Explore every episode of the podcast Really Interesting Women

Really Interesting Women 

The Podcast 

Ep. 146

Yvonne Sampson

Yvonne Sampson has had a career characterized by breaking barriers and setting new standards.  

 She grew up as did many Australians, with a deep love of sport. She studied journalism and her love of sport and her extensive knowledge of it, kept her focussed on the ultimate goal. And her persistence and resilience and patience and mostly ability, created the opportunities that led to her becoming the first female broadcaster to anchor a major sporting event in this country. 

 And her journey has continued... to the point where she is now generally considered one of the best sports broadcasters in the country.

 It was a great discussion. From how her parents discussed her own adoption from a very young age – and how she was so appreciative of that, to finding out about her birth father’s heritage and how he was removed from his family as a baby and the ongoing affect that has on her and the family. Her battles to be accepted as a female sports journalist to becoming a nationally recognised figure that anchored the Rugby League showpiece, the State of Origin. 

 A humble, appreciative, intelligent, knowledgeable person who turned to sports broadcasting because she said she didn’t have a sporting bone in her body. But, I did have to correct her – she forgot to mention that she has represented Australia in dressage!

 Even if you’re not a big sports fan, this is a really informing conversation. 

Head to the link in my bio to find Yvonne’s podcast episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women 

The podcast

Episode 145    Vicki Jellie AM

Vicki Jellie is best known for winning the 2017 Australia Day Local Hero award. Her community has known about her for decades...but we’ve only just caught up.

For those who may be unaware, the Australia Day Local Hero category was introduced to the Australian of the Year Awards in 2003 to acknowledge everyday Australians who make significant contributions to their local communities. And Vicki’s actions over a number of years did just that. Her actions were sparked by personal tragedy and resulted in bringing vital cancer services to regional Victoria, transforming healthcare for thousands. 

Vicki is an incredibly selfless, hardworking, empathetic, community minded person who, the day after her husband tragically passed away, was going through his possessions and discovered his desire to start raising funds to somehow help others by preventing the need to travel 3 hours each way from regional Victoria to get the treatment needed, as he had to do. She realised she now knew what she had to do going forward. 

Nearly everyone said it was impossible to get the support and funding needed for a world class medical and cancer treatment centre in regional Warrnambool. ‘Nearly everyone’ didn’t know Vicki Jellie. 

Head to the link in my bio to hear this fascinating and inspiring conversation.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women

The Podcast

Episode 144 

Sarah Todd

Sarah Todd is a celebrity chef, model, restaurateur and cookbook author. There’s a lot to her story.

Hailing from Mackay in Qld, she entered a competition to win a trip to Sydney, which led to her being discovered as a model. During her travels as a model, she discovered a love for food culture – and that changed the course of her career. 

But it seemed to be the birth of her son that was the catalyst for that transition to working in the culinary arts. And that transition got an enormous boost when she appeared on the 6th season of the TV show, MasterChef. 

While that sort of opportunity can open doors, it needs a very special person to walk through those doors and make a rewarding and fulfilling career (literally) with their own bare hands. And Sarah has done just that. 

Consider this...India has a population of over 1.4 billion people. And, I’m going to suggest, there are probably several (!!) restaurants already there. But Sarah took her love for Indian cuisine to India and built and opened a restaurant that, through countless hours, days, months, years of hard work, became an incredible success. And then a tragic event that changed everything. 

But...being the person she is, Sarah persevered. It’s quite a remarkable story really. 

That perseverance in the face of, at times, overwhelming obstacles...and those opportunities taken, led to an extraordinary career culminating recently with acknowledgement from an Instagram influencer with 92.4 million followers...who also happens to be the Prime Minister of India. 

Sarah Todd has navigated her way from Mackay to Modi.

Head to my bio for the link to Sarah’s podcast episode. 

A link to Sarah's latest book: My Indian Kitchen and other goodies

https://www.sarahtodd.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOoprFCnhVhHOVO8GU5AjzZW8C7sejSYS8Agrj5lWSPs56oIcUHG8

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 143

Professor Clare Wright

Clare is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. She holds a PhD in Australian Studies from the University of Melbourne and an MA in Public History from Monash University and is currently Professor of History and Professor of Public Engagement at La Trobe University. She is the author of five works of history and hosts the ABC Radio National history series, Shooting the Past. 

Her latest book Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions (2024) (Text Publishing) is described as ‘‘An impossibly important book’, that traces the story of a founding document of Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. This is the final chapter in Clare’s best-selling Democracy Trilogy, and follows the land rights movement led by Australia’s first people.

This was quite a wide ranging and important conversation as we discussed this country's history and how the teaching of history has changed so dramatically in the last 10 years in particular to ensure that we 'recover the lost and forgotten pages of Australian history'.

Follow the link in my bio and head to the podcast for a listen....

Clare's books can be found here:

https://www.clarewright.com.au/author

Her publisher is Text Publishing

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women

The Podcast

Ep. 142   Kate Grenville

Kate Grenville is one of Australia’s most celebrated writers.

Her international bestseller The Secret River was awarded local and overseas prizes, has been adapted for the stage and as an acclaimed television miniseries, and is now a much-loved classic.

Kate has now published 16 books, many of which have won major literary prizes. They’ve all been published around the world and all the novels have been translated into many languages.

Some of her other novels include Sarah Thornhill, The Lieutenant, Dark Places and the Orange Prize winner The Idea of Perfection, the bestselling A Room Made of Leaves and Women’s Prize shortlisted Restless Dolly Maunder.

It was a great chat. We talked about her influences both personal and literary...and how she lamented the fact that in the 60's her literary influences (such as they were) seemed to be English...until she discovered Patrick White. And then, at age 13, it all changed. And she still cherishes and is influenced by a first edition novel of his. She explained why she had no faith in The Secret River when she first sent it to her publisher. "Is this a book?", she asked. The answer, thankfully, was an emphatic "YES". She also explains why, when she was approached about adapting that book to the stage, her only request was that they didn't undertake a faithful adaptation. 

Her imagination is celebrated internationally. Her intellect is obvious...and she's a lot of fun.

Her new book, 'Unsettled' will be published very soon.

Head to my bio for a link to her podcast episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Ep. 141

Shaynna Blaze

This is my final podcast episode for 2024 - and what an incredible guest to finish.

Shaynna Blaze has had an amazing path to becoming the household name we see today.

And her abilities and talents are the gift that keeps on giving as she throws herself into another aspect of her ever evolving career.

Shaynna takes opportunities, or creates them. Or both.

It's a great discussion which shows how a fulfilling life and career can open up - if you're open to it and prepared to work for it.

For those who may not be aware of Shaynna's background, she is an award-winning interior designer, author, creative director, business owner, executive producer, musician, and, of course, TV personality.

She has become a household name from her time as a co-host on Selling Houses Australia and as a judge on The Block since 2012. Her television career expanded with her participation in Celebrity Apprentice Australia, which she won...in 2021.

