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When we partner and have children, no one imagines they will end up in family court fighting to access those children or keep them safe from a person once trusted. What is it like to deal with the family court in Australia?  

Guided by the host, Beth Armstrong, three guests share their stories of how they came to be at Family Court, their experience and how it has impacted their families and lives. Speaking anonymously, they give their views on what needs to change and offer advice for others embarking on the process. 

Please note this episode is a little unusual in that the first part is the story of one woman who had to purge her story; the other two stories and discussion are in Part 2. 

* Content warning for discussion of coercive control, domestic violence, suicidality and child abuse. If you need help, please call Lifeline or Beyond Blue

For an in-depth ABC article on this subject, please read "False Witness" by Heidi Davoren for Background Briefing: 
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-19/family-court-report-writer-recording-expert-witness-ahpra/102185414?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

And a podcast link:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/backgroundbriefing/false-witness/102485342

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

Part Two  (We highly recommend listening to Part One first)
Humans are social creatures wired to seek connection, and we grow up with stories of romantic love and the assumption we will partner. What’s it like when you’re not looking for love, you’ve been there, done that, or content single - or partnered -  and then you’re struck by cupid’s arrow?

Beth Armstrong guides a conversation between three generous, articulate and thoughtful women who speak anonymously about their experiences of falling in love unexpectedly and how it impacted their lives. 

Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue at 1300 224 636 or Lifeline at 13 11 14.

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

Humans are social creatures wired to seek connection, and we grow up with stories of romantic love and the assumption we will partner. What’s it like when you’re not looking for love, you’ve been there, done that, or content single - or partnered -  and then you’re struck by cupid’s arrow?

Beth Armstrong guides a conversation between three generous, articulate and thoughtful women who speak anonymously about their experiences of falling in love unexpectedly and how it impacted their lives.

Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue at 1300 224 636 or Lifeline at 13 11 14.

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

Part Two ( We highly recommend you listen to Part One first) 
Our fathers are pivotal in our lives, assuming they're present as role models and caregivers - we hope they love us and have our best interests in mind. The father/daughter relationship is key to a girl's development and self-esteem. So what happens when it's dysfunctional, toxic or broken down to the point of estrangement? 

The conversation continues between three women, strangers with a commonality: they became estranged from their fathers. 

Guided by the host, Beth Armstrong, the guests discuss in-depth how this came to be and the impact on their esteem,  relationships and families, and their thoughts and advice to others who may be joining the "club."

Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

Our fathers are pivotal in our lives, assuming they're present as role models and caregivers - we hope they love us and have our best interests in mind. The father/daughter relationship is key to a girl's development and self-esteem. So what happens when it's dysfunctional, toxic or broken down to the point of estrangement? 

This is a conversation between three women, strangers with a commonality: they became estranged from their fathers. 

Guided by the host, Beth Armstrong, the guests discuss in-depth how this came to be and the impact on their esteem,  relationships and families, and their thoughts and advice to others who may be joining the "club."

Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

Part Two 
This is a conversation between three women from different countries (Brazil, Singapore and India), strangers with a commonality: they emigrated to Australia. 

The decision is to pack up and move away from your extended family, friends, and culture to live in a foreign land. Perhaps for work, to broaden opportunities, education, love or adventure, or to live a better or a different life. We imagine it might be a certain way, but it's a leap into the unknown. What's it like to emigrate to Australia? 

Guided by the host, Beth Armstrong, the guests discuss in-depth why they emigrated and the experience of doing so. Speaking anonymously they share how it has altered them; it's an intriguing, winding and frank conversation. 

Topics include: 
The pandemic experience
Gains and losses of Emigration
Stereotypes
Sense of Belonging 
Food discrimination 
Advice for newcomers 

If you want to hear more powerful, raw and intimate conversations like these, please help us create another episode by donating via Pay Pal using this link.   

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

Help spread these gifted stories and women's wisdom worldwide for all people.
Help us Stay On Air, stay free of advertising, and remain free to tackle the taboo.

