Inherited

Hello!

We’re back with another Life Lessons episode. Today, we’re joined by Maddy Prespakis. Maddy is best known for her incredible talent on the football field as a star of Essendon’s AFLW side. More recently, you may have seen her online alongside her now-fiancée, Sophie Cachia.

In this conversation, Maddy opens up about becoming a mum to her daughter, Esmé, after Sophie conceived through sperm donation, and what it was like going through the pregnancy as their relationship was beginning. She shares what it was like to navigate such a life-changing experience so early in their relationship and the online trolling they faced after going public.

Maddy also speaks candidly about the body-shaming she has experienced online and reflects on the powerful mid-game statement she made, which resonated with women everywhere.

This episode touches on themes of body image. If you or a loved one needs support, contact the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 or head to www.butterfly.org.au.

Your host today was Ruby Hall (⁠@rubytuesday2.0⁠), and the guest was Maddy Prespakis (@maddy_prespakis).

Inherited is produced by Monica Vantilburg and executive-produced by Lucy Hunt.

If you enjoyed this episode, click ‘follow’ on your favourite podcast app!

We’re also on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ @inheritedthepod.

We’ll be back with another episode on Tuesday!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello!

Today, we're joined by OG Australian beauty vlogger, Lauren Curtis. Lauren first rose to fame in 2011 after launching her YouTube channel, where she taught an entire generation of girls how to do their makeup. Since then, she’s built a community of more than 4 million followers across her social platforms and remains one of the most recognisable faces in the Australian creator space.

In this conversation, Lauren reflects on the early days of YouTube, sharing what it was like to build a career online and some of the more unsettling experiences that came with having such a public platform. She also opens up about how spending years in front of the camera shaped the way she sees herself, and speaks candidly about her view on cosmetic procedures.

Lauren also shares the incredibly difficult journey she and her husband, Reece, have endured over the past few years, leading up to his recent liver transplant. She reflects on the perspective this experience has given her and the gratitude she now feels for the opportunity to grow old together.

If you’d like to support Lauren, you can learn more about organ donation at donatelife.gov.au.

Thank you so much to Deakin University for supporting this episode of Inherited. Research by Deakin University and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute shows the relationships we have at 13 shape the relationships we have at 30. You can learn more about the research at deakin.edu.au/research.

Your host today was Ruby Hall (⁠@rubytuesday2.0⁠), and the guest was Lauren Curtis (@lozcurtis).

Inherited is produced by Monica Vantilburg and executive-produced by Lucy Hunt.

If you enjoyed this episode, click ‘follow’ on your favourite podcast app!

We’re also on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ @inheritedthepod.

We’ll be back with another episode on Thursday!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello!

Today, we're joined by Australian icon Natalie Bassingthwaighte. Nat is a singer, actor, and television personality who rose to fame in 2003 with her role on Neighbours as Izzy Hoyland. Nat’s resume is extensive - with features in theatre shows like Grease, Footloose, Chicago, and more recently, Waitress. In 2004, she was recruited as the lead singer of the electro-pop band, The Rogue Traders, and has released a solo album, too.

In this conversation, Nat speaks about the early closing of Waitress and shares what she believes needs to change to keep Australia’s theatre industry alive. She also opens up about the affair she had in her 20’s that led to a tumultuous relationship and has had a lasting impact on her mental health. Most candidly, Nat speaks about her journey with sexuality, and why, at 50, she has never felt more certain of herself.

If you’d like to support Nat, you can purchase her memoir, Love Like This, at any good bookstore.

For support on the themes of pregnancy loss covered in this episode, please take care and contact Red Nose 1300 308 307, or head here.

Thank you so much to Deakin University for supporting this episode of Inherited. Research by Deakin University and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute shows the relationships we have at 13 shape the relationships we have at 30. You can learn more about the research at deakin.edu.au/research.

Your host today was Ruby Hall (⁠@rubytuesday2.0⁠), and the guest was Natalie Bassingthwaighte (@natbassingthwaighte).

Inherited is produced by Monica Vantilburg and executive-produced by Lucy Hunt.

If you enjoyed this episode, click ‘follow’ on your favourite podcast app!

We’re also on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ @inheritedthepod.

We’ll be back with another episode on Tuesday!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello!

Today, we're joined by Australian radio and television presenter Zan Rowe. One of Australia’s most recognisable voices, Zan spent more than two decades behind the microphone at Triple J and Double J before making the leap to television with Take 5, the TV adaptation of her iconic radio segment. Today, she’s working on her latest hosting role on the 2026 season of Race Around the World.

In this conversation, Zan reflects on her early life and the unexpected sliding-doors moment that led her to get a very unusual tattoo. She shares what it was like to achieve everything she’d worked towards in her career, only to find herself so burnt out that she couldn’t enjoy it, and explains why she ultimately decided to leave radio after more than 20 years.

Zan also opens up about her relationship with her partner, Geoff, revealing how the pair made the difficult decision to end their engagement after seven years together. She shares how they found their way back to each other and why the space apart made their relationship stronger than ever.

If you’d like to support Zan, you can watch Take 5 or Race Around the World on ABC iview now!

Thank you so much to Deakin University for supporting this episode of Inherited. Research by Deakin University and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute shows the relationships we have at 13 shape the relationships we have at 30. You can learn more about the research at deakin.edu.au/research.

Your host today was Ruby Hall (⁠@rubytuesday2.0⁠), and the guest was Zan Rowe (@zanrowe).

Inherited is produced by Monica Vantilburg and executive-produced by Lucy Hunt.

If you enjoyed this episode, click ‘follow’ on your favourite podcast app!

We’re also on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ @inheritedthepod.

We’ll be back with another episode on Tuesday!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello!

Today, we're joined by Sofia Levin. Sofia is an Australian food journalist, food critic, travel writer, and MasterChef Judge.

In this conversation, Sofia shares some of her most memorable food and travel stories, reflects on how she built a career in food journalism, and explains the path that led her to becoming a Logie-nominated MasterChef judge.

Sofia also opens up about one of the most difficult periods of her life. As her marriage was coming to an end, her dad was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). She speaks candidly about navigating divorce alongside anticipatory grief and the lessons she carries with her after losing her dad.

If you’d like to support Sofia, you can check out her website The Seasoned Traveller here and sign up to her Eat Curiously newsletter here! You can also donate to MND Victoria here.

Thank you so much to Oura for supporting this episode of Inherited. If you'd love to look deeper into your health, keep on top of stress, or even track your cycle, check out the new Oura Ring 5 at ouraring.com now!

Your host today was Ruby Hall (⁠@rubytuesday2.0⁠), and the guest was Sofia Levin (@sofiaklevin).

Inherited is produced by Monica Vantilburg and executive-produced by Lucy Hunt.

If you enjoyed this episode, click ‘follow’ on your favourite podcast app!

We’re also on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ @inheritedthepod.

We’ll be back with another episode on Tuesday!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices