Life Uncut

Hey Lifers!!

Welcome to Laura’s 40th birthday party! She’s got another party coming but her friends have taken over party planning and it’s becoming an extravaganza! Britt’s been tasked with finding a magician and we’re all on the hunt for Laura’s birth time for her birth chart.

We have a nice sentimental moment when we get to share some of the ways that Laura has impacted your lives. Some are heartfelt and beautiful, some are absolutely hilarious.

Laura also gets a personalised surprise performance by the incredible Hannah Conda 

We need to talk about Taylor Frankie Paul and the cancellation of the bachelorette in the US.
ABC pulled the season three days before it was supposed to air. They pulled the season after WE saw the violent video, not because they became aware of the past behaviour of the person they chose to cast!
We speak about:

• Whether Taylor was cast because of controversy or in spite of it?
• The courts vs the court of public opinion
• How far the ‘line’ is being pushed by casting someone with criminal charges
• ABC's culpability
• Britt and Laura’s lived experience with the bachelor and why certain people are cast
• The background checks that they do

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Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

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Welcome back to your ask uncut where we unpack your deep and burning questions!

Do you argue with your partner about household admin?

 
Vibes for the week:
Sensor light link
Britt - Marlo & Co Dog seat cover
Laura - Queen of Chess documentary on Netflix
Keeshia - @breeonabudget and Petrol Spy App 

Then we jump into your questions!

WANT MY BF TO USE A PET NAME EX USED
Is it weird to want my new boyfriend to call me the pet name that my ex used to call me? I am not one for pet names, especially ones like Bub, babe, lovey etc. But in my past relationship I adopted the name potato. Yes weird, it was because part of my name was similar to the word potato in his language, but I loveddd it. Whenever I heard it I felt giddy and personalised and special etc. I really miss that word lol and yearn to be called potato again. I am very much moved on from my ex and love my current partner and saying potato doesn’t bring ex desires. So is there a way that I can ask or play out to my new partner that I want to be called potato? Or do I very sadly let this go haha

FRIEND CONSTANTLY STORY TOPS ME DURING CONVERSATIONS
How do I call out a friend that constantly brings up her own experience/s when I share mine? For example, if I share something about my kid, she won’t even acknowledge it and just share an anecdote about hers. Or if I tell her about a work thing, she’ll respond by saying how she’s been so busy and her manager is being difficult. Sometimes I think she’s trying to show me that she gets it and is being relatable. But talking to her is so invalidating and exhausting but I also don’t know how to call her out on it?? It really seems like she thinks she’s being a good friend when really she’s making every conversation about herself!

PARTNER DELETING SEARCH HISTORY
I’ve been with my partner a decade, we are about to get married very soon. Since early on in the relationship, he's always followed loads of women that post very sexy content and actually just loads of women in general, often liking posts. This used to really affect me when I was younger and it made me feel super insecure. He was fully aware of how I felt about this though. Time and time again I was having to remind him of why this hurts me and I wasn't okay with it, even though he'd continue. But then he turned it down over the years. Fast forward to now. I feel so much more secure in myself and I feel like I've grown so much over the years with my self-confidence. And I also trust him, honestly, rarely thinking or worrying about what he's up to on social media. However, just today I asked him if I could look at something on his phone or on Instagram. My phone was dead and instead of him just handing his phone over to me, he kept the phone and went to the search bar and asked me, what do you want to look up? About to look it up for himself. As he did this, I noticed he quickly started deleting multiple searches from his recent search history. I immediately asked why he felt the need to remove his searches, and why it was an issue for me to say he didn't really give me an answer of what the searches were, but said he didn't want to get in trouble. I asked why he felt like he'd get in trouble, and obviously it was something that would be upsetting for me to see. The fact that he decided to remove them immediately in front of my eyes. He said he was sorry and it was something he shouldn't have been looking at, but didn't really admit to. What now?I wouldn't say I've ever been a controlling partner. And I know it's so normal for men to look at other women and think that they're attractive. He has free will, and I have no right to be looking into his search history. However, my issue is with him seeking women out in social media constantly, even when he knows it gets under my skin.

It's made me feel really icky. Is this normal? I don't feel like I'm asking too much to expect of a partner that isn't looking at other women on social media constantly, or am I overreacting?

PARTNER DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN OR LET LOOSE
My partner and I have been together for 8 years. We live quite different lives where I work in a bar which is social and I often go out afterwards and he has a standard 9-5. We own a house together and are getting married in May. We went to a wedding on the weekend and I noticed on the dance floor all these happy couples dancing, paying full attention to one another and both laughing and letting loose. My partner doesn’t behave like this, is quite awkward and seems like he doesn’t know how to dance or ever fully let loose. Others have noticed this too…….How can you get your partner to loosen up a little or is expecting this of him too much?

You can watch us on Youtube

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Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Offcuts where we chat about whatever piqued our interest this week in a light, fun little package to send you off on your weekend!

We chat:

• Britt has found her hallpass
• Punch's new girlfriend
• Is Timothee's Oscar's downfall Jenner coded?
• Date my mate powerpoints
• The neuroscience that explains why mums wake up more than dad
• An opposing view on the infamous coldplay kisscam moment

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is so much conversation at the moment about the Epstein files and the trafficking of young women and girls. But while all the conversations seem to be around  who was involved, who knew what and how this went uncovered for so long, the actual stories of survivors and their incredible strength can be lost. So today we are speaking to a trafficking survivor.

Lurata Lyon's life story is one of unimaginable hardship and extraordinary resilience. As a child in war-torn Yugoslavia, Lurata endured the horrors of war, being separated from her family, and being taken by human traffickers - not once, but twice. After surviving the first trafficking and returning home, Lurata was kidnapped by Serbia's illegitimate army. She was tortured, abused and held in captivity for 6 months. 

Through her harrowing experiences of torment, abuse, and near-death, Lurata not only survived but found the strength to share her story with the world with the mission of stopping this happening to other children and young women.

We speak about:

• Why traditional media aren’t talking about human trafficking
• Lurata’s story of how she kidnapped and brought to a human trafficking boss
• The one thing she said that changed their plans for her
• How she escaped their horrific abuse
• How Lurata was taken a second time
• How she survived living in a ‘box’ that felt like a coffin
• How her father saved her
• Lurata’s life afterwards; how she found refuge in the UK and found love 
• Why Lurata shares her story and how common trafficking is

You can find Lurata’s book here 

You can follow Lurata here 

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Lifers!
Britt has had a bit of a morning. Laura feels like she’s been on a bender from a lack of sleep but she may have found a solution (to knowing how much sleep she’s getting rather than actually getting more sleep). We have a particularly candid chat about botox and Britt shares the most recent embarrassing situation that she’s gotten herself into.

We all watched a documentary this week that has left a lot of the world quite shocked about the realities of the content being shared amongst young men. It’s the new Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere on Netflix, and it’s exactly what the title suggests; Louis Theroux diving into the online world of influencers who are shaping how a lot of young men think about masculinity, dating and women.

We speak about:

• Why so many young men drawn to these ideas about masculinity, power and women
• The Manosphere is a huge grift
• The algorithm is partly to blame
• The ludicrous amount of contradictions they make
• Who the doco was actually made for

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to your ask uncut where we unpack your deep and burning questions!
Vibes for the week:
Laura - Claude 
Britt - @rainbowdads
Keeshia - The Dinner Ladies 

Then we jump into your questions!

6 YEARS AND HES NEVER POSTED A PIC OF ME
My boyfriend has never posted a photo of me, and we’ve been together for six years. He was previously married, and our relationship started as an affair. Up until last year, he still had photos of his ex-wife on his social media, and I eventually asked him to take them down because it really hurt me. He’s honestly a great partner in every other way — there aren’t any obvious red flags. But he has never posted me, not once, and it quietly bothers me more than I’d like to admit. I think part of me worries that he feels embarrassed about how our relationship began, or that he doesn’t want to publicly acknowledge it because of the history. I know it might sound trivial, but it doesn’t feel trivial to me.

IS CHEATING ACCEPTABLE IF ITS FOR SPIRITUAL AWAKENING?
I’ve been dating an amazing guy for 5 weeks (known him 8 months), early days but the most emotionally mature relationship I’ve ever experienced. He told me he had these spiritual growth weekend workshops coming up which involve sexual energy which he had booked months ago and didn’t want them to come between our connection. He is always honest and transparent about everything with me and invites any questions I might have. I just said I am supportive of his passion for this. 

After the first workshop he reassured me there were no sexual interactions. However, the next workshop is the amalgamation of all learnings and the final part involves penetrative sex and that he is partnered up with his ex (it wasn’t possible for me to do it as I hadn’t done the prep work). He strongly reiterated that he doesn't have any feelings towards her and he wants to pursue things with me. I said I was uncomfortable and it triggered jealousy and low self-worth in me. I didn’t explicitly say “don’t do this because it will hurt me and I don’t know if I could stay with you” but I thought I made my emotions clear. I said “if you feel you need to do this, then do what feels right” (I regret this).

So it happened, he did it. He could completely compartmentalise this act within the workshop and feels nothing for his ex, and he was really looking forward to being with me. Intellectually, I can understand the delineation between this and cheating but my nervous system does not. I feel like I wasn’t chosen and that my feelings weren’t considered. I ended it and we’re both devastated. I’m having second thoughts, he was transparent and honest, I didn’t explicitly express my boundaries… is this something I can overcome?

WHICH TOILET TO USE WITH KIDS?
Curious to know where people are at with the following scenario: a parent on their own, taking their child/children of the opposite gender to the toilets (public toilets or at a venue etc) when there may not be a gender neutral option available (whether that be because there isn’t one, or it is occupied and child is absolutely desperate) Do they take them to the child’s “correct” toilet? Wait outside? Or take them to the adult’s “correct” toilet, and at what age would people consider this no longer appropriate? Different answers to these questions, based on if the adult is male or female?? As a second point, do people think using the disabled toilets (for the above reason) is okay? Obviously these are rightfully meant for those that require the extra accessibility, so unsure if it feels wrong to occupy it - even when the purpose is to keep children safe?

HAVE I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION?
Have I made the right decision? I recently ended my relationship, we were together for 8 months. We had so much fun in that time and we went overseas together. Things have been a bit rocky on and off but overall it was great; he was all the things I look for in a guy; he respected me, made me laugh plus so many other great qualities. I’m not sure if I was completely happy, but I’m aware that I have to create my own happiness. Have I just been jeopardising our relationship to prevent myself from being happy by not picking? I’m sad now every time I think of our time together and look back through photos. How do I know if I made the right decision? I would love your advice and opinions on this. It’s been a month and I’m still sad. 

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

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Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Offcuts where we chat about whatever piqued our interest this week in a light, fun little package to send you off on your weekend!

We chat:

• Silent retreats
• Penguins and their pebbles
• Should all cheaters have to do this escape room?
• The customer isn’t always right
• The terrifying trend to do with ‘obeying’ and younger men are most likely to be into it

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is one of our most beloved comedians, writers, broadcasters and content creators Tanya Hennessy! We first sat down with Tanya just over a year ago when she shared one of the most challenging and heartbreaking chapters of her life, her fertility journey. She spoke openly about their IVF journeys (all 7 rounds), the emotional and financial toll it had taken and that deep knowing she had a little girl waiting for her.  You can listen/watch here

Since then, Tanya’s life has completely changed. She’s had her baby girl Scottie and she’s released her 8th book!

Today we chat:

• How Tanya will never write smut books
• Being painfully anxious during pregnancy
• What it was like to finally hold her baby girl (it’s not quite what you think)
• The high followed by the crash
• Is motherhood what Tanya expected it to be?
• The expectation of motherhood vs the reality
• Where Scottie’s name came from
• What Tanya feels helped her get pregnant
• How becoming a parent affected her relationship
• Why she wrote Sunny and Storm

You can find more from Tanya on Instagram 

You can get a copy of her latest book Sunny and Storm

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Lifers!
Britt is ‘trying something new’ today and she’s been humbled by her closest friends.
P*rnhub has locked Aussies out and Britt has revisited her saucy past. Have you ever vetted a nude for a friend?
Laura’s realising that her nearly 7 year old daughter has got impeccable taste but is also getting a little sneaky!
Keeshia has a PSA about getting fire extinguishers for your home after her next door neighbour’s laundry burnt down last week.

There’s a reel we came across this week that had us thinking about expectations and only celebrating ‘traditional’ milestones for our friends. Do you or your friends only celebrate/put time and money into the typical celebrations like hens parties, weddings and baby showers??

“This story is inspired by actual events. Certain depictions of people and events have been dramatized or fictionalized for story telling purposes”.
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is one of the most streamed shows in the world but we are once again left questioning how much creative freedom writers should have when the people they’re depicting are real.
Daryl Hannah has written a piece in the New York Times and said that the version of her on the show is “not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John.”
She has also noted that “the choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident”. We ask if it was necessary for Daryl Hannah to be depicted in this way so we would barrack for Carolyn? Do we still need such a blatant heroine vs villain narrative?

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Keeshia Pettit 

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Ask Uncut, where we answer your deep and burning questions!
Vibes for the week:
Britt - Weekender Premium Foldable Travel Bag
Laura - The Perfect Neighbor on Netflix 
Keeshia - Lexon Mina Sunrise Sunrise Alarm Clock 

PARTNER HAS TERRIBLE DENTAL HYGIENE 
My partner of a decade has terrible dental hygiene. Always has, but when he lived at home during our early years of dating, his mum would nag him about it so it wasn't as bad. He has a huge fear of the dentist, and despite many conversations, me booking appointments for him (that get cancelled) etc, nothing changes. I've even told him how scared it makes me for his health, because I know dental problems can lead to more. On top of that, it kills our intimacy. Sometimes I can barely stand to be near him when he's talking, let alone kiss him. He's given me UTI's before from eating me out. What the hell can I even do at this point, the fight feels futile.

CONCERT TICKET ETTIQUITE
I'm a massive Hilary Duff fan. Three of us decided to go together, so we all entered the week-long battle trying to get seats. On the final day another friend said she’d try too and would grab tickets for herself and me if she got in. Well… she actually got through and bought them. So I had to tell the original group I already had a ticket. They were not impressed and said I went behind their backs. So here’s my question: what’s the actual concert ticket etiquette? If you say you’re going with a group, are you supposed to stick with them only, even if it means you might miss out completely? Or is it fair game during a ticket sale to try every possible option and see what comes through?

MY PARENTS WANT TO HELP NAME OUR BABY
My parents want to help name our unborn baby. Am I wrong for feeling annoyed by it?? My parents are great, I live interstate from them so I don’t see them often (maybe once or twice a year). I’m 38 weeks pregnant and keep getting messages from my mum suggesting names for our baby. Is it just me or is naming your baby something special between you and your partner? I know it’s harmless coming up with suggestions for us but it’s just giving me the ick every time I see another message come through with a new baby name! I understand that living so far away, they feel like they’re missing out on a lot so I’m remaining polite but deep down it’s driving me insane! I’m mindful it could just be pregnancy hormones and I’m over reacting.

DO I TELL MY FRIEND HUSBAND
I just found out my best friend’s husband has been having an affair. She is completely blindsided. The thing is… I’m not surprised. And that’s what’s eating me alive. Last year, my husband and I went away with them for a weekend. At the time, my husband and I were in a really fragile place — we’d recently terminated a pregnancy and were struggling a lot. During that weekend, my best friend’s husband hit on me. Nothing huge or explicit, but enough that it was clear. I never reciprocated, I never crossed a line, and nothing happened. But if I’m brutally honest… I liked the attention. I was feeling low and disconnected in my own relationship, and it felt good to be wanted. I shut it down and we basically pretended it didn’t happen. After that weekend, I told my husband I didn’t trust him and that I thought he was the type who would cheat one day. Fast forward to now — we’ve just found out on another trip away that he’s been having an affair. She is shattered. And I feel so guilty that I didn’t warn her about the vibe I got from him a year ago. Part of me thinks: what would I even have said? “Your husband hit on me and I have a feeling he’ll cheat?” That feels messy and potentially friendship-ending. But another part of me feels like I failed her by staying quiet.

Now I’m stuck wondering:

• Do I tell my husband (if he doesn’t already know the full extent of how it made me feel)?
• Do I tell my best friend what happened last year?
• Or is this truly none of my business and I just support her now?

I never betrayed my husband. I never betrayed her. But I can’t shake the guilt. What would you do?

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne

Produced by Keeshia Pettit

Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.