The Curious Life

This week we welcomed back the legend that is Ryan Bailey, from So Bad It's Good with Ryan Bailey. And what a treat it was! This is the ultimate Bravo breakdown for anyone interested in reality tv and pop culture.We covered the Summer House reunion, the Paige and Craig breakup, the darkness of The Valley, the joys and horrors of Bravo's Love Hotel, and the palate cleansing sweet relief of Four Seasons on Netflix. We wondered why we are both blocked by Paige, and if Jesse Solomon really is just one giant gland? What is it about Scheana that triggers a complete lack of empathy in so many? Thoughts on Trump's pardon of the Chrisleys and will the Menendez brothers be next?And that's just scratching the surface. Ryan's takes on popculture and Bravo are deeply insightful and might just give you another lens to view your favourite shows through.Subscribe to So Bad It's Good with Ryan Bailey on Youtube,listen to the podcast (it's my actual fave!) and remember to rate his show five stars.While you're at it, please rate this show five stars and leave a review on iTunes. It's the easiest way to support (and we would be so grateful!)Find me at @jana.firestone and share your thoughts on this episode.Thank you to the wonderful Sam Talbot, engineer and production whizz that keeps this show going.

What if there really is life, before life?Journalist, editor, podcaster and author Amy Molloy has spent time exploring just that. Do we have past lives? And if we do, can children remember them? Which led to her next enquiry - how we can parent our children in a way that supports their previous life experiences.In this conversation, we dove right into what past life parenting means, how we can connect with our own past lives, a new way to look at neurodivergence and the layers of research that Amy undertook to gain these intriguing insights.In her new book Wise Child (which we chat about here), Amy uncovers the lessons we can learn from our children about life and death, childhood fears and phobias and her own experiences as a mother of three. This is a fascinating look at parenting from a completely different perspective.You can find Amy at @amy_molloy or at www.amymolloy.com.au Follow the show at @jana.firestonePlease leave a rating and review on iTunes and Spotify, to help the show keep ticking along!Thank you to the wonderful Sam Talbot for the production of this show.

Emmy Sharrett is a rising star and bonafide Bravoleb, who you might know from Bravo's "Southern Hospitality".With three seasons now under her belt, Emmy has had to face the reality tv gauntlet, with unique highs and intense lows.She faced more than most, with her relationship with partner Will Kulp under constant scrutiny, and her co-stars accused of fabricating elaborate schemes to bring their relationship down.Emmy had some pretty iconic scenes in Season 3 as far as reality tv goes, which were often a direct result of her raw emotion and overwhelm. But what we didn't know at the time, was that bubbling away underneath all of her reactions, was actually a lifelong diagnosis of ADHD and sensory processing challenges. Both of which can cause an intense experience of overstimulation - and as we saw, some big reactions.In this episode, Emmy goes deep into her life with a neurodivergent brain, the challenges she faced at her various schools across the world and throughout her life, and how she has learned to manage it through the decades. She has great advice for parents of kids with ADHD and shares her thoughts on the medication debate.You'll also hear Emmy's insights into the show, her behaviour, her castmates and her thriving relationship with Will.Whether you're a Bravo fan or are curious to learn more about the experience of ADHD , then this episode is for you!Follow Emmy at @emmysharrett.Follow the show at @jana.firestone.Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!Thank you to Sam Talbot, for audio engineering and production as always!

In this electric episode, I sit down with The Queen of Confidence herself—Erika Cramer.From a childhood in foster care, to surviving abuse, a lifechanging injury and losing her husband in a tragic accident. Yes, all of this in one lifetime. Rebuilding her life from scratch in Australia, Erika's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.Now a powerhouse speaker, coach, and bestselling author, Erika shares the raw truth behind her new book Becoming Magnetic—a guide to healing your past, owning your story, and stepping into the kind of confidence that pulls people toward you.We talked about:The turning points that reshaped her identityWhat it really means to be magnetic (hint: it's not what you think)How she moved through immeasurable grief, trauma and fearHer favorite tools for self-trust and confidence buildingWhy sharing your story can be your biggest superpowerErika is bold, unfiltered, and full of heart. And this conversation is the permission slip you didn't know you needed.

Georgie Collinson is one of Australia's leading anxietyexperts who has turned her lens to relationships. Anxiety is such a common experience and affliction for so many of us, but did you know that it can turn up and disrupt our romantic relationships too? Don't be afraid though, Georgie has created a beautiful roadmap out of some of the most common ways we might sabotage, repeat patterns or even choose the same (wrong) person over and over again.We shared some laughs over the terrible relationshipchoices we have both made over the years and as you'll hear, Georgie shared some of her childhood and lifechanging moments, that have lead her to her happy place today.This episode is all about taking control of the things thatwe can - and letting go of what we can't.You can read all about it in her new book Master YourRelationship Anxiety, find her on Instagram at @georgiethenaturopath or via herwebsite at www.georgiecollinson.com          Follow the show at @jana.firestone and leave us a rating orreview on iTunes, so that we can beat the algorithm! Thank you to our audio and production engineer, the wonderful Sam Talbot.

Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph is the Head Chef on Bravo's Below Deck Down Under, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. She's a firecracker, a private chef and a go-getter who can't help her impulses sometimes.. So where did all that come from?We went all the way back to get a glimpse into early life for little Tzarina, who was a young girl struggling with dyslexia and ADHD - without knowing it at the time. Now, as a much loved (and sometimes trolled) bonafide Bravolebrity, Chef Tzarina is lifting the lid on the yachting industry, rallying for change on behalf of the many women who have felt unsafe or at risk at sea, and advocating to destigmatise mental health.Chef Tzarina is an open book when it comes to her own struggles and we covered so much ground, from the benefits of hypnotherapy, EMDR and traditional therapy to the ways she has learned to navigate ADHD without medication.She is an absolute delight and I know you will love her as much as I do.You can find her on Instagram at @cheftzarina or catch her on Below Deck Down Under, Season 3 now airing.Follow the show at @jana.firestone and make sure you're subscribed, rating and reviewing on iTunes!Thank you to the wonderful Sam Talbot, for our audio and production magic, and to Bravo NBC Universal for approving this interview!

We've nearly made it to the end friends, our evenings will be reclaimed and our outrage quelled.But before then, we are here to say all the things you've been thinking.In the final twist in the experiment, Paul failed BIG TIME. And then faced the firing squad from Carina and the rest of the cast. They were not holding back and neither did we.We unmasked Jacqui, questioned Ryan, and can hardly believe it.. But even had a moment of affirmation for Adrian. What is happening!?One week to go..Listen now on your fave podcast app and make sure you'refollowing @yvie_jones and @jana.firestone to join in on our REUNION live event!Huge thanks as always to the brilliant Sam Talbot for hisaudio and production prowess – we could not do this show without you. Please leave a rating and review on iTunes so we can smash the algorithm.If you would like to work with Jana (believe it or not, butI really am a measured and experienced therapist, when I'm not raging about MAFS!) please email directly at firestonetherapies@gmail.com to see if we might be a good fit for each other.

It's the MAFS shakedown with Yvie Jones and Jana Firestone. The cast is back from home town visits and all we can think about is Jacqui's lies and trolling, Ryan's neck veins and toxic masculinity and their complete inability to carry an authentic feeling for longer than a few minutes at a time.The masks well and truly came off this week and we finally saw the real Ryan (and what a relief that was). We were confused by Dave's 180 back to lovey dovey land with Jamie and wondered how much production had to do with it, the Beth and Teejay breakdown and the enraging hero edits for Adrian and Paul.Yvie also drops some news about her latest TV projects and we digressed into Survivor, Big Brother and the Jungle territory.Show up for us (IYKYK) on socials and share your thoughts at @yvie_jones and @jana.firestone - we'd love to hear them!Leave a rating and review on iTunes or Spotify and share this episode with your MAFS loving friends. Thank you as always to our production master Sam Talbot, for your audio magic.

MAFS Shakedown: We are back and Yvie Jones and Jana Firestone are just as confused as you are.What happened to Green Flag Dave? Was it a sudden change of heart or a series of unfortunate circumstances? We are feeling the ick ourselves when it comes to Ryan and his bro show, while Jacqui is just letting her freak flag fly! We dissect Veronica's bizarre behaviour, Eliot's redemption arc and dare we say... was Adrian actually right?!Yvie shares her Botox regrets from her time in the jungle and gives us more insight into the behind the scenes of production on some of our favourite shows.We give our predictions for the Final Vows (and they might not be what you think..) If you're watching MAFS, you can't miss this chat!Will we stay or leave? Listen to find out!Thank you to our production wiz, Sam Talbot who survived the plague to get this episode out!Join us on Instagram to chat more. You'll find Yvie at @yvie_jones and Jana at @Jana.firestone Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes so that other MAFS fans can enjoy this and other eps too!

Kate Casey is an unscripted television expert and host ofthe highly acclaimed podcast Reality Life with Kate Casey. She has worked in crisis PR in the political space, she has interviewed stars, producers, directors and show creators and is known for her intelligent analyses of the shows we all love.Kate has a fascinating backstory that would rival many of the docuseries she now dissects for a living. Her tumultuous childhood included boarding at the Milton Hershey School, a place for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to access education on a level playing field. Her resilience,tenacity and curiosity for the world comes from this intriguing start to life, which led to her love of storytelling, very early on.Kate is also a mother of 5 and lives in glossy Orange County,California but don't let that fool you! Kate tells it like it is and calls out the BS where she sees it.We talked about the impact of her upbringing on her careerchoices, her parenting and interests - and had the questions turned on me, in her trademark curiousity style! We tapped into her reality and pop culture expertise with some hot off the press recommendations (and what not to bother with!)Follow Kate at @katecaseyca on socials, or at www.katecasey.com. Subscribe to her podcast, Reality Life with Kate Casey for interviews, recommendationsand discussions around all things unscripted television. Don't forget to leave a rating and review on iTunes and toconnect online, follow @jana.firestone on socials or send an email to thecuriouslifepodcast@gmail.com. Thank you as always to the masterful Sam Talbot, for his audio and production wizardry behind the scenes.

TW: This episode discusses family violence, coercive controland abusive relationships.After a few technical glitches and gremlins (and some imperfect audio) we are back with our second MAFS shakedown! In this ep, we dissect the details of Adrian's newly released police report. Do the producers intentionally hire people with dangerous behaviours and combative fight styles?Where was Paul during the retreat? Do the producers reallythink we're just going to forget about him and his behaviour by diverting our attention (again and again) to the girls?We unpack the cycle of violence that appears to be in full swing with Adrian and Awhina, and what the warning signs might be in other relationships.Yvie drops the brilliant idea of reference checks by exes,for new relationships. Would this solve some of these issues? She also shares her experience of production interference and persistence on The Bachelorette, her experiences on Gogglebox and being sweated into compliance on I'm A Celeb. You cannot outrun the producers!We also wonder, is Veronica there for the group or for Eliot? Was Ryan doxing his ex-partner's abortion?! Was Morena's real life husband emasculated by her or was she unloved?This and so much more. Listen now on iTunes and Spotify.Follow us at @yvie_jones and @jana.firestone for more hottakes and join us next week as we follow up on the next commitment ceremony and whatever else is coming next in these unchartered MAFS waters!A huge thank you to Sam Talbot, audio and production wizard, for bringing this episode to life!If you or someone you know needs support, please use theresources below to find out what your next steps might be.1800 Respect (National sexual assault, domestic and familyviolence counselling service)www.1800respect.org.auCall: 1800 737 732 or text: text 0458 737 732Call, text or use the website for webchat, 24/7.  

EMERGENCY EPISODE! TW: this episode includes an open discussion about family and domestic violence, abusive patterns in relationships and coercive control.You know and love Yvie Jones from TV, radio and podcasts but it was her recent story about the violent behaviour shown on MAFS that really got my attention. And I just knew we had to drill down into Yvie's thoughts in more detail.We jumped straight in to unpack our thoughts on Paul and Carina, Adrian and Awhina, how the MAFS experts handled the content (and what we think they missed), and why this was a wasted opportunity to turn something all tooreal into a crucial lesson for all Australians.We had many, many thoughts. And because of that, we'll bedoing this weekly! Subscribe now to be the first to hear our weekly MAFS deep dives, from the frightening to the inane.You can find Yvie at @yvie _jones on socials or through herwebsite www.yviejones.com.au Come and say hello at @jana.firestone on socials and please leave a rating and review on iTunes, when you've listened to the ep.If you or someone you know needs support, please use theresources below to find out what your next steps might be.1800 Respect (National sexual assault, domestic and familyviolence counselling service)www.1800respect.org.auCall: 1800 737 732 or text: text 0458 737 732Call, text or use the website for webchat, 24/7. Thank you to the endlessly talented Sam Talbot, who is thewizard behind the curtain. Couldn't do it without you!

When this week's guest couldn't make it to the recording, I rolled up my sleeves and took to the mic alone, in my first ever solo episode.Given how much brain space the current season of MAFS is taking up in my head, it felt like the perfect time to unpack some of my many thoughts on this years' participants. In this episode, I went a bit deeper into the idea of MAFS as a therapeutic tool and what we can learn from the relationship dynamics and communication styles (or lack thereof) that we are seeing from some of our favourite (and most jarring) couples.Are sex and hormones to blame for Awhina's attraction to Adrian? What role does childhood trauma play in the failure or success of these couplings? What happens when two people with narcissistic traits are paired together? And without pathologising, what is actually wrong with some of these people!?As a therapist, I can't help but view the series through a therapeutic lens, but I am also a genuine fan of the genre. What you'll hear in this episode, is the fine line I often dance across between excitement and professionalism when talking about these shows. Ultimately, it's all about entertainment, but why not make some meaning out of the hours of tv we're consuming!Hit me up with your thoughts on socials at @jana.firestone and share the episode with a friend!If you enjoyed this or any other episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes!Thank you to the legendary Sam Talbot for your unwavering support and supreme levels of talent in the production of this podcast.

POP THERAPY:  This week I am joined by return guest and one of my favourite podcasters of all time, Ryan Bailey. You know him from So Bad It's Good with Ryan Bailey, wherehe does a deep exploration of pop culture, with episodes around the clock.We were lucky enough to have him back on the podcast thisweek, to dive right into the evolution of reality tv, how these shows are made and what's missing from the secret sauce. We covered everything from our Bravo faves RHONY, Southern Hospitality, Southern Charm and RHOSLC, to Elvis and the Menendez brothers! Spoiler alert – Ryan does not have high hopes for their release. Yikes.This is a high energy conversation about all of the pop culture and reality tv we love (and hate watch) and exactly why that is.Follow Ryan on socials at @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey, listen to his podcast, watch him on YouTube and become a “Baddie” by subscribing to his Patreon!You can find me at @jana.firestone on socials and if youenjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes, share it with friends and tag us on socials!Thank you as always, to our brilliant sound engineer and production legend, Sam Talbot.

