The Stacy M Show
The StacyM Show is your guide through life's hardest transitions. Hosted by Stacy — lawyer, therapist, mother, and separation strategist — each episode blends legal insight with emotional healing to help you rebuild and thrive. Whether you're navigating separation, divorce, or a major life change, this podcast gives you the tools, clarity, and confidence to move forward. Subscribe and start your journey today.
Episode 94: How Do You Cope When You Know It's Over But You Haven't Left Yet? Should I Stay For The Kids?
You've probably told yourself you're doing the right thing. Keeping the family together, keeping the peace, keeping everything looking normal from the outside. But if you're honest? You're exhausted. You're not really present. And somewhere underneath all that keeping, a quiet question keeps running on repeat.
This episode isn't about whether to stay or leave. It's about something far more important, what you're actually teaching your kids by staying, and whether the version of you they're getting is the version they deserve.
What you'll walk away with
Why "staying for the kids" might be d...Episode 93: Your Why Can Change (And That's Okay)
You Hit The Goal. So Why Do You Feel Nothing?
You know that feeling when you finally get the thing you've been chasing and instead of fireworks, you just feel... flat? Yeah. This episode is about that. Stacy's getting honest about why so many of us spend years working towards a goal, only to reach it and quietly think "is this it?" Turns out the goal was never really the point. There's something underneath it. And once you find it, everything starts to make a lot more sense.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why...Episode 92: You've Been Living by Someone Else's Values Without Knowing It
If you have been feeling stuck, drained, or like no matter what you do something still feels off, this episode is going to hit home. Most people think they are overwhelmed because they have too many choices. But what if the real problem is that you do not actually know what matters most to you? Today we are getting real about values, not the ones you were taught to have, not the ones that look good on paper, your actual values. And trust me, there is a big difference.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
...Episode 91: Is a 30-minute conversation worth a WEEK of recovery?
You're Not "Too Sensitive." You're Just Paying a Price Nobody Warned You About.
You've sat through the lunch. Replied to the text. Taken the call. And then spent the next three days replaying it in the shower, in bed, at 2am when you should be sleeping. Sound familiar?
Here's the thing nobody talks about: that thirty-minute conversation might have cost you a whole week. And it never shows up on a bank statement.
In this episode of The Stacy M Show, Stacy gets real about the emotional price tag attached to the relationships...
Episode 90: Why I Didn't Celebrate Being Cancer Free
You'd think the moment you finally get the news you've been fighting for, you'd be crying happy tears, popping bottles, and calling everyone you know. So why didn't I? When my scans came back clear and my doctors told me there was no evidence of disease, I felt something I wasn't prepared for at all: weird. In this episode, I'm getting real about what actually happens after the hard season ends, and why not celebrating doesn't mean you're not grateful.
WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS EPISODE
Why your nervous system doesn't just switch off the...Episode 89: What If You Don’t Actually Know What Makes You Happy Anymore?
Have you ever sat there thinking, “Why can’t I just work out what I want?” while simultaneously keeping everyone else alive, organised, emotionally stable, and fed?
Same.
In this episode of The StacyM Show, Stacy gets real about something so many people quietly struggle with: feeling completely disconnected from themselves. From people pleasing and survival mode to burnout, relationships, illness, and just trying to hold life together, this conversation dives into why so many of us feel lost… even when life looks “fine” from the outside.
And no, you’re not broken.
You’ve p...
Episode 88: How Much Is a Divorce Really? (And Why Divorce Isn’t the Same as a Property Settlement)
If you've been googling "how much does a divorce cost" and feeling completely lost, first of all, hi, you're not alone. But here's the thing nobody tells you: divorce and a property settlement are not the same thing, and confusing the two is one of the most expensive mistakes people make. In this episode I'm breaking it all down in plain English, no lawyer hat, no jargon, just the stuff you actually need to know so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling like you actually have a handle on this.
What you'll learn
The...Episode 87: When Your Brain Won’t Shut Up: Practical Ways to Calm Anxiety & Overwhelm
You're Not "Anxious." You're Overwhelmed. And There's a Difference.
If you've been functioning just fine on the outside while quietly falling apart on the inside, this one's for you. You're still showing up, still replying to messages, still ticking boxes, but your chest is tight, your brain has forty-seven tabs open, and you honestly cannot remember the last time you felt genuinely okay. Here's the thing nobody talks about: what a lot of us are calling anxiety might actually be an overwhelmed nervous system, and that changes everything about how you deal with it. In this episode...
