April 23, 2025 • 26 mins
In this special mother-son episode, beloved comedian and broadcaster Kate Langbroek and her 21-year-old son Lewis Lewis (yes, same first and last name) share the kitchen table wisdom that created their enviable mother-son relationship, and what really works in raising boys to become good men.
Lewis reveals the parenting "nails" that shaped him - from Kate's emphasis on cooking together as a way to connect, to her positive approach to masculinity; while Kate shares how parenting evolves with each child (the inevitable relaxing of rules for younger siblings!) Lewis also reflects on how challenging experiences - like their family's move to Italy during COVID - ultimately shaped his character.
Their playful banter showcases a relationship many parents aspire to have with their adult children, offering a heartwarming glimpse into a relationship built on mutual respect, shared laughter, and the simple power of gathering around a home-cooked meal.
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With thanks to Kate Langbroek and .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}Mark as PlayedTranscript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Mamma Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on Hello and welcome to
this glorious mess. We're embracing the chaos together and we're
ditching the judgment. I'm Annali's todd. I'm a mother of
boys and maker of men of the future.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Oh, that sounds so great.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It is great.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I'm taking the dolly.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
I'm a mother of three twin girls and a boy
and I'm not quite sure what I'm making yet, but
I'll get back to you on that one, So teags.
Today we're joined by a very special mother and son duo.
It is the one and only Kate Langbrook and her
son Louis Lewis. And Kate, as we know, is one
of Australia's most beloved comedians, radio and TV broadcasters and
(01:03):
in this glorious mess, first, we're actually going to bring
on her eldest son, Lewis, and and he's going to
be giving us a rare and valuable perspective from the
other side of the parenting equation because he is now
twenty one.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Oh, I can't wait for this.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Many of you will know Kate as the host of
Mum and Me is hit interview show No Filter. And
she's also a mom of four. She's got teens, she's
got adults, nice blendedness, she's seen it all.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
She she certainly has it.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
And Tigus Lewis is twenty one. Lewis Lewis, I should say,
who loves her first name and last name Lewis Lewis.
And I've gotten to know them quite well, and I
have always said that they are like my mother's son goals,
Like when I've got adult children, I want to have
that relationship. Okay, what is it about that relationship you want?
You're going to see it. I'm going to witness it. Okay,
(01:56):
and you're going to come on the journey. Okay, yeah,
I can't wait. Yes, And we're going to We're going
to basically be husking Lewis as a very you know,
this glorious mess nails and fails. What is right? What
did she get wrong?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
So we're potentially throwing her under the bus in a
few ways. Yes, in the hot seat okay, Oh my gosh.
And they're going to be sitting next to each other
while they answer this. Yes, oh, cricky. So we're all
family here, but first takes. Here's what's happening in my
group chat. So I sent this reel around you know
you and I love to send love, a real sendering,
(02:32):
a real group chat, and it was Ja Shetty. I'm
not sure if you're familiar with him.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
I am.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
He's the guru life coach, does great interviews. Yes, he's
very captivating. And he was interviewed and he was asked
the question do you believe in soulmates? And I was like, oh, yes,
I want to hear his perspective on this because I
believe in them. Does he No, he said he doesn't
believe in that concept that there's one perfect person that
(03:00):
is your destiny and just have to be one person,
because like I believe I have a few soulmates. Yeah,
but like girlfriend, same obviously, but in terms of that,
you are put on this earth to be.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
A monogamous soul mate.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
But what he actually said is that he believes in
three different kinds of love or relationships that you'll have
in your life. Okay, so the first is the firework
burns bright but dies quickly.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
We've all had it.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
We've all had maybe a few fire crackers in our life.
So the candle, okay, so it can burn for a while,
but it lacks spark and eventually just diminishes and goes out.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
So Sad runs out of wax a week.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
So the third one, and he feels is the most important,
is the mirror. So the mirror is it reflects your
own reflection, your own flaws, your own imperfections, and then
gets you to strive to improve. And he said that
that's what he has with his wife. But it's not
like it doesn't happen in that exact order, and it
(04:04):
can like go out of order and then we go
back to a firework. But I found that really interesting
a relationship have a bit of all of it, like
can it or it has to be it has to
sit in one of these not according to that I'm
asking you theory. I was a bit disappointed by the candle.
I was like, a candle's nice, but lack spark. And
(04:25):
then obviously I'm just thinking about and reflecting all the relationships. Well,
it's good, it's got a like it's got a flame
that it doesn't really do much does it handle.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It's just it's usually for the scent. Yeah, you don't
light it.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
For the for the light, No, No, it was pre
but the mirror, like I'm surprised that the mirror is
the one that, like the is the longer, the more
successful one, because who likes to look at their own
floors and imperfection. It's about self growth though, isn't it?
And the person that challenges it is true because my husband,
I'll tell you what all I can see in him
and all he can see me flows. So Kate Langbrook
(05:07):
and Lewis Lewis, I was just telling Teagan that you
guys are my mother son goals.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
That's nice.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Why do you say that just because you have such
a beautiful relationship and there's so much humor and playfulness
and love and it's just beautiful to watch. And that's
I think what we all want with our kids when
they're grown ups, you know, to get to that point.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
You know, you do see certain relationships that are good
models for you, and I'm happy that you think this
is one.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Well, because Kate, you you do have other children. But
would you call Lewis the golden child because here we are.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
Today, I'm definitely not the gold Okay, we get along
of the best.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
Maybe okay, because it's.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
We're the same stars are Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
And also it's easier to get along with the first
one because you know, there was sort of under attention.
