Miranda Tapsell has become one of Australia's most celebrated actors and storytellers, but behind every chapter of her remarkable career is the woman who taught her what love, family, and community truly mean: her mum, Barbara. 

In this two-part episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman Miranda joins host Tiffany Dunk alongside Barbara for a heartfelt conversation about the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, the lessons that have shaped their family across generations, and the love that has carried them through life's biggest changes. 

Together they reflect on Barbara's childhood as the eldest of eight children, meeting and falling in love with Miranda's father, Tony, raising a family in Kakadu in the Northern Territory, and Barbara's years supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Miranda shares how her mum's unwavering belief in her gave her the confidence to pursue acting, the extraordinary sacrifice Barbara made to help her through drama school, and the values she's now passing on to her own children. 

They also open up about the realities of navigating the world as Aboriginal women, the work ethic and resilience passed down through generations, and why Barbara always taught Miranda that family doesn't stop at your front door. 

Part 2 is available now, where Miranda and Barbara share the story of meeting James, the family "tests" every new member must pass, the joy of raising the next generation together, and why love, laughter, and culture remain at the heart of their family. 

Moments you'll hear:
Why Barbara has become a "mythical" figure in Miranda's life stories 
Barara growing up as the eldest of eight children and learning responsibility early 
The workplace romance that led to Barbara and Tony's 50-year marriage 
Why Barbara waited until her 30s to become a mum 
The family philosophy that "family doesn't stop at your front door" 
Life growing up in Kakadu National Park and the village that raised Miranda 
Barbara's extraordinary career supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and Miranda reflects on having her mum at school every day 
The special role Miranda's grandparents played in her childhood 
Miranda's very first performances and the early signs she was destined for the stage 
The difficult transition from the Northern Territory to Sydney and studying at drama school, and the incredible sacrifice Barbara made to help Miranda finish NIDA 
The life lessons Barbara taught Miranda about resilience, presentation, and work ethic as an Aboriginal woman 
The family history behind those lessons and the policies that shaped generations 
Miranda sees the next generation's performer beginning to emerge in her own daughter 

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

Before you leave... 

🗣️ Get in touch 

What did you think? We are a brand-new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/ 

Email us your love stories (and any feedback) at awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au 

If you share your love story on social media please tag us, we're @womensweeklymag, and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories 

Subscribe to The Australian Women's Weekly at womensweekly.com.au 👈🏽 

Our special thanks to our partners at Vixin 

Vixin real results, simple skincare that's a little bit fancy: vixin.com.au 

Use the code LOVESTORIES for 30% off your order at Vixin now! 

Sending thanks to our partners at Wounded Heroes. 

You can help Wounded Heroes deliver emergency assistance to current Australian Defence Force members, veterans and their families by donating at: www.woundedheroes.org.au/actsofservice 

Credits: 

Host: Tiffany Dunk 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace 

Production by Leah Porges and Helen Smith 

Our wonderful The Australian Women's Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly website 

Miranda Tapsell has become one of Australia's most celebrated actors and storytellers, but behind every chapter of her remarkable career is the woman who taught her what love,&nbsp;family,&nbsp;and community truly mean:&nbsp;her mum, Barbara.&nbsp;
In this two-part episode of&nbsp;The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories,&nbsp;proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman Miranda&nbsp;joins host Tiffany Dunk alongside Barbara for a heartfelt conversation about the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, the lessons that have shaped their family across generations, and the love that has carried them through life's biggest changes.&nbsp;
Together they reflect on Barbara's childhood as the eldest of eight children, meeting and falling in love with Miranda's father,&nbsp;Tony, raising a family in Kakadu in the Northern Territory, and Barbara's years supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Miranda shares how her mum's unwavering belief in her gave her the confidence to pursue acting, the extraordinary sacrifice Barbara made to help her through drama school, and the values&nbsp;she's&nbsp;now passing on to her own children.&nbsp;
They also&nbsp;open up&nbsp;about the realities of navigating the world as&nbsp;Aboriginal&nbsp;women, the work ethic and resilience passed down through generations, and why Barbara always taught Miranda that family&nbsp;doesn't&nbsp;stop at your front door.&nbsp;
Part 2 is available now, where Miranda and Barbara share the story of meeting James, the&nbsp;family "tests" every new member must pass, the joy of raising the next generation together, and why love, laughter,&nbsp;and culture remain at the heart of their family.&nbsp;
Moments you'll hear:
<ul>
<li>Why Barbara has become a "mythical" figure in Miranda's life stories&nbsp;</li>
<li>Barara growing up as the eldest of eight children and learning responsibility early&nbsp;</li>
<li>The workplace romance that led to Barbara and Tony's 50-year marriage&nbsp;</li>
<li>Why Barbara waited until her 30s to become a mum&nbsp;</li>
<li>The family philosophy that "family doesn't stop at your front door"&nbsp;</li>
<li>Life growing up in Kakadu National Park and the village that raised Miranda&nbsp;</li>
<li>Barbara's extraordinary career supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and Miranda reflects on having her mum at school every day&nbsp;</li>
<li>The special role Miranda's grandparents played in her childhood&nbsp;</li>
<li>Miranda's very first performances and the early signs she was destined for the stage&nbsp;</li>
<li>The difficult transition from the Northern Territory to Sydney and studying at drama school, and the incredible sacrifice Barbara made to help Miranda finish NIDA&nbsp;</li>
<li>The life lessons Barbara taught Miranda about resilience,&nbsp;presentation,&nbsp;and work ethic as an Aboriginal woman&nbsp;</li>
<li>The family history behind those lessons and the policies that shaped generations&nbsp;</li>
<li>Miranda sees the next generation's performer beginning to&nbsp;emerge&nbsp;in her own daughter&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a brand-new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at <a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/">www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/</a>&nbsp;
Email us your love stories (and any feedback) at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au">awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au</a>&nbsp;
If you share your love story on social media please tag us,&nbsp;we're&nbsp;@womensweeklymag, and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories&nbsp;
Subscribe to&nbsp;The Australian Women's Weekly&nbsp;at womensweekly.com.au 👈🏽&nbsp;
Our special thanks to our partners at&nbsp;Vixin&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/">Vixin</a>&nbsp;real results, simple skincare&nbsp;that's&nbsp;a little bit fancy:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/">vixin.com.au&nbsp;</a>
Use the code LOVESTORIES for 30% off your order at&nbsp;Vixin&nbsp;now!&nbsp;
Sending thanks to our partners at Wounded Heroes.&nbsp;
You can help Wounded Heroes deliver emergency&nbsp;assistance&nbsp;to current Australian&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;Force members,&nbsp;veterans&nbsp;and their families by donating at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.woundedheroes.org.au/actsofservice">www.woundedheroes.org.au/actsofservice</a>&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Host: Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Leah Porges&nbsp;and Helen Smith&nbsp;
Our wonderful&nbsp;The Australian Women's Weekly&nbsp;team&nbsp;
Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Learn More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">The Australian Women's Weekly website&nbsp;</a>

What’s your love language? The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories is for the chronically curious about the strongest of our emotions. Hosted by Tiffany Dunk, this podcast swaps cliché romcom endings for real, messy, magnetic connections told by unforgettable voices from The Australian Women’s Weekly universe. From lifelong mateship to unexpected soulmates to finding love both within and beyond yourself, Love Stories is intimate, surprising and quietly empowering.

What&rsquo;s your love language? The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories is for the chronically curious about the strongest of our emotions. Hosted by Tiffany Dunk, this podcast swaps clich&eacute; romcom endings for real, messy, magnetic connections told by unforgettable voices from The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly universe. From lifelong mateship to unexpected soulmates to finding love both within and beyond yourself, Love Stories is intimate, surprising and quietly empowering.

Love Stories

In part one, actor, author, TV host, and proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman Miranda Tapsell joins Tiffany Dunk alongside her mum, Barbara Tapsell, for a heartfelt conversation about family, culture, and the enduring bond between mother and daughter. Together they reflect on Barbara's remarkable life, the values that shaped Miranda's career and motherhood, and the love, resilience, and First Nations culture they're passing on to the next generation. 