The Ella Era

I went back to work six weeks after giving birth. Now my daughter is nearly one, she’s starting daycare, and I’m feeling guilty, relieved and excited all at once. In this solo episode, I’m talking about working mum guilt, the hard conversations my husband and I have had, and why a TikTok about missing our Bali nanny brought out so much judgement. I’m also sharing how I’m feeling ten months postpartum and what it’s been like trying to make room for work, motherhood and myself. ❤️ 00:00 A long overdue solo catch-up 03:23 The dream I wrote down six years ago 07:37 My daughter is nearly one 11:52 Going back to work six weeks postpartum 13:38 Working mum guilt and my relationship 15:18 Why my daughter is starting daycare 21:23 Travelling to Bali with a baby 26:57 Finding our nanny in Bali 31:52 The TikTok backlash over missing our nanny 38:44 My postpartum health check-in THE ELLA ERA: Instagram | TikTok ELLA MAY DING: Instagram | TikTok PARTNERSHIPS: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You knew Alex Fevola’s name. But how much of her story did you really know? Alex joins me to talk about losing Mia’s father just four weeks after giving birth — and the medical emergency that nearly took her life that same day. We also talk about raising her four daughters, living through a very public affair, and why she and Brendan found their way back to each other after divorcing. This is an honest conversation about grief, motherhood, betrayal and finding the strength to begin again. ❤️ 00:00 Meet Alex Fevola 04:41 Losing Mia’s Father 08:19 The Day Alex Nearly Died 13:20 Grieving While Raising a Newborn 17:36 Watching Mia Grow Up in the Public Eye 22:25 How Alex Met Brendan 24:59 The Affair and Public Humiliation 28:54 Why They Got Back Together After Divorce 33:28 Raising Four Daughters Through It All 39:05 The Relationship Alex Has With Her Girls 50:32 Building Runway Room 59:05 Telling Her Story in Her Book THE ELLA ERA: Instagram | TikTok ELLA MAY DING: Instagram | TikTok PARTNERSHIPS: ⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You heard how it all fell apart. Now, we’re talking about what brought us back together. Domenica Calarco joins me for Part 2 — and the final chapter — of the conversation we’ve waited over two years to have. We open up about the Mother’s Day message that changed everything, discovering we were pregnant at the same time, becoming mums and finding our way back to one another. We also speak honestly about pregnancy, separation, solo motherhood, online judgement and the loneliness that no one warns you about. After everything that happened, this is us sitting together for one last time — ready to close the chapter on Sit With Us and begin whatever comes next. ❤️ 00:00 How We Found Our Way Back 02:18 The Message That Changed Everything 05:11 Reaching Out on Mother’s Day 06:46 Pregnant at the Same Time 10:03 The Worst Breakup We’ve Ever Had 11:58 What Losing Our Friendship Taught Us 14:40 Our Daughters Meeting for the First Time 16:31 Pregnancy, Separation & Surviving It All 24:33 The Reality of Online Judgement 30:22 The Loneliness of Motherhood 34:19 The Pressure on Women in Their 30s 37:57 Losing Yourself After Becoming a Mum 41:04 Why Friendships Don’t Always Have to End 42:58 Send the Message 43:27 A Weight Has Finally Been Lifted THE ELLA ERA: Instagram | TikTok ELLA MAY DING: Instagram | TikTok PARTNERSHIPS: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You saw the headlines. You heard the rumours. Now, we’re finally having the conversation. Domenica Calarco joins me for Part 1 of a conversation we’ve put off for over two years. From becoming best friends on MAFS to building Sit With Us, we shared so much of our lives online. But when our podcast and friendship fell apart, there was so much we didn’t know how to explain. This is an emotional conversation about friendship, regret and what really happened behind the headlines. And if you think this is the whole story… there’s more we need to tell you. Part 2 drops this Thursday. ❤️ 00:00 The Conversation We Never Thought We’d Have 03:34 Before It All Fell Apart 14:33 The Episode That Changed Everything 18:11 The Backlash & Losing $250,000 22:14 What Was Happening Behind Closed Doors 38:19 Why Sit With Us Ended 50:10 When We Stopped Speaking 56:34 There’s More to This Story… Part 2 THE ELLA ERA: Instagram | TikTok ELLA MAY DING: Instagram | TikTok PARTNERSHIPS: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this raw and vulnerable episode, I open up about the unfiltered reality of motherhood burnout, the mental fatigue of balancing work with baby Pia, and the power of giving yourself grace. I'm joined mic-side by my producer, Emilia, to reflect on the hard work, personal growth, and standout guest moments that defined The Ella Era over the past year. My socialsINSTAGRAM instagram.com/ellamaydinginstagram.com/ellaerapodcastTIKTOK tiktok.com/@emaydingWEBSITE ellamayding.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices