Less Surface Level

1. this is basically my mini survival guide for heartbreak, the actually-helpful things that kept me afloat.
2. if you’re freshly going through a break up, need a helping hand or chronically overthinking about the what ifs, hopefully this is an antidote.
3. i love you. it get's easier.

T. X

Today I'm sitting down with my beautiful friend Courtney to explore the parts of her story that often stay unseen, the ones that shaped how she came to understand herself, her sexuality, and the kind of love that comes from realising what you deserve.

We talk about dating women for the first time, the patterns she noticed repeating, and the lessons that showed her the version of herself she was growing into. Courtney shares the moment she realised she deserved more than the love she had accepted in the past, and the boundaries and non-negotiables that became clearer along the way.

Courtney also opens up about falling in love with Amy, the ways she softened in the safety of that relationship, and what felt different about Amy from the beginning. She speaks honestly about what was happening internally for her in those early days, and how being with Amy changed what she believed she deserved in love.

We then move into their donor conception journey, from the first conversations about having a baby to the emotional and practical realities of researching fertility options, choosing a donor, and the conception process as a same-sex couple. Courtney shares what she wishes she knew earlier, what felt overwhelming, and how this process both strengthened and stretched their relationship. Finally, she offers gentle guidance for queer women who want to explore donor conception but don’t know where to begin.

This episode is a tender look at identity, unlearning, partnership, and creating a family in a way that feels true.

To follow Courtney's journey:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneygledhill/

Today I’m sitting with Brooke Blurton, Noongar woman, youth worker, author, television figure, and powerful voice in queer and First Nations storytelling; for a conversation that steps beyond the public versions of her life.

Together we explore what the last year has looked like for Brooke, including a deep chapter of healing, self-connection, and learning how to hold herself with more softness. Brooke discusses what it means to begin a love affair with yourself, and the difference between inner work done quietly and the expectations placed on her publicly.

We look at inner child work, where Brooke shares how reconnecting with “little Brooke” has shaped her healing, and helped her create emotional safety as an adult.

Sweet Sammy Foster is back on Less Surface Level, and a lot has changed since we recorded an episode a year ago. In this episode, we catch up on everything that’s happened in her world; the heartbreak, the healing, the lessons, and the ways she’s grown into a clearer, stronger version of herself.

We talk about what it’s like to look back at your past self after a big chapter ends, the things that surprised her most about who she’s becoming, and how her values in love and relationships have shifted. Sammy shares openly about moving through a breakup, what was hardest to let go of, how it changed the way she sees herself, and the support and practices that actually helped.

We also get into the real, messy parts of wlw relationships: the red flags that make more sense now, the green flags she actually pays attention to, and how trusting herself has become a whole new skill. Sammy reflects on the role queer community has played in her healing, and why talking honestly about queer relationships matters so much.

Ever wondered if you're queer enough to be involved in the LGBTQIA+ community?

Today we answer this question and so much more. I'm meeting Moose. She is Queer, Polyamorous, and brilliant. Moose is works at Queer Move, a company dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming culture for Queer people to work at.

Moose discusses her diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, her experiences as a Queer, Polyamorous woman, and how therapy supported her to understand herself in a way that allows her to be authentically her. She talks about acceptance, love and relationships in a way that reminds us that being exactly who we are is always the key that unlocks what we want and need.

Finally we chat about how her Queer community has evolved significantly over time, and we discuss how that evolution feeds into the culture and operations of Queer Move.

To find out more about Queer Move and Moose:

https://www.instagram.com/queermove/

https://www.instagram.com/theloosemoose/

https://www.queermove.net/

In this episode, Tessa sits down with Ashlee Thomas; Australian lived-experience advocate, speaker, and co-founder of The Secret Burden, a charity leading national change around body image, eating disorders, and women’s mental health.

Ashlee opens up about her powerful journey from anorexia to self-acceptance and peace. Together, we explore how women can begin releasing the constant pressure to “fix” their bodies and instead reconnect with freedom, trust, and self-compassion.

You’ll hear about:
• the emotional reality of eating disorder recovery and body image healing
• how media, perfectionism, and identity shape the way women see themselves
• redefining health beyond appearance or control
• letting go of shame and learning to feel safe in your body again
• simple steps to start feeling more free, connected, and kind toward yourself

Ashlee also shares how she transformed her personal pain into purpose through The Secret Burden’s workshops, mentoring, and advocacy, inspiring women everywhere to challenge the stigma and start healing their relationship with their bodies.

A little more about Ashlee:
Ashlee Thomas is a media presenter, author of Surviving the Jungle, and founding director of The Secret Burden Ltd. Her work has appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, The Today Show, and CBS12. She also hosts The Secret Sunday Session podcast and continues to lead national education programs empowering women to feel at home in their bodies.

To find out more:

🔗 thesecretburden.org.au
📖 Surviving the Jungle (Ashlee's book): all profits support The Secret Burden
🎙 The Secret Sunday Session: available on all podcast platforms

In this deeply honest conversation, Melbourne-based writer and spoken word artist Franks Martin opens up about the evolution of love; from the tenderness of first infatuations to the ache of heartbreak and the quiet beauty of healing. Together we explore what it means to keep your heart open after loss, to write through longing, and to transform pain into art.

Franks reflects on the relationships that have shaped her, the emotions that have challenged her pen, and the wisdom that time brings to love; from fiery chemistry to grounded connection. We talk about protecting softness without closing off, the surrender that love asks of us, and the ways self-love becomes both muse and mirror in creative life.

This episode is for anyone who has loved deeply, written from heartbreak, or found transformation in the spaces between letting go and holding on.

To order Franks' book "Love Sick Poet":

https://www.franksmartin.com/

To follow Franks' journey:

https://www.instagram.com/franksmartin_/

Today I sit down with the brilliant queer, non-binary and talented musician, Umbra Moon. We get to hear more of their behind the scenes, including two coming out stories, their run in with acrylic nails, how they got their name, and why masc vs. femme energy gets treated so differently.

We talk about what it means to grow up queer and non-binary, to find language for who you are, and to let that truth seep into your art. There are moments about care and creativity, about being misunderstood and learning to reconnect, about the songs that hold pain and the kind of transformation that follows. It’s a conversation on authenticity, self-acceptance, and how queerness can expand the way we understand love, connection, and expression.

To find out more about Umbra:

https://www.instagram.com/umbramoon/

or listen to their incredible music:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2LGzCu9GEMkE6pUzdiOIZG?si=H913UuqOSryUK2P0ThaIfg

This week's episode is with Tash Fabrizi, our third episode together! We were so excited to dive into what it really means to know yourself and trust your own direction.

We unpack how identity forms the foundation for confidence and self-trust, and what happens when parts of us want different things, one craving change, another holding back in fear. We talk about the inner rewiring that helps people move from self-doubt to grounded confidence, the unconscious habits that quietly shape our choices, and how to spot when we’re acting from fear instead of intuition.

We also explore how self-judgement and shame can block growth, what it takes to cultivate compassion after “failures,” and how to create safety in the middle of big personal shifts. Tash shares her go-to tools for building boundaries, rewiring limiting beliefs, and bringing awareness to patterns that live beneath the surface, so you can start choosing what’s genuinely good for you, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Show notes:

Follow Tash:

https://www.instagram.com/tashherz/⁠

Work with Tash:

https://pensight.com/x/natashafabrizi

We’re kicking off season four with Jane Kanizay. She opens up about what drove her to reach the summit alongside her daughter, and how leaving a relationship reshaped the way she sees herself and her freedom.

Jane shares her journey of coming out later in life, navigating those big questions about identity while raising four teens and young adults. We chat about family, love, resilience, and what it really means to live authentically; even if that path doesn’t look like you expected.

She also talks about her work as an “adventure activist,” using her platform to push for consent education and challenge male violence against women, and the message she wants to leave with women who might be questioning their sexuality later in life.

This episode is about courage, honesty, and rewriting your story at any stage.