Less Surface Level

In this episode, I move beyond the “why” and get into the practical side of staying connected to your friends while you’re in a relationship. I talk through the real-life “how tos”, the small, tangible ways you can maintain your friendships even when your relationship feels intense, all-consuming, and naturally takes up a lot of your time and energy.

I unpack the common patterns that can lead to friendships quietly slipping into the background, and share simple, realistic ways to stay intentional, from how you structure your time, to how you show up emotionally, to the choices you make in the moment when you’re pulled toward your partner.

This episode is about finding a balance that actually works, where you can be deeply in love while still feeling connected to your friends, your identity, and your wider life. Because staying connected to your friendships isn’t something that takes away from your relationship, it’s something that helps support it.

Hi my loves! It's the season finale, thank you all for being here!

In this episode, I’m talking about the role AI is starting to play in our relationships and how tools like ChatGPT can start to replace the messy, real parts of relationships, like processing emotions together, navigating conflict, and just being seen in our unfiltered state. I talk about emotional outsourcing, over-polished communication, and the pressure it can create when we start comparing real people to something designed to respond perfectly.

I also touch on what it might mean if your partner is using AI in your relationship, and how to approach that without it turning into blame or disconnection.

This episode is really about noticing the difference between using AI as support, and letting it slowly take the place of real intimacy.

In this episode, I talk about why WLW relationships can feel so intense and why it can be so easy to centre your partner, sometimes without even realising what it’s costing you. I explore the emotional depth of queer relationships, where that “they’re my whole world” feeling comes from, and how your identity and perspective can slowly start to narrow when love becomes all-consuming. I also unpack how relying on your partner for everything can create pressure in the relationship, and why staying connected to your friendships actually helps keep you grounded, supported, and more like yourself. It’s a really honest conversation about finding a healthier balance, where you can be deeply in love without losing your independence or the people around you.

Today I’m chatting to Stephanie Cannalonga, exploring what it means to come into your identity as a queer woman, especially when that journey doesn’t fit the expectations you were raised with.

This episode gently moves through the coming out experience in the context of religion, the fear, the vulnerability, and the conversations that stayed with her. We reflect on first relationships, what they revealed, and the beauty, complexity, and learning that comes with queer love.

This is a conversation about growth, about how our understanding of ourselves evolves over time, and about letting go of the misconceptions that never truly fit. It’s also about compassion, speaking to the younger versions of ourselves who were still figuring it out, and honouring how far we’ve come.

Introduction:

In 2026, a major investigation by ABC Four Corners raised concerns about the surgical practices of Melbourne gynaecologist Dr Simon Gordon, a specialist who treated thousands of patients for endometriosis and pelvic pain. The investigation examined allegations that some patients may have undergone unnecessary endometriosis surgeries, including procedures involving the removal of reproductive tissue or organs, after being told they had severe disease.

In several reported cases, pathology results following surgery did not confirm the presence of endometriosis. These findings raised questions about whether the procedures were medically justified and whether patients had received complete information prior to consenting to surgery. Since the investigation aired, many former patients have come forward seeking advice, medical review, or legal guidance regarding their treatment.

Regulatory bodies, including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and other health authorities, are investigating the concerns. The situation has prompted broader discussion about informed consent, surgical decision-making, and the importance of transparency in healthcare. For many people affected by endometriosis, the investigation has also highlighted how vulnerable patients can feel when navigating complex treatment decisions while living with chronic pain.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, often causing inflammation, scarring, and significant pain. It can affect multiple areas of the body and is commonly associated with symptoms such as pelvic pain, painful periods, fatigue, digestive issues, and fertility challenges. Despite affecting many people (not just cis women), endometriosis is still widely misunderstood and can take years to diagnose.

In this episode, naturopath Jade Walker joins the podcast to discuss endometriosis and how people can feel more informed and empowered while navigating their healthcare. Jade shares her perspective on helping patients better understand what may be happening within their bodies and how they can approach treatment decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Throughout the conversation, we explore what endometriosis is, why diagnosis can take so long, and how the condition can affect the body beyond the reproductive system. Jade also discusses ways people can support themselves through lifestyle, nutrition, and holistic approaches alongside conventional medical care. The goal is not to replace medical treatment, but to help people feel equipped to ask questions, understand their options, and take an active role in their health.

