The New Normal Podcast

The New Normal: conversations between hosts Tess McCabe and Emma Clark Gratton (plus regular special guests) about balancing work, life, creativity and sanity while parenting. From Melbourne, Australia, Emma and Tess leave very few parenting issues undiscussed.

Episode 55 is here, AKA the one where Emma learns that essential oils aren’t made from squashed flowers, Tess finally watches the Handmaid’s Tale and we talk about staying connected to a partner after a stillbirth.  Also, Tess tells us what she learned at a first aid course for parents (hint: it's both helpful and terrifying) and we accept that broken limbs are probably part of our future.   --- READING The Case Against Fragrance by Kate Grenville Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Buddhism for Mothers with Lingering Questions by Sarah Napthali Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff --- WATCHING The Letdown - Alison Bell, Sasha Horler, The Handmaid’s Tale Lovesick on Netflix Dark Net on Netflix   LISTENING The Butterfly Effect by Jon Ronson Esther Perel on The Longest Shortest Time The Guilty Feminist   BONUS RECOMMENDATION The Ordinary skincare    

Twas the night before Christmas, and Emma & Tess recorded a podcast! Don't worry, there's not much festive talk - Tess has just finished her first year as a school parent and Emma is in the throes of preparing to become one in February. Lots of cusp-of-new-kid-phase Q&As ensued. Plus, Emma read some (many) novels, Tess read a money management guide for people who aren't so cashed up, and they both listened to a new ABC podcast series that speaks to those of us who work+parent while female. Enjoy! -- READING: Our Magic Hour by Jennifer Down Between a Wolf and a Dog by Georgia Blain The Gulf by Anna Spargo-Ryan Cat Person the original article (and the explainer Tess mentions) The Vogue Factor by Kirstie Clements The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape -- WATCHING: Sense of Self documentary about Liz Jackson Search Party The Crown Broad City Season 3 -- LISTENING: Ladies we Need to Talk - the mental load episode Tell Me It’s Gonna Be Okay

So that short break we took? It ended up being over a year! Such is life when you have small children. But we are back at the mic and have big plans for The New Normal in 2018. The last time we recorded an episode, Obama was still US president, marriage equality in Australia was still a dream and Don Burke was still best known for being a gardening guru. Many changes, much to discuss! This episode we give you a quick update on what we've been doing in the past year (in short: changing jobs, becoming school mums, dealing with some Big Things) and what you can expect in upcoming episodes (wonderful guests! book recommendations! political exasperation!).   Find us here: Emma Clark Gratton: @emmaclarkgratton / worsthousebeststreet.com Tess McCabe: @tessmccabe / creativemindshq.com -- We'd love it if you could tell a fellow parent friend about TNN, or leave us a review on iTunes or say hi on Instagram or Facebook @thenewnormalpodcast. We'll be back with BRAND NEW EPISODES very soon, so keep an eye on your podcast feed.  

The New Normal is BACK in 2018 and here's a special bonus episode to kick off the new year and new season. In August 2016 Emma and Tess invited two former guests - Kylie Lewis and Julia May - to Brunswick's CoWorkCo event space, were we sat in front of a live audience and discussed all sorts of things relating to parenthood, small business, work and life management. The result was a lovely conversation discussing the different ways we arrange our careers and work hours around childcare, how we relax our standards and learn to ask for help, how our upbringing influenced our parenting styles and the highs and lows being a modern parent provide. A big thank you to Kylie Lewis and Julia May for joining us and sharing their insights with us all! -- Find us all online: Kylie Lewis: @ofkin / ofkin.com Julia May: @juliacmaybe / visibilityco.com Emma Clark Gratton: @emmaclarkgratton / worsthousebeststreet.com Tess McCabe: @tessmccabe / creativemindshq.com -- We'd love it if you could tell a fellow parent friend about TNN, or leave us a review on iTunes or say hi on Instagram or Facebook @thenewnormalpodcast. We'll be back with BRAND NEW EPISODES very soon, so keep an eye on your podcast feed.

After a couple of thwarted attempts to get this episode into your ears, we made it! This week Emma and Tess chat about the evolution of feminism in Disney films (and in the world), how to make your kids understand the value of a hard-earned dollar, and have a little (NOT-pregnancy related) announcement. Plus, our recent reads, TV recc's and what to do with a feral goat (seriously). Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: Books: You'll grow out of it by Jessi Klein and The Regulars by Georgia Clark Podcasts: Ideas at the House, How to Be Amazing  TV: The Americans, Homeland, The Affair Article: Why You Should Tell Your Children How Much Money You Make Documentary: Dis(Honesty): The Truth About Lies 

Excuse the chewing sounds in this episode, Claire brought cake to share and obviously we couldn't wait to hoe in! Claire Berry's story begins like most of our interviews, with a self-employed mum of two young kids, and then takes a sharp turn when she discusses the (frankly, fascinating) story of having her second child through a surrogate. Claire has a medical condition which prevented her from carrying a second child, so her and her husband went through the process of surrogacy, which was a minefield of bureaucracy, but ultimately led to the safe arrival of her son. Claire is a medical industry interview consultant and works from home, so we also discuss the joy and despair of working from home with kids underfoot, the added stress of managing a medical condition while parenting, and our very 'spirited' toddlers. 

