The producer of DANCE ACADEMY is here DALINGS!!! 💜💜💜

Joanna Werner – the legendary producer who created the show that changed all of our lives – is finally here. We're talking origin stories (she and Sam had the SAME vision at 3am after drinks!!!), the insane casting process where Alicia ate a banana while the whole class waited, why Dena was always Abigail, and the devastating decision behind killing Sammy.

Plus Joanna gets real about IVF, being pregnant while filming the movie in New York, and how she built boundaries as a working mum in an industry that used to pretend families didn't exist.

This episode is pure magic and we're so grateful she's part of our story 💕

2:13 The Origin Story – How Joanna met Sam Strauss at 3am

12:04 Alicia's audition – "If she can dance, she's in the show"

21:02 The final callbacks – Who would be Kat?

24:06 The banana incident – Alicia stopped the whole audition to eat

31:19 DENA ARRIVES – Car troubles but she made it!

32:48 "She's Abigail. Go." – Joanna always knew

40:46 Thank you for Dance Academy – The gift that keeps giving

50:28 Why we killed Sammy – The truth behind the decision (it was nearly Ben!)

57:00 Dance Academy season 4? – What would it take?

1:00:18 Alicia's rec – Go to the dentist!

1:01:50 Dena's rec – Imperfect Women on Apple TV + chocolate coconut water

1:03:53 Joanna's rec – Audiobooks! James, Scar Tissue, Anna Karenina

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Recs/Homework:

Go to the dentist: Joanna's root canal exploded after Dance Academy – don't wait!

Imperfect Women: Apple TV series starring Elisabeth Moss – Dena's obsessed.

Chocolate Coconut Water: Coca Bella brand, icy cold – Alicia hates it, Dena loves it.

Audiobooks (Audible): James by Percival Everett (Booker Prize winner), Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis, Funny Story by Emily Henry, Anna Karenina (the 28-hour classic!)

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Is the world turned upside down or is pop culture just so unhinged right now?! 💜

First up – Dena drops some SERIOUS tea about Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom from Coachella (you wanna hear this)!! Speaking of Coachella, Sabrina Carpenter put on a full Broadway musical and made Taylor Swift's show look basic (sorry not sorry). Justin Bieber played YouTube videos on his laptop and we have THOUGHTS.

On a lighter note – Jacob Elordi and Kendall Jenner were spotted making out at the after party – two tall hotties, we're obsessed. And since we're talking about Jacob, we also get into the Euphoria premiere drama – Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney are beefing and the cast literally hates each other?!

Your two unqualified pop culture journalists are back and we love you!!! 💕

1:58 Coachella 2026 – Let's get into it

7:24 Sabrina Made Taylor Swift Look Basic – Sorry not sorry!

9:53 Dena's Coachella Story – Meeting Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom backstage

11:21 Ruby Rose Accused Katy Perry Of SA – The Melbourne allegations

12:09 Jacob Elordi & Kendall Jenner – Two tall hotties at Coachella

13:52 Margot Robbie Mum-Shaming – Why are people mad she looks hot?!

16:11 Euphoria Season 3 Drama – Zendaya vs Sydney Sweeney & cast beef

21:26 Khloé & Lamar Documentary – Addiction, fame & heartbreak

25:21 Report Card – Sabrina A+++, Euphoria drama D

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Recs/Homework:

Sabrina Carpenter's Coachella Set: Watch it on YouTube – Fosse, Flashdance, Dirty Dancing, Chicago & Chorus Line references!

Khloé & Lamar Documentary: "Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom" on Netflix – fascinating look at addiction.

Olivia Dean: Keep an eye on her – one to watch!

Euphoria Season 3: Now streaming on HBO/Binge.

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It's Life Lately time DALINGS!!! 💜

Let's address the elephant in the room – NO, Dena is not engaged. Alex took her on a mysterious 9am date and she was convinced it was happening... but it was pottery. POTTERY. The most wholesome, very Alex thing ever 😂

We're deep in our self-care era (Soak Haus head spa literally reset our nervous systems), Dena's organisation hyperfocus is giving ADHD queen, Maya had her first playdate and it was absolute chaos, Alicia got a sign from her grandparents that made her sob, and Dena has a story involving laxatives and a bush…. You've been warned 💀💕

We love you, we overshare, you're welcome 💕

1:19 THE 9AM DATE – Was it a proposal? No. It was pottery 😂

3:22 Dena's Organisation Era – ADHD hyperfocus, pantry goals

13:47 soak Haus Head Spa – Nervous system reset, stars on the ceiling

16:27 Squeeze Therapy – Biohacking, red light, compression boots

21:08 Thrifter – Rent a rack, sell your secondhand clothes

24:58 Maya's First Playdate – Full meltdowns, toddlers can't share

34:27 Alicia's Grandparent Signs – The psychic moment that made her cry

40:10 Cleo Massey Event – We're guests at Pass Around The Smile!