Episode 86: How Not to Crap Your Pants Going Through a Separation
You don't need all the answers. You just need the next step.
You know that feeling when leaving feels impossible, not because things are good, but because your brain would genuinely rather sit in a burning house than walk into a fog? It's not weakness. It's not love. It's your nervous system clinging to the known, even when the known is making you miserable. In this episode, we're talking about the fear that keeps people stuck, second-guessing, or sprinting back to something they already know isn't right, and what you can actually do to stop the panic...
Episode 85: Boundaries, not labels: Can this relationship be fixed if there are ‘narcissistic’ traits?
Before You Walk Away. Read This First.
We've all been there, spiralling down a rabbit hole of "narcissist traits" checklists at 11pm wondering if this is what's wrong with your relationship. But what if the real question isn't what are they? It's can this actually be fixed? In this episode, I'm getting into the messy, honest middle ground that nobody talks about: the space between "they're toxic, leave" and "maybe it's just a rough patch." Spoiler: the answer might surprise you, and it starts with one word. Boundaries.
What You'll Learn
Why you don't...Episode 84: Am I in a toxic/narcissistic relationship… or am I just overreacting?
You've done the late-night Googling. You've replayed conversations in your head trying to figure out what you did wrong. You've said "maybe I'm just too sensitive" so many times it's started to feel true.
Here's what I want you to know — confusion in a relationship is not a character flaw. It's a symptom.
In this episode, I'm cutting through all of it and giving you a dead-simple 3-part reality check you can do in about five minutes — no therapy degree required — so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting what you already know.
WH...
Episode 83: I Haven’t Disappeared — Here’s What’s Been Going On
If you've ever pushed through when your body was screaming at you to stop — this one's for you.
We live in a world that glorifies the hustle, the grind, the "I'm fine" even when you're absolutely not fine. And somewhere along the way, slowing down started to feel like giving up.
In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what the last few months have really looked like for me — a stage three cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment that broke me in ways I didn't expect, and the uncomfortable, beautiful lesson I'm still learning: that limi...
Episode 82 - I Had Cancer Growing in Me for 10 Years and Had Zero Symptoms. Here's What I Wish I'd Known.
You're busy. You're running on empty. And that overdue health check? It keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list — because nothing's wrong, right?
That's exactly what I thought too.
In this episode, I'm getting completely unfiltered about my Stage 3 cervical cancer diagnosis — the one symptom I almost brushed off, the 14-year gap between my pap smears, and what months of radiation, chemo, brachy, and immunotherapy actually looks like in real life. No glam. No filter. Just the honest truth I wish someone had told me sooner.
WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS...
Episode 81 - You Don’t Realise It’s Everything… Until It’s Gone
We all know we should eat better, sleep more, move our bodies. But knowing it and actually treating your health like it matters? That's a whole different thing. Stacy gets brutally real in this episode about what it took for her to finally understand that self-care isn't about optimising your life, it's about protecting something a lot more fragile than we give it credit for. Because when your health is fine, it just sits quietly in the background like oxygen. Until one day, it doesn't.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why self-care is not the same...Episode 80: Why One Tool Is Never Enough (And What to Do About It)
You've done the work. You've followed the advice. So why does it feel like nothing actually sticks?
Here's the thing most people don't talk about: fixing one layer of a problem while ignoring the rest is like repainting walls when the foundation is cracked. It looks better for a second, but underneath? Nothing's changed. In this episode, Stacy gets real about her unconventional path from Big W to the courtroom, what her clients taught her about the limits of legal advice alone, and why the right combination of tools changes everything.
In this episode, you'll...
Episode 79: Nobody Warned Me About This Part: Life After Treatment Isn't the Finish Line
Everyone celebrates when treatment ends. They say "you did it!" and expect you to bounce back, pick up where you left off, and get back to normal. But what if normal doesn't exist anymore? What if you feel flat, disconnected, and a little lost — even though you're supposed to feel relieved?
In this episode, Stacy gets real about the post-treatment blues: the stage nobody talks about, the one that sneaks up on you right when the world thinks you're fine.
What you'll take away from this episode
Why the end of treatment can feel har...Episode 78: What If "Back to Normal" Is Actually Keeping You Stuck?
You know that pressure you feel when people ask "so are you back to normal yet?" Yeah. That one. The quiet assumption that once the hard part is over, you should be able to just... slot back in. Same pace. Same you. Same life.
