Truth is, we’re all a little weird in the bedroom (no, not like that…). We’re talking about the good stuff, the real, unfiltered, between-the-sheets quirks that make us who we are. The doona hogging, midnight snacking, late-night Googling, and questionable PJ choices we’d probably never admit out loud.
Because if we’re honest, the bedroom is where the magic and the mischief really happen. It’s the place for whispered confessions, outrageous dreams, and those little rituals that never make it to the outside world.
This time, we’re pulling back the doona with the brilliant Bridget Hustwaite, TV & radio presenter, bestselling author, podcaster, MC, and all-round creative powerhouse. From breaking into music media in 2012 to hosting Triple j’s Good Nights, judging the ARIAs, writing bestselling books, and launching the hit podcast Figuring Out 30, Bridget has seen and done it all, and she’s done it with curiosity, courage and plenty of late-night playlists along the way.
Known for sharing her voice with honesty and advocacy, Bridget is letting us peek behind the curtain and under the covers to share the quirks, comforts, and reflections that keep her inspired, both in her bedroom and in life.
Thank you for letting us peek inside your bedroom, Bridget! For those who haven’t met you yet, can you share a little about who you are, what a typical day looks like, and how your bedroom fits into your life as a space to recharge, create, and reflect?
Thanks for coming over :) In short, I am a professional yapper! Radio and TV presenter, music journalist, bestselling author, podcaster, digital content creator and endometriosis advocate… a bit of a chronic communicator!
A typical day starts with a morning walk with my toy cavoodle, Daisy. I work as a freelancer, so every day looks a little different, but if I’m not on site for a job, I’m usually on emails with my lovely manager mapping out upcoming projects. Afternoons are often spent writing, recording, or creating content, and I like to leave a bit of space for any life admin or errands that pop up.
My bedroom is my safe space to decompress and reset, but it’s also where ideas tend to land and notes get scribbled. A place that holds both calm and creativity!
Your career has spanned TV, radio, live events, podcasting and bestselling books (just to name a few!). What moments have really shaped you as a creative and storyteller, and what albums, books, or rituals have been your ultimate comfort over the years?
This is such an interesting question! I’ve gained so much from working across various mediums. With live radio and TV, you have nowhere to hide, so you really have to trust your instincts when it comes to thinking on your feet and being present in the moment. Presenting huge events like the Hottest 100 on triple j or hosting the ARIA Awards red carpet and backstage broadcast definitely come to mind.
It’s a completely different energy with book writing, where you’re forced to slow down and sit with your thoughts. I felt that deeply while writing Figuring Out Thirty, as I was drawing so much from my own life and experiences.
Across all of it, I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is the power of listening - to a guest I’m interviewing, an audience in real time, or to myself when I’m writing. I think the consistent thread has been learning to lean into that, and into vulnerability, whether that’s in a fast-paced live broadcast, podcast recording or spilling yourself onto the page.
As for albums, the first that comes to mind is Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves. That album was such a comfort when I moved to Sydney in 2018 for work and was really struggling to settle in. For books, it’s definitely anything by Dolly Alderton. Ghosts and Everything I Know About Love were particularly grounding around the time I turned thirty. And in terms of rituals, journaling has always been my go-to. I have one journal for pure word vomit/getting everything out of my head, and a gratitude journal with prompts that helps me feel more positive and centered.
Your podcast and book, Figuring Out 30 explores the chaos, confusion and clarity of turning thirty. What lessons have you learned from this milestone, and what advice or insights do you hope listeners and readers take away from your experience?
The biggest thing I have learned is that it is okay to still be figuring things out! Stop trying to live by a timeline and what you think you should be doing, and learn to not only tap into what it is you truly want to do, but who you want to be. I just want listeners and readers to go easy on themselves!
You’re a passionate advocate for endometriosis and have shared your journey through social media, events and your book How To Endo. How do you approach educating and supporting others, and what do you hope to inspire or leave behind for anyone going through something similar?
It’s so important to validate and reassure when supporting others but from an education perspective, I’ve always focused on making information feel accessible and digestible. Medical language can be overwhelming and lowkey boring, so I’ve really tried to translate that into something more conversational and easier to connect with. I think my background in radio has naturally shaped that.
Welcome to Between The Sheets, where the only rule is: there are no secrets between the sheets.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve ever done in PJs?
There were definitely times when I would rock up to my mid dawn (1-6am) shifts on triple j in PJ pants and my robe. Five hours of live radio in the middle of the night, girls gotta stay comfy!
What’s your go-to midnight snack?
Don’t judge me but I did actually buy Fruit Loops recently and may have had a bowl as dessert…
What’s on your bedside table right now?
A gorg little bottle of kit: Good Night Pillow Mist!
Do you have a pre-bed ritual eg: book, playlist, skincare, journal that sets the mood for sleep?
Definitely my LED mask, that’s a pre-bed non-negotiable!
How do you relax and recharge, especially with such a busy career?
I always make time for what I like to call my “rot days”. All that basically entails is couch cuddles with Daisy, having a nice warm bath with some music playing or I’ll treat myself to a massage.
What’s something about being in your 30s that surprised you?
I’ve probably felt this more recently, but I didn’t expect how much clearer my priorities would become. I’m way more selective with my time, energy, and the people I spend it with. Life’s too short to abandon yourself or what you stand for.
What’s the most creative idea you’ve ever had lying awake at night?
Funnily enough, the idea of Figuring Out Thirty came to me in bed at 1:16am, to be exact!
If you could swap bedrooms with anyone in the world, whose would it be?
I have been long obsessed with Emma Chamberlain’s home feature in Architectural Digest - her bedroom is so spacious but clean and calm, and she’s got a sick walk in robe!
What’s your biggest bedroom design splurge?
My original canvas by Queensland artist Narjia Brownlie. She paints vibrant female silhouettes, and my piece, Pink Sun in Putignano, celebrates resilience. It’s so beautiful and personal, I have it on my sideboard and love being able to look at it from my bed.
You’ve worked across radio, TV, podcasts, live events, and writing books - how do you decide which projects to say yes to, and which ones to let go?
Working freelance means I have to be selective and really value my time and energy. At the end of the day, a project needs to excite me and align not just with the story I want to tell, but also with the kind of work I want to put out into the world.
What advice would you give your younger self now that you’re in your 30’s?
Focus on being your own best friend- you are the love of your own life! Everything else follows from that.
If we opened your wardrobe right now, what colour or item would we see the most of?
You would see lots of pretty flowing dresses and maxi skirts - the ultimate way to look put together without trying!
When you hop out of bed, where’s your favourite spot to grab a coffee?
I’m dangerously close to Candied Bakery in Spotswood who do epic coffee and pastries!
You’ve interviewed some of the biggest names in music, what’s a conversation or story that has stuck with you, and why?
I think a lot about having Angie McMahon on my Figuring Out 30 podcast in 2023. We connected over so many shared experiences - navigating our Saturn returns and navigating the music industry as women in our thirties, as well as making sense of an ADHD diagnosis later in life. It was deeply candid, personal and validating.
Can you share a project that pushed you outside your comfort zone, and what it taught you about yourself or your creative process?
Hosting the ARIA Awards red carpet in 2023, there’s nothing like that live TV, on-the-spot, anything-can-change kind of pressure! Even though all the experience and connections I’ve built as a music presenter helped, I made sure to do my extra prep and stay diligent, and that’s what really made me feel ready for the job.