43:25 THE BUSH STORY – Laxatives, acro, zero regrets 💀

48:40 Recs – Electric toothbrush & manicures with your kids

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Recs/Homework:

Suri Electric Toothbrush: Charges once a month, UV sanitising travel case – life changing!

Soak Haus Head Spa: Japanese head spa in Melbourne – nervous system reset in one appointment.

Cleansee Studio: Holistic facial with lymphatic massage – Alicia's skin is glowing!

Therapee: Biohacking wellness in Eltham – red light, compression, oxygen therapy.

Thrifter: Rent a rack, sell your secondhand clothes – sustainability queen energy.

Library Hack: Borrow 20 books for 12 weeks FREE – bedtime stories sorted!

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We're back dAlings!!! 💜 Your two unqualified pop culture experts here to tell you what we know (which is not much) and what we think (which is A LOT).

First up: Zendaya and Rob Pattinson's press tour for The Drama – she's so PR trained it's insane, and he just... makes stuff up in interviews?! We also need to talk about Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi – because no, they're not in love, it's literally just good marketing (we've been in those meetings!!!) Then we get into the Louis Theroux Manosphere documentary (Alicia cried, it's horrifying), Tyra Banks showing zero accountability in the ANTM doco.

Oh and Dance For Your Life – the Aussie dance film that had us sobbing, Devil Wears Prada 2 is coming, and Aussie makeup is trending!!!

1:39 The Drama – Zendaya & Rob Pattinson's press tour

6:36 Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi – It's marketing, not romance!!!

12:38 Louis Theroux Manosphere Documentary – Alicia cried watching it

16:49 America's Next Top Model Documentary – Tyra Banks, zero accountability

19:30 Dance For Your Life – The Aussie dance film we're obsessed with

20:24 Emily & Max – we're rooting for you!!!

22:07 Aussie Makeup Trend – bronze skin, freckles, lined lips

23:01 Devil Wears Prada 2 – Anne Hathaway's press tour coming

25:04 Report Card – A+ Margot & Zendaya, F to manosphere & Tyra

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Recs/Homework:

The Drama: Zendaya & Rob Pattinson – don't look up spoilers, just go see it!

Dance For Your Life: Aussie dance documentary film – incredible, emotional, must watch.

Louis Theroux Manosphere Documentary: Hard watch but important – talk to your sons.

America's Next Top Model Documentary: Tyra Banks exposed – wild.

Devil Wears Prada 2: Coming soon – watch Anne Hathaway's press tour outfits!!!

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Time to sleep like a log DALINGS!!! 💜

Dr Sumedha Verma is a sleep psychologist and researcher who's here to bust every myth you've ever heard about sleep – and trust us, there are A LOT.

The 8-hour rule? Lies. Your Apple Watch sleep score? Useless. That spiral of "why can't I sleep" making it worse? YEP. We go deep on this one – Dena shares her insomnia and PTSD story (she couldn't even look at a bed without panicking), Alicia finally gets answers about why Isla faceplants walls in her sleep, and Sumedha drops so much knowledge we wish we knew years ago.

We needed this episode and we think you will too!!! 💕

This episode is brought to you by Protect-A-Bed: https://protectabed.com.au/

12:22 - Welcome Dr. Sumedha Verma — sleep psychologist & researcher

19:00 - Dena's insomnia story: PTSD, panic attacks & getting back to trust 💛

24:26 - The 8-hour myth — busted by a sleep expert

29:10 - Sleep & mental health: the bidirectional link (it's causation, not correlation)

36:24 - What is sleep hygiene? And why fear is the real sleep disruptor

39:00 - CBT for insomnia — the gold-standard treatment most people don't know exists

48:13 - Sleep drive explained: why napping can push out your bedtime for hours

52:00 - Sleep debt, body compassion & what happens when chemical dependency is involved

59:12 - Is insomnia hereditary? + How to access Medicare-rebated sleep psychology

1:02:30 - Recs & frameworks: fake freckles, rejection goals & sky bathing 🌌

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Recs/Homework:

Mental Health Care Plan: Go to your GP and ask for one – you can see a sleep psychologist through Medicare (up to 10 rebated sessions!)

Deep Sleep Helps: Dr Sumedha's practice – online program plus sessions https://www.drsumedhaverma.com.au/

Megan Thee Stallion / Cardi B: Windows down, music up – Sumedha's go-to for feminine energy.

The Self Retreats: Only 2 spots left for the rest of the year! Grab your spots!! And if you want to join Dena in Bali this is the retreat she’s attending! https://chelsea-faye.mykajabi.com/fayeretreat

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dAlings!! We have the most incredible guest on today and we are still freaking out 💜💜💜 Dr Emma Watkins is here – yes, THE Emma Wiggle, now Emma Memma – and honestly this woman is everything. She flew in to chat with us about her journey from Yellow Wiggle to PhD, creating Emma Memma with her deaf co-performer Elvin, and bringing Auslan to kids everywhere.

We go DEEP – how she became a Wiggle (there was no audition!!!), doing her PhD while touring four shows a day six days a week (!!!), and now running her own children's entertainment company with her husband and sister. Plus she collabed with BLUEY?! We also have the most beautiful conversation about endometriosis, fertility, and pushing through pain as performers.

This one is special. So much warmth, so much wisdom!!! 💕

1:00 Welcome Dr Emma Watkins – Dena's family connection & fangirling

7:00 How She Became The Yellow Wiggle – There was no audition!!!

10:00 The Wiggles Schedule – 4 shows a day, 6 days a week

14:00 Emma Memma Is Born – PhD research meets children's entertainment

20:00 The Bluey Collab – Dancing with Bingo and Bluey!!!

25:00 Endometriosis Journey – Surgery, pain, and speaking out

29:00 Fertility & Motherhood – An honest conversation about the future

34:00 Fame & Disguises – The wig that didn't work 😂

36:00 Emma's Mission – Making Auslan accessible for every family

39:00 Recs – Period undies, Soak House & Convo app

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Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/

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Recs/Homework:

Wunderthings Period Undies: Sleek, comfy, almost sexy – not like nappies! Dena's new obsession.

Soak House Melbourne: Head spa, scalp massage, sensory experience – Alicia fell asleep it was that good.

Convo App: Australia's first 24/7 on-demand sign language interpreting app – Emma's rec for businesses and families.

Emma Memma Live: Get tickets at Live Nation or https://www.emmamemma.com/

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Poo era who?! Welcome to the kinder mum friendship era!!! 💜

Alicia made a mum friend at drop off and squealed in her car about it – we're entering a new chapter darlings. She also MC'd her first wedding, and we need to chat about Crocs being poisonous???

Dena thinks Alex might propose on their 9am date (gut feeling activated), retreats have been chaotic, she's got a new acting agent, and we end up talking about why women read spicy books instead of watching porn.

Such a big catch up energy this week!!! And we missed you guys so muchhhh 💕

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Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/

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Recs/Homework:

Little Soles: Paediatrician-approved kids shoes that slip on like Crocs but aren't poisonous! Aussie brand, designed for busy little bodies.

Gaia Detangler Spray: Natural, organic, magic in a bottle – brush through knotty toddler hair without the screaming.

Benefit Benetint: The OG lip and cheek tint – chuck it on with no makeup and you don't look like a corpse at kinder drop off.

Nature Time: Go pick fruit, sit in the garden, watch dogs at the park – we all need it right now.

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DAlings! Okay so we're doing something different today 💅✨ There's so much going on in pop culture right now and we have OPINIONS!! Dena's heartbroken over Harry Styles' new album (Aperture is incredible but the rest???), Alicia's obsessed with Wuthering Heights and Jacob Elordi in that corset scene, we're both fuming at Timothée Chalamet for calling ballet a "dying art" (as former dancers we have WORDS), and we unpack everything going on with Kyle and Jackie O.Fair warning – this is chaotic, we know nothing, and we had to fact check approximately zero things.

Enjoy!!! 💕

0:00 Did Harry Styles Album Flop?

6:00 Wuthering Heights Review!

10:00 Jacob Elordi – The corset scene changed everything

12:00 Hamnet Review... MUST WATCH15:00 Oscar Season - Our picks

19:00 Timothée Chalamet Drama – Ballet is "dying"???

24:00 Kyle & Jackie O – Publicity Stunt?

31:00 The Pitt – The show winning everything (Dena can't watch it)

33:00 Wrap Up – Let us know if you want more pop culture eps!

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Recs/Homework:

Wuthering Heights: Go see it – cinematically insane, Jacob Elordi and that corset scene, enough said.

Hamnet: Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, heartbreaking and beautiful.

The Pitt: Winning every award, set in an ICU, everyone says it's incredible.

Aperture by Harry Styles: The one good song from the album (sorry Harry stans).

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We're baaaack with another rewatch and this time it's Episode 2 baby!!! 🎬✨

You guys demanded we do every single episode so here we are and honestly we're loving it. We chat about that little kangaroo joey who deserves an award 🦘, how STUNNING Sydney looks in those drone shots, Abigail's villain era kicking off, and the iconic pointe shoe to the face moment 🩰💥. Alicia spills on actually jumping into Sydney Harbour with actual sharks (!!) 🦈 while Dena talks about how hard it is to act bad at hip hop when you're lowkey great at it lol 💃

Whether you're rewatching along with us or hearing these stories for the first time, this one's full of behind-the-scenes secrets, real talk and a lot of laughing at ourselves 😂

Subscribe, leave a review and tell us your fave Ep 2 moments. We love you!!! 💛

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We're back and we're BACK period 💅✨

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