4 minute read
Luxe Profile: Oversubscribed
ALANA NIXON & LAURA JACKEL
Run by friends of 15 years Alana Nixon and Laura Jackel, Oversubscribed is “the podcast for women who are hell-bent on squeezing the most out of life”, Covering topics from pop culture and current affairs from their perspectives as readers, writers, mothers and proud Newcastle dwellers. Now in its fifth season, Oversubscribed has an audience reaching across Australia’s coastal capitals with a growing following in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, all recorded remotely from their home offices.
What has the journey been like creating Oversubscribed Podcast?
Laura: It has been really fun but also a lot of work! We met at Hunter TAFE in 2005 when we both worked as part of the marketing team. Over a breakfast catch up one day we were both talking about how much we enjoyed podcasts and wondered if we should give it a go. Initially, we imagined our audience would be women of a similar age living in Newcastle but we discovered as we approached Season 3, that the majority of our listeners were from the east coast capitals: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. These days, Newcastle is our fourth largest market and we have a growing following in New Zealand and the UK.
Alana: It’s been amazing. It started as and occasionally work on the podcast. It is something we wanted to try out and after the release of a few episodes, we found women were saying to us, “Listening to you two is just like having a conversation with my friends”. We were stoked.
What inspires you as writers and broadcasters?
Laura: For me, it is life generally: being a parent, a wife, a friend, a daughter and a woman over 40. I am inspired by the people around me too, and how they are handling similar life stages and challenges.
Alana: For me, it’s breaking news. I’m a total news junkie. I’m also keen for us as women to shed light on important issues that affect us and talk about them honestly, too. Our recent episode on toxic positivity is one example of that. We made a conscious decision early on to not be too preachy on the podcast. We’re literally just sharing our
Who are your dream podcast guests?
Laura: We always talk about Jacinda Ardern and what a great leader she is – I’d love to get her on for some inspirational life tips and just to hear about her experience as PM of New Zealand. Also, I’d love to interview writer and comedian Caitlin Moran for the laughs and Kylie Minogue because I have loved her forever.
Alana: Someone who is interesting and comes prepared. As for actual people, I would love AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) to come on our podcast. She’s a congresswoman from New York and she is so sharp. We’ve spoken about her a lot on the podcast and we love how she calls out misogyny and bullies too.
Between work, family life and Oversubscribed Podcast, how do you find downtime?
Laura: Ha, good question! I always make time for some physical exercise during the week and on weekends I try to see friends and occasionally work on the podcast. It is hard to have true downtime but I have a supportive husband in Jules and sometimes I just book things in for myself – the odd massage here and there or dinner with friends.
Alana: I’m not sure if I do. My little window of downtime is usually walking my dog in my lunch break while listening to – you guessed it – podcasts. I typically fall into bed at 9:30pm and always try to find something to watch on TV or streaming, even if it’s just for 30 minutes. It makes me feel like I’ve at least carved out some time for myself in a day.
How would you describe your personal style?
Laura: I have always loved shopping but I like to mix up high street with occasional second-hand or unique finds. I guess you could say my personal style is ‘high street smart casual’ if that’s a thing. I grew up in the UK and so I am obsessed by boots and jackets, and while winter here is short I feel much more myself in cool climate clothes. I am a bit of a slave to trends but now I am over 40 I have worked out what styles and shapes suit me best.
Alana: I honestly don’t know but when we had a recent style session with Natalie Baker at Charlestown Square, Laura told me my style was classic. This made me feel quite accomplished and Audrey Hepburn-esque.
What is the most cherished item in your closet and why?
Laura: My leather biker jacket, which has been a favourite for many years now. As I mentioned, I love winter clothes and think a leather jacket gives every outfit an ‘edge’.
Alana: They are so old now but my Guess low-rise skinny jeans are favourites. Do you know how hard it is to find low-rise jeans these days?
interview Nadene Budden
