WHO LEFT US IN CHARGE?!: A teenage dad, an ADHD stepmum, and how we survived becoming parents

This week on LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox talk about becoming parents... without ever planning to. Rich became a dad at 18. Rox became a stepmum with ADHD, trauma, and zero idea what she was doing. Neither of us signed up for this, but somehow, here we are — co-parenting, healing, messing up, and figuring it out one meltdown at a time. We talk about what our childhoods taught us (and didn’t), why parenting can trigger your deepest wounds, and how we’re trying to do it differently — with love, honesty, and the occasional family-sized panic. If you're a parent, a step-parent, or just someone trying to break the cycle and build something better than what you had — this one’s for you. You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to keep showing up.

In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, we’re diving into rejection sensitivity — what it actually is, where it comes from, and how it shows up in real life. From spiraling over a single text message to assuming the worst when someone says “can we talk?”, Rox opens up about how rejection sensitivity has impacted her relationships, career, and mental health. Rich offers his perspective as someone who doesn’t experience it in the same way — but lives with someone who really does. We talk about disavowed anger, childhood wounds, confrontation fears, and the little things that can make a big difference when you’re wired to feel unsafe. Whether you’re the one asking “are you mad at me?” or living with someone who does — this one’s for you.

In this raw and honest episode, Rich and Rox take you to the nights they almost didn’t make it through — and how those exact moments became the catalyst for everything good that followed. Rich opens up about his secret gambling addiction, the £7,000 lost in 11 minutes, and the night he truly believed not being here was the only way out. Rox shares the story of a 3-day bender in Ibiza that wrecked a music video shoot, broke her relationship, and finally pushed her to walk into her first recovery meeting. They talk shame, addiction, second chances, and how the rock bottom moments — the ones where you hate yourself most — can actually lay the foundation for the life you never thought you could have. If you’re in it right now, if you’ve ever wondered if things can change… this episode is here to say: yes, they can. You’re not alone. And this might just be the beginning.

Are you constantly saying yes when you mean no? Feeling anxious about being liked? Putting everyone else’s needs before your own... then burning out in silence? You might be stuck in a people pleasing loop... and it’s time to break free. In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox dive deep into the roots of people pleasing, from childhood conditioning to ADHD-related rejection sensitivity. They share personal stories, relationship reflections, and how unlearning the “good girl/good boy” mindset changed everything. Expect raw honesty, a few uncomfortable truths, and practical advice on how to: – Stop caring what everyone thinks – Set boundaries without guilt – Start living for you It’s not about being selfish, it's about being yourself!

This week on LATE BLOOMERS, we’re having one of the most important—and difficult—conversations we’ve ever shared. In this deeply personal episode, Rich opens up about his experience of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of someone he trusted. He talks about how the abuse happened, the grooming that led up to it, and the lasting impact it had on his life—relationships, addiction, anxiety, and self-worth. We also discuss what helped him begin to heal: therapy, sobriety, and support from the right people at the right time. This episode is for anyone who’s lived through similar trauma, or loves someone who has. We hope that by sharing Rich’s story, it helps survivors feel less alone, and offers hope that healing is possible—no matter how long it takes. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and its emotional aftermath. Please take care while listening.

This week on LATE BLOOMERS, we're talking about starting again—whether it’s your career, your side hustle, or your entire life. We’re breaking down the four steps to starting over: Identity, Change, Delusion, and Commitment. Sounds simple, right? It wasn’t. We’re sharing the messy truth about our own failures—failed businesses, flopped albums, quitting jobs, and giving up on ourselves (more than once). Rox talks about abandoning 25 business ideas (including the infamous House of Resin), and Rich opens up about staying stuck in a job he hated for 20 years before finally taking a risk. If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to start over, this episode is your sign. Because we did it… in our late 30s and 40s. And if we can, you can. Topics include: Why failure isn’t the end How identity holds you back The power of delusion (seriously) What commitment really looks like (spoiler: it’s not 5AM gym sessions) Our personal stories of starting again… and again

What if the reason you’re struggling isn’t you—but the environment you’re in? In this episode, Rox and Rich dive into The Cherry Tree Theory, a powerful way to reframe personal growth, self-sabotage, and why some people thrive while others feel stuck. They break down why self-blame keeps you trapped, how past experiences shape your ability to grow, and why the right environment is more important than just "trying harder." Instead of forcing yourself to change, what if you changed the conditions around you? Taking inspiration from Mother Nature herself they reveal five surprising steps for personal thriving: 1) Stop poisoning yourself 2) Heal your roots  3) Start pruning 4) Find new soil 5) Nurture your growth If you’ve ever felt stuck, like personal growth isn’t working, or like something invisible is holding you back—this episode might just change the way you see yourself forever.

Why do so many people with ADHD struggle with shame? In this episode, Rox and Rich break down the cycle of self-criticism, exploring how productivity culture, masking, and forgetfulness fuel feelings of failure. Rox opens up about her own experiences with shame—from harsh self-talk and fear of judgment to the pressure to appear "put together"—and how it impacted her relationships, creativity, and mental health. Rich shares his perspective on supporting a partner with ADHD, highlighting the importance of compassion, communication, and breaking free from unrealistic expectations. Together, they unpack the difference between shame and guilt, why self-acceptance is essential, and how reframing your inner dialogue can transform your self-esteem. You’ll also hear practical tools for overcoming shame, including: Rewriting negative narratives about yourself Letting go of perfectionism and over-apologizing Doubling down on your strengths instead of fixating on your struggles Surrounding yourself with people who see and accept the real you If you've ever felt like you're "not good enough" or that your ADHD makes you a failure, this episode is a reminder: You are not broken. And it's time to start believing that.

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—especially when ADHD is in the mix—is where the real work begins. In this episode, Rox opens up about her relationship history: falling fast, struggling with communication, and repeating patterns she didn’t understand until her ADHD diagnosis. She shares why celibacy, sobriety, and therapy helped her break free from the cycle of intense romance and heartbreak—and how meeting Rich changed everything. Rich dives into the three biggest challenges of loving someone with ADHD: Communication: How direct vs. emotional communication styles lead to frustration—and why “out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t mean “out of love.” Forgetfulness: The impact of forgotten promises and messy environments—and why tone matters when asking for help. Emotional Intensity: Navigating Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), why ADHD is rooted in sensitivity, and the challenge of feeling “too much.” But it’s not all hard work—there’s beauty in ADHD, too. Rox and Rich explore the superpowers of empathy, creativity, and humor that have strengthened their bond. Through honesty, kindness, and a whole lot of trial and error, they've learned that curiosity—not judgment—is the key to making love last. If you've ever felt like your emotions are too big, your forgetfulness is too frustrating, or your relationships are too chaotic—this episode is for you.

Sex is everywhere—movies, TV, social media—but it’s always the honeymoon version. No one talks about what happens when the obsession fades, when life gets in the way, or when desire feels more like a pressure than a passion. In this episode, Rox and Rich dive into the unspoken struggles of long-term intimacy, from the countdown clock of “how long it’s been” to the shame of lower desire and the weight of unrealistic expectations. They unpack the pressure society puts on both men and women—why Rox feels hyper-aware of when they last had sex, and why Rich worried he wasn’t "good enough." They get real about sober sex, the anxiety that comes with it, and how neurodivergence (like PDA struggles and black-and-white thinking) can make intimacy even more complex. How often should couples be having sex? Is there a magic number? And most importantly, how do you build intimacy without making it feel like a chore? Spoiler: it’s all about communication, trust, and ditching the expectations. This one’s raw, real, and maybe a little too honest. But no one’s alone in this—so let’s talk about it.