Don‘t Give A Fifty

In episode #74, Mel and Trish sit down with Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner, Kirsty Eng to explore how these traditional practices can benefit women during the many different stages of life. For the past 18 years, Kirsty has been the director of the Kirsty Eng Fertility, a boutique acupuncture and natural health clinic which has a long standing and respected reputation in the field of women’s health and fertility. The girls chat to Kirsty about the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in the treatment of many conditions including hormone imbalances, menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, fertility, and flooding. 

As Kirsty says, “menopause is a critical window for women’s health,” and its critical we seek the help needed to support, balance, and enhance our health at this stage (and every stage) of life. 

Kirsty’s gentle & reassuring approach may have even changed Mel’s resistance to these types of treatments…you never know.

Enjoy the calming energy of Kirsty Eng.

Important Links:

Kirsty's website

Kirsty's Instagram

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In episode #73, Mel and Trish were thrilled to chat with Melbourne’s most experienced personal stylist and wardrobe consultant, Sally Mackinnon. Sally’s very personable nature and undeniable knowledge were clearly evident in this super charged chat about the many facets of personal style & how it impacts us as 50ishers. The girls tackle the hot topic of body shapes, address budgets, and the important role stylists can play in the ultra-busy lives of the modern woman. Believe it or not, stylists actually save us money! As Sally says, “clothing is powerful, not frivolous.”

Enjoy the ultra-relatable and intuitive styling prowess of Sally Mackinnon.

Important Links:

Instagram

Facebook

Sally's Website

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Mel and Trish both love a good read and with the growing popularity of Book Clubs the girls decided to invite Mel’s book club ‘The Bookcases,’ into the studio to chat about the good reads, the bad reads, the benefits, the funny moments, a very sad loss, and all the good things (as well as the odd challenge) that being in a book club brings into their lives as midlife women.

A fun, light-hearted chat with eight women squeezed into a studio and sharing microphones. Now there’s a challenge in itself.

Enjoy.

Important Links:

Trish's online book club

'The Bookcases' recommended reads:

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

Perfume by Patrick Suskind

The Wife and the Widow by Christian White

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towler

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

Sleeping Dogs by Sonya Hartnett

Jasper Jones by Craig Sylvie

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

Still Life by Sarah Winman

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

Against All Odds by Craig Challen and Richard Harris

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Episode #71 sees Mel and Trish chatting to the very brilliant psychiatrist, psychotherapist, author and presenter, Doctor George Blair-West about some of the critical factors of successful relationships. Midlife can be a dangerous time for partnerships, when seemingly stable relationships blow up and the girls were keen to learn more about why this happens, how to avoid it and what we need to be doing to grow and maintains happy relationships.

In his typical on-point style, George steps the girls through the difference between the honeymoon and true love phases, having accurate expectations, sacrifice, being influenceable and importantly, how to manage conflict. “Conflict, is not only inevitable but necessary to drive growth within a relationship.” And there's no one more qualified to make this statement than this week's guest.

Enjoy the wisdom, knowledge, and ultra-smart Doctor George Blair-West.

Important Links:

Website

Website

Ted Talk

Way of the Quest

How to Make the Biggest Decision of your Life

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In episode #70, Mel and Trish sit down with mother/daughter team Michelle and Josie Cross to chat about their new venture, Offside Theatre Company, and upcoming production, ‘Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes.’ Co-created with another 50ish friend of Michelle’s, Offside Theatre Co was established in response to the need for Queensland-based actors to have opportunities to perform in Queensland. It is their intention to use this platform to share stories, particularly women’s stories, through contemporary media.

These are impressive women - motivated, creative, innovative, and dynamic. Not only did they set up a theatre company but also gained the rights to present this extraordinary play which the ultra-talented Josie stars in. 

‘Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes’ was written by Canadian playwright Hannah Mascovitch and is a thought-provoking play that raises questions about power and consent.

The play is running at the Metro Arts Theatre, West End, Brisbane for five shows only from Wednesday 15th February.

Enjoy the incredible Michelle and Josie Cross.

Important Links:

Ticket Sales

Metro Arts Instagram

Offside Theatre Instagram

Offside Theatre Website

Josie Cross Website

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After a six-week break, Mel and Trish are back in the studio for the latest instalment of their ‘Just the Two of Us’ series. The girls reflect on the highlights of their Christmas/New Year break which included trips away and lots of family time. Trish’s dedication to the 50ish tribe was evident with her list of highlights from research of great moments she’s recently watched on TV. 

Check out ‘Bump’ (season 3), ‘Collin from Accounts,’ ‘White Lotus’ (season 2) and Jennifer Coolidge’s Emmy speech, ‘Slow Horses,’ ‘Vikings Valhalla,’ (season 2), ‘Black Snow,’ and ‘Truth be Told.’ She also partook in a bit of yin yoga courtesy of Merry Maker Sisters and listened to Prince Harry’s book ‘Spare’ which saw the girls have their very first disagreement. 

Mel enjoyed a great time in New Zealand and a recent trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open. All of this and a bit more nonsense is available now for your listening pleasure.

Enjoy!

Jennifer Coolidge speech

Prince Harry - 'Spare'

Merry Maker Sisters website

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Mel and Trish have invited their first special guest to the podcast to talk about the importance of Self Love in Midlife with Kim Morrison Thank you so much for listening to the podcast, don’t forget to Follow, rate, review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! If you have got any suggestions, or maybe you’ve got a hilarious over 50’s story that you’re dying to tell, then we’d love to hear from you on our socials - Facebook or Instagram or email us at [email protected] Check out Kim Morrison's website www.kimmorrison.com for information on Kim’s Self Love Mentorship program, Twenty 8 her exquisite essential oils and body care products, links to her education courses and also for information on her Self Love Podcast.

You can also follow Kim on Facebook or Instagram

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This week we are super excited to be sharing the next half hour with Nikki Parkinson, a gorgeous fellow 50isher we’ve been lucky enough to meet before and someone who was on our hit list of women to interview as soon as DGAF was up and running.

We spend half an hour talking about embracing the many shapes and sizes of everyday women with Nikki Parkinson.

• Styling You shop website
• Follow Nikki's @stylingyouthelabel on Instagram
• Check out Nikki's Health Journey Blog Follow Don't Give A Fifty on Instagram Follow Don't Give A Fifty on Facebook

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As Christmas approaches and 2022 comes to an end, Mel and Trish felt it was time to recap their year & record the final instalment of their ‘Just The Two of Us’ segment. It’s a heart to heart between two long term friends about the last year, what they’ve learnt, what they need to improve on & what they love (and don’t love) to receive at Christmas.

Enjoy!

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