Love Stories
Love Stories is a podcast from The Australian Women's Weekly that explores real human connection in all its forms. Host Tiffany Dunk interviews a range of voices about love that is messy, magnetic, and far from the typical romcom narrative. The show covers lifelong friendships, unexpected soulmates, and the journey of finding love within yourself. It aims to be intimate, surprising, and quietly empowering for listeners curious about the complexities of emotion.
Episodes
From “The Uncoolest Kids” To Las Vegas: Human Nature’s Extraordinary Story
Back in high school, Andrew and Mike Tierney, Toby Allen and Phil Burton were the self-described uncool kids who found their people through music. Nearly four decades later, Human Nature have become one of Australia’s most enduring musical acts, with platinum records, international tours and a long-running Las Vegas residency behind them. In this episode of Love Stories, the four
I’m Giving My Husband My Kidney: Emma Chow’s Incredible Promise To Enzo Lisbona
When Emma Chow and Enzo Lisbona first met, they had no idea just how much life would ask of them. Married for 11 years and parents to two young boys, their relationship has been built on friendship, laughter and a deep commitment to each other. But when Enzo was diagnosed with kidney disease, their future suddenly became uncertain. As his kidney function deteriorated and he was told he would
Author Heather Morris On The One Man Who Taught Her The True Meaning Of Love
This episode discusses mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder and perinatal loss. Support: Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7) | Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 (24/7) | PANDA 1300 726 306 (perinatal mental health support). When Heather Morris met Holocaust survivor Lale Sokolov, she made him a promise: she would never stop trying to tell his story. That promise would eventually lead to The Tattooist o
Forget $500k... Pia Miranda Says Finding Janine Allis On Survivor Was The Ultimate Prize
Pia Miranda and Janine Allis went onto Australian Survivor with very different plans: Pia was determined to win, while Janine was looking for an adventure. Neither expected to find a lifelong best friend along the way. After spending around 50 days together without phones, TV or the usual comforts of life, the pair formed an extraordinary bond; one built on humour, honesty, and complete
Two Comedians Met At A Bar... Inside Tegan Higginbotham & Paul Verhoeven's Lasting Romance
Tegan Higginbotham and Paul Verhoeven's love story began with a very unusual first date: a lingerie football game, followed by a birthday party and their first kiss outside a drag bar. Now married, the comedy creators join Tiffany Dunk to talk about their Paris wedding, the proposal almost derailed by a Cornish pasty, the ducks that interrupted their ceremony, and how they navigate working t
Does Love Exist? Shaun Micallef & Son Gabe Have An Interesting Theory
Shaun Micallef admits he approached fatherhood much like an IKEA flatpack: without reading the instructions. Now his middle son Gabe is 26, and the pair have become colleagues, co-hosting Network 10’s Shaun Micallef’s Parents Evening, a game show that tests just how well parents and their adult children really know each other. In this episode, Shaun and Gabe sit down with T
Adam Eckersley Always Knew Brooke McClymont Was "The One". It Took Her Longer To Catch On.
Brooke McClymont rode her bike past Adam Eckersley 's house every morning on the way to school in Grafton. Most mornings he'd yell out that he was going to marry her one day. She'd yell back "in your dreams, mullet head." Ten years later they ran into each other at the pub at Christmas. Adam was living in his van at Merewether Beach. Brooke had a record deal. They sat up all night over caban
Mark & Cherelle Herewini On Life After the Uniform Comes Off | Acts of Service
Content warning: This episode discusses veteran mental health, alcohol use, and suicide. Support is available: Wounded Heroes Australia crisis line 1300 532 112 (24/7) | Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7). On a 3am car ride home together, Mark and Cherelle Herewini discussed marriage – four weeks later they were husband and wife. Now, after nearly three decades and
Before Jim Rogers Loses His Memories, His Daughter Millie Is Recording His Extraordinary Life
Jim Rogers met his wife Lorna in a small English town. The two connected over a shared obsession with VW Beetles. They married, had three children, and moved to Perth chasing sunshine. Life was good until Lorna was diagnosed with melanoma and tragically died within a few years, leaving Jim a single father to three children under nine. Eighteen months later,
Ally Langdon & Maryanne Larkin: The Friendship Behind R U OK? Day
Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide, mental health issues, grief and the loss of a parent and child to illness. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Find more support services here: Need help? Support services and crisis helplines in Australia - The Australian Women's Wee
"Mate, If You Meet Her, You'll Marry Her": Tiffiny Hall & Ed Kavalee's Love Story
