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

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

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

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

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

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

How do you become a self-made success story in the digital age, overcome post-natal depression, navigate a divorce so that your relationship stays amicable and find yourself again by falling in love with a woman? Sophie Cachia’s remarkable story shows you how. Sophie Cachia is a self-made success story who first made an impact online through sharing her relatable life experiences on her blog (The Young Mummy) and now via Instagram. Sophie’s entrepreneurial prowess has seen her diversify and become CEO of her own successful start-ups including CACHIA lounge and sleepwear – amongst many other things. In our chat, Sophie opens up about her difficulties being a new mum when diagnosed with post-natal depression and anxiety. Sophie also shares how she decided to leave her marriage with former AFL footballer Jarryd Cachia and is now in an inspiring positive co-parenting relationship with Jarryd and has found the new love of her life with women’s NBL player Maddie Garrick. This is a story of resilience, support, self-love and radiates positive with many life affirming messages.   Key takeaways from our chat… How to turn negatives into positives The importance of a positive mindset The power of your tribe to support you through times of difficulties Overcoming post-natal depression and anxiety Navigating divorce so that your co-parenting relationship is positive, amicable and thrives Using digital platforms to share your unique perspective and personal story to achieve cut-through Being courageous to leave relationships that are not serving or fulfilling you anymore   Links from our chat… Sophie Cachia on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sophiecachia_ Cachia Lounge and Sleepwear: https://cachia.shop   Dani Venn on Instagram: www.instagram.com/danivenn Dani Venn website: www.danivenn.com/fallingforyou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Falling For You is a podcast all about falling in love…with yourself. Through inspiring conversations with some of the most positive and extraordinary women Falling For You will uplift and empower you to put yourself first and truly live life on your own terms. From mental health to parenting, sex and relationships to body hang ups and business. Nothing is out of bounds. So join Dani Venn for honest, authentic and funny conversations that include practical takeaways you can action in your own #best life and start Falling For You! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.