There’s always been a lot of strategy behind what we do at TLS. We plan, we pitch, we have countless conversations and we’re always thinking about where our talent could go next.
But sometimes there’s a moment when everything just lines up. The right person. The right opportunity. The right platform. And, importantly, the right time.
And Shelly Horton has to be one of our favourite examples.
As she famously tells anyone who’ll listen, for nine years we encouraged her to consider writing a book. For nine years, the answer was no. Until suddenly, it became a very loud yes.
By then, the conversation around perimenopause and menopause had shifted enormously and Shelly had spent years sharing her story, campaigning for change, speaking in parliament and becoming one of the most recognisable voices in the space. The turnaround from book deal to manuscript submission, editing and publication was incredibly quick, with I’m Your Peri Godmother launching in September 2025.
Yet what looked like a fast moving opportunity had actually been years in the making and when the moment came, Shelly was ready for it.
A year later, another of those moments has arrived with the launch of The Shelly Show – her new podcast built around honest, unfiltered conversations with fascinating people and plenty of Shelly’s trademark curiosity and candour.
The timing feels particularly fitting, with World Menopause Month putting a renewed spotlight on a conversation Shelly has spent years helping to drive.
Anyone who knows Shelly knows she was made for podcasting – curious, warm, opinionated, funny and very good at getting people to open up. And who better to join her for the first episode than Melani Sanders, founder of the We Do Not Care Club, for a conversation appropriately all about “finding your people”.
You can listen to The Shelly Show here, with new episodes dropping fortnightly.
Right person. Right place. Right moment. Right time. Some call it zeitgeist. Others might call it magic. We call it planning.
And Shelly is just one example. Across TLS, we’re constantly looking ahead with our experts and athletes. What are we putting in place now for the athletes we believe will be starring on home soil in Brisbane? How might a major life event change the conversation one of our talent is having with their audience? What new area of study, interest or expertise could take one of our people somewhere none of us would have imagined five years ago?
That’s the part of this job we love. Looking ahead. Joining dots. Playing the long game. And knowing our people well enough to recognise when the timing is right.
As you read on, you’ll see plenty of those moments taking shape across TLS; new projects, new partnerships, big sporting moments and people whose time quite simply, is now.
TLS SPORT
Women’s sport is finally getting more of the recognition, investment and airtime it deserves but with that comes a bigger conversation about who gets to tell those stories, how female athletes are represented and what the future of sports media looks like.
That was the premise of a recent panel hosted by Women in Media in conjunction with SBS Sport, with Paralympian turned broadcaster Ellie Cole bringing her lived experience and perspective to the conversation.
It’s a conversation our athletes aren’t afraid to be part of either. When Sydney Sweeney’s recent sports betting campaign sparked international debate over the sexualisation of women in sport, Tilly Kearns was among the Australian athletes who responded, sharing some “real women sports content” and putting the focus firmly back on what female athletes actually do. Her response quickly gained traction, generating national and international media coverage and adding another athlete voice to a much bigger conversation about how women in sport are represented.
She then showed us exactly what women’s sport looks like, racking up some early season wins back with her Spanish club CN Mataró.
There’s plenty more competition ahead across TLS Sport. Aiva Anagnostiadis heads to Monza next weekend (9-11 October) for the final round of the Italian GT4 season; can she get back on the podium to finish the season?
And it’s a big month for rally driver and new mum Molly Taylor. She’ll return to the Supercars pit lane for reporting commitments in Bathurst next weekend before making her own return to competition at the Extreme H World Cup later this month. And if that wasn’t enough, her documentary Drive Like a Girl has also been named a finalist in the 2026 International Motor Film Awards with the Awards Ceremony due to be held in LA in November.
TLS EXPERTS
We’ve always known Dr Michela Sorensen is a star, and now the whole of Australia is finding out, too. The ever cheerful GP has been announced as the Resident Doctor on season four of Seven Network’s The House of Wellness, starring alongside Melissa Doyle, Sam Taunton and Shane Crawford. Michela brings her medical expertise and warmth to the small screen on Wednesdays at 9.30pm on Seven Network, and you can catch up on the first few episodes here.
Making a guest appearance on that very same show this week was psychiatrist Dr Kieran Kennedy, who has been whipping up a publicity storm for his highly anticipated book, This Explains Everything – A Psychiatrist’s Guide to Navigating Adult ADHD (check out his episode). Between bookstore visits and media interviews with Body + Soul and the Life Uncut podcast, Kieran’s been working hard to help Australians understand more about seeking out and managing an adult ADHD diagnosis. And his hard work is paying off: This Explains Everything was named in Apple’s new release picks for September.
As well as launching The Shelly Show, Shelly Horton continues to put women’s health; and menopause in particular firmly in the spotlight. She’s back at with Priceline Pharmacy for its Anything Menopause campaign, this time taking to the streets for Menopause Mic Moments to find out just how much Australians really know about perimenopause and menopause. There are plenty of laughs, some surprising answers and a few moments you definitely won’t want to miss.
Shelly has also announced a new partnership that honours her desire to address the massive lag in women’s health research. As the new brand ambassador for Nucleus Network, she’ll play a key role in helping participants feel informed about taking part in clinical research.
