Spooky trail rides, riding breakthroughs and a serious dose of end-of-year exhaustion, Marissa and Oriel are back with plenty to catch up on. Oriel recounts a nerve-testing encounter with cows, barking dogs and a terrifying plastic bag ahead of her first jumping competition, while Marissa celebrates walk-to-canter success with Shiloh.

Off the horses, the conversation turns to midnight fears, tired kids and the mum guilt that follows losing your cool. Reflecting on their own parents and very different experiences of divorce, they explore why letting our children see us as human, and saying sorry when we get it wrong, matters. An honest, funny chat about finding confidence in the saddle and giving ourselves some grace at home.

This week on The Mounting Block, Marissa and Oriel are joined by domestic violence advocate Tracey for an important and deeply personal conversation about coercive control, domestic and family violence, and the signs that can be incredibly difficult to recognise when you’re living inside them.

Tracey shares her own lived experience and talks candidly about the slow erosion of independence, isolation from friends and family, financial control, walking on eggshells, and the cycle that can keep someone trapped in an unsafe relationship.

We also talk about why domestic violence doesn’t always look like physical violence, why leaving can be such a vulnerable time, the importance of seeking specialist support, and how Tracy has turned her own experience into advocacy for other women.

It’s a heavier conversation than usual, but an important one, because sometimes the first step is simply recognising that something isn’t right.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses domestic and family violence, coercive control, psychological and financial abuse, stalking and experiences of leaving an abusive relationship.

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

If this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, specialist support is available.

1800RESPECT — Australia’s national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Available 24/7.
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
https://1800respect.org.au/

Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS) — Micah Projects — Specialist support for women and children experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence in Brisbane.
Call: (07) 3217 2544
https://www.micahprojects.org.au/support-services/domestic-family-violence-services/protecting-women-children-and-families

Women’s Legal Service Queensland — Free legal assistance for Queensland women experiencing domestic and family violence, family separation, parenting and related legal issues.
Helpline: 1800 957 957
https://wlsq.org.au/

Women’s Health & Equality Queensland — Counselling, therapeutic programs and support for women, including specialist domestic, family and sexual violence counselling.
1800 4 WOMEN: 1800 496 636
https://wheq.org.au/

DVConnect Womensline — Queensland’s 24-hour domestic violence helpline, including crisis counselling, safety planning and emergency accommodation support.
Call: 1800 811 811
https://www.dvconnect.org/womensline/

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.

After a whirlwind few weeks of international travel, parenting logistics and general life chaos, Oriel and Marissa are back, and this time, it’s just the two of them.

They celebrate a huge milestone as Shiloh tackles her first trail ride, complete with shaky hands, a surprise koala and a lesson in being anxious about feeling anxious. Then they head into the wonderfully messy realities of family life: mum guilt, dinner-table meltdowns, childhood anxiety, ADHD medication, teenage attitude, group chats, smartphones and the ever-growing mental load.

They may not solve it all, but we’re talking honestly about learning to trust ourselves, asking for help and finding the small wins, both in and out of the saddle.

It’s been a big few weeks for the hosts of The Mounting Block. Marissa shares the emotional story of finally bringing home her dream horse, a beautiful grey Gypsy Cob named Shiloh, including the anxiety-filled journey through the Toowoomba Range and their first rides together. Oriel also celebrates a milestone of her own after completing her first equestrian event, tackling dressage, show jumping and cross-country with the support of her trusted horse and an enthusiastic cheer squad.

The conversation then turns to narcissism as the hosts welcome back Fiona Spence. Fiona explains what narcissistic behaviour can look like, why the term is often misunderstood and how manipulation may be driven by a need for control, admiration or validation. She describes five common narcissistic types, from the charismatic charmer and emotionally draining vampire to the helpless victim, behind-the-scenes puppeteer and domineering king or queen.

Together, they explore the warning signs of an unhealthy dynamic, including walking on eggshells, people-pleasing, second-guessing yourself and feeling as though you’ve lost your confidence or former identity. Most importantly, Fiona offers a hopeful path forward: recognise the patterns, establish firm boundaries, work on your own responses and decide whether a relationship can be managed, or whether walking away is the healthiest choice.

Marissa finally has some very exciting horse news, while Oriel continues building her confidence over jumps. Then, the conversation with Brisbane broadcaster and author Robin Bailey continues.

Robin reflects on surviving decades in a male-dominated media industry, being sacked—and unexpectedly rehired—and the double standards women still face in the workplace. She also shares her thoughts on grief, trauma, raising resilient children, financial independence and finding your voice as a woman later in life.

Honest, insightful and surprisingly uplifting, this conversation explores what it takes to keep moving forward, trust your children and turn life’s hardest experiences into hope.

Robin’s memoir, Flamingos Aren’t Born Pink, is available here:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/flamingos-aren-t-born-pink-robin-bailey/book/9781460768839.html

In Part 1 of this deeply honest conversation, Oriel and Marissa sit down with beloved Brisbane broadcaster and author Robin Bailey.

Robin opens up about grief, resilience, raising three boys after the loss of her husband, and the importance of being honest with children—even when the conversation feels impossibly hard. She also reflects on motherhood, life in the public eye and the village that helped her family keep moving forward.

Raw, moving and filled with hard-won wisdom, this episode is a powerful reminder that the hardest conversations are often the ones that matter most.

Robin’s memoir, Flamingos Aren’t Born Pink, is available here:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/flamingos-aren-t-born-pink-robin-bailey/book/9781460768839.html

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide, grief and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Crisis support is available 24/7.

This week on The Mounting Block, Marissa shares the latest chapter in her horse search journey, riding everything from Gypsy Cobs and Clydesdales to highly sensitive Andalusians, while Oriel celebrates a major personal milestone as she conquers her fear of cantering over poles and small jumps.

The pair are then joined by entrepreneur, business leader and change specialist Anna Whitlam for an incredibly honest conversation about success, self-doubt and what really happens behind the scenes of high achievement.

Anna opens up about growing up with dyslexia, finding confidence through horses, building and selling a highly successful business, and the difficult personal toll that followed. She shares how a Masters in Change at INSEAD led her on an unexpected journey of self-discovery, uncovering the unconscious beliefs and survival mechanisms that shaped her career, leadership style and relentless drive to achieve.

Together, they explore burnout, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, corporate acquisitions, psychodynamics, leadership, resilience and the importance of understanding ourselves before we can truly understand others. It's a powerful conversation about vulnerability, identity, and learning that success doesn't always look the way we think it does.

If you've ever questioned your own abilities, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered why some people seem to have it all together, this episode is a reminder that everyone is carrying a story beneath the surface.

Key Topics Covered include:

Horse shopping highs and lowsOvercoming riding fears and building confidenceFinding resilience through horsesDyslexia, childhood challenges and self-beliefEntrepreneurship and selling a businessBurnout and the hidden cost of successPsychodynamics and human behaviourLeadership, workplace culture and acquisitionsSelf-awareness, growth and reinventionBuilding a life and business aligned with your values

This week on The Mounting Block, Marissa and Oriel share all the highs, nerves and hilarious moments from their first local hacking show experience — from soggy rugs and rain-soaked mornings to reserve champion ribbons and proud pony mum moments. The girls chat about stepping outside their comfort zones, the unexpected thrill of the show ring, and why hacking might just become their new obsession.

Meanwhile, Marissa continues her chaotic “horse dating” journey, uncovering one very suspicious shirtless seller and reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of trying to find the right horse.

Then the ladies welcome special guest Kim Costa from Georgia, USA, a former equestrian turned real estate expert, author and podcast host. Kim shares her deeply personal story of surviving a devastating riding accident, rebuilding her life, and discovering how our homes should reflect who we truly are. Together, they dive into identity, midlife reinvention, horses as lifestyle anchors, and why creating a home that aligns with your soul might just change everything.

It’s heartfelt, funny, reflective and packed with relatable conversations about horses, homes, family, and finding yourself again in midlife