Hello and welcome to A Christmas Binge, your favourite festive podcast.

Well, we've done it. Almost. It's Christmas Eve with Santa due to do his rounds this evening.

My name is Brittany Stewart, I'm a Melbourne-based journalist, host of another podcast, Beauty Island (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/beauty-island/id1429274511) and an absolute Christmas obsessive. When I couldn't find a festive podcast to listen to last year, I was frustrated. So this year I made the decision to make it myself!

A Christmas Binge is all about celebrating the spirit of the season by chatting to interesting people to find out how they celebrate. Over the past few weeks, I've sat down with guests to ask them about their favourite Christmas films and music, the food that fills their Christmas table in terms of what goes on the dinner table and of course, their unique Christmas traditions.

This week, my guest is We Can Do Better podcast co-host, entertainer, activist and owner of the best winged liner I've ever seen, Annie Nolan. Oh, and you might also have heard of her husband, former AFL player Liam Picken.

Bright, bubbly and brilliantly candid, Annie welcomed me into her home to chat all things festive. This really was such a multifaceted chat about the highs and lows of Christmas, so I thought it was the perfect Christmas Eve listen. We talked about the mental load women carry at Christmas, the fantastic reason she stopped giving Santa all the credit for presents, and shared the most beautiful Christmas story about her brother, who has passed away.

A little content warning: We do discuss some emotional topics including the loss of loved ones in this episode. (But there's also talk of a litter of kittens climbing a Christmas tree and getting the Santa mall photo with rats, so it's upbeat too, promise.)
I also share my infamous Christmas quiz if you're looking for a fun festive activity to do with the fam.

I also speak to social worker Leanne, for a different perspective on the festive season and encourage you to donate to the hero firefighters currently battling bushfires around the country.



Follow host Brittany Stewart: @achristmasbinge @brittanybeautybts
Subscribe to Beauty Island: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/beauty-island/id1429274511
Email me: beautyislandpodcast@gmail.com
Download the Christmas Quiz: https://www.beautyislandpodcast.com/christmas-quiz
Donate to NSW Rural Fire Service: https://quickweb.westpac.com.au/OnlinePaymentServlet?cd_community=NSWRFS&cd_currency=AUD&cd_supplier_business=DONATIONS&action=EnterDetails
This Guardian article has a great overview of multiple ways you can donate/help: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/21/how-you-can-donate-and-help-the...

Annie Nolan (Uncanny Annie) - Blogger, Podcast Host, Entertainer FINALE

Beauty Island tells stories of memories sparked by beauty products. Host Brittany Stewart gets inside the minds (and beauty cabinets) of well-known figures inside and outside the beauty industry. 

Each episode, guests will be asked to share the eight beauty products that have a special meaning to them. Maybe it's the lipstick their mum used to apply on a night out, the first beauty product they ever bought themselves, or the perfume that instantly brings back memories of a special occasion. We'll discover more about their career, relationships, family, challenges and everything in between, bookmarked by the beauty products that have helped shape their lives.

It's a celebration of life - and lipstick.

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Well, we made it!

My name is Brittany Stewart, I'm a Melbourne-based journalist, host of another Beauty Island, and an absolute Christmas obsessive. I started it last year after one too many watches of Love Actually looking for something to get me in the festive mood. Thankfully I was not the only one and It got such a brilliant reception from all of you last year, so here we are again.

A Christmas Binge is all about celebrating the spirit of the season by chatting to interesting people to find out how they celebrate. Each episode, I sit down with a guest and ask them about their Christmas Binges - the show or film they watch religiously to get them in the festive mood, what they eat and what goes on the dinner table come Christmas Day, and of course, their unique Christmas traditions.

It's light-hearted, festive fun to get us in the holiday spirit, because goodness knows after the year it's been we all need - and deserve it.

