Advertise on podcast: Life Academy

Nothing says Life Lately like a full-blown Bali transformation, a birthday spent sick in bed and Alicia entering mama-bear mode at kindy 💀 We’re talking body image, motherhood, female friendship, career setbacks and whether Alicia crossed the line by stepping in when Isla was being left out. Come for Dena’s Bali awakening, stay to shop our Favourite Four products from September below. Love you, dAlings 🫶 00:00 Welcome to Life Academy 01:53 The Bali retreat that changed everything 10:08 Sick on your birthday and still having to mum 13:45 Could we be cast in the same show again? 15:28 Going full mama bear for your child 22:18 Favourite Four for September Shop Our Favourite Four Products From September: 1. Kiehl’s 1CC CollaShot Plump Serum – A bouncy serum featuring pink vitamin B12 and recombinant collagen polypeptide, designed to visibly plump the skin and target signs of ageing. Purchase the new 1CC CollaShot Plump Serum and receive 25% off sitewide (excluding sets) using code COLLAGEN25. Valid 30 September to 11 October. 2. Best & Less Nappy Bag – Dena’s affordable everyday bag that looks far more expensive than it is, with plenty of room for all the mum essentials. 3. Sarah J. Maas Books– Alicia’s latest fantasy obsession, including the *Throne of Glass* and *A Court of Thorns and Roses* series. Expect immersive worlds, romance and varying levels of spice. 4. Tulita Vikasa Fragrance – Dena’s long-lasting, 100% natural fragrance housed in a refillable bottle with an activated rose-quartz crystal cap. Follow us at: 📸 Dena's Instagram 📸 Alicia's Instagram 📸 Life Academy Instagram 🎵 Life Academy TikTok 🔵 Join our Facebook group ▶️ Watch us on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode takes us straight into one of Dance Academy’s most iconic side quests: Kat becoming a music video girlie 💃🎬 This week, we live-react to 'Heartbeat' episode and unpack the Miles Kelly storyline, what filming those dance scenes was really like, the wardrobe choices we still have questions about, and the scenes Alicia was much more nervous to film than anyone realised. And then there’s the kiss. Let’s just say the director had notes 😭 Come rewatch Dance Academy with the girls who lived it, remembered half of it, and are discovering the rest right alongside you, dAlings 🩵 1:14 — Reacting to the opening music performance 3:35 — The boys get VERY competitive behind the scenes 7:14 — Dena wanted Kat’s music video storyline BADLY 10:03 — The music video shoot begins 14:45 — Dena’s intense 5AM Dance Academy workout routine 16:56 — Alicia reveals how nervous she was filming the dance scenes 19:49 — The moment Alicia knew the kiss was coming 20:24 — THAT kiss… and the director’s brutal note 😭 22:34 — Filming the Miles Kelly music video 26:40 — The role was originally meant for Ruby Rose?! 27:18 — Watching the finished music video for the first time 29:09 — Final reactions to Episode 9 Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apparently all roads lead back to an Australian teen drama 😭🇦🇺 This week, we unpack Kendall Jenner allegedly funding the romance, the H2O reboot that should absolutely exist, what Kat and Abigail would be doing now, and the Sydney Sweeney ad that has the internet very divided. There’s also reality TV tea, an Emmys red carpet debrief, a little Nicole Kidman appreciation, Practical Magic 2 hype, and some very unexpected Sandra Bullock lore. As always: under-researched, over-opinionated, and somehow still committed to the assignment. Pop culture homework complete, dAlings 🎭💅 1:04 — Kendall Jenner’s alleged sugar mummy era with Jacob Elordi 4:07 — The H2O reboot that apparently nobody wanted?! 