continuall conversations

Motherhood comes with an invisible load, the endless mental and emotional weight of doing it all. In this episode, Dr. Edna Lekgabe, reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist, sheds light on the hidden pressures mothers face, from burnout and guilt to the myth of “bouncing back.” She shares compassionate insights  on how motherhood literally rewires our brains, and what we can do to protect our mental health with practical tools to help mothers feel supported, understood, and empowered in their journey.If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing the most but no one sees it , this episode is for you.

Jade Kisnorbo, or Jade K as many know her, is one of Australia’s leading makeup artists and a go-to for celebrities, brands and fashion insiders. Jade has carved out a career many dream of and done it all while building a beautiful family, embracing motherhood and sharing the juggle with her community.We chat about her career highlights, how to bring beauty rituals into those early years of motherhood and how she balances a busy career, mum, wife and everything in between.

In this heartfelt and honest episode, we sit down with midwife, educator, and founder of Birth With Beth, Beth Ryan. Beth shares not only her professional wisdom from years working in maternity care but also opens up about her own raw and real experience of motherhood, including the emotional and physical shift from one to two children. With a toddler and a new baby at home, Beth talks candidly about the chaos of trying to work during nap times, the mental load of parenting, and the identity shift that comes with raising little ones. We dive into everything from the myths around birth and pain, to why postpartum care needs a major rethink, and how partners can better support birthing women. Beth’s passion for empowering parents shines through as she reminds us all that birth doesn’t have to be feared, and that it’s okay for motherhood to feel hard and beautiful at the same time. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or simply needing to feel seen in the juggle of it all.  

In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest conversation, actress Olympia Valance opens up about her journey to motherhood - a journey marked by heartbreak, medical hurdles, and ultimately, hope. Speaking just five months after the birth of her son, Olympia reflects on the rollercoaster she and husband Tom Bellchambers navigated over several years: multiple miscarriages, IVF rounds, an undiagnosed uterine condition, and the emotional toll of it all. From laughing through the chaos to the heartbreak of surgeries that didn't go to plan, Olympia's warmth, humour, and strength shine through. For anyone who's experienced the complexities of trying to conceive - or supported someone who has - this is a powerful and heartfelt listen.

This week on Continual Conversations, we’re joined by the incredible Nicole Gleeson, a paediatric emergency nurse, founder of Rhythm First Aid, and mum to a toddler (with another baby on the way!). Nicole brings her wealth of clinical knowledge and lived experience to share how we can better prepare for parenthood’s most unpredictable moments.In this episode, we dive into Nicole’s journey from hospital trauma wards to empowering parents through evidence-based, accessible first aid education. We explore the common misconceptions around infant and child first aid, the challenges of navigating parenthood in the age of social media, and how trusting your intuition is often your best first response.Whether you're expecting your first baby, juggling life with toddlers, or simply want to feel more confident in a medical emergency, this episode is packed with insights, warmth, and practical advice from one of the best in the biz.

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Tess Shanahan joins us to reflect on her transformative journey into motherhood, the power of intuition, and the beauty of building your own village. From navigating postpartum challenges and lockdown love stories to embracing vulnerability and balancing career dreams with family life, Tess shares her unique perspective with warmth and wisdom.We dive deep into the importance of support systems, how parenting styles can vary, and why tuning into your own maternal instincts matters more than ever in today’s world of conflicting advice. Tess also opens up about her passion for empowering women through her podcast, content creation, and the future projects she’s dreaming up with her partner Sean.Whether you’re a new parent, expecting, or simply seeking inspiration from a grounded, empowering voice, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and uplifted.

In episode two of this special two part series of Continuall Conversations, we sit down with the one and only Hamish Blake - comedian, TV personality, podcaster, and most importantly, dedicated dad and partner.Hamish shares a refreshingly honest and heartfelt take on fatherhood, from the importance of supporting your partner in pregnancy and postpartum, to the unique role dads play in fostering adventure and resilience in their kids. We also dive into how friendships evolve after becoming a parent, the loneliness many dads experience, and why carving out time for social connections is just as important as hitting the gym.With his signature laughs and wisdom, Hamish reminds us that showing up, making small efforts, and embracing both the chaos and joy of parenting is what truly matters. Whether you're a mum, dad, or just love hearing real and relatable conversations about family life, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!

Parenting is messy, unpredictable, and full of lessons you never saw coming. In this episode of Continuall Conversations, we sit down with comedian, author, and dad of two, Hamish Blake, to talk about the realities of fatherhood.From the early days of convincing yourself that life won’t change (spoiler: it does) to embracing the chaos of raising kids, Hamish shares his honest and hilarious take on parenting, partnership, and how fatherhood reshapes your identity. He opens up about navigating the early days with his firstborn, the shifts that come with baby number two, and the often-overlooked role dads play in supporting their partners through the journey.Join us for a heartfelt and entertaining chat about expectations vs. reality, the evolving role of modern fathers, and why sometimes, being a dad means protecting the "cave" rather than leading the charge.This is Part One of a two-part conversation – and trust us, you won’t want to miss it.

This episode dives into the many layers and seasons of motherhood, exploring family dynamics, the ongoing quest for balance between work and personal life, and how the definition of success evolves over time. Jess White shares her personal experiences and insights on vulnerability, the value of education and role models, and building purpose-driven business practices. Together, we unpack the crucial conversations around motherhood and work-life integration.

In this insightful chat, Dr. Jasmine Schuijers takes us through her journey to becoming an obstetrician and gynaecologist, shining a light on the crucial need for better education around women’s health. Together, we dive into the often-untold realities of pregnancy and postpartum care, unpacking the challenges women face as they navigate their health. Jasmine also reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal care and the urgent need for stronger support systems for mothers. This conversation is a call for more open and honest discussions about postpartum life and a push toward more comprehensive, compassionate care for women everywhere.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jess Jenkins, a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and one of Continuall’s earliest supporters. Jess opens up about her journey as a first-time mum, the unexpected lessons, and the realities of pelvic health that even she, as a professional, didn’t fully anticipate. With honesty and a few tears, we delve into the heart of motherhood, sharing the raw moments and deep insights that remind us all of the importance of support and self-care.  

In this heartfelt chat, we sit down with Michelle Owens, who runs hypnobirthing classes across Melbourne – ⁠@my.hypnobirthing⁠. Michelle opens up about the trauma of her first birth and the heartbreak of losing her mum just weeks before giving birth. It was in her second pregnancy, Michelle discovered the transformative power of hypnobirthing, and she’s now dedicated to empowering other women to have positive, mindful birth experiences. In this episode, we explore how Michelle turned her pain into purpose, and built a community for expectant parents who are looking for support, strength, and guidance on their own paths to parenthood. Whether you’re preparing for your first birth or simply curious about the power of hypnobirthing, Michelle’s story is an incredible listen and reminder of the strength of mothers.

Get ready for an unfiltered, no-BS dive into motherhood with Ash Pollard on Continuall Conversations. Known for her real talk and unapologetic honesty, Ash pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to navigate life as a mum. From the messy moments to the unexpected joys, this episode is packed with insights and laughs for anyone in the trenches of parenthood—or those curious about what’s to come.