No Filter

In 2013, mother-of-three Sam Bloom’s world changed. A freak accident on a family holiday in Thailand left her paralysed from the chest down. Her three young sons and her husband Cameron rallied around her. But it wasn’t until the family found a baby magpie who had fallen from his tree that things started looking up for the Blooms. Now, Cameron has written a book about Penguin, the Magpie who pulled his family from a dark, dark place. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With Cameron and Sam Bloom. Find out more about Penguin Bloom, the Magpie, here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast@mamamia.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He hasn't had a drink since he was 22 years old. And he reckons that’s the reason he’s made it in comedy. There’s no denying that Dave Hughes is one of our most popular comedians. From hosting the Logies to touring internationally, the former co-host of The Project joins Mia to talk about how his career started, his friendship with radio co-host Kate Langbroek and why he really left one of Australia's most popular weekly news shows. Oh, and why his wife made him get the snip. It is No Filter, after all. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Dave Hughes. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts The facebook page is Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast @mamamia.com.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gloria Steinem has long been considered the mother of feminism. Since her days of political activism in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the journalist and author has spent her life campaigning for women’s rights. And at 82 years old, there’s still no stopping her. In this interview with Mia Freedman, Gloria discusses the idea of selfies as empowerment, why she feels sad for Kim Kardashian, plastic surgery and the future of feminism in popular culture. Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman With thanks to Gloria Stienem. Find out more about her book, My Life on The Road, here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts Visit us on Facebook at Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast@mamamia.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruby Rose lost her mum when she was only two years old... In 2009, the Heuston family's world changed for ever when Chloe Waterlow was murdered by her brother in Sydney's east. Chloe was mother to the three Heuston kids, then aged 5, 2 and 4 months. Those children would grow up without their mum. Their father Ben, lost the love of his life. Five years later, another unthinkable tragedy has struck the family. Ben and Chloe's only daughter Ruby Rose was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and suffered a haemorrhage that has left her permanently blind at just nine years old. As a single dad, Ben is trying to do the best for his daughter, and his two sons. But he needs your help.  TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP RUBY ROSE - CLICK HERE. In this searingly emotional interview, Ben discusses life after loss, dealing with Ruby's shocking diagnosis and what it takes to rebuild a family, not once, but twice.  Show Notes If find out more about how you can help the Heustons, go to Rise For Ruby Rose, here.

She has slept with around 12,000 people. Many of them men.  But for as long as she can remember, Madison Missina has lived part of her life in the closet. As an award-winning porn star, sex worker, sex therapist and business owner - she's gotten used to not revealing her real name, or any parts of her previous life. But now she is coming...out. In every possible way. She speaks to Mia Freedman about what it's like to be a gay woman, having straight sex on camera. And why it was time for her to stop living a lie.  And a warning: This podcast includes explicit content.  Show Notes Your host was Mia Freedman Huge thanks to Madison Missina. Learn about her ground-breaking Raw exhibit, here (warning: the content is explicit). Find out more about the Prude and the Pornstar here. This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff. Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts The facebook page is Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast @mamamia.com.au See omnystudio.com/l

The much loved comedian and actor may have clocked a long career on stage and screen, a book, a battle with breast cancer and botox, but there's still something on the wish list. Julia Morris lays it all out in this hilarious interview with Mia Freedman, spanning topics from miscarriage to magazines, the papparazzi and how to best mask your menopausal rage.  Your host is Mia Freedman Huge thanks to the divine Julia Morris Contact this show, suggest a guest, or leave feedback via twitter @mamamiapodcasts The facebook page is Mamamia Podcast Network And email is podcast @mamamia.com.au Thanks to Westinghouse for sponsoring this show. Details on how to enter the competition to have lunch with Julia Morris are here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I cannot believe that is how my cards fell. I cannot believe I should have a six-year-old daughter." Rebecca Sparrow is an author, columnist, mother, and Oprah worshipper. She's also one of the wisest women Mia Freedman knows.   After the death of her daughter Georgie, these two women connected and forged an unlikely friendship. In this interview with Mia, Rebecca talks about the loss of her daughter Georgie, the surrealness of losing a baby, and her new role as a teenage agony aunt, canvassing teens worst fears and anxieties in her new books.  Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Rebecca Sparrow. Find all of Bec's books here. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff  CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natasha Stott Despoja famously walked into parliament, at age 26, wearing Doc Martens. It set the tone for a political career that would shake things up.  The former Leader of the Australian Democrats Party and mother ot two was once asked if she could breastfeed on a schedule. Now as the Ambassador for Women and Girls, she joins Mia Freedman to talk about her life in politics, her children and why we never question men about their work/life balance and "having it all". Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Natasha Stott Despoja, find out more about OurWatch here This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Suggest a guest via: podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show was bought to you by nbn This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The dominant partner in any relationship will always sleep on the side of the bed closest to the door." So says Peter FitzSimons. It's one of his little theories of life,  of which he has many. The author, columnist and former Australian rugby player has written 27 books, holds the record for the longest radio interview ever, and is the Chair of the Australian Republican movement. Peter FitzSimons rips the bandana off while talking to Mia Freedman. They cover love, writing, religion, philosophy, his 24 year marriage to Today show host Lisa Wilkinson, leaning out, and why Australia will be a republic in the next five years. Show Notes Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Peter FitzSimons, his website is PeterFitzsimons.com.au This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Tell us something via email podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privac

The Hey Dad! child star blew the whistle on her TV dad. Robert Hughes, who played her father on the popular Australian TV show, was found guilty of repeatedly molesting her over a period of many years. Hughes was sentenced to a maximum of 10 years and nine months jail. But now, he's appealing for a second time. Monahan details the moment she 'snapped', facing Hughes in court, and why she's decided to never become a mother herself. Show notes Your host is Mia Freedman With thanks to Sarah Monahan. Her memoir, Allegedly, is out now through New Holland publishers. Contact the show via facebook, via twitter, @mamamiapodcasts or email podcast@mamamia.com.au This show was produced by Elissa Ratliff and Monique Bowley for the Mamamia Women's Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Bridges gets stuff done.  She is an entrepreneur, a personal trainer, a television personality, and a new mum to son Axel. And did we mention she has written 13 books? Yeah. But what you might not know about Michelle is that she is a survivor of sexual assault, is an absolute "sook" about her baby son, and that on the day she sat down to talk to Mia Freedman about her new book Make It Happen, her boobs were killing her. Welcome to No Filter.  Show Notes: Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Michelle Bridges This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff Make It Happen is released on March 1.  CONTACT US Tell us something via email podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show proudly supports Rize Up, a wonderful grass roots community organisation who help to provide the comforts of home to women and children fleeing from family violence. Find out more here. This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network See omnystudio

Sam Armytage has had a rough few days. As co-host on Australia's highest-rating breakfast TV show Sunrise, Sam is used to everyone having an opinion about her. But after an interview with Hollywood star Kristin Davies took an unexpected turn last week, that attention has taken a particularly negative turn.  Sam talks to Mia about how breakfast television works, how it feels to be labelled a "mindless bimbo" by a peer in print, and how a cheesy celebrity skit can spin into a national discussion about feminism. Again.  Show Notes: Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Samantha Armytage. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Tell us something via email podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She is one of Australia's funniest women. But behind the big hair of her famous character, Effie, it's Mary Coustas' unfaultering desire to become a mother that has provided her life's biggest challenges.  Through 23 IVF attempts, Mary suffered unimaginable losses, faced unenviable decisions and ultimately, found the joy that she'd been looking for all along. Here, she shares with Mia what got her through that experience, and what she wishes she'd known back at the very beginning.    Show Notes: Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Mary Coustas. Find out more about her show, Effie, The Virgin Bride here This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Tell us something via email podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network Effie the Virgin Bride Tour dates: Feb 04, 2016 Comedy Theatre, Melbourne - Preview Show (8pm) All Ages Feb 05, 2016 Comedy Theatre, Melbourne - (7pm) All Ages

