Suddenly Thirty

Suddenly Thirty Podcast

Suddenly Thirty is a podcast by Emily and Lilli. We are two friends who thought we would have it all figured out by thirty. After ticking all the so-called boxes; getting married, buying a home, becoming mothers and navigating careers, we were suddenly thirty and trying to find ourselves in the messiness of modern womanhood. Suddenly Thirty will bring you candid, lighthearted and unfiltered conversations about moving through careers, managing relationships, transitioning into motherhood and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    What We Loved, Hated & Added to Cart This Week

    This week, Emily and Lilli are diving into style, spending, and the subtle shifts that come with this season of life — and honestly, it’s a mix of light and layered. They start with the Met Gala — the looks they loved, what felt overdone, the theatrics, and why some moments just aren’t hitting the way they used to. From there, it turns into a broader conversation about personal style right now: what they’re actually drawn to, what they’re buying, and whether those purchases are feeling considered or still a little impulsive. With Mother's Day around the corner, the conversation shifts into what actually makes them feel special this time of year — and spoiler: it’s not really about presents. They chat about the things that matter most, while also admitting they’d never say no to something on their wishlist! They also get into the reality of motherhood and the running commentary that seems to come with it — unsolicited advice, unnecessary comments, and the strange way everyone suddenly has an opinion on when you are in this phase of life. To wrap, they talk style, shopping, and the pieces they’ve been adding to their wardrobes lately — what they’re loving, what feels worth the spend, and how their style continues to evolve in this season of life. We hope you enjoy! Things the girls mention: Maggie PJsSold out NYC sweatshirt Follow us on Instagram @suddenlythirtypodcast to stay up to date with what we’ve been up to, behind the scenes and future episodes. Subscribe to the Suddenly Thirty Substack where we collate all the things we’ve been into this week and share them with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 6min
  2. 21 APR

    Public Opinions, Hallelujah

    This week, Emily and Lilli are diving into modern motherhood, media narratives, and the conversations that quietly set the standard — and honestly, it’s layered. They unpack the discourse around Margot Robbie and the idea that keeping motherhood private somehow reads as avoiding it. When did being a mother become something that needs to be publicly performed to be valid? And why does opting out of that feel so loaded? Then, a very different headline: Emma Grede and her “three-hour mum” comment. Is it a refreshingly honest take on ambition and trade-offs, or a version of motherhood that only works with a certain level of privilege? They get into why this one hit such a nerve. They also touch on the push for free period care — what’s actually happening in Australia, who it’s impacting, and why this conversation is less about “free products” and more about access, dignity, and the cost of living. Plus, a quick review of Strangers — nuanced, quietly unsettling, and the kind of book that lingers longer than you expect. And finally, they zoom out: motherhood as identity vs motherhood as one part of a much larger life. Why the balance still feels impossible to get right — and why women, somehow, are expected to do it perfectly anyway. Things the girls mention: Bits Period: making period care freeStrangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden Follow us on Instagram @suddenlythirtypodcast to stay up to date with what we’ve been up to, behind the scenes and future episodes. Subscribe to the Suddenly Thirty Substack where we collate all the things we’ve been into this week and share them with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr
  3. 24 MAR

    Wait… Is Fun Back?

    In this week’s episode of Suddenly Thirty, Lilli and Emily unpack a cultural shift they can’t stop noticing: is fun… back? They start with the moment that sparked the conversation — the latest Chanel campaign featuring Margot Robbie and Kylie Minogue — and why it feels bigger than just a fashion campaign. There is something about it that feels different — more expressive, more playful, and a little less serious. This leads to a bigger question: are we moving out of the era of quiet luxury, restraint, and “perfect taste,” and into something lighter, more expressive, and actually enjoyable again? They explore what’s happening culturally — from the dominance of minimal, curated aesthetics to a growing craving for whimsy, nostalgia, and personality. With the resurgence of playful pop music and a return to more emotional, stylised storytelling, they discuss how “fun” is re-entering the chat, but in a more elevated, self-aware way. They also touch on why this shift might be happening now. With heavy global politics, economic pressure, and the rapid rise of AI and digital saturation, there’s a sense that people are craving something more human — more tactile, emotional, and real. They question whether this return to nostalgia, archives, and “realness” is actually a form of cultural coping. They also look at how fashion is leading the shift. Designers are moving away from rigid minimalism toward softness, storytelling, and personality — reintroducing optimism and play in a way that still feels chic. Casting choices and campaign direction point toward a softer, more human kind of cool. Throughout the episode, they come back to a central idea: maybe it’s not that everything is becoming more casual or chaotic — it’s that we’re entering a phase of curated fun. Less irony, less perfection, and more feeling. So… is fun cool again? Follow us on Instagram @suddenlythirtypodcast to stay up to date with what we’ve been up to, behind the scenes and future episodes. Subscribe to the Suddenly Thirty Substack where we collate all the things we’ve been into this week and share them with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  4. 17 MAR