6:13 — Could Dance Academy: Next Generation actually work? 8:28 — Sydney Sweeney’s controversial sports campaign 15:22 — Alix Earle’s reality show and the Alex Cooper fallout 17:59 — The Emmys red carpet debrief: hits, misses and fashion crimes 19:23 — Nicole Kidman, beauty tweaks and red carpet reactions 21:19 — Shailene Woodley’s look gets absolutely roasted 22:02 — Practical Magic 2 and the Sandra Bullock love fest 22:54 — Why 28 Days has been watched way too many times 23:40 — Final thoughts Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Okay… we might have accidentally unlocked a new Life Academy era 👀🎭 After months of talking about the live show, we finally got on stage; and meeting our dAlings in real life hit way harder than either of us expected. There were tears, Dance Academy throwbacks, a surprise guest, a very big “wait… should we actually take this on tour?” moment. There’s also some VERY exciting acting news, the reality of returning to set after years away, and an airport story so unnecessarily chaotic that honestly… of course it happened to us 😭 To everyone who came, watched, listened, sent us love, or has been here quietly supporting us from the start - thank you. We’re beyond grateful for every single one of you 🥹🩵 2:18 — The forgotten airport bag and pre-show travel chaos 7:02 — Getting ready for the Life Academy live show 11:21 — Meeting our dAlings and why it hit so hard 17:12 — Behind-the-scenes chaos before going on stage 22:03 — The live show begins and the first big laugh 23:50 — Tim Pocock joins us on stage 27:20 — Could Life Academy go on tour? 30:24 — Back on set after five years and two new acting jobs 40:05 — Bondi dreams and the trip home from hell 49:10 — Period chaos, trying for another baby, and wrapping the weekend 51:14 — Recs and final thank-yous Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Recs/Homework: Abrand jeans — Stretchy, comfortable jeans with a flattering fit. Best&Less — Affordable summer clothes and matching sets for holiday packing. Famesick by Lena Dunham — A book rec with behind-the-scenes stories, career reflections, and plenty of tea. Boody period underwear — Soft, comfortable period undies that can handle a heavier flow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“EXCUSE ME?? Your therapist did WHAT?” dAlings, this episode takes a turn 😭 We start with the usual chaos: live show excitement, mum guilt, Bali dreams, acting feelings and a little accidental OnlyFans brainstorming!! Before Dena drops one of the wildest stories we’ve had on Life Academy. She shares what happened with a former therapist she once trusted completely, how blurred the boundaries became, why she didn’t see the red flags at the time and what finally made her realise just how unhealthy the whole dynamic had been. Big love to anyone who’s had to untangle a relationship they once thought was helping them 🩵 3:53 Isla’s behaviour improves + the sweetest parent trend 9:13 Why Alicia couldn’t watch the Logies 12:31 Podcast research somehow turns into an OnlyFans spiral 18:40 Bali retreat, mum guilt & needing to actually receive 28:11 Dena’s car skincare “life hack” 36:12 Dena reveals the therapist relationship that crossed major boundaries 42:40 Why Dena finally reported her 46:16 The “past life” story that now sounds completely wild 49:17 Alex saw through the therapist immediately 50:32 Recs/Homework Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Recs/Homework: kit: hand soap — Dena’s pick for a luxe-feeling hand wash without going full Aesop pricing. Denada mango protein ice cream bar — A sugar-free, high-protein dessert Dena says she’s currently obsessed with. @briestrongerthancancer — visit Kendra Bird’s Instagram stories and click the affiliate links, which she says help generate money for families going through childhood cancer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop culture is giving us absolutely no peace this week, dAlings 🍿 We’re back with another wildly unqualified catch-up featuring unexpected celeb pairings, relationship updates, Taylor Swift theories, a little Off Campus chaos and an Anne Hathaway performance that has Dena rethinking EVERYTHING. There’s also some heavier news in the mix, plus a few very random detours because obviously we cannot stay on topic. Drop the pop culture story we absolutely HAVE to talk about next week 🩵 Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast 1:07 Belmont Cameli + Martha Stewart in the most random ad pairing 2:37 New Harry Potter casting & the J.K. Rowling controversy 5:39 Kim Kardashian & Lewis Hamilton go public 7:50 The sad celebrity news dominating the week 12:36 Postpartum mental health & the Lindsay Clancy case 16:16 Travis Scott’s surprise role in The Odyssey 17:29 Our latest Taylor Swift wedding photo theory 18:43 Alicia