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. 3D AGO

    Life Lately: How to handle toddlers saying difficult things like saying “I don’t love you”

    We are BACK dAlings and honestly… we've had a week 😔💜 Some weeks you're absolutely smashing it. Other weeks your car gets towed mid-facial, you reverse into a stranger's car, and your toddler looks you dead in the eyes and says "I don't love you." This is one of those weeks for Dena...😭😭😭 Alicia's not doing much better 😅 Health anxiety has been quietly taking over her nights, and this week it got bad enough that she left a dinner party before the mains even arrived. She also opens up about the International Women's Day speech she gave at Queen's College, Melbourne Uni — and how writing it all down reminded her of just how much she's actually survived 🥹 Plus: the au pair conversation Dena's been too scared to have publicly (YES and don't judge her!!), why resilience is sometimes just exhausting, and the parenting repair moment that hit different 😢 This is the episode for anyone who's ever felt like they're failing at everything all at once, and needed someone to remind them they're not. Love you dAlings SO much 💜 1:52 — Dena's disaster week: towed car, a free facial, and a $680 bill 8:00 — "I don't love you" — Maya's bedtime rejection and Dena's ADHD trauma spiral 13:22 — Alicia's mum guilt: yelling at Isla for an accidental wee (and the repair) 19:55 — Alicia's Queens College speech — resilience, rejection and the women who lifted her 30:32 — Learning to receive compliments & knowing your own worth 32:45 — Health anxiety spiral: how Alicia talked herself out of a dinner party 38:30 — Dena opens up about having an au pair — $300/week and why it saved her family 44:43 — Recommendations: home organisation, Gemma La Prê lip stains & more 47:57 — Life Academy hits 1 million downloads + exciting things coming for you dAlings 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: Au Pairs Australia: Search the Facebook group to find your match. Do your due diligence: police checks, working with children's card, trials! Organised Abode (Belle): Melbourne-based home organiser who will change your life. Can't get Belle in? Clear out your wardrobe and donate. Best feeling ever ✨ Gemma Lepre French Kiss Lip Stain: The lip stain that does NOT budge. Find them on Instagram 💋 Therapy: Alicia's finally committing. Don't wait, dAlings 🙏 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  2. APR 28

    Dance Academy Cast Spills the Tea: First Day Secrets & Why Dena HATED the Intro! | Rewatch S1E4

    Okay DALINGS… the rewatch chaos continues and WOW this one unlocked some very vivid memories 😂 This ep was one of the very first things we ever filmed, so naturally we’re roasting ourselves the entire time – from the questionable outfits (who approved those??) to trying to figure out our bodies on camera for the first time 🫠 On top of that, we get into the friendship dynamics and unpack why poor Kat honestly deserved so much better in this episode 😭 There’s also plenty of behind-the-scenes moments, including Alicia getting absolutely pelted with a soccer ball (multiple times), Dena going full chaos mode between takes, and a certain HOT extra that we need you guys to help us find immediately 👀 We hope you enjoy this unhinged trip down memory lane. Love you! 💜 3:21 - Tara Lying Straight to Kat’s Face 5:59 - Spotting the "Hot Extra" (Adam, is that you?) 7:02 - The Raw Egg Throw Breakdown 8:14 - The Origin of "Clammy Sammy" 11:18 - Being Dressed by "Old Ladies" on Set 14:02 - Dena’s Very First Scene Ever Filmed 15:03 - Alicia’s Real Soccer Ball to the Face 19:10 - Dena’s Opening Credits Controversy 21:46 - The "Bloody Beautiful" Slow-Mo Ending 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

    27 min

  3. APR 21

    We Finally Got Dance Academy Producer Joanna Werner To Tell Us What Really Went On Behind The Scenes

