WOMAN - Conversations for the Curious.

I chat with author and journalist Kerri Sackville around all things dating in midlife. Kerri shares how she learnt to manage her expectations and encourages women to get comfortable being alone before they start the search. We discuss her biggest mistakes and lessons learnt, and even how she kindly rejected unsuitable suitors. Kerri recommends google pic searches for every potential suitor and explains how she protected herself along the way. We learn about ‘ghosting’ and ‘negging’ and the rollercoaster that is dating in midlife.  This is a must listen conversation for every woman dipping their toe into the world of online dating.

In this episode I talk with the Founder of One Seed Organic Perfume, Liz Cook. Liz is a trailblazer in the natural fragrance industry, inspiring us to make better choices for our health and for the environment. We discuss what sets One Seed apart from conventional perfume brands, and her guarantee of ingredient transparency. She highlights the health risks associated with synthetic fragrance, and the problematic matter of ‘cleanwashing’. This episode will open your eyes to the concerning lack of regulation in the perfume industry, and bring awareness to the products you invite into your home and onto your skin. For the sake of your health (and your hormones!) this is an episode you mustn’t miss.

In this episode, I share my own difficult journey of anticipatory grief and finding solace amidst the impending loss of my Dad. Anticipatory grief is a journey that many of us embark on when facing the imminent loss of someone we hold dear. It's a journey fraught with emotions, uncertainties, and profound changes. But it's also a journey of love, connection, and resilience. I delve into the depths of anticipatory grief, exploring its nuances, challenges, and unexpected moments of grace. Whether you're in the midst of this journey or supporting someone who is, I hope this episode serves as a beacon of understanding and validity for all that you experience.

This is the second of two really important and powerful conversations with author Nicole Mathieson.  Nicole guides us towards self compassion on our inevitable journey of being brought up in today’s society - a journey that pressures us to look or be a certain way. She asks us to be mindful of self judgement, and to trust that if we focus on creating a healthy culture of people around us, people who value us for more than our looks, we will create a kinder and more positive way forward for ourselves and those around us. This conversation will foster greater self acceptance and self love.

In part 2 Sarah helps us understand how we get our power back by leaning on what she calls ‘aligned bravery’ (even if it feels scary as hell), how we can use where we are at right now as a launching pad into newness, and how to avoid what she calls ‘evidence distortion’. Sarah shares real life examples of how her life has propelled forward, even when her current reality would suggest it impossible. This episode is a must listen for those feeling sick of their current reality and ready to experience positive and significant change.

This conversation is for anyone and everyone trying to make a decision and create positive change in their life – perhaps you’re stuck at a crossroads, in a pattern, career or relationship – and you’re frustrated because you can’t move forward, you simply don’t know how and/or you’re fearful of how you’ll manage the change.

Sarah helps us understand the power of yes, no and maybe energy in our lives, and just what happens when we let go of the lagging ‘maybes’. She helps us understand what she calls the ‘evidence distortion’, encourages us to let go of the ‘how’ in our lives, and suggests we set an alarm on our phone to break the looping patterns of thought.. this episode is the first of 2 I would consider, life changing episodes.

During this goosebump inducing episode, Jody touches on our addiction to improvement and encourages us instead to get to know ourselves, to ask ourselves why we are seeking change – is it health, fear or old patterning? She asks us to reconsider our fear of carbs and fats and instead look at where in our day we are consuming them. Jody breaks down the different types of anxiety and the importance of understanding where it is coming from. She reminds us of our building sensitivity and the increasingly abrasive nature of harsh sounds and personalities as we age. Of course, she highlights the importance of slowing down, getting creative, doing what we love and stillness.

If you have not yet listened to the first 3 podcast episodes with Jody, I urge you to do so here:

In this brief episode I share the life-changing reasons behind my yearlong podcast hiatus – these will in turn provide context for the podcast series to come.

I touch on one of the biggest decisions of my career, the anticipation and eventual loss of a parent and how remarkably, life always lets us know when it’s time to carry on.

I’m so ready to have these conversations again, and I truly hope they help you feel seen, understood, and comforted during what it is an incredible chapter of our lives.

With 25 years experience, Jacqueline Kalab is one of Australia’s most in demand makeup artists having made up to 56,000 faces of makeup! Hollywood actors, rockstars, sports stars, heroes, politicians, through to local television celebrities and international models, she’s THE makeup artist for the stars. 9 years ago, out of demand from her clients, Jacqueline added her own brand of professional artist quality makeup brushes to her offerings. Since then she’s gone on to produce eye liners, mineral foundations, eye shadow and more. Jacqueline has also created an online self-makeup course, designed especially for busy women to build confidence, and change the way they use makeup.

Prepare to have any long-held beliefs about make up, make up application and skin care products turned on their heads – this is a juicy conversation!

Grief educator Lou Pesinni believes that the more grief literate we can become, the better this world will be. During this vital conversation, Lou touches on the non-linear nature of grief and how we can better support those around us. She highlights the importance of feeling into and processing the waves of grief that come, and letting go of the concept that there is a beginning and an end to grief – each of our journeys are unique and there should never be anything to ‘fix’. Lou also shares how her life has shifted in a beautiful way after loss.

