The Curious Life

Returning guest and one of our favourite documentarians, Marc Fennell sat down to unpack his new project that explores the early days of the internet and where it all went wrong, through a deep dive into a previously unexplored world of tech hippies, eccentric web subcultures and simmering paranoia, uncovering how this tongue-in-cheek artistic experiment backfired on its creator and went on to influence much of what’s wrong with the internet today. Marc was quite candid about his approach to documentary making and storytelling, and to my delight, shared just how he really felt about being labelled as the "cheerful Aussie version of Louis Theroux" - the same day he was sitting down to interview Louis himself. This is a fun one. The Audible Original series, This is Not a Game with Marc Fennell, is out now. Listen for free at audible.com.au/notagame” My new book Plot Twist is available now in bookstores everywhere or online and I'd love to hear your thoughts! Hit me up with a DM on socials at @thecuriouslifepodcast or send me an email at thecuriouslifepodacst@gmail.com. This episode was put together by the wizardry of Sam Blacker at The Podcast Butler. Voiceover as always by the lovely Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Please leave a rating and review on iTunes so that we can continue to deliver this show into new ears.

Victoria Vanstone has lived the nightlife of a rockstar – blazing through bars across the world, waking up in random locations with hazy memories of the night before, with clubbing injuries and risky scenarios all part of her weekly experience. It was a blisteringly good time – until it wasn’t. As a mum of three kids, and an author with a thriving podcast, Vic is now sober and living in Queensland, in stark contrast to her blackout days. She has had some wild adventures, that she recounts in quite hilarious fashion, in her book A Thousand Wasted Sundays. We got right to the heart of things, unpacking Vic’s journey to sobriety, through her early years growing up in the UK, to her many misadventures across the world – including a traumatic firsthand account of the Boxing Day Tsunami, bearing witness to the unthinkable tragedy in the unfolding days. We got deep about the complexities of parenthood, grief, peer judgement and accountability – and so much more. Vic’s story is entirely engaging, totally relatable and incredibly inspiring. Listen to this ep and then grab yourself a copy of her brilliant book A Thousand Wasted Sundays, but be warned – you won’t be able to put it down! You can hear more of her story in her award-winning podcast Sober Awkward and on socials at @drunkmummysobermummy. Find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow. You can also order your copy of my new book PLOT TWIST via Booktopia by clicking this link, or in real life at your favourite bookstore. Thank you to my wonderful team, Editor and Audio Engineer, Luke Hensel @lukehensel07, and voiceover artiste Julie Reynolds @audiolemonade www.audiolemonade.com    

We are back with Season 6 and we’re kicking things off with a huge announcement! Plot Twist! You’ll hear it here first and I’m so thrilled to finally be able to spill the beans. Following that big announcement, we welcome back returning guest, comedian Chris Franjola – live from Las Vegas. Well, he was live on location at the time of recording anyway. Chris brings some much-needed laughter and lightness into the conversation, and we talk about his Hollywood connections, what’s next for Megan Markle, a tangential royal education for Chris – and the realities of life on the road as a touring comedian. We also connected over the battles of parenthood and unwelcome input from strangers – this episode really has it all. There are plenty of laughs and relatable moments in this one, and it’s the perfect start to the year. You can keep up with Chris on socials at @chrisfranjola and find out where he’s touring next at www.franjola.fun. You can find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow and pretty please leave us a rating and review on iTunes so that this episode and the show can reach as many people as possible. The pre-order link to Plot Twist: a personal guide to surviving life’s unexpected curveballs can be found below! Plot Twist by Jana Firestone | A personal guide to surviving life's unexpected curveballs | 9781761470448 | Booktopia A huge thank you as always to the brilliant team that puts this show together! - Luke Hensel: editor/audio engineer @lukehensel07 - Julie Reynolds: voice overs/podcast coordinator @audiolemonade. www.audiolemonade.com

