Today we’re discussing break-ups… the good, the bad and the conscious uncouplings.    We’ve had a good old chat with Rosie Wilby – Rosie’s a standup comic, a podcaster and an author. In her latest book, The Break Up Monologues she examines through her own experiences, stories from others and also experts on the topic what we can learn from our break-ups, why they’re vital parts of our personal growth and badges to be worn with pride rather than shame. SEE LIVE COMEDY in Tunbridge Wells OR on...

If you've landed on the show notes because you just can't get enough of us and want more on Instagram, links are at the bottom. Otherwise, strap in for a proper take-down of Prince William's statement about the enquiry into the BBC & Martin Bashir yesterday. Everything in this episode is our personal opinion and we have zero proof to back it up and it might all be rubbish, but it'll get you thinking. SEE LIVE COMEDY at the Forum Tunbridge Wells AND on “Facebook Live”, Thursday 17th...

Danusia Malina-Derben has 10 kids, she’s an entrepreneur and expert in Leadership in big business, hosts two podcasts - School For Mothers and School For Fathers. Her new book is a long overdue part of a bigger conversation that she’s been facilitating for some time already - Noise: A Manifesto Modernising Motherhood is a mix of research and memoir and also actioning through questions and consideration. It’s relatable and funny and exploring, never preachy.  The School For Mothers...

If you've landed on the show notes because you just can't get enough of us and want more on Instagram, links are at the bottom. Otherwise, join the outrage conga as we reference the UK’s collective deep-throating of the Union Jack Flag last week prior to Prince Phillip's funeral, dip a controversial toe into the Body Positivity Movement, scoff at anti-vaxxers & reassert that skinny jeans are OUT. Plus, enjoy Louise's self-tanning f**k-up… it’s a good’un More about Aimee...

Magazine journalist and founder of men's website The Book of Man, Martin Robinson joins us to chat about the chaos of modern masculinity and his book You Are Not The Man You Are Supposed To Be in which he examines some of the most pressing concerns facing men today, including violence, suicide and the spectre of toxic masculinity... all sounds a bit doom & gloom, BUT Martin is funny, insightful, informative and sensitive and we had lots of laughs! Buy You Are Not The Man You Are...

In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End In Murder - author Professor Jane Monckton-Smith joins us to discuss coercive relationships and how they escalate to murder. The numbers here are high and society's a bit clueless about the issues around it. Shockingly, many of us will recognise Jane's Homicide Timeline either in relationships we've had ourselves or in those of others. Jane's book is fascinating, horrifying & totally unputdownable: In Control: Dangerous Relationships...

This past week has highlighted that racism & violence against women are endemic in some parts of our society. Today we chatted with Tova Leigh - she’s an author, podcaster, content creator & performer. She celebrates & champions women loudly & doesn’t mince her words. We discussed this last week with her - Sarah Everard, violence against women by men, victim blaming, racism & THAT Oprah Winfrey interview. Tova Leigh's Website Follow Tova on Instagram @tova_leigh Tova's...

If you haven't come across The Midult yet, you're in for a treat. Start with this episode to find out who Annabel Rivkin and Emilie McMeekan are and what their Midult empire is all about. The Midult Website: https://themidult.com Instagram: @themidult Podcast: I'm Absolutely fine! Book: I'm Absolutely Fine!: A Manual For Imperfect Women More about Aimee Cooper: . Instagram: @aimeecooperforms   More about Louise Daniels:  . Instagram: @louisedanielsofficial    https://producerpaul.co.uk ...

Today’s guest is Dr Phillippa Kaye talking to us about her new book Doctors Get Cancer Too which is her memoir of being a doctor and a patient with cancer… Phillippa was diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2019. Phillippa started writing this for herself as a way of offloading the emotional challenges when she was diagnosed and going through treatment. She decided to publish her memoirs to help others in a similar situation. In Doctors Get Cancer Too she generously shares her experience and...

If you haven't come across Jenny Eclair & Judith Holder's podcast Older and Wider, you're not part of The Gang - rectify that immediately! You can thank us later after you've listened to Aimee & Louise fan-girling like mad during our conversations with them about EVERYTHING. We promise you'll explode with laughter listening to this week's Your Next Episode and then treat yourselves to their back catalogue of 99 glorious episodes. More about Older and Wider: - Older & Wider...

Bonus Episode in which Louise and Aimee wrap up the year with some podcast recommendations and introduce their favourite chat from Insane In The Fem Brain between Rich Wilson and comedian Desiree Burch. Listen to Insane In The Fem Brain on Instagram: @fembrainpodcast Follow Desiree Burch on Instagram: @destheray Desiree's Website: Desireeburch.com Follow Rich Wilson on Instagram: @iamrichwilson @menbrainpod Listen to Insane In The Men Brain Podcasts recommended in this bonus episode: Say...

