Two Women Chatting

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Two Women Chatting

Join hosts Liz and Michelle redefining life over 50 as empty nesters, embracing the highs and lows of midlife with celebrity guests and experts, sharing a laugh on their podcast sofa. We talk about real concerns, issues and fun topics that affect us, our friends and our family.

Midlife is not just about the menopause (although we’d be the first to admit it’s right up there!) but it is a time of adventure, change and reset - with plenty of opportunities and challenges along the way.

Whether we’re chatting about ‘boomerang kids’, diet failures (and occasional successes!), pro-ageing, travel, changing relationships or inspiration for new jobs or activities, there’s always room for one more on our sofa.

Our TWC Community is full of people like YOU and us: midlifers who might be struggling a little with an empty nest but who are redefining the way they live through health, wealth, jobs, ‘pretirement’ and relationships.

Our website has lots of resources, blogs, listener offers and expert advice.
Don’t forget to subscribe/follow on your favourite podcast platform!

Lots of love
Liz & Michelle
xxx

Some of our fab guests... including Linda Magistris, Lisa Snowden, Jenni Falconer, Anthea Turner, Lavina Mehta MBE, Gia Mills, Jasmine Birtles, Jenny Seagrove, Carolyn Harris MP, Alice Smellie, Laura Biggs

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Available on the usual platforms!

What People Say

‘Really feel like I’m part of the conversation and keep wanting to join in! Great podcast’

‘This was very nostalgic for me as everything Liz & Michelle talked and laughed about rang true for me when my kids left home (and the country!). They obviously enjoyed recording it too, very professional and natural and I’ll definitely be listening to more.’

‘I’d never even thought about what it was like for my parents after I left home and this hilarious podcast does make you think about it! Their informal approach has me in stitches, highly recommend it!’

‘Great podcast- both fun and honest. Look forward to the next one!’

Listen to the latest episode

Good Grief

Grief comes to all of us at one stage or another and so Michelle and Liz wanted to tackle the subject head-on with the CEO and Founder of The Good Grief Trust, Linda Magistris.
Join them as they discuss everything from the lack of support for bereaved families to dealing with both the shorter and longer-term impact of losing someone close to you. They also explore the reasons why death is such a taboo subject in the modern world and why it needs to change.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

There is a lack of cent...

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Previous episodes

Good Grief

Grief comes to all of us at one stage or another and so Michelle and Liz wanted to tackle the subject head-on with the CEO and Founder of The Good Grief Trust, Linda Magistris.
Join them as they discuss everything from the lack of support for bereaved families to dealing with both the shorter and longer-term impact of losing someone close to you. They also explore the reasons why death is such a taboo subject in the modern world and why it needs to change.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

There is a lack of cent...

Cheers to Sobriety

Cheers to Sobriety

Liz and Michelle are joined in this episode by Janey Lee Grace, Kate Baily and Mandy Manners to discuss sobriety. Both Liz and Michelle are feeling sober curious, to the point where Liz is already drinking a lot less. Both of their guests became sober years ago and today help others to do the same.
They talk about the impact stopping drinking has, handling FOMO and getting the buzz without the booze. How sobriety reduces the impact menopause has on our health, confidence and our ability to sleep...

TWC Snacksize - All Dogs Go To Heaven

TWC Snacksize - All Dogs Go To Heaven

On this Snacksize episode, Liz, and Michelle chat about the grief of losing podcast ‘mascot’ Maisie, Michelle’s 14-year-old rescue dog.
As Maisie’s health deteriorated, Michelle had to make the tough decision to let her go. They talk about coming to that decision and how Michelle is handling pet bereavement. Liz and Michelle also discuss how to tell your adult kids about the loss, when they live away from home.
For Michelle, coping has been all about keeping busy and distracted, moving furniture...

TWC Snacksize - Tokyo

TWC Snacksize - Tokyo

For this episode, Liz and Michelle chat remotely. Michelle is off on her empty nest travels again to Tokyo. Meanwhile Maisie, her dog, runs rings around her dog sitter, at home. Despite not being a fan of Japanese food, Michelle steps out of her comfort zone and takes a food tour that includes yakitori, stand up sushi and more. Followed by a painful Peaks of Slimness massage, which was like getting a massage from Rod Hull and Emu!

In the meantime, Liz has visited the Spirit of Christmas fair...

Cash Down the Back of the Sofa

Cash Down the Back of the Sofa

Michelle and Liz are joined in this episode by guest ‘Miss Moneysaver’ Jasmine Birtles, a Daily Mail columnist, author, money expert and director of not one but three companies! Jasmine is also the founder and editor of one of the best-known money-making websites MoneyMagpie.com; the go-to site for information and advice on making and saving money day-to-day.
Jasmine, Michelle and Liz talk about a variety of unique and creative ways you can make money in the current economic crisis, offering the...