Speaker 7 (06:03):
Does your father think it's easy to get along.
Speaker 6 (06:04):
With what sons get along with their fathers.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Elder sons, eldest son. Have you discussed this on the pod,
the tension between elder sons and fathers.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
No, this might have to be a whole episode. Yeah,
but is that because do you think that's because I've
got I've got a son, only one though, but like
it's almost like this jealous it's almost like a war
for what is your mom and their wife?
Speaker 1 (06:32):
So it's like, no, no, she's my mom. No, it's
my wife, so you know.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Interestingly, John Cleace wrote a book about this year's ago
with his psychiatrists called Families and How to Survive Them
More Life and How to Survive And there were two
of them, and in it, the psychiatrist says, when a
baby arrives in the family, obviously the baby is biologically
and emotionally bonded to the mother.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
And then when the.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
Child is two, the father has to come reclaim the mother,
and in some families that never happens, and if that
never happens, apparently the dynamic of the family just never
really works.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Wow, I wish I read that. So your husband Peter
Lewis never reclaimed. That's what that's what the beef is
happening here. Yes, he's jealous, but it's interesting, but it's
not beef.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
It's just I don't know. There's some things you can
talk to about and there's just other things. But that's
also just the way Peter Lewis is. He's very stoic
and the way.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Yeah, he's stoic, and he's he's very acts of service
for the family, like that's his thing.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
We have a running bit in the family where every
time we sit down at the dinner table he has
to We try to make him say I love you
to all of us and he gets to about he
gets to besty and then he stops and he can't.
Speaker 6 (07:58):
He can't do it. He can't.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
We just started realizing because Lewis said to me one
day we were talking about Peter and I said something
about you know, I love you and he goes other
words up way had my whole laugh to hear my
father sad and.
Speaker 6 (08:14):
No interest active service that's his life.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Yeah, but you know.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
But then so that night at dinner, I said to Peter,
I flag it with Peter before, because you don't want
to ambush someone in front of you know, the five
other members of the family or whatever sometimes you do.
But anyway, I see, So at the dinner table, I
said to Peter, So you've got something to say.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
You are us? You are us?
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yes, well, just to hear him say it, and because
were so.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
The worst thing was though she made she made him
look us all in the eyes.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
This is like an intervention.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
It was terrible. It was I never need to hear
it again.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
It was great, but it was I like.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
To do this thing on when anyone in the family
has got a birthday, that everyone in the family stands
up and says something that they love about them.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Which it's twofold.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
I mean, there's always can you imagine the horse she
to read that happens that.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
With the kids.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
It's like that's a given. But within that is a
kernel of having to say something nice.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yeah, And it makes the person feel good as well, makes.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Them feel good.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
And also it's good for getting the kids used to
standing up and speaking in front of people.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Yeah, Okay, well, this parenting advice, we're already getting well well,
speaking of saying something nice, Lewis, I want to know
the earliest memory of your mum getting parenting absolutely right, Like,
when has she nailed it for you?
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Is there a standout moment?
Speaker 5 (09:52):
I think probably a standout moment and this is this
is this is something she's always done.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
It's home cooking.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
That's the that's the biggest thing that I've sort of
taken out of sort of my mum, kayline Brook, is
that there will always be a place for a home
cooked meal over a takeout and going out to eat.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Oh that means I'm terribly failing it.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
And she's a really good even I know this about you, Kate,
having not even met you before, I know your passion
for cooking and.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
That you're a great cook. So there we go. I'm
sure I'm glad to get your children appreciated.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
She cooks with Lewis as well.
Speaker 6 (10:23):
Yeah, that's a big thing. We really.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
I think that's probably one of the main things that
has sort of kept us, all of you, all of
us so connected, is that we at least once a
week we all get together and have a home cooked meal.
Speaker 6 (10:37):
Together.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
That's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
And you guys, you cook together, so that will end
up being you know, core memories for you doing that
with your mum and something that you guys have been
able to connect with together.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
You know what's interesting is because I've got three sons
and a daughter and or the rest of the family
are really into footy, into AFL into the Western Bulldogs.
Speaker 7 (10:56):
I'm not really into it.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
But you've got to have some language that you can
speak with your children like it doesn't matter what you know.
For some I'm not a shopper, so I don't have
that shopping thing.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
I don't.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
But the kitchen, everybody's always got a week so if
And also I just don't hold with raising children and
not teaching them how to cook. That's like not teaching
them to read. You've got to give them the power
to be able to feed themselves.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
I think, yeah, I love that.
Speaker 7 (11:29):
And then we can do that's something that you can
do together.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
And particularly because I've got so many boys and men
in my family. You know that thing about how men
communicate side by side and women are always like, we
need to talk and the men are like, oh, and
who can blame them?
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Right?
Speaker 4 (11:48):
But cooking is side by side, so these and it
really makes.
Speaker 7 (11:54):
You unfold with each other in a different way.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
And I think if anything, food in general brings people, families,
everyone together, you know, like if you can sit down
and have a meal or whether it's cooking the meal,
like it's just.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Connection right there. And then like who doesn't love to
do it?
Speaker 6 (12:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yes, circling back to the birth and that stage, when.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Were we talking about that? If we're looking.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
At nails and fails, do you think calling you Lewis
Lewis giving you the same first name and the exact
same last name was a nail or fail?
Speaker 6 (12:31):
I think it was a nail, to be honest with you.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
It makes you some very interesting conversations, especially with the
UNI mates and government officials who taking your pierce a
lot of the time. There was a time when I
was I was sick and my grandma took me into
hospital and we had basically an our long tiff with
the nurse about whether my name was.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Real Wow filled in the form wrong?
Speaker 6 (12:53):
Yeah? She thought none was crazy and that I was
just lying about it and that you weren't filling the
forms out.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
But I think it's also maybe that's one of those,
you know, sort of psychological things you've got to get over.
You've got to get over saying your name and talking
to people and sort of come to terms of the
fact that your name.
Speaker 6 (13:11):
Is Lewis Lewis.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
You know, I feel like it sounds iconic, it sounds Yeah,
it's very Hollywood, I think, but it's.
Speaker 6 (13:17):
Something you've got to sort of learn to.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Just get on with it and own it.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Yes, of course, because you're one of those people that
every single time has to have a conversation.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
Yeah, like right now, were your parents on drugs? I
used to run with my parents. You know, we're on
drugs when they named me.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
So that's so good. I want to know.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Is there a childhood rule that you hated but now
you understand was good parenting?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Isn't it?
Speaker 2 (13:45):
It's always okay?
Speaker 1 (13:47):
What was the rule?
Speaker 5 (13:48):
I think looking at my youngest brother now, I think,
you know what, I'm getting a phone at sixteen.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
That was sort of that. That was our rule. That
was the original rule, the original rule.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
The rule is always evolving, flexible.
Speaker 7 (14:02):
Let's just say it's. Oh, it's it's that it's flexible.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
It's that I am like a done in a river.
Speaker 7 (14:11):
Worn down by the fourth of four, the current children
flowing over me. So by the time you get to
the fourth child, that it came.
Speaker 6 (14:22):
Down to fortever he wants, whenever he wants.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
He got a phone at fourteen, but that was one
of the rules, that sort of fourteen and.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
A half, fourteen and a half, but I got my phone.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
He had to wait till he was sixteen, right before.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
We went to Italy, and that was probably one of
the best things. I think. Yeah, you've done some very
had some very poor moments.
Speaker 7 (14:43):
No, it's twelve of this because this is not easy
to do.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
No, I've failed at it. Yeah, I've got a thirteen
year old with the phone.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
The thing is, I always thought about it, well, and
it's true, you can't put the genie back in.
Speaker 7 (14:57):
The bottom, and so we.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Always said to the kids, you won't have a phone
until you're sixteen.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
And I think I have a different relationship with it
now as well. I'm I don't really sort of even
when I get sort of down in the instareum TikTok
or whatever, I don't you know, I'm not spending I'm
not losing weeks of my life on there. You know,
maybe in afternoon occasionally, but never never more than sort
of that before I can sort of.
Speaker 6 (15:20):
Pick myself out of it.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Yeah, oh, I just got goosebumps. You're so right.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It's it's almost like we, you know, by by giving
them independence, we've then lost connection with community. You mentioned
before Italy and I when I was reading your book, Kate,
I recall that Lewis you were not happy at the
(15:44):
time with the decision to move the entire family to Italy.
In hindsight, do you feel like that was a nail
now that time has passed.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Oh my gosh, Yeah, come on, I actually don't think
it was, because in.
Speaker 6 (16:06):
The end, there was there was two things, right. I
had a girlfriend over here and.
Speaker 8 (16:14):
They friends over here during year nine, which is sort
of friends. Okay, alright, alright, anyways, I had, you know,
I had I had people here that I needn't you know,
I wanted to needed to stay here for during what
I would consider pretty.
Speaker 6 (16:30):
Formative years that you know, the kids need to be
around their mates for.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
And then when I came back as well, I had
to go sort of back a year because because of
the schooling system and how it works over there.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
So that was one thing I wasn't super thrilled about.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
So even by the time I got back, I had
all those mates that I had previously been in class
with had been graduated and you know, left the school,
whereas I was still there for an a year afterwards.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
But yeah, he wasn't happy about that. But the entire
experience was amazing.
Speaker 6 (17:01):
But the execution was was that was very hard.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
It was hard for all the kids because they actually
all but were You and Sunday their cohorship of the year,
whereas Artie and Yarni came back to the same which
I could never really understand is like trying to work
out daylight saving.
Speaker 7 (17:21):
The school year there goes from September to September.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
They made up half of you basically.
Speaker 7 (17:28):
But it was hard.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
But I also think, and I don't want to be
cavalier about it, because I know it was really hard,
but I do think that hard things are very character
for me.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Yeah, I agree, And it being because that was during COVID,
isn't it. You moved to the worst lockdown in the
world in Italy and then you moved back to the
new worst lockdown in the world in Melbourne, Victoria. Yeah, right,
Because I was going to say, well, at least, you know,
I'm just trying to find some silver lightings for you, Lewis.
But at least you wouldn't have seen your friends anyway
if you were here.
Speaker 7 (18:02):
And we did have one glorious year of freedom.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
We actually even after lockdown, we had a second glorious year,
just not it wasn't quite the travel year that we
had planned, you know.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Okay, Well, what I want to know is what's something
your mum thought she was getting right as a parent,
but actually was driving you crazy.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
I think again it comes back to the to the
to the younger sibling.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
She's really sort of let herself down there. It's just
the unlimited freedom the.
Speaker 7 (18:37):
Us because you just you've said all these wonderful girl
rules for you.
Speaker 6 (18:41):
Know, the other three children. But as soon as he comes, yeah,
get out of the house, go, you know whatever.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
It's just it's just, you know, there was there needs
to be.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
It makes me so happy to hear because my brother
is forty one and I'm nearly thirty eight, and we
steal Lewis fight about the fact that he wasn't allowed
a Billabong school bag until he was fifteen. And I
got it when I was twelve, Like, it's still our
family conversations at the tables twenty thirty years later.
Speaker 7 (19:12):
And the same with my brother. My brother's always lord,
yeah you.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Got one when it's a real thing, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
It's just it's the eldest birth right.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah, the kids are just.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
I mean, you're always looking at how you would disadvantage,
particularly in a big family where you've got siblings to you.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Okay, look like I feel like this episode is just
constantly throwing porkde under the bus.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
But we want to know because you don't.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
I'm okay, good, okay, good, I'm glad you don't. Okay, great, okay, great, great, great, okay,
But Lewis, I do want to know what's the most
embarrassing thing your mum has done in front of your
friends that mortified you at the time.
Speaker 6 (19:55):
I don't know this.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
Literally, you know, you think we've thrown her under the bust.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
Countless time she has.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Humiliated Okay, she'd be good at it too.
Speaker 6 (20:10):
That's what a gas lighter says.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
I can't there's so many but yeah, but that's what
someone who's got an invented narratives.
Speaker 7 (20:22):
Hoss. You I think, just me.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Yeah, just know she's very outwards going.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
I suppose that's just a mum's job, is it. In general,
I love, especially with sons.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Yes, good to talk about things.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Yes, yeah, but I think that's kind of when you've
got sons. One of the most fun things when they're
teenagers is embarrassing them, Like it brings so much joy.
It's just it's really fun. I enjoy it. I'm not
there yet, guys, but I'm feeling like there's a bit
of trauma occurring. So what would you say, is like
the biggest parenting nail, Like, how has she raised such
(21:01):
a good human?
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Well, we were talking about this the other day, and
especially with sort of our families, Mum and Dad really
put a highlight on how important it is to sort
of be be a man, you know, like you've got
to you grow up in this, you know, especially in
school environments currently, you know, it's it's there's there's all
this talk about what we're doing wrong. But Mum, Mum
particularly always sort of taught us what it means to
(21:25):
be you know, a good a good adult man, and
and you know the impact that you can have on
all the and all the good things you can do
in in the lives of everyone, you know, for the
less portionate. But I think that was probably that's sort
of one of the biggest parenting.
Speaker 6 (21:40):
Wins, that sort of mum and dad have sort of
instilled in.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Us, particularly as the mother to three sons.
Speaker 7 (21:49):
And there's so much discussion.
Speaker 4 (21:51):
About, you know what, what is called toxic masculinity or whatever,
and I've anyone who's who's got boys knows how beautiful
they are.
Speaker 7 (22:01):
So I was always like torn between.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Obviously we know that there are issues, societal issues, but
I can't see that just bashing young boys.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Making them feel shameful as well like throwing throwing them
in correct.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
It's a very alienating thing. And I'm like, why aren't
we showing boys, like why don't we have a series
of ads about this is what a great boy and
a great man does, And they're there's boys helping their
mum with the groceries, or help me, taking the parents,
help taking the neighbors, beIN out, men fighting bush fires,
(22:41):
men building bridges, men changing a tire by the side
of the road. For someone like, why aren't we showing
the amazing and beautiful acts of strength and kindness that
our boys and men have and show them how to
be a good man instead of going.
Speaker 6 (22:57):
Good the bad man. Don't be a bad man, you're
a dirty brock man.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
Like it just doesn't work.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, I love so.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
I was always very in our family, not even in
a teachable moment sort of way, just through the living
of it.
Speaker 7 (23:10):
And because their father is.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
A beautiful, honorable man, he was a living embodiment of
what I wanted my boys to have and who I
want my daughter to share the world.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Yeah. But you know that's so beautiful because like obviously
Lewis has really noticed that the building up, you know,
the encouragement of what a strong, beautiful kind man looks
like as opposed to that that mascot don't be the
day there, And that's obviously been such a successful approach
for you, Kate Lewis. Is there anything that we've missed,
(23:45):
anything that you would like to bring to the table,
Any golden nuggets that you feel like we've missed, But.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
I don't really have any.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
You sort of got the best bits out of my
sort of childhood out of.
Speaker 6 (23:57):
Me, which you know, there's only a few. Really. She's
been a.
Speaker 5 (24:02):
Very, very wonderful mother, but both my parents really and
I'm very fortunate to have grown up in such a
loving and sort of safe household to grow and Flora
really well.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
And Alsa, you were absolutely right, because you guys are
absolute mother son goals. The way you talk to each other,
the way you talk about each other.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Okay, okay, thank god, I was starting to worry.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Thank you so much for sharing your life and sharing
yourselves with us. And we got so much out of it,
and we know other people will too. And my cheeks
are all from laughing and smiling so much so and
how great.
Speaker 4 (24:43):
Is this your pod as a resource for people just
to shine, you know, illuminate different angles.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Well, look, the truth is Analisa and I both have
no idea what we're doing, so we're just figuring it out.
Speaker 6 (24:57):
With a very good job.
Speaker 7 (25:00):
No one ever done, yes like I would. I still say,
I don't know. I've never been a parents.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Can we say that forever? Can we just use that
one until the day we do?
Speaker 4 (25:12):
Maybe we can, because you've certainly never been a parent
at this stage.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
No, everything's new, Yeah, but I do think.