A tree change often starts with a seed of inspiration and ends with a solid gut feel. From small beginnings building a pottery studio and store in the back streets of Middle Park, to running a bustling boutique store on Malvern Road, Prahran, Shelley Panton of The Panton Store has decided it’s time for a tree change.  After 14 years of retail in the big smoke, Shelley, a renowned Melbourne potter and her partner Arran have made the brave move to the country. Now residing in Foster, they’ve purchased an old hardware store in Toora to share their wares with those in and visiting the stunning South Gippsland region.  This is Shelley’s story.

Whilst blended families are more and more common, no two families are the same - which also means there’s no rule book. In this episode, Amy speaks with Laura Jenkins, host of the In the Blend podcast series. Laura provides insight into her own blended family touching on the importance of remaining calm during the early days and prioritising your own wellbeing. She shares some of the complexities these partnerships must navigate her top tips for those entering into their first blended family situation, and provides some key tips for those heading into upcoming holidays together for the first time.

If you’ve never paid much attention to the additives in your food, or the fragrance in your perfume, candles, or skin products, you’ll want to after this conversation. Joanne Ling and Tracey Fry learnt the hard way just how impactful additives are on their health and the health (and consequent behaviour) of their children. They share how much their lives changed after making a few simple swaps, the misleading messaging to look out for on packaging in the supermarket, and some confronting stories about every day food items we may not think twice about – you’ll never buy grated cheese again! This episode is for the benefit of you AND your family.

Does sleeping apart spell the end of the relationship? We think not. Join us as we discuss the stigma and judgement associated with sleeping apart, the power and necessity of open communication, how to foster greater intimacy when you don’t, some options for compromise, the associated costs of separate rooms (including travel costs!) and share our own personal experiences.

In order to make a wellbeing habit stick, we need to understand the WHY - when we appreciate the true impact of our daily choices, we are more likely to commit to ongoing practice. Meditation Teacher Natasha Mason helps us better understand meditation and its impact on our relationships, our working life and our inner knowing. Describing it as ‘the secret sauce to life’ Tash’s grounded and calm energy is testament to her twice daily meditation practice. If this episode doesn’t inspire a meditation practice, I’m not sure what will.

This episode is for anyone questioning whether it’s too late to pivot or start anew. Dani Stevens is living proof that it’s never too late. Dani shares the pivotal moments that arose during her life – how she came to be working with Jamie Oliver, how Richard Branson came to be supporting her Ride with ‘Dani and Vision Crusaders’ that went on to raise $1.4million, how a breakdown on the side of the road lead her to a 2 year ambassadorship gig with Volvo, and then how her decision to go grey became the catalyst for another incredible career pivot..

Discover the wisdom behind Ayurveda and how its principles can markedly impact how well we age. Jodi introduces the 3 doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha - and the different phases of our lives. She shares the 3 most important things we need to bring balance back into our lives and provides women with the permission they need to embrace the sweetness of life, in all of its soft and joyful moments. This episode deserves the company of a hot cuppa on a comfy couch. Be prepared to be moved, and possibly, forever changed.

Leading Pleasure Advocate Melissa Louise sheds light on the impact of a lifetime of cortisol on our juiciness,  the importance of leaning into our femininity, and seeking moments of pleasure to counteract the dryness we feel. We learn about her aversion to the word ‘menopause’ oh and, you’ll never look at butter in the same way again. Fruity language warning!

This episode is going to make you reconsider much of what you thought to be true about our journey through menopause. Claire shares how we can use the oft fleeting moments of rage for greater good; she reframes a hot flush in the most magical way; and provides the permission many of us need to let go, to honour the feminine within us and to stop thinking about menopause as something we need to ‘get through’.  This is our opportunity to soften into the journey, and honour ourselves in the process.

The aging process is an inevitable one, and it’s an opportunity if we choose to take it - we can rally against it or we can lean in and focus on designing our next chapter. In today’s society, where remaining youthful is the focus, the question of judgement for our choices arises. In this episode, Amy asks that we come to the series with an open and inquisitive mind and consider all aspects of the choices we make, choices that are of course ours alone to make.

When we think about boundaries, we often think about them as simply getting good at saying no, but they really are so much more than this.  Boundaries are about understanding what we’re responsible for and what we are not responsible for.  Boundaries are about taking care of ourselves and protecting our emotional space. In today’s podcast I share three steps for identifying and setting healthy boundaries.

Melissa Couch is a Clinical nurse consultant, an advanced care planning officer and is degree qualified in palliative care. Melissa shares the importance of planning for a medical or end of life scenario. She speaks about 'survivors guilt', the guilt of those left behind who had no idea how their loved ones wished to spend their last days, who made decisions based on presumption. She speaks about the importance of mandating a substitute decision maker now, and making sure they understand your wishes. It might feel confronting, but I highly recommend a listen.

Dr Kathryn Johns is the founder of not one but two Melbourne based clinics, Eastern Osteopathy and The Fertile Project. She is also one of very few osteopaths in Australia with extensive training in physiotherapy, internal assessment and pelvic floor and health conditions.

Yep, we are talking hormones. If you’ve been to the doctor with any of these symptoms and been told all your results are within normal range and "it might be in your head…" this episode is for you. Dr Miranda Myles is a naturopath, acupuncturist, homeopath, herbalist and nutritional medicine lecturer - and she has a way of bringing clarity and validation to a pretty confusing and oft muddy topic.

I explore how we can manage our overwhelm on the podcast with a super simple tool you can use every day. I promise, as long as you actually do it, it’s very effective!

Discover the power of EFT tapping for kids. This episode is dedicated to all the kids out there who aren’t currently feeling up to doing the things they love to do, like going to school or camp, riding a horse, spending time with friends, jumping on the school bus or going to restaurants with their families. It’s also dedicated to kids who have significant fears over specific things like needles, going to bed in the dark, being without mum, vomit, germs, horses and dogs. 

Tamica Wilder is a Melbourne-based sex coach, multi-qualified therapist and the author of Wild Honey. Tamica is hugely passionate about teaching women how to return to the language of their body. I invited her to chat with me about a physical and emotional numbness creeping in due to ongoing lockdowns. You feel it too?

Today I feel called to chat about self-sabotage. Not only because it’s a hot topic in my therapy practice, but also because at the time of recording this episode I’m in the middle of a 30-day clean-up-my-act challenge. And it’s been interesting to witness my own behaviour amidst spontaneous and extended lockdowns in Melbourne. Interestingly for me, a jar of peanut butter rears its head quite readily at such a time!

I wanted to share a personal ramble today, from the perspective of someone who has spent many adult years single. For some of this time, I wrongly believed that if I could just FIND THE ONE, surely my happiness would come and all my problems would go away. Surely if you FIND THE ONE life will just get easy, better, sunnier…

Sarah Rusbatch is a certified health and wellness coach, a credited Grey Area Drinking Coach and a passionate ambassador for supporting women change their relationship with alcohol for good. I’m so happy Sarah is here to discuss ‘grey area drinking’ – and the path to sobriety.

Dr Amanda Waaldyk is the founder and director of Angea Women’s Health Clinic, an integrative Chinese Medicine practice in Melbourne. She’s a registered doctor of Chinese Medicine, a yoga and meditation teacher, an acupuncturist AND an energy healer. As well as a mum to two kids! In light of all Amanda does, I’m so grateful she took the time to chat with me today.

Tara Castellan is a fashion educator and stylist with many years experience. I’m thrilled Tara is here to discuss why we need to purchase with purpose for a wardrobe we love – and how to do it.

Simone Denny is a qualified life coach, Mind Detox Practitioner, Mindfulness Facilitator and an Epigenetic Health Coach. I’m thrilled my dear friend is here to discuss why we need to find our purpose – and how to do it.

Today I'm talking about what it is to feel starved in a new relationship, an existing relationship or in a very early relationship.

Isiah McKimmie is a couples therapist, sex therapist, sexologist and coach. I’m thrilled Isiah is here to discuss why you might be attracting emotionally unavailable men.

Melissa Hobbs is a qualified naturopath I connected with via Instagram following a post on hair loss. I have long curly hair that I shampoo and condition only twice a week. After running my fingers through, I had quite a substantial amount of hair in my hand. I decided to ask my Instagram community and have been inundated with responses. I simply asked if this was a ‘normal’ amount. A lot of people told me it was normal and a number said No, it wasn't. I’m so excited Mel is here to explore this issue.

Today’s chat is around something that is quite personal to me in my wellness journey - the steps took to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The steps I took to reclaim my health will be relevant to anyone on a wellness journey and certainly to anyone who is looking to change or transform their life, or to get unstuck, which is something I hear from many of the clients that I see in my therapy practice.

Rosie Rees is a leading sex and relationship coach, founder of crystal sex toy company Yoni Pleasure Palace and creator of the well-known 3-hour women's nude yoga workshop Naked Awakening. I’m so excited Rosie is here to help us explore naked yoga – and why it might be time to ditch the vibrator.

Tamica Wilder is a Melbourne-based sex coach, multi-qualified therapist and the author of Wild Honey. Tamica is hugely passionate about teaching mums how to return to the language of their body, giving them full permission to prioritise pleasure and play. I’m so excited Tamica is joining me on the podcast.

Euphemia Russel is a somatic pleasure coach, facilitator and author. Euphemia is trained in sex-positive education, sexual violence counselling, somatic coaching, trauma-informed facilitation, and has a background in Community Cultural Development. I’m delighted Euphemia is joining me today to talk about the connection between pleasure and self-worth.

Today's episode is for anyone in a relationship. Whether they’re at the beginning of a new relationship or in a well-established, long-term relationship. It’s for those who would love to find ways to connect better and communicate more effectively with their partner...