But what if that version of normal was never actually the destination? In this episode, Stacy gets real about why chasing "normal" after a big life shift might be the very thing holding you back from something better.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why you are NOT behind, and you...Episode 77: The Part of Cancer That No One Talks About - Recovery 🌻
Treatment Ends… So Why Does Recovery Feel Harder?
Everyone talks about how hard cancer treatment is.
The chemo, the hospital visits, the scans, the side effects.
But here is something I did not expect.
Recovery has actually been harder than the treatment itself.
In this very honest episode of The StacyM Show, I share what the recovery stage really looks like after cancer treatment ends. Because once the appointments stop and the structure disappears, your body and mind are still catching up. And that part is not talked about nearly en...
Episode 76: Are You Being Controlled Without Realising It? Here’s How to Spot It
Feeling like you’re walking on eggshells at home or constantly checking your phone with dread? You might be experiencing coercive control—a form of abuse that doesn’t leave bruises but chips away at your freedom, independence, and confidence. In this episode of The StacyM Show, we break down what coercive control really looks like, how it starts with love bombing, and how the “boiling frog” effect slowly traps you without you even noticing. We’re talking boundaries vs control, financial sabotage disguised as transparency, and the invisible cage many people live in without realising.
What you’ll learn...
Episode 75: Stage 3, No Filter: The Truth About My Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
🎙️ “I thought I didn’t have time for a pap smear… turns out I really didn’t have time not to.”
This episode is raw. Unfiltered. Recorded from a motel room with questionable lighting and absolutely zero glam.
I’m sharing the real story of my Stage 3 cervical cancer diagnosis. What the symptoms were. What I ignored. What I wish I had done differently. And what treatment actually looks like when you’re living it, not just reading about it.
This is not a vax debate. This is not a pity party. This is a grown woman sa...
Episode 74: When They Want a Reaction, Don’t Give Them One
What if the most powerful thing you could do in conflict was… nothing?
Not silence. Not suppression. Control.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Stacy dives into one of the biggest game changers in communication, confidence, and self-mastery: the difference between reacting emotionally and responding intentionally.
This is not about shutting down your feelings. It is about understanding that emotions are data, but reactions are decisions. Stacy breaks down the biology behind emotional triggers, the psychology of body language, and why regulating your nervous system is one of the strongest leadership skills you ca...
Episode 73: The Procedure I Almost Said No To: My Real Brachytherapy Story (The Truth No One Told Me)
I nearly didn’t go through with brachytherapy. Not because of my doctors. Not because of the science. But because of fear, horror stories online, and not knowing what was actually real.
If you’re facing cancer treatment decisions, or love someone who is, this episode is the raw, honest, zero-sugar-coating version of what brachytherapy was actually like for me.
Episode Summary
In this deeply personal episode, Stacy shares her real experience undergoing brachytherapy as part of her Stage 3C1 cancer treatment. From intense anxiety and scary online stories to the reality of the...
Episode 72: Stop Paying to Stay in Pain: Toxic Separations, Kids as Pawns & Smear Campaigns 🎙️
This is one of those episodes that, unfortunately, never stops being relevant.
So we’re bringing it back.
I’m resharing this episode because the same toxic patterns keep showing up in separations. Financial manipulation. Using kids as pawns. Smear campaigns online, at work, and within friend groups.
If you’re dealing with a high-conflict or narcissistic ex, or you’re feeling tempted to respond in the same messy way, this is your reminder to pause. How you respond can either protect you or cost you financially, emotionally, and long-term.
This episode is about...
Episode 71: A 5-Minute PSA for Separated (or Separating) Parents as School Goes Back
School going back can feel harder than the separation itself.
And if you’re a separated or separating parent, this is the part nobody warns you about
As school routines kick back in, things often get messy for separated families. In this short but powerful episode of The StacyM Show, Stacy shares a quick public service announcement based on the patterns she sees every single year once backpacks come out and routines change.
This is not legal advice. It’s real-world insight, delivered honestly, compassionately, and straight from the coalface. Recorded during Stacy’s cervica...
Episode 70: Separation & Childcare: What Parents Need to Know to Protect Their Kids with Stacy & Victoria Edmond
If you’re separating and your child is in childcare, this episode could save you stress, money, and a whole lot of drama. Because what happens at drop off and pick up matters more than you think.