Also in the women’s health space, Dr Ginni is joining an impressive group of women for Prevention magazine’s World Menopause Day event in Sydney on October 17. Expect great food, valuable information and great connections. Tickets are on sale now. Click here to snap up yours.
Then later this month, she’ll head to the remote community of Cleve in South Australia as the keynote speaker for the inaugural Women of Eyre Health Expo, sharing practical, evidence based insights on women’s health, menopause and healthy ageing with women from across the Eyre Peninsula.
Finally, if you’re thinking about a holiday (who isn’t?), behavioural expert Dr Gina Cleo’s quotes on behalf of booking.com in this Sydney Morning Herald article, about the brain-health benefits of anticipating a holiday will motivate you to lock in that trip.
TLS SPEAKERS
Our experts have been busy getting out from behind the screen and in front of audiences around the country this month.
Simon Toohey headed to Toowoomba for the Carnival of Flowers FEASTival, bringing his plant forward approach to the stage with a series of live cooking demonstrations. And with Simon’s first cookbook Plants on Fire on the way (more on that below), there’ll soon be plenty more ways to get a taste of what he’s been cooking up.
R U OK? Day once again saw our experts working with brands to take important conversations directly into workplaces. Positive psychologist Dr Tim Sharp partnered with Honeywell to share practical insights from the science of mental health and happiness, while nutritional scientist Dr Joanna McMillan visited the offices of MA Financial Group to explore the role food and nutrition can play in supporting mental wellbeing.
Tim also took to the stage at the 20th Lawtech Summit and Awards, delivering a timely keynote titled Leading with Humanity – What AI can’t replace. He explored themes of purpose, meaning, emotional intelligence and more in the AI era.
Dr Ginni Mansberg partnered with Medibank to lead the GHD Women’s Health Webinar, covering new research and treatment options for endometriosis, fertility and perimenopause and menopause.
Dr Gina Cleo wrapped up her seminar roadshow with Alcon this month, finishing in Perth after taking her expertise in habits and behaviour change to audiences around the country.
And there’s been plenty of hosting too. Kate Peck has been on the road with Porsche and Penfolds for Porsche’s 75th anniversary celebrations, with Brisbane and the Gold Coast among her latest stops and more dates still to come.
Meanwhile, Shelly Horton had a busy few days hosting ATAC’s 40th anniversary event – facilitating conversations, delivering a keynote, and hosting the organisation’s gala awards.
And with events season well and truly upon us, there are plenty more opportunities to put the right person in the room. To book your next speaker or MC for an upcoming event, email our TLS Speakers team.
SUITE READS
We’ve been waiting patiently for Simon Toohey’s cookbook, and thankfully the wait is almost over. Plants on Fire – Modern Vegetarian Barbecue hits bookstores later this month, perfectly timed for spring barbecues. Simon’s passion, creativity and food genius emanate off every page. Pre-order here to take your summer entertaining to the next level.
And Simon isn’t the only one with new book landing later this month. Casey Beros‘ More: Escape the Wanting, Wishing, Waiting Trap and Get What You (Really) Want is also due for release at the end of October. For anyone who’s ever wondered, “Is this it?”, More explains what it means to want more out of life – and the science behind how to actually go after it. Pre-order your copy now.
Dr Joanna McMillan’s brilliant The Fibre Factor continues to fly off the shelves. So much so, a Spanish version has just been released: La Clave Esta En La Fibra (which translates as ‘the key is in the fibre’).
And Dr Ginni Mansberg’s The Women’s Longevity Handbook is racking up excellent sales figures as Aussie women make this a bedside-table essential (as it should be).
HEALTH CALENDAR
This month is jam-packed with events and campaigns – plenty of opportunities for your brand to make an impact. Get one of our talent on board so your campaign hits harder. Key dates this month include:
- International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month – all month
- World Mental Health Day – 10 October
- World Menopause Day – 18 October
- National Carers Week – 11-17 October
- National Nutrition Week – 12-18 October
- World Food Day – 16 October
- World Osteoporosis Day – 20 October
November is another big month, so we recommend locking in talent early. Bookings are open for these dates:
World Diabetes Day – 14 November
Diabetes diagnoses are growing at an alarming rate in Australia. Hear the latest research on prevention and treatments from dietitians Dr Joanna McMillan and Jaime Rose Chambers, and GPs Dr Michela Sorensen, Dr Preeya Alexander and Dr Ginni Mansberg.
National Skin Cancer Action Week – 15-22 November
Get your team and clients ready for the warmer months with skin cancer prevention information from GPs Dr Ginni Mansberg, Dr Michela Sorensen and Dr Preeya Alexander.
World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day – 17 November
Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer, with incidences and deaths falling dramatically in recent years. Find out more about this incredible development from GPs Dr Preeya Alexander, Dr Ginni Mansberg and Dr Michela Sorensen.
Perinatal Mental Health Week – 22-28 November
Supporting the mental wellbeing women in the lead-up to childbirth is a big priority for GPs Dr Preeya Alexander, Dr Ginni Mansberg and Dr Michela Sorensen.