In today's episode of The Sparkle Pod, Tei and Nina pop their podcast cherry. We thought it'd be cute for them to join us for some quick fire questions. In reality, it probably didn't pan out as we thought it'd go in our heads (does it ever), but nonetheless it's a little bit cute (biased). We otherwise cover a few bits and pieces today. Somehow we end up discussing phones again, Jess's insecurities at the moment, and for some time we talk about weight and managing our weight. People often come to Move it Mama to lose weight and yes MIM will help you, but we also have to look at the bigger picture - this is in essence what our chat is about. The more we can exercise for more than just weight loss the better, but for sure we realise it's a goal for many. We also talk a bit to Leece's night away in Noosa, Dan and what's to come, and the back to school saga. A bit of a long one today - thanks for being here!

Hello! I kinda wish I could write a flashy intro to our first episode of 2025 all about how motivating and inspiring our conversation is BUUUUUT... no. We simply pick up where we left off and without a plan, mull over our top of the mind thoughts. From social media and phone use in our kids (topical today with a post to our MIM socials on just this), school holiday faff, a night away for Leece and an update on Dan; we go here, there and everywhere. We're excited to bring you the podcast again this year. As you know, last year threw many a spanner, however we have hope that this year we'll be able to be a little more intentional with what we bring to this platform. To those listening, whether you've been here since day dot or you've newly found us, THANK YOU. Thank you for being here, for understanding us (or trying to lol), for listening to our waffle and for being a monumental pillar of support in many ways. Hello 2025.

Kia ora! We're back for our final episode of the 2024 year. Well, what a total f**king trip. Our final episode of 2023 was titled '2023, the year of the ick'. If only this year felt as simple... it didn't. The ick still stands as one of the worst things ever though let us not forget lol (assuming you guys also binged 'Nobody wants this' and got the ick from the sports jacket 'cos same). Anyway, you all know the story - what has happened this year has flipped the world on its axis and suddenly everything feels different. Life is forever changed and as a result the podcast has evolved to become a sort of therapy in sharing the good (where possible), the bad, the ugly and the awful. Typically, guests are out the window as it has become a cathartic exercise for Leece and I every Monday morning. And, all the while you are here - every week, more and more of you tuning in, and we are so, so grateful.

In our final episode of 2024 we are the full team - Leece, Jess, Char, Ains, Kirst, Sarah and Natalia. 7 of us on the mic means a level of chaos we feel important to caveat. Otherwise, we did our best to keep this episode super light and took the time to answer some questions from you, our listeners. We didn't get to answering all questions, but we were a little selective in what we did answer, in a bid to keep things light, as intended. We go through what we're reading, what we like about ourselves, fave Christmas foods, wall pilates, what we do to slow down, chocolate flavours and more. We hope you enjoy the waffle.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. The poem at the end is dedicated to Leece, but also to all of you, especially those experiencing a tough, challenging time. Have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Be back soon.

Hello friends! We're back for what will likely be the last podcast between us for the rest of the year. For reasons you'd know, we're glad to see the back end of 2024, and are hopeful for a better 2025. It's been a f**king hell of a year, and one that has hit like a tonne of tortuous bricks (which is an understatement). I just want to take a moment to acknowledge Leece and her ability to show up here most weeks, in the midst of a year where it would be quite nice to hide away underground until the sun was shining brighter and things were lighter again. In some ways delivering the podcast each week has been a sort of cathartic task to do together - finding lightness in the day to day where things have often felt only grey. By the time we finish our recording each week, while the sky mightn't be brighter (figuratively or literally), we benefit from it every time. And without you, there'd be no need to do it, so thank you so much for your listens, downloads, support, DMs, thoughts, musings and waffle in reply. We bloody love it all. Be back soon xx

Hey pals, we've impressed even ourselves in making it back to the mic after what was a fairly topsy turvy week. It was so good to debrief today after an eventful time - recording the podcast is always therapeutic for us and we appreciate you for coming along for the ride. In this episode we're waffling away on a few things - from naming kids to the weeks synopsis for the Fongs, the pressures of Christmas, phones, social media and kids again, and sparkle spreaders like Elf on the Shelf or rather no sign of the Elf (*triggered*). Thanks for being here; all of you, no matter your name!!!! Love from Lisa Jayne and Jessica Ruthie xx

Hey pals, thank you for sticking with us, in what is often a bit of a treacherous or difficult listen - this episode being of no exception. We actually hit the mic both feeling a little grim and grumpy, and as a result kinda moan a lot. SORRY. Although, is this a new thing, or standard? Kinda unsure. One positive is that Leece has reigned in the use of profanities so that's a classy win (Jess not so). We seem to dive here there and every where today (def standard), from why we're grumpy, the podcast awards, where we'd rather be, school holidays and kid conflict, rules, rigmaroles and so on. The other positive is we actually have sparkle spreaders so, we'll take the wins where we can. It always stumps us that we have thousands of you listen to these episodes, and that fact will continue to floor us week on week. But, we're just so grateful. This is somewhat therapeutic for us and so we're pleased you enjoy coming along for the ride. Love, xo

Surpriiiiiiise! We thought we wouldn't make it today however the plans changed, so here we are. A bit of a sh*tty weekend for the Fongs, full of stress and worry, and Leece was meant to be in Brisbane today. But, a little last minute things changed course, which meant we were able to get here when a few hours prior we thought we couldn't! Celebrating that. So, as a result of the events that have unfolded in the past week, we're not full beans today with a huge amount to offer but 'it is what it is', as they say. Lots of the chat centred around Dan and what's been happening, the current situation and everything that's going down. With a little bit of constipation chat in the mix the word 'ass' seems to occur A LOT so, take this as your warning.

Kia ora pals, another week and here we are. We start today's episode talking about Leece's mindset this morning and current struggles - of which, as you can appreciate, there are many and so it's a bit of a sombre start. In amongst this though we discuss the power of Move it Mama and community - and how blessed are we (that includes you, our listeners). Over the weekend we put out a Q&A to our social media and so in the rest of the episode we answer a series of random questions. Including but not limited to (!) - protein powder chat, an update on Leece's knee, parenting four year old boys and subsequent tips, fav foods/cuisines/snacks, motivation when life's tough, the notion of 'when I feel crap, I look crap, what can I do', and how to survive the silly season. On reflection the silly season answer is perhaps quite a stoic stance but we hope and trust you'll hear what we're saying. Love you guys, thankful every day. Connection - this is it.

Hello pals, how are you? Time for the weekend debrief, as per. It's been an eventful week and a hard one at that. We talk in quite a bit of detail with a life update from the Sunshine Coast. Things are really very hard and at this point we want to thank Leece for being so open in her experience. We know many of you are interested and care, and also really appreciate her vulnerability and honesty through the situation they find themselves in. A few little tangents about much less important matters like the rules of the sissy chat, f**king Fortnite and kids birthday parties. Once again, we are so grateful to you.

Hello hello, welcome to the weekend debrief. Leece wasn't feeling super up to the chat today and so decided instead to quiz me about the half marathon and a weekend in Auckland. Some days are just harder than others so with Leece taking somewhat of a backward step from the mic I hope you're not feeling a total snooze fest. In the episode we go over the weekend which included the Auckland half marathon, my visiting friends, the current struggles of life on the Sunshine Coast, some book chat and some other little bits in between. As I ran around the Auckland half track I had some beaut smiles off in the distance and one or two 'go Move it Mama' chants from the little pockets of crowd. It was just another reminder of the power of this community and how fortunate we are to have you.