Big Mum Energy

Megan has basically been through the IVF Olympics. Ten years of trying, an ectopic pregnancy that nearly killed her, a $15,000 IVF cycle that produced nothing and two embryos still sitting in the freezer.

And now she's decided she's done.

But how do you know when you've tried enough?

This isn't the highlight reel. This is where the real mums hang out.

00:00 Megan's IVF journey

04:29 The medical procedure

08:41 Ten years of trying

11:02 Why she cancelled her hysterectomy

13:24 The pain that wouldn't go away

18:20 When doctors couldn't agree

21:13 Getting the referral

23:14 The emotional side of IVF

26:59 Starting IVF in Mount Isa

30:09 Early pregnancy anxiety

35:02 Parenting and mum guilt

YouTube: Big Mum Energy

Instagram: @bigmumenergy.thepod

TikTok: @bigmumenergy.thepod

Facebook: Big Mum Energy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two and a half hours of AFL affair podcasts, swinging rumours and absolutely bugger-all new information… followed by a $140 Book Week costume and a visit to the plastic surgeon.

Ali gets stuck into the very public fallout involving Jules Neale, Lachie Neale and Tess Crosley, including the two podcast interviews that promised answers but somehow left her with more questions — and considerably less patience.

Then it's onto the annual parenting fever dream that is Book Week. One kid wants Pikachu. The other wants Sabo from One Piece, because apparently choosing a character with an easy-to-buy costume would have been far too bloody simple. The result? Op-shop finds, fabric dye and a $140 costume.

And then things get very personal.

After breastfeeding three kids and losing 19.5kg through nearly two years of F45, Ali heads to a plastic surgeon to talk about what comes next for her post-babies body. Breast lift? Tummy tuck? Cyst removal? Implants? And potentially a Medicare rebate?

The proposed price tag: around $28,000.

Because apparently turning 40 means looking at your body, your bank account and saying, “Righto, let's fucking do something about this.”

It's an honest, funny and very unfiltered episode about motherhood, betrayal, parenting teenagers, Book Week, body confidence, weight loss, cosmetic surgery, money and the weird shit that happens when you're trying to keep everyone else alive while occasionally remembering you exist too.

This isn't the highlight reel. This is where the real mums hang out.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali has a bit of everything — parenting dilemmas, drugs, social media, mum judgement and one very questionable decision involving a car alarm.

This episode covers parenting, teenagers, kids pretending to be sick, drug culture, cocaine use, social media bullying, mum guilt, successful mums, online criticism and modern parenting debates.

No expert panel. No perfect answers.

Just Ali asking the questions a lot of us are thinking and probably getting herself into trouble along the way.

Big Mum Energy: real motherhood, strong opinions and the conversations nobody can agree on.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you sit down with your mum and start unpacking the family stories that probably should have stayed in the family?

In this Throwback Thursday episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali is joined by her mum, Aunty Kim, for an unfiltered mother-daughter conversation full of outrageous stories, hard truths, hilarious memories and the moments that shape a family.

And yes… it starts with the story of the time Aunty Kim shot the neighbour’s dog.

From there, things only get wilder.

In this episode, Ali and Aunty Kim talk about:

• 🐊 A terrifying crocodile encounter that could have ended very differently
• 💬 The painfully awkward way Ali’s teenage eating disorder was confronted
• 👶 A chaotic family moment involving cattle rails and a baby
• ❤️ The hard seasons families go through — and how humour can help you survive them
• 🌾 Growing up, motherhood, parenting and life in rural Australia
• 😂 The family stories that somehow become funnier with every retelling

It’s honest, uncomfortable, hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt — the kind of mother-daughter conversation where absolutely nothing is off limits.

If you love real motherhood stories, funny family stories, Australian women’s podcasts, parenting conversations, mother-daughter relationships, rural Australian life and unfiltered conversations about the messy bits of life, this one is for you.

Because sometimes the stories you laugh hardest about are the ones that taught you the most.

Listen to Big Mum Energy — and hear the story everyone wants to know: why did Mum shoot the neighbour’s dog?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this follow-up episode of Big Mum Energy, Emily shares what happened after she made the brave decision to reach out for support, leave domestic violence behind and start rebuilding her life.