She's a cook, an award winning author, and of course a domestic goddess. But behind the scenes of her TV shows, Nigella Lawson is a woman who carries around salt and mustard in her handbag. And has an array of condiments on her bedside table.  In this special live episode of No Filter, Nigella sits down with Mia and the Mamamia office to talk food, diets and her new cook book, Simply Nigella.   Show Notes: Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Nigella Lawson. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Tell us something via email podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She's the highest ranking trans military officer in Australia. Is friends with some of the most powerful people in the country. And has a love of cricket that knows no bounds. But these are just some of the hats that Group Captain Cate McGregor wears. Australian of the Year 2016 finalist, and 2016 Queenslander of the year opens up about about life before becoming Cate, dealing with transphobia and what is next for her.    Show Notes: Your host is Mia Freedman. With thanks to special guest Cate McGregor. This podcast was produced by Elissa Ratliff CONTACT US Tell us something via email podcast@mamamia.com.au tweet us @mamamiapodcasts or join the conversation on facebook This show is part of the Mamamia Women’s Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She is one of Australia's best known political journalists. Whether it's in written form for The Drum, or eating dinner with the country's leaders on her hit ABC show Kitchen Cabinet, Annabel Crabb has her own special way of shedding light on what is happening in Canberra.   A renaissance woman through and through, Annabel talks about why she has chosen not to get married, her views on 21st century feminism and her friendship with Leigh Sales. Show Notes Find out more about Annabel's new book Special Delivery here. No Filter is hosted by Mia Freedman and produced by Elissa Ratliff. You can find out more about this Podcast on the Mamamia Podcast Networks facebook page. You can contact the show via twitter, @mamamiapodcasts, or by emailing podcast@mamamia.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She's one of Australia's best known journalists. But behind the stellar political interviews, two time Walkley award winner Leigh Sales is one of the kindest and funniest women in the business. The mother of two talks about how difficult she found childbirth, what it has been like interviewing some of the most powerful women in the business and whether or not 7.30 is her endgame.   Show Notes No Filter is hosted by Mia Freedman and produced by Elissa Ratliff. With thanks to Leigh Sales You can find out more about this Podcast on the Mamamia Podcast Networks facebook page. You can contact the show via twitter, @mamamiapodcasts, or by emailing podcast@mamamia.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold Logie winner and darling of the Australian media, Carrie Bickmore spends her nights hosting Channel Ten's The Project. But outside of that, this mother of two has a mission. One that was born from the death of her husband. At the 2015 Logies, Carrie made the whole of Australia listen when she used her Gold Logie acceptance speech to create awareness about brain cancer. She put on a beanie, and asked the rest of Australia to. And she’s about to do it again with Carries Beanies 4 Brain Cancer. Show Notes Find out more about Carries Beanies 4 Brain Cancer here No Filter is hosted by Mia Freedman and produced by Elissa Ratliff. You can find out more about this Podcast on the Mamamia Podcast Networks facebook page. You can contact the show via twitter, @mamamiapodcasts, or by emailing podcast@mamamia.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Magda Szubanski is an Australian icon. She has written and created some of Australia's best comedy shows and characters. Mia Freedman chats to Magda about her first book Reckoning. A memoir that deals with the raw emotion of her life, intertwined with her father's experience as a German resistance fighter in World War Two. They also talk about what it was like making the decision to tell the world she was gay and her very public time as the face of Jenny Craig. Show Notes Find out more about Magda's book Reckoninghere. No Filter is hosted by Mia Freedman and produced by Elissa Ratliff. You can find out more about this Podcast on the Mamamia Podcast Networks facebook page. You can contact the show via twitter, @mamamiapodcasts, or by emailing podcast@mamamia.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osher Gunsberg is a man who has completely rebuilt himself. As Andrew G, he was best known for his hosting role on Channel V and the smash hit TV show, Australian Idol. A charming, extroverted, fun guy. But off camera, he was a introvert so riddled with anxiety he couldn't face any social events without the safety of booze.  Until one day, he met a guy in Tel Aviv who told him if he changed his name it would change his  life. And it did. Now you might know him as Osher Gunsberg, the nice guy host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, or host of his own podcast, The Osher Gunsberg podcast. A teetotaller vegetarian, he’s a man who has completely reinvented himself. So how did he get there? And what’s next? Show notes Thanks for listening to No Filter. Thankyou to Osher Gunsberg. Subscribe in itunes for more stories behind the facade of public faces. This show is hosted by Mia Freedman and produced by Monique Bowley and Eliza Ratliff for the Mamamia Podcast Network. You can find out more about all ou