Separation doesn’t just affect you and your ex. It shows up in your child’s world too. Especially at childcare.
In this episode of The StacyM Show, I’m joined by Victoria Edmund from Big Hearted Education to talk about the stuff parents often don’t realise during separation. The legal limits of what childcare centres can do. How ov...
Episode 69: Why I Don’t Say “F*ck You” to Cancer: Healing Without War, Rage, or Self-Blame
I know this might sound unexpected… but I don’t say “f*ck you” to cancer.
And this episode explains why.
In this episode of The StacyM Show, I share a very real and very personal reflection on language, healing, and what it means to live inside a body that hasn’t betrayed you, even when you’re facing something as confronting as cancer.
We talk a lot about “fighting” illness. About battles, wars, winning and losing. But for me, that language stopped sitting right. Cancer didn’t arrive as some outside enemy. It arrived in my body...
Episode 68: Stage 3, But Still Kicking: My Cervical Cancer Journey | The Stacy M Show
Life threw me stage 3 cervical cancer, and yeah… it’s been brutal, exhausting, and downright scary. But I’m still here, still talking, and still figuring out how to live fully—even when my energy doesn’t always cooperate.
Episode Summary:
In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my journey with stage 3 cervical cancer. From the shock of diagnosis to the emotional rollercoaster of treatment, I share the real, unfiltered experience—what’s hard, what’s surprising, and what’s given me unexpected strength. This isn’t just about cancer; it’s about resilience, vulnerability, and fin...
Episode 67: Burnout Didn’t Come Out of Nowhere. Your Body’s Been Warning You with AJ
If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, constantly “busy” and telling everyone you’re fine… this episode might hit a little too close to home.
In this real, unfiltered episode of The StacyM Show, I’m joined by leadership and business coach AJ, someone who’s been part of my business journey for over a decade.
Together, we unpack burnout. Not the buzzword version, but the slow, sneaky kind that shows up as losing your voice, getting sick all the time, snapping at people you love, or feeling permanently switched on.
We talk about how burnout has bec...
Episode 66: When the Relationship Ends but the Control Doesn’t: Narcissistic Abuse, Court & Finally Letting Go | Stacy & Phoebe Lay
Ever feel like the relationship ended… but somehow the control didn’t?
This episode is for anyone who has escaped a toxic relationship, only to find the manipulation continues through the legal system, threats, or constant mind games.
Episode Summary
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of The StacyM Show, Stacy is joined by digital marketing founder and podcast host Phoebe Lay to talk about narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, and how court processes can be weaponised as a tool of ongoing control.
Phoebe bravely shares her lived experience of a love-bombed begi...
Episode 65: They’re Not Just Mean - They’re Manipulative: Spotting Toxic Behaviour Before It Drains You
Ever feel like someone is quietly messing with your mind, leaving you confused, drained, or second-guessing yourself? Yep, that’s manipulation and it shows up in ways you might not even realise.
In this episode of The StacyM Show, I get real about manipulation, narcissistic behaviour, and toxic dynamics at work, in friendships, and in relationships. I share a personal story about recognising manipulation during a vulnerable time in my own life, and give practical tips for spotting it, protecting yourself, and reclaiming your power. You’ll leave feeling seen, empowered, and ready to set boundaries that...
Episode 64: Overwhelmed, Flat, and Tired? Here’s What to Do Next.
Ever had one of those days where you’re not technically falling apart… but you’re definitely not thriving?
Yep. Same. In this episode, Stacy gets real about the moments when life feels heavy — the lonely days, the overwhelmed days, the “I don’t even know where to start” days.
Inspired by a raw post from a struggling mum, Stacy shares practical, non-fluffy tools to help you reset, breathe, and move forward (even if it’s just one tiny step). No toxic positivity. No pretending everything is fine. Just honest support for the days you need it most.
...
Episode 63: What is a Binding Death Nomination and Why Do You Need One?
Okay, real talk—this is not the kind of topic you bring up over Sunday brunch… but honestly, it probably should be. In today’s episode, we’re diving into binding death nominations—what they are, why they matter, and how they can save your family from arguments, delays, and a whole lot of stress down the track.
Most people assume their will covers everything. Spoiler: it doesn’t. Your super sits outside your estate unless you specifically tell it otherwise—and if you don’t? Well… let’s just say some people have accidentally left hundreds of thousands of doll...
Episode 62: Why January Is Divorce Month (…and How to Start Your Family Law Journey Without Falling Apart)
Do you know what really explodes in January?