She has also just launched her EP which re-establishes (that’s ‘re-establishes’) her music career. She is also an advocate for social justice, she actively supports organizations addressing domestic violence and has been involved in projects like the feature film The Fort, which highlights issues of domestic abuse. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of designers and empowering women in the industry. 

Her EP clips are on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kXU-DWX_2qHsRwGiDi3JCtfXZXHNQYD60

Her 'Bluebottle performance' on The Masked Singer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr8i8Jsbs7s

Her cabaret show at Malthouse Theatre Melb. Feb 27/28
https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/hirer-events/taking-back-my-joy

Voice of Change: instagram @voiceofchangeau

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 140    Bianca Chatfield

Bianca Chatfield is a former Australian netball player. In fact, she was one of the youngest players to have debuted for Australia. 

She’s won a world championship, Commonwealth Games gold as well as 6 combined premierships with Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Vixens. 

The transition from successful athlete to what I’ll call the outside world, is never easy. And it’s a testament to her ability, drive and determination that she would become a leading media personality and business owner.

Bianca is, without doubt, one of the most prominent female voices in Australian sport. She also works across a variety of TV and radio shows, launched a book in 2016 called Every Girl Needs A Plan and, always seeking new challenges, in 2018 she and a former teammate, became reality TV stars when they were one of the teams on the channel 9 reality show, The Block. But her reality show connections don’t stop there. Her partner is also a reality show star. It’s a very modern love story.

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to our conversation.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 139

Mem Fox AM

Mem Fox is one of this country’s favourite writers.

In 1983, she became Australia’s best-selling writer and has remained the pre-eminent writer for young children pretty much since then. She has written over 45 books for children, many of which have become international best-sellers in Australia and the US. 

But it was one book in particular that caught international attention and thrust her into the public’s orbit. And that book was originally called ‘Hush the Invisible Mouse’, but, we now know it as... Possum Magic. 

Mem was born in Melbourne and grew up in Africa. She went to drama school in England, and came back to Australia in 1970, aged 22. She claims that growing up outside the country and returning at 22 gave her a unique perspective on Australia, and a passionate love for it.

Mem Fox is a retired Associate Professor of Literacy Studies from Flinders University, South Australia, where she taught teachers for 24 years until 1996.

Her latest book is Meerkat Mayhem, illustrated by Judy Horacek, published on November 5th 2024.

Head to the link in my bio for our podcast conversation. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Ep. 138

Jo Stanley

Jo Stanley has had an incredibly successful media career spanning over 2 decades. 

During that time, amongst many other achievements, she took 2 radio shows on 2 different networks to Number 1. She’s probably the only woman in Australia to ever do this. 

She was co-host of The House of Wellness TV and Radio, is producer and host of numerous podcasts, writes a regular column for the Sunday Life Magazine, and is the creator of the ‘Play Like a Girl’ children’s book series. 

Most of us would recognise Jo from her television appearances on Australia's Brainiest Kid, The Panel, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Thank God You're Here, The Projet, Studio 10 and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.

But it’s what she’s done more recently that is, I think, her most impressive undertaking. 

Having the experience she had, Jo became concerned that there was no radio station catering to women’s interests and life experience. So... she is building a new radio network for women, by women called Broad Radio. 

She's an incredibly hard worker, fun, funny, has a searing intellect and a good heart. Others have described her as having 'a warm and vibrant honesty'. I agree. 

Have a listen to our conversation by heading to the link in my bio.

Jo's new radio network can be found by downloading the broad radio app or by heading to www.broadradio.com.au and listening live. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast

Episode 137


Dr Louise Mahler

Dr Louise Mahler is one of the world’s leading keynote speakers. She has been voted. amongst the top experts in both Body Language and Communication globally. 

...and it started following a decade singing Opera in Europe, including a soloist contract at the Vienna State Opera. From that, Louise began an exploration of performance as it applies to the business context.

Louise is a highly sought-after media figure and commentator and is regularly interviewed on Sunrise, The Today Show, SBS, the ABC, and radio stations across Australia. You may recognise her from that and from analysing politicians during the last federal election and Royals such as Prince Harry and Meghan. Her analysis of the Johnny Depp and Amber Herd trial attracted over 2 million views on YouTube.

But beyond that public image, she also helps leaders and teams to elevate their body language and voice. 

She was awarded the Professional Speakers Association’s Keynote Speaker of the Year for 2021 and the Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement helping Women in Business.

Head to the link in my bio to listen to our conversation.

Dr Loise Mahler’s latest book is Gravitas: Timeless Skills to Communicate with Confidence and Build Trust

https://www.amazon.com.au/Gravitas-Timeless-Skills-Communicate-Confidence/dp/1394237332

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 136   Professor Adele Green AC

Adele Green is officially (and often) referred to as "an international leader in the epidemiology of melanoma and skin cancer. Her ground-breaking randomised controlled trial of long-term sunscreen application in an Australian community provides the scientific basis for clinical and public health advice about sunscreen use for skin cancer prevention."

And all that is true. But I always think it's important to put those statements into context to get a true picture of the significance of the statement....

When Adele Green studied medicine, it was with a view to having a significant humanitarian impact. When she started her research, we didn't even know how common skin cancer was. It just wasn't recorded anywhere. Adele saw the problem and sought to do something about it. 

There was a time, not that long ago, when no one knew the burden of skin cancer or how to prevent it - until Adele turned her mind to it. Her work has contributed hugely to the treatment of melanomas. And that treatment has dramatically improved over the last 10 years such that the survival rates for even advanced melanomas has been turned around significantly.

She is also an innovator when it comes to detection and treatment of indigenous cancers. Another significant contribution includes insight into risk factors for ovarian cancer.

Professor Adele Green has received international awards and is a recognised advocate for cancer control, including through longstanding membership on national and international scientific and advisory councils. She has trained and mentored a generation of epidemiologists and clinician-scientists. 

Have a listen to our conversation by heading to the link in my bio.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 134

Justine Barwick

"If you can't solve the big problems, solve the little ones in front of you and keep chipping away"

Justine Barwick has been working tirelessly and selflessly in the Community Services sector for 25 years. The sort of person that puts the needs of everyone else before her own. But circumstances eventually changed that dramatically.

It was what happened in September 2018 that propelled Justine into the national conscience. You see, she was on annual holiday in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and this country’s collective worst nightmare happened. She was attacked and mauled by a shark. 

She was very, very lucky to survive. In those situations, life changes dramatically in an instant and those changes, should you survive...are ongoing both physically and mentally. 

Here’s the story of an extraordinary woman whose resilience and determination meant she not only survived, she thrived. It's an incredible and inspiring story of survival. And the lessons she's learned on the way are relevant for all of us. 

Head to the link in my bio to hear Justine's story. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 133

Melinda Schneider

*This podcast contains content about depression*

Melinda started in the entertainment industry aged 3 alongside her mother, the legendary yodeller Mary Schneider. She recorded music at 8, had her acting debut in A Country Practice at 13, went on to release 14 albums and win six Golden Guitars from the Country Music Awards of Australia.

