No Filter

When Michelle Burgess’ young son Leo became unwell while their family was on holiday in Tasmania, it initially seemed like a virus — something that would pass with rest and time. But within days, Leo lost the ability to move his body, was transferred between hospitals across two states, and was eventually placed into an induced coma while doctors tried to understand what was happening. Leo was later diagnosed with GFAP astrocytopathy — an extremely rare autoimmune neurological condition that causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. What followed was months in hospital, intensive treatment, and the beginning of a recovery that is still ongoing. In this deeply personal conversation, Michelle takes Kate Langbroek inside the terrifying early days of Leo’s illness — from the moment she realised something was wrong, to the long weeks spent sitting beside his hospital bed in intensive care, unsure whether he would survive. She shares what it means to advocate for your child whe

What is life really like inside one of the most famous in American pop culture? In this episode of No Filter, Kate Langbroek sits down with Faith Ward, an Australian–New Zealand dancer who went from thinking an unexpected message was a scam to becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Faith takes us behind the uniform to talk candidly about what it actually takes to make it — and stay — inside the world’s most recognisable cheer squad. From the brutal audition process and constant scrutiny, to discipline, image control, and the realities of pay, Faith shares what the public rarely sees. We talk ponytails, pressure, pay rises, and perfection — the details that reveal how much is demanded of the women who wear the uniform, and what it costs to belong to such a powerful global brand. This is a behind-the-curtain conversation about ambition, sacrifice, identity and what happens when the glamour meets the reality. CREDITS: Guest: Faith Ward Host: Kate Langbroek Group Executive Producer:

For more than a decade, Kate Seselja lived a double life. Outwardly, she was a well-spoken suburban mum raising six children. Privately, she was trapped in a devastating poker machine addiction that would cost her more than $500,000, push her family into overwhelming debt, and bring her to the brink of suicide. In this deeply confronting episode, Kate takes us back to the years when gambling consumed her life — the highs of winning, the crushing shame of losing, the secrecy, and the relentless hope that the next spin would fix everything. She reflects on how poker machines are designed to hijack the brain, why addiction thrives in silence, and how stigma keeps people trapped for far too long. Kate also speaks candidly about her rock-bottom moment while pregnant with her sixth child, what stopped her from ending her life, and the long road to recovery that followed. Now an advocate and founder of The Hope Project, she dedicates her life to helping others understand gambling harm as a public health issue

Angie Kent first joined No Filter back in 2019, she was fresh off The Bachelorette, newly in love, and stepping into a very public chapter of her life. A lot has changed since then. In this episode, Angie returns with Kate Langbroek for an honest, deeply reflective conversation about what it means to choose a life that feels right, even when it doesn’t look the way you once imagined. Angie opens up about her decision to become a solo mum by choice, sharing her IVF journey, the public reaction (both supportive and critical), and the internal certainty that led her here. She reflects on her search for love, the pressure women still face around partnership and timelines, and why companionship now matters more than financial stability, especially when so many women are finding men aren’t meeting them where they are. This is a conversation about autonomy, motherhood, healing, and unlearning the scripts we’re handed. About trusting your instincts. About choosing yourself. And about what it re

Jonathan Van Ness is one of the most recognisable and beloved figures in pop culture today - but in this conversation, they open up about the chapters of their life few people truly understand. Jonathan speaks candidly about addiction, relapse, sex addiction, and living with HIV, including the moment they realised contracting HIV ultimately saved their life by forcing them to confront a dangerous relationship with meth. With extraordinary honesty, Jonathan reflects on survival, recovery, shame, joy, and what it really means to heal. We also talk about identity, coming out as non-binary, people-pleasing, impulse behaviour, and why healing isn’t a destination — it’s a lifelong practice. Alongside the heavy moments, Jonathan brings humour, warmth and deep compassion, sharing how movement, group fitness, love, and chosen family helped them rebuild a life they want to stay in. This is a powerful, vulnerable and deeply human conversation about staying alive, finding joy after trauma, and learning

