I chat with author and journalist Kerri Sackville around all things dating in midlife. Kerri shares how she learnt to manage her expectations and encourages women to get comfortable being alone before they start the search. We discuss her biggest mistakes and lessons learnt, and even how she kindly rejected unsuitable suitors. Kerri recommends google pic searches for every potential suitor and explains how she protected herself along the way. We learn about ‘ghosting’ and ‘negging’ and the rollercoaster that is dating in midlife. This is a must listen conversation for every woman dipping their toe into the world of online dating. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store go here.

In this episode I talk with the Founder of One Seed Organic Perfume, Liz Cook. Liz is a trailblazer in the natural fragrance industry, inspiring us to make better choices for our health and for the environment. We discuss what sets One Seed apart from conventional perfume brands, and her guarantee of ingredient transparency. She highlights the health risks associated with synthetic fragrance, and the problematic matter of ‘cleanwashing’. This episode will open your eyes to the concerning lack of regulation in the perfume industry, and bring awareness to the products you invite into your home and onto your skin. For the sake of your health (and your hormones!) this is an episode you mustn’t miss. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store go here.

In this episode, I share my own difficult journey of anticipatory grief and finding solace amidst the impending loss of my Dad. Anticipatory grief is a journey that many of us embark on when facing the imminent loss of someone we hold dear. It's a journey fraught with emotions, uncertainties, and profound changes. But it's also a journey of love, connection, and resilience. I delve into the depths of anticipatory grief, exploring its nuances, challenges, and unexpected moments of grace. Whether you're in the midst of this journey or supporting someone who is, I hope this episode serves as a beacon of understanding and validity for all that you experience. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store go here.

This is the second of two really important and powerful conversations with author Nicole Mathieson. Nicole guides us towards self compassion on our inevitable journey of being brought up in today’s society - a journey that pressures us to look or be a certain way. She asks us to be mindful of self judgement, and to trust that if we focus on creating a healthy culture of people around us, people who value us for more than our looks, we will create a kinder and more positive way forward for ourselves and those around us. This conversation will foster greater self acceptance and self love. Listen to episode 45 ('How to feel enough under the weight of The Beauty load, with Nicole Mathieson) here. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations ⁠here⁠. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go⁠⁠ here⁠⁠.

In part 2 Sarah helps us understand how we get our power back by leaning on what she calls ‘aligned bravery’ (even if it feels scary as hell), how we can use where we are at right now as a launching pad into newness, and how to avoid what she calls ‘evidence distortion’. Sarah shares real life examples of how her life has propelled forward, even when her current reality would suggest it impossible. This episode is a must listen for those feeling sick of their current reality and ready to experience positive and significant change. Listen to Episode 55 (Part 1 - The Power of Letting Go of Maybe’s in Your Life, with Sarah Tynan) here Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go⁠ here⁠.

This conversation is for anyone and everyone trying to make a decision and create positive change in their life – perhaps you’re stuck at a crossroads, in a pattern, career or relationship – and you’re frustrated because you can’t move forward, you simply don’t know how and/or you’re fearful of how you’ll manage the change. Sarah helps us understand the power of yes, no and maybe energy in our lives, and just what happens when we let go of the lagging ‘maybes’. She helps us understand what she calls the ‘evidence distortion’, encourages us to let go of the ‘how’ in our lives, and suggests we set an alarm on our phone to break the looping patterns of thought.. this episode is the first of 2 I would consider, life changing episodes. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

During this goosebump inducing episode, Jody touches on our addiction to improvement and encourages us instead to get to know ourselves, to ask ourselves why we are seeking change – is it health, fear or old patterning? She asks us to reconsider our fear of carbs and fats and instead look at where in our day we are consuming them. Jody breaks down the different types of anxiety and the importance of understanding where it is coming from. She reminds us of our building sensitivity and the increasingly abrasive nature of harsh sounds and personalities as we age. Of course, she highlights the importance of slowing down, getting creative, doing what we love and stillness. If you have not yet listened to the first 3 podcast episodes with Jody, I urge you to do so here: Episode 39 - Ageing well with Ayurveda with Jody Vassalo (part 1) Episode 46 - Ageing well with Ayurveda with Jody Vassalo (part 2) Episode 47 - Ageing well with Ayurveda with Jody Vassalo (part 3) Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

In this brief episode I share the life-changing reasons behind my yearlong podcast hiatus – these will in turn provide context for the podcast series to come. I touch on one of the biggest decisions of my career, the anticipation and eventual loss of a parent and how remarkably, life always lets us know when it’s time to carry on. I’m so ready to have these conversations again, and I truly hope they help you feel seen, understood, and comforted during what it is an incredible chapter of our lives. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations ⁠here⁠. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go ⁠here⁠.

