Something To Talk About

When a 16-year-old Jessica Mauboy stood on a makeshift stage in the middle of the desert for her Australian Idol audition, she was just a shy kid from Darwin with a massive voice. Within a few years, she was catapulted from the Top End to the top of the charts. Earlier this year, Jessica returned to the Australian Idol stage – this time as a mentor, stepping in to fill Kyle Sandilands’ empty chair. But she hasn't forgotten the hurdles she faced or the comments about her body, which she now sees through an entirely different lens. In this episode of the Stellar podcast, she explains how Kyle’s bluntness helped her develop thick skin at a young age, what was behind her decision to leave her long-time record label and become her own "boss lady", and how her husband Themeli Magriplis and their 14-month-old daughter Mia keep her grounded through it all.Watch the full episode with Jessica Mauboy here Find more information on Jessica’s suncare brand Desert Rose here Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November last year, newsreader and weather presenter Amber Sherlock was let go from her role at the Nine Network, an announcement that made headlines and had paparazzi camped outside her house. Suddenly, after almost 20 years at the network, Amber found herself without the security of a full-time job, only three weeks ahead of her 50th birthday.  Now, she is looking towards the future and establishing her next step in a rapidly changing media landscape – and an industry she believes still treats men and women very differently. On this episode of the Stellar podcast, Amber talks for the first time about her shock departure from a job she thought was safe, how she feels about #jacketgate 10 years on and, given this is the first time she hasn't worked in her adult life, the benefits of no longer being a “shift worker”.    You can find out more about Amber Sherlock via her Instagram. Watch the full episode with Amber Sherlock here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thirty years ago this July, a catchy song called ‘Wannabe’, sung by a then-unknown pop group called the Spice Girls, hit radio airwaves – and a global phenomenon was born.  For Melanie C, who was just 22 at the time and one-fifth of the group that brought “girl power” to a new generation, the sudden blast of “Spice mania” was intoxicating, intimidating and ultimately short-lived.  Three decades later, Melanie is a successful solo artist who has also found her groove touring the world as a DJ, she is a coach on The Voice Australia, and she remains close to all of her former bandmates. On this episode of the Stellar podcast, Melanie opens up about what really goes on in group chats with her fellow Spice Girls, explains how her upcoming album and world tour hark back to her early days as a raver, and explains how finding love with an Australian helped her grow more comfortable with work/life balance. Plus, she answers the eternal question: could the Spice Girls someday make their way here for their first-ever Australian shows?   Watch the full episode with Melanie C here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like many of us, Katherine Bennell-Pegg grew up with a dream of one day becoming an astronaut.  But unlike most childhood dreamers, Katherine actually achieved hers. In 2024, she became the first astronaut to officially represent Australia and the first Australian woman to receive professional astronaut wings. On January 25 this year, she was named the 2026 Australian of the Year for her trailblazing contribution to the Australian space industry.  In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Katherine opens up about the decades of sacrifice it took to get here, what she really thinks about the criticism of her Australian of the Year win, and why she believes you don't need to leave Earth to change the world.   For more information on Katherine Bennell-Pegg, visit space.gov.au Watch the full episode with Katherine Bennell-Pegg here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than a decade, Rove McManus was one of the most familiar faces on Australian TV. Rove Live helped launch the careers of some of Australia's brightest talents – including Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar, Hamish Blake and Andy Lee – it attracted some of the biggest stars on the planet, and created viral moments before internet virality even existed.  In 2026, after 25 years on our screens, the comedian is reliving the best, worst and most controversial moments from the TV hit in his new live comedy show.  On this episode of the Stellar podcast, he shares the reason he first hired Carrie Bickmore, and the strangest complaints the show ever received, plus he reflects on why a show like Rove Live couldn’t exist today.  Rove is currently touring Australia with his new comedy show Tonight’s Guest: Rove McManus (Tales From The Talk Show Trenches). For tickets and more details, visit comedy.com.au Watch the full episode with Rove McManus here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tanya Hennessy had just begun her seventh round of IVF when she joined the Stellar podcast last April.  Just weeks after we recorded that episode, she found out she was pregnant.  On December 20, five days before Christmas, Tanya’s long-awaited first child, a baby girl named Scottie – whose full name is Scotland Jack Poole – was born and she was thrust into the beautiful chaos of new motherhood, while dealing with the surreal realisation that she was finally holding her baby in her arms.  In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Tanya shares the meaning behind her daughter’s unconventional name, explains why she waited so long to announce her pregnancy, and reflects on the complex feelings she is grappling with now that her dream of becoming a mother has finally come true.  Tanya's new children's book Sunny And Storm (Penguin, $14.99) is out March 3 and available to pre-order now.    Watch the full episode with Tanya here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might know her as Ivy Forrester on The Bold And The Beautiful, the long-running soap opera that has been broadcast around the world for nearly 40 years. That role marked Ashleigh Brewer’s breakout in the US, after she first came to notice working in Australian children’s shows like The Sleepover Club and H20: Just Add Water, before joining the cast of Neighbours at the age of 18.    