As Good As It Gets

As Good As It Gets

By That's Not Canon ProductionsComedySociety & CultureArtsPerforming Arts
Download on the App Store

As Good As It Gets episodes

  • Bridging The Generation Gap

    This week’s episode is a truly uplifting, interesting and life affirming conversation about friendships and relationships across the generation gap. 


    For some reason it is not considered the ‘norm’ in our society to engage in relationships - whether romantic or otherwise - with those outside of our own generation and age range. But why? Why on earth does age matter? There are so, so many benefits to having friendships with people from different generations, and the truth is we can all learn so much from people who are both younger and older than us.  


    Bev (who admits that she is still 23 in her head) is a case in point given her very happy relationship with a man fourteen years her junior, and her life is all the better for it. He, in turn, has friendships with people in their 60s and 70s.  And Marina - who recently attended an 89th birthday party which was filled with people ranging in age from 3 years to 93 years - has formed several fabulous friendships with people who happen to be significantly older than her. Both ladies acknowledge how wonderful these relationships are, and how much they add to both of their lives.  


    When it comes to making life As Good As It Gets, the idea that we can’t have friendships with people from different generations is both extraordinary and unhelpful. If we make a conscious decision to embrace intergenerational relationships, we may just find that our minds are broadened and our hearts opened.  


    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    40 min
  • Criticism
    In this episode, Bev and Marina discuss the often tricky subject of criticism. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, criticism is ‘an opinion given about something or someone, especially a negative opinion, or the activity of making such judgements.' So, do you frequently give it? And how well do you take it? If we’re completely honest with ourselves, are any of us actually ‘good’ at taking criticism?  This week’s conversation encompasses everything from who we are willing to take critcism from, to who we give it to; how criticism makes us feel, and whether it is ever gratefully received; and how we might think about both the giving and receiving of criticism in an effort to improve our lives and the lives of those we care about.Whatever you do though, just don’t criticise Marina’s now famous childhood horse, Jester, because only she is allowed to do that. And if you’re one of Bev’s ex-boyfriends, you might want to tune in as she admits her previous tendency to be critical of her former love interests. In terms of living a life that is As Good As It Gets, perhaps we need to learn to look at criticism as a gift, as a way of becoming a better version of ourselves, rather than taking it as a personal critique of who we are. And by the same token, when we’re about to give criticism, maybe we should look carefully at our motivation to ensure that we are giving it in the best interests of that person. 

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    37 min
  • Feminism

    Our topic this week is one for the girls and - equally if not more importantly - one for the boys. Yes, we're talking Feminism. 


    How far have we come? And how far do we still have to go? Are you a ‘good’ feminist? Is there anything that makes you feel like a ‘bad’ feminist? 


    Bev and Marina discuss everything from the gender pay gap to school uniforms, from calling out sexism to the objectification of women in music, from judgement from other feminists to teaching our kids about feminism. They also reveal what they do that makes them feel like guilty feminists (and it’s the exact same thing for both of them!) 


    When it comes to making our life As Good As It Gets, let's not forget that as modern day feminists we don’t need to be perfect to make a difference. But as women, let’s make damn sure we have each other's backs. Girls may compete with each other, but women empower each other.


    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    44 min
  • The Environment

    This week Bev and Marina's topic of choice is the environment. Perhaps a departure from the usual 'flavour' of As Good As It Gets, but certainly worthy of a conversation, the environment and the idea of 'saving the planet' is something that can cause real fear and anxiety, not just in us but in our children too. Many of us may feel a sense of disempowerment, assuming that the problem is just too severe for any one of us to make any impactful difference.


    So how can we turn this around? We can start by having meaningful conversations with our family, friends, children, peers and colleagues about the little things that each of us can do that, when added up, will absolutely make a difference. Whether we try and eat less meat but buy organic when we do, or only flush the loo after doing a number two, let's all take action, no matter how small. That way, when it comes to making our life As Good As It Gets, we know we've done our bit to help protect this beautiful planet we are privileged to call home.


    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    33 min
  • Memory & Memories
    Aaah, Memories! In this episode, the girls take a trip down memory lane as well as talking about memory itself. As is so often the case, Bev and Marina come from very different viewpoints, and while Bev struggles to remember anything at all, Marina can recall specific details from way back when; (having said that, she sometimes forgets to pack her pants when she goes away, and she once forgot to confirm her son's place at his new school!) This charming and funny discussion between the two friends touches on holidays they've had together, childhood memories, the benefits of being able to forget, as well as tips and tools for how to better remember things. It explores the idea that it's actually liberating when we own up to having forgotten something, rather than coming up with excuses; and also whether perhaps, in this digital world, we are too preoccupied with recording every little thing on our smart phones. Because in terms of living a life that's As Good As It Gets, perhaps the memories we have in our own minds may just be the best ones of all.

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    45 min
  • The Joy Of Being Average
    This week's episode provides an interesting take on the concept of being average. Bev and Marina muse over how, in this world of over-achievers and pressure to be exceptional, the idea of being average has become something we are no longer satisfied with. But as the girls ruminate over everything from social media to Oprah, they find that there is much to be celebrated in being average, and plenty of beauty in the ordinary. Perhaps the key to making life As Good As It Gets is to stop worrying about being exceptional, and rather rediscover the Joy Of Being Average.

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    40 min
  • Anger
    In this episode the girls explore the topic of Anger, asking what's behind it and how we can learn to use it as a force for good. But...woe betide anyone who uses the passive aggressive kind with Bev; and if something winds Marina up she may well be found doing some furious needle working, if indeed there is such a thing! Can we learn to harness our anger and use it in a productive way as we continue our quest to make life As Good As It Gets...?

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    40 min
  • Compromise
    This week, Bev and Marina tackle the subject of Compromise. Although it's something we all inevitably have to do, that doesn't mean it's always easy. From Bev's refusal to compromise when it comes to getting her kids a dog, to Marina threatening to chain herself to a lamp post in the name of road safety...the girls mull over how to do compromise in a way that makes life As Good As It Gets.

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    45 min
  • Love
    Bev and Marina mull over that four letter word: L.O.V.E. Bev admits she’s an old fashioned gal when it comes to love and romance, and we discover that the love of Marina’s life was actually a horse named Jester. Oh, and there’s a surprise appearance from Jest…,I mean Ben Fogle. When it comes to love for our kids, our siblings, our partners or ourselves, what is the key to making it As Good As It Gets?

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    43 min
  • Fear
    In an episode that might otherwise be titled, Spiders vs Dogs, Bev and Marina discuss whether our experiences make us braver or more cautious. And does the ability to conquer our fears get stronger, or has it already been As Good As It Gets?

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    45 min

About As Good As It Gets

From the publisher's feed

This podcast isn’t going to change your life, but you’re sure to have a laugh with your two new besties.


Pop culture, comedy, dating and lifestyle. Nothing is off limits. Welcome to the…