breaking point.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why am I so angry all the time?” this honest and reassuring conversation is for you.

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About Lauren Novak

Lauren Novak is an award-winning news and features journalist of more than two decades. Her work has been published in News Corp print and digital newspapers and magazines across Australia and recognised with state and national accolades, including as a three-time winner of the South Australian Press Club’s Gold Award for journalist of the year.

Lauren specialises in coverage of family violence and child safety and is an Our Watch Walkley Foundation fellow. She lives in Adelaide with her partner and their two children, born less than two years apart during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Show Notes

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Parental Control, Ep 135: Relationships, Sex & Intimacy After Having Kids

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