Seize the Yay

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SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED WEEKLY

A lawyer turned funtrepreneur's investigation into how some of the world's most inspiring people find their "yay", whether it's through work, rest or play and any other pearls of wisdom they have along the way.

2 DAYS AGO

Bindi Irwin On Purpose, Parenthood And The Power Of Perspective

There are a few people I’ve had on the dream guest list since we started back in 2018 and today’s is one of those extraordinary people who I can’t believe said yes. We’ve had a few reschedules around an understandably jam packed schedule, but the universe always works things out in perfect timing and I couldn’t have given you a more perfect guest for our International Women’s Day episode if I tried. Having captivated audiences for most of her life, Bindi Irwin will need no introduction and writing one that does her justice is a challenge I’m not sure I have adequate words for. From navigating the devastating loss of her father at such a young age to growing up in the spotlight, facing a debilitating journey with endometriosis to nonetheless thriving as a passionate conservationist, presenter, author, CEO of Australia Zoo, loving wife, sister, daughter AND dedicated mother - she is truly an extraordinary young woman who has lived a million lifetimes and there is so much more to come. I know I’m not alone in feeling like I grew up with the Irwins and I can’t imagine the pressure, scrutiny and overwhelm of growing up in front of all of us. And yet, Bindi is unfailingly kind, well adjusted and wise beyond her years - I’m also probably not alone in thinking surely she can’t be like that in real life (nor could any of the Irwins) and yet she is exactly as you see. Her passion for her and her family’s work with wildlife and the environment is incredibly infectious in exactly the way I always hoped for this show to be. If each of us could find even half the sense of purpose and enthusiasm she has for her life, work and family the world would be a pretty incredible place. I’ll leave it there as no words will do her more justice than you just hearing from her yourself. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did Follow Bindi here.Find out more about Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors here. LINKS + Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah+ Join our Facebook community here+ Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

54 min
25 FEB

How Catching Evil is Breaking Open Australia's Worst Unsolved Crime

Every now and then, we are lucky to record with a guest at a pivotal moment in their life where a chapter is unravelling in real time. Today, we are lucky to have TWO of those guests just weeks after the explosive launch of their investigative podcast while the project is not only in full swing but unravelling new leads in a way that might actually change history. Andy Byrne and Mark Llewellyn are the incredible journalists behind Catching Evil revisiting the chilling crimes of Christopher Wilder, the so-called beauty Queen Killer, across both Australia and the USA. In the first 30 days, they amassed over 100,000 listeners with an unheard of consumption rate of close to 100%... but more importantly they have uncovered new leads in one of Australia’s worst unsolved murders on Wanda beach as well as never before heard evidence that may break the Wilder case wide open. You may already know their names from their formidable careers prior to the show - Andy as an award-winning investigative journalist and producer with extensive experience in true crime and Mark Llewellyn as a highly decorated television executive, leading landmark investigative and current-affairs programming across Australian television. And yet, like most of our guests, neither of them ever thought they’d end up with a podcast, that it would have already changed so many lives and that they may in fact, with an entire season ahead, solve one of the country’s worst unsolved crimes. A quick content warning - given the nature of their investigation, this is a heavier than usual episode with serious themes but also demonstrates a different form of fulfilment or yay to be gained from a career pathyay as meaningful as this. I feel so lucky to have sat down with them after just 6 episodes to hear their reaction to launch and the HUGE developments already in motion. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did! LINKS+ Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah+ Join our Facebook community here+ Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

49 min
11 FEB

Why Over A Million Foodies Love Sarah Pound...

Today we have a double dose of Sarah in your ears and another wonderful guest who I’ve been long time following, first time calling. With over a million followers, many of you are likely the same, having been touched in some way by her passion for great food and family friendly cooking. I’m thrilled to welcome Sarah Pound (otherwise known as Wholesome by Sarah) - best selling author of two cookbooks, nutritionist, Good Food Columnist, founder of the former Two Pounds, co-founder of Simply Wholesome Pantry and mother of three - I know, she has a lot on her plate in more ways than one. Hers is a story of the many different forms your passion can take over time and the incredible power of being adaptable with her lifelong passion for cooking taking her from studying food technology at high school to a hugely successful catering company to her career as Wholesome by Sarah now. Her latest book, Family Food, has made cooking delicious wholesome meals SO much easier in our household and I’m sure for many, many others since its release just last year. She is such a breath of fresh air with her very down to earth approach to her success and I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Follow Sarah here. LINKS+ Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah+ Join our Facebook community here+ Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 hr
28 JAN

Shiza Shahid on the Malala Fund, memorable mealtime and motherhood...

You know I believe all our guests are impressive and inspiring in their own special way, but some are truly extraordinary humans. As you’ll soon hear, Shiza Shahid fits that definition in every possible way. Born in Islamabad Pakistan, her passion for philanthropy and activism was evident even from her teens when at just 14 she started working in women’s prisons and volunteering at a relief camp following a deadly earthquake which struck Kashmir in 2005, killing nearly 85,000 people. At the age of 18 she won a scholarship to study at Stanford University, followed by pursuing a high flying career at McKinsey & Company in Dubai as a business analyst then founding her first business NOW Ventures focusing on funding startups. It seems crazy to skate over such huge achievement with a single line each, but that’s because there’s so much more to squeeze in and she’s only just getting started. Shiza is also the Co-founder and CEO of the Malala Fund championing the right of every girl to education alongside Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai who was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls education. And if that weren’t enough, Shiza has also created Our Place with her husband - a direct-to-consumer brand of non toxic cookware rooted in her heritage and uniting people through shared meals. On top of ALL THAT, I learned when she turned up for our recording that she is pregnant with her first child and about to conquer yet another frontier, what an extraordinary woman to have had the chance ot meet. You’ll be taken by her eloquence, humility, determination and warmth instantly. Follow Shiza here.SHOP OUR PLACE HERE. LINKS+ Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah+ Join our Facebook community here+ Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

55 min
14 JAN

Lia Georgantis, our girl with gems...

Happy New year lovely yayborhood and welcome to our first episode for 2026. I hope you all had a wonderful festive season and holiday period. If you’ve been on the internet at all in the past few years, our first guest will need no introduction but just in case I’m thrilled to have Lia Georgantis with us this week, the dynamic CEO and creative force behind Girls with Gems.This cult-favourite Australian fashion boutique first began in the form of intimate jewelry parties hosted by Lia and her Mum but quickly evolved and exploded into a must-shop destination for women everywhere with the launch of their iconic Double Bay boutique. Lia soon left her promising law career to take the reins of the business and transformed it into a trend-setting haven for real-life wardrobes and real-life women and if that weren’t enough, also went on to launch her own in house label Sneaky Link that has equally exploded onto the scene.As you’ll hear, after mutually long time following first time calling, we got along like a house on fire and Lia’s energy is absolutely infectious so I couldn’t think of a better guest to kick off the year. Her approach to taking risks, chasing dreams and learning on the fly is both refreshing and motivating so if you need a little kick into gear, she is your woman. SHOP GIRLS WITH GEMS HERE.LINKS+ Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah+ Join our Facebook community here+ Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

54 min
03/12/2025

At a top secret undisclosed location, two incredible spies spilled the tea...

We talk regularly on Seize the Yay about the unlikely but incredible places you can end up and how many of the best experiences in life are unplanned. You already know how blown away I was to be approached by one of our intelligence services a few months ago and given access to a real life spy for one of our most fascinating episodes to date, which was not only unplanned but never even considered being such an outlandish impossibility. But if you told me that would snowball into a four part dedicated espionage and intelligence miniseries, which would include not only two further intelligence officers from an even more secret spy service but also its Director General who then invited me as the first external visitor in the history of that service to record at their top secret training facility in an undisclosed location? I would have absolutely laughed in your face at the sheer impossibility and ridiculousness that it could ever happen… and yet it did… so, here we are… I could not be more honoured or thrilled to present as our guest this week the actual head of our most secret organisation, Kerri Hartland - the Director General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (or ASIS as we will refer to it). As the first female and first external deputy director general of ASIO and now the first female Director General of ASIS, Kerri is my absolute hero not least because she turned up in head to toe pink with a warmth and openness belying the power of her position and her awe-inspiring experience. Within the understandable confines of operational secrecy, Kerri opens up about the challenges of a stellar career of “firsts”, her experiences as a powerful female leader in a sea of black and navy clad males, whether her life resembles anything like that of M in James Bond (dropping a few Seize the Yay exclusives), and also the humbling role of Mum that she comes home to also experiencing the ubiquitous “juggle”. I still can’t believe I actually got to pick such an extraordinary brain and share many invaluable lessons on seizing the yay. We are also releasing a second episode at the same time as this one sharing part of ASIS’ story from a different lens through the eyes of two senior intelligence officers, Jess and Tara - not their real names. So, you have plenty to catch up on this week jam-packed with jaw dropping storytelling and reflections - I feel so lucky to be sharing this with the yayborhood and hope you all enjoy as much as I did!Visit the new ASIS website here.Follow the new ASIS Instagram here. LINKS+ Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah+ Join our Facebook community here+ Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

46 min
03/12/2025

Meet the head of our most secret spy service... and yes, she's a woman!

We talk regularly on Seize the Yay about the unlikely but incredible places you can end up and how many of the best experiences in life are unplanned. You already know how blown away I was to be approached by one of our intelligence services a few months ago and given access to a real life spy for one of our most fascinating episodes to date, which was not only unplanned but never even considered being such an outlandish impossibility. But if you told me that would snowball into a four part dedicated espionage and intelligence miniseries, which would include not only two further intelligence officers from an even more secret spy service but also its Director General who then invited me as the first external visitor in the history of that service to record at their top secret training facility in an undisclosed location? I would have absolutely laughed in your face at the sheer impossibility and ridiculousness that it could ever happen… and yet it did… so, here we are… I could not be more honoured or thrilled to present as our guest this week the actual head of our most secret organisation, Kerri Hartland - the Director General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (or ASIS as we will refer to it). As the first female and first external deputy director general of ASIO and now the first female Director General of ASIS, Kerri is my absolute hero not least because she turned up in head to toe pink with a warmth and openness belying the power of her position and her awe-inspiring experience. Within the understandable confines of operational secrecy, Kerri opens up about the challenges of a stellar career of “firsts”, her experiences as a powerful female leader in a sea of black and navy clad males, whether her life resembles anything like that of M in James Bond (dropping a few Seize the Yay exclusives), and also the humbling role of Mum that she comes home to also experiencing the ubiquitous “juggle”. I still can’t believe I actually got to pick such an extraordinary brain and share many invaluable lessons on seizing the yay. We are also releasing a second episode at the same time as this one sharing part of ASIS’ story from a different lens through the eyes of two senior intelligence officers, Jess and Tara - not their real names. So, you have plenty to catch up on this week jam-packed with jaw dropping storytelling and reflections - I feel so lucky to be sharing this with the yayborhood and hope you all enjoy as much as I did!Visit the new ASIS website here.Follow the new ASIS Instagram here. LINKS+ Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah+ Join our Facebook community here+ Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

39 min
26/11/2025

From World-Champion To Doctor: All Of Life’s Hurdles With Jana Pittman

What happens when your entire identity is built on being the best in the world? For Jana Pittman, one of Australia's most famous athletes, the singular goal of Olympic gold was repeatedly torn away by devastating injuries and gut-wrenching losses. You might think her biggest pivot was swapping the running track for the bobsled, becoming one of the very few athletes in history to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. But that wasn't it. Her real pivot was walking away entirely from being an elite athlete to become a doctor - all while raising six children. In this episode of Pivot Club, Sarah Davidson speaks with Jana about this massive career change. They unpack how you cope with failure when your mindset is "silver is the first loser", and how you go from being one of the best in the world to a complete beginner back at the bottom of the ladder, surrounded by people half your age. Jana shares the unfiltered story about how this profound pivot emerged from a period of intense personal and professional struggle - through divorce, miscarriages, failed exams and the financial lows of moving back into her own garage to make ends meet. Join us for a raw lesson in resilience, a look into the unseen "messy middle," and a powerful reminder that your lowest moments can be the fuel for your greatest chapter yet. THE END BITS: Want more from Sarah Davidson? Check out her podcast Seize The Yay. Discover more Mamamia podcasts here. Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. CREDITS: Guest: Jana Pittman Host: Sarah Davidson Executive Producer: Courtney Ammenhauser Senior Producer: Sally Best Want more Pivot Club? Listen here: This show was brought to you in partnership with Charles Sturt University. Australia's largest and most experienced online uni. Take the next step. Search Charles Sturt University online. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

45 min

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