Move it Mama - The Sparkle Pod

Hey pals, back with the Monday debrief again but at a time that throws us. Some DAYS YA KNOW (welcome to school hols). Leece is home with Dan - it's a nice patch in that respect but of course not without its challenges. Naturally we cover that, a trip to Bunnings, boil up, school holiday routines and our seemingly regular rigmaroles. Leece throws a spanner at the end and gives away the orange cardigan - if at all familiar to you, be in to win lol. Thanks for listening to our sisterly catch ups, for all of your messages of kindness and love, your ongoing support and so on.

Our typical Monday morning debrief recorded early afternoon Wednesday and straight into your ear holes for Wednesday night. Going into this chat we really felt we had nothing to give, but between Tresemme haircare and Leece's mispronunciation we had quite a lot of fun. We were also a bit anxious today, for reasons we explain, and to mention now that the news has been received and it was positive news at that so, WOW, just wow. We chat lots of bits, visitors in and out, what's been going on, hair care lol, Ritual42. school holidays and so on. Thanks for being here.

Hello to our sparkly friends - thank you for being here. This was a bit of a tough recording today. We know you will understand that things for Leece are pretty rock bottom, and so naturally our conversation is a little tough and generally low. If you find this kind of chat hard to listen to, maybe consider diving in at a later stage. Things are tough, life is beyond hard, and in today's episode we end up talking quite a bit about Leece's inner thoughts, what's going on and how it's all feeling for her. There's a smidge of lightness in here but in all, it's just tough. Jess talks about a shopping incident at the weekend and just wants to make mention that it was a LOL only and it perhaps isn't as judgemental as it sounds (!!). Thank you for all your support and love, as always. We're really grateful to you every day. OH, we do talk about running off to Ibiza to do a three day bender which is a bit more upbeat (hehe). X

In our house growing up, if ever the phone rang after 3pm it was, 'hi is Lisa there please?'. It became quite annoying, that much we remember. Eventually, it's as if every afternoon was a battlefield of who got to the house phone or the Mavis Beacon typing disc (or later msn messenger) first. The joys of siblings - and aren't we grateful. Grateful to chew the fat together on a Monday afternoon, to debrief the current state of affairs, how we're tracking and what the current rigmaroles are. Once again so great to have Leece be so open on the podcast about the current, very challenging and quite truthfully gut-wrenchingly hard at times (most of the time), day to day. We hope you enjoy our catch up. There's even a sparkle spreader! xx

First of all a bit of an apology - we are lacklustre today and believe it comes through in this episode. As we do preface at the beginning - this podcast is not at all for financial gain or even marketing or reach. Really the podcast has become simply about bringing you more - more of our conversations, more of our thoughts, more of our lives - a way for us to share more with you than just our workouts. So with that, our conversations are honest and real-time - REAL being the key word. As we know Leece is in the thick of Dan's treatment and life being flipped on its head; forever changed. Naturally this is where our conversation is. We talk briefly about some lighter stuff like actors and authors falling into genres, Ritual42 - and the fact it isn't motivating Leece lol - and unsurprisingly a fair bit of chat around food. Sorry if it puts you to sleep but such is life today and we hope you still enjoy our catch up. Thank you for your continued support.

It's been a while since Leece has been with us and wow, we have leapt at the chance. This podcast has evolved in time; it began with Leece at the helm and Char and I alongside her, until Char's day job became a little too hectic for her to sustain the pod, and so naturally Leece and I became the more frequent chatterboxes. We dabble in guests, including the dear extended team, but do end up doing a lot of the waffle ourselves but regardless, just LOVE having so many of you tune in to us every week. It's been nothing short of SH*T not having Leece on the podcast and we know how much you've missed her. Now, and as we discuss today, things are just different. We feel different, with what's going on, and everything has somehow shifted. Despite this, and even though Leece was worrying she was a bore, I know you will really, really enjoy hearing Leece open up again today about what has been the worst rollercoaster ride you just want off of - over the last 3-4 months. Grateful for Leece, deeply so, and so grateful to you, our friends.

Hi everyone, I'm back in the 'robe with my friend Kirsty G. It was fun to welcome Kirst back to the pod after a little while and good to have a chuckle to her latest little stories. We take many a tangent today - in no particular order - from the struggle of mum life and overwhelm to buying thrush cream, subway, awkward social chats and more. We had quite a bit to cover and didn't get to all your questions at all but just goes to show, we have plenty of material left up our sleeves lol. Thank you for always being so kind in your feedback to our podcast and for all of your downloads. We are so lucky to have you and this community - never taking it for granted. Thank you Kirst for your time, LY.

Hello again - we were feeling somewhat flat ahead of recording this one but we're hopeful that in spite of this, you can enjoy our weekly dose of babble. We go over a few bits in today's episode, but first off the bat Char opens up for some story telling. Such stories include a poo in Tommy's eyelashes and vomit in Char's hands. We eventually move on to some less filthy chat like Char's impending trip to the Olympics in Paris (she leaves tomorrow!) and Nina's first day at school. Some days feel a little more challenging to front up to - we're sure you understand that - but regardless, hope you still enjoy the chatter. Thanks to our bomb community for being the best there is. PS - can you tell we googled 'synonyms for the word 'waffle'?

HELLO, welcome back. I've got Hobbsy back with me today and after our introductory chat - (this takes time as a result of plants, school holidays and bowels) - we get into some book reviews. We discuss recent 'hits', 'misses' and what we're currently a little 'curious' about. I do believe Hobbsy has skill in this area - that I absolutely lack - however am hopeful it might give you some new reads to seek out (many of you hang around for Hobbsy's stretch sessions purely for the book reviews so here you go). In today's episode we also chat first about Sarah's upcoming speaking gig at the Real Women Raw Stories event to be held in Christchurch August 8th and 9th, where she will share their story of Sophia. There are still tickets available and it's always a great time FYI (we'll link below). Following our book review chatter we briefly turn to the etiquette surrounding leaving a pre-school and throwing a birthday party for your kid. Why do I find this such a rigmarole? Hobbsy didn't give much lol, but I know I'm not the only one. Anyway, happy listening - to chat-shit-city. All our love and thanks.

Book recommendations -

Hit for Jess - Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

Hit for Sarah - How to be remembered by Michael Thompson; The Wife and the Widow by Christian White

Miss for Jess - The Seven Sisters (book 1) by Lucinda Riley; Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton (no offence on both of these!!!)

Miss for Sarah - Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Curious for Jess - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Thursday murder club series by Richard Osman

Curious for Sarah - The Life of Dai by Dai Henwood, The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

You can purchase tickets to Real Women Raw Stories here - https://www.realwomenrawstories.co.nz/

Well there's a first for everything and in this episode of the sparkle pod, Char hosts Jess. It definitely feels a bit backward what with Char being the more lucrative 'guest' (lol) but here we are just trying to bring some light hearted waffly, sprinkle cones your way. In Char's first hosting gig she quizzes Jess with 21 questions - surprisingly they are all answered in roundabout ways and as a result some story telling takes place. It's a bit of fun (we think), but also, sorry if you fall asleep (Char nearly did). Thank you guys for everything.