Postcards From Midlife

Are we talking about mental health more than ever, yet understanding it less? Consultant clinical psychologist, Times columnist and broadcaster Prof Tanya Byron thinks so. She joins Trish & Lorraine to talk about her new book, You Are Not a Diagnosis: The Therapy-Speak Trap and the Lost Art of Listening to Ourselves . In their warm & helpful conversation she explains how to cope with ordin...

Surrounded by people but still feel lonely? Bestselling author Meg Mason ( Sorrow and Bliss ) joins Lorraine and Trish to talk about how she wrote her new novel Sophie Standing There , a story of love, loneliness and life after divorce. Meg shares her own feelings of acute loneliness and the shame that comes with it for many women, as well as what saved her. She also reveals how midlife wisdom has...

Meet Dr Sam Bunting, the leading dermatologist who says you don't need facials, a silk pillowcase or have to drink gallons of water to get bright, glowing skin after 40. As well as busting midlife skincare myths, the author of Flawless: Your Ultimate Guide to Bright, Clear Skin , tells Lorraine & Trish about the science behind her four step simple & cost effective daily routine & a...

TV’s Julia Bradbury was diagnosed with breast cancer at 51. Then she went on a mission to give herself the best shot at a long, healthy life. The mum of three joins Lorraine and Trish to share the screening tests worth having, how she quit alcohol and tamed her sugar addiction, and the free daily habits any midlifer can follow, all without overwhelm, guilt or shame. Because sometimes, you just hav...

Trish & Lorraine are joined by the author of hit novel & TV drama Trespasses to talk about her new book Stations & what it feels like to write a best seller & start a whole new career in midlife. Former chef Louise opens up about the impact of fleeing Belfast as a child during the Troubles after her grandmother’s pub was bombed, the anxiety that followed her through life from that...

Lorraine & Trish are back for Season 19 of Postcards from Midlife! In this opener, they catch up on their summer — from Cornwall staycations and David Byrne concerts to accidental Ted Lasso interviews and lake-swimming mishaps — & share why midlife women so often feel guilty about resting (hello, Gen X work ethic). They also give you a first look at this season's brilliant guest lineup, in...

Lorraine & Trish meet Dr Julie Smith, clinical psychologist, multi-million selling author of ‘Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before’ & one of the most trusted mental health advisors on social media. Discover how to be your own coach to manage midlife plate spinning, shake off your inner critic, shift your thoughts from judgement to curiosity & tune into all your emotions to understand wha...

Trish & Lorraine speak to divorce coach Nawal Houghton who explains step by step what to do from the moment you think things aren’t right in your marriage, to initiating proceedings, navigating mediation, negotiating finances & thinking about what you need to build your new future. Nawal, who specialises in high conflict divorces, also shares how to cope if things turn toxic, what to do if...

Hosts Lorraine & Trish share their list of brilliant reads: there is a love story, a powerful memoir, a standout debut novel, and a tip on the funny Agatha Christie style writer you probably don’t know but will love. This curated list has everything: it is perfect for your holiday, train journeys, for summer reading, for book clubs or for those stuck in a reading rut. Plus the duo share inside...

TV legend Fern shares her vital life lessons and advice on divorce, single parenting, loss, career reinvention, weight loss, fitness, love and making new friends. The best-selling author and mum-of-four also talks hosts Trish Halpin and Lorraine Candy through how she recovered from depression and suicidal thoughts in midlife with the help of a new health regime, talking therapy and the right medic...

This candid interview is a  great listen for anyone feeling lonely or unsure of where their life is heading or wants to learn to love & value themself. The best-selling Gen X author tells Lorraine & Trish about her remarkable midlife awakening, detailed in her new memoir, Rewilding: Freedom, Fearlessness & Finding Our Way Home. In a powerful conversation she explains the decision...

Have a shelf full of vitamins but not sure what if anything they are doing for you? Trish & Lorraine get to the bottom of what we need to take & why in our midlife years, including the one essential we are all most likely missing (big clue: it’s Co-enzyme Q10). Joined by guest Jennifer O’Connell - triathlete, former lawyer & co-founder of The Elevator by Sisterly one & done mu...

In a fascinating, hopeful & helpful conversation the TV presenter & author opens up to Trish & Lorraine about the illness & business venture that ended with her losing her house & selling off her furniture to pay for weekly grocery shops. From being the presenter of Loose Women to being unable to get a job in Starbucks, Andrea describes the highs, the lows & the learnings f...