    The producer of DANCE ACADEMY is here DALINGS!!! 💜💜💜 Joanna Werner – the legendary producer who created the show that changed all of our lives – is finally here. We're talking origin stories (she and Sam had the SAME vision at 3am after drinks!!!), the insane casting process where Alicia ate a banana while the whole class waited, why Dena was always Abigail, and the devastating decision behind killing Sammy. Plus Joanna gets real about IVF, being pregnant while filming the movie in New York, and how she built boundaries as a working mum in an industry that used to pretend families didn't exist. This episode is pure magic and we're so grateful she's part of our story 💕 2:13 The Origin Story – How Joanna met Sam Strauss at 3am 12:04 Alicia's audition – "If she can dance, she's in the show" 21:02 The final callbacks – Who would be Kat? 24:06 The banana incident – Alicia stopped the whole audition to eat 31:19 DENA ARRIVES – Car troubles but she made it! 32:48 "She's Abigail. Go." – Joanna always knew 40:46 Thank you for Dance Academy – The gift that keeps giving 50:28 Why we killed Sammy – The truth behind the decision (it was nearly Ben!) 57:00 Dance Academy season 4? – What would it take? 1:00:18 Alicia's rec – Go to the dentist! 1:01:50 Dena's rec – Imperfect Women on Apple TV + chocolate coconut water 1:03:53 Joanna's rec – Audiobooks! James, Scar Tissue, Anna Karenina 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: Go to the dentist: Joanna's root canal exploded after Dance Academy – don't wait! Imperfect Women: Apple TV series starring Elisabeth Moss – Dena's obsessed. Chocolate Coconut Water: Coca Bella brand, icy cold – Alicia hates it, Dena loves it. Audiobooks (Audible): James by Percival Everett (Booker Prize winner), Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis, Funny Story by Emily Henry, Anna Karenina (the 28-hour classic!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 7m

  4. APR 20

    COACHELLA 2026 GETS CRAZIER (Katy Perry drama, backstage tea, Jacob & Kendall + more)

    Is the world turned upside down or is pop culture just so unhinged right now?! 💜 First up – Dena drops some SERIOUS tea about Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom from Coachella (you wanna hear this)!! Speaking of Coachella, Sabrina Carpenter put on a full Broadway musical and made Taylor Swift's show look basic (sorry not sorry). Justin Bieber played YouTube videos on his laptop and we have THOUGHTS. On a lighter note – Jacob Elordi and Kendall Jenner were spotted making out at the after party – two tall hotties, we're obsessed. And since we're talking about Jacob, we also get into the Euphoria premiere drama – Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney are beefing and the cast literally hates each other?! Your two unqualified pop culture journalists are back and we love you!!! 💕 1:58 Coachella 2026 – Let's get into it 7:24 Sabrina Made Taylor Swift Look Basic – Sorry not sorry! 9:53 Dena's Coachella Story – Meeting Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom backstage 11:21 Ruby Rose Accused Katy Perry Of SA – The Melbourne allegations 12:09 Jacob Elordi & Kendall Jenner – Two tall hotties at Coachella 13:52 Margot Robbie Mum-Shaming – Why are people mad she looks hot?! 16:11 Euphoria Season 3 Drama – Zendaya vs Sydney Sweeney & cast beef 21:26 Khloé & Lamar Documentary – Addiction, fame & heartbreak 25:21 Report Card – Sabrina A+++, Euphoria drama D 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: Sabrina Carpenter's Coachella Set: Watch it on YouTube – Fosse, Flashdance, Dirty Dancing, Chicago & Chorus Line references! Khloé & Lamar Documentary: "Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom" on Netflix – fascinating look at addiction. Olivia Dean: Keep an eye on her – one to watch! Euphoria Season 3: Now streaming on HBO/Binge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min

  5. APR 14

    Life Lately: Poo Disasters, The 45-Minute Playdate Rule & The Psychic Sign That Made Her Cry!

