Gen X can be funny about food. A lot of us were raised on a diet of Kate Moss, cigarettes and coffee. We were happy to talk openly about skipping meals, cutting carbs, and cabbage soup cleanses. We swam in a sea of celebrity diet tips, fads and…shame. In today’s episode of MID, Holly is talking about food and the absolute necessity of small joys with Virginia Trioli. Virginia Trioli is one of the most highly-regarded journalists and broadcasters in Australia. She’s a two-time Walkley Award winner, and her voice, on radio, on television has lent authority and comfort to some of the most difficult moments we’ve lived through as a nation. And this has given her a lot to say about…joy. That’s what her new book, A Bit On The Side, is about. Because for her - and for Holly - food is part of that joy. And allowing ourselves to lean into the small pleasures that make a life, without guilt or shame, is a radical act, really. Particularly for women, when we have been taught that self-sacrifice and deprivation are our life’s lot. So please feast on this conversation between Holly and Virginia - talking about food, love, and hard-fought parenthood and step-parenthood and losing your parents and wisdom and age and work and friendship and pleasure and letting go - and those times when you just have to… grow up, apologise and eat a shit sandwich. LINKS:  You can follow Virginia here. You can find her book, A Bit On The Side, here. THE END BITS:  Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at [email protected]  Follow us on Instagram @MidbyMamamia or sign up to the MID newsletter, dropping weekly here.  CREDITS: Host: Holly Wainwright Executive Producer: Naima Brown Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producers: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.