I'm taking a short break from the podcast until early 2021, I'll be back with more great guests and experts in the New Year so make  sure to stay subscribed to be the first to hear new episodes.

In the meantime have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Follow me on Instagram @annikisommerville

In this weeks episode Anniki talks about grief and loss with psychotherapist and author Anna Mathur. It's a tricky episode if you've just lost someone but hopefully will offer some tips and support on how to navigate each day and cope with difficult feelings. Please do share if you think it will help someone who is going through tough times and needs coping strategies.

Resources:

https://www.annamathur.com - Anna's website

https://www.cruse.org.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA5bz-BRD-ARIsABjT4njb5s1ELtLX7wWXcrdT51-Cj7_Yosx8uLPfFNc_FsKpsGZMWiAASnsaAmviEALw_wcB - Cruse Bereavement Counselling

Edited and Produced by Alex Graham

In this episode Anniki talks to Helen Serafinowicz, the writer of the hit TV series Motherland about all things motherhood and writing related. They touch on tension in motherhood (and how Helen had to wear a neck brace from lack of sleep and Anniki lost two teeth) and on how tough it can be (it’s rewarding too of course but they possibly talk less about this). Motherland has a special Christmas episode coming out so watch out – it’s SOMETHING to look forward to in these trying times anyway...

Edited and Produced by Alex Graham

In this lockdown special episode Anniki talks to Kim Palmer who founded the Clementine app. Kim and Anniki talk about anxiety at work, and offer up tips on tangible things to try if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Anniki also does some outdoor recording from her local park and offers tips on how to get through lockdown (including the merits of a sausage sandwich and going on the slide).

Clementine app https://clementineapp.com/

Breathing exercises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odADwWzHR24

Edited and Produced by Alex Graham

In this episode Anniki talks to Neeley Moore who became a mum at forty-five. They discuss the experience of being older parents and how it’s both tiring and inspiring at the same time. Neeley also talks openly about her path to parenthood and how she tried IVF and then opted for a double donor. They also talk about swimming outdoors and why it’s something to perhaps trial in these cold, winter months.

Resources:

Where Neeley had treatment: StorkKlinik Copenhagen – www.storkklinik.dk

Follow @saragottfriedmd – for information on hormones and anxiety

Books that Neeley recommends: ‘The Hormone Reset Diet- Sara Gottfried. MD , ‘In the Flo,’ Alisa Vitti

Produced and Edited by Alex Graham

Music by Paul Wells

In this episode Anniki talks to Sam Baker about her book 'The Shift- How I lost and found myself after 40- and you can too.' They discuss why the attitude to men ageing versus women is so different, how menopause can take us by surprise and how we become increasingly invisible. They also talk about Anniki's chin hair and how older women are expected to embrace linen in a big way. And why are so many female bosses seen as 'batty old women' or 'heartless bitches'?

Resources:

Sam Baker's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shift-lost-found-myself-after/dp/1529329760/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+shift&qid=1603522415&sr=8-1

Follow me on Instagram @annikisommerville

Produced and Edited by Alex Graham

Music by Paul Wells

In this episode Anniki focuses on art and creativity. She interviews the up and coming artist Sharon Walters about how she became a full-time artist, the things that inspire her and how she plucked up the courage to make art her proper career. We also talk about the lack of diversity in art and how black women are under-represented. Anniki obviously isn’t an expert in this area and would never claim to be. She is trying to educate herself and learn as much as possible. At the end they discuss how we can all access our creative side and use it to help fight anxiety and more.

Follow me on Instagram @annikisommerville

Sharon Walters website: https://www.londonartist1.com/

Sharon’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/london_artist1/?hl=en

Article about black female artists to follow on IG: https://artuk.org/discover/stories/five-black-female-and-non-binary-artists-to-follow-on-instagram

Produced and Edited by Alex Graham

Music by Paul Wells

Do you get fed up being told what to wear and what's 'allowed' in your forties? Do you feel like the fashion industry can be tyrannical at times? How do you feel about clothes as you get older? In this episode Anniki interviews Kate Hiscox. Kate works in the music industry and is an influential fashion blogger (@wearsmymoney on IG). They discuss why there are no rules when you get into your forties (in fact there aren't really any rules anyway), the concept of feeling confident in your 'look' and why crocs are not tolerated in her household (well they are but she doesn't rate them highly).

Follow me on Instagram @annikisommerville

And, if you want to join the 'How to Be a Boss at Ageing' Facebook group which is full of tips, support and more information from the podcast series - search for 'How to Be a Boss at Ageing' on Facebook and the moderator will let you in!

Edited and Produced by Alex Graham

Music by Paul Wells

In this episode of the new series Anniki talks to Meg Mathews about the extremely discombobulating experience that is THE MENOPAUSE. Whilst our mothers’ generation might have suffered with hot flushes and mood swings in silence, we are now at the stage where we’re talking about it more. Nonetheless there’s work to be done with many women being taken by surprise by the symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause and feeling anxious and alone because they’re unsure as to whether what they’re feeling is normal or not. There’s also a myriad of different vitamins and supplements targeting menopausal women and then there’s HRT with women scared to take it or unsure of what the benefits might be. So if you’re approaching menopause and want to be better prepared or simply a fan of Meg...this is episode is right up your street.

Meg’s book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Hot-Taking-Menopause-Attitude/dp/178504253X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1600516311&refinements=p_27%3AMeg+Mathews&s=books&sr=1-1

Menopause advice: https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

NHS advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/

Follow me on Instagram - @annikisommerville

Edited and Produced by Alex Graham

Music by Paul Wells

As we age mid-life women are judged on how we look and how we choose to age. Are we ‘ageing naturally’ (and in some way winning at life) or are we choosing to have tweakments or surgery and therefore ‘cheating’. We’re damned if we do stuff and damned if we don’t. We can either be labelled as ‘tired/haggard’ or we can be seen as vain and self-obsessed. There is so much chatter around how women age that we tend to miss any other things they may be doing i.e. work/creating/etc. 

Things are changing but this week I interview Grace Fodor who owns the Studio 10 brand and is passionate about being pro-age rather than anti-age. We talk about how women are judged differently to men when it comes to how they look and how we can be feminists and enjoy good skincare and make up – the two things are not mutually exclusive.

Produced and Edited by Alex Graham

Music by Paul Wells