Hormones & Mental Health with Professor Jayashri Kulkarni. This week, we had the absolute privilege of interviewing Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, a world-renowned psychiatrist and Australia’s leading expert on PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), as well as menopause, and women’s mental health. We asked so many big questions, the professor has a 2 year wait list so we really wanted to share her with you all as we know so many of you suffer with pmdd and peri/menopause, she answered all of ...
Aug 19, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Lets do this again, last time was so much fun! We answer your burning Q's! some of these are saucy! Follow us at: Dena: @denaamy Alicia: @aliciabanit TikTok: @lifeacademythepodcast YouTube: @LifeAcademyThePodcast Facebook: Life Academy The Podcast Private Community Wearing: Dena – King Csilla Alicia –Kmart baby! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 17, 2025•27 min
This episode is next‑level magic, we sobbed our way through it and it might be our favourite episode so far ✨ We’re joined by the sensational Jessica Lynne, one of Australia’s most in-demand psychic mediums, live from Melbourne. Brace yourself baddies: Jessica did a live reading for us, and even now, we’re still reeling from how accurate it was. So specific. So deeply moving. It's like spirit was right there in the room with us. Jessica's slogan is 'I talk to dead people' and she seriously does,...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Today’s episode is very special for two reasons: We’re joined by the amazing Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, Dena’s big sister and best friend (Alicia is home sick – love you babe, and miss your magic). We got to sit down with our parenting hero and idol, the one and only Lael Stone. And honestly? It was everything. What a privilege. Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one, or just trying to figure out why your inner child still throws tantrums at the worst possible moments this one’s for you....
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 43 min
Puberty, perfectionism, and taping up your titties, shit gets real as Alicia and Dena rewatch "Growing Pains" and take you behind the scenes of Dance Academy S1, Ep 8.. just for you guys as requested! 🎬 In This Episode: Reflecting on Abigail’s emotional battle with body image. Why this episode felt so personal for us in various ways. Real talk on puberty, control, and performing while your body’s changing. A behind the scenes all access pass into the filming process. 💫 Raw, honest, and still h...
Aug 03, 2025•25 min
Its another LIFE LATELY sesh with Alicia and Dena, from toddler sickness, fake tan disasters and our 40 under 40 lists. Plus goss about the upcoming Bali trip, Mayas birthday party and some makeup tips.. We have a good old bestie catchup and cant stop talking about our daughters as usual. we are also still in our POO era, someone make us t-shirts. Follow us at www.instagram.com/denaamy www.instagram.com/aliciabanit www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebo...
Jul 22, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Behind Barres Baby! You know the drill, we are taking you behind the scenes and chatting all things Kat and Abi in episode 3 season 1, there is a lot to unpack and we dont hold back. Hopefully this inspires you to rewatch the series as we unravel all the BTS for you. Follow us at www.instagram.com/denaamy www.instagram.com/aliciabanit www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FY3kDRxvQ/ Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePod...
Jul 20, 2025•26 min
Know the cycles, Know thy hormones, Know thy vagina! We have a fascinating conversation about honouring our cycles with Olivia Orchowski. Olivia Orchowski: creator, CEO, and visionary behind KYRI. Olivia is a passionate advocate for body literacy, cyclical living, and hormone intelligence and in this episode, she brings the wisdom. SHE IS SO BADASS we are obsessed. 💬 In this Episode We delve deep into: How to understand and work with your cycle, not against it The power of hormone awareness for...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 14 min
This week on Life Academy, we hit pause on the big themes and take a moment to check in with each other (and with you). It’s a much-needed life update and brain dump, where nothing is too small, too big, too chaotic, or too TMI. We debrief on everything from Dena’s recent car accident (she’s okay, but wow…) to Alicia’s ongoing house reno saga, to mum life highs and lows, and a bunch of little things in between. Think of this episode as a deep exhale for us, and hopefully for you too. Whether you...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 10 min
We asked, you delivered, and then some! This week on Life Academy, we’re diving into Part 1 of answering your burning questions, from juicy Dance Academy throwbacks to deep life chats, parenting, personal growth, and everything in between, nothing was off-limits. We got thousands of questions (literally), so we’ve hand-picked some of our favourites to kick off this Q&A series (dont worry if we didn't answer your question we will do this again and again..) It’s raw, reflective, and totally un...
