While Linda waits for her new arrival, she excitedly checks in with her Australian family and receives a dry dose of long distance reality from her parents. Meanwhile, Linda’s best friend shares her very recent birth story and the hilariously unplanned nuances of new motherhood. In the short moments before her life changes, Linda and Magnus also need to move house. After years of her long distance relationship and fertility uncertainty, she’s now waiting for the day. And with heavy anticipation ...
Sep 16, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 22
What is your relationship like with productivity? In an effort to leave her "To Do List" behind, Linda is in New York this week and takes a moment to meet psychotherapist & author Israa Nasir (Toxic Productivity) to talk through some real tough love lessons about equality & equity in our day-to-day relationships, and ways we can learn to chill out and rethink our relationship with being always ‘on’ and productive. When life can seem like a never-ending cycle of checklists and milestones,...
Aug 26, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 21
On a warm summer LA morning, Linda is fired up to welcome the Sichuan chili crisp queen Jing Gao (Fly by Jing) to talk about how she reclaimed her Chinese identity through her entrepreneurship and (in spite of adversity) created one of the most popular modern condiment companies in the United States. They discuss misconceptions about international food and cultures, what early motherhood has been like for Jing and what age old traditions carry through in her life now and what she's let go. You c...
Aug 19, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Have you experienced negative self talk? For comedian and writer DeAnne Smith dealing with hecklers is an everyday job, but what happens when it’s your own voice doing the heckling? Linda catches up with DeAnne and a sweet chihuahua called Rudy to talk about being terrified of everything, and how they’ve learned to reframe nervousness and anxiety to help in all aspects of life. Plus, they open up about open relationships, polyamory and why growing older is awesome. You can find DeAnne here on IG...
Aug 12, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 19
This week, Linda has been rethinking her relationship with perfection and has invited the perfect player over for afternoon snacks. Professional tennis and pickleball player Genie Bouchard has spent her lifetime aiming for the top, and is in constant reassessment with the sacrifices and the discipline it has taken to be such a high achiever. Linda and Genie talk through the ways they’ve learned to relax, how Genie’s life in the spotlight has made it difficult to find trust in her adult relations...
Aug 05, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 18
On the precipice of a big life change, Linda jumps into the car for a roadtrip to the desert with bestie, model & author Naomi Shimada. They explore the various chapters in their lives, the courage to face challenges and deal with loss and the ever evolving relationship we have with ourselves. How do we choose relationships that nourish us? How do we take big risks and walk towards change? The two women talk openly about the importance of being alone, plus their ongoing mixed feelings toward...
Jul 29, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 17
One LA morning, Linda lounges on her couch and welcomes Comedian & Voice Artist Blair Socci (Bob’s Burgers, Aqua Teen Forever) to talk about finding her voice in her life and work. They talk about body image, how weirdly lopsided dating is for her, and how she has realised the balance of masculine & feminine drives of career demands and wanting a family. Find Blair’s special 'Live from the Big Dogs' on VEEPS and follow her on IG @blairsocci or www.blairsocci.com Love this chat? You can h...
Jul 22, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Have you ever felt stereotyped? Before she stops off to buy snacks, Linda catches up with award-winning podcaster Sequoia Holmes (Black People Love Paramore) to dive into a long running theme through Sequoia’s life; being introverted and encountering stereotypes around her blackness and womanhood. The two chat about how important it is to shed these pigeonholed perspectives, and the dangers of privilege and feeling tokenised. Sequoia recounts times in her school life and past relationships when ...
Jul 15, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 15
While shopping at a flea market, Linda gets distracted by some big questions and heads home to seek out some advice from one of NYC’s most sought after relationship therapists, Vienna Pharaon (The Origins of You, This Keeps Happening). Vienna outlines the five origin wounds that you may be affected by, and discusses why it is so important to understand your family upbringing. How do these dynamics affect us in our relationships today? Why do these patterns repeat and how do we approach conflict ...
Jul 08, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Linda’s friends and family are starting to feel even more far away. As we live increasingly global lives, Linda is wondering, how do we maintain these homegrown relationships while setting down roots elsewhere? Linda spends an afternoon with illustrator and podcast host Sophie Ansari (Podcrushed & @scribbledbysophie) and hears about her life living overseas away from her close knit family. You also hear about how Sophie’s birth experience solidified her identity and compelled her to step up ...
Jul 01, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 13
On a leafy street in Sydney, Linda arrives at the home of Aussie TV Icon Osher Gunsberg (The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Masked Singer). They have a candid conversation about the darker times in his life: dealing with depression, addiction, OCD and suicidal ideation all while maintaining a smiling public profile on television. Osher reveals the Tough Love lessons that he’s had to learn in order to keep up his long term sobriety, and how his relationships have saved his life. Together they as...
Jun 24, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 12
What do we really know about our parents' lives and the decisions they make? Comedian, actor and writer Andrea Jin was often left wondering where her strong emotions came from, and in her 20s, she discovered a deep family secret that made sense of it all. Linda meets Andrea in downtown LA where Andrea intimately shares her unconventional life story, and the two women bond over Asian families (and relationships with critical mothers), career aspirations, sexuality and how important it is to know ...
Jun 17, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Linda’s been thinking about the F-word again. Fertility. It can be confronting to plan ahead when it comes to your own fertility but in recent years, women have more access and awareness with TTC AKA ‘trying to conceive’. Today, Linda pays a visit to her fertility specialist who helped freeze her eggs and the two discuss how much the process improves mental health and strengthens relationships, and in Linda’s case, helps take the stress out of TTC. And did Linda defrost her eggs for this pregnan...
Jun 10, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 10
We’re taking a lil break this week to chomp on a NY pizza slice, but wanted to share what’s been happening in our Tough Love members-only community! If you sign up, you’ll get the weekly episodes, ad-free, and before anyone else! Plus my newsletter and members only episodes! Like the one I’ve just shared, titled BONUS EPISODE: How To Win Your Life. How To Win Your Life is one of the most popular Tough Love episodes ever and my conversation with wellbeing expert Jono Nicholas ( Reachout Australia...
Jun 04, 2024•5 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Linda spends an afternoon with Emmy-nominated TV writer, comedian, podcaster and author Chelsea Devantez (The Problem with Jon Stewart, Girls5Eva, Not Dead Yet). They nestle on Chelsea’s couch to talk about the ugly side of relationships; from friendship breakups to Chelsea’s traumatic experience in her first relationship which lingered for decades afterwards. You’ll also hear about Chelsea’s history of overworking. Do you consider yourself a workaholic? And while a lot of us may be familiar wit...
May 27, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Linda is back in Los Angeles and heads straight to the best food court in Koreatown with LA based fashion stylist Chloe Badawy to talk about finding confidence and living unapologetically. They dig into the complex mental load of motherhood, plus Chloe gives you the hottest tips for nailing your personal style and the key to longevity in her relationship. Find Chloe on IG here @CLOHEYYY and see more of her stylist work via her website chloebadawy.work Join Linda on her hilarious and real journey...
May 20, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Magnus and Linda head back to Australia to visit family before the baby pops out in a few months. It’s Mother’s Day so Linda’s mum, Janet, reminisces about becoming a mum and then Linda seeks out a best friend to talk about her experience of new motherhood, how parenting changes your relationship, and especially those first few challenging weeks of life with a newborn. Join Linda on her hilarious and real journey towards self-reflection and growth. Season 3 will continue to see Linda grapple wit...
May 13, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 6
It’s a bustling afternoon in New York and Linda hops on the subway to meet up with Australian comedian and actor, Aaron Chen (Taskmaster Australia, Koala Man). Aaron has recently moved from Sydney to the US, and Linda asks him about his decision to move overseas. While lounging in his Brooklyn apartment, Aaron reveals what his Chinese family has taught him about hard work and the way that ice cream plays a crucial role in how he finds contentment in the moments that matter. Follow Aaron on IG he...
May 06, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Linda continues to eat her way around LA and drops by the queen of dinner parties; food journalist, cook & best selling author Jess Damuck ( Health Nut , Salad Freak , Benny Blanco’s Open Wide ). As Jess and Linda slap some clay in Jess’ home pottery studio, they talk about how Jess is a self-proclaimed control freak who has learned to let go of perfectionism. She talks about simple, creative cooking plus how her close relationship with Martha Stewart taught her to be decisive. Follow Jess o...
Apr 29, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Linda is easing into LA life and visits new mum Gabrielle Stone. Gabrielle is a best-selling author who has picked up the ingredients for a Self Love Cocktail after catching her husband cheating, living through a divorce in her 20s and then getting dumped by a high profile celebrity before their European vacation. How do you learn to trust again after a betrayal? How can we rebuild trust in our relationships? While her baby naps peacefully in the next room, Gabrielle shares her Tough Love life l...
Apr 22, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 3
On a rainy day in LA, Linda meets comedian Leslie Liao (Central Intelligence) at her apartment. Leslie reflects on her Asian American upbringing in The OC and how she tried to fit in. She gives Linda her current rules on dating, feelings after freezing her eggs and what her needs are in a relationship. And we love a girl who f*cking loves a to-do list. Hey Australia! Leslie Liao is touring in June - go to www.leslieliao.com for more and follow her IG @resrieriao Join Linda on her hilarious and r...
Apr 15, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 2
It’s been over a year since Linda moved to LA. Now, she is calling her family with life-changing news about her relationship . That’s if her mum, Janet, will pause to ask how Linda’s doing to find out herself. After her big confession, Linda catches up with one of her oldest friends who understands exactly what she’s going through. Join Linda on her hilarious and real journey towards self-reflection and growth. Season 3 will continue to see Linda grapple with every essence of change and control ...
Apr 08, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Tough Love is back April 9, 2024! And right now, I have a sweet update with an opportunity for you if you enjoy this podcast series. We are launching an official community with some super perks. By signing up, you’ll get weekly episodes, ad-free, before anyone else! You’ll also receive my personal newsletter, plus access to extended interviews and bonus conversations. I’d also LOVE for you to be part of the podcast, so I’ll be sharing your stories in a members only series titled Tough Love: Love...
Mar 23, 2024•2 min
This is it. It’s taken years, but Linda is finally leaving Australia and moving to LA for good. Before she goes, Linda spends quality time with each of her loved ones, including Nonna Carmelinda. This series finale culminates in a tough and tender full circle moment. Tough love lessons on all the shit that counts. A huge thanks to YOU for joining this Tough Love journey with us and stay tuned for Linda’s next steps in LA by following on IG: @ toughloveteam Host @ LindaMarigliano with guests @ Je...
Aug 14, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 8
It’s the night of Linda’s book launch, and emotions are flying. For the last two years, Linda’s been writing a memoir about family and relationships. While getting stuck into the process, Linda’s been digging into a big part of her personality: she is a life-long people pleaser. Linda turns to two close friends for guidance on how to live a more honest, unapologetic life and how to set boundaries while remaining compassionate. And before Linda can celebrate the release of her book, she needs to ...
Jul 31, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Linda heads out of the city to check in on her fertility journey with a close ‘egg freezing’ friend. She makes a happy discovery while realising an important emotional lesson on control and expectations. How do we let go of things outside of our control? A new friend teaches us the philosophy of stoicism as Linda asks, how do we remain stoic in times of uncertainty? Why do the stoics say no to ‘hope’? Join Linda on her hilarious, raw and (sometimes) sad journey towards self-reflection and growth...
Jul 24, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 6
We’re halfway through Season Two of Tough Love! So we’re taking a hot minute to catch our breath and share part of the one off Live Show we did at the Sydney Opera House in March 2023. It was sold out and part of the esteemed All About Women festival. This conversation is about Making Tough Decisions. Linda is joined by some fascinating & funny friends - comedian Becky Lucas and journalist Kumi Taguchi. Hear why Linda feels guilty about everything, how Kumi held onto her dream job, and what ...
Jul 17, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Back in Australia, Linda is shocked when her dad shares some life-changing news about his health. Then, her mum confesses a personal secret from her childhood. Faced with the reality of her parents getting older, Linda realises that their time together is limited. With her move to the US on the horizon, Linda asks how can we navigate duty and loyalty from afar? How do we deal with our parents getting older? Join Linda on her hilarious, raw and (sometimes) sad journey towards self-reflection and ...
Jul 10, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Linda finally gets on a plane to LA, but she discovers there’s a larger issue at hand causing her body breakouts. Stress. How do we handle it in changing times? How do our bodies manifest stress? What the f*ck is an exhaustion funnel? Join Linda on her hilarious, raw and (sometimes) sad journey towards self-reflection and growth in a time of uncertainty. Tough love lessons on all the shit that counts. Host @ LindaMarigliano with guests Steph Claire Smith and Cass Dunn This podcast was produced b...
Jul 03, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 3
After a long awaited reunion with her boyfriend Magnus, Linda remains in Australia to finalise immigration paperwork as he heads back to LA. But, with extra stress piling up, something has happened to Linda’s face. As her mum Janet tries to intervene, Linda seeks answers with close friends - restaurateur Samantha Lim and DJ Anna Lunoe. Can these friends help Linda shed her tensions? How do we reset for a fresh start? Join Linda on her hilarious, raw and (sometimes) sad journey towards self-refle...
Jun 26, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 2
