Sometimes you'll get to adult hood and realise there are things you've missed. And it's not someone's fault but you might find yourself thinking, wish my mother told me. This is all those conversations you might've missed.
iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Hi Folks
So part of the reason I ghosted this podcast for a few weeks is this episode. I recorded it a little while ago but I had some big feelings about actually sharing it. We don’t often talk publicly about when things go sideways and how to decide to walk away and then what to do after you walk away. There will be times when the best decision for you is not the decision that people around you will be happy with. But sometimes following that will lead you to more of yourself which I think is the whole point.
I guess part of being scared to share this one is I've experienced the moment when someone loudly and pointedly shares their experience of you and for them its not good. That whatever was happening for you or why you made the decisions you did means you become the villain in someone else’s story.
But we all make stories of our experiences and I guess this is my first time sharing this one of mine.
With love and kindness
Tess
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
29 Sept 2026
on showing up and hiding why big dreams can feel hard to hold
Hi Folks
So I recorded this episode SOME TIME ago. I think sometimes naming the things you want can be so scary that you can hide for a hot minute afterwards which I certainly did. But I’m back! Finding and holding the big aspirations or dreams for yourself and naming it in front of other people whoooo boy that can feel like a big ask. But let’s be kind to ourselves in the asking, in the showing up and in the receiving. Let’s want the big things, go after them but also be internally kind to ourselves in the process.
I sat this morning between chaos and stillness and had this realisation that sometimes I sit closer to the chaos because it feels safe, when I think stillness internal stillness is more of who I truly am. I’d love for you to have a listen and maybe share it if you know someone who is also outhunting for themselves in the big and little ways.
I’ve also just started an aspirations portrait project. And it has been a joy to start this project of photographing people who have big dreams and aspirations and plans for themselves and their communities.
Talk soon
Tess
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
24 Sept 2026
talking to strangers
Hello loves
It’s been awhile between chats. The episode this week is about the joy of talking to strangers. Every time I have a yarn to someone I know nothing about I always find some common joy. We are all more connected and more joyful than it appears for the most part. From chatting with strangers in the middle of a busy city to chatting with strangers at my local beach the chats with people I don’t know always are interesting.
I hope you love this episode feel free to pass it on if you think it could be helpful to someone.
All the love
Tess
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
15 Aug 2026
Purpose
I was talking to someone recently about jobs and work and purpose. This person was sort of like, oh, you know, like, I just feel like I don’t have any purpose. And I was said, well, okay. Like, I mean, that could be true for sure.
But also what if your job and your purpose are not the same thing? What if your job is just something that you do to earn money so that you can use your money to live your life? And what if your purpose is something completely different?
If you find work that's a shitty boring job but allows you to do things that light your soul up or be a person who has a lit up soul because you can pay your bills and you have more space to do your spiritual work or to do your creative work or whatever, that's great too.
There is I think many ways to have a purpose filled life. But work surely is not the only way. Have a listen let me know what you think and as always you are doing great sweetie.
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
11 Aug 2026
on the rigours of moving
On Moving, states, countries, towns. Moving house.
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
2 Aug 2026
Joy, can you cultivate it
this episode we dive into joy. I have a couple of theories about joy, about cultivating it versus noticing it. Noticing requires paying attention. attention to the little things. the funny things. The oddities. And cultivating it requires sometimes a little effort. A making of time, or of space for it to bloom. Have a listen and let me know what you think.
You are doing great sweetie.
Tess
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
21 Jul 2026
Comparison, when it works, when it doesn't.
Have you found yourself comparing you to other people? of course you have we all have. But when was the last time you compared yourself to the you of two years ago, or five years ago, or ten years ago. Comparison can be a helpful tool when used well and it can be the stick we use to beat ourselves with when used poorly.
So come along for a listen while I chat all things comparison sharing some of my own stories along the way. Thanks for listening you’re doing great sweetie. If you think this episode might benefit someone please feel free to send it on.
Thank you
Tess
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
14 Jul 2026
do the thing that's calling you!
Hi loves
have you had something calling your name? Maybe for a while? something that’s wanting to be made, and maybe you’ve been worried about how its going to be received. Don’t worry. please. less people are paying attention than what you think.
Also if you have a question you’d like me to explore on the pod please shoot me a message I'd love to dive into it.
Talk soon
Tess
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
2 Jul 2026
Do you need a spiritual practice?
I’ve had many a spiritual practice in my life, and even when i’ve tried running from that part of myself it always gently beckons me back. I’d love to know do you have a spiritual practice what does it look like? Does it help you? I have a daily meditation/yoga practice that gets a bit weird but always brings me more of myself which I am so completely grateful for. I’ve had Wiccan practices, hiking in nature, yoga, swimming, journaling, and the things they all have in common is what we dive into today.
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
24 Jun 2026
Roos, cows and Owls oh my!
Roos, owls and cows oh my! what to do when you hit an animal wild or otherwise and what you can keep in your car to help. Resources below
https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/my-problem-is-about/my-car-or-a-driving-offence/car-accidents/who-is-responsible/car-accidents-involving-animals (https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/my-problem-is-about/my-car-or-a-driving-offence/car-accidents/who-is-responsible/car-accidents-involving-animals)
https://www.youi.com.au/car-insurance/articles/tips-on-what-to-do-if-you-hit-an-animal (https://www.youi.com.au/car-insurance/articles/tips-on-what-to-do-if-you-hit-an-animal)
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
17 Jun 2026
Enthusiastic Consent and is sex like good chat?
As far as i’m concerned Emily Nagoski is the leading expert about good sex. You can find her here. I have bought her book and given it to people numbers times I always try and keep one copy on hand. That is the Come as You Are book she also has other books I’m halfway through Come Together.
https://www.emilynagoski.com
My absolute favourite quote of hers is “What matters is not what you do, but that you both like what happens.”
So this week we are chatting sex and consent. I’ve shared some of my own experiences and some metaphors about sex. If you’ve got thoughts, experiences, questions or what not feel free to comment below. And if this was fun for you to listen to please give me a subscribe and let me know your home address so I can send a thank you card in the mail.
Thanks for being here
Tess
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
12 Jun 2026
Why do we believe what we believe
Hi folks
I’m super glad you’re here. For more info on some of the topics I dance across in this episode i’ve put some resources below. Thanks for listening about that time I went to a strip club and the rest and please if you subscribe send me your address so I can send you a note to say thank you. I appreciate you being here and I’m keen to hear your thoughts.
There is the info on personal contract theory
https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/personal-construct-theory
the absolute truth that philosophy discusses
https://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/absolute-truth.htm
a book by Neal Leavy called Bad beliefs: why they happen to good people
https://academic.oup.com/book/38980
Get full access to Wish my mother told me at iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe (https://iwishmymothertoldme.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
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