This week’s guests are The Scummy Mummies, comedians Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn… of course you’ve heard of them - their hilarious podcast has over 4 million downloads and is listened to in 150 countries and their stand-up comedy shows around the UK are always a sell-out.  The podcast started 7 years ago as a brutally honest account of parenting and has evolved into an account of being women in their 40s.  They have no shortage of really big name guests because they’re absolutely adored...

This week we’re joined by Virologist Dr Ria Lina who’s ALSO a multi-awared winning comedian. She’s fearless, provocative and very funny. She’s unique in being the only female Filipina comedian in British stand up, she also has a BSc in Experimental Pathology, a MSc in Forensic Science and a PhD in Virology under her belt; so it’s not only her comedy that is highly intelligent. A regular contributor on Sky News and Talk Radio for her intellectual and comedic insight, Ria can also be seen...

Donna Landy's a 56 year old Transwoman who came out 3 years ago. She shared her experience with us, including how her and her family (wife & 2 kids) have dealt with the challenges this has presented. Donna's a comedian so there was a lot of laughing in amongst a heap of much needed learning and understanding. Trans resources: Transgender Issues & Later Life: https://www.ageuk.org.uk The Intercom Trust (South West England) https://www.intercomtrust.org.uk Helpline: 0800 612...

This episode will have lots of lightbulb moments for mid lifers and you're going to feel really good by the end of it, I promise. If you're in your 30s - do yourself a favour and listen - limit the surprise coming your way. Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, is the author of seven books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer for The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the...

MPowered Women is the midlife content that hits the nail on the head for me, I love it. The website & Instagram feed has intelligent, insightful, interesting content, it's cool, it's beautiful and no wonder - its co-founder is Saska Graville who spent a decade as Deputy Editor of Red Magazine so content's her thing and she's shit-hot at it. I urge you to go and look around the MPowered Women website and Instagram feed. The midlife book I recommended is by Sam Baker and is called The...

Louise’s aversion to Namaste ‘wankery’ at yoga was unpicked and then we properly grilled Dr Sally Norton on weight gain in midlife and what to do about it. Sally is a medical NHS consultant and weight loss expert.  This is the episode to listen to if you’re struggling to maintain healthy weight. Sally gave us evidence-based information on changes we can ALL make that WILL make a difference. So much to take away from this episode that will be invaluable to men and women no matter what...

Our guest today is Emma Parker, the CEO of Playful Promises which is a lingerie brand WITH A DIFFERENCE… really beautiful lingerie BUT the brand really is all about celebrating  and valuing ALL women … not just the young, thin ones. If you look on Playful Promises website & Instagram account you’ll see that they are absolutely committed to diverse imagery and have been for years – way before it became cool in the fashion industry to throw the old dogs (or the plus size ones)  an...

So much laughter with today's guest as we got down to the nitty-gritty of how we should be discussing sex with our kids. There's quite a bit of swearing and sharing in this episode as we chat masturbation, sex, consent, boundaries, protecting kids against sexual predators, porn and a whole lot more VERY openly with Dr Lea Lis, The Shameless Psychiatrist. Dr Lea Lis is a psychiatrist who’s been working with families since the beginning of her psychiatric career.   Her goal is to help all...

We’re joined by award-winning Doula, birth worker, educator and activist Mars Lord. I met Mars about 12 years ago through my birth work… ‘What’s any of this got to do with midlife? ’I hear you ask – well, for a bit of background, I’ve seen her speak quite a few times and when she does there are always lightbulb moments in abundance for her audience. Each time I’ve come away inspired and informed.    So, imagine my delight when I learnt that she is branching out, using her years of experience...

Today our guest is someone who isn’t an ‘expert’ in a particular field but she’s entering her late 40s, she’s an established writer and podcaster already, has now turned her focus on ageing and she addresses it in a funny, insightful and extremely relatable way already on Instagram…  Anniki Sommerville’s novel Motherwhelmed fictionalises her own experience of balancing parenthood with work and life. She’s co-authored More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters which was born out of the...

Our guest is Kathryn Mannix - Kathryn is a palliative care doctor & author of the bestselling book With The End in Mind… in which she sheds a light on death & ways of dying through the stories of those she’s supported. This is an informative and uplifting episode for us to understand how we can prepare for a peaceful death for our loved ones & for ourselves. Pretty daft to bury your head in the sand, because *NEWS FLASH* death is 100% coming our way at some point and these...

Today’s guest is Dr Sohom Das. Sohom is a Consultant Forensice Psychiatrist working in prisons and criminal courts. He’s also an author.   Initially Sohom was going to talk to us about psychiatry and mental health in more general terms, but given the conversations going on all around us about ingrained racism in British society, we decided to focus on asking questions about this in relation to the criminal justice system and mental health systems, both of which are areas that obvious Sohom...

This week we’re talking to Kirstie Law a partner at law firm Thomson, Snell & Passmore.  Louise asked her questions around divorce and custody but specific to the lockdown period and the complications that this has thrown up for couples around finances and also contact with children. Acknowledged as an expert in her area, Kirstie has been practising family law since 1995. She makes it a priority to establish at the outset the best means of resolving a family’s issues. As well as being...