Unnuclear

About Unnuclear

Unnuclear is a co-parenting podcast by Lou Keck and Shae Bolton-Brown - a step-mum and bio-mum raising two boys side by side. We unpack the messy, beautiful reality of modern families: separation, new partners, shared care, conflict, and connection. Through honest stories, expert insights, and community voices, we challenge the “nuclear” norm and explore what actually helps families thrive... because it’s not about the structure, it’s how we show up.

Publisher

Unnuclear Podcast

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Apr 2026

Latest episode

23 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Sept 2026

   When families change shape

   Unnuclear is brought to you by co-parents Lou Keck and Shae Bolton-Brown. This week’s episode is all about what happens when an unnuclear family keeps changing shape. We’re talking about co-parenting in the spotlight, preparing kids for a new half-sibling, and answering some of your questions about what it’s actually like to navigate a close co-parenting relationship and blended family. We also have a solid debrief of Shae's "mum gap-month" - an incredible four weeks away in Europe & Sri Lanka, that came with many reflections on co-parenting, mum guilt, love, and family. We then discuss the recent conversation around Domenica Calarco, who spoke publicly about her co-parent missing their daughter Dove’s first birthday because he was a groomsman at a wedding. It sparked plenty of debate about competing commitments, expectations between co-parents, what “showing up” looks like, and the different standards we sometimes apply to mothers and fathers. We unpack the story and the bigger questions it raises about co-parenting. From there, we talk about our own family changing again as Lou prepares to welcome a new baby, and what that means for our kids as they become big brothers to a new half-sibling. We broaden the conversation to look at how we help kids navigate all kinds of family change - from separation and new partners to step-siblings, moving between two homes and new babies. We share what we’re doing to prepare the boys, alongside what research and professional guidance tells us about making space for mixed feelings, protecting existing relationships and routines, being honest about what will change, and allowing relationships to develop at their own pace. Finally, we answer your questions: are there ever hard parts of our relationship? What advice would we give to new step-parents? And what are our favourite things about being part of a blended family? If you’re co-parenting, part of a blended family, becoming a step-parent, preparing for a new baby, or navigating any kind of family change, this one’s for you. Show notes: We debrief Shae's "mum gap month" - her time away in Europe & Sri Lanka We discuss recent comments from Domenica Calarco about co-parenting and her daughter Dove’s first birthday. We talk about preparing children for a new sibling and navigating change in blended families, drawing on guidance from Raising Children Network and Child Mind Institute. We answer your questions about our relationship and co-parenting dynamic Resources Talking about families, relationships and co-parenting can bring up different things for different people. If this episode has brought anything up for you, please know you don’t have to navigate that alone. There are support services available: Lifeline — 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au Kids Helpline — 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5–25) QLife — 1800 184 527 or qlife.org.au (for LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral) If you’re in immediate danger or need urgent support, please call 000. And as always, reach out to someone you trust - a friend, family member, or professional - if you need a bit of extra support. Links: Raising Children Network: Children's feelings in blended families and stepfamilies (https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/family-diversity/blended-families-stepfamilies/feelings-about-blended-families?)

2. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Softer human, harder advocate

   How do you find a lawyer who will advocate fiercely for your rights, without losing your humanity? Unnuclear is brought to you by co-parents Lou Keck and Shae Bolton-Brown. In this week's episode we welcome family lawyer and new mum Georgia Miller. Georgia's approach to separation is grounded in both legal expertise and deep humanity. Her reflection that motherhood has made her a "softer human, harder advocate" became one of our favourite moments of the conversation, and perfectly captures the way she approaches families at one of the most challenging times in their lives. Together, we unpack some of the biggest misconceptions in family law and explore the questions so many modern families are asking. Who is considered a parent in the eyes of the law? What's the difference between a Parenting Plan and Consent Orders? What should families using known donors understand before a child is born? And what rights (or lack thereof) do step-parents and grandparents actually have? We also talk about how to choose the right family lawyer, why Georgia encourages separating couples to pause before rushing into legal action, and how it's possible to advocate fiercely for yourself without losing empathy, respect or sight of the people on the other side. Whether you're navigating separation, creating a family in a non-traditional way, or simply curious about how family law is evolving alongside modern relationships, this episode is packed with practical insights - and a refreshing reminder that legal processes don't have to come at the expense of our humanity. About Georgia: Georgia Miller is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law based in Melbourne with Lander & Rogers (https://landers.com.au/our-people/georgia-miller). You can find her on Instagram @georgiamillerlawyer (https://www.instagram.com/georgiamillerlawyer/) You can read Georgia's recent article for Mamamia here (https://www.mamamia.com.au/high-earning-women-divorce/).

3. 

   1 Jul 2026

   How our childhoods shape the adults we become

   Unnuclear is brought to you by co-parents Lou Keck and Shae Bolton-Brown. In this week's episode we welcome Dr James Van Cuylenberg. How much of who we become is shaped by the way we were raised? In this episode, we're joined by psychologist James Van Cuylenberg to explore the experiences that shape us from childhood through to adulthood. From why love and safety matter more than almost anything else, to navigating different rules across households, parental preferences, boundaries, and the moments that leave a lasting mark, this conversation is full of practical insights for parents, carers, and anyone curious about why we are the way we are. Whether you're raising children, healing parts of your own childhood, or simply trying to show up a little better for the young people in your life, this episode offers plenty to think about. About James: Dr James van Cuylenburg is an APHRA endorsed Doctor of Clinical Psychology with over 15 years of experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Mental Health issues for clients of all ages. James is the Principal Psychologist at Engage 1on1 Psychology, (https://www.engage1on1.com.au/) and also hosts his own podcast You’re A Good Kid (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-a-good-kid/id1790098620), with his brother Nick.