Speaker 4 (25:20):
That you know, there's a tendency for us to go, oh, well,
everyone's doing the best they can. Dada da everyone's not
doing the best they can. I just want to put that.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yeah, we can always do.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
No, we know when we are and there's many reasons
why sometimes we don't. But the fact is you can
always change things. Yeah, you can always change your dynamic.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
All right.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
We love you guys, Thank you so much and I
just we.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Just chat soon. Guys.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
Thank you bye, so thank you so much for listening
to this very special episode of This Glorious Mess. And
we hope you enjoyed the episode. And if you did,
we would love it. If you left us a rating
and review, we sure would. And this episode was produced
by Tina Mattelove with audio production by Jacob Brown. We'll
see you next time, mine.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
H m hmm
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Mamma Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on Hello and welcome to
this glorious mess. We're embracing the chaos together and we're
ditching the judgment. I'm Annali's todd. I'm a mother of
boys and maker of men of the future.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Oh, that sounds so great.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It is great.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I'm taking the dolly.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
I'm a mother of three twin girls and a boy
and I'm not quite sure what I'm making yet, but
I'll get back to you on that one, So teags.
Today we're joined by a very special mother and son duo.
It is the one and only Kate Langbrook and her
son Louis Lewis. And Kate, as we know, is one
of Australia's most beloved comedians, radio and TV broadcasters and
(01:03):
in this glorious mess, first, we're actually going to bring
on her eldest son, Lewis, and and he's going to
be giving us a rare and valuable perspective from the
other side of the parenting equation because he is now
twenty one.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Oh, I can't wait for this.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Many of you will know Kate as the host of
Mum and Me is hit interview show No Filter. And
she's also a mom of four. She's got teens, she's
got adults, nice blendedness, she's seen it all.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
She she certainly has it.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
And Tigus Lewis is twenty one. Lewis Lewis, I should say,
who loves her first name and last name Lewis Lewis.
And I've gotten to know them quite well, and I
have always said that they are like my mother's son goals,
Like when I've got adult children, I want to have
that relationship. Okay, what is it about that relationship you want?
You're going to see it. I'm going to witness it. Okay,
(01:56):
and you're going to come on the journey. Okay, yeah,
I can't wait. Yes, And we're going to We're going
to basically be husking Lewis as a very you know,
this glorious mess nails and fails. What is right? What
did she get wrong?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
So we're potentially throwing her under the bus in a
few ways. Yes, in the hot seat okay, Oh my gosh.
And they're going to be sitting next to each other
while they answer this. Yes, oh, cricky. So we're all
family here, but first takes. Here's what's happening in my
group chat. So I sent this reel around you know
you and I love to send love, a real sendering,
(02:32):
a real group chat, and it was Ja Shetty. I'm
not sure if you're familiar with him.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
I am.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
He's the guru life coach, does great interviews. Yes, he's
very captivating. And he was interviewed and he was asked
the question do you believe in soulmates? And I was like, oh, yes,
I want to hear his perspective on this because I
believe in them. Does he No, he said he doesn't
believe in that concept that there's one perfect person that
(03:00):
is your destiny and just have to be one person,
because like I believe I have a few soulmates. Yeah,
but like girlfriend, same obviously, but in terms of that,
you are put on this earth to be.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
A monogamous soul mate.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
But what he actually said is that he believes in
three different kinds of love or relationships that you'll have
in your life. Okay, so the first is the firework
burns bright but dies quickly.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
We've all had it.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
We've all had maybe a few fire crackers in our life.
So the candle, okay, so it can burn for a while,
but it lacks spark and eventually just diminishes and goes out.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
So Sad runs out of wax a week.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
So the third one, and he feels is the most important,
is the mirror. So the mirror is it reflects your
own reflection, your own flaws, your own imperfections, and then
gets you to strive to improve. And he said that
that's what he has with his wife. But it's not
like it doesn't happen in that exact order, and it
(04:04):
can like go out of order and then we go
back to a firework. But I found that really interesting
a relationship have a bit of all of it, like
can it or it has to be it has to
sit in one of these not according to that I'm
asking you theory. I was a bit disappointed by the candle.
I was like, a candle's nice, but lack spark. And
(04:25):
then obviously I'm just thinking about and reflecting all the relationships. Well,
it's good, it's got a like it's got a flame
that it doesn't really do much does it handle.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It's just it's usually for the scent. Yeah, you don't
light it.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
For the for the light, No, No, it was pre
but the mirror, like I'm surprised that the mirror is
the one that, like the is the longer, the more
successful one, because who likes to look at their own
floors and imperfection. It's about self growth though, isn't it?
And the person that challenges it is true because my husband,
I'll tell you what all I can see in him
and all he can see me flows. So Kate Langbrook
(05:07):
and Lewis Lewis, I was just telling Teagan that you
guys are my mother son goals.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
That's nice.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Why do you say that just because you have such
a beautiful relationship and there's so much humor and playfulness
and love and it's just beautiful to watch. And that's
I think what we all want with our kids when
they're grown ups, you know, to get to that point.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
You know, you do see certain relationships that are good
models for you, and I'm happy that you think this
is one.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Well, because Kate, you you do have other children. But
would you call Lewis the golden child because here we are.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
Today, I'm definitely not the gold Okay, we get along
of the best.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
Maybe okay, because it's.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
We're the same stars are Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
And also it's easier to get along with the first
one because you know, there was sort of under attention.
Speaker 7 (06:03):
Does your father think it's easy to get along.
Speaker 6 (06:04):
With what sons get along with their fathers.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Elder sons, eldest son. Have you discussed this on the pod,
the tension between elder sons and fathers.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
No, this might have to be a whole episode. Yeah,
but is that because do you think that's because I've
got I've got a son, only one though, but like
it's almost like this jealous it's almost like a war
for what is your mom and their wife?
Speaker 1 (06:32):
So it's like, no, no, she's my mom. No, it's
my wife, so you know.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Interestingly, John Cleace wrote a book about this year's ago
with his psychiatrists called Families and How to Survive Them
More Life and How to Survive And there were two
of them, and in it, the psychiatrist says, when a
baby arrives in the family, obviously the baby is biologically
and emotionally bonded to the mother.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
And then when the.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
Child is two, the father has to come reclaim the mother,
and in some families that never happens, and if that
never happens, apparently the dynamic of the family just never
really works.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Wow, I wish I read that. So your husband Peter
Lewis never reclaimed. That's what that's what the beef is
happening here. Yes, he's jealous, but it's interesting, but it's
not beef.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
It's just I don't know. There's some things you can
talk to about and there's just other things. But that's
also just the way Peter Lewis is. He's very stoic
and the way.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Yeah, he's stoic, and he's he's very acts of service
for the family, like that's his thing.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
We have a running bit in the family where every
time we sit down at the dinner table he has
to We try to make him say I love you
to all of us and he gets to about he
gets to besty and then he stops and he can't.
Speaker 6 (07:58):
He can't do it. He can't.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
We just started realizing because Lewis said to me one
day we were talking about Peter and I said something
about you know, I love you and he goes other
words up way had my whole laugh to hear my
father sad and.
Speaker 6 (08:14):
No interest active service that's his life.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Yeah, but you know.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
But then so that night at dinner, I said to Peter,
I flag it with Peter before, because you don't want
to ambush someone in front of you know, the five
other members of the family or whatever sometimes you do.
But anyway, I see, So at the dinner table, I
said to Peter, So you've got something to say.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
You are us? You are us?
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yes, well, just to hear him say it, and because
were so.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
The worst thing was though she made she made him
look us all in the eyes.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
This is like an intervention.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
It was terrible. It was I never need to hear
it again.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
It was great, but it was I like.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
To do this thing on when anyone in the family
has got a birthday, that everyone in the family stands
up and says something that they love about them.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Which it's twofold.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
I mean, there's always can you imagine the horse she
to read that happens that.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
With the kids.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
It's like that's a given. But within that is a
kernel of having to say something nice.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yeah, And it makes the person feel good as well, makes.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Them feel good.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
And also it's good for getting the kids used to
standing up and speaking in front of people.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Yeah, Okay, well, this parenting advice, we're already getting well well,
speaking of saying something nice, Lewis, I want to know
the earliest memory of your mum getting parenting absolutely right, Like,
when has she nailed it for you?
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Is there a standout moment?
Speaker 5 (09:52):
I think probably a standout moment and this is this
is this is something she's always done.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
It's home cooking.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
That's the that's the biggest thing that I've sort of
taken out of sort of my mum, kayline Brook, is
that there will always be a place for a home
cooked meal over a takeout and going out to eat.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Oh that means I'm terribly failing it.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
And she's a really good even I know this about you, Kate,
having not even met you before, I know your passion
for cooking and.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
That you're a great cook. So there we go. I'm
sure I'm glad to get your children appreciated.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
She cooks with Lewis as well.
Speaker 6 (10:23):
Yeah, that's a big thing. We really.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
I think that's probably one of the main things that
has sort of kept us, all of you, all of
us so connected, is that we at least once a
week we all get together and have a home cooked meal.
Speaker 6 (10:37):
Together.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
That's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
And you guys, you cook together, so that will end
up being you know, core memories for you doing that
with your mum and something that you guys have been
able to connect with together.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
You know what's interesting is because I've got three sons
and a daughter and or the rest of the family
are really into footy, into AFL into the Western Bulldogs.
Speaker 7 (10:56):
I'm not really into it.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
But you've got to have some language that you can
speak with your children like it doesn't matter what you know.
For some I'm not a shopper, so I don't have
that shopping thing.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
I don't.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
But the kitchen, everybody's always got a week so if
And also I just don't hold with raising children and
not teaching them how to cook. That's like not teaching
them to read. You've got to give them the power
to be able to feed themselves.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
I think, yeah, I love that.
Speaker 7 (11:29):
And then we can do that's something that you can
do together.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
And particularly because I've got so many boys and men
in my family. You know that thing about how men
communicate side by side and women are always like, we
need to talk and the men are like, oh, and
who can blame them?
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Right?
Speaker 4 (11:48):
But cooking is side by side, so these and it
really makes.
Speaker 7 (11:54):
You unfold with each other in a different way.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
And I think if anything, food in general brings people, families,
everyone together, you know, like if you can sit down
and have a meal or whether it's cooking the meal,
like it's just.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Connection right there. And then like who doesn't love to
do it?
Speaker 6 (12:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yes, circling back to the birth and that stage, when.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Were we talking about that? If we're looking.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
At nails and fails, do you think calling you Lewis
Lewis giving you the same first name and the exact
same last name was a nail or fail?
Speaker 6 (12:31):
I think it was a nail, to be honest with you.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
It makes you some very interesting conversations, especially with the
UNI mates and government officials who taking your pierce a
lot of the time. There was a time when I
was I was sick and my grandma took me into
hospital and we had basically an our long tiff with
the nurse about whether my name was.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Real Wow filled in the form wrong?
Speaker 6 (12:53):
Yeah? She thought none was crazy and that I was
just lying about it and that you weren't filling the
forms out.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
But I think it's also maybe that's one of those,
you know, sort of psychological things you've got to get over.
You've got to get over saying your name and talking
to people and sort of come to terms of the
fact that your name.
Speaker 6 (13:11):
Is Lewis Lewis.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
You know, I feel like it sounds iconic, it sounds Yeah,
it's very Hollywood, I think, but it's.
Speaker 6 (13:17):
Something you've got to sort of learn to.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Just get on with it and own it.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Yes, of course, because you're one of those people that
every single time has to have a conversation.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
Yeah, like right now, were your parents on drugs? I
used to run with my parents. You know, we're on
drugs when they named me.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
So that's so good. I want to know.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Is there a childhood rule that you hated but now
you understand was good parenting?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Isn't it?
Speaker 2 (13:45):
It's always okay?
Speaker 1 (13:47):
What was the rule?
Speaker 5 (13:48):
I think looking at my youngest brother now, I think,
you know what, I'm getting a phone at sixteen.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
That was sort of that. That was our rule. That
was the original rule, the original rule.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
The rule is always evolving, flexible.
Speaker 7 (14:02):
Let's just say it's. Oh, it's it's that it's flexible.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
It's that I am like a done in a river.
Speaker 7 (14:11):
Worn down by the fourth of four, the current children
flowing over me. So by the time you get to
the fourth child, that it came.
Speaker 6 (14:22):
Down to fortever he wants, whenever he wants.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
He got a phone at fourteen, but that was one
of the rules, that sort of fourteen and.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
A half, fourteen and a half, but I got my phone.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
He had to wait till he was sixteen, right before.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
We went to Italy, and that was probably one of
the best things. I think. Yeah, you've done some very
had some very poor moments.
Speaker 7 (14:43):
No, it's twelve of this because this is not easy
to do.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
No, I've failed at it. Yeah, I've got a thirteen
year old with the phone.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
The thing is, I always thought about it, well, and
it's true, you can't put the genie back in.
Speaker 7 (14:57):
The bottom, and so we.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Always said to the kids, you won't have a phone
until you're sixteen.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
And I think I have a different relationship with it
now as well. I'm I don't really sort of even
when I get sort of down in the instareum TikTok
or whatever, I don't you know, I'm not spending I'm
not losing weeks of my life on there. You know,
maybe in afternoon occasionally, but never never more than sort
of that before I can sort of.
Speaker 6 (15:20):
Pick myself out of it.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Yeah, oh, I just got goosebumps. You're so right.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It's it's almost like we, you know, by by giving
them independence, we've then lost connection with community. You mentioned
before Italy and I when I was reading your book, Kate,
I recall that Lewis you were not happy at the
(15:44):
time with the decision to move the entire family to Italy.
In hindsight, do you feel like that was a nail
now that time has passed.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Oh my gosh, Yeah, come on, I actually don't think
it was, because in.
Speaker 6 (16:06):
The end, there was there was two things, right. I
had a girlfriend over here and.
Speaker 8 (16:14):
They friends over here during year nine, which is sort
of friends. Okay, alright, alright, anyways, I had, you know,
I had I had people here that I needn't you know,
I wanted to needed to stay here for during what
I would consider pretty.
Speaker 6 (16:30):
Formative years that you know, the kids need to be
around their mates for.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
And then when I came back as well, I had
to go sort of back a year because because of
the schooling system and how it works over there.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
So that was one thing I wasn't super thrilled about.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
So even by the time I got back, I had
all those mates that I had previously been in class
with had been graduated and you know, left the school,
whereas I was still there for an a year afterwards.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
But yeah, he wasn't happy about that. But the entire
experience was amazing.
Speaker 6 (17:01):
But the execution was was that was very hard.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
It was hard for all the kids because they actually
all but were You and Sunday their cohorship of the year,
whereas Artie and Yarni came back to the same which
I could never really understand is like trying to work
out daylight saving.
Speaker 7 (17:21):
The school year there goes from September to September.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
They made up half of you basically.
Speaker 7 (17:28):
But it was hard.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
But I also think, and I don't want to be
cavalier about it, because I know it was really hard,
but I do think that hard things are very character
for me.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Yeah, I agree, And it being because that was during COVID,
isn't it. You moved to the worst lockdown in the
world in Italy and then you moved back to the
new worst lockdown in the world in Melbourne, Victoria. Yeah, right,
Because I was going to say, well, at least, you know,
I'm just trying to find some silver lightings for you, Lewis.
But at least you wouldn't have seen your friends anyway
if you were here.
Speaker 7 (18:02):
And we did have one glorious year of freedom.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
We actually even after lockdown, we had a second glorious year,
just not it wasn't quite the travel year that we
had planned, you know.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Okay, Well, what I want to know is what's something
your mum thought she was getting right as a parent,
but actually was driving you crazy.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
I think again it comes back to the to the
to the younger sibling.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
She's really sort of let herself down there. It's just
the unlimited freedom the.
Speaker 7 (18:37):
Us because you just you've said all these wonderful girl
rules for you.
Speaker 6 (18:41):
Know, the other three children. But as soon as he comes, yeah,
get out of the house, go, you know whatever.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
It's just it's just, you know, there was there needs
to be.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
It makes me so happy to hear because my brother
is forty one and I'm nearly thirty eight, and we
steal Lewis fight about the fact that he wasn't allowed
a Billabong school bag until he was fifteen. And I
got it when I was twelve, Like, it's still our
family conversations at the tables twenty thirty years later.
Speaker 7 (19:12):
And the same with my brother. My brother's always lord,
yeah you.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Got one when it's a real thing, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
It's just it's the eldest birth right.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah, the kids are just.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
I mean, you're always looking at how you would disadvantage,
particularly in a big family where you've got siblings to you.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Okay, look like I feel like this episode is just
constantly throwing porkde under the bus.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
But we want to know because you don't.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
I'm okay, good, okay, good, I'm glad you don't. Okay, great, okay, great, great, great, okay,
But Lewis, I do want to know what's the most
embarrassing thing your mum has done in front of your
friends that mortified you at the time.
Speaker 6 (19:55):
I don't know this.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
Literally, you know, you think we've thrown her under the bust.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
Countless time she has.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Humiliated Okay, she'd be good at it too.
Speaker 6 (20:10):
That's what a gas lighter says.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
I can't there's so many but yeah, but that's what
someone who's got an invented narratives.
Speaker 7 (20:22):
Hoss. You I think, just me.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Yeah, just know she's very outwards going.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
I suppose that's just a mum's job, is it. In general,
I love, especially with sons.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Yes, good to talk about things.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Yes, yeah, but I think that's kind of when you've
got sons. One of the most fun things when they're
teenagers is embarrassing them, Like it brings so much joy.
It's just it's really fun. I enjoy it. I'm not
there yet, guys, but I'm feeling like there's a bit
of trauma occurring. So what would you say, is like
the biggest parenting nail, Like, how has she raised such
(21:01):
a good human?
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Well, we were talking about this the other day, and
especially with sort of our families, Mum and Dad really
put a highlight on how important it is to sort
of be be a man, you know, like you've got
to you grow up in this, you know, especially in
school environments currently, you know, it's it's there's there's all
this talk about what we're doing wrong. But Mum, Mum
particularly always sort of taught us what it means to
(21:25):
be you know, a good a good adult man, and
and you know the impact that you can have on
all the and all the good things you can do
in in the lives of everyone, you know, for the
less portionate. But I think that was probably that's sort
of one of the biggest parenting.
Speaker 6 (21:40):
Wins, that sort of mum and dad have sort of
instilled in.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Us, particularly as the mother to three sons.
Speaker 7 (21:49):
And there's so much discussion.
Speaker 4 (21:51):
About, you know what, what is called toxic masculinity or whatever,
and I've anyone who's who's got boys knows how beautiful
they are.
Speaker 7 (22:01):
So I was always like torn between.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Obviously we know that there are issues, societal issues, but
I can't see that just bashing young boys.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Making them feel shameful as well like throwing throwing them
in correct.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
It's a very alienating thing. And I'm like, why aren't
we showing boys, like why don't we have a series
of ads about this is what a great boy and
a great man does, And they're there's boys helping their
mum with the groceries, or help me, taking the parents,
help taking the neighbors, beIN out, men fighting bush fires,
(22:41):
men building bridges, men changing a tire by the side
of the road. For someone like, why aren't we showing
the amazing and beautiful acts of strength and kindness that
our boys and men have and show them how to
be a good man instead of going.
Speaker 6 (22:57):
Good the bad man. Don't be a bad man, you're
a dirty brock man.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
Like it just doesn't work.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, I love so.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
I was always very in our family, not even in
a teachable moment sort of way, just through the living
of it.
Speaker 7 (23:10):
And because their father is.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
A beautiful, honorable man, he was a living embodiment of
what I wanted my boys to have and who I
want my daughter to share the world.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Yeah. But you know that's so beautiful because like obviously
Lewis has really noticed that the building up, you know,
the encouragement of what a strong, beautiful kind man looks
like as opposed to that that mascot don't be the
day there, And that's obviously been such a successful approach
for you, Kate Lewis. Is there anything that we've missed,
(23:45):
anything that you would like to bring to the table,
Any golden nuggets that you feel like we've missed, But.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
I don't really have any.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
You sort of got the best bits out of my
sort of childhood out of.
Speaker 6 (23:57):
Me, which you know, there's only a few. Really. She's
been a.
Speaker 5 (24:02):
Very, very wonderful mother, but both my parents really and
I'm very fortunate to have grown up in such a
loving and sort of safe household to grow and Flora
really well.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
And Alsa, you were absolutely right, because you guys are
absolute mother son goals. The way you talk to each other,
the way you talk about each other.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Okay, okay, thank god, I was starting to worry.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Thank you so much for sharing your life and sharing
yourselves with us. And we got so much out of it,
and we know other people will too. And my cheeks
are all from laughing and smiling so much so and
how great.
Speaker 4 (24:43):
Is this your pod as a resource for people just
to shine, you know, illuminate different angles.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Well, look, the truth is Analisa and I both have
no idea what we're doing, so we're just figuring it out.
Speaker 6 (24:57):
With a very good job.
Speaker 7 (25:00):
No one ever done, yes like I would. I still say,
I don't know. I've never been a parents.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Can we say that forever? Can we just use that
one until the day we do?
Speaker 4 (25:12):
Maybe we can, because you've certainly never been a parent
at this stage.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
No, everything's new, Yeah, but I do think.
Speaker 4 (25:20):
That you know, there's a tendency for us to go, oh, well,
everyone's doing the best they can. Dada da everyone's not
doing the best they can. I just want to put that.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yeah, we can always do.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
No, we know when we are and there's many reasons
why sometimes we don't. But the fact is you can
always change things. Yeah, you can always change your dynamic.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
All right.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
We love you guys, Thank you so much and I
just we.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Just chat soon. Guys.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
Thank you bye, so thank you so much for listening
to this very special episode of This Glorious Mess. And
we hope you enjoyed the episode. And if you did,
we would love it. If you left us a rating
and review, we sure would. And this episode was produced
by Tina Mattelove with audio production by Jacob Brown. We'll
see you next time, mine.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
H m hmm
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