In this episode, I sit down with Taegan — my dear friend, a mum of two, trained physiotherapist, mental health peer worker, and the creator of Nurture by Taegan, a space that began as her way of not feeling so alone in motherhood and has since grown into a community for women navigating mental health and connection.

Our stories are unexpectedly intertwined. Taegan, diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her twenties, lost her mum in a car accident when she was four. I was raised by my dad, who lived with bipolar disorder in silence for most of his life, and twenty years after Taegan lost her Mum, I lost him in the same way. 

Both of us have been shaped by grief and mental health, learning, in our own ways, what it means to love, to mother, and to make peace with the parts of our stories that still ache.

In this conversation, Taegan opens up about her experience of living with bipolar disorder, the unpredictability of postpartum depression, and her ongoing journey with chronic suicidality. She shares the coping tools, insights, and small acts of self-compassion that have helped her rebuild and find meaning in her lived experience.

Together, we explore the power of storytelling, the importance of boundaries, and the strength that comes from connection. This episode is a raw, honest reflection on mental health, motherhood, and what it really takes to nurture yourself — not perfectly, but truthfully.

Content Note

This episode includes open discussions about mental illness and suicidality.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support, please reach out for help:

Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14

United States: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. (call or text 988)

United Kingdom: Samaritans 116 123

Canada: Talk Suicide Canada 1-833-456-4566

New Zealand: Lifeline Aotearoa 0800 543 354

If you’re outside these regions:
Find international hotlines at [findahelpline.com], a verified global directory of mental health helplines in over 100 countries.

You are not alone, and help is available.

Follow:

Taegan — @nurture_by_taegan

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
05:13 The Impact of Early Loss on Identity
08:13 Teenage Years and Mental Health Awareness
10:56 The Role of Dance in Coping Mechanisms
13:59 Diagnosis and the Journey with Bipolar Disorder
16:40 Motherhood and Mental Health Challenges
19:55 Exploring Recovery and Self-Understanding
22:48 The Importance of Open Conversations
25:33 Reflections on Family and Mental Health
28:37 Empowering the Next Generation
30:04 Navigating Mental Health in Peer Support
31:32 Understanding Family Dynamics and Mental Health
33:59 The Challenges of Parenting and Self-Identity
35:56 The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Adulthood
37:52 Empathy and Sensitivity in Relationships
39:58 The Role of Connection in Mental Health
41:56 Coping with Suicidality and Mental Health Struggles
55:20 Navigating Mental Health and Voices
56:21 Embracing Intuition and Energy Work
58:25 Health Journeys and Women's Health Issues
01:00:40 The Intersection of Mental Health and Hormones
01:02:10 Pregnancy Challenges and Miscarriages
01:04:49 Understanding Chronic Pain and Trauma
01:07:14 The Importance of Listening to Women's Health
01:08:44 Preparing for Major Surgery
01:10:06 The Holistic Approach to Health
01:13:56 Finding Balance in Life
01:16:08 The Journey of Self-Expression
01:17:59 Empowerment Through Storytelling and Community

Introducing Jenette Blandford. 

My dear friend Nettie and I go way back to our early Air Force wife days. She’s always been one of those people who serves it up straight, which I’ve always loved about her. A wife, mother, and registered practising dietitian, Nettie is also the founder of Starting Solids Australia, a platform created to support parents through one of the most overwhelming stages of early parenthood, feeding their children.

What began as a response to the flood of conflicting advice online has grown into a trusted community of nearly 100,000 families. Through education, evidence-based guidance, and thoughtfully designed feeding products, Nettie and her team of health professionals are helping parents feel more confident and connected.

In this conversation, we explore the realities of motherhood, the challenges of running a business, and the courage it takes to navigate life with neurodivergent children. Nettie’s openness about her own ADHD diagnosis, ADHD burnout, balance, and compassion offers a refreshing reminder that there’s no perfect way to do any of this, only the way that feels right for you and your family.

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of Starting Solids Australia

08:43 Navigating Parenthood and Neurodiversity

11:27 Understanding ADHD and Its Impact

21:40 The Education System and Neurodiversity Challenges

23:55 Navigating Neurodiversity in Education and Society

27:58 The Journey of Diagnosis and Understanding

31:27 Family Dynamics and External Judgments

35:10 The Importance of Community Support

37:54 Balancing Business and Personal Life

39:15 Embracing Imperfection in Parenting

40:23 The Power of Sharing Stories

48:55 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Community Engagement

You can access and join Nettie’s beautiful Starting Solids Community by visiting her at; 

Starting Solids Australia Website 

Starting Solids Australia Instagram 

In this episode of Kind of a Mess, I sit down with Dr Martina Zangger, survivor, therapist, lecturer, and author of Not My Shame. Martina’s story begins in Switzerland, hidden behind the façade of a “perfect” family, where she endured years of abuse at the hands of her grandfather and uncle. Searching for healing and belonging, she later found herself in the cult of Rajneesh in America, a place that promised freedom but became another cage.

To fund her devotion, Martina worked in sex work in Sydney at just nineteen years old, navigating fear, survival, and unexpected solidarity with other women. Eventually, she found the courage to walk away from the cult and began the long, painful process of therapy, uncovering the truth of her past and learning to shift the shame back to where it belonged, to the perpetrators.

Today, Martina is a respected psychotherapist and lecturer who has dedicated more than 20 years to supporting women and children impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence. This conversation is raw and courageous, but also filled with hope. It’s about survival, resilience, and the discovery that love doesn’t have to be dangerous, it can be safe, respectful, and kind.

Please note: this episode discusses child sexual abuse and sexual violence. If you need support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Martina’s book ‘Not my Shame’ can be purchased on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com.au/Not-My-Shame-memoir-healing/dp/1763832058

Martina can be contacted through her website 

https://martinazangger.com.au/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Martina's Journey

01:44 The Call to the Commune

05:36 Entering the Cult: Expectations vs. Reality

11:36 Disillusionment and the Harsh Truth

15:36 The Catalyst for Change

19:28 Healing and Moving Forward

21:57 Surviving Trauma: The Journey Begins

24:08 The Complexity of Suicidal Thoughts

27:11 Understanding Pain and Addiction

29:03 Finding Strength Through Education

32:32 The Power of Anger and Hope

35:23 Navigating the Work of Healing

38:11 The Healing Power of Storytelling

In this conversation, Vanessa Maiorano shares her profound journey of facing cancer while raising two young children. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and later breast cancer, she navigated the challenges of treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through her struggles, Vanessa found solace in writing letters to her children, which later inspired her to create a series of children's books aimed at helping kids understand complex emotions. She also started a virtual assistant business to support other mothers seeking flexible work. Vanessa's story is one of resilience, love, and the importance of being present for family, emphasising that every mother's best is enough.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Vanessa's Journey
00:57 The Diagnosis: Balancing Motherhood and Cancer
05:07 The Impact of COVID on Health and Family
09:58 Writing Letters: A Mother's Love and Legacy
10:58 The Grueling Treatment Journey
14:49 Finding Purpose Through Adversity
18:06 The Road to Remission and New Beginnings
21:58 Sharing the Journey with Children
23:53 The Children's Book Series: Teaching Through Stories
26:07 Navigating Childhood Fears and Realities
27:13 The Journey of Writing a Children's Book
28:53 Inspiration from Personal Experience
30:52 The Creative Process of Writing
33:21 Understanding Children's Perspectives
35:29 Life After Cancer: A New Perspective
37:07 Words of Wisdom for Parents
39:23 Building a Virtual Assistant Business

Vanessa can be contacted via her website. 

Vanessa's Website - Click Here

Vanessa's Book - There's Always Love, can be purchased here. 

Introducing one of my all-time favourite humans, Kelsey.

Our paths first crossed in 2017, when my husband was posted to a US Air Force base in Phoenix, Arizona. I had no idea at the time that I’d become a witness to one of the most defining years of Kelsey’s life, the year she both became a mother and lost her beloved husband, Stephen, call sign "Trip."

Seven years on, we meet Kelsey at the beginning of a powerful new chapter. 

In this conversation, Kelsey shares her extraordinary journey through grief, love, and everything in between. We talk about the complexities of motherhood, the unexpected wisdom that can arise in heartbreak, the beauty of community, and the signs that love leaves behind.

I’m so grateful to share this space with her, and I hope you find as much depth, grace, and light in this conversation as I did.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Reflections on Loss
05:55 Childhood Memories and Early Influences
06:41 Childhood Reflections and Early Influences
08:54 Love Story: Meeting Stephen
11:45 Navigating Long-Distance Relationships
14:57 College Life and Career Beginnings
17:46 Yoga Journey and Community Connections
24:50 Life in South Korea and Personal Growth
29:34 Becoming a Mother: The Journey Begins
37:37 Navigating Grief During Pregnancy
40:27 The Birth of Georgia and Love's Depth
41:50 The Tragic Loss of Stephen
47:35 Community Support in Times of Grief
49:34 Surprises in Grief and Dark Humor
53:45 Wisdom from Grief: What to Do and Not Do
01:01:15 Making Big Decisions in Grief
01:06:37 Adjusting to Life in Cincinnati
01:09:31 Embracing Family Dynamics and Support
01:11:36 Personal Growth Through Yoga and Healing
01:14:51 Navigating Motherhood and Independence
01:17:53 Living with Grief and Connection
01:21:36 Signs from Beyond: Connecting with Loved Ones
01:24:26 Evolving Beliefs About Life and Afterlife
01:26:33 Finding Joy and Playfulness in Grief
01:32:05 Goals for the Future: Maintaining Peace and Creativity

You can find Kelsey's beautiful work and follow along on her next adventures on Instagram @kelseygrace.co

And don't forget to follow along for the next installments of Kind of a Mess on Instagram too - @kind_of_a__mess

Welcome back to Kind of a Mess. 

It's my pleasure to introduce you to Courtney Rothberg. The founder of The Sacred Umbrella, a space for exploration, remembrance and coming home to yourself. She’s a writer, astrologer, reiki practitioner, seeker, and someone who brings deep reverence to the human experience. Courtney is the kind of person who makes you feel seen, not in a glossy, surface-level way, but in a soul-deep, real-life, no-performances-here kind of way.

In this episode, we talk about everything from addiction and personal transformation to astrology, emotional accountability and the messy, mystical journey of becoming. We unpack what it means to live awake in a world that often wants us numb, and how returning to the body , and to ourselves, is the most radical thing we can do.

This is an invitation into softness, into truth, and into real connection.

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Reflections on Teenage Years and Personal Growth
05:09 – Catalyst for Change: The 2015 Turning Point
07:52 – Navigating Addiction and Relationships
10:31 – Support Systems and Therapy
13:06 – The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery
16:22 – Understanding Addiction and Its Impact
17:58 – Finding Balance and Personal Practices
20:53 – Spiritual Awakening and Astrology
23:57 – Tools for Navigating Life's Challenges
32:19 – Understanding Astrology: The Core Elements
35:21 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Emotional Awareness
38:12 – The Impact of Alcohol on Personal Growth
43:50 – Collective Shifts: Moving Away from Numbing
49:35 – The Power of Community and Real Connections
58:13 – Finding Community and Nourishment
01:00:07 – Trusting Inner Calls and Letting Go of Noise
01:03:16 – Embracing the Mess and Personal Accountability
01:05:59 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Transformation
01:08:47 – Creating a Space for Authentic Conversations
01:11:20 – The Role of Experience in Personal Growth
01:13:51 – The Sacred Umbrella: A Journey Home
 

Follow us on Instagram- @kind_of__a_mess, 

and follow Courtney at The Sacred Umbrella 

https://www.thesacredumbrella.com/

@thesacredumbrella

Today I have the absolute pleasure of sharing some time with Gemma Mitchell. Gemma is a dear friend of mine, financial expert, adviser, and author of the upcoming book The Money Reset. But beyond the spreadsheets and strategies, she's a woman who's walked through big life transitions, including divorce and living in the aftermath that she couldn't navigate with the help of Excel. In today’s conversation, we explore the emotional side of growth, money, and starting over, with all the beautiful, messy complexity that comes with it.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Messy Journey of Life
02:19 The Impact of Divorce on Identity
04:56 Reassessing Life Plans and Expectations
07:45 The Complexity of Leaving a 'Good' Marriage
10:46 The Struggles of Year Two Post-Divorce
13:38 Finding Balance and Support
16:53 The Importance of Community and Professional Help
19:55 Understanding Personal Growth and Healing
22:47 The Weight of Grief and Ongoing Challenges
26:21 Coping Mechanisms and Rebuilding Life
30:50 The Journey to Podcasting and Personal Growth
35:53 Navigating Financial Coaching and Emotional Investment
38:10 Embracing Change and Self-Discovery
44:56 Finding Joy in the Mess of Life