Happy New Year! We are kicking off 2026 with a story that will squeeze your heart in more ways than one.

Imagine welcoming a perfectly healthy baby boy, only to be told ten days later that he has suffered heart failure after catching a common virus. That was the reality for Catie. Her son, Tom, was just a precious little newborn when an infection left him fighting for his life.

The trauma that this caused to his heart meant he had to be kept alive for months by a huge 160kg machine known as a Berlin Heart while they waited for the impossible: A donor match.

But waiting for a heart transplant is a unique kind of limbo. You are waiting for a miracle for your own child, while knowing another family has to face tragedy for it to happen.

In an emotional episode of our Well Summer Series, Catie joins us to share the harrowing harrowing yet incredibly hopeful journey of the boy that they call Tiger Tom, the life-saving reality of organ donation, and what life looks like now for this precocious nine year old boy.

And if you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews there’s something for everyone, explore here. We’ll be back to regular programming Thursday15th January.

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Register to be a donor at DonateLife.org.au

Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.

Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.

Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.

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CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Catie Eccleston

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Video Producer: Julian Rosario

Social Producer: Elly Moore

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

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Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Well, Claire and Dr Mariam sit down with writer, speaker, visibility activist and influencer Carly Findlay to talk about her inflammatory skin condition, Ichthyosis.

For years, we've watched her deal with the pain and frustration through the low moments and quite a few lovely highs too - always with a fabulous outfit. Through it all, she has been educating, entertaining and allowing us into her space so that we might learn how to help those around us with visible conditions.

From the exhaustion of constantly educating strangers to the sheer joy of reclaiming her narrative through fashion, Carly has reminded us of the great lesson that we don’t have to hide away just to make others feel comfortable!

In this candid conversation, Carly discusses the intersection of rare disease and the medical system, navigating a cancer diagnosis while managing a complex skin condition, and why - even when experiencing chronic pain or a scary diagnosis - we all deserve to feel f*cking fabulous. So wear the bright dress and take up space!

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

We understand that conversations about cancer can be difficult, whether you're navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or remembering someone you've lost.

If today's episode has brought up difficult feelings, please reach out. The Cancer Council offers a confidential support line staffed by specialist nurses, and you can call them on 13 11 20.

And if you just need to talk to someone immediately, you can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Remember to be kind to yourself, and please don't hesitate to seek support.

GET IN TOUCH

Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.

Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.

Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Carly Findlay

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Video Producer: Julian Rosario

Social Producer: Elly Moore

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When do ‘preventative’ injections cross the line and start making you look older? Can wearing a bra to bed really prevent sagging? And do you need to see a gynaecologist if you've never had sex?

In this episode, we speak to Consultant Dermatologist and Specialist Cosmetic Injector, Dr Cara McDonald to get the truth about anti-ageing, skincare ingredients and cosmetic procedures. She gives her expert rating (out of 10) for the most popular skincare ingredients - from your hyaluronic acids to your retinoids - and if they’re really that great in the fight against ageing.

We cover everything from why the operator is more important than the device, the dangers of over-filling and when removing all movement from your face can actually backfire…

Dr Mariam breaks down the serious risks of ‘cosmetic tourism’, the differences between a ‘Plastic Surgeon’ and ‘cosmetic surgeon’ and how to identify a properly credentialed practitioner.

Plus, we settle the "to bra in bed or not to bra in bed" debate, and whether it has any proven impact on sagging.

And, in our quick consult, Dr Mariam answers a listener’s question about whether you still need to see that doctor if you've never done the deed.

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.

Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.

Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Dr Cara McDonald

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Video Producer: Julian Rosario

Social Producer: Elly Moore

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.