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Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her mother the broadcaster and author Janet Ellis discuss how their bond has developed through the years and how Sophie becoming a mother of four has affected their relationship. But what happens when you confound your mother's expectations? Campaigner Nimco Ali discusses her decision to speak out against FGM and how it has affected her relationship with her mother.

Andi Osho, Sofie Hagen and the Scummy Mummies - Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibson - help us celebrate the 2016 by taking part in out festive quiz. They discuss being 'difficult' women.

And when Jo Cox became the Labour MP, she decided that tackling the problem of loneliness would be a key priority in her new political role. She reached out across party lines to the Conservative MP Seema Kennedy, who had also spoken out passionately on the issue. Together they devised a plan to launch a commission into loneliness, which would represent a call to action. Since Jo's murder in June, Seema Kennedy has taken the plans forward with the help of Cox's friend and fellow Labour MP Rachel Reeves. They talk about their hopes for it's launch in January.

Are the family courts failing vulnerable women? Civil hearings can allow abusive ex-partners to represent themselves in court and cross-examine their former victims. We discuss how and why this can happen with the family solicitor Elspeth Thomson from David Grace Solicitors in Newcastle, and Polly Neate the Chief Executive of Women's Aid.

And we have a masterclass in small talk and surviving New Year's Eve parties from comedian Pippa Evans. Apparently, improv has all the answers.

Presented by Jane Garvey
Editor: Beverley Purcell
Producer: Sophie Powling.