Over the Back Fence

By Diana and Nicola

Di Edwards and Nicola Dale have been best friends for close to four decades & they actually share a ‘back fence’ in Sydney!
They share a love of life, a passion for people, and have di

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4.8

55 ratings

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How many episodes does Over the Back Fence have?

The podcast currently has 187 episodes available.

Best of Over the Back Fence

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Mennan Yelkenci: Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Booked AI & Revolutionising How We Travel
This week Nicola and Di chat with entrepreneur and visionary, Mennan Yelkenci. Mennan was awarded the 2024 Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is the founder of Booked.ai, the world's first IATA-accredited AI travel agent. Mennan swapped a career in corporate ASX roles for the world of startups, and we loved hearing his story and the exciting projects he’s working on. In this episode, we chat to Mennan about the path that led him here. From consulting on renewable energy projects (and helping international developers communicate with Aussie farmers), to building Apify to solve his own frustrations with outsourced tech development, and finally launching Booked.ai, an IATA-accredited AI travel agent, to help plan and book your next trip. Mennan is an amazing example of someone who spots a problem and builds the solution. We get into exactly how Booked.ai works, the built-in duty-of-care safeguards that check destination safety before you fly, right through to the reassurance that real human travel agents are still there on the back end when something needs a personal touch. Mennan is clear that Booked.ai isn't here to replace human travel agents, but to offer an alternative for the times you just want it sorted, fast and to disrupt the online booking space. We also talk about our love of travel, Mennan’s Turkish heritage and his incredible tips for a Turkey itinerary (Istanbul, Alaçatı, Bodrum and Cappadocia are all must-dos), and what makes him tick as a new dad and a serial entrepreneur. We had such a great time with Mennan. His energy, ambition and vision for the future of travel are infectious. We hope you love this episode as much as we did! This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or [email protected] Follow Mennan on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/mennannn/ Follow Booked AI on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/booked.ai/ Find out more about Booked AI and use it here - https://booked.ai/ Follow Booked AI on LinkedIn here - au.linkedin.com/company/booked-ai Follow Mennan on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mennan-yelkenci/ Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/ Find out more about the India trip, access the itinerary and book your place here - https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 06, 202637min
Number 2: Amanda Ramsay: The OG Makeup Artist: Skin Deep, Self Care & Beauty Secrets
This week Nicola and Di chat with the bubbly, gorgeous Amanda Ramsay, an award-winning makeup artist who's worked with some of the biggest names in the Australian entertainment industry. Amanda has worked across TV, weddings and events, but for her, beauty has always gone far beyond the makeup itself. It's about confidence, self-care, and feeling good from the inside out. We chat to Amanda about the light bulb moment that changed the course of her career when she walked into a beauty retailer as a new mum in her early 40s and realised that no one was serving women 40 plus. That moment sparked what would become a mission to help thousands of women feel confident and seen, through in-person classes, online courses, and uncomplicated, real-world techniques that actually work at this stage of life. We dive deep into all things skincare and makeup, from why hydration is the real key to a glowing complexion, to Amanda's "less is more" philosophy when it comes to texture and coverage. She shares her favourite tricks for looking instantly more awake, why blush and a strong brow can transform your whole face, and her take on lip liners, stains and fillers for a fuller-looking pout without looking overdone. We also talk about the emotional side of beauty, the importance of finding your own features to love rather than fixate on, and why reinvention can be one of the most empowering things a woman can do. Amanda's advice throughout is simple, practical and full of heart, and we walked away with tips we can't wait to try. We had so much fun chatting with Amanda. She's warm, generous and clearly loves helping women feel their best. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did! This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or [email protected] Follow Amanda on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/amandaramsaymakeup/ Find out more about Amanda’s Make-Up Course for Women Over 40 here - https://shop.amandaramsay.com.au/collections/start-here/products/ageless-beauty-course Buy Amanda’s favourite make-up products here - https://shop.amandaramsay.com.au/ Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/ Find out more about the India trip, access the itinerary and book your place here - https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 23, 202646min
Number 3: BEST OF: Life at Sea, Extraordinary Lives & Hamilton Island Race Week with Mark Richards, Stacey Jackson, Nic Douglass and Alice Parker
This week we are bringing you one of our favourite episodes from Season 2. An episode that Nicola and Di recorded at Hamilton Island Race Week where they interviewed a collection of world-class sailors. This week’s episode brings you all 4 of those inspiring chats. First up we talk to Alice Parker - a remarkable 30-year old navigator who’s raced in 4 Sydney to Hobarts, as the only female on an all-male crew, as well as several world championships that have taken her to many different countries. We hear about Alice’s best moment at sea, as well as the most frightening, which happened during one of her Sydney to Hobarts. Not only is Alice an incredible young sailor, she’s also a physiotherapist and is back studying at uni again to upskill in some maths and physics. You’ll want to hear Alice’s answer for who she wants to meet at the back fence because it’s truly beautiful. We then get the chance to chat with Mark Richards, the sailor and boat builder that many listeners would know as the long time skipper of Wild Oats, who has won the Sydney to Hobart a stunning 9 times! We hear the amazing story of how Mark got started in sailing and how he credits it to being adopted by the right people. Mark tells some great stories about his friendship with Bob Oatley, the comradery of the sailing community as well as his greatest achievements and most harrowing moments at sea. Our third conversation is with the dynamic sailor girl Nic Douglass. When you listen in to this chat you’ll hear just how much passion and enthusiasm Nic has for sailing. Having just returned