Life Academy

Alicia Banit & Dena Kaplan

On screen frenemies to real life besties, so of course we started a podcast! Stay tuned for your weekly questionable life lessons from Dena Amy Kaplan and Alicia Banit. Class is in session!

  1. 5d ago

    From Ballerina to Lawyer to Matcha Maiden | Sarah Davidson

    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

  2. Aug 14

    Tom & Zendaya Are Unstoppable in Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Pop Culture

    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

  3. Aug 11

    Dance Academy Cast Rewatch S1E7 | The Crushes Were MESSIER Than We Remembered

    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

  4. Aug 4

    Are Our Dancing Days Over? Mum Life, Pain & Missing The Old Us | Life Lately

    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

  5. Aug 3

    The Odyssey Has Us Ugly Crying | Pop Culture

    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

  6. Jul 28

    Our Biggest Life Academy Announcement Yet | Life Lately

    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

  7. Jul 23

    UNFILTERED chats on dating apps, ghosting & bare minimum men | Life Lately

    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

  8. Jul 20

    Zendaya, Tom Holland & The Odyssey Press Tour Has Us Obsessed | Pop Culture

    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

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5
out of 5
75 Ratings

About

On screen frenemies to real life besties, so of course we started a podcast! Stay tuned for your weekly questionable life lessons from Dena Amy Kaplan and Alicia Banit. Class is in session!

Information

  • Creator
    Alicia Banit & Dena Kaplan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit