In this episode of Life After I Left, I’m joined by the phenomenal Justine Stockings, a woman who has worn many titles: engineer, educator, entrepreneur, and entertainer. But more recently, she's been known for escaping cancer.

At just 33, Justine received a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis. What followed was a whirlwind of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, but also deep self-discovery, faith, community, and an unwavering commitment to turning her experience into something meaningful.

In this conversation, Justine walks us through the exact moment she knew something wasn’t right in her body, and what it was like to be diagnosed, all while juggling a career, a promotion, and a future that suddenly looked very different.

In this episode, we cover:

• How a conversation with her GP months before diagnosis may have saved her life
• Why self-advocacy is non-negotiable in the medical system, and in life
• The moment she received a long-awaited job promotion… 12 minutes before hearing “you have cancer”
• How she faced multiple surgeries, unexpected complications, and navigating private vs public healthcare
• How she’s on a mission to remove stigma around heavy topics and empower other people
• The power of controlling the narrative, shifting perspectives and self-talk during challenging times

If you’re a woman navigating your own health challenges, know of someone navigating challenges, or want to hear from someone who found power in a difficult time, this one’s for you.

Connect with Justine on Instagram and TikTok.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

In this episode of Life After I Left, we're joined by the incredible Kobe Clarke-Jacobs, founder of Finance With Kobe, a mortgage broker on a mission to make finance fun, simple, and accessible.

Fuelled by her love for property (and hot chocolate), Kobe takes us through her incredible journey, one marked by misdiagnosis, chronic illness, and resilience.

After a promising career in real estate as a buyer’s advocate, Kobe’s world was turned upside down when her health began to deteriorate with no answers in sight. What followed was a long and emotional road to receiving diagnoses for Graves’ disease, chronic fatigue, and cutaneous lupus.

But this isn’t just a story about illness, it’s a story about tenacity, transformation, and the fire that gets lit when someone tells you “you can’t.”

In this episode, Kobe shares:

• Her devastating early experiences with doctors dismissing her symptoms
• The reality of navigating chronic illness in your early 20s
• How one empowering doctor changed everything with a life-altering surgery
• Why she pivoted from real estate to mortgage broking, and never looked back
• The moment her boss said, “You’ll be a bad broker if you only work part-time”, and how that sparked the launch of her own business
• Building a thriving company, all while working part-time and living with chronic illness

This is more than a business journey. It’s about trusting your gut and redefining what success looks like, on your terms.

Whether you live with a chronic illness, are building a business, or need a reminder that your voice matters, this is an episode you can’t miss.

Connect with Kobe on Instagram and on her website.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

In this solo episode, I share a deeply personal and powerful story that’s rarely talked about: the long, confusing, and frustrating journey of living with undiagnosed health challenges, until everything finally starts to make sense.

From being a flexible, active kid and passionate dancer to collapsing in a nightclub and being brushed off by medical professionals, this is a raw and real account of what it’s like to go through injury, chronic pain, and surgery without answers, all while trying to live a full life and enjoy my passions.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What it was like growing up with a “bendy” body and being dismissed as just flexible
• The traumatic moment a dislocated kneecap changed everything
• Years of misdiagnosis and the emotional toll of being dismissed by medical professionals
• What finally led to the truth
• Discovering a diagnosis that finally made everything make sense

Whether you’ve experienced similar symptoms, are navigating chronic illness, or support someone who is, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not imagining it and that you’re not alone.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Audio: Just a heads-up, the audio in the first few guest interviews isn’t perfect (we’ve been navigating a few tech gremlins), but everyone must start somewhere. Please stick with us, the stories are worth it, and the audio will improve.

This week’s episode is a deeply powerful and heartfelt conversation with life coach, speaker, and podcast host, Elisha Tamasi, a woman whose story will both move and empower you.

From childhood body image issues and toxic diet culture to hitting rock bottom and rebuilding her self-worth from the ground up, Elisha shares her raw, real, and transformational journey toward self-love and confidence.

In this episode, we cover:

• How early childhood experiences shaped her beliefs about her body
• Dieting from age 11 and the impact of diet culture on young girls
• Hitting rock bottom - emotionally, financially, and physically
• The truth about weight loss and why it didn’t bring the happiness she expected
• How she finally broke free from the cycle of body shame
• Discovering coaching and rebuilding her life with radical self-compassion
• Why she’s now fiercely passionate about helping other women feel worthy, and lead lives they truly adore

Elisha doesn’t hold back in this conversation. You’ll hear how she turned pain into purpose, and how she's now using her voice to help women reclaim their power, rewrite the stories they’ve been told, and love themselves unconditionally.

Connect with Elisha on Instagram and check out her podcast and programs here

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable

Trigger and language warning: This episode includes brief discussions of sensitive topics, including drug use, drug overdose, and experiences within the foster care system. If this feels triggering for you, please take care of yourself and consider skipping this episode. This episode also contains occasional strong language and swearing.

Audio: Just a heads-up, the audio in the first few guest interviews isn’t perfect (we’ve been navigating a few tech gremlins), but everyone must start somewhere. Please stick with us, the stories are worth it, and the audio will improve.

Today, we’re joined by the powerhouse that is Hayleigh Watson, double founder, podcast host, and your go-to biz bestie for building a sustainable, feel-good business. She’s the heart behind Girls Gotta Work, a podcast and community for female founders, and HaliHelper, a business support agency.

Before she became a leader in the online business space, Hayleigh’s story began in chaos...

In this episode, we cover:

• What it was like growing up in the foster care system
• How abandonment, survival mode, and scarcity shaped her early life
• The 10-year relationship that nearly broke her, and how she chose herself for the first time
• Starting again: divorce, moving states, and building a business from scratch
• The importance of community, self-trust, and showing up authentically
• Why she’s on a mission to help other women feel seen and supported

This conversation isn’t just about trauma, it’s about healing. About finding freedom, reclaiming your identity, your joy, and your purpose.

You’ll laugh, you might cry, and most importantly, you’ll walk away inspired to choose you.

Connect with Hayleigh on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Girls Gotta Work Podcast  ⁠

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram ⁠@lifeafterileftpodcast⁠ - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5 star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Audio: Just a heads-up, the audio in the first few guest interviews isn’t perfect (we’ve been navigating a few tech gremlins), but everyone must start somewhere. Please stick with us, the stories are worth it, and the audio will improve.

Welcome to the first guest episode of Life After I Left!

And what better way to kick things off than with a powerhouse guest who embodies personal transformation, bold storytelling, and the courage to step into the unknown?

In this episode, I sit down with Jacqui Maloney, a speaking and communications coach, to talk about what it takes to build a personal brand, break out of comfort zones, and navigate the highs and lows of life on the road.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jacqui’s decision to leave Melbourne and embrace digital nomad life, with all the emotional ups and downs that followed
• The real talk on loneliness, community building, and creating connections while constantly moving
• How shifting her business online opened up unexpected growth and global opportunities
• The secret sauce to building a personal brand people remember, even when you’re not in the room
• Why visibility, showing up authentically, and taking small bold steps (like cracking a joke in a service lift) can change everything
• My own reflections on growing as a speaker and podcast host, and how Jacqui’s coaching helped me launch this podcast and the Life After I Left live events

This episode is a reminder that the journey after “leaving” isn’t always glamorous, but it can be deeply transformational, especially when you stay true to yourself and your mission.

Connect with Jacqui on her ⁠website⁠, on ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram ⁠@lifeafterileftpodcast⁠- I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5 star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable

Trigger warning: This episode discusses experiences of domestic violence and emotional abuse. If this feels triggering for you, please take care of yourself and consider skipping this episode. Support resources are linked below if you or someone you know needs them.

This next episode is deeply personal because it's my story.

For the first time on Life After I Left, I’m stepping into the vulnerable seat normally reserved for my incredible guests.

I open up about the beliefs I was taught as a young girl, the 20 years of unhealthy relationships that followed, and the life-changing decision to leave abusive relationships behind.

You’ll hear about:

• How childhood conditioning shaped my relationships for decades

• The pivotal moment I knew I had to leave to survive

• The messy, beautiful journey of healing through therapy, coaching, and community

• How I rebuilt my life, learned to love myself, and found my voice again

• How that healing has empowered me to mentor, advocate, and speak out

If you’ve ever felt silenced, stuck, ashamed, or broken, you need to hear this:

You are not broken. You are not alone. You deserve to be seen, heard, loved, and respected. Exactly as you are.

If you are a DV violence survivor or facing a similar situation, I'm here for you. You can connect with me on Instagram ⁠@lifeafterileftpodcast⁠

If you need urgent support, reach out to one of these incredible services:

1800RESPECT – National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service

Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)

Text: 0458 737 732

Website: https://www.1800respect.org.au

Safe Steps – Family violence response centre (Victoria)

Phone: 1800 015 188 (24/7)

Website: https://safesteps.org.au

Lifeline – Crisis support and suicide prevention

Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)

Text: 0477 13 11 14

Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue – Mental health support for anxiety and depression

Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)

Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service – For people affected by suicide

Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)

Website: https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

13YARN – Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Phone: 13 92 76 (24/7)

Website: https://www.13yarn.org.au

Sexual Assault Crisis Line (Victoria) – For recent or past sexual assault

Phone: 1800 806 292 (24/7)

Website: https://sacl.com.au

Kids Helpline – For young people aged 5–25

Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)

Website: https://kidshelpline.com.au/​

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram ⁠@lifeafterileftpodcast⁠- I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5 star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Welcome to the FIRST episode of Life After I Left with Cat Dunn.

This podcast has been on my heart for a long time, and I’m beyond excited to finally bring it to life.

This show is for women who’ve faced the hardest moments of their lives and are ready to speak up, show up, and build something real, bold, and unapologetically theirs. If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

In this first episode, I’m sharing:

• My journey from OBM and mentor to LIVE storytelling events and creating this podcast
• Why I’m taking Life After I Left from the stage to your ears
• What you can expect every Thursday
• How you can get involved and be part of this growing community

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram ⁠@lifeafterileftpodcast⁠- I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5 star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Welcome to Life After I Left with Cat Dunn.