Postcards From Midlife

Recorded live on stage in London, Lorraine and Trish interview comedy legend Ruby Wax about her breakdown last year. The TV star admits she’s spent a lifetime pretending all is well and reveals the epiphany that has finally brought her peace. Expect laughter, tears and some very valuable life lessons . . .Plus: Behind the scenes at the Postcards From Midlife live show - the first and biggest gathering of midlife women in the UK, Trish & Lorraine round up their best bits and bloopers and share backstage secrets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a treat for you! Enjoy your free audio extract of Lorraine's new book "What's Wrong With Me? 101 things Midlife Women Need to Know', which is available now. We've popped it here as an extra episode of your favourite podcast to thank all the wonderful women of our midlife community who have been so supportive of our show and of Lorraine's new book which is on sale today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine catch up with celebrity fashion designer Amanda Wakeley who reveals how she is bouncing back from the most stressful years of her life, which saw the closure of her business and the loss of her brother, and why she is now able to take stock of her achievements and look forward to her second act adventures. Plus: everything you need to know about testosterone; summer treats guide  & dialling up a Nostalgia NoodleContact us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish are joined by entrepreneur Hero Brown, founder of the Muddy Stilettos website, to find out how she grew her business from a one woman start up to employing 50 people as well as the personal and business lessons she's learned along the way. And career coach Rachel Schofield shares the five questions you need to ask when rethinking your work life, so you’re ready to take the next steps. Plus: Brain fog bloopers, menopause meditation & a 90s nightclubbing nostalgia noodle.Contact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back! To kick off Season Nine, chef, presenter, writer and musician Andi Oliver joins Trish and Lorraine to talk about her remarkable life story, from teenage punk to parent at 20, as well as the family tragedy that turned her love of food into a devastating eating disorder. She also shares her cooking advice and how she survived parenting the tricky teenage years to develop a special bond with her daughter Miquita. Plus: the foodie hacks & home trends getting Lorraine & Trish excited to be in the kitchen & a worrying encounter with body paintPlease note this episode contains very strong languageContact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish meet professional organiser and TV decluttering expert Dilly Carter, who shares her remarkable life story of being adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka to caring for her bi-polar mother and dealing with secondary infertility. Find out how growing up in a messy cluttered home led her to start a successful business, and why creating calm and order in our own homes is one of the best things we can do for our wellbeing. Plus: Listener’s dating disasters, Season 8 highlights and an unexpected fashion faux pasContact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish & Lorraine talk to actress, charity founder and author of The Happy Vagina, Mika Simmons, about how to love and understand our bodies as they change as well as keeping us up to date about gynaecological health. Plus: The spring fashion buys to instantly update your wardrobe & Margo the podcat’s surprising new skillContact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine & Trish meet world renowned clinical psychologist Lisa Damour who shares her expert tips on the best way to raise kids, manage their anxiety and cope in a world of social media and toxic masculinity. Plus, why sensitivity is a super power & the mystery of Lorraine and Luther!Contact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book club special: Trish and Lorraine meet ‘Queen of the Revenge Comedy’ Jane Fallon who reveals how she ditched a 20-year career in TV to pursue a childhood ambition to write novels in her 40s (and why it’s all thanks to menopause). She also explains the reason she’s never felt overwhelmed by partner Ricky Gervais’s fame, and why she prefers hanging out with her cat Pickle to treading the red carpet.Plus: The best midlife reading list - discover your hosts' new book tips for spring; who would be Lulu in Starstruck & dialling back to the 80s for a Nostalgia Noodle.Contact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actress, singer and West End star Claire Sweeney joins Trish and Lorraine to talk about her stellar career, from working men’s clubs and cruise ships to Brookside and starring roles alongside Don Johnson and Patrick Swayze in hit shows Chicago and Guys & Dolls. She also reveals how she’s dealing with the overwhelm of peri-menopause while single parenting, has learned to take knock backs in her stride and the joy of a good bacon buttie on the bus. Plus: forget ‘go hard or go home’ - why midlife is a time for ‘softening’; and a Nostalgic Trip back to rubbish films from the 80sContact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The kitchen disco queen joins Lorraine and Trish to talk about how she’s stopped being a people pleaser, the sexism she faced in her early career, what it’s like to raise five boys, and why it’s never too late to embrace colour and sparkle. And the midlife duo create the ultimate Gen X playlist with songs that remind them of personal epiphanies. Plus: Would you feed your kids a crisp sandwich?Contact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mobility coach Petra Fisher explains exactly what's happening to our bodies in midlife and reveals the surprising (and easy) exercises you should focus on to relieve yourself of joint pain, feet problems, pelvic floor issues and injuries. Plus brain fog be gone: we give your mind a makeover too with memory guru Dr Richard Restak who helps