Brought to you by Standard Life to raise awareness of Power of Attorney Day Trish & Lorraine tackle the never-ending midlife to do list & the biggest causes of the 3am wake up & worry. Joined by Alison Harvie of Carers UK, they discuss why having Power of Attorney in place for you & your loved ones can ensure peace of mind for so many of life’s potential curve balls. Find out who n...

The ‘people’s poet’ joins Lorraine & Trish to talk about her remarkable life - from cruise ship singer to best selling writer - all the while contending with an eating disorder and a midlife ADHD diagnosis. Discover how Donna, 51, healed from trauma, retrained her brain to silence the inner critic, learned how to nurture a soul algorithm & believes that ‘everything good is on the other sid...

Trish & Lorraine are joined by career expert Helen Tupper for expert advice on how to take your career in the direction you really want, whether it’s stepping away & starting anew, setting up a side hustle or finding opportunities for growth & reinvention if you’re feeling stuck. Discover how to spot all the learning moments in your day to increase your impact & ground your confide...

Lorraine & Trish are joined by cognitive scientist Katherine Templar-Lewis who explains why midlife is a period of peak uncertainty & what is really happening to our brains when it feels like the old maps we navigated life by don’t work for us any more. Learn how to use ‘interosception’ to tune into your emotions, reframe your thoughts, calm your brain & nervous system so you can flour...

Trish & Lorraine welcome back GP extraordinaire & women’s health expert Dr Nighat Arif to talk about her new book The Complete Guide to Family Health: The One Stop Healthcare Guide No Home Should Be Without. From the midlife health checks every woman should ask for to protecting the mental health of your teen Dr Arif answers all our most asked family health questions. She also shares a hel...

Lorraine & Trish meet Weight Watchers’ chief medical officer Dr Kim Boyd to get all the facts & advice on the real reasons we’re prone to put on weight in midlife. She debunks the myths we’ve all bought into - that it’s somehow our fault (it’s not, it’s biology), why ‘eat less/move more’ just doesn’t work when you’re up against major hormonal & metabolic changes, how HRT can affect wei...

Lorraine & Trish turn agony aunts & delve into their (digital) postbag to solve listeners’ dilemmas. Learn about ‘mattering’ & how it could be affecting your approach to relationships, how to move on from an affair, the six word question to ask yourself in any dilemma & what to do if your grown up kids shut you out Plus: the card game that has intrigued Lorraine & up-your-bum s...

Trish & Lorraine meet leading integrative health specialist Dr Tamsin Lewis & discover the surprising fundamentals for creating mind & body harmony. Find out how to protect & support your brain to prevent cognitive decline, tune into the signals your brain & nervous system are sending you, the health tests worth having in midlife that will boost your healthspan & check if y...

BBC Woman’s Hour presenter Nuala McGovern on how to enjoy an extremely stressful career, getting up at 5.45am and how she stayed sane during the toughest of times. One the eve of  Woman’s Hour’s 80th anniversary Nuala, 54, gives us a peek behind the scenes and chats about her remarkable journalism career that landed her the job two years ago. In a rare interview, Nuala also opens up about her...

Trish & Lorraine meet the international best selling author to pick up the story of her life detailed in her new memoir All The Way to the River: Love, Loss & Liberation . Elizabeth speaks with moving honesty about her love story with her ‘wife’ Raya, their descent into addiction, and the rage and pain of profound grief. She also shares her spiritual learnings & life philosophies for o...

Lorraine & Trish learn some surprising, reassuring advice & helpful tips from clinical sleep physiologist, Stephanie Romiszewski. Discover the easy morning routine that will boost your sleep drive & improve your sleep patterns in just a few weeks; spot the triggers that fuel sleep anxiety & the truth about magnesium, blue light, sleep tracking apps & the 8 hours myth exploded.&...

Lorraine & Trish start the year as they mean to go on with lots of laughter, positivity & plans for the months ahead. Discover how to create a ‘dopamine menu’ to get feel good vibes every day, the TV show that will warm your heart, books, films & festivals to put on your radar & breakfast ideas with a difference. Plus: curse of the ‘plod bod’ & are you ready to ‘futz’? Contact:...