We're welcoming back two very special guests, Melanie and her daughter Jess, who first joined the show earlier this year to share their story in the lead-up to Melanie donating a kidney to Jess.

Now, they’re back to tell us what happened next.

When we last heard from them, Jess had just been diagnosed with stage-five renal failure at age 27, with her kidneys functioning at only 4%. Since then, she’s undergone a successful transplant, with her mum’s kidney, and both women have come through the experience with new perspectives on life, health, and gratitude.

Want to donate to Jess's fundraiser? https://fundraise.kidney.org.au/fundraisers/JessKeepinitRenal

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're celebrating100 episodes of Double A Chattery — a milestone that feels both like yesterday and a lifetime in the making. In this special “Ask Us Anything” edition, we answer your questions that range from the heartfelt to the hilarious: how our friendship began (hint: it involves a kilt and ballroom dancing), what we've learned about privacy and vulnerability, and why feedback hits us each very differently.  

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode asks the age-old question: do opposites attract? From clown dating sites to engineering students meeting nurses, we unpack why we’re drawn to difference, and why it doesn’t always last.

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore the fascinating and fraught world of “bad” words that have been reclaimed over time. Starting with audience feedback on our interview with former neo-Nazi Jeff Schoep, we move from a tale of a doomed cross-stitch kit into a discussion of words, and look at how insults can be re-owned with power while others still sting.

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grudges can feel great to hold – they're juicy, self-righteous and satisfying, but are they bad for us? From petty annoyances (a lost car mat at the car wash) to family rifts that span decades, in this episode we consider forgiveness, radical acceptance, and whether every conflict can, or should, be resolved.

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is more divided than ever, and to help us make sense of it all, we asked former neo-Nazi leader Jeff Schoep to join us on air this week.

Jeff explains the cult-like echo chambers, the pull of identity and belonging, and why “meeting in the middle” with patience and curiosity works better than shaming.

He now works through his nonprofit to help others exit, stressing the need to replace lost purpose and community with healthier pursuits.

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we welcomed academic and former tech/finance exec George Robinson to the show to demystify AI. George reframes AI as a practical “capability” rather than a scary black box — less robot overlord, more super-charged advisor that can search, synthesise, and help you make smarter decisions.  

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: modern coming-of-age (and whether we’re actually letting kids come of age at all). From hyper-styled Bridgerton dorm rooms to parents calling professors and even bosses, we're wrestling with overprotective trends, what counts as care vs. control, and the line between comfort and infantilisation — yes, including adults with plushies.

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're tallking about the strange, funny, and unsettling world of “smart” technology — gadgets that promise convenience but often raise privacy concerns. Plus, a long awaited Mel and Jess update! (Spoiler alert: It's great news!) 

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was sex ed like for you growing up? Join us as we reminisce about the awkwardness and hilarity of learning about the birds and the bees. From films on the overhead projector to pamphlets from Kotex, sex ed has come a long way, but is there still room for improvement?

 

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.