    It's Life Lately time DALINGS!!! 💜 Let's address the elephant in the room – NO, Dena is not engaged. Alex took her on a mysterious 9am date and she was convinced it was happening... but it was pottery. POTTERY. The most wholesome, very Alex thing ever 😂 We're deep in our self-care era (Soak Haus head spa literally reset our nervous systems), Dena's organisation hyperfocus is giving ADHD queen, Maya had her first playdate and it was absolute chaos, Alicia got a sign from her grandparents that made her sob, and Dena has a story involving laxatives and a bush…. You've been warned 💀💕 We love you, we overshare, you're welcome 💕 1:19 THE 9AM DATE – Was it a proposal? No. It was pottery 😂 3:22 Dena's Organisation Era – ADHD hyperfocus, pantry goals 13:47 soak Haus Head Spa – Nervous system reset, stars on the ceiling 16:27 Squeeze Therapy – Biohacking, red light, compression boots 21:08 Thrifter – Rent a rack, sell your secondhand clothes 24:58 Maya's First Playdate – Full meltdowns, toddlers can't share 34:27 Alicia's Grandparent Signs – The psychic moment that made her cry 40:10 Cleo Massey Event – We're guests at Pass Around The Smile! 43:25 THE BUSH STORY – Laxatives, acro, zero regrets 💀 48:40 Recs – Electric toothbrush & manicures with your kids 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: Suri Electric Toothbrush: Charges once a month, UV sanitising travel case – life changing! Soak Haus Head Spa: Japanese head spa in Melbourne – nervous system reset in one appointment. Cleansee Studio: Holistic facial with lymphatic massage – Alicia's skin is glowing! Therapee: Biohacking wellness in Eltham – red light, compression, oxygen therapy. Thrifter: Rent a rack, sell your secondhand clothes – sustainability queen energy. Library Hack: Borrow 20 books for 12 weeks FREE – bedtime stories sorted! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  6. APR 9

    Pop Culture: What You Missed In March (March 2026 Pop Culture Recap)

    We're back dAlings!!! 💜 Your two unqualified pop culture experts here to tell you what we know (which is not much) and what we think (which is A LOT). First up: Zendaya and Rob Pattinson's press tour for The Drama – she's so PR trained it's insane, and he just... makes stuff up in interviews?! We also need to talk about Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi – because no, they're not in love, it's literally just good marketing (we've been in those meetings!!!) Then we get into the Louis Theroux Manosphere documentary (Alicia cried, it's horrifying), Tyra Banks showing zero accountability in the ANTM doco. Oh and Dance For Your Life – the Aussie dance film that had us sobbing, Devil Wears Prada 2 is coming, and Aussie makeup is trending!!! 1:39 The Drama – Zendaya & Rob Pattinson's press tour 6:36 Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi – It's marketing, not romance!!! 12:38 Louis Theroux Manosphere Documentary – Alicia cried watching it 16:49 America's Next Top Model Documentary – Tyra Banks, zero accountability 19:30 Dance For Your Life – The Aussie dance film we're obsessed with 20:24 Emily & Max – we're rooting for you!!! 22:07 Aussie Makeup Trend – bronze skin, freckles, lined lips 23:01 Devil Wears Prada 2 – Anne Hathaway's press tour coming 25:04 Report Card – A+ Margot & Zendaya, F to manosphere & Tyra 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: The Drama: Zendaya & Rob Pattinson – don't look up spoilers, just go see it! Dance For Your Life: Aussie dance documentary film – incredible, emotional, must watch. Louis Theroux Manosphere Documentary: Hard watch but important – talk to your sons. America's Next Top Model Documentary: Tyra Banks exposed – wild. Devil Wears Prada 2: Coming soon – watch Anne Hathaway's press tour outfits!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  7. APR 7

    The Psychology & Practice Of Healing Your Insomnia | Dr. Sumedha Verma

    Time to sleep like a log DALINGS!!! 💜 Dr Sumedha Verma is a sleep psychologist and researcher who's here to bust every myth you've ever heard about sleep – and trust us, there are A LOT. The 8-hour rule? Lies. Your Apple Watch sleep score? Useless. That spiral of "why can't I sleep" making it worse? YEP. We go deep on this one – Dena shares her insomnia and PTSD story (she couldn't even look at a bed without panicking), Alicia finally gets answers about why Isla faceplants walls in her sleep, and Sumedha drops so much knowledge we wish we knew years ago. We needed this episode and we think you will too!!! 💕 This episode is brought to you by Protect-A-Bed: https://protectabed.com.au/ 12:22 - Welcome Dr. Sumedha Verma — sleep psychologist & researcher 19:00 - Dena's insomnia story: PTSD, panic attacks & getting back to trust 💛 24:26 - The 8-hour myth — busted by a sleep expert 29:10 - Sleep & mental health: the bidirectional link (it's causation, not correlation) 36:24 - What is sleep hygiene? And why fear is the real sleep disruptor 39:00 - CBT for insomnia — the gold-standard treatment most people don't know exists 48:13 - Sleep drive explained: why napping can push out your bedtime for hours 52:00 - Sleep debt, body compassion & what happens when chemical dependency is involved 59:12 - Is insomnia hereditary? + How to access Medicare-rebated sleep psychology 1:02:30 - Recs & frameworks: fake freckles, rejection goals & sky bathing 🌌 Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/sleepwithdrv/ 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: Mental Health Care Plan: Go to your GP and ask for one – you can see a sleep psychologist through Medicare (up to 10 rebated sessions!) Deep Sleep Helps: Dr Sumedha's practice – online program plus sessions https://www.drsumedhaverma.com.au/ Megan Thee Stallion / Cardi B: Windows down, music up – Sumedha's go-to for feminine energy. The Self Retreats: Only 2 spots left for the rest of the year! Grab your spots!! And if you want to join Dena in Bali this is the retreat she’s attending! https://chelsea-faye.mykajabi.com/fayeretreat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 8m

  8. MAR 31

    The Emma “Memma” Watkins You Don’t Know: Life Behind The Wiggles Yellow Bow

    dAlings!! We have the most incredible guest on today and we are still freaking out 💜💜💜 Dr Emma Watkins is here – yes, THE Emma Wiggle, now Emma Memma – and honestly this woman is everything. She flew in to chat with us about her journey from Yellow Wiggle to PhD, creating Emma Memma with her deaf co-performer Elvin, and bringing Auslan to kids everywhere. We go DEEP – how she became a Wiggle (there was no audition!!!), doing her PhD while touring four shows a day six days a week (!!!), and now running her own children's entertainment company with her husband and sister. Plus she collabed with BLUEY?! We also have the most beautiful conversation about endometriosis, fertility, and pushing through pain as performers. This one is special. So much warmth, so much wisdom!!! 💕 1:00 Welcome Dr Emma Watkins – Dena's family connection & fangirling 7:00 How She Became The Yellow Wiggle – There was no audition!!! 10:00 The Wiggles Schedule – 4 shows a day, 6 days a week 14:00 Emma Memma Is Born – PhD research meets children's entertainment 20:00 The Bluey Collab – Dancing with Bingo and Bluey!!! 25:00 Endometriosis Journey – Surgery, pain, and speaking out 29:00 Fertility & Motherhood – An honest conversation about the future 34:00 Fame & Disguises – The wig that didn't work 😂 36:00 Emma's Mission – Making Auslan accessible for every family 39:00 Recs – Period undies, Soak House & Convo app Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit https://www.instagram.com/emmawatkinsofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/the.clinical.coach/ 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: Wunderthings Period Undies: Sleek, comfy, almost sexy – not like nappies! Dena's new obsession. Soak House Melbourne: Head spa, scalp massage, sensory experience – Alicia fell asleep it was that good. Convo App: Australia's first 24/7 on-demand sign language interpreting app – Emma's rec for businesses and families. Emma Memma Live: Get tickets at Live Nation or https://www.emmamemma.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
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5
out of 5
72 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
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit

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