Ed Kavalee still remembers the exact moment he fell for his wife, and it happened on his TV screen, watching her compete as Angel on Gladiators. In this episode, Tiff Hall and Ed Kavalee sit down with Tiffany Dunk (or podcast Tiff as Ed calls her) to talk about how a TV crush turned into an 18-year love story, including the radio interview Ed engineered jus
"I Was Filled With Rage": How Jaclyn Moriarty's Success Spurred Big Sister Liane To Create A Hit
Before Big Little Lies became a global phenomenon, Liane and Jaclyn Moriarty were just two sisters filling exercise books for pocket money, dreaming of becoming writers. In this episode, Liane and Jaclyn sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the family that shaped them: a mother who fostered more than 50 babies, a father who paid them to write, and the s
Curtis McGrath Lost His Legs In Afghanistan. Rachel Never Left His Side | Acts of Service
Content warning: This episode discusses combat injury, traumatic limb loss and newborn emergency surgery. If it raises anything for you, support is available: Wounded Heroes Australia crisis line 1300 532 112 (24/7 for ADF members, veterans and their families); Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling 1800 011 046 (24/7) | Lifeline 13
Wendy Whiteley On The Love That Survived Addiction, Heartbreak & Loss
Content Warning: This story contains descriptions of drug use, addiction and death. Support is available: LifeLine. Wendy Whiteley has spent more than 30 years protecting the legacy of a man whom she loved deeply. In this candid episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, the artist, gardener and first-time podcast guest joins Tiffany D
"You'll Always Be My Baby": Miranda & Barbara Tapsell on Mother-Daughter Bonds & Unconditional Love | Part 2
In Part 2 of this heartfelt conversation, actress, author, TV host, and proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman Miranda Tapsell and her mum, Barbara, share the moments that shaped their extraordinary mother-daughter bond. From the hilarious story of Barbara "testing" Miranda's now-husband James during his first visit to Darwin, to becoming grandmother and mother together, they
Miranda & Barbara Tapsell On Raising Kids The Multi-Generational Way | Part 1
Miranda Tapsell has become one of Australia's most celebrated actors and storytellers, but behind every chapter of her remarkable career is the woman who taught her what love, family, and community truly mean: her mum, Barbara. In this two-part episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman Miranda joins host Tiffany Dunk al
Hannah Richell: How She Survived Grief, Parented Through Tragedy & Found Love Again
Hannah Richell met Matt in a London publishing office in 2001. He had just walked in and taken the promotion she wanted, wearing jeans and Birkenstocks, and she was determined to hate him. Then September 11 happened, they sat by a canal with coffee the day after, and everything changed. Thirteen years later, on a completely ordinary Wednesday in July 2014, Matt went for a morning s
Meet Martin & Kim Shaw, The Couple Whose Love Holds Veteran Families Together | Acts of Service
Content warning: This episode discusses veteran suicide, family and domestic violence, PTSD, and severe financial hardship. If it raises anything for you, support is available: Wounded Heroes Australia crisis line 1300 532 112 (24/7, for ADF members, veterans and their families) | Open Arms — Veterans & Families Counselling 1800 011 046 (24/7) | Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7) | 1800RESPEC
When Love Doesn't Follow A Timeline: Matty & Esther Acton On Grandparenting At 40
Matty Acton was only 18 when he met Esther and her three-year-old son, Ethan. What began as an unlikely spark on a Toowoomba dance floor turned into a marriage, two more children, and a life that has never once followed the traditional timeline. In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Matty and Esther join Tiffany Dunk to reflect on the rocky early years of their
Vika & Linda Bull Battled Boys Clubs, Break-Ups & Bad Times While Staying In Tune
For almost four decades, Vika and Linda Bull have been one of Australia's most beloved musical duos. But long before the ARIA Hall of Fame, chart-topping albums and standing ovations, they were simply two sisters growing up in a home filled with music, faith and an unwavering sense of family. In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Vika and Lin
Gidget's Story: The Daughter They Lost, The Mothers They've Saved
Content Warning: This content discusses mental health issues, suicide, and peri and post-natal depression, which may be triggering for some audience members. Help is available below. Just over 25 years ago, Louise "Gidget" Cotton became a mother for the first time. Not long after, she died by suicide after experiencing peri and postnatal depressio
"We Always Come Back to Love": MAFS' Lucinda Light & Her Dad On Finding Your Person
Lucinda Light became one of Australia's most beloved reality personalities thanks to her warmth, humour and unwavering belief in love on Married at First Sight. But the foundations for that outlook were laid long before she stepped in front of the cameras. In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Lucinda joins host Tiffany Dunk alongside her father,
Cate & Bronte Campbell: Two Sisters, Twelve Olympic Medals And The Love Behind It All
They grew up in the same house, chased the same dream and spent two decades racing each other to the wall. Now, without any medals on the line, Cate and Bronte Campbell are sitting down to talk about the love story at the heart of it all: sisterhood. In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Cate and Bronte join host Tiffany Dunk to reflect on two dec
David & Emily's Farmer Wants a Wife Love Story: Speed Dates, A Farm Wedding & Baby Willa
Emily wasn't sure she wanted to apply for Farmer Wants a Wife – until David's photo popped up on Facebook and changed her mind. Meanwhile, David had tried the apps, was living on his family farm and quietly hoping for something more. In this episode of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories, David and Emily sit
Georgie Tunny and Rob Mills: The Promise Ring, The Wedding And The Baby Plans
When Rob "Millsy" Mills saw Georgie Tunny on ABC Breakfast in 2018, he did what any reasonable person would do: he Googled her, found their two mutual friends, and slid into her DMs. In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Georgie and Rob sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the message Georgie left on read for three days, the Harry Potter spoof play
Nas Campanella and Tom Oriti: She Was Meant to Take His Job. Instead, She Took His Heart
When Nas Campanella was sent to Bega to take over Tom Oriti's job, neither of them expected the handover to become the beginning of a life together. In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Nas and Tom sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the early days of their relationship, from nightly drives home and Italian family dinners to the very practical first gift that s
Stay away from that man! From Sydney to Trangie, Amanda and Ross Ferrari’s love story
When Amanda Ferrari left Sydney for the tiny town of Trangie, she was told there were two eligible bachelors she should stay away from. But the moment she walked into the local pub and saw farmer Ross across the bar, she knew she'd be ignoring that warning completely. More than 30 years later, Amanda and Ross Ferrari sit down with Tiffany Dunk for The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Sto
Charlie Albone and Juliet Love: What Love Looks Like After the Rom Com Ends
Charlie Albone and Juliet Love’s love story started like a real-life rom com, although Juliet did not exactly leave their first meeting swooning. When the Better Homes and Gardens pair first met during a screen test in Rushcutters Bay, Charlie was nervous, hungover and barely speaking. Juliet drove away thinking he was rude. Somehow, a silent car ride, an accid
Furry, Friendly Love at First Underbite: A Comedian and Her Rescue Dog
Comedian, writer and professional tall girl Melanie Bracewell has built a career out of making strangers laugh but the real love story starts at home, with a rescued Shih Tzu cross called Charles, his 'chaos goblin' sister Gigi, and a scrapbook full of tiny, hard won victories. In this episode, Melanie talks with Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk about growing up as the lanky kid who felt like &ldq
Deb and Tom Lawrie: The Pilot Who Took On Ansett, and the Son Who Followed Her Flight Path
Deb Lawrie did not set out to become a symbol. She just wanted to fly. By the late 1970s, Deb had the hours, the qualifications and the experience to become an airline pilot. What she did not have was the one thing Australia’s major airlines seemed to require: being a man. When Ansett refused to hire her, Deb took on one of the country’s most powerful co
Grief and Learning to Love Yourself After Divorce with Singer Katie Noonan
When Katie Noonan’s 20-year marriage ended, it wasn’t a clean plot twist, it was the slow unravelling of the life she thought she’d be living forever: two boys, one family, a future she could name. In this episode of Love Stories, Katie chats with Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk of The Australian Women's Weekly about her layered grief: losing her Dad, becoming suddenly singl
Mortal Kombat Star Ana Thu Nguyen: For Kids of Migrants Who’ve Ever Talked Themselves Out of Their Own Dreams
If you grew up translating for your parents, working in the family business and quietly editing your dreams down to something “sensible,” this episode is for you. Actor Ana Thu Nguyen and her mum, Uyen, talk about going from a crowded boat and 17‑hour bakery days to a life where survival isn’t the only goal and why Ana finally stopped treating acting as a selfish fantasy and star
MasterChef to the NICU with Twins: Sarah Todd & Declan Cleary
On paper, Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary’s love story looks like a match made in heaven: two chefs meet on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win, he cooks the “marry me” barbecue fish, she makes the French bouillabaisse, and they ride off into the sunset with matching aprons. In reality, it’s messier, braver and far more interesting a story about second chances, blended
Bonus Episode: The Love Note You're Not Broken...You're Becoming: Saving your skin In Menopause
Sensitive issues raised 💓 Love Notes bonus episode is part of our series of Love Stories - short, quiet episodes from The Australian Women’s Weekly. With small reminders that love is something we practise, not just something that happens to us. In this Love Note, Charmaine Caldwell, CEO and founder of VIXIN returns to discuss with Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk the part of
What We Protect When We’re Falling Apart: Miss Universe Lexie Brant and Her Mum Penny on Cancer, Healing and an Unbreakable Bond
Who loves you for the longest? Not in the dramatic, fireworks way but in the quiet “did you book your scan?” way. In this episode, we sit with Miss Universe Australia Lexie Brandt and her mum, Penny, in the kind of conversation that usually happens in hospital corridors or parked cars outside imaging clinics Lexie was 11 when Penny was diagnosed with high grade breast cancer on the sam
You Know That “Head vs Heart” Choice? David and Lisa Campbell Actually Took It
Have you ever talked yourself out of something big because it sounded “unrealistic” on paper new city, new partner, new life and then spent years wondering what might’ve happened if you’d just gone with your gut? In this episode of Love Stories hosted by our Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk, David and Lisa Campbell rewind to the moment they met by chance in Melbourne him in a mus
Not 'Just a Dog': For Anyone's Who's Ever Built a Life Around A Pet
In this episode of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories, we’re talking about the kind of love that pads down the hallway on four legs and leaves a paw-shaped crater when it’s gone. 🐾💓You’ll meet Ryan Wilson, a former SAS soldier whose life was literally saved by a military dog named Fax during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan, and whose heart was later held together by
Get Yourself a Wife: Narelda Jacobs & Karina Natt on Motherhood and Making Their Own Rules
Journalist and TV host Narelda Jacobs and her wife, political strategist Karina Natt, join Deputy Editor of the Australian Women's Weekly, Tiffany Dunk on the Love Stories couch to share the very modern, very tender story of how friendship across state lines became a marriage, a baby and a whole new way of living. From a chance meeting in the ABC Q+A green room, through late‑night five‑hour p
Bonus Episode: The Love Note Charmaine Caldwell Copied Into Every Journal for 16 Years
Sensitive issues raised 💓 Love Notes bonus episode is part of our series of Love Stories - short, quiet episodes from The Australian Women’s Weekly. With small reminders that love is something we practise, not just something that happens to us. In this Love Note, we sit with Charmaine Caldwell, CEO and founder of VIXIN and Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk as she uncovers something speci
Dr Karl just gave us all a lesson in the science of love, lust and the decisions we make
What if your armpit smell, your birth control, and a dying octopus all had something to say about your love life? In this episode of Love Stories with beloved Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - Australia’s loudest shirt and sharpest science brain we pull apart the chemistry, hormones and fascinating questions behind who we want, why we stay, and when we should absolutely run alongside Deputy Editor of t
A Recipe When Fame Finds an Ordinary Family: Julie Goodwin, Her Rock Mick, and the Cost of Holding It Together.
Sensitive issues raised. 💓 Before she was the first winner of MasterChef Australia, Julie Goodwin was a 19‑year‑old girl on Pennant Hills Road, in a car with a quiet boy who loved rock music. The Angels came on, “I Just Want to Be With You” started to play, and somewhere between the traffic lights and the chorus, Mick casually said, “This’d be my song for you.” F
From Supermodel Runways To Real Life. How Samantha Harris Found Her Forever Love
There’s nothing quite like that giddy the rush of first love. But while not every first romance will last the distance, for Samantha Harris her first love became her husband… and now the father of her newly arrived baby daughter Bella. In this intimate conversation with Love Stories host Tiffany Dunk – deputy editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly – new mum Sam talk
Jessica Rowe and Peter Overton: The Pussycat, The Newsman and The Case For Why Opposites Attract
Love stories rarely look this cinematic in real life, but Jessica Rowe and Pete Overton make a strong case for the romcoms they both adore. In this intimate new conversation with host Tiffany Dunk Deputy Editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly, the long time couple pull back the curtain on 22 years of marriage, IVF heartbreak and joy, teenage daughters, rescue pets, and the small daily ritua
Introducing The Australian Women's Weekly "Love Stories"
What’s your love language? The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories is for the chronically curious about the strongest of our emotions. Hosted by Tiffany Dunk, this podcast swaps cliché romcom endings for real, messy, magnetic connections told by unforgettable voices from The Australian Women’s Weekly universe. From lifelong mateship to unexpected soulmates to finding love bot
