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In this episode, I move beyond the “why” and get into the practical side of staying connected to your friends while you’re in a relationship. I talk through the real-life “how tos”, the small, tangible ways you can maintain your friendships even when your relationship feels intense, all-consuming, and naturally takes up a lot of your time and energy.
I unpack the common patterns that can lead to friendships quietly slipping into the background, and share simple, realistic ways to stay intentional, from how you structure your time, to how you show up emotionally, to the choices you make in the moment when you’re pulled toward your partner.
This episode is about finding a balance that actually works, where you can be deeply in love while still feeling connected to your friends, your identity, and your wider life. Because staying connected to your friendships isn’t something that takes away from your relationship, it’s something that helps support it.
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Hi my loves! It's the season finale, thank you all for being here!
In this episode, I’m talking about the role AI is starting to play in our relationships and how tools like ChatGPT can start to replace the messy, real parts of relationships, like processing emotions together, navigating conflict, and just being seen in our unfiltered state. I talk about emotional outsourcing, over-polished communication, and the pressure it can create when we start comparing real people to something designed to respond perfectly.
I also touch on what it might mean if your partner is using AI in your relationship, and how to approach that without it turning into blame or disconnection.
This episode is really about noticing the difference between using AI as support, and letting it slowly take the place of real intimacy.
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In this episode, I talk about why WLW relationships can feel so intense and why it can be so easy to centre your partner, sometimes without even realising what it’s costing you. I explore the emotional depth of queer relationships, where that “they’re my whole world” feeling comes from, and how your identity and perspective can slowly start to narrow when love becomes all-consuming. I also unpack how relying on your partner for everything can create pressure in the relationship, and why staying connected to your friendships actually helps keep you grounded, supported, and more like yourself. It’s a really honest conversation about finding a healthier balance, where you can be deeply in love without losing your independence or the people around you.
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Today I’m chatting to Stephanie Cannalonga, exploring what it means to come into your identity as a queer woman, especially when that journey doesn’t fit the expectations you were raised with.
This episode gently moves through the coming out experience in the context of religion, the fear, the vulnerability, and the conversations that stayed with her. We reflect on first relationships, what they revealed, and the beauty, complexity, and learning that comes with queer love.
This is a conversation about growth, about how our understanding of ourselves evolves over time, and about letting go of the misconceptions that never truly fit. It’s also about compassion, speaking to the younger versions of ourselves who were still figuring it out, and honouring how far we’ve come.
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Introduction:
In 2026, a major investigation by ABC Four Corners raised concerns about the surgical practices of Melbourne gynaecologist Dr Simon Gordon, a specialist who treated thousands of patients for endometriosis and pelvic pain. The investigation examined allegations that some patients may have undergone unnecessary endometriosis surgeries, including procedures involving the removal of reproductive tissue or organs, after being told they had severe disease.
In several reported cases, pathology results following surgery did not confirm the presence of endometriosis. These findings raised questions about whether the procedures were medically justified and whether patients had received complete information prior to consenting to surgery. Since the investigation aired, many former patients have come forward seeking advice, medical review, or legal guidance regarding their treatment.
Regulatory bodies, including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and other health authorities, are investigating the concerns. The situation has prompted broader discussion about informed consent, surgical decision-making, and the importance of transparency in healthcare. For many people affected by endometriosis, the investigation has also highlighted how vulnerable patients can feel when navigating complex treatment decisions while living with chronic pain.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, often causing inflammation, scarring, and significant pain. It can affect multiple areas of the body and is commonly associated with symptoms such as pelvic pain, painful periods, fatigue, digestive issues, and fertility challenges. Despite affecting many people (not just cis women), endometriosis is still widely misunderstood and can take years to diagnose.
In this episode, naturopath Jade Walker joins the podcast to discuss endometriosis and how people can feel more informed and empowered while navigating their healthcare. Jade shares her perspective on helping patients better understand what may be happening within their bodies and how they can approach treatment decisions with greater clarity and confidence.
