Wiggle Talk - A Podcast For Parents
Wiggle Talk is a parenting podcast hosted by Simon and Lachy from The Wiggles. Each week they discuss topics relevant to parents of toddlers, sharing their own experiences as fathers. Listeners and celebrity guests can ask founding Wiggles member Anthony Field for parenting advice. The show provides a behind-the-scenes look at The Wiggles as parents, without their skivvies.
Episodes
Dear Wiggles: How Much Is Too Much for a Child’s Birthday Gift?
Birthday parties seem to come with a whole new set of rules - how much do you spend, what do you buy for a child you barely know, and what happens when the presents start piling up? Simon and Lachy talk birthday gift pressure, $5 parties and whether “no presents” is ever the answer. Then Simon shares a more personal side of raising an only child - the questions he and Lauren have wrest
How to Get Grandparents and Parents on the Same Page with Maggie Dent
Grandparents can be one of the best parts of family life. They can also bring different rules, different ideas about discipline, and occasionally a few more treats than you had in mind. Maggie Dent joins Simon and Lachy to talk about finding the balance between parents and grandparents, setting boundaries without creating tension, and why the small moments with grandparents can become some of the
What Your Kids Hear When You Talk About Your Body
That throwaway comment about needing to work off dessert, hating a photo of yourself or wishing your body looked different? Your children may be listening more closely than you realise. 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt and body image researcher Dr Zali Yager from The Embrace Collective join Simon and Lachy to unpack how children learn to think about their bodies, often long before the te
Dear Wiggles: Do You Ever Miss Your Pre-Kid Life?
A broken peg has become one toddler’s most treasured possession. Simon and Lachy get into the weird little obsessions children develop - before a listener asks a question that hits a little closer to home: do you ever miss your pre-kid weekends? From spontaneous plans to finding five minutes to yourself, it’s a very familiar look at just how much family life changes everything. To subm
How Lachy and Dana Built Their Blended Family
When Lachy met Dana, he wasn’t just beginning a new relationship. He was also stepping into the life of her three-year-old son and working out what his place in their family might become. Dana joins Lachy and Simon for a deeply personal conversation about how their blended family came together, the moments that shaped it and what they’ve learned as their family has grown. HOSTSS
Big Strong John’s Five-Minute Workout
You’re tired, busy and usually being climbed on by a small child - so where exactly is exercise supposed to fit? Big Strong John joins Simon and Lachy to share how becoming a dad changed his routine, why a workout doesn’t need to take an hour and the small changes that can make moving more achievable. He also puts the boys through a five-minute workout you can try at home - no gym or e
Dear Wiggles: When Helping Creates Twice the Work
They only want to help. So how have you ended up refolding the washing, rewiping the bench and cleaning flour off the floor? Simon, Lachy, Caterina and John compare notes on toddlers who want in on absolutely everything - and how they keep them involved without completely losing the plot. To submit a question for the ‘Dear Wiggles’ segment, email us at podcast@thewiggles.com.au or send
Dr Katrina Warren on Whether Your Family Is Really Ready for a Pet
The idea of a family pet is lovely. The reality depends very much on the pet, the timing and the family bringing it home. Veterinarian, TV presenter and much-loved pet expert Dr Katrina Warren joins Simon and Lachy, with her border collie Chilli, to unpack what life with pets and young children can really look like - including the things families often don’t consider until the animal is alre
Dear Wiggles: Surviving the Dreaded Tummy Bug
Few things test a parent quite like hearing those dreaded words: “My tummy hurts.” So how do you prepare for a bug you cannot entirely prevent? Simon and Lachy compare their household defences and admit that, when the vomiting starts, sometimes the only real strategy is to get in, clean it up and hope everyone makes it through the night. To submit a question for the ‘Dear Wiggles
Speech Delays: When to Wait and When to Get Help
When your child’s speech is difficult to understand or seems behind other children their age, it can be hard to know whether to give it time or seek support. Speech pathologist and occupational therapist Kate Broderick joins Simon and Lachy to unpack the milestones parents should know, the signs worth paying attention to and why early support can make such a difference. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lach
Dear Wiggles: The Only Boy in the Room
Alfie loves musical theatre - but being one of the only boys in the room is starting to get to him. His mum asks Simon and Lachy for advice in this Dear Wiggles episode about boys, performing, confidence, and sticking with the thing you love. To submit a question for the ‘Dear Wiggles’ segment, email us at podcast@thewiggles.com.au or send us a DM on Instagram. HOSTSSimon PryceL
Lachy Has An Idea...
Lachy walks into the studio with an idea, and Simon is trying to work out whether it’s brilliant, ridiculous, or a bit of both. The pitch: a 2027 Wiggle Dads calendar. What starts as fitness motivation somehow turns into a charity fundraiser, a possible Christmas surprise, and a surprisingly serious conversation about poses, months, paper quality and whether anyone is actually ready for this
Dear Wiggles: What Do I Do When I’m Parenting Solo?
What happens when your toddler is falling apart, your partner is away, and you’re the only parent in the room? This week on Dear Wiggles, Simon and Lachy talk about the reality of parenting solo while one partner travels for work - the guilt, the meltdowns, the long-distance check-ins, and the little things that can help everyone feel a bit more connected. To submit a question for the &lsquo
Why Kids Need to Fall, Fail and Try Again
Watching our kids struggle can bring out every protective instinct we have. But what if falling, failing, losing and trying again are all part of how kids learn to back themselves? This week, Simon and Lachy chat with mental health clinician, surf therapy founder, dad and children’s author Joel Pilgrim about confidence, resilience, big feelings and the tricky parenting moments where stepping
Dear Wiggles: Is Chasing Your Kids the New Workout?
Fitness looks a little different once kids come along. Simon and Lachy talk about staying active around parenting, work and life on the road - from knee surgery and garage workouts to the very honest reality check of the Wiggle pants. To submit a question for the ‘Dear Wiggles’ segment, email us at podcast@thewiggles.com.au or send us a DM on Insta https://www.instagram.com/wiggletalkp
When Grief Becomes Part of Your Family Story
Before this is a conversation about grief, it’s a conversation about love. In this deeply personal episode, Simon and Lachy are joined by Lauren - Simon’s wife - to talk about her mum Michelle, who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. They reflect on the beautiful bond Michelle shared with her grandson Asher, and what it means to keep someone you love part of the family st
Dear Wiggles: The Bedtime Negotiation
Bedtime is meant to be the calm part of the day. So why does it suddenly involve one more book, one more cuddle, one more drink, the other teddy, the blanket fixed, and a very specific sock situation? In this Dear Wiggles, Simon, Lachy, John and Caterina answer a listener’s question about bedtime stalling: when to say yes, when to hold the line, and how to stop the whole routine turning into
Your Child Is Online Earlier Than You Think
The iPad is quiet. The YouTube video looks harmless. The game seems age-appropriate. But what is your child actually learning online? Online safety expert and former police officer Yasmin London joins Simon and Lachy to unpack why digital safety starts long before the first phone - from Roblox and Minecraft to tech tantrums, online strangers and helping young children build digital street smarts e
Dear Wiggles: Is My Child Becoming A Liar?
