MID

Personal Journals
**MID**

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.

Latest Episodes:

EXTRA: You Forgot to Live Overseas ‘Til Now Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

What if you’ve always wanted to live somewhere else?

What if you did it, once, and you remember the freedom and the energy released by fresh places, by a different culture, a true restart.

What if you’re looking at your post-work act and you’re thinking, would the pressure be less? Would the joy be multiplied? Would my dollar go further? Would my wanderlust be sated. If I… lived somewhere else.

What would it be like? Would you be lonely? Would you be safe? Would you feel like a new version of yourself?
We’ve got someone we’d like you to meet. Maggie Lazarre is American. Three years ago she moved, alone, to Panama, in Central America, and she was so bombarded with questions of how she did it - how she retired alone to another country, that she started a community called Single Women Retiring Abroad.

Whether you’re single or not, and wherever you might be dreaming about heading off to when you don’t have to go to work every day, you’re going to like Maggie’s energy and honesty. Her stories of what’s working, what’s not, what she loves about her choice, what she’d do differently…

Learn more about Aware Super here.

To follow Maggie’s work, Single Women Retiring Overseas, start here.

For more info about retiring overseas: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/activities/retiring-overseas

https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/latest-news/what-to-know-before-you-retire-overseas

THE END BITS:

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

Mamamia's new podcast BIZ is rewriting the rules of work with no generic advice - just real strategies from women who've actually been there. Listen here.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Producer: Tahli Blackman

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eat More. Sleep Colder. Lift Heavier. Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Protein, weights, sleep, oh my.

Does it feel like you hit a certain birthday with a zero and everyone started yelling at you about chicken breast and dumbbells?

For this last episode of MID for Season 5, we wanted to ask someone smart to tell us exactly why that is. And so we found a woman called Louisa Nicola, an Australian neurophysiologist and human performance coach based in the US - and got her to tell us - what's important in the space of midlife health, and what's just noise.
And what she tells us about the three things to prioritise to live better longer is a surprise. Seriously.Important note: The information discussed in this episode is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Supplement availability, safety, and regulation vary between countries, including Australia. Always seek guidance from your GP or pharmacist, and ensure any therapeutic goods are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

You can follow Louisa Nicola and learn more about her work, here: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Louisa Nicola

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Icy In-Laws & 'Boring' Husbands. Marian Keyes Is Here To Help. Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Chances are, you’ve read at least one Marian Keyes book, and that if you've read one, you’ve read many.

Since her first novel, Watermelon, was published in 1995, Keyes has written 24 books - all with guts and heart, wicked humour and her her trademark Irish wit.

Not only is Marian one of the most successful novelists of her generation, she’s also shared the ups and downs of her own life, writing about challenges she’s personally faced from depression to alcoholism and loss. All of this has also made her an excellent "agony aunt", as evidenced on her BBC podcast co-hosted by Tara Flynn, Now You're Asking.

On this episode of MID, Holly was joined in person by Marian on her a recent trip to Sydney to talk midlife heroines and to answer the questions you sent in about everything from friendship-ghosting to relationship "holidays".

Enjoy this conversation with the one and only Marian Keyes

Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/midbymamamia/
Follow Marion Keyes here: https://www.instagram.com/marian_keyes/

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Marian Keyes

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Your Clothes Though May 26, 2025

Show notes

Do you need a fashion overhaul? Some grown-up clothes. Grown-up attitude. Grown-up advice? Holly Wainwright did, and she knew exactly who to call for a gentle roasting and some no-bullshit advice: Grace Lam.

You might remember Grace because she’s our first-ever repeat guest on MID. The fashion stylist, former Senior Fashion Editor of VOGUE China for a decade, was on MID Season Two talking about hormones, because as well as being a style guru, she’s an incredible advocate for women going through Peri and menopause.

And if you heard that episode, you know she’s sweary, forthright and funny as hell.

Grace has recently relocated from Perth to Melbourne to continue her bespoke styling & shopping consultancy, and so we thought it might be the moment to call her up for some no bullshit advice for all of us: about grown-up style, shopping and spending and definitely, definitely NOT “dressing your age”.

Enjoy this conversation with the exceptionally stylish Grace Lam about clothes, fashion, fun, and not giving an F about what you SHOULD wear.

Want to see the pics of Holly that Grace critiqued? Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/midbymamamia/

Follow Grace Lam & book her for your OWN style makeover, here: https://www.instagram.com/gracelamstyle/

Listen to our first episode with Grace on menopause here.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Grace Lam

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Our studio is styled with furniture from Fenton and Fenton visit.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex, Drugs & Radical Honesty: Confessions Of An Iconic 90s Cool Girl May 19, 2025

Show notes

In the 80s & 90s - they didn’t come any cooler than Ione Skye.

You remember her from Say Anything, the iconic 80s teen movie, or from River’s Edge or Gas Food Lodging or The Rachel Papers…But while Ione was busy making some of the most era-defining films, she was also living the most aspirational 90’s life imaginable - Teenage friends with River Phoenix, teenage girlfriend to The Red Hot Chilli Peppers Anthony Keidis. Young wife of Beastie Boy Adam 'Ad Rock' Horowitz. Welcomed into Madonna’s circle, until she started dating all her female exes. Now, she’s been married to Australian musician Ben Lee for well over a decade, and lives in Sydney.

But Ione isn’t defined by the men she’s married or the women she’s loved - she’s the main character of her own wild, beautiful, fearless story - and she’s written it all down in her book, Say Everything - which is a glorious, pent-up outpouring of story and gossip and validation of girlhood and womanhood and romance and sexuality and what was like to come of age in - literally - a different time.

You can find Ione’s book here: https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780008661120/say-everything-a-memoir/

And follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ioneskyelee/

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Ione Skye

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Did You Pay For Your Face May 12, 2025

Show notes

From Foundation to Filler, Leigh Campbell on beauty "hell yesses" and "f*ck no's".

Whether you have a 12-step skincare routine and a "derm" on speed-dial, or whether you still use the same one pot of moisturiser you’ve used since you were 20, chances are, your face has changed. And however you feel about that, the beauty world, and its messages around ageing are confusing. Enter, our no-BS beauty guru, Leigh Campbell, to tell us what works and what's nonsense when it comes to our faces.

A Beauty Editor, Beauty Director and Lifestyle Director in magazines and online publications for decades, Leigh is now the host of Mamamia's You Beauty and Nothing To Wear. And even more than that, she’s a guru who now has her own brand, Brillo Beauty.

In this conversation, Leigh, yes/no's, what works and what matters when it comes to our faces. AND she gets honest about all the wild things she has tried, and still tries, for her own face.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Leigh Campbell

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melinda Gates’ Divorce Started With A Whisper May 05, 2025

Show notes

Melinda French Gates knows everyone wants to talk about her divorce.

She gets it, and she's covered it her new book, Next Day, about handling life's transitions. But also, what she wants to talk about is change. How we pick ourselves up after those big moments that knock us off course, whether it's the end of a relationship, losing a job, becoming a parent, kids leaving home, losing someone or a a big career shift. Transitions, she knows, are moments of both struggle and opportunity.

French-Gates is the computer scientist, philanthropist and advocate who, along with her former husband, Bill Gates, founded the Gates Foundation, raising and donating billions of dollars to improve health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.

After her separation, French-Gates established her own philanthropic organisation, Pivotal, to advance issues that affect women and girls.

In this episode of MID she talks about how to tap into that inner whisper that becomes a roar, what her life looks like post-divorce and what she wants everyone to know about moving on 'The Next Day'.

You can buy Melinda French Gates' book here.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Melinda French Gates

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EXTRA: But Could You Really Move To A Farm? May 01, 2025

Show notes

Rachel Ward always sensed she would need to find her purpose outside of acting - for reasons she will explain in this conversation. But she never would have guessed that she’d find that purpose on a working cattle farm in rural Australia…

At MID, we like to call this time in our life the “third age” - it’s that post-work era where we’re redefining the shape of our days, our contributions, our passions and our purpose. And Rachel Ward has a LOT to say about this.

Rachel Ward is an iconic Australian actress who met Brian Brown on the set of the The Thorn Birds in 1982 and followed him to Australia, where they have lived together ever since, raising a family and working. More recently Rachel has directed films like Beautiful Kate and Palm Beach, and now, a documentary about her rural pivot.

As you’ll hear, in her third act Rachel Ward has became a farmer at 60. And not a hobby farmer, but a farmer-farmer - the real deal, inspecting her soil for dung beetles and worms.

You can follow Rachel Ward here.

And you can find out more about her documentary, Rachel’s Farm, here.

THE END BITS:

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

Mamamia's new podcast BIZ is rewriting the rules of work with no generic advice - just real strategies from women who've actually been there. Listen here.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions Of Women Listen To Gabby Bernstein. I Found Out Why Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Gabby Bernstein is the kind of person you mention in a group chat and instantly get five voice notes back saying, “Oh my God, she changed my life.”

She’s Oprah-approved, a New York Times best-selling author many times over, a spiritual teacher and the voice behind the wellness movement that’s got us all manifesting, journaling and choosing our battles. In this episode of MID, Holly sat down with Gabby to talk about feeling stuck, dealing with change, and the relentless voice in your head, you know the one, the inner critic.

If you’re looking for some clarity, a push to change things that aren't working for you, or just a little positivity, this conversation is for you.

Gabby Bernstein is touring the country in May follow the links here get tickets for Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Order Gabby's latest book, Self Help: This Is Your Chance to Change Your Life here and get a free gift! Follow Gabby on Instagram and try her gabby coaching membership app for free here.

Or, you can learn about Gabby's 21 day challenge here.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Gabby Bernstein

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attack Of The Teenage Girls Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to MID Season Five...We have a very special guest.

Mia Freedman has been in countless conversations with Holly Wainwright—on mics, off mics, in meetings, in texts. But she’s never been on MID. Until now.

In this episode, Holly kicks off Season Five with someone who knows her well, and who’s read something very personal—her brand new book, He Would Never.

It’s a story about the limits and power of female friendships, narcissistic love, and the tricky transitions from girlhood to teenagehood. And Mia had thoughts. Lots of them. For one - the teenage girls we were in the 90s are very different than the teenage girls of today.

This episode is about writing and ambition. Confidence and self-doubt. Teenage daughters and their teenage selves. It’s a conversation between two women the same age, but at different parenting stages.

At the end of this episode, Holly has a very special gift for you - so stick around, you don't want to miss it.

You can pre order Holly's book He Would Never here. And it's available in all good book stores from April 29th

THE END BITS:

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

Mamamia's new podcast BIZ is rewriting the rules of work with no generic advice - just real strategies from women who've actually been there. Listen here.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Guest: Mia Freedman

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.