The Deep by Zoe Marshall

Today we're deviating from the usual content we have on The Deep. But there's an important reason. I'm really concerned with how much toxins and microplastics are invading our everyday lives, and the impact this is having on our health. I want to know how we can minimise our exposure but I'm also a realist. We all have busy lives, kids, budgets, cravings. We're not perfect. So I spoke to Alixx Stu...

This is perhaps one of the saddest episodes we've ever done on The Deep. Sophia has experienced far more than her share of grief and trauma. It's completely unjust. But Sophia still has poise and gratitude and she is such a ray of light. Content warning: This episode discusses the death of a young child. Follow Sophia on Instragram @sophiaperera Join the community and go 'deeper' with Zoe by subsc...

We are addicted to being busy. We wear stress like a badge of honour. Let's want to turn the tables on that today. Let's slow down, look after our minds and bodies and change our way of thinking. Sharon is a mentor for stress and she is going to share her most valuable bio hacks to reduce stress and reconnect. Follow Sharon on Instagram @sharonkolkk and Facebook @Sharonkolkka Join the community an...

This is the 3rd and final part of our series on Gloriavale. If you want to hear Faithful's story go back and listen to part 1 and 2. Today we're going to discuss all things integration. After being born into a religious cult, what is it like to go to the supermarket, a public pool, a new church? How do you make friends? This is eye opening. I hope you enjoy it. Join the community and go 'deeper' w...

Welcome to part 2 of my interview with Faithful. Where we left off, he was plotting his escape with his wife and 7 children. Today we learn how that all went down and how they began to integrate into the modern world. Join the community and go 'deeper' with Zoe by subscribing at apple.co/thedeep to gain access to exclusive bonus episodes, early access and ad free listening to regular episodes and...

This is all about the Gloriavale cult, which started in New Zealand in 1969 and is still in operation today. Faithful, yes that is his real name, was born into the cult. In this episode he shares all about what life was like growing up in that community, what school was like, and please note this episode does discuss some of the sexual abuse that occurred. Content warning: This episode discusses c...

The Deep acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Chloe Quayle is a proud Malyangapa, Barkindji woman, a talented artist and rapper and a respected member in her community. But 3 years ago things were wildly different. Chloe had been in a...

We’ve all heard of swingers right? What do they actually do? Who are they? My immediate thought is of the cliché - keys in the bowl middle-aged couples now empty nesters, looking for something to enhance the next stage of life. But is this cliché true? What are the rules, what are the boundaries and what’s the reality of being a swinger? Follow Jess and Lawrence on Instagram @oursecretspot and vis...

Could you imagine being imprisoned for 12 years for a crime you didn't commit? How would you survive that, how would you survive solitary confinement, survive the other prisoners, survive the injustice? Today I get to speak to Raphael Rowe who did survive. In fact he has gone on to be a great journalist and the host of " Inside the worlds toughest prisons " on Netflix. Content warning: this episod...

Danielle is a paediatric intensive care nurse. That means she cares for children and their families at their worst point. Children who are sick, children who are abused, children who are dying. I think anyone who's able to take on this role deserves a medal. Danielle has seen the worst things children go through and still gets up every day to do it again. Content warning: This episode discusses ch...

Ghia is an autosexual. They are romantically and sexually attracted to themselves. Today we're going to explore this sexual identity, which I admit I've never heard of, and discuss how it affects relationships, mental health and self love. Join the community and go 'deeper' with Zoe by subscribing at apple.co/thedeep to gain access to exclusive bonus episodes, early access and ad free listening to...

Mikki has this amazing blessing and curse that she can speak to dead people. Apparently they like to show up at the most inopportune times and if you have this gift, it's important to set boundaries. This podcast describes a world that you may not see and may not believe in but it's super interesting and somewhat comforting to learn about. In fact I became so fascinated by this that I've done a re...

Last week we heard from Brendon, a dad who was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer. If you missed it, go back and listen to part 1 first. This week we discuss some of the more unconventional treatments that Brendon has had done. It's absolutely wild and it's not a cure. This is just one person's experience and we're certainly not recommending this for you or your loved ones. However it is incre...

