No Filter

We're dropping into your feed to share an awesome episode of our new podcast, Me After You, with you. No matter how it happens, motherhood changes you forever. Me After You is the show that asks the question: So, what now?  Each episode, host Laura Byrne guides some very different women through their very different stories of life after birth. In this first episode, we’re talking Identity, and you’ll hear from women like Alex Nation, who got pregnant at 18 and wrestled with being a kid with a baby, Narelda Jacobs, who had a shotgun wedding before coming out as gay to her very conservative family and a blogging mum with a huge following who never thought she wanted to become a mother.  And all of them have struggled with the same thing - who the hell am I, now that I’m a mum? Me After You was made in partnership with Huggies: Be Comfortable In Your Skin Take our Me After You Feedback Survey for your chance to win a $50 voucher and be loved forever by us. Here's a link to the survey: https://www.surveygi

Julia Gillard has been busy this year. Very busy. She’s written a book called ‘Women and Leadership’ with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala where they speak to 8 female leaders including Jacinda Ardern and Hilary Clinton about the impact of gender on the treatment of leaders.  She's also the host of 'A Podcast of One's Own', where she leads thoughtful but fun discussions with well-known female (and some male) leaders from different industries around the world. Plus, she’s the Chair of Beyond Blue - a role which she's held since 2017. And like most of us at the moment, she’s caring for her family in the midst of a global pandemic. In this conversation, Julia explains how she handled the daily criticism about the way she dressed and looked while she was Prime Minister and the one thing she wishes she'd done differently.  You can buy Julia Gillard's book here Other No Filter interviews with former Prime Ministers: Kevin Rudd Malcolm Turnbull 1 Malcolm Turnbull 2  GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod

To her many Instagram followers, it seemed like the 'Young Mummy' Sophie Cachia had a pretty rosy life. She had a successful influencer career and pyjama business that she had built off her Young Mummy blog, which she'd started after marrying an AFL player called Jarryd Cachia and having the first of their two kids at just 22 years old. But like most things on social media, there was a different story happening behind the scenes. Sophie was starting to question the life and identity she'd built for herself over the years. All of it. So, she opened up her marriage. She started dating women. And everything changed.  Recently, Sophie was listening to Mia's interview with Glennon Doyle and nodding along furiously. It was a voice memo that made this interview happen.  Follow Sophie on Instagram  Sophie's business Cachia  Glennon Doyle's most recent No Filter You can subscribe to Me After You here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/me-after-you/trailer/ CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on I

We're dropping into your feed to share an awesome episode of Lady Startup Stories with you. Flex Mami is a 26 year old slashie: she’s a DJ, TV presenter, podcast host, author and the owner of Flex Factory which makes products. She’s part of a new generation of businesswomen who have built their brand and business on Instagram and in this interview Flex and Mia Freedman discuss personal branding, content creation and product development in the age of the influencer. If you like what you hear, head over to the Lady Startup Stories feed for more inspirational stories from female business owners.  This episode of Lady Startup Stories is brought to you by GoDaddy. The place to go to get your business idea online. Are you busting to start your own business but you don’t know where to start? Get info about The Lady Startup Activation Plan here... https://www.ladystartup.com/pages/waitlist/ Want insider tips and tricks for your business direct from Mia Freedman each week? Get the free Lady Startup newsletter he

Rebekah Robertson had twins. Both assigned male at birth. Despite what was written on their birth certificates, Rebekah’s twins were very different to one another. And so began the story of a little person called Georgie who knew deep inside that she was a girl.  In this conversation Rebekah explains when she first realised Georgie was transgender and how she handled everything from school to clothes to friends and doctors. She also talks about why the way she has parented her trans child is the exception and how that breaks her heart. Rebekah is an actress, activist and author. She is the founder of Transcend, a charity for families of transgender children and she’s written a book called About A Girl about how she raised Georgie and how she navigated a safe path for her through a world that still struggles to understand what trans kids need to survive and thrive. Some other No FIlter interviews you might want to listen to: Cate McGregor Eddie Ayres Ayla Holdom and her wife Wren Georgie Stone  CREDITS:

When Teresa Palmer was nineteen, she walked into Hollywood's biggest talent agency and told them she was happy to have a career, but her biggest plans involved being a mother.  And, she hasn't gone back on that.  Even though she's scaled the heights of life as a Hollywood movie star, appearing in movies with people like Adam Sandler and Rosario Dawson, it's her family that are the focus of her life.  She's in a happy blended family who spend their lives between her hometown Adelaide and Los Angeles. There's the three children she gave birth to - Forest, Bodhi and Poet, and there's Mark's first son Isaac, the stepson that made Teresa sure she wanted to be a mother.  Now Teresa's adding 'author' to the many strings on her already packed bow, after writing 'Zen Mama' with her close friend Sarah Wright Olsen, which talks about everything from birth to pregnancy loss and the raising of small children.  CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.  Guest: Te

This interview was recorded in January 2020. This is a story about fame and power and money and celebrity. And…..yoga. And the point at which all of those things meet is at the bare feet of a man named Bikram Choudhury. Wearing signature tiny black Speedos and his long hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, Bikram Choudhury was the king of an empire built on sweat, obsessive devotion and, as we learn in a recent Netflix documentary called Bikram, sexual harassment, rape and maniacal control. This documentary was made by Academy-Award winning Australian filmmaker Eva Orner, who talks to Mia about the story of Bikram, what he is doing now, and why he hasn't yet been punished for his many crimes.  CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.  Guest: Eva Orner  Technical Producer: Bridget Northeast and Ian Camilleri   Executive Producer: Melanie Tait  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Narelda Jacobs grew up in a big, rambunctious family. Her mother, an Irish trailblazer, came out to Australia and married Narelda's dad, a member of the Stolen Generation who went on to become a religious minister. Narelda Jacobs is a proud Whadjuk Noongar woman and there’s so much to her story: a strictly religious upbringing, four older sisters, teen pregnancy, a shotgun marriage, a divorce…..there are many plot twists in her life and she recounts them with such warmth, wisdom and humour. Over the next twenty five years, she built a career as a respected journalist in Western Australia, and last year answered the call from Studio Ten, moving her life and love to Sydney and a national platform where she's found herself increasingly becoming a spokesperson for Aboriginal people.  Hear the extraordinary story of Narelda Jacobs, proud Whadjuk Noongar woman, who's got some welcome advice on how white Australians can be better allies.  CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and ge

*NOTE: This interview was recorded before the Black Lives Matters protests that are sweeping the world* You fall in love with your best friend, she tells you she's terribly sick and you leave your husband to be with her. Together with her ex-wife and ex-girlfriend, you're there when she passes away 18 months later. And that's just the short version of Elizabeth Gilbert's extraordinary life over the past few years since she last spoke with Mia. It's been two years since Rayya died and Liz joins Mia to talk about the incredible highs and lows of their time together and what came afterwards..... Elizabeth Gilbert's new book City Of Girls is now available in paperback.  And, you can listen to her first time on No Filter here.  CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.  Guest: Elizabeth Gilbert Technical Producer: Luca Lavigne and Ian Camilleri   Executive Producer: Melanie Tait  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Solomon always wanted a family of his own, but he grew up in a time where that wasn't a reality for someone who was gay.  Over the years, he tried to fight his sexuality - with conversion sex sessions, with relationships with women.  When he finally accepted his true identity, Andrew met the love of his life and together (with four other parents) they created the ultimate modern family.  He also wrote several best-selling, prize-winning books and delivered some extraordinary Ted Talks. Andrew joins Mia for a wide ranging and inspiring conversation about depression, sexuality and building a loving family. This No Filter will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Guaranteed.  Read Andrew's books: THE NOONDAY DEMON: AN ATLAS OF DEPRESSION FAR FROM THE TREE  Watch Andrew's Ted Talks:  How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are  Love, no matter what  Depression, the secret we share CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.  Gue

There’s a content warning on this episode: talk of suicide, and there’s also some graphic language Rita Therese is her pen name. Gia is her sex worker name. Her real name is a secret, to protect her privacy.  After beginning as a waitress at bucks' parties, Rita Therese has spent most of her twenties earning a living in the sex industry - as well as topless and nude waitressing, working in brothels and as a FIFO sex worker in mining towns. Now, she's written a memoir called COME, which shares experiences many of us might not have had before but are curious to understand better. There’s also been deep heartbreak, and Rita Therese is candid and honest about it all. In this episode of No Filter, Rita Therese takes us inside her  life as a sex worker. Order Come by Rita Therese.  CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.  Guest: Rita Therese, author of COME  Producer: Luca Lavigne Technical Producer: Ian Camilleri   Executive Producer: Melanie Tait

If you’ve never experienced an unhealthy relationship, one where passion and power and control insidiously morphs into abuse…..this episode might confuse you. But even if you’re one of the women who has never been through that kind of relationship, is not going through it now…..I bet you know someone who has. Or is. Abusive relationships come in 50 shades. The one most commonly understood is physical abuse. It’s a very clear line when you’re physically harmed by someone who claims to love you. The thing is: abuse in the home isn't just physical. We're learning now about emotional and financial abuse and how crippling it can be for people.  It's something Mia experienced in her twenties and is passionate about helping other women recognise. The guest in this episode is Moo Baulch - yep, that’s her name, it’s a nickname that’s stuck - and she’s worked in the not-for-profit and Domestic Violence space for years before taking on her current role as head of customer vulnerability at the Commonwealth Bank, leadi

