Podcasts are like your own portable library (although we also really love an actual library) filled with stacks of interesting titles to browse and inspire. They might not be the first place you’d think of to look for midlife help and inspiration, but there are some fantastic podcasts dealing with the ups and downs of our middle years. Whether you’re looking for medical advice, reassurance or just need a good laugh and the feeling that you’re not alone, plug yourself in and let yourself go.
Here are a few of our favourite finds:
Postcards From Midlife
‘Are you living in a hormonal hothouse battling it out with your teens while the dog, cat and husband look on? You are not alone.’
Described as being ‘conceived over a bottle of wine or two between friends’, Postcards From Midlife is the brainchild of former glossy magazine editors Lorraine Candy (Elle and the Sunday Times Style) and Trish Halpin (InStyle and Red). Their guest list reads like the dream team of everyone you’d like to ask about midlife: recent episodes have included Caitlin Moran on surviving midlife meltdown, Trinny Woodhall on everyday glamour and Caroline Hirons on skin ageing. There’s also a whole raft of doctors and experts covering everything from HRT to vaginal health, nutrition to sleep.
The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
‘I hope my podcasts will empower you with the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding any treatment and lifestyle changes.’
Known as The Menopause Doctor, Dr Louise is a GP and peri/menopause specialist, founder of The Menopause Charity, creator of the Balance menopause app and a passionate advocate for women’s health in midlife. The 30 minute, easily digestible episodes of The Dr Louise Newson Podcast present serious medical chat in an accessible style. Dr Newson speaks to guests, mostly doctors and scientists but also skincare experts, celebrities and even her own Mum. A great resource if you’re looking for advice on a specific symptom or issue.
The MidPoint with Gabby Logan
‘Gabby Logan is middle-aged and unashamed.’
Sometimes midlife and the peri/menopause can feel like an extreme sport and who better to commentate on its lethal twists and turns than sports presenter Gabby Logan. Gabby’s podcast The MidPoint with Gabby Logan looks at what it means to be at the halfway stage of your life with a glittering array of both female and male guests including Tess Daly, Ruby Wax, Mariella Frostrup, Michael Johnson and Rio Ferdinand. In the hands of an expert interviewer, the chat flows seamlessly as the guests explore the challenges and expectations of life’s midpoint. Thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking, the episodes run the gamut of health, relationships, nutrition, sleep, work, illustrating how universal midlife upheaval is, no matter who we are.
Menopause Whilst Black
‘Placing the menopausal experience of Black UK based women front and centre by sharing their stories.’
Karen Arthur was a teacher for 30 years before experiencing a breakdown that made her reassess her whole life. She became a fashion designer (check out her fabulousness on Instagram @thekarenarthur) and a campaigner and activist for the voices of black menopausal women. Think about it – when scrolling for menopausal information how often do you see an image of a black woman? This important podcast Menopause Whilst Black aims to ‘give a hug, a hand, or a high five to those supporting, dreading, suffering or thriving through menopause’. Each podcast is a conversation with an accomplished guest with a real midlife story to share. It’s by turns funny, frank, reassuring and as life-affirming as one of Karen’s designs.
That’s Not My Age
‘Honest, in-depth interviews with extraordinary women of style and substance.’
Fashion journalist Alyson Walsh transfers the trademark style of her popular That’s Not My Age newsletter, website and Instagram account - which celebrates style in women of all ages - into a That's Not My Age Podcast. Alyson discusses life and style and getting older, changing careers and finding success (in her gorgeous Northern tones) with guests including Oscar-award-winning costume designer Sandy Powell, journalist and activist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Sewing Bee’s Esme Young and Arit Anderson of Gardener’s World. We particularly enjoyed the episode with Clothes Show legend Caryn Franklin on confidence and authenticity.
Fortunately…with Fi and Jane
‘Guests from radio, tv and podcasting share stories they probably shouldn’t…’
Not strictly a midlife podcast but yet so totally, perfectly midlife all the same: Fortunately... with Fi and Jane is like coming in from the cold to a friend’s warm, laughter-filled kitchen. Veteran Radio 4 broadcasters and real-life friends Jane Garvey (former Woman’s Hour presenter) and Fi Glover (The Listening Project) have a chat about life before bringing in a special guest. The episode titles alone are worth subscribing for: ‘Soup Making and Self-Pleasure’, ‘Cheese Blindness and Fictional Keiths’ and ‘Submersible Eyebrows and Nipple descriptions, with Robert Peston’.
But Why?
‘Clemmie Telford attempts to get to the bottom of some of life’s trickiest questions by having honest conversations with an array of guests”
A parenting guru without all the answers sounds like a genuine parent. Clemmie Telford is a writer, influencer, Mum and curator of the Mother Of All Lists blog. Clemmie recently wrote a piece for Grazia entitled ‘Not knowing is my parenting superpower’ to reassure us all it’s ok not to know. You can always ask someone who does. The But Why? podcast does just that as Clemmie talks big issues through with guests who have first-hand experience: Otegha Uwagba on money, Jessica Ennis-Hill on balance, Matt Haig on mental health, Bryony Gordon on sobriety and Hat Hewitt on Alzheimer’s.
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As seen in Vogue, Independent, The Telegraph, This Morning and more.
