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Today’s episode is one that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m speaking to the very fabulous Pip Brett, the founder of much-loved homewares and fashion store Jumbled which is based in Orange, NSW. For those of you who haven’t experienced the word of Jumbled, it’s a colourful haven, bursting with inspiration and pure joy.   Pip really is the most inspiring entrepreneur. She started her business in her early 20s, and has been running it for over 16 years. And while Jumbled is certainly the place to go for retail therapy, it’s also the place to go for community and connection. Pip also runs The Huddle, which she describes as a weekend of inspiration and learning for kick-ass businesswomen. She’s just run her most recent Huddle, and I know I’ll be joining the next one.    In today’s episode, we start at the beginning, and end up to where she is now (that is, the owner of a thriving business and a mother of two). Get ready to meet the brilliant Pip Brett.   Go to jumbledonline.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to The Grace Tales podcast. It’s been a while since I said hello, and I took a long break from recording. Mostly, because life got hectic, and I needed a break. I’ve never actually been good at knowing when to take a break. I’ll usually try and push through. But at the end of last year, I hit a wall. I needed to take some things off my plate. So I did, and this podcast was one of them. The break felt good, and I used it to finish a rather huge project I’ll be able to talk about very soon (spoiler, it’s a book out this year but more on that later!).   Editing today’s episode, which was recorded a couple of months ago, reminded me why I started this podcast – to create connection through stories. Today’s guest is pretty damn special for many reasons. We first crossed paths a few years ago when I discovered her on Instagram (I’ll link her account in the show notes). She had been diagnosed with cancer. She ended up writing a story for the grace tales on what it’s like being diagnosed with cancer. Then she wrote another on why therapy isn’t a dirty word. Then another on her reflections from the year that was. I loved every word she wrote. And so did our readers. I am so excited to share she’s just published her first book, and not surprisingly it’s bloody brilliant. It’s called 27 Letters To My Daughter and I hope you’ll all read it, because there’s so much in each and every letter. Ok, back to it. Our guest today is Ella Ward. Let’s meet her!  Purchase 27 Letters to My Daughter by Ella Ward  Follow @_msellabella  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the third instalment of our In Her Shoes series, in partnership with the iconic Australian footwear brand Wittner. This exciting new series gives us the rare opportunity to step into the lives of the women who inspire us and discover the strength, courage and ingenuity that has got them to where they are today...  So, let’s meet the fabulous Rey Vakili. It’s hard to know where to start with Rey. You could credit her success to the fact that her parents taught her the importance of education and a strong work ethic from a young age. They clearly had an impact on her - at 18 years old Rey went to study Political Science at Yale and then later did an MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. But it was after Yale, that she landed a job as an assistant to the editor-in-chief of American VOGUE Anna Wintour. Her next career move was working for LTK (the largest Influencer Marketing community) after her friend and Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd introduced her to LTK founder Amber Venz Box. She’s now the managing director of LTK Australia.  Want to step into her shoes and find out what makes her tick? And also, what shoes she’s coveting this season? Let’s meet the incredible Rey.  In partnership with Wittner | Go to wittner.com to shop     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nikki Gemmell’s latest book Dissolve has been described as the book every woman on earth should read. But if you don’t have the time, you can start with this podcast. In today’s episode with Nikki we talk about some of the big moments in her life, from having to give evidence in court at age 10 during her parents divorce, to having her engagement broken off and becoming the wildly successful author of 13 novels. We talk about love, heartbreak, and creativity, and why she does so much of what she calls ‘angry writing’. And now the mother to teenagers, Nikki tells us what it means to ‘roar to life in a man’s world’. If you’ve ever dreamed a big dream, this episode will remind you of what’s possible.  nikkigemmell.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost exactly a year ago, Allira Potter was working a corporate job, she felt burnt out and she knew she wasn’t living her purpose. 12 months on, she works for herself, she has built an incredible online following, she’s earning six figures, she’s working with major brands like The Body Shop, and she’s just announced a book entitled Wild & Witchy - so by all accounts, it’s fair to say she’s feeling much more aligned to her purpose. How did this happen? We’re going to find out today.   Allira grew up with a single mum who worked multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. When she lost her mum at just 17, her life became a wild ride of ups and downs. She was married by the age of 22 and divorced only two years later, navigated mental health issues and financial insecurity, and contended with substance abuse and hitting rock bottom… until she came across a deck of oracle cards her mum had left her. It turned her life around.   She’s now a manifestation and spiritual coach who strives to inspire body positivity and empowerment in her community. Today, we’re going to talk about her journey and making a difference in the world. Allira is incredibly open and really, a joy to speak to.   Follow @allira.potter  PRE ORDER WILD & WITCHY HERE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard the joke about how ‘next pregnancy, I want to be the dad’? Or perhaps you’ve laughed about needing an extra set of hands, or warned a pregnant friend to ‘sleep now, because it’s the last chance you’ll get’. It’s no secret that motherhood changes you forever, exhausts you, pushes you to your limits, and is often referred to as the hardest (but best) thing you’ll ever do. But if any of this sounds familiar, then you MUST listen to today’s episode of the podcast with Amy Taylor Kabbaz. She’s a matrescence expert and activist, and if you don’t know what that is, you’re about to find out.   In her motherhood journey, Amy did what many of us do, burning the candle at both ends trying to maintain her commitment to the job she loved, while being the best mother she could be. When the stress sent her into early labour with her third child, she realised it was time to change. And in doing so, she discovered a whole new world of research that explained everything she had been experiencing. The exhaustion, the burn out, the anxiety, and the anger. In this episode, she tells us what it all means, and what to do about it. Prepare to feel seen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power Play by Julia Banks delves into the toxic workplace culture in Parliament House – and now is the time to read it. But before you do, listen to this episode.   In today’s conversation, hosted by our managing editor Gemma Dawkins, you’ll hear how Julia was verbally abused and told she was a “pighead,” by a male Liberal staffer inside her own home. Her son was upstairs studying at the time. She was also told to “stop acting like a fucking CEO”.   How did she react in these toxic situations? We asked her.   Julia shocked Australia when she announced she would stand as an independent MP in 2018. Following her resignation, the PM’s office span a public narrative that she couldn’t cope and was emotionally unstable – today we talk about what it was like in the middle of a narrative so removed from the truth. We also talk ambition, motherhood and all the in-between and as always, don’t leave anything out.   Purchase Power Play by Julia Banks  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bri Lee is a phenomenal woman. She’s an author and freelance writer. Her first book, Eggshell Skull, won Biography of the Year at the ABIA Awards, the People's Choice Award at the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, and was longlisted for the 2019 Stella Prize. She is also a non-practicing lawyer and continues to engage in legal research and issues-based advocacy.  Today, I’m talking to Bri about her latest book, entitled Who Gets to Be Smart – a look at the role privilege, power and knowledge plays in our lives. She comes to the conclusion that far from offering any 'equality of opportunity', Australia's education system exacerbates social stratification. Today, we talk about what it’s like to not feel good enough – and what messages we need to be sending to young women today.   Buy Who Gets To Be Smart here  Follow @bri.e.lee        See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is the extraordinary Anjilla Seddeqi, a former lawyer turned fashion designer and mother. She was born in Kabul, and moved to Australia with her family. She studied law, and then went to work as a legal representative for asylum seekers. She started a couture line on the side which focused on modest dressing, as a distraction from her work as lawyer. Today, we will talk about her time spent with asylum seekers and also how it feels to be an Afghan woman, watching the horror unfold in Afghanistan. Like me, right now you’re probably wondering how you can help.  Anjilla has teamed up UNHCR to raise funds for Afghan women and children, and is selling beautiful Arezu Dolls, which are handmade by Afghan women living as refugees in India from eco friendly Indian cotton that otherwise would have been discarded as waste. They are created with love, hope and a wish for a brighter future for the women and children of Afghanistan. 100% of the proceeds will go towards this goal via the UNHCR. I’ve linked these dolls in our show notes. Please all buy one – they’re a beautiful story telling tool for children, and a beautiful way to support women in need.   anjillaseddeqi.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Wittner CEO Catherine Williamson set herself the goal of becoming CEO by 35, she wasn’t counting on giving birth to twin girls shortly after her 34th birthday. Despite the vision board she’d created around that particular milestone, she accepted that it wasn’t going to happen. Or not on schedule, at least. But manifestation is powerful, she says. And get there she did – at 35 years old. It had been a long road to CEO, with Williamson starting out at Wittner as a casual employee attracted by the staff discount. She was picked out for head office, and she remembers receiving the call while at a Ben Harper concert. But while Williamson runs a tight ship, responsible for steering one of Australia’s beloved heritage brands and its 500 staff through Covid, and a new chapter in sustainability - never mind the responsibilities of parenting twin pre-schoolers – don’t for a moment think she’s having it all. To kick off our In Her Shoes series, in partnership with Wittner, our founder Georgie Abay has interviewed Williamson. This exciting new series gives us the rare opportunity to briefly step into the lives of the women who inspire us and discover the strength, courage and ingenuity that has got them to where they are today. Williamson tells us about her leadership style and why she thinks women make great CEOs, as well as the traits her best bosses demonstrated, and what she’s learned about the motherhood penalty. It’s safe to say, Wittner’s future is in good hands. And great shoes, of course. Go to wittner.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before I begin today’s episode, I just want to send my love to everyone in lockdown. I’m recording this on a Friday, after a week of trying to work while home-school my kids. It’s not fun and all I can say is, there’s sunshine ahead. We just need to wait. And be patient- something which doesn’t come that easily to me!   Now, over the last few weeks, in lockdown, something that keeps coming up in the conversations I’m having is the mental health of teens right now. Which is why today’s episode is such an important one. In Dr Ginni Mansberg’s new book The New Teen Age, which she co-wrote with clinical psychologist Jo Lamble, she shares evidence-based strategies for raising today's tweens and teens to feel confident and strong.  Dr Ginni asks the questions on everyone’s mind - Why are today's parents feeling like failures, worried that their teens will 'go off the rails', won't get through school, won't find a job or will be overwhelmed by stress? With so many experts out there offering conflicting advice, how do parents know where to turn and who to trust?  Today’s conversation is eye-opening and one every parent of tweens and teens needs to listen to. Let’s get some answers.   Purchase The New Teen Age here  Visit drginni.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currently, 3.2 million Australians live below the poverty line and more than half of those people are women and young girls. Being able to afford sanitary products is a basic necessity – but sadly one that not everyone can afford. Period poverty is something we can’t ignore.   Which is why this week, we’re stepping into the shoes of two exceptional women – the Young Australian Of The Year 2021 Isobel Marshall and her best friend and business partner Eloise Hall. Together, they founded TABOO, a brand of menstrual health products that uses 100% of its profits to fund sanitary care and education programs. Did we mention that they founded the company while they were at school?  Our new ‘In Her Shoes’ series, in partnership with the iconic Australian footwear brand Wittner, gives us the rare opportunity to briefly step into the lives of the women who inspire us and discover the strength, courage and ingenuity that has got them to where they are today. We want to inspire you, motivate you, and for those in lockdown, help to lift you up. We also hope next time you’re purchasing sanitary products, you’ll consider TABOO – a company driven by passion and purpose.   In this episode, we ask the TABOO co-founders about how they’re tackling period poverty, making real change in the world, and building a brand from the ground up.  Also don’t miss our photo shoot with Isobel and Eloise, dressed in the joyful new Wittner Spring/Summer collection.   Go to tabooau.co | wittner.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viral video producer Briony Benjamin was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 31. Her debut book Life Is Tough (But So Are You) How to rise to the challenge when things go pear-shaped couldn’t have arrived at a more appropriate time. And I hope today’s conversation is a great comfort to our listeners, no matter what you’re going through. Because as we talk about today, you never know what is going on behind closed doors.   Briony was a few months into a new job when she started feeling crappy. Doctors told her she was just stressed and should rest more and learn to meditate. But it turns out she had cancer all through her body.   Turning the camera on herself, Briony started documenting her journey (from chemo to egg freezing) in the short video 'You Only Get One Life'. If you haven’t watched it, please do. I’ve linked it in the show notes.  Her new book sharies wise guidance on how to navigate difficult times and will help you gain perspective on what's truly important in life - from a young woman who never expected to survive The Big C.  Let’s meet the incredible Briony.   Watch You Only Get One Life  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Becoming a mother is supposed to be a joyous time. But when Amani was 5 months pregnant with her first child, she was plunged into grief when her father murdered her mother in a brutal act of domestic violence. As she tried to piece her life back together, Amani began pulling at the threads of her story, searching for answers. How had this happened? Where was the justice? Where did her maternal grandmother’s death, in a fatal airstrike in Lebanon only a decade prior, fit into the story? And most importantly, if trauma could be inherited, then why not joy, and hope? Amani’s book The Mother Wound examines all of this and more, and our conversation today will stay with you long after the episode ends. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Grace Tales, we explore the ups and downs of motherhood – sleepless nights, toddler tantrums, teenage angst, but what happens when you’re raising kids alone? When you’re the only adult in the house. As a child of divorced parents, I’ve seen it from the perspective of a child. But what’s it like from the mother’s perspective? Today’s guest is Journalist Jacinta Tynan, who has just published her new book ‘The Single Mother's Social Club - Inspiration and advice on embracing single parenthood’. As the mother of two young boys, she explores what life really looks like as a single mother – and why it has been the making of her.   Jacinta talks about how, yes, it can be lonely and overwhelming. But it can also be liberating - not just adapting to your new normal, but wholeheartedly embracing it. In her book, she interviews experts and single mothers, who share the best advice for thriving when you're the only adult in the home, along with her own experiences of making it as a single mum.  In her own words: “You can look back and lament. Or you can join the club.”    Purchase: ‘The Single Mother's Social Club - Inspiration and advice on embracing single parenthood’ Follow: @jacintatynan  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read Clem Bastow’s new non-fiction book Late Bloomer and it will change the way you think about autism.  Clem grew up feeling like she’d missed a key memo on human behaviour. She found the unspoken rules of social engagement confusing, arbitrary and often stressful. Friendships were hard, relationships harder, and the office was a fluorescent-lit nightmare of anxiety. It wasn’t until Clem was diagnosed as autistic, at age 36, that things clicked into focus.  The obsession with sparkly things and dinosaurs. The encyclopaedic knowledge of popular music. The meltdowns that would come on like a hurricane. The ability to write eloquently while conquering basic maths was like trying to understand ancient Greek. These weren’t just ‘personality quirks’ but autistic traits that shaped Clem’s life in powerful ways.  With wit and warmth, Clem reflects as an autistic adult on her formative experiences as an undiagnosed young person, from the asphalt playground of St Joseph's Primary School in Melbourne to working as an entertainment journalist in Hollywood. Along the way she challenges the broader cultural implications and ideas around autism, especially for women and gender-diverse people. Deconstructing the misconceptions and celebrating the realities of autistic experience, Late Bloomer is as heartbreaking as it is hilarious, and will stay with you long after the reading.  Purchase Late Bloomer here  Visit www.clembastow.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m so excited to introduce you to today’s guest, who I first interviewed for the grace tales over 5 years ago when she was travelling around Australia on holidays. It was on that trip that she decided Byron Bay was where she wanted to call home and not long after, she began the process of making the move to Australia a permanent one.   If you’re one of Courtney Adamo’s 276K followers on Instagram, you’ll know she became a “parenting influencer” long before anyone had even heard of the term. The American mother of five moved from London to Australia’s Byron Bay after an 18-month stint spent travelling the world with her children and husband Michael. Given she’s the mother to five children ranging from toddler to teen, it’s no wonder she’s built a hugely successful career on doing what’s most important to her: being a mother.  