We made it, the end of the year is upon us. It’s almost 2024, even though we swear we just left 2019 behind. We're sticking with the Christmas theme again this week and for that we're sorry-not-sorry because 'tis the season etc and all that. Nickie's back from Tassie and she's making up for lost time, feeling (strangely) EXTREMELY motivated for this time of year, what’s with that? Sarah's still feeling horrendously unorganised and a bit stressed about the upcoming sure-to-be holiday whirlwind and Zoe just CANNOT relate.   Then we round the year out with some Q&A, and then would it be an episode of ours if we weren't tending to or rushing off to a crying baby? Absolutely not.   Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sticking with us and supporting us this year. We are truly humbled by the support and kind words and we can’t wait to get back into your ears in the new year with some exciting things on the horizon.    Love S, N & Z   Good Shouts:   Milk to Meals by Luka McCabe & Carley Mendes Gozney Roccbox Christmas Margaritas   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

We're sure you've all been wondering – what happens when someone's away?? (Oh just us?) Well this happens. It's short, it's sweet and it's giving 'Nickie has ditched us for family time in Tassie so Sarah and Zoe are holding the fort'. Please go easy.   This week Sarah's been bullied (by Zoe) into cutting a bob to appease her midlife crisis and no one's getting around it, while Zoe's regretting her finger tattoos and nose piercing. Zoe's also spiralling after a rough week with her 1 year old and she is back to trying to figure how the F*#@K parents find the time to exercise. Christmas stress has well and truly hit us and we are crawling to holidays.   Hang in there guys.   If you've missed it, we are running a Christmas Competition to thank our lovely listeners!! Check out our Instagram to find out how to enter.   Good Shouts: Christmas Margaritas Rubix cube guy on tik tok   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

CW: This episode discusses disordered eating, anxiety, depression and body image issues.   Have you heard of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? Neither had we. This week Zoe opens up about her diagnosis and her journey to take back control of her life. This one is raw and honest and we’re so thankful to Zoe for opening up the dialogue around this disorder and sharing her battle with us all. We hope that it's helpful to anyone out there going through the same sort of thing, you are not alone, even though you probably feel like you are. We think it's important that we continue talking about mental health and women's health issues, if not for our own sakes, then for our children's.…."Ohhh, won't somebody please think of the children!"   Big love to you all xxx   Good Shouts: Lovin' on me – Jack Harlow BLEED – The Kid LAROI     Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

God help us, Christmas is 6 weeks away, and we don’t know about you guys but it's got us STRESSED… and also a bit despairing? The consumerism monster hits overdrive around this time of year and it really adds to our mental load. We're in an existential vortex and we’ve found ourselves questioning how long until the next mass extinction and how we can save the world from itself and for god sakes will some one please just let us know if we need to wash our recycling or not?! …phew, deep breaths everyone. Ok, It's not all doom and gloom, we have come prepared with a few festive tips and tricks to try this year, or maybe you just think about trying them, or maybe you don't at all, because we're f*cking busy and Christmas is a lot and we're surviving not thriving and your homemade bonbons can get in the figurative and literal f*cking bin (along with your elf on the shelf)…   Can we get a wine please? Happy Monday!   Good Shouts: BBC Earth Experience https://bbcearthexperience.com/melbourne Pop culture parenting podcast https://instagram.com/popcultureparenting   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

We don’t want to build it up too much but we might have actually finally solved a problem by the end of this one. Don't worry we're as shocked as you are. Trying to find the balance as a woman, between your family and your career often feels impossible, in fact Zoe is convinced that it's exactly that and suggests that when considering big career moves, you leave your family plans out of it. Sarah agrees and can vouch from experience but Nickie is not so sure. Then we asked what does your ideal working week look like? After some brief confusion from Sarah's corner of the table we've collectively decided 4 days for both caregivers is the sweet spot. And, did someone say corporate work spaces with adjoining childcares? Yes, yes we did, and we're not sure why it's not more common already?!   (p.s. sorry we're late, did we mention we're sick and busy? …Probably a few times)   Good Shouts:   Blended Mango margarita mix with coconut milk and ice   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

