
The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show
Australian Journalist and TV Presenter Jess Rowe jumps past the small talk, to show you a different side of her famous guests in these heartfelt and honest conversations.
Latest episodes

Sep 5, 2023 • 28min
How do I parent my teen through tough times? with Jess
According to the latest National mental health and well being survey there has been a huge rise in mental illness for young people, in fact 2 out of 5 young people are struggling. As Parents it can be confronting if your child tells you they’re not coping, so my BIG question this week is: How do I parent my teen through tough times? To help answer the question I’m also joined by psychiatrist Dr Jo Prendergast as we discuss the red flags to look out for, why trust and boundaries are important for strengthening our relationship, and how to care for yourself when you're struggling to support your teen. Help is available by reaching out to your GP or Lifeline 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue are also fantastic resources. Dr Jo’s book ‘When Life Suck’s is a first-aid manual for supporing your teens mental health including anxiety, depression, trauma and eating difficulties, to understanding neurodivergence and gender identity in our children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 29, 2023 • 48min
What goes through the mind of a male escort? with Mitch Larsson
Did you know that more Aussie women than ever before are choosing to spend time with a male escort ? So this weeks episode aims to bust some common myths around the male professional sex worker and why women are willing to pay for sex, with our very own confessional: What goes through the mind of a male escort ? To help answer this question I'm joined by former male escort Mitch Larson who shares what he’s learned about women and sex, what he does to help women rediscover their most sensual side, and the number one thing he wants women to know about sex. Gentle Content Warning: This conversation does get a little spicy at times and is created for adult audiences only Mitch shares his story in a new book called 'Time for Her' available here at beyouagain.com.au and you can follow Mitch on instagram here The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 22, 2023 • 20min
Shelley Craft: How can we make the rest of our life the best of our life?
Did you know that our genes only count for 20% of our health outcomes? Which means most of us have more control over our ageing than we think. So my BIG question this week is How can we make the rest of our life the best of our life? To help answer this question I’m joined by media personality Shelley Craft, who is passionate about empowering us to embrace how we age isnt of fearing it. In this episode Shelley explains how we can take simple, practical steps to enhance our relationship with with the ageing process, along with practical tools to be the best version of ourselves Shelley’s podcast The Ageing Project is available here or wherever you get your podcasts. The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 15, 2023 • 38min
Grant Denyer 'I got tired of living in fear and shame'
Grant Denyer is one of Australia’s most iconic and loved presenters. In a career spanning over 20 years, he shows up as one of the hardest working people in showbiz, but behind his success Grant has struggled with ‘enormous’ imposter syndrome and not feeling enough from a young age. In this episode Grant opens up about the torture of high achieving and negative self talk, and how its led him to dig deeper and hold himself to the highest standard of work. Something Grant says has served him professionally, but hasnt served him well in his personal life. Now that Grant is becoming more comfortable in his own skin he is doing the work to undo some of these old core values, and shares with Jess the emotional moment he finally felt enough. If you cant get enough of Grant, check out his podcast It's all True where he and his wife Chezzi open the book on their drama-filled 10-year marriage, in a straight-from-the-horse's-mouth account of life with the Denyers. The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 8, 2023 • 44min
Melissa Tkautz ‘I’m going to get emotional here’
Melissa Tkautz is a true icon of the Aussie Entertainment Industry. She’s an actress, ARIA winning recording artist, and star of The Real Housewives of Sydney. Her work ethic and laser focus to perform at her best is hard to compare, and as you’ll hear in this episode, nobody is tougher on Melissa than herself. Once titled sexiest woman on earth, Melissa feels she’s been typecast as the blonde bombshell, and is determined to prove her ability as an actress. You might be surprised to learn that even at the height of her fame, Melissa didn't feel like she was enough because of constant criticism and commentary. Not one to give up, she turned this into a superpower of inner strength and resilience, capturing the hearts of audiences most recently on SAS Australia. You can find Melissa on Instagram here The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 1, 2023 • 43min
Rachel Ward ‘It took a long time for me to live that down'
Rachel Ward is an award winning film and television director and like many women, her life is a series of reinventions. She was a Hollywood star in the 80s, and soon after that, she made her name in the Thorn Birds TV series, where she ‘made off with one of Australia's most iconic men’ Bryan Brown. In this episode Rachel reflects on her time in Hollywood, and how difficult it was to be taken seriously in an industry that was increasingly sexualising women, and placing their only value on appearance and fantasy. Rachel has never been afraid to get her hands dirty, and biggest role yet is being a farmer. So in this conversation Jess and Rachel dig deep on how she has changed her farming practices to combat climate change, and why each of us has the power to make a difference through listening and knowing the power of our purse. If you've seen Rachel’s Farm or you're inspired to learn more and take action, there are many ways you can get involved HERE The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 2023 • 22min
Bonus: The BIG best friend test with Denise Drysdale
In this bonus episode you’ll get a rare peek inside this special friendship between two stars of Aussie Television. Brace yourself for some serious laughter as besties Jess & Denise ask each other a series of questions about each other and their friendship. You’ll hear tender stories, funny confessionals, and best of all how they bring out an incredible sense of fun in each other. By the end of the episode Denise was ‘giddy’ and Jess’s cheeks were sore from laughing. … and if you love this episode, you’ll enjoy Jess’s full episode with Denise here The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 20, 2023 • 21min
Maz Compton: How do I know if I need a break from alcohol?
Did you know that women in midlife are the only demographic where alcohol consumption is going up? So My BIG Question this week is around our relationship with alcohol, and how to know when its time for a break. To help answer this complex question I’m joined by Media personality Maz Compton, who is passionate about helping people discover and embrace their sober curious selves. Maz explains how we can take simple, practical steps to reframe our relationship with alcohol, along with practical tools to be the best version of ourselves. Maz Comptons latest book Last Drinks: How to drink less and be your best is available now, and along with her podcast of the same name, wherever you get your podcasts The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 20, 2023 • 41min
Denise Drysdale ‘I was made aware of it very early on’
Denise Drysdale, affectionately known as Ding Dong, is an Australian Entertainment icon. The two time Gold Logie winner has been performing since she was a young girl, and shares a deep love with her audiences, in fact Denise says she ‘gets more back than she gives’. While Denise continues to entertain us on both stage and TV she also happens to be Jess’s best friend, which means this episode gives you a rare inside peek into who Denise is when she’s not performing. When these besties are not making each other laugh, Jess digs a little deeper into her relationship with her body, where her shyness comes from, and how she really feels about her famous nickname Ding Dong. Denise also opens up about the private and crippling pain she suffered with Trigeminal Neuralgia, and the brain surgery that changed her life. The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 18, 2023 • 42min
Nakkiah Lui 'I'm trying to unlearn that behaviour'
Kamilaroi and Torres Strait Islander woman Nakkiah Lui has many strings to her bow: actor, comedian, playwright, TV host, podcaster, director, storyteller, publisher but none that she identifies more proudly with than writer. Nakkiah is also a fashionista starring on the first Australian cover of the relaunched Harper's Bazaar Magazine. In this episode Jess and Nakkiah dig deep on her life, from the horrific bullying she endured as child, to her emerging gift of storytelling, something she has manifested into an international career. While Nakkiah has risen to become one of the country’s most in-demand playwrights and screenwriters, she credits imposter syndrome for her unwavering drive and determination, a behaviour she’s now trying to unlearn as she navigates a new chapter in her life, motherhood. Nakkiah’s new podcast ‘First Eat’ is a thought-provoking look at what our plate would look like if First Nations people own the land, listen for free here CONTENT WARNING: First nations listeners are warned that the following episode contains a culturally offensive term The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today. Show Credits:Host: Jessica RoweExecutive Producer: Nic McClureAudio Producer: Nat Marshall Digital Content Producer: Amy Code See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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