In this episode of After the Gin Settles, Haidee and Elissa get real about the complex medical world of Batten disease and what it actually looks like when your child's care involves endless appointments, medical professionals, seizures, emergency plans and trying to navigate a healthcare system that doesn't always make things easy.

Haidee shares her experiences navigating this world as Harper's mum, while we talk about the realities of balancing work, family, caregiving and the mental load that comes with trying to hold everything together.

We get into the impact of COVID-19, understanding seizures, advocating for your child's medical needs in an education setting, and the importance of communication and support when you're managing more than most people will ever realise.

Because caring for a child with complex medical needs isn't just about the medical stuff. It's the emotional toll, the pressure on the whole family, the invisible mental load and trying to look after your own mental health when so much of your energy goes into looking after someone else.

This is an honest conversation about the realities families face, the communities that help carry them through, and why accessible mental health support matters.

It's a conversation about Harper, about caregiving, and about the parts of this journey that people don't always see.

As always, we're talking about the real stuff. ❤️

• Navigating complex medical needs and healthcare systems
• The realities of caregiving and advocating for your child
• Living through COVID-19 while managing complex care
• Balancing work, family and caregiving
• Understanding seizures and preparing for emergencies
• Supporting children's medical needs in educational settings
• The impact of caregiving on family dynamics
• The invisible mental load that comes with caring for someone else
• Mental health support and the importance of supportive communities

00:00 Introduction to Harper's Journey
03:50 The Reality of Complex Care
10:06 Living Through COVID-19
14:05 Balancing Work and Caregiving
16:56 Understanding Seizures
25:05 Emergency Preparedness and Support
27:19 Supporting Medical Needs in Education
32:16 Impact on Family Dynamics
36:39 The Invisible Mental Load
44:11 Accessing Mental Health Support
45:43 Celebrating Supportive Communities

If you're navigating complex care yourself, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone. And if you've never experienced this world, we hope it helps you understand a little more about what families like Harper's go through.

❤️ Listen, share and join the conversation.

Find After the Gin Settles on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

What happens when the work you care deeply about begins to take a toll on your own wellbeing?

In this episode, we explore the realities of burnout in caring professions, from the personal and professional challenges of working in roles centred around supporting others, to the pressures that can make these professions both deeply rewarding and incredibly demanding.

We share personal experiences of choosing a caring profession, explore what burnout can look and feel like, and discuss the impact it can have not only on individuals, but also on the people and communities they care for.

We also unpack the stress performance curve and how prolonged or excessive stress can affect performance, wellbeing, and our ability to continue functioning effectively at work.

The conversation then turns to practical approaches to coping, self-care, advocacy and support, and the importance of creating workplaces and systems that better support the people who spend their careers caring for others.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences
• 01:54 The Role of Caring Professions
• 03:29 Challenges and Realities of Caring Professions
• 10:16 Choosing a Caring Profession
• 22:03 The Experience of Burnout
• 27:22 Understanding the Stress Performance Curve
• 30:14 The Impact of Burnout on Caring Professions
• 37:07 Coping Strategies and Self-Care
• 47:19 Advocacy and Support for Caring Professions

If you work in a caring profession—or support someone who does—we hope this conversation gives you space to reflect, recognise the signs of burnout, and consider how we can build healthier, more supportive environments for those who care for others.

Thanks for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

#Burnout #CaringProfessions #MentalHealth #SelfCare #WorkplaceWellbeing #Healthcare #StressManagement #Podcast

In this episode of After the Gin Settles, we’re talking about the friendships that have survived, the ones that have quietly faded away, and the ones we somehow found our way back to years later.

We chat about how life events, partners, kids, family and just… getting older can completely change our friendships. Some friendships become deeper and start to feel like chosen family, while others naturally ebb and flow as we move through different stages of life.

And then there’s making NEW friends in your thirties. Because honestly… how?! 😂 Between work, kids, responsibilities and the fact that nobody seems to just casually hang out anymore, finding your people as an adult can feel surprisingly hard.

We also get into the weird world of social media friendships, reconnecting with old friends, family friends, maintaining friendships when life gets busy, and whether sending someone an Instagram reel occasionally counts as keeping in touch. 👀

Plus, we talk about rediscovering old hobbies in your thirties — because maybe finding yourself again also means finding the people you actually want to spend time with.

In this episode, we explore:
🍷 How friendships change after thirty
🍷 Why maintaining friendships takes actual effort
🍷 The different layers of friendship
🍷 Losing touch and reconnecting with old friends
🍷 Making new friends as an adult
🍷 Friendship as chosen family
🍷 The role of social media in keeping friendships alive
🍷 Family friends and friendships that span generations
🍷 The ebb and flow of friendships through different life stages
🍷 Rediscovering old hobbies — and maybe old versions of ourselves
🍷 And the ongoing struggle of navigating friendship in the age of technology

Because sometimes friendship isn't about talking every day. Sometimes it's knowing that when you finally do reconnect, you can pick up exactly where you left off. ❤️

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment
01:12 Changes in Friendships After Thirty
03:03 Impact of Life Events on Friendships
06:10 Depth and Layers of Friendships
09:35 Maintaining Friendships Through Different Stages of Life
11:15 The Role of Social Media in Friendships
13:40 Challenges in Making Friends After Thirty
20:02 Reconnecting with Old Friends
24:25 Impact of Life Changes on Friendships
26:25 Navigating Evolving Friendships
27:52 Reconnecting with Old Friends
29:12 Maintaining Friendships After School
31:18 Friendship Across Different Life Stages
32:10 The Impact of Family and Family Friends on Friendships
33:34 The Ebb and Flow of Friendships
34:02 Friendship as Chosen Family
35:16 The Concept of Family Friends
36:06 Childhood Friendships and Family Friends
38:31 Maintaining Friendships Through Social Media
40:04 Making Friends in Your Thirties
42:28 Rediscovering Old Hobbies in Your Thirties
44:12 Navigating Modern Technology in Friendships

What happens when the parenting journey you imagined starts looking very different from the one you’re actually living?

In this episode of After the Gin Settles, we reflect on our own childhoods, the expectations we had for parenting, and the moments when we first started noticing that something was different for our children.

We talk about the early signs of neurodivergence, the things we initially dismissed or misunderstood, and the hindsight that comes with finally having answers. From recognising those first signs to navigating assessments, diagnosis and the NDIS pathway, we share the messy, confusing and often exhausting reality of trying to get the right support for your child.

We also talk about the emotional side of the journey—advocating for your child, questioning yourself as a parent, seeking early intervention, and learning to understand neurodiversity while you're still figuring it all out yourself.

Because sometimes the hardest part isn't getting a diagnosis. It's getting to the point where you realise you need to ask the question in the first place.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Reflecting on our own childhood experiences
• The expectations and naivety we had about parenting
• Recognising early signs of neurodivergence
• The things we noticed—and the things we missed
• The challenges of pursuing assessment and diagnosis
• Advocating for your child when you don't yet have all the answers
• Navigating the NDIS pathway and early intervention
• The emotional load of supporting a neurodivergent child
• Understanding neurodiversity
• Parenting, self-reflection and the things we wish we'd known sooner
• Finding support while trying to support everyone else

Chapters

00:00 – Chit-Chat and Coffee
01:24 – Personal Reflections
04:07 – Parenting Expectations
06:05 – The Naivety of Parenting
09:46 – Early Signs in Children
13:06 – Recognising the Signs
20:06 – The Challenges of Diagnosis
25:44 – The Path to Diagnosis
27:10 – Navigating the NDIS Pathway
32:51 – Seeking Early Intervention and Diagnosis
34:05 – Challenges and Support for Parents
37:13 – Understanding Neurodiversity
40:26 – Parenting and Self-Reflection
47:34 – Parenting Challenges and Support

If you've ever found yourself thinking “I wish I'd known then what I know now”, this one is for you. ❤️

After the Gin Settles is a podcast about the things we don't always talk about when life, parenting and family don't go according to plan. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and settle in with us.

In this episode of After the Gin Settles, we chat honestly about what school holidays look like when you're raising neurodivergent kids. We talk about the huge difference between the structure of the school term and the chaos that holidays can bring, why routine matters so much for autistic children, and the constant juggling act parents do trying to keep everyone regulated (including themselves).

We also dive into the struggle of finding activities that are genuinely inclusive, why "family fun" isn't always designed with sensory needs in mind, and the awkward reality of organising playdates when you're not just getting to know the child... you're secretly interviewing the parents too.

Along the way we reminisce about growing up in Mildura, laugh about childhood memories at the old Gold River Zoo, and share the local wins that are making a difference for families, from sensory-friendly events to community initiatives.

As always, it's a conversation filled with honesty, laughter, a few rabbit holes, and the reassurance that if school holidays leave you counting down until the first day back, you're definitely not the only one.

In this episode we chat about:

• Why school holidays can be so overwhelming for neurodivergent families.
• The importance of routine and predictable structure.
• The pressure to keep kids entertained (without spending a fortune).
• Inclusive and sensory-friendly activities that actually work.
• The therapy juggle during school holidays.
• Parenting wins, parenting fails, and everything in between.
• Growing up in Mildura and the memories that still make us smile.
• Why sometimes surviving the holidays is enough.

So pour yourself a drink (gin optional), settle in, and join us for another honest conversation about the beautiful, messy reality of parenting.

It's where we found confidence, lifelong friendships, questionable hairstyles, sore muscles, and some of our best memories. It's also where we learnt resilience, dealt with disappointment, and discovered just how much community can shape who we become.

In this episode, we're talking about our own sporting journeys. From the sports we grew up playing, to the years we stepped away, and what it's been like returning as parents cheering from the sidelines.

We chat about how sport influenced our confidence, careers and sense of identity, why getting back into exercise as adults can feel so hard, and the reality of raising kids who love sport (while trying to juggle everything else life throws at you!).

Whether you're still playing every weekend, cheering from the sidelines, or wondering if you'll ever dust off your runners again, we hope this conversation reminds you that sport isn't just about fitness—it's about belonging.

As always, these are just our stories, shared with plenty of laughs, a little nostalgia, and the occasional tangent.

💛 We'd love to hear your sporting story. What sport shaped your childhood? Are you still playing, or have you become the loudest supporter on the sidelines?

Chapters

00:00 – Where Our Sporting Journeys Began
01:35 – From Players to Proud Spectators
12:39 – How Sport Shaped Our Confidence
20:14 – Finding Our Way Back to Movement
24:46 – Why Sport Still Matters
27:03 – Returning to Sport as Adults
30:23 – Body Image, Confidence & Participation
33:39 – Celebrating Our Amazing Volunteers
35:26 – Raising Sporty Kids
38:27 – The Juggle of Family Life & Weekend Sport

We talk about the long road to answers, the uncertainty of not knowing what was happening, and the emotional rollercoaster that came with finally receiving a diagnosis. Because sometimes the answer you spend so long searching for is the one you’re most afraid to hear.

We open up about the heartbreak of navigating a rare disease diagnosis, the grief that comes with it, and the reality of learning to live alongside something you never imagined your family would face. We talk about the moments that broke us, the moments that carried us, and the memories with Harper that we will hold onto forever.

This conversation is also about the power of family, the importance of support when life feels impossible, and why sharing stories matters. Through advocacy and awareness, we hope to shine a light on rare diseases and the families who are learning to navigate them every day.

Because behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, and a story that deserves to be heard.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The journey towards Harper’s diagnosis and the challenges of finding answers
• The emotional impact of receiving a rare disease diagnosis
• What it’s like navigating grief while still making memories
• Understanding Batten disease and its impact on families
• The importance of family support during the hardest moments
• Harper’s legacy and why advocacy and awareness matter

Chapters

00:00 The Diagnosis That Broke Our Family
03:03 The Path to Diagnosis
10:00 The Impact of the Diagnosis
23:29 The Devastating News
25:00 Navigating Grief and Finding Support
32:38 Understanding Batten Disease
33:39 The Impact of Batten Disease
36:03 Harper’s Legacy
39:01 Advocacy and Awareness
46:18 A Frightening Encounter

This episode contains discussions of childhood illness, rare disease, grief and loss. Please take care while listening.

They share their challenges with sleep, breastfeeding, and the guilt associated with deviating from societal norms. The conversation also touches on the topic of co-sleeping and the impact of gender roles on parenting.

The conversation covers various aspects of parenting, including breastfeeding, parenting expectations, and car seat safety. The speakers share their experiences and challenges, highlighting the need for support and understanding in parenting.

Chapters

• 00:00 Week in Review
• 13:06 Challenges of Sleep and Breastfeeding
• 18:38 Co-Sleeping and Gender Roles
• 24:10 Stigma Around Breastfeeding
• 29:31 Parenting Expectations and Screen Time
• 36:25 Changing Parenting Decisions

The conversation also highlights the lack of understanding and support for those who have experienced pregnancy loss. The conversation covers various aspects of pregnancy, miscarriage, and the challenges associated with it. It also delves into the experiences of the speakers during their pregnancies, including the emotional and physical toll it took on them. The conversation also touches on the impact of miscarriage and the support available for those who have experienced it.

Takeaways

• Miscarriage statistics in Australia
• Emotional and physical challenges of pregnancy
• Lack of understanding and support for those who have experienced pregnancy loss Pregnancy experiences vary widely, and each person's journey is unique.
• Miscarriage support and resources are essential for those who have experienced pregnancy loss.

Chapters

• 00:00 Lack of Understanding and Support for Pregnancy Loss
• 25:38 Pregnancy Experiences
• 35:12 Miscarriage Support and Resources

This episode is for parents, caregivers, and anyone tired of the glossy filtered version of life online. If you’re craving authentic stories that remind you you’re not alone, you’ll want to listen from start to finish. Expect humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart (plus an occasional swear word or two).

With Elissa, a dedicated advocate working with sporting clubs and supporting her neurodiverse kids, and Haidee, a passionate supporter of mental health and a football-loving mum balancing work and family chaos, they prove that life’s messiness is where real connection lives.

Join the conversation if you're ready for the truth behind the perfect Instagram feed and stories about resilience, grief, and friendship in the trenches. Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed but refuses to give up. And if you thought having a glass of gin makes life easier, you're in for a treat. Because after the gin settles, these two sisters unpack the week’s wins, losses, and everything in between — raw, funny, and completely real.