Dingbat Chat

I like to think I have a bit of skill when it comes to most creative things - this is not the case when it comes to drawing. But with illustrations featuring female empowerment taking over social media and filling me with inspiration, I couldn't think of a better way to finish Dingbat Chat; Quarantine Edition series! And to join me, I have the rather talented and absolutely lovely illustrator and designer, Louise Strudwick; her page Rose Tainted Dreams is taking off with it's progressive messages regarding mental health, self-identity, feminism and body positivity. It's fascinating finding out how she personally and professionally got to this point - follow Dingbat Chat and Rose Tainted Dreams below.Dingbat ChatApple Podcasts -https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dingbat-chat/id1461700565Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5bTiumMFVuVdhymuhA5k1A?si=ZURCje28Rle90YTa_H9Nag Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dingbat_chat/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/dingbatchat Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dingbatchatPodcast GuestLouise Strudwick - Rose Tainted DreamsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rosetainteddreams/Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Rosetainteddreams

Tigger warning- the following description and podcast episode discusses sexual assault. If you have been effected by any of the topics we discuss or just want to have a chat, do not hesitate to get in touch x I have mentioned it before but never truly discussed my experience as a survivor of sexual assault. I usually want to talk about everything, it's my way of figuring things out, so to not be able to do when it comes to my own rape remains a painful truth that I've only recently started to come to terms with.To help me do this and, for the first time, CHOOSE to have this conversation with someone who has had a similar experience, I got in touch with Rebekah Wenying who is a sexual assault survivor and activist and an old friend of mine. From education's effect to creative writing outlets, this conversation is deep and personal but mainly honest and it massively helped us - I hope it does the same for you.To find this weeks resources and follow Dingbat Chat:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dingbatchat/Twitter - https://twitter.com/dingbatchatYou Tube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-BMyIG8WhDpPQFsIb1FixAFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/dingbatchatRebekah Wenying (who also has some incredible resources):Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wenyinggggg/Not Victims But Survivors Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/belikelilith/Not Victims But Survivors Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/notvictimsbutsurvivors

Having grown up in Cornwall, being in nature is like... well, second nature to me. But I've always been a fan of ragged tor tops or feral forests rather than stopping to smell the roses, or take trimmings, plant and garden the roses.However, in lockdown I've learnt to appreciate my mum's beautiful garden and the many wonderful things people are doing with flowers out in the world. Such The Girl Flower Podcast with Jess and Vic who bring the British florists together. And Annabelle's Cornish Flower Crowns, beautiful, wearable and eco-friendly floristry that you can keep for the rest of your life. These three guests know exactly what they're talking about and talk me step by step through how to make a flower crown for myself!To see this and follow Dingbat Chat:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dingbatchat/Twitter - https://twitter.com/dingbatchatYou Tube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-BMyIG8WhDpPQFsIb1FixAThe Girl Flower Podcast:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/girl-flower-podcast/id1494504009Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/girlflowerpodcast/Cornish Flower Crowns:Website - https://www.cornishflowercrowns.co.ukInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cornishflowercrowns/

Over the last few years, I've started to come to terms with myself being a B in the LGBTQ+ community and what exactly that means to me. One of the discoveries I've made is Pride - in February, Melbourne Pride was my very first parade and I was thrilled to be there.But Pride is still a protest, fought with love and celebration but fought all the same. And in light of current events such as BLM and the reconsideration of the Gender Recognition Act, Pride Month 2020 has been recognised in a more serious manner.My two guests Zodi, a drag performer, and Kiran, an activist, recognise and celebrate their roles in Pride and the LGBTQ+ community in fresh and invigorating interviews that I'm honoured to share through Dingbat Chat.Zodi Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theonlyzodi/Kiran Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kiraneverix/Dingbat Chat Socials:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dingbatchat/Twitter - https://twitter.com/dingbatchatYou Tube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-BMyIG8WhDpPQFsIb1FixA

I have always been under the impression that glowing up is a fun shallow activity, giving your body a makeover and treating yourself for the day. At least that was my attitude going into this episode - I couldn't have been more wrong.Talking to Becks from the Time To Glow Up blog and podcast, I found out how choosing to glow up from the inside out can actually change your life. And with my hair-bleaching-expert Beth, I discovered that glowing up for some actually means doing a lot less to their body. Then it's up to me to glow up myself... to see those results follow the links below!Time To Glow Up blog and podcast - https://timetoglowup.co.ukBeth bleaching expert - https://www.instagram.com/bethanyridgewell/Dingbat Chat Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dingbatchat/Dingbat Chat Twitter - https://twitter.com/dingbatchatDingbat Chat You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-BMyIG8WhDpPQFsIb1FixA

