Big Mum Energy

In this Motivational Monday episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali shares a parenting tip every mum with a teenager needs to hear before their kid turns 16 and starts learning to drive.The online learner’s permit test?It’s not a quick little quiz.It can take over FOUR hours to complete.So if your teenager is counting down the days until they can get their learner’s licence, here’s the hack: get the test done early.Ali talks about:🚗 The reality of the online learner driver test⏰ Why it takes hours to complete📅 Why parents should plan ahead before the 16th birthday😅 Preparing for the milestone of kids getting their L platesBecause nothing kills the excitement of finally turning 16 and getting your learner’s permit like realising you still have hours of testing to finish first.Consider this your mum PSA.Future you (and your impatient teenager) will thank you.That’s Big Mum Energy practical parenting advice that saves your sanity.FOLLOW BIG MUM ENERGYInstagramThreads TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Mum Energy features Ali and her mum, Aunty Kim, in a conversation that proves some family stories are almost too unbelievable to be true.It starts with the story everyone wants explained — the time she shot the neighbour’s dog — and only gets more unforgettable from there.In this episode, they talk about:A crocodile encounter that could have ended very differentlyThe painfully awkward way Ali’s teenage eating disorder was confrontedA family moment involving cattle rails and a baby that still gets talked aboutThe hard seasons families live through and how humour helps carry themThis episode explores motherhood, family resilience, parenting, difficult conversations, childhood memories, mental health, rural Australian life and the stories that shape who we become.If you love real motherhood podcasts, funny family stories, honest mother-daughter conversations, Australian podcasts for women, parenting stories and unfiltered conversations about life, this episode will feel both familiar and unforgettable.Because sometimes the funniest stories come from the hardest moments — and the women who lived them tell them best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Motivational Monday on Big Mum Energy is simple: wear your values.Ali is shining a light on local mum entrepreneur Danielle Barry, founder of Chase Clothing & Co, and her latest Teaching Kindness 2.0 charity shirt drop — a clothing campaign designed to spread kindness while raising money for an incredible local cause.Every Teaching Kindness 2.0 shirt sold donates $5 directly to Townsville Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities, helping support individuals, families and children in the Townsville community living with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.In this episode, Ali talks about:Why kindness matters more than everSupporting local small businesses and mum entrepreneursThe impact of community fundraising and charity initiativesHow small actions like buying a shirt can make a real differenceThis is your reminder that supporting local businesses, charity campaigns and kindness movements doesn’t have to be complicated.Buy the shirt.Start the conversation.Spread the message.Because raising good humans starts with modelling kindness.And sometimes the simplest way to support a cause…is just getting dressed.Head to Chase Clothing & Co website and grab the Teaching Kindness 2.0 charity shirt today.https://chaseclothingandco.com/FOLLOW BIG MUM ENERGYInstagramThreads TikTokThat’s Big Mum Energy. 💛 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this inspiring episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali chats with local mum, entrepreneur and founder of Chase Clothing & Co, Danielle Barry, about the powerful story behind her growing clothing brand.What started during Danielle’s deeply personal IVF and infertility journey slowly evolved into something bigger, a mum side hustle that turned into a meaningful Australian clothing brand built on resilience, kindness and purpose.Danielle opens up about: The emotional reality of IVF and fertility struggles Navigating motherhood while building a small business as a mum How Chase Clothing & Co was created from a place of hope The inspiration behind the Teaching Kindness 2.0 charity shirt drop Using fashion to spark conversations about kindness and communityAli and Danielle talk honestly about mum life, side hustles, entrepreneurship, infertility, IVF journeys and finding purpose through hard seasons.This episode is for:Mums building a side hustle or small businessWomen navigating IVF, infertility or fertility treatmentsAnyone who believes kindness still mattersEntrepreneurs turning tough chapters into meaningful workFrom heartbreak to hope, Danielle’s story is proof that sometimes the hardest seasons create the most powerful ideas.Because Big Mum Energy isn’t just about surviving motherhood. it’s about building something meaningful along the way. USE CODE BME FOR 10% OFF WEBSITE https://chaseclothingandco.com/FOLLOW BIG MUM ENERGYInstagramThreads TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali is planting her flag firmly in the ground:Hairy bush for life.And before anyone clutches their pearls this isn’t about grooming trends.It’s about autonomy.Somewhere along the way, women were told our bodies needed to be managed, trimmed, waxed, shaped and approved. That hair equals lazy. That natural equals “letting yourself go.” That we owe the world smoothness.Ali