The Maria Thattil Show

It’s only fitting that the week I make my Drag Race Down Under debut - I share my slightly unhinged chat with permanent judge Rhys Nicholson! An award-winning Australian actor, comedian and author-to-be, Rhys and I talked all things career - how they used comedy as a vehicle, what its like working with Mama Ru and Michelle and how they went from local stand up to a global media career.

They also talked gender non-conformity and how they understood their non-binary identity, the hilarious way they were outed by their porn search history and what they wish people knew about drag. Tips on how to #MasturbateResponsibly included - free of charge.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected]. Follow Maria at @mariathattil, and Rhys at @rhysnicholson.

Aussies can watch me on S3E2 of Drag Down Under on Stan Australia, on TVNZ Official for NZ and Wow Presents Plus worldwide.

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This week is all about ... ‘the one,’ where I respond to a listener question asking why despite being “smart, pretty and successful I haven’t found ‘the one.’” I dive into attitudes toward gender, relationships and ‘success,’ talk about how I was raised and once thought being engaged was the ultimate goal of my life, and the pressure that people - mostly women - face being measured up against marriage and parenthood. I then share how to unlearn the blueprint that we need someone else to complete us.

This ep is for anyone who has been confused about their path, has questioned whether marriage and children are for them, and wondered how to stand up to external expectations in order to live life their way. Mostly, its for anyone who needs a reminder that ‘happily-ever-after’s’ don’t just exist with someone else ... happily-ever-after by yourself is also a beautiful possibility.

We take listener questions via my segment ‘Ask Maria’ too. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected] and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is all about having uncomfortable conversations with your family and it begs the question ... how open is too open with your parents? I dive into attitudes toward sex and women with my Dad and brother ... and Dad - an ex-priest - shares how he loved and accepted his two queer kids. But learning to be open-minded, inclusive and evolve their thinking is not something that always came easy to my folks.

So this ep is for anyone who is curious about how to talk about taboo or uncomfortable topics with their family, parents who don’t know how to change old mindsets, kids who need help being open with their loved ones ... and anyone who needs a good laugh listening to me talking about one of my old fuck-buddies with my Dad and brother. You heard right.

We take listener questions on family and openness via my segment ‘Ask Maria’ too! With only 1 minute to respond ... its 3 questions and 3 minutes of value.

For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email [email protected] and follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the TikTok trend that has captured thousands ... but what is ‘romanticising your life’ and why should you do it? In this ep, I explain why it’s so much more than just bringing main character energy and acting as though life is a movie ... romanticising your life has the ability to improve the quality of your life drastically.

I’ll explain what it is, the psychology behind it and 4 ways you can romanticise yours. We also bring back the Ask Maria segment and take beautiful listener questions on how they can find the magic in their lives. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: mailto:[email protected]. Follow Maria at @mariathattil.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode was inspired by me BEFORE my first queer experience - closeted, questioning and unsure. I didn’t know if the questions and thoughts I had were normal and didn’t know what to do.

I share my first queer experience, what I love and find different about my queer relationships and sexual experiences, and then I take your stories. They’re funny, heart-warming, heart-breaking and so generous - but importantly, so unapologetically human. Overall, what I love about my queerness is that its helped me to experience sex and love to a level of connection I didn’t even know was possible.

And no matter who you are and what your sexual identity is ... I hope that if nothing else, this ep encourages you to approach love and sex with less shame and stigma, and more agency and connection. For guest or topic suggestions, or to submit a question to the ‘Ask Maria’ hotline, email: [email protected]. Follow Maria at @mariathattil

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.