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!

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24 episodes
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Avg 43 min
English

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Tuesday · 1 hr 2 min
Why I Finally Admitted I'm Struggling with Body Image | Life Lately
We’re grateful for our bodies… but some days, loving them is really bloody hard 😭 This week gets a little more honest than usual, dAlings. Dena opens up about cancelling a Sydney photoshoot because her body confidence had hit such a low point, and we talk about that awful space where you can know all the “right” things about body positivity, gratitude and self-love… and still look in the mirror and feel completely disconnected from yourself. We also get into Alicia’s own insecurities around ageing and her face, why raising daughters makes all of this feel even more important, and how we’re trying to model self-compassion without pretending we’ve magically figured it all out. Plus, there’s a very sweet friendship moment, toddler updates, beauty recs and some classic Life Academy chaos to balance out the heavier stuff. Tell us what helps you feel more like yourself again on the hard body-image days, dAlings 🩵🩵 3:04 Therapy, nervous-system overload & finally letting it all out 6:21 Toddler survival mode is slowly easing 8:24 A surprise gift & a very sweet bestie moment 13:21 The honest body-confidence conversation 19:49 When someone telling you “you’re beautiful” isn’t enough 26:35 Grieving the body and identity you used to have 31:12 Why inclusive sizing still has such a long way to go 37:43 Trying not to pass body issues down to our daughters 45:50 Why self-compassion has to be modelled, not just taught 51:19 Raising kind girls who can also stand up for themselves 57:18 Recs/Homework Recs/Homework Dermal lip balm — Alicia’s new replacement for her much-missed discontinued Blistex... Morphe setting spray — Dena’s current favourite for keeping makeup in place without killing the finish. Full blood work — Dena’s homework after discovering a significant B12 deficiency that may have been contributing to fatigue and brain fog. 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: Dermal lip balm — Alicia’s new replacement for her much-missed discontinued Blistex... Morphe setting spray — Dena’s current favourite for keeping makeup in place without killing the finish. Full blood work — Dena’s homework after discovering a significant B12 deficiency that may have been contributing to fatigue and brain fog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 18 · 1 hr 10 min
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
August 14 · 28 min
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
August 11 · 34 min
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
August 4 · 43 min
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
August 3 · 28 min
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
July 28 · 39 min
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
July 23 · 47 min
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
July 20 · 25 min
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
July 14 · 59 min
Are Our Acting Days Over? Mum Life Got Real | Life Lately
This episode is basically a support group for tired mums and ex-theatre kids 🎭 We catch up on toddler concerts, bedtime chaos, big feelings, back pain, phone addiction, Peppa Pig drama, and the never-ending battle of trying to parent while also staying emotionally regulated. We also talk about the state of Australian theatre, audition doubts, creative burnout, the privilege of having time to make art, and the weird way everyone helps pregnant women… then disappears once the baby arrives (this is crazy!!!!!) This is one of those Life Lately chats that starts with mum chaos and somehow lands in a very real conversation about creativity, identity, support, and trying to keep a dream alive when life is already full. Come for the toddler chaos, stay for the arts industry crisis. Love you dAlings 🩵 1:09 — Back spasms, chiro chaos, and tiny doctor energy 6:13 — Toddler dance concert, stage confidence, and proud mum tears 11:21 — Health anxiety, bedtime tricks, and the bucket saga 21:34 — Three-year-olds, big feelings, and parenting boundaries 26:30 — Peppa Pig slander, screen time, and toddler catchphrases 36:33 — Australian theatre is struggling and why it matters 41:18 — Acting doubts, auditions, and whether the dream changes 47:31 — Nepo babies, creative privilege, and having time to work 51:21 — New mums, invisible support, and the help that disappears 57:20 — Recs: one-day retreats, dry mouth spray, jewellery, and phone boundaries 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 Self Retreat — A one-day retreat option for anyone who wants the full reset experience but cannot commit to three days. Biotène dry mouth spray — A practical rec for dry mouth, especially if medication makes talking feel like a puffer sponge situation. Melanie Amber jewellery — Waterproof, everyday jewellery that can survive showers, sleep, and real life. The Brick — A phone-boundary tool for anyone trying to stop carrying their phone around like a second limb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 10 · 27 min
Dance Academy Cast Rewatch S1E6 | I Am Going To Get In Trouble For Say This...