You've had the SESH, you've had the WERK, you've had the RELATIONSHIPS... now we come to part 4 of the farm work series, The HOSTELS. Though it probably has the least interesting title, this is the most important episode. Finally, I talk to the middleman between the backpackers and the farmers - the hostel receptionist. They decide who goes where, what farms we work, how long we last, essentially they hold our vulnerable backpacker spirit in their power hungry hands. EZ was a lovely receptionist but even he loved to stir the pot and nothing in comparison to the monster at North Bundy... Have a listen and let me know what you think, maybe a tad too harsh? If you'd like to see the visual repercussions, search @dingbatchat on instagram, twitter, facebook and you tube!

This podcast is the closest I've ever been to entrepreneurship - I've put love and effort and the little sanity I had left into making it something I am proud of and want to keep on producing. Now I'm not claiming to be a business owner, nowhere close, but I do know a couple of people who have taken their own projects a little more seriously. Podcaster Scott Stockdale has been slaying the game will 'Entrepreneurs Can Party' and Ben Lyon is taking over Australia with Pride Promotions- very different businesses, very definitely entrepreneurs. I'm absolutely thrilled to have them on my podcast and they tell a great story (so get yourself a pint and settle in)!

The werk was the reason and the sesh was the catalyst but what really made my 88 days more than worth it was the relationships.From mixing female friendships with romantic competition to meeting the last person in the world that you expected, Bundy bonds are unbreakable. You're right to be worried about many things but the people you meet and the family you make shouldn't be one of them! Comparing the environment to Love Island meets Survival of the Fittest is an understatement and I wouldn't change a damn thing.

Both topics are the cause of intense discussion and I was lucky enough to do this with unique singer songwriter, Grace Petrie. I feel like I've been very lucky with the people who have come to chat on this podcast, and Grace only confirms that belief. Moving through the mass of music genres to achieve her individual message and becoming beloved by the Guilty Feminist Podcast, interviewing her made me revaluate my own approach to this podcast and if you're ready for some self reflection, then this is the episode for you.To top it all off, I even wrote my very first politically charged poem in response and bloody hell... but you'll have to wait till the end for that one. Follow Dingbat Chat on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube if you're worried your attention span won't last the hour and you need those visuals!

You're in Australia. You're outside. You're in the sun. You're working with your mates and listening to podcasts for half the day; it's easy to question how hard farm work can actually be?The truth is that the work itself is only one of many challenges you come across. From finding an hourly job to tuning out the casual sexism, the physical battle in those 88 days is nothing in comparison to the mental resilience you have to find within yourself and the others around you. I've arranged a panel of Bundaberg experts that have been through it all and know a thing or two about perseverance- now their stories are the ones to listen to.

This episode I get to do something I’ve dreamt of, something I’ve been longing to do for such a long time, something that has forever changed me.... I interviewed my mother.Mandy Vickery is a formidable woman and also the silliest person I know. She’s incredible and incredibly annoying and our relationship has had to take time adapting over the years, but one thing that has always been a constant is our ability to sit still and affectionately bicker whilst she paints my nails. It’s something we’ve done for years and a number one home comfort so here is a little snapshot into my relationship with my mum. I’ve also recorded the damn thing and popped it on You Tube so you can see how easily we set each other off.... search Dingbat Chat and prepare yourselves.

Though nothing could prepare me for the horrors of the sweet potato process, what actually caught me off guard was the level of sesh that I found in this backwards Bogan town.

As by way of reintroducing myself (and because I have bags of time with lots of musical instruments handy), I have written myself a full on theme song.It was not an easy process and you can hear me slowly breaking down in each clip. However, with some support from the wonderful musician Kayla Mason, I am genuinely thrilled with what's at the end- and you'll have to listen till then to hear it!

I have been obsessed with drag ever since I came across Ru Paul’s Drag Race at university. And one of the things I have always, ALWAYS do is dress up in drag myself.Well finally, my dream came true. The delicious Moxie Delight, an up and coming drag queen in Melbourne, painted my face for the gods honey and I absolutely loved it. We discussed the drag scene, the community and most importantly where the art is headed in the future. I will never forget this amazing Dingbat experience.

Sports has come a long way; the increase of inclusivity in contact sport is amazing, especially when looking at gender. But for a sport that is yet to turn 150 years old, when do women start to take there place?AFLW became its own official league just two years ago but already it’s leaping and bounding into a positive future full of equal opportunities. Melbourne Demon’s player Lily Mithen took me through her love of the sport and what this Dingbat should watch out for in the future.

