For Frank, becoming a dad wasn’t just life-changing, it was life-defining. But instead of joy, early fatherhood brought his past crashing to the surface. In this raw and revealing episode, Frank shares how buried trauma and the fear of vulnerability led him down a path of addiction, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to make the most difficult choice of his life: keep running or fight for his sons.

Hosted by Davina Smith, this powerful conversation peels back the layers of what it means to be a father carrying unspoken pain, and how healing often starts with speaking up.

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when parenthood triggers your deepest wounds? In this vulnerable and vital roundtable conversation, host Davina Smith unpacks the complex journey of becoming a parent as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. With guests Tara Hunter from FullStop Australia, alongside Gidget Psychologist Dr Martina Zangger, they explore the invisible triggers of parenthood, breaking generational cycles, and moving from fear to empowerment.

For perinatal mental health support, Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

‘Gidget Foundation Australia’ has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here.

1800 FULL STOP
Free, 24/7, trauma-specialist counselling is available for anyone in Australia impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence. Call 1800 FULL STOP (1800 385 578) or webchat at fullstop.org.au

NSW Sexual Violence Helpline
Free, 24/7 trauma-specialist counselling is available for anyone in NSW impacted by sexual violence. Call 1800 424 017 or webchat at fullstop.org.au
Note: all Full Stop Australia's services are available for victim-survivors, their loved ones and support networks, frontline workers and people receiving disclosures.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dusk Liney grew up thinking she needed to be ‘fixed’ before she could become a mother. A survivor of childhood sexual assault, she tells Davina how she carried the weight of shame, silence and fractured trust. She shares the painful paradox of parenting with trauma, the moment she realised motherhood wasn’t about perfection, and the radical act of letting love take over.

Follow Dusk on Instagram here, or you can find Dusk on her website here.

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful roundtable conversation, host Davina Smith sits down with the CEO & Director of Disability Maternity Care, and Gidget Psychologist Dr Erin Seeto to unpack the challenges of parenting when the world isn’t built for you. Together, they explore the daily adaptations no one warns you about, how to navigate healthcare systems that underestimate parents with a disability, breaking stereotypes, and the joy of raising kids who see ability differently.

Learn more about Disability Maternity care on their website here.

Need support? The team at Gidget Foundation Australia has your back. Head to their website here for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s most decorated Paralympian, Ellie Cole, thought she knew what success felt like. Until, she held her son Felix for the first time. Speaking with host Davina Smith, she opens up about the emotional roller-coaster of IVF and miscarriage, how parenthood and living with a disability have surprising similarities, and how motherhood challenged her identity more than any competition did.

Ellie’s book, ‘Felix and His Fantastic Friends’ is available now on Amazonand any good book store.

You can find Ellie on Instagram here.

Thanks to Homb for making this episode possible. To learn more about Homb’s services, visit homb.com.au.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From reality television to talking about the reality of parenthood, Jack Millar & Courtney Stubbs share their experience from navigating a challenging pregnancy to embracing life as parents. They share their struggles with Courtney's adjustment disorder and how Jack felt helpless in easing her pain. Discover how dads can truly support their partners, tackle the guilt of returning to work, and strengthen their relationship through tough conversations. Later, Paediatrician Dr Golly joins Dr Erin Seeto, Clinical Psychologist at Gidget Foundation Australia to discuss fatherhood, the unique challenges fathers and non-birthing partners face and mental health. Plus, Dr Golly shares his top tip for sleep success. The secret ingredient? Dads and non-birthing partners.

Thanks to Nourishing Bubs for making this episode possible. Discover more of their range at nourishingbubs.com or follow them on Instagram @nourishingbubs.

To hear more from Dr. Golly, visit his Instagram @DrGolly or head to his website drgolly.com for links to his podcast, sleep programs, and more.

If you want to keep up with Jack & Courtney, you can find them on instagram. @_courtneystubbs and @jackomillar.

Find support, read real stories, or become part of the Gidget collective by visiting our website, gidgetfoundation.org.au. You can also find us on instagram.

CREDITS 

Hosts: Davina Smith
Producer: Kelsey Menzies
Audio Imager: Kelli Foulstone
Managing Producer: Todd Stevens

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A silver lining in a devastating miscarriage gave Ash the courage to explore the newfound maternal parts of herself. With coaching, she discovered matrescence—the emotional, biological, and physical changes experienced by women as they become mothers. In a candid chat with Davina Smith, Ash shares how this knowledge empowered her to face anxieties with compassion and accept further support when needed. Later, Davina is joined by matrescence expert and podcast host Amy Taylor-Kabbaz, as well as Gidget Clinical Team Lead Katie Peterson, to discuss the origins of the word matrescence, what you can expect as you go through this complete metamorphosis of body and self, and how to know if the emotions you're feeling are a normal part of matrescence or if they require extra mental health support.

Thanks to Peaches Pilates for making this episode possible. Discount code expires Sep 30th 24, available for new subscribers online. Head to peachespilates.com.

Keep up with Ash’s journey on her Instagram @therealashbonner.

If you would like to hear more from Amy, head to her Instagram @amytaylorkabbaz, or website amytaylorkabbaz.com where you can find her programs and episodes of her podcast – Happy Mama Movement.

Find support, read real stories, or become part of the Gidget collective by visiting our website, gidgetfoundation.org.au. You can also find us on instagram.

CREDITS 

Hosts: Davina Smith
Producer: Kelsey Menzies
Audio Imager: Kelli Foulstone
Managing Producer: Todd Stevens

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going into her 31-week scan, Pieta was expecting the usual – a jelly-covered belly and the thrill of seeing her baby grow. But what started as a routine scan ended with Pieta facing one of the most challenging decisions of her life. One in 22 babies has a ‘major congenital anomaly’, and in this episode, Pieta shares her own experience navigating uncertain medical information, the mental toll of grappling with difficult decisions, and the importance of care beyond the diagnosis. Later, Dr. Golly, paediatrician and Gidget Ambassador, joins host Davina Smith and Gidget Clinical Psychologist Erin Seeto for a roundtable discussion on the types and purposes of pregnancy screenings available to parents, discussing strategies to protect your mental health when navigating complex medical information. Plus, Dr. Golly shares his own experience with unexpected diagnoses, sparking a conversation around the value of sharing the mental load and finding trusted sources of truth.

Thanks to Peaches Pilates for making this episode possible. Discount code expires Sep 30th 24, available for new subscribers online. Head to peachespilates.com.

If you would like to hear more from Pieta, head to the Through the Unexpected website here.

You can find Dr Golly on instagram @drgolly, or head to his website to find his sleep programs, podcast and more.

Dr Golly has provided a special discount code for today’s listeners to use on his Sleep Programs. Use the coupon code “gidget20” upon checkout at drgolly.com and you will receive $20 off all sleep programs. Code expires 31.10.24.

Find support, read real stories, or become part of the Gidget collective by visiting our website, gidgetfoundation.org.au. You can also find us on instagram.

CREDITS 

Hosts: Davina Smith
Producer: Kelsey Menzies
Audio Imager: Kelli Foulstone
Managing Producer: Todd Stevens

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.