4. 

   21 May 2026

   Blood is thicker than what?

   Unnuclear is brought to you by co-parents Lou Keck and Shae Bolton-Brown. In this week's episode, we welcome our first guest: Christie Wilson. Christie is raising two children with her wife, alongside a known sperm donor who is a close family friend and active presence in their kids’ lives. She also grew up in a blended family herself - giving her a unique perspective on what family can look like. In this episode, we talk about the stories we inherit about family, unpack the phrase “blood is thicker than water,” and gently interrogate some of our own deep-seated unconscious biases about the “right” way to raise a family. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about modern family life and why love, care and connection don’t always fit neatly into traditional boxes. Show notes: - Lou mentions 'The Mother Instinct' - a retreat she's launching for pregnant people & those in the thick of post-partum. You can find out more here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-mother-instinct (https://events.humanitix.com/the-mother-instinct) Resources Talking about families, relationships and co-parenting can bring up different things for different people. If this episode has brought anything up for you, please know you don’t have to navigate that alone. There are support services available: Lifeline - 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au ( lifeline.org.au) Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au (beyondblue.org.au) QLIFE - 1800 184 527 (tel:1800184527)for peer support and referral specifically for LGBTIQ+ people, available every day from 3pm to midnight 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au.au (1800respect.org.au.au) (for support around family or domestic violence) Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5–25) If you’re in immediate danger or need urgent support, please call 000. And as always, we encourage you to reach out to someone you trust - a friend, family member, or professional - if you need a bit of extra support, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

5. 

   5 May 2026

   The beginning of us: Dating, Stepfamilies & Matrescence

   Unnuclear is brought to you by co-parents Lou Keck and Shae Bolton-Brown. This week’s episode is all about the beginning - how unnuclear families come to be. We’re diving into the early stages of building a blended family, from those first dates through to the deeper identity shifts that come with stepping into parenting in different ways. While today’s conversation leans more into stepfamily dynamics than co-parenting (by design), we’ll be exploring co-parenting more deeply in next week’s episode. We start before the family even exists, talking about what it’s actually like to date when kids are already part of the picture. Whether you’re the one with children, or the one entering into that world, it brings a completely different set of considerations, emotions, and (in hindsight) blind spots. We share our own experience from both sides - what we were thinking at the time, what we didn’t fully understand, and some of the things we’d do differently now. From there, we zoom out to look at what research tells us about how blended families actually work. Drawing on the work of Patricia Papernow, we explore some of the key dynamics that shape stepfamilies - why connection can take longer than expected, the role of the biological parent as a bridge, the importance of building trust before stepping into discipline, and just how difficult step families can be for our kids. We reflect on how these ideas show up in our own lives, and how understanding them can take some of the pressure off trying to do it all perfectly. Finally, we turn inward to talk about matrescence - the identity shift that comes with becoming a mother - and how that experience can look and feel different as a stepmum compared to becoming a biological mum. This is a more personal reflection on identity, expectations, and the emotional complexity of navigating both roles, especially as they begin to overlap. This episode is really about letting go of the idea that blended families should look or feel like traditional ones and instead making space for something slower, more complex, and ultimately more intentional. If you’re part of a blended family, dating someone with kids, or just curious about what it means to build a family outside the “nuclear” norm, this one’s for you. Show notes: - This week, we discuss the work of Patricia Papernow, you can read her 7 Tips for Parenting, Stepparenting, and Discipline in Stepfamilies here (https://stepfamilyrelationships.com/7-tips-for-parenting-stepparenting-and-discipline-in-stepfamilies/) - Shae mentions she's been devouring Dee Salmin's latest book, "It's Not Love, Actually" (https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761778896/) - highly recommend for anyone navigating the dating scene! Resources Talking about families, relationships and co-parenting can bring up different things for different people. If this episode has brought anything up for you, please know you don’t have to navigate that alone. There are support services available: Lifeline — 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au.au (for support around family or domestic violence) Kids Helpline — 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5–25) If you’re in immediate danger or need urgent support, please call 000. And as always, we encourage you to reach out to someone you trust - a friend, family member, or professional - if you need a bit of extra support, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

6. 

   21 Apr 2026

   PILOT EPISODE - Welcome to Unnuclear!

   Welcome to Unnuclear! In this introductory episode, co-hosts Lou Keck and Shae Bolton-Brown open up about who they are, how they became family, and why they felt compelled to start this podcast. We explore the origins of our co-parenting relationship, what the first years of building a blended family has really looked like behind the scenes, and the challenges and unexpected gifts that have come with it. We also reflect on why the “nuclear family” narrative no longer reflects the reality for so many families today in Australia. Along the way, we introduce the purpose of Unnuclear: to normalise and celebrate the complexity of modern families, share lived experience, and bring in expert and community voices to help others feel less alone in their own co-parenting journeys. It’s honest, it’s imperfect, and it’s the beginning of a much bigger conversation.

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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