The Melbourne Planetarium is a place of wonder. Shooting stars, nebulas, more space than one person can understand. The cosmos always confused and amazed me at the same time, as I’m sure it does for everyone, so I was very keen to find a way to step inside.And Science Works provided me with the perfect way. Guided by Sam, our smiling astrologist, and Warik, the planetarium’s current manager, I took my place in the stars (where I’m naturally meant to be). 

Did you know Australians can shorten literally any word? And that if you’re a prawn you have a tasty body but no one wants to eat the head? I now know a relatively large collective of strange and slightly offensive words so I can officially say I’ve made my way in Australia. Corey talked me through the local lingo whilst showing me the beautiful great ocean road... you can’t appreciate class without a bit of chaos.

Quiz nights, trivia fun... those words have brought terror to my heart in the past. I like to think I’m a smart gal but my long term memory is appalling to the point where my own mother is infuriated by my lack of general knowledge.But with the threat of a team night coming up and a spicy Canadian lady keen for me to give it a go, how could this Dingbat say no?!  

Seen from space, a natural wonder; one of the must do’s in Australia is the Great Barrier Reef and I did it all day! I won’t lie to you, I had honestly expected a shelf right along the beach that went on for miles and all you had to do was walk a couple of steps, snorkel in hand and bam, you’re on it.I was very wrong, and happily so! It was an extraterrestrial, extra beautiful landscape and I was honoured to be taken out there and shown such a different kind of nature by the Silver Sonic Crew. Speaking of, have a listen to pro diver Robbie and his observational thoughts of the reef... they might not be what you think.

I’ve always looked for adrenaline. Since I was little, nothing put a smile on my face like an excitement high. So bungy jumping has always been a number-one-must-do-bucket-list-CHECK for me.I used the opportunity of being in Cairns to go to the one and only bungy Jump in Australia; AJ Hackett. And grinning from ear to ear by the end of the day, I had my most exciting experience yet.

 Australia, alongside Papua New Guinea, makes up 70% of the world’s biodiversity. And for a girl who gets excited about tadpoles in her pond, that’s a lot of new animals!I took a turn in the Wildlife Habitat of Port Douglas and came face to face (literally) with a bunch of new, incredible creatures. I still got most excited when a finch flew into my shoulder, but she was just a bit of me! Let the lovely Wildlife Manager Rebecca take you on an oral tour of Australia’s wildlife.

Nothing quite beats the adrenaline of physical sports. I’ve been playing rugby all my life and there’s nothing in this world that I enjoy more than a good tackle, whether I’m giving or receiving! So when the opportunity came up to try out Australia’s own footy league, no way was I turning it down. With Aquila as my master and the Unicorns as my team, AFL made me feel like I’d finally made it in Melbourne.

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it but I do happen to be in Australia at the moment! And I also happened to have noticed that I’m not as 100% welcomed here as I optimistically thought I would be...Feeling foreign is the mood of the day and it’s one that I haven’t truly felt before. Out of place, yes, a little peculiar, for sure. But being called an immigrant? Join me and my new American pal Revs to see what being foreign means for the traditionally privileged.

Blackjack, poker, all the naughty night time activities you find in a casino... well I wouldn’t know because I’ve never been! I have a little bit of an addictive personality you see and I think gambling would test me more than I necessarily need to.But what’s a Dingbat to do for episode 13?! This episode is a little different as we follow Alice (me) through her adventures at The Crown Casino...

When the opportunity to work for Plan International and raise money for women’s rights came around, I thought it would be the best job in the world! Little did I know the emotional and financial pressure that would accompany it...What I didn’t realise is that it’s still a sales job and that definitely sent me for a spin. I grabbed Theresa, a wicked fundraiser, to have a chat and tell me how much of a Dingbat I was about it!

I won’t lie, I was hesitant at first. I cannot deal with heat at the best of times so the idea of deliberately doing exercise in a hot environment was a little worrying. But after hearing about other people’s experiences and knowing that I already enjoyed yoga, why not throw some heat in with it?Hot yoga was honestly a completely new experience. Not only the activity itself but where it originated from and what it means to people. Amy shared her thoughts with me and, as an instructor at the Yoga Corner in Melbourne, it was an incredible conversation (but also probably the most dingbatty I’ve been so far)!

