Belinda Carlisle’s unmistakable voice has spanned decades. Rising to fame as the lead singer of the Go-Go’s Belinda redefined what women in rock could be. From the punk scene of LA to topping international charts, she’s forged a career marked by creativity, resilience, and reinvention. 

In this candid conversation, Belinda opens up to Jess about her extraordinary life on and off the stage. She shares the exhilaration and challenges of breaking barriers with the Go-Go’s, the impact of media scrutiny on her body image, and her long struggle with imposter syndrome, even at the height of fame. Belinda shares her journey through addiction, the turning point that led her to sobriety, and how mindfulness and meditation transformed her life.

Content Warning: This conversation touches on substance addiction and you'll hear some detailed descriptions of the damage that addiction can do to your mind and body

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LINKS:

• Belinda’s new studio album, Once Upon a Time in California, is a nostalgic trip through the songs and stories that shaped a generation. Pre-order today ahead of its August 29 release
• Keep an eye out for Belinda's 2027 Australian tour details here
• If you loved this chat with Belinda we think you'll love Jess's conversation with Kate Ceberano
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Belinda Carlisle
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Field is a singer, songwriter, and former member & manager of The Wiggles. Paul is also a bereaved father and advocate for child safety and SIDS awareness. His life took an unexpected and heartbreaking turn with the loss of his daughter Bernadette to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) a tragedy that has shaped both his personal journey and his commitment to helping others through grief.

In this moving episode, Paul opens up about navigating the unimaginable loss of a child, sharing how grief has woven itself into his life in waves rather than stages. He speaks about the power of remembering loved ones, the importance of open conversations about grief and the significance of clinging together in times of loss, and the role of Red Nose Day in raising awareness and preventing SIDS. 

A gentle Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of SIDS and the loss of a baby. Please take care as you listen.

Know someone who'd  find comfort in this episode?  Why not share it with them by tapping the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and passing it on

LINKS:

• This Red Nose Day (August 28th), Paul is asking you to wear a red nose or donate here to help save little lives.
• If you loved this chat with Paul we think you'll love Jess's conversation with Christine Anu here
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Bernadette, and to all loved ones who remain forever in our hearts.

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Paul Field 
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guy Sebastian is one of our most loved and enduring artists. Since bursting onto our screens as the first winner of Australian Idol, he’s carved out a career defined not just by chart-topping hits, but by his soulful voice, authenticity, and generous heart. Beyond the spotlight, Guy is a devoted husband to Jules Sebastian and a proud dad, driven by a genuine desire to connect, uplift, and give back.

In this episode Guy opens up about navigating the highs and lows of fame, and the quiet power of staying grounded. He speaks candidly about love, fatherhood, friendship, and his evolving relationship with faith, and why, for him, music is ultimately an act of service. Whether reflecting on his marriage or the inspiration behind his latest album, Guy’s warmth and wisdom shine through in this conversation about purpose, self-belief, and staying true to yourself no matter the noise around you.

Know someone who'd enjoy this episode?  Why not share it with them by tapping the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and passing it on

LINKS:

• Guys new album '100 Times Around the Sun is available now!
• Want to see Guy Live? Grab your tickets here 
• You can find Guy’s new fragrance I’VE exclusively at Chemist Warehouse
• If you loved this chat with Guy we think you'll love Jess's conversation with Dicko here
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Guy Sebastian 
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Damon Gameau is an acclaimed filmmaker, author, actor and activist known for his powerful storytelling that sparks change. You might know him from That Sugar Film, or from his roles in The Tracker, Balibo, Love My Way and Puberty Blues. With a passion for uplifting young voices, Damon’s work champions creativity, empathy and hope as essential tools in addressing our environmental crisis.

In this inspiring conversation, Jess and Damon explore how care and empathy can be powerful forces for change. They discuss the role of children as catalysts for action, the importance of reconnecting with our shared humanity, and how joy, hope and collective action can help shape a better future. Damon reminds us that even in a wounded world, there is space for purpose, playfulness and possibility.

Know someone who'd enjoy this episode?  Why not share it with them by tapping the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and passing it on

LINKS:

• In Future Council, Damon takes eight kids on the ultimate road trip across Europe to seek solutions to our greatest ecological challenges. Book tickets here 
• If you loved this chat with Damon we think you'll love Jess's conversation with Sarah Wilson here
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Damon Gameau
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this SAFE SPACE episode, we explore what it’s really like to be a Porn Star, as Angela White takes us behind the scenes of the adult film world.

Angela is the most searched adult performer globally and among the top earners on OnlyFans, sitting in the highest percentile of adult content creators. She’s a boundary-pushing filmmaker, academic, and advocate reshaping the adult industry on her own terms.

In this episode Angela reveals what life in the adult industry is really like, from the dynamics of intimacy on set,  to the importance of communication, consent, and understanding your own desires. This conversation invites curiosity, challenges assumptions, and encourages all of us to embrace our sexuality without shame. Whether it’s redefining empowerment or dismantling taboos around older women in porn, Angela’s insight offers something valuable for any woman who’s ever wondered what it means to fully own her body and her choices.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains adult themes and is for grown-up ears only. So if you've got little ones nearby, now's a good time to grab your headphones.

Is there somebody you'd like to share this episode with? Just tap the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and pass it on

LINKS:

• Angela White is rewriting what it means to be a woman in adult film, on her terms. Check out her Instagram & TikTok for insights, activism and unapologetic glam  head to her for more
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Angela White 
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this SAFE SPACE episode, Jess sits down with Steph Trethewey to explore what it’s really like to be a rural mum, isolated, without support, and raising a newborn in the middle of nowhere.

Former TV journalist Steph left her high-profile career behind to raise a family on a remote Tasmanian farm, but what followed was a brutal mental health spiral into postnatal depression. Cut off from her community, career, and sense of identity, she found herself deeply unravelling, an experience shared by many rural mothers across Australia.

In this powerful conversation, Steph shares the unseen toll of rural motherhood, including staggering statistics: over 70% of rural mums say isolation is the hardest part of parenting, and half don’t have access to a mother’s group. This is a must-hear episode about resilience, breaking down, and the strength it takes to ask for help.

Is there somebody you'd like to share this episode with? Just tap the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and pass it on

LINKS:

• Out of Steph’s darkness came Motherland, a community for bush mums that has became a lifeline for rural women across Australia.
• Listen to the Motherland Australia Podcast here
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Steph Trethewey
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is a little extra special, because Jess’s guest isn’t just one of our most-loved Big Talk Show regulars… he’s also her husband and one of Australia’s most respected news anchors: Peter Overton (aka Petee!). With 35 years at Channel Nine and a Silver Logie nomination, Petee’s no stranger to the spotlight, but this time you’re asking the questions.

In this heartwarming (and cheeky) conversation, Pete reflects on his long career in news, what the Logie nomination really means to him, what he really thinks of Tom Cruise, the private call he once received from Bryan Henderson (which he’s never spoken about before), and his secret to staying cool under pressure. He also shares why he believes success isn’t defined by what we do, but by how we show up in the world. Expect plenty of laughs, a few mushy moments, surprise cameo questions (yes, even from Ally Langdon!), and thoughtful insights from one of TV’s kindest hearts.

Know someone who'd enjoy this episode?  Why not share it with them by tapping the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and passing it on

LINKS:

• Vote for Peter for the Silver Logie HERE Category 20 Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Presenter
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Peter Overton
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this SAFE SPACE episode, Jess sits down with Chloe Hayden to explore what it’s really like to live as a Neurodivergent Woman.

Chloe is an award-winning actress, author, advocate who's redefining what it means to be neurodivergent in the public eye. Diagnosed with autism at 13 and ADHD at 22, Chloe has spent her life turning difference into power. With her raw honesty and radiant energy, Chloe is the kind of woman young girls need to see in the world.

In this conversation, Chloe opens up to Jess about what it's like to grow up autistic in a world that never felt built for her, from the impact of her diagnosis, to masking her way through burnout as an adult. She explains what masking is, why it can lead to physical collapse, and how learning to rest has become the bravest thing she can do while navigating a neurotypical world. This episode is vital listening for anyone who’s ever felt different, or loved someone who is.

Is there somebody you'd like to share this episode with? Just tap the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and pass it on

LINKS:

• You can find out more about Kellie’s story in her remarkable book Different, Not Less 
• Chloe is nominated for a Silver Logie for Best Supporting Actress for her brilliant work on Heartbreak High! Vote and show your support here
• To keep up with all things Chloe, check out her Instagram and website

• If you or someone you love is seeking support around Autism or Neurodivergence, we recommend reaching out to Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). They offer a range of resources, services, and guidance for individuals, families, and carers across the country.

• Along with Yellow Lady Bugs  who are dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals.

• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Chloe Hayden
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this SAFE SPACE episode, Jess sits down with Cheng Lei to explore what it’s really like to be Wrongly Imprisoned.

Chinese Born Australian Journalist Cheng Lei’s life was upended when she was wrongfully detained in China on charges of espionage. For more than three years, Cheng endured isolation, interrogation, and imprisonment, cut off from her family, her children, and the outside world.

With courage, dark humour, and remarkable insight, Cheng shares what it took to survive, the unexpected friendships that sustained her, and how love, desire, and the human spirit helped her endure the unthinkable. This is her extraordinary story of resilience, injustice, and ultimately, freedom.

Is there somebody you'd like to share this episode with? Just tap the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and pass it on

LINKS:

• Find out more about Cheng Lei’s story in her remarkable ‘Memoir of Freedom’ 

If you or someone you love needs support after leaving prison, organisations like Samaritans are here to help. For over 25 years, Samaritans has supported people transitioning from prison back into the community, providing practical assistance to help rebuild life on the outside. Along with Mission Australia and Reboot Australia.

And if this conversation has brought up difficult feelings, Lifeline is here 24/7 on 13 11 14 You’re not alone.

 

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Cheng Lei 
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this SAFE SPACE episode, Jess sits down with Kellie Finlayson to explore what it’s really like to live with a Terminal Illness.

At just 25 and shortly after giving birth, Kellie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer. She opens up about her journey, sharing how she shifted her mindset from “why me?” to “why not me?”, and how perspective and resilience have shaped her experience.

Kellie speaks candidly about the emotional and physical challenges of treatment, the power of self-advocacy, and how her diagnosis has impacted her role as a mother. Above all, she shares what it means to live fully and find meaning in the face of uncertainty.

Is there somebody you'd like to share this episode with? Just tap the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and pass it on

LINKS:

• You can find out more about Kellie’s story in her remarkable book ‘There Must be More’ and hear her podcast ‘Sh!t Talkers'
• If you or someone you love is affected by cancer, support is available. You can call  The Cancer Council on 13 11 20 for free, confidential information, emotional support, and practical guidance — wherever you are in Australia. And if this conversation has brought up difficult feelings, Lifeline is here 24/7 on 13 11 14 You’re not alone.
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Kellie Finlayson
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.