Nadia Mahjouri is a counsellor and group facilitator specialising in maternal mental health, with a professional background in research, focussed on ethics and feminist philosophy. She also has a fascinating backstory, that lit up the pages of her first novel, Half Truth.Her debut novel tells a somewhat fictionalised version of her own journey to find her family. Nadia grew up as a dark skinned child in 80's Tasmania,with a white mother who never talked about her Moroccan father. She had no contact and very little information about him or his family. When she was 21, she had a baby and just four months later packed him up, hopped on a plane and landed in Morocco. She felt pulled to connect with the side of her heritage and her identity that she had known nothing about. There, she started to unravel the many mysteries of her life and the discover all of the untold stories that lived within her DNA, in ways she could never have imagined.And of course, I wanted to hear all about it. Nadia's story is inspiring, moving and exciting. We covered so much ground, from the importance of identity and belonging, to the complexities of families and straddling cultures. This is a story about self-discovery, connection to roots and that age old question around nature vs nurture. You can connect with Nadia on socials at@nadiamahjouri. Listen to her podcastThe Whole Truth: Motherhood and the Writing Life with Nadia Mahjouri Or find her atwww.nadiamahjouri.com or at ww.theholdingspacecounselling.com Please leave a rating and review on iTunes sothis and other stories can find their way into new listener's ears! You'll find me at@jana.firestone or atwww.thecuriouslife.net Thank you as always to The Curious Life team –legendary sound engineer Sam Talbot and the wonderful Julie Reynolds of@audiolemonade .ww.audiolemonade.com

Welcome to the first official POP THERAPY episode of The Curious Life! As you may already know, I am a therapist with 18 years' experience in the field of human behaviour. But my therapy is reality tv and pop culture. On these Pop Therapy episodes, I will be inviting a guest from the pop culture world to join me in dissecting the shows we are hooked on, and unpacking the human behaviour behind the storylines and the headlines that have us all talking. This week I'm chatting with The Bravo Investigator, Dana Regan and we did a huge Bravo deep dive. We recorded this before the final episode of RHONY, so we don't get into that darkness, but we do share our thoughts on that franchise in general, as well as our current fave Southern Hospitality, the new season of Southern Charm, RHOC, RHOSLC, VPR and The Valley. Dana reminded me just why as Bravo fans, we might need to put down pitchforks and embrace some of the more unlikable characters on some of our favourite shows. A novel concept! We went all over the Bravo-verse in this one, so if you're a Bravo fan, strap in and enjoy the ride! You can find Dana on Instagram at @thebravoinvestigator and her brilliant podcast has just had a rebrand and is now The Bravo Investigator Podcast (formerly, I Take Bravo Very Seriously) You can find me at @jana.firestone or at thecuriouslife.net If you liked this episode please leave us a rating or review on iTunes and hit up the DM's to share your thoughts! Thank you to my wonderful sound engineer Sam Talbot, for putting this show together so seamlessly.

We are back with the first episode of 2025! Kicking off Season 7 – we have returning guest, author, podcaster and astrologer Jordanna Levin, to talk all things astrology and her new book All Signs Point To You. Jordanna shared her forecasts for 2025 and you'll need to buckle up, because it sounds like we are in for a bumpy ride this year. But as you'll hear, these enormous shifts and challenging times are actually all about renewal and reflection. So don't be alarmed by all of these Mars and Mercury Retrogrades - in this ep you'll discover how to empower yourself with knowledge instead. Thinking about starting a business or getting married this year? Then you won't want to miss what Jordanna thinks about those plans! It's the perfect way to kick off the new year, with some insights into the year ahead so take a deep breath, get your notes app ready and take note! Find Jordanna at @jordannalevin and listen to her podcast @lunar__lover wherever you get your pods. Connect with the show at @jana.firestone or at www.thecuriouslife.net. Thank you to the dream team Sam Talbot (audio engineer) and Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Don't forget to leave us a rating or review on iTunes to bump us up in 2025!

Leonie Akhidenor is property developer, a relationship coach and the host of the Parenthood Podcast, which was a finalist in the 2024 Australian Podcast Awards. Leonie is also a mother to two young boys and although she spends her time interviewing couples about their parenting experiences, she's not one to shy away from sharing her own, either. In this episode, Leonie delved into her own experiences with mental health, from anxiety to pre-natal depression and how she managed to move herself through some of those difficult days. We talked about the impact that family dynamics and background can have on our own parenting, and Leonie shared how the vast contrast between her father's upbringing in a village in Africa to her children's experience of relative privilege, growing up in Australia, informs her own choices in parenthood. There is so much in this episode, from taming that achiever mindset, the many shifts in identity as a parent and ways to balance our own needs and mental health with the demands of parenting. You can find Leonie on socials at @parenthoodpod and you can listen to the podcast wherever you get your pods. You'll notice that we've had a little identity change over here at The Curious Life, and you can find me on socials now at @jana.firestone. Same page, new handle! If you enjoyed this ep, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes and Spotify. Thank you as always to the team - Sam Talbot our brilliant sound engineer and Julie Reynolds from @audiolemonade. www.audiolemonade.com

Dr Billy Garvey is a renowned developmental paediatrician and one of the hosts of the brilliant ⁠⁠ Pop Culture Parenting⁠⁠ podcast. His new book Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental Health is out now. If you have kids or work with young people in any capacity - THIS IS THE BOOK TO READ. Have you ever wondered how we build self-esteem in kids? Or what the long-term ramifications of shame might be? Do you know where anxiety comes from and how early it can start? Did you know that there is one thing you need to do before you can help improve your child's mental health? In this episode, we drilled down into all of these questions – and so much more – and thanks to Billy's invaluable insight and professional expertise, you will finish this episode with evidence-based answers and strategies that you can start implementing immediately. Billy is passionate about creating accessible resources for all families, to ensure better outcomes for our children and young people. To learn more, head to Guiding Growing Minds, a social enterprise founded by Billy, dedicated to changing the future of our kids. You can access all of the ⁠Pop Culture Parenting⁠ videos and podcast content (for free!) on ⁠Youtube here.⁠ You can find Billy on socials at ⁠@drbillygarvey⁠ and at ⁠@popcultureparenting⁠ To connect with Jana, head to ⁠@thecuriouslifepodcast⁠ or send an email via ⁠thecuriouslifepodcast@gmail.com⁠. Thank you to The Curious Life Team – Sam Talbot for his super speedy audio engineering, and to Julie Reynolds of ⁠Audio Lemonade⁠ for her wonders with VO! Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes so that this episode and the show can be found by new listeners too.

Dr Nick Fuller is a leading obesity researcher and internationally recognised health expert, who is committed to helping families get the best start in life. He joins us for the second time to talk about his new book, Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids: Six Steps to Total Family Wellness. In this chat, Dr Nick shares exactly how we can transform our habits and behaviours, to give our kids (and ourselves) the gift of good health and longevity. Is there any greater gift? And it's amazingly simple, really! No fads here, just clinical evidence that teaches us what our bodies need, with a clear guide to the changes we can implement from today, how to feed our fussy kids and the importance of the messaging we give to our kids around movement and health. To find out more, go straight to the source for resources, recipes and cooking demonstrations for your own family, by heading to Feeding Fussy Kids. There is more on Youtube at: @FeedingFussyKidsbyDrNickFuller And to learn more about Dr Nick's work and research in the adult realm, head to Interval Weight Loss. You can connect with Dr Nick on socials at @intervalweightloss Come and say hello at @thecuriouslifepodcast or send us an email at thecuriouslifepodcast@gmail.com A big thank you to Sam Talbot for jumping in so expertly on the audio engineering tools! And as always a big thanks to our lovely Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade.

Heidi Anderson is a bubbly ball of brilliant energy, who has pivoted from a life in the reality and radio spotlight, to PR and confidence hype queen. But she's not all sequins and sass, Heidi has had to do the heavy lifting to overcome significant challenges in her own life. From body image and self-esteem, to her new normal of balancing a busy work and media life, with her role as a doting mum to her beautiful young son and partner to her loving hubby. To manage this, Heidi is constantly evolving and doing the work in a meaningful way. In this conversation, we dug down into some of Heidi's most vulnerable spots. From grieving former identities and the path through a very difficult family choice, to a harrowing parental diagnosis that has brought Heidi and her family closer together than ever before. This one has laughter and tears but through it all, I hope it inspires you to ask yourself the hard questions, to talk to the people you love about the scary things and as Heidi says - to shed your shit! You can work directly with Heidi through her VIP PR Champagne Confidence Club – offering a personalised PR plan, pitch templates, access to Heidi and her media expert besties and so much more. So, if you're ready to make a splash – contact Heidi today on socials at @_heidianderson. While you're at it, grab a copy of her book “Drunk on Confidence” and why not grab a copy of my new book, PLOT TWIST, while you're there! If you have any questions for Heidi or for me – send us a DM on socials or send me an email, at thecuriouslifepodcast@gmail.com⁠. You can catch me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and I would be so grateful if you could leave a rating and review on iTunes. This episode was sound engineered by the brilliant Sam Blacker of @thepodcastbutler and delightful voice over work by the lovely Julie Reynolds at @audiolemonade. You can work with either or both of these legends at: www.thepodcastbutler.com and www.audiolemonade.com

Returning guest and one of our favourite documentarians, Marc Fennell sat down to unpack his new project that explores the early days of the internet and where it all went wrong, through a deep dive into a previously unexplored world of tech hippies, eccentric web subcultures and simmering paranoia, uncovering how this tongue-in-cheek artistic experiment backfired on its creator and went on to influence much of what's wrong with the internet today. Marc was quite candid about his approach to documentary making and storytelling, and to my delight, shared just how he really felt about being labelled as the "cheerful Aussie version of Louis Theroux" - the same day he was sitting down to interview Louis himself. This is a fun one. The Audible Original series, This is Not a Game with Marc Fennell, is out now. Listen for free at audible.com.au/notagame” My new book Plot Twist is available now in bookstores everywhere or online and I'd love to hear your thoughts! Hit me up with a DM on socials at @thecuriouslifepodcast or send me an email at thecuriouslifepodacst@gmail.com. This episode was put together by the audio engineering wizardry of Sam Blacker at The Podcast Butler. Voiceover as always by the lovely Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Please leave a rating and review on iTunes so that we can continue to deliver this show into new ears.

Victoria Vanstone has lived the nightlife of a rockstar – blazing through bars across the world, waking up in random locations with hazy memories of the night before, with clubbing injuries and risky scenarios all part of her weekly experience. It was a blisteringly good time – until it wasn't. As a mum of three kids, and an author with a thriving podcast, Vic is now sober and living in Queensland, in stark contrast to her blackout days. She has had some wild adventures, that she recounts in quite hilarious fashion, in her book A Thousand Wasted Sundays. We got right to the heart of things, unpacking Vic's journey to sobriety, through her early years growing up in the UK, to her many misadventures across the world – including a traumatic firsthand account of the Boxing Day Tsunami, bearing witness to the unthinkable tragedy in the unfolding days. We got deep about the complexities of parenthood, grief, peer judgement and accountability – and so much more. Vic's story is entirely engaging, totally relatable and incredibly inspiring. Listen to this ep and then grab yourself a copy of her brilliant book A Thousand Wasted Sundays, but be warned – you won't be able to put it down! You can hear more of her story in her award-winning podcast Sober Awkward and on socials at @drunkmummysobermummy. Find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow. You can also order your copy of my new book PLOT TWIST via Booktopia by clicking this link, or in real life at your favourite bookstore. Thank you to my wonderful team, Editor and Audio Engineer, Luke Hensel @lukehensel07, and voiceover artiste Julie Reynolds @audiolemonade www.audiolemonade.com    

We are back with Season 6 and we're kicking things off with a huge announcement! Plot Twist! You'll hear it here first and I'm so thrilled to finally be able to spill the beans. Following that big announcement, we welcome back returning guest, comedian Chris Franjola – live from Las Vegas. Well, he was live on location at the time of recording anyway. Chris brings some much-needed laughter and lightness into the conversation, and we talk about his Hollywood connections, what's next for Megan Markle, a tangential royal education for Chris – and the realities of life on the road as a touring comedian. We also connected over the battles of parenthood and unwelcome input from strangers – this episode really has it all. There are plenty of laughs and relatable moments in this one, and it's the perfect start to the year. You can keep up with Chris on socials at @chrisfranjola and find out where he's touring next at www.franjola.fun. You can find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow and pretty please leave us a rating and review on iTunes so that this episode and the show can reach as many people as possible. The pre-order link to Plot Twist: a personal guide to surviving life's unexpected curveballs can be found below! Plot Twist by Jana Firestone | A personal guide to surviving life's unexpected curveballs | 9781761470448 | Booktopia A huge thank you as always to the brilliant team that puts this show together! - Luke Hensel: editor/audio engineer @lukehensel07 - Julie Reynolds: voice overs/podcast coordinator @audiolemonade. www.audiolemonade.com

Welcome to the final episode for 2024… And what an ep it is! In this lucky last conversation for the year, I had the absolute privilege of meeting one of my favourite content creators, the brilliant Sean Szeps. If you're not already a fan – you soon will be. Sean is an American expat, author and a married father of twins who makes a living creating hilarious content on the (rude) realities of parenting. But in this conversation, I got to know the more serious side of Sean. The real Sean. Growing up in a religious family in New Hampshire, Sean's early discovery that he might be gay was a terrifying prospect. This sparked the beginning of a deeply existential and extremely difficult period in Sean's life, where he began to question everything. Sean has been through many difficult transitions in his life, but we go deep on the one that changed everything. We talked parenting and partnering, post-natal depression and mental health, and Sean left me with fresh ideas and insights on many aspects of family life, that we should all be pausing to consider. Sean shares all of this and more, but if you'd like to go even deeper, you must read his wonderful book Not Like Other Dads. You can find Sean on socials at @seanszeps. Connect with me at @thecuriouslifepodcast or @thedaysthatfollow and if you love this ep, please let us know with a rating or review on iTunes. It's the only way we will get into new ears and keep the show growing. Have a happy and safe new year! A massive than you to our brilliant Editor and Audio Engineer @lukehensel and Voice Over artist extraordinaire Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade, who have worked right up until the very last moments on 2023, to bring you this episode. What a team!!

Get ready for Part 2 of The Road to Self via Paris, with Rachael Coopes. This episode opens with a personal interruption, that could not have been more perfectly timed. It illustrates the balance we are daring to strike at all times, as busy working parents, pulled between commitments and responsibilities, with demands on our time and energy tugging us in every direction. So how do we find ourselves in and among all of this beautiful chaos? How do we find stillness, follow our hearts and thrive in the middle of the maelstrom? We unpack that and plenty more, in this zinger of a second half of a conversation I could have carried on all day long. Listen now on all the podcast apps. Don't forget to leave us a rating and review on iTunes please! The team here at The Curious Life would be incredibly grateful for the support! You can find Rach at @rachaelcoopes. Follow the show at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow. Audio engineered by Luke Hensel and VO by Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade.  