Her songs have been recorded by Australian music royalty such as John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John and Paul Kelly.

Melinda is an incredible live performer and has enjoyed huge touring success. After recording an album of Doris Day songs in tribute to her hero, Mary encouraged Melinda to write a full theatre show about Doris. She did. The tour which accompanied her #1 hit album ‘Melinda Does Doris’ toured the country extensively and even sold out the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall twice!

Having had a successful career for 40 years, she continues her innovative progression with the launch of an independent record label and, I understand, a new album early next year. Rock guru Glenn A Baker described her as one of this country’s truly important artists. 

But, as is often the case, the achievements and accolades don’t tell the whole story. 

In 2018, as a result of 30 years of relentless work combined with a perfectionist streak, Melinda was overcome with depression. She has been very public about it and I personally found it a really insightful discussion.  Her strength, resilience and determination in dealing with this issue stands, I imagine, with equal pride alongside all her other achievements. 

Head to the link in my bio to listen to Melinda's podcast episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 132

Melissa Doyle AM

Mel Doyle is so much more than 'an accomplished and awarded journalist with more than 30 years experience'. She's actually one of the best-known and trusted voices and faces in Australian media. And after our conversation for this podcast, it's pretty easy to see why. 

Mel is, of course, best known as the former co-host of the number one rated breakfast program Sunrise. But it's the beginnings of these careers that are just as interesting to me. What was the first break? How did that come about? And it came about when a recently graduated 20 year old Mel Doyle kept pestering a producer in Canberra to give her a go at presenting the weather on TV. She created her own opportunity. And that was something she did a lot. And more importantly, grabbed those opportunities when they did present themselves. 'What's the worst that can happen?'

After 25 very successful years with Channel 7, she was let go. Its happened to most of us, but not in such a public forum. Her response was not only dignified and done with head held high, it was a catalyst for an incredible 'second act'. 

She has written four books, “The Working Mothers Survival Guide” in 2007, her best selling memoir “Alphabet Soup” in 2013, "15 Seconds of Brave" in 2022 and "How to Age Against The Machine" in 2023.  

In the 2016 Australia Day Honours List Mel was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her "significant service to the community through representational roles with a range of charitable groups, and to the broadcast media."

She is National Patron for the Make A Wish Foundation and an Ambassador for World Vision, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Adopt Change.

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to our podcast chat. 

You'll find her books here:
https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=melissa+doyle&ref=nb_sb_noss

Image: Nick Leary

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 131

SARAH WILSON

Sarah is best known for being the founder of the global I Quit Sugar movement, a digital wellness program with 13 award-winning books that sell in 52 countries – which saw millions around the world transform their health. In 2022 she sold the business and gave everything to charity.

She is an experienced journalist and broadcaster. She was previously the editor of Cosmopolitan Australia at age 29; host of MasterChef Australia; was a News Corp journalist and columnist; and has hosted ABC’s Compass, Ten’s The Project and has been a regular panellist and news commentator on Australian, UK and US screens for two decades.

Her New York Times bestseller First, We Make the Beast Beautiful is described by bestselling author (The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck) Mark Manson as, “The best book on living with anxiety that I’ve ever read”, and was featured as the book of the year on NBC’s Today Show. It’s published in 27 countries. Sarah’s most recent title, This One Wild & Precious Life, won the 2021 US Gold Nautilus Prize.

She has been ranked in the top 200 most influential authors in the world (two years in a row), and now resides and works most of the year in Paris where she lives and loves a minimalist life. 

And this all reads like a bit of a career dream. But there have been plenty of nightmares along the way. Our discussion on resilience I found fascinating as well as finding out (to Sarah - and probably all of us in reality), what really matters. All these findings of hers are the result of countless hours of research and interviews and one of the many things I took away from this is the importance of nature. The incredibly positive impact it can have if we just 'get out there.'

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to Sarah Wilson's episode.

The book referred to:
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful
https://www.amazon.com.au/first-make-beast-beautiful-Anxiety-ebook/dp/B01N12WLAX

Her other books and links to her Substack can be found on her website:
www.sarahwilson.com

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 130

KATHY LETTE

Kathy Lette is a celebrated and outspoken comic writer who has an imitable take on serious current issues. She is one of the pioneering voices of contemporary feminism.

She left school at 16 which didn't please her mother who was a school Principal. She wanted to become a published writer. In Australia. In the 70s. As a teenager. And she did!

She co-wrote her first novel, Puberty Blues, when she was 17. They were the first teenagers in this country to publish a book about teenagers. The sales went ballistic. It became a film and TV series and is still an iconic piece of literature.

She moved to the UK in the late 80s and went on to write international bestsellers. Twenty of them! Her titles include Girls’ Night Out, Foetal Attraction, Mad Cows, The Boy Who Fell to Earth, and The Revenge Club, which has just been published.

Stephen Fry called her books ‘Unputdownable’ and Nicole Kidman described her work as ‘Deliciously rude and darkly funny’.

She is wickedly funny and a great conversationalist. No one is safe. I even found myself on the end of some of her 'tongue-fu' (as she describes it). 

To hear our conversation head to the link in my bio. 

The book is: The Revenge Club 
You can find it at:  
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-revenge-club-kathy-lette/book/9781035901289.html

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast

Episode 129   -   Professor Fiona Wood FRACS AO

 
Fiona Wood was born in Yorkshire and was told that becoming a surgeon was not something she could do. She’s not the sort of person that hears the word ‘no’. 

She studied medicine in London and was an outlier. And there was another outlier there...a male doctor often seen in handknitted jumpers and Dunlop Volleys (as opposed to the expected blazers and ties). He was, perhaps you’ve guessed, an Australian. They fell in love, got married and immigrated to Perth with their 2 very young children in 1987 (those 2 were soon joined by 4 more). 

Fiona completed training in plastic surgery and subsequently became Head of the Royal Perth Hospital Burns Unit. In fact, she became the first female plastic surgeon in Western Australia. 

It was her work with medical scientist Marie Stoner on tissue engineering and burn treatments that would gain her attention within the medical world, but it was as the face of Australia’s response to the Bali bombings in October 2002 that brought her international attention as she led a team of 19 surgeons and 130 medical staff working around the clock in four operating theatres to save lives. 

And her incredible ongoing medical innovations and dedication contributed to her being recognised as a “National Living Treasure” and in 2005 being named Australian of the Year.

We had a fabulous conversation. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I don’t think it was quite this.

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to the podcast.... 

For those wanting to help with a donation or just read more about her incredible work, head to 

www.fionawoodfoundation.org.au

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 128

SUSAN JOHNSON

The Australian newspaper has described Susan Johnson as, ‘One of the finest Australian writers.’

She describes herself as,  author, incurable Australian, friend, feminist, ambivalent mother skewered by love and struck by eternal wanderlust.
Isn't that a terrific description.
 