In a world of New Year, New Me promises, Celeste Barber has built a career on doing the opposite. She keeps it real—big knickers, unflattering angles, and a refusal to pretend life is anything other than messy. Celeste built a global following by parodying celebrity perfection and making millions of people laugh on Instagram. But in this episode of No Filter, she steps away from the selfies and punchlines to talk about the parts of her life the internet rarely sees. In this candid conversation with Kate Langbroek, Celeste opens up about the chaos of her childhood, her ADHD diagnosis, the burnout that nearly broke her, and the pressure of being the internet’s favourite funny woman. She talks honestly about her marriage to ‘Hot Husband’ Api, what it’s like raising kids under public scrutiny, and the work she’s done to decide which parts of her life stay private. She reflects on what fame has given her, what it’s taken, and why resisting the urge to constantly “fix

When it's just Jess and David, everything is fabulous. But in public, Jess feels like a secret. David doesn't post photos of them, he hasn't introduced her to his family, and she barely knows his friends. Jess is left feeling like a "side piece," good enough for him, but not for his image. In this session, a couple confronts the painful gap between their private connection and their public life. They’re facing different definitions of what constitutes cheating, a history of trust issues, and the raw feeling of being ashamed by the person you love. Listen to the second part of Jess & David's session here Resources (Australia-only) 1800RESPECT: The national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information, and support service. Beyond Blue: For support with anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention. Lifeline Australia: For 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. Motivated Minds: Learn more about host Sarah Bays’ practice. Relationships Australia: A lea

By the time you’re listening to this, Tanya Hennessy will have welcomed her baby girl. So this conversation now lands in a very different chapter of her life. Tanya has never shied away from letting us into her world. Behind the jokes and the videos that rack up millions of views, she has been open about living with endometriosis, navigating fertility treatment, and the long stretch of heartbreak that came with desperately wanting a baby. In this episode of No Filter, Tanya sits down with Kate Langbroek to talk about the road that led her here. She reflects on the years of uncertainty, the emotional toll of trying to conceive, and what it was like to finally reach a moment she once worried might never come. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: Living publicly through infertility and endometriosis The fear, hope and vulnerability that shaped Tanya’s fertility journey What it meant to finally share her pregnancy after so many setbacks How humour helped her survive some of the harde

She’s about to take centre stage at the Sydney New Year’s Eve countdown on the harbour, but before that, here is Melanie Chisholm (aka Mel C) for her most open conversation yet. You know the name—Sporty Spice. But before the world tours, the crop tops and the legacy of Girl Power, Melanie was just a 20-year-old answering a flyer to audition for a girl band. In this episode of No Filter, Kate Langbroek speaks with Melanie in a rare, full-length conversation that goes far beyond the headlines and the pop mythology. Melanie reflects on the real story behind the Spice Girls, what it was like to rise to global fame almost overnight, and the personal cost that came with it. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The dizzying highs and private heartbreaks of being in one of the biggest girl bands of all time How sudden fame shaped Melanie’s mental health and sense of self The bond she still shares with her Spice sisters today Why she’s finally made peace with that chapter of

G Flip is one of Australia’s most exciting and versatile musical talents. Known for their electrifying performances, genre-blurring sound, and fearless authenticity, they’ve won fans around the world. But behind the music, G Flip’s life has been just as compelling. In this episode of No Filter, they open up to Kate Langbroek about their marriage to Chrishell Stause, navigating love in the public eye, and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to start a family through IVF. G Flip talks candidly about the challenges and joys of building a life together, the moments that tested their relationship, and the truths about love, identity, and family that rarely make it into the headlines. It’s a heartfelt, honest conversation about the highs and lows of life both on stage and off. You can follow G Flip here. You can find G Flip’s Dream Ride Tour information and tickets here. G Flip’s album Dream Ride is out now. THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us o

Inside Mamamia, we spent weeks debating whether this interview should happen at all. Every woman on the team had strong feelings about Bonnie Blue. We talked, argued, researched, and questioned whether giving her any space was responsible. We knew our audience would feel the same tension we did. So why did we do it? Because Bonnie Blue asked us for this interview. She reached out to No Filter, specifically and we needed to understand why. In the lead-up, we watched every interview she has done. Most were either sensationalist, openly hostile, or enthusiastically cheering her on. None of them asked what we genuinely needed answered: Does she understand the implications of what she does? Does she understand the misogynistic language she uses about women? Why does her behaviour evoke such visceral anger in women? And crucially — does she care? What we learnt, very quickly, is that behind the shock value and headlines is a deeply strategic marketing machine — one built on outrage, provocation and

What really happens when you open up your marriage? This week on No Filter, Kate Langbroek sits down with writer Deepa Paul, whose book Ask Me How It Works chronicles the decade she has spent in an open marriage with her husband, Marcus. While the conversation around open relationships has been everywhere lately, Deepa’s story offers a different perspective. For her, non-monogamy didn’t break her marriage. It reshaped it. Deepa was raised in the Philippines, where divorce is still illegal and the expectation for women is clear: marry once, stay devoted, stay desirable, stay monogamous. But after moving to Amsterdam with her husband, Deepa discovered a version of herself she’d never had permission to explore. One that included desire, autonomy, and eventually, a boyfriend she also loves deeply. In this candid conversation, Deepa answers the questions so many people have about open marriage but rarely ask out loud:How does it work? How do you handle jealousy? What happens when one partner gets

Turia Pitt has been called inspiring, extraordinary and resilient, but her new book is about something far less shiny: selfishness. After surviving the fire that changed her life, Turia built a career as an author, speaker and endurance athlete. From the outside, she looked unstoppable. Inside, she was exhausted, overwhelmed and edging towards a breakdown she didn’t see coming. In this conversation, Turia opens up to Kate about the moment she realised she needed help, how burnout crept into her life without her noticing, and why putting everyone else first was slowly destroying her. She talks honestly about motherhood, boundaries, the pressure to be grateful, and the small habits that pushed her to the brink. This is a side of Turia Pitt you haven’t heard before. It’s thoughtful, surprising and full of the kind of honesty that makes you rethink your own life. Turia Pitt’s new book, Selfish, is out now. You can follow Turia Pitt here.  THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter intervi

After five miscarriages, Chloe Fisher had almost given up hope of becoming a mother. Behind the glamorous life she shares with her husband, DJ and producer Paul Fisher, was a story of heartbreak, IVF and years of quiet grief that few people ever saw. In this deeply emotional conversation, Chloe sits down with Kate Langbroek to talk about the love that carried her through unimaginable loss, the friendship that helped her heal, and the miracle that changed everything. She opens up about the physical and emotional toll of infertility, the painful things people say when they don’t know what else to say, and how her bond with Ellidy Pullin—forged through shared grief—became one of the great loves of her life. Chloe also reflects on the moment she finally held her daughter Bobbi, the peace that followed years of heartbreak, and the joy of now being pregnant again. Her story is one of love, resilience and an unshakable belief that even after everything, hope can return. You can follow Chloe Fisher

Dita Von Teese has spent her life turning beauty into power. Born Heather Sweet in small-town Michigan, she grew up dreaming of old Hollywood glamour, satin corsets, and the kind of femininity that shimmered on the silver screen. When she opened her first bra as a teenager—a plain white cotton thing inside a plastic egg—she was deeply disappointed. That moment, she says, is where it all began. If the world wouldn’t make things beautiful, she would. In this conversation, Dita opens up about the art and discipline behind the spectacle that made her a global icon. She talks about her early days as a model and Playboy cover star, the power and intention behind creating the Dita Von Teese persona, and how she’s kept mystery alive in a world prone to oversharing. She also shares what it was like collaborating with Taylor Swift on Bejeweled and how rare it is, even now, to be approached by another artist with such genuine respect for her craft. Dita explains that while many have imitated

He was born Jason DeFord in Nashville, Tennessee. By the time he was a teenager, he was in and out of jail, surrounded by addiction, violence, and survival. He thought his life would end the same way it began: in chaos. But somewhere inside those walls, he started writing lyrics and dreaming about music. Today, the world knows him as Jelly Roll, one of the most unlikely success stories in country music. He has gone from a decade behind bars to the top of the Billboard charts, winning CMA Awards and earning Grammy nominations along the way. His songs are raw, confessional, and painfully honest. They are about addiction, faith, shame, forgiveness, and the long, slow road to redemption. In this deeply moving conversation with Kate Langbroek, recorded backstage at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney minutes before he hit the stage, Jelly Roll went deep about how he turned his pain into purpose. He shares the stories of the people who saved him, including his wife, Bunnie XO, and his children. He opens up about his years i

She was once called "Australia’s worst female serial killer." Kathleen Folbigg spent 20 years imprisoned for the deaths of her four children, convicted by a flawed system. In 2023, science proved she was innocent, leading to an immediate pardon and release. In this deeply personal interview, Kathleen speaks about the trauma of her long ordeal and the bittersweet reality of her freedom. She reveals what it was like to be suddenly released, the pain of seeing her private diaries weaponised, and the enduring grief of belonging to the "unfortunate club of the childless mum." This is a powerful, raw conversation about survival and the lifelong consequences of a devastating miscarriage of justice. Listen to True Crime Conversations here. You can find out more about Kathleen and Tracy Chapman's book, Inside Out, here. SURVEY Want to win a $1,000 gift card in just 3 minutes? Fill out this short survey to help True Crime Conversations gather more information on what content you want to hear from us! CREDITS

Today, we’re stepping into a world most of us have only ever heard whispers about: the world of swingers clubs. When she was just twenty, Jess Cattelly went on a third date that would change her life. Her date, a man named Lawrence, suggested they open a swingers club together—and she said yes. A decade later, that club—Our Secret Spot—has become one of Australia’s most talked-about spaces for people exploring sex, desire, and connection in unconventional ways. In this episode, Jess shares how a 20-year-old retail manager became the co-founder of a thriving sex-positive community. She opens up about what it’s really like behind closed doors, the challenges of running a swingers club, and how she’s built a business around curiosity, courage, and connection. Whether you’re fascinated, intrigued, or just a little bit curious, this is the story of a woman who turned a wild idea into a groundbreaking reality. THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter interviews here and

Sara Bareilles has built a career on being brave enough to tell the truth, even when it hurts. In this episode of No Filter, she opens up about the story behind her breakthrough hit Love Song... and it’s not what you think. Sara reflects on the pressures she faced growing up, the challenges of trying to fit in, and a letter she once wrote to her 17-year-old self. Along the way, she shares the lessons she’s learned about resilience, creativity, and finding your voice in a world that often tells you to stay small. Her hit musical Waitress is now coming to Australia, and if you’ve ever needed a reminder that it’s never too late to start again, this conversation and Sara’s music, will give it to you. For more information and tickets to see Waitress go here. THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here. Discover more Mamamia podcasts here. Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, an

For years, the Duggar family was one of America’s most famous and most controversial reality TV dynasties. Their show 19 Kids and Counting turned their strict religious beliefs and enormous family into entertainment. But behind the carefully controlled public image was a much darker reality. Amy Duggar King, known to viewers as the “rebel” or “crazy cousin,” grew up alongside the Duggars, but her childhood looked very different. Now she’s telling her story about what it was really like growing up on the fringes of that world, what she saw happening behind the scenes, and why she refuses to stay silent. In this episode of No Filter, Amy opens up about family loyalty, generational trauma, and how she’s reclaiming her voice after years of being told to be quiet. If you or anyone you know needs to speak with an expert, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) — the National Sexual Assault, domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service. THE END BITS: Listen