Why are so many couples splitting in their 40s and 50s? And how does menopause affect intimacy, desire, and connection?

In this week’s Thriving in Our 40s episode, we go deep with couples and sex therapist Suzette Castle-Mackie - and no topic is off-limits.

✨ Why midlife relationships are under pressure (and the rise of ‘grey divorce’)
✨ The fine line between healthy and destructive conflict
✨ What to do if only one partner wants therapy
✨ How to have those tough conversations, from intimacy and menopause to screen use
✨ Rebuilding connection through vulnerability, passion, and new ways to date
✨ Everyday intimacy tips to feel closer outside the bedroom

🎧 Plus, don't forget to check out these other Thriving In Our 40s episodes:
👉 Dr Sharma & Dr Wright on Menopause & Relationships
👉 Helen on Intimacy, Conflict & Couples Therapy

Subscribe, share with your partner and join us for honest, unscripted conversations about thriving - not just surviving - in your 40s and beyond.

To contact Suzette, please visit: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/suzette-castle-mackie

#ThrivingInOur40s #MidlifeRelationships #CouplesTherapy #MenopauseSupport #SexAfter40 #RelationshipAdvice

Your Menopause 101 guide - from crash menopause and HRT myths to sex after menopause and midlife mental health. With Dr Angela Sharma & Dr Angela Wright of Spiced Pear Health, we dive into the real questions women face but rarely get answered.

This episode of Thriving in Our 40s is your Menopause 101 - an honest, practical conversation with menopause specialists Dr Angela Sharma and Dr Angela Wright of Spiced Pear Health.

We tackle the questions too many women face alone: from the shock of crash menopause, to the myths and realities of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), intimacy and sex after menopause, and the impact on midlife mental health.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
✨ What crash menopause really means - and how hormone blockers affect women
✨ The facts about HRT - how long you should (or shouldn’t) take it, and why lifestyle still matters
✨ Social media myths around menopause - what advice to trust and what to ignore
✨ Supplements - evidence vs hype, and why consistency is key
✨ Testosterone - the benefits, risks, and what we still don’t know
✨ Sex and intimacy in midlife - from low libido to reconnecting with your partner
✨ Communication & relationships - how psychosexual therapy can rebuild trust and connection
✨ Practical GP advice - how to prepare, what to ask, and why persistence matters

Menopause can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re curious about perimenopause symptoms, struggling with low libido, or confused about HRT options, this conversation offers clarity, confidence, and real-world support.

Learn more at Spiced Pear Health with Dr Angela Sharma & Dr Angela Wright.

Further Support:

Maggie's Cancer Care: https://www.maggies.org

Guideline Resources:

BSSM:

https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BSSM-Position-statement-for-management-of-genitourinary-syndrome-of-the-menopause-GSM.pdf

ACOG:

https://www.acog.org/-/media/project/acog/acogorg/clinical/files/clinical-consensus/articles/2021/12/treatment-of-urogenital-symptoms-in-individuals.pdf?rev=42989a66fa1c4daaa148a3853d27bb05&hash=C03514B3BD087D1FE7A80E6E95A545BA

RCOG green top for PMS:

https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1471-0528.14260

NAPS guidelines for PMS:

https://www.pms.org.uk/app/uploads/2018/06/guidelinesfinal60210.pdf

Fashion advice - but not as we know it.In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Thriving In Our Forties, style coach Loulou Storey shares invaluable advice for women who feel disconnected from their wardrobes, unsure of their style, or invisible in midlife.At the heart of Loulou’s approach is her Style Storey Method - a unique process that helps women rediscover their identity through three energy words that reflect who they truly are. This isn’t about trends or body types - it’s about reconnecting with your inner compass, listening to your instincts, and dressing in a way that supports your lifestyle and reflects your personality.Whether you're time-starved, feeling uninspired by your wardrobe, navigating a changing body, or just want to feel visible again, Loulou’s insights will leave you uplifted and reconnected with your own style story.We also talk about:How clothes can help us feel relevant againThe emotional power of functional yet expressive dressingHow to talk to our daughters and young people about style and self-worth without focusing on sizeLoulou’s deeply personal story - how she found her way to becoming a style coach after postnatal depression and body image struggles, and how fashion helped her 'show up' as a mother when she felt most unsure of herselfThis episode is a beautiful blend of practical wisdom and emotional depth, offering a new way of thinking about clothes, confidence, and what it really means to thrive in your forties.Further Resources:Loulou Storey: www.louloustorey.comIG: @louloustorey_stylist: www.instagram.com/louloustorey_stylist/Elizabeth Gilbert 'Big Magic': www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/

Discover how to recognise, support, and celebrate dyslexia at any age - with practical tools and empowering insights from specialist Sasha Dugdale.

Is dyslexia misunderstood, and under-celebrated? In this episode of Thriving in Our Forties, dyslexia specialist Sasha Dugdale helps us reframe our understanding of neurodiversity. We explore:

• The signs of undiagnosed dyslexia in adults

• How to get a diagnosis later in life

• Inclusive strategies at school, work, and home

• How friends and family can truly support (not fix)

• The strengths dyslexic individuals bring—especially in today’s AI-driven world

• Tools for building confidence, resilience, and brain health

• Why dyslexia is not a limitation, but a powerful way of thinking differently

Whether you’re neurodivergent, love someone who is, or simply want to understand more, this conversation is for you.

Further reading/resources:* Rethinking Dyslexia* British Dyslexia Association* Made By Dyslexia* Dyslexia Scotland* SEND Podcast* Jamie Oliver TV Series - Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution* Chris Packham TV Series - Inside Our Minds* Barrington Stoke - Dyslexia Friendly Books* Lucinda Miller - Brain Brilliance Book* Amanda Kirby - Neurodiversity At Work Book* Nancy Doyle and Almuth McDowall - Neurodiversity Coaching Book* Ginny Stacey - Organisation and Everyday Life with Dyslexia and other SpLDs Book* Ginny Stacey - Finding Your Voice with Dyslexia and other SpLDs Book* Stories for Kids Who Dare to be Different Book

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or just not yourself lately? In this episode, we’re joined by nutritional therapist Kate Chaytor-Norris to explore what stress really does to our bodies - especially in our 40s - and how we can NOURISH ourselves back to balance.

We unpack the science, the hormones, and the emotional side of stress, and share practical, compassionate strategies to help you feel more grounded, energised and in tune with your body.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your stress response may have been set in childhood, or even in the womb

• How nutrition can support your nervous system and improve resilience

• The importance of blood sugar stability for mood, focus and energy

• How tired adrenals affect food cravings, energy levels and your ability to exercise

• Why stress can block weight loss (and what to do instead)

• The powerful connection between oestrogen in our water system and hormone health

• How perimenopause and menopause magnify the effects of stress

• And why our bodies are incredibly wise, intuitive beings - they never lie, we just need to start listening

Whether you’re deep in perimenopause or just trying to get through a stressful season, this conversation is packed with reassurance, knowledge and practical tools.

SUBSCRIBE for more empowering conversations on women’s health, midlife transitions, and thriving through the messy bits.

Like this video if it resonated

Comment below: What’s one thing you’re doing to support your body through stress right now?

🎙️ Watch the full episode on YouTube
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thrivinginourforties

Further Resources: 

Kate Chaytor- Norris: https://kate-chaytor-norris.co.uk/

I Wish My Doctor Had Told Me This by Kate Chaytor- Norris: https://kate-chaytor-norris.co.uk/books/

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van Der Kolk: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score

BioCera Filter Jug: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/products/biocera-alkaline-water-filter-jug

Wherever you go, there you are by Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wherever-You-There-Are-Mindfulness/dp/0749925485

Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-mindfulness/dp/0749958413

What do we say to our kids about pornography and puberty without it being awkward?

In this honest and empowering episode of Thriving in Our Forties, we're joined by Janey Downshire, expert in adolescent development, counselling, and co-author of Teenagers Translated. Together, we unpack the tough but vital topics affecting our children today - online porn, puberty, body anxiety, and emotional literacy.