Season 1 Episode 6 said ballet episode… but secretly gave us lore, longing, and a full prequel request 🩰🩵 We are back in the real dancer world: pointe shoes, rehearsal chaos, empty theatre nostalgia, questionable styling, and all the tiny ballet details that made Dance Academy feel way too accurate. But underneath all the pirouettes, this episode is quietly doing the MOST!!! Kat and Abigail have history, Sammy is starting to look at Abigail differently, Alycia Debnam-Carey enters the chat, and suddenly everyone needs to know what happened four years ago 🫢🫢🫢 This one is nostalgic, funny, a little dramatic, and very “wait… why is there so much tea in this ballet school????" 🩵 1:17 — Pointe shoe chaos and why the ballet details feel so real 6:11 — ADR, outdoor scenes, and the lines that had to be re-recorded 7:55 — Alycia Debnam-Carey enters and the full-circle Apple Cider Vinegar moment 13:33 — Kat, Natasha, childhood wounds, and Sammy having Cat’s back 15:46 — Jenna’s ballet, no doubles, and the Kat-Abigail friendship lore 20:16 — Sammy and Abigail, the ballet date, and Tom’s beautiful acting 23:48 — Ballet insecurity, casting feelings, and why this episode still hits 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
July 7 · 23 min
Britney Spears’ Sons Are On The Runway Now?! | Pop Culture
Pop culture class is back and today’s lesson is: never underestimate a celebrity family feud, an ex at a concert, or a fandom with receipts 😱🩵 This week, we are catching up on Call Her Daddy drama, Off Campus relationship tea, Adam Hyde becoming the new face of Bonds, Ariana Grande’s Ricky Alvarez moment, and the Beckham family saga that is giving rich-people group chat meltdown 👀 There’s also Britney Spears’ sons entering their runway era, a very necessary “stop talking about women’s bodies” moment, and a creator-to-brand public service announcement: if you hire funny people, please let them be funny. This one is gossip, giggles, theories, tangents, and two unqualified besties doing their civic duty by being late to the news. Tell us what we missed, because statistically… it was a lot. Love you dAlings!!! 🩵 This episode is brought to you by Protect-A-Bed: https://protectabed.com.au/ 1:06 — Call Her Daddy drama and the Unwell Network allegations 7:13 — Adam Hyde as the new face of Bonds 13:11 — Ariana Grande, Ricky Alvarez, and the Thank U, Next lyric moment 15:30 — Why everyone needs to stop commenting on women’s bodies 16:33 — The Beckham family saga and Brooklyn’s DoorDash ad 18:39 — Britney Spears’ sons make their modelling debut 21:19 — Why brands need to let creators create 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
July 1 · 51 min
The Truth About Trauma, Dissociation & Why Your Body Remembers | Georgia Verry
Sometimes healing is not just talking. Sometimes it’s learning to feel safe in your body again. In this episode, Alicia sits down with Georgia Verry about Conscious Combat Club, a Melbourne-based charity using trauma-informed martial arts to support women and gender-diverse people impacted by violence. They chat through gender-based violence, fight-flight-freeze responses, dissociation, breathwork, grounding, and why reconnecting with the body can be such a huge part of recovery 🌿 What makes this conversation so special is how practical it is. Georgia breaks down what actually happens before someone joins a class, how triggers and boundaries are handled, why choice matters so much, and how the team is building a space where people can move, pause, cry, rest, try again, and be supported through it all. This episode is honest, hopeful, and such a different way to think about healing. If this conversation speaks to you, please check out Conscious Combat Club, share their work, or donate if you’re able. Love you dAlings 🩵 1:18 — What Conscious Combat Club does and why it exists 4:59 — Why martial arts can help trauma recovery 5:28 — Traditional self-defence vs trauma-informed martial arts 12:27 — Dissociation, eating disorders, and reconnecting with the body 15:48 — Why breathwork does not work for everyone 19:51 — Building Conscious Combat Club and turning it into a charity 25:23 — Inside the trauma-informed gym and grounding room 29:50 — How to join Conscious Combat Club 32:23 — Why long-term access matters more than short-term programs 36:41 — The ten-year vision for Conscious Combat Club 45:48 — Pound and ground: the nervous system homework 48:26 — How to support Conscious Combat Club 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
June 26 · 21 min
Cariba Heine, Mermaids & Our H2O Nostalgia Spiral
