Why Smart Women Podcast
Welcome to the Why Smart Women Podcast, hosted by Annie McCubbin. We explore why women sometimes make the wrong choices and offer insightful guidance for better, informed decisions. Through engaging discussions, interviews, and real-life stories, we empower women to harness their intelligence, question their instincts, and navigate life's complexities with confidence. Join us each week to uncover the secrets of smarter decision-making and celebrate the brilliance of women everywhere.
Episodes
78 episodes
Snow Leopards Don't Need Ambulances (But Humans Do)
What happens when a woman's desire for a "natural" birth clashes with medical reality? In this gripping episode, I share the second part of the first chapter from my upcoming book - a story that will have you holding your breath until the very ...
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Episode 59
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41:23
When Beth Calls at 2AM, Everything Changes Pt.1
Today's episode takes a creative turn as I share the opening chapter of my forthcoming book. Set in Sydney, Australia, this story follows three sisters whose lives have been shaped by a mysterious incident in their past and the subsequent estra...
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46:16
Could a Metaphor Save your Sanity?
Ever caught yourself saying you're "banging your head against a brick wall" or "can't get your head above the parapet"? These aren't just figures of speech—they're powerful mental frameworks that might be intensifying your anxiety without you r...
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Episode 58
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48:34
The thin line between anti-vax ideology and white supremacy is getting thinner.
When neo-Nazis take the podium at your rally and receive cheers instead of condemnation, it's time to question what movement you're truly part of. The Snarky Gherkin joins Annie McCubbin to examine the disturbing connection between Australia's ...
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52:24
Why are we so quick to say ‘ I’m not racist but…….’?
What happens when our mental shortcuts lead us astray? In this thought-provoking episode, I dive deep into the psychology behind prejudice and how our brains create harmful generalizations about people who don't look or sound like us.
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Episode 57
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36:22
Acting Beyond Pretense
Have you ever noticed how some people can command attention with seemingly effortless authenticity while others leave you feeling manipulated or confused? The secret might lie in techniques actors have been refining for centuries.
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40:07
Acting! Why Stepping Into Someone Else's Shoes Changes Everything
What happens when shy, self-conscious people discover they can transform into someone else through acting? In this captivating conversation between three veteran Australian actors – Annie McCubbin, Lucinda Armour, and Deborah Galanos – we explo...
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Episode 56
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43:15
Gaslit at gunpoint. The real story behind Stockholm Syndrome.
Have you ever wondered if Stockholm Syndrome is actually real? The startling truth might shake your understanding of this widely accepted psychological concept.
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45:35
Australia is an amazing place to live. Snarky, Dave and Annie ask, ‘ Why do the cookers feel oppressed?’
The disturbing connection between anti-vaccination groups and neo-Nazi recruitment has been laid bare in this eye-opening conversation with two dedicated misinformation fighters. What begins as skepticism about vaccines can become a dangerous p...
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Episode 55
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41:53
The Snarky Gherkin and Dave ask, Are coffee enemas really helping ?
What happens when wellness culture promises certainty that medicine can't? When soft lighting, gentle music, and a sympathetic ear replace scientific evidence? The consequences can be devastating.
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38:15
Why do I have Covid ? AGAIN?
What happens when a self-proclaimed impatient person tries to embrace ancient Stoic philosophy? After returning from Bali with an unexpected case of COVID-19, I found myself facing the perfect opportunity to practice what the Stoics preached ab...
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Episode 54
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42:46
Mini Goats and Massive Protests: Lessons in Human Connection
What happens when your holiday isn't going according to plan? When the stranger next to you on the plane is hostile, or when fellow travellers are making too much noise? Annie McCubbin calls in from her Bali fitness retreat with profound insigh...
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35:06
Rabbit hole. What rabbit hole ?
"It's kind of the most important time in my life to be a skeptic," declares Michael Marshall in this thought-provoking exploration of conspiracy theories and disinformation in the digital age. From infiltrating flat Earth conventions to trackin...
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Episode 53
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38:21
If the earth is flat, how do you not fall off?
Michael Marshall takes us behind the scenes of his daring three-day undercover mission at a UK Flat Earth Convention, offering rare insights into the minds of conspiracy believers. This fascinating conversation reveals why smart people believe ...
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33:30
There’s a villain in all of us!
Ever wondered why the villains in Shakespearean drama captivate us so deeply? In this fascinating exploration of character and identity, Annie McCubbin and her guest David draw compelling connections between classical acting techniques and ever...
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Episode 52
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26:31
Coldplay Kisscam - The end of forgiveness?
Ever noticed how women are constantly encouraged to be forgiving, grateful, and blessed, regardless of how poorly they're treated? This episode dives straight into the dark side of forgiveness.The conversation kicks off with a laugh abo...
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43:27
Snarky Gherkin goes 2 rounds with the Anti Vaxers
What drives someone to fight dangerous misinformation when it would be easier to stay silent? Meet The Snarky Gherkin, who found himself thrust into the world of conspiracy debunking after participating in a COVID-19 vaccine trial and facing a ...
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Episode 51
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57:16
Honey, I Shrunk the Evidence: Why Natural Remedies Often Fail
Annie McCubbin's voice might be compromised by illness in this episode, but her critical thinking remains razor-sharp as she demolishes popular myths around natural cold remedies and wellness treatments. With characteristic wit and evidence-bas...
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41:14
The Great Fob Fiasco: Tales from the Marriage Frontlines
A missing car fob, a dentist appointment, and a blocked car park entrance become the perfect storm for examining how our brains process blame and responsibility in relationships.
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Episode 50
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44:30
Annie and the $400 Mandarin:
Have you ever made a decision that seemed perfectly reasonable in the moment, only to have it blow up in your face later? In this hilarious and insightful episode, Annie shares the mortifying story of how a single forgotten mandarin cost her $4...
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42:14
Itching for a fight? Hold your fire.
When unexpected laryngitis strikes podcast host Annie McCubbin, her husband David steps into the spotlight, offering a refreshingly candid look at relationship dynamics and the unnecessary drama we create. Drawing from their 30+ years of marria...
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Episode 49
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31:49
Bonus Ep: Considering the weight loss jab? Food noise get thee gone!
The battle with food cravings has met its match. After decades of diet culture telling us to just "be disciplined," science has finally acknowledged what many of us have always suspected – willpower was never going to win against our brain chem...
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55:11
Can’t win an argument? You could be a Labrador!
Every moment of every interaction is governed by an invisible force most of us never consciously recognise – status dynamics. From deciding where to eat dinner to navigating workplace meetings, these subtle power plays determine who gets heard,...
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Episode 48
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47:21
Bonus Ep: Alpha Males, Sacred Cacao, and Other Nonsense
Something alarming is happening across social media platforms. A new wave of self-proclaimed experts are selling dangerous ideas about "masculine" and "feminine" energy, pushing us back decades in gender equality progress while calling it "embo...
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47:02
