
Hosted by Kate Mason, Stories and Strategies · EN
One thing about being a parent – there’s no shortage of personalities to be surrounded by. Our kids, our partners, our family, our friends. They keep us laughing, growing, loving, and crying. If only they understood us. Like the musician Van Morrison once sang “When people understand what I mean, mama said there will be days like this.” Adelaide Australia’s Kate Mason is an author, wife, and mother who has spent her career studying personality and relationships. In this podcast she looks at why relationships work, and why some don't. She also looks at how our personalities impact our relationships and examines what compels our children, husbands, wives and others to behave the way they do. This podcast is designed to help you understand those you love. A half hour listening on your own, will connect you with the ones you care about the most.

What if the anger you feel as a mother isn't a character flaw…but a signal worth listening to? Kate Mason sits down with Lauren Novak, award-winning journalist, mother of two, and author of the groundbreaking new book Meltdown: Why Motherhood Makes Us Angry and What to Do About It. Lauren brings her two decades of investigative journalism to bear on one of motherhood's most taboo subjects: mum rage. Drawing on a survey of over 200 mothers and cutting-edge neuroscience, Lauren unpacks why so many mothers feel consumed by anger they can't explain and why that anger is far more common, and more understandable, than anyone admits. This episode is a warm, validating, and genuinely practical conversation for every parent who has ever lost it and immediately felt consumed by guilt. Listen For3:45 What inspired Lauren Novak to turn her journalistic lens on her own experience of mum rage?9:13 How did discovering the term "postpartum rage" change the way Lauren understood her own anger?15:10 Why does sleep deprivation make it so much harder for mothers to manage their emotions?17:10 What does the research say about who is really getting up in the night — and why hasn't that changed?28:43 What are the first steps Lauren recommends when a mother is feeling overwhelmed by anger? Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Lauren Novak, Education and Social Policy Editor | Author 'Meltdown' Website | LinkedIn | Instagram| Facebook| XContact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

What if the mood swings, the sleepless nights, the sudden irritation, and the loss of joy aren't signs that something is wrong with you…but signals that your biology is quietly staging a dramatic takeover? Kate Mason sits down with Dr. Joanna Bruce, GP of over 25 years, clinical director of Myma Health, and passionate advocate for women's hormonal wellbeing, to talk openly about perimenopause and menopause. Together they unpack why this decade-long hormonal shift is so often missed, dismissed, or misdiagnosed, and what women (and the people who love them) can actually do about it. From understanding the science of estrogen and progesterone fluctuation to debunking the damaging 2002 WHI study on HRT, this empowering conversation gives parents and partners the insight they need to understand what's really going on… in their bodies, their relationships, and their homes. Listen For2:00 What does the history of menopause research tell us about why women have been so underserved?8:20 How do you distinguish perimenopause symptoms from everyday exhaustion and stress?11:00 What are the early signs of perimenopause that women most commonly overlook?16:55 Is HRT actually safe, and why has the fear around it lasted more than two decades?25:10 What practical steps should women take if they think they are entering perimenopause? Leave a rating/review for this podcastwith one click Connect with guest: Dr Joanna Bruce, GP & Clinical Director, Myma HealthWebsite | LinkedIn | Instagram Contact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

What if an autism diagnosis could actually open doors instead of closing them? Kate Mason speaks with Dr. Theresa Lyons—a Yale-trained chemist and autism expert—about how her daughter’s diagnosis completely transformed her personal and professional life. Drawing on her background in pharmaceutical research and medical strategy, Theresa refused to accept outdated assumptions and instead turned to the latest science for answers. She shares the earliest signs she noticed in her daughter, why functional medicine played a pivotal role in her care plan, and how shifting language from “fixing” to “healing” can deeply impact both parent and child. Packed with science-backed insights, practical advice, and emotional depth, this episode offers clarity and hope to any parent navigating the complexities of autism. Listen For:47 How did a scientist mom respond to her daughter’s autism diagnosis?10:00 What makes sleep so critical in reducing autism symptom severity?13:05 What’s the difference between functional medicine and conventional care?18:34 How can changing your language around autism help your child thrive?24:40 What are the first few things to do after receiving an autism diagnosis?Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Theresa Lyons, MS, MS, PhD | Founder & CEO Navigating AWEtismWebsite | LinkedIn | Instagram| YouTube| FacebookContact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

What if the key to being heard isn’t changing who you are but learning how to be powerfully likeable without apology?Kate Mason sits down with another Kate Mason—executive communications coach, world champion debater, and author of Powerfully Likeable, to unpack the invisible dynamics of communication, particularly for women navigating work, parenting, and presence. Together, they explore why women often feel the need to adjust their tone, word choice, and emotions in ways their male peers don’t… and how we can break out of that conditioning. From debating rooms to boardrooms, and from childhood conditioning to parenting strategies, this episode offers tools, warm wisdom, and a few “that explains a lot” moments. Whether you're a parent, professional, or simply curious about how language shapes power, this one’s worth a listen. Listen For3:33 How did a world champion debater end up coaching top tech leaders?10:14 What does “powerfully likeable” actually mean—and why is it so hard for women to balance both?13:45 Why do women feel forced to choose between being liked and being respected?16:49 How does society react when women communicate with authority?25:23 How can we raise kids to communicate with confidence in a changing world?Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Kate Mason, Communications Coach | Author, Powerfully Likeable | World-champion DebaterWebsite | LinkedIn | Instagram| Linktree | SubstackContact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

What happens when a baby changes everything... except one partner's life?Kate Mason welcomes Amy Taylor-Kabbaz, author of Mama Rising, for a raw, insightful dive into the invisible shifts parenthood brings to relationships. Amy unpacks the silent resentment many new mothers feel when their worlds are upended while their partners’ routines stay largely intact.Together, they explore the mental load, the myth of maternal instinct, and the power dynamics of masculine and feminine energies in parenting. With wisdom, humor, and personal vulnerability, they confront the struggles of settling a baby, keeping relationships alive through exhaustion, and learning how to truly share the journey of early parenthood. This one’s a gamechanger for anyone navigating the emotional landscape of growing a family. Listen For3:09 What is Matrescence and how does it affect both parents?11:32 Is it true that only mom can soothe the baby—or is it a learned skill?18:19 How does the mental load kill intimacy—and what’s the solution?27:08 Why are respect and adoration the secret languages of lasting love?30:11 Can your relationship survive the identity shifts of new parenthood?Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Amy Taylor-KabbazWebsite | Facebook | InstagramContact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

Burnout does not arrive with a bang. It whispers until your body screams. Kate sits down with Sinja Hallam to explore what it really means to move from surviving to thriving. Sinja shares her remarkable journey from Germany to South Africa to Australia, her rise through high pressure global leadership roles, and the moment her body forced her to stop. Through stories of career success, motherhood, burnout and recovery, this conversation re-frames overwhelm as a signal rather than a failure and offers a powerful reminder that leadership, parenting and life itself do not have to be lived in constant survival mode.Listen For:3:35 How did Sinja's global journey shape her career and life outlook?7:33 What was the career-defining moment that led Sinja to New York?12:48 What does burnout actually feel like—and how do you know it’s happening?19:07 Who does Sinja coach, and what kind of leadership transformation does she guide?42:11 What’s the one powerful question that can shift everything when you're overwhelmed?Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Sinja Hallam, Founder Sinja Hallam - The Power to TransformWebsite | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInContact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

What if the problem is not your personality, but what happens when it takes the wheel without supervision? Kate Mason walks listeners through the four classic temperament styles and reframes New Year growth as awareness rather than self-correction. She explores how the sanguine thrives with intentional connection instead of overcommitment, how the choleric’s drive can turn into pressure without awareness, how the melancholic’s care can slide into perfectionism and delay, and how the phlegmatic’s calm can quietly become avoidance. Kate explains how strengths only become problems when they run unchecked, and how real growth comes from finding the middle ground where self-compassion, clarity, and balance allow each personality to flourish without guilt or burnout. Listen For3:59 What are the 4 core temperaments and how do they show up at their best?5:56 How does a Sanguine’s optimism quietly sabotage their goals?11:48 How can a Choleric’s leadership turn into pressure without them realizing it?20:04 Why do Phlegmatics explode when they seem so calm?Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one clickContact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

Is your child's “healthy” snack actually hurting their health? Kate Mason welcomes back Mandy Sacher to expose the shocking truth behind food labels, Australia's Health Star Rating system, and the hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods. With over two decades of experience in children’s nutrition and a background in investigative journalism, Mandy breaks down how misleading marketing tactics are manipulating parents—and how it’s impacting kids' health. From advocating government change to launching her own Real Food Rating system and app, Mandy shares practical, empowering steps to help families make smarter choices at the supermarket. If you’ve ever been confused or misled by a “no added sugar” claim or a suspicious five-star rating on a packaged snack, this episode is a must-listen. Listen For00 Why can’t we trust health star ratings on food labels?3:46 What made Mandy Sacher realize food labels were misleading?6:34 How are ultra-processed foods getting rewarded as “healthy”?20:11 What needs to change in Australia’s nutrition policies?30:33 How will the new Real Food Rating app help parents shop smarter? Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Mandy Sacher | Pediatric Nutritionist and Chief Nutrition Officer Website | Instagram | Real Food Rating Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Contact Kate: Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

What if becoming a mother wasn’t just a role, but a complete identity shift? Kate Mason sits down with journalist-turned-coach Amy Taylor-Kabbaz to dive deep into the transformation that women experience when they enter motherhood, a transformation called matrescence.Amy shares her personal story of burnout, identity loss, and the emotional upheaval that came with trying to be the woman she was before children. From postpartum struggles to the silent pressure of “having it all,” Amy unpacks why mothers feel broken…and how understanding matrescence can help us heal, connect, and move forward with more compassion, especially toward ourselves and our partners. This conversation is raw, validating, and will leave every parent feeling seen.Listen For:55 What are the unspoken changes that happen in your relationship after a baby?3:11 Why did Amy’s identity as a journalist unravel after becoming a mother?12:18 What is matrescence and why is it so important for new moms to understand?20:04 How can we bring awareness of matrescence into hospitals and midwife training?30:37 What are the early warning signs of burnout in motherhood?Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one clickConnect with guest: Amy Taylor-KabbazWebsite | Facebook | InstagramContact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

Are you really arguing over the dishes — or is it something deeper? Kate Mason dives into the hidden personality clashes that sabotage relationships, from the introvert-extrovert tug-of-war to the planner-vs-spontaneous showdown. Using real-life examples (including her own 34-year marriage), Kate unpacks how the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) reveals why we misunderstand, frustrate, and sometimes hilariously annoy our partners — and most importantly, how to turn these differences into connection, empathy, and fun. Listen For4:02 Extrovert vs. Introvert Showdown9:12 Dreamers Meet the Grounded12:34 Logic vs. Feelings: The Jeans Comment That Started It All19:54 The Fuel Tank Fight23:35 Finding Balance Without Losing Your Mind24:32 Turning Clashes into Connection Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Contact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X