At seventeen, Kathy Lette lit a fuse that still burns bright today. She co-wrote Puberty Blues — the raw, funny, and confronting book that cracked open a national conversation about sexism, consent, and what it really meant to grow up female in Australia. It was banned. It was criticised. And it changed everything.

In this episode, host Sam Penny explores Kathy’s Spark, Struggle, and Breakthrough — how she turned outrage into art, pain into punchlines, and laughter into liberation. From fighting censorship in her teens to redefining modern feminism through wit, Kathy’s story is a masterclass in how honesty, courage, and a well-aimed joke can shift culture.

You’ll walk away inspired to speak up, laugh louder, and stop apologising for your truth.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Puberty Blues became an act of rebellion that redefined Australian feminism
• Why humour is Kathy’s greatest weapon — and how you can use it to tell hard truths
• The difference between being liked and being heard
• What Kathy learned about resilience, motherhood, and bravery from raising her autistic son
• How to find your voice — and keep it — even when the world pushes back

Reflection Prompts from the Episode:

• Spark: I want to… / I am going to…
• Struggle: I am afraid that…
• Breakthrough: Even though I am afraid of… I will… anyway.

🎧 Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t miss the full interview dropping Thursday.

👉 Watch the full video interview and explore Kathy’s Guest Hub at sampenny.com/kathy-lette