Episodes

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant writer Sally Wainwright — the mind behind Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, and Riot Women. Sally opens up about life in her sixties: from learning to play the drums to discovering the joy (and terror) of taking real time off. She talks about menopause, creativity, and the strange comfort of finally catching up with yourself — emotionally and otherwise. Whether you’re navigating your own reinvention or just wondering if it’s too late to ...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen dive into the real highs and lows of midlife - from insomnia and itchy skin to the deep joy of mashed potatoes and dental sticks. Between chemo updates, Calamine lotion nostalgia, and a heated debate over wine through a straw, it’s a reminder that sometimes the most ordinary moments become the funniest parts of getting older. Because this is life in your sixties: a little tired, a little itchy, but still laughing through it all. Get in touch with...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Siobhan Daniels, the self-proclaimed retirement rebel who swapped burnout for a camper van named Dora and never looked back. At 60, Siobhan sold her home, hit the road, and rebuilt her life from the ground up. Now 66, she’s thriving — proof that freedom and fulfilment aren’t reserved for the young. Whether you’ve ever dreamed of walking away from it all or just want to feel a little braver in your own skin, this one’s for you. Because no one tells you how...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen swap gallows humour for sleepless nights — and find themselves comparing coping mechanisms that range from midnight lentil mashing to burning old parkas. Karen’s chemo fatigue meets Kaye’s restless mind, and between them they land on something every woman over 45 will recognise: the impossible balance between slowing down and staying strong. Whether you’re running on fumes or trying to find your own off switch, this one’s for anyone whose brain ref...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Denise Black — actor, singer, and unapologetic non-conformist — who’s proving that life in your sixties can be wilder, wiser, and far more liberating than you’d expect. From being told she was “too fat” or “too disabled” for TV to embracing her silver hair and refusing to fade into the background, Denise opens up about body image, visibility, and the power of not caring what anyone thinks anymore. It’s funny, fierce, and full of the kind of...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen dive into the strange, funny, and surprisingly touching realities of Karen’s chemo journey — from debating whether to cut her hair to discovering a treatment called Happy Endings and, yes, blending up a breast milk smoothie. Whether you’re navigating your own health battles or just trying to laugh through life’s curveballs, this one’s a reminder that midlife rarely goes to plan — but it’s always worth talking about. Get in touch with your thoughts...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by legendary hairstylist Sam McKnight, the man behind Princess Diana’s iconic short hair and decades of runway glamour. But at sixty, Sam swapped Chanel and Versace for compost and calm — and found something far more stylish: peace of mind. He talks about getting off the hamster wheel, learning to say no, and discovering that real luxury is living on your own terms. Whether you’re still sprinting through midlife or dreaming of slowing down, Sam’s story is ...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye’s dragged out of bed for a 7 a.m. Pilates class (thanks to daughterly guilt), Karen’s contemplating a strawberry-banana-breast-milk smoothie, and both are pondering the slow slide of their backsides toward Antarctica. From chimney-sweep superstitions to the shock of receiving a state-pension letter, it’s classic midlife chaos wrapped in laughter. Whether you’re an early bird, a late bloomer, or somewhere between Pilates and pudding, this one’s for you. Get ...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Hilary Whitehall, who proves life doesn’t have to follow the usual order. She had the kids first, the career later — and now, in her 60s, she’s touring the country, podcasting with her husband Michael (85), and finally getting the spotlight she put on hold decades ago. We talk about big age gaps, raising Jack Whitehall, career comebacks, and keeping love alive when your other half’s leg literally falls off the bed. Whether you’ve paused your plans for fam...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Karen’s voice is finally back and so are the laughs. From sleeping with tissues up her nose to debating whether breast milk belongs in a muffin, nothing’s off limits. Kaye shares her dizzy encounter with vertigo (and the bizarre ear-crystal cure), while Karen reveals how she’s tackling chemo, cold caps, and Stephen’s “dire drama” head-on. It’s an episode that swings from gross to glorious - proof that humour really is the best coping mechanism. Because no one tel...

