Unpaused the Podcast

Earlier this year, Judy chanced upon meeting Carolina Guthmann, who, with her husband (former Italian television journalist Piero di Pasquale), are the creative forces behind Manima World in Palermo; a digital atelier of fine, hand embroidered home linens and ready to wear.

If there are two words that make my heart beat faster, they are hand embroidered. When Carolina told me it was her mission to preserve and empower the embroideresses of Sicily, I was in.

Listen to Carolina discuss the history of Sicilian embroidery, her big career change and her passion for working with local women sustaining centuries-old skills, on Unpaused now.

Show Notes:

Margot McKinney is a fourth generation jeweller who has built a global fine jewellery empire. Having hit rock bottom in her early forties, Margot made a fine comeback by backing her own belief that if she liked a piece of jewellery, even if it was shamelessly bold, others would surely follow. And follow they did. 

She's now the second biggest supplier of jewellery to Neiman Marcus, the biggest luxury department store chain in the US. Recognising both her talent and success as a local girl made good, she has just closed a blockbuster retrospective of the pieces that made her career staged here at the Museum of Brisbane. Not surprisingly, it was a sellout from the day it opened. If there's one thing I've learned about Margot, it's that she's bold in everything she does.

Listen now to Margot on Unpaused.

Show Notes:

At the end of 2006, a French patisserie bakery and cafe called Choquette opened in Brisbane. And with it a small slice of French epicurean life began to take root. Proprietor Lara Keating's dream to create an authentic French cafe experience drew deeply on the influence of her French mother, Francoise. The coffee was great and the pain-au-raisin glorious. Before long, she was partnering with the baker to set up a second standalone wholesale bread business.

Everything was humming along nicely when she was hit. Not just with the pandemic, but with a truly biblical flood.

Listen to Lara now on Unpaused. 

// Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Jason Millhouse

Catherine Walker is the most modest of success stories; retired but by no means idle. I find her happily sequestered in an early Tasmanian farmhouse in picturesque Longford. But it wasn't that long ago that she was being pulled into lead Australia's humanitarian efforts in the Solomon Islands, in Afghanistan and witnessing heartbreaking famine firsthand in North Korea as Australia's minister on the World Food Program. Catherine worked with Australia’s official aid program for twenty-two years and held senior development roles overseas, including in Timor Leste as the Chief of Donor Coordination with the United Nations and in Solomon Islands as the Development Coordinator with the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI). Beneath all this though is the beating heart of a modern day Georgian enthusiast with an eye for what's exquisite, valuable, and collectible. Listen to Catherine on Unpaused now.

// Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineers: Lana Kristensen and Jason Millhouse

Carol Westmore is a very capable woman. A mathematician by training, she exudes order and authority. However, Carol has found herself immersed in an adventure very much of her own making; the restoration of the artist John Glover's house and farm near Deddington (40kms from Launceston) in Tasmania, Australia. In embracing that undertaking; enormous, costly and full of the usual joys and setbacks, she unwittingly began to engineer her reinvention as chaperone of Glover Cottage and keeper of the Glover flame. A career evolution, which is still unfolding in the most intriguing ways. Listen now.

Show Notes:

For 8 years, Danielle Alvarez presided at Fred's on Oxford Street, Sydney, over a stylish open kitchen and hearth, roasting pedigreed lamb legs and chickens, in full view of the fortunate few to have secured a booking. And, if Oxford Street was a long way from the Cuban immigrant community in which Danielle grew up in Miami, Florida, the imprint of that exotic childhood, and her grounding in the pioneering farm-to-table ethos of the US west coast restaurant culture of the 2000s, all found their mark. She has stopped to catch her breath, putting the finishing touches to the manuscript of a new cookbook, her second. To hear Danielle as she works through what began as a pause, but seems to be burgeoning into a new chapter, listen now.

Show Notes:

She writes to paint… or perhaps she paints to write. Either way, Naomi Bulger is a woman who has both sides of her brain hot-wired. And to think it all began with making rural commodities sound sexy. Listen now on Unpaused. 

Show Notes:

Eleanor Roosevelt conducted a parallel life beyond the view of most of the American people, despite occupying the most prominent role for a woman in the country at that time. She maintained two different apartments in Washington Square in New York before and after the White House years and thereby opened the way to a host of new friends and renewed purpose. ER’s reinvention was a remarkable one, sparked, on one reading, by physically removing herself from the constraints of husband and family and surrounding herself with a coterie of women who rejoiced in the intellectual, the cultural and the political. In doing so, she herself was transformed.

Show Notes:

What happens when one of the most famous women in the world goes back to work? She proves she has something to give by giving her all and leaving a legacy that no one can argue with. ⁠Jackie’s last 20 years were a study in how fulfilling a working life can be. She didn’t need to do it, she didn’t have to do it; she wanted to do it. ⁠And with two marriages behind her and two children at school, no one was going to hold her back. At 45, she reclaimed her career and got down to work. ⁠

Show Notes:

Sustainable luxury travel expert, Juliet Kinsman, is your go-to person if the travel hotspots of the world that give back are on your wish list. She’s smart, she’s well -informed and she’s on Unpaused.

Show Notes:

India Hicks has been called the quintessential Brit “It” Girl-turned-entrepreneur but it's her latest chapter as a committed philanthropist that intrigues. Eloquent, provocative and never dull, here's India Hicks re-imagined on Unpaused.⁠ 

Show Notes: 

Becoming a mother heralds a dramatic change in the lives of Australian women. New mothers go from spending a weekly average of two hours caring for others to a staggering 51 hours. And when women become mothers, they also increase the time they spend on housework, like cooking, cleaning and washing, leaping from a weekly average of 16 hours to 25 hours in not much more than the blink of an eye. Statistics like these bring the whole issue of gender equality into a new realm. 

Married with three daughters, Nicolette Rubinsztein (author of 'Not Guilty') has lived this conflict and come out the other end with a well-developed plan for how to smooth the way to a happier and fairer household for the working mother. Having led strategy for Colonial First State, the wealth management arm of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for 12 years, during the first 2 years of which she also had her first baby, Nicolette knows more than most about thinking her way out of a problem. Despite reducing her hours to become part time, she managed to retain her rank and position as one of Colonial's general managers and go on to have two more children as well. How did she do it? 

In our first episode of Season 5 I’m doing something different: interviewing Annabelle Hickson and recording it before a live audience at ‘Bertholme’, a heritage-listed, 19th century sandstone house on the outskirts of Brisbane’s CBD. Annabelle is here to promote her brand new publication GALAH magazine, which of course, is not her first foray into the world of publishing and the printed word, but definitely her most ambitious.

Annabelle’s story is the ultimate Unpause and this chat is a timely follow up from my first interview with her (Ep 11) which took place during a time of professional uncertainty for her. That time of questioning her place in the working world has certainly now paid off as she forges her way in her new role as Magazine Editor-in-Chief (and writer and designer and distributor and funder!)

Judy speaks to retired Australian Family Court Justice, Michelle May. Michelle’s is a story with a great twist. She grew up in Brisbane, raised by a professional working mother, unusual for those times, who was a role model and trusted advisor to Michelle.  Michelle recently retired from the bench after a 40-year career - firstly at the Family Court Bar, later as a Queens Counsel in that jurisdiction. At 40 she accepted an appointment as a judge in the Trial Division of the Court and finally stepped up to its Court of Appeal. It was certainly a distinguished career but took a dramatic turn when at 35, she gave birth of triplet daughters – thus the pause.  Michelle knows more than most, having directly observed in the divorce courts what women sometimes do in their personal lives which ultimately has the effect of sabotaging their careers or their lives more generally.

Judy chats with marketing expert Souad Christina Saied, about embarking on a new career, her journalling process which has amassed a stack of invaluable data about herself  (not only personally but professionally too) and her experience of racism and discrimination and what she's doing about it.

Souad’s journaling habit, the signature exercise of  her practice as a budding life coach, has enabled her to assemble a mountain of self-revelatory intelligence; putting paid to the notion that your memory is your best navigator on the path to self knowledge. Writing every Friday, and reflecting on the ups and downs of the week just past, soon manifested bright threads of valuable intel, unique to her, and so useful for working out next steps.  ⁠

Judy chats with Jane Bridge, Founder of Boardroom Partners. This is the Board intel everyone needs to hear but rarely accesses. For years, Jane ran Boardroom Partners, a board recruitment and advisory firm in Sydney. As a result, she is ideally placed to bear witness to the pitfalls and perils facing the board novice. If you’re considering a shift to a board role, or just wondering how the arcane world of board appointments works, then this is one interview you don't want to miss. It’s full of the wisdom that comes from years of conversations with Chairs and directors in thorny situations, and reassuring common sense, combined.

