Unplanned segments and a cancelled flight: What it’s actually like taking a podcast on a live tour.

For the first time in three years, Mamamia Out Loud finally hit the road. It was a run of six live performances of our brand new show, Respectfully, We Disagree, thanks to our tour partner, Priceline Pharmacy. Throughout October and November we headed to Orange, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, plus we filmed one of those performances for a special virtual show for audiences all over the country to enjoy. 

While the Out Loud community soaked up the razzle dazzle of what might’ve looked like a 'well-oiled machine', in truth the process can be as exhausting as it is rewarding, and as shambolic as it is fun. From planning and rehearsing to costumes, choreography, last minute changes, airport coffee meetings, cancelled flights and venues without aircon. It was a huge team effort in every way, supported by our amazing crew. Any questions?

How did you do it? What is ‘tour life’ actually like? And who the heck are you and why should you know?

Well, thanks for asking. Hi! I’m Emma, and I’ve been producing Out Loud for two and a bit years and I was lucky enough to head on the road with the team for the tour. 

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Now that we’ve cleared that one up, what is a… Mamamia Out Loud and is there any ABBA?

Mamamia Out Loud is a podcast about what women are talking about – from pop culture to politics, body image to motherhood, feminism to fashion. Thousands of you tune in three times a week (or five, if you’re a subscriber) to hear Holly, Jessie and Mia talking about the smart to the silly and surprising. There is not usually any ABBA though, sorry, although we do have many ‘supergroup’ similarities such as great hair, flared pants and some confusion over who is related to each other. 

So, how do you bottle up the magic of a podcast to transform it into a stage show? 

We know that one of your favourite things about Out Loud is how Holly, Jessie and Mia are able to strongly (and frequently) disagree with each other, without crossing a line or straining their friendship. With that in mind, we decided we wanted to centre the show around our ‘greatest hits’ arguments – the topics that spill out from the recording studio and keep coming up time and time again. They’re the topics you keep coming back to hear us fight about (respectfully) like whether marriage is good for feminism, or if J-Lo should have worn pants for her Super Bowl halftime show. And so, Respectfully, We Disagree was born – a show that stayed true to the essence of the podcast you know and love with more twists, more heart, more laughs, more fun, more of EVERYTHING. 

Here are some of the biggest lessons I learnt behind-the-scenes on the Respectfully, We Disagree journey.

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You will schedule rehearsals. The rehearsals won’t happen. Trust the process.

In the two and a bit years I’ve been working closely with Holly, Jessie and Mia, I’ve come to accept that dealing with three of the busiest human beings on the planet means sometimes, you have to be prepared to wing it. And sometimes, the best content comes from keeping things fresh and spontaneous. 

A good producer knows when to pester their hosts, but they also know when it's time to let go and trust the process.  

Respectfully, We Disagree was a slightly different show in each city, but that’s what made it brilliant. Some parts were planned in detail, others came together just days or hours before show time. We didn’t want to over-rehearse and end up with a show that felt stale. Audiences want to witness the unscripted joy and chaos of Mamamia Out Loud up close, so we tried to keep that in mind in moments of panic. The result? A mixture of candid, funny, warm, moving, difficult and enlightening conversations in front of thousands of women who felt seen, heard and understood in real time, directly from some of their favourite podcast hosts. 

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No matter how many times you remind them, someone will forget their toothpaste, deodorant or hair brush in every city.

This one doesn’t discriminate between hosts. About fifteen minutes after checking into each hotel, one of them would send a message to the group chat such as ‘Who's got some hairspray I can borrow?’ or ‘BRB just heading to Priceline to grab a toothbrush, does anyone need anything?’

Luckily for us, our hotels were never far from a Priceline Pharmacy. 

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A BYO emergency stash of supplies like hairspray, lashes, dry shampoo, bronzer etc is a must backstage. 

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Oh, and someone will over pack everywhere you go… naming no names…

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Pasta. Always pasta.

This third lesson may be the most important of all. Live performances and the grind of tour life mean refuelling at regular intervals is essential. Sitting down together for a post-show debrief over a big bowl of pasta was one of the highlights of tour life for cast and crew. Everyone is equal and welcome at the pasta table. I am still thinking about the ragu I had in Melbourne. 

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The crew will honestly get you through.

Speaking of the crew, I can’t overstate how important these people were to the success of each show. It really does take a village, and knowing you’re surrounded by a team of capable, creative, patient and kind colleagues provides the reassurance you need in those moments when your alarm goes off at 4am for an early flight that will be cancelled 10 minutes before boarding time, as you watch your bags being loaded and unloaded from a big metal bird that won’t be taking off with you in it. (Airport espresso martini anyone?) 

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This show wouldn’t have existed without the cool heads of our crew, and I’m so grateful for their support. 

You won’t get much sleep, but you will have a ball. 

Essentials include: a sense of humour, comfy shoes, lots of coffees, lots of water, good vibes and self-care (masks, power naps and hotel robes strongly recommended).

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Priceline Pharmacy is Australia’s leading pharmacy, health & beauty store. Shop the range and find a Priceline Pharmacy near you.

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Respectfully, We Disagree' 2022 tour? Fill out this survey to go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher for your thoughts! 

Did you attend or stream Mamamia Out Loud 'Respectfully, We Disagree' 2022 tour? Fill out this survey to go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher for your thoughts!