Today I chat about how I broke up with my skinny jeans (yes, finally!) and discovered the wide-leg life is comfier than I ever imagined. Plus: the Big Brother application fail, the cockatoos hell-bent on destroying my garden dreams, and the reality of being totally codependent with my cat, Alfie.
This one’s for anyone stepping out of their comfort zone — or just here to laugh at mine.
Episode Guide:
00:38 Gab's Life Update and Podcast Schedule
02:08 A Day at Chadstone Shopping Center
04:23 Therapy Insights and Personal Growth
07:18 Breaking the Skinny Jeans Habit
12:33 Big Brother 2026 and Cat Tales
19:39 Upcoming Episode Teaser and Conclusion
From sober joy and safe people to late periods and life panic — this one’s got elation, ovary chaos and a lot of big feelings.
I recorded this right after a recovery wedding where I laughed so hard my face hurt. No booze, no awkwardness, just full-body joy. And then… I spiral. A late period sends me head-first into hormones, grief, perimenopause panic and all the “what ifs” around motherhood and timing.
Big feelings, big love, and no filters. You’ve been warned.
Mentioned:
Recovery joy & safe sober celebration
The shame we still carry around periods
Learning to live with (and not panic about) perimenopause
Grieving the family I thought I’d have — and still loving the life I’ve got
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Belly Laughs and Brutal Honesty
00:38 A Sober Celebration
02:25 The Joy of Sober Living
05:39 Breaking Stigmas Around Addiction
08:09 Navigating Perimenopause and Hormonal Changes
11:33 Reflections on Motherhood and Life Choices
16:07 Conclusion and Gratitude
This week, I’m talking about the p-word (podfade — don’t panic, we’re fine), why I’m half-seriously thinking about applying for Big Brother 2026, and how my inner 90s kid still calls the shots.
Expect plenty of nostalgia, sliding doors moments, reality TV life lessons, and a shameless love letter to the analog phones and questionable RnB tracks that soundtracked my childhood.
Mentioned:
The reality TV contestant who proved kindness can win
Sliding doors moments that change your path
90s pop culture memories that shaped a generation
If you grew up without social media, lived through the golden age of reality TV, or have ever wondered “Could I survive a reality show?”, you’ll feel right at home here.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Belly Laughs and Brutal Honesty
00:38 Overcoming Podfade and Staying Consistent
02:46 Nostalgia Trip: Big Brother and the Early 2000s
05:54 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth
11:30 The Joy of Nostalgia and Childhood Memories
15:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
This one got a little heavier than planned, but sometimes that’s what voice journaling is for.
In this episode, I talk through therapy decisions, pausing my ADHD diagnosis and a moment of raw grief over a photo from my brother’s wedding. I also get real about weight, clothing sizes, and the shame I’ve carried about my body - even in recovery.
It’s emotional. It’s honest. And it's always a reminder that there is hope.
00:00 – Introduction and Trigger Warning
00:38 – Welcome to the Podcast
01:17 – Creative Funk and Self-Discovery
02:12 – Vocabulary and Reading
06:42 – Therapy and Mental Health
13:29 – Body Image and Self-Esteem
17:09 – Conclusion and Gratitude
18:18 – Wrap-Up
Mentioned
He Would Never by Holly Wainwright:https://open.spotify.com/show/1QhiVb5PtBiHArfBlGRc3K
Facing Codependency by Pia Mellody:https://www.booktopia.com.au/facing-codependence-pia-mellody/book/9780062505897.html
Dr. Daniel Amen – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc_amen/
No Bad Parts: The Internal Family SystemsPodcast with Dr. Richard Schwartz:https://www.internalfamilysystems.com/podcast
Support Resources
Butterfly Foundation: https://butterfly.org.au/
Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
If this episode resonated, please follow,review, or share it with someone who might need to hear it. We're in this together!
This one’s a little different — a reflective drop straight from the heart. Just me, a memory, and a game of Uno that turned into a full-blown identity crisis (and breakthrough).
In this bonus ep, I’m sharing the chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly healing origin story of how Belly Laughs & Brutal Honesty got its name — from a hospital lounge full of rehab patients to the first time I felt real joy… and real truth.
It’s about belly laughs that made me cry. Brutal honesty that saved my life. And why those two things still keep me sane today.
If you’ve ever tried to control a card game in a mental health ward or thought being “honest” meant just being blunt — this one’s for you.
00:00 – A different kind of episode — and why I’m sharing this now
00:40 – The backstory: where the name came from
01:35 – Enter: belly laughs (and Uno chaos)
02:11 – Rehab, egos, and the game that cracked me open
05:40 – Brutal honesty and learning to tell myself the truth
08:33 – What still keeps me sane, grounded, and growing
In this second episode, Gab reflects on the positive feedback and surprising stats from the podcast's first week, including international listeners and touching messages. She discusses her reluctance to appear on video due to body image concerns, her efforts to reduce screen and call time, and the ongoing journey of self-acceptance. Gab also shares humorous insights into navigating adulthood and personal growth, especially regarding mental health topics like C-PTSD and ADHD.00:00 Welcome to Belly Laughs and Brutal Honesty00:39 Reflecting on Podcast Beginnings01:47 Listener Feedback and Personal Connections04:36 Family Reactions and Emotional Moments06:41 Weekly Accountability Check-In09:39 Body Image and Self-Acceptance13:01 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview
Well here we go! The very first episode of Belly Laughs & Brutal Honesty is out in the wild.
I’m Gab! A 40-something, still single, three years sober, and an aspiring adult. This episode is me, a mic, and the truth about what life looked like before sobriety, what brought me here, and why I’m finally recording the voice journals I’ve been rambling to my phone for years.
If you’re into honest stories, awkward personal growth, recovery real talk, and a bit of midlife chaos (minus the shame spiral), you’re in the right place.
My before and after — and the rocky in-between
What recovery gave me (besides sobriety)
Why I’m starting this podcast, and why now
The sh*t no one tells you about life after rock bottom
What’s coming next — solo parenting, Botox dilemmas, sober dating and more
It’s about the part where the drama dies down and you’re left thinking:
Okay... but how do I actually do life now?
If you’re rebuilding, rethinking, or just restarting — welcome. We’re in this together.
You’re not alone. If this brings up anything for you, please reach out:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 — lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — beyondblue.org.au
Thanks for being here. If you laughed, nodded along, or just felt a bit less alone, hit follow, share it with a mate, or leave a review. It helps more legends like you find this little corner of honesty and oversharing.
Keep laughing. Keep learning. And keep telling yourself you know what you’re doing (even if you don’t).
Gab xxx