Comedian, writer and professional tall girl Melanie Bracewell has built a career out of making strangers laugh  but the real love story starts at home, with a rescued Shih Tzu cross called Charles, his 'chaos goblin' sister Gigi, and a scrapbook full of tiny, hard won victories.

In this episode, Melanie talks with Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk about growing up as the lanky kid who felt like “too much” and “not enough” at the same time, and how comedy became the first place she was allowed to take up space. She opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, learning that disorganisation isn’t a moral failing, and the Netball Awards night that forced her to finally ask for help. There are love languages (acts of service and very chic travel chargers), primary school heartbreaks, The Cheap Seats live shows and the very specific kind of soul mate energy that exists between a person and her rescue dog  (with an underbite that melts a room).

Mel shares how she “gamifies” life to survive a non‑linear career, why a bad gig can be grounding, and what she wants to tuck into her future scrapbook. This is an episode about chosen family, second chances, and the quiet bravery of letting yourself be seen.

Moments to hear

💓 Love languages, but make it practical  Melanie’s case for gifts that solve a problem (and why the sexiest present she’s ever received is a neatly packed travel charger)

💓 Too tall to disappear  growing up the tallest kid in class, feeling like she had to be quiet because her body already entered the room first, and how school plays gave her permission to be loud

💓The Netball Awards breakdown the night a car parked in the wrong place turned into the turning point that led to her ADHD diagnosis

💓Is this hard for everyone, or just me? what changes when you realise your brain isn’t broken, it’s just wired differently and why medication gave her back a sense of control rather than “fixing” her

💓Charles, Gigi and the rescue romance  how a Maltese Shih Tzu with a complicated past re‑taught her what unconditional love looks like, and why rescue pets feel like op‑shop finds you’ll never stop bragging about.

💓 The wedding, the TV show and the guest list that may or may not include Jacinda Ardern what she wants the next decade to look like, onstage and at home.

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

Before you leave... 

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If you loved hearing Melanie's story: 

Learn more about The Petstock Foundation’s Pet Adoption Month  a national campaign encouraging Australians to adopt rescue pets, donate or support local rescue groups helping animals find loving homes. To learn more or make a donation, visit the Petstock Foundation

Read more about Melanie on our website: 

Adult ADHD 

Dogs and the impact on mental health

Learn more about The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories at https://www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/ 

🙏 Our special thanks for making Love Stories our home: 

Vixin, real results, simple skincare that’s a little bit fancy 

🎧 Credits: 

Host Tiffany Dunk 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace 

Production by Charlie Potter

Consulting Producer Jessie-Lee Klass 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Editor Sophie Tedmanson 

Our wonderful The Australian Women’s Weekly team 

💓

Learn More The Australian Women's Weekly Website: https://www.womensweekly.com.au/