Apologies for the delay in releasing this episode, although I know many of you will understand. With so much grief and horror unfolding in the Middle East, and then such sadness and disappointment with the referendum here in Australia, I thought it important to take a pause and recalibrate a little bit. I know that so many of you have needed that too. Thinking of everyone affected by the war and terror in Israel and Gaza, and standing with our First Nations families, here at home, hopeful for a brighter future for all. In this episode, the beautiful, bright light that is Rachael Coopes joined me again for an epic chat about her new book Paris For Beginners and the road to self and the learning that comes from those big life experiences. We went everywhere – from people-pleasing and the creative life balance, and stepping into your power amid the chaos. In fact, we covered so much ground that this episode has been split into two, so you don’t miss a minute of the action. Enjoy Part 1 of our chat now, with the luminous Rachael Coopes. If you liked this ep, please leave a rating or review on iTunes, so others can enjoy it too! You’ll find Rach at @rachaelcoopes and me, at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow. A big thanks to the team, our sound engineer and editor Luke Hensel @lukehensel07 and Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade for the VO magic as always!  

Ever wondered what really happens inside the stadiums of Hillsong? Or what exactly it is that draws people into these large-scale production religious events, that have even had the likes of Justin Bieber front and centre? And what encourages church members to dedicate their entire lives to the church, at what can sometimes be huge financial and personal costs? Well, you’re about to find out. In this episode, I sat down with renowned journalist Marc Fennell, to unpack his experience making the brilliant new documentary, The Kingdom. Marc grew up in the Pentecostal church and brings a unique perspective to the complexities of faith and the juggernaut that is these larger than life, megachurch operations. Marc delves into how allegations of bullying, sexual assault and financial mismanagement have eroded Hillsong’s once mighty empire and examines the answer to the question, who is going to inherit the remainder of the Kingdom? This was an eye-opening conversation about faith, belief, corruption and came with a lot of deep thinking and reflection from Marc’s own personal experience as a former church member. You can catch this fascinating doco on SBS On Demand and you can find Marc on socials at @marcfennell. Follow me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow and if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Audio engineering by Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade – www.audiolemonade.com  

This episode is a little bit different to our usual style, here at The Curious Life, and that’s because we all need a little brain break from time to time. For some people it’s long walks on the beach or a hot bath – in my case? It’s reality television. In this episode, I had the thrill of chatting with American pop culture expert and podcaster, Ryan Bailey. If like me, you’ve been glued to the hourly updates from Scandoval HQ or are a fan of the Real Housewives in any capacity, then this will be a real treat for you too. If you’re new to reality TV or are sceptical about it in any way, there are some themes unpacked here that may just change your mind. Reality TV isn’t the fluffy escape that it used to be. It’s become dark and raw and the storylines, like what is playing out in the current Vanderpump Rules season, have taken us from couch potatoes to armchair experts, dissecting and diagnosing and united in our outrage and disbelief. Ryan and I had so much fun in this episode, sharing our thoughts and theories on the themes of latest Bravo TV shows, as well as discussing the impact of reality tv consumption on mental health, the profound effect on viewers and why we so often feel so connected to the people we love to watch (and hate watch) on TV. For more of Ryan, you can catch his brilliant in-depth pop culture podcast at @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey. You can find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow and please don’t forget to leave a rating or review for this ep on Apple Podcasts – it would mean the world. This episode was masterfully edited by the wonderful Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade. Find her on socials or at www.audiolemonade.com for all your podcasting needs.

Yumi Stynes is a broadcaster, a host, an author, a cook, a parent of many and so much more. Her new book Welcome to Sex¸is the fourth in the “Welcome To” series, co-written with former Dolly Doctor (yes, that Dolly Doctor!) Dr Melissa Kang, that unpacks the sticky topics that are much needed for young people and their families. Periods, boobs, consent and now sex. They are filled with a robust and honest explanation of the big moments in young people’s lives, that empowers tweens, teens and parents alike, to understand bodies and relationships in a real and relatable way. Yumi is a firecracker and this chat is so much fun. Yumi also stars in the Audible Original podcast, POWER Talks with Kemi Nekvapil (www.audible.com.au/powertalks), which is free for Audible members and non-members. She sat down for a session with Kemi, who is a leading executive and personal coach, and in a twist, found an aha moment that has stayed with her since. This episode has it all – sex, consent, sobriety, the chaos of a busy family life, and Yumi delivers all of this with her trademark sense of humour and boundless energy. Listen now wherever you get your pods and head to Audible to catch the POWER Talks series in full. As you’ll hear, Yumi has her fingers in a lot of pies! You can find the details below: - Insta @yumichild - Ladies, We Need To Talk Podcast - The Welcome To book series, in all good bookstores Please take a moment to leave us a rating or review on iTunes, so that we can be heard by many. Each review makes it possible for us to grow the show. Thank you in advance! Find Jana at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow.

Content warning - this episode contains a frank discussion around sexual violence, education and consent. We are opening the new season with a bang. A bang with enthusiastic consent, that is. In this interview, we hear from investigative journalist and Stella Prize winner, Jess Hill. Her groundbreaking new series Asking For It, is a three part documentary series that explores the epidemic of sexual violence in Australia and the issue of consent, from every different angle. It's dark and confronting, but filled with hope and inspiration. Jess is brilliantly insightful about this difficult and distressing issue. In this conversation, Jess shares what she has learned from her research and discussions with the some of the trailblazing advocates leading the charge to make lasting change in our communities. People like Grace Tame, Saxon Mullins, Noelle Martin and Richie Hardcore, one of the men taking fresh and impactful approaches to educating our young boys and men on these key issues. The series is unmissable, and Jess Hill is a formidable leader in deeply insightful, thought provoking and meaningful investigations that we are all lucky enough to benefit from. The world is not the same as it once was and there is so much for us all to learn and improve on. This is such an important conversation for all of us, and I know you'll be just as intrigued and moved by this conversation as I was. Catch the series on SBS and SBS On Demand. Find Jess at @jessicahelenhill. Find me at @thecuriouslifepodcast or @thedaysthatfollow. As we move into Series 5 - please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes, so that we can continue to share these episodes far and wide. Audio engineering by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade.

This is one of those episodes that when listening back, I was crying, laughing and doing both at the same time. Georgie Abay gets it. Georgie’s new book Best Laid Plans truly spoke to my soul. Having recently had Baby #3 and trying to strike the balance between ambition, passion and family demands, I was underslept, overwrought and so, so ready for this conversation. Georgie and I clicked immediately and went deep into her experience as a mother, having had two traumatic and premature births in quick succession, challenging first months with her babies, along with enviable career opportunities to rival any Hollywood movie. We unpacked the raw and ugly truth about the toll that parenthood can take on your mental and physical health - as well as your relationship - and the complex layers that compound all of these issues for so many of us. Georgie Abay is a busy woman, a creative and a former Vogue Australia deputy editor, founder of The Grace Tales and current acting Head of Marketing Campaigns, Operations & Content at Mecca. She truly knows the pressure that so many of us feel as women – but best of all – she is willing to talk about it. What worked, what hasn’t and why. Don’t miss this one – and grab yourself a copy of Georgie’s book now for an inside look at her brilliant career, the highs and the lows, and her generous gift of insight and reflection that I know will connect with so many. You can find Georgie on socials at @thegracetales or via her website at www.thegracetales.com Find us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and @thedaysthatfollow on Insta for all the latest updates. Thank you to Julie Reynolds at @audiolemonade for getting this episode out despite the wrath of wild weather and blackouts! Find her at www.audiolemonade.com.

Rob “Millsy” Mills rose to fame on Australian Idol in 2003 and spent the immediate years following, under the dizzying and intense spotlight of fame. At the height of the Idol frenzy, Rob had a terrifying panic attack that literally took him right to the edge and back. This was his first brush with mental health in a serious way and one that we got into during our conversation in this episode. Rob is a bit of an open book and has taken that approach in his new role as an author, sharing so much of his own life and reflections while exploring all the edges of masculinity and mental health, and what it means to be an “Aussie bloke”. Turns out there isn’t one single way to be a man in this country and thank god for that! We unpacked Rob’s reasons for diving into such a meaty topic, and what he learned from the conversations he had with some of the country’s top experts in mental health. Rob also shared his thoughts on the complexities of shifting family dynamics, mateship and the incredibly important role his relationship with his two brothers has had over the years. Rob has done a huge amount of research for this book, covering areas like toxic masculinity, gender equity, violence, suicide, online misogyny, penis size and sexuality but all handled with humour and deep insight that has certainly left me, a mother of three young boys, rethinking so much of what will be important in raising them. It's a great chat. Grab your copy of Rob’s book “Putting On A Show”, read it and give it to all the men in your life. You can find Rob on Insta at @robmillsymills or at www.robmills.net.au. Follow along at @thecuriouslifepodcast and please let us know your thoughts on the ep! Edited and Voiceovers by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade.

At age 20, Emma Carey literally fell out of the sky. She landed at full speed on the ground, with an adult male strapped to her back – and survived. But that’s just the beginning of the story. Two minutes that changed everything and started Emma on the most painful, impactful, inspirational journey that has led her to where she is today. Surviving the fall was one thing, but how did Emma survive the recovery process? The lengthy legal process? The psychological battle that she had the grit and determination to win. But interestingly, there was already a dark undercurrent that Emma had been dealing with since she was a teenager. Emma learned some invaluable lessons in her recovery from her massive, life-altering injuries and she quickly developed an impressive resilience and gained a remarkable positive outlook on life. She shares those lessons with us, as we unpack anxiety, facing mortality and discovering gratitude for the small things in life. Emma’s memoir “The Girl Who Fell From The Sky” is available everywhere and you can find her at @em_carey on socials. Follow our new podcast The Days That Follow: a grief recovery podcast, at @thedaysthatfollow on Insta and @thecuriouslifepodcast to be the first to hear new episodes as they drop. Edited and voiceovers by Julie Reynolds from @audiolemonade.

Chris Franjola is a writer and comedian, who you may know from his years on Chelsea Lately and After Lately with Chelsea Handler, from his stand up work, or from his podcast Cover To Cover. He’s also a fan favourite with Heather McDonald’s Juicy Scoop crowd, and that’s how I was lucky enough to connect with him. In this episode, I revealed much of my not-so-secret, decades long, obsession with Elvis and we unpacked some of the tragedy that played out on the big screen in Baz Luhrmann’s epic recent production of “Elvis”. We also chatted about Will Smith and that Oscars apology, the life-altering impact on mental health that stratospheric fame brings and Chris’ former friendship with arguably one of the most famous people on the planet, Meghan Markle. There's plenty more as we took a dive into pop culture, American gun culture and life as touring comedian. Chris shares much of his insights on Hollywood from his own perspective and what it is that keeps him feeling grounded and well from a mental health perspective. Listen now on all the podcast apps or at www.thecuriouslife.net You can follow Chris on socials at @chrisfranjola or at www.franjola.fun Find us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and please leave us a rating or review and share this episode with your friends! Edited and VO’d by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Hit her up for all your audio needs at www.audiolemonade.com

You might recognise Jodi Rodgers from the smash hit series, "Love On The Spectrum" which aired on ABC and is now available on Netflix. Jodi is a qualified sexologist, counsellor and special education teacher, and her role on the show saw her supporting the cast on their quest to find love. Jodi is one of those very special people, who connects deeply with the people she is working with and with those around her. This conversation is no different. We talked about her time on the show, sex and intimacy in relationships and of course, the beautiful community of people on the spectrum that she knows and loves. Jodi's honesty and generosity is just beautiful and I know you'll love this chat. You can find Jodi on Insta at @jodirodgers_ or look her up in her private practice at www.birdsandbees.com.au Edited by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. Follow us on socials @thecuriouslifepodcast and please leave us a rating and review on iTunes!