Her books include, From Where I Fell, published in 2021 (shortlisted for the Voss Literary Award) and The Broken Book (longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award in 2005) and, most recently, Aphrodite’s Breath: A Mother and Daughter's Greek Island Adventure which is a memoir about living on Kythera, Greece, with her 85-year-old mother.  A really great read.

She started her career as a journalist and her life trajectory changed in 1985, when she received the first of three New Writers' grants from the Literature Board of the Australia Council which allowed her to write full time. She is now the author of twelve books.

Join me for a great discussion with Susan Johnson. 


Link to Susan's latest book:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/aphrodite-s-breath-susan-johnson/book/9781760876562.html

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The Podcast

Episode 127


DR SONIA HENRY

Sonia Henry is a doctor practicing in rural Australia. I mean, really rural. She’s also a best-selling author, and an advocate, not only for the welfare of overworked doctors but for the improvement of medical services to remote indigenous communities. 

This is a fascinating and inspiring story of how one doctor, almost on a whim, decided to leave the hustle and hassle of the city behind and took herself to one of the most remote parts of Australia to practice as a GP.

And her experiences there changed her life. 

She has written two largely autobiographical best selling books about her experiences. The joys, the frustrations, the triumphs and tragedies. She outlines the myriad of problems and potential solutions. And here's a novel approach...when faced with the huge gap in healthcare treatment and availability for first nations people, she just asked her indigenous patients what they would need. 

Head to the link in my bio for Sonia's episode.

Sonia's books are:
Going Under
https://www.booktopia.com.au/going-under-sonia-henry/book/9781760878641.html

Put Your Feet in the Dirt, Girl
https://www.booktopia.com.au/put-your-feet-in-the-dirt-girl-sonia-henry/book/9781761068072.html

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast


Ep. 126      MOYA DODD AO

Moya Dodd is a lawyer, sports administrator and a former vice-captain of Australia’s women’s football team, the Matildas.

She played in FIFA’s first ever women’s tournament in 1988.  Twenty-five years later, she joined the governing body of FIFA as one of the first women in its 108-year history. It's unsurprising that when she was there she found the place was rife with integrity and gender issues. She was one of only 3 of 27 FIFA Executive Committee members who declined a $25,000 gift watch at the 2014 World Cup.  A year later, she found herself in a luxury Zurich hotel as her colleagues were arrested in a dawn raid.

As the 'FIFAGate' scandals unfolded, Moya led the #womeninFIFA reform movement, becoming ‘the driving force in the recent push for women within FIFA’ (New York Times) and ‘one of the most credible and outspoken voices for change within the organization’ (Vice Sports). 

In 2016 she was named the most influential woman in Australia by the Australian Financial Review, and in 2018 was named by Forbes magazine as the 7th most powerful woman in international sport (outside the US). 

In 2020, Moya was listed in WICC's global "Best XI" for advancing women's soccer.

She is a much sought after speaker on the international circuit on many topics including issues of equality, integrity, and change. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast

Episode 125

Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli AM

It's hard to briefly describe Maria's bio  - but it goes a long way explaining it by understanding she is from a Southern Italian poor, migrant, working class background which instilled in her a resistance to systemic injustice.

She has been an academic, author, activist and ally in the issues and intersections of cultural diversity, gender and sexual diversity, relationship and family diversity for over 30 years.

...and it was a really insightful discussion which was based on a lifetime's experience and an academic understanding. But it was never laced with anger or contempt or masked with utter disappointment and there were no accusations of inaction by those that could change things. Rather, it was a discussion to help others understand the effect a lack of diversity and acceptance can have. And how to fix that. By way of example, there is a lot written and said about 'safe environments' - and although I think I know what that means, when I asked her what an 'unsafe environment' looks like...I acquired a much better understanding. 

Maria is regularly called upon to act as a consultant in educational, workplace, youth services, health services and community service settings. Maria is also regularly invited to speak at diverse community, educational, organisational and other functions and conferences, and in various media such as television, radio and newspaper. 

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to Maria's podcast. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast


Ep. 124

Catherine Branson AC KC

In 1984 Catherine Branson made history when a dual appointment saw her became the first woman in Australia to be appointed Crown Solicitor and the first woman to be appointed as permanent head of a government department in South Australia.  

She went to the bar in Adelaide and then took silk in 1992. An appointment as a judge to the Federal Court of Australia followed in 1994. In 2008 she was appointed President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. The following year she was appointed Human Rights Commissioner. A few months ago, it was announced that my guest would serve a 3rd term as Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. 

An extraordinary career and her work with the Human Rights Commission gave her the opportunity and the platform to give a voice to immigrants detained indefinitely and to support the rights of Indigenous Australians. 

Another true pioneer who paved the way for others. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast 

Episode 123

AMBER LAWRENCE

Amber started her professional career as a Chartered Accountant but she left that to pursue a dream. 

After a very successful debut in the 2005 Tamworth Country Music Festival  - coming second in the major singing competition to Jessica Mauboy - Amber took that success and started her country music journey in earnest. She put in a lot of hard work and was constantly touring. It paid off as she became one of Australia’s leading female country singers. But that’s not just my opinion. She’s won 6 Golden Guitars, including Female Artist of the Year at the 2023 Golden Guitar Awards. 

On the way to that success she has toured the world, entertained Australian troops overseas and even went to New York to play a song she wrote to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea - in front of the President of the United States and the Australian PM (and 800 others).

In July 2022, she released her tenth studio album, Living for the Highlights, which reached number 1 on the ARIA charts and the Australian Country Music charts. 

Head to Amber's website for info on her touring dates and a link to her albums.
www.amberlawrence.com.au

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to our conversation. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Ep. 122

Professor Julie Rrap

Julie has been a central figure in Australian contemporary art for 4 decades. Our conversation covers a lot and I guess that was inevitable given her enormous contribution to art both in Australia and internationally. 

She has worked with photography, painting, sculpture, performance and video in an ongoing project concerned with representations of the body with a particular emphasis on the female body within western art history.

Julie has been described as one of Australia's leading feminist artists. Since her first exhibition in 1982, she has been consistently committed to the exploration of the role—or absence of roles—of women in the history of art.

Throughout her career she has exhibited extensively throughout Europe and Australia.

She completed her PhD in 2010 and is currently  Co-Director and Co-Chair of Sydney College of the Arts.





Image:  Simon Schluter

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast Episode 121

Distinguished Professor Jenny Graves AC FAA

Jenny Graves is a leading evolutionary geneticist who was a very early adopter of gene mapping. She uses genome comparisons to explore the origin, function and fate of human sex genes and chromosomes. In other words, exploring what is it that makes us male, and female and she’s also explored the evolution of the so called ‘gay gene’ and the genetics of transgenderism. 

She’s a Distinguished Professor at La Trobe University, is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the US National Academy of Science, 2006 L’Oreal-UNESCO Laureate for Women in Science, and she won the 2017 Australian Prime Minister’s Prize for Science (the first woman to win solo). In 2022 she was elevated to our highest honour, Companion of the Order of Australia. 

