Louise Thompson and fiancé Ryan Libbey have announced they are stopping their podcast, "He Said, She Said," following significant backlash for recent episodes. The couple, who launched the podcast in October 2024, cited a desire to focus on their son and other work commitments as reasons for pausing the show.
"For a long time we've really been focusing heavily on work and I think now it's time for us to take some time for ourselves," Thompson said on the podcast. "Our son starts school in September and also you know we've spoken very honestly about our fertility journey and the run up to that on here."
The backlash stemmed from an episode where Thompson and Libbey discussed statistics indicating a significant number of children start school without being fully potty trained. Thompson expressed shock at the figures, stating, "I think a basic human right is to teach your child before the age of four how to use the loo and how to wipe their bum." Libbey joked about the situation being a "raw deal" for teachers.
Their comments were widely criticized by parents and advocates for children with special educational needs. Many felt the couple lacked empathy and appeared to mock children struggling with developmental milestones. The Instagram account autismandourworld highlighted the insensitivity, noting Thompson's brother's neurodivergent diagnosis and calling for more compassion.
The statistics they referenced are from an annual survey of primary school staff in England by the early years charity Kindred Squared. The survey indicated that approximately 26% of children in reception classes experienced frequent toilet mishaps, and 28% were unable to eat and drink independently. The report did not specify how many of these delays were related to disabilities or special educational needs.
In response to the criticism, the clip of their discussion was removed from the podcast's Instagram account. However, some listeners felt the removal without an apology was dismissive. Thompson and Libbey had also suggested that parents might be contributing to the issue by being overly accommodating or distracted by screens. Libbey theorized that some parents might prioritize careers over early developmental tasks, while Thompson suggested a lack of exposure to feedback from nursery settings could be a factor for some parents.
Fans have offered supportive messages on social media, wishing the couple well in their next chapter. "He Said, She Said" covered topics including relationships, mental health, fertility, and parenthood since its inception. The couple shares a four-year-old son, Leo.