Clementine Ford's Big Sister Hotline

This week on the Big Sister Hotline, a quick message recorded from a Sherpa village on the Everest Base Camp trail (yak bells and all). Clem sends a love note about choosing aliveness in small ways, invites you to think about the things you’ve told yourself you’re “too old” or “not capable” of - and to pick one to say yes to today. A gentle reminder that this is your one wild, rich life.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.comFollow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Big Sister Hotline, Clem explores the tender chaos of desire and identity. Our listener writes from the crossroads of marriage and a queer awakening - torn between devotion to her husband and the magnetic pull of a woman who stirs something long-buried. Clem unpacks what it means to honour your truth inside systems that were never built for it, the grief of boundaries that clash with longing, and why self-discovery isn’t betrayal... it’s liberation.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.comSources mentioned in this episode:Polysecure by Jessica Fern The Ethical Slut by Janet W. Hardy & Dossie EastonFollow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Big Sister Hotline, Clem unpacks the painful tension between love and self-protection when someone you care for is trapped in addiction. Our listener writes about her ex-partner’s struggle with alcoholism and bipolar disorder, and the guilt of stepping back. Clem explores how compassion and boundaries can coexist, and why saving yourself is sometimes the truest form of love.Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about alcohol addiction. If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out to the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free, confidential support.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.comFollow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Big Sister Hotline, we’re diving into the tender, complicated terrain of neurodivergence - from the anxiety of seeking an ADHD or autism diagnosis, to the lifelong stories we tell ourselves about being “lazy,” “disorganized,” or “too much.” Clem reflects on her own experience of diagnosis, the grief and relief that can accompany it, and why the medical system so often fails to see women clearly. More than a label, a diagnosis can offer language, tools, and compassion - but as Clem reminds us, your worth was never contingent on external validation. Whether or not you choose that path, you already have permission to love yourself exactly as you are.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.comFollow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Big Sister Hotline, we’re talking about protest; why it matters, what it achieves, and how it keeps us human in fractured times. From Gaza to the streets of Melbourne, protest is both a moral stand and a collective lifeline, reminding us that people power has always shaped history. Clem dives into the difference between war and genocide, unpacks the double standards in how resistance is framed, and explores why both nonviolent and violent protest have been essential to liberation struggles. Protest isn’t just about policy - it’s about solidarity, hope and refusing to give up our humanity.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.com.Follow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Big Sister Hotline, Clem responds to a listener who has just left an emotionally abusive relationship and is navigating the challenges of co-parenting a young child. Clem talks about the courage it takes to leave, why emotional abuse and coercive control are real and damaging, and how survivors can begin to rebuild their sense of self-worth. She shares strategies for resisting old dynamics, setting boundaries through tools like grey rocking, and finding strength in the knowledge that leaving is an act of protection and love for both yourself and your child. Clem also reflects on the bigger picture; how society teaches women to absorb blame, and why we must reject the idea that our worth lies in cushioning men’s chaos. Content note: This episode contains discussions of emotional abuse, alcohol abuse, and co-parenting in the aftermath of both. If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact 1800RESPECT or call 000 in an emergency.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.com.Follow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Big Sister Hotline, we hear from a listener who is nearly 40, co-parenting with her ex, and longing for another baby. They still orbit each other - fighting, sleeping together, even going to kink workshops - but she knows how much the arrival of their first child strained their relationship. Should she risk diving in again, or is she courting disaster?In classic Clem style, we unpack the myths of the nuclear family and its role in upholding capitalism, why babies don’t “fix” relationships, and the importance of building a village around motherhood regardless of the model your family takes. We also talk about grieving the children we may never have, the pressure of the ticking clock, and remembering that a woman’s worth isn’t defined by her fertility.It’s messy, it’s complicated, and it’s exactly the kind of real talk you come here for.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.com.Follow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Big Sister Hotline: the no-nonsense feminist advice line that doesn’t mince its words but always leads with love.Best-selling author, writer, and fearless feminist trailblazer Clementine Ford returns with her newly relaunched award-winning podcast, here to guide you through life's most tangled, uncomfortable moments with the kind of wisdom you may not want to hear but absolutely need to.Each week, Clem answers your calls, cutting through the noise with unapologetic clarity, raw honesty, and a resolute refusal to indulge in patriarchal bullshit. Whether it’s love, boundaries, breakups, body image, politics, sex, career, or finding your voice in a world that constantly tries to silence you, no topic is too taboo, no feeling too big, and no question too difficult.She’s the big sister you always deserved, the mum you never had, the aunty who listens without judgement, and the friend who won’t let you settle for anything less than the best.So, plug in, speak your truth, and let Clem help you navigate the chaos and claim your power.If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.comFollow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I talk to filmmaker, podcaster and story doula, LAURA NAGY. Laura's most recent work is a podcast series on Audible. When Laura experienced a bad break up, she turned to the world of ASMR and 'partner experiences' to find comfort. What she didn't expect to encounter was her own healing from past sexual experiences. This week's episode focuses on:SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Portugal has recently announced it will make it illegal for employees to be contacted by employers outside of work hours. What does this mean for workers in creative industries, and could such a thing ever be implemented? We discuss the recent shooting death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of RUSH and the general expectation that crew members eat shit and be grateful for it.THE MEATY MIDDLE: ASMR and the world of partner experiences, plus how these pursuits can help people to navigate sexual consent and their own past experiences of trauma. THE JOYFUL BIT: Laura talks about her fondness for 90s' TV dramas.You can find Laura's website here: http://lauranagy.com/about-1And her podcast here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Pillow-Talk-Podcast/B09GKZZ5DCFollow Laura on Instagram: @l.a.u.r.a.n.a.g.yYou can buy Clementine's latest book here: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/doLP93ssFeedback/Question submission: bigsisterhotline@gmail.