This week, I’m joined by Carly Findlay, an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. An outspoken advocate, Carly writes on disability and appearance diversity issues. As a person living with ichthyosis, she shares her experiences navigating a world that doesn’t always embrace differences. 

In this chat, I spoke to Carly about her experiences as a proud disabled woman, living with ichthyosis, why media depictions of people with facial differences and disabilities matter and how in a world that puts so much stock in physical appearance, she has powerfully defined her own identity, self-confidence and power. 

You can follow Carly on @carlyfindlay on Instagram and read a transcript of this chat here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4dntnnn2gnps97sk0eynz/TMTS-TRANSCRIPT-CARLY.docx?rlkey=xjvwpot8qwsjo6y87fknkluej&dl=0

You can follow Maria on @mariathattil. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: Blake@dm.org.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, I’m joined by Tarang Chawla - an Indian-born Australian lawyer, storyteller, campaigner and activist. He is the co-founder of Not One More Niki, a campaign to end violence against women and children, named in honour of his younger sister Nikita who was murdered in 2015. 

Sadly, this conversation takes place as Australia’s national crisis of Australian women being killed continues to escalate. Conversations like this are so important to educate us on what gender-based violence is, how we can challenge a culture that fosters it and what victim-survivors should know.

More on Tarang - A Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, Tarang is also a sessional academic at Monash University and is on the Board of the Australian Republic Movement. He hosted "There's No Place Like Home", a double award-winning podcast about domestic abuse, has been named a Young Australian of the Year Finalist, the Young Community Achiever of the Year Award Winner, twice listed as one of the Top 25 Most Influential People Working for Social Change and one of Australia’s Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians. 

For more from Tarang, follow him on Instagram at @tarangchawla. 

If you need someone to talk to about domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT or visit White Ribbon Australia at whiteribbon.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: Blake@dm.org.au. Follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of submissions came through after I posted “Tell me your dating horror stories” and honestly - from a police chase to having regurgitated food spat onto your plate in a restaurant I did NOT expect some of these. Joined by my brother Dom, we share some of the weirdest dating nightmares you’ve experienced … before sharing our own. All I’l say is don’t ever pull a ‘Human Pendulum’ because that is still burned in my brain.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline email Blake@dm.org.au (mailto:Blake@dm.org.au)

Follow Maria at @mariathattil and Dom at @domthattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this weeks episode, I talk all things mistakes, regret and lessons. From cheating to overspending on credit, sabotaging friendships to bullying others … there are things that I’ve done and regret because of harm caused - to both others or myself. You might relate. And yet? I wouldn’t change a thing - because in making these ‘mistakes’ I found the gift of a lesson.

Here are some of my biggest mistakes … and the wisdom it gifted me. I hope it inspires you to choose to perceive your tough moments as happening for you, not to you.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: Blake@dm.org.au (mailto:Blake@dm.org.au). Follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the TikTok trend that has captured thousands … but what is ‘romanticising your life’ and why should you do it? In this ep, I explain why it’s so much more than just bringing main character energy and acting as though life is a movie … romanticising your life has the ability to improve the quality of your life drastically.

I’ll explain what it is, the psychology behind it and 4 ways you can romanticise yours. We also bring back the Ask Maria segment and take beautiful listener questions on how they can find the magic in their lives. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: mailto:Blake@dm.org.au. Follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two weeks ago, I made a last minute decision to book a health retreat. Less White Lotus … more actual-health-issues-needing-addressing. Behind glossy social posts my physical and mental health was crumbling.

I had no idea how much I was destroying my body with a high stress lifestyle, lack of balance, closed heart and poor diet. And when I went away … I saw first hand how transformative solitude, eating nutritiously, movement and healthy living was. For anyone curious about what happens on a health retreat, or who thinks they might need a break, hopefully this is your sign to take it.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email Blake@dm.org.au and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first time a news headline ever went viral about me - I was reduced to tears and wanted to into hiding for weeks lol and who was there to talk me through it? My best friend and brother Dom. 

It’s a weird thing - choosing a career that makes you somewhat public! And so in today’s episode, I want to laugh through some of the headlines over the years and give you the tea behind some of the more outrageous ones. Why were my nipples out? Why was I in the news for a vile group chat? Did I really say I was judged for my makeup being too perfect? And what the hell was that wardrobe malfunction at Miss Universe? 

Giggling through it all now. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email Blake@dm.org.au and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s ep, I wanted to give you the mini survival guide I needed when I first decided under a decade ago that I wanted to put myself out there more. Whether it’s public speaking, musical performances or hair competitions - putting yourself out there can be SO nerve-wracking and anxiety evoking. So if you are someone who struggles with any kind of public speaking, presenting, performing or delivering your work - no matter what it is, this episode is for you.
As a professional speaker - I’ve given talks to intimate rooms of 10 right through to an exhibition space full of 1,700 people. I’ve said yes to umpiring a live tennis match for the Australian Open on actual courts in front of real crowds in real stadiums and catwalked for a global audience on the actual Miss Universe stage as AUSTRALIA. I’m an actor  and  also a TV presenter who gives political and social opinions on national television … with an hour’s notice of the agenda. And bloody hell - I still get those ‘pre-performance’ nerves.
But over the years - my background in Psychology and Management, former corporate career and lived experience has taught me a thing or two about mastering those nerves. And I want to share my top 8 tips to help you do the same. You’ve got this. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email Blake@dm.org.au and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.