Dear Clementine

Today's episode is from the single friend in a group of loved up couples. They're keen to know how they tell their friends that they're keen to bother with them solo, not just with their partners. If you have a question for Clementine, send an email to dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au   CREDITS   Executive Producer:  Edwina Stott  Audio Production:  Adrian Walton  Managing Producer:  Elle Beatti...

Today our bestie needs a little help working through the mixed feelings of gratitude for being pregnant but guilt over the disappointment of the baby's gender. If you have a question for Clementine, send an email to dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au   CREDITS   Executive Producer:  Edwina Stott  Audio Production:  Adrian Walton  Managing Producer:  Elle Beattie  For more great Nova Podcasts head...

A relationship ending on good terms is a wonderful thing, but can staying friends with an ex be counter-productive? Today Clementine answers: Last year I entered my first serious (and queer) relationship at 30 years old. Prior to that I was figuring out my sexuality and experimenting with a lot of situationships. We remained friends post-breakup. Basically, we do all the same things we did before...

We all have those words that we're working on removing from our vocabulary. Today's question is from a listener keen to know whether 'guys' should be one of them. Here is the full question that Clementine answers: As an Australian who lives in Berlin, I have come face to face with my use of the word 'guys'. It's become an important topic among women in my city. I have consciously been trying to av...

There's a cliche that female friendships are always competitive & toxic but that's just not true. Clem explains why to this listener. Today Clementine answers: - I have moved overseas and realised I'm wary when coming into new female friendships. After a long-term housemate and a woman I've had a decade-long friendship with regularly "pulled me down a peg", I can't shake feelings of inadequacy...

Today, a question from a woman who has supported her husband in every single aspect of his life only to find out he's been having an emotional affair. Here is the full question: - I’ve been married for almost 10 years (married at 18) and have really been struggling for at least the last five - particularly with trying to get my husband to put in 50% effort when it comes to our household labour. We...

If you've ever felt like making friends is impossible once you're no longer a teenager, you're going to want to listen to this one. This time, Clementine answers: When I was younger I had an extremely easy time connecting with all people. I had a really large friend group and loved chatting and getting into deeper conversations that would facilitate a deep connection and good friendships. As I’ve...

This time, Clementine gives some advice on a relationship that's become tricky to navigate. Here's the question: I've been in a relationship with another woman for nearly ten years. Lately I expressed my honest feelings about the relationship to her and said that I don't really feel the way I once did and that I'm not happy. I have even tried to end the relationship twice but this has not worked o...

Today Clementine unpicks a familiar conundrum - a partner who already doesn't take on their share of the mental load, but wants to now add kids to the mix. My boyfriend is a lovely person and we have a respectful and affectionate relationship. He does a decent amount of work around the house. My real problem though is I seem to be stuck in a sort of 'management' role in terms of deciding what we w...

In this episode, Clementine unpacks a question around how a misogynistic grandfather relates to his grandchildren. My question relates to my 72 year old dad who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and is now living in residential care. While there would be no point to hold him to account due to his cognitive decline, it's hard to reconcile within myself the blatant preference to male family memb...

This week we revisit some of Clementine's most valuable pearls of wisdom.  This week Clem answers: I have recently been instructed by my gynaecologist to stop shaving so I can recover from a medical condition. Lately though, as I "bare" witness to my full bush returning, feeling sexy with my new look has eluded me. My current, and wonderfully supportive partner says it makes no difference to them...

In the inbox this week: figuring out your sexuality post trauma, feeling obligated to give your husband sex & how to tell your dad that you no longer want his name. Clementine answers: 5 years ago I was told my boyfriend had been trading my nudes like Pokémon cards at the pub with his friends. When I found out I was furious and left him immediately. Since then the thought of being physical sex...

You've probably seen the screen shots that surfer Sarah Brady posted on her Instagram, accusing her ex, the actor Jonah Hill, of misogyny and emotional abuse. In this special episode, Clementine breaks the story down & asks whether 'therapy speak' has become a new weapon for manipulation & abuse. CREDITS   Audio Production: Adrian Walton  Managing Producer:  Elle Beattie  Executive Produce...

In today's episode; we're talking re-evaluating how you spend your time, forgiving your former self & whether it's okay to accept financial help from a mother you don't like. Today Clementine answers: When I was in my 20s pre-kids I threw myself into sports, being on committees, studying, organising big social events etc.  Now I’m in my mid-40s and have teenage kids I have more time to follow...

Clementine just can't leave you with Carrie Bradshaw's awful advice that she gives out on her podcast in the new series of 'And Just Like That...'. Here's how Clem would have answered the question Carrie's listener asked with a little series commentary thrown in for good measure. If you have a question for Clementine, get in touch: dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au   CREDITS   Audio Production: A...

Today we’re talking feeling guilty over a lack of ambition, realising you resent your husband and sons who can’t get along. In this episode Clementine answers: I have never been ambitious & have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mother, but I feel ashamed by my lack of ambition. I pushed my husband to become the high-income earner so that I could do this, but I now feel like I’m not a product...

Disability rights activist Chloe Hayden is joining Clementine for a special neurodivergent episode – she’s the star of Netflix’s Heartbreak High & now the host of Nova's new podcast, Boldly Me. In each episode, Chloé speaks to people who have taken risks, dared to be bold and have an awesome story.  Today, Chloe & Clem answer: How can I be confident telling professional people in my life a...

Today – when to let go of a friendship, finding the courage to walk away and the burden of keeping your father’s cheating secret. In this episode, Clementine answers: - I was good friends with a girl I lived in my old street with. We lived in the same street for about 3 years, had our babies at the same time and were very close. I considered her one of my good friends. I moved across the city abou...

Today – overbearing mother in laws, being manipulated by child support & whether it’s your place to pull up your siblings on how they treat your parents. Here are this week's questions: - My siblings and I grew up with my biological father who was an abusive alcoholic. My older sister bore the brunt of this relationship as she often intervened in their fights & drove us to our grandparents...

This week's dose of no-nonsense advice includes how to learn to love body hair, parenting with a cheating man-child & growing your confidence at work. I have recently been instructed by my gynaecologist to stop shaving so I can recover from a medical condition. Lately though, as I "bare" witness to my full bush returning, feeling sexy with my new look has eluded me. My current, and wonderfully...

This week Clementine is tackling what to do when you no longer fancy your partner, developing romantic feelings for a friend with benefits & reflecting on a man-child of an ex. When I met my husband when we were both 26, one of the things that attracted me to him was his svelte physique. Post child and as we age (we are now both 40) I find the time to exercise & am conscious of what I eat,...

This week Clementine is talking; negotiating a pay rise, taking your partner's last name & ending friendships. I am trying to negotiate a pay rise for a new job I have just been offered. I'm not asking that much, but for some reason I feel so guilty and greedy even when I recently found out a much young man, with less experience than me was on $25k more than me...please help! I’m getting marri...

In this special bonus episode, Clem takes Mother's Day back to it's historical roots to remind us of its true meaning. CREDITS   Audio Production: Adrian Walton  Managing Producer:  Elle Beattie  Executive Producer:  Edwina Stott  For more great Nova Podcasts head to novapodcasts.com.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trigger warning:  this episode includes reference to domestic violence. This week: why men are so often annoyed by fun hairstyles, warning your abusive ex’s new partner & whether you have a duty to have a relationship with your parents. My bestie is a hairdresser and loves to experiment with her hair! She is talking to a new guy and mentioned to him that she is dying her hair from blonde to pi...

Today we're talking: parenting with an ex who cheated on you, whether gender equality targets are helpful & why men are so uncomfortable accepting help from other men. I was married to my husband for nearly 13 years. The marriage ended because he cheated on me. Despite me loving my untethered life and being content with my decision, I can't seem to get past very deep anger when I see how much...