This week we’re joined by psychologist Tassh Balakas and honestly… strap in, because it’s a full audit of your mental health habits.

We unpack why everyone thinks they’re “media literate” (you’re not), why your nervous system is fried before breakfast, and how watching 700 traumatic videos a day is not activism. And -

• why your algorithm is not your friend (it’s actually playing you)• the difference between being informed and emotionally cooked• ChatGPT as your therapist… and why that’s slightly concerning• TikTok diagnosing you within 3 scrolls flat• why people are collecting mental health labels but not doing anything with them• how to actually set boundaries with news and social media• why a diagnosis is helpful… but not your entire personality

Kate’s like: if you’re consuming everything and doing nothing… what’s the pointTansy’s like: if AI is validating you 24/7… babe that’s not therapy

Tassh’s like: please, for the love of god, develop some boundaries

Takeaway?Close the app. Touch some grass. You’ll be fine.

#mentalhealth #psychology #mentalhealthawareness #wellness #selfawareness #emotionalhealth #boundaries #medialiteracy #psychologytalk #therapy #selfgrowth #mentalfitness

This week, Kate and Tansy are talking It Girl sneakers, office women fighting in Aldi, and the deeply troubling fact that people no longer seem capable of watching a normal television drama without trying to solve it like it’s a murder mystery.

Naturally, things spiral.

We get into the rise of the Adidas Tokyo as the latest cool girl shoe, why slim little sneakers are apparently all anyone needs now, and why some shoes are chic while others are, unfortunately, complete fuggers.

There’s also chaos at Aldi over plastic chopping boards, Emma Chamberlain selling aggressively beige furniture to the masses, and a woman politely informing Kate that she was “much smaller than expected” in real life, which is both an insult and a medical observation.

Plus:

• why Dakota Johnson continues to inspire the long-haired Pinterest women of the world
• whether The Pit is just a drama or if everyone has completely lost the ability to sit with uncertainty
• why people are being deeply weird about Aubrey Plaza moving on with her life
• The Other Bennet Sister and the return of yearning men with nice faces
• Devil Wears Prada 2, obviously
• and an Aries astrology update for the hotheads and overreactors among us

It’s fashion, television, internet brain rot, and just enough cultural criticism to make us sound smarter than we are.

As always, we solve nothing.But we do have thoughts!

#theweekthatwas #thebluntandthebeautiful #podcastaustralia #popculture #celebritynews #fashiontrends #adidas #aldifinds #internetculture #tvrecap #thepit #devilwearsprada #dakotajohnson #emmachamberlain #aubreyplaza #melbournepodcast #comedypodcast #womeninmedia #trendingnow #popculturepodcast

We tried to talk about guilty pleasures like normal people….we are not normal peopleKate and Tansy spiral through the things they love that probably say too much about them — from stalking celebrity gossip like it’s a full criminal investigation, to spending hours watching strangers get things extracted from their bodies (don’t act like you’re above it).

We also cover:

Why Facebook Marketplace is the wildest place on the internet

Eating cake for dinner and calling it self-care

The emotional support TV shows we’ve watched 45 times

Nighties at 3pm, no bras, and fully giving up

Slippers… but now they’re outdoor, off-road, 4WD slippers

The pop culture subreddit (honestly, unhinged)Kmart undies that are cutting off circulation

There are also stories involving Burger Rings, strep throat, and decisions that should not have been made.

It’s chaotic, it’s unnecessary, and it’s exactly how your brain works when you’re a bit tired and left alone with the internet.

No growth. No lessons. Just vibes.

Welcome back to The Week That Was! Don't forget to join our ⁠⁠Facebook Group⁠

What happens when hypocrisy, politics and Mount Everest all collide?
This week… chaos.

Kate and Tansy unpack the internet losing its mind over an American politician’s husband’s alleged secret life (and why the timing is chef’s kiss), before diving into the very weird energy of global leaders suddenly addressing the public like something’s about to go very wrong.

Spoiler: it probably is.

There’s also:

• The projection Olympics happening in global politics
• Albo’s “be calm but also maybe panic” speech
• Why Mount Everest is giving coloniser energy (and the Sherpas have had enough)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber needing a therapy dog after Cats
• Zendaya casually winning PR without even trying
• Netflix quietly robbing us all blind
• And a new psychosexual fashion film that feels… deeply unwell

It’s unhinged, slightly conspiratorial, and exactly the kind of week where you go…is everyone okay?

(Answer: no)

#thebluntandthebeautiful #theweekthatwas #popculture #australianpodcast #currentevents #celebritynews #funnywomen #podcastclips #culturalcommentary #chaoticenergy

Welcome back to The Blunt and The Beautiful! Kate and Tansy sit down with Amanda Goff (also known as Samantha X) for a conversation that goes far deeper than headlines, stigma, or Google searches.

From high-profile escort to journalist to now openly living with a bipolar diagnosis, Amanda shares the reality behind the persona — and what happens when mental illness goes undiagnosed for decades.

This is not the glamorised version of sex work you see online.

This is the truth.

Amanda opens up about:

Living with bipolar disorder and being diagnosed later in life

The creation of Samantha X and why she still feels like a separate identity

Mania, dopamine chasing, and the dangerous highs that felt like power

Shame, media headlines, and the cost of living publicly

The reality of the sex industry — beyond OnlyFans and Instagram

Why men are absent from the conversation around sex work

Addiction, sobriety, and the moment everything had to change

There’s also a raw and fascinating look at:

Why sex work is often misunderstood (and romanticised)

The psychology of men who seek connection, not just sex

Power, control, and validation — and how they show up in relationships

What stability actually looks like after chaos

Kate, Tansy and Amanda also unpack motherhood, identity, media manipulation, and why shame is often the most dangerous part of mental illness.

It’s funny, confronting, uncomfortable at times — and completely honest.

If you think you know this story, you probably don’t.

#thebluntandthebeautiful #amandagoff #samanthax #bipolar #mentalhealth #sexwork #australianpodcast #womenpodcast #trauma #addiction #recovery

Welcome back to The Week That Was! Don't forget to join our ⁠Facebook Group⁠

This week, Tansy returns from theatre isolation (read: a windowless black room for nine hours a day) and re-enters society like a slightly disoriented mole. Kate, naturally, is here to aggressively catch her up.

We kick off with the Hannah Montana 20 year anniversary, which raises the important question: did we need it, or are we just emotionally attached to rotating wardrobes and vibes? Miley’s thriving, Billy Ray is… somewhere else, and everyone’s got thoughts.

From there, things take a turn into the deeply unserious but somehow life-ruining world of celebrity smear campaigns, where apparently you can just… ruin someone’s reputation via group chat and vibes? Totally normal behaviour.

We also get into the chaos surrounding Chappell Roan, fame, boundaries, and why women setting limits still sends people into a full psychological spiral. Is she wrong? Is she right? Or is everyone just a bit too comfortable expecting access to strangers?

And then — because the internet never disappoints — we meet this week’s winner of “Worst Take on Earth”, courtesy of a wellness influencer who essentially said:have you tried being successful during a global crisis??

Groundbreaking...

Plus, Kate wraps things up with an astrology forecast that is equal parts guidance and gentle threat: get off the couch, fix your life, and don’t spiral.

It’s messy, it’s funny, it’s mildly unhinged... and it’s exactly what your group chat would sound like if it had a mic.

See you next week and don't forget to join our Facebook Group

#theweekthatwas #thebluntandthebeautiful #kateforster #tansygorman #popculturepodcast #australianpodcast #celebritydrama #internetculture #weeklyrecap #entertainmentnews #celebritygossip #womenwhopodcast #funnywomen #culturalcommentary #trendingtopics #podcastclips #youtubepodcast #chattypodcast #comedypodcast #viralpodcast

In this episode of The Blunt and The Beautiful, Kate turns the mic on someone you’ve heard a lot… but probably don’t fully know.

Tansy Gorman.

After years of people Googling “Tansy Gorman hand,” “Tansy Gorman disability,” and “what happened?” we thought it was time to just say it out loud.

This is a raw, funny, honest conversation about growing up with a brachial plexus injury, navigating childhood, school, identity, and what it actually feels like to live with a visible (and invisible) disability.

From shark bite lies in primary school to hospital trauma, therapy breakthroughs, and the messy reality of figuring out who you are, this episode is equal parts chaotic, emotional and deeply real.

Kate and Tansy unpack:

What actually happened at birth and what a brachial plexus injury is

Growing up “different” and learning how to tell your own story

School, teachers, and the subtle (and not so subtle) ableism

The moment Tansy realised she had a disability

Therapy, identity, and why self-worth took a hit before it got better

Chronic pain, ADHD, and how disability is never just “one thing”

The mental health impact most parents don’t talk about

What parents of disabled children get wrong (and right)

There’s also a very honest conversation about autonomy, medical trauma, and the fine line between protecting your child and preparing them for the world.

And, because this is still Blunt, there are jokes, swearing, and a few absolutely unhinged childhood lies thrown in for good measure.

If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

And maybe… stop Googling “Tansy Gorman hand”

#thebluntandthebeautiful #tansygorman #disabilityawareness #brachialplexus #mentalhealth #australianpodcast #womenpodcast #chronicpain #therapy #storytelling

Welcome BACK to The Week That Was, where Kate Forster and Tansy Gorman break down everything happening in pop culture, whether it deserves it or not.

This week, Tansy is running on theatre fumes (nine hours in a windowless room will do that to you), Kate is promoting her daughter’s show like a stage mum on steroids, and somehow we end up deep in the chaos of the Oscars, celebrity behaviour, and fashion politics.

They unpack the biggest moments from the Oscars, including historic wins, horror finally getting its flowers, and whether Timothée Chalamet has officially gone too far. There’s also a deep dive into Hollywood image control, Kylie Jenner discourse, and why the Academy still feels like a slightly elitist high school.

Then, naturally, things spiral into:
Nicole Kidman soft launching a possible romance (??), fast fashion vs high fashion confusion, and why finding a decent mid-range outfit in Australia is basically impossible.

Plus:

• Why horror films are suddenly dominating the industry

• The Timothée Chalamet backlash explained

• Nicole Kidman, Simon Baker & PR romances (allegedly…)

• Fast fashion, Zara collabs and the death of “middle” fashion

• Why some TV shows are absolute vanity projects

• A genuinely good binge recommendation (rare from Kate)

It’s chaotic, it’s opinionated, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from two women who are across everything and over most of it.

You’ll also hear:

• Tansy’s theatre show update (and why it’s actually worth seeing)

• Kate accidentally going full cultural critic

• A surprising amount of rage about clothes

New episodes of The Blunt and The Beautiful drop twice weekly — subscribe for your regular dose of unfiltered commentary on pop culture, relationships and whatever else we feel like talking about.

#theweekthatwas #thebluntandthebeautiful #kateforster #tansygorman #oscars2026 #timotheechalamet #nicolekidman #popculturepodcast #australianpodcast #celebritynews

The Blunt and The Beautiful is BACK!!And Kate Forster and Tansy Gorman arrive in exactly the mood you’d expect: slightly feral, deeply opinionated, and officially done with a lot of things.From internet outrage and TikTok friendships to uncomfortable fashion, fake “closure,” and the absolute chaos of social media comment sections, Kate and Tansy run through the growing list of things they simply cannot be fucked with anymore.Kate explains why she’s stopped being permanently available to everyone online, why she refuses to argue with strangers in Instagram comments, and why uncomfortable shoes can go straight to hell. Tansy dives into the myth of closure, the weird performance of pretending you read an article when you actually saw it on TikTok, and the slow realisation that some things in life are simply not worth the emotional labour.They also cover influencer drama, internet trolls, micro trends, political debates online, why “busy” is the most boring personality trait in the world, and the one rule everyone should live by: use the good plates and eat the good chocolate.Because if there’s one thing Kate and Tansy agree on, it’s this:life is far too short to waste energy on bullshit.Expect swearing, brutal honesty, and a few very strong opinions.In this episode:Why Kate stopped replying to people immediately (and feels great about it)The myth of closure and why your ex will never give it to youWhy arguing with strangers on the internet is a complete waste of timeTikTok trends, micro trends and influencer cultureWhy uncomfortable clothes are cancelled in your 30s and 40sThe weird performance of pretending you read the news when you saw it on TikTokThe joy of not finishing books, shows or events you don’t likeWhy being “busy” is not the personality flex people think it isIf you’ve ever thought “I simply cannot be bothered with this anymore”, this episode is for you.This episode of The Blunt and The Beautiful is proudly sponsored by Sukin.If you’ve listened to this podcast for more than five minutes, you’ll know Kate loves skincare, and Sukin makes it very easy to feel slightly more put together than you actually are. Sukin has been a staple in Australian bathrooms for years, known for natural, cruelty free skincare that actually works without costing the earth. From cleansers to moisturisers to hydration heroes, Sukin keeps your skin happy while the rest of your life may or may not be falling apart. You can find Sukin online or in store at Chemist Warehouse!https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/shop-online/902/sukinSubscribe for more brutally honest conversations about culture, relationships, internet chaos and the things we’re all secretly thinking.#thebluntandthebeautiful #kateforster #tansygorman #podcast #australianpodcast #tiktokculture #internetdrama #modernlife #womenpodcast #culturecommentary

It’s been a chaotic week of celebrity news, internet moments and pop culture absurdity.

Kate and Tansy unpack the surprise reveal that Zendaya and Tom Holland may have secretly tied the knot, why stylist Law Roach casually spilling the tea might actually be the most iconic wedding announcement ever, and the internet losing its mind over it.

They also dive into Justin Timberlake’s DUI bodycam drama, why he’s trying to block the footage from being released, and how the now-viral phrase “this is going to ruin the tour” became the internet’s favourite meme.

Plus, the darker side of Hollywood: more Jolie-Pitt children dropping the Pitt surname as details from the infamous private jet incident resurface, raising questions about Brad Pitt’s public image versus what allegedly happened behind the scenes.

Elsewhere in the week:

• Stanley Tucci taking the US women’s hockey team to lunch in Milan instead of the White House
• Why Grace Jones, Prince’s estate and Guns N’ Roses refused to let their music appear in the Melania documentary
• The bizarre Matthew Morrison interpretive dance story you have to see to believe
• And the Kyle and Jackie O on-air fallout that may have quietly ended one of Australia’s biggest radio partnerships

It’s celebrity scandal, internet culture, astrology predictions and cultural chaos — all wrapped up in one very unfiltered weekly recap.