In light of recent discussions around surgical care, we also talk about the importance of informed consent and patient advocacy. If you were treated by a surgeon involved in recent investigations and are questioning your care, one practical step is to request your medical records. These may include surgical reports, consent forms, clinic notes, pathology results, imaging results, and discharge summaries, which can usually be requested from the surgeon’s clinic, the hospital, or your GP.

Pathology reports can help confirm what tissue was found during surgery and whether endometriosis was present. Some patients may also choose to seek an independent review from another gynaecologist or endometriosis specialist to better understand their treatment.

Patients have the right to access their records, ask questions about their care, and seek independent medical advice when making decisions about their health.

Jade's website (to book in with her personally): https://www.jadewalker.com.au/

Jade's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jadewalkerhealth/

In this episode, I’m answering anonymous instagram questions about coming out, labels, fear, and community.

We talk about that strange mix of relief and heaviness after coming out, and whether that feeling ever shifts. I share how living openly felt like putting down a backpack I didn’t realise I was carrying.

We get into the reality that coming out isn’t a one-time thing. It shows up at work, with family, in dating. Over time, you learn discernment, when to share and when you don’t owe anyone anything.

We also chat about the fear of pushing people away, label pressure, and how identity can evolve. And finally, we talk about how powerful queer community can be when you’re figuring yourself out.

Today I’m joined by Brihony Dawson, a non-binary entertainer, performer, and entrepreneur who’s built a life and career by backing themselves, even when the path wasn’t obvious.

We talk about Brihony’s gender journey, their experience of top surgery, and how they went from feeling stuck in jobs that didn’t fit, to touring the world and now running a seven-figure entertainment business.

This is a conversation about finding alignment, trusting your instincts, and figuring out who you are when you stop living by other people’s rules. Enjoy my loves xx

To find Brihony's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/brihonydawson/

Brihony's entertainment business:

https://brihonydawson.com/

In this episode of Less Surface Level, I sit down with Blue and Kim, two lesbians who are on a huge travel year together and sharing their lives online, joining us from Vietnam.

We talk about how life has shifted for them over the last few years, including living in Amsterdam and taking a year off to travel together as partners. We explore the big moments that shaped who they are, the beliefs they’ve had to unlearn, and the fears they’ve had to face along the way.

Blue and Kim open up about what drew them to each other, how they navigate conflict and vulnerability while being visible online, how they protect their individuality, and what they need from each other in moments of stress. We also talk about coming out, what queerness means beyond sexuality, and how love can evolve when you give each other room to grow. It’s an honest, grounding conversation about partnership, growth, and the quieter things we admire in each other but don’t always say out loud.

To follow their journey:

https://www.instagram.com/blueandkim/

In this episode, I’m chatting with my friend Thalia about her experience of being a lesbian while living with borderline personality disorder and bipolar type 2. Thalia shares what life felt like before she had words for her inner world, what it was like to finally receive her diagnoses, and the mix of relief, grief, fear, and clarity that came with that. We talk about how those labels initially shifted the way she saw herself, and the parts of BPD and bipolar that don’t get spoken about enough but show up very real in her day-to-day life.

We also dive into how intense emotions can play out in relationships, dating, and falling in love, especially within queer spaces. Thalia reflects on moments of feeling misunderstood by the mental health system, times where her feelings felt hard to trust, and what’s helped anchor her when things feel chaotic inside. We talk boundaries, safety in love, and the relationships and friendships that have felt grounding, regulating, and genuinely healing. This episode gently challenges the “too much” stereotypes around BPD and bipolar, and offers an honest, compassionate look at love, identity, and learning to understand yourself with more softness over time.

I’ve got a change of pace in this ep, the mic gets turned around and my best mate Holly interviews me.

We start with a quick fire about guilty pleasures, google searches, and the best advice I’ve ever been given and then get into bigger questions about work, identity, mental health, queerness and illness.

We talk about what people often assume about me in the first 10 seconds, how childhood illness shaped my relationship with my body and safety, what my mental health lows have taught me, and how queerness, business, healing, and purpose all intersect in this season of life.

Thought it was about time I practiced what I preach and get less surface level with you guys, enjoy x