This episode was recorded on Monday 16th October.   Happy Friday Cool Mums. We love a bonus ep and we hope you do to! First off, we send our love and hope to every human suffering in the world right now. It's a big bad place at the best of times but this last week has been particularly, unimaginably heavy. We know you didn't come here to hear about that however and we recognise that our voices are not appropriate in this space. So even though we feel slightly ridiculous and in spite of all the horrors we push on to lighter topics. …Like an unlikely low rise jean purchase and an illusive pair of new balances. And then - did you see?! We had a gorgeous girls day last weekend, but somehow Sarah missed an invite. It's ok though, she's now joined the chat. PHEW. With that out of the way, last week, Nickie saw a quote on Instagram that sparked some interesting self reflection, as she caught herself feeling guilty about the idea of relaxing on a quiet afternoon. Sarah can Hard relate to this feeling of guilt but Zoe’s concerns are manifesting in a different way. And so we asked ourselves, where does the guilt come from and can we all please collectively DROP IT!? Thank you to Psychologist Nicola Jane Hobbs, for sparking this important conversation. @nicolajanehobbs   Good Shouts: Sarah's Banana Pops Le Puree for your baby starting solids   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

The skincare episode literally one person asked for is here and Zoe thinks we're skinfluencers now which is rich coming from the girly with an almost non existent skin care routine. Eye roll. Sarah's new to her skincare journey and loving her recent level up. Hello Vit C and Hydration Serum. Meanwhile Nickie applies 16 layers each morning and is suss on nearly every one of them. You better believe she's not stopping though. Dive in for our routines, our holy grail products and the products we're ditching…or at least the products we should be ditching. Also bonus if you've also been sucked into a bullshit product by an influencer online/shaved your face like Zoe (thanks Marthaa__K you saucy minx). And fgs don’t forget the SPF!   Good Shouts: In the air, by L.A.B Spotify DJ Salted Pretzel Choceur (please forgive Zoe's pronunciation, dying) - ALDI One Sec   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

CW: this week we discuss birth trauma and pregnancy/infant loss. If you are not in a position to consume such content at this time, please give this one a miss and come back to it if/when you are ready. Know that the IACM team are here for you and support and love you very much.   Welcome to our first fortnightly release! Thanks for sticking around We're backing up the topical voice referendum chat with another serious topic today. NSW are conducting an inquiry into Birth Trauma, and BOY do we have some thoughts. It's a long one today as there's a lot to unpack here and as usual, we don't have any answers but maybe some advice…?... Forgive us. Zoe believes that for the most part, pregnancy and birth doesn’t receive the respect it deserves. Sarah thinks that education around your choices at every turn is foundational to a positive birth experience and Nickie is raging on the business that is the public system as a whole. We hope that positive things come from keeping the conversations around birth trauma open and that this inquiry helps rather than hinders progress towards birth education and respect.   Fact checking:  "In Victoria, both Casey and Sunshine hospitals offer the option to give birth at home under the care of public hospital midwives: About 80 women each year give birth through public homebirth programs. Each hospital has its own criteria for women accepted into its homebirth program." https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/homebirth#   Good Shouts:   Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm Mario Badescu Drying Lotion Camelbak coffee mug Fressko coffee mug   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

We are BACK BABY! Did you miss us as much as we missed you? We are jumping into a more serious topic of discussion for our first fortnightly drop but don't worry, there's still some lol's in there to brighten your Monday. We're "shallow" diving into The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. It doesn't sound sexy but it's important because we all have to vote on it next month. So tell us, are you across it? Join us on our socials to continue the discussion, we'd love to get your point of view.   The Voice referendum   The exact proposal: "In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:  there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures."  Helpful accounts for lifting any rocks you might live under (cough* Nickie *cough) https://www.instagram.com/cheekmedia.co https://www.instagram.com/thebriefingpodcast https://www.instagram.com/thedailyaus https://www.instagram.com/mamamiaoutloud   Good shouts Living the Team Life with Kim Rog Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Aurora Spa   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

It's short, but it's not so sweet today guys! We're sorry we're late. But happy Friday and thank the childcare sickness gods that our week from hell is overrrr. Between Covid, HFM and the gastro that reared it's head post recording of this episode we've had a hell of a time. We said to ourselves we wouldn’t get into anything too serious in this chat today given our fragile mental states, but Nickie missed the memo when she began questioning what it means to be a mother and how much impact we really have on our little ones lives… oh and we're recording remote for the first time since launch! Wish us luck.   Good Shouts:   How Other Dads Dad Podcast, by Hamish Blake   Cotton on stick on nails   Apple air pods     Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

Kids say the darndest things don't they? Sarah’s not the favourite parent at the moment and Tommy is really throwing a spanner in the new work life routine. Zoe brings you an anti recco to save your time. You're welcome. And Nickie's feeling conflicted about her newly re-discovered gratitude practice. Why is it so damn hard to be grateful? And is it ok to just want nice things? As usual, we have no f*%&ing idea!   Happy Mondaaayyyyyyyy!    Good Shouts:   Myura Natural Deodorant   @simple.home.edit     Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

Go Tillies, we love you! We're feeling the collective vibe around the country watching our gals make history. Even Nickie's feeling emosh and she's been living under a soccer free rock evidently. Sarah's back from Cairns and it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, more like full time parenting whilst missing some of the most crucial comforts (bye bye bunnies). Meanwhile, Zoe and Nickie have been trying to solve the mystery of keeping a regular workout routine amongst the chaos of kids and work. We complain, brainstorm, and then complain some more. We just want an hour to ourselves at the same time every day, without toddlers or breastfeeding babies, outside of work hours, not too late at night and not too early in the morning… is that so much to ask?!   We'd also like to give a proper mention to The Hockeyroos, one of Australia's most successful national women's sports teams. Renowned for a golden generation through the 1990s and early 2000s.   Good Shouts:   Japanese Style Bao Buns - Woolies Morphe Setting Spray - Mecca Packing Cubes  - Amazon   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

Who books a holiday, the week before returning to work from mat leave? Sarah. Sarah does. And she's STRESSED. But before we get into that, Sarah's been to bunnings to chat with the old ladies about her diseased trees (yes, really) and she's got a bone to pick. Then Zoe had a terrible time at the doctors and we'd all collectively like her to drop that Doc, STAT.      Speaking of doctors, Zoe's on day 4 of working from home with a toddler (hello ear infection) and she's questioning the lingering ethics of wfh with kids now post COVID times. Sarah strongly believes that perception is reality in the work place, do you agree? Also, Sarah's back from mat leave soon and Nickie is very invested in her new work/life/kid morning juggle. CAN WE PLEASE GET THE SPECIFICS. Hope it's helpful to someone out there!   Good Shouts: You will get your pink back mumma, just like the flamingos.   RHOOC - Real Housewives of Orange County on Hayu!   Last Night. By Mhairi MacFarlane - Nickie gives it a 6/10. very easy listening if you've got nothing else to consume.    Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

We launched a podcast (!!!) and so naturally, we're gonna be FAMOUS (fuck, some one reign us in, it's been 3 weeks) and it's got us pondering on the complexities of life in the public eye and on social media. In particular when it comes to our children. It all started when Nickie got the ick from Levi McConaughey's hard launch into the social sphere, and it ends with a high count on the word Famous. Can we pleeease stop saying famous. Sarah would like to eject from the conversation and Zoe is wondering if it's possible to be successful without being... You guessed it... Famous. Happy Monday you little beauties.   Good Shouts:   TED Talk: Choices that can Change your Life - Caroline Myss https://youtu.be/-KysuBl2m_w   Cobs Popcorn - Drizzl'd https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/261540/cobs-drizzl-d-dark-chocolate-sea-salt-popcorn   Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5    If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews (hehe). WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

Surprise! It's a BONUS ep! TGIF amiright? SO, we went to the movies… kid free… on a Monday night…we know! Unheard of! And obviously we saw Barbie, and obviously we have some thoughts. (But no spoilers!) We now worship Margot Robbie, and Greta Gerwig and all women in sport for that matter. Can we please have a moment for the Matildas? Then we dive deep into a tricky subject, clearly inspired by the recent discourse. Why do we find it so hard to articulate how we feel about body image and beauty standards? Zoe's sick of the societal pressure to love herself, is it so criminal to want perky tits? Sarah's not convinced cosmetic work needs to be a 'world commentary' issue and thinks we should just be able to do what we want, because we want! And Nickie's raging on the new cosmetic laws.   We've linked some more accurate info around the new cosmetic laws below for those interested. Our chat specifically relates to the following key reforms;   https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Policies/Cosmetic-medical-and-surgical-procedures-guidelines.aspx   Assessment of patient suitability   The medical practitioner who will perform the cosmetic procedure or prescribe the cosmetic injectable must discuss and assess the patient’s reasons and motivation for requesting the procedure including external reasons (for example, a perceived need to please others) and internal reasons (for example, strong feelings about appearance). The patient’s expectations of the procedure must be discussed to ensure they are realistic. The medical practitioner who will perform the cosmetic procedure or prescribe the cosmetic injectable must assess the patient for underlying psychological conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which may make them an unsuitable candidate for the procedure.If there are indications that the patient has significant underlying psychological issues which may make them an unsuitable candidate for the cosmetic procedure, they must be referred for evaluation to a psychologist, psychiatrist or general practitioner, who works independently of the medical practitioner who will perform the procedure or prescribe the cosmetic injectable.     Good Shouts:   The Mentor with Mark Bouris: #311 The Inspired Unemployed: Monetising fun and audience https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/311-the-inspired-unemployed-monetising-fun-and-audience/id981791133?i=1000554764816   Zoe's slick bun for a quick elevated out the door look when you have sub 20 minutes to get ready for an event.    Join the conversation and come hang with us on our socials.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imacoolmum.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@im.a.cool.mum5   If you'd like to support us further, we are also currently accepting (and treasuring) 5 star reviews. (Hehe)  WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU.

We get vulnerable today. But not before we do a little more complaining about how f&*king cold it is in Melbourne. Zoe's looking for help to get good with the cold whilst Sarah and Nickie are refusing to let go of the North Australian Dream. Did someone say sauna? Then we take a deep dive inward (thanks to Flex Mami's reflex cards) as we reflect on our own introspection and some of the ways this podcast is changing our lives. And just when you thought we were wrapping up with our good shouts for the week, we sneak a bonus little chat in about that good ol' mental load. Sigh, thanks for sticking with us!     Good Shout: The Imperfects, Season 5 Episode 20: Hugh & Penny - The Elephant in the Relationship https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-imperfects/id1476501557?i=1000618269949

It's cozzie livs babes. It sounds bleak, and it is… so surely Zoe's not spending 3k on a bag… or is she? Sarah's definitely spending $14 on organic eggs and it's got Nickie wondering about the specifics of the organic chicken trade; luckily we lost the chicken chat so don't worry, you won't be subjected to it. So with all this outrageous spending going on we thought we’d better cover off some specifics of our budgets. And after encountering some disastrous technical difficulties with our sound quality, and losing 20 minutes of gooood chat, we launch you back into superannuation chat, because in case you missed it, spending years out of the workforce raising children does absolutely f%*&ing nothing for your compounding investments. How good is it.   (Apologies for the sound quality issues, we felt the chat was valuable enough to keep but consider the lesson learned! x)   Good Shouts: Hugh Van Cuylenburg: GEM on Prime https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Hugh-van-Cuylenburg-GEM/0IFH17RTN37Z7S9L78KTNVSNLF   Zoe's lamb stew: Cook garlic with a little oil in bottom of slow cooker on high Add Lamb shank, 1 x canned diced tomato, enough reduced salt chicken stock to cover shank, chuck in chopped zucchini, carrot any other veggies – slow cook on low for approx. 6 hours Boil macaroni Pull meat and bones out, blitz veggies and liquid to create a sauce, add sauce to macaroni and either combine with meat or feed to bubs separately! Et Voila!

Alright this one's a quicky guys. It's fast, it's fashion, but it’s not fast fashion. We're post partum and we're lost, Zoe's updating her wardrobe, Nickie's discovering that she's simultaneously a Dork and a hoarder and Sarah needs a minute to process that face offs are BACK baby. HELP! Happy Monday legends. (Spoiler - the low rise jeans got returned)

We've had one marg and we're melting into our seats. While we're at it, we thought we'd discuss alcohol and what it means to us each these days. Zoe's unapologetically keeping up with her busy social schedule…and jumping into pools fully clothed. Nickie seems confused about what it is she actually wants, and Sarah's enjoying the pregnancy/breastfeeding induced sobriety.  But what does society have to say about all this?   In case you wanted to join us (if you’re here at 6am on a Monday, no judgment) Mango margherita mix -  https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_776665/master-of-mixes-mango-daiquiri-margarita-mix-1l Prospero Tequila - https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_80749/prospero-blanco-tequila-700ml   The wines we're loving: Little Yering - https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_727725/yering-station-little-yering-pinot-noir 6ft6 -  https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_907990/6ft6-pinot-noir 19 Crimes  - https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_85324/19-crimes-pinot-noir The Stag https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_669455/st-huberts-the-stag-the-stag-victorian-pinot-noir

Welcome to I'm a Cool Mum! Laugh with us as we navigate our cool mum era and try to ditch the imposter syndrome. We're your hosts, Zoe Hill, Sarah Van Raay & Nickie Burke and in this ep we get into a little bit about ourselves and why we're here in your ears.  We're new to this so please be kind and thanks so much for coming along for the ride! x   SHOW MENTIONS; Sarah's recipe reco https://marleyspoon.com.au/menu/89495-20-minute-smoked-salmon-risoni-with-peas-zucchini-lemonMOPA https://instagram.com/museum_of_play_and_art?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Mrs Harris Goes to Paris - NetflixSubtle art of not giving a fuck - Mark MansonHarry potter - JK RowlingBoy Swallows Universe - Trent DaltonDon’t you forget about me - Mhairi mcFarlaneThat Eye, The Sky - Tim Winton  (Sorry for Nickie's mispronunciation of Mhairi McFarlane's name.)