Why Smart Women Podcast

Send us a message! What happens when a woman's desire for a "natural" birth clashes with medical reality? In this gripping episode, I share the second part of the first chapter from my upcoming book - a story that will have you holding your breath until the very end. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit t...

Send us a message! Today's episode takes a creative turn as I share the opening chapter of my forthcoming book. Set in Sydney, Australia, this story follows three sisters whose lives have been shaped by a mysterious incident in their past and the subsequent estrangement of middle sister Beth from her siblings Harper and Emmy. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut thr...

Send us a message! Ever caught yourself saying you're "banging your head against a brick wall" or "can't get your head above the parapet"? These aren't just figures of speech—they're powerful mental frameworks that might be intensifying your anxiety without you realizing it. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise wi...

Send us a message! When neo-Nazis take the podium at your rally and receive cheers instead of condemnation, it's time to question what movement you're truly part of. The Snarky Gherkin joins Annie McCubbin to examine the disturbing connection between Australia's anti-vax "freedom" movement and white nationalist groups that have found fertile recruiting ground among conspir...

Send us a message! What happens when our mental shortcuts lead us astray? In this thought-provoking episode, I dive deep into the psychology behind prejudice and how our brains create harmful generalizations about people who don't look or sound like us. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit the http://coup.co websit...

Send us a message! Have you ever noticed how some people can command attention with seemingly effortless authenticity while others leave you feeling manipulated or confused? The secret might lie in techniques actors have been refining for centuries. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit the http://coup.co website or book...

Send us a message! What happens when shy, self-conscious people discover they can transform into someone else through acting? In this captivating conversation between three veteran Australian actors – Annie McCubbin, Lucinda Armour, and Deborah Galanos – we explore the profound psychological journey of becoming an actor and how performance art builds confidence, resilience, and empathy. Support th...

Send us a message! Have you ever wondered if Stockholm Syndrome is actually real? The startling truth might shake your understanding of this widely accepted psychological concept. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit the http://coup.co website or book a meeting with us at. https://go.oncehub.com/RequestMeeting

Send us a message! The disturbing connection between anti-vaccination groups and neo-Nazi recruitment has been laid bare in this eye-opening conversation with two dedicated misinformation fighters. What begins as skepticism about vaccines can become a dangerous pipeline to extremism, as revealed by the neo-Nazi leader who openly admitted: "Half of our recruitment in the past two years has com...

Send us a message! What happens when wellness culture promises certainty that medicine can't? When soft lighting, gentle music, and a sympathetic ear replace scientific evidence? The consequences can be devastating. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit the http://coup.co website or book a meeting with us at. https:...

Send us a message! What happens when a self-proclaimed impatient person tries to embrace ancient Stoic philosophy? After returning from Bali with an unexpected case of COVID-19, I found myself facing the perfect opportunity to practice what the Stoics preached about controlling what you can and accepting what you can't. We mentioned Reasons Not to Worry by Brigid Delaney — you can find it on...

Send us a message! What happens when your holiday isn't going according to plan? When the stranger next to you on the plane is hostile, or when fellow travellers are making too much noise? Annie McCubbin calls in from her Bali fitness retreat with profound insights about navigating life's frustrations with grace and wisdom. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut...

Send us a message! "It's kind of the most important time in my life to be a skeptic," declares Michael Marshall in this thought-provoking exploration of conspiracy theories and disinformation in the digital age. From infiltrating flat Earth conventions to tracking cancer treatment crowdfunding campaigns, Marshall offers unprecedented insights into how misinformation spreads—and what...

Send us a message! Michael Marshall takes us behind the scenes of his daring three-day undercover mission at a UK Flat Earth Convention, offering rare insights into the minds of conspiracy believers. This fascinating conversation reveals why smart people believe strange things and how compassionate skepticism can succeed where confrontation fails. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helpi...

Send us a message! Ever wondered why the villains in Shakespearean drama captivate us so deeply? In this fascinating exploration of character and identity, Annie McCubbin and her guest David draw compelling connections between classical acting techniques and everyday decision-making. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit...

Send us a message! Ever noticed how women are constantly encouraged to be forgiving, grateful, and blessed, regardless of how poorly they're treated? This episode dives straight into the dark side of forgiveness. The conversation kicks off with a laugh about "novel-induced vagueness" (forgetting dogs in cars and wearing mismatched shoes), but quickly turns to something more profound...

Send us a message! What drives someone to fight dangerous misinformation when it would be easier to stay silent? Meet The Snarky Gherkin, who found himself thrust into the world of conspiracy debunking after participating in a COVID-19 vaccine trial and facing a barrage of threatening messages from anti-vaxxers. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with...

Send us a message! Annie McCubbin's voice might be compromised by illness in this episode, but her critical thinking remains razor-sharp as she demolishes popular myths around natural cold remedies and wellness treatments. With characteristic wit and evidence-based analysis, she unpacks why so many of us fall prey to unproven solutions when we're feeling under the weather. Support the sh...

Send us a message! A missing car fob, a dentist appointment, and a blocked car park entrance become the perfect storm for examining how our brains process blame and responsibility in relationships. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit the http://coup.co website or book a meeting with us at. https://go.oncehub.com/Reques...

Send us a message! Have you ever made a decision that seemed perfectly reasonable in the moment, only to have it blow up in your face later? In this hilarious and insightful episode, Annie shares the mortifying story of how a single forgotten mandarin cost her $400 at New Zealand customs, despite her confidence that she'd cleared her bag of all prohibited items. Support the show Proudly spons...

Send us a message! When unexpected laryngitis strikes podcast host Annie McCubbin, her husband David steps into the spotlight, offering a refreshingly candid look at relationship dynamics and the unnecessary drama we create. Drawing from their 30+ years of marriage and careers as actors and corporate facilitators, David unveils the fascinating mechanics behind interpersonal conflicts. Check out th...

Send us a message! The battle with food cravings has met its match. After decades of diet culture telling us to just "be disciplined," science has finally acknowledged what many of us have always suspected – willpower was never going to win against our brain chemistry. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit the...

Send us a message! Every moment of every interaction is governed by an invisible force most of us never consciously recognise – status dynamics. From deciding where to eat dinner to navigating workplace meetings, these subtle power plays determine who gets heard, who gets ignored, and ultimately, who controls what happens next. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut throug...

Send us a message! Something alarming is happening across social media platforms. A new wave of self-proclaimed experts are selling dangerous ideas about "masculine" and "feminine" energy, pushing us back decades in gender equality progress while calling it "embodiment" and "healing." Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through th...

Send us a message! What happens when spiritual practices cross the line from helpful to harmful? In this eye-opening exploration, we pull back the veil on the sometimes dangerous world of spiritual retreats and self-proclaimed healers. Support the show Proudly sponsored by COUP — helping brands cut through the noise with bold, smart marketing. Visit the http://coup.co website or book a meeting wit...