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence and abusive relationships, which some listeners may find distressing. On this week’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Jaye Griffiths - actress of The Bill, Silent Witness, Doctor Who, and now Emmerdale, where she plays the unapologetically formidable Celia Daniels. At 61, Jaye isn’t slowing down; she’s running marathons, taking on fierce roles, and reminding us that 60 isn’t the end of anything - it’s the start of re...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Alice Morrison, the adventurer who swapped a high-flying media career for a tent, two camels, and a life of radical freedom. From milking a camel on her 60th birthday to walking the length of Saudi Arabia, Alice proves it’s never just about physical grit - it’s about daring to live on your own terms. Whether you’re wondering if you could still reinvent yourself, or just daydreaming about what it might feel like to ditch the 9–5 and head for the desert, thi...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen swap horror stories about broken heaters, wig fittings gone wrong, and freezers full of mushy brambles. It’s never just about hair or home disasters though - with Karen preparing for her first chemo this week, the laughter is laced with nerves, honesty, and the odd mix-up between dihydro and Viagra. Whether you’re bracing for life’s curveballs or just trying to stop your partner from misnaming raspberries, this one’s for you. Because no one tells y...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Ross King, who knows a thing or two about reinvention - from Glasgow to Hollywood, red carpets to morning TV. We talk about what it really takes to stay relevant in a youth-obsessed industry, the curveballs life throws at you after 50, and why confidence isn’t about looking young, but about backing yourself at any age. Whether you’re wondering if it’s too late to start again, or you just want to hear some brilliant behind-the-scenes stories (including a ...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re talking about everything from buying your first Christmas present in September to facing chemo with a mix of grit and humour. Karen shares how she’s bracing for treatment (and getting organised early), while Kaye reminds her that every child is apparently a genius — especially when it’s yours. From dodgy halloumi-and-pineapple dinners to heartfelt listener emails, it’s an episode full of laughter, honesty, and the kind of solidarity you only find in midlife...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Tiggy Walker, who reflects on hitting 60 just as her life with legendary DJ Johnny Walker entered its toughest chapter. From caring through illness to carving out a new future, she shares how ageing brings heartbreak, humour, and unexpected strength. Because no one tells you that your 60s can be both the hardest and most liberating years of your life. Not a cosy love story — but an honest, unforgettable one. Tiggy Walker’s memoir Both Sides Now is availa...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen cover everything from failed cold-shower experiments to the rediscovery of the humble rainmate — and yes, even Stephen’s hernia gets a (rather graphic) mention. Whether you’re braving the big stuff — hair loss, hospital appointments, or just dodgy haircuts — or laughing at the little indignities of midlife, this episode is a reminder that ageing never comes without a punchline. Because no one tells you that one minute you’re Googling cashmere bean...

On this week’s episode, she’s back — Anna Ryder Richardson returns a year after her first chat with us, and what a year it’s been. From the rubble of divorce to running a zoo with 250 animals, she’s swapped fear for freedom and found herself bottle-feeding tiger cubs and finally calling the shots. We cover: The reality of starting over at 60 How confidence returns after years of being silenced Why chaos can be liberating And the small joys - even when it involves a dead mouse under the pia...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen swap stories of cold showers, flatpack disasters, and grandparent bedtime negotiations. From Bonnie’s secret morning ritual to Gloria Hunniford’s powerful reminder that sometimes the answer should be “yes,” it’s a mix of laughs, honesty, and a little wisdom about finding your footing in midlife. Whether you’re braving a bathroom challenge, juggling grown-up kids and grandkids, or just wondering when to finally say no (or yes), this one will feel cl...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by filmmaker Victoria Mapplebeck, who spent 20 years filming life with her son Jim on nothing more than an iPhone. The result? Motherboard — a brutally honest, unexpectedly funny chronicle of single motherhood, breast cancer, teenage tantrums, and unconditional love. From supermarket bread dashes at midnight to the shock of a 60th birthday that feels less like loss and more like freedom, Victoria’s story is one every woman will recognise in some way. Becaus...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen swap stories of stress yawns, mortifying “Muttley” laughs, and some very questionable gifts (yes, that Fringe present makes a comeback). From Aggie’s bra controversy to monster courgettes and Harley-Davidson daydreams, it’s another gloriously sideways look at life after 60. Whether you’re hiding your laugh, rethinking a red sports car, or just trying to dodge the label “senior,” this one’s for you. Because no one tells you ageing is equal parts rid...

On this week’s special from the Edinburgh Fringe, Kaye and Karen hit the stage with sparkly Strictly shoes, jangling nerves, and a malfunctioning clitorial stimulator. Alongside them: Jo Caulfield, who calls out the absurdities of turning 60 with her trademark bite. Michelle Collins reveals the truth about surviving the spotlight, fighting ageist stereotypes, and stepping into a role she created for herself - a motorhome misfit who mirrors her own fearless reinvention. Aggie MacKenzie, who pr...

On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye sets a cake-based trap for Ian (spoiler: he walks straight into it), Karen’s fringe gets more attention than she bargained for, and the pair debate whether cold showers are really the secret to feeling younger. Alongside the laughter, Karen opens up about moving from radiotherapy to chemo — a conversation that lands with the same honesty and wry humour that has become the show’s heartbeat. Because no one tells you that midlife is equal parts sponge cake, ba...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Russell Watson — the People’s Tenor — who’s faced more than his share of life’s brutal curveballs. From brain tumours and emergency surgeries to the moments he thought he wouldn’t wake up again, Russell talks with raw honesty about survival, family, and why he’s singing better now than ever. Whether you’re approaching 60 with a clean bill of health or carrying the scars of your own battles, this is a conversation about resilience, priorities, and finding ...