It was love at first MasterChef promo last year when past contestant Conor Curran aka "Creamy" stood out to me as someone I really wanted to get to know. I loved his fun approach to cooking (which he lovingly described as "con-fusion" ) and unapologetic enthusiasm for life and being completely himself. From afar Conor looked fun, huggable and the kind of person I wanted to grab a cocktail and laugh out loud with. After spending a little more one on one time upclose, Conor revealed more about himself than I was expecting. Yes he is the fun, flamboyant, Greek gay guy that everyone wants to be friends with, but that wasn't always the case. Tragically, there was a stage in Conor's adolescence when ending his life seemed like a more appealing option than living. I was taken aback and so sad that this incredible person had once faced inner-demons that made being in his own skin so difficult. Homophobia as well as internalised homophobia and the bullying he faced at his Greek school played a major role in the deep depression that set in at the time, which took him a long time to overcome.  Things started clicking into place for Conor when he started working in hospitality when he finished school largely as every kind of person was accepted in hospo. This is a fabulously honest and open chat about life, the highs and lows, and I really hope that you feel inspired to be and back yourself after listening to the incredible Conor "Creamy" Curran.  Excitingly Creamy and I will be starting a new Instagram Live MasterChef Recap series each week during this season of MasterChef Australia. Make sure you are following us over on Insta if you would like to connect with us for our take on what's hot and what's cold in the MasterChef kitchen!  Connect with Conor over on Insta: www.instagram.com/creamy_confusion  Connect with Dani over on Insta: www.instagram.com/danivenn Connect with Falling With You Podcast www.instagram.com/fallingforyou_podcast If this episode has bought up any issues for you, please contact Lifeline: 13 11 14   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I first noticed Merowyn on Instagram during the pandemic, a nurse in full scrubs sharing her experiences of what it was really like to work on the front line, but it was Merowyn's powerful voice advocating for mental health and anti domestic violence that really resonated with me. I was intrigued to learn more about her life...  Merowyn grew up in a "clash of cultures" with a Phillipino father and Anglo mother in the suburbs of Melbourne. Physically Merowyn felt out of place as the only brown kid at school and like most kids, just wanted to fit in. Merowyn was also faced with witnessing emotional and physical domestic violence in her home and experienced intergenerational trauma being played out in her family home.  In our chat we talk about Merowyn's teenage years where she lived with the impact of her mum's battle with cancer, falling into the "Melbourne shuffle" rave scene as a way to escape her world (and meeting her now husband whilst working in a rave store!!) and later finding her purpose helping people, starting out in pharmacy and later studying nursing.  Later in life this affected Merowyn's perspective on relationship and a young adult found herself in a DV relationship, learning the lesson you can not change a person the hard way. Follow Merowyn on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nurse.merowyn  Follow Dani on Instagram: www.instagram.com/danivenn  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This isn't a story to give you an instant formula, funnel or five step program, this is Anita Siek's (entrepreneur and business coach) story about how in life you do things because you think you have to, to tick the boxes to please others around you that are important to you, to do ALL the things. But once you've got to the place you thought was your dream job or position, it doesn't give you all the feels you thought it would. So what next? As a multi-passionate person Anita had quite a few 'side hustles' going for her, from planting terrariums to food blogging and a little bit of photography to keep things interesting. But it was her love of writing, specifically copywriting, that gave her the most joy.  But there were things holding her back - like a steady income and her parents approval of her being a lawyer - that kept her in her full time role. It wasn't until she experienced bullying in the workplace that gave herself permission to leap into the world of unknown freelancing and being her own boss. Given that Anita had just bought herself a house (whilst still employed),  it was enough motivation to make her work hard, hustle (for want of a better word) and make her entrepreneurial dreams work for her. Anita may have had the guts to leave her job, but she still didn't have the nerve to tell her mum just yet! Fast forward to now and Anita turning over more profit then she ever did as a lawyer, she has her own exclusive business coaching program and a few digital products to keep things interesting! I love Anita's vibe and positivity, willingness to give things a crack and a joy to be around! I hope you love listening to Anita's story (or part of it) and if you are keen to follow her, make sure you do over at Insta  www.instagram.com/anitasiek  Or check out her Wordfetti page  www.instagram.com/wordfetti  Dani Venn instagram www.instagram.com/danivenn  Falling For You Podcast (page in the making) www.instagram.com/fallingforyou_podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jess is one of those people that might seem unassuming if you met her down the street, but Jess is a powerhouse of tenacity, resilience and doing life on her terms.  Even if it means stepping away from your family because you don't hold the same values or beliefs, leaving a marriage when you have three kids together because it is no longer serving you or starting an award-winning business from her kitchen bench that helps thousands of breast feeding mums across Australia with her delicious lactation product range called The Milk Pantry. Oh and just happens to be the world's largest range of breast feeding products! I first met Jess when she was a guest on one of my very first wellness retreats in Bali and then again when she attended my retreat Sri Lanka. Fortunately I have got to know her well enough to call Jess a friend. Ever since learning about her life story I was pretty blown away. Growing up in a Jehovah's Witness family where abiding by the "rules" was the norm and pleasing her family and be the "good girl" were her aspirations. She married young at 19 years of age because you couldn't have a relationship with a boy unless you were married and they started having children in her early twenties quickly having three children.  Jess and her husband started questioning the Church and her families lifestyle choices around her mid twenties and decided she wanted to leave the Church as she didn't want her kids to have the same rules and restrictions that she had grown up with. She slowly backed away from the Church so that her family would not completely disown her and she managed to maintain her relationship with her family.  I love how organically Jess's business The Milk Pantry started after making a batch of dry lactation cookie mix to send to a friend who was having trouble with her breast milk supply and had leftovers which she sold on Facebook market place which sold out within five minutes! Jess identified an opportunity and quickly started a business name and Facebook page and a few weeks later left her job in beauty and hired a commercial kitchen.  As Jess's business grew, her personal life and relationship started breaking down  and after a few years of trying to make it work, Jess separated from her husband amicably and started focusing on herself. Since then her business has blossomed, has recently purchased a house for herself and her kids and in the last year has even become a body builder! I love Jess's energy and willingness to follow her heart, be independent and have a strong positive mindset.  I hope you love this chat with Jess and take inspiration from such an amazing woman!  If you want to learn more about Jess's business The Milk Pantry you can visit  www.themilkpantry.com.au  Instagram www.instagram.com/themilkpantry To follow Dani on Insta www.instagram.com/danivenn  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was such a pleasure to chat with the oh so divine Luke Hines, personal trainer, best-selling cook book author and motivator! Luke is such an easy person to talk to, incredibly humble and completely self-made. I've always wanted to chat to Luke about his life and learn more about his upbringing and the hurdles he has jumped over to get where he is and there has been a few... Luke felt like a square peg in a round hole going to a sports-centric all boys school where being into drama, theatre and debating weren't really top of the most popular kid list. I was also surprised to learn that Luke struggled with his own self-esteem and weight issues as a kid and found comfort in eating potato cakes - several a day! He was also a trouble maker at school trying to gain attention in order to fit in, but really he was the butt of the jokes at school and often was bullied.  It was funny to share a few laughs with Luke as we chatted about how we had actually met and performed in a stage play together in our teenage years and later followed a similar path with a love of drama and theatre and then later falling into food and media.  Luke followed his passion for acting and drama when he finished high school and got accepted into Ballarat Academy of Performing Arts, where finally he started to feel like himself and felt comfortable enough to be himself and come out as it was the first time being gay was accepted in his social group and community. After his degree Luke travelled the world acting and performing around the world and has a successful acting and performing career. However there was a turning point in his career where Luke didn't want to play a character anymore and instead wanted to be himself.  As fitness and food had played such a major part of his life, he wanted to work on becoming a serious personal trainer, so left his hometown of Melbourne and moved to Bondi, broke but hungry to gain new clients and a following which he soon did. He knocked on a lot of doors, handed out flyers and worked hard. But television and presenting was always at the back of his mind and saw an opportunity when auditions from My Kitchen Rules opened, he went for it and got on the show - and the rest is history...but not without the hustle!  After MKR Luke went onto work with Pete Evans and found personal mentors in the media industry for him to learn from and he also started growing his own personal brand, publishing cookbooks as well as later launching Luke Hines 10 - Meals, Mindset and Moves online program.  It is so great to see Luke do so well and it was an absolute pleasure chatting to and learning about his life and I can not wait to see what Luke gets up to next!  To learn more about Luke's cookbooks, including his latest Guilt Free Snacks and Luke Hines 10 online program visit: https://lukehines10.com  Follow Luke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukehinesonline  Follow Dani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danivenn  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peta Hooke was born with cerebral palsy, is a disability advocate and host of the "I Can't Stand" Podcast. Peta is just the most delightful human, eternally optimistic and lives with a half glass full attitude. Despite the many barriers and challenges she has faced in her life, from not being able to walk to relying on a hoist to get her out of bed in the morning, Peta lives a very full life.  