I have such an inspirational guest for you today and one who breaks out into song – double bonus!

Kiri began her career working as an interpreter for the deaf, she also trained in the beauty space, a skill set that she was able to use on her travels with her partner as his job took them overseas. It was overseas that the inspiration for her new business started but it wasn’t until she was back on Australian soil that ‘Duke of London’ started. Initially clothing for boys, ten years on she is designing and dressing girls and grown up kids too!

Duke of London is now found in over 50 stockists throughout Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada and Poland, this Australian-based fashion label has been dressing children world-wide for the past ten years. The unique and totally on-trend designs always find that perfect balance between uber-cool and utter-comfort. Worn by cool-kids all over the globe including the Kardashian clan, the Stefani/Rossdale boys and most recently by Chris and Elsa Hemsworth’s children, as well as Amber Rose and Wiz Kahlifa’s son.

It wasn’t always an easy ride and I love Kiri’s honesty about the highs and lows of being a solo parent to two boys and running a start-up.

Enjoy the chat and the singing!

@dukeoflondon

www.dukeoflondon.co

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Well it was like winning lotto when I got the thumbs that today’s Around The Grounds guest was going to join me on the pod. Amanda Keller is every bit as magnificent, warm, quick witted, stylish (rocked a red and white ensemble) that I hoped she would be. Basically she someone you want to be best mates with. What a guest. A real treat for your earlobes this one.

I had girl crushed on Amanda from a safe (not AVO) distance for as long as I can remember. For those who aren’t based in Australia she is an icon and a perfect guest for International Women’s Day.

Co-host of the multi award-winning breakfast radio show Jonesy & Amanda in the Morning on Sydney’s WSFM101.7 and nationally on iHeartRadio, television host on Network Ten on several shows including co-host of The Living Room, and successful author of her stunning autobiography Natural Born Keller.

Instagram@amandarosekeller

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Super chuffed to be chatting to the marvellous Meg Mason for my inaugural ‘Book Club’ pod. She is totally fabulous, made me laugh non-stop and pulls of a wicked Welsh accent for someone who doesn’t call ‘the green, green, grass’ home.

Meg Mason began her career at The Financial Times and The Times of London. Her work has since appeared in The Sunday Times, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sunday Telegraph. She has written humour for The New Yorker and Sunday STYLE, a monthly column for GQ, and was a regular contributor to Vogue, ELLE and Marie Claire, before turning to fiction full-time.

Her first book Say It Again in a Nice Voice, a memoir of early motherhood, was published in 2012. Her novel You Be Mother followed in 2017. Sorrow and Bliss, her third novel was published in 2020 in Australia. The novel is being published in 21 countries this year (including in the UK where Emilia Fox is narrating it – I mean bloody hell). Oh and New Regency have just secured the film rights, you may know them from such things as ’12 Years A Slave’, ‘Little Women’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’… no biggie!! 

‘Sorrow And Bliss’ out now. x

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Have I got a magnificent chat for you today! At a recent parents evening ‘zoom’ I came away with more than an update on how my son was fairing at school – I also jagged a cracking ‘So, I Quit’ guest.

Beck Sutcliffe had worked in various roles within the banking sector since leaving school but a move to the other side of the world, combined with desire for something new encouraged a career leap. As her 30’s came to an end Beck enrolled at University in Sydney and has since started her new life as a geography teacher. I am sure we all have a favourite teacher we remember fondly, one that left a huge positive impression on us (big shout out Mr Burnell) – after an hour with Beck I guarantee her passion and enthusiasm will see her present students remember her for years to come. She even had me excited about geography!

And in other news I whole heartedly agree with her two hall pass choices, one of which is the rather marvellous Colin Firth… and with that image of Mr Darcy I’ll be off. Enjoy the ep! x

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Such a treat to share the story of my dear friend Melisa Harris. Melissa's story takes her from Sydney, to LA, back to Sydney for many years and now her base is London.

Australian born Melissa established her jewellery business in 1989 while living and working in the film industry, in Los Angeles. Melissa’s career as a jeweller took flight after an article about emerging artisans in the Los Angeles Times Magazine.

