This episode was inspired by me BEFORE my first queer experience - closeted, questioning and unsure. I didn’t know if the questions and thoughts I had were normal and didn’t know what to do. 

I share my first queer experience, what I love and find different about my queer relationships and sexual experiences, and then I take your stories. They’re funny, heart-warming, heart-breaking and so generous - but importantly, so unapologetically human. Overall, what I love about my queerness is that its helped me to experience sex and love to a level of connection I didn’t even know was possible. 

And no matter who you are and what your sexual identity is … I hope that if nothing else, this ep encourages you to approach love and sex with less shame and stigma, and more agency and connection. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected]. Follow Maria at @mariathattil

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This weeks episode is all about the stories we tell ourselves and how they have the power to shape who we are and how we show up in the world. In this ep, I delve into how they are formed by sharing a personal example of how racism influenced the story I told myself, and its impact.

I then share 3 ways to question the stories you’ve told yourself and flip them, so that you can unbind yourself from anything that limits you. This episode is for anyone who is ready to embrace new possibilities and live up to all that they are.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected]. Follow Maria at @mariathattil.

Aussies can purchase Unbounded at Booktopia or on Audible

International readers can buy it on Amazon

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It’s only fitting that the week I make my Drag Race Down Under debut - I share my slightly unhinged chat with permanent judge Rhys Nicholson! An award-winning Australian actor, comedian and author-to-be, Rhys and I talked all things career - how they used comedy as a vehicle, what its like working with Mama Ru and Michelle and how they went from local stand up to a global media career.

They also talked gender non-conformity and how they understood their non-binary identity, the hilarious way they were outed by their porn search history and what they wish people knew about drag. Tips on how to #MasturbateResponsibly included - free of charge.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected]. Follow Maria at @mariathattil, and Rhys at @rhysnicholson. 

Aussies can watch me on S3E2 of Drag Down Under on Stan Australia, on TVNZ Official for NZ and Wow Presents Plus worldwide.

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So I want to have a mini series where after major gigs or events … I take you all behind the curtain and answer your questions on whatever you want to know! This week I answered listener questions about the Australian Logies where I hosted red carpet interviews for the first time! We talk about my prep, what red carpets are ACTUALLY like, how I trained for this career … and in all honesty, how I manage imposter syndrome and mental health. Especially as a WOC in mainstream media. Hope you love it!

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected] and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus ep alert! In this chat, I get personal with one of Australia’s most celebrated Drag Queens and truly - this ep is ESPECIALLY for those who don’t understand the art of Drag.  Kween and I talk all things growing up in culturally conservative families, the importance of purpose and service when wanting to create an impactful career and the beautiful mix of challenge and triumph when you ARE the representation in spaces that people like you haven’t been in. We also talk business, how to create healthy boundaries with your family and the significance of her time on Drag Race Down Under & her historic Logie nomination.

There might be some kegels in there too but whatever. To vote for Kween Kong to win the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent visit https://www.tvweeklogies.com.au 

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected], follow Maria at @mariathattil and Kween Kong at @kweenkongofficial 

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This week, I had my first official guest interview with none other than sporting LGBTQIA+ icon Josh Cavallo. The world knows him for making sporting history and being a powerful LGBTQIA+ advocate - but Josh is tenacious, inspiring, kind and humble. And in this chat, we talk about how he went from ‘scraping the bowl’ being homeless and told that he wasn’t good enough to play professional football at 19 … to being a trailblazer as the world’s first openly gay male footballer in top-flight football and an LGBTQIA+ trailblazer.

This ep is for anyone who needs inspiration and advice on how to chase your dreams, live authentically and find the courage to be yourself in a world that convinces you otherwise.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected] and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is all about … ‘the one,’ where I respond to a listener question asking why despite being “smart, pretty and successful I haven’t found ‘the one.’” I dive into attitudes toward gender, relationships and ‘success,’ talk about how I was raised and once thought being engaged was the ultimate goal of my life, and the pressure that people - mostly women - face being measured up against marriage and parenthood. I then share how to unlearn the blueprint that we need someone else to complete us.

This ep is for anyone who has been confused about their path, has questioned whether marriage and children are for them, and wondered how to stand up to external expectations in order to live life their way. Mostly, its for anyone who needs a reminder that ‘happily-ever-after’s’ don’t just exist with someone else … happily-ever-after by yourself is also a beautiful possibility.

We take listener questions via my segment ‘Ask Maria’ too. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected] and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is all about having uncomfortable conversations with your family and it begs the question … how open is too open with your parents? I dive into attitudes toward sex and women with my Dad and brother … and Dad - an ex-priest - shares how he loved and accepted his two queer kids. But learning to be open-minded, inclusive and evolve their thinking is not something that always came easy to my folks.

So this ep is for anyone who is curious about how to talk about taboo or uncomfortable topics with their family, parents who don’t know how to change old mindsets, kids who need help being open with their loved ones … and anyone who needs a good laugh listening to me talking about one of my old fuck-buddies with my Dad and brother. You heard right.

We take listener questions on family and openness via my segment ‘Ask Maria’ too! With only 1 minute to respond … its 3 questions and 3 minutes of value.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email [email protected] and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Maria Thattil Show, produced by DM Podcasts! This week, we launch the show and in order for me to get comfortable with you - I had to learn to be comfortable with myself, which truthfully I haven’t always been.

In this episode, I share 4 signs that maybe you aren’t entirely comfortable with yourself but also 4 ways to understand why this might be the case, get to know and ultimately, become more comfortable with yourself.

I also take my first listener questions on my segment ‘Ask Maria’! With only 1 minute to respond … its 3 questions and 3 minutes of value. We love a quickie.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email [email protected] and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.