Not As We Planned

Three weeks after giving birth, one Bestie woke in the middle of the night panicking that she’d missed an alarm to feed her newborn. She couldn’t find her own phone, so she picked up her husband’s to check the time… and messages from another woman appeared on the screen. She was still bleeding, wearing a postpartum nappy and caring for their two tiny children when she discovered her husband had been having an affair with a woman they both worked with, and it had been going on for months. This week we also hear from a woman whose boyfriend kissed someone on a night out, came home and abruptly ended their relationship, only to then ask if he could move back into their flat while they sell it. We tackle whether a four-hour long-distance relationship can realistically work when both people have children and lives they can’t relocate, and hear from a cancer survivor trying to date again after her husband’s betrayal left her terrified of letting another man in. Plus, Carly has another dating update, we give one Bestie’s Bumble profile a brutally honest makeover, and hear a confession that might genuinely make you delete Instagram and leave the country. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carly thought she’d finally met someone who ticked all the boxes: great chemistry, great dates, hours spent talking on the phone and seemingly all the right things to say. Then she discovered he was sleeping with multiple women. But this week, the story takes an even stranger turn when she finds him back on Tinder… using a completely different name. Now she’s questioning whether she ever really knew who she was dating in the first place. We also hear from a woman whose affair with her married boss spiralled into years of broken promises, pregnancy, heartbreak and her private life being exposed at work; a listener who discovered her ex’s new girlfriend through a Daily Mail article; and a wife questioning the man she married after years of secrets and betrayal. Plus, we talk dating apps, trusting your gut, finding love after divorce and whether you can ever truly know the person you marry. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eight months into their relationship, Charlotte found out she was pregnant at just 20 years old. From becoming young parents and figuring out their relationship along the way, to building a life online with an audience of over 3 million, this week we’re joined by Connor Kern and Charlotte Cucurnia from The Kern Family. We get into the reality behind the family you see online; becoming parents before they were prepared, the pressures it put on their relationship, arguments and learning how to communicate, why relationship therapy came up, raising three children and balancing family life with millions of people following along. Connor and Charlotte also open up about dealing with opinions and trolling online, maintaining trust with huge social followings and why the version of a relationship you see on social media is never the full picture. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She discovered her husband was having an affair, chose to forgive him and spent the next 10 years rebuilding their marriage… only to find herself right back where she started. This week, we hear from a woman questioning whether she wasted a decade after discovering the red flags had returned — and the receipts she eventually found left very little to the imagination. Now single at 50, she’s trying to stop blaming herself for staying and work out what comes next. We also hear from a mum trapped in an increasingly controlling relationship who is terrified of how her partner will react to even the smallest decisions, discuss the reality of single parenting and not being able to be everywhere at once, reveal the ridiculously specific things our partners do that give us the ick, and answer a grandmother struggling with an ex-son-in-law who she believes is turning her grandchildren against her. Plus, possibly the worst use of a dog at Sunday lunch we’ve ever heard. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine watching your mum die from cancer while the man you trust tells you his cancer has come back too… only to discover he made the whole thing up. This week we hear from a listener whose boyfriend lied about having cancer while her mum was terminally ill, before she discovered he had been cheating all along. We also hear from a woman who spent years trying to save her marriage through debt, lies and affairs, only to uncover another year-long relationship and experience the reality of post-separation abuse after finally leaving. Plus, we chat manifestation, dating red flags, what really gives us the ick, review another dating profile and share some very honest opinions along the way. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your biggest heartbreak is actually the beginning of your happiest chapter? This week, we share some of the most uplifting listener stories we’ve ever received. From a woman whose husband left her for her friend before she unexpectedly found the love of her life, to a listener whose husband walked out just weeks after their wedding and during pregnancy, only for her to build the blended family she’d always dreamed of. We also hear from women who thought they’d never trust again, survived affairs, divorce and heartbreak, and discovered that life really can get better. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Hollie Dowding finally walked away from her abusive relationship, she never imagined the journey that would follow. In this powerful and emotional conversation, Hollie shares how coercive control, trauma bonding and domestic abuse slowly took over her life, why leaving wasn't as simple as "just walking away", and how she found the strength to fight for justice, ultimately seeing her abuser sent to prison. She also opens up about the healing process, living with PTSD, and why she's now dedicated to helping other survivors through her podcast and House of H.E.R. This is one of the most important conversations we've ever had. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, we hope Hollie's story reminds you that you're not alone and that help is available. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A listener tells us about the growing feeling she can’t ignore… her husband seems like the perfect dad, but she’s convinced something isn’t right. Is she overthinking it, or are the signs pointing to something more? We unpack the story, share our honest advice, and discuss whether trust your instincts or give your partner the benefit of the doubt. Plus, we help a listener improve their dating profile, chat about modern dating, and answer more of your relationship dilemmas and listener stories. If you’ve ever questioned your relationship, doubted your instincts, or wondered if you’re seeing red flags that everyone else is missing, this episode is for you. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You finally leave the relationship everyone told you was toxic… so why do you still miss it? This week, we unpack a listener’s confession about leaving a toxic partner only to find herself missing the chaos she fought so hard to escape. We discuss why healthy relationships can sometimes feel “boring,” the psychology behind toxic attraction, and whether it’s possible to break the cycle for good. We also dive into another heartbreaking listener story about infidelity in the workplace, share our thoughts on modern dating, and catch up on everything that’s been happening in our own lives. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boys today are facing challenges that previous generations never had to navigate, but are we raising them in the right way? This week, we’re joined by Raising Boys 2 Men for an honest conversation about why so many boys are struggling, the impact of modern parenting, social media, positive male role models, and what parents can do to raise confident, emotionally resilient young men. We also discuss the mistakes we see too often, the conversations families avoid, and why the way we support boys today will shape the men they become tomorrow. Whether you’re raising sons, working with young people, or simply want to better understand the challenges boys face today, this is a conversation every parent should hear. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if you found out your best friend had been lying to you for over a decade? In this episode, we unpack one listener’s shocking story, review another dating profile, help a man navigating struggles in his marriage, and talk about the common mistake people make by confusing emotional unavailability with chemistry. If you’ve ever questioned your relationships or your dating choices, this one’s for you. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She thought she’d finally found her happy ending. After blending their families and welcoming a new baby together, everything seemed perfect… until she discovered the man she loved had been living a shocking double life. This week, we read one of the most unbelievable stories we’ve ever received, hear from a listener trapped in a controlling relationship after 12 years together, and discuss why your gut instinct is often trying to protect you long before your mind catches up. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He disappeared without a word for five weeks… then came back expecting another chance. This week, Carly opens up about the emotional reality of co-parenting, we help a listener decide whether she’s holding on to someone’s potential instead of who they really are, hear from a woman who discovered her partner’s affair while she was eight months pregnant, and ask one very satisfying question… what happens when your cheating ex gets cheated on? Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A listener discovers that her husband’s entire life was a lie. After 14 years together, two children and what seemed like the perfect marriage, one tiny clue unravels everything. We also hear about a disastrous date involving a murder trial, review another Hinge profile, and help a listener decide whether to break no contact with the woman he can’t stop thinking about. Get tickets for our tour: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/not-as-we-planned Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tash opens up about her kids being around her boyfriend, the Snapchat message that wasn’t meant to be sent, when a break can help your relationship and the breadcrumbs that keep you there for too long Get tickets for our tour: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/not-as-we-planned/ Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carly opens up about her grief, a story that will remind you that kids really do absorb the environment they are in and after 20 years together he left his wife for a man. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You share the sluttiest things you’ve ever done, we give feedback on the first Hinge profile you’ve sent in, the separation after 20 years and the long-term emotional affair found out on Snapchat! Get tickets for our tour: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/not-as-we-planned/ Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hear about a relationship where HE never wants to have sex, how drugs and alchohol ruined a relationship and wondering why you're always the one who's dumped. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss our most toxic traits in a relationship, when you get warned about your partner on your wedding day and when we discuss that two happy homes is better than one unhappy home! Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss your pettiest reasons you stopped seeing someone, we hear about the suspicions of someone who thinks her partner may be sleeping with her former best friend and ignoring TOO many red flags. Watch the podcast on YouTube Get a weekly BONUS episode on Patreon : Join Our Community Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.