Belly Laughs and Brutal Honesty

Today I chat about how I broke up with my skinny jeans (yes, finally!) and discovered the wide-leg life is comfier than I ever imagined. Plus: the Big Brother application fail, the cockatoos hell-bent on destroying my garden dreams, and the reality of being totally codependent with my cat, Alfie.

This one’s for anyone stepping out of their comfort zone — or just here to laugh at mine.

Episode Guide:
00:38 Gab's Life Update and Podcast Schedule
02:08 A Day at Chadstone Shopping Center
04:23 Therapy Insights and Personal Growth
07:18 Breaking the Skinny Jeans Habi...

From sober joy and safe people to late periods and life panic — this one’s got elation, ovary chaos and a lot of big feelings.

I recorded this right after a recovery wedding where I laughed so hard my face hurt. No booze, no awkwardness, just full-body joy. And then… I spiral. A late period sends me head-first into hormones, grief, perimenopause panic and all the “what ifs” around motherhood and timing.

Big feelings, big love, and no filters. You’ve been warned.

Mentioned:

Recovery joy & safe sober celebration

The shame we...

This week, I’m talking about the p-word (podfade — don’t panic, we’re fine), why I’m half-seriously thinking about applying for Big Brother 2026, and how my inner 90s kid still calls the shots.

Expect plenty of nostalgia, sliding doors moments, reality TV life lessons, and a shameless love letter to the analog phones and questionable RnB tracks that soundtracked my childhood.

Mentioned:

The reality TV contestant who proved kindness can win

Sliding doors moments that change your path

90s pop culture memories that shaped a generation

If you g...

This one got a little heavier than planned, but sometimes that’s what voice journaling is for.
In this episode, I talk through therapy decisions, pausing my ADHD diagnosis and a moment of raw grief over a photo from my brother’s wedding. I also get real about weight, clothing sizes, and the shame I’ve carried about my body - even in recovery. It’s emotional. It’s honest. And it's always a reminder that there is hope.

00:00 – Introduction and Trigger Warning

00:38 – Welcome to the Podcast

01:17 – Creative Funk and Self-Discove...

This one’s a little different — a reflective drop straight from the heart. Just me, a memory, and a game of Uno that turned into a full-blown identity crisis (and breakthrough).

In this bonus ep, I’m sharing the chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly healing origin story of how Belly Laughs & Brutal Honesty got its name — from a hospital lounge full of rehab patients to the first time I felt real joy… and real truth. It’s about belly laughs that made me cry. Brutal honesty that saved my life. And why those two things still keep me sane today.<...

In this second episode, Gab reflects on the positive feedback and surprising stats from the podcast's first week, including international listeners and touching messages. She discusses her reluctance to appear on video due to body image concerns, her efforts to reduce screen and call time, and the ongoing journey of self-acceptance. Gab also shares humorous insights into navigating adulthood and personal growth, especially regarding mental health topics like C-PTSD and ADHD.

00:00 - Welcome to Belly Laughs and Brutal Honesty

00:39 - Reflecting on Podcast Beginnings

01:47 - Listener Feedback and Personal Connections<...

Well here we go! I’m Gab — 40‑something, single, three‑years sober, and still wondering when adulthood was meant to start. In this first episode, I unpack life before sobriety, the turning point that got me here, and why I’m finally hitting record on these voice journals I’ve been rambling into my phone for years. It’s real, unfiltered, and just the beginning of figuring out how to actually do this adult life thing.

00:00 - Introduction and Purpose

01:48 - The Journey Begins

01:59 - Not Just Another Sobriety Podcast

05:09 - P...