Another way to help is to write a review on Apple or Spotify and share episodes; we'd love your feedback and suggestions. Contact Beth at:  [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox
 

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

The decision is to pack up and move away from your extended family, friends, and culture to live in a foreign land. Perhaps for work, to broaden opportunities, education, love or adventure, or simply to live a better or a different life. We imagine it might be a certain way, but it’s a leap into the unknown. What’s it like to emigrate to Australia? 

Guided by the host, Beth Armstrong, the guests (from India, Singapore and Brazil)   discuss in-depth why they emigrated and the experience of doing so. Speaking anonymously they share how it has altered them; it's an intriguing, winding and frank conversation. 

Topics include:
Perceptions of Australia prior to emigrating
Racism 
Multiculturalism
Australianisms
Raising children away from your own culture
Mother-guilt
Aussie spirit
Finding new friends
Approach to relationships

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

As children, we read stories about romance and living happily ever after. We learn there’s a script to follow: find our passion, our job, meet somebody and create a family. What happens when your life doesn’t follow that script, and you are single and want to have children? 

Host, Beth Armstrong guides a conversation between three bold, funny and wise women who speak together anonymously to share their stories of how and why they decided to raise children independently.  

Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Topics include: 

• younger/geriatric pregnancy
• IVF/surrogacy/ embryo donation/co-parent websites
• international/local/known sperm donors
• Baby loss/miscarriage
• Father’s day
• Age-appropriate explanations for children
• introducing donors 
• role models
• single mother by necessity /choice
• blended families 
• Dating 
• Who will care for the children if something happens to their sole parent
• misconceptions
• gender-specific skills as an outdated concept
• Whether to seek out donor siblings - “diblings.”
• Children’s characteristics similar or different to birth mother
• Advice to others considering becoming a SMC (single mother by choice)

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

Part Two (We recommend listening to Part One first) 
The conversation continues. Guided by the host, Beth Armstrong, three bold, funny and wise women speak together anonymously to share their stories of coming out later in life and how it has affected their lives. 

You’re married or partnered, maybe have children, a career and your identity is heterosexual, but then you’re single again and unexpectedly you fall in love with a woman. How does that work? 

Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing for some listeners. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Topics include: 

•  marriage equality
•  coming out
• lesbian culture / Mardi Gras
• The pink sofa / lesbian clubs
• online dating / u-hauling
• family reactions 
• discrimination / bi-phobia
• generational change
• children of gay parents coming out as straight or otherwise
• identity within gay community/pansexual 
• pronouns/categories  
• step-family dynamics/blended families
• gold star lesbians 
• patriarchy impact on marriage/domestics comparative to same-sex 
• The tragedy of Heterosexuality - book 
• pressures of representing a community 
• sharing breastfeeding
• the complexity of breadwinner/mother dynamics
• who gets pregnant, and bonding with both mothers
• post natal depression 
• Finding community/ allies
• religion 
• toaster oven concept
• male/female gaze 

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/

Send us a text

You’re married or partnered, maybe have children, a career and your identity is heterosexual, but then you’re single again and unexpectedly you fall in love with a woman. How does that work?

Guided by the host, Beth Armstrong, three bold, funny and wise women speak together anonymously to share their stories of coming out later in life and how it has affected their lives. 

Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing for some listeners. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Topics include: 

• coming out 
• blended families 
• gay marriage 
• identity 
• religion 
• online dating/ one night stands
• love 
• heteronormative privilege
• single mother 
• identifying words and pronouns  
• sex / intimacy 
• lesbian films and television
• symbols
• discrimination  
• references to violence towards the gay community 
• self-acceptance 
• IVF
• Community

Share women's wisdom worldwide - for everyone.

To help, please write a review on your platform and share episodes. And please donate to help us record accessible and advert-free episodes via PayPal using this link.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7KGVGCLPX45K8

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
Contact Beth at: [email protected]

Sound production: Unison Sound.
Producer: Luke Mynott, Beth Armstrong
Host: Beth Armstrong
Editor: Tom Herdman, Mija Healey.
Sound Engineer: Micayla Laurence, Cihan Siral.
Composer: Biddy Connor
Artwork: wisebrownfox

https://www.instagram.com/curveball_media/