No Filter

This week on No Filter, we’re proud to introduce Narelda Jacobs as our guest host.  Rhoda Roberts is one of the most influential Australians there is. She’s a nurse, a journalist, broadcaster, actor, producer, writer, art advisor, and artistic director. And she’s responsible for a lot of huge cultural moments in this country. From the Awakening ceremony during the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics to coining the phrase welcome to country. But she’s also been through a lot. In 1972 she watched her father Frank Roberts Jnr be introduced by Gough Whitlam at the Tent Embassy on the grounds of Old Parliament House in Canberra, to talk about land rights. In 1979, while training to be a nurse in Lismore, the matron at the hospital told her to go home, because she was just going to get pregnant like the other girls. Of course, Aunty Rhoda persisted. In 1999, Aunty Rhoda and her family went through the most heinous of tragedies when her twin sister Lois was found murdered. A crime that is still to this day uns

If you looked at Madeleine West’s Instagram 5 years ago, you would have easily presumed that she had the perfect life. She lived in a fabulous house in Melbourne with her partner, a famous celebrity chef, and her six children. She was often on our TV Screens in Neighbours, Satisfaction, and Playing For Keeps. She practiced Yoga and drank green smoothies. And then one day, Madeleine decided to blow it all up.  In fact, you might say she hit restart. THE END BITS: With thanks to Madeleine West. Restart launches at the end of January. Keep an ear out.  Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: Lucy Neville Audio Producer: Leah Porges  Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Own

Just a heads-up, this interview touches on the themes of suicide. If you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.  Matthew Reilly lives a very strange life. He’s the first one to admit it. He spends most of it sitting in a nice room in a nice house creating elaborate action-adventure worlds that don’t exist…and he’s paid millions of dollars to do it. In 1996 at the age of 22, Matthew got a bank loan, self-published 1,000 copies of his book, Contest, and convinced bookshops around Sydney to stock it. 25 years later, Matthew has now written 19 novels and sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. If only his personal life had been similarly golden. It hasn’t.  On this episode of No Filter, he joins me to talk about life and love after loss. THE END BITS: With thanks to Matthew Reilly. You can buy his latest book, The One Impossible Labyrinth, here. Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamami

Urzila Carlson’s life has been anything but ordinary. She grew up in South Africa, migrated to New Zealand in her late 20s, and didn’t decide to become a comedian until she was 32. And now she’s a star, hosting The Masked Singer and appearing regularly on Have You Been Paying Attention.  She and her wife Julie have two kids, and on this episode of No Filter, we discuss everything from hot flushes to the jokes she chooses not to tell. THE END BITS: With thanks to Urzila Carlson. For complete tour and ticket information about Urzila’s shows this year, visit:  www.urzilacarlson.com & www.livenation.com.au Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: Lucy Neville Audio Producer:

It was February 2016, and Australian Basketball legend Lauren Jackson was looking down the barrel of her fifth Olympic Games in Rio. Lauren was already an icon as one of the best basketballers in the world. Having played professionally in America for most of her career. She’d injured her knee in 2015 - a common job hazard for professional basketballers -  and was in recovery. But she was hopeful she’d get to play at one more Olympics. And then, Lauren did something millions of women do every day. She went and got her legs waxed, and it was the catalyst that forced her into retirement at 34... THE END BITS: With thanks to Lauren Jackson  Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Produ

Christmas is often referred to as the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a day that's meant to be filled with joy and love. But what if you're not feeling joyful because you're missing a loved one or you're dealing with the end of a significant relationship? How do you face the empty chair at the Christmas table? Petrea King is one of the most respected grief counselors in the country. She’s counseled over 120,000 people living with cancer and other life-challenging illnesses as well as people dealing with grief, loss, trauma, and tragedy through her foundation, Quest For Life. She knows what’s it’s like to be facing Christmas with a death, diagnosis or divorce looming after she lost her brother to suicide, and received her own diagnosis of a rare form of leukemia. So what's her advice on how to navigate Christmas when you're not feeling joyful? THE END BITS: You can listen to Mia's 2018 chat with Petrea here - https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/no-filter/the-empty-chair-at-the-christmas-table/.  GE

Just a heads-up - this episode covers the difficult and emotional topic of miscarriage. If you’re a fan of the Aussie TV show Neighbours, then you’ve definitely seen Sharon Johal on your television. She played the character of Dipi Rebecchi from 2017 to early in 2021. Landing this gig as a series regular was groundbreaking - she was the first Indian Punjabi woman in a mainstream television role. But her experience on Neighbours? Well, it was tougher than she could have possibly imagined. In 2020, there was COVID, she was stuck in a toxic work environment and...she fell unexpectedly pregnant, and then she lost her baby. This is a story about grit, determination and authenticity. You’re going to love getting to know Sharon Johal. THE END BITS: With thanks to Sharon Johal. Follow her on Instagram here, read her blog here.  Read the piece she wrote for Mamamia here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/sharon-johal-miscarriage/  Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mama

As a teen, Anthony Albanese sat down with his mother for dinner. It was just the two of them, as it always had been. Albanese’s father had died in a car crash before he was born. Or at least, that’s what he thought until that dinner. His mother told him his father was most likely alive and living in Italy... In this episode of No Filter, Anthony Albanese joins Mia to talk about his very unique childhood and the surprising way his search for his father turned out. And just a note, Anthony Albanese may be the Leader of the Opposition. But this episode of No Filter is not about politics. THE END BITS: With thanks to Anthony Albanese Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: L

Picture this: You get a job that you didn’t apply for. You only have to do it for a year...but here’s the catch - the whole country is watching you as you figure out how to do it. There’s no job description, no money, no real guidance, and no help from the people who gave it to you. And the job? Well, it’s essentially about your life, and what you’ve been through. That is the job of Australian of the Year Recipient, Grace Tame. THE END BITS: With thanks to Grace Tame. Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: Lucy Neville Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to the

Rebecca Woolf has done a lot of things before everyone else. She became a mum at 23 years old, had four children by the time she was 29 including twins. And then became a widow at just 37, when her husband Hal died pretty suddenly. But before he got sick unexpectedly, she was planning to leave him… Rebecca speaks about the hard stuff like exploring her sexuality and open relationships, stuff that we often don’t allow ourselves to talk about, or even to feel. THE END BITS: With thanks to Rebecca Woolf. You can buy her book, Rockabye, From Wild to Child, here. Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: Lucy Neville Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we hav

This love story starts with one woman sliding into another woman’s DMs. Fiona Falkiner is a model, she was a contestant and then a host on The Biggest Loser and the person who was in her DM’s? That was her now fiancé, Hayley Willis, who is a sports journalist.  Hayley was a little bit drunk, scrolling through Instagram after a big night and thought - wow, she’s hot. And now? Well, their love is big, their chemistry is undeniable and their family is growing.  From their first date to predatory paparazzi culture, to the birth of their son Hunter, here’s Hayley & Fiona… THE END BITS: With thanks to Hayley Willis & Fiona Falkiner Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: Lucy N

For two years, Phoebe Burgess remained pretty silent when it came to the breakup of her marriage. And then her ex-husband went on a reality TV show called SAS Australia. She’d wake up in the morning and read messages from women on Instagram saying they were thinking of her. And that’s when she realised the danger of someone's story being told by someone else. So, she decided to take the power back. And that’s why she’s joining Mia in the studio today for part two of our conversation... THE END BITS: With thanks to Phoebe Burgess  Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: Lucy Neville Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, th

If you’d looked at Phoebe Burgess’ Instagram account three or four years ago, chances are you would have seen a happy family smiling back at you. Phoebe; a former magazine journalist, her husband, Sam Burgess; the famous NRL player, and a growing baby bump going on family holidays to Hamilton Island, Fiji, and coastal NSW. They had a beautiful home. Fame. Wealth. It was the ultimate highlight reel. But only a few people knew that those family holidays weren’t exactly what they appeared to be. A tiny handful of individuals in and around the football club were the only ones privy to all the things that had to be kept quiet. But now, Phoebe Burgess has found her voice, and is ready to talk... THE END BITS: With thanks to Phoebe Burgess  Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on

Over the past two decades, Kate Langbroek's life has changed dramatically. Some of that change has been because of choices she’s made - like having 4 kids in 5 years, or deciding to quit her high profile, massively well-paid radio job alongside Dave “Hughesy” Hughes to move to Italy...in the midst of a global pandemic. But other things that have thrown her world into chaos have been things that blindsided her. On this episode of No Filter, she opens up about all of it.   THE END BITS: With thanks to Kate Langbroek. Find her book, Ciao Bella! here. Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here.   CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Assistant Producer: Lucy Neville Assitant Audio Producer: Leah Porges  Mamamia acknowledges the Trad

Mia Freedman often says friendships are forged in the fire of shitty times as well as great ones. And that is the truth of the very strong, sometimes very rude bond between Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb. They are two of the most admired, respected, successful, and talented journalists in Australia. They’ve won awards, written best-selling books, birthed babies, a hit podcast, a community of Chatters, and now a new book, called Well Hello.  They’ve both been on No Filter a number of times separately to talk about various projects but today, Mia wanted them to speak candidly about each other. From the misconceptions of Leigh to Annabel’s hair. THE END BITS: With thanks to Leigh Sales & Annabel Crabb. Find their book, Well Hello here. Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on

Amani Haydar was five months pregnant and excitedly preparing to become a mother for the first time. But on an ordinary day, Amani’s life changed to a degree she never thought possible. She answered a phone call that sliced everything she thought she knew about her parents, about relationships, about marriage, about love and about her own future - into two very different parts: before and after. Amani has since written a book about her experience called The Mother Wound, and she joins Mia now to share her powerful story. If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that support is available. Call the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service, 1800 RESPECT, on 1800 737 732. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. THE END BITS: With thanks to Amani Haydar  Find her book, The Mother Woundhere. Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts

Across two episodes of No Filter, you’re going to hear the story of Lisa Wilkinson. But it’s Lisa Wilkinson like you’ve never heard her before. Because Lisa has lived lots of different lives in her 61 years. And on this episode of No Filter, she discusses them all.  From what actually happened when she left the Today Show, to a fiery phone call with Kerry Packer, her off air relationship with Karl Stefanovic and her heartbreaking experience with sexual assault as a young girl. ‘ It Wasn’t Meant to Be Like This by Lisa Wilkinson is published by HarperCollins and is available for pre-order now from Booktopia.’ https://fave.co/3BQgaTp  THE END BITS: With thanks to Lisa Wilkinson Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here... https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvoiVNEFfHiJl8nC4NepRNw?view_as=su

Over the next two episodes of No Filter, you’re going to hear the story of Lisa Wilkinson. But it’s Lisa Wilkinson like you’ve never heard her before. Because Lisa has lived lots of different lives in her 61 years. And on this episode of No Filter, she discusses them all.  From what actually happened when she left the Today Show, to a fiery phone call with Kerry Packer, her off air relationship with Karl Stefanovic and her heartbreaking experience with sexual assault as a young girl. ‘ It Wasn’t Meant to Be Like This by Lisa Wilkinson is published by HarperCollins and is available for pre-order now from Booktopia.’ https://fave.co/3BQgaTp  THE END BITS: With thanks to Lisa Wilkinson Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here... https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvoiVNEFfHiJl8nC4NepRNw?vie

Emma Watkins grew up wanting to be a ballerina. She’d watched dancers all her life on the TV, and on The Wiggles. But then she got injured, and that dream? Well, it went out the window.  So she went in search of something more, and little did she know that something more would see her become the first female Wiggle. On this episode of No Filter we talk about everything from the backlash she faced at the announcement, her Endometriosis diagnosis, and what it’s really like to be one of the most recognised children’s entertainers in the country, and in fact...the world. THE END BITS: With thanks to Emma Watkins  Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here... https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvoiVNEFfHiJl8nC4NepRNw?view_as=subscriber CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagra

Caroline de Costa started studying medicine at Sydney University when she was just 16 years old, after a few years off and a baby in between, Caroline finished her medical degree in 1973. She decided she wanted to major in Obstetrics and Gynecology, but she wasn’t allowed. They wouldn’t let her…because it wasn’t a woman’s field. (Yes, that happened) So Caroline packed her bags, her family, and headed for Ireland where they would train her. Seven children, 15 books and almost 50 years later, Caroline is one of Australia’s biggest medical trailblazers, and the first woman ever to become a professor of obstetrics and gynecology in Australia. She has a LOT of stories about birth and women’s bodies and she shares them on this episode of No Filter... THE END BITS: With thanks to Caroline de Costa Find Caroline's book The Women's Doc, here. Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts