In this episode, we welcome Julie Fahy, co‑host of the “You Keep Me Sane” podcast. Julie takes us back to her childhood in Woodford, a town in the countryside outside Brisbane, Australia, where she grew up with the kind of free‑range GenX upbringing that many of us, whether from the suburbs, the city, or the countryside, instantly recognize.
Julie shares the early moment she realized she was a high achiever, and how that awareness shaped her path, including the imposter syndrome that often shadowed her success. Her story spans continents, from Canada to Thailand to Germany and beyond, and includes her years producing documentaries, work that eventually brought her to Russia.
After a long season of exploration and searching for purpose, Julie found grounding and deep validation in motherhood. This part of her journey resonated strongly with Nicole, and we dive into the complicated ways society values (and undervalues) stay‑at‑home moms as well as discuss gender norms and roles.
We also explore the perimenopause and menopause experience, the quest for authenticity in midlife, and Julie’s current creative work on her novel. She reflects on how the “You Keep Me Sane” podcast focuses on self‑worth, especially for women navigating midlife transitions.
We absolutely loved our conversation with Julie, made even more special because she’s our very first international guest. Her story is rich, inspiring, and full of heart, and we know listeners will enjoy every moment of the ride as much as we did!
Check Julie Out Here:
Website: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/
Online Store: https://stan.store/YouKeepMeSane
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youkeepmesane.pod/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YKMS-01
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108333425/
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:19 Australian Geography
05:29 Family Background
12:06 Childhood Adventures: Freedom and Exploration
25:06 Moving From The Suburbs to The Countryside
28:44 The Chaos of Summer Break in Australia
32:47 Holidays in Australia
35:13 Elementary School Years
39:18 First Signs of Feeling The Need to Achieve
01:01:44 The Pressure of Achievement and Anxiety
01:08:22 The Pivotal Moment of Breakdown
01:12:57 Searching for Purpose and Meaning
01:24:51 Working in Canada and Traveling Through Mexico
01:38:50 Returning Home
01:42:20 Traveling Through Thailand, Morocco, Europe, Turkey and Israel
01:49:07 Life in London
01:52:01 A Move to Germany
01:55:56 Producing Documentaries
02:07:54 The Peace and Validation That Came With Motherhood
02:13:04 The Importance of Staying Connected to Your Adolescent Child
02:17:50 The Shift in Gender Roles and Expectations
02:33:36 Stay-At-Home Moms and Working Moms
02:42:59 The Pressure on the Family Unit
02:45:36 Writing a Novel
02:47:03 Perimenopause and Menopause
03:00:41 The "You Keep Me Sane" Podcast
03:04:21 Finding Authenticity in Midlife
03:21:18 Women's Health and Advocacy
03:22:52 Australian Musical Influences
03:26:48 Traveling and Cultural Exchange
03:30:04 5 Year Vision
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