Jessica Rowe On The Brutal Public Humiliation That Changed Her Forever

Jessica Rowe has lived much of her life in the public eye. As one of Australia's most recognisable television journalists, she reached the pinnacle of breakfast television when she joined the Today show in 2006. But what followed was one of the most brutal public takedowns in Australian media. Jessica was criticised for everything from her laugh to her appearance, became the target of relentless headlines, and was ultimately let go while on maternity leave. In this deeply personal conversation with Kate Langbroek, Jessica reflects on that extraordinary period of her life and the lessons that came from surviving it. She speaks candidly about workplace sexism, being sexually assaulted early in her career, learning to raise her voice, the apology from Karl Stefanovic that helped her finally let go of years of resentment, and why she no longer believes in shrinking herself to make other people comfortable. Jessica also shares why she's happier at 56 than she's ever been, the joy she's found in embracing imperfection, and the advice she hopes her daughters will carry with them into adulthood. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, forgiveness and what happens when you finally stop apologising for being exactly who you are. You can listen to Jessica Rowe's podcast; The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show here.  Support independent women’s media and get our biggest offer of the year. Subscribe here for 30% off your annual Mamamia subscription. Code applied at the checkout. Offer ends June 30. You can now watch our show in full length video on the Apple Podcast app - make sure your phone is up to date and we can't wait for you to see. CLICK HERE.  What To Listen To Next: Listen: Esther Perel: When You Choose Your Partner and Lose Your Family Listen: Georgie Tunny & Rob Mills: The Marriage And Baby Conversation Everyone Keeps Asking About Listen: The Love Of My Life Was My Best Friend. Then She Died At 34 Listen: Jeni Haynes Created 2681 Personalities To Survive Her Abusive Father Listen: Kate Ceberano Has Spent 40 Years Trying To Figure Herself Out Listen: Maisie Peters Has Moved On From Mid Men Listen: EXCLUSIVE: Stephanie Browitt Survived The White Island Volcano. This Is Her Mother’s Story Too. Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here. Watch No Filter on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram here. Follow us on TikTok here.  Feedback: [email protected] Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. CREDITS: Guest: Jessica Rowe Host: Kate Langbroek Executive Producer: Bree Player Audio and Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Media Producer: Olivia Colman Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction: Jessica Rowe on No Filter 06:14 - From Bathurst Uni to TV Receptionist 10:54 - Getting a Break & Finding Mentors in TV 16:26 - Navigating Macho Newsrooms & Sexual Harassment 24:37 - The Today Show: A Dream Job Turns Brutal 33:44 - The Moment They Told Jessica to Stop Laughing 41:49 - Karl Stefanovic's Apology Years Later 44:29 - Getting "Boned" While on Maternity Leave 47:12 - The Terrifying Reality of Postnatal Depression 54:22 - Rising from the Ashes: The Crap Housewife 1:04:09 - Leaving Studio 10 to Choose Family & Joy