She knows what she's talking about. 

Join me for a really interesting discussion.  Head to the link in my bio to her podcast episode.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The podcast


Episode 120     

Del Kathryn Barton


Del Kathryn Barton is one of Australia’s most recognisable and collectable artists. 

She’s now widely recognised as one of Australia's leading figurative painters and a 2-time Archibald Prize winner. Only the second woman to do that in the 103 year history of that portrait prize. 

Her first year out of art college she had the extraordinary honour of being hung in the prestigious Sulman Art Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW.

All of this is a very long way from her isolated and unconventional rural upbringing where her father was attempting to build a house from scratch (as an untrained builder) while the family lived in tents and other temporary shelters. 

She openly talks about her mental health issues which went largely undiagnosed. It was her mother that suggested she take up drawing as a child to overcome these crippling attacks. And that’s where it started. 

It’s a fascinating, open, fun, funny conversation. And she gave me the secret to her success. It’s no secret.... it’s been discussed by most of the women on this podcast series. Hard work. Really hard work. And passion for the work. 

Head to the link in my bio to listen to Del’s episode. Or go to your usual podcast platform and search Really Interesting Women. It’ll be there. 

Image: Eugene Hyland

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast 

Revisited on 'Throwback Thursday'

Anna Funder Ep. 105.   

Anna Funder is one of Australia’s most acclaimed and awarded writers and an international success. One of her books is currently being made into a film with a Hollywood household name as its protagonist. 

...and she dreamed of being a writer since she was a child.

Anna spent her early childhood in Paris where her father was working. First day at primary school was a little tricky. Didn’t understand what anyone was saying. She subsequently learnt to read and write in 2 languages. And from that moment, words were her obsession. 

She started her working life as a lawyer and gave up what she called “probably the best lawyer job in Australia”, working in the Attorney General’s department on treaty negotiations and international law. But she didn’t feel like it was her ‘real life’.

She made a life changing decision to move to Berlin and become a writer. The full story can be heard on the podcast including, while promoting her book ‘Stasiland’, going on a public stage in Germany where the first 2 rows were occupied by ex-Stasi, all taking notes!

That 2003 book Stasiland won, amongst many other things, the Samuel Johnson Prize which is for the best non-fiction writing in the English language (!!). Actor Tom Hanks described it as 'fascinating, entertaining, hilarious, horrifying and very important.'
 
 Her 2012 novel, All That I Am, won a myriad of awards including the very prestigious Miles Franklin Award. 

 In her recently released book, Wifedom, Anna uncovers George Orwell’s ‘forgotten’ wife Eileen O’Shaughnessy, and rewrites her into history. Geraldine Brooks described the book as, 'Simply, a masterpiece'.

Her books are important because of the truths they reveal. They are beautifully researched and exquisitely told. 

Have a listen to this fascinating conversation. Head to the link in my bio or copy and paste this link into your browser:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849?i=1000619409426

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 119

Associate Professor Michelle Telfer
MBBS (Hons.) FRACP GAICD

Michelle Telfer, through her work as an expert in adolescent medicine and through her development and expansion of the Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service for 10 years, is one of the best placed professionals in the country to talk about transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents in Australia and their need for  improved access to medical and mental health care.

It's a long way from when her talent as a gymnast was spotted when she was 5 years old. But when you hear her speak, you can feel the determination and resilience that would have been needed to succeed as a gymnast that is still part of her ongoing journey to succeed now in an area that attracts, at times, extremely harsh  and often misplaced criticism.

Michelle Telfers was an elite gymnast who competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games and 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. She came back to finish her final year of high school and was successful enough to go on to study medicine and then went on to specialise as a paediatrician, receiving Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2010. She was the Director of the Department of Adolescent Medicine at Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. She was also the Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Gender Service and has been instrumental in the development and expansion of the clinical and research programs amidst rising demand for trans-specific health care in children and adolescents. She has recently been appointed Chief of Medicine for the Royal Children’s Hospital. 

It's an important discussion as the commentary we often see or read, is rarely coming from those who practice at the coal face, so to speak. 

To listen to this episode, head to the link in my bio or search 'Really Interesting Women' in your favourite podcast platform. It will be the latest episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 118

Tana Douglas

Tana Douglas is acknowledged throughout the global music industry as a pioneer.

She was the first female 'roadie' (road crew for rock bands). The first woman in a testosterone fuelled world. You talk about challenges. There's one.

It was a rocky start. She ran away from an abusive childhood and found herself in the early 70’s in Nimbin (the hippie capital of Australia) where a chance meeting with... a tightrope walker of all things, changed her life.

For example, soon after that, she walked into a downtrodden home in Melbourne to meet with a band who needed a roadie. She was 16 and stood in the living room looking at a bedraggled group of young men who weren't that much older than her. They hadn't even put out an album yet. But there was something about them. Tana reckons there was an energy that they seemed to just exude. It was AC/DC. She lived with them for over a year while they put their first album together.

That then started a chain of events that led to her touring the world and working with bands such as Status Quo, The Who, Ozzy Ozborne, Iggy Pop, Elton John, INXS, Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers...the list is endless.

...and so are the fabulous stories.  Imagine throwing down shots with Bon Scott backstage at Wembley before he went out in front of 80,000 people. She did that!

Have a listen to this podcast - head to the link in my bio.



The book is
Loud: A life in rock’n’roll by the world’s first female roadie 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 117

Louise Herron AM

Louise Herron became the first woman appointed to lead the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. During that time, she was charged with transforming the Opera House and overseeing a decade of renewal in all aspects including the largest and most transformative series of building works since the Opera House opened in 1973.

 
The renewal process included the enormous task of trying to improve the acoustics as part of the concert hall renovation. That herculean task had its first litmus test recently when the world-renowned conductor Simone Young led the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the first concert after the renewal, stating afterwards... ‘I’ve never known anything like we’re experiencing today’. 

 
Each CEO of the Opera House seems to be a custodian, a visionary, and an historian. Louise recounts the sliding door moment that may have meant the Opera House, as we know it, may never have been built but for the late arriving Finnish/American architect Eero Saarinen who was part of the design competition judging panel and wasn’t happy with the shortlist presented to him...so he started foraging through the rejected entries (some say they may have already been literally binned) and found Utzon’s sketches (not even plans) – and just said, ‘that’s it’. 

 
It's a fascinating discussion covering not just the Opera House, but how Louise progressed her career, the drivers, and motivators behind her decisions. The transferable skills she has used in the varied jobs she has had. 

Also...we discussed where to from here for the Arts generally. How can we progress and promote the Arts and remove barriers from accessing, participating, and enjoying such a vital aspect of life.  

Head to the link in my bio for Louise Herron's podcast episode.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast

Episode 116   
Heather Mitchell AM

Heather Mitchell is one of this country’s most acclaimed actors.