I’ve always been an avid listener of BBC Radio 2, so punk was never really on my Spotify playlist. I won’t lie to you, I’ve always had a preconception of what punk is; confrontational, cross and not very me. I’m usually happy for people to prove me wrong but unfortunately I haven’t come across much punk in my life, so the opportunity to change my mind never came up.Luckily, Criminal Blondes were happy to show me what punk is really all about, both on stage and behind the scenes, and I couldn’t have been happier to join in! So have a listen and experience a whole new attitude with Dingbat Chat.

I have been allergic to make up ever since I first used it, so I’ve never taken it as far as it can go. But in 2019, with all the amazing looks that people create, it was definitely time to use what little I have and try a tutorial for the very first time! Joined by Benefit and beauty guru Hannah, we discuss what make up means in the world today, how gender is falling by the wayside and how my own attempt to mix up my own paint went.

In the UK, Mental Health Awareness Week took place earlier this month so I thought what better time to have a chat with the lovely psychiatric nurse I met, Fiona! I understand what this topic means to me but it varies so much between individuals. It’s not a physical wound, there is no one way to deal with it so the discussion, which has only really just started, needs to keep on going! I went to a mental health support group as my experience to try and see from other people’s perspective. That’s, on top of all that Fiona’s knowledge, has led to quite the podcast!

Not sure what hops means? Think all dark ale looks/tastes like Guinness? Then this episode is the one for you! I have been drinking booze all my life and beer has stuck with me throughout; a crisp one in the summer, a cool can after a hard days work, beer is the alcoholic Bob the Builder- it can fix it. And yet it has taken me 22 inebriated years to go to my very first beer festival!At Melbourne GABS Beer Festival, I ran around a bit tipsy and got very excited about all the people I spoke to (alongside the free tasters they gave me), including Black Hops Brewing, a lovely volunteer called Matt and Grand Ridge Brewery. And as well as the people who know their stuff, also got a few clips of me getting carried away on the mic... But overall, the beer fest was a success!

Trigger warning- the intro mentions sexual assault and rape. If this has effected you, please message me if you would like some help or just to have a chat.Love has been called many things; a loosing game, in the air, made for me and you... whatever you want it to be. But for me, it’s something I’ve had to grow up to, from loving friends to loving another and eventually to loving myself. It’s taken its bloody time, believe me, but you can’t rush and it’s well worth the wait. In this episode, I explain my journey to love and what I found when I finally got there, ft Doctor Love herself, Alex from up North. Last thing- I love you for listening!

You can’t really describe adulthood. You’re definitely not a teenager anymore because WKD tastes weaker than lemonade and you’re no longer afraid of your genitalia. But you’re not old either because you still understand the subtext of emojis and you haven’t yet resorted to saying ‘the old’ before anything... never let it get that far. So you’re an adult I guess? Sort of I suppose but definitely not deliberately. I thought I would chat to a slightly older friend of mine and my parents to place myself on the scale of adulthood, see how far I had to go. Seeing as I re-enacted my parents conversation just by myself (three differenct voices, give me some credit), I think I have some way to go!

I’ve been to university and I’m sure most of you have experienced the same or something similar; nights that end far too soon and hungover days that stretch on forever, essays and beer in the garden and the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet. So I thought why not see what it’s like in Australia? With the help of lovely Lanky Legs (Richard) I find out if drinking goon out of a shoe is really all that different from a dirty VK dropped on the dance floor.

I shook his hand and fell instantly, so I thought I’d throw caution to the wind and message him in Twitter. Little did I know that he is an absolutely lovely man and that it would be the wonderful Tom Allen starring in the third episode of Dingbat Chat! He was just as brilliant in person as he was on stage (even though I wouldn’t let him drink his tea) and we had an incredibly honest conversation about what it is to be a Stand Up comedian.And don’t forget that part 2 of this episode is on my Insta; a whole five minute video of my first set as a Stand Up comedian, oh lucky you!

From my business in the Blue Mountains to the mess that my young guest Leo made on the sofa, episode 2 of Dingbat Chat should have you chuckling away! Very happy to say that I’m still alive after our dehydrated adventures, but compared to Leo’s stories about being stranded in Alaska, I may as well have just taken a stroll down the street.

The very first episode of Dingbat Chat is all about the work I did in Thailand- as a club promoter. My friend, as a professional promoter back in the UK, suggested that we go and spend our nights dancing, drinking and being paid to do it and I wasn’t going to argue. Slinky’s was equally beautiful and disgusting but for 400 Baht a night (a tenner?) it gave us unlimited boozey buckets and boys... not that that matters, just part of the evenings entertainment!