So we have another fallen soldier… Dena is officially continuing in her poo era with gastro around the whole house. The Kaplan sisters pull through again though- this time with the amazing Ariel Kaplan. The smallest but sassiest Kaplan sister.
( low-key she's a better podcast host than Dena. Maybe it’s time for a re-cast? 👀)
Alicia chats with Ariel about:
Starting her career so young on The Saddle Club and Oliver!
Neighbours and her filming experience.
Sisterhood and growing up in the spotlight
Her eating disorder, how harrowing it was, and her recovery
Studying Fitness and Health
Her recent wedding 💍
Becoming one of Australia’s top fitness gurus 🏋️♀️
How different the kaplan sisters actually are.
Life Lessons: If you believe in yourself enough, everyone else will too. Fake it till you make it, baby! Blind confidence all the way.
Tinder can actually be a place to find true love, who knew!
Stay connected with us:
Ariel Kaplan: @arielerinkaplan
Dena: @denaamy
Alicia: @aliciabanit
TikTok: @lifeacademythepodcast
YouTube: @LifeAcademyThePodcast
Facebook: Life Academy The Podcast Private Community
Recs / Homework:
Invest in good pjs: https://www.boody.com.au
Do something that challenges you this week, like a class at Barry’s Bootcamp!
Get into a hot space, infrared sauna, hot pilates, enjoy the buzz and steam.
Wearing:
Ariel: Cotton On and Crocs (still waiting on that sponsorship)
Alicia: Bella Boheme
We love you. If you are enjoying Life Academy, please subscribe and review!!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:18:45
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1:18:45
The big PMDD, Mental Health, Menopause and Hormones convo.
Hormones & Mental Health with Professor Jayashri Kulkarni.
This week, we had the absolute privilege of interviewing Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, a world-renowned psychiatrist and Australia’s leading expert on PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), as well as menopause, and women’s mental health.
We asked so many big questions, the professor has a 2 year wait list so we really wanted to share her with you all as we know so many of you suffer with pmdd and peri/menopause, she answered all of our questions with clarity and compassion. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand the deep connection between hormones and mental health.
In This Episode, We Explore:
What defines PMDD and how it differs from PMS
The mental health impact of hormonal changes during menopause and pregnancy/birth
Why mental health care needs to be tailored for women
The neurological science behind hormone-sensitive mood disorders
Thoughts on the birth control pill
Advocating for your health when you're not being heard
How our medical systems can better support women’s health.
The professors experience watching miracles take place using hormone replacement therapy.
About Professor Jayashri Kulkarni
Professor Kulkarni is the Director of the HER Centre in Australia and a pioneer in women’s mental health research. Her groundbreaking work on the links between hormones and psychiatric conditions is reshaping how we understand and treat these issues.
Resources for PMDD:
https://www.iapmd.org/
HER Centre Melbourne
Recs/homework:
Charlotte Tilbury blush- healthy glow stick (peachy glow)
Do your skincare routine and drink that water dolls!
Books: The Glasshouse, The Oasis, I’m your Peri Godmother.
Stay connected with us:
Dena: @denaamy
Alicia: @aliciabanit
TikTok: @lifeacademythepodcast
YouTube: @LifeAcademyThePodcast
Facebook: Life Academy The Podcast Private Community
Wearing:
Dena- Kinga Csilla and Gimme jewels
Alicia- Kinga Csilla and Gimme jewels
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:18:32
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1:18:32
Your Burning Questions Part 2
Lets do this again, last time was so much fun! We answer your burning Q's! some of these are saucy!
Follow us at:
Dena: @denaamy
Alicia: @aliciabanit
TikTok: @lifeacademythepodcast
YouTube: @LifeAcademyThePodcast
Facebook: Life Academy The Podcast Private Community
Wearing:
Dena – King Csilla
Alicia –Kmart baby!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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27:07
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27:07
She Talks To Dead People!
This episode is next‑level magic, we sobbed our way through it and it might be our favourite episode so far ✨
We’re joined by the sensational Jessica Lynne, one of Australia’s most in-demand psychic mediums, live from Melbourne. Brace yourself baddies: Jessica did a live reading for us, and even now, we’re still reeling from how accurate it was. So specific. So deeply moving. It's like spirit was right there in the room with us. Jessica's slogan is 'I talk to dead people' and she seriously does, in the most humorous and loving way, Jess usually has a waitlist of months and months for readings so were are so lucky to get her on the pod. We hope you get as many goosebumps as we did! Full discretion and transparency we cut out part of Alicia's reading as it got so personal.
Whether you're a believer or a bit skeptical, Jessica’s energy is warm, grounded, and deeply intuitive. She shares what it’s like to connect with spirit, how messages come through, and how we can all tune in to our intuition more.
In this episode:
A jaw-dropping live reading
What spirit communication feels like
Psychic vs mediumship (and how to tell the difference)
How signs from loved ones show up
Why you should never ignore your gut feeling
The lime hack
✨ Life Lessons:
Spirit speaks through love
Your intuition is a superpower
You’re more connected than you think
Use Lime for energy clearing (Limeglo is Jess's product)
Connect with Jessica:
📱 @jessicalynnemediumship
🌐 www.jessicalynnemediumship.com
🕯 Lime Glo candles for energy clearing
Follow us at:
Dena: @denaamy
Alicia: @aliciabanit
TikTok: @lifeacademythepodcast
YouTube: @LifeAcademyThePodcast
Facebook: Life Academy The Podcast Private Community
Recs:
Mountain and Moon @mountainandmoon
Limeglo products
"The Bucaneers" TV series on Apple TV
Wearing:
Dena- @maxted_clothing @mountainandmoon Jewels.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:16:25
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1:16:25
Big Feelings Welcome Here!
Today’s episode is very special for two reasons: We’re joined by the amazing Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, Dena’s big sister and best friend (Alicia is home sick – love you babe, and miss your magic).
We got to sit down with our parenting hero and idol, the one and only Lael Stone. And honestly? It was everything. What a privilege.
Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one, or just trying to figure out why your inner child still throws tantrums at the worst possible moments this one’s for you.
Lael is a speaker, educator, and author who’s changing the game when it comes to raising emotionally intelligent kids and healing ourselves in the process. She’s also the co-founder of Woodline Primary School, a school in the Victorian countryside that puts emotional wellbeing first (finally!).
We adore her. And you will too.
In this episode, we chat about:
Why “perfect parenting” is a myth (and thank goodness for that)
How to actually stay calm when your kid is not
The magical power of repair (yes, you’re allowed to stuff it up sometimes)
How parenting is basically free therapy if you let it be
Raising emotionally aware kids in an emotionally messy world
And what happens when you start putting connection over control.
💡 Life Lessons from Lael:
✨ You don’t need to be perfect – just present.
✨ Big feelings aren’t the enemy – disconnection is.
✨ The more you heal, the more space you create (for you and your family)
OWN YOUR STORY! wear it with pride.
💖 Instagram: @laelstone
🏫 Her heart-led school: Woodline Primary
🌐 All the good stuff: www.laelstone.com.au (including her new book!)
Stay in the Life Academy loop:
🧠 Dena Amy: @denaamy
💫 Alicia Banit: @aliciabanit
📱 TikTok: @lifeacademythepodcast
👯♀️ Facebook: Life Academy Community
📺 YouTube: @LifeAcademyThePodcast
Connect w/ Gemma:
@gemmaashleystudios
Recs:
Wear Nala Bras www.wearnala.com
Declutter your home/work space!
Breathing with self love and compassion.
Wearing:
Dena- Raef the Label
Gemma- Seed
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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!
Australia