Throughout the conversation, we explore what endometriosis is, why diagnosis can take so long, and how the condition can affect the body beyond the reproductive system. Jade also discusses ways people can support themselves through lifestyle, nutrition, and holistic approaches alongside conventional medical care. The goal is not to replace medical treatment, but to help people feel equipped to ask questions, understand their options, and take an active role in their health.
In light of recent discussions around surgical care, we also talk about the importance of informed consent and patient advocacy. If you were treated by a surgeon involved in recent investigations and are questioning your care, one practical step is to request your medical records. These may include surgical reports, consent forms, clinic notes, pathology results, imaging results, and discharge summaries, which can usually be requested from the surgeon’s clinic, the hospital, or your GP.
Pathology reports can help confirm what tissue was found during surgery and whether endometriosis was present. Some patients may also choose to seek an independent review from another gynaecologist or endometriosis specialist to better understand their treatment.
Patients have the right to access their records, ask questions about their care, and seek independent medical advice when making decisions about their health.
Jade's website (to book in with her personally): https://www.jadewalker.com.au/
Jade's instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jadewalkerhealth/
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In this episode, I’m answering anonymous instagram questions about coming out, labels, fear, and community.
We talk about that strange mix of relief and heaviness after coming out, and whether that feeling ever shifts. I share how living openly felt like putting down a backpack I didn’t realise I was carrying.
We get into the reality that coming out isn’t a one-time thing. It shows up at work, with family, in dating. Over time, you learn discernment, when to share and when you don’t owe anyone anything.
We also chat about the fear of pushing people away, label pressure, and how identity can evolve. And finally, we talk about how powerful queer community can be when you’re figuring yourself out.
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Today I’m joined by Brihony Dawson, a non-binary entertainer, performer, and entrepreneur who’s built a life and career by backing themselves, even when the path wasn’t obvious.
We talk about Brihony’s gender journey, their experience of top surgery, and how they went from feeling stuck in jobs that didn’t fit, to touring the world and now running a seven-figure entertainment business.
This is a conversation about finding alignment, trusting your instincts, and figuring out who you are when you stop living by other people’s rules. Enjoy my loves xx
To find Brihony's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brihonydawson/
Brihony's entertainment business:
https://brihonydawson.com/
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In this episode of Less Surface Level, I sit down with Blue and Kim, two lesbians who are on a huge travel year together and sharing their lives online, joining us from Vietnam.
We talk about how life has shifted for them over the last few years, including living in Amsterdam and taking a year off to travel together as partners. We explore the big moments that shaped who they are, the beliefs they’ve had to unlearn, and the fears they’ve had to face along the way.
Blue and Kim open up about what drew them to each other, how they navigate conflict and vulnerability while being visible online, how they protect their individuality, and what they need from each other in moments of stress. We also talk about coming out, what queerness means beyond sexuality, and how love can evolve when you give each other room to grow. It’s an honest, grounding conversation about partnership, growth, and the quieter things we admire in each other but don’t always say out loud.
To follow their journey:
https://www.instagram.com/blueandkim/
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In this episode, I’m chatting with my friend Thalia about her experience of being a lesbian while living with borderline personality disorder and bipolar type 2. Thalia shares what life felt like before she had words for her inner world, what it was like to finally receive her diagnoses, and the mix of relief, grief, fear, and clarity that came with that. We talk about how those labels initially shifted the way she saw herself, and the parts of BPD and bipolar that don’t get spoken about enough but show up very real in her day-to-day life.
We also dive into how intense emotions can play out in relationships, dating, and falling in love, especially within queer spaces. Thalia reflects on moments of feeling misunderstood by the mental health system, times where her feelings felt hard to trust, and what’s helped anchor her when things feel chaotic inside. We talk boundaries, safety in love, and the relationships and friendships that have felt grounding, regulating, and genuinely healing. This episode gently challenges the “too much” stereotypes around BPD and bipolar, and offers an honest, compassionate look at love, identity, and learning to understand yourself with more softness over time.
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I’ve got a change of pace in this ep, the mic gets turned around and my girl Holly interviews me while we have a few pre-drinks.
We start with a quick fire about guilty pleasures, google searches, and the best advice I’ve ever been given and then get into bigger questions about work, identity, mental health, queerness and illness.
We talk about what people often assume about me in the first 10 seconds, how childhood illness shaped my relationship with my body and safety, what my mental health lows have taught me, and how queerness, business, healing, and purpose all intersect in this season of life. Thought it was about time I practiced what I preach and get less surface level with you guys, enjoy x
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this is basically my mini survival guide for heartbreak, the actually-helpful things that kept me afloat.if you’re freshly going through a break up, need a helping hand or chronically overthinking about the what ifs, hopefully this is an antidote.i love you. it get's easier.
T. X
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Today I'm sitting down with my beautiful friend Courtney to explore the parts of her story that often stay unseen, the ones that shaped how she came to understand herself, her sexuality, and the kind of love that comes from realising what you deserve.
We talk about dating women for the first time, the patterns she noticed repeating, and the lessons that showed her the version of herself she was growing into. Courtney shares the moment she realised she deserved more than the love she had accepted in the past, and the boundaries and non-negotiables that became clearer along the way.
Courtney also opens up about falling in love with Amy, the ways she softened in the safety of that relationship, and what felt different about Amy from the beginning. She speaks honestly about what was happening internally for her in those early days, and how being with Amy changed what she believed she deserved in love.
We then move into their donor conception journey, from the first conversations about having a baby to the emotional and practical realities of researching fertility options, choosing a donor, and the conception process as a same-sex couple. Courtney shares what she wishes she knew earlier, what felt overwhelming, and how this process both strengthened and stretched their relationship. Finally, she offers gentle guidance for queer women who want to explore donor conception but don’t know where to begin.
This episode is a tender look at identity, unlearning, partnership, and creating a family in a way that feels true.
To follow Courtney's journey:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneygledhill/
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Today I’m sitting with Brooke Blurton, Noongar woman, youth worker, author, television figure, and powerful voice in queer and First Nations storytelling; for a conversation that steps beyond the public versions of her life.
Together we explore what the last year has looked like for Brooke, including a deep chapter of healing, self-connection, and learning how to hold herself with more softness. Brooke discusses what it means to begin a love affair with yourself, and the difference between inner work done quietly and the expectations placed on her publicly.
We look at inner child work, where Brooke shares how reconnecting with “little Brooke” has shaped her healing, and helped her create emotional safety as an adult.
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Sweet Sammy Foster is back on Less Surface Level, and a lot has changed since we recorded an episode a year ago. In this episode, we catch up on everything that’s happened in her world; the heartbreak, the healing, the lessons, and the ways she’s grown into a clearer, stronger version of herself.
We talk about what it’s like to look back at your past self after a big chapter ends, the things that surprised her most about who she’s becoming, and how her values in love and relationships have shifted. Sammy shares openly about moving through a breakup, what was hardest to let go of, how it changed the way she sees herself, and the support and practices that actually helped.
We also get into the real, messy parts of wlw relationships: the red flags that make more sense now, the green flags she actually pays attention to, and how trusting herself has become a whole new skill. Sammy reflects on the role queer community has played in her healing, and why talking honestly about queer relationships matters so much.
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Ever wondered if you're queer enough to be involved in the LGBTQIA+ community?
Today we answer this question and so much more. I'm meeting Moose. She is Queer, Polyamorous, and brilliant. Moose is works at Queer Move, a company dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming culture for Queer people to work at.
Moose discusses her diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, her experiences as a Queer, Polyamorous woman, and how therapy supported her to understand herself in a way that allows her to be authentically her. She talks about acceptance, love and relationships in a way that reminds us that being exactly who we are is always the key that unlocks what we want and need.
Finally we chat about how her Queer community has evolved significantly over time, and we discuss how that evolution feeds into the culture and operations of Queer Move.
To find out more about Queer Move and Moose:
https://www.instagram.com/queermove/
https://www.instagram.com/theloosemoose/
https://www.queermove.net/
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In this episode, Tessa sits down with Ashlee Thomas; Australian lived-experience advocate, speaker, and co-founder of The Secret Burden, a charity leading national change around body image, eating disorders, and women’s mental health.
Ashlee opens up about her powerful journey from anorexia to self-acceptance and peace. Together, we explore how women can begin releasing the constant pressure to “fix” their bodies and instead reconnect with freedom, trust, and self-compassion.
You’ll hear about:
• the emotional reality of eating disorder recovery and body image healing
• how media, perfectionism, and identity shape the way women see themselves
• redefining health beyond appearance or control
• letting go of shame and learning to feel safe in your body again
• simple steps to start feeling more free, connected, and kind toward yourselfAshlee also shares how she transformed her personal pain into purpose through The Secret Burden’s workshops, mentoring, and advocacy, inspiring women everywhere to challenge the stigma and start healing their relationship with their bodies.
A little more about Ashlee:
Ashlee Thomas is a media presenter, author of Surviving the Jungle, and founding director of The Secret Burden Ltd. Her work has appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, The Today Show, and CBS12. She also hosts The Secret Sunday Session podcast and continues to lead national education programs empowering women to feel at home in their bodies.To find out more:
🔗 thesecretburden.org.au
📖 Surviving the Jungle (Ashlee's book): all profits support The Secret Burden
🎙 The Secret Sunday Session: available on all podcast platforms -
In this deeply honest conversation, Melbourne-based writer and spoken word artist Franks Martin opens up about the evolution of love; from the tenderness of first infatuations to the ache of heartbreak and the quiet beauty of healing. Together we explore what it means to keep your heart open after loss, to write through longing, and to transform pain into art.
Franks reflects on the relationships that have shaped her, the emotions that have challenged her pen, and the wisdom that time brings to love; from fiery chemistry to grounded connection. We talk about protecting softness without closing off, the surrender that love asks of us, and the ways self-love becomes both muse and mirror in creative life.
This episode is for anyone who has loved deeply, written from heartbreak, or found transformation in the spaces between letting go and holding on.
To order Franks' book "Love Sick Poet":
https://www.franksmartin.com/
To follow Franks' journey:
https://www.instagram.com/franksmartin_/
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Today I sit down with the brilliant queer, non-binary and talented musician, Umbra Moon. We get to hear more of their behind the scenes, including two coming out stories, their run in with acrylic nails, how they got their name, and why masc vs. femme energy gets treated so differently.
We talk about what it means to grow up queer and non-binary, to find language for who you are, and to let that truth seep into your art. There are moments about care and creativity, about being misunderstood and learning to reconnect, about the songs that hold pain and the kind of transformation that follows. It’s a conversation on authenticity, self-acceptance, and how queerness can expand the way we understand love, connection, and expression.
To find out more about Umbra:
https://www.instagram.com/umbramoon/
or listen to their incredible music:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2LGzCu9GEMkE6pUzdiOIZG?si=H913UuqOSryUK2P0ThaIfg
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This week's episode is with Tash Fabrizi, our third episode together! We were so excited to dive into what it really means to know yourself and trust your own direction.
We unpack how identity forms the foundation for confidence and self-trust, and what happens when parts of us want different things, one craving change, another holding back in fear. We talk about the inner rewiring that helps people move from self-doubt to grounded confidence, the unconscious habits that quietly shape our choices, and how to spot when we’re acting from fear instead of intuition.
We also explore how self-judgement and shame can block growth, what it takes to cultivate compassion after “failures,” and how to create safety in the middle of big personal shifts. Tash shares her go-to tools for building boundaries, rewiring limiting beliefs, and bringing awareness to patterns that live beneath the surface, so you can start choosing what’s genuinely good for you, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Show notes:
Follow Tash:
https://www.instagram.com/tashherz/
Work with Tash:
https://pensight.com/x/natashafabrizi
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We’re kicking off season four with Jane Kanizay. She opens up about what drove her to reach the summit alongside her daughter, and how leaving a relationship reshaped the way she sees herself and her freedom.
Jane shares her journey of coming out later in life, navigating those big questions about identity while raising four teens and young adults. We chat about family, love, resilience, and what it really means to live authentically; even if that path doesn’t look like you expected.
She also talks about her work as an “adventure activist,” using her platform to push for consent education and challenge male violence against women, and the message she wants to leave with women who might be questioning their sexuality later in life.
This episode is about courage, honesty, and rewriting your story at any stage.
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