says: absolutely not.In this unapologetic Monday Motivation, she dives into: Where modern grooming pressure actually came from Why body hair became politicised The silent expectations women carry And the radical power of choosing what feels good for YOUShave it. Wax it. Laser it. Grow it wild. The point isn’t the hair.The point is freedom.Because Big Mum Energy isn’t about perfection.It’s about ownership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s March.The vision board is dusty. The gym bag is judging you. The business idea is still sitting in your Notes app. The boundary you promised to set? Still pending.This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali is lovingly calling you out because we are far enough into the year that the excuses are expired.You said this would be your year. So… what happened?In this punchy Monday Motivation, Ali talks about: 🔥 Why motivation dies after January 🔥 The trap of waiting for the “right time” 🔥 How perfectionism keeps mums stuck 🔥 Planning properly instead of procrastinating 🔥 Taking one uncomfortable step todayMarch is powerful.It’s not the hype of January. It’s the reality check.You don’t need a new year. You need a decision.If you haven’t done what you said you would, that’s okay.But today is a brilliant day to begin.Not next month. Not after the school holidays. Not when you feel more confident.Now.Big Mum Energy doesn’t quit in Q1. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this painfully relatable episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali dives into the reality of being the default parent the one who remembers the school forms, books the dentist, packs the bags, buys the birthday presents, knows the shoe sizes, tracks the vaccinations, organises the sport, and still somehow gets asked, “What’s for dinner?”Why is it that in so many households, mums carry the mental load?This episode unpacks: What the “default parent” actually means The imbalance of invisible labour in modern families Why so many mums are silently burning out The conversations couples need to have (but avoid)Ali shares her honest take on parenting roles, relationship expectations, and why “just ask for help” isn’t the solution people think it is.This isn’t about dad-bashing. It’s about awareness. It’s about equity. It’s about breaking the cycle of mums carrying everything by default.If you’ve ever felt like the household project manager with no annual leave this episode will hit home.Because Big Mum Energy loves our families… But we’re done pretending this load isn’t heavy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali sits down with influencer Ashy Anne for a bold, nuanced conversation about freedom of speech in Australia, the recent public protests, and what it really means to “have a voice” in 2026.In a world of social media outrage, cancel culture and polarised opinions, where does free speech begin and where does responsibility come in?Together they unpack: 🗣️ What freedom of speech actually means in Australia 🇦🇺 The recent Australian protests and why people are taking to the streets ⚖️ The difference between free speech and consequences Why conversations feel more divided than everThis episode isn’t about yelling louder it’s about thinking deeper.Ali asks the uncomfortable questions: Are we more informed or more reactive? Is protest powerful or performative? Can we disagree without destroying each other?Raw, respectful and thought-provoking, this conversation is for anyone trying to navigate politics, social media, activism and modern discourse without losing their mind or their humanity.Because Big Mum Energy doesn’t avoid hard conversations. It leans into them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s almost Chinese New Year, we’re stepping into the bold Year of the Horse, and Ali has thoughts.If the Year of the Snake felt like shedding skin, outgrowing people, crying in your car, rebuilding your nervous system and questioning your entire life congratulations. You survived it.Now it’s time to move.In this fiery Monday Motivation episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali talks about:The meaning behind Chinese New Year and the Lunar New YearWhat the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac symbolises (courage, momentum, independence, power)Why shedding the Snake season was necessary — even if it hurtBeing “in the trenches” and still choosing to get upGrowth that feels like grief before it feels like strengthHow to stop surviving and start backing yourself againThis isn’t fluffy motivation. It’s for the mums who are tired. The women rebuilding. The ones doing therapy, business, parenting and personal growth all at once.If you’re going through it right now burnout, identity shifts, relationship stress, business pressure — this episode is your reminder:You didn’t break. You transformed.The Year of the Horse isn’t about playing small. It’s about running toward the life you actually want.Big Mum Energy. Saddle up. 