Brendon is a father of two boys who had a very treatable form of cancer. After treatment his doctors told him he was in the clear. Only a few months later it was discovered that his body was absolutely riddled with cancer and this time it was terminal. Brendon shares the brutal treatments he's endured as well as how his family have handled the situation, including his young sons. This is part 1 of...

Imagine being able to remember every moment of your life. Even when you were a baby. Today's guest Rebecca has a condition called HSAM, Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory. She can re-live the best moments of her life, like blowing out the candles on her childhood birthday cakes but also the bad memories, which can feel like they are raw and real. This is such a fascinating chat with someone w...

Today I'm speaking with two survivors and recruiters of the nxivm cult. They escaped and shut the whole thing down. nxivm was positioned as a self help business with tiers to advance. But there was a cost and over time there were strategies designed to keep you in. Strategies that were controlling and horrific. This article explains the terms we discuss. Content warning: This episode discusses dis...

Stacey is a madam, she manages everything when it comes to brothels and sex workers, including clients. After 16 years she wants out, but not before she tells us everything she has experienced. Content warning: This episode contains sexually explicit & graphic content. Join the community and go 'deeper' with Zoe by subscribing at apple.co/thedeep to gain access to exclusive bonus episodes, ear...

Last week we spoke to Jaclyn, today we get to speak to Craig. He is Jaclyn’s husband, the one who cheated. The one who left his family for another woman. Very rarely do we get to hear from the adulterer. Why did they do what they did? What were they thinking? It’s a conversation that is full of shame, regret, lessons learned and so much love. It's his first time speaking about this publicly. Join...

What would you do if you were pregnant, had a 2 year old son and found out the love of your life was leaving you for someone they met at the gym? How would you deal with the betrayal? Would it make you crazy? Would you do things you regret? Would you take them back? This is a wild story of infidelity, forgiveness and redemption. Follow Jaclyn on Instagram @forthewildfemme . Join the community and...

You've never met a woman like Karly. We spoke to her husband Steven in this season. He came out as gay, leaving his young family and starting a new life. So many of you wanted to hear her perspective so we got her on the show. Honestly this woman is incredible. Follow Karly on Instagram @__Karlyanne Join the community and go 'deeper' with Zoe by subscribing at apple.co/thedeep to gain access to ex...

Last week we spoke to Krystal about the elder who had abused all the girls in the family including her mum. Today we speak to Krystal's mum. Dani was sexually abused from as early as she can remember. And her own mother put her in that situation. Delivering her to the family paedophile on a weekly basis. It is harrowing. But this is also a story of an incredibly strong woman who did better and is...

An elder of a family abused every single little girl for generations. The victims are many and their responses are just as varied. Krystal's mum was one of the last to be abused. But the trauma has been passed down and this family are now in the process of healing. Content warning: this episode discusses child sexual abuse. Support resources are listed below. Act For Kids to prevent and treat chil...

Jasmin was raised as a Christian and saved herself for marriage. But her wedding night was not the beautiful moment she had imagined. Jasmin suffers from Vaginismus - an involuntary tightening of her vaginal muscles that makes sex extremely painful, if not virtually impossible. This is such a brave and fascinating discussion on the way that religion and purity culture can have a huge effect on our...

Imagine hearing your mum say she wished she had an abortion. Always feeling like a burden. Always hungry because she never fed you. That was Fiona's childhood. It's so bizarre and so sad and it's affected every aspect of her life. Content warning: this episode discusses disordered eating and pregnancy termination. Resources are linked below. Disordered eating assistance The Butterfly Foundation or...

Steve was happily married with his wife and two young kids. But he was also living a lie. You see, Steve is gay. And he tried to suppress it for a long time but eventually the truth came out. We explore how Steve was able to mask this for so long and perform with women, how he discovered his sexuality and how he broke the news to his wife and kids. Follow Steve on Instagram @______steve88 Join the...