'Sheryl Sandberg was right: the single most important career decision a woman makes is her choice of life partner. Brooks ignites that conversation for a new generation.' JAMILA RIZVI on The First Move by Emily Brooks 

Emily Brooks, author of The First Move (a book about the awakening of the young dating feminist) puts her case for a woman working out her own wants and needs before taking a leap into the world of love, or, equally as I see it in the context of unpausing , into the world of work. Clever, inspiring, practical: Think before you leap. 

Famous today as a human rights giant, feminist pathfinder and role model, few have had to overcome the glaring life pauses that Eleanor Roosevelt experienced, to achieve so much. ⁠

Yet most of the active steps she took to "unpause", especially in the critical period after her child-bearing years had come to an end, and her marriage was imperilled, are there to see.  ⁠

⁠This is the second of two bonus episodes of Unpaused, in which I chart the early life of Eleanor Roosevelt and her awakening as one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. ⁠

Famous today as a human rights giant, feminist pathfinder and role model, few have had to overcome the glaring life pauses that Eleanor Roosevelt experienced, to achieve so much. ⁠

Yet most of the active steps she took to "unpause", especially in the critical period after her child-bearing years had come to an end, and her marriage was imperilled, are there to see.  ⁠

⁠In this first of two bonus episodes of Unpaused, I chart the early life of Eleanor Roosevelt and her awakening as one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. ⁠

After 30 years in business, Parisian Marie Daâge is a model of the truly modern woman. Her eponymous brand of exquisite hand painted dinner porcelain, has endured turndowns, lockdowns and the inevitable ups-and-downs of the economic cycle. Thirty years on, the brand and business prosper: Marie launched her first dedicated store and studio on Paris’ Left Bank in January 2020 and, on the easing of restrictions, has reopened her doors. ⁠

⁠Somehow, Marie also found the time and wherewithal to raise six children while her business evolved. Five of the six joined their parents at their country retreat north of Paris for the lockdown, where Marie revealed something of the way the family lived and occupied their home via the medium of an iPhone and IGTV.⁠ It's a wonderful tale of generosity and wisdom.

Maggie Beer is defined  by many things, not least of which her culinary ambassadorship of the Barossa Valley. Rather than being defined by her age however, she is instead defined by her grit and longevity in an industry that churns through the gifted and talented more than most. While Maggie acknowledges her periods of burnout, she has come back to be bigger and more influential than ever before. I call it playing the long game. At 75, she is both wise and, even in lockdown, hard at work in her home kitchen in Nuriootpa, on IGTV . We are lucky to have her. 

When the working world feels like it's shrinking, it's time to start enlarging your foothold. This week we change direction to give some practical help on how to make your network come to life with small habitual steps you take from your own desk. No gatekeepers to hold you back, no permission needed. Molly Beck and Carly Valancy tell all.⁠

Former Editor in Chief of T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Deborah Needleman shares her enchantment with the world of the composed and handmade on Unpaused. It's a timely reflection of how time was once measured: when a basket, woven by hand, was the diary of a person's day. ⁠

A recap by Judy and Leonie who were both struck by how Fran Kelly and Gillian Nasato seemed to have found exactly the role they were born to do. We've put our thoughts about these two extraordinary women on record in a conversation about what we loved and learned from their two interviews. It's a quick recap of what we thought were the highlights, in our own words, in our own way. We hope you like it.

Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Jason Millhouse // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron //

As 2IC of one of Australia's largest hospitals, Gillian Nasato knows a thing or two about adapting on the job to a massive health crisis. She draws on lessons learned at her mother's knee and 30 years of operational experience across multiple medical disciplines, to make sure that hospital staff on the frontline of the COVID 19 pandemic feel safe doing their job. A voice we need to hear more from in this strange and anxious time.⁠

Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Jason Millhouse // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron //

Easter is to a baker what Christmas is to a pig farmer... it's peak time. The joy of baking, even in a lockdown,  permeates every word of this interview with Nadine Ingram, owner and creator of Flour and Stone, Sydney's beloved petite bakery and salon. Nadine's astute quick-step from purveyor of countertop treats to a takeaway queen of cake, pastry and homespun groceries is evidence that even in difficult times, those who have a Plan B well thought through can keep their business going and create a lot of joy along the way. And that's before she starts talking about what she's cooking. A real Easter treat for the news-weary listener..⁠.

Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Jason Millhouse // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron //

Fran Kelly, host of ABC RN’s flagship Breakfast program, opens up with Judy about the positives of finding a rhythm, in the maelstrom of news that COVID 19 has brought… If you’re feeling overwhelmed and dispirited by the news, this is a how-to, from one of Australia’s leading media professionals, on coping,  regrouping, and even celebrating a few unexpected wins…⁠

Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Jason Millhouse // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron //

Struggling to structure your day? Finding the hours bleeding into one another and that your productive time is shrinking? Judy talks to Leonie about who she turns to for advice on making time for the million and one things you want to make time for every day.⁠

Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Jason Millhouse // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron //

You may remember book publisher Julie Gibbs, in Season 1 of the podcast; in fact, she was our very first guest. ⁠Today, we revisit Julie's story, as her pause comes to an end and her new role, as Head Consultant of the Australian Culinary Archive project, is formalised and acclaimed. ⁠Julie's steadfastness to her professional circle, and her regard for the culinary culture of Australia, which she brought so artfully to print for so long, has now brought her full circle. It proves the merit of her advice to us last year... "to maintain your connections, force yourself to get your hair done and put on a dress, even when you least feel like it..." In fact, it was her presence at a serendipitous event that bore no relation to her formal career, that opened a door to this new opportunity. We couldn't be more pleased for her. ⁠

Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Jason Millhouse // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron //

The pandemic has brought Unpaused into the here and now. So today, and in coming weeks Unpaused is changing direction temporarily, to help you focus on the many ways of getting your house in order. With hours to fill at home, there’s good work to be done that will stand you in great stead when the world returns to some sort of normal.  ⁠

⁠Listen too for practical ways to uplift the spirits and distract you from the relentless cycle of news; good books, great YouTube videos and other creative efforts to help you refocus the way you see the world, for the better.⁠

⁠Today, a conversation between Judy and Unpaused’s producer, Leonie Marsh on creating structure for the working day at home, impressions of New York and a favourite book that's the perfect read for right now.⁠

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Hosted by Judy Stewart // Produced by Leonie Marsh // Sound Engineer: Lana Kristensen // Research Assistant: Claudia Cameron // 

Judy looks back over Season 2; summarising all the gems in each episode in one easy listen.
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Make sure you have a pencil and paper to hand! 

In this episode you will hear Part 2 of Ruth Ribeaucourt's magical tale. 

Ruth Ribeaucourt’s great unpause was occasioned by the discovery that her husband’s family was the last of St Etienne’s highly skilled jacquard ribbon makers, and supplier to the haute couture houses of Paris and Milan. Ruth’s electrifying story of how the ribbons claimed her imagination comes to life over two fairytale like episodes. A wonderful tale in time for Christmas... 

Olivia Rubie is a young Swedish professional photographer, looking for the essence of what makes a woman arresting, whatever her age. She is increasingly fascinated by how women change as they get older: how they move, the subtle changes in how they hold themselves. She is also troubled by how our culture values only the young as subjects. Judy Stewart speaks to Olivia about viewing a woman through her lens at a recent workshop conducted by The French Muse in June 2019.

We launch Season 2 with the wonderful Skye Gyngell of Spring restaurant in London. Skye has the wisdom of someone whose approach to work has been forged in everything- to-lose Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris and London; some of the most exacting work environments imaginable.

⁠Her more seasoned view of life at work is no less exacting in its commitment to perfection now than it was when she first realised that cooking was going to be her chosen vocation, but it’s tempered by a still undimmed love of cooking and kitchen lore, which she imparts each day to her team. How she stays in the ‘middle of the bed’ is the subject of this podcast.

A reflection,  threading the 7 episodes of Season 1 together and highlighting all the nuggets of actionable advice that each guest had to offer. ⁣A must listen. ⁣Make sure you have a pencil and paper to hand...⁣