Today, I am thrilled to have a cracker episode in a slightly different format: a series of interviews and segments covering different aspects of Christmas. Thank you to Steph for sharing an insight into a London Lockdown Christmas, Lauren for speaking so openly about Christmas without her mum, Alana for sprinkling the episode with some Christmas tree cheer and Bec for sharing some very helpful tips for our mental health this season.

The advice in today's segment is prepared for educational purposes. Advice is broad and not specific to individual circumstances and does not supplement individual psychological therapy. If you need crisis support or someone to talk to over this difficult period and are located in Australia, services such as the following are available:
eheadspace 1800 650 890 (aged 12-25)
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (aged 5 - 25),
Lifeline 13 11 14 (any age)
Mensline 1300 78 99 78

Follow host Brittany Stewart:
Instagram @achristmasbinge @brittanybeautybts
Listen to Beauty Island on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Sign up to my beauty newsletter It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!)
Email: beautyislandpodcast@gmail.com

More from my guests:
@dasheranddancer

#JoinIn on Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/hashtag/joinin?lang=en
#DuvetKnowItsChristmas thread: https://twitter.com/hashtag/duvetknowitschristmas?lang=en

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate five stars, write a review and recommend to a friend!

A disclaimer: I know for many people, for many different reasons, find Christmas a very difficult period. And even more so in 2020, when it really has been a year like no other. I am so privileged to have had family and Christmas experiences that make it a time of year that I love. So I just wanted to flag that this podcast largely deals with the positive and often indulgent side of Christmas, and we're very lucky to have the privilege and freedom to talk about things like the food we're eating and the way we celebrate and gifts and family. If it's a topic you find hard, this might not be the podcast for you right now. But if that is you, please know you're not alone. A reminder of the helpli...

A Very Covid Christmas: Christmas Cracker Finale

Mince your pies and blast the Buble, we're back for another episode of A Christmas Binge.

My name is Brittany Stewart, I'm a Melbourne-based journalist, host of another Beauty Island, and an absolute Christmas obsessive. I started it last year after one too many watches of Love Actually looking for something to get me in the festive mood. Thankfully I was not the only one and It got such a brilliant reception from all of you last year, so here we are again.

A Christmas Binge is all about celebrating the spirit of the season by chatting to interesting people to find out how they celebrate. Each episode, I sit down with a guest and ask them about their Christmas Binges - the show or film they watch religiously to get them in the festive mood, what they eat and what goes on the dinner table come Christmas Day, and of course, their unique Christmas traditions.

It's light-hearted, festive fun to get us in the holiday spirit, because goodness knows after the year it's been we all need - and deserve it.

Today, I am thrilled to have a bumper episode with one of my favourite duos: podcasters, physios and former Goggleboxers, Adam Densten and Symon Lovett. While you may have met them on the couch in front of the TV, Adam and Symon have done lots of great things hosting radio shows and podcasts, including The Adam and Symon Show which I highly recommend.

We talked about how to handle a gift you don't like, whether you can eat cold Christmas pudding and tackle the big debate: is Die Hard a christmas movie? And does it even matter? Plus, I also pitch them some Christmas related Simple Displeasures inspired by the great segment on their podcast.

This was so much fun, the boys are brilliant and definitely boosted my festive spirit - so I hope it does the same to you.

For more Christmas chat and memes and more, follow me on Instagram @AChristmasBinge and have a listen to my award-nominated beauty podcast Beauty Island to delve into the memories behind people's favourite beauty products.

Now, over to Adam and Symon. Enjoy!

Follow host Brittany Stewart:
Instagram @achristmasbinge @brittanybeautybts
Listen to Beauty Island on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Sign up to my beauty newsletter It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!)
Email: beautyislandpodcast@gmail.com

More from Adam & Symon
Follow @adamsymonshow @adamdensten @symonlovett
Listen to The Adam And Symon Show

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate five stars, write a review and recommend to a friend!

A disclaimer: I know for many people, for many different reasons, find Christmas a very difficult period. And even more so in 2020, when it really has been a year like no other. I am so privileged to have had family and Christmas experiences that make it a time of year that I love. So I just wanted to flag that this podcast largely deals with the positive and often indulgent side of Christmas, and we're very lucky to have the privilege and freedom to talk about things like the food we're eating and ...

Adam Densten & Symon Lovett - Podcasters & Former Goggleboxers

Deck the halls and jingle your... bells because we are back for another episode of A Christmas Binge, your new favourite Christmas listening tradition.

Smithy: It's Christmaaaaaaass.

My name is Brittany Stewart, I'm a Melbourne-based journalist, host of another Beauty Island, and an absolute Christmas obsessive. This podcast was born from my desperation to find something festive to add to my podcast rotation in December to get me in the mood. I couldn't find anything, so I made the decision to make it myself. Christmas goodwill or purely selfish, you decide. Thankfully I was not the only one and It got such a brilliant reception from all of you last year, so here we are again.

A Christmas Binge is all about celebrating the spirit of the season by chatting to interesting people to find out how they celebrate. Each episode, I sit down with a guest and ask them about their Christmas Binges - the show or film they watch religiously to get them in the festive mood, what they eat and what goes on the dinner table come Christmas Day, and of course, their unique Christmas traditions.

It's light-hearted, festive fun to get us in the holiday spirit, because goodness knows after the year it's been we all need - and deserve it.

Today, I am so excited to have the incredible Sarah Tiong. If you're a food lover, you'll no doubt instantly recognise the name as a beloved Masterchef name and contestant - from season 9 and then Back To Win earlier this year. A lawyer, Sarah made a name for herself with her bold, bright and in your face flavour, which was celebrated in her first cookbook that came out this year: Sweet, Savory, Spicy: Exciting Street Market Food from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and More.

We talked about the power of food to bring people together, how to make leftovers as good (if not better!) than the big meal itself, and why Queer Eye should be your family festive viewing. Oh, and she also shares her secret to perfect pork crackling. (Anyone else drooling already?)

If you enjoy this, please do me a Christmas favour and write a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe or click follow on Spotify!

For more Christmas chat and memes and more, follow me on Instagram @AChristmasBinge and have a listen to my award-nominated beauty podcast Beauty Island to delve into the memories behind people's favourite beauty products.

Now, over to Sarah. Enjoy!

Follow host Brittany Stewart:
Instagram @achristmasbinge @brittanybeautybts
Listen to Beauty Island on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Sign up to my beauty newsletter It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!)
Email: beautyislandpodcast@gmail.com

More from Sarah Tiong
Follow Sarah on Instagram: @fillymytummy
Buy her book (Booktopia): https://www.booktopia.com.au/sweet-savory-spicy-sa...

Sarah Tiong - Masterchef Favourite, Cook & Author

Hello and welcome to A Christmas Binge, your new favourite Christmas listening tradition.

The mince pies have been in the supermarket since October, maybe you've been Christmas shopping since August, but it's officially December so we're getting into full festive swing.

Deck the halls and jingle your... bells because we are officially back for Season Two.

My name is Brittany Stewart, I'm a Melbourne-based journalist, host of another Beauty Island, and an absolute Christmas obsessive. As in, every year for my birthday I have a Christmas in July in August celebration just so I can maximise the Christmas spirit and have an excuse to watch The Holiday and Love Actually several times a year.

Last year, as a podcast fanatic, I desperately wanted to find something festive to add to my podcast rotation in December to get me in the mood. (Because playing Michale Buble's Christmas album on repeat during the day just wasn't enough). I couldn't find anything, so I made the decision to make it myself. Christmas goodwill or purely selfish? You decide. Thankfully I was not the only one and It got such a brilliant reception from all of you, so here we are back again for season two!

Here's how it works: A Christmas Binge is all about celebrating the spirit of the season by chatting to interesting people to find out how they celebrate. Each episode, I'll sit down with someone and ask them about their Christmas Binges - the show or film they watch religiously to get them in the festive mood, what they eat and what goes on the dinner table come Christmas Day, and of course, their unique Christmas traditions.

It's light-hearted, festive fun to get us in the holiday spirit, because goodness knows after the year it's been we all need - and deserve it.

To kick us off, I'm delighted to be joined by the lovely Stephanie Miller. Co-founder of health and fitness app, Keep It Cleaner, Steph (or Steph Claire Smith as you may know her!) is a model and entrepreneur who has built a supportive and inspiring community and following of over 1.5 million. It's been a big year for Steph - Keep It Cleaner or KIC was relaunched and she announced that her and her husband Josh are expecting their first child early next year.

We talked about enjoying rather than stressing about food at Christmas, her inappropriate Love Actually cinema story that anyone in their mid 20s probably shares, the gorgeous festive tradition she's carried on from her Nana, and the clever conversation about Santa her mum gave her that she plans to do with her children, too.

Follow host Brittany Stewart:
Instagram @achristmasbinge @brittanybeautybts
Listen to Beauty Island on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Sign up to my beauty newsletter It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!)
Email: beautyislandpodcast@gmail.com

Follow Steph:
Instagram @stephclairesmith
Check out Keep It Cleaner: https://keepitcleaner.com.au/
Shop Soda Shades: https://sodashades.com/ 

A reminder about this episode and the whole season: I am...

Stephanie Miller - Co-Founder, Keep It Cleaner, Model & Entrepreneur

Beauty Island acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Hello and welcome to Beauty Island, the award-nominated beauty podcast that celebrates life and lipstick.

I'm your host, beauty journalist, Brittany Stewart.

If you're new here or you just need a recap: Each episode, I sit down with a guest and ask them about the 8 beauty products that have a special memory or meaning for them. The ones they'd take to a desert island, or Beauty Island, that I am sending them off too.

Maybe it's the first beauty product they ever bought, the one that gives them their signature look, or the perfume that instantly sparks a memory of a special place or person.

Along the way we find out more about their life, career and the people and events that have shaped them into who they are today.

And today, we have come to the season finale of Season 5 of Beauty Island! Gosh, it's been a strange year, but I'm so grateful for all your support with two seasons and that special Lockdown series. As I mentioned last week, Beauty Island was a finalist for Best Arts and Culture Podcast, which for an independent podcast run by just me, is a huge huge honour. And I couldn't do it without you! So thank you. I'll be taking a bit of a break over summer and returning in 2021 BUT the good news is that my Christmas podcast, A Christmas Binge, is returning for a second year! A fun and festive listen that looks at what we watch, what we eat and how we celebrate with interesting guests, the first episode will drop early december with some stellar guests so keep your eyes and ears out for that. I'll put a link to subscribe in the shownotes.

Onto this season finale, today my guest is founder of Self Care Originals, Rachael Akhidenor. Described as a social enterprise disrupting the wellness industry by advocating for self care for all, Self Care Originals's current form is wearable activism and a content platform, but as you'll hear in this interview, it's just the beginning for the brilliant inclusive platform Rachael is building.

I thought it particularly fitting to end the season and the year with this interview with Rachael, in arguably a year where we've talked about the concept of 'self-care' more than ever. In an insightful and thought-provoking chat, we talked about what self care actually means vs what we're sold it should be, what the wellness industry needs to do to welcome more diversity, her love of blush, and the affordable and unexpected oil she says is a gamechanger for dry skin.





If you enjoy this episode, please rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts or subscribe on Spotify if you haven't already. Or recommend to a friend or many friends, by sharing a screenshot on your Instagram story. Don't forget to tag @beautyislandpodcast so I can see. As an independent podcaster, those things really help more people discover the podcast so I can keep making it for you!

Now, over to Rachael. Enjoy.

Follow host Brittany Stewart:
Instagram: @brittanybeautybts @beautyislandpodcast
Email: beautyislandpodcast@gmail.com
Subscribe to It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!)
Listen to <a...

Annie Nolan (Uncanny Annie) - Blogger, Podcast Host, Entertainer FINALE

Download our free app to listen on your phone