Ariella Nyssa is a breath of fresh air. Not only is she an incredible advocate for body positivity, she is also the author of The Self-Love Bible, which is jam-packed with anecdotes and exercises designed to get readers reflecting about how they think and feel about themselves from the inside out. But things weren't always so rosy for Ariella. Growing up in a religious community, the expectations of what her future should look like were vastly different from the world she now lives in. These expectations and beliefs saw Ariella fall in with the wrong crowd as a teenager, making choices that saw her fall deeper into the religious beliefs of her community. As a result, Ariella found herself getting married and then divorced, all before the age of 20. Her mental health suffered significantly, to the point where she was actively considering ending her own life. This was a terrifying realisation and a lightbulb moment that led her to the glorious path that she is on today. Ariella is a bright light, full of warmth and insight who has seen the darkest days and been able to turn them into beams of positivity. Her story is inspiring. You can find her at @ariellanyssa and @theselflovebible_ We would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them via @thecuriouslifepodcast and remember to share, like and subscribe. Edited by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade.

Chezzi Denyer is an accomplished television producer, broadcaster, podcaster and believe it or not - former car salesperson! But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Chezzi has seen and done it all and isn't afraid to talk about it. In this conversation, Chezzi shares some of the tremendous challenges she has overcome, to become the woman she is today. Part of that journey includes a very difficult time with post-natal anxiety following a traumatic birth, an adult diagnosis of ADHD and the relentless scrutiny of her body and marriage to hubby Grant Denyer, by the media. We go deep in this chat, from the painful and traumatic, to the lessons learned by surviving so many of the hurdles thrown Chezzi's way. And there is a lot we can all take away from this conversation, as Chezzi's warmth and strength resonates on so many levels. You can listen to Chezzi and Grant's podcast It's All True? on any of the podcast apps and see what Chezzi is up to on Insta at @chezzidenyer Follow @thecuriouslifepodcast for all the latest updates and don't forget to leave a rating or review! For all your podcast editing or voiceover needs, head to Audio Lemonade and ask for the fabulous Julie Reynolds!

Jon Faine is an award-winning broadcaster, known for his tenacity, fearlessness and as Tony Abbott once put it, his always being prepared to ask the "mongrel question". It was because of this reputation that he felt compelled to bring to light some of the dark and horrifying truths of Australian history, that Jon uncovered during his research for his new book Apollo & Thelma. While the secrets he discovered were shocking and abhorrent, and there in black and white on the page, Jon realised that much of this Indigenous story has been kept hidden from the history books. Jon has both a personal and a professional interest in making these truths known and he shares much of those inside the book. Apollo & Thelma is a number of true stories cleverly woven together, from the tale of the famous strong man and his family to Jon's honest and frank account of his early years as a young and mischievous lawyer - and how these stories have intertwined for over 40 years. In this conversation, Jon shares his experience with Imposter Syndrome, reflects on his youthful risk-taking behaviour (that he is surprised he survived at times), and why it was important for him to write this book during a very difficult time in his life. Jon is one of the great storytellers and it was an absolute privilege to have this conversation with him. You can listen now on any of the podcast apps or head to www.thecuriouslife.net to listen online. Edited and VO by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade. www.audiolemonade.com. @audiolemonade For the latest updates follow us at @thecuriouslifepodcast and don't forget to leave a rating or review on iTunes if you liked this ep!

Welcome to Season 4 of The Curious Life Podcast! In the first episode of the new season, you'll meet Jordanna Levin. Jordanna is the author of three successful self-help books, but she's not actually a fan of the genre herself at all. In fact, it's because of this, that her writing in personal development takes a slightly more self-deprecating, honest and revealing turn. After suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage, through her grief Jordanna came to the realisation that she was never going to be the same person she was before this life-altering loss. And that was okay. It was just going to take a little bit of work to discover who she had become and who she was going to be in the future. Reflecting on her own three steps to self-awareness allowed her latest title Make You Happen to be written, a follow up to her first book Make It Happen - helping readers to manifest their best lives and best selves. In this episode, Jordanna shares much of her own personal story of loss, career rollercoasters, pivoting and following your passions. She also shares her thoughts on the practice of manifestation and simple ways that we can get curious about our own lives and all begin to manifest the truest, most powerful version of ourselves. You can find Jordanna here @jordannalevin. To purchase your copy of Embracing Change by Jana Firestone, as discussed in this episode, click on the link below: https://www.booktopia.com.au/embracing-change-jana-firestone/book/9781922626776.html Please leave a rating and review on iTunes and follow us on socials at @thecuriouslifepodcast. For all your podcast editing needs, head to www.audiolemonade.com and chat with the wonderful Julie Reynolds.

AJ Clementine always knew she was a girl. Even when her mum was pregnant with her, she was certain she was having a girl and had all the cravings and symptoms to prove it. Imagine the confusion all round, when she was born into the 'magical' shell that looked, on the outside, like a perfect little boy. Starting life as a boy on the outside made the world a very confusing place for AJ. In her teens, this conflict between her outer and inner selves exploded, igniting years of anxiety and panic attacks. In the final episode of the year, AJ shares some of the pieces of the journey of her gender transition and her transformation into a model, digital creator and transgender advocate. AJ is a ray of light and generous with her thoughts and experiences. We unpack some of the themes of her book Girl, Transcending and find out what life has been like for AJ in the years since those dark times. You can find AJ on Instagram at @ajclementine_ or on YouTube at https://youtube.com/c/AJClementinexo You can follow us at @thecuriouslifepodcast for all the latest podcast news and stay tuned for exciting book release news on January 25th! You can pre-order Embracing Change on Booktopia at https://www.booktopia.com.au/embracing-change-jana-firestone/book/9781922626776.html A big thank you to Julie Reynolds of @audiolemonade who keeps this show running! Book Julie for your own podcast needs at www.audiolemonade.com Thank you for all your love and support in 2021 - see you in the new year!

You might know Lola Berry from her myriad endeavours as a nutritionist, television presenter, podcaster, yoga instructor, entrepreneur and author. She is passionate about throwing yourself at your dreams, giving everything a red hot go and not being afraid to fail. Which is exactly what her new book Fearlessly Failing is all about. In this episode, we chat about the big risks that Lola has taken along the way and Lola’s firm belief in regular therapy for managing all the aspects of her life. From the lessons of failures in love and in life to why it is so important to run towards the disappointments, rather than away from them. Lola’s new life includes two big moves to LA and the Byron, splitting her time across the world and immersing herself the scary new landscape of acting classes in the home of Hollywood. So how does she balance her long-distance relationship, her businesses and her passions alongside the big life questions about what next? The answers might surprise you. You can find Lola at @yummololaberry or at www.lolaberry.com and can order her new book Fearlessly Failing via the link in her bio. Edited and VO’d by Julie Reynolds of Audio Lemonade – www.audiolemonade.com If you enjoyed this ep, please leave us a rating or review on iTunes and follow us at @thecuriouslifepodcast. And guess what? Jana has a book coming out soon too! You can pre-order your copy of Embracing Change by Jana Firestone via the link below. The book will be available in stores on January 25, 2022. Embracing Change - Booktopia Pre-Order

Kate Langbroek has been a shining star of radio and television for the last two and a bit decades and is known for her quick wit and mirthful observations – and isn’t afraid to share a strong opinion, either. Two years ago, Kate was at the top of her game with a top rating radio show with a legion of avid listeners and regular, much-loved television appearances. At the height of this acclaim, Kate and her husband Peter, made the bold move to pack up their family of six and move them to Italy for a year. What came next was a combination of highs and lows, time for reflection and a healthy dose of la dolce vita. One year in Italy rolled into two, when Kate found herself at the epicentre of the global pandemic during what should have been her sweet escape. So, what sent her packing? And how did she manage with all those kids in an apartment during months of intense lockdown on the other side of the world? Kate chats with Jana about the magic of Italy, the stark realities of life as a busy mum of four and the depths of grief that having a child with a cancer diagnosis brings. Kate has plenty of advice for Jana as she gives us insight into her own little wolf pack and just how she is raising her three boys to be good men. They chat about the changing landscape of friendships, medieval plague doctors and all the beauty that lies within Kate’s brilliant new book Ciao Bella! It's a vibrant conversation that will have you both laughing and crying, much like Kate's book. You can find Kate on Instagram at @katelangbroek For all the latest follow us on Insta at @thecuriouslifepodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review! A huge thank you to Julie Reynolds for whipping this episode into shape (despite major tech fails at our end with a dodgy mic this week!) You can work with Julie too at www.audiolemonade.com or follow her at @audiolemonade.