Help! I Have A Teenager

Latest Episodes:

I Know The Day My Mum Is Going To Die: Ginni Mansberg's Story Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

It may have been a little while since you’ve heard co-host Ginni Mansberg’s voice in your ears. If you didn’t know, Ginni is also one of the hosts of our Gen X podcast, Unleashed, where women come together for a laugh, a chat and, occasionally, some of life’s harder conversations.

Ginni recently shared something incredibly personal with the Unleashed listeners, the story of her mum’s decision to choose voluntary assisted dying.

If you have a teenager, or a child who is now an adult, you may find yourself in a similar stage of life to Ginni: watching your parents age and beginning to face the realities of serious illness, difficult decisions and what it means to care for the people who once cared for you.

This is part one of a three-part series following Ginni and her family through the before, the moment itself and what comes after.

You can listen to part two and part three here.

If this conversation brought up hard feelings and you need some help, please call Lifeline here.

In your ears today is Cath Mahoney, Bruna Papandrea and Ginni Mansberg

Check out our Unleashed music playlist for some feel good throwbacks!

The End Bits:
Follow us on Instagram, DM us thoughts, feelings and questions @unleashed.show
Love the show? Hit follow on Apple or Spotify — it helps other Gen X women find us.

Executive Producer Grace Rouvray
Senior Producer and Audio Editor is Tina Matolov
Social Media Producer is Annaliese Todd

Did you know some of our shows are now in video on the Apple Podcast app? Make sure your phone is up to date and check it out here!

Get access to Very Peri, Mamamia's exclusive perimenopause series, for just $59. 25 world-leading experts, over 20 on-demand sessions, available now. We’ve sorted through the noise so you don't have to. Go to veryperi.com.au and join me today. You hot? Same.

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Cathrine Mahoney On The Teen Years And The Parenting 'Lasts' You Don't See Coming Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, writer, comedian and host of Mamamia's 456 Club podcast, Cathrine Mahoney joins us to share her unfiltered experience of parenting a teenager. With her trademark humour, Cathrine Mahoney offers hilarious reality checks about what's coming in the teenage years from endless food bills to impossible-to-wake mornings, and the unexpected melancholy of the parenting moments you don't realise will be your last.

Whether you're in the trenches with little ones, or watching your teenager pull away, this episode offers the perfect blend of practical wisdom and emotional validation about the parenting journey that passes all too quickly, reminding us to treasure even the challenging parts of parenting.

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We’re listening! Send us a voice message, email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Tegan Natoli, Annaliese Todd

With thanks to Cathrine Mahoney

Producer: Tina Matolov

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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.

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This Glorious Mess: The Cupcake Fraud Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

A parent keeps a close eye on the gifts coming into the house—it might feel like extra admin, but it's undeniably clever. Speaking of clever, one mum has cracked the code for those insufferable "home-baked treats" requests at school fetes. And, in an impressive feat, a couple transforms into wizard-like time lords to carve out more alone time.

You can share your best worst parenting stories by leaving us a voice note, email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super shame super anonymous you can pop them in this form.

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Listen to more "This Glorious Mess" HERE

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Annaliese Todd & Stacey Hicks

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Little Love Stories: Libby Trickett’s Hardest Day Wasn’t In The Pool Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

What comes to mind when you hear 'strong'? Maybe muscles or physical strength? But, what about mental strength and resilience?

You may know Olympian Libby Trickett as Libby Lenton. She became a house hold name in the early 2000s swimming for Australia.

Libby wasn’t prepared for a different type of strength she would need once she’d retire from swimming. Like many new parents, Libby's world was turned upside down by the arrival of her first baby, Poppy.

You can read Libby's full little love story here.

Listen to more "This Glorious Mess" HERE

THE END BITS

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Grace Rouvray

Guest: Libby Trickett

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Glorious Mess - The Ambulance That Didn’t Need To Be Called Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

On this weeks episode of Parents Anonymous, a gushy Facebook post has a parent questioning their entire existence. Bribery is ALWAYS in the parenting toolkit. Plus a PA theme has started to emerge with parents ringing the emergency services, possibly wasting their time. Much to unpack.

Please share your shameful secrets by leaving us a voice note, email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super shame super anonymous you can pop them in this form.

THE END BITS

Listen to more This Glorious Mess HERE

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Annaliese Todd & Stacey Hicks

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Little Love Stories: Three Daughters, One Bond Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Parenthood is life-changing, but for today’s guest, Anna Water-Massey, it came with both joy and deep loss. At 30, Anna became a mother to Cleo, and a year later, she lost her own mother to cancer. Despite the heartbreak, Anna shares the incredible bond she’s built with Cleo—a connection that continues to grow, especially now that Cleo has become a mother herself to baby Indigo.

In this episode of Little Love Stories, Anna reflects on the powerful ties between mothers, daughters, and granddaughters, and how love can transcend even the hardest of times.

You can read Anna's full little Love Story here.

THE END BITS

Listen to more "This Glorious Mess" HERE

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Grace Rouvray

Guest: Anna Waters-Massey

Anna's menopause skit here

You can watch the viral TikTok pregnancy announcement here

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents Anonymous: Baby Proof… And Also Adult Proof Jan 05, 2025

Show notes

Today's Parents Anonymous dives into another three deliciously embarrassing confessions: a baby locked in the car sparks a lasting daycare shame, one parent confesses to dodging one-on-one time with their child, and childproofing materials prove smarter than the adults trying to navigate them.

You can share your best worst parenting stories by leaving us a voice note, email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super shame super anonymous you can pop them in this form.

THE END BITS

Listen to more "This Glorious Mess" HERE

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Annaliese Todd & Stacey Hicks

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Little Love Stories: If I Could Call My Best Friend Cal Wilson Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt that instant spark of friendship with someone new? That’s exactly what happened when comedian Damian Callinan met Cal Wilson in the early 2000s.

In this episode of Little Love Stories, we remember the vibrant Kiwi comedian, Cal Wilson, who passed away nearly a year ago. Damian reflects on their friendship, their collaborations on shows like Skit House, and the honour of being the MC at both her wedding and funeral— a role he describes as among the most important in his life.

Despite the pain of losing her, Damian shares the joy of hearing other people's "Cal Wilson Moments" that help keep her memory alive.

You can read Damian's full Little Love Story here.

THE END BITS

Listen to more "This Glorious Mess" HERE

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Grace Rouvray

Guest: Damian Callinan

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents Anonymous: When You Fail At Year 2 Math Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

Is gaslighting a toddler ever okay?

We are divided on this episode of Parents Anonymous - which might just be our most outrageous yet.

From failed homework to divorce celebration we are dishing out our judgement-free judgement on your biggest parenting confessions and sharing ours as well.

Please share your shameful secrets by leaving us a voice note, email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super shame super anonymous you can pop them in this form.

THE END BITS

Listen to more This Glorious Mess HERE

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Annaliese Todd & Stacey Hicks

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Little Love Stories: Two Siblings, One Kidney & The Ultimate Act of Sisterhood Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

The bond between sisters is a unique mix of fierce loyalty and the ability to argue over just about anything. But when someone you love is in danger, that bond becomes unwavering.

In this episode of Little Love Stories, we explore the extraordinary bond between sisters Grace and Lil O'Connell. When Lil fell critically ill with meningococcal disease on Christmas Day 2017, her life was on the line. After weeks in the ICU, she pulled through, only to face kidney failure. In a twist of fate, her perfect donor match—and her greatest support—was her sister Grace.

THE END BITS

Listen to more "This Glorious Mess" HERE

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Grace Rouvray

Guest: Grace O'Connell

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.