But as you’ll hear in this episode of the Stellar podcast, at 35, Ash has lived just as many lives as a character on a soap opera. Last December, she got married, and as she reveals for the first time in this interview, she is entering her third trimester as she prepares to welcome her first baby. All this has coincided with a time when Ash has never felt more comfortable in her own body, because as she also explains, she struggled with an eating disorder for several years.   Candid, raw and reflective, Ash also opens up on how she pulled together her low-key, no-fuss wedding day in just nine days, why sobriety was a key part of her recovery, and how how finding support from a strong circle of fellow Aussie expats and actors including Phoebe Tonkin, Samara Weaving and her one-time housemate and Neighbours co-star Margot Robbie helped her to heal.    If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, visit Butterfly at butterfly.org.au You can find out more about Ash Brewer on Instagram here. Watch the full episode with Ash Brewer here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since The Project was axed eight months ago, speculation has been rife about what Sarah Harris will do next.  Now, we finally know the former TV host is making the move into radio, joining Nova’s new breakfast show, Ricki-Lee & Tim, in a newsreader role.  In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Sarah reflects on the role cancel culture played in the end of The Project, why she won’t be wearing a full face of make-up for breakfast radio, and what her new definition of success looks like.  You can follow more of Sarah’s story on her Instagram page and on Nova 96.9’s Sydney Breakfast show Ricki-Lee & Tim, which can be heard in Sydney weekdays from 6am to 9am starting Monday, February 9, and nationally from 6pm to 7pm.  Watch the full episode with Sarah Harris here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ricki-Lee was just 18 when she became a household name on the second season of Australian Idol in 2004.  Thrust into the spotlight at a time when famous women’s bodies and choices were the subject of intense media and public scrutiny, Ricki-Lee was able to block out the critics and build a formidable career as a recording artist, performer, TV presenter and radio host.  Now in 2026, she’s the host of the show that kickstarted her career and she’s about to take over Nova’s breakfast time slot with her longtime drive co-host Tim Blackwell.   In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Ricki-Lee reveals what her Idol colleague and soon-to-be radio rival Kyle Sandilands is really like behind the scenes, plus she explains why she thinks people were so uncomfortable with her decision to be child-free, and how she deals with the constant comments about her body.    Nova 96.9’s Sydney breakfast show Ricki-Lee & Tim can be heard weekdays from 6am-9am starting Monday, February 9. National listeners can also tune into the show across the Nova Network every weekday from 6pm-7pm, stream the show live or catch up with the daily podcast on the Nova Player.   Watch the full episode with Ricki-Lee here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Georgie Tunny was a young girl growing up in Queensland, she dreamed of becoming a sports reporter so she could one day interview the Brisbane Lions and cover the Olympics.  Fast forward to 2026, and Georgie has taken over as anchor of the 10 News national weekend bulletins. Later this year, she’s releasing her debut novel, Over To You, which is set in the high stakes world of morning TV.  On this episode of the Stellar podcast, Georgie reveals the secret behind her rapid rise up the ranks of Australian TV, how her famous co-hosts may have inspired the characters in her book, and why 2026 is the year she finally marries Rob Mills.  You can find out more about Georgie Tunny on her Instagram. Watch the full episode with Georgie Tunny here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Abo was just four years old when her parents moved her and her younger sisters from Syria to Australia in search of a better life.  Growing up in Melbourne, and rarely seeing people like her on TV, Sarah became determined to change that as she built a successful journalism career at SBS and then 60 Minutes.  Then, in 2023, she was thrown into the deep end when she became the co-host of the Today show, alongside Karl Stefanovic.  On today’s episode of the Stellar podcast, Sarah tells us how she’s navigated the intense media scrutiny that comes with the job, why she sees Karl as a “loving but annoying older brother”, and what it means for Australia’s diverse migrant community to see someone like her in their living rooms each morning.    Watch the full episode with Sarah Abo here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Hughes has one of the most recognisable voices in the Australian entertainment industry, and has been making people laugh through his stand-up career, radio shows and regular TV appearances for more than 30 years.  But in August 2024, his breakfast radio show Hughesy, Ed and Erin was pulled from the air. Then, while he was adjusting to a new, slower pace of life in 2025, Dave broke six ribs and punctured a lung during an AFL charity game in Melbourne.  In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Dave explains why getting the sack from radio turned out to be a liberating experience, how he’s feeling almost six months on from his injury, and why he is turning his trauma into comedy gold for his new standup tour, COOKED.  For tickets and more information about Dave Hughs tour, visit https://davehughes.com.au/. Watch the full episode with Dave Hughes here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Holland first stepped into the spotlight at the age of 24 when she was crowned Miss World Australia.  In the 12 years since, Erin has built a career in which she wears many hats: classical singer, model, television presenter, brand ambassador and cricket commentator.  It’s a workload that saw her board more than 130 flights last year, travelling not only the world but jetting between Sydney, where she’s based most of the week, and Brisbane, where she spends weekends with her husband of four years, Australian cricketer Ben Cutting.  In today’s episode of the Stellar podcast, Erin opens up about her unconventional living arrangement, how she’s navigated the "old boys" club’ of cricket, and why she decided to open up about her fertility journey – even while she’s still in the middle of it.  For support or information about pregnancy loss, visit miscarriageaustralia.com.au. You can follow more of Erin’s story on her Instagram.  Watch the full episode with Erin here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022, best friends and business partners Lise Carlaw and Sarah Wills decided to host an afternoon dance party at a bowling club in Brisbane.  Three years later, Disco Club has become a movement, with thousands of women, between the ages of 18 and 81, turning up to dance their worries away in a safe, inclusive environment.  In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Lise and Sarah share the story behind Disco Club’s wild success, they explain why every woman needs an “ugly friend” in her life, and they reflect on the popularity of their recaps of The Golden Bachelor and why we desperately need more visibility for women over 40 on TV.  Lise and Sarah’s national Disco Club tour kicks off on March 7 in Brisbane, before heading to Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Head here for tickets. Watch the full episode with Lise and Sarah here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a big year at Something To Talk About - and the content won’t be stopping over the holiday season. Whatever your plans are this summer, we’ll be right here in your ears with new podcast episodes and videos dropping every Sunday morning. Thank you to everyone who has trusted us with their story this year, and thank you to our listeners and viewers for your support. Our best wishes to each of you for a safe and happy new year ahead.   Watch the full episode of every Something To Talk About podcast here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of people have been cancelled in 2025, and Clare Stephens has spoken to a few of them. The writer, editor and podcaster joins Sarrah Le Marquand to unpack the psychology behind outrage culture, the emotional toll of public shaming, and the double standards that still define how we judge women in the public eye. Alongside publishing her debut novel The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done, this year Clare also launched The Pile-On, a podcast giving voice to people who’ve been “cancelled” and exploring what those moments reveal about all of us. In this conversation, she reflects on empathy, accountability, and why she believes it’s time we stopped confusing cruelty with change. Find Clare’s book The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done here.  And her podcast The Pile-On here. Watch the full episode with Clare here.  Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna Robards was only 26 when she met her now husband Tim Robards on the inaugural season of The Bachelor in 2013.  Once the finale aired, Anna was thrust into the spotlight and found herself trying to navigate one of the most publicly scrutinised relationships in the country and a new career in media. Then, after a stint on reality show SAS Australia and a near-fatal birth experience, Anna learnt how to let go of fear and finally found her voice.  In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Anna tells us about the five words a Navy Seal said to her that changed her life, what it’s like to support a spouse who’s an aspiring actor, and how the traumatic birth of her second child taught her to finally live in the moment.    You can follow more of Anna Robards’ story on her Instagram.  Watch the full episode with Anna here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For almost two decades, Danielle Spencer took the back seat to raise her two sons while her ex-husband Russell Crowe’s Hollywood career soared.  Now at 56, and part of the "sandwich generation" juggling the needs of young adults and ageing parents, Danielle is releasing her first album of original music in 15 years and she’s determined to increase the visibility of women over 35 in the music industry.  In today’s episode of the Stellar podcast, Danielle reflects on making the decision to divorce her very famous ex-husband, whom she had known since she was 19, how she’s reinventing herself in mid-life, and what it’s really like to read horrible comments about herself online.    Danielle Spencer’s new album Regenerate is out on March 27, 2026. To pre-save, head to your favourite streaming platform, where you can also listen to the new songs, ‘Regenerate’, ‘The Game’ and ‘Hummingbird’ now.  Watch the full episode with Danielle here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since leaving the Seven Network in 2020, Melissa Doyle has reinvented herself as an author, a radio host, an investigative journalist and a documentarian. And now she’s about to embark on yet another career-defining adventure when she sits down for a series of conversations with Oprah Winfrey, who is returning to Australia for her first tour in 15 years.   In this episode of the Stellar podcast, Melissa opens up about the bonds she forged during her years sitting behind the breakfast TV desk, how she’s created a portfolio career for her second act, and what it was like to have an unexpected Zoom call with one of the most powerful women in the world.  Oprah In Conversation kicks off in Sydney on December 4, before heading to Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.  Watch the full episode with Melissa Doyle here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than two decades of living life at full speed, Jesinta and Lance “Buddy” Franklin have found a new rhythm. From AFL stadiums and global runways to slow mornings and school pick-ups on the Gold Coast, the couple have redefined what success looks like for them.  In this episode, the Franklins open up to Stellar about life after football, preparing to welcome another child, and their new Manuka honey business, Honey For Life. They reflect on identity, purpose and why the sweetest chapter of their story is the one unfolding quietly, far from the spotlight. For more information on Jesinta and Lance’s new venture, visit honeyforlife.com.au Watch the full episode with Jesinta and Lance here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand  Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.