Artisanal, organic and whimsical, the handmade qualities of each piece of her jewellery are inspired by nature and brought to life with impeccable craftsmanship. Her work has been internationally recognised for its diversity, beauty and storytelling. Melissa’s signature style has piqued the interest of her varied celebrity clientele, creating a following which includes; Elton John, Jodie Foster, Charlize Theron, Alanis Morrisette, Cate Blanchett, Zoe Kravitz, Poppy Delevigne, Carey Mulligan, and Simon Baker. (And my sister Sarah and me!) Enjoy! x

You can check out her beautiful designs at www.melissaharrisjewellery.com and @melissa_harris_jewellery

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Jonathon Moran aka JMo is an Australian authority on all thing’s entertainment, from film to TV, music and everything in between. He has more that 20 years’ experience in journalism, is the Entertainment Editor for the Daily Telegraph, a regular on the TV and radio and hosts his own podcast ‘JMo Confidential’.

He is also my good mate of mine and his neck is one of my happy places as he always smells divine – get a snuggle in if you can. He has a heart of gold which he often wears on his sleeve. He is an open book and one of the most generous souls I know.

Instagram @JMoConfidential

Podcast ‘ JMo Confidential’

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What a delightful and inspiring guest I have for you today - and an Order of Australia to boot! Vicki Condon worked in human resources management, a job she loved, then took time out to have her three beautiful children. She retrained and began teaching at TAFE Outreach but she had a dream to start a NFP charity to help mentor young people... I will let Vicki tell the rest of her fantastic story. Needless to say and to quote Jack Nicholson from 'As Good As It Gets' (and swap gender) after our chat Vicki made me want to be a better woman - it is life changing what her and the team do.

Twelve years on Raise Foundation has provided mentors for over 6,300 young people and trained more than 4,800 volunteers with mentoring skills to take through life.

Feel good, give back and find purpose. Youth mentoring is a rewarding experience that makes a real difference in the life of a young person.

Raise has in-school mentoring programs around Australia. Sign up to become a mentor today at www.raise.org.au/mentor

If this is something you think you'd like to get involved be quick! Applications close late Feb for VIC & SA and late March for NSW & QLD. 

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I'd been trying to pin today's guest down for a few months so I was super chuffed to finally get time with one of my fav's Ben Fordham. An award winning journalist who rules the breakfast radio airwaves with his Sydney breakfast show on 2GB. His love of radio started back when he was 15 and did his first stint behind the scenes as a work experience kid... and he never really looked back. He is also rather good on the telly too, seen on Channel 9 over the years on various shows including ACA, Today and Australian Ninja Warrior. Ben's passion for family, the underdog and life in general is infectious. He had one or two stories up his sleeve that had me in stitches... including one about his mum Veronica's Ford Laser. A proper good chat indeed - enjoy.x

Instagram @benfordham9

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Alex's job was literally making her sick. Plagued with gastritis and fatigue, the stress from her corporate job in digital marketing was not doing her any favours. After taking some time off to reflect on what she was (or wasn’t) doing Alex decided it was time to re-evaluate all of her habits and truly be accountable for her wellbeing. Just before returning to work she set off on a mission to find a planner that would help her prioritise her health over productivity and offer reminders and encouragement to put herself first and avoid falling into the pitfalls of bad habits once again.

Exasperated with not being able to find what she was looking for, Alex pointed out to Tom the lack of importance that well being played in these diaries, where ‘to do’ lists and schedules reigned supreme. A light bulb went on for Tom; “Let's do it. You identified a gap. Let’s create a diary business.”

The delightful Alex shares her journey with me and the highs and lows (don’t start her on printers!!) of starting Saint Belford. Alex and partner Tom have created a beautiful selection of products (and a new baby!) that you can see online at www.saintbelford.com.au

Instagram@ Saintbelford

https://www.saintbelford.com.au

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Nicole Thompson AKA Pinky - Make-up artist. Educator. Brand Ambassador. Author. Influencer. Media personality. Mum. Rule breaker. Dame Edna fan.

Ah what a treat your ears are in for! This is one magnificent woman with one incredible story to share, full of passion, colour, the catwalks of Paris, New York and London and the best make-up tips. x

IG @pinkiiieee

www.its pinky.com.au

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