Dear Clementine

Today in Clementine's inbox: a father looking for advice on how to support his teen daughter, a friend trying to manage her bestie's awful boyfriend and learning when it's your responsibility to speak up and when it's best to stay quiet. I am the father of a 13-year-old girl and I'm currently facing a challenging situation that I could really use your advice and insights on. Lately, my daughter ha...

In the first of our weekend chat series, host of Nova Podcast's Two Girls One Pod, Yvie Jones joins Clementine for a relaxed weekend debrief. They talk about Yvie refusing to weigh-in on I'm A Celeb, health at every size, why other women are our best allies & of course rescue pets. Grab a cuppa, settle in & enjoy! You can hear more of Yvie on Two Girls One Pod . CREDITS   Managing Producer...

Becoming friends with crumb-maidens, navigating dating apps as a mother & why aging is not such a scary thing after all! This week, in the Dear Clementine inbox:  I have made some very lovely new girlfriends however, they are friends with a group of men who are absolute misogynists. Should I speak to my friends about this or just get rid of them all together?  I'm a single mum to young kids in...

This week - travelling solo in your forties when you feel like all you want is a partner to travel with, telling men to leave you alone & dealing with sexual harassment at work. I’m 45 years old and the solo parent to 3 children. With the children close to independence I am turning my mind to my future and what I want. What I want to do is travel and I want to do it with a romantic partner. Wi...

This week – navigating a partner coming out as trans, imposter syndrome after maternity leave & becoming a surrogate for a friend. My husband, who I’ve been with since I was 21 (I am now 40) has revealed to me very recently that they are trans. I love them so much, and all I want is for them to be happy and fulfilled and completely themself. That said, I am fighting a personal battle. Do I sta...

TW: Just a heads up that this episode mentions child sexual abuse – if that’s not for you today perhaps skip this episode & listen to one from our extensive back catalogue. This week – navigating a partner coming out as trans, imposter syndrome after maternity leave & becoming a surrogate for a friend. My husband told me he thinks he needs to talk to someone about his mental health and thi...

This week – whether loneliness is a patriarchal concept, coming out as bi & teens listening to misogynistic music. Do you think ‘loneliness’ is a mostly male/patriarchal concept? I have been a single woman my entire life & at 45 I have really notices that the word ‘lonely’ and the concept of ‘loneliness’ only ever seems to arise from men.  I’m one of the few people who knows that my friend...

This week – navigating patriarchy in teen boy’s lives, whether to let go of a grudge & if a relationship can work when you’re both lacking sexual confidence. My son is 17 & whilst I’ve always raised him to be aware of & reject patriarchy, he is now surrounded by men and boys making the most of their male privilege. My question is how do we counteract the influence of the patriarchy in...

This week – feeling alienated because you chose not to breastfeed, knowing when it’s time to walk away & reconciling anger around child custody.  I didn’t breastfeed. It was my choice & it was a very informed decision, but I ended up feeling quite alienated & like the world was against me. How do I overcome feeling like I’m not part of some divine motherhood club because of my choice? ...

On this IWD, Clementine shares everything you need to know about the day's true origins & give you all the ammo you need to push back against those infuriating people who ask when International Men's Day is held... CREDITS   Executive Producer & Audio Production: Edwina Stott  Managing Producer:  Elle Beattie  For more great Nova Podcasts head to novapodcasts.com.au   See omnystudio.com/li...

Is kindness rewarded in men but expected in women? Are you obliged to include that you’re a mother in your dating profile? And how to handle traumatic reminders of the past...  In the inbox this week: A male friend and I both travel for work semi-regularly. In all my years of travelling, I have not once, ever, received an upgrade. He, on the other hand, cops upgrades at every turn, without asking...

This week Tiger Woods handed his playing partner, Justin Thomas, a tampon after he'd outdriven him during the opening round of the Genesis Invitational. Here's why it's not funny. CREDITS Executive Producer:  Edwina Stott Audio Production:  Adrian Walton Managing Producer:  Elle Beattie For more great Nova Podcasts head to novapodcasts.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse. One-sided friendships, navigating the new world of modern dating & pulling up your aging parents on their misogynistic views. This week in the inbox:  I’m at an age where a lot of my friends are in long term relationships and I’m starting to feel increasingly detached from them as they move forward with their new lives. I strug...

Concerns for your father’s new partner, whether your expenses should be split down the middle when one of you earns more money & how to carve out time for yourself.   This week in the inbox:  My parents recently separated & our dad recently told us that he is returning to the Philippines as he's met someone.  My sisters and I are worried that our Dad just looking for someone to now do all...

Feeling guilty about work accommodating you as a mother, how to tell a friend you're not their therapist & the best way to push back against people who claim inequality in the workplace is a myth. This week, in the Dear Clementine inbox:  I wanted to ask your thoughts on flexible working for mothers and caregivers. I'm currently on maternity leave from a job that I enjoy, with a company I valu...

What to do when your partner says its your duty to have sex with them, co-parenting with a narcissistic ex & why aging, for women in particular, can be such a scary thing. This week, in the Dear Clementine inbox:  I am 20 weeks pregnant & I have never felt less like myself. My partner doesn’t understand what I’m going through. He wants sex & insists this is something I SHOULD do for hi...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault. Dating a man facing allegations of sexual assault by his ex-girlfriend, choosing your baby's surname when you don't agree with taking your partner's second name & whether it's your responsibility to talk to a friend who's been drawn into the world of men's rights activism. This week, in the Dear Clementine inbox:  - I am in t...

Becoming friends with women who entertain misogyny, whether ambivalence around motherhood is a sign it's not for you & when a friend of 20 years asks you to borrow money - should you lend it to them? This week, in the Dear Clementine inbox:  I have made some very lovely new girlfriends however, they are friends with a group of men who are absolute misogynists. Should I speak to my friends abou...

**TW: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault** We're taking a look back at some of our most meaningful conversations. This week: - I'm a single woman in my late 30s. Since getting divorced a few years ago, I feel content right down to my core. As time goes by however, I'm getting more and more 'crazy cat lady' comments. I feel that I am so much more than my relationship status and a wo...

As we approach the end of the year, we're revisiting some of our most meaningful conversations. In this episode: - How do I get over my gender disappointment of finding out my second child will also be a boy? - What's your advice for a mid-twenties female unsure about life? What would you tell 25-year-old Clem? If you have a question you'd like answering, send an email to dearclementine@novapodcas...

This week, we continue to revisit some of our favourite conversations of the year. Today's questions are:  - How do I draw the line between giving someone a chance & wasting my own time? - My sister-in-law is hot. She’s also kind, intelligent, funny and interesting. I really like her as a person but I’m also jealous of how perfect she is. Every time I compare myself to her, I feel terrible abo...

As we revisit some of our most important conversations of the year. This week's questions are: - I'm in my early 30s and really want to have a baby but worry about what it will mean for my life, career, relationships & financial security. Can you ever be fully ready and if so, how do you know?  - I’m think of myself as a feminist but often my mind is really not feminist at all...I often fantas...

Where has the year gone!? It's absolutely flown by as we've spent it having some of the most important & profound conversations about life, love & everything in between here on Dear Clementine. Over the next few weeks, we're going to take a look back at some of the questions we've learnt the most from. In this episode: - How can I get over my crippling fear that no one will ‘want me’ (exce...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: I wanted to know if you had advice for handling the feelings and (internal) fallout when you have disagreements or tiffs with friends. I pride myself on being a good, caring, loyal friend but hey - sometimes I do insensitive or thoughtless things. My close friends and I talk about things when we mess up, we make an effort to understand each other, and I know...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: I have been with my partner for 2 years and we are very much in love and in a healthy, equal relationship. In saying this, I have recently started a new job and have developed a 'crush' on one of my colleagues. I think my crush is just a crush - but I feel bad about the way I am acting/some of the things I am thinking. Am I a bad person or do you think this...