If you'd like to join our book discussions, you're always welcome inside the Between the Lines Book Club. The details are in the show notes. Join us for the next chapter.

You can join our bookclub here

Dear Digital, We Need to Talk: Reclaiming Our Human Operating System with Dr. Kristy Goodwin

In this insightful and energising conversation, Chelle and Leanne sit down with digital wellbeing expert Dr. Kristy Goodwin to unpack her book Dear Digital, We Need to Talk — a science-backed guide to navigating technology in a way that honours how our brains and bodies are actually designed to function.

Drawing on neurobiology, peak-performance research, and years of working with high achievers, Kristy explains why so many of us feel constantly "switched on but powered down," and how small, realistic micro-habits can help us reclaim focus, energy, and calm in a digitally intense world.

From the story behind the book's title, to understanding chronotypes, stress responses, and our ultradian rhythm, this episode is full of practical takeaways and laugh-out-loud moments (including tech glitches that prove the point). Whether you're an executive, a business owner, or someone simply tired of feeling overwhelmed by screens, this conversation will reshape the way you think about digital life.

• Why digital detoxes don't work — and what actually does

• How to align your tech habits with your human operating system

• The role of ultradian rhythms and why breaks boost—not hinder—productivity

• Simple strategies like physiological sighs, tech curfews, and 30-second eye resets

• Why connection, "white space," and tiny micro-habits are essential for wellbeing

• How walking, nature, and even shower thoughts restore creativity and reduce stress

• The gender wellbeing gap and why women are facing higher levels of digital burnout

Discussion prompt:
Kristy says big changes come from small hinges — tiny habits that support our biology.
What's one micro-habit you want to try this week to feel more "powered up" in your digital life? Tell us on Instagram or in the book club.

Stories We Inherit: Reading "Cactus Pear for My Beloved" by Samah Sabawi

Step into this deeply moving conversation as Chelle and Leanne sit down with the book club to discuss Cactus Pear for My Beloved by Samar Sabawi — a poetic, powerful story born from exile, memory, and love. Drawing from her father's life and her own research on transgenerational trauma, Sabawi captures what it means to inherit both loss and hope across generations.

In this episode, the group reflects on the book's unique structure — part memoir, part fiction — and how it bridges history with humanity. From learning about Palestine through a family's eyes to exploring how storytelling preserves identity, this is a tender, thought-provoking chat about heritage, empathy, and the power of listening.

You'll hear:

• How Cactus Pear for My Beloved blends memoir, history, and imagination to honour a father's story

• Why reading about other cultures' histories helps us see our own family stories differently

• Thoughts on names, identity, and belonging in new lands

• The book's role as a gentle geography and history lesson — and a human one

• How stories can reconnect us with our parents, elders, and our shared pasts

Discussion prompt:
This book reminded us how easily family histories fade if we don't record them. Whose story in your life deserves to be written down? Tell us on Instagram or in the book club.

The Bookshop Detectives by Gareth & Louise Ward

Step into the charming world of The Bookshop Detective with Chelle and Leanne as they chat with authors (and real-life couple) Louise and Gareth Ward — owners of Wardini Books in New Zealand and the creative minds behind the Tea and Cake and Death series. Blending their backgrounds as former UK police officers with their love of storytelling, they've created a cozy crime world where mystery meets heart, humour, and a touch of small-town chaos.

In this episode, they share the real-life inspiration behind their beloved characters Garth, Eloise, and Stevie the dog, how their bookshop community became part of their fictional world, and what it's really like to write crime fiction with your spouse.

You'll hear:

• How policing inspired their approach to plotting, clues, and keeping readers guessing

• The origins of their real-life Battle of the Book Clubs (and how it became a key scene in the books)

• Why cozy crime strikes the perfect balance between danger and delight

• What it's like to co-write a novel — chapter by chapter — without losing your marriage (or your sense of humour)

• The joy and chaos of running an independent bookshop that feels like family

Discussion prompt:
If you could set a cozy crime story anywhere, where would it be — and who would your unlikely detective be? Tell us on Instagram or in the book club!

The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House: Real Talk on Social Anxiety, Self-Acceptance & Connection with Jenny Valentish

Step into the quietly chaotic world of social survival with Chelle and Leanne as they chat with journalist and author Jenny Valentish about her brilliant and funny new book, The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House. Written for introverts, "awkwards," "sociophobes," and everyone who's ever felt drained by small talk, Jenny's book is packed with real-life strategies, relatable stories, and a good dose of humour.

In this episode, Jenny opens up about what it really means to live (and thrive) as an introvert in an extrovert's world—covering everything from practical "game plans" for social scenarios to the deeper roots of social reluctance, self-protection, and connection.

You'll hear:

• How Jenny's own experiences with anxiety, addiction, and sobriety shaped the book

• Why introverts don't need to be "fixed"—just better equipped with their own strategies

• The difference between solitude and loneliness (and how to find your sweet spot)

• What "shoulder-to-shoulder" socialising is and why it's a game changer

• How social anxiety, ADHD, and neurodivergence overlap in unexpected ways

• Why "show up, then slip out early" might be your new party motto

• The surprising role of spirituality and ecstatic dance in her journey toward self-connection

• Jenny's take on humour, authenticity, and the power of books that find you at the right time

Discussion prompt:
Are you more of an introvert, extrovert—or a mix of both? What helps you recharge or feel more comfortable in social settings? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or in the book club!

• The real-life family history that inspired The Butterfly Women—and how Madeleine's infamous ancestor became a character in her novel
• What it took to research Melbourne's notorious Little Lon district (spoiler: years of digging through archives and old newspapers!)
• The challenges and joys of balancing historical accuracy with page-turning storytelling
• How the book evolved from a quiet literary novel to a full-on murder mystery, complete with red herrings and footy-mum sleuths
• The power and agency of women—even in the toughest circumstances—and the entrepreneurial spirit of Melbourne's brothel keepers
• Madeleine's writing process, from train commutes to tight deadlines, and her advice for aspiring authors
• A sneak peek at Madeleine's next project, inspired by another family mystery
  
  

Join Chelle and Leanne as they sit down with debut memoirist Daniel Nour to discuss his sharp, funny, and deeply moving book, How to Dodge Flying Sandals. Part coming-of-age tale, part cultural reflection, Daniel's memoir captures what it's like to grow up queer, Egyptian, and Australian—all while navigating family expectations, church traditions, and the sometimes absurd challenge of figuring out who you are.

With humor, honesty, and compassion, Daniel shares how writing his story helped him reconcile his own identity, forgive himself (and others), and carve out a space where he belongs.

In this episode:

• The metaphor behind "dodging flying sandals"—and what it reveals about cultural discipline, expectations, and resilience

• How humor became Daniel's coping mechanism and storytelling superpower

• Balancing family love with personal authenticity, even when values clash

• Why representation matters, and how migrant voices challenge mainstream stereotypes in Australia

• The concept of "letting in" rather than "coming out" when it comes to sharing your true self

Discussion prompt:
What expectations have you had to "dodge" in order to become more fully yourself? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or in the book club—we'd love to hear your story.

PS: If you enjoy memoirs that blend humor, identity, and heart, How to Dodge Flying Sandals is a must-read. And keep an ear out for Daniel—this is just the beginning of his storytelling journey.