You're A Good Kid

On the second episode of Season 2, we are joined by someone who defines what it means to live authentically, fiercely, and out loud. Don't forget, you can watch this full, raw conversation right now over on our new YouTube channel!

Our guest this week is Australian media powerhouse, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Sophie Cachia. Rising to prominence as one of Australia’s first major digital creators, Sophie has built an absolute empire, founding successful businesses and capturing the nation's attention on Survivor Australia. She is also the author of the bestselling memoir Then There Was Her, a beautifully honest account of navigating her sexuality, identity, and life in the public eye.

But behind the business acumen, the digital influence, and the fierce public persona lies a deeply guarded childhood reality that Sophie is now sharing with a profound level of vulnerability: as a child, she was self-harming. It was a silent, internal storm—a secret pain that no one around her knew about. To the outside world, she was a bright, capable kid, but inside, she was navigating an overwhelming emotional weight without the tools to express it.

In their post-interview debrief, James and Nick step into the psychology of the "invisible struggle": A sensitive clinical look at why children turn to self-harm, exploring it not as attention-seeking behavior, but as a desperate attempt to regulate overwhelming internal pain when words fail, and the immense psychological freedom that comes from finally bringing your secret pain into the light.

This is a heavy, beautiful, and profoundly necessary conversation about the burdens children carry in silence, and the radical healing that happens when we choose to be honest with ourselves and each other.

📺 WE ARE ON YOUTUBE! Don't just listen—watch the full video version of this episode and subscribe to our channel so you never miss a moment: https://www.youtube.com/@YoureAGoodKidPodcast
📸 FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: For exclusive episode clips, behind-the-scenes insights, and show updates, follow us at @youragoodkidpodcast.
⭐️ LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re enjoying the show and want to support us, please take a quick moment to drop us a review or a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other "good kids" find our community!

Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of childhood self-harm. If this raises any difficult feelings for you, please reach out for support. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. International listeners can find local resources at findahelpline.com.

Credits: Produced and Hosted by Dr James van Cuylenburg & Nick van Cuylenburg.
Audio production by White Owl Sound.
Season 2 is brought to you by Engage 1on1 Psychology

If you believe in what we are doing and would like to support us to make more, then we will gratefully accept any donations here: https://youreagoodkid.com.au/support

Welcome back to You're a Good Kid! We are thrilled to kick off Season 2 with an absolute powerhouse of a guest. Not only are we back with a brand new lineup of deeply moving conversations, but we are officially on YouTube this season! You can now watch the full video episodes of our interviews and debriefs.

Our premier guest for Season 2 is the phenomenal Kween Kong (Thomas Charles Fonua). Before capturing hearts worldwide as a finalist on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (Season 2) and representing Oceania on RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars, Thomas was a celebrated principal dancer for New Zealand's Black Grace and the Australian Dance Theatre. An award-winning choreographer, cultural leader, Logie Award nominee, and founder of the Haus of Kong, Kween has spent her career breaking boundaries and advocating for Pacific and First Nations queer youth. But behind the global success, the runway glamour, and the artistic accolades lies a profound childhood story of survival, identity, and resilience.

Growing up as Thomas in South Auckland, life presented a complex web of challenges from an early age. Discovering his queerness as a young child meant navigating intense rejection from a strict Jehovah’s Witness church community and an abusive father. Yet, amidst the trauma and the pressure to suppress his true self, an extraordinary shield emerged. It came from the fierce love of his mother and grandmother, who handed him a psychological lifeline with a single, transformative sentence: "You are not different, you are more."

This is an unforgettable story about the heavy cost of hiding who you are, the breathtaking courage it takes to step into your truth, and the enduring power of unconditional love.

📺 WE ARE ON YOUTUBE! Don't just listen—watch the full video version of this episode and subscribe to our channel so you never miss a moment: https://www.youtube.com/@YoureAGoodKidPodcast
📸 FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: For exclusive episode clips, behind-the-scenes insights, and show updates, follow us at @youragoodkidpodcast.
⭐️ LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re enjoying the show and want to support us, please take a quick moment to drop us a review or a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other "good kids" find our community!

Disclaimer: This podcast discussed mental health themes that may be triggering for some listeners. If anything in this episode causes distress, please contact your health professional, or if urgent, speak with Lifeline on 13 11 14

Credits: Produced and Hosted by Dr James van Cuylenburg & Nick van Cuylenburg.
Audio production by White Owl Sound.
Season 2 is brought to you by Engage 1on1 Psychology

If you believe in what we are doing and would like to support us to make more, then we will gratefully accept any donations here: https://youreagoodkid.com.au/support

Season 2 of You're A Good Kid has arrived! 12 new interviews with simply amazing guests, all of whom shared such vulnerable and powerful stories. We can't wait to share it with you all.
To see child-photos shared by guests, and some video clips from each episode, follow on Instragram: (https://www.instagram.com/youreagoodkidpodcast).
What we go through as kids will shape the course of our lives. Join James van Cuylenburg (Clinical Psychologist) and his brother, Nick van Cuylenburg (White Owl Sound), as they speak with a diverse range of people about how their childhoods have shaped them. Then, listen to guests read a letter to their child-selves. If you could say anything to your child-self, what would you say? Welcome back, to You're A Good Kid.

James and Nick get together for a quick chat about the inaugural season of You're A Good Kid, and point the way forwards from here!
A sincere thank you to all our guests for season 1, and for all of you who have joined us on the journey so far. Lots more to come, we'll look forward to sharing more stories with you in the coming months!

Nobody gets through life easy. Each of us has our own challenges and pains to manage as we navigate our different upbringings. But it’s a simple fact that some childhood stories are so incredibly difficult and traumatic, you wonder how someone could possibly survive it, let alone grow to thrive in the aftermath. Rosie Waterland is something of a miracle. These days she’s a celebrated author, comedian and podcaster (and just a wonderful human being). But if there was a checklist of childhood risk factors, it’s fair to say Rosie’s upbringing would tick almost all of them.
Rosie is currently touring the country promoting her new book, “Broken Brains”, co-written with colleague and friend, Jamila Rizvi. Today we are incredibly grateful to share our chat with Rosie, which while ultimately uplifting, does cover several heavy topics, including a discussion of suicide and self-harm. Listener discretion is advised, and if support is required please speak to your mental health professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.
Check out 'Broken Brains' https://www.amazon.com.au/Broken-Brains-Jamila-Rizvi-ebook/dp/B0DP1F65Z8/Check out 'The Anti-Cool Girl': https://tinyurl.com/4axvxsu7/
To follow Rosie, please head to https://www.instagram.com/rosiewaterland/
To see clips from Rosie’s episode, please follow us at https://www.instagram.com/youreagoodkidpodcast