It's episode 50! And thus we celebrate by recording this episode sans-bras (but remember it's audio only, creepy internet people). As usual we criss-cross the stratosphere of topics and touch on attachment parenting, arranged marriages, polyamory, and learning about Tinder when you've been married for almost a decade. Less click-baity discussion topics include our tips for taking a "holiday" with young kids (read: doing parenting in a different place for a predetermined period of time) and how to get rid of head lice the cheap way.   Books: Liane Moriarty's Truly, Madly, Guilty and The Hypnotist's Love Story Book: Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird TV show: You Can't Ask That on iView Podcast: Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History Funny article: The Ugly Volvo - The Difficulties of Trying for a Second Child Podcast: 

Bec Mutch is the lady behind The CoworkCo, a boutique co-working space in Brunswick. She saw a niche for an excellent co-working space that blends the best parts of creative studios, corporate offices and working from home. After beginning her career in luxury goods (fancy!), she began freelancing after her kids were born and struggled to find a decent co-working option, so began her own! We chat about the highs and slows of starting a business, and have a mini feminism rant about the term 'mumpreneur' (where are all the dadpreneurs?!). On that note, we are holding our very first podcasting event at The CoworkCo! Come and chat to Tess and Emma, plus our past guests Kylie Lewis and Julia May about all things parenting, business and creativity. LIVE PANEL EVENT ~ Mums in business: Making it work ~ 2pm, Saturday 27 August 2016 @ The CoWorkCo, 421 Lygon St Brunswick East, Melbourne. Tickets here!

Emma and Tess are back this episode discussing their usual wide range of parenting topics... this time they touch on screen time rules at home (and whether or not shaming mums for using screens to entertain the kids is anti-feminist); how they discipline their preschoolers and what behaviours they're strict about; plus - importantly - who their celebrity couple idols are. Emma also has a whole cookbook to recommend after so many of you enjoyed her cheesy broccoli tip in Episode 42. Show notes as follows! Celebrity couple idol: The Obamas Plus Impossibly Cute Photos of Barack Obama With Kids Article: ​Worrying over kids playing with phones and tablets is just another way to shame mothers by Libby Nelson Book: The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson App: Pocket (for sav

​Even if you haven't heard of Martina Gemmola, you've probably seen her gorgeous images. As a freelance photographer (who is married to another freelance photographer!) she calmly negotiates her work life with parenting her young son. Martina generously shares her story of having a fibroid tumour in the wall of her uterus that scarily tripled in size until it was as large as a pawpaw. Thankfully, everything worked out fine and Martina fell pregnant with no issues.  You can also listen on iTunes! We would love it if you left a review on iTunes too - there's a handy how-to here! 

Birthday party planning has been the topic du jour for both Emma and Tess' kids recently, and in this episode we ask ourselves - who is this epic birthday event really for, anyway?  Alongside flipping through the pages of the Women's Weekly Birthday Cake Book, we've also been reading proper grown up books, and thinking about what we'll do with our careers now and in the future (which admittedly seems very, very far away some days). Find all the show notes and links at our website www.thenewnormalpodcast.com.

Every mum knows that along with your boobs, your handbag and your ladyparts, your wardrobe is one thing that will completely change once kids are on the scene. It's easy to spend days in ratty leggings and baggy cardigans, (or in our case, striped tops and skinny jeans!) but personal stylist Rebecca Jane is an expert on how to look - and feel - great with your post-baby body.  We chat about her path to becoming a stylist, her top tips for mums and a sad story about a treasured wool coat.  You can also listen on iTunes! We would love it if you left a review on iTunes too - there's a handy how-to here! 

If parenthood itself isn't a creativity killer, then seemingly endless bouts of acute sickness can definitely throw a spanner in your work schedule, especially if you're self-employed. On this episode, we talk about our overwhelm-reduction strategies when the winter sniffles (or vom marathons) strike, as well as our usual stable of awesome content-consumption recommendations! Show notes: Is Parenthood the Enemy of Creative work? Inside Annabel Crabb's handbag ​Rebecca Sparrow and her books Find Your Tribe and Ask Me Anything  Helen Garne's new book Everywhere I Look The Moth The Mama Mia podcast network Book: How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk

Nicole Avery is one of those people who has a whole lot on her plate, but balances it all with finesse. She is a professional blogger at Planning with Kids, an author, speaker and marathon runner - on top of being mum to five kids aged seven to 17.  Her blog is a goldmine of tips, advice and lessons on managing family life, from meal planning to ways to fit in me-time, all with Nic's trademark practical and approachable style. We chat about her path to professional blogging, just how she manages to cook for and feed seven people, and the steep learning curves of parenting.  You can also listen on iTunes!