What do you do when your child starts lying about the small stuff - brushing teeth, making mess, or sneaking tiny treasures home from school? This week on Dear Wiggles, Simon and Lachy talk about those everyday moments when children test the truth, and how to call it out without turning it into a big shame spiral. To submit a question for the ‘Dear Wiggles’ segment, email us at podcast
What To Do When Your Child Says “No One Played With Me”
Few things land harder than your child coming home and saying, “No one played with me today.” In this episode, Simon and Lachy are joined by parenting educator Gen Muir to talk about the friendship stuff that can make parenting feel especially helpless - being left out, intense best-friend phases, playground politics, and knowing when your child needs comfort, coaching, or a little mor
Dear Wiggles: When Your Childhood Becomes “The Olden Days”
When a four-year-old discovers old black-and-white photos of Grandma and Grandpa, it sparks the big question: did the world used to be black and white? This week on Dear Wiggles, Simon and Lachy talk childhood photos, grandparents who were once little, TV you couldn’t pause, landline phones, DVD players, Game Boys, Blockbuster trips and the very strange feeling of realising your own childhoo
Sibling Rivalry: When Should You Step In?
Sibling fights can start over anything - a toy, a look, a birthday, or someone breathing too loudly in the back seat. Returning Wiggle Talk favourite Gen Muir, parenting educator and mum of four boys, joins Simon and Lachy to unpack why kids so often fight to pull parents in, the moments that do need a firm boundary, and why “go and check on them” can be more powerful than “say s
Dear Wiggles: Is My Toddler Ignoring Me On Purpose?
Your toddler can hear a snack packet open from the other side of the house… but the second you say “stop”, “come here” or “we need to go”, suddenly it’s like you’re speaking another language. This week on Dear Wiggles, John and Caterina join Simon and Lachy to talk toddler selective understanding - why little kids seem to hear everything excep
How To Raise Emotionally Strong Boys
Boys aren’t born less emotional - so when do they start learning to hide it? In this episode of Wiggle Talk, Simon and Lachy are joined by clinical psychologist and men’s mental health expert Dr Zac Seidler for a powerful conversation about raising boys who are kind, confident and emotionally connected. From the messages boys absorb early, to the online worlds waiting for them la
Dear Wiggles: Why Does My Child Ask So Many Questions?
Your child has entered the “why” era - and suddenly every moment of the day feels like a tiny interrogation. In this Dear Wiggles episode, Simon and Lachy answer a listener whose four-year-old has questions from the second they wake up, and talk through what to do when you want to encourage curiosity… but also have absolutely no answers left. HOSTSSimon PryceLachy Gillesp
Libby Trickett Says We’re Taking Kids’ Sport Too Seriously
Kids’ sport is supposed to be fun. So when did it start feeling so serious? This week, Simon and Lachy are joined by Olympic champion and mum Libby Trickett for a conversation about pressure, competition, quitting, sideline parenting and why kids don’t need to specialise early to succeed. Libby shares what she’s learned as both an elite athlete and a parent - and why the best thi
Dear Wiggles: Why Is My Toddler So Clingy?
You love the cuddles. You really do. But what about the days when your toddler wants to be held, touched, carried or climbed on constantly… and you’re quietly desperate for five minutes of personal space? This week, Simon and Lachy are joined by John and Caterina to answer a listener question about clingy toddlers, touched-out parents, and what happens when you add twins into the mix.
Eurovision, But Make It Wiggles
The Wiggles have gone full Eurovision - complete with bagpipes, opera vocals, a drum line, inflatable worlds, confetti cannons and a song called Sparkle. Simon and Lachy go behind the scenes of WiggleVision, the brand-new Euro-pop inspired YouTube special built from a long-running fan joke about The Wiggles entering Eurovision, and unpack how one very silly idea became one of their biggest, bright
Dear Wiggles: My Toddler Won’t Stop Climbing
Your toddler doesn’t want to play with the furniture - they want to conquer it. In this Dear Wiggles episode, Simon is joined by John and Caterina, who are both right in the thick of toddler life, to talk about the climbing stage: why toddlers suddenly seem drawn to every couch, chair and cot rail, what’s worth changing at home, and how to respond when your little one is determined to
Lachy Came Home With A Tattoo
The Wiggles are back from their UK tour, and Simon and Lachy are still very much in recovery mode. In this episode, they catch up on life after the road - the jet lag, the family reunions, the kids on tour, the ones who stayed home, the moments that stuck with them, and the tiny purple souvenir Lachy came home with. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles
Big Strong John on Travelling Overseas With a Toddler
As The Wiggles prepare to head overseas on tour, Big Strong John (Pearce) and his wife Jess are getting ready to do it all with one-year-old Henry in tow. Simon and Lachy chat to them about what goes into preparing for a big trip with a little one, and why the hardest part sometimes starts well before you get on the plane. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie GUESTSJohn PearceJessica Adamo Pe
Dear Wiggles: What Kind of Dad Are You, Really?
What kind of dad are Simon and Lachy when the skivvies come off? A little bit soft, a little bit strict, occasionally full Tom Cruise crawling through homemade booby traps… and not nearly as organised as they’d probably like to be. In this Dear Wiggles, dad mode is exposed in all its chaotic glory. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk Med
What Every Parent Should Know About Toy Safety
Many parents don’t think too hard about toy safety until something makes us stop and look more closely. In this episode, Simon and Lachy are joined by Rod Balding from Standards Australia and Sarah Hunstead from CPR Kids to talk about button battery safety, children’s toy safety, and what parents and carers need to know. They unpack how product safety works, what to look for in childre
Dear Wiggles: Childhood Memories We Still Cringe At
Every now and then, your child does something so bold, so shameless and so committed that it sends you straight back to your own childhood. In this Dear Wiggles episode, Simon and Lachy look back on some truly cringeworthy moments from their younger years - the outfits, the phases, the choices and the absolute confidence behind all of it. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced
The Secret to Getting Kids Hooked on Books, with Andy Griffiths
Andy Griffiths knows a thing or two about getting kids hooked on books - and his advice is surprisingly simple: make reading feel like fun, not homework. This week on Wiggle Talk, Simon and Lachy chat with the beloved author and Australian Children’s Laureate about why humour, silliness and adventure can be the very things that help children fall in love with stories. And it’s not
Dear Wiggles: When Your Child Starts Calling You By Your First Name
One day you’re “Mum” or “Dad”… and the next your child is suddenly calling you by your actual first name. Is it cheeky? Is it a phase? Or should you be correcting it straight away? HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk MediaMadeline JoannouNick Webb To submit a question for the ‘Dear Wiggles’ segment, em
What Rainy Days Can Teach Kids
What if the weather isn’t just small talk, but one of the best ways to help children understand feelings, resilience and the world around them? This week, Simon and Lachy are joined by Nine weather presenter and author Jessica Braithwaite for a conversation that starts with puddles, raincoats and hot days… and ends up somewhere much deeper. They chat about helping children connect wit
Dear Wiggles: Anthony’s Golden Tooth Explained
In this Dear Wiggles episode, a listener question sparks a very specific Wiggles mystery: what’s the deal with Anthony’s famous golden tooth? And yes - Anthony’s in the studio to share the story behind it. It’s one of those little details everyone recognises, but the reason it’s there is more personal (and more meaningful) than you’d think. HOSTSSimon Pry
Raising Twins When You’re a Twin - Jessie Stephens
Twins are having a moment. Simon and Lachy are joined by Jessie Stephens (Mamamia Out Loud host and author), who has lived twins from every angle - she’s a twin, grew up with twin brothers, and she’s now pregnant with twins herself. Jessie talks scan shock, the immediate spiral of practicalities, and the very specific head-noise that kicks in when you realise you’re not doi
Dear Wiggles: How Do I Stop Comparing My Twins?
If you’ve got twins, you know the mental trap: one’s talking more, one’s bolder, one eats better… and suddenly your brain is running a constant side-by-side comparison. In this Dear Wiggles episode of Wiggle Talk, Simon’s joined in the studio by John Pearce and Caterina Mete - our perfectly qualified toddler-and-twins combo (John’s a twin, Caterina&r
What Play School Taught Us About Parenting
Play School isn’t just nostalgia - it’s a masterclass in how to be with kids. Simon and Lachy sit down with two absolute icons, Noni Hazlehurst and Philip Quast, for a look at the golden-era magic and what it felt like being the faces children trusted every day. Then the conversation goes behind the scenes: the show being rehearsed and recorded as-live, what happened when things went w
Goodbyes and Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can turn an ordinary goodbye into a huge moment - tears, clinging, second-guessing yourself, the whole thing. In this episode of Wiggle Talk, Simon and Lachy talk through why these goodbyes can feel so intense (for kids and parents), especially around daycare and school transitions. They’re joined by Jess Vanderwier from Nurtured First, who breaks down what separation anxi
Dear Wiggles: Why Does Everyone Fall in Love at The Wiggles?
There’s something in the Wiggles water… and apparently, it’s love. On Dear Wiggles this week, we’re talking Evie and Zane’s engagement - how it came about, what it’s like when your relationship and your work life overlap, and why the Wiggles world seems to have a funny habit of turning colleagues into couples. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie GUES
The First Week of Big School: Expectations vs Reality
Starting school is a milestone - and this week on Wiggle Talk, Simon and Lachy unpack the very first days of big school (kindy/prep) in their households: the nerves beforehand, the drop-off tears, and the reality check that hits the minute you’re staring down uniforms, bags, and multiple lunch boxes. And because it’s never just the dads on the sidelines, they bring in the real MVPs: th
Dear Wiggles: Is My Toddler Going to Eat Beige Food Forever?
If your toddler’s menu has turned into 50 shades of beige, you’re not alone. This week on Dear Wiggles, we’re talking about the beige food phase - when your toddler suddenly acts like colour on a plate is illegal. Simon’s in the studio with John Pearce and Caterina Mete - our resident toddler experts - to get it out of your system first (yes, it’s maddening), the
How Connection Builds Confidence in Young Children
Attachment security gets talked about a lot… but what does it actually look like in real life? In this episode, Simon and Lachy are joined by New York-based psychoanalyst and parent coach Erica Komisar to strip it back to what really matters: the everyday moments that help children feel safe and secure. They talk presence (even when you’re busy), why phones can feel like “disapp
Dear Wiggles: How Do I Get My Four-Year-Old Out the Door Faster?
If your four-year-old is in their “I do it!” era, you’re probably also living in the “we’re late again” era. This Dear Wiggles is for parents who are watching independence bloom… one painfully slow shoe at a time. Simon and Lachy share a few sanity-saving ways to keep mornings moving without crushing that confidence - how to offer independence in small do
Kids After COVID: What Parents Need to Know with Dr Norman Swan
Parents keep saying the same thing: even though COVID was years ago, parenting still feels different. More germs going around, more worry, more screens - and that constant low-level question: “Am I doing this right?” In this episode, Simon and Lachy sit down with Dr Norman Swan (doctor, health journalist, and host of ABC Radio National’s The Health Report) for a calm, evidence-ba
Dear Wiggles: Can You Stop the Daycare Sickness Spiral?
Daycare germs have entered the chat - and they’re not leaving. In this Dear Wiggles, we unpack the question every parent asks: can you actually avoid the endless bugs, or is the “sickness spiral” just part of the deal? Simon and Lachy share what they’ve learned the hard way about staying well (and keeping a working voice) when children bring everything home. HOSTSSimon Pryc
Greg Page Unfiltered: The Laughs, The Lows, The Legacy
Greg Page is back on Wiggle Talk - and this time it’s unfiltered. The original Yellow Wiggle sits down with Simon, Lachy and Anthony for a rare behind-the-scenes chat that swings from genuinely funny to quietly huge: the early days, the moments that still crack them up, and what it was actually like when The Wiggles went from scrappy to unstoppable. But it’s not just a nostalgia lap. G
Dear Wiggles: Am I Passing My Fears Onto My Child?
Spiders. Germs. Heights. Lifts. And the moment your child looks at you to decide whether something is scary or not. In this Dear Wiggles, a mum notices her toddler is taking cues from her reactions - so what’s the best move: hide it, explain it, or try to conquer it? HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk MediaMadeline JoannouNick Webb To submit a
You’ll Never Hear Children’s Music the Same Way Again
Children’s music is everywhere - but most of us have never stopped to think about the people behind it (or why those songs hit kids so hard). This week on Wiggle Talk, Anthony joins Simon and Lachy in the studio with award-winning filmmaker Penny Lane, director of the HBO Original documentary If You’re Happy and You Know It! - a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the artists who wri
The Christmas Episode (with John)
It wouldn’t be the end of the year without it. Simon and Lachy sit down with John for this year’s Wiggle Talk Christmas episode - a free-flowing chat full of laughs, festive distractions, and the kind of tangents that only happen at Christmas. It goes exactly where you think it will. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie GUESTJohn Pearce PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk Me
Dear Wiggles: How Do We Survive the School Holiday Chaos?
Late nights, extra sugar, cousins everywhere - school holidays can turn even the best routines upside down. In this Dear Wiggles episode, Simon and Lachy reassure parents that a little chaos isn’t just normal, it can be part of the magic. They’re joined by Evie and Tsehay, who share their own memories of school holidays - from family time and swimming to packed schedules and sweet trea
The Conversations That Are Still Sitting With Us
Some conversations don’t end when the microphones turn off. Simon and Lachy pause to reflect on the moments that have shaped season 2 so far - the ones that lingered, sparked conversations at home, or quietly shifted the way we think about parenting. They revisit powerful stories of grief, neurodiversity, boundaries, sobriety, movement, consent and safety. From Paul Field’s deeply pers
Dear Wiggles: My Child Loves Dancing… So Why the Nerves?
Leah’s daughter dances like no one’s watching at home - but in class? Total freeze.So Simon and Lachy do what any sensible dads would do… they call in the pros. Tsehay, Lucia, Evie and John drop by with stories from their own dancing childhoods and smart, gentle ways to keep things fun, low-pressure and confidence-boosting. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie GUESTSTsehay Hawkins
How To Talk To Children About Their Bodies, Consent & Safety
Some of the most important conversations we’ll ever have with our children are also the ones that make us squirm - private parts, consent, “safe vs unsafe” touch and what to do when something doesn’t feel right. In this episode of Wiggle Talk, Simon and Lachy sit down with psychologist and Safe Kids Project founder Victoria Barendsen to unpack how to teach body autonomy fro
Dear Wiggles: Can I Have A Baby Brother?
What do you say when your toddler asks for a baby brother or sister every single day… and you don’t actually have an answer? This week on Dear Wiggles, Simon and Lachy dive into one of the most tender parenting moments - when your child’s innocent questions bump up against your very adult reality. From Simon’s own experience with Asher’s sibling questions to the emot
What Children Should Actually Eat
Feeding kids shouldn’t feel like a daily battle - but between beige-food phases, lunchbox pressure and breakfast standoffs, it often does. So today, we called in help. Joel Feren - accredited dietitian, dad of two, and the internet’s beloved “Nutrition Guy” - joins Lachy and Simon to take the stress out of feeding families. Joel’s known for cutting through confusing f
Dear Wiggles: What If My Toddler Refuses To Wear Pants?
In this week’s Dear Wiggles, Simon and Lachy tackle a very real toddler dilemma: what do you do when your child flat-out refuses to wear anything warm? Think shorts in winter, T-shirts in the snow, full-body meltdown when pants appear. They share what actually helps… and why sometimes, the pants just aren’t worth the fight. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by
Jeff Fatt: A Quiet Life in Purple
Most families know “Wake Up Jeff,” but far fewer know the gentle person behind it. Original Purple Wiggle, Jeff Fatt, sits down with Lachy and Simon for a rare conversation about growing into the purple skivvy, navigating shyness, and finding his place in a role he never chased - but ended up defining. Jeff never set out to be a symbol of anything - he was just a quiet kid from Casino,
Dear Wiggles: How Do I Start Family Traditions?
Growing up without many family traditions can leave you wondering where to begin - and that’s exactly what Hannah, a first-time mum, asks this week on Dear Wiggles. From waffles and Friday Night Movie Nights to planting trees and rediscovering old rituals, Lachy and Simon share the simple moments in their own homes that quietly become the memories kids carry with them. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachl
How Sobriety Made Me the Parent I Wanted To Be
Before she was a mum, radio presenter and author Maz Compton made a decision that completely shifted the course of her life: she stopped drinking. In this episode, Maz sits down with Simon and Lachy to share what led her there, what those early days really felt like, and how that one choice shaped the way she parents now - clearer, calmer, and far more connected to the moments that matter. HOSTSSi
Dear Wiggles: Where's Anthony?
This week, Simon and Lachy finally answer the question on everyone’s mind - where’s Anthony? The Blue Wiggle drops by the studio to catch up, share what’s been keeping him busy behind the scenes, and chat about life, music, and the magic still happening at Wiggles HQ. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie GUESTAnthony Field PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk MediaMadeline Joa
The Book That’s Opening Big Conversations About Little Brains
What if the way your child’s brain works isn’t a problem to fix - but something to celebrate? Neurodivergent child psychologist and author Sandhya Menon, who wrote The Brain Forest, joins Simon and Lachy to explore how we can talk to children about neurodiversity with love, honesty, and pride. She reminds us that understanding different brains isn’t just a parenting skill - it&rs
Dear Wiggles: Who Taught The Tree of Wisdom to Dance?
How did a dancing tree steal the show? Simon and Lachy chat with Dominic Field, the man behind the green afro, to uncover how the Tree of Wisdom learned to groove, move, and become an unexpected fan favourite HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie GUESTDominic Field - The Tree of Wisdom PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk MediaMadeline JoannouNick Webb To submit a question for the ‘Dear Wi
Falling Off the Horse: Teaching Children Courage and Kindness
How do you help your children be brave when your first instinct is to bubble-wrap them? Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt (yes, that's Arnold’s daughter!) joins Simon and Lachy to talk about her new picture book Kat & Brandy, inspired by her own childhood with a not-so-perfect pony. From getting thrown off the horse (literally) to helping her own children face their fears, it’s
Dear Wiggles: Why Do Birthdays Feel So Much Bigger Once You’re a Parent?
Happy birthday, Lachy! This week’s Dear Wiggles question about milestone birthdays gets personal as Lachy turns 40. Lachy and Simon reflect on how birthdays change when you’re a parent - from first birthdays that are secretly for us, to big ones that make you think about the next decade. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk MediaMadeline Jo
Can Watching Children's TV Actually Build Resilience?
Every parent knows those big-feeling moments - when your child loses a game, feels frustrated, or bursts into tears over something small. This week, Simon and Lachy chat with two child-development researchers from Central Queensland University whose study of Bluey made headlines - revealing that almost half the episodes model resilience and emotional strength. They unpack how animal character
Dear Wiggles: Did You Change the Lyrics on Purpose?
When The Wiggles covered Tame Impala’s Elephant for triple j's Like A Version, the internet couldn’t agree - did they actually change the lyrics? This week, Simon and Lachy play back the tape and settle it once and for all. Plus, the real story behind that performance, Kevin Parker’s surprise reaction, and how The Wiggles ended up claiming the #1 spot on triple j’s Hottest
Hugh van Cuylenburg: Seeing The World Through His Neurodivergent Child’s Eyes
When The Resilience Project’s Hugh Van Cuylenburg wrote an open letter to parents of neurodivergent children, it struck a chord around the world. In this chat, Hugh joins Simon and Lachy to talk about the kind of love that changes you - the messy, beautiful, exhausting kind that comes from raising a child who experiences the world differently. It’s a conversation about patience, empath
Dear Wiggles: Is It Okay If Our Kids See Us Argue?
Every couple hits this point sooner or later - your child throws a toy, you go firm, your partner goes gentle… and suddenly you’re arguing in front of your toddler. In this week’s Dear Wiggles, Simon and Lachy talk about what really happens when parents don’t see eye-to-eye on discipline. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by The Wiggles and Mylk M
Turia Pitt on Why Being a Little Selfish Might Make You a Better Parent
It all started with a hot chocolate. For Turia Pitt, that small, everyday moment became a wake-up call. She’d been doing what so many parents do - giving everything to everyone else, and leaving nothing for herself. In this conversation with Simon and Lachy, Turia opens up about burnout, boundaries, and the surprising power of being a little selfish. She shares how learning to say no changed
Dear Wiggles: Can You Teach a Child Confidence?
It’s one of the trickiest things for parents to watch - when your child wants to join in, but shyness or fear holds them back. This week, Simon and Lachy call on Tsehay, Lucia, John and Evie to share their own stories of confidence, stage fright and finding their voices. From visualising success to turning nerves into excitement, The Wiggles talk about the small things that can make a big di
Two Dads & Two Kids, with Sean Szeps
Most dads don’t talk about postnatal depression. Sean Szeps does. Sean is a writer, podcaster, and father of boy-girl twins with his husband Josh. In this episode, he joins Simon and Lachy to share the raw, funny, and surprising reality of modern fatherhood. From surrogacy and cultural clashes to gender stereotypes and survival kits (yes, wet wipes are involved), Sean opens up about what par
Dear Wiggles: Is Santa Real?
What do you say when your child looks you in the eye and asks if Santa is real? Or if the Tooth Fairy really sneaks under pillows at night? In this Dear Wiggles episode, Simon and Lachy open up about the tricky balance between keeping the magic alive and not wanting to lie to their kids. An honest, funny conversation about imagination, honesty, and those big questions that catch every parent off g
What No One Tells You About Fatherhood
You know them as the cheeky voices from your drive home on KIIS FM, but away from the mics Will & Woody are just two dads in the thick of nappies, night feeds, and toddler chaos. In this episode of Wiggle Talk, Simon and Lachy sit down with the duo to swap stories about what fatherhood is really like - from strapping on a 12-kilo pregnancy belly to clashing over parenting styles, dad guilt, an
Dear Wiggles: Am I a Bad Parent If I Don’t Love Playing Dinosaurs?
Is it normal to feel bored playing with your toddler? Absolutely. In this Dear Wiggles episode, Lachy and Simon respond to Amy’s question about loving her little one but dreading another round of dinosaur pretend play, chatting about what that really feels like and how they find small, doable ways to keep playtime fresh. HOSTSSimon Pryce Lachlan Gillespie PRODUCERSProduced by Th
Connect Before You Direct: Gen Muir’s Secret to Happier Kids
Tantrums over biscuits. Screen-time standoffs. Morning-rush chaos. Parenting expert Gen Muir - perinatal social worker, educator and mum of four - has seen it all. In this episode she shares gentle, practical ways to turn everyday challenges into moments of connection, including her connect-before-you-direct approach and three-step empathy sandwich for setting kind, confident boundaries. HOSTS Sim
Dear Wiggles: How Do I Teach My Child About Special Needs?
How do you explain special needs to kids in a way that’s kind and respectful?In this Dear Wiggles episode, Simon and Lachy are joined by Blue Wiggle Lucia Field to answer a parent’s heartfelt question. From playground moments to Wiggles meet-and-greets, they share simple ways to talk about differences, model acceptance, and raise kids who treat everyone with warmth and respect.
