You know Paula Joye as someone who ran Australia’s biggest women’s magazines—and as the expert in skincare, style, and wellness that she undoubtedly is. But today? We're not talking about glossy covers or celebrity interviews. Today, Paula is sharing the story that breaks us all open - losing your mum.

Two years ago, an ordinary Tuesday night became the night that split Paula's life into 'before' and 'after'. In this conversation, she's opening up about that phone call, the impossible reality of learning to exist without the person who literally made you, and why grief feels different when you're stuck in the middle - caring for everyone else while falling apart yourself.

This is about the messy, complicated reality of mourning whilst keeping your public face on. About how loss completely rewrites your priorities. And how Paula found the strength she didn't even know existed.

You can follow Paula Joye on Instagram and find her beauty book Glow Up here.

THE END BITS: 

Mamamia wants to hear about your financial wellbeing and how you're feeling about the future. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! 

Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 

Follow us on Instagram @MidbyMamamia or sign up to the MID newsletter, dropping weekly here. 

CREDITS:

Guest: Paula Joye

Host: Holly Wainwright

Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman

Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Audio Producer: Tina Matolov

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

You know Paula Joye as someone who ran Australia&rsquo;s biggest women&rsquo;s magazines&mdash;and as the expert in skincare, style, and wellness that she undoubtedly is. But today? We're not talking about glossy covers or celebrity interviews. Today, Paula is sharing the story that breaks us all open - losing your mum.
Two years ago, an ordinary Tuesday night became the night that split Paula's life into 'before' and 'after'. In this conversation, she's opening up about that phone call, the impossible reality of learning to exist without the person who literally made you, and why grief feels different when you're stuck in the middle - caring for everyone else while falling apart yourself.
This is about the messy, complicated reality of mourning whilst keeping your public face on. About how loss completely rewrites your priorities. And how Paula found the strength she didn't even know existed.
You can follow Paula Joye on Instagram and find her beauty book Glow Up here.
THE END BITS:&nbsp;
Mamamia wants to hear about your financial wellbeing and how you're feeling about the future. Complete our <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8396145/NEW-Mamamia-Financial-Wellbeing-Study-2025">short survey here</a> for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw!&nbsp;
Share your feedback!&nbsp;<a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-stringify-link="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Send us a voice message </a>or email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@mamamia.com.au">podcast@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/midbymamamia/?hl=en">@MidbyMamamia</a> or sign up to the MID newsletter, dropping weekly <a href="https://midbymamamia.substack.com/">here</a>.&nbsp;
CREDITS:
Guest: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/paulajoye/?hl=en">Paula Joye</a>
Host:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/wainwrightholly/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;amp;ig_mid=74644078-8F28-485C-9065-97B07E9DEE99">Holly Wainwright</a>
Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman
Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown
Audio Producer: Tina Matolov
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Welcome to MID - the grown-up conversations women deserve.

Ever wondered what to do when your ducks don't all fit neatly into the row they're supposed to?

Each episode we bring you handpicked compelling stories discussing relationships and wellness.

Fun, frank wisdom from an impressive line up of well loved names, in the second act of life who share it all.

MID goes deep on self-care with zero shame and rich experiences you can cherry-pick for wisdom to share, changes to make and attitude we can borrow.

In MID... we're anything but.

Welcome to MID - the grown-up conversations women deserve.
Ever wondered what to do when your ducks don't all fit neatly into the row they're supposed to?
Each episode we bring you handpicked compelling stories discussing relationships and wellness.
Fun, frank wisdom from an impressive line up of well loved names, in the second act of life who share it all.
MID goes deep on self-care with zero shame and rich experiences you can cherry-pick for wisdom to share, changes to make and attitude we can borrow.
In MID... we're anything but.

Paula Joye Knows There Are Two Types Of People. One Has Lost A Parent.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/ed3dc5ac-3179-46a8-a491-b371002ba01d/transcript

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