Pop Therapy (Formerly The Curious Life Podcast)

If you haven't read Of Gold & Dust, by Samantha Wills - pause this podcast immediately and go out and get yourself a copy. If you don't already know, Samantha Wills became a highly sought after jewellery designer after turning her little kitchen table hobby into a global success. She has been at the helm of several other successful businesses and a creative director who on the surface, appeared to...

You might recognise this week's guest as the cheeky intruder on Love Island Australia, who shared his vulnerabilities with the world. What you might not know, is what a deep thinker this impressive young man is, and how he has managed to overcome a complex early life to become a beam of positivity with a firm belief in the law of attraction. Teddy shared some of the darker times in his life, his t...

This week's guest is the essence of grit, charisma and determination. Tyler Mahoney is a fourth generation gold prospector from Kalgoorlie, WA, whose happy place is elbows deep in red dust. She has been a model, a designer, a business owner, a breakout international television star on Aussie Gold Hunters and now on the hit Discovery network series Gold Rush: Parker's Trail and isn't afraid to shar...

Candice Warner has weathered many a storm in the glaring eye of public scrutiny. After surviving a compromising video being leaked nearly 15 years ago, an alleged ball tampering scandal involving her husband, Australian cricketer David Warner, a devastating miscarriage and the public breakdown of her relationship with former friend and PR rep Roxy Jacenko during their time as contestants on Channe...

If you watched Big Brother any time in the last 20 years, you will know this week's guest. Mike Goldman has narrated the show, hosted Up Late and Friday Night Games and The Big Bro Show in 2020. Mike really has done it all, he's been acting and performing for most of his life, has worked in film, radio and as a voiceover artist and has been hosting his podcast On the Mike for the last five years....

Welcome to Season 3! In our first episode of the new season, we chat with writer, director and actor Kathleen Lee about her compelling Australian web series, Sex and Death. It's an awkward and hilarious look at love and relationships through a neurodiverse lense. Kathleen shares much of herself in the series, as she explores the challenges she has faced in her own efforts to interpret human intera...

In this episode, we meet the incredibly funny, bright and brilliant Gabrielle Scawthorn who went from Ipswich school girl to Channel V presenter and contender in one swift kick. An overnight baptism of fire saw Gab rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in entertainment and presenting on live TV, while competing for an ongoing position with the station. Gab shares some of her more precarious mom...

To say that Claire Summers has seen and been through it all, is an epic, indisputable understatement . You would never know it from her bright, smiling face and her incredibly positive outlook but Claire has lived a life that many would not survive. From growing up with a father who suffered from a severe mental illness, to an abusive relationship, pregnancy loss and a fertility journey that nearl...

In this episode, we meet with Kath and Terry, two of the lovely people featured in The Feed documentary, Covid Surrogacy. (Now available at SBS On Demand). Both Kath and Terry have their own stories about surrogacy here in Australia. Two very different paths that eventually led theirs to cross, and for two beautiful lives to be created. The doco explores the stories of families at various stages o...

In this episode, we chat with the wonderful Michala Banas, who shares her story of a life in film and television. Michala has worked in front of the camera from the tender age of 18 months (although insists that doesn't really count), and rose to fame in the acclaimed Australian family drama Always Greener. You might recognise her as the very direct and somewhat uncouth Amber Wheeler, in the Aussi...

In this episode, we meet three people whose lives have been impacted by eating disorders, with stories that are less commonly shared in mainstream media. The Butterfly Foundation's Talking Helps campaign was created to urge people living with an eating disorder, to reach out for help - particularly those who may not fit the eating disorder stereotype. To bring to light some of those stories, I had...

Trigger warning: this episode contains a frank and honest discussion about suicide, family violence and addiction. This week's guest is author Marcia Abboud, who talks openly about the trauma and grief she has experienced throughout her life, which she bravely laid bare in her book, "Every Shitty Thing". In it, Marcia tells her story of growing up with an abusive father, the impact on her brothers...

In this episode, celebrity chef and restauranteur Sarah Todd shares her story of transformation from a shy country girl to a confident, successful and celebrated chef in one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Sarah's adventure began after being discovered by chance at a fashion show and being offered a contract to move to Sydney and pursue a modelling career. While her modelling...

As a therapist for the last decade and a half, Jana has a particular interest in bringing you interviews with the most fascinating people with the most interesting stories to tell. Today, Jana is joined by a much loved previous guest, Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Sexologist Sarah Calleja. Together they explore a question on a lot of people's minds, after reports of alleged trysts between...

As a therapist for the last 17 years, having worked intensively in grief and trauma and with families and young people, I have a particular interest in stories of overcoming challenges and turning them into triumphs. No one has done that quite like this week's guest, Blair James. Blair is the co-founder of the world's top selling self-tanning brand Bondi Sands, turning over more than $100 million...

The 15th-21st of June is Men's Health Week, here in Australia, shining the spotlight on the key issues in men's health to raise the profile of men, their health and outcomes and health needs around the country. Who better to share some insights into men's health than this week's guest - Dr Kieran Kennedy. Dr Kieran is one of those incredible go getters, with degrees in science and in Medicine/Surg...

In this well overdue episode (apologies - COVID chaos!), I met with PR maven and quite literally one of the loveliest, warmest people I've ever met - Angela Ceberano. Ange is the Founder and Managing Director of Flourish, a creative communications agency based here in Melbourne, who spent some time chatting with me about the highs and lows of her personal and professional life. Ange has had a thri...

This was the first episode recorded in lockdown so the sound quality is going to be a little shaky unfortunately as we enter the new world of Zoom interviews! But in this episode, I had the distinct privilege of chatting with triple Olympian and world champion swimmer, Michael Klim. It might be a surprise to learn that one of our greatest champions, considers himself to be quite a shy guy, despite...

As this episode goes to air, our country is going into lockdown. Someone who is an expert in lockdown and in fact, has had two stints of being locked down for months at a time (with the eyes of the nation glued to his every move), is this week's guest Tim Dormer. You may remember Tim as the mischievous misfit who took the crown, winning Big Brother Australia in 2013. Tim was known as a master stra...

Layne Beachley AO is a 7-time world champion, hall of fame surfer who has smashed the records many times over. She is widely regarded as the most successful female surfer in history and is the only surfer, male or female to win six consecutive world titles. In this episode, Layne shares her story from the beginning. Layne experienced the loss of her mother at the age of six, followed by the discov...

We are launching Season 2 with an earnest and insightful conversation with the multi-talented and truly wonderful Sarah Davidson. You may know her as Spoonful of Sarah or as the host of her fabulous podcast, Seize the Yay. Sarah's professional career started as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer for a top tier firm in Melbourne but took a sharp left turn when she suffered a severe bout of adrenal f...

In the FINAL episode of 2019, we chat with psychologist and parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson. Justin has teamed up with leading swimschool, Kingswim to spread the message loud and clear, about the importance of water safety and swimming lessons for children of all ages. Justin shares cautionary tales and a harrowing story of loss that may be triggering to some listeners. This episode is intende...

Luke McLeod is a wellness consultant and passionate meditator, whose mission has become to help others reach their potential and find balance in a meaningful and accessible way. Luke first appeared on our screens as a front runner in the race for Sophie Monk's heart on The Bachelorette. Sadly for Soph, that didn't pan out. It wasn't long before Luke was back looking for love in the inaugural Austr...

Tracey Dimech is a bubbly, bright and delightful Mum of three from the Central Coast of NSW. She also happens to be a highly regarded psychic medium and spiritual alignment coach, with some of the strongest gifts and insights in her field. I know this, because I had the distinct honour and privilege of experiencing her incredible talents firsthand, over the course of a magical few hours. In this e...

Over the years Neale Whitaker has become a household name, gracing our televisions with his elegance, sophistication and impressive eye for style. Neale is probably best known for his work as a host and designer on Love It Or List It Australia, and for the past decade as a judge on the renovation juggernaut that is The Block. However Neale's creative career hasn't always been in interiors, nor in...