Life Academy

This week, Alicia’s longtime friend and actor Nicole Gulasekharam joins us for Disney nostalgia, big laughs and a catch-up 20 years in the making. From going to school with Demi Lovato and the Sprouse twins to working with Asa Butterfield, Nicole has a few stories. Plus, why wait for a groom when you can throw yourself a wedding-themed 30th? We also answer a pen pal who feels lost at 25, talk changing dreams and finding your own path, and get a little emotional along the way. Famous classmates, quirky best friend energy, and plenty of life lessons, dAlings 🎭💕 00:00 Welcome & meet Nicole02:34 Disney beginnings, acting & comedy08:57 Birthday wins, a groom-free wedding & weekly fails22:27 Feeling lost at 25 & finding a new dream33:40 Motherhood, poetry & freezing your eggs41:00 Growing up on screen & famous Disney classmates49:11 Finding your voice, ADHD & working with Asa Butterfield56:05 Dream work, recommendations & love you, dAlings Follow us at:Dena: 📸 Alicia: 📸 Life Academy: 📸 TikTok: 🎵 Join our Facebook group: 👥 ADVERTISING: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode takes us straight into one of Dance Academy’s most chaotic shopping trips: Abigail and Tara getting trapped in an antique shop 🪞🚨 This week, we live-react to ‘Through the Looking Glass’ and unpack Christian’s bad-boy past, Abigail’s shoplifting storyline, the wardrobe choices we still have questions about, and Alicia's VERY embarrassing trailer incident while filming with Luke Bracey. And then there’s the discovery that someone’s been keeping track of our feet. Let’s just say WikiFeet has receipts 😭 Come rewatch Dance Academy with the girls who lived it, remembered half of it, and are discovering the rest right alongside you, dAlings 💙 0:00 Welcome to the Episode 10 rewatch1:46 Pointe shoes, foot injuries and THAT ballet lift4:10 Alicia's VERY embarrassing trailer incident with Luke Bracey 😭7:13 Looking back at Luke Bracey… and those wardrobe choices10:03 Christian’s bad-boy past comes out16:42 Abigail and Tara’s antique shop trip goes VERY wrong17:56 Dena discovers there’s a whole website dedicated to her feet19:52 What Miss Raine was REALLY like behind the scenes20:47 Dena gets honest about learning to act on Dance Academy24:37 Abigail’s stealing and need for control26:58 Dena spots her daughter Maya in her younger self29:20 Final reactions to Episode 10… and Maya’s brutal review Follow us at: ⁠Life Academy Podcast 📸⁠ ⁠Life Academy Podcast 🎵⁠ ⁠Dena Kaplan 📸⁠ ⁠Alicia Banit 📸⁠⁠ ⁠Join our Facebook group 📘⁠ ⁠Watch us on YouTube ▶️ PARTNERSHIPS: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dena’s away, so Alicia’s long-term Disney friend Nicole Gulasekharam is stepping in—and her audition stories deserve their own headlines 😂🎬 This week, we unpack Kelly Clarkson’s Pretty Woman shopping moment, Nicole’s unexpected path to starring alongside Asa Butterfield, Tom Welling’s Instagram mishap and Tobey Maguire officiating his ex-wife’s wedding. Because apparently being friends with your ex wasn’t enough? There’s also the Shane Gillis gym controversy, some Dan Levy appreciation and our pop culture gold stars. Homework complete, dAlings 🎭💅 00:00 — Nicole’s stepping in for Dena 01:44 — Kelly Clarkson’s Pretty Woman moment 05:33 — Nicole, Asa Butterfield and Gnomes 07:28 — The audition that got her the role 09:29 — It was the director… 11:15 — Behind the scenes of Gnomes 12:06 — Your ex is the celebrant?! 