Emily wasn't sure she wanted to apply for Farmer Wants a Wife – until David's photo popped up on Facebook and changed her mind. Meanwhile, David had tried the apps, was living on his family farm and quietly hoping for something more.  

In this episode of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories, David and Emily sit down with Tiffany Dunk – with seven-week-old Willa in tow – to talk about the speed date where Emily was saved for last, the blind date that changed everything, and what it actually felt like to fall in love in front of the nation. 

They open up about the post-COVID loneliness that led them both to the show, what it was like to watch friends and family celebrate their love at a big farm wedding, and how Emily navigated morning sickness on a 40-minute commute before she could tell anyone why. 

David reflects on the moment he told his producer, “I feel so light, so happy around her,” and Emily shares why moving to the farm two weeks after filming wrapped never felt scary. Plus, the pregnancy announcement that happened in the middle of a backpacker dinner, the emergency C-section that brought Willa safely into the world, and the new venture that means their farm will soon be hosting other people’s love stories too. 

Moments you’ll hear: 
Why Emily applied for Farmer Wants a Wife after spotting David’s photo on Facebook – and the puppy she bought first. 
The speed date where David’s producer saved Emily for last. 
The blind date that was “no turning back” and how their feelings shifted from that moment. 
What being filmed constantly and living together for eight weeks does to a relationship. 
Emily moving to the farm two weeks after filming and finding a dance teaching job. 
The Mudgee proposal: gin tastings, a fake photo shoot, a jetty – and the ring size Emily had handed over at breakfast that morning. 
A 220-person farm wedding, a big tipi, and a dance floor people still talk about. 
The pregnancy announcement in the middle of a chaotic backpacker dinner. 
Emily’s morning sickness, a 40-minute commute, and keeping a big secret. 
Baby Willa’s arrival. 
Their new wedding venue, Lagnicourt, where others can celebrate love where theirs began. 

Check out David and Emily’s new wedding venue, Lagnicourt Weddings and Events here. 

Love Farmer Wants a Wife? Check out our coverage here. 

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 womensweekly.com.au 

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 www.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! 

Credits 

Host: Tiffany Dunk 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace 

Production by Leah Porges 

Our wonderful The Australian Women's Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly website 

Emily&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;sure she&nbsp;wanted to&nbsp;apply for Farmer Wants a Wife&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;until&nbsp;David's photo popped up on Facebook and&nbsp;changed her mind.&nbsp;Meanwhile,&nbsp;David had tried the apps,&nbsp;was living on his family farm&nbsp;and quietly hoping for something more.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this episode of The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly Love Stories, David and Emily sit down with Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;with&nbsp;seven-week-old Willa in tow&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;to&nbsp;talk about the speed date where Emily was saved for last, the blind date that changed everything, and what it actually felt like to fall in love&nbsp;in front&nbsp;of the nation.&nbsp;
They open up about the post-COVID loneliness that led them both to the show, what it was like to watch&nbsp;friends and family celebrate their love at a big farm wedding, and how Emily navigated morning sickness on a 40-minute commute before she could tell anyone why.&nbsp;
David reflects on the moment he told his producer, &ldquo;I feel so light, so happy around her,&rdquo; and Emily shares why moving to the farm two weeks after filming wrapped never felt scary.&nbsp;Plus,&nbsp;the pregnancy announcement that happened in the middle of a backpacker dinner, the emergency C-section that brought Willa safely into the world, and the new venture that means their farm will soon be hosting other people&rsquo;s love stories too.&nbsp;
Moments&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll&nbsp;hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Why Emily applied for Farmer Wants a Wife after spotting David&rsquo;s photo on Facebook&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;and&nbsp;the puppy she bought first.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">The speed date where David&rsquo;s producer saved Emily for last.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">The blind date that was &ldquo;no turning back&rdquo;&nbsp;and how their feelings shifted from that moment.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">What&nbsp;being filmed constantly&nbsp;and&nbsp;living together for&nbsp;eight weeks&nbsp;does to&nbsp;a relationship.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Emily&nbsp;moving&nbsp;to the farm two weeks after filming and finding a dance teaching job.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">The&nbsp;Mudgee&nbsp;proposal: gin tastings, a fake photo shoot, a jetty&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;and&nbsp;the ring size Emily had handed over at breakfast that morning.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">A 220-person farm wedding, a big tipi, and a dance floor people still talk about.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">The pregnancy announcement in the middle of a chaotic backpacker dinner.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1">Emily&rsquo;s morning sickness, a 40-minute commute, and&nbsp;keeping a big secret.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1">Baby Willa&rsquo;s arrival.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&bull;" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&bull;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1">Their&nbsp;new&nbsp;wedding venue, Lagnicourt, where others&nbsp;can celebrate love where theirs began.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Check out David and Emily&rsquo;s new wedding venue, Lagnicourt&nbsp;Weddings&nbsp;and Events&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lagnicourt.com.au/">here</a>.&nbsp;
Love Farmer Wants a Wife? Check out our coverage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/tv-film/farmer-wants-a-wife/">here.</a>&nbsp;
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 womensweekly.com.au&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 The Australian Women's Weekly at <a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au">www.womensweekly.com.au</a>&nbsp;👈🏽&nbsp;
Our special thanks&nbsp;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</a>&nbsp;
Use the code LOVESTORIES for 30% off your order at&nbsp;Vixin&nbsp;now!&nbsp;
Credits&nbsp;
Host: Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace&nbsp;
Production by&nbsp;Leah Porges&nbsp;
Our wonderful The Australian Women's Weekly team&nbsp;
Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Learn More: <a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au">The Australian Women's Weekly website&nbsp;</a>

Farmer Wants a Wife’s David and Emily McMahon join Tiffany Dunk with newborn Willa to share their love story, which began with a nerve-wracking TV series speed date and led to a huge wedding at the family farm once cameras went down. They also talk about what life looks like for them now as new parents and why their farm is about to become one of the most romantic spots in Australia.  

David & Emily's Farmer Wants a Wife Love Story: Speed Dates, A Farm Wedding & Baby Willa 

When Rob "Millsy" Mills saw Georgie Tunny on ABC Breakfast in 2018, he did what any reasonable person would do: he Googled her, found their two mutual friends, and slid into her DMs. 

In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Georgie and Rob sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the message Georgie left on read for three days, the Harry Potter spoof play that became their first date, and why 'sober dating' (coffee and a walk around the Botanical Gardens) might be the secret to a strong relationship. 

They open up about the realities of two demanding careers pulling them in different directions, the conversation with Georgie's mentor Virginia Trioli that helped her choose love over a job offer in Brisbane, and the unexpected gift of slowing down together while filming The Amazing Race Australia, which they won by just 43 seconds. 

Georgie also talks about her debut novel Over to You, set in the high-stakes world of morning television. Rob also reflects on the lessons he's learned working on his own projects exploring men's mental health – including a simple piece of advice from an ex-military sniper that he's never forgotten. And yes, they finally answer the wedding question: four and a half years into their engagement, is a date on the cards? 

Moments you’ll hear: 
How Rob spotted Georgie on ABC Breakfast, googled her, and slid into her DMs - and why she left him on read for three days. 
The Harry Potter spoof that became their first date, and the friend who convinced Georgie to go. 
Why 'sober dating' – coffee and a walk, no alcohol required – helped them have the big conversations early. 
The career-defining moment Georgie almost let slip past her, and the advice from mentor Virginia Trioli that changed her mind. 
How they navigate long distances, competing careers and learning to communicate when it's hard. 
Winning The Amazing Race Australia by 43 seconds – and the meltdown in Taiwan that nearly ended their run. 
Georgie on her debut novel Over to You and the morning TV moment that inspired it. 
Rob on the advice from an ex-military sniper that he still carries into his relationship. 
What their future looks like, including the wedding that’s been almost five years in the making. 

Over To You by Georgie Tunny is available now.

Waitress: The Musical opens in Sydney in August. Find out more at waitressthemusical.com.au  

Learn more about Rob and Georgie here: https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/rob-mills-partner/ 

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 womensweekly.com.au 

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! 