on why she still can’t watch the Logies 19:38 Moulin Rouge! is coming back to Australia 21:02 Nicole Kidman’s undercover Ibiza raving era 22:55 Anne Hathaway’s HUGE year & Mother Mary 26:15 Final pop culture thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re grateful for our bodies… but some days, loving them is really bloody hard 😭 This week gets a little more honest than usual, dAlings. Dena opens up about cancelling a Sydney photoshoot because her body confidence had hit such a low point, and we talk about that awful space where you can know all the “right” things about body positivity, gratitude and self-love… and still look in the mirror and feel completely disconnected from yourself. We also get into Alicia’s own insecurities around ageing and her face, why raising daughters makes all of this feel even more important, and how we’re trying to model self-compassion without pretending we’ve magically figured it all out. Plus, there’s a very sweet friendship moment, toddler updates, beauty recs and some classic Life Academy chaos to balance out the heavier stuff. Tell us what helps you feel more like yourself again on the hard body-image days, dAlings 🩵🩵 3:04 Therapy, nervous-system overload & finally letting it all out 6:21 Toddler survival mode is slowly easing 8:24 A surprise gift & a very sweet bestie moment 13:21 The honest body-confidence conversation 19:49 When someone telling you “you’re beautiful” isn’t enough 26:35 Grieving the body and identity you used to have 31:12 Why inclusive sizing still has such a long way to go 37:43 Trying not to pass body issues down to our daughters 45:50 Why self-compassion has to be modelled, not just taught 51:19 Raising kind girls who can also stand up for themselves 57:18 Recs/Homework Recs/Homework Dermal lip balm — Alicia’s new replacement for her much-missed discontinued Blistex... Morphe setting spray — Dena’s current favourite for keeping makeup in place without killing the finish. Full blood work — Dena’s homework after discovering a significant B12 deficiency that may have been contributing to fatigue and brain fog. Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Recs/Homework: Dermal lip balm — Alicia’s new replacement for her much-missed discontinued Blistex... Morphe setting spray — Dena’s current favourite for keeping makeup in place without killing the finish. Full blood work — Dena’s homework after discovering a significant B12 deficiency that may have been contributing to fatigue and brain fog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re in your 20s wondering why everyone else seems to have a plan… this one is VERY much for you, dAlings. This one is a very special episode because THE Sarah Davidson — yes, our girl from Seize the Yay — is joining us today!! At this point, we genuinely think Sarah has had about nine different careers (god bless a too-talented girl 😭), and somehow every single one makes sense when you hear the full story. From ballet to law, Matcha Maiden to content creation, she talks about why none of those chapters were wasted — even the ones that felt completely random at the time. We also have such an honest chat about being adopted, becoming a mum, learning to live with anxiety and panic attacks, and why sometimes the career you’re meant to have literally doesn’t exist yet. There are SO many little nuggets in this episode for anyone feeling lost, behind, scared to change direction or just deeply unsure what the hell they’re doing 🩵 3:02 Meet Sarah Davidson: ballerina, lawyer, founder & creator 7:58 Growing up adopted & how it shaped her identity 14:46 Motherhood changed how Sarah thought about her birth mother 19:36 The ballerina era & realising dance might not be forever 27:35 Leaving ballet, losing direction & nearly getting expelled 34:16 How Matcha Maiden actually started 36:24 The health crisis that changed everything 40:16 Selling the business & realising bigger isn’t always better 41:56 Why your dream job might not even exist yet 46:03 How to stop overthinking & train yourself to take risks 50:24 Sarah opens up about depression, panic attacks & anxiety 59:10 How Sarah taught herself content creation & editing 1:01:56 Working mum guilt, creativity & never having enough time 1:03:10 