Holly shares the first chapter of her new book with us.
Plus, the surprising response Kate Langbroek got when she asked her son what she got right parenting him. And a relationship expert tells us how to overcome 'sexual flatness'.
This is an excerpt of He Would Never by Holly Wainwright.
Prologue.
Sunday night, 11.55pm.
Green River Beach.
This would be a fitting place for Lachy Short to die.
On the edge of a splendid beach he hated with a passion.
If you believed in the afterlife, which Liss definitely did, or ghosts, which Dani most definitely did not, then Lachlan Short's troubled soul would be bound to walk this stretch of river for eternity, bitching about the absence of decent surf or a proper coffee, and picking tiny shards of crushed lilac river shells out of the soles of his calloused feet.
Some would think it was entirely appropriate for him to end his days in the place that most made him doubt his marriage, his masculinity, his very life choices: a campground.
A hell for a man who liked the finer things. Beds that weren't in close proximity to the ground. Food that couldn't be cooked on a one-ring stove or in the coals of a ban-defying fire. Drinks not served with ice scooped from a sandy esky by a sunscreen-smeared hand. No, if Lachy Short was to be doomed to camp for eternity, he would find a way back to the light.
Because, actually, he wasn't dead yet…
🎧 Follow below to listen to a brand new episode of MID. Holly spoke to Gabby Bernstein and discovered why millions of women listen to the ‘Oprah approved’ best-selling author and spiritual teacher.
Read and listen to more
LISTEN: MID EXTRA: How Rachel Ward Found Purpose In Cow Poo
READ: People We Meet On Vacation will be Netflix's biggest rom-com of the year. You need to read it first.
LISTEN: Mia’s read Holly’s new book. They discuss it in depth on MID
KATE LANGBROEK: 'I asked my son what I got right parenting him. This one response surprised me.'
When it comes to parenting, we're often our own harshest critics. In the quiet hours after bedtime, the questions linger like shadows in the hallway: Did I listen enough today? Was I too harsh, too lenient, too distracted?
These midnight calculations of our parenting balance sheets rarely tally in our favour. We remember the raised voice, the missed opportunity for connection, the screen time we allowed to stretch too long — while forgetting the thousand small acts of love that thread through our days.
For Kate Langbroek, host of Mamamia's No Filter, these questions have been whispered through 21 years of motherhood. But recently, in a rare moment of recognition that parents rarely get access to, she heard something we all long to know — that beneath the everyday chaos and doubt, something fundamental had taken root.
During a candid conversation on Mamamia's This Glorious Mess podcast, Kate and her 21-year-old son Lewis shared a glimpse into their relationship that illuminated what truly matters when raising children into adults you're proud to know.
When asked about his mum's biggest parenting "nail" — the triumph amidst the inevitable stumbles — Lewis's answer carried a weight that we didn't expect to hear…
🎧 Follow below to hear part one of the interview with Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice) and Kate Langbroek on No Filter.
Read and listen to more
READ: The Spice Girl that never was. And the story of the popstar who took her place.
LISTEN: Part two of the interview with Melanie Chisholm and Kate Langbroek on No Filter
READ: When the Spice Girls were at the height of their fame, Melanie C was hiding a secret.
'I help couples overcome "sexual flatness". There's 4 steps I swear by.'
For many couples in long-term relationships, 'sexual flatness' gradually creeps in, transforming what was once passionate into something routine or mechanical.
Renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel coined this term to describe the loss of vitality and pleasure that can occur when intimacy becomes predictable or obligatory rather than exciting and connective.
But according to relationship expert Nikki Goldstein, the path back to pleasure might be simpler than you think.
"Sexual flatness can be completely normal and natural depending on what you are going through and very common for a lot of people," Goldstein explained.
One of the biggest contributors to sexual flatness is the sheer volume of pressure modern couples face.
"When you look at relationships now versus 30 odd years ago, we're under so much more pressure and stress financially, globally — we're all affected by what's going on in the world," Goldstein pointed out…
Read and listen to more
READ: The candle, firework or mirror relationship theory predicts if yours is built to last.
LISTEN: What Supercommunicators Know That We Don't on Out Loud.
THE SCROLL 📱
5 things to feed your mind and fill your soul.
1. In 4 words, RecipeTin Eats' Nagi just said what she really thinks about the Brooki feud.
2. Why you've never really seen Beyonce's youngest kids until now.
3. Meet the women over 50 turning to escorts to save their marriages.
4. In defence of historically inaccurate period dramas.
5. From an elevator fight to the smoking saga: The most controversial moments from the Met Gala.
ICYMI 👀
Nearly a decade after Kim Kardashian’s Paris robbery the case has finally landed in a courtroom. Here’s everything we know. Before her death, Virginia Giuffre made a promise. Now her family says something's not right. Tina Fey's got a new Netflix show and it’s a chaotic ode to your mid-life era. An inquest is currently underway over the mass stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction. Here’s everything we’ve learnt so far. What's actually going on between Chris Hughes and his 'soulmate' JoJo Siwa.
MID-SPO STYLE 👗💄
I think it’s safe to say we are all guilty of hoarding makeup. From overflowing drawers to products you've forgotten you own. Sound familiar? You need this episode of You Beauty, In Her Bag.
Kelly McCarren and Sarah Marie Fahd share their tips for storing, cleaning, decluttering and getting more from the makeup you already own, and break the cycle of constant buying. Thank you for your service ladies.
Our pick of what’s new in beauty, home and style on Mamamia this week.
'This $6 BB cream is just as good as the expensive stuff.'
'My 4 affordable ways to elevate even the most boring outfits.'
The real reason your washing machine fibs about having 1 minute left.
'The $11 concealer that's replaced my $60 favourite.'
Quick favour? We’d love to hear about your financial wellbeing and how you feel about the future.
Complete our short survey now to go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.
Know someone who’d get a kick out of MID? Why not share the love?
You could be getting even more weekly marvels in your inbox from fan favourites Mamamia Out Loud, You Beauty and Nothing To Wear Yes, friends, there’s more goodness just waiting to inspire, surprise and delight you.
Have a fabulous week. We’ll be back in your box, same time next week ; )
Ooh this book sounds great! 💜