Jul 06, 2025•26 min
In this very important episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Kasey Edwards. Researcher, bestselling author, and the powerhouse behind "Raising Girls Who Like Themselves". Kasey’s work has sparked a movement of empowered parenting, and today, she’s sharing her wisdom with us, including the pillars to raising girls to like themselves. 💬 In This Episode: Kasey unpacks what it really takes to raise confident, resilient girls in a world that often tells them they’re not enough We talk body image, s...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 11 min
This one’s brave and unforgettable. In todays episode, Alicia and Dena sit down with the incredible Tim Pocock, actor, composer and now author who shares his powerful journey of breaking free and finding truth. 💬 In This Episode: Tim opens up about growing up in and ultimately escaping a fundamentalist cult What it was like to endure and survive conversion therapy The long, complicated road to coming out and reclaiming his identity How storytelling became a lifeline and why he’s finally ready t...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 15 min
This one’s raw, real, and just the beginning. In this episode Alicia and Dena sit down for Part 1 of a powerful series exploring their personal mental health journeys. 💬 In This Episode: Alicia opens up about her lifelong struggles with self-worth and the moments that cracked the facade Dena shares her road from addiction to recovery and the messy, beautiful truth of healing We unpack the emotional toll of PMDD and how it can feel like a shadow self taking over Why depression doesn’t always loo...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In this deliciously thought-provoking episode, we’re joined by Tammy and Eitam from Boosa, food therapy experts who are flipping the script on how we think about eating. Forget diets and calorie counting. This conversation is all about rediscovering the joy, memory, and meaning behind what nourishes us. 💬 In This Episode: How food therapy can heal our relationship with eating and our mental health Why shame has no place at the dinner table Connecting childhood memories and cultural roots to how...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 4 min
We are cool moms now- Giving Birth Is Badass! This one’s for the mamas, past, present, and future. In this episode Alicia and Dena dive deep into the raw, wild, and awe-inspiring experience of becoming mothers. From the moments of conception to the miracle (and mayhem) of birth, they share their honest and powerful stories, the joyful highs, the scary unknowns, and the strength they didn’t know they had. 💬 In This Episode: The emotional rollercoaster from trying to conceive to holding your baby...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 27 min
You asked, we delivered! In this special bonus episode, Alicia and Dena hit rewind and take you back to where it all began, the very first episode of Dance Academy. 🎬 In This Episode: Behind-the-scenes stories you’ve never heard Hilarious memories from their first day on set What it was like watching themselves as baby ballerinas Reflections on how far they (and their characters) have come 💫 Why this episode is a must-listen: Whether you’re a lifelong Dance Academy fan or new to the series, th...
Jun 01, 2025•29 min
This one’s a deep dive. In Episode 4, Alicia and Dena open up about their personal journeys with body image from the pressures of the entertainment industry to the profound transformations brought on by motherhood. 💬 In This Episode: How growing up in front of cameras and dance studios shaped the way they saw their bodies The silent struggles that came with constant industry expectations How becoming mothers reshaped their relationship with self-image The concept of “ego death” and why letting ...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 21 min
In this very special episode, we’re joined by the one and only Thom Green — aka Sammy from Dance Academy. That’s right… we’ve brought our bestie back from the dead (not literally… or is it?) for a hilarious, heartfelt, and slightly chaotic reunion. 💬 In This Episode: Thom spills on life after Dance Academy We lovingly interrogate him about old times, new adventures, and everything in between Alicia and Dena relive some of their most iconic moments with Sammy A few surprises and plenty of laughs...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Buckle up for a wild ride through Tinseltown in this spicy second episode! Alicia and Dena take you behind the scenes of their outrageous LA adventures — from on-set secrets to unexpected celebrity encounters. 🎬 In This Episode: We spill the tea on our time in Los Angeles and how very different our lives are now Alicia dishes on working with Aussie icon Chris Lilley, and yes — we’re counting Home and Away heartthrobs too 👀 Dena shares juicy behind-the-scenes moments from working with Russell B...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Welcome to the very first episode of Life Academy with Dena Amy Kaplan and Alicia Banit —on screen frenemies turned real-life besties and your unqualified but enthusiastic guides through the mess and magic of modern life. You might know them from the beloved TV series Dance Academy, but now they’re teaming up in real life to dive into all the big things: motherhood, identity, relationships, and figuring it out as you go. 💬 In This Episode: Meet your hosts: Dena & Alicia — from TV drama to r...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 9 min
