Midlife Answers

Why does chronic pain continue long after an injury has healed? Could stress, emotions and your nervous system be playing a bigger role than you realise? In this episode of Midlife Answers, I’m joined by Stress and Chronic Pain Coach Jeannie Kulwin to explore the science behind chronic pain, neuroplasticity and the mind-body connection. This is also a deeply personal conversation for me. After liv...

What happens to your identity when your children leave home, and how do you find yourself again while still being a mother? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by author Cosima Somerset to explore motherhood in midlife, the emotional shift of the empty nest years, identity changes, and what happens when a role that has shaped so much of your life begins to evolve. Cosima s...

Why do so many women reach a point in midlife where they start asking… what’s next for me? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Chinese Medicine practitioner, best-selling author and podcaster Katie Brindle to explore reinvention in midlife, identity shifts, purpose, confidence, menopause, and why this stage of life can actually become one of the most powerful transition...

Why does anger show up so strongly in midlife — especially after life-changing experiences like illness, divorce, burnout or loss — and why do so many women find themselves stuck in “why me?” thinking? In this episode of Midlife Answers, I’m joined by Marina Efraimoglou, entrepreneur and founder of the award-winning Euphoria Retreat in Greece, to explore anger, acceptance, and what it really takes...

Why does our face suddenly seem to change in midlife — with more sagging around the jawline, cheeks and eyes — even when our skincare routine hasn’t really changed? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by face fitness expert Philippa Mitchell, founder of Luminous Face Yoga , to explore face yoga in midlife, facial ageing, collagen loss, muscle tone, stress, posture, and the...

Why does cognition feel harder in midlife — with more forgetfulness, brain fog, and mental fatigue — even when nothing else has changed? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by wellness consultant Natasha Banks to explore cognition in midlife, brain fog, memory changes, hormones, stress, sleep, nutrition, and why so many women feel less mentally sharp during perimenopause a...

Why does belly fat seem to appear more easily after 40 — even when your diet and exercise haven’t changed? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by personal trainer Sue Parkyn to talk about midlife belly fat, hormones, strength training, cardio, cortisol, and why some workouts can actually work against women in perimenopause and menopause. We explore: Why belly fat changes i...

Still worrying about what other people think — even in midlife? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by transformational coach Tara Lynn to explore why people-pleasing runs so deep — and how to start letting it go. We unpack the link between conditioning, your nervous system, and the fear of judgement… and why it can feel so hard to speak up, even when you know what you wan...

Feeling unsure of yourself can be shocking — especially when you’ve built a career, raised a family, and always tried to ‘have it together.’ In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Holly, a psychotherapist specialising in self-doubt, anxiety and self-worth, and we talk about why confidence often dips in midlife — what’s happening biologically, psychologically and socially —...

Feeling lost in midlife is more common than you might think — but it can feel incredibly isolating when you’re in it. In this episode of Midlife Answers , we explore one of the most searched and quietly felt questions: Why do I feel like I’m not myself anymore? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Suzette, a therapist specialising in identity, relationships and emotional...

If you’ve been asking yourself,  “Why am I gaining weight in my 40s when nothing has changed?”  — you’re not alone. Many women reach midlife eating the same foods, moving their bodies in the same way, yet suddenly their weight, shape or confidence around their body feels different. It can feel confusing, frustrating, and deeply personal. In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined...

Divorce in midlife can feel overwhelming, confusing and deeply emotional - even when it’s the right decision. In this episode of our  midlife podcast for women , I’m joined by  Diane, a counsellor and psychotherapist , to talk about how to rebuild your life after divorce - emotionally and practically. Many people feel pressure to “move on” quickly after a relationship ends. But divorce often bring...

Resentment in a long-term relationship can feel confusing, heavy and hard to admit out loud, especially in midlife, when hormones, work stress, caregiving and emotional load are all competing for space. In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Suzette, a specialist in couples dynamics and communication, to unpack why resentment shows up in relationships, and how to talk abou...

Bladder leakage and pelvic discomfort are far more common in midlife than most women realise — yet they’re still rarely talked about, often dismissed, or quietly endured. In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Dr Sharma, a GP specialising in menopause and women’s health , to answer a question many women ask privately: Is bladder leakage or pelvic discomfort normal in midli...

Friendships changing in midlife can leave us feeling guilty, confused, or quietly sad — especially when there’s no fallout or drama to point to. In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Diane, a counsellor and psychotherapist, to explore why friendships naturally shift as we grow, and how to handle relationships that no longer fit the person you’re becoming. We talk about pe...

Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or constantly on edge in midlife, but slowing down just isn’t an option? In this bite-sized episode of Midlife Answers , I’m joined by Suzette to talk honestly about midlife burnout - why it feels so intense, how it differs from stress and overwhelm, and what actually helps when rest feels impossible. We explore the silent signs of burnout in women , the role of hor...

Is this perimenopause - or just life? Perimenopause doesn’t always look the way we expect. It’s not just hot flushes or missed periods. For many women, the earliest signs are anxiety, low mood, exhaustion, poor sleep, brain fog, or a quiet sense that something just isn’t right…and these symptoms are often missed. In this episode of Midlife Answers , I’m joined by Dr Sharma , GP and menopause speci...

This week, I’m chatting with facial cupping expert Sakina about something I think so many of us in our 40s quietly wrestle with: Do I go down the tweakments route… or is there a more natural way to keep my skin feeling alive and glowing? Botox is everywhere right now - it’s almost become a casual part of getting ready. And while there’s zero judgement, I’ve found myself wondering if there’s anothe...

Ever wondered how someone goes from dreaming of writing a book to actually seeing it on the shelf? Children’s author Alex Atkinson joins Thriving in Our 40s to share how she turned a simple idea into two brilliantly spooky stories, and what her writing journey can teach us about creativity, confidence, and following our passions in midlife. We talk about finding self-belief when doubt creeps in, l...

Ever feel like you’re talking to a wall when it comes to your teen? You’re not alone. In this episode of  Thriving in Our 40s , I’m joined by Teen Whisperer, Kirsten Cobabe, to unpack what it really means to  be present  as a parent - beyond the nagging, lecturing, and “just do as I say” moments we all fall into. We explore how to: 💬 Have those tricky, awkward conversations that actually build tr...

Why are so many couples splitting in their 40s and 50s? And how does menopause affect intimacy, desire, and connection? In this week’s  Thriving in Our 40s  episode, we go deep with couples and sex therapist  Suzette Castle-Mackie  - and no topic is off-limits. ✨ Why midlife relationships are under pressure (and the rise of ‘grey divorce’) ✨ The fine line between healthy and destructive conflict...

Your  Menopause 101  guide - from  crash menopause  and  HRT  myths to  sex after menopause  and  midlife mental health . With Dr Angela Sharma & Dr Angela Wright of Spiced Pear Health, we dive into the real questions women face but rarely get answered. This episode of  Thriving in Our 40s  is your  Menopause 101  - an honest, practical conversation with menopause specialists Dr Angela Sharma...

Fashion advice - but not as we know it. In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Thriving In Our Forties, style coach Loulou Storey shares invaluable advice for women who feel disconnected from their wardrobes, unsure of their style, or invisible in midlife. At the heart of Loulou’s approach is her Style Storey Method - a unique process that helps women rediscover their identity through three ene...

Discover how to recognise, support, and celebrate dyslexia at any age - with practical tools and empowering insights from specialist Sasha Dugdale. Is dyslexia misunderstood, and under-celebrated? In this episode of  Thriving in Our Forties , dyslexia specialist  Sasha Dugdale  helps us reframe our understanding of neurodiversity. We explore: The signs of undiagnosed dyslexia in adults How to get...

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or just not yourself lately? In this episode, we’re joined by nutritional therapist Kate Chaytor-Norris to explore what stress really does to our bodies - especially in our 40s - and how we can NOURISH ourselves back to balance. We unpack the science, the hormones, and the emotional side of stress, and share practical, compassionate strategies to help you feel more g...