In a career lasting over 4 decades (and counting), she has been involved in film, theatre and television projects that we would all be familiar with no matter what era you call your own...the TV miniseries Bodyline, the fantasy teen drama Spellbinder, movies such as Proof, The Great Gatsby, Muriel’s Wedding, Palm Beach and countless theatre productions culminating most recently in the critically acclaimed, RBG: Of Many, One, where Heather, in an extraordinary performance, plays the former US Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg - one of nearly 30 characters she plays in the show.
 
But if you think that working in a fickle industry for 40 plus years means she’s probably had an easy run...nothing could be further from the truth. The strength, determination and resilience required from Heather in the face of, at times, overwhelming odds, would be beyond most of us. It speaks volumes of her that she has faced these challenges and will still light up a room with her smile and genuine (!) demeanour. 

Clairvoyants and burnt toast play a big part in her life too - have a listen to her podcast episode to understand why. 

She’s greatly respected and admired within the industry and, more importantly, much loved .



Her memoir, Everything and Nothing (Allen & Unwin) is a really good read. A great Christmas gift if you ask me.

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Heather-Mitchell-Everything-and-Nothing-9781761067303/

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The Podcast

Episode 115      Suzie Miller


Suzie Miller is this country’s most successful playwright. 

Her recent play ‘Prima Facie’ has had sold out performances in Australia, London’s West End and New York’s Broadway and is now being produced in over 30 countries. Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer would have had the luxury of being able to choose any theatrical production to make her West End debut. She chose Prima Facie.

The response has been phenomenal. It has earned Suzie the prestigious Olivier Award in London for Best New Play.

Was it luck? Well, Suzie Miller’s ‘overnight success’ as some may put it, has been over 20 years and 40 plays in the making – and that’s not counting her legal career which has been a huge influence on her writing. 

She initially studied science and, realising that was not going to be the career for her, went on to study law.  A short stint in corporate law precipitated a move to the Aboriginal Legal Service, and eventually the Shopfront Youth Legal Centre in Kings Cross. And during this time, she was writing. 

Her first play in 2003 was based on her Kings Cross legal experience. It transferred from a fringe Sydney theatre to the Sydney Opera House. She was enjoying great local success but still had to juggle both playwrighting and the law for some time and then she came to a crossroads in 2009. 

Join me for our conversation as we discuss her career to date as well as her more recent plays, her debut novel (an adaptation of Prima Facie), several television projects and the enormous amount she puts back into the industry and its people (including me!). 

In an industry that can be fickle and unforgiving, Suzie Miller’s success should be celebrated. 



HEAD to the link in my bio to listen to this episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The Podcast


Episode 114

Nicole Livingstone OAM

Nicole Livingstone was part of the Australian swimming team for twelve years - starting when she was in Grade 8!  She went to 3 successive Olympic Games winning a silver and 2 bronze medals. She was a short course world record holder in backstroke and, in fact, still holds the longest winning sequence in history of any Australian swimmer (male or female) at the national titles. Ten consecutive backstroke titles. 

More than enough achievements for one lifetime...but then she went on to a long and successful career in the media as a host and commentator and joined a number of not-for-profit boards including co-founding, with her sister, Ovarian Cancer Australia. 

And then another opportunity presented itself in 2017 and after an exhaustive process, she was announced as the Australian Football League's head of women's football and is now responsible for managing the hugely successful AFL Women’s competition.

You've probably seen Nicole on television in some capacity over the last 20 years or so, but, like me, you probably didn't know the whole story. It's a fascinating conversation and one which I'm sure you'll enjoy. 

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to the podcast conversation. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast

Episode 113.        Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft is a proud Bundjalung woman and a very successful artist. But the journey has been a long one and she's overcome hurdles that most of us can't imagine. 

Bronwyn's career has included both national and international exhibitions, and her work has been acquired by all major Australian galleries, state libraries and private collections.  

She has also been a trailblazer in children’s literature having published over 40 books. In addition to this she has been a director of her own company, Designer Aboriginals since 1985 and, in 1987, was one of the first Australian fashion designers to be invited to exhibit their works in Paris. 

She has a long history of involvement in community activism and arts administration, and has served as a board member for the National Gallery of Australia. She has a Diploma of Visual Arts, 2 Masters degrees and in 2018 was awarded her PhD in Visual Arts. 

To have a listen to our conversation about her amazing journey, head to the link in my bio. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The podcast 

Episode 112    Collette Dinnigan AO

Collette Dinnigan is one of the country’s most successful fashion designers. 

Her creations have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Princess Mary, and the Duchess of Cambridge. She became the first Australian to mount a full-scale ready-to-wear collection in Paris and was subsequently invited to show on the prestigious Paris Fashion Week schedule. 

Collette has won Australian Designer of the Year, the Louis Vuitton Business Award and the Award for Excellence from Fashion Group International amongst many other accolades. She has even been a Special Guest Editor for Vogue Living’s ‘Italian’ issue. 

Her business was an international success and then, after 24 years, she closed her boutiques in Sydney, Melbourne and London, stopped producing her successful bridal and evening wear lines and, with a renewed sense of purpose, headed in a new creative direction for all the right reasons.

We had a great discussion which included, as a child,  her family's real life re-enactment of the TV series The Rovers (one of the great Australian shows!), being told at Fashion School that she was least likely to succeed in the class, her international rise and embracing new opportunities (working with Specsavers, entering Celebrity MasterChef) and...food. We even get tips on the best thing for Italian food lovers to plant in a garden. Everything covered!

Head to the link in my bio for a listen. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women Podcast 

Ep. 111      Danielle Laidley

Danielle Laidley had an illustrious career as an AFL player and in 1996 won a premiership with the North Melbourne Football Club. She subsequently became one of the youngest head coaches in the league’s history at the age of 36 and was then inducted into the club’s hall of fame. 

But her amazing career and life were never what they seemed on the surface. Danielle  faced a private and lifelong battle with gender dysphoria and that constant struggle with her identity led eventually to legal troubles and addiction issues...which, in other circumstances, may have led to her undertaking a private recovery. But in her case, it was all cruelly and publicly exposed without her consent or knowledge. And then came the incredible journey to recovery. 

I think it would be fair to say Danielle is the most prominent transgender person in the country. The opportunity to reveal who she really was was taken away from her by police at the St Kilda police station when photos were taken and distributed publicly without her knowledge or consent . And that was how her own children found out. 

Danielle is now taking back control of her own story and it's through podcasts such as this one and a documentary streaming on Stan (see below).

It's an important episode and can help people understand. Please head to the link in my bio for a listen. 

#reallyinterestingwomen #riw #daniellelaidley #transgender #genderdysphoria #addiction #determination #resilience
@daniellemaylaidley07
@the_dls
@afl
@aflwomens
@nmfcofficial


The book is:
Don't Look Away: A Memoir of Identity and Acceptance
The documentary:
Stan 
Revealed: Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women

Podcast - Episode 110

Nikki Gemmell

Nikki Gemmell is an international best-selling author of over 20 books and a Walkley Award winning commentator and opinion writer for The Australian newspaper. 

