Really Interesting Women

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 139Mem Fox AMMem 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 friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEp. 138Jo StanleyJo 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 friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the PodcastEpisode 137Dr Louise MahlerDr 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 Trusthttps://www.amazon.com.au/Gravitas-Timeless-Skills-Communicate-Confidence/dp/1394237332Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 136   Professor Adele Green ACAdele 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 friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 134Justine 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 friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 133Melinda 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 friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 132Melissa Doyle AMMel 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_nossImage: Nick LearyVisit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 131SARAH WILSONSarah 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 Beautifulhttps://www.amazon.com.au/first-make-beast-beautiful-Anxiety-ebook/dp/B01N12WLAXHer other books and links to her Substack can be found on her website:www.sarahwilson.comVisit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 130KATHY LETTEKathy 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.htmlVisit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://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 friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849