No Filter

Gender studies Professor and feminist Dana Berkowitz was strongly opposed to Botox. She would lecture students on body image and beauty culture, and was researching for a book on anti-aging practices in society. And then, while researching it, she had it. What followed for her were compliments. Many compliments. And she found herself at the centre of a conflict so many women have: Is there a feminist way to have Botox? Is using it to improve your appearance proof of a woman's right to choose? Or is it more evidence of women having to bow to a society that rewards youth and emphasises appearance? And how does it differ to colouring your hair, or shaving your legs? In a society obsessed with youth, Mia Freedman and Berkowitz tackle aging, body image, resting bitch-face, the patriarchial bargain, and the eternal question Mia Freedman faces: should I do it?  Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Dana Berkowitz.  Find Dana's book Botox Nation by going to apple.co/mamamia. You can also subscribe to all of our shows there. Love Spotify? Find our podcasts there too by following this link. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s won 11 Aria Awards. 22 Golden Guitars. Released 10 albums. And somewhere in between all that had three kids and written an autobiography.  There is no denying that Kasey Chambers has done a lot into her 40 years of life. But behind the many golden guitars is a person who, at the age of 30 was diagnosed with anorexia and has spent the past ten years dealing with her relationship with food and working out what is best for her. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Kasey Chambers. Find out more about her new album here.  Find Kasey's autobiography by going to apple.co/mamamia.  This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kids say some funny things sometimes. So when two-year-old Georgie Stone said 'Mum, I want a vagina', it seemed like an innocent, cute kid comment. And Mum barely blinked. But Georgie knew already that she was born in the wrong body. That she was transgender. And as the years unfolded, it became apparent. In 2015 - at just 15 years old - Georgie publicly came out as transgender. She did so to advocate for other trans kids not just in the media... but in the legal system, where delays in processes can mean a world of difference during puberty. This is the story of an open trans teen, her family, her friends, her brave and open decision to say 'this is me'. It's the story of a teenager battling prejudice, bullying and even legal hurdles to become a remarkable young woman. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guests Georgie and Rebekah Stone. Find out more about their website, Transcend here. If you or your family need help visit: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Transcend Gender Help for Parents This podcast was produced by Luca Lavigne. CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our Australian Cricketers turn the SCG into a blushing meadow for the Pink Test, it's a reminder of Jane McGrath's legacy. The mother of two, and wife to cricket fast bowler Glenn McGrath formed a foundation that has changed lives. But she also forged a friendship like no other. This is not a story about breast cancer, it's the story of Jane McGrath and her hilarious best friend, Tracy Bevan. Their relationship went to the darkest places you can imagine and then lifted them higher than they thought possible, over and over. It’s a story of how far you will go for your best friend. This episode was first published in September 2016. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Tracy and Millie Bevan. Find out more about the McGrath foundation here. The McGrath Foundation are aiming to raise $390,000 this year. If you can spare anything, www.pinktest.com.au This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s the co-host of Studio 10, is often on the cover of magazines and often has headlines written about her post pregnancy body. But if you call Sarah Harris a TV star or a celebrity, chances are she will laugh in your face and say she is just a journalist. But there is no denying that her life has changed since she changed TV networks and jobs. She speaks to Mia Freedman about being followed by paparazzi, what it was like when viewers started commenting on her baby weight and why she will soon stop sharing photos of her son, Paul. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Sarah Harris This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you had written 23 novels - and had nine of them debut at number one on the New York Times bestseller list - would you still reply to every fan email you received and every tweet that popped up in your notifications list? Probably not, but for American author Jodi Picoult, she wouldn't have it any other way. She joins Mia Freedman to talk about her new book, Small Great Things, biases, living in a bubble and the incredible moment her son came out to her. It's the perfect holiday listen. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Jodi Picoult. Buy her new novel Small Great Things at apple.co/mamamia This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The past two years have not been easy for Antonia Kidman. In 2014 she lost her dear father to a heart attack. Just seven months later, came the tragic and sudden death of her former husband and the father of her four older children. It was a double blow of mammoth proportions for Antonia and even more so for her family. What happened next, and the path she’s chosen to follow as her kids are growing up is a surprising one. Now, the mother of six has emerged from the rubble of grief very centred, very secure and with a new focus; a career in social justice law. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Antonia Kidman. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia Freedman is still on a mission to burst her bubble. And today, she’s taking to it with a pitchfork. She’s calling up Andrew Bolt. A right-wing conservative who writes Australia's most-read political blog.  And it's a conversation to make you think, to make you question, and to perhaps re-order some of the opinions and ideas that may have been cemented in your mind. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Andrew Bolt This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network If you want to buy the book mentioned on No Filter, go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re 27. You’ve just gotten divorced after a very brief marriage. And you’re watching your favourite show on TV. It’s about an all women’s soccer team. Two girls kiss. And then it hits you. You’re a lesbian. You’re also a huge country music star. And you don’t know how your fans will react. So you don’t tell anyone. You raise your son. You pour everything out on stage, but then you go on living your life in secret.   When Beccy Cole, one of Australia’s most successful, talented and award-winning country music singers met the love of her life, it was a chance encounter. And what happened next will lift your heart and leave you with cartoon love hearts spilling out of your eyes, too. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guests Beccy Cole and Libby O'Donovan This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff and Luca Lavigne CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBuy Mia's books at apple.co/mamamia. You will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marriage is hard. Kids are hard. Carving a career in the music industry is hard. Luckily, Em Rusciano is a try-hard. You might know her from her brutally honest facebook page, from her time on Australian Idol, her brekkie radio gigs, her side-splitting standup, maybe you ran alongside her at athletics or your kids go to school with hers. But this refreshingly honest conversation gets to the core of who Em Rusciano is.  Because when you spend your life on show for others, you have to work out who you really are. And Em, more than anyone, lays it all bare; her demons, her foibles, her guts and determination, and mostly, her heart on her sleeve.  Show Notes Buy Em's book Try Hard at apple.co/mamamia. You will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place. Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Em Rusciano This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network No Filter is brought to you by Bref Power Active – 4in1 Power for your toiletBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia Freedman is trying to figure out what the hell just happened with the US election. And the main thing Mia's realised is that she lives in a bubble. It's a pretty crowded bubble of like-minded centre lefties who cannot fathom how 'the most influential nation on earth' could elect Donald Trump. So, in a bid to burst the bubble, Mia has decided to call up four people she knows who think differently to her. Rowan Dean is the third bubble burster.  Editor of Spectator, Courier Mail columnist & Sky News commentator  Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Rowan Dean This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network If you want to buy the book mentioned on No Filter, go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two years ago, Brisbane breakfast radio star Robin Bailey lost her husband. In the aftermath, stricken with grief, she poured herself into work. Then last month, after ten years on air at the radio station, she lost her job. In her first interview since being let go from the 97.3 Brisbane breakfast team, the mother of three opens up to Mia Freedman about grief, the first thing she did after she was sacked and how she plans on maintaining a stable life for her three sons. As always, Robin is fierce and brave and utterly transparent. She feels all the feelings and speaks from her heart - even when it’s broken. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Robin Bailey This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  Executive producer of podcasts is Monique Bowley  Head of Entertainment is Holly Wainwright.  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network To find more of our shows go to apple.co/mamamia. You will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The thing about being on live TV for 20 hours a week is that you can’t fake it. Pretenders don't last. So the Lisa Wilkinson you know from ten years on the Today Show is the same Lisa Wilkinson you meet in real life. Mia Freedman talks to her former boss about what happens when you realise your husband is drinking and eating too much, the hardest part about marriage, and how Karl Stefanovic, her ebullient co-host, is dealing with a very public seperation.  Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Lisa Wilkinson.  Find out more about Lisa's exhibition here. View the first portrait she was talking about here. To buy a copy of Pete's book The Great Aussie Bloke Slim Down go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia Freedman is trying to figure out what the hell just happened with the US election. And the main thing Mia's realised is that she lives in a bubble. It's a pretty crowded bubble of like-minded Centre Lefties who cannot fathom how 'the most influential nation on earth' could elect Donald Trump. So, in a bid to burst the bubble, Mia has decided to call up four people she knows who think differently to her. The second? Columnist and Commentator Miranda Devine Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Miranda Devine This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network If you want to buy the book mentioned on No Filter, go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia Freedman is trying to figure out what the hell just happened with the US election. And the main thing Mia's realised is that she lives in a bubble. And it's a pretty crowded bubble of like-minded Centre Lefties who cannot fathom how 'the most influential nation on earth' could elect Donald Trump. So, in a bid to burst the bubble, Mia has decided to call up four people she knows who think differently to her. The first? Sky News TV host, Paul Murray. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Paul Murray This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network If you want to buy the book mentioned on No Filter, go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re a successful comedian who is married to a man who doesn't want children. Suddenly, the ticking of your biological clock is the only sound you can hear. The story of what happened when you forced him into IVF is one that will shape both your lives. This is Meshel Laurie’s story. The radio host, author, feminist, podcaster, social justice warrior, mother, ex-wife, Tinder survivor and Buddhist is one of  the most dynamic, fierce, sensitive, introspective, caring, determined women Mia Freedman knows. And in this interview she gets very, very honest. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Meshel Laurie This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff and Luca Lavigne CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network If you want to buy the book mentioned on No Filter, go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The day Mia has been waiting for is here. It’s the US election. So it’s no surprise that when the American bestselling author Jodi Picoult came into the office, Mia asked her all about her take on Trump and Clinton. From asking where Oprah is, to talking about how the polling works, Jodi Picoult has all the answers. The full No Filter interview with Jodi is coming soon.  Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Jodi Picoult. The full interview with Jodi will be coming in the next few weeks.  This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network If you want to buy the book mentioned on No Filter, go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you give birth to a baby girl who isn’t yours? You will never breastfeed her, never live in the same house as her, and will never, ever be called 'mum'. This was Shannon Garner’s experience not that long ago. The mother-of-two decided to be a surrogate for a gay couple she had never met, and around 12 months later, Shannon gave birth to their baby Elsie. Unsurprisingly, Mia had SO many questions about surrogacy. How do you endure the heartache of leaving that hospital with empty arms? What is her relationship with Elsie and her two dads now? And Shannon was gracious enough to answer them all. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Shannon Garner. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network If you want to buy the book mentioned on No Filter, go to apple.co/mamamia, where you will find every book we talk about on any of our shows in one place.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can’t cure death. But you can try and make it kinder. And that is what Andrew Denton plans on doing for many chronically ill Australians. The iconic journalist and former host of Enough Rope has made it his mission to understand voluntary euthanasia since the death of his own father. Denton's created a podcast called Better Off Dead, and now he’s using his profile to make changes in government. It’s a conversation that Mia didn’t want to have. But now, she’s glad she did. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Andrew Denton. Listen to his podcast Better Off Dead here.  This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How far would you go to get your children back if they had been taken from you? Would you travel to a foreign country? Hire a person skilled in the recovery of child abductions? This is exactly what Brisbane mother-of-three Sally Faulkner did to be reunited with her two children Lahela and Noah. But things didn’t exactly end up going to plan. This is the story behind the botched 60 minutes recovery operation. The operation that landed the news team, journalist Tara Brown, and Sally Faulkner in prison. And despite all that, this mother's story, and her fight to get her children back, hasn't ended yet. Show Notes Our host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to Sally Faulkner. Find her book, All For My Children, here. And sign her change.org petition here. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who’s the biggest supporter of women? According to himself, it’s Donald Trump. But then again, he also thinks Aleppo is a 'fat' supermodel. Mia Freedman is joined in the studio again by Amelia Lester, the Editor of the Good Weekend - and gatecrasher and resident Trump impersonator Rosie Waterland. So what happened today? What does this mean? Did Hillary just nail it? And what now? Show Notes For more US politics try:  Slate's  TrumpCast Keeping It 1600 Follow: Jon Favreau, Obama's speechwriter, on Twitter Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to The Good Weekend Editor, Amelia Lester and host of The Binge, Rosie Waterland This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever listened to Triple J news, you'd be familiar with the smooth-talking tones of newsreader Nas Campanella. What you might not know, though, is that she's completely blind. A national newsreader who can't read the news, and doesn't use braille.  So how does she do her job? How does she text, date, cook, and buy clothes? And why, at 29, do people still treat her like a child? For a woman who heard "how the hell can you be a journalist?" many times over, the stories of her life and the lengths she's gone to for her dream job are extraordinary. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Nas Campanella from Triple J This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia Freedman has a new hobby. It's not knitting, or even sport. It’s American politics. Actually, that’s a lie. It’s Donald Trump… and how much she hates him. He’s a name caller. He makes fun of people with disabilities, of grieving mothers who have lost their soldier sons, of women. Soooo many women. So she decided to invite Amelia Lester, the former Managing Editor of the New Yorker, on to talk Trump.  Show Notes For more US politics try:  Slate's  TrumpCast Keeping It 1600 Follow: Jon Favreau, Obama's speechwriter, on Twitter Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to The Good Weekend Editor, Amelia Lester This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  and Luca Lavigne CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is not an interview about breast cancer. This is an interview about an extraordinary friendship between two hilarious women. Tracy Bevan lost her best friend, Jane McGrath to breast cancer, but that’s not what defined their connection. Their relationship went to the darkest places you can imagine and then lifted them higher than they thought possible, over and over. It’s a friendship that has transcended death in the most surprising way. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Tracy and Millie Bevan. Find out more about the McGrath foundation here. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  And brought to you by Virgin Australia. CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s been called the 'Obama of popular fiction'.  An author whose books all turn to gold. But at home, Liane Moriarty is considered to be a suburban housewife who writes for a hobby. Australia’s most successful author, this mother-of-two from Sydney has sold over six million books.  She's one of the few authors in the world to ever have three books on the New York Times bestseller lists at the ONE time. So how did she do it?  She joins Mia to discuss her latest book, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, and what it was like when she found out Nicole Kidman wanted to buy her bestseller. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Liane Moriarty This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  And brought to you by Queensland Fertility Group, IVF Australia, Melbourne IVF and TasIVF. CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She enrolled in The Bachelor to 'shake things up' in her life. Two years on, Sam Frost is Australia's sweetheart: the loveable girl-next-door with a brekkie radio gig next to Rove McManus. But the path to get there was paved with pain. She had her heart smashed into a million pieces in front of the nation, which sent her spinning into despair and grief. But her belief that she would be happy again - and that the universe would lead her there- led her to a real life fairytale romance.   She talks to Mia about life and love in the public eye, dealing with trolls, mental health breakdowns, what really happened when Blake Garvey broke up with her, and the feeling that the whole world is waiting for you to fail.  Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Sam Frost This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  And brought to you by Queensland Fertility Group, IVF Australia, Melbourne IVF and TasIVF. CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you make an ordinary person seem like a rock star? You put them in front of Richard Fidler. His cult ABC radio show, Conversations, is Australia's most popular podcast, downloaded more than 1.8 million times per month. And Richard is the puppet master; drawing you deep into the stories of people you have probably never heard of. Today, he is on the receiving end of the questions.   He tells Mia Freedman how he got to where he is today; the skills it takes to make the driest topics interesting, who the worst subjects to interview are, and why weirdness is everything. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Richard Fidler This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  And brought to you by Queensland Fertility Group, IVF Australia, Melbourne IVF and TasIVF. CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She's feisty, funny, and after she scowled into the spotlight on The Bachelor Australia, she found herself as the crowd favourite. But for Keira Maguire, it came with a massive amount of scrutiny. After Woman’s Day revealed she grew up in a polygamist cult, the Bachelor star talks to Mia about being cast as the villain, growing up "different" and what she’s going to do next. The interview doesn't quite go to plan. But sometimes, when there is No Filter, things can get messy. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Keira Maguire. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She's one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood. She votes on the Academy, which decides who will get the Oscars. She’s produced box office smash hits Wild, Gone Girl, Warm Bodies and Milk just to name a few. And up until last week she had a production company with Reese Witherspoon. So how did Bruna Papandrea go from the outer Adelaide suburbs to a leading lady boss of Hollywood?  This Aussie powerhouse is a friend Mia hadn’t seen in over 20 years. So when she arrived in the studio to record this interview, there was some serious catching up to do... Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Bruna Papandrea. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  And brought to you by Queensland Fertility Group, IVF Australia, Melbourne IVF and TasIVF. CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ita Buttrose is an Australian icon. She's the founding editor of Cleo Magazine. Cold Chisel once wrote a song about her. The author of 11 books. A former Australian of the year. Host of Studio 10. And when she sat down with another former magazine editor Mia Freedman for this interview, what did they talk about? Everything, obviously. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Ita Buttrose. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network    Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2011, Loren O'Keeffe's world changed forever. Her 24-year-old brother Dan walked out of the family home and disappeared. Loren quit her job immediatley, set up a Dan Come Home movement and spent the next five years answering emails, trawling soup kitchens and chasing every lead that came her way.  In March of 2016, all that came to a halt, when Dan's body was found under the family home. Today Loren joins Mia on a very raw No Filter to talk about her life now that Dan is no longer missing, and why she will never stop helping those people who are missing through her charity, the Missing Persons Advocacy Network. Show Notes You can find all the details on how to buy Too Short Stories here. Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Loren O'Keeffe. Visit the MPAN website here. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network    Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look around you. Look at the women in your life. Did you know, one in three of them will have a miscarriage in their lifetime? And around 2000 women this year will have a stillbirth. That's a lot of women you know.   I am one of them. And so is my very dear friend, Rebecca Sparrow. That’s why at Mamamia, we decided to establish a support group for these women. This week at Mamamia it's Pregnancy Loss Awareness Week, and to shine some light on the stories of these women that so often go untold, I thought I would re-release this conversation Bec and I had about love, loss and empty arms. Because for the women that go through it, and the ones who stand by them, how do you deal with something so personal? Show Notes You can find all the details on how to join the Facebook group and where to download the eBook at mamamia.com.au/never-forgotten   Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Rebecca Sparrow. Find all of Bec's books here. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network    Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To many, she's considered a fast-talking Aussie who created Puberty Blues. But when you dig a little deeper, you realise that author Kathy Lette is so much more than the vivacious outfits she wears. For most of her public life, she kept quiet about the fact that her eldest son Jules had autism. But in 2012, after unintentionally writing about it in The Boy Who Fell to Earth, Kathy realised that it was better to shine a light into a dark corner then just leave it in the dark. And that's exactly what she has been doing ever since. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Kathy Lette. You can find out how to buy all of her books here.  This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts This podcast was brought to you by AEIOU Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I won’t love anything as much as I love swimming." With nine Olympic medals, Leisel Jones is regarded as one of the greatest Australian swimmers ever. But when she stepped onto the Olympic platform at just 15 years old, it was a baptism of fire. Thrust into the limelight so young she reveals the constant pressure she was under – from coaches, from the media and from herself – to be perfect. From the 4:10am training starts to the bullying, dysfunction and body image issues, this is a story of a four-time Olympian who went from gold, to hell and back again.  Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Leisel Jones. Her book is Body Lengths, available here.  This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Reach Lifeline on 13 11 14Or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Germanos was completing his HSC when he found out his kidneys were failing. He was 17. He played rep soccer, was fun loving, and had never had a problem with his health before. Yet, out of nowhere he got sick. His mum Rita and Dad George, along with his three older siblings were blindsided.The family knew they would have to do everything in their power to try and make him better. And that’s exactly what they did. Rita and George join Mia Freedman to talk about the reality of living on the organ donor list, and what happens when you decide you will do anything in your power to save your child's life.  Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to George and Rita Germanos. Find out more about organ donation in Australia here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four years ago, Taryn Brumfitt was booked into surgery for a boob job, and a tummy tuck, when she had an epiphany. "If I go through with this, what am I saying to my daughter about body image? How am I going to encourage her to accept and love her body? What type of hypocrite or mother would I be?" Now, she has a dream. To change the way we see our bodies. She joins Mia to talk about her mission to address body image issues in society, before we raise another generation of humans who hate themselves. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Taryn Brumfitt. Her brand new documentary Embrace is out now, Find out where you can see it here This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network This show was brought to you by Wear White Again.  And email is [email protected]  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not many people can say they influenced Oprah, but Caroline Overington can. The award-winning author and journalist interviewed the most famous woman in the world at her Harpo studios last year, and it did not go as expected. A woman who believes in "fake it till you make it", she has twice won Australia’s most prestigious award for journalism, the Walkley Award for Investigative Journalism; and the Sir Keith Murdoch award for Journalistic Excellence. Her latest book is the thriller, The One Who Got Away, a bestseller that critics are saying rivals Gone Girl, but as she tells Mia Freedman, nothing compares to the hairy experience of raising 18-month old twins in New York.  Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Caroline Overington. Buy The One Who Got Away here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network This show proudly supports Rize Up, a wonderful grass roots community organisation who help to provide the comforts of home to women and children fleeing from family violence. Find out more here. And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the top of the media tree, and how one of Australia's top journalists works and thinks, you are going to love this episode. Sarah Ferguson is a multiple Walkley-award winning journalist, the host of Four Corners, and is known for asking politicians the tough questions. She is also funny and sweary and beautiful. She's half of one of Australia's media power couples (and what she has to say about that is hilarious), and this episode reveals so much about the person she really is. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Sarah Ferguson. Find out more about her book, The Killing Season Uncut, here.  This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She started making the lipsticks she would want to wear when she was 19. Within three years Poppy King was head of the biggest cosmetic company in Australia. She was one of the few young women in our pre-Internet public life and she changed the psyche of Australia in terms of what we could make and what we could export. And then she disappeared. Poppy moved to New York and Australia’s lips were never the same. Then, this year, Mia Freedman bought a new lipstick in a cool Sydney make-up store and realised it was made by her old friend Poppy. Weeks later, they sat down in New York City to discuss success, failure and the peculiar experience of being a successful young woman with a target on their back.  Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Poppy King. Find out more about her new lipstick range here. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2013, mother-of-three Sam Bloom’s world changed. A freak accident on a family holiday in Thailand left her paralysed from the chest down. Her three young sons and her husband Cameron rallied around her. But it wasn’t until the family found a baby magpie who had fallen from his tree that things started looking up for the Blooms. Now, Cameron has written a book about Penguin, the Magpie who pulled his family from a dark, dark place. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With Cameron and Sam Bloom. Find out more about Penguin Bloom, the Magpie, here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He hasn't had a drink since he was 22 years old. And he reckons that’s the reason he’s made it in comedy. There’s no denying that Dave Hughes is one of our most popular comedians. From hosting the Logies to touring internationally, the former co-host of The Project joins Mia to talk about how his career started, his friendship with radio co-host Kate Langbroek and why he really left one of Australia's most popular weekly news shows. Oh, and why his wife made him get the snip. It is No Filter, after all. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Dave Hughes. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts The facebook page is Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast @mamamia.com.au  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gloria Steinem has long been considered the mother of feminism. Since her days of political activism in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the journalist and author has spent her life campaigning for women’s rights. And at 82 years old, there’s still no stopping her. In this interview with Mia Freedman, Gloria discusses the idea of selfies as empowerment, why she feels sad for Kim Kardashian, plastic surgery and the future of feminism in popular culture. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Gloria Stienem. Find out more about her book, My Life on The Road, here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruby Rose lost her mum when she was only two years old... In 2009, the Heuston family's world changed for ever when Chloe Waterlow was murdered by her brother in Sydney's east. Chloe was mother to the three Heuston kids, then aged 5, 2 and 4 months. Those children would grow up without their mum. Their father Ben, lost the love of his life. Five years later, another unthinkable tragedy has struck the family. Ben and Chloe's only daughter Ruby Rose was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and suffered a haemorrhage that has left her permanently blind at just nine years old. As a single dad, Ben is trying to do the best for his daughter, and his two sons. But he needs your help. TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP RUBY ROSE - CLICK HERE. In this searingly emotional interview, Ben discusses life after loss, dealing with Ruby's shocking diagnosis and what it takes to rebuild a family, not once, but twice.  Show Notes If find out more about how you can help the Heustons, go to Rise For Ruby Rose, here. Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Ben and Penny Heuston. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is [email protected] a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She has slept with around 12,000 people. Many of them men. But for as long as she can remember, Madison Missina has lived part of her life in the closet. As an award-winning porn star, sex worker, sex therapist and business owner - she's gotten used to not revealing her real name, or any parts of her previous life. But now she is coming...out. In every possible way. She speaks to Mia Freedman about what it's like to be a gay woman, having straight sex on camera. And why it was time for her to stop living a lie.  And a warning: This podcast includes explicit content. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman Huge thanks to Madison Missina. Learn about her ground-breaking Raw exhibit, here (warning: the content is explicit). Find out more about the Prude and the Pornstar here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts The facebook page is Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast @mamamia.com.auBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The much loved comedian and actor may have clocked a long career on stage and screen, a book, a battle with breast cancer and botox, but there's still something on the wish list. Julia Morris lays it all out in this hilarious interview with Mia Freedman, spanning topics from miscarriage to magazines, the papparazzi and how to best mask your menopausal rage.  Your host is Mia Freedman Huge thanks to the divine Julia Morris Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts The facebook page is Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast @mamamia.com.au Thanks to Westinghouse for sponsoring this show. Details on how to enter the competition to have lunch with Julia Morris are here.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I cannot believe that is how my cards fell. I cannot believe I should have a six-year-old daughter."   Rebecca Sparrow is an author, columnist, mother, and Oprah worshipper. She's also one of the wisest women Mia Freedman knows.     After the death of her daughter Georgie, these two women connected and forged an unlikely friendship.   In this interview with Mia, Rebecca talks about the loss of her daughter Georgie, the surrealness of losing a baby, and her new role as a teenage agony aunt, canvassing teens worst fears and anxieties in her new books.   Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Rebecca Sparrow. Find all of Bec's books here. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebookThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network  Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natasha Stott Despoja famously walked into parliament, at age 26, wearing Doc Martens. It set the tone for a political career that would shake things up.  The former Leader of the Australian Democrats Party and mother ot two was once asked if she could breastfeed on a schedule. Now as the Ambassador for Women and Girls, she joins Mia Freedman to talk about her life in politics, her children and why we never question men about their work/life balance and "having it all". Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Natasha Stott Despoja, find out more about OurWatch here This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show was bought to you by nbnThis show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The dominant partner in any relationship will always sleep on the side of the bed closest to the door." So says Peter FitzSimons. It's one of his little theories of life,  of which he has many. The author, columnist and former Australian rugby player has written 27 books, holds the record for the longest radio interview ever, and is the Chair of the Australian Republican movement. Peter FitzSimons rips the bandana off while talking to Mia Freedman. They cover love, writing, religion, philosophy, his 24 year marriage to Today show host Lisa Wilkinson, leaning out, and why Australia will be a republic in the next five years. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Peter FitzSimons, his website is PeterFitzsimons.com.au This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Tell us something via email [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hey Dad! child star blew the whistle on her TV dad. Robert Hughes, who played her father on the popular Australian TV show, was found guilty of repeatedly molesting her over a period of many years. Hughes was sentenced to a maximum of 10 years and nine months jail. But now, he's appealing for a second time. Monahan details the moment she 'snapped', facing Hughes in court, and why she's decided to never become a mother herself. Show notes Your host is Mia Freedman With thanks to Sarah Monahan. Her memoir, Allegedly, is out now through New Holland publishers. Contact the show via facebook, via twitter, @mamamiapodcasts or email [email protected] This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff and Monique Bowley for the Mamamia Women's NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Bridges gets stuff done.  She is an entrepreneur, a personal trainer, a television personality, and a new mum to son Axel. And did we mention she has written 13 books? Yeah. But what you might not know about Michelle is that she is a survivor of sexual assault, is an absolute "sook" about her baby son, and that on the day she sat down to talk to Mia Freedman about her new book Make It Happen, her boobs were killing her. Welcome to No Filter.  Show Notes: Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Michelle Bridges This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff Make It Happen is released on March 1.  CONTACT US Tell us something via email [email protected] tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show proudly supports Rize Up, a wonderful grass roots community organisation who help to provide the comforts of home to women and children fleeing from family violence. Find out more here. This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s NetworkBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.