Her subject matter and distinctive writing style led to the French literary magazine Lire in 2007 including her in a list of what it called the fifty most important writers in the world – those it believed would have a significant influence on the literature of the 21st century. In fact, in France she has been described as a "female Jack Kerouac ".

Four of her books (Shiver, Cleave, The Bride Stripped Bare and The Book of Rapture) made the longlist of "Favourite Australian Novels" as chosen by readers of the Australian Book Review. 

But it was her best-known work in 2003, The Bride Stripped Bare, which became a world-wide publishing sensation...and then upended her universe. To protect herself she initially published the book anonymously. Then the media outed her and, according to Nikki herself, all hell broke loose. The consequences are still being felt today.

With Nikki Gemmell there's always a lot to discuss. And we try and cover as much as we can...her loving yet fractious relationship with her mother, how to deal with the inevitable withering criticisms that come from being a public figure and her liberating time as a writer in London....and then retraining, as she calls them, her pommy children to become Australian when she returned to these shores. 

But all the while, it was her love of writing that kept her moving through life's rollercoaster. And still does. 

 Her books display the qualities she most admires in other authors...brutal, eviscerating honesty. But there’s an overriding sense of fun, wit and wisdom which makes her a brilliant writer, a great guest and, it goes without saying, a really interesting woman. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast Episode 109

Caroline de Mori AM

This is a great story of an extraordinary woman.

Caroline was a journalist, ran a PR company and was a successful business woman who ran her own company with 4 of her own children. When that just wasn't a thing. 

She's a risk taker, a do-er and hates injustice. Her corporate role took her all over the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of WA and what she saw in the remote Aboriginal communities affected her profoundly...as it would for anyone seeing it. But unlike 'anyone'...she decided to do something about it. 

In 2005, Caroline established the EON Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation to overcome chronic health issues in Indigenous communities in the most practical way – by helping them grow and prepare fresh fruit and vegetables. She recognised that the simplest way to provide fresh food particularly to remote communities was to grow it locally.

The communities themselves request EON's assistance, so it has the best chance of success as a result. The children's involvement is a huge part of it. And it's working. 

Head to the link in my bio for Caroline's story. 

The website is brilliant. Have a look:
www.eon.org.au

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast ep. 108

Marita Cheng AM

Marita is a former Young Australian of the Year. 11 Years on from that award her work improving the lives of others is quite extraordinary.

Marita and her brother were raised by their single mother in housing commission in Cairns. She encouraged education and worked a number of jobs such as a hotel room cleaner and dishwasher to give them every opportunity she could afford.

 Marita is the founder of Robogals and the founder and current CEO of Aubot, a start-up robotics company. She co-founded Aipoly, an app to assist blind people to recognise objects using their mobile phones and was named as one of the World's Top 50 women in Technology by Forbes in 2018 and was recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2016.

On 9 June 2019, Marita was appointed a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to science and technology, particularly to robotics.

Former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, described her as  a leader; 
an inspiration; a game changer.

 
HEAD to the link in my bio for Marita's podcast episode. 


www.maritacheng.com

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

To describe Janine Kirk as a prominent business, education, health and community leader would be accurate...but doesn't do justice to her actual achievements and commitments. Our conversation will shed some light on this. 

Janine has a wealth of executive experience and has committed to giving back to the community through her work for not for profit and charitable organisations. In fact in 2021 she was awarded an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for her leadership & contribution to the N.F.P. sector

 
She was the Founding Chief Executive of The Prince's Trust Australia and is currently Chair of several organisations including Phoenix Australia (the Australian Centre of Excellence for Post traumatic Mental Health); HousingFirst (an affordable and social housing association) and The Melbourne Prize Trust (provides financial and professional development opportunities to artists).

Janine would list her passions as innovation, ideas, design, creativity & hope. All things she brings to her NFP roles which benefit thousands of people. It’s a conversation which will both inform and inspire. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast Episode 106

Really Interesting Women - Jean Oelwang

Jean Oelwang is the founding CEO and President of Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. Since its launch, it has inspired a number of global initiatives – like The Elders (with Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu), Ocean Unite, Carbon War Room and The B Team. 

For over 20 years Jean has worked closely with and learned a lot from Sir Richard Branson, having previously been the joint CEO of Virgin Mobile in Australia.

In her current roles Jean has had occasion to work with Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu,  the Dalai Lama, former President Carter, amongst many others. It has given her insight as to what makes a successful and fulfilled life - and it's not money. In fact, I was cheeky enough to ask her about the meaning of life...and she gave me the answer! And it makes sense!!

We discuss her recent book "Partnering" which shows the importance of deep seated connections and relationships and her anecdotal evidence comes from her interviewing over 60 business and life partnerships including Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Ben and Jerry, and Desmond and Leah Tutu.

It's really interesting, insightful and a fun conversation.

Head to the link in my bio to listen to this podcast. 

www.theelders.org
www.bteam.org
Jean's book: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/partnering-9781529146066


@jeanoelwang #reallyinterestingwomen #riw @virginunite @virgin #partnerships #nelsonmandela #desmondtutu @richardbranson #dalailama #disruptivedetours @theelders_org #deeplylistening #meaningoflife 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast

Anna Funder    Ep. 105

Anna Funder is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most acclaimed and awarded writers.

Her 2003 book Stasiland won, amongst many other things, the Samuel Johnson Prize which is for the best non-fiction writing in the English language (!!). Actor Tom Hanks described it as 'fascinating, entertaining, hilarious, horrifying and very important.'

Her 2012 novel, All That I Am, won a myriad of awards including the very prestigious Miles Franklin Award. Both books are international bestsellers, translated into many languages and published around the world.

Her books are important because of the truths they reveal. They are beautifully researched and exquisitely told.  Her legion of fans has been eagerly anticipating her latest novel, Wifedom, which has just been released. I've read it, it's fascinating and important. Geraldine Brooks described the book as, 'Simply, a masterpiece'.

Head to the link in the bio of my instagram account: @reallyinterestingwomen to have a listen to our conversation. It's insightful, thought provoking and gave us both a bit of a giggle.


You can find all Anna's books at this link:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=anna+funder&productType=917504

 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast

Ep. 104      Tanya Hosch

Tanya Hosch is the first indigenous person (male or female) appointed to the AFL executive.

She is the General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy and is responsible for Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander issues, gender equality, sexuality and gender diversity, racism and sexism. It's a full dance card. And her actions in regards the shameful treatment of AFL superstars Nicky Winmar and Adam Goodes are just an example of the sort of headway she's making. 

Her career path has almost inevitably led to this most comprehensive and challenging role. 

She was founding director of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre over 20 years ago and also helped create the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute amongst many other achievements. She was the joint campaign director of the Recognise movement for constitutional reform.

In 2015 she was named one of Australia’s 50 most powerful women, in 2021 she was named in the top 10 most culturally powerful people in Australia, in 2021 she was also named South Australian of the Year and in November 2022 the Sydney Morning Herald listed her as one of 25 trailblazers: "women reshaping Australia”.