Credits:

Host: Tiffany Dunk 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace 

Production by Charlie Potter

Supervising Producer: Leah Porges 

Our wonderful The Australian Women's Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website 

When Rob "Millsy" Mills saw Georgie Tunny on&nbsp;ABC Breakfast&nbsp;in 2018, he did what any reasonable person would do: he Googled her, found their two mutual friends, and slid into her DMs.&nbsp;
In this episode of&nbsp;The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Georgie and Rob sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the message Georgie left on read for three days, the Harry Potter spoof play that became their first date, and why 'sober dating' (coffee and a walk around the&nbsp;Botanical&nbsp;Gardens) might be the secret to a strong relationship.&nbsp;
They open up about the realities of two demanding careers pulling them in different directions, the conversation with Georgie's mentor Virginia Trioli that helped her choose love over a job offer in Brisbane, and the unexpected gift of slowing down together while filming&nbsp;The Amazing Race Australia, which they won by just 43 seconds.&nbsp;
Georgie also talks about her debut novel&nbsp;Over to You, set in the high-stakes world of morning television.&nbsp;Rob&nbsp;also&nbsp;reflects on the lessons&nbsp;he's&nbsp;learned working on his own projects exploring men's mental health&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;including&nbsp;a simple piece of advice from an ex-military sniper that&nbsp;he's&nbsp;never forgotten. And yes, they finally answer the wedding question: four and a half years into their engagement, is a date on the cards?&nbsp;
Moments&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll&nbsp;hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">How Rob spotted Georgie on ABC Breakfast,&nbsp;googled&nbsp;her, and slid into her DMs&nbsp;-&nbsp;and why she left him on read for three days.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">The Harry Potter&nbsp;spoof&nbsp;that&nbsp;became their first date, and the friend who convinced Georgie to go.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Why 'sober dating'&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;coffee and&nbsp;a walk, no alcohol&nbsp;required&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;helped them have&nbsp;the big&nbsp;conversations early.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">The career-defining moment Georgie almost let slip past her, and the advice from mentor Virginia Trioli that changed her mind.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">How they navigate long&nbsp;distances,&nbsp;competing&nbsp;careers and learning to communicate when&nbsp;it's&nbsp;hard.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Winning&nbsp;The Amazing Race Australia&nbsp;by 43 seconds&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;and the meltdown in Taiwan that nearly ended their run.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">Georgie on her debut novel&nbsp;Over to You&nbsp;and the morning TV moment that inspired it.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">Rob on the advice from an ex-military sniper that he still carries into his relationship.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1">What their future looks like, including the wedding&nbsp;that&rsquo;s&nbsp;been&nbsp;almost five&nbsp;years in the making.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Over To You by Georgie Tunny is <a href="https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Georgie-Tunny-Over-to-You-9781761471803">available now.</a>
Waitress: The Musical opens in Sydney in August. Find out more at&nbsp;<a href="https://waitressthemusical.com.au/">waitressthemusical.com.au&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;
Learn more about Rob and Georgie here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/rob-mills-partner/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/rob-mills-partner/</a>&nbsp;
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 womensweekly.com.au&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 The Australian Women's Weekly at womensweekly.com.au 👈🏽&nbsp;
Our special thanks&nbsp;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</a>&nbsp;
Use the code LOVESTORIES for 30% off your order at&nbsp;Vixin&nbsp;now!&nbsp;
Credits:
Host: Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Charlie Potter
Supervising Producer: Leah Porges&nbsp;
Our wonderful The Australian Women's Weekly 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</a>&nbsp;

Sports broadcaster Georgie Tunny and actor Rob "Millsy" Mills join Tiffany Dunk to share the love story that began with an Instagram DM, a three-day wait and a Harry Potter spoof play. They talk about long distance, big careers, winning The Amazing Race Australia together, and why their fairytale ending now looks a lot like Rob as a dad. 

Georgie Tunny and Rob Mills: The Promise Ring, The Wedding And The Baby Plans 

When Nas Campanella was sent to Bega to take over Tom Oriti's job, neither of them expected the handover to become the beginning of a life together. 

In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Nas and Tom sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the early days of their relationship, from nightly drives home and Italian family dinners to the very practical first gift that somehow said everything: a corkscrew. 

They also open up about building a family together, the assumptions people still make about Nas as a blind mother, and why being visible as a family matters. Nas speaks with clarity about internalised ableism, disability and parenting, while Tom reflects on the casual comments and stares, they still encounter in public. 

But this is also a joyful family story. Nas and Tom share the rituals, boundaries and humour that keep their home grounded: less screen time, more music, audiobooks, story time, silliness, emotional language and the kind of love that is said out loud, every day. 

More in this Exclusive story from The Australian Women's Weekly: ABC journalist Nas Campanella introduces baby Lachlan and opens up about coping with other people’s prejudices

Moments you'll hear 
How a job handover in Bega became the start of a 14-year relationship. 
The hilarious first gift Tom bought Nas when he realised she might be the one. 
Why Nas once wondered whether anyone would want to have children with her, and how Tom responded. 
The everyday ableism Nas and Tom still encounter when people assume Tom speaks for her. 
Why Nas insists their family is seen out in the world, even during ordinary four-year-old chaos. 
How Lachie is learning disability awareness, empathy and emotional honesty at home and at daycare. 
The boundaries Nas and Tom use to protect their relationship, family time and mental load while working in news. 

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 womensweekly.com.au 

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 subscription 👈🏽 

Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home 

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

Credits 

Host Tiffany Dunk 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace 

Production by Charlie Potter  

Our wonderful The Australian Women’s Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website 

When Nas Campanella was sent to Bega to take over Tom Oriti's job, neither of them expected the handover to become the beginning of a life together.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Nas and Tom sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the early days of their relationship, from nightly drives home and Italian family dinners to the very practical first gift that somehow said everything: a corkscrew.&nbsp;
They also&nbsp;open up&nbsp;about building a family together, the assumptions people still make about Nas as a blind mother, and why being visible as a family matters. Nas speaks with clarity about&nbsp;internalised&nbsp;ableism,&nbsp;disability&nbsp;and parenting, while Tom reflects on the casual comments and&nbsp;stares,&nbsp;they still&nbsp;encounter&nbsp;in public.&nbsp;
But this is also a joyful family story. Nas and Tom share the rituals, boundaries and humour that keep their home grounded: less screen time, more music, audiobooks, story time, silliness, emotional&nbsp;language&nbsp;and the kind of love that is said&nbsp;out loud, every day.&nbsp;
More in this Exclusive story from The Australian Women's Weekly: <a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/celebrity/nas-campanella-family/">ABC journalist Nas Campanella introduces baby Lachlan and opens up about coping with other people&rsquo;s prejudices</a>
Moments&nbsp;you'll&nbsp;hear&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">How a job handover in Bega became the start of a 14-year relationship.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">The hilarious first gift Tom bought Nas when he realised she might be the one.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Why Nas once wondered whether anyone would want to have children with her, and how Tom responded.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">The everyday ableism Nas and Tom still&nbsp;encounter&nbsp;when people assume Tom speaks for her.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Why Nas insists their family is seen out in the world, even during ordinary four-year-old chaos.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">How Lachie is learning disability awareness,&nbsp;empathy&nbsp;and emotional honesty at home and at daycare.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">The boundaries Nas and Tom use to protect their relationship, family time and mental load while working in news.&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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/">womensweekly.com.au</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 The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">subscription</a>&nbsp;👈🏽&nbsp;
Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home&nbsp;
Vixin&nbsp;real results, simple skincare&nbsp;that's&nbsp;a little bit fancy:&nbsp;<a href="https://vixin.com.au/">vixin.com.au</a>&nbsp;
Credits&nbsp;
Host Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Charlie Potter&nbsp;&nbsp;
Our wonderful The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly 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</a>&nbsp;

ABC journalist Nas Campanella and ABC News Radio presenter Tom Oriti join Tiffany Dunk to share the love story that began in a tiny Bega newsroom, grew through long distance and travel, and now shapes the way they parent their son Lachie. It is tender, funny and deeply practical - a conversation about partnership, disability, casual ableism, emotional honesty and the everyday choices that make a family feel safe, seen and loved. 

Nas Campanella and Tom Oriti: She Was Meant to Take His Job. Instead, She Took His Heart 

When Amanda Ferrari left Sydney for the tiny town of Trangie, she was told there were two eligible bachelors she should stay away from. But the moment she walked into the local pub and saw farmer Ross across the bar, she knew she'd be ignoring that warning completely. 

More than 30 years later, Amanda and Ross Ferrari sit down with Tiffany Dunk for The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories to talk about the real life behind a country romance: becoming parents to premature twins, learning how to belong in a tight-knit town, supporting each other through drought, running a farming family, building community, and buying the very pub where their love story began. 

This is a warm, funny and deeply Australian conversation about love, marriage, rural life, friendship, resilience and what it means to make somewhere your home.   

Moments you’ll hear: 
How Amanda first saw Ross across the bar at the local pub 
The surprise pregnancy that turned best friends into a family 
Why Ross is the steady “wood” to Amanda’s fire 
The emotional and financial pressure of farming through drought 
Amanda’s advice for anyone trying to find community later in life 
How they bought The Imperial Hotel in Trangie to keep the town alive 
Why regional life still has so much to offer people looking for home, connection and belonging 

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 womensweekly.com.au 

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 subscription 👈🏽 

If you loved hearing Amanda and Ross Ferrari’s story: 

Farmer Wants a Wife https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/farmer-wants-a-wife-2026-farmers/  

Country heroes: https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/real-life/rural-doctors/  

Australian rural life: https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/carol-mudford-sheep-shearer-agrifutures-rural-women-award/  

The Boarding School Collective

Trangie, NSW 

The Imperial Hotel, Trangie 

🙏 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 and Leah Porges 

Our wonderful The Australian Women’s Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website 

When Amanda Ferrari left Sydney for the tiny town of Trangie, she was told there were two eligible bachelors she should stay away from. But the moment she walked into the local pub and saw farmer Ross across the bar, she knew she'd be ignoring that warning completely.&nbsp;
More than 30 years later, Amanda and Ross Ferrari sit down with Tiffany Dunk for The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly Love Stories to talk about the real life behind a country romance: becoming parents to premature twins, learning how to belong in a tight-knit town, supporting each other through drought, running a farming family, building community, and buying the very pub where their love story began.&nbsp;
This is a warm, funny and deeply Australian conversation about love, marriage, rural life, friendship, resilience and what it means to make somewhere your home.&nbsp; &nbsp;
Moments&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll&nbsp;hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>How Amanda first saw Ross across the bar at the local pub&nbsp;</li>
<li>The surprise pregnancy that turned best friends into a family&nbsp;</li>
<li>Why Ross is the steady &ldquo;wood&rdquo; to Amanda&rsquo;s fire&nbsp;</li>
<li>The emotional and financial pressure of farming through drought&nbsp;</li>
<li>Amanda&rsquo;s advice for anyone trying to find community later in life&nbsp;</li>
<li>How they bought The Imperial Hotel in&nbsp;Trangie&nbsp;to keep the town&nbsp;alive&nbsp;</li>
<li>Why regional life still has so much to offer people looking for home, connection and belonging&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand-new&nbsp;podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at womensweekly.com.au&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&nbsp;media,&nbsp;please tag us &ndash;&nbsp;we&rsquo;re&nbsp;@womensweeklymag &ndash; and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories&nbsp;
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at subscription 👈🏽&nbsp;
If you loved hearing Amanda and Ross Ferrari&rsquo;s story:&nbsp;
Farmer Wants a Wife&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/farmer-wants-a-wife-2026-farmers/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/farmer-wants-a-wife-2026-farmers/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Country&nbsp;heroes:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/real-life/rural-doctors/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/real-life/rural-doctors/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Australian rural life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/carol-mudford-sheep-shearer-agrifutures-rural-women-award/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/carol-mudford-sheep-shearer-agrifutures-rural-women-award/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://boardingschoolco.com.au/">The Boarding School Collective</a>
Trangie, NSW&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.theimperialhoteltrangie.com.au/">The Imperial Hotel,&nbsp;Trangie&nbsp;</a>
🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au">Vixin</a>&nbsp;real results, simple skincare&nbsp;that's&nbsp;a little bit fancy&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Host Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Charlie Potter and Leah Porges&nbsp;
Our wonderful The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly team&nbsp;
Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website&nbsp;

When Amanda Ferrari left Sydney for the tiny town of Trangie, she was warned there were two eligible bachelors she should stay away from. But when she walked into the local pub and locked eyes with farmer Ross, everything changed.   More than 30 years later, Amanda and Ross join Tiffany Dunk to talk about love, farm life, drought, raising twins, building community, buying the pub where their story began, and what it really takes to make a new place feel like home. 

Stay away from that man! From Sydney to Trangie, Amanda and Ross Ferrari’s love story

Charlie Albone and Juliet Love’s love story started like a real-life rom com, although Juliet did not exactly leave their first meeting swooning. 

When the Better Homes and Gardens pair first met during a screen test in Rushcutters Bay, Charlie was nervous, hungover and barely speaking. Juliet drove away thinking he was rude. Somehow, a silent car ride, an accidental work date and one very persistent invitation later, they were on their way to a marriage that has now carried them through fast romance, two children, long stretches apart, renovations, health scares and the everyday mess of real life. 

In this episode of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories, Charlie and Juliet sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about their early days, their South Coast wedding, what it is really like to work with your partner, how they navigate family life, and how Juliet’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis changed everything. 

They also open up about anxiety, asking for help, why long-term love still matters, and what gardening has taught them about marriage: you cannot chase perfection, but you can keep tending to what matters. 

Moments you’ll hear: 
How Charlie and Juliet first met during a very awkward screen test 
Why Juliet thought Charlie was rude 
The accidental first date Charlie thought was romantic, and Juliet thought was work 
Their fast engagement and South Coast garden wedding 
How Juliet’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis changed their family life 
How Charlie supported Juliet through illness and anxiety 
What they have learnt about working together on Better Homes and Gardens 
Why gardening, family and imperfection are such a big part of their love story 
The lessons they hope their sons learn about love 

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 womensweekly.com.au 

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 subscription 👈🏽 

If you loved hearing Charlie and Juliet’s story: 

The Living Edit 

Charlie Albone 

Better Homes and Gardens 

Follow Charlie on Instagram 

Follow Juliet on Instagram 

 

🙏 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 wonderful The Australian Women’s Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website 

 

Charlie Albone and Juliet Love&rsquo;s love story started like a real-life&nbsp;rom com, although Juliet did not exactly leave their first meeting swooning.&nbsp;
When the&nbsp;Better Homes and Gardens&nbsp;pair first met during a screen test in Rushcutters Bay, Charlie was nervous,&nbsp;hungover&nbsp;and barely speaking. Juliet drove away thinking he was rude. Somehow, a silent car ride, an accidental work date and one very persistent invitation later, they were on their way to a marriage that has now carried them through fast romance, two children, long stretches apart, renovations, health scares and the everyday mess of real life.&nbsp;
In this episode of&nbsp;The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly Love Stories, Charlie and Juliet sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about their early days, their South Coast wedding, what it is really like to work with your partner, how they navigate family life, and how Juliet&rsquo;s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis changed everything.&nbsp;
They also&nbsp;open up&nbsp;about anxiety, asking for help, why long-term love still matters, and what gardening has taught them about marriage: you cannot chase perfection, but you can keep tending to what matters.&nbsp;
Moments&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll&nbsp;hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">How Charlie and Juliet first met during a very awkward screen test&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Why Juliet thought Charlie was rude&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">The accidental first date Charlie thought was&nbsp;romantic,&nbsp;and Juliet thought was work&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Their fast engagement and South Coast garden wedding&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">How Juliet&rsquo;s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis changed their family life&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">How Charlie supported Juliet through illness and anxiety&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">What they have learnt about working together on&nbsp;Better Homes and Gardens&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">Why gardening, family and imperfection are such a big part of their love story&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="&middot;" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&middot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1">The lessons they hope their sons learn about love&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand-new&nbsp;podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">womensweekly.com.au</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&rsquo;re&nbsp;@womensweeklymag, and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories&nbsp;
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at subscription 👈🏽&nbsp;
If you loved hearing Charlie and Juliet&rsquo;s story:&nbsp;
<a href="https://thelivingedit.tv/">The Living Edit</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://charliealbone.com/">Charlie Albone</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bhg.com.au/">Better Homes and Gardens</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/charlie_albone/">Follow Charlie on Instagram</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/julietlove/">Follow Juliet on Instagram</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/">Vixin</a>&nbsp;real results, simple skincare&nbsp;that's&nbsp;a little bit fancy&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Host Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Charlie Potter&nbsp;&nbsp;
Consulting Producer Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp;
Our wonderful&nbsp;The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly&nbsp;team&nbsp;
Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Better Homes and Gardens favourites Charlie Albone and Juliet Love join Tiffany Dunk to tell the real story of their marriage, from an awkward first screen test to parenthood, Juliet’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, anxiety, long stretches apart and the small, steady ways they keep choosing each other. 

Charlie Albone and Juliet Love: What Love Looks Like After the Rom Com Ends

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... 

🗣️ 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 womensweekly.com.au 

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 https://www.womensweekly.com.au/ 👈🏽 

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/ 

Comedian, writer and professional tall girl <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melaniebracewell/?hl=en">Melanie Bracewell </a>has built a career out of making strangers laugh&nbsp; 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 &ldquo;too much&rdquo; and &ldquo;not enough&rdquo; 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&rsquo;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&nbsp; (with an underbite that melts a room).
Mel shares how she &ldquo;gamifies&rdquo; 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.
<hr>
Moments to hear
💓 Love languages, but make it practical &nbsp;Melanie&rsquo;s case for gifts that solve a problem (and why the sexiest present she&rsquo;s ever received is a neatly packed travel charger)
💓 Too tall to disappear &nbsp;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&nbsp;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&rsquo;t broken, it&rsquo;s just wired differently and why medication gave her back a sense of control rather than &ldquo;fixing&rdquo; her
💓Charles, Gigi and the rescue romance&nbsp; 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&rsquo;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 ❤️&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at womensweekly.com.au&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&rsquo;re&nbsp;@womensweeklymag, and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories&nbsp;
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/</a>&nbsp;👈🏽&nbsp;
If you loved hearing Melanie's story:&nbsp;
Learn more about <a href="https://www.petstock.com.au/pages/adoption-hub">The Petstock Foundation&rsquo;s Pet Adoption Month</a>&nbsp; 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:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/health/adhd-women/">Adult ADHD&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/health/dogs-impact-on-mental-health/">Dogs and the impact on mental health</a>
Learn more about The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly Love Stories at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/</a>&nbsp;
🙏 Our special thanks for making Love Stories our home:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=22363829021&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22363829021&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADGYDGcVXtxZc4VWU7VQG496KVtjO&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_bPBhDXARIsACiq8R0s679tEKjb3A696YxXxE5Wn8tTwjhlyJua4FboTyd6Sl2CiqMOLZQaAnJhEALw_wcB">Vixin</a>,&nbsp;real results, simple skincare&nbsp;that&rsquo;s&nbsp;a little bit fancy&nbsp;
🎧&nbsp;Credits:&nbsp;
Host Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Charlie Potter
Consulting Producer Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp;
Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Editor Sophie Tedmanson&nbsp;
Our wonderful The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly team&nbsp;
💓
Learn More The Australian Women's Weekly Website: <a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/&nbsp;</a>

In the 1970s, Deb Lawrie took on Ansett and became Australia’s first female commercial pilot. Now, with her son Tom beside her, she reflects on the fight that changed aviation, and the family legacy that followed. 

Furry, Friendly Love at First Underbite: A Comedian and Her Rescue Dog

Deb Lawrie did not set out to become a symbol. She just wanted to fly. 

By the late 1970s, Deb had the hours, the qualifications and the experience to become an airline pilot. What she did not have was the one thing Australia’s major airlines seemed to require: being a man. 

When Ansett refused to hire her, Deb took on one of the country’s most powerful companies and won. Her landmark case made her Australia’s first female commercial pilot, and helped force open a door that had been firmly shut to women. 

In this episode of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories, Deb sits down with host Tiffany Dunk alongside her son Tom Lawrie, who would eventually follow her into aviation. 

Together, they talk about the teenage flying lessons Deb (almost) hated, the public fight that gripped Australia, the women who quietly boycotted Ansett from behind office desks, and what it was really like to raise a son while flying around the world. 

For Tom, Deb’s work was simply normal when he was a child. His mum flew planes. Sometimes he sat in the cockpit. Sometimes he was more interested in helping the flight attendants with the trolley service. It was only as he grew older, and became a pilot himself, that he began to understand what his mother had really done. 

This is a story about a mother and son, a job that became a calling, and the kind of courage that can change a family long before anyone realises it. 

Moments you’ll hear: 

❤️ Deb’s first flying lessons, and why she hated the first one 

❤️ The solo flight that made everything click 

❤️ How Deb built her hours flying opals across outback Australia 

❤️ Why Ansett tried to wait her out until she was too old to apply 

❤️ The sexist arguments used to keep women out of the cockpit 

❤️ How office secretaries helped boycott Ansett 

❤️ The day Deb won her High Court battle and passed her final flight test 

❤️ Tom’s childhood memories of having a pilot for a mum 

❤️ The moment Tom realised Deb’s job was extraordinary 

❤️ Why Tom followed his mother into aviation 

❤️ Deb’s advice for anyone who has been told no 

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 womensweekly.com.au 

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 https://www.womensweekly.com.au/ 👈🏽 

If you loved hearing Deb and Tom’s story: 

Read Deb Lawrie’s memoir Touching the Sky 

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 and Jessie-Lee Klass 

Our wonderful The Australian Women’s Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

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

Deb Lawrie did not set out to become a symbol. She just wanted to fly.&nbsp;
By the late 1970s, Deb had the hours, the&nbsp;qualifications&nbsp;and the experience&nbsp;to become&nbsp;an airline pilot. What she did not have was the one thing Australia&rsquo;s major airlines seemed to require: being a man.&nbsp;
When Ansett refused to hire her, Deb took on one of the country&rsquo;s most powerful companies and won. Her landmark case made her Australia&rsquo;s first female commercial&nbsp;pilot, and&nbsp;helped force open a door that had been firmly shut to women.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly Love Stories, Deb sits down with host Tiffany Dunk alongside her son Tom Lawrie, who would eventually follow her into aviation.&nbsp;
Together, they talk about the teenage flying lessons Deb (almost) hated, the public fight that gripped Australia, the women who quietly boycotted Ansett from behind office desks, and what it was really like to raise a son while flying around the world.&nbsp;
For Tom, Deb&rsquo;s work was simply normal when he was a child. His mum flew planes. Sometimes he sat in the cockpit. Sometimes he was more interested in helping the flight attendants with the trolley service. It was only as he grew older, and became a pilot himself, that he began to understand what his mother had really done.&nbsp;
This is a story about a mother and son, a job that became a calling, and the kind of courage that can change a family long before anyone&nbsp;realises&nbsp;it.&nbsp;
Moments&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll&nbsp;hear:&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;Deb&rsquo;s first flying lessons, and why she hated the first one&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;The solo flight that made everything click&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;How Deb built her hours flying opals across outback Australia&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;Why Ansett tried to wait her out until she was too old to apply&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;The sexist arguments used to keep women out of the cockpit&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;How office secretaries helped boycott Ansett&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;The day Deb won her High Court battle and passed her final flight test&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;Tom&rsquo;s childhood memories of having a pilot for a mum&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;The moment Tom&nbsp;realised&nbsp;Deb&rsquo;s job was extraordinary&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;Why Tom followed his mother into aviation&nbsp;
❤️&nbsp;Deb&rsquo;s advice for anyone who has been told no&nbsp;
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at womensweekly.com.au&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&rsquo;re&nbsp;@womensweeklymag, and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories&nbsp;
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/</a>&nbsp;👈🏽&nbsp;
If you loved hearing Deb and Tom&rsquo;s story:&nbsp;
Read Deb Lawrie&rsquo;s memoir <a href="https://harpercollins.com.au/products/9780733343964_touching-the-sky-the-extraordinary-story-of-an-australian-trailblazer-who-became-the-longest-flying-female-airline-pilot-in-the-world">Touching the Sky&nbsp;</a>
Learn more about The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly Love Stories at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast/</a>&nbsp;
🙏 Our special thanks for making Love Stories our home:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=22363829021&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22363829021&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADGYDGcVXtxZc4VWU7VQG496KVtjO&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_bPBhDXARIsACiq8R0s679tEKjb3A696YxXxE5Wn8tTwjhlyJua4FboTyd6Sl2CiqMOLZQaAnJhEALw_wcB">Vixin</a>,&nbsp;real results, simple skincare&nbsp;that&rsquo;s&nbsp;a little bit fancy&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Host Tiffany Dunk&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Charlie Potter and Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp;
Our wonderful The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly team&nbsp;
Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Learn More The Australian Women's Weekly Website: <a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/">https://www.womensweekly.com.au/&nbsp;</a>

Deb and Tom Lawrie: The Pilot Who Took On Ansett, and the Son Who Followed Her Flight Path

When Katie Noonan’s 20-year marriage ended, it wasn’t a clean plot twist, it was the slow unravelling of the life she thought she’d be living forever: two boys, one family, a future she could name.

In this episode of Love Stories, Katie chats with Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk of The Australian Women's Weekly about her layered grief: losing her Dad, becoming suddenly single, and realising that the person you have to learn to love again is yourself.

This isn’t a celebrity profile so much as an emotional recording of a songwriter who has gone through a lot of life. Katie goes back to the 90s - the disastrous eyebrows, the Gold Coast gigs, the share house full of actors - to find the younger self who started a band, fell in love and thought she’d cracked adulthood. 

What happens when that version of the story collapses?

Katie revisits the dark days she wasn’t sure she’d get through, how she's made mistakes along the way, and how music keeps dragging her back to the surface.

Moments you’ll hear:


Katie admits she sometimes bursts into tears just seeing a family with two young boys, because “that was my life, and it isn’t now."


How she’s turning heartbreak into a new album: “There’s nowhere to hide, it’s just me and a piano” and why she released the most exposing song of her career even though it might be too much for her own kids to hear just yet.


The quiet wisdom her mum offers as they grieve side‑by‑side: “Every day is a new day… just let yesterday be”; and how a Buddhist temple on the Sunshine Coast and tiny rituals of self‑care are helping them both keep going.


Katie’s confession that she’s been “really hard” on herself, questioning her whole reality, and the small, almost boring word she’s learning to cling to: resilient.

It’s a conversation about divorce, yes. But really it’s about what you build in the empty space afterward: a different kind of family, a different kind of faith, and a love story that starts awkwardly, imperfectly with yourself. 

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 womensweekly.com.au
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 subscription  👈🏽

If you loved hearing Katie's story: 

Katie Noonan singing 'Breathe In Now' 

Alone But All One is released on June 26. Pre-order here

Katie is touring around the country. Find tickets and venues here: https://www.katienoonan.com.au/shows

Follow Katie on Instagram here 

See More 👀: 

Divorce Month 

Music news 

🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home: 

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

Credits: 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace 

Production by Charlie Potter 

Our wonderful The Australian Women’s Weekly team  

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website

 

 

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/katie_noonan_music/">Katie Noonan&rsquo;s </a>20-year marriage ended, it wasn&rsquo;t a clean plot twist, it was the slow unravelling of the life she thought she&rsquo;d be living forever: two boys, one family, a future she could name.
In this episode of&nbsp;Love Stories, Katie chats with Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk of The Australian Women's Weekly about her layered grief: losing her Dad, becoming suddenly single, and realising that the person you have to learn to love again is yourself.
This isn&rsquo;t a celebrity profile so much as an emotional recording of a songwriter who has gone through a lot of life. Katie goes back to the 90s - the disastrous eyebrows, the Gold Coast gigs, the share house full of actors - to find the younger self who started a band, fell in love and thought she&rsquo;d cracked adulthood.&nbsp;
What happens when that version of the story collapses?
Katie revisits the dark days she wasn&rsquo;t sure she&rsquo;d get through, how she's made mistakes along the way, and how music keeps dragging her back to the surface.
Moments you&rsquo;ll hear:
<ul>
<li>
Katie admits she sometimes bursts into tears just seeing a family with two young boys, because &ldquo;that was my life, and it isn&rsquo;t now."
</li>
<li>
How she&rsquo;s turning heartbreak into a new album: &ldquo;There&rsquo;s nowhere to hide, it&rsquo;s just me and a piano&rdquo; and why she released the most exposing song of her career even though it might be too much for her own kids to hear just yet.
</li>
<li>
The quiet wisdom her mum offers as they grieve side‑by‑side: &ldquo;Every day is a new day&hellip; just let yesterday be&rdquo;; and how a Buddhist temple on the Sunshine Coast and tiny rituals of self‑care are helping them both keep going.
</li>
<li>
Katie&rsquo;s confession that she&rsquo;s been &ldquo;really hard&rdquo; on herself, questioning her whole reality, and the small, almost boring word she&rsquo;s learning to cling to: resilient.
</li>
</ul>
It&rsquo;s a conversation about divorce, yes. But really it&rsquo;s about what you build in the empty space afterward: a different kind of family, a different kind of faith, and a love story that starts awkwardly, imperfectly with yourself.&nbsp;
<hr>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would&nbsp;love&nbsp;to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at&nbsp;<a href="http://womensweekly.com.au/">womensweekly.com.au</a> Email us your love stories (and any feedback) at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au">awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au</a>
If you share your love story on social media please tag us &ndash; we&rsquo;re @womensweeklymag &ndash; and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/239-love-stories-322546892/episode/jessica-rowe-and-peter-overton-the-324196059/magshop.com.au%20https:/www.magshop.com.au/Products/AWM/australian-womens-weekly-magazine-subscription?utm_source=w%E2%80%A6">subscription</a>&nbsp; 👈🏽
If you loved hearing Katie's story:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mothersdayclassicaus"></a>
<a href="https://youtu.be/TTIgKdaIsJ0?si=SLxlgZ2_jq7jny2q">Katie Noonan singing 'Breathe In Now'&nbsp;</a>
Alone But All One is released on June 26. Pre-order&nbsp;<a href="https://gyro.to/AlonebutalloneAlbum">here</a>
Katie is touring around the country. Find tickets and venues here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.katienoonan.com.au/shows" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">https://www.katienoonan.com.au/shows</a>
Follow Katie on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katie_noonan_music/">here&nbsp;</a>
See More 👀:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.com/@anathunguyen"></a>
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/lifestyle/january-divorce-month/">Divorce Month </a>
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/margot-robbie-kylie-minogue-biopic/">Music news&nbsp;</a>
🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/pages/vixin-all-in-one-offer?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22135438255&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADGYDGdbk6HWXGUP3yGZa3zncWJHq&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAhOfLBhCCARIsAJPiopMBoMKDjX3zdTIDXbkDXju3G9gzIiOGBqUntZj7Okf98zPMlMXkwIQaAt5hEALw_wcB">Vixin &nbsp;</a>real results, simple skincare that's a little bit fancy
Credits:&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Charlie Potter&nbsp;
Our wonderful The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly team&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn More: <a href="womensweekly.com.au">The Australian Women's Weekly Website</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

When Katie Noonan’s 20-year marriage ended, it wasn’t a clean plot twist, it was the slow unravelling of the life she thought she’d be living forever: two boys, one family, a future she could name.  In this episode of Love Stories, Katie chats with Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk of The Australian Women's Weekly about her layered grief: losing her Dad, becoming suddenly single, and realising that the person you have to learn to love again is yourself.

Grief and Learning to Love Yourself After Divorce with Singer Katie Noonan

If you grew up translating for your parents, working in the family business and quietly editing your dreams down to something “sensible,” this episode is for you. Actor Ana Thu Nguyen and her mum, Uyen, talk about going from a crowded boat and 17‑hour bakery days to a life where survival isn’t the only goal and why Ana finally stopped treating acting as a selfish fantasy and started seeing it as the point. This isn’t a guilt trip; it’s loud, joyful permission for anyone who’s ever thought, “That dream’s not for someone like me,” to want more anyway.

In this episode of Love Stories Tiffany Dunk Deputy Editor of The Australian Women's Weekly, we uncover what it feels like to have the wildest dreams, the one you’re certain is “not for someone like you”is exactly the life you’re allowed to want? In this episode, actor Ana Thu Nguyen sits down with her mum, Uyen, to talk with Tiffany about how a family journey that began on a crowded boat and in an Indonesian refugee camp slowly, quietly turned into something else: a home built on support, softness and the loud joy of saying yes to a creative life.

Ana grew up as the eldest daughter in a Vietnamese‑Australian family translating for her parents, helping in the bakery, watching them work 17hour days and convincing herself that law or a “proper job” was the only way to honour their sacrifice. Her escapism was always story: stacks of library books, school plays, and the moment she watched a production of Macbeth and literally saw herself on stage, years before Hollywood came calling

Together, Ana and Uyen trace the love story underneath the hustle: the grandfather‑figure who opened his Sydney home to them, the weekends in Cabramatta keeping culture alive, the bakery that paid the bills and raised two daughters, and the small gestures of care a hug, a shared coffee, a home cooked meal that told Ana she was loved long before she was “successful.” And then they talk about the pivot: the moment Ana decided that choosing acting wasn’t a betrayal of her parents’ struggle but the purest use of it.

This isn’t a trauma story; it’s a permission story. It’s for anyone raised on hard work and low expectations who now finds themselves pulled towards a life that looks nothing like what their family imagined and is scared of wanting it anyway

Moments you’ll hear:


Ana explaining the mental math of the eldest daughter: if she chose acting over law, she was sure she’d be “dishonouring” her parents and failing at the one job she’d given herself to pay them back.


Uyen casually mentioning 17‑hour days in the bakery and “half a day off at Christmas” 


The moment in a high‑school production of Macbeth when she looked at the stage and, in her words, “left her body” because she suddenly saw herself up there, not just as an audience member but as a possibility.


How her mum’s quiet mantra “I can do this for my family, I can do this for my children” became the blueprint for Ana’s own leap into acting: if she loved it this much, surely she could do it too.


A love language check‑in that reveals both mother and daughter are “touch people,” more interested in hugs and time together than gifts, even as the world tries to monetise every feeling via holidays and retail moments.


The shift from survival to support: Ana realising that her parents hadn’t worked this hard so she could stay small and sensible forever; they’d worked this hard so she could stand in a life that fit her, even if it scared all of them a little.

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 womensweekly.com.au
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 subscription  👈🏽

If you loved hearing Ana and Uyen's story: 

Meet Ana on threads

Best Award Winning Films of 2026 

 

🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home: 

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

Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary, Baby Claudia and Charlotte 

 

Credits: 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace 

Production by Thomas Crnkovic  

Our wonderful Australian Women’s Weekly team  

Learn More: Womens Weekly Website 

 

 

If you grew up translating for your parents, working in the family business and quietly editing your dreams down to something &ldquo;sensible,&rdquo; this episode is for you. Actor Ana Thu Nguyen and her mum, Uyen, talk about going from a crowded boat and 17‑hour bakery days to a life where survival isn&rsquo;t the only goal and why Ana finally stopped treating acting as a selfish fantasy and started seeing it as the point. This isn&rsquo;t a guilt trip; it&rsquo;s loud, joyful permission for anyone who&rsquo;s ever thought, &ldquo;That dream&rsquo;s not for someone like me,&rdquo; to want more anyway.
In this episode of Love Stories Tiffany Dunk Deputy Editor of The Australian Women's Weekly, we uncover what it feels like to have&nbsp;the wildest dreams, the one you&rsquo;re certain is &ldquo;not for someone like you&rdquo;is exactly the life you&rsquo;re allowed to want? In this episode, actor&nbsp;Ana Thu Nguyen sits down with her mum, Uyen, to talk with Tiffany about how a family journey that began on a crowded boat and in an Indonesian refugee camp slowly, quietly turned into something else: a home built on support, softness and the loud joy of saying yes to a creative life.
Ana grew up as the eldest daughter in a Vietnamese‑Australian family translating for her parents, helping in the bakery, watching them work 17hour days and convincing herself that law or a &ldquo;proper job&rdquo; was the only way to honour their sacrifice. Her escapism was always story: stacks of library books, school plays, and the moment she watched a production of Macbeth and literally saw herself on stage, years before Hollywood came calling
Together, Ana and Uyen trace the love story underneath the hustle: the grandfather‑figure who opened his Sydney home to them, the weekends in Cabramatta keeping culture alive, the bakery that paid the bills and raised two daughters, and the small gestures of care a hug, a shared coffee, a home cooked meal that told Ana she was loved long before she was &ldquo;successful.&rdquo; And then they talk about the pivot: the moment Ana decided that choosing acting wasn&rsquo;t a betrayal of her parents&rsquo; struggle but the purest use of it.
This isn&rsquo;t a trauma story; it&rsquo;s a permission story. It&rsquo;s for anyone raised on hard work and low expectations who now finds themselves pulled towards a life that looks nothing like what their family imagined and is scared of wanting it anyway
<hr>
Moments you&rsquo;ll hear:
<ul>
<li>
Ana explaining the mental math of the eldest daughter: if she chose acting over law, she was sure she&rsquo;d be &ldquo;dishonouring&rdquo; her parents and failing at the one job she&rsquo;d given herself to pay them back.
</li>
<li>
Uyen casually mentioning 17‑hour days in the bakery and &ldquo;half a day off at Christmas&rdquo;&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
The moment in a high‑school production of Macbeth when she looked at the stage and, in her words, &ldquo;left her body&rdquo; because she suddenly saw herself up there, not just as an audience member but as a possibility.
</li>
<li>
How her mum&rsquo;s quiet mantra &ldquo;I can do this for my family, I can do this for my children&rdquo; became the blueprint for Ana&rsquo;s own leap into acting: if she loved it this much, surely she could do it too.
</li>
<li>
A love language check‑in that reveals both mother and daughter are &ldquo;touch people,&rdquo; more interested in hugs and time together than gifts, even as the world tries to monetise every feeling via holidays and retail moments.
</li>
<li>
The shift from survival to support: Ana realising that her parents hadn&rsquo;t worked this hard so she could stay small and sensible forever; they&rsquo;d worked this hard so she could stand in a life that fit her, even if it scared all of them a little.
</li>
</ul>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would&nbsp;love&nbsp;to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at&nbsp;<a href="http://womensweekly.com.au/">womensweekly.com.au</a> Email us your love stories (and any feedback) at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au">awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au</a>
If you share your love story on social media please tag us &ndash; we&rsquo;re @womensweeklymag &ndash; and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/239-love-stories-322546892/episode/jessica-rowe-and-peter-overton-the-324196059/magshop.com.au%20https:/www.magshop.com.au/Products/AWM/australian-womens-weekly-magazine-subscription?utm_source=w%E2%80%A6">subscription</a>&nbsp; 👈🏽
If you loved hearing Ana and Uyen's story:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mothersdayclassicaus"></a>
<a href="https://www.threads.com/@anathunguyen">Meet Ana on threads</a>
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/tv-film/best-award-winning-movies-tv-shows/">Best Award Winning Films of 2026 </a>
&nbsp;
🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/pages/vixin-all-in-one-offer?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22135438255&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADGYDGdbk6HWXGUP3yGZa3zncWJHq&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAhOfLBhCCARIsAJPiopMBoMKDjX3zdTIDXbkDXju3G9gzIiOGBqUntZj7Okf98zPMlMXkwIQaAt5hEALw_wcB">Vixin &nbsp;</a>real results, simple skincare that's a little bit fancy
Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary, Baby Claudia and Charlotte&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp;&nbsp;
Our wonderful Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly team&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn More: <a href="womensweekly.com.au">Womens Weekly Website</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

A friendship forged under the Masterchef studio lights quietly turned into a relationship for Sarah and Declan Cleary. One that had to make room for a child, a dog, two careers and the logistics of building a life in the real world, not just on camera.  But the centre of the episode is the birth of their twin girls: an emergency C‑section that descended into 14 of the longest minutes of their lives.

Mortal Kombat Star Ana Thu Nguyen:  For Kids of Migrants Who’ve Ever Talked Themselves Out of Their Own Dreams

On paper, Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary’s love story looks like a match made in heaven: two chefs meet on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win, he cooks the “marry me” barbecue fish, she makes the French bouillabaisse, and they ride off into the sunset with matching aprons. In reality, it’s messier, braver and far more interesting a story about second chances, blended families and a birth that almost broke them before their twins even took their first breath.

In this episode of Love Stories Tiffany Dunk Deputy Editor of The Australian Women's Weekly, Sarah and Declan rewind to the beginning: the green‑room chats when they were “definitely just friends”, the weekend hangs that became a safe house from the pressure cooker of reality TV, and the exact moment in the elimination line when Declan, convinced he might never see her again, blurted out a date request while she was wearing the black apron. From there, they trace how a friendship forged under studio lights quietly turned into a relationship that had to make room for a child, a dog, two careers and the logistics of building a life in the real world, not just on camera.

But the centre of the episode is the birth of their twin girls: an emergency C‑section that descended into 14 of the longest minutes of their lives, when both babies came out silent and Sarah’s health started to spiral. Declan talks about standing in a theatre full of doctors, thinking he might lose all three of them; Sarah remembers waking up to seizures she couldn’t control, trying to do skin‑to‑skin with cannulas up her arms while her body shook. It’s raw and precise and somehow still full of gratitude: for the surgeon who wrapped Declan in a hug and said, “your three girls are going to be all right,” for the NICU staff who moved mountains to get the twins to her chest, and for the fact that the story doesn’t end in that operating room.

Moments You’ll hear:


How two fiercely focused competitors went from “we’re just here to win” to admitting the butterflies that were there all alongand why Declan chose the most stressful possible moment to ask Sarah out.


The realities of blending a family: what it meant for Sarah, as a single mum, to protect Phoenix’s world while letting someone new in, and how Declan approached being “a good bloke and a role model,” not a replacement parent.


An unvarnished account of a birth trauma: silent twins, emergency interventions, nine days in hospital, and the complicated feelings that come with not being able to give your babies the “ideal” start you’d imagined.


How they found their way back to each other afterward through fear, guilt, gratitude and the slow work of telling the story out loud until it felt like theirs again, not just something that happened to them.

If you’ve ever looked at your own love story and thought, “this is too chaotic, too hard, too weird to be anyone’s happy ending,” this episode is for you.

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

And just a heads up, this episode discusses birth trauma. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the free services below:
Griefline — 1300 845 745
Support for anyone experiencing loss, grief or loneliness.
Visit griefline.org.au
Blue Knot Foundation — 1300 657 380
Support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.
Visit blueknot.org.au
SANE Australia — 1800 187 263
Support for people living with complex mental health issues and their families.
Visit sane.org

Mental health and emotional support services
Lifeline — 13 11 14
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. You can also chat online at lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
24/7 support for anxiety, depression and emotional distress. Webchat available via beyondblue.org.au
13YARN — 13 92 76
24/7 national crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are feeling overwhelmed or having a tough time. Staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters who listen with understanding, without judgement, and in a culturally safe space. Visit 13yarn.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
Free phone and online counselling for people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone, or bereaved by suicide.
QLife — 1800 184 527
Anonymous, LGBTIQA+ peer support and counselling from 3pm to midnight every day. Visit qlife.org.au
NSW Mental Health Line: Call 1800 011 511

If you are outside Australia

Find international hotlines and support services at findahelpline.com, a global directory of free crisis helplines.

You are not alone

Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. If you or someone you know needs support, please connect with one of the services above. The Weekly will continue to share stories of courage, recovery and hope, and we encourage you to take care of yourself while 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 womensweekly.com.au
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 subscription  👈🏽

If you loved hearing Sarah and Declan's story 

Their Relationship in pictures 

The Twins Girls 

See more Sarah Todd  and Declan Cleary 

 

🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home: 

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

Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary, Baby Claudia and Charlotte 

 

Credits: 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace 

Production by Thomas Crnkovic  

Our wonderful Australian Women’s Weekly team  

Learn More: Womens Weekly Website 

 

 

On paper,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarahtodd/">Sarah Todd </a>and Declan Cleary&rsquo;s love story looks like a match made in heaven: two chefs meet on&nbsp;MasterChef Australia: Back to Win, he cooks the &ldquo;marry me&rdquo; barbecue fish, she makes the French bouillabaisse, and they ride off into the sunset with matching aprons. In reality, it&rsquo;s messier, braver and far more interesting a story about second chances, blended families and a birth that almost broke them before their twins even took their first breath.
In this episode of Love Stories Tiffany Dunk Deputy Editor of The Australian Women's Weekly, Sarah and Declan rewind to the beginning: the green‑room chats when they were &ldquo;definitely just friends&rdquo;, the weekend hangs that became a safe house from the pressure cooker of reality TV, and the exact moment in the elimination line when Declan, convinced he might never see her again, blurted out a date request while she was wearing the black apron. From there, they trace how a friendship forged under studio lights quietly turned into a relationship that had to make room for a child, a dog, two careers and the logistics of building a life in the real world, not just on camera.
But the centre of the episode is the birth of their twin girls: an emergency C‑section that descended into 14 of the longest minutes of their lives, when both babies came out silent and Sarah&rsquo;s health started to spiral. Declan talks about standing in a theatre full of doctors, thinking he might lose all three of them; Sarah remembers waking up to seizures she couldn&rsquo;t control, trying to do skin‑to‑skin with cannulas up her arms while her body shook. It&rsquo;s raw and precise and somehow still full of gratitude: for the surgeon who wrapped Declan in a hug and said, &ldquo;your three girls are going to be all right,&rdquo; for the NICU staff who moved mountains to get the twins to her chest, and for the fact that the story doesn&rsquo;t end in that operating room.
Moments You&rsquo;ll hear:
<ul>
<li>
How two fiercely focused competitors went from &ldquo;we&rsquo;re just here to win&rdquo; to admitting the butterflies that were there all alongand why Declan chose the most stressful possible moment to ask Sarah out.
</li>
<li>
The realities of blending a family: what it meant for Sarah, as a single mum, to protect Phoenix&rsquo;s world while letting someone new in, and how Declan approached being &ldquo;a good bloke and a role model,&rdquo; not a replacement parent.
</li>
<li>
An unvarnished account of a birth trauma: silent twins, emergency interventions, nine days in hospital, and the complicated feelings that come with not being able to give your babies the &ldquo;ideal&rdquo; start you&rsquo;d imagined.
</li>
<li>
How they found their way back to each other afterward through fear, guilt, gratitude and the slow work of telling the story out loud until it felt like theirs again, not just something that happened to them.
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;ve ever looked at your own love story and thought, &ldquo;this is too chaotic, too hard, too weird to be anyone&rsquo;s happy ending,&rdquo; this episode is for you.
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
And just a heads up, this episode discusses birth trauma. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the free services below:
<ul>
<li>Griefline&nbsp;&mdash; 1300 845 745 Support for anyone experiencing loss, grief or loneliness. Visit&nbsp;<a>griefline.org.au</a></li>
<li>Blue Knot Foundation&nbsp;&mdash; 1300 657 380 Support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Visit&nbsp;<a>blueknot.org.au</a></li>
<li>SANE Australia&nbsp;&mdash; 1800 187 263 Support for people living with complex mental health issues and their families. Visit&nbsp;<a>sane.org</a></li>
</ul>
Mental health and emotional support&nbsp;services
<ul>
<li>Lifeline&nbsp;&mdash; 13 11 14 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. You can also chat online at&nbsp;<a>lifeline.org.au</a></li>
<li>Beyond Blue&nbsp;&mdash; 1300 22 4636 24/7 support for anxiety, depression and emotional distress. Webchat available via&nbsp;<a>beyondblue.org.au</a></li>
<li>13YARN&nbsp;&mdash; 13 92 76 24/7 national crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are feeling overwhelmed or having a tough time. Staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters who listen with understanding, without judgement, and in a culturally safe space. Visit&nbsp;<a>13yarn.org.au</a></li>
<li>Suicide Call Back Service&nbsp;&mdash; 1300 659 467 Free phone and online counselling for people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone, or bereaved by suicide.</li>
<li>QLife&nbsp;&mdash; 1800 184 527 Anonymous, LGBTIQA+ peer support and counselling from 3pm to midnight every day. Visit&nbsp;<a>qlife.org.au</a></li>
<li>NSW Mental Health Line: Call 1800 011 511</li>
</ul>
If you are outside Australia
Find international hotlines and support services at&nbsp;<a>findahelpline.com</a>, a global directory of free crisis helplines.
You are not alone
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. If you or someone you know needs support, please connect with one of the services above.&nbsp;The Weekly will continue to share stories of courage, recovery and hope, and we encourage you to take care of yourself while listening
before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would&nbsp;love&nbsp;to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at&nbsp;<a href="http://womensweekly.com.au/">womensweekly.com.au</a> Email us your love stories (and any feedback) at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au">awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au</a>
If you share your love story on social media please tag us &ndash; we&rsquo;re @womensweeklymag &ndash; and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/239-love-stories-322546892/episode/jessica-rowe-and-peter-overton-the-324196059/magshop.com.au%20https:/www.magshop.com.au/Products/AWM/australian-womens-weekly-magazine-subscription?utm_source=w%E2%80%A6">subscription</a>&nbsp; 👈🏽
If you loved hearing Sarah and Declan's story&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mothersdayclassicaus"></a>
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/masterchef-sarah-todd-declan-cleary-relationship/">Their Relationship in pictures&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/sarah-todd-declan-cleary-baby/">The Twins Girls </a>
See more<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarahtodd/"> Sarah Todd&nbsp; </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/declancleary/">Declan Cleary&nbsp;</a>
&nbsp;
🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/pages/vixin-all-in-one-offer?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22135438255&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADGYDGdbk6HWXGUP3yGZa3zncWJHq&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAhOfLBhCCARIsAJPiopMBoMKDjX3zdTIDXbkDXju3G9gzIiOGBqUntZj7Okf98zPMlMXkwIQaAt5hEALw_wcB">Vixin &nbsp;</a>real results, simple skincare that's a little bit fancy
Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary, Baby Claudia and Charlotte&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp;&nbsp;
Our wonderful Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly team&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn More: <a href="womensweekly.com.au">Womens Weekly Website</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

MasterChef to the NICU with Twins: Sarah Todd & Declan Cleary

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 this episode of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories, we’re talking about the kind of love that pads down the hallway on four legs and leaves a paw-shaped crater when it’s gone. 🐾💓

You’ll meet Ryan Wilson, a former SAS soldier whose life was literally saved by a military dog named Fax during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan, and whose heart was later held together by Kenny, the clumsy, grinning working dog who became his shadow for 15 years.  Ryan shares the moment Fax sensed danger on the wind, found the hidden fighters waiting to kill them, and paid for that instinct with his life.  He walks us through the ramp ceremony they gave Fax, just as they would any fallen soldier, and why he’s certain the death toll in Afghanistan would have been far higher without dogs like him.

Back home, Ryan turns that shock into devotion, retraining as a dog handler and being paired with Kenny, a Belgian Malinois who bolts the first time he’s let off lead and later becomes the unit favourite the dog who runs into trees, matches Ryan’s clumsiness, and still gives 110% every time he works.  We follow Kenny into retirement on the couch and down to the beach, but also into the quiet, awful reality of a working dog’s body breaking down: spinal damage, failing back legs, and the moment Ryan has to admit the pain is too much.

If you’ve ever stayed up all night on the floor beside a pet, convincing yourself a tiny mouthful of food means they’re “doing better,” this conversation will feel uncomfortably close.  Host Tiffany Dunk shares her own recent goodbye to her beloved cat, and together she and Ryan sit in that specific, complicated grief: wishing the animal would slip away in their sleep instead of forcing you to make the call, bargaining with the small wins, and then living with the decision long after the vet’s car has driven away.  Ryan talks about how he got through the day he let Kenny go inviting 15 old comrades over to his house, telling stories, having a drink, and putting Kenny to sleep at home, surrounded by the people who knew what he’d done and who he’d been.

This episode also peels back the curtain on what a “life of service” really means for military dogs once the missions end.  Ryan explains why these dogs so often retire with serious injuries, how common PTSD is in canine veterans, and why handlers are suddenly left to shoulder eye‑watering vet bills completely alone.  Out of that injustice came Working Paws Australia, the charity Ryan co‑founded to pay for the surgeries, medications, and ongoing care retired working dogs need so handlers no longer have to choose between their mortgage and their best friend’s pain.  We hear about the dogs they’ve already helped, the families who were on the brink of financial freefall, and why simply listing each dog’s tours of duty on the Working Paws website feels like its own kind of honour roll.

Through it all, this is a story about unconditional love in its purest, least performative form: the dog who greets you the same way whether you’re your best self or your worst, who jumps out of helicopters with you and sleeps at your child’s feet, who doesn’t ask for anything back.  Ryan reflects on what dogs can teach us about love that humans often can’t manage loyalty without conditions, presence without judgment, and the quiet insistence that you are worth showing up for, every single day.  And in the space Kenny has left, Ryan is pouring that love into his young daughter and into every retired working dog his charity can reach.

If you’re listening with a dog at your feet, or still reaching for a pet who isn’t there anymore, this episode is for you.

Moments You'll Hear:   
A war story where the hero has four legs, not a medal.
The private, unvarnished reality of deciding it’s time to say goodbye to a pet you can’t imagine your life without.
How it feels when your grief for “just a dog” or “just a cat” is so big you hide it from social media—and why it deserves to be taken seriously.

The creation of Working Paws Australia and the families they’ve already pulled back from the brink of losing both their home and their dog.
A gentle, raw conversation about the ways love doesn’t end when a life does—it just has to find somewhere new to go.




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 womensweekly.com.au
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 subscription  👈🏽

If you loved hearing Ryan's story find out more about the work he does with Working Paws and how you can support too.

 

🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home: 

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

Ryan Wilson 

Kenny, Armani and all of our four legged furry friends 🐾

 

Credits: 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace 

Production by Thomas Crnkovic  

Our wonderful Australian Women’s Weekly team  

Learn More: Womens Weekly Website 

 

 

In this episode of The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly Love Stories, we&rsquo;re talking about the kind of love that pads down the hallway on four legs and leaves a paw-shaped crater when it&rsquo;s gone. 🐾💓 You&rsquo;ll meet Ryan Wilson, a former SAS soldier whose life was literally saved by a military dog named Fax during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan, and whose heart was later held together by Kenny, the clumsy, grinning working dog who became his shadow for 15 years. &nbsp;Ryan shares the moment Fax sensed danger on the wind, found the hidden fighters waiting to kill them, and paid for that instinct with his life. &nbsp;He walks us through the ramp ceremony they gave Fax, just as they would any fallen soldier, and why he&rsquo;s certain the death toll in Afghanistan would have been far higher without dogs like him. Back home, Ryan turns that shock into devotion, retraining as a dog handler and being paired with Kenny, a Belgian Malinois who bolts the first time he&rsquo;s let off lead and later becomes the unit favourite the dog who runs into trees, matches Ryan&rsquo;s clumsiness, and still gives 110% every time he works. &nbsp;We follow Kenny into retirement on the couch and down to the beach, but also into the quiet, awful reality of a working dog&rsquo;s body breaking down: spinal damage, failing back legs, and the moment Ryan has to admit the pain is too much. If you&rsquo;ve ever stayed up all night on the floor beside a pet, convincing yourself a tiny mouthful of food means they&rsquo;re &ldquo;doing better,&rdquo; this conversation will feel uncomfortably close. &nbsp;Host Tiffany Dunk shares her own recent goodbye to her beloved cat, and together she and Ryan sit in that specific, complicated grief: wishing the animal would slip away in their sleep instead of forcing you to make the call, bargaining with the small wins, and then living with the decision long after the vet&rsquo;s car has driven away. &nbsp;Ryan talks about how he got through the day he let Kenny go inviting 15 old comrades over to his house, telling stories, having a drink, and putting Kenny to sleep at home, surrounded by the people who knew what he&rsquo;d done and who he&rsquo;d been. This episode also peels back the curtain on what a &ldquo;life of service&rdquo; really means for military dogs once the missions end. &nbsp;Ryan explains why these dogs so often retire with serious injuries, how common PTSD is in canine veterans, and why handlers are suddenly left to shoulder eye‑watering vet bills completely alone. &nbsp;Out of that injustice came Working Paws Australia, the charity Ryan co‑founded to pay for the surgeries, medications, and ongoing care retired working dogs need so handlers no longer have to choose between their mortgage and their best friend&rsquo;s pain. &nbsp;We hear about the dogs they&rsquo;ve already helped, the families who were on the brink of financial freefall, and why simply listing each dog&rsquo;s tours of duty on the Working Paws website feels like its own kind of honour roll. Through it all, this is a story about unconditional love in its purest, least performative form: the dog who greets you the same way whether you&rsquo;re your best self or your worst, who jumps out of helicopters with you and sleeps at your child&rsquo;s feet, who doesn&rsquo;t ask for anything back. &nbsp;Ryan reflects on what dogs can teach us about love that humans often can&rsquo;t manage loyalty without conditions, presence without judgment, and the quiet insistence that you are worth showing up for, every single day. &nbsp;And in the space Kenny has left, Ryan is pouring that love into his young daughter and into every retired working dog his charity can reach. If you&rsquo;re listening with a dog at your feet, or still reaching for a pet who isn&rsquo;t there anymore, this episode is for you. Moments You'll Hear:&nbsp; &nbsp; A war story where the hero has four legs, not a medal. The private, unvarnished reality of deciding it&rsquo;s time to say goodbye to a pet you can&rsquo;t imagine your life without. How it feels when your grief for &ldquo;just a dog&rdquo; or &ldquo;just a cat&rdquo; is so big you hide it from social media&mdash;and why it deserves to be taken seriously.
The creation of Working Paws Australia and the families they&rsquo;ve already pulled back from the brink of losing both their home and their dog. A gentle, raw conversation about the ways love doesn&rsquo;t end when a life does&mdash;it just has to find somewhere new to go. 
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would&nbsp;love&nbsp;to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at&nbsp;<a href="http://womensweekly.com.au/">womensweekly.com.au</a> Email us your love stories (and any feedback) at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au">awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au</a>
If you share your love story on social media please tag us &ndash; we&rsquo;re @womensweeklymag &ndash; and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories
Subscribe to The Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/239-love-stories-322546892/episode/jessica-rowe-and-peter-overton-the-324196059/magshop.com.au%20https:/www.magshop.com.au/Products/AWM/australian-womens-weekly-magazine-subscription?utm_source=w%E2%80%A6">subscription</a>&nbsp; 👈🏽
If you loved hearing Ryan's story find out more about the work he does with <a href="https://workingpawsaustralia.com/">Working Paws</a> and how you can support too.
&nbsp;
🙏 Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.vixin.com.au/pages/vixin-all-in-one-offer?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22135438255&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADGYDGdbk6HWXGUP3yGZa3zncWJHq&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAhOfLBhCCARIsAJPiopMBoMKDjX3zdTIDXbkDXju3G9gzIiOGBqUntZj7Okf98zPMlMXkwIQaAt5hEALw_wcB">Vixin &nbsp;</a>real results, simple skincare that's a little bit fancy
Ryan Wilson&nbsp;
Kenny, Armani and all of our four legged furry friends 🐾
&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Edited by Phoebe Zukowski -Wallace&nbsp;
Production by Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp;&nbsp;
Our wonderful Australian Women&rsquo;s Weekly team&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn More: <a href="womensweekly.com.au">Womens Weekly Website</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Not 'Just a Dog': For Anyone's Who's Ever Built a Life Around A Pet

This one’s for anyone who knows love comes with fur on the furniture. From chaos gremlins to couch cuddlers, these are real stories about the pets who rescue us right back.  Hit play when you want something warm, funny and a bit heart squeezing in your ears.

This one&rsquo;s for anyone who knows love comes with fur on the furniture. From chaos gremlins to couch cuddlers, these are real stories about the pets who rescue us right back.&nbsp; Hit play when you want something warm, funny and a bit heart squeezing in your ears.

Love Stories

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