14:58 — Tom Welling posted what? 17:49 — Shane Gillis, Dan Levy and the gym debate 26:03 — Gold stars and pop culture fails Follow us at: Life Academy Podcast 📸 Life Academy Podcast 🎵 Dena Kaplan 📸 Alicia Banit 📸⁠ Join our Facebook group 📘 Watch us on YouTube ▶️ PARTNERSHIPS: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re talking girl code, dating your bestie’s ex, toddler meltdowns and the parenting win Dena has waited nearly four years for. Plus, we’re handing ourselves a weekly report card—and introducing Big Sister Pen Pal with a listener dilemma that brings out some very personal confessions. We’re also in our immunity and health era 🤭 With sickness doing the rounds at home, Dena is sharing her practical Favourite Four pick: i’m nutrients Elderberry Immune Gummies—and she’s brought a couple of bottles for Alicia, too. Come for the friendship drama, stay to shop our Favourite Four products from October below. Love you, dAlings 🫶 00:00 Welcome back, dAlings 01:02 The songs we were too young to understand 03:14 Our weekly wins and fails 08:58 Toddler meltdowns and holding boundaries 12:13 When mum needs a minute 16:42 Dena’s finally the favourite parent 22:39 Big Sister Pen Pal: Can you date your bestie’s ex? 32:04 Favourite Four: i’m nutrients 33:58 The viral mask worth the hype 37:42 Our new skincare obsession 41:02 Little questions, big connections Shop Our Favourite Four Products From October: 1. i’m nutrients Elderberry Immune Gummies – Dena’s pick for the family, featuring elderberry, echinacea and zinc, formulated to support healthy immune system function. A practical addition to her favourites from an Australian, mum-founded brand. Use code LA20 for 20% off eligible i’m nutrients products. 🛒 Paid partnership with i’m nutrients. Cannot be combined with other offers or sale prices, or used on bundles. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. 2. BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask – The viral mask Alicia now understands the hype around. Her pick for hydrated, plump-looking skin and a smoother base for makeup. 3. STYLPRO Heated LED Electric Gua Sha – The facial tool the girls bought after a makeup artist used it on them. Combining LED, heat and vibration, it’s become a favourite in Dena’s routine. 4. High Low Buffalo Cards – Created by parent educator and mum of four Gen Muir, these 75 conversation cards help kids and grown-ups connect through thoughtful questions, gratitude and a little silliness. Follow us at: ⁠Life Academy Podcast 📸⁠ ⁠Life Academy Podcast 🎵⁠ ⁠Dena Kaplan 📸⁠ ⁠Alicia Banit 📸⁠⁠ ⁠Join our Facebook group 📘⁠ ⁠Watch us on YouTube ▶️ PARTNERSHIPS: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We start with a heartfelt conversation about raising daughters in a world that still asks girls to protect themselves. Then, the pop culture homework takes a turn: Kim Kardashian’s five nannies, Dena’s confession about getting help, and Rihanna keeping everyone waiting. Plus, which Hollywood star held up an entire room… for fried chicken? Big feelings, questionable celebrity behaviour, and plenty of opinions, dAlings 🎭💕 This episode is brought to you by Protect-A-Bed: https://protectabed.com.au/ A gentle heads-up: this episode discusses violence against women, domestic violence, sexual abuse, trauma, addiction and body image, and contains strong language. Please listen with care. The lighter pop culture chat begins at 10:24. 00:00 — Welcome, acknowledgement & a gentle heads-up 01:30 — Women’s safety and raising daughters 03:13 — The quote that broke us as girl mums 07:03 — The impact beyond the headlines 10:24 — Switching gears: Glastonbury gossip 12:09 — Our celebrity psychic picks the headliners 13:29 — Harry, Meghan & the royal obsession 15:08 — Kim Kardashian, five nannies & the mum police 17:01 — Dena’s au pair confession 18:13 — Rihanna keeps Fashion Week waiting 18:54 — Two hours… for fried chicken?! 19:56 — Manifesting Rihanna’s music comeback 20:44 — Love you, dAlings If this conversation brings anything up for you, support is available. In Australia, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au for support, 24/7. Follow us at: Dena: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy/ Alicia: https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit/ Life Academy: https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ ADVERTISING: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices