Life Academy
On screen frenemies to real life besties, Dena Amy Kaplan and Alicia Banit host a weekly podcast sharing questionable life lessons. Class is in session as they offer their unique perspectives on life.
Episodes
The Truth About Trauma, Dissociation & Why Your Body Remembers | Georgia Verry
Sometimes healing is not just talking. Sometimes it’s learning to feel safe in your body again.
In this episode, Alicia sits down with Georgia Verry about Conscious Combat Club, a Melbourne-based charity using trauma-informed martial arts to support women and gender-diverse people impacted by violence. They chat through gender-based violence, fight-flight-freeze responses, dissociation, breathw
Cariba Heine, Mermaids & Our H2O Nostalgia Spiral
Welcome to the DA group chat where everyone is late to the pop culture moments but somehow still screaming with excitement!! 🩵✨
We’re catching up on the MOST important, VERY unserious business from the week: Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna, Hailey Bieber’s new Rhode beauty products, Zendaya and Tom Holland’s very private wedding, Shrek 5, Kyle Sandilands’ huge radio settlement, and a new mermaid
The Off-Campus Cast Knows Who We Are?! We’ve MADE It!! | Life Lately
dAlings, we have updates, we have chaos, and we have a VERY exciting Off Campus moment to scream about 🥳🩵
The girls are back with retreat prep, toddler bedtime progress, mum-life brain tabs, listener questions, American Sweethearts chat, and a major Dance Academy full-circle moment that has everyone absolutely spiralling in the best way 👀 Like… the fangirling is real.
Then the episode turns
I Got My Period Back After A Year | Life Lately
Heyyy dAlings, just so you know this episode starts with clean hair and immediately becomes absolute CHAOS 🤣🤣
We’re back with the realest parts of life: being busy mums, toddler chaos, sleep struggles and everything else that's keeping us awake until 2AM 💀
The things keeping us grounded? 🥹 Gratitude, self-love, journaling, resilience, family support, and a tiny homework task that might make
We Blind React To The Latest Pop Culture Moments (KATSEYE, Euphoria, Taylor Swift, Robert Irwin, and More)
Pop culture class is in session dAlings… and please remember, your two favourite girls are not qualified 😅🩵
Dena is DEEP into podcast-listening research mode 🎧, Alicia is the MOST active member of busy gal club 💅 and somehow together they cover everything from Euphoria and Toy Story 5 to Robert Irwin at the Logies, Legally Blonde, KATSEYE, the Kardashian boyfriend universe, and more 👀
It’s g
Why I finally let myself go away without my daughter: solo travel mum edition | Life Lately
We missed you dAlings and honestly… we have SO much to catch up on 🥹
Alicia's first solo trip to Townsville was everything her soul needed: incredible people, deep conversations, and a moment on that sailboat we will not be getting over any time soon 🥹 Dena meanwhile had one of the hardest weeks she's had in a while, said a bittersweet goodbye to Twerk After Werk, and dealt with a toddler who p
Midnight Hospital Runs, Missing Flights & Manifesting on Cleo Massey's Live Pod | Life Lately
It’s Life Lately and this week the nervous systems are… not thriving 😅🩵
Dena is feeling low, overwhelmed, and behind on life in that very real way where even replying to messages feels like a full-time job. Alicia is also coming down from a scary health moment with Isla that had her back in protective mum mode and running on pure adrenaline.
Somehow though, the episode still finds its sparkl
Off-Campus, Some Of Our Hardest Days And Favourite Finds | Life Lately
Cuteness alert!! Teddy is taking over the studio today 🐶🩵
This week we’re launching a brand new monthly segment: Favourite Four 💌 aka the four things we’ve been obsessing over and aggressively sending to each other all month long.
And trust us… this lineup is GOOD. We’re talking the chicest dog products from Mochi and Michi (Teddy is now booked and busy as their newest ambassador 🐶), a skinc
Losing His Daughter, His Childhood And Nearly His Life | Harrison James
⚠️ Trigger warning: The following podcast episode contains topics which may be distressing to some viewers.
“There is no happy ending. But there is a hopeful ending.” - Harrison James.
This is one of those episodes that stays with you long after it ends 💙 Harrison James is a survivor, an activist, and one of the most extraordinary humans to ever walk into the Life Academy world.
Abused by his s
Dance Academy Cast Rewatch S1E5 | We Need To Talk About These Looks 😭
You know what time it is… it’s REWATCH time babyyyy 🎭💅
This episode had EVERYTHING — chaos opinions about the opening credits (still tragic 💀), deep dives into Jewish cultural pressure and academic expectations, and some really honest, personal storytelling from Dena about growing up in that environment.
We also get some amazing behind-the-scenes tea about bringing Tom and Jeff into a real
The Real Story Behind Miranda Priestly Is Messier Than We Thought
Pop culture girlies are HERE and we are NOT holding back 💜😭
We went to The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere in Sydney and it was boujee, chaotic and honestly one of the most fun nights 🎬✨ We got told to "move along" off the red carpet because there was "actual talent" arriving 😳
The movie though? An absolute 10! Meryl, Emily, Anne, all back and better than ever. And the fun fact that Meryl Stree
Life Lately: Living with ADHD as a mum is more exhausting than people realise
It’s Life Lately and honestly… your girls are not okay, but in a very iconic way 😭💜
Dena is tired, overwhelmed, running late, and deep in her “why is my ADHD brain like this?” era 👀 Meanwhile Alicia has had an absolutely unhinged week — late to teach at Thomas Lacey’s dance school, scraped her car on her own fence, and came home to find poor Muddy had fully destroyed the house. Like… walls were
Life Lately: How to handle toddlers saying difficult things like saying “I don’t love you”
We are BACK dAlings and honestly… we've had a week 😔💜
Some weeks you're absolutely smashing it. Other weeks your car gets towed mid-facial, you reverse into a stranger's car, and your toddler looks you dead in the eyes and says "I don't love you." This is one of those weeks for Dena...😭😭😭
Alicia's not doing much better 😅 Health anxiety has been quietly taking over her nights, and this week i
Dance Academy Cast Spills the Tea: First Day Secrets & Why Dena HATED the Intro! | Rewatch S1E4
Okay DALINGS… the rewatch chaos continues and WOW this one unlocked some very vivid memories 😂
This ep was one of the very first things we ever filmed, so naturally we’re roasting ourselves the entire time – from the questionable outfits (who approved those??) to trying to figure out our bodies on camera for the first time 🫠
On top of that, we get into the friendship dynamics and unpack why poor
We Finally Got Dance Academy Producer Joanna Werner To Tell Us What Really Went On Behind The Scenes
The producer of DANCE ACADEMY is here DALINGS!!! 💜💜💜
Joanna Werner – the legendary producer who created the show that changed all of our lives – is finally here. We're talking origin stories (she and Sam had the SAME vision at 3am after drinks!!!), the insane casting process where Alicia ate a banana while the whole class waited, why Dena was always Abigail, and the devastating decision behind
COACHELLA 2026 GETS CRAZIER (Katy Perry drama, backstage tea, Jacob & Kendall + more)
Is the world turned upside down or is pop culture just so unhinged right now?! 💜
First up – Dena drops some SERIOUS tea about Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom from Coachella (you wanna hear this)!! Speaking of Coachella, Sabrina Carpenter put on a full Broadway musical and made Taylor Swift's show look basic (sorry not sorry). Justin Bieber played YouTube videos on his laptop and we have THOUGHTS.
Life Lately: Poo Disasters, The 45-Minute Playdate Rule & The Psychic Sign That Made Her Cry!
It's Life Lately time DALINGS!!! 💜
Let's address the elephant in the room – NO, Dena is not engaged. Alex took her on a mysterious 9am date and she was convinced it was happening... but it was pottery. POTTERY. The most wholesome, very Alex thing ever 😂
We're deep in our self-care era (Soak Haus head spa literally reset our nervous systems), Dena's organisation hyperfocus is giving ADHD quee
Pop Culture: What You Missed In March (March 2026 Pop Culture Recap)
We're back dAlings!!! 💜 Your two unqualified pop culture experts here to tell you what we know (which is not much) and what we think (which is A LOT).
First up: Zendaya and Rob Pattinson's press tour for The Drama – she's so PR trained it's insane, and he just... makes stuff up in interviews?! We also need to talk about Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi – because no, they're not in love, it's litera
The Psychology & Practice Of Healing Your Insomnia | Dr. Sumedha Verma
Time to sleep like a log DALINGS!!! 💜
Dr Sumedha Verma is a sleep psychologist and researcher who's here to bust every myth you've ever heard about sleep – and trust us, there are A LOT.
The 8-hour rule? Lies. Your Apple Watch sleep score? Useless. That spiral of "why can't I sleep" making it worse? YEP. We go deep on this one – Dena shares her insomnia and PTSD story (she couldn't even look
The Emma “Memma” Watkins You Don’t Know: Life Behind The Wiggles Yellow Bow
dAlings!! We have the most incredible guest on today and we are still freaking out 💜💜💜 Dr Emma Watkins is here – yes, THE Emma Wiggle, now Emma Memma – and honestly this woman is everything. She flew in to chat with us about her journey from Yellow Wiggle to PhD, creating Emma Memma with her deaf co-performer Elvin, and bringing Auslan to kids everywhere.
We go DEEP – how she became a Wiggle (the
Life lately: Bye Poo Era & Welcome Kinder Mum Friendship Era!
Poo era who?! Welcome to the kinder mum friendship era!!! 💜
Alicia made a mum friend at drop off and squealed in her car about it – we're entering a new chapter darlings. She also MC'd her first wedding, and we need to chat about Crocs being poisonous???
Dena thinks Alex might propose on their 9am date (gut feeling activated), retreats have been chaotic, she's got a new acting agent, and we end
Harry Style's Album Flops! Was Kyle & Jackie O a Publicity Stunt?
DAlings! Okay so we're doing something different today 💅✨ There's so much going on in pop culture right now and we have OPINIONS!! Dena's heartbroken over Harry Styles' new album (Aperture is incredible but the rest???), Alicia's obsessed with Wuthering Heights and Jacob Elordi in that corset scene, we're both fuming at Timothée Chalamet for calling ballet a "dying art" (as former dancers we have
Secrets We've Never Told You | Dance Academy Rewatch Season 1 Episode 2
We're baaaack with another rewatch and this time it's Episode 2 baby!!! 🎬✨
You guys demanded we do every single episode so here we are and honestly we're loving it. We chat about that little kangaroo joey who deserves an award 🦘, how STUNNING Sydney looks in those drone shots, Abigail's villain era kicking off, and the iconic pointe shoe to the face moment 🩰💥. Alicia spills on actually jumping in
Life Lately: Baby Number Two!? and Daycare Drama
We're back and we're BACK period 💅✨
Literally – Dena's period came back after a whole year so baby number two is ON!!! We're manifesting getting pregnant at the same time because how good would that be?!
We also need to talk about cliquey kinder mums (Alicia's been fully ignored at drop off like multiple times??), Dena went full mama bear when a daycare teacher called Maya "stubborn" on her firs
Life Lately: We Answer EVERYTHING
It's Life Lately time besties!!! 💜💜
We're doing an Ask Us Anything and you guys did NOT hold back with the questions! We're talking tattoos, piercings, love languages, Home and Away auditions, and yes – we finally answer all your Dance Academy questions 😂
Big moment: Dena made the Dean's Honour Roll and we're still screaming about it!!! We also have a lot of thoughts on feeling lost in your
Life lately: Gut and Mental Health Magic with Dr Verena
Okay besties we are SO excited for this one!!! 💜💜💜
Dr Verena Raschke-Cheema flew all the way from Sydney to sit with us and honestly, this woman changed Dena's life (Like actually changed it). She helped her through the darkest time – addiction recovery, gut health chaos, mental health stuff, everything.
Dr. Verena's a nutritional scientist, a PhD, a kinesiologist which means she can literally m
Life Lately: All The AACTA Awards/Red Carpet Tea ☕
Dalings!! we have so much to catch you up on!!! 💜
The Gold Coast was absolutely everything, Isla's first theme park holiday (she's a little adrenaline junkie omg), AACTA red carpet glam, pool days at The Star feeling like actual queens, and our panel where we got to hug so many of you!!! Our Mexican fans are UNREAL 🇲🇽🥹
We also had some big feelings this week. We're opening up about body imag
Life lately: Attachment Theory, EMDR & A Qualified Life Coach with Janelle Corlass-Brown
It's a big one today besties! 💜 We kick things off with the usual chaos – Alicia survived a 44-degree night with no power (thank god for Makita fans), Dena wandered around the city for 40 MINUTES looking for her car, and we're getting so excited for the AACTA Awards on the Gold Coast!!!
Then, we're joined by our beautiful friend Janelle Corlass-Brown! She's a clinical psychologist who we've known
Life Lately: 37, C-Sections & The 2 AM Cleaning Club with Lucy Olympia Young
It’s a birthday catch-up with your daling besties and honestly, Dena is a whole new woman! 🎉🎉 She’s officially 37 and apparently, that means staying up until 2 AM vibing to her new Olivia Dean vinyl (yes, we are obsessed). Alicia spills the tea on her AACTA Awards dress disaster—a gorgeous, sparkly, sexy couture piece but... didn’t fit, leaving her in a last-minute styling scramble.
Then, we’re j
Life Lately: Facing Depression and Surviving The Poo Era!
It’s a “Life Lately” catch-up with your daling besties (Yes we still can't decide)Today Dena spills the tea on using ChatGPT as a red carpet stylist and Alicia shares a major ego boost from Pilates where she was mistaken for a 21-year-old.
We also get real about the “sobering” side of turning 37. Dena opens up about fighting depression for over half her life, the fear of the “ground crumbling”
Life Lately: Why We All Need a Bloody Village
Today the girls are back and diving deep into the raw, messy, and beautiful reality of motherhood. After Dena’s "hack of the world" reveals her latest biohacking obsession (hello, walking pad!), the conversation takes a turn into the wilder side of life. Dena recounts a literal miracle encounter with a first responder at the gym and shares the heartbreaking news of a friend losing everything to th
Life Lately: A Few Of Our Favourite Things
In today's episode, the chaos is real! Dena is battling a savage back injury and a rogue contact lens that nearly takes her out, while Alicia is rocking a "plump" lip courtesy of a headbutt from her toddler. We dive deep into the reality of the "threenager" years, gentle parenting fails, and the absolute mayhem of potty training.
Once the dust settles, we get into our favourite things - from th
Life Lately: Stolen Car and A New Year of Catchups!
Happy New Year, Besties! We love you. This week's episode opens with Alicia giving Dena a gorgeous Christmas gift, and then we get into the crazy stolen car story that is honestly more riveting than a thriller movie. Hang on tight. The girls are back and excited for the year ahead, no crazy resolutions, just trying to continue riding the wave that is life and staying in our flow state. Dena discus
Q & A with Dena's Lover Boy - THE Dr. Alex
Today Dena dragged in her better half to chat all things LOVEEEEE and everything in between. ALL DRAFTS ALEX needed preparation, which NO DRAFTS DENA refused to provide, so it was kinda chaos, the good kind. We chatted about Alex's origin story and how a kid from the country ended up at NASA! We talk about falling in love over FaceTime calls, we touch on parenting and the gift that Maya is to us a
Life Lately- Dance Concerts, Glam and Girly Catchups.
You know what time it is, it’s life lately time! The gals chat dance concerts, glamming up for the AACTA awards and festival, a Gold Coast holiday and the usual mum guilt that we face on the daily.
The girls also briefly discuss the social media ban and Dena says a bunch of things to get herself cancelled lol. Thanks for listening, we love you! Subscribe and write a review pretty please!!!
Learn
Life Lately: Assumptions About Us
Hello Darlings! On today's episode of Life Lately the girls recognise that they are definitely in their 30s because they are excited about fly screen doors. We discuss the great debate about what our listeners should be called, and then we dive into some hilarious assumptions about us you guys have made LOL. Thanks for being the best, we love you besties, dreamers, darlings! YOU TELL US!! But far
Life Lately: The Wicked Saga
In todays episode Dena's opening with some low vibes talking about the online bullying she's been dealing with, but then the girls get on with the show because who's got time for bullys. The Wicked Saga begins, you dont want to miss this story. we have been changed, for good.
Connect with us:
🌸 Dena: https://www.instagram.com/denaamy
🌸 Alicia: https://www.instagram.com/aliciabanit
🌸 Lif
The Ultimate Girl Boss with Steph Claire Smith
First things first the girls talk about their Christmas spirit excitement, but hold tight because today in the academy of life- Dena and Alicia sit down with Steph Claire Smith: the ultimate girl boss! She is the co Founder of wellness brand KIC. It was her personal experience with toxic wellness in her early 20s, fuelled by social media and the modelling industry, that sparked a fire in her belly
Life Lately: Bestie Sesh- Inner Mean Girls, Body Image, Inner critic and Motherhood Madness.
In today’s episode of Life Lately on Life Academy, the girls sit down for a much needed Bestie Debrief Sesh. 💖🫶
Alicia opens up about body-image wobbles, overwhelm, and that delightful inner critic who seems to have no hobbies other than yelling at her (honestly… get a job). 😵💫 Both girls chat through the ever-present mother guilt that can eat us alive before we’ve even had our first coffee ☕️
Faith, Fear & Finally Freedom with Uncle Barry
In todays episode Dena sits down with her dear Uncle Barry aka Barry Goodman to listen to his incredible and fascinating life story, from tragic beginning to so many twists and turns. Dena knew she had to share this insane story with our listeners. Barry is an incredible and resilient human being (who happens to be Denas uncle) he is deeply passionate about connection and we cant wait for you to h
Major Girl-Crush Energy with Olivia Molly Rogers
On today’s episode of Life Academy, we’re joined by the absolutely incredible Olivia Molly Rogers and wow, what a chat this was! ✨
Olivia is a woman of many talents: a speech pathologist, fashion influencer, model, runner, artist and podcast host. You might also know her as Miss Universe Australia 2017, but beyond the glamour, Olivia has become a powerful voice for mental health awareness, self-w
My Transgender Story with Grace Taylor
We were so grateful to sit down with the incredible Grace Taylor, who courageously and openly shares her story of transitioning from man to woman. Grace’s journey is deeply inspiring- filled with honesty, wisdom, and, fittingly, so much grace.
In this heartfelt conversation, Grace reflects on the courage it took to finally live as her true self, the unique challenges and beauty of every trans j
Life Lately: Bali update, Seeing a Shaman Healer, TSITP and Isla's birthday party!
We couldn't wait for todays catch up it feels like its been too long between bestie debriefs. We hear all about Dena's perfect trip to Bali and Alicia's general life updates including Isla's upcoming birthday party our mutual love for The Summer I Turned Pretty. Dena talks about feel insecure in her swimwear and Alicia gets it, she is also working hard to complete her pilates hours. its a proper b
Reality TV, Miley's bestie and Hollywood Gossip with KC Osborne
Today's ep starts with another crazy Dena story (still in her poo era) and then we welcome our beautiful guest KC Osborne, KC is a reality tv star, a dancer, a mother and one baddie. She has the best stories from girl groups in Hollywood, to meeting Liam Payne, working with the Pussy Cat Dolls creator to being in a Miley Cyrus music video. She also discusses her partners near death experience and
NOOOI CLEO! with Cleo Massey!
This week Alicia sits down with the delightful Cleo Massey. They cover life on H20, her journey into motherhood, healing and creating her incredible company Pass Around The Smile, manifestation and visualisation stories plus they both discuss what it is like to let go of the actor dream. Cleo is so wise and insightful we loved having her and know you will love listening to her story.
Stay conne
Back for more Burning Quezzies Part 3
You asked, we’re answering.. Burning Questions PART 3 is back! In this episode we dive into your most requested topics with our unfiltered takes, honest laughs, and the usual Life Academy chaos.
Expect a mix of the serious, the silly, and the downright surprising as we tackle what’s been on your minds. From personal dilemmas to pop culture hot takes, nothing is off-limits when it comes to your
Life Lately: Bo curious, Friendship Breakups & Skin Regimes.
It’s another life lately sesh! This week the girls dive into:
🌱 Friendship breakups – why they hit so hard and how we’re navigating them, why are they more painful than romantic breakups?!
💄 Our skincare routines – the much-requested breakdown of what we actually use as requested by you.
🧠 Neuro-spicy life – some of the ADHD behaviours Dena’s been working through, can anyone relate? pleas
Shut Up LA, with Jules Sebastian!
So we found ourselves in Sydney for a gig and we decided while we were here we would interview our favourite Sydney people, high on the list of favourite humans was the delightful Jules Sebastian. Jules is a fashion icon, stylist, makeup artist, author, podcast host, genius content creator and all-around brilliant mum and human. (She also happens to be Guy Sebastian’s wife) We have known and loved
The Triple Threat Effect ft Keiynan Lonsdale!
Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, oii oii oii! Ollie aka Keiynan Lonsdale joins us in the SYDNEY studio and damn are we excited. Reunion moment!! We had very limited time with Keiy so we smashed him with as many questions as we could fit in (and not miss our flights back home) Keiynan is one of the most inspiring artists we know and we’ve always been in awe of his talents and skills but also his very humble ap
Life Lately: Sabrina Carpenter, Birthdays, The Letdown & Libidos
Its time for another life lately sesh where we chat about Alicias Birthday, her hilarious breastfeeding story, Denas new obsession with Sabrina Carpenter (bit late, we know), and so much more... it's another juicy catch-up with lots of candid convos and hilarious stories (well, we think so anyway).
Thanks for tuning in. We love you guys.
Stay connected with us:
Dena: @denaamy
Alicia: @
Our Mental Health Journey's Part 2
Its time for us to deep dive back into our mental health journeys. Dena tells us a bit more about her wild Rehab experience and how it kinda felt like prison and Alicia gets very emotional and vulnerable (proud of our girl for being so open about this for the first time)
Life Lesson: Friendships come and go, season, reason or lifetime. Learning to let go is so healing. Also- Addiction does not
Life Lately: Bestie Debrief Dump
This week it’s just us, catching up on all things bestie chat 💕. We talk about our health, house renos, Dena’s back and twerking goals, Father’s Day gifts, our future weddings and plans for babies, a rare night out we had (yes, it actually happened!), and the excitement of Dena’s sold-out retreats.
Life Lesson: Sometimes we all need a weekly debrief with our besties, talking sh*t, it keeps us g
Hello World this is ..... Ariel Kaplan!
So we have another fallen soldier… Dena is officially continuing in her poo era with gastro around the whole house. The Kaplan sisters pull through again though- this time with the amazing Ariel Kaplan. The smallest but sassiest Kaplan sister.
( low-key she's a better podcast host than Dena. Maybe it’s time for a re-cast? 👀)
Alicia chats with Ariel about:
Starting her career so young on The
The big PMDD, Mental Health, Menopause and Hormones convo.
Hormones & Mental Health with Professor Jayashri Kulkarni.
This week, we had the absolute privilege of interviewing Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, a world-renowned psychiatrist and Australia’s leading expert on PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), as well as menopause, and women’s mental health.
We asked so many big questions, the professor has a 2 year wait list so we really wanted to share
Your Burning Questions Part 2
Lets do this again, last time was so much fun! We answer your burning Q's! some of these are saucy!
Follow us at:
Dena: @denaamy
Alicia: @aliciabanit
TikTok: @lifeacademythepodcast
YouTube: @LifeAcademyThePodcast
Facebook: Life Academy The Podcast Private Community
Wearing:
Dena – King Csilla
Alicia –Kmart baby!
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She Talks To Dead People!
This episode is next‑level magic, we sobbed our way through it and it might be our favourite episode so far ✨
We’re joined by the sensational Jessica Lynne, one of Australia’s most in-demand psychic mediums, live from Melbourne. Brace yourself baddies: Jessica did a live reading for us, and even now, we’re still reeling from how accurate it was. So specific. So deeply moving. It's like spirit
Big Feelings Welcome Here!
Today’s episode is very special for two reasons: We’re joined by the amazing Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, Dena’s big sister and best friend (Alicia is home sick – love you babe, and miss your magic).
We got to sit down with our parenting hero and idol, the one and only Lael Stone. And honestly? It was everything. What a privilege.
Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one, or just trying
REWATCH! Dance Academy Season 1, Episode 8
Puberty, perfectionism, and taping up your titties, shit gets real as Alicia and Dena rewatch "Growing Pains" and take you behind the scenes of Dance Academy S1, Ep 8.. just for you guys as requested!
🎬 In This Episode:
Reflecting on Abigail’s emotional battle with body image.
Why this episode felt so personal for us in various ways.
Real talk on puberty, control, and performing whil
Life Lately: Catch Up With The Girlies
Its another LIFE LATELY sesh with Alicia and Dena, from toddler sickness, fake tan disasters and our 40 under 40 lists. Plus goss about the upcoming Bali trip, Mayas birthday party and some makeup tips.. We have a good old bestie catchup and cant stop talking about our daughters as usual. we are also still in our POO era, someone make us t-shirts.
Follow us at
www.instagram.com/denaamy
www.
REWATCH! Dance Academy Season 1, Episode 3
Behind Barres Baby! You know the drill, we are taking you behind the scenes and chatting all things Kat and Abi in episode 3 season 1, there is a lot to unpack and we dont hold back. Hopefully this inspires you to rewatch the series as we unravel all the BTS for you.
Follow us at
www.instagram.com/denaamy
www.instagram.com/aliciabanit
www.tiktok.com/@lifeacademythepodcast
Join our Facebo
Know Thy Hormones
Know the cycles, Know thy hormones, Know thy vagina! We have a fascinating conversation about honouring our cycles with Olivia Orchowski.
Olivia Orchowski: creator, CEO, and visionary behind KYRI. Olivia is a passionate advocate for body literacy, cyclical living, and hormone intelligence and in this episode, she brings the wisdom. SHE IS SO BADASS we are obsessed.
💬 In this Episode
We del
Life Lately: Chaos, Catch Ups and Car Crashes
This week on Life Academy, we hit pause on the big themes and take a moment to check in with each other (and with you). It’s a much-needed life update and brain dump, where nothing is too small, too big, too chaotic, or too TMI.
We debrief on everything from Dena’s recent car accident (she’s okay, but wow…) to Alicia’s ongoing house reno saga, to mum life highs and lows, and a bunch of little t
Your Burning Questions Part 1
We asked, you delivered, and then some! This week on Life Academy, we’re diving into Part 1 of answering your burning questions, from juicy Dance Academy throwbacks to deep life chats, parenting, personal growth, and everything in between, nothing was off-limits.
We got thousands of questions (literally), so we’ve hand-picked some of our favourites to kick off this Q&A series (dont worry if we
Raising Girls Who Like Themselves
In this very important episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Kasey Edwards. Researcher, bestselling author, and the powerhouse behind "Raising Girls Who Like Themselves". Kasey’s work has sparked a movement of empowered parenting, and today, she’s sharing her wisdom with us, including the pillars to raising girls to like themselves.
💬 In This Episode:
Kasey unpacks what it really takes to ra
The Truth Will Set You Free
This one’s brave and unforgettable. In todays episode, Alicia and Dena sit down with the incredible Tim Pocock, actor, composer and now author who shares his powerful journey of breaking free and finding truth.
💬 In This Episode:
Tim opens up about growing up in and ultimately escaping a fundamentalist cult
What it was like to endure and survive conversion therapy
The long, complicated r
Our Mental Health Journey's Part 1
This one’s raw, real, and just the beginning. In this episode Alicia and Dena sit down for Part 1 of a powerful series exploring their personal mental health journeys.
💬 In This Episode:
Alicia opens up about her lifelong struggles with self-worth and the moments that cracked the facade
Dena shares her road from addiction to recovery and the messy, beautiful truth of healing
We unpack th
Reclaiming Our Relationship With Food
In this deliciously thought-provoking episode, we’re joined by Tammy and Eitam from Boosa, food therapy experts who are flipping the script on how we think about eating. Forget diets and calorie counting. This conversation is all about rediscovering the joy, memory, and meaning behind what nourishes us.
💬 In This Episode:
How food therapy can heal our relationship with eating and our mental
Giving Birth is Badass!
We are cool moms now-
Giving Birth Is Badass!
This one’s for the mamas, past, present, and future. In this episode Alicia and Dena dive deep into the raw, wild, and awe-inspiring experience of becoming mothers. From the moments of conception to the miracle (and mayhem) of birth, they share their honest and powerful stories, the joyful highs, the scary unknowns, and the strength they didn’t kn
REWATCH! Dance Academy Season 1, Episode 1
You asked, we delivered! In this special bonus episode, Alicia and Dena hit rewind and take you back to where it all began, the very first episode of Dance Academy.
🎬 In This Episode:
Behind-the-scenes stories you’ve never heard
Hilarious memories from their first day on set
What it was like watching themselves as baby ballerinas
Reflections on how far they (and their characters) have
Body Image & Ego Deaths
This one’s a deep dive. In Episode 4, Alicia and Dena open up about their personal journeys with body image from the pressures of the entertainment industry to the profound transformations brought on by motherhood.
💬 In This Episode:
How growing up in front of cameras and dance studios shaped the way they saw their bodies
The silent struggles that came with constant industry expectations
Talking to Lost Loved Ones
In this very special episode, we’re joined by the one and only Thom Green — aka Sammy from Dance Academy. That’s right… we’ve brought our bestie back from the dead (not literally… or is it?) for a hilarious, heartfelt, and slightly chaotic reunion.
💬 In This Episode:
Thom spills on life after Dance Academy
We lovingly interrogate him about old times, new adventures, and everything in betwee
What happens in LA doesn't stay in LA
Buckle up for a wild ride through Tinseltown in this spicy second episode! Alicia and Dena take you behind the scenes of their outrageous LA adventures — from on-set secrets to unexpected celebrity encounters.
🎬 In This Episode:
We spill the tea on our time in Los Angeles and how very different our lives are now
Alicia dishes on working with Aussie icon Chris Lilley, and yes — we’re countin
Welcome to Life Academy
Welcome to the very first episode of Life Academy with Dena Amy Kaplan and Alicia Banit —on screen frenemies turned real-life besties and your unqualified but enthusiastic guides through the mess and magic of modern life.
You might know them from the beloved TV series Dance Academy, but now they’re teaming up in real life to dive into all the big things: motherhood, identity, relationships, and
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