It was 2016 and Glennon Doyle was a wife, a mother and the author of a book called Love Warrior,  that was about to be released. The book was a memoir about repairing her marriage after discovering her husband's longterm infidelity and Oprah had chosen it for her bookclub. This was big-time. And Glennon was about to begin a national promotional tour across America. What happened on the first night of that book tour was definitely not part of the plan. But it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. And the best decision she ever made. For herself. And for everyone who loved her. Her new book, Untamed,  tells the story of how Glennon's life unfolded so unexpectedly after that night and how she had  - until then - tamed herself in so many ways, just like most women have. Glennon is a truth-teller for a new generation of feminists and her story will resonate with every woman. Glennon is a wildly popular guest on NO FILTER and you can hear those earlier interviews  here and here.  UNTAMED:

We've wanted to bring you this story for a while now - because it's a story that's played out in our extended Mamamia family.  Anne Stephens (mother of Mamamia's Clare Stephens and Jessie Stephens) was twenty-two and finishing her teaching degree when she discovered she was pregnant.  It was 1982 and things were different then. She couldn't see where she could give the baby the life she wanted for him.  37 years later, he found her. After a mission and a half. Here's Andrew's story. Anne's story is here.  Jessie and Clare Stephens are Anne’s daughters (she also has twin sons, Jack and Nick) and they have written beautifully on Mamamia about the experience of finding their mystery brother’s birth certificate when they were 14 years old and what it was like to finally watch his reunion with their mother almost 15 years later on the other side of the world. You can read their story here. https://www.mamamia.com.au/adoption-australia/ CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get

We've wanted to bring you this story for a while now - because it's a story that's played out in our extended Mamamia family.  Anne Stephens (mother of Mamamia's Clare Stephens and Jessie Stephens) was twenty-two and finishing her teaching degree when she discovered she was pregnant.  It was 1982 and things were different then. She couldn't see where she could give the baby the life she wanted for him.  37 years later, he found her. You'll hear Andrew's story later this week on No Filter.  Jessie and Clare Stephens are Anne’s daughters (she also has twin sons, Jack and Nick) and they have written beautifully on Mamamia about the experience of finding their mystery brother’s birth certificate when they were 14 years old and what it was like to finally watch his reunion with their mother almost 15 years later on the other side of the world. You can read their story here. https://www.mamamia.com.au/adoption-australia/ CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her free weekly

Today, I’m Skyping with Dr Norman Swan, who's become one of Australia's most well known faces during the COVID19 crisis.  Every night, he's been on our televisions keeping us up to date with the latest science on the pandemic, with his gentle Scottish accent and no nonsense warmth. His podcast Coronacast has become a daily must listen. So, what's it like with everyone listening to everything you say about a life or death situation? How has he been coping with the pressure?  Credits Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her free weekly newsletter here.  Guest: Amanda Gordon  Producer: Luca Lavigne  Editor: Bridget Northeast Executive Producer: Melanie Tait See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone in Australia has an opinion about Malcolm Turnbull's time as Prime Minister - including and most especially the enemies who brought him down. So, what happens when the dust has settled after being ousted in a political coup? Twice. What do you do with the rest of your life?  Malcolm Turnbull has written a book called A Bigger Picture that tells the story of his life. It's a big book about a big life, and on today's show, Malcolm talks about his marriage, being a father and why he refused to go to therapy after losing his job. In this No Filter you'll meet a Malcolm Turnbull you didn't see in a political press conference. You'll meet a man who's getting on with his life now.  A Bigger Picture by Malcolm Turnbull  Hear Malcolm Turnbull's first No Filter, When Mia Met Malcolm  CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her free weekly column here.  Guest: Malcolm Turnbull  Producer: Luca Lavigne Technical Producer: Ian Camilleri   Executive Producer: Melanie Tait

Today, I’m Skyping with Amanda Gordon, one of Australia's most well known and well respected psychologists.   We're catching up about anxiety. Which is a real thing right now. There are real things to be anxious about: the possibility of illness, job insecurity, kids at home all day, and it goes on and on... How do you know you whether you're anxious, or have Capital A Anxiety? We talk through all of this.  And if you’re suffering from anxiety and need some support, check out our online anxiety course with psychologist Amanda Gordon here. Credits: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her free weekly newsletter here.  Guest: Amanda Gordon  Producer: Luca Lavigne  Editor: Bridget Northeast Executive Producer: Melanie Tait See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine being ousted from your community, from your family, your whole life, because of a condition you'd developed during childbirth. A condition that most Australian women can have fixed relatively quickly and easily.  Dr Catherine Hamlin wasn't having any of that. She and her husband created the legendary Hamlin Fistula Hospital and began saving women's lives back in the 1960s.  Over her sixty years in Africa, Catherine became a national treasure of Ethiopia and Australia and we didn't want her recent death to pass without remembering her remarkable life. Her niece, Dr Alison Morgan, was so inspired by her Aunty Cath, she had a career in women's health medicine herself, and she's with us to tell us the story of Catherine's incredible legacy.  LINKS: Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation website  Dr Catherine Hamlin Tribute Page CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman . You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her free weekly column here.  Guest: Dr Alison Morgan  Producer: Luca Lavigne Technical Producer: