This week Nicola and Di chat with the inspiring and heart-centred Tess Brouwer. Tess is the CEO and co-founder of the Awake Academy alongside world champion surfer Layne Beachley, and together they wrote the book, Awake Academy. She’s a practitioner of positive psychology, a mental wellness mentor and someone who knows the corporate life inside and out. Tess has rebuilt her life from a serious spinal injury, survived burnout several times and helps people to reset, recharge and thrive at work and in life. She’s also a mum, a podcaster and the creator of the new supplement Wake Up.

In this episode we hear Tess’ incredible story of the skiing accident that changed her life, what it was like to recover from a serious spinal injury and what she learnt about herself along the way. She shares with us the remarkable words of wisdom that Layne gave her during that time, and how Tess realised that by changing your mindset, you change your life.

Tess talks to us about positive psychology and some really practical tools that we can all use to feel better in our lives, shift our mindset in a positive direction and be open to what the universe has to offer.

This is a deeply personal episode where Tess opens up about some difficult times in her life, shares the negative stories she used to have about herself and reflects on how beautiful and meaningful her life has become. There were lots of tears in the studio (as well as laughs) and hugs all around.

It was a real joy to have Tess join us and we hope you love this beautiful, open and honest conversation as much as we did!

This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or investor@montinvest.com

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/

Follow Tess on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/tesscbrouwer/

Follow Awake Academy on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/awake_academy/

Buy Tess and Layne’s book Awake Academy here - https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869

Join the Awake Collective here - https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/store

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Nicola and Di chat with an Australian icon, Joh Bailey. Joh is the hairdresser to the stars, a business visionary and the man who turned the blowdry into an empire. From styling global legends like the late Princess Diana and Kylie Minogue, to creating a brand that’s reshaped Australian hair care, Joh has influenced style, culture and confidence for decades.

In this episode we chat to Joh about what it’s been like to work with some of the most incredible celebrities, from Princess Diana to Kim Kardashian. Joh tells us the story of when he received a call from Buckingham Palace asking him if he would be Princess Di’s official hairdresser on her trip to Sydney in 1996. He gives us the inside scoop on all the royal protocols and what it was like to hang out with Princess Di.

We talk about the fashion and hairstyle trends of the past, the various celebrities that defined each decade, and what it’s like these days where anything really goes.

We also chat about how Joh got started in business and the incredible relationship he has with his business partner Marilyn. He gives us his thoughts on what he believes to be the secrets to his success.

It’s not only his business partnership that Joh shares about, he also opens up about his relationship with his husband Michael and the simple life they share in Bowral with their beloved horses.

This was a really fun conversation and we were thrilled to have Joh style our hair for the episode - tune in to our YouTube channel to see the looks he created for us!

This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or investor@montinvest.com

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/

Follow Joh on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/johbaileyofficial/

Buy Joh’s hair products or book a salon appointment here - https://johbailey.com.au

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Nicola and Di chat with the remarkable and entertaining Claire Parkinson. Claire began her career as a Prison Officer in the UK, working at the frontlines of human dynamics at their most intense. At 30 years of age she became the Head Of Operations for all prisons and probation in London, overseeing 9000 staff and 33,000 inmates! From there Claire had an opportunity to move to Australia and work in the prison system in Adelaide before stepping into the mining sector where she helped lead a $9.6billion dollar merger between 2 major global corporations. Claire has written a hilarious memoir, Shitty Grit, which captures the remarkable journey that has shaped her.

In this episode we hear about Claire’s early life, growing up in social housing in the UK and what it was like to find out at 16 that she was 18 weeks pregnant. Claire shares about the tough time she went through trying to raise a child, when she was just a child herself, and the wild years that followed when she moved back in with her parents and started playing catch-up on the partying she'd missed out on as a teenager.

After a sliding doors moment where she had to choose between being a flight attendant or a prison officer, Claire chose the latter. She tells us about the fascinating world of prisons and how she was assigned one of Britain’s most notorious child killers as her inmate when she first began her career. The stories she tells us of those prison days are pretty incredible, and we hope you love getting an insight into a world that most of us know nothing about.

We also talk about Claire’s move to Australia and how she was able to transition into the world of mining and lead a huge global merger. When you hear about the way Claire’s determination and initiative have led to incredible opportunities in her life, you can’t help but be inspired. Talk about a woman who’s been through a lot of shit and has a lot of grit!

We laughed so much throughout this chat and we hope you’ll find it as entertaining as we did.

This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or investor@montinvest.com

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/

Follow Clarie on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/shittygrit/

Buy Claire’s Book Shitty Grit here - https://www.amazon.com.au/SHiTTY-GRiT-Resilience-Teenager-Non-linear-ebook/dp/B0DZJ5MM16

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Over The Back Fence! It’s 2026 and we’re so excited to be kicking off Season 4 with you all. This week Nicola and Di chat about their summer break - what they got up to over the silly season, the holiday fun, including the trips they took and what they have in store for the podcast and some exciting events in 2026.

After Nicola and Di have their summer catch-up, they interview our most popular guest, David The Medium, who’s back for a fourth time!

We check-in with David and get him to give us the latest on what he’s predicting for 2026. His word of the year is initiation because David tells us it’s all about stripping away what’s no longer working to initiate ourselves into a new world. He also points out the similarities between what’s happening now, and what was happening in 2020. This year will be full of change, upheaval and momentum.

You’ll also get to listen in on a powerful reading that David does for Nicola and Di where he’s able to connect with their mothers who have passed, and they have some thoughts and guidance to pass on to the ladies about their relationships.

We always love having David The Medium join us on the show and we continue to be blown away by his spiritual readings and psychic predictions. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!

This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or investor@montinvest.com

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/

Follow David The Medium on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/davidthemedium/

Visit David’s website here to join his manifestation events, book a private reading or buy his daily guidance cards - https://www.davidthemedium.com/

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our Summer Series where we're replaying some of our most popular episodes over the last 3 years so you can discover episodes you haven't heard before or re-listen to some fan favourites. In this episode, Nicola and Di chat with the unstoppable Di Westaway. The founder of Wild Women on Top and Coastrek, Di is an Australian gymnast champion, Australian aerobics champion and she holds the world record for the highest handstand, which she did on the top of Mt Ama Dablam in Nepal. As if that wasn’t enough, Di is also an author of 2 books, was awarded an OAM for her services to women’s sport and charitable services, and she’s a mum of 3. Di spends her time inspiring, empowering and motivating women to lead adventurous lives they love and through her mission, has raised nearly $50 million dollars for charity!

In this chat, we hear about the incredible adventure in Argentina that started it all for Di, and how hiking up a mountain with her girlfriend changed her life forever. We talk about the power of female friendship and how having an ambitious goal that you’re doing with a supportive community, can really help women to finally prioritise their own health and wellbeing.

We also chat about the amazing benefits of mother nature, and the way that you can start tuning in to the magic moments in your life.

The best part is, Di shares how much she is loving life in her sixties, and how life (and sex) just keeps getting better and better. This is a positively refreshing and inspiring chat with a woman who makes us all want to keep soaking up every bit of juice in life.

Follow Coastrek: @coastrek

Follow Di: @diwestaway

Sign up for the next Coastrek - Sydney

Registrations close Feb 15 - https://www.coastrek.com.au/

We're so excited to share Coastrek, Australia’s iconic team hiking challenge! Created to help women – and anyone who loves adventure – fall in love with health, fitness and shared experiences in nature. It’s more than a hike - it’s fun, fitness, friends, fresh air and fundraising rolled into one epic experience. Since 2009, over 90,000 trekkers have taken on Coastrek, raising more than $57 million for charity along the way.

Sydney is almost sold out and registrations are closing SOON! Don't wait - grab a friend, a few mates, or form a whole crew and secure your team spot today. You’ll also get access to the Coastrek Training Program, fundraising tools, and supportive online community to guide you from sign-up to finish line.

And the best part? We are SO excited to announce we'll be your MCs for Coastrek Sydney, lighting up the mic at their EPIC finish line at the Espy in Manly, with amazing vibes, music, and celebrations you won't want to miss!

Follow Wild Women on Top: @wildwomenontop

Shop Di’s books and training programs: https://shop.wildwomenontop.com/

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our Summer Series where we're replaying some of our most popular episodes over the last 3 years so you can discover episodes you haven't heard before or re-listen to some fan favourites. In this episode, Nicola and Di chat with the hilarious and uplifting Kathy Lette. Kathy is a celebrated comic writer who has penned 20 novels, many of which have become international bestsellers and been turned into films, TV series and even an opera. Kathy’s career began when she wrote the iconic novel Puberty Blues when she was just 17. She went on to do stints as a singer, a newspaper columnist and a sitcom writer for Columbia Pictures in LA. These days she’s an author, travel writer and TV presenter and her latest book, The Revenge Club, is a must-read for every woman.

Kathy talks about life in her sixties - or as she lovingly calls them, her sexties. She shares how life just gets better, you enjoy life more and you can finally put yourself first for a change. Kathy shares about the importance of female friendships and how much of a positive impact they’ve had on her life.

We hear what it was like for Kathy when she fell in love with Geoffrey Robertson after appearing on a TV show with him, when she was still married to her first husband, Kim. Kathy tells great stories about her life in London with Geoffrey and some of the incredible people that stayed in their attic - James Hewitt, Julian Assange and Salman Rushdie to name just a few.

You won’t want to miss Kathy’s story about that time she got asked out by George Clooney (an unknown, fresh-faced actor) and said ‘No’. The good news is, it’s all worked out for Kathy who met her current partner whilst walking through the park on a hot summer’s day - another great story you’ll want to hear.

We also talk to Kathy about the benefits of laughter, her positive spirit, and the joy that she brings to the world. It was an absolute delight having Kathy entertain us in the studio and we hope you laugh as much as we did.

Follow Kathy Lette on IG here

Buy The Revenge Club here

Find more of Kathy’s books here

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our Summer Series where we're replaying some of our most popular episodes over the last 3 years so you can discover episodes you haven't heard before or re-listen to some fan favourites. In this episode, Nicola and Di chat with the entertaining and multi-talented Tottie Goldsmith. Tottie has been part of the Australian performing arts industry for 4 decades, with an incredible career that spans music, film, television, radio and theatre. In the 80s, Tottie became known as Melbourne’s IT girl, and was part of the pop group, The Chantoozies. Over the next few decades she appeared on so many iconic Australian TV shows including Young Doctors, Prisoner, Neighbours, and The Sex/Life series to name just a few. Tottie is also a proud mum, a marriage celebrant and the niece of our beloved Olivia Newton-John. In 2020 Tottie was awarded an OAM for her contribution to charity and the performing arts.

We hear all about Tottie’s unconventional upbringing and some of the incredible stories from her childhood. She was born in the 60s to a legend of the Australian nightclub industry, Brian Goldsmith and the model and actress Rona Newton-John. We hear the heartbreaking story of how Tottie’s mum left her and her 2 siblings, when Tottie was only 2.5, to pursue a career overseas and the huge impact that had on Tottie’s life.

Tottie opens up about the absolutely beautiful relationship that she had with her aunt Olivia, who was always looking out for her and loving her in ways that her mother wasn’t able to. Olivia was a true angel in Tottie’s life.

Not only that, but we hear some fun stories from Tottie’s love life and the lessons she’s learned along the way through the relationships she’s had. Tottie is someone who really has done a lot of work on herself, and is committed to continuing to learn and grow. It’s inspiring to listen to.

We had so much fun in this chat with Tottie - it was absolutely like having another girlfriend with us over the back fence. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Follow Tottie on IG here

Support the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre here

Find out more about Tottie’s work here

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.