Hosted by Kidspot writer and mum-of-two Melissa Wilson, and businesswoman and mum-of-one Jules Robinson, The Juggling Act covers the latest opinions, challenges, expert advice, celebrity interviews, real-life stories plus much more for busy parents. This supportive, informative and totally relatable podcast aims to offer insight and advice for mums and dads to help them navigate their professional and parenting lives, plus the mess in between.
Today we are talking emotions! And couldn’t we all use a little help with that after the dumpster fire year 2021 has been… But one thing that makes Jules and Mel feel better is the hugs and gorgeousness from their sons. How bloody good is being a boy mum?! We're also joined by Evie Farrell who shares her experience with failing to read the fine print. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today’s episode we’re joined by family therapist Dr Libby Aitken with tips on how to help our kids understand their emotions. Jules and Mel laugh about how our kids find it absolutely hilarious to think about us as kids. And Laura Mazza has an interesting advice needed question about teen sex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re joined by actor and dad Gyton Grantley who is fighting to end violence against children and opens up about the harsh reality of Melbourne's lockdown with children. We’re also joined by our regular contributor Lauren Patterson with some much-needed advice around anxiety triggers and how to move forward when you feel like you can’t. And Jules and Mel open up about the actual moment you fell in love with your child. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Today Jules and Mel are talking bucket lists! They can taste the freedom, want to find out what’s on your dream ‘to do’ list and share their own. We're also joined by an incredible entrepreneur, CEO of Freelancing Gems Fleur Madden, who is with us to talk about career reinventions. And Evie Farrell is back talking travel and whether it's ever okay to take pictures of local kids when you're overseas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today’s episode we’re joined by author Polly Marsden on how to talk to your kids about climate change without frightening them. Mel wonders if she's raising entitled kids, and Laura Mazza asks whether banning children from a wedding is a douche act or perfectly acceptable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Natalie Hart was diagnosed with premature menopause at 41, and needed an egg donor in order to have a family. Now she’s written a children’s book to help explain it to her son and other egg donor children. We’re also joined by our regular contributor Lauren Patterson on why overthinking things is such a waste of time. So many of us are guilty of that! And Jules and Mel talk about the celebrity parents they wish were theirs (Victoria and David, we're looking at you...). See omnystudio.com/listene...
In today's episode, Jules admits she used to be a dating app swipe machine, so Mel is enlisting her and our guest Jana Hocking, the host of the Kinda, Sorta, Dating podcast, to write her profile. Jana joins us with invaluable tips on how to start dating again and the behaviours you need to be wary of. Our regular Friday contributor Evie Farrell is with us to talk about one of the first family-friendly countries on her travel list now things are opening up again. And Jules and Mel talk about agin...
In today’s episode, we’re joined by a mum who shares the cruel twist around her daughter’s alopecia journey, while Jules reveals she had her own alopecia diagnosis. We’re also joined by our regular contributor Laura Mazza who has an advice needed question from a woman whose boss is trying to dictate who looks after her young son while she works. And Jules shares the hilarious reason why they can no longer use the nickname they came up with for Ollie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
Today’s guest is an amazing young woman who is turning her own mental health battle into a sensory box initiative to help our teens. We’re also joined by our regular contributor Lauren Patterson who explains the difference between compound and isolation exercises (We are not even understanding these words right now…). And Mel has been thinking about something a bit sad lately, how we don't recognise our kid's 'lasts' until they're gone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
It’s world mental health awareness day on Sunday, so we’re catching up with author and TedX Speaker Naomi Fryers who shares her story of surviving and thriving as a mother with a mental illness. We’re also chatting with our regular travel guru Evie Farrell who talks about the joy of caravan park holidays. Mel is a total convert. And we asked listeners a big question - what’s the worst thing you ever did as a kid? The responses were hilarious. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today’s episode we’re chatting with the gorgeous Natalie Bassingthwaite who opens up about funny childhood nicknames and how she's creating a better future for our kids. We’re also joined by our regular contributor Laura Mazza who has an advice needed question from a woman who is being job shamed by her partner. And Mel is reluctant to say this out loud because she's sure it won’t last long… but she thinks she may be in the parenting sweet spot (Jules is sceptical). See omnystudio.com/listene...
In today’s episode we’re joined by author and sporting coach Nathan Parnham on how to provide our kids with some routine while sports are on hold (please come back soon!). We’re also joined by our regular contributor Lauren Patterson who explains why a fitness device can completely change your motivation levels. Anyone else obsessed with closing the rings on their Apple watch (if you know, you know…). While Jules and Mel laugh about the lockdown haircuts that went VERY wrong… See omnystudio.com/...
In today’s episode we’re chatting with the host of 'Love it or list it' and dad of three girls, Andrew Winter. This chat is also a good lesson in making sure your shot looks nice before doing a zoom call with a property developer (Mel is still stinging from his barb about her ugly window…LISTING IT, STAT). We’re also chatting with our regular travel guru Evie Farrell who talks about the social media traps we need to be aware of while travelling. And Mel asks, OMFG why don’t kids listen?! See omn...
In today’s episode we’re chatting with legendary rocker Jimmy Barnes about the inspiration behind his first kid's book (it is super cute). Should we break out into some Khe Sanh or Working Class Man? We’re also joined by our regular contributor Laura Mazza who joins us with an advice needed about seducing your husband. And huge congratulations are in order, because Jules and Cam kept Ollie alive for 12 months - Happy Birthday all! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Today we’re joined by fashion guru Kirstie Clements who tells us why we need to mix up our style as we get older. Jules and Mel have been living in activewear so this chat is good timing (their leggings are about to walk on their own which is an impressive party trick). We’re also joined by our regular contributor Lauren Patterson who opens up about morning anxiety and how to manage it. Speaking of anxiety, Mel is starting to feel anxious about everything opening up again after five hundred and ...
Jules and Mel admit to being 'mumbies' (mums who stay up late to watch TV), and share the shows they can't stop binging. Our regular travel guru Evie Farrell joins us to talk about the benefits of multi-generational holidays - bring on those international flights! And we're joined by new mum and former Bachelor star Tara Pavlovic – Shepherdson who talks about the heartbreak of her parents not meeting her new son Paddy yet and why she's stoked to be a boy mum. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...
Like everyone in lockdown, Mel and Jules are gagging for a hair appointment! Speaking of which, why is your baby’s first haircut such a big deal? Our regular contributor Laura Mazza joins us with an advice needed question from a mum who has kicked out her husband - and now she feels guilty. And there's a new TV show on TEN called 'Making It Australia' that is the salve we all need right now. We catch up with star and mum-of-two George about bin diving and aggressive sewing machines. See omnystud...
This episode, Jules and Mel are talking about the ultimate age gap between children. We’re also joined by our regular health and wellness guru Lauren Patterson who reveals the fitness trends that have become more popular for parents during lockdown... and it doesn't involve standing up off the couch to pour more wine. And author Sandie Docker opens up about the terrifying moment that made her realise she needed help for postnatal depression. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Are you a Gogglebox fan? We are joined today by one of the stars, mum of one and businesswoman Sarah Marie who opens up about the pressures on new mums and what she wishes people would stop saying to them. She also reveals the benefit of filming the show remotely with 'Uncle Jad'! Our regular travel guru Evie Farrell asks whether you could travel full time with your kids. (That’s a hard no from Mel). And Jules opens up about how becoming a mum has put her career in focus. See omnystudio.com/list...
Were you obsessed with Packed to the Rafters when it was on TV? So wholesome! Well the Rafter family are back with Back to the Rafters on Amazon Prime, and we’re joined by star Erik Thomson who explains why the show is the salve we all need right now, and bonds with Mel over their son's name! Speaking of baby names, Jules and Mel discuss the pros and cons of sharing your choices with family and friends before the birth (and Jules reveals the surprising name she was going to be called if she was ...
Lauren Jimmieson Craig was bullied as a child due to a rare skin condition that gives her a unique appearance. She joins us to share her story and how she’s teaching kids that empathy and care are the real superpowers. Our regular health and wellness contributor Lauren Patterson opens up about why we so often shine the brightest during our darkest moments. And Jules and Mel get real about boobs after baby. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Rhian Allen is the brains behind The Healthy Mummy and she’s with us to share the secret to her success and how her business has survived during the pandemic. Our regular travel guru Evie Farrell shares her tips for holidaying WITHOUT kids. And Jules and Mel chat about whether they did anything to prepare for labour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are joined by an incredibly resilient mum who shares her experience of battling cancer during Covid. Really puts things into perspective. She's now written a book to help us talk to our kids about the dreaded C word (Cancer). Our regular contributor Laura Mazza joins us with another dilemma from a woman whose husband doesn’t want another baby. And Mel and Jules need some reassurance - can we PLEASE wear our mat leave clothes forever?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
One of our favourite guests, Sam Wood, is back on the pod with tips on raising girls and the struggle of coping with lockdown. Our regular health and wellness contributor Lauren Patterson is with us to talk about the signs we need to look out for when it comes to mental health issues with our kids. And Mel and Jules open up about how to handle disagreements on parenting styles - this isn’t just an issue for parents who are separated… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
This episode we are joined by a super inspiring mum who went from teen runaway to millionaire. Tina Towers sold her first business in her 20s, now she's sharing her tips to help you make your business dream a reality. Our regular travel guru Evie Farrell shares her tips for holidaying at home (love her idea for bringing a touch of overseas to your lounge!). And Jules shares stories from other mums about what their partner was doing during labour. (shock face emoji). See omnystudio.com/listener f...
Stacey June is a self-care coach, author, and broadcaster as one of the founders of The Thinker Girls. She joins us to talk about how lockdown is impacting her chance to expand her family (eggs in one state, she’s in another…) and whether she's ever wistful for her single years after becoming a busy mum! Our regular contributor Laura Mazza is back with a complex question from a woman who wants to come out as gay to her husband. And Jules and Mel talk about what to do with kid's teeth! See omnyst...
We're joined by our fabulous new co-host Jules Robinson who opens up about sharing the responsibility of parenting gorgeous little Oly with her partner Cam, and how we still have a way to go when it comes to the traditional gender roles around parenting. New mum and life coach Tammi Kirkness has written a book to help our kids with their anxiety and it is the first-aid kit they all need right now. And our regular health and wellness contributor Lauren Patterson is back with some advice on how to...
Today’s guest claims to have mastered the art of balance as a working mother. Shannah Kennedy was a type-A, overachieving perfectionist, when at age 30, she hit a wall and experienced burnout – diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and depression. Now she has written a book about her journey, called Plan B, to explain how other people can change their circumstances. Our regular contributor Evie Farrell is back to share her top tips for travelling with kids - and enjoying it. And Sarah and Mel wonder ho...
Today we’re joined by a doctor who found out what it’s like to be on the other side of the hospital bed curtain. Dr Olivia Ong was hit by a car on her way to work and told she would never walk again. What she did next is nothing short of a miracle. Our regular contributor Laura Mazza joins us with a complex advice needed question about a husband who wants to name their new baby after his deceased former wife. And after a guinea pig incident, Mel talks about teaching kids about consequences. See ...
Today’s guest has had an interesting career pivot – she’s gone from Play School to working as a prenatal yoga teacher. Rachael Coopes is probably best known for her role in keeping toddlers across the country educated and entertained on Play School. But after becoming a mum herself, she has become passionate about prenatal yoga and mums struggling with the trauma of birth. Our regular contributor Lauren Patterson is back with some tips on fitting in exercise as a busy mum. And Sarah asks how you...