For today’s teens, puberty and p*rn have become tangled in confusing, often harmful ways.

• Easy access to explicit content is shaping unrealistic expectations around sex, intimacy, and relationships, for both boys and girls.
• We’re seeing a rise in anxiety, body shame, and social pressure in girls, and erectile dysfunction and emotional disconnection in boys - both linked to the curated, hyper-sexualised content they’re absorbing.
• Many young people are learning more from screens than from real-life conversations, and that’s a problem we can change.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why pornography isn’t going anywhere and how to talk to your kids about it with confidence and clarity
• The emotional impact of puberty and the pressure to “perform” femininity or masculinity
• The importance of talking about real sex vs online sex
• How to set healthy, clear boundaries as parents (and stick to them)
• Tools for tackling awkward topics so kids trust you to guide, not judge
• The concept of Parent Power: why we need a collective voice to challenge the cultural narrative around sex, puberty, and growing up

This conversation is full of insight, practical tools, and reassurance for any parent who wants to raise emotionally literate, sexually healthy, confident young adults.

Show notes include a carefully curated list of resources to help you continue learning and talking.

#Puberty #ParentingTeens #TalkingToKidsAboutPorn #TeenMentalHealth

www.teenagerstranslated.co.uk

SexEd in the digital age: https://fumble.org.uk/

Boys’ Health: https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/boys-health-and-digital-media/#talk-about-pornography

Girls’ Health: https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/girls-health-and-digital-media/

The Effects of Pornography on Youth and How to Talk About It:

https://www.childrenandscreens.org/event/the-porn-conversation-the-effects-of-pornography-on-youth-and-how-to-talk-about-it/

Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction: 

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Watching+porn+leaves+men+unable+to+perform+in+the+bedroom%2c+new...-a0818133448

Pornography and Behavioral Health: https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/pornography-and-behavioral-health

‘Mum, What’s Wrong with You?’: 101 Things Only Mothers of Teenage Girls Know (book)

Raising Boys in the 21st Century (book)

Raising Girls in the 21st Century (book)

Struggling with weight gain, exhaustion, or mood swings?

Perimenopause is a huge hormonal shift that affects metabolism, energy, and overall well-being - but you don’t have to just put up with it.

There are ways to thrive through this transition!

In this episode of Thriving in Our 40s, we’re joined by Functional Health & Performance Coach Natasha Banks to break down how to balance hormones naturally - with the right nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes that truly work.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

* Key hormonal shifts in your cycle & how they change in perimenopause

* How to support your body (even if your cycle is irregular or you’re no longer bleeding)

* Why perimenopause often leads to weight gain - and how to manage it naturally

* Magnesium: The essential mineral for perimenopause (& why you probably need more!)

* The truth about fat - why some fats are non-negotiable for hormone health

* Cycle syncing & exercise - how to train in tune with your hormones for better results

* How to reframe perimenopause as a powerful new chapter instead of something to fear

* Myth-busting perimenopause & menopause (Hint: No, menopause does NOT mean the end of your sex life! )

Have you noticed changes in your body during perimenopause? What has helped you the most?

Would love to hear your thoughts/suggestions in the comments below.

To discover more about Natasha and her work, visit:

Website: www.thewellnessconsultant.co.uk

LinkedIn: Natasha Banks, Health & Performance Coach

Instagram: https: @natasha.l.banks

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & HIT THE NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an episode of Thriving in Our 40s.

Watch more episodes here:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TransitionsUnscripted/videos Instagram:@rachel_s_fortune

Hands up - who else finds the older we get, the more confused we become about what we should and shouldn’t be using on our skin? The choices are endless! Should we be using retinol? Taking collagen? Trying tweakments?

In this episode of Thriving in Our Forties, we’re joined by Tahira, a Conscious Beauty expert and total fountain of knowledge. It’s impossible not to be drawn into her infectious enthusiasm for all things skincare, makeup, and midlife confidence!

Tahira shares:  

• The importance of choosing the right skincare for your skin type
• Her personal product recommendations and feedback
• The often-forgotten power of a simple finger massage for lifted, glowing skin
• Why you NEED to dig out those eyelash curlers - they’ll become your new best friend for a fresh, wide-awake look!
• Quick, easy makeup tricks for a natural, radiant look

We also talk about how to embrace this stage of life, how not to attach our self-worth to the pursuit of youth, and how beauty in our forties and beyond is about feeling empowered in your own skin.

Keep reading the show notes below for all of Tahira’s brand recommendations and product picks - you’ll want them!

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and comment - we’d love to know your current midlife beauty go-tos too!

Neal's Yard

Recommend brands for Dry / Dehydrated Skin:

Sahajan

Biossance

Recommend brands for Sensitive Skin:

Pai Skincare

Organic Pharmacy

Origins

L'Occitane

Oskia

Kora Organics - Turmeric Glow Cleanser

Tweakments Tried and Tested:

Emface

Profhilo

Current Body

Ziip

NuFACE

Sandra Lanshin: Gua Sha Expert

What is retinol?"While not as powerful as other retinoids, retinol has the same ability to speed up cell turnover and increase collagen production. This makes it an effective ingredient for reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol's exfoliating effect also helps it treat hyperpigmentation and acne."

What is Niacinamide?"Niacinamide works by increasing the production of ceramides [waxy lipids], which are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. It also helps to reduce the production of sebum, which can contribute to acne. Additionally, niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness."

What are Ceramides?"Put simply, ceramides help the skin to protect itself. "The human body is made up of approximately 70% water, but on the skin's surface this can be as low as 10% to 30%,” says Sara Waterman, senior aesthetician at Young LDN. “Ceramides help to keep the skin hydrated on all levels. By creating a barrier, ceramides keep the water in and protect against environmental damage.”"

Could your child's screen time be rewiring their brain?

Are social media, FOMO, and dopamine addiction making it harder for kids to focus, form real friendships, and build resilience?  

In this must-watch Thriving in Our Forties episode, Dr. Charlotte Armitage - psychologist, psychotherapist, and author of Generation Zombie: Why Devices Are Harming Our Children and What We Can Do About It - breaks down:  

• Devices & FOMO – Why kids feel pressure to always be online  
• Devices & Relationships – Is social media replacing real-life friendships?  
• Devices & Mental Health – The shocking link between screens, anxiety, and depression  
• Devices & Dopamine – How tech companies keep us hooked  
• Devices & Resilience – Are screens making kids less able to handle life’s challenges?  
• The ADHD Connection – How excessive screen time is impacting attention spans  

At times, not easy to hear, but a must-listen for any parent or young adult. Watch till the end for practical tools to help both adults and kids spend less time on screens and engage more with the real world.  

What’s your biggest concern about kids and screen time? Drop a comment below!  

Learn more about Dr. Charlotte Armitage:  https://charlottearmitage.co.uk/Her book, Generation Zombie, is available at all major bookshops.

Subscribe for more real, raw, and essential conversations on midlife, parenting, and thriving in today’s world! 

Are you in your 40s and wondering how to stay strong, mobile, and pain-free? In this episode of Thriving in Our Forties, I sit down with Pilates instructor Posie Scrope to explore how Pilates can help support your body as you age - improving core strength, pelvic floor health, bone density, and mental wellbeing.What we cover in this episode:* How Pilates strengthens the pelvic floor & prevents issues like leakage & back pain* Why Pilates is a must for bone density & injury prevention in midlife* The mind-body benefits of Pilates for stress relief & mental health* Reformer Pilates vs. Mat Pilates - what’s best for you?* Debunking common myths - why Pilates is NOT just stretching or only for women!If you’re navigating perimenopause, dealing with joint pain, or just looking for an effective way to stay strong in your 40s and beyond, this episode is for you!Don’t forget to like, comment & subscribe for more insights on thriving in midlife!