The Curious Life with Jana Firestone

In this week’s episode of Pop Therapy, I’m joined bymy friend Dana Regan, a.k.a. The Bravo Investigator, for afull-blown Housewives debrief. We dive into the brand-new Real Housewives of London from the accents, alliances and the early villains emerging from the fog.Then we head to the icy slopes of Salt Lake City, unpacking the Todd and Muzzie of it all and what’s really going on beneath that chaos. Over in Miami, we ask the big question - is Julia even remotely redeemable after this season’s revelations? And because we can’t help ourselves, there’s a cheeky sprinkle of 90 Day Fiancé drama to round things out.Follow Dana on Instagram at @thebravoinvestigator,listen to her podcast The Bravo Investigator, and support her on Patreon for even deeper dives into the Bravosphere.You can find me at @jana.firestone, or visit www.janafirestone.com for all things Plot Twist, Pop Therapy,and beyond.Thanks as always to the award-winning Sam Talbot for audio engineering. Check out his work at www.samtalbot.com.au

This week on Pop Therapy, I’m joined again by my brilliant friend Heidi Anderson - author, speaker, and all-round powerhouse, to unpack The Muzzy of it all from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.What started as a juicy Bravo debrief turned into a raw and emotional conversation about mothers, boundaries, and the people who hurt us the most. We talk about Bronwyn’s pain, how she can possibly heal from this, and the complex web of love, loyalty and loss that sits underneath it all.Heidi shares an incredibly moving story about her own mum - one that will stay with you long after you listen - and together we explore the mother wound, narcissism, and the very specific cultural pressures of Mormonism that shape some of the stories we are seeing unfold on RHOSLC.If you’ve ever had a complicated relationship with a parent, a toxic friend, or someone who just can’t meet you where you are, this one’s for you. It’s honest, messy, emotional and full of those “oh my god, me too” moments.We also touch on the seemingly endless stream of Bravo Con - as in, convicted felons and why this seems to be an ongoing trend!Listen in for therapy-meets-pop-culture realness, and a conversation that might just help you see your own story a little differently.Follow Heidi at @_heidiandersonFollow me at @jana.firestone | janafirestone.com | YouTube: THE CURIOUS LIFE PODCASTAudio production by wonderful Sam Talbot | samtalbot.com.au

This week I’m joined by my friend, mentor and fellow Bravo enthusiast, Heidi Anderson - author, PR coach and confidence queen - for a wild Pop Therapy session diving deep into the latest chaos from the Real Housewives universe.We unpack the RHOM bombshell Julia dropped (what is going on in that twisted mind?!), how it could impact her marriage to tennis legend Martina Navratilova, their newly adopted sons and the whispers about Julia’s shady past. We also explore Guerdy and Adriana’s painful experiences of exclusion and the heat that only Miami can bring.Plus, we get into RHOSLC and RHOC - what’s working, what’s not, and which cast shake-ups we’d love to see next.This one’s juicy, funny, and full of therapy-level insight with a Bravo twist.Listen out for a CODE WORD in the second half — the first 5 people to DM us will win copies of Drunk on Confidence and Plot Twist!Connect with Heidi:Instagram: @_heidiandersonConnect with me:Instagram: @jana.firestoneYouTube: The Curious Life PodcastWebsite: www.janafirestone.comAudio engineering by the wonderful Sam Talbot – work with him at www.samtalbot.com.au

It’s a solo ep!  First up, Rihanna’s baby girl announcement, and the internet’s relief that her family is now “complete.” It speaks to the deep cultural obsession with gender balance and the right we think we have to comment. Gender disappointment is real, and so are the constant judgements about whether our families are “enough.” I share my own experience as a mum of three boys, and why envy and expectation around gender tell us more about society’s scripts than our own worth. Then we shift to Bravo, where fractured friendships aredominating every franchise. RHOM ends with bonds in tatters, RHOSLC opens with explosions, and RHOC is still stuck in cycles of betrayal. Why do friendship breakups cut so deep, and how do we process that grief when the people wethought we’d have forever suddenly aren’t there? Two conversations that ask: whose script are we living by,and what happens when those scripts fall apart? Thank you to our wonderful audio engineer/producer, Sam Talbot, as always. Connect with the show:Instagram: @jana.firestoneWebsite: janafirestone.comYouTube: Jana Firestone on YouTube