Apologies for the delay in releasing this episode, although I know many of you will understand. With so much grief and horror unfolding in the Middle East, and then such sadness and disappointment with the referendum here in Australia, I thought it important to take a pause and recalibrate a little bit. I know that so many of you have needed that too. Thinking of everyone affected by the war and terror in Israel and Gaza, and standing with our First Nations families, here at home, hopeful for a brighter future for all. In this episode, the beautiful, bright light that is Rachael Coopes joined me again for an epic chat about her new book Paris For Beginners and the road to self and the learning that comes from those big life experiences. We went everywhere – from people-pleasing and the creative life balance, and stepping into your power amid the chaos. In fact, we covered so much ground that this episode has been split into two, so you don't miss a minute of the action. Enjoy Part 1 of our chat now, with the luminous Rachael Coopes. If you liked this ep, please leave a rating or review on iTunes, so others can enjoy it too! You'll find Rach at @rachaelcoopes and me, at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow. A big thanks to the team, our sound engineer and editor Luke Hensel @lukehensel07 and Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade for the VO magic as always!  

In this episode, I had the distinct privilege of sitting down with RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, S2 WINNER, Spankie Jackzon! I became a huge fan of Spankie's when the season aired last year, thanks to her raw honesty, genuine empathy and sparkling sense of humour. She wasn't afraid to speak up when things weren't right and showed the world that you can be a winner without tearing other people down to get there. Spankie is an absolutely riot, so funny and full of zest, but it wasn't always sequins and sparkles in Spankie's world. Before she was Spankie, Blair Macbeth had to survive a tough childhood in rural New Zealand. There was hideous bullying and some awful encounters, but at the centre of it, Blair was completely and utterly himself, with grit and resilience that has led to incredible things. But this is just the beginning for Spankie Jackzon and I personally can't wait to see what's next. This is a fun one, enjoy! You can follow Spankie at @spankie_jackzon Find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow Please do leave us a rating or review on iTunes, it would mean the world! A big thank you to Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade and Luke Hensel @lukehensel07 for all the hard work and audio wizardry that brings this show together! Share your thoughts with us on socials!  

You might know Brooke Blurton as Australia's first Indigenous, bisexual Bachelorette. Or perhaps as the contestant who walked away from the Honeybadger, on his infamous season of The Bachelor. You might have also seen her on Bach in Paradise. But Brooke is so much more than just a reality television OG. Brooke's journey to success came out of a childhood filled with unimaginable challenges, enormous loss but most importantly, immense love. Brooke is a podcaster, author and a youth worker, and we sat down for an in-depth conversation about the way that Brooke's childhood and survival mentality created the hustle mindset that stays with her today. We talked about grief and losing a parent, and our shared experiences in child protection. This led us into a deep conversation about community and culture, and the experience of First Nations Australians. It was such a beautiful conversation and one that I was so excited to be having, after reading Brooke's brilliant autobiography, BigLove. Brooke also stars in the Audible Original podcast, POWER Talks with Kemi Nekvapil (⁠www.audible.com.au/powertalks⁠), which is free for Audible members and non-members. You'll hear all about it in this episode, as we unpacked many of the themes that arose through her session with Kemi. You can find Brooke on Insta at⁠ @brooke.blurton.⁠ Follow this show at ⁠@thecuriouslifepodcast⁠ and ⁠@thedaysthatfollow⁠. Thank you to Julie Reynolds at ⁠@audiolemonade⁠ for the VO and a big welcome to the team, to our new editor Luke Hensel! ⁠@lukehensel07⁠. Let us know your thoughts with a rating or review on iTunes!

Ever wondered what really happens inside the stadiums of Hillsong? Or what exactly it is that draws people into these large-scale production religious events, that have even had the likes of Justin Bieber front and centre? And what encourages church members to dedicate their entire lives to the church, at what can sometimes be huge financial and personal costs? Well, you're about to find out. In this episode, I sat down with renowned journalist Marc Fennell, to unpack his experience making the brilliant new documentary, The Kingdom. Marc grew up in the Pentecostal church and brings a unique perspective to the complexities of faith and the juggernaut that is these larger than life, megachurch operations. Marc delves into how allegations of bullying, sexual assault and financial mismanagement have eroded Hillsong's once mighty empire and examines the answer to the question, who is going to inherit the remainder of the Kingdom? This was an eye-opening conversation about faith, belief, corruption and came with a lot of deep thinking and reflection from Marc's own personal experience as a former church member. You can catch this fascinating doco on SBS On Demand and you can find Marc on socials at @marcfennell. Follow me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow and if you've enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Audio engineering by Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade – www.audiolemonade.com  

This episode is a little bit different to our usual style, here at The Curious Life, and that's because we all need a little brain break from time to time. For some people it's long walks on the beach or a hot bath – in my case? It's reality television. In this episode, I had the thrill of chatting with American pop culture expert and podcaster, Ryan Bailey. If like me, you've been glued to the hourly updates from Scandoval HQ or are a fan of the Real Housewives in any capacity, then this will be a real treat for you too. If you're new to reality TV or are sceptical about it in any way, there are some themes unpacked here that may just change your mind. Reality TV isn't the fluffy escape that it used to be. It's become dark and raw and the storylines, like what is playing out in the current Vanderpump Rules season, have taken us from couch potatoes to armchair experts, dissecting and diagnosing and united in our outrage and disbelief. Ryan and I had so much fun in this episode, sharing our thoughts and theories on the themes of latest Bravo TV shows, as well as discussing the impact of reality tv consumption on mental health, the profound effect on viewers and why we so often feel so connected to the people we love to watch (and hate watch) on TV. For more of Ryan, you can catch his brilliant in-depth pop culture podcast at @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey. You can find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow and please don't forget to leave a rating or review for this ep on Apple Podcasts – it would mean the world. This episode was masterfully edited by the wonderful Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade. Find her on socials or at www.audiolemonade.com for all your podcasting needs.

Yumi Stynes is a broadcaster, a host, an author, a cook, a parent of many and so much more. Her new book Welcome to Sex¸is the fourth in the “Welcome To” series, co-written with former Dolly Doctor (yes, that Dolly Doctor!) Dr Melissa Kang, that unpacks the sticky topics that are much needed for young people and their families. Periods, boobs, consent and now sex. They are filled with a robust and honest explanation of the big moments in young people's lives, that empowers tweens, teens and parents alike, to understand bodies and relationships in a real and relatable way. Yumi is a firecracker and this chat is so much fun. Yumi also stars in the Audible Original podcast, POWER Talks with Kemi Nekvapil (www.audible.com.au/powertalks), which is free for Audible members and non-members. She sat down for a session with Kemi, who is a leading executive and personal coach, and in a twist, found an aha moment that has stayed with her since. This episode has it all – sex, consent, sobriety, the chaos of a busy family life, and Yumi delivers all of this with her trademark sense of humour and boundless energy. Listen now wherever you get your pods and head to Audible to catch the POWER Talks series in full. As you'll hear, Yumi has her fingers in a lot of pies! You can find the details below: - Insta @yumichild - Ladies, We Need To Talk Podcast - The Welcome To book series, in all good bookstores Please take a moment to leave us a rating or review on iTunes, so that we can be heard by many. Each review makes it possible for us to grow the show. Thank you in advance! Find Jana at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow.

Content warning - this episode contains a frank discussion around sexual violence, education and consent. We are opening the new season with a bang. A bang with enthusiastic consent, that is. In this interview, we hear from investigative journalist and Stella Prize winner, Jess Hill. Her groundbreaking new series Asking For It, is a three part documentary series that explores the epidemic of sexual violence in Australia and the issue of consent, from every different angle. It's dark and confronting, but filled with hope and inspiration. Jess is brilliantly insightful about this difficult and distressing issue. In this conversation, Jess shares what she has learned from her research and discussions with the some of the trailblazing advocates leading the charge to make lasting change in our communities. People like Grace Tame, Saxon Mullins, Noelle Martin and Richie Hardcore, one of the men taking fresh and impactful approaches to educating our young boys and men on these key issues. The series is unmissable, and Jess Hill is a formidable leader in deeply insightful, thought provoking and meaningful investigations that we are all lucky enough to benefit from. The world is not the same as it once was and there is so much for us all to learn and improve on. This is such an important conversation for all of us, and I know you'll be just as intrigued and moved by this conversation as I was. Catch the series on SBS and SBS On Demand. Find Jess at @jessicahelenhill. Find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast or @thedaysthatfollow. As we move into Series 5 - please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes, so that we can continue to share these episodes far and wide. Audio engineering by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade.

This is one of those episodes that when listening back, I was crying, laughing and doing both at the same time. Georgie Abay gets it. Georgie's new book Best Laid Plans truly spoke to my soul. Having recently had Baby #3 and trying to strike the balance between ambition, passion and family demands, I was underslept, overwrought and so, so ready for this conversation. Georgie and I clicked immediately and went deep into her experience as a mother, having had two traumatic and premature births in quick succession, challenging first months with her babies, along with enviable career opportunities to rival any Hollywood movie. We unpacked the raw and ugly truth about the toll that parenthood can take on your mental and physical health - as well as your relationship - and the complex layers that compound all of these issues for so many of us. Georgie Abay is a busy woman, a creative and a former Vogue Australia deputy editor, founder of The Grace Tales and current acting Head of Marketing Campaigns, Operations & Content at Mecca. She truly knows the pressure that so many of us feel as women – but best of all – she is willing to talk about it. What worked, what hasn't and why. Don't miss this one – and grab yourself a copy of Georgie's book now for an inside look at her brilliant career, the highs and the lows, and her generous gift of insight and reflection that I know will connect with so many. You can find Georgie on socials at @thegracetales or via her website at www.thegracetales.com Find us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow on Insta for all the latest updates. Thank you to Julie Reynolds at @audiolemonade for getting this episode out despite the wrath of wild weather and blackouts! Find her at www.audiolemonade.com.

Rob “Millsy” Mills rose to fame on Australian Idol in 2003 and spent the immediate years following, under the dizzying and intense spotlight of fame. At the height of the Idol frenzy, Rob had a terrifying panic attack that literally took him right to the edge and back. This was his first brush with mental health in a serious way and one that we got into during our conversation in this episode. Rob is a bit of an open book and has taken that approach in his new role as an author, sharing so much of his own life and reflections while exploring all the edges of masculinity and mental health, and what it means to be an “Aussie bloke”. Turns out there isn't one single way to be a man in this country and thank god for that! We unpacked Rob's reasons for diving into such a meaty topic, and what he learned from the conversations he had with some of the country's top experts in mental health. Rob also shared his thoughts on the complexities of shifting family dynamics, mateship and the incredibly important role his relationship with his two brothers has had over the years. Rob has done a huge amount of research for this book, covering areas like toxic masculinity, gender equity, violence, suicide, online misogyny, penis size and sexuality but all handled with humour and deep insight that has certainly left me, a mother of three young boys, rethinking so much of what will be important in raising them. It's a great chat. Grab your copy of Rob's book “Putting On A Show”, read it and give it to all the men in your life. You can find Rob on Insta at @robmillsymills or at www.robmills.net.au. Follow along at @thecuriouslifepodcast and please let us know your thoughts on the ep! Edited and Voiceovers by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade.

At age 20, Emma Carey literally fell out of the sky. She landed at full speed on the ground, with an adult male strapped to her back – and survived. But that's just the beginning of the story. Two minutes that changed everything and started Emma on the most painful, impactful, inspirational journey that has led her to where she is today. Surviving the fall was one thing, but how did Emma survive the recovery process? The lengthy legal process? The psychological battle that she had the grit and determination to win. But interestingly, there was already a dark undercurrent that Emma had been dealing with since she was a teenager. Emma learned some invaluable lessons in her recovery from her massive, life-altering injuries and she quickly developed an impressive resilience and gained a remarkable positive outlook on life. She shares those lessons with us, as we unpack anxiety, facing mortality and discovering gratitude for the small things in life. Emma's memoir “The Girl Who Fell From The Sky” is available everywhere and you can find her at @em_carey on socials. Follow our new podcast The Days That Follow: a grief recovery podcast, at @thedaysthatfollow on Insta and @thecuriouslifepodcast to be the first to hear new episodes as they drop. Edited and voiceovers by Julie Reynolds from @audiolemonade.

Chris Franjola is a writer and comedian, who you may know from his years on Chelsea Lately and After Lately with Chelsea Handler, from his stand up work, or from his podcast Cover To Cover. He's also a fan favourite with Heather McDonald's Juicy Scoop crowd, and that's how I was lucky enough to connect with him. In this episode, I revealed much of my not-so-secret, decades long, obsession with Elvis and we unpacked some of the tragedy that played out on the big screen in Baz Luhrmann's epic recent production of “Elvis”. We also chatted about Will Smith and that Oscars apology, the life-altering impact on mental health that stratospheric fame brings and Chris' former friendship with arguably one of the most famous people on the planet, Meghan Markle. There's plenty more as we took a dive into pop culture, American gun culture and life as touring comedian. Chris shares much of his insights on Hollywood from his own perspective and what it is that keeps him feeling grounded and well from a mental health perspective. Listen now on all the podcast apps or at www.thecuriouslife.net You can follow Chris on socials at @chrisfranjola or at www.franjola.fun Find us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and please leave us a rating or review and share this episode with your friends! Edited and VO'd by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Hit her up for all your audio needs at www.audiolemonade.com

You might recognise Jodi Rodgers from the smash hit series, "Love On The Spectrum" which aired on ABC and is now available on Netflix. Jodi is a qualified sexologist, counsellor and special education teacher, and her role on the show saw her supporting the cast on their quest to find love. Jodi is one of those very special people, who connects deeply with the people she is working with and with those around her. This conversation is no different. We talked about her time on the show, sex and intimacy in relationships and of course, the beautiful community of people on the spectrum that she knows and loves. Jodi's honesty and generosity is just beautiful and I know you'll love this chat. You can find Jodi on Insta at @jodirodgers_ or look her up in her private practice at www.birdsandbees.com.au Edited by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Follow us on socials @thecuriouslifepodcast and please leave us a rating and review on iTunes!

Ariella Nyssa is a breath of fresh air. Not only is she an incredible advocate for body positivity, she is also the author of The Self-Love Bible, which is jam-packed with anecdotes and exercises designed to get readers reflecting about how they think and feel about themselves from the inside out. But things weren't always so rosy for Ariella. Growing up in a religious community, the expectations of what her future should look like were vastly different from the world she now lives in. These expectations and beliefs saw Ariella fall in with the wrong crowd as a teenager, making choices that saw her fall deeper into the religious beliefs of her community. As a result, Ariella found herself getting married and then divorced, all before the age of 20. Her mental health suffered significantly, to the point where she was actively considering ending her own life. This was a terrifying realisation and a lightbulb moment that led her to the glorious path that she is on today. Ariella is a bright light, full of warmth and insight who has seen the darkest days and been able to turn them into beams of positivity. Her story is inspiring. You can find her at @ariellanyssa and @theselflovebible_ We would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them via @thecuriouslifepodcast and remember to share, like and subscribe. Edited by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade.

Chezzi Denyer is an accomplished television producer, broadcaster, podcaster and believe it or not - former car salesperson! But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Chezzi has seen and done it all and isn't afraid to talk about it. In this conversation, Chezzi shares some of the tremendous challenges she has overcome, to become the woman she is today. Part of that journey includes a very difficult time with post-natal anxiety following a traumatic birth, an adult diagnosis of ADHD and the relentless scrutiny of her body and marriage to hubby Grant Denyer, by the media. We go deep in this chat, from the painful and traumatic, to the lessons learned by surviving so many of the hurdles thrown Chezzi's way. And there is a lot we can all take away from this conversation, as Chezzi's warmth and strength resonates on so many levels. You can listen to Chezzi and Grant's podcast It's All True? on any of the podcast apps and see what Chezzi is up to on Insta at @chezzidenyer Follow @thecuriouslifepodcast for all the latest updates and don't forget to leave a rating or review! For all your podcast editing or voiceover needs, head to Audio Lemonade and ask for the fabulous Julie Reynolds!

Jon Faine is an award-winning broadcaster, known for his tenacity, fearlessness and as Tony Abbott once put it, his always being prepared to ask the "mongrel question". It was because of this reputation that he felt compelled to bring to light some of the dark and horrifying truths of Australian history, that Jon uncovered during his research for his new book Apollo & Thelma. While the secrets he discovered were shocking and abhorrent, and there in black and white on the page, Jon realised that much of this Indigenous story has been kept hidden from the history books. Jon has both a personal and a professional interest in making these truths known and he shares much of those inside the book. Apollo & Thelma is a number of true stories cleverly woven together, from the tale of the famous strong man and his family to Jon's honest and frank account of his early years as a young and mischievous lawyer - and how these stories have intertwined for over 40 years. In this conversation, Jon shares his experience with Imposter Syndrome, reflects on his youthful risk-taking behaviour (that he is surprised he survived at times), and why it was important for him to write this book during a very difficult time in his life. Jon is one of the great storytellers and it was an absolute privilege to have this conversation with him. You can listen now on any of the podcast apps or head to www.thecuriouslife.net to listen online. Edited and VO by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. www.audiolemonade.com. @audiolemonade For the latest updates follow us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and don't forget to leave a rating or review on iTunes if you liked this ep!

Welcome to Season 4 of The Curious Life Podcast! In the first episode of the new season, you'll meet Jordanna Levin. Jordanna is the author of three successful self-help books, but she's not actually a fan of the genre herself at all. In fact, it's because of this, that her writing in personal development takes a slightly more self-deprecating, honest and revealing turn. After suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage, through her grief Jordanna came to the realisation that she was never going to be the same person she was before this life-altering loss. And that was okay. It was just going to take a little bit of work to discover who she had become and who she was going to be in the future. Reflecting on her own three steps to self-awareness allowed her latest title Make You Happen to be written, a follow up to her first book Make It Happen - helping readers to manifest their best lives and best selves. In this episode, Jordanna shares much of her own personal story of loss, career rollercoasters, pivoting and following your passions. She also shares her thoughts on the practice of manifestation and simple ways that we can get curious about our own lives and all begin to manifest the truest, most powerful version of ourselves. You can find Jordanna here @jordannalevin. To purchase your copy of Embracing Change by Jana Firestone, as discussed in this episode, click on the link below: https://www.booktopia.com.au/embracing-change-jana-firestone/book/9781922626776.html Please leave a rating and review on iTunes and follow us on socials at @thecuriouslifepodcast. For all your podcast editing needs, head to www.audiolemonade.com and chat with the wonderful Julie Reynolds.

AJ Clementine always knew she was a girl. Even when her mum was pregnant with her, she was certain she was having a girl and had all the cravings and symptoms to prove it. Imagine the confusion all round, when she was born into the 'magical' shell that looked, on the outside, like a perfect little boy. Starting life as a boy on the outside made the world a very confusing place for AJ. In her teens, this conflict between her outer and inner selves exploded, igniting years of anxiety and panic attacks. In the final episode of the year, AJ shares some of the pieces of the journey of her gender transition and her transformation into a model, digital creator and transgender advocate. AJ is a ray of light and generous with her thoughts and experiences. We unpack some of the themes of her book Girl, Transcending and find out what life has been like for AJ in the years since those dark times. You can find AJ on Instagram at @ajclementine_ or on YouTube at https://youtube.com/c/AJClementinexo You can follow us at @thecuriouslifepodcast for all the latest podcast news and stay tuned for exciting book release news on January 25th! You can pre-order Embracing Change on Booktopia at https://www.booktopia.com.au/embracing-change-jana-firestone/book/9781922626776.html A big thank you to Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade who keeps this show running! Book Julie for your own podcast needs at www.audiolemonade.com Thank you for all your love and support in 2021 - see you in the new year!

You might know Lola Berry from her myriad endeavours as a nutritionist, television presenter, podcaster, yoga instructor, entrepreneur and author. She is passionate about throwing yourself at your dreams, giving everything a red hot go and not being afraid to fail. Which is exactly what her new book Fearlessly Failing is all about. In this episode, we chat about the big risks that Lola has taken along the way and Lola's firm belief in regular therapy for managing all the aspects of her life. From the lessons of failures in love and in life to why it is so important to run towards the disappointments, rather than away from them. Lola's new life includes two big moves to LA and the Byron, splitting her time across the world and immersing herself the scary new landscape of acting classes in the home of Hollywood. So how does she balance her long-distance relationship, her businesses and her passions alongside the big life questions about what next? The answers might surprise you. You can find Lola at @yummololaberry or at www.lolaberry.com and can order her new book Fearlessly Failing via the link in her bio. Edited and VO'd by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade - www.audiolemonade.com If you enjoyed this ep, please leave us a rating or review on iTunes and follow us at @thecuriouslifepodcast. And guess what? Jana has a book coming out soon too! You can pre-order your copy of Embracing Change by Jana Firestone via the link below. The book will be available in stores on January 25, 2022. Embracing Change - Booktopia Pre-Order

Kate Langbroek has been a shining star of radio and television for the last two and a bit decades and is known for her quick wit and mirthful observations - and isn't afraid to share a strong opinion, either. Two years ago, Kate was at the top of her game with a top rating radio show with a legion of avid listeners and regular, much-loved television appearances. At the height of this acclaim, Kate and her husband Peter, made the bold move to pack up their family of six and move them to Italy for a year. What came next was a combination of highs and lows, time for reflection and a healthy dose of la dolce vita. One year in Italy rolled into two, when Kate found herself at the epicentre of the global pandemic during what should have been her sweet escape. So, what sent her packing? And how did she manage with all those kids in an apartment during months of intense lockdown on the other side of the world? Kate chats with Jana about the magic of Italy, the stark realities of life as a busy mum of four and the depths of grief that having a child with a cancer diagnosis brings. Kate has plenty of advice for Jana as she gives us insight into her own little wolf pack and just how she is raising her three boys to be good men. They chat about the changing landscape of friendships, medieval plague doctors and all the beauty that lies within Kate's brilliant new book Ciao Bella! It's a vibrant conversation that will have you both laughing and crying, much like Kate's book. You can find Kate on Instagram at @katelangbroek For all the latest follow us on Insta at @thecuriouslifepodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review! A huge thank you to Julie Reynolds for whipping this episode into shape (despite major tech fails at our end with a dodgy mic this week!) You can work with Julie too at www.audiolemonade.com or follow her at @audiolemonade.

