The Whole Truth: Motherhood and the Writing Life

In this episode of The Whole Truth, Nadia Mahjouri welcomes the inspiring Lorena Otes author of the debut memoir  Solo Mum by Choice . Lorena shares her remarkable journey through the complexities of becoming a solo mother via IVF, detailing the emotional rollercoaster of her 13 rounds of treatment and the sheer determination that led her to motherhood. Nadia and Lorena delve into the societal per...

In this episode of The Whole Truth, Nadia Mahjouri sits down with journalist and author Lauren Novak to discuss her new book Meltdown—a candid, deeply researched examination of maternal anger and the hidden pressures shaping women’s lives. Throughout their conversation, Nadia and Lauren explore the emotional and structural forces that push mothers to the edge: the mental load, the unequal division...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri engages in a captivating conversation with the talented  Raidah Shah Idil , an author and poet currently residing in Malaysia. Raidah shares her journey as the creator of the enchanting middle-grade fantasy novel  How To Free a Jinn , which has garnered critical acclaim, including the Readings Children's Prize in 2025. The discussion dives into Raidah's mult...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri sits down with the inspiring  Sally Gould , a debut memoirist and dedicated paramedic whose book,  Frog , offers a compelling glimpse into the life of a paramedic. Sally shares her unique journey from a novice student to an intensive care paramedic, reflecting on the profound experiences she encounters in her line of work. As a mother of two young children and one o...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri welcomes the talented  Erin Hortle , a Tasmanian author whose latest novel,  A Catalogue of Love , has recently hit the shelves. Erin shares her journey of writing this coming-of-age story set on the picturesque Bruny Island, where the protagonist Nika navigates love, loss, and identity against the backdrop of her unique upbringing. The conversation delves into Erin...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri chats with the remarkable Magdalena McGuire, an award-winning author whose latest book, All We Need, is now available in bookstores. They discuss the inspiration behind the novel, which follows three women whose lives intersect during a camping trip gone awry. Magdalena explores themes of contemporary parenting, friendship, and the search for connection in a chaotic...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri welcomes the insightful  Ayesha Inoon , a Sri Lankan Australian writer whose debut novel,  Untethered , has garnered critical acclaim. Aisha shares her journey as an immigrant and a mother, reflecting on the complexities of navigating identity and belonging in a new country. They discuss the inspiration behind  Untethered , which explores the life of Zia, a young wo...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri is joined by the vibrant Anna Snoekstra, an internationally bestselling author who shares her journey through motherhood and writing. With six novels published in over 20 countries, Anna's latest works include her novel The Ones We Love and the audio novella The End of the Ski Season . The conversation dives into the complexities of balancing creativity with the...

💬 Show Notes In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri sits down with the talented Emily Tsokos Purtill , whose debut novel, Matia, won the 2025 Western Australian Premier's Book Award for an emerging writer. Emily shares her inspiring journey as a writer and mother, discussing the challenges of penning an intergenerational story while balancing her legal career and family life. They delve into the ric...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri chats with the delightful  Emma Mugglestone , a Melbourne-based author whose debut novel,  In the Long Run , was released in August 2025. Emma shares her journey from indie author to traditional publishing, revealing the challenges and triumphs of navigating the writing world while balancing motherhood. They discuss the intricacies of crafting characters, the import...

Megan Dalla Camina is an author, founder, PhD researcher, and guide for women ready to reclaim their power, trust their wisdom, and create lives of meaning, impact, and deep connection. In this conversation we discuss how to fight the inner critic and manage to keep writing in the messy middle of motherhood, work and life! WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Todays interview is with the lovely Zeynab Gamieldien, whose second novel, Learned Behaviours was released in August 2025, two years after her debut novel The Scope of Permissibility came out in 2023. And in between the two, she also became a mother for the first time! This is a wonderful honest and warts and all conversation about the realities of writing while in the messsy middle of motherhood!...

In this episode, Nadia Mahjouri welcomes the talented  Jane Tuttle , a writer, performer, and bookseller, whose latest memoir,  The Sea in the Metro , beautifully explores the intersection of motherhood and creativity. Jane shares her journey through a trilogy of memoirs, each revealing different facets of her life, from her time in Paris to the complexities of modern womanhood and motherhood. Tog...

Lucinda McKimm is a writer, podcaster and mum of two - and one half of the fantastic parenting podcast Ready or Not . She is a beautiful writer who shares her journey of life, motherhood and creativity on her Substack The Paradox, where you will find all her beautiful writing, and also on the Ready or Not Substack. The Motherhood & Career Podcast (@readyornot.pod) • Instagram photos and videos...

Todays interview is with the luminescent, wise and talented Saman Shad author of The Sex Lives of Married Women and the Matchmaker, mother of three - each born on a different continent. You will love it!! WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Half Truth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - her debut novel that was released Feb 11 2025. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Available NOW!!!⁠...

Todays interview is with the multitalented Kate Toon - Author of multiple business books, creator of the Tooniverse Business Empire and a self proclaimed misfit, motivator, entrepreneur and educator. And she also owns a bookshop - the incredible Umina Book Nook on the Central Coast!!!! WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Half Truth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - her de...

Todays conversation is with the wonderful Holly Brunnbauer - the author of What Did I Miss? - a hilarious rom-com published by Harper Collins. This is a fun and heartfelt conversation with Holly - who also works as a virtual assistant for authors. Holly started writing about crying in the aisles in Kmart and ended up starting a website to support mothers to find their community in Motherhood Melbo...

Karen Wasso n is the author of Inked - the first ever Graphic novel to win the Ampersand Prize. In this conversation, Karen shares how she has managed to keep writing even through her daughters multiple surgeries and how she keeps perspective while living in the messy middle of it all. WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Half Truth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - her debut...

Todays episode is with the vivacious and wonderful Rachael Johns - Australias Undisputed Queen of Women's Fiction. Author of The Bad Bridesmaid, The Other Bridget, The Patterson Girls, The Work Wives and many many other books and mother of three, Rachael Johns is an absolute delight and I hope you will enjoy this chat as much as I did! WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Todays interview is with the wonderful Dr Molly Murn - a South Australian poet, author and manager of Matilda Bookshop in the Adelaide Hills. Her debut novel,  Heart of the Grass Tree , was published in 2019 with Penguin Random House (Vintage) WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Half Truth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - her debut novel that was released Feb 11 2025. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Todays episode is with Sarah Clutton , author of The Remarkable Truths of Alfie Bains - a delightful story of a young boy, looking for the father he has never met. WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Half Truth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - her debut novel that was released Feb 11 2025. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Available NOW!!!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nadia Mahjouri is a therapist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T...

Today’s episode is with the incredible Marion Taffe author of By Her Hand - a debut historical fiction set in 10th century England In our conversation we talk about women’s rage and how Marion has channeled it into her stunning novel. Don’t miss this chat with a brilliant new Australian author.

Welcome to our very first (unofficial) crossover episode with Tina Strachan , co-host of The Book Deal Podcast (with Madeline Cleary) and author of The Wilder Zoo Series. The first of which, Neeka and The Wilder Zoo: The Missing Key was released in Jan this year, the second of which is out 1 July: Neeka and The Storm! These gorgeous books for middle grade readers draw on Tinas brilliant expertise...

Maxine Beneba Clarke is an award winning author of over FOURTEEN books for adults and children! In todays episode we discuss her latest release - OUT NOW - called Stuff I'm NOT Sorry For - 99 poems for young people. This joyful and diverse collection of poems in both form and content is aimed at kids aged 9 - 14 and will have the whole family laughing and nodding along with agreement! Teachers...

Todays episode is with the luminous Laura Elvery ! We discuss her new novel Nightingale which is OUT NOW and how she managed to do her final proof reads while juggling children at the hellscape we call BOUNCE! Laura is the multi award winning author of two collections of short stories Ordinary Matter and Trick of the Light. _____ WHO IS YOUR HOST?? Nadia Mahjouri is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hal...