TWC Snacksize

Exciting times ahead as Liz and Michelle begin podcasting weekly! Join them on the sofa with a cuppa talking about parents weekend, bagels in Central Park, Funny Girl on Broadway, mince pies in October, a trip to the Orkneys, Michelle's 'roadkill bingo', Gator-nado, not apple sauce and a made bed being a haven amongst chaos.For great resources, blogs and useful info for mid-lifers, check out our website at www.twowomenchatting.com. We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at twowomenchatting...

Let's Talk About Menopause part 2

Let's Talk About Menopause part 2

In part 2 of ‘Let’s Talk About Menopause’ we chat to incredible women from the Menopause Mandate - Alice Smellie, Laura Biggs, Lisa Snowden and Lavina Mehta MBE.However it affects you (whether you are the menopausal woman or the partner or child of one!), we can probably all agree that choice, affordability of access to HRT plus education can make it better and more positive. We are not advocating any one approach but absolutely support raising awareness and breaking down the taboos.The Menopau...

A Life for a Cure

A Life for a Cure

On this bonus episode, we chat to Michelle Bresnahan, founder of A Life for Cure, created in memory of her son Ryan Bresnahan. It's so important that we talk about the symptoms of meningitis B, the vaccines available (spoiler alert: they are not the meningitis vaccines you get at school - you need to PAY for them to protect your kids from this strain at college) and raise awareness within our school and parent communities.You'll find accompanying blogs and resources on our website www.twowomenc...

Let's Talk About Menopause Part 1

Let's Talk About Menopause Part 1

Is your head spinning on the topic of menopause? Thank goodness we have incredible women like the members of the Menopause Mandate who are helping to distil all the information in one place - educating, campaigning, raising awareness and fighting for the rights of menopausal women.Join us as we chat to Carolyn Harris MP, health journalist Alice Smellie and CEO of Intuitive Events Laura Biggs who, along with Mariella Fostrup, set up the Menopause Mandate earlier this year. They've already been he...

Collagen to 5K

On this episode we explore the benefits of collagen in midlife, how to start running at any age, the joy of golf and self care.We're joined by Jenni Falconer, Smooth FM breakfast show presenter, host of RunPod and co-founder of Kollo Health. Did you know collagen can help joint aches as an anti inflammatory, can delay greying hair ( losing hair), help weight loss, reduce cellulite, reduce fine lines, improve bone density, increase muscle mass, help repair leaky gut, protects heart and cardiovasc...

Back after the break

Back after the break

We are SO excited to be back after the summer vacation for our second season and we’ve got some fabulous topics and guests to share with you!First off the block is our chat with Jenni Falconer, Smooth FM presenter, podcast host of Runpod and co-founder of Kollo Health. Did you know how great marine collagen is for you in midlife? We'll be talking about this during our first episode in mid September - out on Tuesday 20 September whilst we respect the Queen's state funeral and national m...

Empty Nest 101 - Once They've Gone

Empty Nest 101 - Once They've Gone

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty_nest_podcasts/. We're now in the top 25 globally for empty nest podcasts! (If we're getting really specific no. 6 globally and no.1 in the UK!)Part 2 - Well you’ve dropped them off… and there’s a gap in your life. Don’t be defined by your kids. This is the time to redefine your life, find new purpose, connect with your spouse, and enjoy less laundry!We look at ways to cope and offer some tips and ideas on how to start looking at the positive aspects of b...

Empty Nest 101 - Before They Go

Empty Nest 101 - Before They Go

Part 1 - Before They Leave (bonus episode) This stand alone bonus episode offers advice and tips from experts and parents who have been through it already. They are available totally free from our website and all usual podcast platforms. Part 2 - Once They've Gone available separately. It's time in our lives of dynamic change, emotions and opportunity.The episode are be supported by blogs, resources, downloadable checklists and pdfs on our website www.twowomenchatting.comMost parents dread...

Coercion, Consent and Consequences

Note: this episode may contain triggers regarding self-harming mental healthHave you heard of sextortion? If you haven't, do a quick search on Google and you'll probably be horrified. We were.Sexting of images or videos + threat of blackmail (money, loss of reputation etc) = sextortion and it's on the rise, in a big way, aimed at adolescents and young adults. Many parents think their kid is way too smart to fall victim to sending, receiving or asking for explicit images but please don't be naiv...

Life Redefined - you don't have to settle!

Life Redefined - you don't have to settle!

It's never too late to redefine yourself and your career. You can set the parameters and the purpose. By midlife we've gained skills that are perfect for dipping your toe back into work (if you've been an at home parent), volunteering or changing direction. With the average life expectancy now of 80 years plus, that's a heck of a long time from midlife to be doing something you don't enjoy or just 'settling'. If the pandemic has shown us anything, we know we can often work from anywhere. For man...

Modern Slavery

Following an incident that happened to Michelle's daughter, Liz and Michelle sit down with Clarissa Drysdale Anderson, chairman of You Can Free Us Foundation, an international human rights organization that is fighting modern slavery around the world through advocacy, rescue, and rehabilitation.The statistics horrified us - over 40 million people (at least) are bound in slavery across the globe. Join us as we chat about the current situation affecting women and children fleeing from Ukrain...