🐎 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this raw and relatable Big Mum Energy podcast episode, Ali sits down with Maddy, a 16-year-old living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), to talk honestly about what it’s like managing Type 1 diabetes as a teenager.Maddy shares her lived experience of Type 1 diabetes, including daily blood sugar monitoring, insulin injections, managing glucose levels at school, sport and social events, and the constant mental load that comes with a chronic autoimmune condition.This episode covers:What Type 1 diabetes actually is (and what it isn’t)The emotional and mental health impact of living with T1D as a teenIndependence, responsibility and burnout with diabetes managementHow parents can support kids with Type 1 diabetes without hoveringThe realities of teen life, hormones and blood sugar controlThis is a must-listen for: Parents of children with Type 1 diabetes, Teenagers living with T1D, Families newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Teachers, carers and anyone wanting to better understand juvenile diabetes.It’s not a medical lecture it’s a real, honest conversation about resilience, identity and growing up with Type 1 diabetes.Real mums. Real kids. Real conversations. That’s Big Mum Energy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this end-of-year Big Mum Energy episode, Ali sits down with herself to reflect on 25 things she learnt in 2025 lessons from motherhood, business, relationships, mental health, and life in general.Some are funny. Some hurt. Some should’ve been obvious but absolutely weren’t.Ali unpacks lessons like: ✨ You can love your kids and still need a break ✨ Not everyone deserves access to you ✨ Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak — it means you’ve been strong for too long ✨ Boundaries are uncomfortable… and necessary ✨ Growth sometimes looks like griefThis episode is part rant, part therapy, part permission slip especially for mums who feel like they’re constantly evolving but never quite “arriving.”Perfect for the end of the year, a long walk, or when you need to feel less alone. Because if 2025 taught us anything, it’s this: You don’t have to have it all figured out you just have to keep going.Pull up a chair. Pour a wine. Let’s reflect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a different kind of Big Mum Energy episode.In the lead-up to Christmas a season that can amplify joy and grief Ali sits down with her mum for a raw, emotional conversation about loss, resilience, and surviving the unimaginable.Ali’s mum opens up about watching her child die in a tragic water-skiing accident, the devastation that followed, and how she found the strength to keep going not because the pain disappeared, but because her other children still needed their mum.Together, they talk about: Christmas grief and how the holidays can reopen old woundsLiving through child loss and the trauma that never fully leavesParenting while grieving, showing up when your heart is brokenHow love, responsibility, and family can become lifelinesWhy Christmas can hold both sorrow and meaning at the same timeThis episode is honest, tender, and deeply moving for anyone who carries loss into the festive season, for families navigating grief, or for listeners who need permission to feel everything at Christmas.A reminder that grief doesn’t mean you’re broken it means you loved.Content warning: This episode discusses child loss and may be distressing for some listeners.If you’re grieving this Christmas, you are not alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali is climbing straight up on her soapbox because Christmas is coming, bank accounts are sweating, and the pressure to over-deliver is absolutely cooked.In this episode, Ali dives into: 🎄 Why Christmas doesn’t have to mean maxed-out credit cards and financial stress 🎁 The myth that “big presents = good parenting” 🎮 Kids wanting Roblox, screens, and online everything — and why banning social media feels pointless if we’re not teaching balance 📱 The contradiction of social media bans while kids live in digital worlds 😵‍💫 How mums are once again carrying the emotional and financial load of “making Christmas magical”It’s funny, fiery, and honest a reminder that presence matters more than presents, memories beat material crap, and love isn’t measured in how much you spend.If you’re a mum stressing about Christmas budgets, screen time, or feeling like you’re already behind — this episode is your permission slip to do Christmas your way.Pull up a chair. Pour a wine. Let’s talk about the stuff no one else will. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali strips it right back and talks about something every mum thinks about but rarely says out loud: mental health, overwhelm, and finally getting the help you need.Yes, it’s still funny. Yes, Ali overshares in the most Ali way possible. But this one hits different because it’s the pep talk every exhausted, overloaded, “I’m totally fine… no actually I’m not” mum needs.Inside this episode:🧠 Why checking in with your GP for your mental health is NORMAL, not dramatic.💊 The truth about medication — and why taking it doesn’t make you weak.💬 How to tell someone you’re struggling (without feeling like a burden).🤯 The invisible mental load that’s breaking mums everywhere.❤️ And the big message: You are not failing. You’re human. And help exists for a reason.Ali shares her own journey navigating anxiety and burnout, reminding you that courage isn’t pretending everything’s fine — it’s getting support before you hit the wall.Raw, real, and hilariously honest in true Big Mum Energy style, this episode is your reminder that:You don’t have to do life on hard mode. Help is healthy. Help is brave. Help is allowed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali chats with her 92-year-old Granny, a woman who’s seen it all from chalk dust and cane chairs to smartboards and smartphones.A retired teacher with a heart of gold, Granny shares her beautiful perspective on how education has evolved, what she’s learned from decades of teaching, and why she believes children are precious from the moment they’re born.Together they talk about: 🍎 How classrooms and kids have changed over 80 years 💬 The lost art of patience, play, and genuine connection 💖 Why helping children grow starts long before they ever step into school 😂 Plus, a few classic “back in my day” stories that’ll make every mum laugh and nod alongIt’s a warm, wise, and deeply human episode a reminder that while times change, the heart of motherhood and teaching never really does.Pull up a chair, pour a cuppa (or a wine), and soak up the timeless wisdom of one extraordinary granny. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with activist, content creator and fellow Mum Ashy Anne to gently — and honestly — unpack what’s happening in Gaza and why we as mums should care.We break it down in a way that’s human, clear, and easy to understand:• why so many families and children are being harmed• why mums around the world are speaking up• what the mainstream media often fails to show• the real human impact on babies, parents, hospitals, and everyday civilians• what “genocide” means in this context, and why people are using that word• practical ways ordinary mums can help — from staying informed to donating, advocating, and protecting their kids’ awareness of humanitarian issuesWe talk about the heartbreaking realities — children losing their lives, hospitals being destroyed, families trying to survive unimaginable violence — and we also talk about hope, solidarity, and the power of using our voices.This isn’t about politics.It’s about humanity.It’s about protecting children — all children — everywhere.If you’ve been confused, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode gives you a safe, simple, compassionate place to begin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali chats with one of the youngest storytellers in Australia — five-year-old Ruby, creator of the hit kids’ podcast Hat Business, and her mum Ally, who helps bring Ruby’s magical world to life.Hat Business isn’t about selling hats it’s about big adventures, brave moments, and understanding big feelings. Each episode takes kids on a journey through imagination, learning, and emotional resilience… all through the eyes of Ruby and her iconic characters.In this heartwarming conversation, you’ll hear:How the idea for Hat Business started as simple storytelling between mum and daughter.Why kids connect so deeply with adventures that gently teach emotional skills.How Hat Business grew to over 100,000 downloads and became a favourite for families.The power of letting kids lead, create, and express themselves freely.Perfect for parents who want screen-free stories that help kids grow emotionally, and for mums who love seeing their children shine.Join the Hat Business Club today and explore more adventures, get 50% off annual membership when you use code Ruby50 at Hatbusiness.com.auYou can also follow their journey on YouTube @HatBusiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali sits down with Kerry Spina Townsville mum, educator, and the incredible founder of Kids in Harmony a space that was all about emotional wellbeing for children before it was trending on TikTok.Kerry shares how she built a values-based children’s program long before “big feelings,” “mindful parenting,” and “emotional regulation” became buzzwords and how connection, kindness, and play can truly change families from the inside out.Together, Ali and Kerry unpack: How Kids in Harmony started from two mum’s mission to bring calm and connection into chaos What emotional wellbeing looked like before the internet told us how to parent The real meaning of mindfulness (and how to live it, not hashtag it) Raising emotionally strong kids in an overstimulated worldIt’s soulful, funny, and full of those “I needed to hear that” moments every parent craves.If you’ve ever wanted to raise calmer, kinder, more connected kids this episode will fill your cup (and your heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali gets real about the day she quite literally fell face-first into chaos landing on a star picket, ending up in hospital, and then somehow… going viral.But instead of empathy, the internet did what it does best: judge, shame, and troll. From cruel comments about her weight to strangers making jokes about her pain, this episode dives into what it actually feels like when your worst moment becomes someone else’s entertainment.Ali opens up about:The accident that left her with a hole in her face (and a bruised ego)What happens when a viral post turns uglyLearning to separate self-worth from social media noiseIt’s raw, unfiltered, and a powerful reminder that behind every viral moment is a human being.If you’ve ever been judged, trolled, or just felt misunderstood this one’s for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Big Mum Energy special, Ali gets real with her mum the iconic Aunty Kim and asks her 25 questions before she dies.It’s not morbid. It’s magic. The kind of conversation we all say we’ll have one day, but never do. 😂 And of course… a few brutally honest (and hilarious) answers only Aunty Kim could giveIt’s raw, funny, emotional, and beautifully human the perfect mix of laughter and lump-in-your-throat moments that define Big Mum Energy.If you’ve ever wished you could bottle your mum’s stories forever, this episode is your reminder to ask the questions now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.