Here is Episode 65 of The Promenade With Me Podcast - my final episode. This is going to be one epic show! Over the last 65 episodes, I've spoken to so many incredible women about a whole range of topics.

For this final episode, I hand-picked some of my favourite 'aha' moments. In this episode you will hear 26 extraordinary women share their greatest life lessons, and all are very different.

They'll be covering:

- Business advice no matter if you're an entrepreneur or intrapreneur

- Navigating your way through social media

- How to make the most of your friendships and relationships, plus strategies to overcome bullying

- Ways to give back to your community

- Confidence building exercises and strategies

- Wellness, mindfulness and goal setting techniques

It's one jam-packed masterclass. Enjoy!

PS. A special thank you message:

I just want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for tuning into my podcast each week. It's been a big passion project of mine and I'm so happy to hear that it's been so well received. Although the show has come to a close, you'll still be able to listen back to any episode you wish, whenever you like, wherever you like. You can tune in via the Apple Podcast app, Stitcher or TuneIn apps, or alternatively on my website, giannalucas.com.

A big shout out goes out to Gosha Rakiej, my co-host on You Me & A Pot of Tea and of course all my absolutely amazing interviewees. I couldn't have done the show without you!

The purpose of The Promenade With Me Podcast was to empower, educate and entertain and that's exactly what it has done. Though I'm not hosting this podcast anymore, I'm happy to report that I'm working on an exciting project. I can't wait to share it with you all! So if you'd love to stay in the loop you can do so by following me on Instagram - @giannalucas_

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and always remember to Dream BIG and Boldly.

Gianna & The PWM Team xx

It's Episode 64 of The Promenade With Me Podcast and it's one BIG show. Not only is it You Me & A Pot of Tea for July but I share a very special announcement!

Breakfast Radio Host Gosha Rakiej​ and I chat about:

•How to add more spontaneity in your life

•How can we create a more connected community within our own friendship circles

•The secret to successful goal-setting

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Thanks a million!

Gianna & The PWM Team xx

I recently came across a quote on Instagram that read:

"Fall in love with taking care of yourself, in mind, body and spirit."

How true is this! Nobody can make us feel happy until we're happy with ourselves first. Only then can we open our hearts and minds to finding our ideal partner. It's just the way it is.

Somebody who knows all about this is a woman who's about to reveal her entire life on national television, and all for a good cause. Her name is Emma Wynne - a radio announcer and youth worker based in Melbourne.

Emma is one of four women taking part in a new Australian-based reality TV show called The Single Wives. This time next week, it will premiere on Channel 7.

So what is it all about? Essentially it's a dating show which highlights the dramatic, emotional and romantic transformation of these four women - Sheridan, Sunnie, Nikki and of course Emma, who are all searching for their second chance at love post-divorce.

Throughout the show, they're coached by world-renowned Life & Dating Coach, Matthew Hussey, all whilst being supported by their Host, radio broadcaster, Fifi Box. It's a reality TV show like no other.

Today on The Promenade With Me Podcast you're going to hear Emma's story to date.

It's fair to say that Emma is one incredible 28-year-old woman who's been on one huge relationship rollercoaster. However, since being on the show, her whole life has been transformed for the better. And so...

In this interview Emma and I chat about:

- Matthew Hussey and his incredible role on the show

- How The Single Wives is going to inspire women across the country

- What it's like filming a reality TV show

- Emma's story and faith journey

- Matthew Hussey's dating advice, no matter your age

- How we can all become stronger and wiser

Enjoy!

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Kolkata, India is about a 15-hour direct flight from Melbourne. And when I think of Kolkata, the first thing that pops up is Mother Teresa, the world-renowned Catholic nun and missionary. Mother Teresa's humanitarian efforts in Kolkata across the 20th century won her a Noble Prize and in 2016 she was canonised as a Saint, 19 years after her passing.

Mother Teresa throughout her life did so many wonderful things. One of her most famous quotes is, "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

And that's exactly what Kristi Van Es, Founder and CEO of Offspring does on a daily basis. Offspring is a centre based in Kolkata (then Calcutta), India that provides a holistic approach in caring for women once they're released from the bondage of human trafficking. Kristi and her team offer specialised vocational training and support, so that each participant feels empowered and ready for employment at the conclusion of the program. And this is just the start.

Kristi is an incredible Aussie with a huge heart. She truly is a modern-day Mother Teresa.

In this special episode of The Promenade With Me Podcast, I chat to Kristi about her own personal journey, how she started her social enterprise Offspring, the dark cloud that is human trafficking, how she's learnt to live sustainably, the importance of self-defence and how we can all live a more confident and empowered life.

So join me as I take a walk with Kristi Van Es. Enjoy!

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Thanks a million!

Gianna & The PWM Team xx

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So many of us are starting up side hustles whilst studying or working. It's all the rage.

Why is this so? We can definitely thank social media marketing. It's not only easy to use, it's cheap, making it easier for us to get our brand out there and seen by the right people.

One industry that continuously evolves with technology is fashion. Last week I sat down with an amazing Melbourne-based fashion designer. Her name is Santina Nicole Ponte, and her garments are both timeless and sophisticated.

Santina established her fashion label, 'Santina Nicole' two years ago and since then has launched over 5 incredible collections. Her designs have received lots of accolades and have been proudly worn by some of Australia's most recognisable faces.

What makes Santina's story even more amazing is that she's only 25 years old. Yep. 25. In this Leap & Reap episode on The Promenade With Me Podcast, Santina shares some of her biggest business and life lessons. We also discuss her career journey, how she started up her business, the power of PR and social media marketing, how to recruit the right people, and what's to come in both her business as well as the online fashion world.

If you're wanting to hear an amazing career story, expand your business knowledge or would love to work in the fashion industry, then this interview is for you. Enjoy!

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Thanks a million!

Gianna & The PWM Team xx

Subscribe on iTunes | TuneIn | StitcherHave you ever wondered what life would be like on Mars? Would you ever head over there if you had the opportunity?

From 2030, some very special people will be going on a voyage of a lifetime! A seven-month cruise which concludes on Mars - a one-way trip in fact.

Their job is to set up camp and make Mars their home away from home, a chapter we too will write someday.

This out of this world expedition is called Mars One and today I sit down with one incredible human who happens to be shortlisted. Yep! Early next year she finds out if she will in fact become an astronaut. Pretty cool hey!

Her name is Dianne McGrath and is one remarkable woman A part from possessing several qualifications, she's also a keynote speaker, food waste warrior, sustainability expert, PHD candidate, and did I mention she might be moving to Mars?!!!

In this 'Mars-terpiece' of an interview, Dianne and I discuss:

•What Mars One is all about - the unbelievable application process as well as the incredible training that comes with the program

•Her expansive career journey and the invaluable life lessons she's learnt along the way

•How we can be of service to others

•Sustainability: How Mars will save Earth

•Changing habits: Easy techniques to help us live a more eco-friendly life

•Forget Wonder Woman: How we can all become Wonder Women!So much to cover! May it take you to another place, or should I say space! Enjoy.

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Thanks a million!

Gianna & The PWM Team xx

Subscribe on iTunes | TuneIn | StitcherIt's Episode 59 of The Promenade With Me Podcast and guess what?! It's your fav monthly show, You Me & A Pot of Tea for June 2018! It's one BIG show.

Breakfast Radio Host Gosha Rakiej and I have loads to talk about. Here's what you can expect:

- Lessons I learned whilst holidaying in Bali

- The digital detox we've all been waiting for

- Flip flop artists in Kenya changing the world

- A New York doctor's inspiring search to save a life

- Our fav quote this month & why we love it

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Thanks a million!

Gianna & The PWM Team xx

Subscribe on iTunes | TuneIn | StitcherI just love a good motivational quote and this one is no different... "Don't get so caught up making a living that you forget to make a life." - Unknown

No matter if you're studying, working for yourself or somebody else, it's very easy to get caught up in doing 'things'.

News flash! Every single person on this planet, including me needs time to rest and recover. If we just keep working, eventually we end up exhausting ourselves and then what? We become too tired and mentally drained.

So what can we do about this?

In this 'Wise Words' episode (#58) of The Promenade With Me Podcast, I reveal 5 ways you can recharge your powerpack so you can restore a little more balance in your life. These 5 steps are based on my own personal experience. They've helped me and I know they'll help you too!

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Thanks a million!

Gianna & The PWM Team xx

Subscribe on iTunes | TuneIn | StitcherIf you had the opportunity, what would you say to your younger self? What advice would you offer?

This month I've spent quite a bit of time at an all-girls school based in Melbourne, running workshops and presentations to different groups of students. Most of the girls I worked with were in Year 10. As I sat with them, so many would open up and share what's been playing on their mind - their concerns, their beliefs and desires. Though the girls were well educated, opinionated and strong, they were still seeking support and guidance from somebody who's been in their shoes. I felt so honoured to have been given the opportunity to spend quality time with them. The experience brought me back to my high-school days, which as of next year concluded 10 years ago. How time flies!

On Monday I took out a letter I wrote earlier this year. It was addressed to my younger self, age 16. And just like my work at this school in Melbourne, I set out to do the same thing in this letter - to help me see that I was never alone and that I was supported. It also aimed to remind me that beauty can't be bought and that my body is not my currency. Unsurprisingly, body image is a real issue at the moment, especially amongst teenage girls. As a teen, it's very easy to get caught up in the world of social media. Cyber bullying is at an all-time high, as well as those suffering with mental health issues. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), one in four teens have a mental illness, and one in three girls suffer from an anxiety disorder.

So with all of this in mind, I thought I'd share my own personal letter to my 16-year-old self. Why? Well the messages within it really do transcend across generations. So no matter what gen you are, I know one of two things will happen - you'll gain a new kind of perspective or it'll refresh some of the things you deep down know to be true. Either way, may this Wise Words podcast empower you to live your best life. And if you're like me and work with young women, or are a young chick yourself, just know you are worthy and that you're destined for great things.

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Tha...

[ Subscribe on iTunes | TuneIn | Stitcher ]Australia is known as the lucky country and I totally understand why. We're a diverse and multi-cultural nation filled with opportunity - a safe haven, one that's far away from devastation and war.

We're not just lucky, we're extremely blessed.

From a young age Sarah Archibald often dreamt about joining the Australian army. Her dad served in the army, her grandfather too, and so she wanted to make them proud by doing the same one day.

At age 18 her wish became a reality. She made it, and she couldn't be more excited. She trained incredibly hard and gave it her all - blood, sweat and tears.

In 2006, Sarah was deployed to Baghdad in Iraq. She was just one of two women in her division, amongst 110 men. The experience not only changed her but saved her.

Sarah is one remarkable human. And I'm so happy to share her story with you today. This is the first time she's fully opened up about her journey. So prepare yourself - it's a BIG one.

Sarah has not only earned herself a stack of medals for deployment and acts of bravery, but she's also the winner of the very first Invictus Games Medal, at the inaugural event held in London during 2014! Such an achievement!

In this interview Sarah and I chat about:

•Her work in Baghdad

•What bravery means to her

•Sarah's battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

•How we can all be more courageous

•Coping mechanisms when experiencing anxiety

•How the Invictus Games ignited her spark again

•And the moment she met Prince Harry. YEP! You heard correctly.This chat is both eye-opening and inspiring. We cover lots of ground including her time in Baghdad during the war. So if you're in need of some extra support and resources, please head to beyondblue.org.au.

Ok! Now we're ready to take a walk with Sarah Archibald.

PS. If you love this episode, don't forget you can subscribe and give a 5-star rating to The Promenade With Me Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn & Stitcher. This will help the show reach even more people. Thanks a million!

Gianna & The PWM Team xx