All Guests
Gemma Watts

Gemma Watts

Queen Gronk

27 episodesNov 2018 — Apr 2021

About Gemma

Gemma Watts is the official "Queen Gronk of the Show"! She's also a Melbourne based copywriter, who has built up quite the reputation within the beauty industry, writing for many of Australia's biggest beauty brands. Since 2012 Gem has been a part of Australia's media landscape, working as a journalist, photographer and MC. In 2016, Gemma launched glowjournal.com, her very own beauty editorial platform! When she's not working in the beauty world, Gemma lends Mr. 97 a hand with his dating life.

Gemma's Instagram:
@gemkwatts

Glow Journal:
glowjournal.com

Glow Journal Creative:
glowjournalcreative.com

Glow Journal Podcast:
glowjournalpodcast

In Gemma’s words

Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.

“Essentially that, and equally as glamorous and fun.”
Ep 902▶ 6:51
“Basically, it's like, imagine a snake shedding its skin and then you're just left with like fresh baby skin.”
Ep 902▶ 6:51
“To a normal pleb wedding, you would look like an absolute dickhead.”
Ep 902▶ 14:14
“That needs— she needs to get in the bin with that.”
Ep 886▶ 5:41
“Watermelon is the worst thing in the whole world.”
Ep 886▶ 11:17
“I just think cheese is harder to poop.”
Ep 886▶ 13:20
“I sincerely believe the leg should end at the ankle.”
Ep 801▶ 5:43
“Now would be a good time to unfollow me because I very much disagree.”
Ep 801▶ 22:33

Gemma’s advice on the show

How do I know skin treatments like laser resurfacing won't cause skin cancer?

Gemma Watts explains that UV rays penetrate far deeper into the skin and cause DNA damage, whereas short-pulse lasers used in treatments don't penetrate as deep and don't cause DNA damage.

What should I do about a persistent pimple?

Gemma Watts recommends treating it with something acidic, ideally salicylic acid, and suggests it may be caused by mask-wearing creating a new environment on the skin.

Do silk masks help prevent maskne?

Gemma Watts advises that because silk is non-absorbent (unlike cotton), it won't solve the humidity/condensation problem that causes maskne, so breathability matters more than fabric type for skin health.

How should you clean and maintain a reusable face mask?

Gemma Watts recommends a boiling hand-wash with antibacterial detergent, drying in sunlight (heat and light help sanitise), and spritzing with a mask sanitiser spray; avoid heavily fragranced detergents, which can cause respiratory irritation.

How do you stop glasses fogging up under a mask?

Use masks that fit tightly against the cheeks so air doesn't escape upward and fog the glasses.

What makes an apology feel genuine?

A good apology should sound sincere and avoid qualifiers like 'but' or phrasing such as 'I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way,' which undermines the sincerity.

Stories Gemma told

The Zoom house auction with silent bidders

Ep 902▶ 14:20

Gemma describes bidding on a house via Zoom auction with around 42 attendees, most with cameras off, and how the eventual winning bidder confidently unmuted and won without disruption.

The topless waiter mix-up at a hens night

Ep 801▶ 14:25

Gemma describes a hens party where the booked topless waiter was double-booked and sent a replacement tradie who wasn't comfortable taking his pants off, leading to an awkward life-drawing session with the substitute in his jocks.

The Instagram anti-vax confrontation

Ep 801▶ 22:33

Gemma describes a follower who commented that coronavirus 'isn't real,' prompting her to challenge him publicly; the exchange escalated with her community defending her until the comment was eventually removed after she blocked him.

The uncle who was told he was a doorstep foundling named 'Gerhard'

Ep 722▶ 5:53

Gemma recounts that because her uncle Gerard was born a decade after his next-youngest sibling, his Scottish Catholic family jokingly told him his real name was 'Gerhard' and that he'd been found on the doorstep, a story he believed for a long time despite looking just like Gemma's late grandfather.

Confronting a family at a closed playground

Ep 657▶ 6:45

Gemma describes telling off a family of eight, including grandparents, for using a playground despite closure signage, getting 'stroppy' with them before later finding signs confirming the closure at another park.

Gemma's stress-induced acne and career change

Ep 657▶ 19:24

Gemma recounts having clear skin through her teen years until age 23, when she broke out badly while in a 9-to-5 job; a dermatologist linked it to work stress, prompting her to quit.

Questions these interviews answer

Drawn from the episode transcripts.

Does wearing a mask cause skin problems like pimples?

According to guest Gemma Watts, yes—masks create a new environment on the skin by changing humidity, temperature and sun exposure all at once, which can cause pimples, rosacea, dryness and dermatitis.

From episode 902→
What is the difference between microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing and vampire facials?

Gemma Watts explains that laser resurfacing uses lasers to peel the top skin layer and trigger cell turnover, microdermabrasion is a physical exfoliation method, and vampire facials create a micro-injury on the face to stimulate the skin's natural healing and renewal process.

From episode 902→
Do silk face masks actually help prevent maskne?

According to Gemma Watts, silk is not absorbent (unlike cotton), so while it's marketed for skincare benefits like pillowcases, it doesn't solve the core issue of maskne — which is the humid, breeding-ground environment created under a mask — so she's skeptical it genuinely reduces breakouts.

From episode 886→
Where can you get the best hot chips in Melbourne, according to the hosts?

Suggestions included Grilled for sweet potato chips, Hunky Dory, Salsa's for herby chips, and Fox's Den for thick chips with aioli; Gemma Watts, however, said McDonald's makes the best fries overall, while Jess Lucas argued Hungry Jack's fries are better than Macca's.

From episode 886→
How does Gemma Watts deal with anti-vax or COVID-denial comments on social media?

She says she generally doesn't block people over differing opinions to allow room for discussion, but when a commenter claimed coronavirus wasn't real, she challenged him directly, telling him it would be a good time to unfollow her, and compared his argument (never having met anyone with COVID) to not believing Antarctica is real.

From episode 801→
What technique does Gemma Watts use to help podcast guests relax before recording on Zoom?

She pretends to still be setting up her equipment and checking levels for longer than necessary, creating time for small talk so guests can loosen up before the interview officially starts, since Zoom interviews don't allow for the natural setup chat she'd have in person.

From episode 801→
Does being an only child mean a kid misses out growing up?

Amy Jackett and Gemma Watts discuss this directly: Amy says watching Gemma's close, fulfilled relationship with her parents made her question the 'myth that every child needs a sibling,' and Gemma argues there's no definitive answer about family size because you never know what the alternative would have brought.

From episode 722→
Is choosing not to have children considered selfish?

Gemma Watts says she only recently shook off being branded 'selfish' for not wanting kids, and Amy Jackett argues the label is misplaced since you can't choose what you naturally want, comparing it to not being able to change one's orientation.

From episode 722→

When Gemma came up

Mentioned on 22 episodes Gemmawasn’t on.

Also sent George a birthday message, noted to have her own birthday coming up.

Beauty friend who surprises the hosts with a skincare package and promises facial-massage video calls during the stream.

Daily Talk Show community member mentioned and briefly joining the livestream chat.

Tommy parked near her house while Bodhi slept; Josh congratulates her on a Glow Journal rebrand.

Revealed as the answer to the 'Queen Gronk' trivia question at the episode's close.

Mentioned as the host of a New Year's Eve party Josh and Mr. 97 attended, and as 'Queen Gronkh' in the Facebook group description; also gave shortbread biscuits used on the show.

A listener whose birthday is mentioned at the end of the episode.

Community member referenced repeatedly, including sending live messages and wristband trivia.

Referenced as a co-host for Mecca Land and jokingly crowned 'Queen Gronk' of the community.

Friend referenced as someone comfortable spending lots of time on Instagram as part of her job, and whose podcast featured the Bondi Sands founder.

Named the show's 'Queen Gronk' for her community support.

Referred to as 'Queen Gronk' in a joke about a hypothetical live show involving Trevor as 'King Gronk'.

Episodes with Gemma

Every episode featuring Gemma Watts on The Daily Talk Show.