Welcome to the DA group chat where everyone is late to the pop culture moments but somehow still screaming with excitement!! 🩵✨ We’re catching up on the MOST important, VERY unserious business from the week: Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna, Hailey Bieber’s new Rhode beauty products, Zendaya and Tom Holland’s very private wedding, Shrek 5, Kyle Sandilands’ huge radio settlement, and a new mermaid movie with major Dance Academy universe energy. And of course, because we apparently cannot help ourselves, there’s more Off Campus spiralling, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders chat, Shrinking, Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 song, and a little audition chaos thrown in for good measure 🎭 Grab something cosy, come catch up with us, and tell us which pop culture rabbit hole you’re currently living in. Love you SO much dAlings!!! 🩵 1:39 — Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and car-dancing music 3:30 — Rhode beauty updates and the new products everyone is watching 4:49 — Zendaya in Shrek 5 and the character design drama 5:40 — Zendaya and Tom Holland’s very private wedding update 10:31 — Kyle Sandilands, ARN, and the huge radio settlement 13:39 — Manifesting a sunny Gold Coast filming job 15:01 — Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is back and things have changed 17:05 — Shrinking, Off Campus round two, and why the rewatch hits different 18:21 — Garrett’s mouth acting and the scene the girls cannot move past 19:41 — Audition updates and working with people you swore you never would 20:34 — Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 song and late-in-life Swiftie energy 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: Listen to the Madonna remix — The car-dancing recommendation of the week Watch Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders — The new season is out and worth the watch Watch Shrinking — A comfort show with great writing and big feelings Rewatch Off Campus — Round two hits even better Listen to Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 song — Sweet, catchy, and emotional Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 23 · 1 hr 1 min
The Off-Campus Cast Knows Who We Are?! We’ve MADE It!! | Life Lately
dAlings, we have updates, we have chaos, and we have a VERY exciting Off Campus moment to scream about 🥳🩵 The girls are back with retreat prep, toddler bedtime progress, mum-life brain tabs, listener questions, American Sweethearts chat, and a major Dance Academy full-circle moment that has everyone absolutely spiralling in the best way 👀 Like… the fangirling is real. Then the episode turns into a gorgeous little reminder that your 20s do not have to be your whole story. The girls talk growing up, figuring yourself out, wrong relationships, career pivots, self-worth, and the kind of wisdom you only get after living through the messy bits. This one feels like a cosy bestie debrief with a side of nostalgia and a tiny life lesson. So remember, you are perfect just the way you are, dAlings, and we will always (ALWAYS) love you 🩵 Who knew wool was actually the most low maintenance fibre in your wardrobe?! The Dirt Company gave us some tips and tricks to make sure you never ruin your favourite wool pieces ever again. Shop The Dirt Company's refillable, Australian-made laundry products and get their delicate confidence guide FOR FREE with every purchase of their Wool and Delicate Detergent until the end of winter https://thedirtcompany.com.au/ 3:34 — Big-girl-bed win and the parenting hack that actually worked 9:05 — Trying for another baby, timing, career dreams, and the mental load 13:28 — The invisible mum load: appointments, groceries, hormones, and resentment 19:05 — Off Campus found the girls and everyone fully spiralled 23:04 — The group chat meltdown and why “yes, and” friends are elite 25:18 — Dance Academy, Off Campus, and manifesting a cameo 30:45 — American Sweethearts, listener questions, and future episode ideas 32:54 — Your 20s: feeling lost, career pressure, and relationships that were not it 41:43 — Why your 30s can feel softer, clearer, and more like you 48:50 — Regrets, body image, self-worth, and learning to back yourself 57:24 — Recs and homework: massages, reset time, and cosy winter essentials 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: Book a massage — Even a quick massage counts. A little bit of body care and nervous system love. Try a sensory deprivation float — A quiet reset for anyone feeling like they have 5000 tabs open. Cleanseē Studio — A self-care rec for anyone wanting a proper glow-up and body reset. Lil Hottie heat pack — An electric heat pack that warms up fast and stays cosy for hours. Write to your younger self — A tiny homework moment: write one thing you wish your 20-year-old self knew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 19 · 37 min
I Got My Period Back After A Year | Life Lately
Heyyy dAlings, just so you know this episode starts with clean hair and immediately becomes absolute CHAOS 🤣🤣 We’re back with the realest parts of life: being busy mums, toddler chaos, sleep struggles and everything else that's keeping us awake until 2AM 💀 The things keeping us grounded? 🥹 Gratitude, self-love, journaling, resilience, family support, and a tiny homework task that might make you feel a little softer toward yourself this week. We hope every mum listening feels a little less alone after this one! 🩵 3:00 — Dena’s chaotic morning: new rug panic, running late, and acupuncture magic 7:02 — Big-girl-bed update: four-hour bedtimes and parenting patience 9:50 — Alicia’s park story 13:05 — Sweet young boys, supermarket manners, and hope for future generations 20:54 — Weaning off breastfeeding and the emotional side of letting go 23:56 — Privacy? Never heard of her: toilet boundaries and toddler logic 26:16 — Teaching updates and exciting things we can’t talk about yet 29:12 — Chiropractic disaster story and the most mortifying adjustment ever 31:04 — Dreamwork homework: gratitude, self-love, resilience, and journaling 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: Gratitude check-in — Write down two things you’re grateful for each morning! Self-love practice — Name two things you love about yourself every day for two weeks. End-of-day pride list — Before bed, write two things you’re proud of yourself for that day, even if one is just “I got through it.” Life Bloom Journal — A guided journal with prompts for gratitude, self-love, pride, and daily reflection. Fluffi freckle pen — A cute little beauty rec for quick, natural-looking freckles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 16 · 24 min
We Blind React To The Latest Pop Culture Moments (KATSEYE, Euphoria, Taylor Swift, Robert Irwin, and More)
Pop culture class is in session dAlings… and please remember, your two favourite girls are not qualified 😅🩵 Dena is DEEP into podcast-listening research mode 🎧, Alicia is the MOST active member of busy gal club 💅 and somehow together they cover everything from Euphoria and Toy Story 5 to Robert Irwin at the Logies, Legally Blonde, KATSEYE, the Kardashian boyfriend universe, and more 👀 It’s giving group chat energy but with microphones 🎙️ The girls are guessing, reacting, spiralling, manifesting invites, defending their favourite shows, and absolutely promising nothing is properly fact checked. Which, honestly… is kind of the whole point 😂 Take a seat, relax, get cosy, and come spill some hot tea with us ☕ You guys are the best dAlings!!! 🩵 0:44 — Welcome to pop culture — we don’t fact check 2:00 — Euphoria finale spoilers: Rue, Nate Jacobs, and chaos 5:09 — Taylor Swift & Toy Story 5 6:56 — Robert Irwin is hosting The Logies and the girls want an invite 10:10 — Anne Hathaway, facelift rumours, and the slicked-back hair trick 11:38 — Off Campus rewatch and Heated Rivalry winning big 13:03 — Dena’s KATSEYE obsession and why Alicia needs to watch Pop Star Academy 16:01 — Legally Blonde prequel: Elle Woods is back 18:02 — The Wentworth spin-off 20:17 — Kim Kardashian, Lewis Hamilton, and the Kardashian boyfriend group chat 👀 24:19 — Wrap-up: gossip, no fact checking, and loving the silly era 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: Pop Star Academy — Dena’s main homework for Alicia. Global girl group training, K-pop energy, Dance Academy vibes on crack. KATSEYE behind-the-scenes Coachella video — For anyone already in their KATSEYE era or ready to become obsessed. Heated Rivalry — The girls haven’t watched yet, but the hype is officially noted. Legally Blonde: Elle — Add the prequel series to the watch list because Reese Witherspoon being involved makes it feel promising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 9 · 1 hr 2 min
Why I finally let myself go away without my daughter: solo travel mum edition | Life Lately
We missed you dAlings and honestly… we have SO much to catch up on 🥹 Alicia's first solo trip to Townsville was everything her soul needed: incredible people, deep conversations, and a moment on that sailboat we will not be getting over any time soon 🥹 Dena meanwhile had one of the hardest weeks she's had in a while, said a bittersweet goodbye to Twerk After Werk, and dealt with a toddler who packed an entire suitcase to move into mum and dad's room!!! Oh and they are both DEEP in their Off Campus era and one of them may have already DM'd Garrett Graham!?!? No further questions. Love you SO much dAlings 🩵 2:05 — Dena's update: feeling better, back at school and a secret campaign shoot 6:07 — Alicia's Townsville trip! 13:57 — Magnetic Island, a sailboat and the smallest world moment 18:30 — Reflecting on the Harrison James episode and child safety 24:25 — Isla's scary night: 000 and staying calm under pressure 32:14 — The nasal rinse that saved winter and a PSA for Melbourne cold season 39:00 — The au pair's 30th birthday and why she has become family 43:38 — Maya's big girl bed: the packed suitcase, the 4am standoff and she finally got it 50:18 — Twerk After Werk closes: the end of an era and why it was the right call 54:27 — Rainbow unicorn birthday planning, Kmart haul and the new IKEA furniture 57:58 — Off Campus, Garrett Graham and the DM we are not discussing further 1:02:30 — Recs/Homework: Monte bag, Friends Keep Secrets and Jetstar deals 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: Monty Bag — Australian small business, Mary Poppins energy. Friends Keep Secrets — Lil Dicky and Selena Gomez messing around in a house with celebrities. So funny!! Nasal Rinse — Non-medicated and genuinely miraculous for winter colds. Jetstar — Genuinely cheaper, genuinely great. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 3 · 48 min
