⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses domestic violence, emotional and financial abuse, and the impact of abuse on children. Please listen with care, and reach out for support if you need it.

📖 Grab Becoming Athena by Elena Symeonidis: https://elenasymeonidis.myshopify.com

What happens when a single mum turns painful lived experience into a fictional book designed to help other women find their voice? Elena Symeonidis shares the deeply personal story behind Becoming Athena, and why telling it was both terrifying and necessary.

Elena runs a hairdressing and makeup business while raising her nearly nine-year-old daughter, and she's now stepping into a new chapter as an author. But Becoming Athena is more than a book project. It's a vulnerable, carefully guarded way of turning real life into fiction without exposing the people who shaped it.

You'll hear how Elena uses Athena as a voice for parts of her own story, why she left some details open to interpretation, and how writing let her protect others while still telling the truth. She opens up about shame, guilt, accountability, and the emotional risk of speaking up after trauma.

We also talk about why this matters: sharing your story can help someone else feel less alone. If you've ever struggled to use your voice, carried something heavy in silence, or wondered whether honesty can create real change, this conversation will hit home.

Still Standing. Still Speaking. is built on that idea: healing starts when people stop hiding and start talking. Elena's story is a powerful reminder that even when life is messy, speaking up can change everything.

This episode is for anyone who needs encouragement to reclaim their voice, tell their story, or begin again.

📖 GET YOUR COPY OF BECOMING ATHENA Order Elena's book here: https://elenasymeonidis.myshopify.com

🆘 SUPPORT (Australia) 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (domestic, family and sexual violence) Lifeline: 13 11 14 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 In an emergency, call 000.

🎙 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube 📱 Follow along on Instagram and TikTok

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"Your dad is so supportive coming to all your events 🥹"

He's not my dad.

Welcome to On the Couch with Sab & Anth, a new segment of Still Standing. Still Speaking. Every second week, it's just us: the funny stuff, the messy stuff, and sometimes the hard stuff.

We're starting with the question we've been asked more than any other. Real stories, your comments read out loud, the grey hair debate, an age reveal, and our very first Couple Quiz.

And yes, the loser has to read next week's comments in a dad voice.

💬 Drop the worst "is that your dad" comment you've seen below. We'll read the best ones next episode.

🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every second Friday at 7pm.

Still standing. Still speaking. 🤍

#OnTheCouch #IsThatYourDad #CouplesComedy #AgeGapCouple #CouplesPodcast #StillStandingStillSpeaking #AustralianPodcast #SydneyCouple