In today's episode, the chaos is real! Dena is battling a savage back injury and a rogue contact lens that nearly takes her out, while Alicia is rocking a "plump" lip courtesy of a headbutt from her toddler. We dive deep into the reality of the "threenager" years, gentle parenting fails, and the absolute mayhem of potty training.

Once the dust settles, we get into our favourite things - from the TV shows that shaped us (hello, Friday Night Lights and Outlander!) to the books that changed our lives. Dena shares her obsession with Timothée Chalamet’s wild press tour and breaks down why some of the most hyped makeup brands just don't hit the mark. Plus, some very exciting news about the AACTA Awards! Grab a cuppa and join us for a chat about the things we love and the life lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🌸 Life Academy: ⁠www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast⁠

⏱️ TikTok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠

Recs/Homework:

Vote for us! Life Academy is up for the AACTA Audience Choice Award for Favourite Podcast: https://www.research.net/r/BM3GGDS

TV Show: All Her Fault (starring Sarah Snook)

Books: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius, and Choreography by Corey Feldman

Music: "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey, "Love" by Kendrick Lamar, and "Movement 6" by Floating Points

Foundation: Dior Backstage (skip the Haus Labs and Mario hype!)

Life Lesson: Revisit your favourites this week - read that book again or listen to your top track.

Wearing:

Dena: Things You Really Like

Alicia: Bella Boheme top

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Happy New Year, Besties! We love you. This week's episode opens with Alicia giving Dena a gorgeous Christmas gift, and then we get into the crazy stolen car story that is honestly more riveting than a thriller movie. Hang on tight. The girls are back and excited for the year ahead, no crazy resolutions, just trying to continue riding the wave that is life and staying in our flow state. Dena discusses another stylist screwing her over and feeling more introverted as she gets older. The girlies are just trying to start the year off on the right foot. Bath Bombs, cheese and all. LOL.

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🌸 Life Academy: ⁠www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast⁠

⏱️ TikTok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠

Recs:

Fearless Swimwear https://fearlessswimwear.com/

Simon Cowell: The Next Act Netflix

Hommey Towels https://gethommey.com.au/

Loufas in the shower! who knew?!

Wearing:

Dena: https://www.thingsyoureallylike.com.au/

Alicia: Brixton

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Today Dena dragged in her better half to chat all things LOVEEEEE and everything in between. ALL DRAFTS ALEX needed preparation, which NO DRAFTS DENA refused to provide, so it was kinda chaos, the good kind. We chatted about Alex's origin story and how a kid from the country ended up at NASA! We talk about falling in love over FaceTime calls, we touch on parenting and the gift that Maya is to us and Alex shares so many wise and beautiful thoughts, especially about my great ass ;) ALSO, you guys asked some brilliant and hilarious questions, and I really enjoyed seeing him so earnest and embarrassed, it was so cute, my god this man. tooooo cute. Can't wait for you all to finally meet the love of my life and my very best bestie - Dr Alex Norton.

If you'd like to connect with Alex, well you can't, he doesn't use social media but come join our group instead. LOL.

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🌸 Life Academy: ⁠www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast⁠

⏱️ TikTok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠

Recs/Homework

Podcast: Dissect (Spotify Original)

Farmers Pick https://farmerspick.com.au/

Go for a nature walk, leave your phone at home, be childlike and curious. take your time.

Podcast: Shell Game S2

Wearing:

Dena – Dissh and Ember and Maple

Alex– Afends and Assembly Label

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You know what time it is, it’s life lately time! The gals chat dance concerts, glamming up for the AACTA awards and festival, a Gold Coast holiday and the usual mum guilt that we face on the daily.

The girls also briefly discuss the social media ban and Dena says a bunch of things to get herself cancelled lol. Thanks for listening, we love you! Subscribe and write a review pretty please!!!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello Darlings! On today's episode of Life Lately the girls recognise that they are definitely in their 30s because they are excited about fly screen doors. We discuss the great debate about what our listeners should be called, and then we dive into some hilarious assumptions about us you guys have made LOL. Thanks for being the best, we love you besties, dreamers, darlings! YOU TELL US!! But far out we love you. Thank you for all your support and messages. x

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🌸 Life Academy: ⁠www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast⁠

⏱️ TikTok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠

Dreamwork and Recs:

Bondi Sands Tan

Sephora Foundations

Wearing:

Dena: Kinga Csilla https://kingacsilla.com

Alicia: Jewels by Ember and Maple https://embersandmaple.com.au/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In todays episode Dena's opening with some low vibes talking about the online bullying she's been dealing with, but then the girls get on with the show because who's got time for bullys. The Wicked Saga begins, you dont want to miss this story. we have been changed, for good.

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🌸 Life Academy: www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast

⏱️ TikTok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠

Dreamwork and Recs:

Go for a walk in nature without your phone, hear nature, and get grounded.

Salomon Sneakers: https://salomon.com.au/

Wearing:

Dena: https://aramintajames.com.au/

Alicia:

Jewels by Ember and Maple https://embersandmaple.com.au/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First things first the girls talk about their Christmas spirit excitement, but hold tight because today in the academy of life- Dena and Alicia sit down with Steph Claire Smith: the ultimate girl boss! She is the co Founder of wellness brand KIC. It was her personal experience with toxic wellness in her early 20s, fuelled by social media and the modelling industry, that sparked a fire in her belly to make a difference, rewrite the diet ‘rule book’ we were once told and help others build a healthy and more sustainable relationship with food & exercise. Steph has owned multiple successful businesses, is an international model to some of the world’s biggest brands, author, host of the KICBUMP podcast and co-host of the KICPOD. She’s been listed in the AFR young rich list and Forbes 30 under 30, but the hat she wears proudest is that she’s a mum to Harvey and Billie.

Dena and Steph have known each other for years so it was great to have this catchup and talk all things motherhood, the juggle, entrepreneurship, family life and the crazy days of early instagram and the modelling world. We hope you love this episode! If you do please subscribe and stay in touch! We love you besties 😉 dreamers? besties? bees? you tell us.

Connect with Steph: https://www.instagram.com/stephclairesmith

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠

DreamWork/Homework Recs:

Box breathing (and breath work in general)

Dress My Tour on Disney+

Maddy from Cleansee Studio for a life-changing facial. https://www.instagram.com/cleanseestudio

Wearing:

Dena: https://www.instagram.com/aramintajames

Alicia: Brixton and Dissh

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of Life Lately on Life Academy, the girls sit down for a much needed Bestie Debrief Sesh. 💖🫶

Alicia opens up about body-image wobbles, overwhelm, and that delightful inner critic who seems to have no hobbies other than yelling at her (honestly… get a job). 😵‍💫 Both girls chat through the ever-present mother guilt that can eat us alive before we’ve even had our first coffee ☕️💀

Meanwhile, Dena is unpacking her insanely stacked schedule, juggling wild uni hours, retreats, makeup work, and motherhood. 🧠💄👶 She shares a few stories from her psych studies, the self retreat & gives us the inside scoop on her recent makeup masterclass, which she absolutely loved teaching.

And yes… in true on-brand fashion, Dena found herself back in hospital for her back (again, EDS girlies unite) 🏥🙃. The update wasn’t great, but she’s rolling with it. Her mental health has been solid lately, and she’ll take physical pain over emotional pain any day.

The girls get real about the desire for another baby 👶❤️ and all the reasons it completely terrifies them. Alicia talks through some unsettling body-image thoughts, while Dena tries to tell Alicia’s inner mean girl to go F#&K herself (with love, of course). ✋😤

We all need to turn down F%$KED FM the radio station in our heads that literally no one subscribed to.

Thanks for listening to our chaos, and thank you to Celsius for making this episode of Life Academy possible. 💛✨

Don't forget to hit subscribe if you are loving the pod and if you want to join the inner circle join our private fb group.

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠

Recs / Homework:

https://www.theselfretreats.com

https://www.sharethedignity.org.au

👚 Wearing:

Dena – Sabbi Jacket

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In todays episode Dena sits down with her dear Uncle Barry aka Barry Goodman to listen to his incredible and fascinating life story, from tragic beginning to so many twists and turns. Dena knew she had to share this insane story with our listeners. Barry is an incredible and resilient human being (who happens to be Denas uncle) he is deeply passionate about connection and we cant wait for you to hear his remarkable story filled with faith and hope and gratitude.

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/denaamy⁠

🌸 Alicia: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast⁠

💬 Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/⁠434/

Recs / Homework:

Cold water swims! Get in the ocean people.

Practise pause and have some humility.

Practise deep self love and compassion

Go to therapy! We all need it.

Go to THE SELF RETREAT!

Wearing:

Dena- Feather & Noise & Stax Sweatsuit

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Life Academy, we’re joined by the absolutely incredible Olivia Molly Rogers and wow, what a chat this was! ✨

Olivia is a woman of many talents: a speech pathologist, fashion influencer, model, runner, artist and podcast host. You might also know her as Miss Universe Australia 2017, but beyond the glamour, Olivia has become a powerful voice for mental health awareness, self-worth, and authentic living.

She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside- open, kind, and full of wisdom. In this conversation, Olivia shares her journey through eating disorders, heartbreak, and rediscovering herself, reminding us that healing and growth often come from being real, not perfect. 💕

We laughed, we got deep, and honestly, we both have the biggest girl crush on her, you’re going to love this one.

Connect with Olivia:

💫 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviamollyrogers

Connect with us:

🌸 Dena: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy

🌸 Alicia: https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast

💬 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/

Recs / Homework:

Thank you to LBDO for the spicy gift https://www.lbdo.com/

Read some fiction novels for fun!

(Lisa Jewell and Frieda Mcfadden books)

Journalling

https://passaroundthesmile.com/collections/journals/products/your-mindful-journal

https://www.mydailyritual.app/ by Liv Phyland.

Biodance collagen mask https://www.beautyamora.com.au/bio-collagen-real-deep-mask-4pcs

Diary of a CEO womens health expert episode.

Wearing:

👗 Dena: Sabbi

👗 Alicia: Princess Polly

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices