I absolutely love when my nearest and dearest have a career story that was made for the pod, as it means I selfishly get to hang out with them and call it ‘work’. Today’s beautiful guest is my old mate Lucy and her career is right up the ‘So I Quit...’ alley. 

Lucy was a TV publicist for many years at Channel 9 and then later at Foxtel, working on many top rating shows and with an array of incredible talent. A dream job indeed. However Lucy’s true passion (actually since she was in junior school) was food and the wonderful way creating recipes and cooking made her feel - and as a recipient of some of Lucy’s creations I also loved the way her food made me feel! But it was using food as medicine that would lead to her big career change.

Just before falling pregnant and while working on some incredible Lifestyle TV shows (River Cottage Australia for one) she decided to start studying to become a Nutritionist. Now a fully qualified paediatric & childhood Nutritionist. Lucy shares a wealth of ideas and recipes and help when it comes to all things little people and food. 

A wonderful career pivot made even more magnificent as both Lucy and photographer husband Matt both quit their jobs and city life to travel around Australia in an RV with son Otis. In fact, the three of them made it around Oz one and a half times and Lucy jokes living with a tiny pantry for so long certainly stood her in good stead for lock down. Back home now in Sydney you can contact Lucy through social media or through her website. I hope you enjoy our chat. Lucy certainly helped my with my failing lunchbox offers this end and as always brought me baked goods to sample! x

Instagram @lucystewartnutrition

www.lucystewartnutrition.com

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‘ATG’s’ with Ben Ikin who actually went from playing on, to commentating ‘Around the Grounds’ – perfect guest for this segment!

One of Ben Ikin many accolades is that he was (and still is) the youngest ever player to play ‘State of Origin’. In fact, if my research is to be believed he played 150 games of rugby league at NRL level, 17 for QLD and 2 for Australia and won one Premiership. Not bad indeed. 

His boots have well and truly been hung up now and Ben has spent the last 15 years working as a presenter & writer in the media. In season you can find him on Fox Sports hosting NRL 360 alongside his sparring partner and work husband the respected journalist Paul Kent. 

Don’t fear if you're not a sports nut there is way more meditation, motivation and marriage tips than tackling talk on this pod chat. 

I met Ben many years ago when we were both working at Channel 9. Not long after that I met his wife Beth who 15 years down the track is still one of my best mates – you must be down for long service leave soon bird!

Now you might think you have Ben pegged from what you have seen and heard from him over the years but think again…. You’ll be quite surprise at some of his answers when you get to my hard-hitting questions at the end of the pod. And did someone say ‘Gangnam Style’.

Ben is honestly a thoughtful, kind, sensitive (his word) and curious soul who I loved chatting with. He also shared a ‘bedroom secret’ – basically he and Beth share a marital bed but don’t share the covers they have a dooner (duvet) and it sounds like the stuff of genius and a great night sleep to me. Enjoy our chat!

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Tikki Merrillees - from Entertainment Lawyer to Energy Healer and Kinesiologist

If I suddenly won, the lottery (which would be nothing short miracle as I never buy a ticket) and could afford a team of people on my payroll, as well as in house chef, masseuse, PT, hair & make-up person, dog walker (I could afford a dog then) I would also include this lady, my dear friend Tikki.

Tikki originally trained to be a lawyer and spent many years working in Entertainment Law, although she loved the team and her clients, she didn’t love the law. You can see where this is going… what she did love though was alternative therapies and helping others.

So after a dalliance as a hedge trimmer (I am talking garden hedge variety not code for ladies bits), working as an executive assistant to Brian May while he was in Oz for Queen The Musical, she finally followed her true passion.

18 years on Tikki is a hugely successful (and much sort after) energy healer, kinesiologist and intuitive coach. I for one am testament that my head and heart is a much happier place since working with Tik’s, she has given me the tools to find inner peace and joy even during the most testing of times.

I can honestly say one of my fav places in the world is her therapist table where I love being covered in crystals (for ‘covered’ read one or two) and listening to her calming tones. 

I hope you enjoy our chat. You can check out Tikki on the website below and if you don’t live in Sydney Tik’s can work her ‘magic’ over Zoom or Facetime whereever you are in the world – BYO crystals though if that is the case.x

www.tikki.com.au

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Tikki Merrillees - from Entertainment Lawyer to Energy Healer and Kinesiologist

If I suddenly won, the lottery (which would be nothing short miracle as I never buy a ticket) and could afford a team of people on my payroll, as well as in house chef, masseuse, PT, hair & make-up person, dog walker (I could afford a dog then) I would also include this lady, my dear friend Tikki.

Tikki originally trained to be a lawyer and spent many years working in Entertainment Law, although she loved the team and her clients, she didn’t love the law. You can see where this is going… what she did love though was alternative therapies and helping others.

So after a dalliance as a hedge trimmer (I am talking garden hedge variety not code for ladies bits), working as an executive assistant to Brian May while he was in Oz for Queen The Musical, she finally followed her true passion.

18 years on Tikki is a hugely successful (and much sort after) energy healer, kinesiologist and intuitive coach. I for one am testament that my head and heart is a much happier place since working with Tik’s, she has given me the tools to find inner peace and joy even during the most testing of times.

I can honestly say one of my fav places in the world is her therapist table where I love being covered in crystals (for ‘covered’ read one or two) and listening to her calming tones. 

I hope you enjoy our chat. You can check out Tikki on the website below and if you don’t live in Sydney Tik’s can work her ‘magic’ over Zoom or Facetime whereever you are in the world – BYO crystals though if that is the case.x

www.tikki.com.au

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If you live in Australia there is a fair chance this week’s guest has been in your ears before as Rosie graced our radio airwaves from the early 2000’s. Her broadcasting career saw her work as a presenter on air at Triple J, Unearthed, Double J, ABC Sydney and up in the air as part of Qantas’ inflight entertainment offering. 

As so many people are experiencing right now (due to COVID-19) back a few years ago Rosie found herself out of a job after a round of redundancies at the ABC. It was during this period in her life Rosie took some time to look at what she wanted to do next… and bingo she knew what she wanted to do! Rosie studied to become a wedding celebrant quite the perfect job for someone who loves people, their stories, love and communicating (she also loves dogs and is thinking about starting a podcast about her canine love – go for it I say).

Rosie shares her career story (including all the jobs she tried before landing her presenting gig the Christmas Parade role was a particular standout I loved), with such joy and passion I loved hearing every second! Enjoy and if you live in Australia and are about to pop the question or are start to plan your big day then seriously check out Rosie for the role of celebrant... as I am currently ‘between’ husbands I know if I find myself in need of a celebrant again I would book her in a heartbeat. 

https://www.rosiebeatonmarriagecelebrant.com

Instagram @rosiebeaton

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If you live in Australia there is a fair chance this week’s guest has been in your ears before as Rosie graced our radio airwaves from the early 2000’s. Her broadcasting career saw her work as a presenter on air at Triple J, Unearthed, Double J, ABC Sydney and up in the air as part of Qantas’ inflight entertainment offering.

As so many people are experiencing right now (due to COVID-19) back a few years ago Rosie found herself out of a job after a round of redundancies at the ABC. It was during this period in her life Rosie took some time to look at what she wanted to do next… and bingo she knew what she wanted to do! Rosie studied to become a wedding celebrant quite the perfect job for someone who loves people, their stories, love and communicating (she also loves dogs and is thinking about starting a podcast about her canine love – go for it I say).

Rosie shares her career story (including all the jobs she tried before landing her presenting gig the Christmas Parade role was a particular standout I loved), with such joy and passion I loved hearing every second! Enjoy and if you live in Australia and are about to pop the question or are start to plan your big day then seriously check out Rosie for the role of celebrant... as I am currently ‘between’ husbands I know if I find myself in need of a celebrant again I would book her in a heartbeat.

https://www.rosiebeatonmarriagecelebrant.com

Instagram @rosiebeaton

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I met the fabulous Emily Greenspan when I was in LA for work many years ago. We have stayed friends – even though she nearly killed me during a Soul Cycle class (I only agreed to go if I’m honest as there was a chance David Beckham would be side-saddle… he wasn’t).

Emily has had such an interesting career I thought she would make a magnificent ‘Around the Grounds’ guest on the pod. I’d put off our chat as I really wanted to be sat poolside at her house in LA with my trusty mic and recorder but COVID had other plans and Zoom it was. As Emily’s story involved so much travel, I thought even though we can’t travel it might be rather lovely for our ears at least to be taken to faraway places.

Tag Arts was created in 2007 by Emily – check out the website below. She initially started her firm while living in New York but is currently based in Los Angeles. Emily has been around the arts her whole life. Her family owned Newel Art Galleries, a prestigious antiques gallery in New York, where she worked for several years. Before that, she was an editor at Elle Decor, a well-known home-design magazine. Then there was Ralph Lauren in the Uk and… actually I will let Emily tell her story. 

One thing I want to add is as a serious 20th Century history nut/nerd I was on the edge of my seat (literally) listening to the story about her father and his business relationship with the late Jackie Kennedy-Onassis. Jackie bought furniture and antiques form Emily’s fathers gallery – including a beautiful oriental chair (check out my Instagram page). I sat in the chair when I was last in LA, the same chair that lived in the White House and that both Jackie O and JFK would have sat in. And on that note, I hope you enjoy listening to Emily’s fascinating story as much as I enjoyed hearing it. x

www.tag-arts.com

Instagram - @tag_arts

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You’ll be hard pushed to find ANYONE in the world who has met Bec Brown and doesn’t think she is the bee’s knees. Trust me. I was so excited (and proud) when I knew she had a book coming out as I thought she would make an excellent ‘Around the Grounds Guest’. And then I got a preview copy of the fabulous ‘You’ve Got This’ and on page 4 I read…. “I started out as a musician – mostly singing. I sang pop, jazz, musical theatre and opera. I’ve appeared on screen and radio, on stage with bands and in shows, have been a singing teacher in primary and high schools and have even been a children’s entertainer. Then I pivoted. I retrained and began a career in public relations, working on campaigns spanning entertainment, media, travel, food, fitness, retail, medicine, finance and more” 

YOU HAD ME AT PIVOTED!!! And so, the magnificent Bec Brown fitted perfectly into my ‘So, I Quit’ brief and the rest is podcast history.

It was as much of a delight getting her on the pod as her incredible Bec Brown Brownies that she bakes and are her trademark in the Australian media space. Bec is the founder and MD at The Comms Department whose client list include radio royalty Kyle & Jackie O, Jonesy & Amanda, Bras N Things, Red Nose Day to name a few.

In between running a successful PR company, baking brownies and keeping fit Bec also found the time to write the incredible ‘You’ve Got this’. Combining 20+ years of creative experience and working with some of the biggest entertainment and media brands in the world, PR professional and founder of The Comms Department, Bec Brown brings you YOU’VE GOT THIS –the ultimate career hack for anyone wanting to build their dream career in any creative industry. Trust me it is a cracking read with frame worthy illustrations by Inga Campbell. 

Enjoy our chat and to quote Jack Nicholson “Bec you make me want to be a better publicist” – obviously I tweaked the original line from ‘As Good As it Gets’ but you get my drift…

‘You’ve Got This’ is available wherever you buy your books – it is also available as an audio book voiced by some chick called Bec Brown.

www.thecommsdepartment.com.au

@becbrowncommunications

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You’ll be hard pushed to find ANYONE in the world who has met Bec Brown and doesn’t think she is the bee’s knees. Trust me. I was so excited (and proud) when I knew she had a book coming out as I thought she would make an excellent ‘Around the Grounds Guest’. And then I got a preview copy of the fabulous ‘You’ve Got This’ and on page 4 I read…. “I started out as a musician – mostly singing. I sang pop, jazz, musical theatre and opera. I’ve appeared on screen and radio, on stage with bands and in shows, have been a singing teacher in primary and high schools and have even been a children’s entertainer. Then I pivoted. I retrained and began a career in public relations, working on campaigns spanning entertainment, media, travel, food, fitness, retail, medicine, finance and more” 

YOU HAD ME AT PIVOTED!!! And so, the magnificent Bec Brown fitted perfectly into my ‘So, I Quit’ brief and the rest is podcast history.

It was as much of a delight getting her on the pod as her incredible Bec Brown Brownies that she bakes and are her trademark in the Australian media space. Bec is the founder and MD at The Comms Department whose client list include radio royalty Kyle & Jackie O, Jonesy & Amanda, Bras N Things, Red Nose Day to name a few.

In between running a successful PR company, baking brownies and keeping fit Bec also found the time to write the incredible ‘You’ve Got this’. Combining 20+ years of creative experience and working with some of the biggest entertainment and media brands in the world, PR professional and founder of The Comms Department, Bec Brown brings you YOU’VE GOT THIS –the ultimate career hack for anyone wanting to build their dream career in any creative industry. Trust me it is a cracking read with frame worthy illustrations by Inga Campbell. 

Enjoy our chat and to quote Jack Nicholson “Bec you make me want to be a better publicist” – obviously I tweaked the original line from ‘As Good As it Gets’ but you get my drift…

‘You’ve Got This’ is available wherever you buy your books – it is also available as an audio book voiced by some chick called Bec Brown.

www.thecommsdepartment.com.au

@becbrowncommunications

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Kellie Sloane has graced Australian TV screens for over 20 years. From the ABC to Channel Ten, to her long-time home at Channel 9 (including a role on the popular ‘Today’ breakfast show) and ending her on air time as a news anchor for Channel Seven. A career as a journalist and presenter that many would give their right arm for. But for several reasons (all will be revealed in the pod) Kellie wanted a change of direction and now she is the CEO for Life Education. Life Education is a household name here in Australia, a charity whose mission is ‘Empowering children and young people to make safer and healthier choices through education’.

Two incredible careers, one amazing woman! I hope you enjoy Kellie’s story – I know I certainly did and I especially loved her private jet story with John Travolta and the shower – but I’ll let Kellie tell that one..

www.lifeeducation.org.au

Instagram @kelliesloane

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