POP THERAPY: With Ryan BaileyWe are back with a refresh! New artwork, new website and a whole new take on pop culture.We are joined by the king of Bravo deep dives himself - Ryan Bailey from So Bad It’s Good, with Ryan Bailey. Ryan’s here to get me BravoCon-ready as we unpack all the buzz: meeting Bravolebs, the new season of Vanderpump Rules, RHOM, how leaks are rewriting the rules of reality TV, the future of Below Deck, and the brand-new Summer House spin-off. Plus, we dig into the evolution of Countess Luann - from Housewives royalty to full-blown cabaret queen - and what her journey says about growth, fame, and the chaos of living your life on TV.It’s juicy, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect warm-up for BravoCon.🔗 Connect with Ryan Bailey:• Listen to So Bad It’s Good: Apple Podcasts | Spotify• Support on Patreon: patreon.com/sobaditsgood• Watch on YouTube: So Bad It’s Good with Ryan Bailey• Follow on Instagram: @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey🔗 Connect with me, Jana Firestone:• Website: janafirestone.com• Instagram: @jana.firestone• Watch episodes on YouTube: The Curious Life PodcastWork directly with our expert audio engineer, Sam Talbot at www.samtalbot.com.au

POP THERAPY: In this episode, we mention it all! A brief look at the return of Salt Lake City and the heartbreaking latest news about Mary Cosby’s son, with some real talk about addiction and what sobriety looks like when it’s playing out on reality TV.You’ll hear why Real Housewives of Miami is hands-down the most underrated Housewives franchise, and yes… my unfiltered thoughts on Orange County. The Tamra of it all, the blogger nonsense, and why she keeps skating past accountability for some of the ugliest moments in Housewives history.And to finish, I’m answering your questions, from my spiciest Bravo takes to the dinner party of my dreams, and which Bravolebs I’d secretly love to see in therapy.A little Bravo buzz, a little pop culture, and a lot ofhonesty.Follow the show and get your BravoCon questions and ideas in at @jana.firestone.Head to www.janafirestone.com for all the things! And watch episodes in full on YouTube at @thecuriouslifepodcast.Edited by the brilliant Sam Talbot. You can work with him directly at www.samtalbot.com.au 

If you haven’t watched this doc yet – be warned. Spoilers are very much throughout this ep!After watching myself, I couldn’t help but jump on the mic for a deep dive into the psychology behind Netflix’s Unknown Number: The High School Catfish - exploring the devastating impact of deception, manipulation and betrayal, and what happens when trust is broken in the most unimaginable way. And right up front - a big announcement: BravoCon is coming, and with it, more Bravo content than ever before. From panels to Bravolebs, this marks an exciting new chapter for the show – and I’m taking you along for the ride!To join in the fun, find me at @jana.firestone on Instagram and share your thoughts, questions and Bravo big fish you'd like me to hook, direct to my DM’s.Don't forget you can watch full interview eps on YouTube at The Curious Life Podcast too!Please leave a rating and review on iTunes and Spotify to keep this show moving.A big thank you to our editor Sam Talbot – if you would like your own project to sound this good, head to www.samtalbot.com.au to get in touch today! 

Actor, writer and creator Clayton Farris joins me for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, inspiring, and full of heart. You know him from his wildly popular sketches like That One Rich Couple - and in this episode, he drops a huge scoop about what’s next for the series that fans can’t get enough of.We also veer into an impromptu improv session that had us both in stitches (couldn't help myself), while diving into the real stuff: Clayton’s later arrival in Hollywood, how he uses optimism and journaling to stay in the creative flow, and the ways he’s learned to push past self-doubt and imposter syndrome to step fully into his talents - and the number one movie worldwide!This one is deep and insightful, with takeaways that we can all apply in our own lives - whether you’re chasing Hollywood dreams or just trying to write your next chapter.Follow Clayton and inhale all his content immediately at:Instagram: @claytonfarrisTikTok: @claytonfarris4everFollow the show on Insta at @jana.firestone or WATCH IN FULL! On YouTube at: The Curious Life PodcastThank you to our wonderful and talented audio engineer/producer Sam Talbot. Brilliant as always!

Rewind Episode: When Grief Gets Loud with Sal and Im from Good Mourning.Today we’re rewinding to one of the most downloaded episodes of The Days That Follow - and for good reason. I was joined by Sal and Im, the brilliant duo behind the Good Mourning podcast, for a refreshingly honest and unexpectedly funny chat about grief, growth, and the mess in between.Sal and Im both lost their mums suddenly and just months apart. In the thick of heartbreak, they turned to each other - and what followed was not only deep friendship, but a podcast that has created a global community of grievers who are tired of whispering about loss.In this episode, we unpack what grief actually looks like behind the filters and platitude. The awkward moments, the gallows humour, and the WTFs no one prepares you for. How Good Mourning was born from pain, connection and a need to be real and the ways grief reshaped their identity, purpose and friendships. This one is all about the power of talking about loss openly - even when it's uncomfortable.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt broken by loss,or just a little lost in the after. Sal and Im bring the warmth, wisdom and wit you didn’t know you needed, and they prove that even in the hardest moments, connection can be life-changing.Follow Sal and Im at @goodmourningpodcastand tune into their pod wherever you get your podcasts.Follow the show at @jana.firestone and watch episodes in full - even this flashback ep on YouTube at The Curious Life Podcast.Thank you as always to the wonderful Sam Talbot from team TCL, for the production and audio engineering.

Renowned psychic medium Jonathan Mark returns to the podcast for an extraordinary conversation. Jonathan has helped to solve countless crimes and missing persons cases, working with the FBI and law enforcement across the US. In this episode, he tunes into a case that has haunted so many of us here in Australia, for decades.In this episode, we revisit the infamous unsolved murder of Karmein Chan, the 13-year-old Melbourne schoolgirl abducted from her home in 1991 and explore the chilling connection to the predator known as Mr Cruel. Active through the late 1980's and early 1990's, Mr Cruel was responsible for a series of terrifying home invasions, child abductions, and assaults that left Australia on edge and sparked one of the country’s largest criminal investigations.Karmein’s case remains one of Australia’s most haunting cold cases, and for me, it’s a story that has lingered since childhood. With Jonathan’s remarkable intuitive abilities, we explore possible new insights into a mystery that has baffled police and the public for more than 30 years.If you’re interested in true crime in Australia, cold cases, or the enduring mystery of Mr Cruel, this is a must-listen episode. Watch this episode in full on YouTube at @thecuriouslifepodcastFor more of Jonathan's incredible work, catch him on socials below:Instagram: @jonathanmarkmediumTikTok: @jonathanmarkmediumListen to his podcast: Connect with Jonathan MarkFollow the show on Instagram at @jana.firestoneThank you to our brilliant Sam Talbot, for production and audio engineering.

POP THERAPY: The Bravo Investigator is back on the case!This week, we have returning guest and fan favourite Dana Regan, the brilliant mind behind The Bravo Investigator. Together, we dive deep into the glittering mess that is The Real Housewives of Orange County — and no stone is left unturned.We dive headfirst into Tamra’s grip on the group, the hypocrisy that fuels the drama, and why the cast can’t seem to hold anyone to the same standard.From the crocodile tears and blinding double standards running rampant through the cast, we dissect the drama with sharp insight and a touch of snark. We also unpack the return of Gretchen Rossi, why it’s stirring up old feelings, and revisit some iconic OC lore that only the real ones will remember.We also touch on The Valley, casting shakeups and shakedowns across the network.If you're into Bravo with a side of receipts and a sprinkle of outrage, this one’s for you. Follow Dana on socials at The Bravo Investigator and listen to her podcast The Bravo Investigator here!Follow the show at @jana.firestone and watch this episode and more in full on YouTube on The Curious Life Podcast channel.Thank you as always, to the wonderful Sam Talbot for all our audio engineering magic!

When Grief Meets Glamour: The Daughters of Jayne Mansfield and Natalie Wood with Kate CaseyThis week, I’m joined once again by the incomparable Kate Casey — a true force in the podcasting world and the brilliant mind behind Reality Life with Kate Casey. Kate has an uncanny ability to spot the heart of a story before the rest of us even know what we’re looking for, and today’s conversation is no exception.We’re diving deep into two standout HBO Max documentaries: My Mom, Jayne, which explores the life and legacy of Jayne Mansfield through the eyes of her daughter, Mariska Hargitay, and Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, a moving portrait of Natalie Wood created by her daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner.These films aren’t just about fame, tragedy or the glittering veneer of old Hollywood. They’re about the private pain behind the public image — and what it means to grow up grieving a mother the world thought it knew. We talk about identity, loss, and the long shadow cast by unanswered questions and complicated legacies.This is a layered, emotionally rich episode about grief, fame, motherhood and memory — the kind of conversation that stays with you.Follow Kate on socials at @katecaseycaGet her What To Watch Guide here: www.katecasey.substack.comFollow the show at @jana.firestone and leave us a rating and review on iTunes and Spotify.Watch this episode and others in full, on YouTube at The Curious Life Podcast.Thank you as always to our production /audio engineer wiz, Sam Talbot - best in the biz!

Content warning: This episode discusses child abuse and may be distressing to some listeners. Please listen with care.In this urgent episode, we’re joined by former Detective Senior Constable and child safety expert Kristi McVee, to unpack how we can better protect children in today’s world - at home, in care, and online.Kristi spent over a decade in the WA Police Force as a Specialist Child Interviewer before founding Child Abuse Prevention & Education Australia (CAPE-AU). She’s also the author of Operation KidSafe, a powerful guide for families navigating child safety.We discuss the devastating case of Joshua Dale Brown, a Melbourne childcare worker charged with over 70 offences involving the abuse of at least eight children — some as young as five months — across 20 centres between 2017 and 2025.We cover:- The system failures that allowed this abuse to continue unchecked.- Sleepovers, school camps and other tough safety decisions.- The risks of sharing children’s photos online.- How Kristi’s background as a detective shapes her own parenting choices.- Practical strategies every family can implement to keep kids safe.This is a confronting but essential conversation about turning fear into informed, protective action. Kristi offers clear, practical tools that every parent, educator, and caregiver should hear.Connect with Kristi on socials at @kristimcvee.Buy her book Operation KidSafe: A Detective’s Guide to Child Abuse Prevention and go to her website Child Abuse Prevention & Education Australia (CAPE-AU) or www.kristimcvee.comFrom the episode: 10 Body Safety Books Every Protective Parent Should OwnConnect with the show on socials at @jana.firestone and watch FULL video episodes on YouTube at The Curious Life Podcast.Thank you to our wonderful engineer/producer Sam Talbot, as always!

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of death, grief, suicide, and suicidal ideation. Please listen mindfully.In this special episode of The Curious Life Podcast, we are re-sharing a powerful conversation originally recorded for The Days That Follow (a grief recovery podcast).Chris Walker is best known for his work behind the scenes of some of Australia’s most beloved television programs. But in this raw and moving interview, he opens up about the sudden death of his older brother, Adam, who died on Christmas Eve when Chris was just nine years old.What follows is a deeply honest exploration of childhood grief, unspoken trauma, and the invisible weight of loss carried into adulthood. Chris reflects on the silence that surrounded his family’s tragedy, how grief resurfaced later in life, and the ways he’s worked to heal while building a meaningful life and career.This episode is a tender, reflective reminder that even the most successful lives can hold private pain — and that healing often begins by breaking the silence.Connect with Chris on socials at @chriswalkertvWatch full interviews on YouTube: The Curious Life PodcastFollow the show on Instagram: @jana.firestoneLove the show? Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!This episode was audio engineered and produced by the brilliant Sam Talbot.

Comedian Chris Franjola is back for the third time, for some much needed lightness in these heavy times.We dissected some of the latest hot topics, wondering what happened to Katy Perry, why the Bezos wedding has been top of all social media news, and Chris' reflections now on his time on Chelsea Lately. Chris also shared some inside Hollywood experiences and just why he and Chelsea Handler will take their secrets to the grave.Chris is an absolute delight and we had a lot of fun skipping around the pop culture world together.Catch his podcast Cover to Cover and follow him at @chrisfranjola.Leave us a rating and review of this episode and don't forget to like and subscribe on Youtube at @thecuriouslifepodcast. Full episodes now available to watch!Follow the show on insta at @jana.firestoneThank you as always to the wonderful Sam Talbot, for our brilliant production and audio engineering.

The hilarious and brilliant, Victoria Vanstone is back with a new book and new insights into the wild world of parenting... while sober.You will remember Vic from her previous episode and book, A Thousand Wasted Sundays (as brilliant and funny and relatable as her new book). In this episode, we went deep into our shared experiences of parenting, from guilt and shame, to the need for a separate identity and the year that Vic spent in active pursuit of becoming a better mum. That's just scratching the surface.For the reality fans, we also drew a sharp comparison to the thankless tasks of household duties and the interior crew on Below Deck. Where's our tip!?You can read all about Vic's year of experiments and exploration in her new book, Mumming: A year of trying (and failing) to be a better parent.Listen to her podcast if you have any thoughts or curiosities about a sober life at Sober Awkward. Find her on socials at @drunkmummysobermummy.Follow the show at @jana.firestone on Instagram and WATCH FULL EPS ON YOUTUBE at @thecuriouslifepodcast.Please make sure you're liked and subscribed, leave a rating, review on iTunes or Spotify and jump into the comments on YouTube!Thank you to the wonderful Sam Talbot who had to work his audio magic even harder with this ep, thanks to a technical failing on my part! A true audio engineering and production extraordinaire.

This week we welcomed back the legend that is Ryan Bailey, from So Bad It’s Good with Ryan Bailey. And what a treat it was! This is the ultimate Bravo breakdown for anyone interested in reality tv and pop culture.We covered the Summer House reunion, the Paige and Craig breakup, the darkness of The Valley, the joys and horrors of Bravo’s Love Hotel, and the palate cleansing sweet relief of Four Seasons on Netflix. We wondered why we are both blocked by Paige, and if Jesse Solomon really is just one giant gland? What is it about Scheana that triggers a complete lack of empathy in so many? Thoughts on Trump’s pardon of the Chrisleys and will the Menendez brothers be next?And that’s just scratching the surface. Ryan’s takes on popculture and Bravo are deeply insightful and might just give you another lens to view your favourite shows through.Subscribe to So Bad It’s Good with Ryan Bailey on Youtube,listen to the podcast (it’s my actual fave!) and remember to rate his show five stars.While you’re at it, please rate this show five stars and leave a review on iTunes. It’s the easiest way to support (and we would be so grateful!)Find me at @jana.firestone and share your thoughts on this episode.Thank you to the wonderful Sam Talbot, engineer and production whizz that keeps this show going.

What if there really is life, before life?Journalist, editor, podcaster and author Amy Molloy has spent time exploring just that. Do we have past lives? And if we do, can children remember them? Which led to her next enquiry - how we can parent our children in a way that supports their previous life experiences.In this conversation, we dove right into what past life parenting means, how we can connect with our own past lives, a new way to look at neurodivergence and the layers of research that Amy undertook to gain these intriguing insights.In her new book Wise Child (which we chat about here), Amy uncovers the lessons we can learn from our children about life and death, childhood fears and phobias and her own experiences as a mother of three. This is a fascinating look at parenting from a completely different perspective.You can find Amy at @amy_molloy or at www.amymolloy.com.au Follow the show at @jana.firestonePlease leave a rating and review on iTunes and Spotify, to help the show keep ticking along!Thank you to the wonderful Sam Talbot for the production of this show.

Emmy Sharrett is a rising star and bonafide Bravoleb, who you might know from Bravo's "Southern Hospitality".With three seasons now under her belt, Emmy has had to face the reality tv gauntlet, with unique highs and intense lows.She faced more than most, with her relationship with partner Will Kulp under constant scrutiny, and her co-stars accused of fabricating elaborate schemes to bring their relationship down.Emmy had some pretty iconic scenes in Season 3 as far as reality tv goes, which were often a direct result of her raw emotion and overwhelm. But what we didn't know at the time, was that bubbling away underneath all of her reactions, was actually a lifelong diagnosis of ADHD and sensory processing challenges. Both of which can cause an intense experience of overstimulation - and as we saw, some big reactions.In this episode, Emmy goes deep into her life with a neurodivergent brain, the challenges she faced at her various schools across the world and throughout her life, and how she has learned to manage it through the decades. She has great advice for parents of kids with ADHD and shares her thoughts on the medication debate.You'll also hear Emmy's insights into the show, her behaviour, her castmates and her thriving relationship with Will.Whether you're a Bravo fan or are curious to learn more about the experience of ADHD , then this episode is for you!Follow Emmy at @emmysharrett.Follow the show at @jana.firestone.Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!Thank you to Sam Talbot, for audio engineering and production as always!

In this electric episode, I sit down with The Queen of Confidence herself—Erika Cramer.From a childhood in foster care, to surviving abuse, a lifechanging injury and losing her husband in a tragic accident. Yes, all of this in one lifetime. Rebuilding her life from scratch in Australia, Erika’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.Now a powerhouse speaker, coach, and bestselling author, Erika shares the raw truth behind her new book Becoming Magnetic—a guide to healing your past, owning your story, and stepping into the kind of confidence that pulls people toward you.We talked about:The turning points that reshaped her identityWhat it really means to be magnetic (hint: it’s not what you think)How she moved through immeasurable grief, trauma and fearHer favorite tools for self-trust and confidence buildingWhy sharing your story can be your biggest superpowerErika is bold, unfiltered, and full of heart. And this conversation is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.🔗 Follow Erika on Instagram: @thequeenofconfidence📘 Grab her book Becoming Magnetic: Available now wherever books are sold🎧 Follow the show @jana.firestone and make sure you're subscribed, rating, and reviewing on iTunes!Audio engineering and production by the wonderful Sam Talbot.