Peta has had incredible support from her parents throughout her life. As a kid she identified her disability as part of her, rather than being different which her parents told her shew wasn't, which she admits now is a little problematic. But it has got her to where she has is today. Peta now sees disability as part of diversity and this difference should be celebrated.  Being proud to be disabled was not something that was common until relatively recently and Peta breaks down any taboos that may have existed around having a disability and actively encourages non-disabled people to ask what it's like living with a disability on her podcast, I Can't Stand.  Listen to Peta's podcast here: I Can't Stand Podcast  Follow Peta Hooke on Instagram Follow Dani Venn on Instagram or visit www.danivenn.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kemi Nekvapil is a coach, author and speaker who has lived a full life also as a baker, yoga teacher, actor and raw food chef! Kemi also grew up in England and by age 13 she had landed with her fifth set of foster parents. This upbringing influenced her perception of belonging and stability, especially also being the only person of colour in school where Kemi faced racism on a daily basis and lived with a feeling that she did not belong or fit in. At a young age dreams of being more than working at a supermarket were not entertained as Kemi was in "survival mode," living more on a day to day basis looking after her emotional wellbeing than allowing herself to dream of anything bigger than that moment. Kemi used comedy and her natural sense of humour as a way to 'fit in' at school and get along with her peers.  As she grew up and felt safer in her situation, she eventually allowed herself to dream and her entrepreneurial spirit to flourish and create a life for herself. When Kemi was training as a baker in her late teens she started selling her baked goods on her street and later Kemi switched to cheffing. Cooking and learning about food became her life and wasn't until she felt pregnant with her first child that she left the commercial and instead made her way to Canberra to move in with her in-laws, who she met for the first time when she arrived in the country!  Kemi has always followed her passion at the time and allows her passions to shift and change and fully believes you grow and grieve with each change. Acting was another passion for Kemi, both on stage and screen which she pursued after completing the craft of method acting course.  After becoming a mum and moving to Australia leaving the UK and all her friends, family and work behind, Kemi faced immense grief at the loss of the previous 28 years of her life. A feeling a lot of new mums can resonate with as your life and sense of self fundamentally changed. Kemi also moved into a house with four generations of the same family living under the one roof, which gave her a sense that she really had a "village" in the house and didn't need to be everything to the child and ensured that she did something small for herself each day.  When Dani first heard about Kemi, it was about 11 years ago when Kemi bought the concept of raw food to Australia, simplifying recipes with the aim to add more fuel and life energy to your life rather than restricting eating, calorie counting or dieting. Even though this was important for Kemi, she noticed how so many powerful, successful and kind women spent so much energy and concern over calorie counting and putting their value and worth into how much they weighed. This upset Kemi and motivated her to create different space spaces for women, like retreats, and hear each other stories and guide a facilitate a deeper understanding of themselves and what they want out of life.  This practise eventually influenced Kemi to become a coach and Dare to Lead retreats as a facilitator of Dr Brene Brown. Kemi has just released her third book, Power, a Woman's Guide to Living and Leading Without Apology.  Key Takeaways:  The importance of giving yourself permission to enjoy different interests, passions and hobbies. Allowing yourself to grow and change Surround yourself with women that tell the truth, that don't judge you and understand that sometimes you just have a bad day, week or season Women find it difficult to ask for help, women are not used to being served, but having a support person or asking for help when you need it is important.  The role of a coach and the importance of being guided by a coach, within work places and for individuals, not the role of a coach to give advice but to allow the space for the person to work out for themselves what is the next best thing for them to do with the life you are currently living.  Kemi's new book, Power, a Woman's Guide to Living and Leading Without Apology. Purchase the book here: https://www.kemi.courses/power#pre-order  Power blends inspiring stories with reflective coaching practices, POWER provides the tools to navigate the challenges that impact who we are, from discrimination and burnout to trauma and self-doubt. Kemi Website https://www.keminekvapil.com  Kemi Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keminekvapil/  Dani Venn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/danivenn/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Quin doesn't come across as someone that has dealt with a partner who has faced life threatening addiction. Andy is well groomed, has a bright and beautiful family and a health-focused beverage business, Etch Sparkling, that has filled a gap in the market to serve a booze free drink with dinner that isn't soft drink or kombucha. Andy is smart and strong, the type of person you admire on Insta from afar. But scratch a little under the surface and Andy has faced her share of demons too. Unexpected demons, out of her control. When she was a child, her father drowned at sea. And later in life when she married her husband, a successful professional who worked in the wine industry, she never imagined that his job and livelihood would almost shatter their relationship and come close to ending his life.  It was Andy's strength and determination to stick by her husband, to be the rock for her family in a time of crisis that pulled her family through, and not only that find a solution that would keep their family afloat and gave her husband a new lease and direction in life.  This is a story of courage and determination when faced with situations where you feel like giving up. It's a story of love and strength, when it matters most. Thanks Andy for sharing your story and being such a wonderful human.  You can follow Andy and find out more about Etch Sparkling @etchsparkling on Instagram or order drinks www.etchsparkling.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flick Palmateer (Survivor Finalist 2021) was someone that caught my eye on the most recent series of Survivor because I wanted to know more about her. When it comes to professional surfing Flick has been the best of the best, dedicating her young life to surfing and becoming a professional surfer on the World Surfing League. Flick also holds the current title for surfing the biggest wave in Australia as a female and she has combined her love of the ocean with her passion for art and expressing herself visually through painting, ceramics and audio visual mediums in her recent project Skin Deep.  I had to reach out to Flick and ask if she would be keen to chat with me so that I could find out more about her motivations, her aspirations, her fears and self doubt and what pushes you to become a big wave surfer in a male dominated industry. And I am so glad that I did. This conversation is epic, as is Flick's life, as she chats about her thoughts on being a female in the male dominated surfing industry, how she felt lonely as a professional athlete touring the world when her peers where at home doing normal teenage stuff, her struggles with her identity being bisexual as a young person and her struggles with her own body image. It came as a surprise that someone so successful in her industry deals with the same issues a lot of us face when we are trying to find ourselves.  Of course we also chat all things Survivor and how different and difficult her experience was because as Flick was filming the show, sadly her mum passed away. Sadly Flick's mum had been suffering from years of dementia and had slowly deteriorated over a long period of time, and because of her families support Flick decided to stay on the show. A tough choice and I know one that she didn't make lightly.  I really hope that you enjoy this chat with Flick. She really is the biggest legend and I know that you will want to connect with her after this and follow her over on insta @flickpalmateer  and check out her project Skin Deep on Vimeo.  You can always reach out to me too and let me know how you are finding the podcast or if there is anyone you would love me to chat to @danivenn  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As soon as I saw the name of the business "Holistic Hikes" emblazoned on a Jeep Wrangler when I was picking up coffee on the Main St in Mornington one day, I knew I had to find out more. Not only about the business but also the person behind it. I was intrigued. I managed to track down a woman whose active hiking gear aesthetic matched the car, and I introduced myself asking her if that was her car and what her business was about. We hit it off straight away and swapped Instagram handles promising to catch up for a coffee and walk locally. I am so glad I did because since then I have developed a friendship and learnt much more about a very strong and admirable woman, Amanda Connell, founder of Holistic Hikes.  Amanda grew up in Frankston, a notoriously rough around the edges suburb, on the Mornington Peninsula the youngest of three, with two older brothers. Amanda is a self-confessed "tom boy" who found her happy place from a young age immersed in nature. It is no surprise nature offered an outlet of peace and sanctuary when I learnt in our chat that her father suffered PTSD as a Vietnam war veteran and was often violent within the home. Amanda also witnessed her brother become a victim of drug abuse in her teens and when she was only 20 years old she was married. Soon after Amanda became pregnant with her eldest child and her partner became violent towards her. When Amanda's four year old daughter pleaded with her mum to leave, she escaped her family home and seemed refuge at a friends house.  Amanda found herself as a single mum with not much to her name but she managed to build herself back up and often that was because she listened to her gut which told her to get out in nature. Amanda later reconnected with an old friend, who is now her husband, and together they have three children, two of whom she is a step-mum to. Amanda started her hiking business Holistic Hikes as a way to introduce others to the healing benefits nature and being immersed in it can offer. Her hikes are not just about getting from A to B, but about getting people to think more holistically about our world and how we are connected, health and nutrition and mindfulness.  Amanda's story is a remarkable one because she has turned around her life to one full of positivity and she shares her story and her business to inspire and encourage others to live a full, happy, safe and healthy life. You can find out more about her business at www.holistichikes.com.au   You can follow and connect with Amanda @holistichikes  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to season two of Falling For You with Dani Venn! This podcast is all about becoming more comfortable in your own skin, living life on your own terms and becoming a better version of yourself. These are real conversations with people that have changed their life - and they might inspire you too!  I couldn't think of a better way to kick off season two than with Lola Berry, someone that has truly had a crack at life and dared to do what most wouldn't even dream. Lola is someone that has led a pretty public life as Lola Berry, one of Australia's most recognisable nutritionists and most successful authors having published 11 books this November with her new book "Fearlessly Failing". But if you scratch under the surface of success, you will learn that Lola has experienced her fair share of pain, failure and heart break that even resulted in anorexia for some of her adult life. So yes trigger warning, we do discuss eating disordered behaviour in this episode so you might need to turn it down in parts.   I love this chat so much because it is candid, raw, honest and in it you will learn that Lola Berry wasn't always Lola Berry, she was born Lauren Smith, was even once a cool DJ called Lauren Heaven (and yes I even attended one of her gigs!) and then changed her life to become the "Steve Irwin of Nutrition" and pushed herself into the limelight by creating her own YouTube channel and knocking on the doors of Channel 10 to get her first gig. Lola "hustled" before it was a popular term, worked hard, copped failure on the chin and kept going. It was hard for me to hear her speak about how she suffered for so long with an eating disorder and putting her sense of value and self-worth in the hands and eyes of others, which materialised in self-sabotage and emotionally damaging relationships. But I am so happy to learn that Lola is now in such a good place in her life currently with her new partner "Bosso", living between LA and Byron (dreamy!) and pursuing her dreams of acting in the USA. Lola is a legend, she is an inspiration, but she also one of us, someone that has gone through lots of shitty times but it doesn't mean that it has kept her down. In fact, it's done the opposite and through this chat you will learn just that. I really hope that you enjoy this chat as much as I did!  Thanks so much for tuning into season two of Falling For You, I look forward to taking you on the journey of many amazing life stories with me.  If you love what you are hearing, make sure to connect with me - Dani - over on insta @danivenn and of course connect with Lola Berry too @yummololaberry  www.instagram.com/danivenn  www.instagram.com/yummololaberry  You can learn more about me over at www.danivenn.com.au too.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clare Bowditch is a true story teller. Whether it’s as an ARIA award-winning song writer, as an actor from much-loved Aussie drama Offspring, as an author of her memoir Your Kind of Girl, as an activist for business and the arts or as a mother, a very much in love wife and proud member of her community, Clare is always telling a story that’s honest and that we can relate to.   It is such a pleasure to share my chat with Clare and some her beautiful stories, the highs and at times lows, that she has experienced in her life. But what struck me in our chat is that, even when there are low times, there is the ability to try and recover from them and Clare’s story shows us that. So grab yourself a cuppa, maybe a gherkin (just wait – this will make sense to you soon), and settle in for story time. A few trigger warnings here, we do discuss diet and diet culture as well as mental health and anxiety. So you might want to skip through a few parts if these topics are sensitive for you. I hope you enjoy this chat with an incredible woman. Also as we are recording from lockdown, we apologise for the occasional barking dog and kids in the background. We are doing our best during this time!  Connect with Clare  On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO2J9g6s?si=f9bddc0108454f38 On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarebowditch Clare's Website: https://clarebowditch.com/ - you can also find Clare's Omas apple tart recipe here!! Connect with Dani  On Instagram: www.instagram.com.au/danivenn Website: www.danivenn.com.au  Resources discussed in this chat:  Self-Help For Your Nerves by Dr Claire Weekes  Clare's Podcast: Tame Your Inner Critic via Audible  Beyond Blue  Lifeline  Black Dog Institute  Headspace App  The Little Prince Book  Clare's advice is to always chat to your GP first, and if your GP doesn't make you feel comfortable or it doesn't sit right with you, find another GP TV Series: Fleabag on Amazon Prime  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past 10 years, the way we view food, has changed so much. We have woken up to the realisation that what is in our food and what we put in our mouth directly affects how we feel and impacts our health. We are now looking more at labels, thinking about where and how our food is grown and catering to a rise of intolerances and allergies that are more commonplace within our friends and families. We’re now looking for more gluten free and plant based options and less processed, whole food recipes. And there isn’t anyone better to talk about her own experiences with food and cooking then one of my favourite OG food bloggers and now author of three cook books, Emma Galloway from My Darling Lemon Thyme. What I love about Emma’s work is not only her beautiful food photography and idyllic lifestyle in Raglan, New Zealand but her recipes and how she writes is very accessible, making cooking easier and healthier, inspiring people to take charge of what they put in their bodies. This chat covers so many interesting topics, but the one thing that stands out for me is Emma’s beautiful connection between the earth, her environment and Maori culture, her food and health, to help benefit us all. I really hope you enjoy this chat. Connect With Emma  Instagram @mydarlinglemonthyme www.instagram.com//mydarlinglemonthyme  Website www.mydarlinglemonthyme.com  Connect With Dani  Instagram @danivenn  Website www.danivenn.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being able to follow our intuition, or gut feeling, is something that we are all born with. But the world around us, like our busy environment, the rules we had to follow at school or even the way we were raised by our parents, often does its best to knock our intuition out of us, working against our natural instincts to be able to tune into ourselves. We often become so out of touch with our own needs and ability to trust our own judgements that we seek external validation and answers for even the simplest decisions in our life, instead of being able to trust ourselves. Hello midnight Google searches! But being able to dial into our intuition and to really listen to it, means that you have the ability in your own hands, to make more empowered decisions for yourself and to be more conscious and intentional, living a life that is on purpose, fulfilling and truly aligned to your values. But how do we get there? Well it’s something we all need to work on, and my next guest Krista Jane Smith or "KJ", an intuitive and one of my personal mentors, is here to help you do just that. In this episode we discuss so many things to help you become unstuck, like blasting the stuff from your past that is holding you back and how to tune into your own intuition and become more self-aware and less self-sabotagy. There is also loads of things to help support you emotionally, because I know that there is a lot of us that need it right now. I hope that you enjoy this chat. Key Takeaways:  What is intuition and how do we uncover it?  How to talk to dead people (kidding!) but also kind of not kidding... HA! Difference between being intuitive and being psychic? Is there even a difference?  Highly Sensitive Person - what does this mean?  Emotional Freedom Technique - what is this? How does it help us?  How to uncover your subconscious beliefs How trauma works and how can we reframe trauma so that its not controlling our thoughts and actions  How to become more conscious and live with more intention Mum guilt and how to overcome it and live with it  Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Download KJ's free 7 minute mediation can be found on her website listed below Read: The Alchemist, Paulo Cohelo  Read: Rushing Women's Syndrome, Dr Libby  Listen: Jim Quick, Bite Sized Brain Hacks https://jimkwik.com/  Listen: Armchair Experts https://armchairexpertpod.com/  How To Connect With KJ  Krista Jane website: www.kristajane.com includes free 7 minute meditation download Krista is available for one-on-one sessions, online classes on Highly Sensitive and Empath Souls and Intuition, as well as mentoring through the Owners Collective programs.  Kristas Insta: www.instagram.com/kristajanesmith  How To Connect With Dani Venn  Dani Venn on Insta www.instagram.com/danivenn  Dani Venn website: www.danivenn.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I remember doing a project during the first year of high school, called "Someone You Ought to Know"…well, my next guest fits that brief exactly, because Carly Findlay is certainly someone you ought to know – that’s if you don’t know her already! Recently awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to people with a disability, Carly is also a writer, author, appearance activist and lover of brightly coloured clothes, a quirky broach and her signature roller skates! Carly was born with a rare skin condition, ichthyosis, and as she grew up in a small town with largely small minded people, was outcast in her community and in some circumstances people talked about as if she was not even human or certainly not in the room (when she was) – all because of the colour of her red skin. Thankfully through the advent of the internet and her frequent trips to Melbourne to visit the hospital, Carly discovered there was a different world out there beyond the town she grew up in, but it took her some time to feel comfortable in her own skin and she was often busy making others feel comfortable around her and found herself always apologising for her appearance and skin. It wasn’t until her early twenties that Carly first identified as disabled, she also found her community of like-minded and supportive people and has since gone onto becoming a voice for disabled people who are still very much marginalised and underrepresented in the media. This chat with Carly is one of self-discovery to becoming unapologetically you. It’s a really important chat that I hope you find valuable because what Carly stands for is something we can all benefit from listening to. I hope you enjoy! Key Themes and Takeaways The difficulty growing up in a rural community with a lack of diversity and tolerance for difference and acceptance of people of colour or with a disability  Disability education, what terms, abelism, internalised abelism and the term "inspiration