Not gym memberships. Not green juice sales.
My inbox.
Every year, people come out of the Christmas chaos and finally admit to themselves: “This relationship isn’t working — now what?”
If that’s you, take a breath (a real one, not whatever weird inhale I attempted in this recording). You’re not alone — and in this episode, I walk you through the exact first steps to take when you’re thinking about separation, without overwhelm, panic Googling, or blowing thousands in legal fees.
What You’ll Learn
...
Episode 61: Testamentary Trusts - The Inheritance Seatbelt Your Kids Didn’t Know They Needed
If you think leaving everything to your kids at 18 is a great idea… you might want to sit down for this one. Today we’re diving into testamentary trusts—what they are, why they matter, and how they could save your kids from blowing their inheritance on a jet ski and a bad boyfriend.
In this episode, Stacy breaks down testamentary trusts in a way that actually makes sense. No legal jargon, no overcomplication—just real talk about how this simple tool can protect your kids’ future, keep your hard-earned assets safe, and give you total peace of mind. W...
Episode 60: Who Decides If You Can't? What Happens Without an Enduring Guardian?
What if you couldn’t speak for yourself… who would make your medical decisions? Spoiler alert: it might not be who you think — and it could cause a family war you never saw coming.
In this week’s episode, Stacy breaks down one of the most overlooked legal documents in Australia — the Enduring Guardian. It’s the thing that decides who speaks for you if you lose capacity. Whether it’s from an accident, illness, or just the curveballs life throws, not having one in place can lead to chaos, heartbreak, and sometimes even court battles.
Stacy keeps...
Episode 59: Stop the BS: Why Your One Business is Enough (And Probably More Profitable)
Ever feel like you're “behind” because you only run one business? Meanwhile some guy online is screaming about his 9-figure empire and 80 “businesses"... and you're just trying to finish your coffee before school pickup?
Yeah. I'm calling BS.
Today, we're stripping the filters off hustle culture and talking real profit, real focus, and real life — not the Instagram performance version.
If you’ve ever felt less-than because you're not juggling five brands, a personal coaching empire, and a goat farm on the side — breathe. You don’t need multiple businesses, 4 hours of sleep, or a fake “9-f...
Episode 58: It’s Not Over Yet: How to Reconnect Before You Call It Quits with Sammi Jaeger
What if your relationship isn’t actually over — it’s just asking for something different?
In this powerful chat, Stacy sits down with Sammi Jaeger, relationship coach and podcast host, to talk about what really happens before couples reach the breaking point. They unpack why people drift apart, what emotional disconnection actually means, and how to bring back curiosity, connection, and clarity — even when things feel messy.
If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe it’s too late…” — this episode might just change your mind.
You’ll learn:
Why emotional disconnection doesn’t always mean the end.
...Episode 57: The Rollercoaster of Emotions in Family Law
Let’s be honest — family law isn’t just about legal jargon and paperwork. It’s emotional. It’s messy. And some days, it feels like your nervous system has clocked in for a full-time job.
If you’ve ever gone from “I’ve got this” to crying over coffee after receiving a lawyer’s email, then this one’s for you. In this episode, I’m stripping back the BS and talking about the real emotional rollercoaster that comes with separation, property settlement, and parenting matters — and how to ride the wave without losing yourself in the storm.
What Yo...
Episode 56: ADHD + Family Life: How to Build Systems That Support, Not Sink, You — with Sharon Collon
Let’s be honest — parenting (and partnering) while navigating ADHD is not for the faint-hearted.
It’s beautiful. It’s messy. And sometimes it feels like you’re trying to brush a crocodile’s teeth before school.
This week, I sat down with Sharon Collon, ADHD coach, consultant, and mum, to talk about what actually makes family life functional when ADHD is part of the picture. (Hint: it’s not being more “perfect.” It’s creating systems that have your back when things fall apart.)
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why setting up “fallback sy...
Episode 55: POA - The One Legal Document Everyone Ignores (Until It’s Too Late)
Your mum just had a stroke. She can’t speak, can’t sign documents, and you — her devoted child — legally can’t access her bank account to pay her bills. The power’s about to be cut off, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Sound dramatic? It happens to Australian families every single day.
About This Episode
In this episode, we’re talking about the unsung hero of legal documents — the Power of Attorney. It’s the one thing that could save your family from complete chaos if something unexpected happens, yet most people don’...