The Grown-Up Girls Report Podcast

In this episode, I chat with my bookie friend Jules Collard about Craig Silvey's latest novel Honeybee. Honeybee is Craig's 3rd novel. It was shortlisted for the 2021 ABIA Prize and was the Dymocks book of the Year in 2020. Honeybee is a gorgeous coming of age story about a young Australian teenager struggling with gender dysphoria who is living in the margins of society. As mothers of t...

In this episode, I share with you details of my other life as McAfee's Cybermum here in Australia and my top tips for how to ramp up your digital parenting game. I have been McAfee's Cybermum here in Australia where my main job is to help parents need to understand the online world. So, in this episode, I share with you my top tips that will help you master your digital parenting game. C...

In this episode I chat with Jules Sebastian about her first book Tea & Honesty. This book was such a joy to read - I even noticed that I started exclaiming out loud as I was reading it - regularly piping up with 'Absolutely' or 'Yes! Yes'. I very much felt that Jules and I were singing from the same songbook. In fact, I think she had me with her opening quote 'Life is...

Finding the right foundation is often described as a life-long pursuit! Well, in this episode, Beauty Concierge and Makeup Artist Susan Napper gives us the lowdown on how to nail this! Susan shares all her knowhow in the area of complexion products - it's not just known as foundation anymore ladies - and her top tips on how to find the perfect foundation for your skin. Susan explains all the...

I've been so looking forward to reading Curtis Sittenfeld's book Rodham for our book club. And it's finally happened. I'm joined by my clever author and song writer friend Mandy Newman to discuss this truly unique read. Rodham is a work of fiction that speculates what Hilary could have done if she had not married Bill. What would she have been able to achieve without Bill in he...

This week on the podcast, I chat with my dear friend Mandy Newman about why Australian women are uniting in collective voice about sexual assault and violence. We also talk about Mandy's first song release - One of Those Guys - and how she must have had a crystal ball! Here are the highlights:- Mandy tells us about her experience protesting in the March For Justice and we share the story of t...

This week on the podcast, we are delving back into the world of self help with a book that is truly outstanding. Atomic Habits by James Clear is a must read - you absolutely need to put this at the top of your to be read pile! But apart from introducing to this great book, I am also so delighted to be introducing you to a very dear friend and Habit Expert - Matt Cowdroy who helps me workshop this...

I've always been intrigued with KBeauty and have wanted to take a deep dive into this cult beauty approach for a long time now. So, in this episode, I chat with KBeauty expert Lauren Lee, who is the Founder of StyleStory, to find out what the fuss is about and what we need to know to get started. Lauren explains the differences between Western Beauty, why double cleansing and essences are a b...

In this episode I chat with the incredible Heather Morris about her second book, Cilka's Journey. Launched in 2019 (yes - I'm catching up), Cilka's Journey is the follow-up story to The Tattooist of Auschwitz which took the world by storm when it hit out shelves in 2018. The Tattooist of Auschwitz was the first book we did in The Grown-Up Girls Report podcast in 2020. You can listen...

In this episode, Alex speaks with Emma Sullings, the Founder of The Happy Boxes Project - a charity dedicated to breaking down the barriers that many Aussie women in remote communities face by providing access to everyday essentials. After studying teaching at uni, Emma worked in a remote community in the Northern Territory where she was 4 hours away from the closest town. She quickly saw the hard...

Welcome to The Grown-Up Girls Report a podcast for busy, multi tasking women who love books, beauty and workshopping life. For those of you who are regular listeners you will know that ever 2nd week it's book club week - so today I'm delighted to be taking a deep dive on Aussie Author Sally Hepworth's new book - The Good Sister with my lovely author friend Mandy Newman. So, if you&a...

I love a hack and a shortcut so in the spirit of sharing, in this episode I share with you my top 5 beauty hacks. Shortcuts and products that play a regular part of my 'getting out of the house looking normal' routine. My favourite Less and Luxe products of the momentLess - Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumizing Mascara - $25 - the best mascara in town! I always keep a stash of thes...

In this episode I workshop Trent Dalton's highly anticipated second novel, All Our Shimmering Skies, with my clever editor friend Julie Collard. Both Jules and I enjoyed this book - it is a true sensory experience. It centres on the story of big hearted, motherless Molly Hook, a gravedigger's daughter, and her quest to not only navigate her toxic father and uncle but get to the bottom of...

This episode of the podcast is all about my plan for being the most productive version of myself in 2021. I have a very big to-do list for 2021 with lots of things I'm super keen to achieve so I've been doing some research and thinking on how I can use my time most efficiently. In this episode, I share my plan with you. Check out the show notes on the website here for all the details. Ha...

I'm so delighted to share with you my conversation with the lovely Nicole Webb about her fabulous memoir China Blonde which I know will both inspire and entertain you. From a television news reader in Sydney to a mum in China's ancient Middle Kingdom, China Blonde is Nicole's story of reinvention, love, humour, and how she found her place in a brand-new world. If you love travel, ev...

In this episode I chat with Sydney Celebrity Facialist Ingrid Seaburn about whether skin needling is worth investing in. And most importantly - does it hurt?? Ingrid talks us through the process, the benefits and why it might just be time to add it into your beauty treatment mix. You can find more about the episode on the website as well as the details of the girls fave luxe and less products of t...

Happy New Year Everyone!! Our first episode for 2021 is an absolute beauty. We are chatting with author Suzy Zail about her inspiring book - I Am Change which detail the story of Ugandan girl Lilian's fight to remain at school. I read this book in a day. It is a rollercoaster ride. It is hilarious, heartbreaking and also frustrating. You will walk in the shoes of Lilian in Uganda which will g...

Merry Christmas Everyone! Did you know that term was first coined by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol? This episode is not just a book club - it's a Christmas extravaganza! We talk food, books and even have a musical perfomance by the uber talented Mandy Newman - my guest on the show. If you want to find out more about the episode, be sure to visit the show notes on the website here. Merr...

In this episode of BeautyChat, I share with you how I manage my sensitive skin when it flares up - which just so happens to be now!! Here are the products that I am currently using to help my skin calm down: Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser or Sukin Cleansing Lotion for Sensitive Skin, Avene Eye Contour Cream and Avene Skin Recovery Cream. I also love Avene's Eau Thermal Spray water and the Cicalfa...

The Dictionary of Lost Words is the story of Esme Nicoll, who works alongside her father in The Scriptorium, where words are being compiled and assessed for inclusion in the First Oxford English Dictionary. Over several years, Esme gathers together a trunkful of words that are either excluded or never considered for the Dictionary. These are essentially women's words - words that the men who...

Welcome to The Grown-Up Girls Report Book Club! I have a marvellous book for you this week - Untamed by Glennon Doyle. And I'm taking a deep dive on this beauty with the lovely Mandy Newman. Both Mandy and I both think Untamed is a standout book for 2020. But be warned - this book is a gut punch, it will prompt you to rethink, dive deep and examine what you need to do to regain your true self...

In this episode of BeautyChat, Alex speaks with Sydney based Celebrity Skin Care Therapist Ingrid Seaburn about whether a Collagen supplement will really improve our skin. Collagen supplements have become quite the fad in the world of health and beauty so Alex takes a deep dive on this product with Ingrid. Ingrid explains how collagen is produced in our bodies, what slows down its production and w...

If you belong to the 'sandwich generation' then 'Mum and Dad' by Joanna Trollope is a must! And I am delighted to be discussing this great book with a fellow sandwich generation member - my gorgeous friend Sally Seymour. What's It About? It's been twenty-five years since Gus and Monica left England to start a new life in Spain, building a vineyard and wine business fr...

In this episode of the podcast Alex speaks with parenting expert Sarah Wainwright about how to help our teens navigate life after their final Year 12 exams. The final Year 12 exams are an important delineator for Aussie teens. They represent the pinnacle of 13 years of schooling and a couple of years of particularly hard work. But often the build up to the exams can be all encompassing that there...

In this episode, Alex speaks with founder of Aussie Skincare Brand Inkandi, Tanya Newcombe, about what nasties to avoid when choosing which skincare brand is best for you. Since her early 20's, Tanya has always had a passion for health. But when she discovered that our skin is our biggest organ during an anatomy lesson, she committed to ensuring what she put on her face was as natural as poss...