Extraordinary Stories

Belle Gibson fooled not only her hundreds of thousands of followers, but the most prestigious book publishers in Australia, the tech giants of silicon valley and even her family and friends into believing she was something she was not: sick. If today, her name is synonymous with the weighty infamy of a notorious scam, there was a time before that, when she was celebrated as an inspiration. On this episode of Extraordinary Stories, we look at the rise of Belle Gibson. From tall tales in school drama classes to international acclaim and influence, how did Annabelle Natalie Gibson become the pinup girl for the wellness movement? Listen to part two here Listen to part three here THE END BITS: With thanks to Bronwyn McCahon, Doctor Brad McKay and Kylie Willey  RESOURCES WE USED: The Woman Who Fooled The World by Beau Donnelly and Nick Toscano  Fake Medicine by Brad Mckay The Girl Who Conned Us All by Clair Weaver https://www.nowtolove.com.au/news/real-life/belle-gibson-the-whole-story-10129 https://www.nowtolove.com.au/news/local-news/belle-gibson-speaks-for-the-first-time-since-her-whole-pantry-controversy-13532  With thanks to Tara Brown from 60 Minutes  GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here... https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ CREDITS: Host: Emma Gillespie Writers: Emma Gillespie and Holly Wainwright Producers: Melanie Sauer and Emma Gillespie Audio Production: Elissa Ratliff and Madeline Joannou Executive Producer: Holly Wainwright and Elissa Ratliff Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015, Australian con woman Belle Gibson was living the dream. Her app The Whole Pantry was hugely popular and she was about to launch a book of the same name. With hundreds of thousands of followers online, Belle had become a celebrated wellness influencer who'd overcome terminal cancer and had cured herself with healthy eating and holistic therapies. But it was all a lie. The truth came to light when her friend, Chanelle McAuliffe, noticed gaps in Belle's story. The moment she exposed her deception is now the focus of the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar. Today, Chanelle tells us what the show got right and wrong, the challenges she faced as a whistleblower, and how she feels about Belle and her crimes now, a decade on. Find more episodes of True Crime Conversations here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Chanelle McAuliffe Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Samantha wants is to understand why her mother wasn’t there for her. All Marie wants is a chance to make things right with her daughter — and to be part of her granddaughter’s life. But after years of distance, hurt, and misunderstanding, can a fractured bond ever truly be repaired? In this session, a mother and daughter confront the truths left unspoken, ask the questions long avoided, and search for a small patch of common ground on which to rebuild their relationship. Listen to the second part of Samantha & Marie's session here Resources (Australia-only) 1800RESPECT: The national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information, and support service. Beyond Blue: For support with anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention. Lifeline Australia: For 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. Motivated Minds: Learn more about host Sarah Bays’ practice. Relationships Australia: A leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families, and communities. The End Bits Want To Be On This Is Why We Fight? Apply here.  Host: Sarah Bays Executive Producer: Naima Brown Studio Engineer: Lu Hill Audio production: Thom Lion and Jacob Round Production support: Leah Porges and Coco Lavigne Follow This Is Why We Fight on Instagram for sneak peeks and more relationship therapy content Explore all Mamamia’s podcasts here.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stories you thought you knew, told by the women who really do. From the glamour and scandal of Australia’s magazine queens to an infamous wellness conwoman to the princesses who’ve had to shake off a tragic “curse”, host Emma Gillespie cuts through the rumours to transport you into a story you haven’t heard before.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode was originally released to MPlus subscribers. Subscribers get early access to Extraordinary Stories, and unlimited access to all Mamamia content. To subscribe head to mamamia.com.au/mplus In a chaotic Sydney share-house in the Spring of 1972, a disheveled actor was lying naked on the fraying couch of an inner-city living room. The woman who had paid Jack Thompson $400 was wondering if the actor’s left hand was really big enough to cover his modesty and get her history-making magazine past the conservative censors who’d decide if it would make it to newsagent shelves. The Editor? Ita Buttrose. The magazine? Cleo.  On this first episode of Extraordinary Stories: Magazine Queens, Australian icon Ita Buttrose, historian Bridgette Griffin-Foley and others who lived through it take us back to the birth of a sensation: Australia’s Cleo Magazine.  THE END BITS: With thanks to Ita Buttrose and Bridget Griffen-Foley Find out more about MPlus at www.mamamia.com.au/mplus  RESOURCES WE USED: Australian Story on Kerry Packer https://www.abc.net.au/austory/a-complicated-life-part-1/12858254  Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo https://www.abc.net.au/tv/papergiants/  A Passionate Life by Ita Buttrose  GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here... https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ CREDITS: Host: Emma Gillespie Writers: Melanie Sauer, Emma Gillespie and Holly Wainwright Producers: Melanie Sauer and Emma Gillespie Audio Production: Elissa Ratliff and Madeline Joannou Executive Producer: Holly Wainwright and Elissa RatliffSubscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.