Author and speaker, Michelle Mitchell, joins Jules to unpack the “in-between” years - why ages 9-12 are a distinct developmental stage, what tweens need most, and how parents can balance boundaries with independence. From tech rules to friendship drama, family meetings to the “borrow their calm” ritual, this conversation is stacked with practical language you can use tonight at the dinner table.

What you’ll learn:

• Why tweens are not “mini teens”: Ages 9-12 are a unique developmental stage with rapid change across five domains - physical, social, emotional, sexual and cognitive.
• The Big Three needs: Every tween is scanning for safety (physical + psychological), a sense of belonging, and proof that they matter. Design home life and routines to meet these needs first
• Comfort-zone model: Use Green (comfort), Yellow (stretch), Red (panic) to gauge challenges. We want regular, supported stretches without tipping into panic.
• Circles of decision-making: Get clear on what parents decide, what kids decide, and what you negotiate together and expect those circles to shift as kids grow.
• “Test & measure” independence: Offer small freedoms with clear conditions, review how it went, then dial the rope in or out. Language that regulates: Start with “Good on you for noticing… How do you feel about that? What’s your next best step?”
• Borrowing calm: Sometimes tweens don’t need a debrief - they need proximity. Sit nearby, share quiet TV time, go for a walk. Calm is contagious. Siblings without carnage: Hold a short family meeting to name needs and set non-negotiables. Kids try to solve conflict without hurting themselves, others, or the environment and use a 5-minute “reset” before re-engaging.
• Tutors & extra help: Prioritise support when the goal matters to the child; don’t build their week around propping up things that aren’t meaningful to them.
• Mistakes are curriculum: Expect them. Keep connection intact while you walk through consequences, ideally those you’ve pre-agreed together.
• Tech that protects connection: Delay personal devices as long as possible, keep tech out of bedrooms/bathrooms, and make mealtimes device-free. You’ll want the conversation habits later.

Disclaimer: This episode shares general information only and is not a substitute for
personalised professional advice.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
Michelle's Website:
https://michellemitchell.org

Michelle's Website:
https://www.instagram.com/michellemitchell.author/

Follow Me On Instagram:
@julessebastian, @tea_with_jules

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/@JulesSebastianChannel

Subscribe:
https://julessebastian.com/pages/sign-up

Read:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/tea-honesty-jules-sebastian/book/

CREDITS:
Sound Engineer & Music: @kailesh_reitmans
Videographer & Editor: @nathan_niguidula
Producer: @lisajohnston_ @julessebastian

Welcome to Tea with Jules hosted by Jules Sebastian. Here we spill the tea and learn life lessons from honest conversations with experts, celebrities and friends.

What a difference four years makes. The last time Steve Cordony joined me on Tea with Jules, we were hearing Steve’s origin story and talking about his dreamy country property. Since then, Steve has:

• Published his stunning book Moments at Home
• Continued to collaborate with iconic brands like Ralph Lauren, Lancôme, and Land Rover
• Built a deeper connection with his global audience
• And navigated huge personal changes, including marriage, separation, and selling his beloved Rosedale Farm

In this heartfelt catch-up, Steve opens up about:

• The highs and lows of the past four years, and how he’s learned to accept both
• His philosophy on business, creativity, and staying true to your brand DNA
• What it really takes to protect your energy when you are the brand
• The lessons of love, grief, and new beginnings
• Why trusting your gut instinct is now his number one rule

This episode is part deep-dive into creativity and career growth, part soul-searching conversation between friends.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
Steve's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stevecordony/

Steve's Website:
https://www.stevecordony.com

Follow Me On Instagram:
@julessebastian, @tea_with_jules

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/@JulesSebastianChannel

Subscribe:
https://julessebastian.com/pages/sign-up

Read:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/tea-honesty-jules-sebastian/book/

CREDITS:
Sound Engineer & Music: @kailesh_reitmans
Videographer & Editor: @nathan_niguidula
Producer: @lisajohnston_ @julessebastian

Welcome to Tea with Jules hosted by Jules Sebastian. Here we spill the tea and learn life lessons from honest conversations with experts, celebrities and friends.

Sex. Intimacy. Desire. Shame. These are topics we don’t often talk about, especially as women in midlife, but they affect every part of who we are. In this deeply honest episode of Tea with Jules, I sit down with Lara Boielle, a clinical sexologist and naturopath, to have the conversation we’ve all been avoiding but desperately need.

From scheduling space (not sex) to understanding how our libido is tied to how we
feel about ourselves, Lara shares wisdom, warmth, and practical steps for finding
your way back to yourself and to intimacy. We talk about shame, the noise of midlife, and why slowing down and reconnecting with your body is the key to rediscovering desire.

Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, freshly dating, or navigating this season of life solo, this episode is about breaking stigma, finding safety, and realising that sexuality is not for someone else, it’s for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why sex and intimacy are about YOU first, not somebody else
• The difference between scheduling sex vs. scheduling space for connection
• How shame impacts our bodies and relationships, and how conversation
• dismantles it
• Why libido is tied to self-connection, not just hormones
• The role of presence, play, and novelty in keeping intimacy alive
• Practical steps to reconnect with your body and find your “new door” in midlife

About Lara Boielle
Lara Boielle is a clinical sexologist, relationship therapist, and naturopath who works with individuals and couples across diverse relationship structures. She creates safe, inclusive, non-judgmental spaces to explore intimacy, communication, and pleasure, while helping clients navigate sexual challenges. LGBTQIA+ friendly and deeply committed to dismantling shame, Lara empowers people to reconnect with themselves and build more satisfying relationships.

Lara's Website:
https://www.theintegrativesexologist.com

Lara's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the.integrative.sexologist/

Follow Me On Instagram:
@julessebastian, @tea_with_jules

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/@JulesSebastianChannel

Subscribe:
https://julessebastian.com/pages/sign-up

Read:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/tea-honesty-jules-sebastian/book/

CREDITS:
Sound Engineer & Music: @kailesh_reitmans
Videographer & Editor: @nathan_niguidula
Producer: @lisajohnston_ @julessebastian

Welcome to Tea with Jules hosted by Jules Sebastian. Here we spill the tea and learn life lessons from honest conversations with experts, celebrities and friends.