Midnight Hospital Runs, Missing Flights & Manifesting on Cleo Massey's Live Pod | Life Lately
It’s Life Lately and this week the nervous systems are… not thriving 😅🩵 Dena is feeling low, overwhelmed, and behind on life in that very real way where even replying to messages feels like a full-time job. Alicia is also coming down from a scary health moment with Isla that had her back in protective mum mode and running on pure adrenaline. Somehow though, the episode still finds its sparkle 🥹 We talk Sydney, The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere, travel chaos, the most beautiful Pass Around The Smile live show, and all the ways rejection can secretly be redirection. Plus Mother’s Day, manifestation, vision boards, savage toddlers, book chat, beauty recs, and maybe a tiny little Life Academy live show dream being planted 👀 This one is soft, messy, magical, and very much for anyone who needs to feel less alone this week 🩵 This episode is brought to you by Protect-A-Bed: https://protectabed.com.au/ 1:19 — Dena’s low battery era: feeling flat, sore, and overwhelmed 4:32 — Alicia’s scary late-night mum moment with Isla’s breathing 9:12 — Running on adrenaline: health anxiety, nervous systems, and the crash after stress 13:25 — Sydney chaos: The Devil Wears Prada premiere and one very angry man 24:47 — Rejection as redirection: agents, auditions, breakups, and career pivots 32:02 — Dance Academy dreams, acting paths, and “God was listening” moments 34:13 — Vision boards, Bali manifestations, and dreams that actually came true 37:34 — Mother’s Day: sweet moments, savage toddlers, and “do you love me?” chaos 44:07 — Book chat, beauty recs, and the girls’ latest little obsessions 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: Pass Around The Smile — Cleo’s podcast, live show, oracle cards and journals. Vision boards — Dena’s manifestation homework. Sit down, make one, and actually let yourself dream a little. Elsie Silver books — Dena’s spicy romance book rec before the TV adaptation comes out. Breeze Balm BB Cream — Dena’s current everyday skin rec. Juicy, buildable, and very glowy. MCoBeauty lip/cheek tint — Alicia’s Benetint-style rec! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 29 · 1 hr 1 min
Off-Campus, Some Of Our Hardest Days And Favourite Finds | Life Lately
Cuteness alert!! Teddy is taking over the studio today 🐶🩵 This week we’re launching a brand new monthly segment: Favourite Four 💌 aka the four things we’ve been obsessing over and aggressively sending to each other all month long. And trust us… this lineup is GOOD. We’re talking the chicest dog products from Mochi and Michi (Teddy is now booked and busy as their newest ambassador 🐶), a skincare find from Serasilk that genuinely shocked us, the most gorgeous pieces from Francesca Jewellery, and the unexpected fashion era Kmart is currently having that we cannot stop talking about. Basically prepare to leave this episode wanting to do some retail therapy 💅🏼 Todays’ episode gets a little vulnerable 🤍 We chat mental health, chronic pain flare ups, relationship tension and why postpartum depression still isn’t talked about enough. Naturally in true us fashion we switch gears to DEVOURING Off Campus, Brett Goldstein's new movie with J-Lo?? 👀, and the wild moral dilemma of Margo's Got Money Troubles. Chaotic, warm and very very us. Love you dAlings SO much 1:00 — Dena opens up: mental health struggles & chronic pain flare ups 7:35 — Tension in relationships and what chronic illness really does to a relationship 17:45 — Real chat about post natal depression 23:49 — Dena’s show obsession: Off Campus & the hottest cast 26:07 — Brett Goldstein manifested a rom com with J.Lo & we are OBSESSED 32:20 — Margo’s Got Money Troubles: Elle Fanning, OnlyFans & what would YOU do? 35:28 — Book club chat & why we need one on the Facebook group 38:25 — FAVOURITE FOUR LAUNCHES! Inner Healing matching mum & daughter jewellery 41:55 — Mochi and Michi: Teddy models the harness, poop stash & stunning dog bowls 47:10 — Seresilk: the exfoliator that genuinely shocked us both 50:30 — Francesca Jewellery: the locket with Alex & Maya inside 53:10 — Kmart: the slay era neither of us saw coming! 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: Mochi and Michi — Australian made, female owned dog brand. Harness, collar, poop stash & stunning bowls. Use code LIFEACADEMY20 for 20% off https://mochiandmichi.com/ Seresilk — The pure silk exfoliating cocoon that makes zero sense but leaves your skin unreal. 100% biodegradable, sensitive skin approved, lasts 2 years https://seresilk.com.au/ Francesca Jewellery — Custom lockets with your favourite people’s photos inside. The most beautiful gift you can give or ask for Kmart — $14 dresses. $59 trenches. Bomber jackets. Need we say more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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