Ali and Emily talk about:

• The moment she realised she couldn't do it alone
• Finding the courage to ask for help
• Leaving an abusive relationship
• Healing after domestic violence and coercive control
• Rebuilding confidence, independence and hope
• Why no woman should ever feel ashamed to seek support

This is a conversation for anyone who has ever felt trapped, isolated or unsure where to turn. Emily's story is proof that while leaving is incredibly hard, there is life on the other side.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, family violence, coercive control or emotional abuse, this episode is a reminder that support is available and you don't have to face it alone.

Because asking for help isn't giving up.

It's taking your life back.

Content Warning: This episode discusses domestic and family violence, coercive control and emotional abuse, which some listeners may find distressing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week got unexpectedly real. One of Ali’s kids came home after another child called her “fat” and “gay”… and instead of letting it slide, her kids stepped in and defended their mum. In their own way, they backed her up fists and all and it sparked a much bigger conversation about bullying, protection, and what kids do when someone they love is being targeted.

Facebook Marketplace friendships (because apparently that’s where community lives now), and the viral nasal strips that have taken over TikTok sleep routines everywhere.

It’s a mix of the heavy and the hilarious raising kids who are kind, strong, and maybe slightly feral when needed, plus the everyday chaos of modern mum life.

Honest, unfiltered, and very real.

Follow Big Mum Energy for parenting, motherhood, relationships, business, and the messy in-between.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Motivational Monday, Ali is talking directly to the mums who are exhausted, overwhelmed and wondering if life will ever feel easier.

The mums with babies who won't sleep.

The mums drowning in school lunches, sport runs, tantrums, laundry and never-ending to-do lists.

The mums caring for teenagers who suddenly don't want to talk.

The mums navigating grief, divorce, financial stress, burnout or simply trying to keep their heads above water.

Here's the reminder we all need:

It's just a season.

Not a lifetime.

Not your forever.

A season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Big Mum Energy, Ali sits down with Emily, a survivor of domestic and family violence, to share a story that is sadly more common than many people realise.

For years, Emily found herself trapped in a relationship that slowly became isolating and abusive. Like many women experiencing domestic violence, she didn't recognise the warning signs at first.

This is a conversation about what abuse can really look like behind closed doors.

Emily shares:

• The early red flags she wishes she had recognised
• The emotional impact of domestic and family violence
• The challenges of leaving an abusive partner
• Rebuilding confidence, independence and a new life
• What she wants other women to know if they're struggling

This episode explores the realities of domestic violence, emotional abuse, toxic relationships, women's safety, family violence awareness, healing after abuse and finding the courage to start again.

While this conversation covers difficult topics, it is ultimately a story of strength, resilience and hope.

If even one woman listening recognises herself in Emily's story and realises she deserves better, then sharing it matters.

Because abuse doesn't always start with bruises.

And sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is leave.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about domestic and family violence, coercive

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Motivational Monday, Ali has a simple message:

Get the tan.

Not because a tan changes your life.

Because too many women are putting their lives on hold waiting to feel confident enough to enjoy them.

Waiting until they lose 10 kilos.

Waiting until summer.

Waiting until they look better in photos.

Waiting until they feel more comfortable in their own skin.

Ali shares why a fresh tan makes you feel good isn't about vanity it's about giving yourself permission to show up now.

This isn't really about getting a tan.

It's about booking the holiday.

Wearing the dress.

Taking the photo.

Going to the event.

Putting yourself in the picture.

Because life is happening right now.

And you deserve to enjoy it exactly as you are.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Big Mum Energy, Ali is having a gloriously unfiltered conversations about the things everyone is talking about but nobody can agree on.

We're diving headfirst into the comment sections, the school mum politics and the social debates that somehow end up consuming our group chats.

This week we're talking about:

• The stolen car story that sparked a heated debate about leaving kids in the car "for just a minute"
• The heartbreak of not being picked as a school camp helper
• Dance mums, school mums and the awkward world of parent politics
• Country Fest, getting your tits out and whether anything is actually inappropriate anymore
• The Townsville Mayor controversy and what locals really think Ali is reading the comments section so you don't have to

It's part parenting, part people-watching and part asking questions that will probably get us into trouble.

If you've ever felt personally victimised by a school email, rolled your eyes at a Facebook comment section, wondered how every local issue turns into a public debate, or found yourself way too invested in community gossip, this episode is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.