Recs/Homework 1:07:15 “If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive” Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop culture is absolutely refusing to have a quiet week, dAlings 🔕🩵 We’re back in the trenches with Verity finally getting its movie moment, Anne Hathaway seemingly starring in everything, Zendaya continuing her world domination, and the very chaotic question of whether Kyle Sandilands’ new paid show is actually worth the money. Then Alicia Silverstone is heading back to Clueless, RAYE is being linked to Michael B. Jordan, and somehow we end up reliving Dena’s failed attempt to get into Berghain. There’s also Taylor Swift rerelease theories, Ariana Grande stepping back from the spotlight, Off Campus relationship detective work, Pamela Anderson entering her beautifully unbothered era, Brittany Snow joining The Housemaid universe, and a Timbaland performance that leaves us asking… what exactly are we watching here? Tell us what we missed, because apparently the internet is moving faster than we are 💀 Chapters: 1:53 Verity, Anne Hathaway & the trailer that gave us chills 2:58 Zendaya, Tom Holland & Hollywood domination 3:59 Kyle Sandilands’ new paid show gets reviewed from afar 6:18 Alicia Silverstone, Clueless & a Barry’s Bootcamp encounter 7:59 RAYE + Michael B. Jordan sends us into a spiral 8:38 Dena’s failed Berghain mission with RÜFÜS 11:20 Taylor Swift rerelease theories & the missing wedding photos 12:29 Ariana Grande stepping back from the spotlight 14:00 Spilt Milk Festival, RAYE & Lewis Capaldi 15:42 Off Campus beauty campaigns, Josh Heuston & relationship gossip 19:50 Pamela Anderson’s new era + The Housemaid casting 22:27 Timbaland performing Say It Right without Nelly Furtado 24:26 Netflix recs, Toy Story & whether the girls are cinema-ready Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dance Academy, but make it IMAX… because we’re watching it WITH you 🩵🩵 We’re watching Season 1, Episode 7 together and there is SO much going on. Bad-on-purpose hip-hop, Kat and Tara being an absolute crush disaster, Sammy quietly falling for Abigail, and enough early-2010s wardrobe choices to keep us emotionally occupied for the full episode. We also spill some very random memories from filming — old auditions, dancers we’d worked with before the show, the Sydney location we still miss, and the absolute nightmare of trying to dance, hit your mark, stay in time AND act at the same time. Honestly… we forgot how much was packed into this show 🍿 Same episode. Whole new experience. Welcome to the live watch special dAlings🩵 0:50 Dena on deliberately dancing badly as Abigail 6:02 The Dance Academy location we still can’t get over 7:46 Tim trying to dance 9:54 Kat enters + the audition story we still remember 12:50 “You’re the best dancer I know” 14:17 Kat, Sammy & the crush confusion gets messy 18:02 The hardest Dance Academy scenes to film 20:58 Cariba Heine: from mermaid to ballerina 23:29 Sammy tells Kat: “I love you… just not like that” 28:13 Sammy finally admits how he feels about Abigail 31:43 Proof Kat liked Christian first? 33:10 Our verdict on the first live rewatch Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stage is gone, but the part of us that belonged there never really left. 🎭 This week is a mix of genuine relief and absolute emotional carnage. Dena’s back procedure may have finally worked (thank GOD 😭), Alicia is surviving a very intense toddler phase, and one innocent trip to the park ends with magical unicorn ponies, an hour-long meltdown and Bluey being called in as emergency support. Underneath the chaos, we talk about something much bigger: what happens when the thing that shaped your identity is no longer part of your life. There is grief, jealousy, yearning and a lot of love for the girls we used to be… because honestly, sometimes you don’t miss the job, you miss who you were when you were doing it. Plus, the very important discovery that neither of us was ever built for running 💀 0:57 — Finally getting relief from chronic back pain 4:37 — Self-care, fake tan disasters and trying to feel human again 11:16 — Time-poor mums, marathon friends and why dancers cannot run 15:06 — Dance Academy memories and pushing past physical limits 16:08 — Grieving the performer identity and the life that never happened 20:51 — Unicorn ponies, a public meltdown and the Bluey emergency 24:11 — Toddler boundary battles and living in survival mode 28:17 — The public bathroom meltdown that broke Alicia 31:42 — Overwhelm, nervous-system freeze and why replying feels impossible 33:47 — Acting doubts, rejection and being better at supporting each other 37:48 — Recs, beauty swaps and the future Life Academy tour Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Recs/Homework: LOOPS face masks — A mask that leaves the skin feeling hydrated, plump and extremely looked after. Brown mascara and eyeliner — A softer alternative to black for a more flattering everyday eye look. The Loving Tan 10 Min Express Self-Tanning Body Mask — A quick cream-style tan with no strong smell and minimal waiting around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re in full film-girlie mode this week, dAlings 🍿🎬 This week, we’re deep in the pop culture trenches with Natalie Portman friendship drama, Nicole Kidman romance rumours, an Olivia Wilde obsession that has officially become a full-time job, and Alicia’s very enthusiastic review of The Odyssey. There are also strong feelings about Anne Hathaway, Hollywood double standards, sad girl summer, and whether Tom and Zendaya are secretly married. Then, just as we’re wrapping up, we find out the live show has SOLD OUT… after both of us spent the week quietly wondering whether anyone even listens to this podcast. Emotional whiplash, but make it Life Academy. Now tell us: The Invite or The Odyssey for your next movie night? 🎬🩵 3:14 — Natalie Portman friendship drama and the book based on her life 5:40 — Nicole Kidman romance rumours and Hollywood double standards 7:00 — The Olivia Wilde rabbit hole and why The Invite is a must-watch 11:45 — Alicia finally sees The Odyssey and has THOUGHTS 15:08 — The darker meaning, morality and emotional weight of the film 18:36 — Anne Hathaway hate and why the criticism makes no sense 20:47 — Tate McRae, Britney energy and sad girl summer 22:18 — Hacks, Spider-Man and Tom and Zendaya marriage rumours 23:32 — Where are Taylor Swift’s wedding photos? 26:03 — The live show sells out and the podcast confidence crisis Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing says Life Lately like toilet drama, an eye emergency and a late-night hotel escape 💀 We catch up on the week’s chaos, from an unexpectedly traumatic trip to Bluey Live and a health-anxiety spiral to uni overwhelm, comfort food and the caravan-park mattress that forced Dena to stage a late-night escape. We also have some very exciting news: Life Academy is heading back to Sydney Dance Company for our first-ever live show (check out our socials NOW for more info!). Plus, we share the lululemon looks we’re currently living in - from buttery-soft pants for yoga, pilates and lounging to polished wide-leg trousers that take you from school drop-off into the rest of your day without sacrificing comfort (AKA we’re OBSESSED 😮‍💨🤌). Come for the toilet-paper debate, stay to shop our Favourite Four products from July below. Love you, dAlings 🫶 #LifeAcademy #LifeLately #MumLife #lululemon #BestieChat 00:40 — The Toilet-Paper Debate: Scrunching vs Folding 02:43 — How Bluey Live Ended in an Eye Emergency 06:12 — Getting an Eyeball Flushed at Hospital 09:06 — When Health Anxiety Takes Over 11:51 — Uni Overwhelm, Ambition and Trying to Keep Up 16:22 — The Caravan-Park Trip That Went Very Wrong 18:34 — Dena’s Secret 10:30PM Hotel Escape 21:46 — Life Academy’s First-Ever Live Show 23:42 — How to Enter the Jetstar Live-Show Giveaway 26:26 — July Favourite Four: Fashion, Skincare and Beauty Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Shop Our Favourite Four Products From July: Dena’s Look: lululemon Groove Wide Leg High-Rise Pant - Dena’s featured buttery-soft, weightless pants in Nulu fabric, styled with her full lululemon look. https://creatorsold.io/lululemon/lifeacademythepodcast/life-academy-favourites] Alicia’s Look: lululemon Daydrift High-Rise Wide-Leg Trouser - Alicia’s featured polished, tailored trousers in four-way stretch Luxtreme fabric, styled with her full lululemon look. https://creatorsold.io/lululemon/lifeacademythepodcast/life-academy-favourites Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask: A peel-off mask for hydrated, glowing skin.https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/159896/medicube-collagen-night-wrapping-mask Benefit Pocket Pal: A dual-ended lip and cheek tint with gloss for an easy everyday look. https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/en-us/product/pocket-pal-POCKETPAL.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We came for a cosy catch-up and somehow ended up fixing modern dating 😭 We’re talking school holidays, magical fairy days, friendship, burnout, trauma study, body pain and the daily chaos of looking after both toddlers and pets. There is also psychic baby news and a tiny daddy’s girl with absolutely no respect for personal boundaries. We also have a LOT to say about ghosting, dating apps, emotional unavailability and why the bare minimum is suddenly being treated like romance. Plus, paparazzi culture, misplaced justice and a very quick detour into Taylor Swift’s stadium wedding because apparently that is where peace lives now. Honestly… this one is cosy, chaotic and slightly furious. Love you dAlings 🩵 0:48 — School holiday magic, dinosaurs and the fairy era 5:49 — Girl trips, missing friends and the isolation of mum life 7:52 — Trauma training, lived experience and becoming a therapist 19:30 — Psychic baby predictions and another girl joining the family 23:03 — Winter date-night guilt and the three-hour bedtime routine 25:18 — Modern dating is dismal and why ghosting hurts so much 32:02 — Graffiti, crime and what society chooses to punish 34:19 — Prince Harry, paparazzi and the cost of public harassment 37:45 — Taylor Swift’s stadium wedding and iconic behaviour 40:57 — Creative freedom, brand micromanagement and trusting creators 42:39 — Recs, social media culls and The Self Retreat Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Recs/Homework: Romyli jewellery — Personalised necklaces with initials and meaningful birthstones; a sweet gift without the scary jewellery price tag. Social media cull — Unfollow the accounts and brands that make you feel worse, then intentionally follow people who inspire, teach or make you laugh. The Brick — A phone-boundary tool to help break the automatic doom-scrolling habit. The Self Retreat — A one-day retreat for anyone who wants a proper reset without committing to the full three-day experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pop culture department is open again and yes, we work entirely off vibes 😎😎 This week, we unpack the suspicious Fourth Wing profile pictures, Taylor Swift’s wedding that apparently had a thousand guests and a raffle, the Britney Spears movie and Dena’s very unexpected journey from techno girl to full Swiftie mum. Honestly… Meryl Streep the chicken may be the sweetest pop culture story of the week 🍗🍗 We also talk about Tom and Zendaya being offensively adorable, Olivia Wilde making couples therapy but cinematic, and Alicia refusing to be pressured into Dena’s “best actress of our generation” agenda. Plus, Dena’s tiny IMDb debut as “girl with pram”, an Aussie making waves with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi roaming Byron Bay dressed like they’re escaping a dystopian government. We overshare, we speculate, you’re welcome dAlings 🩵 1:03 — Fourth Wing casting rumours and Josh Heuston speculation 4:45 — Jack Antonoff’s reported breakup and the Instagram archive dilemma 6:12 — Inside Taylor Swift’s enormous wedding 10:23 — Taylor Swift, body image and being a role model 12:27 — The Britney Spears biopic and who could possibly play her 13:56 — Tom Holland, Zendaya and The Odyssey press tour 16:24 — The actresses everyone loves… but Alicia does not 18:39 — Remembering Sam Neill and Dena’s first acting role 22:51 — Aussie Faith Ward enters the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders universe 23:32 — Jacob Elordi and Kendall Jenner’s terrible Byron Bay disguise Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/lifeacademythepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/957273649851434/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAcademyThePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices