Double A Chattery with Amanda Keller and Anita McGregor

We're tallking about the strange, funny, and unsettling world of “smart” technology — gadgets that promise convenience but often raise privacy concerns. Plus, a long awaited Mel and Jess update! (Spoiler alert: It's great news!)    Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who are we now, five years after COVID first shut the world down? From lockdown memories to hybrid work, empty campuses and vanishing “weak ties,” the conversation explores what we’ve gained, and what we’ve lost, since 2020. Amanda recalls driving to work with a permission slip as an “essential” broadcaster, while Anita reflects on the chaos of moving her clinical teaching and therapy sessions online. They discuss: How lockdowns reshaped teaching, work, and home life Why we may never return to full campus or office culture The collapse in vaccination rates and rising distrust in science The new culture of “boundaries” and why saying yes still matters Whether convenience has replaced connection—and what that means for friendship and community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're welcoming back two very special guests, Melanie and her daughter Jess, who first joined the show earlier this year to share their story in the lead-up to Melanie donating a kidney to Jess. Now, they’re back to tell us what happened next. When we last heard from them, Jess had just been diagnosed with stage-five renal failure at age 27, with her kidneys functioning at only 4%. Since then, she’s undergone a successful transplant, with her mum’s kidney, and both women have come through the experience with new perspectives on life, health, and gratitude. Want to donate to Jess's fundraiser? https://fundraise.kidney.org.au/fundraisers/JessKeepinitRenal   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're celebrating100 episodes of Double A Chattery — a milestone that feels both like yesterday and a lifetime in the making. In this special “Ask Us Anything” edition, we answer your questions that range from the heartfelt to the hilarious: how our friendship began (hint: it involves a kilt and ballroom dancing), what we've learned about privacy and vulnerability, and why feedback hits us each very differently.     Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode asks the age-old question: do opposites attract? From clown dating sites to engineering students meeting nurses, we unpack why we’re drawn to difference, and why it doesn’t always last.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grudges can feel great to hold – they're juicy, self-righteous and satisfying, but are they bad for us? From petty annoyances (a lost car mat at the car wash) to family rifts that span decades, in this episode we consider forgiveness, radical acceptance, and whether every conflict can, or should, be resolved.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is more divided than ever, and to help us make sense of it all, we asked former neo-Nazi leader Jeff Schoep to join us on air this week. Jeff explains the cult-like echo chambers, the pull of identity and belonging, and why “meeting in the middle” with patience and curiosity works better than shaming. He now works through his nonprofit to help others exit, stressing the need to replace lost purpose and community with healthier pursuits.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we welcomed academic and former tech/finance exec George Robinson to the show to demystify AI. George reframes AI as a practical “capability” rather than a scary black box — less robot overlord, more super-charged advisor that can search, synthesise, and help you make smarter decisions.     Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: modern coming-of-age (and whether we’re actually letting kids come of age at all). From hyper-styled Bridgerton dorm rooms to parents calling professors and even bosses, we're wrestling with overprotective trends, what counts as care vs. control, and the line between comfort and infantilisation — yes, including adults with plushies.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was sex ed like for you growing up? Join us as we reminisce about the awkwardness and hilarity of learning about the birds and the bees. From films on the overhead projector to pamphlets from Kotex, sex ed has come a long way, but is there still room for improvement?   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're exploring the slippery nature of memory — how it shapes our identities, influences our beliefs, and sometimes leads us astray. Prompted by recent controversy over the memoir The Salt Path, we unpack the fine line between truth, embellishment, and outright fabrication in personal storytelling.    Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh from the Logies red carpet, Amanda shares what it’s really like to survive a late-night TV awards show on two glasses of wine and four hours’ sleep. Then, she and Anita turn their attention to book clubs — why we love them, why they sometimes implode, and the delicate balance between friendship, leadership, and actually finishing the book. From Oprah’s “reading revolution” to passive-aggressive surveys, fake book clubbers, and their own hilariously named BBBC, the Chattery duo explore why book clubs are thriving again post-COVID, what happens when they go off the rails, and how reading really is the antidote to endless scrolling.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Anita got us talking about WitchTok—yes, witchcraft on TikTok—and the wild world of buying spells on Etsy. From Malleus Maleficarum (did we say that right?) to the Saleem witch trials, we explore how witchcraft has shifted through history and what it says about female empowerment today.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know that awkward moment when someone compliments your outfit and, instead of just saying “thank you,” you blurt out something like, “This old thing?”, “It was on sale,” or “It makes me look fat.” Why do we do that?   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talking about concept creep: how words like “trauma,” “anxiety,” and “bullying” have taken on new meanings way beyond their original clinical roots. We get into self-diagnosed ADHD, workplace “bullying,” parenting trends, and whether labels help, hinder, or just let us off the hook.     Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda came across a reel that challenges everything we thought we knew about only children. From modern parenting trends to baby-led weaning and the ever-changing rules around sleep training, we reflect on how much parenting advice shifts between generations — and how often we just try our best and hope for the best.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anita shares the story of why she’s hated Vegemite for years, and Amanda, determined to give Vegemite a fair go, puts her to the test with a proper Aussie-style tasting: warm sourdough, butter, and a thin smear. From there, we talk about the surprising PR campaign that launched kale into superfood status, the long-standing spinach myth caused by a decimal point error, and how margarine, eggs, and even the concept of breakfast have all been caught up in decades of health confusion and marketing spin. And yes, we're sorry to say that cockroach milk makes an appearance too.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're looking at some of the weird and wildly misguided ideas from the history of childbirth and parenting, like a spinning birthing bed inspired by elephants (yes, really) and baby cages that hung out of apartment windows in 1930s New York... These days we have apps, alarms, and a whole lot of anxiety. Are we really any better off?    Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During a recent weekend away with friends, we found ourselves deep in conversation about the power of cringe—that awkward, vulnerable feeling that comes with trying something new and not being good at it (yet). After sharing some thoughtful listener feedback, we pick up that thread and follow it through a winding, reflective chat that begins with personal growth and ends in a surprisingly philosophical exploration of remorse, redemption, and what it means to truly show up.   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever seen a man organise a cake for someone’s birthday in the office? Anita’s come across research about “non-promotable work” – those tasks that won’t get you anywhere in your career but which, surprise surprise, always seem to fall into the women’s hands. How can we get better at setting boundaries?   Facebook  Instagram     The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk.  Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.