porn" mean  Finding support and identity within the disabled community  Stopping shame of being disabled and stop apologising for being you and stop apologising for the body you are in  Fandom and why disabled people experience fandom  Disability representation in the media and how that could change  Finding your voice and putting it to good use to support others  Warning some explicit language is used in this podcast episode. Connect With Carly Carly Findlay Insta https://www.instagram.com/carlyfindlay/ @carlyfindlay  Carly's website: https://carlyfindlay.com.au/  Support Carly: or https://www.patreon.com/CarlyFindlay  Connect With Dani  Dani Venn Insta: https://www.instagram.com/danivenn @danivenn  Dani Venn: www.danivenn.com.au  Resources, People and Things Mentioned in This Chat  Say Hello, written by Carly Findlay  Growing Up Disabled in Australia, Edited by Carly Findlay  Clothing Brands mentioned: Gorman, Obus Clothing  Carly loves drinking T2 Jade Mountain Green Tea and New York Breakfast  Stella Young, Ted Talk, I Am Not Your Inspiration  Georgie Stone, Trans Activist  Carly is reading: When Things Are Alive They Hum, Ultimo Press Books Carly's work is featured: The Me Too Movement, Women Of A Certain Rage, Growing Up African in Australia  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is just so much juicy-ness in my next chat with Amy Clarke – owner of empowering apparel label, Confetti Rebels! Amy embraces life head on with acceptance, positivity, authenticity and some really rad dance moves (check out her Insta for that)! We cover so many topics in this chat from starting a purpose-led small business to debunking mental health stigma, to co-parenting and modern feminism as well as body positivity and botox! It’s these kinds of refreshingly open and honest chats that I think we need to be having more often to make us realise we are all just humans trying to figure life out the best way we can. I hope that this conversation puts a smile on your face and makes you feel good about yourself, your body and makes you want to boogie! I hope you enjoy.  Key Takeaways and Topics: PCOF – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – signs and symptoms to look out for The power of community and importance of supporting small business Spreading kindness and helping others out Post-natal depression and anxiety Starting a small business with purpose Debunking mental health stigma and the importance of therapy seeking professional advice and counselling The importance of taking time out for yourself and getting a day off – even if you’re “just a full time mum” Co-parenting, breaking away with traditional gender roles and questioning traditional relationship roles Learning to love yourself from within rather than relying on external validation All embracing and non-exclusive modern feminism Body positivity – how to love your own body and love yourself sick! Goal weight – why it’s pointless and why we should drop it Accepting that it’s OK to be comfortable in your own skin but still want to improve it for yourself and get botox if you want to Connect With Us: Amy Clarke Instagram Confetti Rebels Shop   Dani Venn Instagram  Dani Venn Website  If you are experiencing PCOF symptoms, book in to see endocrinologist. If you are feeling like you need extra mental health support, contact Beyond Blue in Australia or book into your local GP and discuss a mental health care plan or options suitable for your personal situation. Resources mentioned in this chat: Book: White Feminism written by Koa Beck Instagram Accounts Mentions: Lizzo aka Queen Lizzo  Tess Holiday Tara Brumfitt  Busy Phillips Podcast: “Busy Doing Her Best”  Mamamia True Crime Conversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The beliefs we have about money make a massive impact on our everyday life – and often it’s the negative ones that are holding us back from living the life that we truly want to live or their impacting our relationships with those closest around us. I love this chat with Phoebe Blamey, author of The Happy Money Journey, as we discuss the importance of changing your attitudes and beliefs about money to shift your mindset and improve your ability to make more.  But mastering your money mindset and attitude towards money is just one piece of the puzzle, you have to back it up with action! In our chat we talk about the importance of uplevelling your knowledge when it comes to money and investing, taking small steps to make a big difference in the long run and how you can make your relationship with money a positive one so that you are not always feeling like you just can’t afford it! Money is something that should be talked about more and having a healthy, happy and positive relationship with it can make your life better.  Key Takeaways: How to start from the bottom up, being a single parent, a uni drop out, but with a strong work ethic and positive mindset  How to cultivate a positive relationship with money  Affirmations need to be backed up by action  Starting a new business - and failing - and starting again! The importance about educating yourself when discussing money and learning about micro-investing  How to start saving in small steps  Where to follow Dani and Pheobe:  Dani's Instagram Pheobe Blamey Instagram  Phoebe Blamey Clover Financial Website Phoebe Blamey Website  Resources discussed in this episode (none of these resources are sponsored): The Happy Money Journey - How To Make Good Money Decisions and Live Life On Your Terms, written by Phoebe Blamey  The Barefoot Investor written by Scott Pape  You Are A Badass At Making Money by Jen Sincero  The Science of Getting Rich, Walter D. Wattles  RAIZ App Microinvesting  Australian Government Smart Money Website  Australian Stock Exchange Investment Free Short Courses  The Advice Trap written by Michael Stainer  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apart from having (arguably) the World’s most soothing and calming voice, my next guest Meredith Gaston, is an internationally acclaimed best-selling author, artist and illustrator who has published nine books that celebrate wellbeing in daily life providing bursts of inspiration to promote what we all need right now – self care, nurturing rituals, kindness, gratitude and mindfulness. These things all sound great in theory – but how do we actually achieve them when so many of us are in a state of stress and anxiety? I love this chat as Meredith is able to break this down into easy to understand and actionable things we can all do in our lives – starting right now. This chat is best listened to in a place that makes you feel calm like going for a walk in nature – my recommendation – pour yourself a bubble bath or maybe just a tea and grab a few comfy pillows and settle in… to bring a little more calm into your daily life…Enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you hear the name Poh, you know who I am talking about, there is only one – MasterChef Australia OG and National Treasure – Poh is the most lovable TV presenter, cook, writer and artist. But what about Poh the Loner or Poh the Church Rebel who found herself in Canada after “popping her cherry” in Utah? Join us as we deep dive into Poh’s incredibly rich, complex and unique perspective on life, relationships and the human condition – from growing up an Asian migrant in a South Australia, joining and then leaving the Mormon church and later in her twenties divorcing her creative soul mate and husband, Matt, who she still calls her best friend today. Poh does life her way, and by following her gut as well a few supportive nudges from the people close to her, Poh has achieved more than most dare to even dream and continually evolves. Tune into hear about a different side of Poh that you may not have heard before, one that proves no matter what the situation, following your heart and breaking convention will lead to a fulfilled life lived on your own terms. Key Takeaways: Accepting that it is OK to break convention and family expectations The importance of friendship and trusting those around you The power and beauty of nature and the human condition to inspire creativity Stop doing things that are no longer serving you, that make you are unhappy, to allow for more positive experiences and opportunities to enter your life Give and create joy Harnessing anxiety and uncertainty as a positive driver to push you into creating great things Links Poh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pohlingyeow/ You can visit Poh at JamFace at the Adelaide Farmers Market: https://adelaidefarmersmarket.com.au/stallholder/jamface-by-poh/ Dani Venn on Instagram: www.instagram.com/danivenn Dani Venn website: www.danivenn.com/fallingforyou Books mentioned Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: https://www.amazon.com.au/Braiding-Sweetgrass-Indigenous-Scientific-Knowledge/dp/014199195X/ref=asc_df_014199195X/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=384961144953&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6401315219453352406&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071238&hvtargid=pla-905190321353&psc=1 Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel: https://www.amazon.com.au/Mating-Captivity-Esther-Perel/dp/0060753641 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do when you are given a terminal cancer diagnosis that gives you 365 days to live? Try and tick off everything on your bucket list? Cry yourself to sleep and not get out of bed? Or madly try every alternative therapy? How about get married, become pregnant and decide to have a baby as well as achieve your second black belt in karate?! Sounds pretty wild, but this is what motivational speaker and business coach, Di Foster did when she received that news. Instead of overreacting, Di slowed things down, became more present and more grateful then ever before and experienced the joy of celebrating the simple things in life, like drinking tea out of lovely ceramics. 11 years later Di is still here to share her remarkable story and pearls of wisdom about what truly living a life on your own terms means. A little warning here, yes we speak about cancer  but this is not a “cancer” story, it’s a life story – and does not constitute medical advice and as Di would say, the power is in you to know what is right for you. I hope that you enjoy this inspiring chat with an incredibly positive woman.  Key Takeaways The power of gratitude and slowing down Tuning into your intuition and what your body and gut is telling you Cultivating self-awareness and listening to your intuition Alternative medical pathways Links Dani’s Mum’s Sponge Recipe… https://www.instagram.com/p/COcY0qzBPzk/ Di Foster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/difoster.live/ Di Foster Website: www.difoster.com Di Foster Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-foster/ Dani Venn Instagram: www.instagram.com/danivenn Dani Venn Website: www.danivenn.com/fallingforyou Book References: Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty: https://www.amazon.com.au/Think-Like-Monk-Train-Purpose-ebook/dp/B07Y5S56DK The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse: https://www.amazon.com.au/Boy-Mole-Fox-Horse/dp/1529105102/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RNYU9Q22SD4J&dchild=1&keywords=the+boy+the+fox+the+mole+and+the+hours&qid=1626912023&sprefix=the+boy+the+fox+the+mole+and+%2Cdigital-text%2C323&sr=8-1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.