Midlife & Beyond Conversations

Why did I write Ageing Wonderfully Well ? In this episode, I share my personal experience of menopause, midlife transition, ageism and self-ageism – and what I hope women over 50 take from this book about growing older with more confidence and clarity. If this conversation resonated and you’d like to explore further, Ageing Wonderfully Well is available here: https://mybook.to/BOZjz This is a publ...

What happens when redundancy hits in midlife — just as you’re already questioning who you are and what you want next? In this episode of Midlife & Beyond with Jo Blackwell , I’m joined by author Sara King , who was made redundant at 54 after more than a decade in a senior role. Sara shares the shock of losing her job, the fear of being the main breadwinner, and the quieter grief of losing a profes...

Do you fear growing older, or the losses we’re told come with it? In At Peace with Growing Older , Jo Blackwell reflects on ageing, illness, acceptance, and the quiet emotional shifts that can happen in later life. Drawing on personal experience and a reflective piece attributed to Dame Patricia Routledge , this episode explores how peace, gratitude, and self-acceptance can slowly replace fear as...

Vicky Payne, Jo’s guest on this podcast, created an online book-club for women of all ages to read and discuss self-help and motivational books that we normally tend to read, then leave to gather dust on the shelf without taking action! Why self-help books chosen with women in mind? Vicky says the self-help world is very “bro-centric”, which doesn’t always fit with women’s view of the world, or th...

Have you ever lost your glasses while you’re wearing them, or walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went there? Most of us put moments like these down to “getting older”, but are they really something to worry about? In this episode, I revisit some of the most reassuring insights from my conversation with Dr Mitch Clionsky , who explains why everyday forgetfulness is usually benign,...

Your breath is like a remote control for your nervous system, and you have far more control over it than you think. In this episode, Sam Adams explains why breathwork isn’t about doing something fancy or ‘woo’, but about learning how to signal safety to your body, especially in midlife, when stress, sleep disruption, pain and anxiety can quietly take hold. From grief and trauma to menopause, chron...

One of the most dangerous ideas is that exhaustion means you’re weak. In reality, burnout often happens to the most capable, conscientious people, the ones who’ve been holding everything together for years. In this conversation, GP and burnout coach Caroline Steel explains why burnout isn’t a breakdown, but a warning. We talk about how overwhelm shows up in the body, why midlife can be the tipping...

If you’re on a diet this year, there’s one thing I really want you to hear - and I’m going to say it straight away in this solo episode, not save it for the end. If you’re dieting, you must start weight training. So many of us have been dieting for decades. We’ve slowed our metabolism, lost muscle along the way, and denied our bodies the nutrients they actually need, all in the pursuit of being sl...

Have you lost your sense of adventure? In this inspiring conversation, I talk with Louisa Swaden - The Existential Biker - about rediscovering courage, embracing fear, finding meaning through movement, and saying “yes” to possibility in midlife. From getting back on a motorbike at nearly 50 to racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Louisa shows that this stage of life can be bold, expansive and deep...

Many of us, particularly sensitive, creative, or neurodivergent women, have spent decades pushing through overwhelm without understanding what our bodies were trying to tell us. In this conversation, Peggy Cheyo explains how somatic practices, like gentle movement, dance, and embodied awareness can help regulate the nervous system without forcing insight or reliving trauma. Instead of analysing, w...

Are you finding it hard to stay inspired as you get older? This video is all about rediscovering motivation and embracing new sources of inspiration, especially for those over 60! Join me as I share the things that help me feel inspired, from art, books, and podcasts to the beauty of nature, family, and even surprising music choices. Explore practical tips on how to revive your creativity, find ne...

We've been lied to about ageing. In this video, I'm busting myths about ageing that we've been fed for far too long. From the belief that decline is inevitable to the idea that you can't lose weight, learn new things, or have a love life after 50—none of it is the full truth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit j...

In this conversation, I'm talking with fitness expert, Sam Palmer, about how to stay strong after 50 - and why it's so important. Sam emphasises the importance of incorporating various types of exercise and introduces her “Feel Great in 8” program designed for beginners. To find out more, check out her website: https://www.midlifemakeover.co.uk/8-week-midlife-fitness This is a public episode. If y...

Have you ever looked around and thought, "Is this it?" That’s exactly how I felt in my late 40s. After years of parenting and putting my own dreams on hold, I hit a point where I felt like I’d lost my confidence, my identity — even my purpose. But I also discovered that it’s never too late to change direction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

If you've ever felt invisible or unsure about how to dress in your 50s, 60s and beyond, this conversation will reignite your confidence and inspire you to live a more colourful life. NICKY'S BOOK: https://geni.us/zdPBCpP WATCH THIS CONVERSATION ON YOUTUBE HERE: https://youtu.be/5ekreafj2Fk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

As Albert Einstein said, “Logic will get you from A to B, but imagination will get you anywhere.” In this reflective solo episode, Jo shares the remarkable story of her grandfather’s survival in World War II and explores how imagination can sustain us through even the darkest times. She invites you to rekindle your own creative spirit - to dream again, to hope again - and to remember that imaginat...

What is happiness, really — and can we learn to be happier? In this week’s conversation, Jo talks to Christina Lenway , a Happiness Educator and author, about the science and practice of happiness. Christina shares how a personal crisis led her to study happiness academically and discover evidence-based ways to create more joy, meaning, and fulfillment in everyday life. They explore how happiness...

In this solo episode, I open up about the things I let go of in my 50s - from 20/20 vision and flexibility to old identities that no longer fit - and the powerful things I’ve gained in their place. Our 50s can feel like a season of loss, but they can also be a time of rediscovery. Now in my 60s, I see how letting go made space for self-knowledge, resilience, and wisdom, and how ageing can be a bea...

Is self-care selfish - or essential? In this honest and uplifting conversation, Jo Blackwell chats with Honor Marks , founder of Honestly with Honor and creator of Magical Midlife MEtreats , about why caring for yourself in midlife isn’t indulgent - it’s vital. Together, they explore guilt, boundaries, and the power of female friendship, along with the story behind Honor’s MEtreats - creative, con...

In this solo episode, Jo Blackwell reflects on nine life lessons she wishes she could share with her 18-year-old self. Each one is a message of self-compassion, resilience, and empowerment — from navigating early marriage and motherhood to understanding self-worth and the courage to choose joy. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, questioned your choices, or felt weighed down by expectations,...

Have you just waved your child off to university, college, or maybe even to start a new life far away? Whether it's their first big step out on their own or they're starting a new chapter as adults, this episode is all about the unique, sometimes challenging experience of “letting go.”Let’s talk about what it really means to be there for them—without hovering—and how to make sure you’re also takin...

In today's world, growing older isn't what it used to be. We now expect a longer, more active life than our parents' and grandparents' generations. This episode explores how the stages of life have evolved over the past century and introduces two thought leaders, Chip Conley and Barbara Waxman, who have reshaped how we view ageing. Covering how life expectancy has shifted from the early 1900s to n...

**10 Things I Quit in My 50s That Made Me Happier in My 60s** 🌟 In this solo episode, I share the 10 life-changing things I gave up in my 50s that have improved my life in my 60s. From quitting uncomfortable clothing and rushing through life to ditching doom-scrolling and learning to say "no," these decisions have boosted my happiness and well-being. If you're in your 50s or beyond, or simply loo...

Feeling like you're too old to chase your dreams? Think again. In this Podcast, I share personal stories, from a shocking hospital visit to conversations that challenged my views on aging. The words we hear, both from others and ourselves, have the power to shape how we live. If you’re telling yourself you’re too old to run that 5K, fall in love, or start a new career, then you might be limiting y...

At a Crossroads in Your 60s? Let’s Talk About Reinventing Ourselves! At 63, after 14 years as a brand photographer and founder of The Midlife Movement, I find myself at another life crossroads. Like many of us navigating midlife and beyond, I'm asking, What’s next? In this podcast, I reflect on my journey, from overcoming midlife struggles in my 50s to facing new questions in my 60s. — Connect wit...