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/clementinefordInstagram: www.instragram.com/clementine_ford(And remember, if you like the show then please consider rating and reviewing it and subscribing!)Follow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CN: This episode contains very fleeting references to body image, eating disorders and fatphobia. It is the recollections of a teenage girl.Welcome to a very special episode of the hotline! This week's episode features just me, reading an excerpt from my SO SOON TO BE RELEASED book, How We Love: Notes On A Life!Remember the insecurity of adolescence? The pain of unrequited love? The school dance, where you hope for it to all come together only to have it spectacularly crash? It's all right here in this chapter, 'The Queen Of Cool'. Come with me as I take you back to 1996 and a little country town just outside of Adelaide, where a caftan-wearing, bargain jazz CD listening Clementine is about to learn some formative lessons about who she is and what she's worth.If you enjoy audiobooks, you might be pleased to know that the audio version of HOW WE LOVE is being released by Audible Australia. I've read the whole thing (and worked with sound producers who can create a much higher quality than today's podcast, to be fair) and I can't wait for you to listen to it! I don't think it's available for pre-order yet, but as soon as it is I will post the link in these notes.In the meantime, you can pre-order the print version of HOW WE LOVE from Booktopia!Normal programming of the hotline will resume next week, but I hope you've enjoyed this excerpt.Thanks as always to my wonderful supporters at Patreon, and also to my podcast hosts Acast.Feedback/Question submission: bigsisterhotline@gmail.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/clementinefordInstagram: www.instragram.com/clementine_fordFollow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains discussion of racism, colonisation, and reference to Aboriginal deaths from Covid. There is also a question that relate to stalking and threatening behaviour.Hello, and welcome to the Big Sister Hotline! I took a break last week because I was recording my audio book (HOW WE LOVE, out on November 2!) But I’m back this week, and joined by the very wonderful RACHEL MCPHAIL! Rachel is a proud Gomeroi woman and activist, whose campaign to establish a database of First Nations place names in addresses very quickly became one of the most popular petitions on Change.org.In this episode, Rachel talks about the importance of preserving the knowledge of Aboriginal elders, and deferring to Aboriginal leadership. We discuss how systemic change is possible if we just have political will. From Little Sisters, we answer questions about how to overcome heartbreak (with no small amount of help from Taylor Swift), and how patriarchy has conditioned girls and women to see relationships as being the thing that completes them rather than something that complements their life. We also address a question about concerning behaviour from a wannabe male suitor. You can follow Rachel here:Instagram: @place_names_in_addressesFeedback/Question submission: bigsisterhotline@gmail.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/clementinefordInstagram: www.instragram.com/clementine_ford(And remember, if you like the show then please consider rating and reviewing it and subscribing!)#placenamesinaddresses#systemicchange#firstnationsvoices#identity#taylorswift#heartbreak#maleentitlement#feminism#podcast#rachelmcphail#clementineford#bigsister#bigsisterhotlineFollow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello, and welcome BACK to the Big Sister Hotline! I’ve been on hiatus for a few months, partly because I was taking time off to finish my book (out on November 3!) and partly because of lockdown fatigue. But here we are, launching back into the hotline with enthusiasm and vitality! In this first episode back, I’m joined by the phenomenal AJA BARBER. She’s a writer, an activist and a content creator using her platform to campaign for true change in the fashion industry and its deplorable oppression of the global south, or as she would have it, the world’s ‘traditionally pillaged’ countries. Her Instagram video, ‘Why performative allyship is triggering’, which called out brands and influencers for monetising the BLM movement, has accumulated over one million views. In her debut book, “CONSUMED: On colonialism, climate change, consumerism and the need for collective change, she lays out an unimpeachable argument against supporting fast fashion and the brands who clog up the world’s waterways and landfills with it. It’s a horrifying and absolutely necessary read, and in this conversation we talk about the social imperative we face to undo the impact of this industry.Some facts discussed:* It takes 5000 gallons of water to make just one t shirt and pair of jeans - so how much water is wasted every year churning out clothes that are worn once or twice before being thrown away?* The millions of clothes we discard every year in op shops and recycling bins largely end up in landfill in the backyards of people in the Global South, or as she calls it, “traditionally pillaged countries”.* In 2018 alone, H&M recorded $4.3 BILLION of unsold stock. And to put that in perspective (and as Aja told me) the length of one billion one dollar notes laid out end to end would wrap around the earth four times - meaning the cost of unsold stock for just one fast fashion company in one year alone would wrap around the earth SIXTEEN TIMES.This is before we even talk about the inhumane abuse of garment workers, none of whom see even a smidge of the profits billionaires at the top accrue.You can follow Aja here:Instagram: @ajabarberFB: @karenpickeringPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/ajabarberFeedback/Question submission: bigsisterhotline@gmail.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/clementinefordInstagram: www.instragram.com/clementine_ford(And remember, if you like the show then please consider rating and reviewing it and subscribing!)Follow Clem on Instagram & FacebookSubscribe to her Dear Clementine SubstackJoin her PatreonThis podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at partnerships@kindregardsnetwork.com - we’d love to hear from you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.