    This Week’s Quiet Obsessions

    In this week’s episode of Suddenly Thirty, Lilli and Emily are back with a catch-up — sharing everything they’ve been watching, wearing, buying, eating and doing lately. They chat through what’s been on their screens — a headline-making documentary on Australia’s biggest media moguls, a must-watch series set against the backdrop of the modern-day oil boom, and a love story that’s got the girls feeling all loved up.  On the style front, it’s all about ease. Emily’s leaning into barrel leg pants and flowy dresses as her current uniform, alongside a few key pieces in her wardrobe that are making getting dressed feel simpler and more effortless. Lilli continues to approach her wardrobe more thoughtfully — focusing on considered purchases and being more intentional with what she’s bringing in. They get into the small things they’ve been buying and loving, including a recent obsession with Sadele, a new evergreen flower brand, pantry staples from Mingle Seasoning that are making weeknight dinners feel easier, and the ongoing appeal of Nature Baby for simple, well-made essentials for kids. It’s a lighter episode — part recommendations, part reset — and feels like the kind of conversation you’d have at the end of the week when you finally sit down and exhale. Follow us on Instagram @suddenlythirtypodcast to stay up to date with what we’ve been up to, behind the scenes and future episodes. Subscribe to the Suddenly Thirty Substack where we collate all the things we’ve been into and share them with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  5. 3 MAR

    Nothing to Wear & Everything to Overthink

    In this week’s episode of Suddenly Thirty, Lilli and Emily are back for a classic catch-up. They share what they’ve been buying lately — what’s been worth it, what hasn’t, and the reality of spending money in this season of life. Emily opens up about her shopping dilemma: the buyer's remorse, the unopened packages sitting there judging her, and the very real struggle of getting dressed while pregnant and not quite feeling like herself. The girls chat about the power of AI and the things their algorithm keeps feeding them — from the Loewe rattan pram to the Rhode x Stanley collaboration — and what it all says about influence and aspiration. Which naturally leads into a deeper conversation around dressing for context — what’s okay to wear where, and who actually decides. They also touch on the half-season drops on Netflix (why split it in two?!), the plane food that absolutely does not need to exist, and the end of this season of Love Island All Stars, which has them questioning: can you really fall in love on a TV show? It’s fashion, culture, pregnancy feelings, reality TV debriefs and the kind of chaotic catch-up that feels like a long voice note between friends. Follow us on Instagram @suddenlythirtypodcast to stay up to date with what we’ve been up to, behind the scenes and future episodes. Subscribe to the Suddenly Thirty Substack where we collate all the things we’ve been into this week and share them with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  6. 24 FEB

    Do We Need a New Word for Motherhood?

    This week, Emily and Lilli are unpacking the campaign led by Michelle Battersby, who recently took out a full-page ad in The New York Times calling for the word matrescence — the developmental transition into motherhood — to be officially recognised. The girls reflect on whether becoming a mother felt like adding to who they already were, or quietly becoming someone new. They talk about identity grief and joy coexisting, the loss of autonomy no one quite prepares you for, shifting careers and friendships, relationship recalibration, and the pressure to “bounce back” physically while barely having space to emotionally recalibrate. They share that without language for the transition, parts of early motherhood can feel like personal failure rather than developmental change — and that knowing the word matrescence earlier might have made them feel less alone and more understood. The girls also explore whether naming something actually matters. From the neuroscience of labelling emotions (yes, the amygdala gets involved) to the cultural power of giving experiences legitimacy, they ask: what changes when we finally have the words. A thoughtful conversation about motherhood, identity, and the quiet rebuilding that happens in seasons of transition. Follow us on Instagram @suddenlythirtypodcast to stay up to date with what we’ve been up to, behind the scenes and future episodes. Subscribe to the Suddenly Thirty Substack where we collate all the things we’ve been into this week and share them with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
4.8
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Suddenly Thirty is a podcast by Emily and Lilli. We are two friends who thought we would have it all figured out by thirty. After ticking all the so-called boxes; getting married, buying a home, becoming mothers and navigating careers, we were suddenly thirty and trying to find ourselves in the messiness of modern womanhood. Suddenly Thirty will bring you candid, lighthearted and unfiltered conversations about moving through careers, managing relationships, transitioning into motherhood and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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