The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show

Welcome to the Big Talk Book Club!

This is a special little series within The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, where we still skip the
small talk ... but this time, we're diving into the books that really stay with us.

This conversation is with British writer Esther Freud. Esther has written 10 novels… her first book- Hideous Kinky- was based on her own life- and was later turned into a film starring Kate Winslet.
Esther is part of a famous family- her sister is the fashion designer Bella Freud… her father was the painter Lucien Freud and her great grandfather was Sigmund Freud.
In this episode we talk about her latest novel My Sister and Other Lovers. And the line
authors walk between fact and fiction.
And if you love this conversation with Esther I think you’ll enjoy my chat with Mahalia
Barnes.

LINKS:
Holly’s new book  ’MY SISTER AND OTHER LOVERS'  is available now wherever you get your books
If you loved this chat with ESTHER we think you'll love Jess's conversation with musician Mahalia Barnes  here
If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify
Click this link to save up to 20% on Explore’s most popular small group adventures: https://www.exploreworldwide.com.au/

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Esther Freud
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Production Company: Crap Housewife 
Media & Collaboration Enquiries: Watercooler Talent 

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

Welcome to the Big Talk Book Club!

This is a special little series within The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, where we still skip the
small talk ... but this time, we're diving into the books that really stay with us. The ones that
spark big feelings, juicy questions, and honest reflections.

In this episode is New York Times best seller Natasha Lester. Natasha writes historical
fiction, telling stories of women who have previously remained untold. The focus of our
conversation is Natasha’s remarkable novel The Mademoiselle Alliance. It’s the story of
Marie Madeline Fourcade, the only woman to lead a French Resistance network in the
Second World War.

And if you enjoyed this conversation, you’ll love my conversation with journalist Cheng Lei.

LINKS:
Natasha’s new book  ’THE MADEMOISELLE ALLIANCE'  is available now wherever you get your books
If you enjoyed this chat with Natasha we think you'll love Jess's conversation with journalist Cheng Lei here
If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify
Click this link to save up to 20% on Explore’s most popular small group adventures: https://www.exploreworldwide.com.au/

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Natasha Lester
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Production Company: Crap Housewife
Media & Collaboration Enquiries: Watercooler Talent

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

Welcome to the Big Talk Book Club!

This is a special little series within The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, where we still skip the
small talk ... but this time, we're diving into the books that really stay with us. The ones that
spark big feelings, juicy questions, and honest reflections.

Our first author in the series is international best selling author Holly Ringland. In this
conversation we talk about finding joy through creativity and how we need to give ourselves
permission to create. These ideas are at the heart of Holly’s latest book, The House that Joy
Built. It’s a memoir of sorts and also a unicorn toolkit to help you face your fear and spark
your imagination again. I know it’s helped me and I think this conversation will nourish your
soul too!

Holly Ringland has also written the international best sellers, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart
and The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding.

And if you loved this conversation with Holly, I think you’ll love my chat with actor Jacqueline
McKenzie.

LINKS:
Holly’s new book  ’THE HOUSE THAT JOY BUILT'  is available now wherever you get your books
If you loved this chat with Melissa we think you'll love Jess's conversation with actor Jacqueline McKenzie. here
If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify
Click this link to save up to 20% on Explore’s most popular small group adventures: https://www.exploreworldwide.com.au/

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Holly Ringland
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Production Company: Crap Housewife
Media & Collaboration Enquiries: Watercooler Talent

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

Samantha Harris is one of Australia’s most recognisable models and a proud advocate for Indigenous representation in fashion. From gracing the cover of Vogue as the first Aboriginal model to writing her inspiring memoir Role Model, Samantha’s story is one of courage, grace, and determination. Her career has redefined beauty standards while celebrating cultural identity and resilience, making her a true trailblazer in the industry.
In this heartfelt conversation with Jess, Samantha reflects on her journey from a shy country girl with big dreams to becoming a confident force on the catwalk and soon-to-be mother. She opens up about the powerful influence of her late mother, the lessons learned from early challenges, and the importance of staying grounded in her Aboriginal heritage. Together explore how family, identity, and inner strength have shaped her success, and how Samantha hopes to inspire the next generation to walk proudly in their own footsteps.
Know someone who'd enjoy this episode?  Why not share it with them by tapping the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and passing it on
LINKS:
Samantha's memoir 'ROLE MODEL'  is available now wherever you get your books 

If you loved this chat with Melissa we think you'll love Jess's conversation with Elle Macpherson here
If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify
CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Samantha Harris 
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos
The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

For more than 30 years, Karla Grant has been a trailblazer in Australian media, a proud Western Arrernte woman whose fearless journalism has paved the way for greater representation of Indigenous voices on screen. As the host and executive producer of Living Black on NITV, Karla has dedicated her career to truth-telling, giving a platform to stories too often overlooked, and inspiring generations through her courage, authenticity, and grace.
In this deeply personal conversation, Karla reflects on facing racism as a young girl to becoming one of Australia’s most respected Indigenous broadcasters. She opens up about the moments that tested her resilience, the people who shaped her path, and the drive that continues to fuel her fight for social justice. Karla shares how turning 60 has brought new joy and perspective, and why storytelling remains at the heart of who she is, not just as a journalist, but as a woman, a mother, and an advocate for truth.
Know someone who'd enjoy this episode?  Why not share it with them by tapping the 3 dots above ⬆︎ and passing it on
LINKS:
While Living Black has wrapped for the year, you can catch up anytime on SBS On Demand. And if you’re looking for more powerful storytelling, Karla Grant Presents showcases a curated selection of documentaries and films, each introduced by Karla, who offers her personal insights and thoughtful context to deepen your viewing experience.

If you loved this chat with Karla we think you'll love Jess's conversation with Leah Purcell here 
If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify
CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Karla Grant 
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos
The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.