The Change

In this season four finale, Cathy and Laura delve into the complex and often controversial topic of weight loss, particularly in midlife.  They discuss the impact of reality TV shows like 'The Biggest Loser' on body image, the role of celebrity endorsements in promoting weight loss drugs, and the societal pressures that women face regarding their bodies. They discuss the Netflix documentar...

Cathy and Laura as they sit down with Jane Hollier, the writer behind the poignant Substack series "Letters to My Dead Mum." In this episode, Jane shares her journey through a conservative religious upbringing, the complexities of family estrangement, and the healing power of writing.  Discover how Jane navigated her mother's remarriage, the blending of families, and her path to self...

Laura and Cathy chat with Samantha Thomas, a former media professional and TV producer turned life coach, about her transformative journey.  From the bustling newsrooms of Paris to the serene wellness retreats of Phuket, Sam shares her experiences of navigating career changes, overcoming personal challenges, and finding her true calling in mental fitness coaching. Sam delves into choosing a career...

Join Laura and Cath for an incredibly honest chat with the amazing Sarah MacDonald –a voice you'll know from ABC Sydney and Triple J! Sarah peels back the curtain on her incredibly full life, candidly sharing how she balances being a mum to young adults, a wife, and a dedicated caregiver to aging parents, illuminating the demands of the "sandwich generation." Sarah dives into her exh...

We have an absolutely unmissable conversation with the phenomenal Hannah Vanderheide! Laura and Cath sit down with this multi-talented force – an incredible actor, writer, and voice artist – as she shares her story.  Hannah bravely shares the seismic shifts and personal challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving us an intimate look at how it reshaped her creative path. She also spea...

Laura and Cathy chat to money expert and writer Sarah Megginson to discuss the significant financial challenges women face, particularly in midlife. They discuss the impact of the gender pay gap, unconscious bias, and the effects of peri and menopause on income.  Sarah emphasises the importance of financial education and awareness, sharing practical tips for managing finances and advocating for be...

Cathy and Laura chat to Claire Mason who has recently been through a lot of change. Claire shares her transformative journey of sobriety, the challenges and joys of caring for her ageing father, and her aspirations for the future beyond her career as a flight attendant. She discusses the importance of self-love and acceptance, especially during life changes such as perimenopause. Claire emphasises...

In this enlightening conversation with Cathy and Laura, Dr. Fatima Khan shares her extensive knowledge on women's health, focusing on the transitions of puberty, pregnancy and in particular perimenopause, and menopause.  She emphasizes the importance of understanding hormonal changes and their impact on mental health, advocating for a holistic approach that includes nutrition, stress management, a...

Join Cathy and Laura as they open up about unexpected curveballs life threw their way leading up to Season Four. From grappling with unexpected evacuations to navigating the depths of mental health struggles. They lay bare the raw, emotional toll of profound change. Discover why leaning on community support became their lifeline and how, even in our hyper-connected world, finding genuine balance i...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Sophie Scott from Season 3 Episode 2 Catch the best bits from our powerful chat with Sophie Scott OAM!  Hear her firsthand experience surviving burnout after years as a medical reporter and her crucial advice on self-care and building healthy habits in midlife. Links for more about Sophie Scott OAM: Website   YouTube Instagram   2024 Showreel B...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Jayne McCartney from Season 3 Episode 6  Enjoy the best moments from Cath and Laura's conversation with sexologist Jayne McCartney. This minisode touches on the importance of communication at all life stages, the variations in midlife sexuality, and Jayne's passionate advocacy for better support during milestones like menopause. With th...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Amanda Ramsay from Season 3 Episode 4  Relive some of the best moments from our chat  with Amanda Ramsay, your "ageless beauty bestie" and makeup artist specializing in women over 40. This minisode captures Amanda's inspiring career journey in the beauty industry and dives into her key insights. Hear about the pivotal moment that...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Kerryn Mayne from Season 3 Episode 9  Cathy and Laura catch up with the inspiring Kerryn Mayne. We discuss the realities of balancing life as a police officer, mother of four (including twins!), and author. Hear Kerryn's insights on the challenges and her strategies for finding time to write. With thanks to Kerryn Mayne.  Kerryn Mayne’s ins...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Tracey Williams from Season 1 Episode 2 Why do some people thrive on change while others struggle? Get the key insights from Cathy and Laura's conversation with clinical psychologist Tracey Williams. Discover the psychology behind our reactions to change and learn how to "flip the script" – even in tough times. Hosts: Cathy O’Brie...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Kat Taylor from Season 3 Episode 8. Kat Taylor, Season 2 winner of Ch9’s Parental Guidance sits down with Cath and Laura to have a hilarious chat about the roller coaster of peri/menopause, parenting and everything in between.  Kat talks about the need for safe spaces for women to share their experiences and support each other.  We talk about K...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Anna Grosman from Season 2 Episode 5. This week Cathy and Laura chat about female desire, male escorts and shame with Anna Grosman.  Fifty-two-year-old Anna Grosman, is an accomplished entrepreneur with a passion for empowering women. As one of the founders of Aphrodisiac Male Escorts which thrived from 2012 – 2018, Anna is now the founder and...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview Faye and Lauren Browne from Season 3 Episode 3. Faye and Lauren Browne, founders of Motto Fashions, discuss their journey in the fashion industry and the importance of feeling confident and empowered through fashion.  They emphasise the need to break free from societal expectations and embrace personal style at any age. At age 70, Motto founder Faye...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Steph De Sousa from Season 3 Episode 11. Steph, a former contestant on MasterChef, discusses her experience on the show and her journey to becoming a successful social media influencer.  Cath and Laura ask Steph all the pervy questions about the audition process for MasterChef, her favourite Aldi centre aisle purchase and the lessons she learne...

This minisode is an edit from our full interview with Georgia Van Cuylenburg from Season 2 episode 9 Trigger Warning: Listener discretion is advised. This episode discusses eating disorders, child sexual violence, mental health, and trauma. If you find yourself in need of support please see the support listed at the end of the show notes. Georgia Van Cuylenburg, actor, podcaster and activist, know...

In our last episode for the Summer Series we discuss the significance of Australia Day, reflecting on its implications for Indigenous communities and the discomfort surrounding the holiday.  We celebrate the Australian of the Year Awards, highlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to society.  Laura shares a fabulous Guardian article with an extract from Naomi Watt’s book “Da...

Cathy and Laura talk about the current state of the world and the phenomenon some are referring h to as a ‘doom loop’. We unpack what that is and why we think the cause is all wrong.  We also discuss a brilliant article about the tech bros and their friends ruling the world and why this is not only hugely problematic but oh so cringe.  And it’s not all bad news - we look back at 2005 - the year of...

In episode 2 of our summer series, we discuss the increasing visibility and representation of older women in media, particularly after the Golden Globes earlier this month. How good was Demi Moore’s speech?! We also celebrate the achievements of us ‘normal’ women over 50, and look at some Aussie influencers going viral.  We reflect on the current state of the world, especially the horrific wildfir...

From Y2K fears to 2025 goals, Cathy and Laura explore 25 years of change. We discuss evolving New Year's resolutions and embrace aging. Personal aspirations include reading more and new career paths. Meghan Markle's social media comeback and cooking show are also on the agenda and we have opinions!! Twenty years on from the Boxing Day tsunami, we remember the devastation and celebrate improved war...

This January, join Cathy and Laura for a bite-sized summer treat! From uplifting stories to their take on the not-so-great news items and maybe even a little WTF moment or two! Expect plenty of laughs, juicy gossip and a sprinkle of summer recommendations. It’s the perfect way to catch up, stay in the know, and enjoy some light-hearted chats during your holiday break. Hosts: Cathy O’Brien https://...

In this episode, the last of season three, Cathy and Laura reflect on the highlights of their podcasting year, discussing memorable guests and emotional moments.  As they approach the holiday season, they share their experiences with gift-giving, family dynamics, and the emotional load that comes with it, ultimately seeking to create new traditions that prioritise community over materialism.  Reco...