from the Olympics where Nic was part of the team commentating for the crowds on-the-ground in Marseille, we hear how the work she does now and the media company she started actually came after she was at one of her low points when she didn’t qualify for the London Olympics in 2012. Nic is proof that sometimes it’s the low moments in our lives and careers that become turning points and lead to really great opportunities. Finally, we talk to the incredible Stacey Jackson who has sailed in a whopping 16 Sydney to Hobarts and is nowhere near stopping! Not only that but Stacey has also competed in a 9-month round-the-world race not once, but twice including conquering Cape Horn, which is known as the Mt Everest of the sailing world. We hear what it was like the first time Stacey sailed around the world and the most incredible story of how her crew survived after their mast broke shortly after they’d rounded Cape Horn on her second trip around the world. Stacey was also the skipper on Wild Oats when Julie Bishop famously jumped off the back of the boat after the start of the race in Sydney. This episode is full of so many great stories and wonderful personalities. It was so much fun recording on location up in Hamilton Island and we really hope you love tuning in to this one. This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or [email protected] Follow Alice Parker on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/alice.tarnawski.physio/ Follow Wild Oats X on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/wildoatsx/ Follow Palm Beach Motor Yachts on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/palmbeachmotoryachts/ Follow Sailor Girl Nic Douglass on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/sailorgirlhq/ Follow Stacey Jackson on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/staceyjackson26/ Follow Hamilton Island Race Week on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonislandraceweek/ Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/ Find out more about the India trip, access the itinerary and book your place here - https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 16, 20261h 7min
Number 4: Lizzie Williamson: What Are You Waiting For? Get Out of Your Way in Just Two Minutes
This week Nicola and Di chat with the inspiring and radiant Lizzie Williamson. Lizzie is a global motivator, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, former professional dancer, and is also known as "The Excuse Buster from Down Under." Lizzie has shared stages with Barack and Michelle Obama, Arianna Huffington and the Dalai Lama, and brings her infectious energy and practical tools to help people stop overthinking and start taking action. We chat to Lizzie about her early love of dance and the devastating postnatal depression she experienced after the birth of her second daughter. She shares the moment that changed everything, and how it only took two minutes to take the smallest possible step forward. That two-minute moment became the foundation of Lizzie's philosophy and her bestselling books, including her latest, Just Two Minutes. We talk about how shifting from an "all or nothing" mindset to "all or something" can be the difference between staying stuck and getting unstuck, and why the smallest actions can create ripple effects that change your life. We also loved hearing about Lizzie's tips for overcoming the sedentary workday, and her simple but powerful advice on gratitude, comparison, and building a circle of support, even if it starts with just one phone call to one friend. We had the best time with Lizzie, her warmth and energy are contagious, and we hope you love this episode as much as we did! This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or [email protected] Follow Lizzie on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/lizziewilliamsonofficial Find out more about Lizzie’s work and buy her books here - https://www.lizziewilliamson.com/ Find out more about The Gidget Foundation here - https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/contact-us Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/ Find out more about the India trip, access the itinerary and book your place here - https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 09, 20261h 7min
Number 5: Michael Usher: In the Spotlight - From Breaking News to Mushy, The Man Australia Loves
This week Nicola and Di chatted with the award-winning journalist, Michael Usher. Michael has spent more than three decades at the centre of some of the biggest stories in Australia and around the world, and in this episode he takes us right into the thick of it. Now the chief network anchor at 7 News and host of Spotlight, Michael has covered war zones, 9/11, the Iraq War, royal weddings, the Queen's funeral, and so much more. We could have listened to his stories for hours! We chat to Michael about how a defining moment as a teenager, watching Australian correspondents reporting from the other side of the world, set him on the path to journalism. He shares the wild, wonderful chaos of cutting his teeth as a young reporter in Kalgoorlie, before landing his big break in Sydney at just 23, and the extraordinary twist of fate that saw him report live from New York on the morning of September 11. We also talk about some of the most memorable moments of his career, including an unforgettable, switch-flicking interview with the Duchess of York, and the circus of covering the Rose Porteous and Gina Rinehart saga early in his career. Michael opens up about the toll that years of travel and war reporting took on his family life, the guilt that comes with missing milestones, and how humour, a good curry, and a glass of red have helped him process some of the hardest things he's witnessed. One of the most moving parts of the conversation is Michael's account of covering the Abdallah and Sakr families' extraordinary story of forgiveness after the death of four children in a car crash, and the powerful impact that story had on families watching at home. We also get his take on covering the Bondi tragedy with care and calm, why he said yes to Dancing with the Stars despite being terrified, and the wisdom he'd offer his 20-year-old self after three decades in the industry. We loved getting to know the man behind the calm, familiar voice we've all grown up watching. We hope you love this episode as much as we did! This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or [email protected] Follow Michael on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/michaelusher/ Follow Channel 7 News on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/7newsaustralia Follow Spotlight on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/7newsspotlight Vote for Michael in the Logies here - https://tvweeklogies.com.au/ Get the latest from Channel 7 News here - https://7news.com.au/ Find out more about the India trip, access the itinerary and book your place here - https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/ Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 02, 20261h 11min