ADHD diagnosis in midlife

ADHD diagnosis in midlife

Menopause brain fog symptoms or undiagnosed ADHD?For women 40s plus, we're often the 'missed' generation in neurodiverse diagnosis. One finding estimates that the number of adult women with ADHD who go undiagnosed could be as high as 75%! ADHD affects everyone differently and medical practitioners have thought the depressed feelings and social anxieties were independent conditions or signs of mental illness - or even due to the menopause.So we thought we should go and chat with ...

How to age well with Anthea Turner

How to age well with Anthea Turner

Anthea Turner, once named Queen of Breakfast TV and Best Dressed Woman on TV, has been a children’s tv presenter on Blue Peter, anchored GMTV (ITV breakfast show) on the morning sofa, presented the very first National Lottery, been the only non Radio 1 DJ on Top of the Pops, taught us how to be organised (way before the Home Edit and Marie Kondo!), learned to ice skate for Dancing on Ice, lived in the Celebrity Big Brother house, learned to do crazy skiing on reality show The Jump, threw herself...

Is retirement bad for your health?

Is retirement bad for your health?

It's one of those awful scenarios that is darkly joked about... spouses literally dropping dead on the golf course when they retire. But it happens. And it turns out there is a scientific reason for executives (both men and women) to suffer from catastrophic health events when they finally have time for hobbies and leisure. Joining us on the sofa this week is Jo Martin. Jo is a mental health consultant and MHFA (England) instructor. During her colourful life (which should be ...

From Hollywood to horses... with Jenny Seagrove

From Hollywood to horses... with Jenny Seagrove

From Hollywood to horses... join us on the sofa as we chat with internationally acclaimed actress and animal lover Jenny Seagrove. We talk about her amazing acting career (remember Women of Substance, Judge John Deed?), feelings of self-worth, reinvention in mid-life and her sanctuary for rescue horses.Mane Chance Sanctuary transforms lives through rehabbing abused, abandoned and old horses integrating them with the local community through their Chance2Be project aimed at young people ...

Carenting

Just as we think we have more free time because the kids have left home, our parents need additional assistance and care. Not surprisingly this care often falls to women. The feelings of guilt, frustration and effects on relationships with spouses, siblings, children and our parents can become negative. Liz and Michelle explore how we can approach this new phase of our lives in a smart way, avoiding resentment and finding the balance.We ask our own mums their thoughts on 'later li...

Lazy Weight Loss

Lazy Weight Loss

Classic new year topic...but with a twist. Liz and Michelle want to lose weight but, as Michelle can't exercise due to a dodgy hip, they're coming up with ways to drop the pounds without leaving the sofa! From the Magical Leek Diet featured in Emily in Paris to Gastric Band hypnotherapy, a 'moist' January and food ideas, join their 2022 reset for a healthy lifestyle, whether or not you can (or want to) hit the gym.Please always consult with your doctor if you have any health concerns a...

The Festive Season...reimagined with 'adult' kids

The Festive Season...reimagined with 'adult' kids

With kids no longer poking around closets to find their gifts, how do we transition to a more 'adult' Christmas? So will it be less stressful? Christmas doesn't have to be an 'Instagram perfect' time. Don't feel guilty using frozen roast potatoes or not writing Christmas cards - this year in particular is all about what really matters.We've got some ideas on how to reimagine the holidays this year so that you spend more time with your families - and less time in the kitchen!We love to ...

Flying the Nest

Flying the Nest

Joining Liz and Michelle on the sofa this week is Dr Dominique Thompson, a GP, young people’s mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator. We'll be chatting about how to approach empty nesting life positively - and provide support to our kids once they've flown the nest.Her collaboration with Unite Students for the 'Parents Guide to Empty Nesting' is available through our website or through our Instagram link @twowomenchatting. We'll also be giving away copies of her book H...

From sofa to podcast

From sofa to podcast

Join Liz and Michelle on the sofa as we chat about the highs and lows of life in our 50s. We’ll be interviewing fascinating guests (recent guests included Anthea Turner and Jenny Seagrove), discussing hot topics, trying endless diets, talking travel (outside of school holidays of course!), ageing parents and ageing pets, adult ‘kids’, how to make the most of more free time and enjoying our 50s whilst keeping healthy and having fun. We’ll laugh (we may cry), we’ll go off at tangents…. but we’ll a...

Blog Posts

Good Grief- managing bereavement

Good Grief- managing bereavement

When you lose a loved one there is no 'normal' way to grieve and we all experience grief in different ways. Linda Magistris CEO and...

The danger of drink & drug spiking

The danger of drink & drug spiking

Drink Spiking and Date Rape Drugs Spiking of drinks and date rape drugs is an alarming and growing concern. Drink spiking is when...

Good Clean Fun- Liz & Michelle spent a week testing non alcoholic drinks!

Good Clean Fun- Liz & Michelle spent a week testing non alcoholic drinks!

As midlife women who have certainly enjoyed our fair share of G&Ts and chardonnay we recently had a light bulb moment when researching...

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