And all this from someone who didn't think they were meant to go to university. 

It's a fascinating, insightful and really enjoyable conversation. 

Head to the link in my bio to the podcast for a listen.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast Episode 103
Really Interesting Women

Jamila Rizvi

Jamila is the Deputy Managing Director of Future Women which is an organisation that supports professional women to accelerate their careers, works with men to overcome unconscious bias and helps organisations tackle barriers to gender equality. 

She is also a best-selling author for adults and children, a columnist for Sunday Life magazine, which is part of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. She is a podcaster – currently a co-host on The Briefing podcast and has been a regular commentator on The Project, Today, The Drum and Q & A. Early in her career she was an adviser to the Rudd and Gillard governments and at 25 became one of the youngest people ever to work as a Chief of Staff to a Federal Minister.

But life hasn't been the plain sailing that a bio written down on paper might suggest. 

At the end of 2017 she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. She had 36 rounds of radiation and two brain surgeries. The diagnosis was a complete shock to her and her very young family. And the journey in coming back from that has been extraordinary. 

Have a listen to Jamila's inspiring podcast episode.



Jamila's books are available at all good book stores and online at booktopia.com.au (Untold Resilience is authored by Future Women):
The Motherhood
Not Just Lucky 
Untold Resilience
I'm a Hero Too
Work. Love. Body

The website of Future Women is:
www.futurewomen.com

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women  

Podcast Episode 102

Ordained as a Presbyterian Minister in 1983, Rev. Dr. Margaret Mayman has been a strong progressive religious voice for justice on matters like marriage equality, abortion, and refugees. She is perhaps best known for her inclusive congregations. 

She openly values the LGBTIQA+ community, supports their relationships, and celebrates their true, authentic selves. Her considered thoughts on Christian perspectives are often sought by politicians and the public. 

We had a really interesting and valuable discussion on her personal experiences as an openly lesbian Minister as well as her thoughts on many current issues including gay conversion therapy, marriage equality, social justice…even the Pope’s recent rejection of sexual orientation as a crime. 

Head to my bio for a link to Margaret’s podcast episode or search ‘Really Interesting Women’ on your favourite podcast platforms. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The Podcast 

Episode 101    Denni Francisco

Denni Francisco is an award winning designer who uses stunning indigenous artists works to create prints for her clothes. And she's about to make Australian Fashion Week history as the first indigenous person to have a solo show. She's a two time winner of the designer of the year at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards and is generally considered a key figure in the Australian fashion industry.

And it all started when, as a very young woman, she came with her mother into the city for the first time from Wiradjuri Country in Central New South Wales...and saw a boutique with a pair of vibrant red flares in the window display.  It was one of several seminal moments that helped create a career. 

During that journey she has created two unique clothing models that have made a big impact on the industry and, frankly, society. 

She recently made a big splash at Milan Fashion Week with a runway show on the deck of a huge luxury cruiser moored off the Italian coast but Denni's always mindful of thinking of others and assisting other first nations people in her industry. And this success culminates in the aforementioned solo show at Australian Fashion Week in mid May 2023. 

It's a fascinating story where culture and community are at the forefront of her decisions. And her designs have beautiful indigenous prints which has, in turn, created an international interest on those artists.


Website: www.ngali.com.au

Aust Fashion Week 15-19 May, Carriageworks, Sydney

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast 

Episode 100         Jane Yuile

This episode was challenging for me and, I suspect, Jane. Although she made me feel very comfortable very quickly. 

Persist with the audio on this episode - I'll explain why. 

Jane Yuile is a successful business executive who has always been up for a challenge.  A jump from a jetty a few years ago was nothing compared to other stuff she did, like skydiving for charity.  But the jetty jump went horribly wrong.

Jane was left a quadriplegic. 

How she copes and deals with this - her mental and physical strength, resilience, determination and empathy for others, is extraordinary. The audio at times lacks clarity. That can't be helped. 

I would encourage you to listen right to the end because I left the recording going accidentally and I reckon it will help you understand why she's so loved and supported and respected. I think we can all take a bit of a lesson from Jane Yuile on how to cope with life's challenges.  

Head to the link in my bio to hear this episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast Episode 99 - CHLOE DALTON OAM

Chloe Dalton is one of this country’s very few elite athletes in 3 different sports: played in the WNBL, won a gold medal in Rugby 7s at the Rio Olympics, and in 2019 made the transition to Australian Rules Football where she is currently playing in the AFLW. 

In the middle of all this exceptionalism, she graduated from Sydney University as a physiotherapist where her work has a particular emphasis on neurological physiotherapy, supporting those affected by stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and brain injuries. 

But...to me, just as importantly, and I suspect it’s just as important to Chloe, it’s her incredible, far-reaching work off the field as the founder of the instagram and podcast smash hit, The Female Athlete Project which promotes women’s sport and the exposure of gender inequality. 

And the project has become a bit of an institution. Chloe Dalton was just announced as one of the most influential women in Australian sport. 

website: www.thefemaleathleteproject.com
insta: @thefemaleathleteproject

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast Episode 98

Carla Raynes

Carla has worked in the homelessness field for nearly 2 decades. She’s seen the issue from all angles. And thought....'I’m seeing the same people all the time. There has to be a better way to solve this.'

To that effect, in the middle of 2021, Carla launched a charity with the aim of bringing all her experience to help create those lasting solutions. There was a gap in the current system of treating homelessness and she blazed her own trail by trialling creative approaches to homelessness to make the solution lasting.

A remarkable dedication and it's working and it's all been done with no government support. Imagine what could happen if the government did get behind it. Have a look at their website (below) to get a better idea of what they're doing. 

Carla is the Founder and CEO of Bridge It. 

www.bridgeit.org.au

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast Episode 97

Professor Sharon Lewin AO FRACP FAHMS

Sharon Lewin is a remarkable woman. 

For a start, she has been heading up two global pandemics. Simultaneously. 

 In 1989 Dr Lewin (as she then was), instead of seeking a medical appointment in some prestigious city hospital, chose to work in a small hospital in Kenya. It was here she became passionate about infectious diseases, specifically HIV. And it would be a path she continues to tread to this day. She’s determined to find the cure. 

 In 2014, she was appointed Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and her research focuses on why HIV persists, and on developing clinical trials aimed at finding that cure. She’s delivered more than 100 talks internationally and has published 280-plus papers. 

Whilst doing all that her other role in this field is as the President of the International Aids Society. A huge organisation which ‘convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being.’ I believe there are about 14,000 members of the IAS.

Oh, she’s also been a leader and spokesperson for the Covid response since about January 2020 when her team were the 1st in the world to isolate, grow and then share the virus with other nations. Her ongoing education of others in this area has been a much wanted voice of reason with a steadying hand on the tiller. 

It was a privilege having a conversation with someone so focussed on helping humanity. It was an informative, down to earth and, at times, very funny chat.

Head to the podcast to have a listen. The link is in my bio.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849