us train our brain like a muscle. And Trish and Lorraine chat about strange odours in the kitchen and family games in Nostalgia Noodle.Contact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine meet ground-breaking entertainer, broadcaster and screenwriter Angie Le Mar, who helped pave the way for Black comedians in the UK. From the school rebel overcoming racism and severe dyslexia to making history with her stand up shows, the critically acclaimed funny woman charts the highlights of a life well lived and shares her advice on overcoming menopausal and midlife challenges. Plus: Trish finally meets her footballing legend crush and the duo turn agony aunt to solve listeners emotional dilemmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish chat to author, journalist, podcaster and founder of ‘Failosophy’ Elizabeth Day about why midlife has become her prime time, teaching our teenagers the importance of failure and how great friends and a new husband bring joy to her forties. Plus: Does journaling really work? We put it to the test and the treats we’re looking forward to this spring.Contact us: [email protected] tickets to our live show: postcardsfrommidlifelive.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish meet nutritional therapist Le’Nise Brothers who changed her body - and her life - through food. From heavy periods and depression to IBS and tummy fat, she explains how to eat well to create balance and why understanding the connection between food and hormones can lead to a happier and healthier midlife.Plus! Join us for Culture Club: the TV, films, plays and podcasts we love and some Nostalgia Noodling too… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our friendship special, Trish and Lorraine meet Janet Reibstein, the relationship therapist Gwyneth Paltrow calls 'life changing' and ask her how we revive midlife friendships, have healthy arguments and set proper boundaries. Plus how to make exciting new friends and nourish the ones you  have. We also discuss new research on how to have a long and happy life, the ex-editors share memories of their Ab Fab inspired glossy magazine days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To kick off Season 8, Lorraine and Trish speak to divorce coach Amanda Gardiner about how to know when a marriage has run its course, exiting with the least stress possible and building a happy, positive and financially stable future. Plus, how to keep long-term relationships resilient, and a trip down Gen X memory lane in Nostalgia Noodle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish get into the festive spirit and share their ‘cost of living’ present-buying guide for all the family. Plus, a celebrity name drop in Nostalgia Noodle and our listeners hilarious brain fog bloopers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brought to you in partnership with Tena: How to get comfortable with the uncomfortable during menopause. Trish and Lorraine meet TV presenter, Masterchef winner and menopause warrior Lisa Snowdon to talk about the lesser known symptoms of peri-menopause - from pelvic floor issues and embarrassing leaks to vaginal dryness - to help every woman get the support she needs. Plus Lisa shares the secrets of her midlife success and finding lasting love in her 40s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the Season 7 finale, and to celebrate the fabulous Postcards From Midlife community, Lorraine and Trish devote this episode to listeners’ funny, brilliant, inspiring and moving midlife stories. Plus: why 2022 has been the year of midlife women & furry tales of pets galore, inspired by Margo the podcat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Lorraine and Trish interview award-winning TV and radio stand-up Angela Barnes about her midlife ADHD diagnosis and find out how it affects daily life. They also ask an expert about the pivotal role hormones play in autoimmune diseases, which affect three times as many women as men. Plus how listeners can be part of a live recording of the podcast and what happened on Trish's Y-front free weekend away with her hubby.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nutritionist Petronella Ravenshear’s ‘Human Being Diet’ is the eating plan everyone is talking about - she joins Lorraine and Trish to explain what it is and why it works, as well as the link between weight gain and menopause. Plus: sensory destressing in a Botanical Bothy & nostalgic tales of water beds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spooky special! Trish and Lorraine meet world renowned psychic medium June Field, whose clients include A listers, politicians and members of the royal family, to find out if there’s ‘anybody out there’, and how tuning into our intuition and energy fields can enhance midlife. Plus: the book and course to help find or deepen your spirituality, ghostly pets & a nostalgic noodle about teen seance shenanigans  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s the global best seller whose novel A Visit from the Goon Squad won the prestigious Pulitzer prize and she counts Barack Obama as a fan of her books - Jennifer Egan joins Lorraine and Trish from Brooklyn to talk about latest novel, The Candy House, which explores themes of human connection, midlife angst and the price we pay for intrusive technology. The critically acclaimed fiction writer and New York Times magazine journalist also shares her feelings about empty nesting, turning 60 and making her 30-year marriage work. Plus: Book Club recommendations from Lorraine and Trish who pick their best reads for autumn - from serial killers to comforting kitty cats Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Make-up artist extraordinaire and entrepreneur Ruby Hammer MBE joins Lorraine and Trish to share her beauty know-how and talk about the joy of grandparenting and the mistakes she won’t make again in marriage second time around.Plus: feel good finance fixes & cost of living tips; being dumped the 80s way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donna Ludford, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, has refused to let growing up in care, surviving neglect, abuse and parental rejection define her. Instead she’s broken the cycle to create a successful career and happy family life. She shares her remarkable story and life lessons with Lorraine and Trish.Plus: Fix your finances - money tips from the experts & your hosts go Kung Fu crazy in Nostalgia Noodle Please note: this episode contains swearing and references to abuse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV presenter Anthea Turner chats to Lorraine and Trish about finding love and happiness on the other side of a painful divorce in the midst of her menopause. She also shares the aging and wellness tips that fill her with vitality, and why Angel Delight might be on the menu for her upcoming wedding.Plus: The agony aunts are in! Your hosts solve an assortment of midlife dilemmas from ageism at work to loud friends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine meet Lucy Wyndham-Read who is on a mission to solve weight and body dilemmas for midlife women as well as showing how exercise can relieve peri-menopause symptoms. Lucy also shares her story of living with lasting trauma following the tragic loss of her fiance and how it has shaped her life in a way she never expected.Plus: Culture club - the films, TV and podcasts to cosy up with this autumn, & a nightclub inspired nostalgia noodle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish are joined by Hello! editor Rosie Nixon who shares her tales from the Oscars red carpet, secret celebrity weddings and getting changed for royal events in the work loo. She also reveals her personal menopause struggles in her career and how she’s learned to set boundaries between work and home life.Plus: how to make rows improve your relationship and a nostalgic trip back to the classroom  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine meet Brit Pop rebel turned fashion and interior designer Pearl Lowe. From teen parent and party girl to recovering drug addict, she charts the milestones that have led her to finding a life of joy and tranquility as a mother of four, as well as the secrets to the success of her 27-year relationship with husband, Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey.Plus: expert advice for creating strong emotional  connections with your children, preparing for an empty nest & first encounters with a bottle of Blue Nun in Nostalgia Noodle  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To kick off Series 7, Lorraine and Trish meet Healthy Whole Me founder and mum Dani Binnington whose breast cancer diagnosis and surgical menopause turned her from jewellery designer to wellness pioneer. She shares the exercise and nutrition tips that helped her to overcome fear and recover mentally and physically. She also advises on how to support a loved one through cancer and the bittersweet gratitude for a new life she would never imagined she’d lead. Plus: intention setting to get home, family and career on track for this autumn & a Nostalgia Noodle about Trish and Lorraine’s teen rebellions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the series finale, Lorraine and Trish take a trip to Thomasina Miers’ kitchen to see the chef and entrepreneur in action. As well as cooking up a delicious feast, she shares her fascinating family story, explains how cooking healed her after battling an eating disorder and why her forties are the decade she’s loving the most.Plus: Grumpy about frumpy undies  and a special gift for Trish and Lorraine’s alter egos (ie Marion and Milly) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor extraordinaire Juliet Stevenson and campaigner and podcaster Nicky Clark join Lorraine and Trish to talk about the Acting Your Age campaign which calls for more representation of midlife women on screen and stage. Plus what Nicky has learned as a carer for her mum and disabled daughters. And why Juliet has finally married her partner of over 30 yearsEXTRA! Is this the ultimate midlife playlist? Trish & Lorraine turn DJ and pick the best anthems to dance to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine find out why our homes are integral to our wellbeing with interiors expert Michelle Ogundehin, who also shares her key styling tips and where to start if you want to give your home an affordable makeover.Plus: Fashion, beauty and lifestyle buys for a joyful summer & tales of a grown up gap year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Tim Spector, author of Spoon Fed and The Diet Myth reveals new research which shows how the gut microbiome affects women in perimenopause and menopause. He tells Trish & Lorraine why depression and anxiety may be 'infectious diseases" and how eating the right food will relieve symptoms and help you live longer.PLUS: Your hosts test The Zoe programme and discover what is really going on with their own gut biomes.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brought to you in partnership with Balance Me: How to reboot your skincare routine when you hit midlife and get that healthy glow: Trish and Lorraine ask sisters Clare and Rebecca Hopkins, co-founders of the multi-awarding Balance Me, what works and what doesn't when it comes to holistic skin care as we age. We tackle the big skin dilemmas from Rosacea to dryness and find out which products prompt improvements. #AD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish & Lorraine meet TV presenter extraordinaire Fern Britton who looks back on her remarkable career and some of the shocking hurdles she overcame as a working mother of four; learning to beat imposter syndrome and becoming a best-selling author in her second act. And Fern also reveals how her post-divorce move to Cornwall has recharged her batteries. Plus: The nine-step plan for emotional healing; will it work for you? Trish tries it out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish meet the author and comedy actor Katy Brand, aka the genius behind the poignant and compelling comedy drama Good Luck To You Leo Grande, starring Emma Thompson as a 60-year old woman who hires a sex worker to explore her sexuality. All the taboos around midlife women and sex, representation and body image will be exploded!Plus: How to beat stress and anxiety, brain fog bloopers & a nostalgia noodle back to the 90s  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish & Lorraine talk to Gen X poster girl Patsy Kensit about her midlife journey - from dating and career highs to empty nest and the hysterectomy that threw her into sudden menopause.Plus: The agony aunts are back! Lorraine & Trish get to solving all sorts of midlife dilemmas; & can you guess the Nostalgia Noodle year? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the midlife summer book club special, with award-winning author Miriam Toews dialling in from Toronto to discuss living with four generations of her family, and what it’s like to have her work turned into a Hollywood blockbuster. Miriam grew up in a religious sect and her unique family story which encompasses trauma and recovery forms the basis of her new book.Plus: Lorraine and Trish pick their must reads for summer & reveal how exam season is going in their homes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our favourite TV zoologist Lucy Cooke explodes the evolutionary myths about females and reveals what we can all learn from matriarchal monkeys, frisky lionesses and menopausal whales. Plus colour expert Jules Standish gives Lorraine & Trish a style makeover. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author, journalist and beauty expert Sali Hughes shares her best skincare and make-up advice with Trish and Lorraine, and also talks family estrangement, managing hormonal ups and downs and what made her agree to get married second time round.Plus: Travel Special: brilliant summer breaks & travel dilemmas sorted - in partnership with Sawdays Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish meet entrepreneur and body positivity trailblazer Cindy Gallop, who is turning society’s norms for older women upside down - from style to staying happily single, to sexism and sex - with younger men. Plus: Super facials tried & tested; Midlife Milestones & Magic Moments; can you guess the year in Nostalgia Noodle?Warning: this episode contains swearing and frank discussions about sex Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine kick off Season 6 with Kate Muir, investigative journalist and TV producer who talks about the incredible impact of her menopause documentaries with Davina McCall, why HRT should include testosterone and her own story of how she rebuilt her life and found love again following a menopause-induced crisis.Plus:NEW! Your midlife milestones & magic moments; summer culture club &laughs aplenty in the new Nostalgia Noodle quiz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please note: this episode contains explicit sexual referencesIn this Season Six finale, Trish & Lorraine discuss the results of their Midlife Sex Survey and reveal what women really want between the sheets in their forties, fifties, and beyond. They also share expert advice on reviving your libido in peri-menopause and menopause, discovering how to tune into your feminine sexual energy, and communicating turn-ons (and offs) with a partner. Plus: special guest Anna Richards explains why she became an erotic filmmaker in her forties and the art of portraying female pleasure, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine speak to denim expert Donna Ida Thornton about how to find the perfect pair of jeans, especially when midlife has hijacked your body or your confidence. She also shares her remarkable story of business success, how it feels to be wife number three and the decision not to have children.Plus: Lost your driving mojo or nerves holding you back from doing what you love? Mind makeovers to boost your day to day confidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine escape to the country on a wellness retreat and discover things about themselves (and each other) they never knew. They also talk to travel expert Caroline Sylge about how you find the perfect, life-changing retreat. And they discuss first-time motherhood in your 40s and the power of silence.Plus: fashion fit for royalty and a trip back to the 80s for a nostalgia noodle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine & Trish quiz Mayor Sadiq Khan on his new menopause in the workplace policy and ask him if male managers and bosses can do more to support working women in midlife. They get a glimpse into life in the Khan household and find out why date night is a must for Sadiq, 51, and his wife. PLUS: Career confidence strategies from expert coaches to help you make the most of your work life and empower you to embrace new adventures or find a midlife side hustle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine and Trish speak to Tanya Shadrick, the author of a new critically acclaimed midlife memoir that recounts how a near death experience became a wake up call for living the life she truly wanted. Her unique voyage of discovery unlocked Tanya's creativity and also made her review her long marriage. She talks about becoming a successful artist and writer and falling in love with another man as well as loving her husband. Tanya also explains why we need to step through life's ‘thresholds’.Plus: The best new book list ever and  the queasy cocktails we couldn't get enough of in our teenage years Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish and Lorraine meet actor extraordinaire Kacey Ainsworth to discuss domestic violence, portraying realistic midlife women on screen and parenting a child with Aspergers. Plus, why she’s gone platinum blond in her 50s and being a paparazzi decoy for Gwyneth Paltrow.Also in this episode: celebrating - not shaming - midlife bodies; our TV obsession Yellowjackets & a Nostalgia Noodle hangover   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.