Jamila Rizvi is a best-selling author, sought after public speaker, thriving podcaster presenter and gender equality advocate. You may remember her incredibly rousing speech at the Women's March 4 Justice earlier this year, sharing her thoughts on the painful experiences of women in Australian politics. Jamila lives in Melbourne with her husband and young son and although it sounds like she might just have it all, she is also living with the devastating damage caused as a result of a recurrent brain tumour. This impacts her life in every way imaginable and in this episode, Jamila shares some of the battles she has had to face in dealing with this from initial diagnosis, through treatment and in the unexpected ways that her mental health has been challenged beyond the medical interventions. As the host of The Secret Life of Carers Podcast, Jamila found herself immersed in the stories of mental health carers and we unpacked some of the ways in which their experiences resonated with her own. It's an insightful chat about mental health and resilience and the many surprises that life might have for us all in the ways that our lives unfold. You can find Jamila on Instagram at @jamilarizvi where you will fin the links to all her podcasts, her work with Future Women and latest collaborations. Follow us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and please leave a rating or review on iTunes if you have a spare moment too. Thank you to Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade, for the whizz bang editing as always. You can hire her yourself at www.audiolemonade.com

Briony Benjamin, is the kind of woman you want to be best friends with. She is a self-confessed video mischief maker, global storyteller, keynote speaker and author. She's incredibly down to earth to boot. Briony was living a fabulous life, working at Mamamia and flexing all her creative muscles, when things started slowly falling apart. Suddenly Briony found herself having to tell a story she never thought she would be telling, when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma at just 31. She made a video of her experiences called "You Only Get One Life" that went viral, and has now been seen by over 200 million people. The way Briony handled life's biggest curve ball is a great reminder that Life Is Tough But So Are You...which happens to be the name of her brilliant book - out now. In this episode, Briony will take you through her incredible story of grit and resilience through the darkest days of her life, with great wit, charm and a massive dose of inspiration. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. You can follow Briony on Insta @briony_benjamin. Find us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and follow along for all the latest updates. A huge thank you as always to Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade for the editing and Voice Overs - you can hire her too at www.audiolemonade.com. Don't forget to leave a rating and review as each one makes a huge difference to this little show.

Tilly Lawless is a queer, Sydney-based sex worker who is using her platform to break down the many misconceptions and stereotypes about the sex industry. But as you'll hear, that is just one string to the bow of this multifaceted, brilliant young woman. Tilly was outed as a sex worker by the world news, when she sparked a movement by creating the hashtag #facesofprostition, in response to an unfair depiction of sex workers in an article published by Mamamia. Tilly's response on social media led to a global response from sex workers around the world, bringing to light the real people behind the sex work industry. Tilly is an accomplished speaker, activist and Ted Talker, breaking down the barriers and sharing her insights into the challenges faced by many in the sex industry. Tilly has shared some of her own personal experiences as a sex worker in her brilliant debut novel, Nothing But My Body. Her writing is a literary feast, taking us deep into the inner sanctum of her brothel work while taking us through the complexities and the emotional turmoil of a breakup, her deep connection to her friends and to her roots in northern NSW. Tilly's insights are vivid, sharp and thought-provoking. If you've ever wondered what it's really like to be a young woman in the sex industry, then strap in for this one. Tilly does not hold back. This conversation may just change your own thoughts about sex work and the sex industry, that perhaps you weren't even aware you held. You can purchase Tilly's novel Nothing But My Body here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/nothing-but-my-body-tilly-lawless/book/9781761065149.html And you can find Tilly on Instagram at @tilly_lawless Follow us @thecuriouslifepodcast and please leave a rating and review on iTunes, if you like what you hear. Edited and VO'd by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. www.audiolemonade.com

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to discover you were descended from royalty? This week's guest didn't have to imagine. Princess Sarah Culberson was adopted at the age of one, into a loving, white family in West Virginia and raised knowing very little about her birth family. When she decided it was time to start the process and begin to explore her roots, she unlocked a secret that was bigger than anything she could ever have dreamed of. Not only did she find her birth father and travel to Sierra Leone to meet him, her arrival was met with a celebration and reunion that was fit for the screens. In fact, her story is so incredible that Disney has bought the rights and is making a movie out of the events that unfolded from her beginnings in America to her enormous discovery in Sierra Leone. But taking her place in the line of succession was not the end of the story for Princess Sarah. Her journey to Sierra Leone has sparked a movement for change and she is now committed to making lasting change in a country that has come to mean so much to her. Princess Sarah is an incredible ray of light. She is warm, bright and an exceptional storyteller. You cannot help but be moved by her extraordinary story and I know you're going to love this one. You can find her on socials at @iamprincesssc, on her website https://sarahculberson.com/ or through her work with Sierra Leone Rising https://www.sierraleonerising.org/ If you liked this episode, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials at @thecuriouslifepodcast. Edited and VO'd by the wonderful Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Find her at www.audiolemonade.com

Joshua Coombes is the founder of the #DoSomethingForNothing movement, that encourages people to contribute their skills, time or simple acts of kindness to people who need it most. This is something that Joshua himself, has been doing for many years now. In 2015, quite by chance, Joshua met a man who was living on the streets, and they shared a long and meaningful conversation. As a professional hair stylist, Josh happened to have his scissors and clippers with him and on the spur of the moment, offered him a haircut. That moment transformed Joshua's life in the most monumental way. This one moment of connection on the streets of London to the streets of the world, sparked a movement and Joshua has continued to offer his time and skills to people living on the streets across the globe. This isn't about Josh though, and he would be the first to say so. It's about the incredible stories of human connection that he shares with each individual. By sharing these transformational stories through social media and now through his beautiful book Do Something For Nothing, Joshua's aim is to destigmatise the issue of homelessness and advocate for social change. In this chat, Josh shares some of the poignant stories he has encountered along the way and the lessons he has taken away from them. It's a moving discussion, delving into the themes of homelessness, love, inequality, shame and resilience. His work is truly inspiring and takes him around the world, amplifying the voices of some of life's forgotten people. Josh is an incredibly humble, down to earth human, doing wonderful things for the global community. You can find Josh and take in some of his incredible work @joshuacoombes and @dosomethingfornothing and www.dosomethingfornothing.org If you liked this ep, please share it with your friends and follow us @thecuriouslifepodcast. Thank you to Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade for her excellent editing and voice over work, as always. Find Julie yourself at www.audiolemonade.com

In this episode, we hear from the firecracker with a tiger heart - the sparkling Tanya Hennessy. Tanya is a comedian, writer, TV presenter and now Junior Fiction author with a contagious laugh, who isn't afraid to go deep. Tanya shares some of her experiences with anxiety and mental health, the pros and cons of sleep aids, overthinking and Imposter Syndrome, all of course, with her trademark humour peppered throughout. This one has it all - from crystals and kinesiology, to the grounding techniques that help Tanya get out of her head and into her body. She also reveals the joy behind the writing of her latest release, Drumroll Please it's Stevie Louise and unpacks the parallels between her own childhood experiences and those faced by Stevie Louise and the gang. This episode is jam packed full of laughter and inspiration and is the perfect antidote to a long and busy day. For more light and laughter, you can find Tanya on Insta @tanhennessy. If you enjoyed this ep or any of our previous conversations, please leave us a rating or review on iTunes and share the show with your friends. Follow us on socials @thecuriouslifepodcast for the latest updates about the podcast and upcoming guests and tag us in your thoughts! Edited and VO'd by the wonderful Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. www.audiolemonade.com