In this episode, we’re going to talk about her career journey from launching babyccino to most recently, launching a series of e-courses called In The Loop. Registrations are now open for Courtney’s most recent course on tweens and teens which starts on August 2. The link to sign up is in the show notes. We’re also going to look at navigating criticism, the harder parts of motherhood and what keeps her grounded.   I also wanted to invite you to a live AllBright event we’re doing with Courtney on Wednesday 28th July. You’re all invited, so sign up for free via the link in our show notes.   Sign up for Courtney’s new In The Loop course on Tweens & Teens here:   https://intheloop.courtneyadamo.com/  RSVP for our free AllBright event with Courtney Adamo on Wednesday July 23rd at 8pm AEST here  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yumiko Kadota was every Asian parent's dream: model student, top of her class in medical school and on track to becoming a surgeon. A self-confessed workaholic, she regularly put ‘knife before life’, knowing it was all going to be worth it because it would lead to her longed-for career.   But if the punishing hours in surgery weren’t hard enough, she also faced challenges as a young female surgeon navigating a male-dominated specialty. She was regularly left to carry out complex procedures without senior surgeons’ oversight; she was called all sorts of things, from ‘emotional’ to ‘too confident’; and she was expected to work a relentless on-call roster – sometimes seventy hours a week or more – to prove herself.  Eventually it was too much, and Yumiko quit.  In her new book ‘Emotional Female’ Yumiko Kadota refers to herself as a recovering doctor. In today’s fascinating and eye-opening conversation, you’ll hear why. She’s also reclaiming the term emotional – and turning it from a negative to a positive. You’ll hear why she believes that: “Being emotional makes us human, and I’m certain that it made me a better doctor to my patients. Keep being emotional, it’s a beautiful thing.”   Yumiko’s new book is an honest account of the toxic culture of bullying and overwork that junior doctors can experience in the workplace as part of their training.  Emotional Female is her account of what it was like to train in the Australian public hospital system, and what made her walk away.  Buy Emotional Female here   Follow @mindbodymiko, @yumikokadota  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As someone who spent most of her career in fashion magazines, I loved interviewing today’s guest not only because she’s someone I admire but because she’s always kept it real and honest. Today you’ll meet the former editor of Australian ELLE magazine Justine Cullen who has just published her first book, Semi-Gloss, which through a collection of essays, takes us on a hilariously candid exploration of her life so far - and all the mistakes she's made along the way. It’s a reminder that no matter what our lives look like on Instagram, every single one of us makes mistake.   Her new book Semi-Gloss is an intimate, sharp and witty look at growing up and growing older from the kind of woman who seems like she has it all together - the glamorous job, the perfect family, the killer wardrobe. But, chipping away at that shiny, sparkly surface, Justine reveals the beautiful mess that lies beneath.  As always, we talk about Justine’s incredible career, and how she’s done it while raising 4 boys. We talk about the big topics – from marriage to miscarriage and also get a glimpse into justine’s former life as a WAG, a beauty editor and more.  Let’s meet Justine.    Buy Semi-Gloss  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you love flowers, you’ll adore the joyful Willow Crossley. You’ll also love the way she talks about passion, purpose and happiness. I first had the pleasure of interviewing the British floral artist and author over a year ago (you can see the story photographed by Helene Sandberg here). I’d followed her on Instagram and as a creative, fell in love with her wild and free floral extravaganzas. In her own words, her unique signature style encompasses “a riot of colour, pattern and texture”. Willow grew up in the countryside in rural Wales, where she was drawn to nature. She dreamt of being a fashion designer and would spend hours dreaming up outfits. Willow went on to become a fashion journalist, before moving into floristry. She’s since written four books, works on commissions for the royal family and some of the world’s biggest brands such as Mulberry, Jo Malone and Liz Earle. Willow is a mother to three boys, and talks honestly about motherhood – from the isolation of the early days to what it’s like raising young men. I’m so thrilled that The Grace Tales Editor-At-Large Emily Armstrong who is based in the Cotswolds with Willow, is interviewing Willow for this podcast today. Emily and I have worked together for a long time, and she’s also one of my dearest friends – and favourite interviewers. willowcrossley.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.