In this episode we hear from Anxiety Mindset Coach & Author Georgie Collinson about high functioning anxiety in women – what it is, how it impacts us and some practical tools to help break a thought spiral and bring us back into our bodies. A qualified Naturopath and Nutritionist, Georgie also touches on several holistic solutions to support psychological and practical factors contributing to anxiety including the importance of gut and hormone health, and shares more about her 12 week program The Anxiety Reset Method her first book is now available for purchase here. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

With 25 years experience, Jacqueline Kalab is one of Australia’s most in demand makeup artists having made up to 56,000 faces of makeup! Hollywood actors, rockstars, sports stars, heroes, politicians, through to local television celebrities and international models, she’s THE makeup artist for the stars. 9 years ago, out of demand from her clients, Jacqueline added her own brand of professional artist quality makeup brushes to her offerings. Since then she’s gone on to produce eye liners, mineral foundations, eye shadow and more. Jacqueline has also created an online self-makeup course, designed especially for busy women to build confidence, and change the way they use makeup. Prepare to have any long-held beliefs about make up, make up application and skin care products turned on their heads – this is a juicy conversation! Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

Grief educator Lou Pesinni believes that the more grief literate we can become, the better this world will be. During this vital conversation, Lou touches on the non-linear nature of grief and how we can better support those around us. She highlights the importance of feeling into and processing the waves of grief that come, and letting go of the concept that there is a beginning and an end to grief – each of our journeys are unique and there should never be anything to ‘fix’. Lou also shares how her life has shifted in a beautiful way after loss. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

A tree change often starts with a seed of inspiration and ends with a solid gut feel. From small beginnings building a pottery studio and store in the back streets of Middle Park, to running a bustling boutique store on Malvern Road, Prahran, Shelley Panton of The Panton Store has decided it’s time for a tree change. After 14 years of retail in the big smoke, Shelley, a renowned Melbourne potter and her partner Arran have made the brave move to the country. Now residing in Foster, they’ve purchased an old hardware store in Toora to share their wares with those in and visiting the stunning South Gippsland region. This is Shelley’s story. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

At (almost) 57 years of age and out the other side of menopause, Jane McCann of @themiddleagegoddess is passionately pro-age, and happier than she’s ever been. Having experienced considerable loss in her life, Jane sees ageing as a wonderful gift. We discuss the notion of age related ‘invisibility’, the happiness upswing, her definition of beauty, the importance of embracing the changes that come and the incredible age-related opportunity to truly become who you are. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

This is the 3rd and final part of an incredible series of conversations with Ayurvedic Practitioner Jody Vassallo. In this episode Jody shares just how important it is that we face our emotions during midlife (and what happens if we don’t); likens menopause to moving to a ‘lie detector country’ for 3 years and; the importance of routines and rituals and knowing our bodies. As usual, Jody doesn’t mince her words and brings this episode home with a warning – we’d better get over the fear of not being liked – for the good of our wellbeing, this phase needs to be one of authenticity. Listen to Episode 39 (Part 1) on iTunes or Spotify and Episode 46 (Part 2) on iTunes or Spotify. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

Back by popular demand, part 2 (of 3) wonderful conversations with Ayurvedic Practitioner Jody Vassallo. During this conversation, Jody dives deeper into how vata imbalances play out in our midlife and beyond (touching on anxiety, the desire to spend more time alone, the need for creativity, and the pull to sweeter flavours); the importance of reconsidering the type of movement we do (and when and even how often we might); and how to determine whether or not intermittent fasting is right for you at this time in your life. Please go back and listen to episode 39 first if you’ve not already listened to part 1 of this wonderful conversation. Listen to Episode 39 on iTunes or Spotify. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

If you find yourself judging yourself for the way you look, if you compare yourself to others, if you opt out of opportunities because you don’t feel enough, if you feel shame for the choices you make around your appearance or the thoughts in your head, you’re not alone, and nor is any of this ‘your fault’. In a world obsessed with beauty, it may seem like it’s becoming more and more difficult to ever feel enough. Nicole Mathieson’s book The Beauty Load is a hard-hitting, illuminating take on the load we’ve all carried since childhood, and through her words and personal stories Nicole has a way of freeing us of much of this burden, and importantly, showing us a way forward. This is a powerful episode and a wonderful introduction to a book that deserves to be in the hands of all teenage and grown women. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

Whilst blended families are more and more common, no two families are the same - which also means there’s no rule book. In this episode, Amy speaks with Laura Jenkins, host of the In the Blend podcast series. Laura provides insight into her own blended family touching on the importance of remaining calm during the early days and prioritising your own wellbeing. She shares some of the complexities these partnerships must navigate her top tips for those entering into their first blended family situation, and provides some key tips for those heading into upcoming holidays together for the first time. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

If you’ve never paid much attention to the additives in your food, or the fragrance in your perfume, candles, or skin products, you’ll want to after this conversation. Joanne Ling and Tracey Fry learnt the hard way just how impactful additives are on their health and the health (and consequent behaviour) of their children. They share how much their lives changed after making a few simple swaps, the misleading messaging to look out for on packaging in the supermarket, and some confronting stories about every day food items we may not think twice about – you’ll never buy grated cheese again! This episode is for the benefit of you AND your family. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

Does sleeping apart spell the end of the relationship? We think not. Join us as we discuss the stigma and judgement associated with sleeping apart, the power and necessity of open communication, how to foster greater intimacy when you don’t, some options for compromise, the associated costs of separate rooms (including travel costs!) and share our own personal experiences. Purchase the Macks Moldable Earplugs here. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

In order to make a wellbeing habit stick, we need to understand the WHY - when we appreciate the true impact of our daily choices, we are more likely to commit to ongoing practice. Meditation Teacher Natasha Mason helps us better understand meditation and its impact on our relationships, our working life and our inner knowing. Describing it as ‘the secret sauce to life’ Tash’s grounded and calm energy is testament to her twice daily meditation practice. If this episode doesn’t inspire a meditation practice, I’m not sure what will. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.