At just 17, Kathy Lette co-wrote Puberty Blues — a brutally honest, hilarious and taboo-shattering take on Australian surf culture that shocked a nation, scandalised parents, and became a cult classic. Rather than apologising, she leaned in. From Puberty Blues to How to Kill Your Husband, Mad Cows and The Boy Who Fell to Earth, Kathy has made a career out of turning taboo into comedy and pain into punchlines.

In this episode, Kathy joins Sam Penny to talk about:

• How she went from a rebellious teenager to an international bestselling author
• What Puberty Blues revealed about sexism, shame, and surf culture
• Why humour is her sharpest weapon in the fight for equality
• How raising an autistic son transformed her understanding of love, difference, and bravery
• Why women must stop apologising and start saying yes to the impossible

It’s cheeky. It’s sharp. And it’s classic Kathy — part stand-up, part masterclass in rebellion, and completely unapologetic.

💬 Key Quotes

“Women are each other’s human wonder bras — uplifting, supportive, and making each other look bigger and better.”“I always write the book I wish I had when I was going through it.”“Humour is my weapon. If you can make someone laugh, you can slip the medicine down more easily.”“There’s ordinary and there’s extraordinary — and people on the spectrum are extraordinary.”“Optimism isn’t an eye disease. Be positive. Never turn down an adventure.”

🧩 Themes Explored

• Rebellion through humour: How satire can change culture.
• Feminism with a wink: Making gender politics laugh-out-loud funny.
• Motherhood & autism: What her son Jules taught her about compassion and courage.
• From scandal to empowerment: Lessons from surviving the spotlight.
• Bravery: Saying what others won’t — and doing it with wit.

🔥 The Brave Moment

When Kathy’s son Jules was diagnosed with autism, she says it was the hardest — and most defining — chapter of her life.

“There’s no owner’s manual for an autistic child. That was when I had to dig deepest for bravery.”

📚 Kathy’s Books Mentioned

• Puberty Blues
• Girls’ Night Out
• How to Kill Your Husband (and Other Handy Household Hints)
• HRT: Husband Replacement Therapy
• The Boy Who Fell to Earth
• The Revenge Club

🧭 Where to Find Kathy

📖 kathylette.com

📸 Instagram @kathylette

🐦 Twitter @kathylette

💡 Takeaway

Bravery doesn’t always mean charging into battle — sometimes it means writing down the truth about your world and refusing to apologise when people tell you to be quiet.

As Kathy says:

“If not now, when? You’ve earned it. Go out there and be fabulous.”