Comedian, writer, and actor, Jessica Knappett, talks to Gabby about how making people laugh by accident at a school cello recital was her first foray into comedy, and they swap stories from performing at the Edinburgh Fringe in their student days. Jessica is also very honest about some of the darker realities she has had to confront over the course of her career in comedy. She also chats about living in Los Angeles and her decision to move back to West Yorkshire, as well as accepting the realities of being a working parent - it’s a work in progress! As you'd expect, this episode is full of laughs about everything from communes to perfect days, growing cress to parenting hacks.

Warning: There are some references to sexual assault in this episode. 

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Warning: This episode contains some strong language. 

Nutritionist and author of The 30g Plan, Emma Bardwell, joins Gabby to talk about a different way of building your meals that may help you feel healthier and happier in midlife. Emma has come up with new recipes to try and help you get 30g of protein per meal, 30g of fibre per day, and to eat 30 different plants per week, and in this episode, she explains why these portions are important for optimal health. 

Emma also talks about protein stacking to ensure we are safeguarding our muscle - or as she describes it, the organ of longevity! - and how to reintroduce fibre-rich foods into your diet so that you can tolerate them better and enrich your gut. She also takes your questions on everything from how much is too much when it comes to protein, and which types of protein supplements are best.

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This week, broadcaster and now author Naga Munchetty, joins Gabby to talk about her journey to the midpoint.

As Naga explains in this episode, it wasn’t until midlife that she was diagnosed with adenomyosis and realised that, despite what she had been told her entire adult life, her periods had always been far from normal. It motivated her to understand more about what is going on in women’s health and why women’s reproductive issues are not better diagnosed or understood. She has put all of this into her new book It’s Probably Nothing, and here she shares some of the anecdotes and advice from it; for example, how best to prepare for a medical appointment in order to get the help you need.

They also talk about how Naga found exercise in midlife, how fortunate she feels to be doing a job she loves, and the pros and cons of not letting her condition curtail her life and passions.

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Fashion designer Amanda Wakeley OBE talks to Gabby about how her grandmothers were her early style icons; how taking ownership of her career in midlife has been incredibly liberating and exciting; and what it was like dressing Princess Diana. Amanda also talks about pivoting her business and losing her brother at the same time, and how grief really is something you have to work hard at. She also shares some of her expert style advice for those of us at the midpoint in life, and which high street brands she thinks are getting it right.

You can listen to Amanda’s podcast StyleDNA here or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Clinical Psychologist, Dr Tara Porter, has worked with children and adolescents for over 25 years, including as the lead of a NHS CAMHS Psychology Team. She has seen first hand the increase in children being referred to these services, and has written a new book based on what she believes are some of the root causes of the problems that children - and parents - are struggling with today. Tara does not profess to have all the answers, or to be the perfect parent herself; far from it, the focus of her book is on parenting that’s “good enough” - not perfect. She explains to Gabby the reasoning behind this, and how the strive for perfection has caused a disparity between opportunities and expectations, which is harming both parents and children. 

As well as explaining what she’s come to see as her three principles of “good enough” parenting, Dr Tara answers some of your questions including how best to support your child through exam stress, and how to help your child navigate friendships and school dynamics. They also discuss some of the issues raised in the recent Netflix series, Adolescence, and her take on how to approach the issue of smartphones with your children to try and ensure they stay open about what’s going on in their digital world. 

Dr Tara’s new book Good Enough: A Framework for Modern Parenting is available now, as is her debut You Don't Understand Me: the Young Woman's Guide to Life.

You can find out more about the therapeutic services she provides at www.taraporterpsychologist.com

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Son of Queen Camilla, Tom Parker Bowles, joins Gabby this week to talk about his career as a food writer, turning 50, and why he considers long lunches to be one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Tom shares some of his earliest food memories of his mother’s home cooking, why the dining table has always been so important to him and his family, and why he believes food is endlessly fascinating and has always been political. They also discuss what it was like for him growing up within a family in the glare of the media spotlight, how our relationship with our parents changes as we age, and how hangovers have become much more “psychological” as he’s gotten older! 

As well as diving deep into his book Cooking and the Crown - an exploration of royal food - and the inspiration behind his new podcast Intoxicating History, Tom gives us an insight into Christmas celebrations with the King and Queen.     

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It’s not everyday that the Managing Director of one of the biggest media platforms drops by the studio, but today, Gabby is joined by Alison Lomax - MD of Youtube UK and Ireland.

Alison explains how she came to be doing a job that didn’t even exist when she was graduating from university, and how she took a massive chance by working in digital advertising - a chance that has really paid off! She also speaks about what it was like climbing the ladder in a male dominated industry and how it took her a long time to find her leadership style, plus how she learned how to juggle her responsibilities as a mother with her career.

She speaks openly about taking a sabbatical in midlife in order to recharge and to help her daughters through their exams, and how it enabled her to attack her dream job with new energy and rigour. She also shares what it’s been like since discovering she had breast cancer 18 months ago, and how it led to a health reset and even more gratitude for life and all the opportunities it presents. 

Alison mentions Future Dreams in this episode, and to find out more about the charity’s work visit futuredreams.org.uk

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This week Fitness Coach and Founder of Caroline’s Circuits, Caroline Idiens, shares what she’s learned about strength training in midlife. Caroline’s passion for movement and fitness is infectious, but as you’ll hear throughout this episode, as a busy working middle-aged mum she is also mindful of keeping workouts achievable; the key thing for Caroline is consistency, not complicated equipment, fancy gyms, or long sessions. Gabby and Caroline chat about tailoring workouts in midlife so that they future-proof your daily activities, how strength training can help prevent injuries, and most importantly, the empowerment and inner confidence that Caroline sees time and again when her clients start to lift weights. 

They also discuss the six week plan that features in her new book Fit At 50, and Caroline busts some myths around strength training and addresses the questions she is most asked online.

As well as practicing what she preaches, Caroline is also the living embodiment of someone who has made a huge success out of doing what they love! And she shares her story of how she went from online workouts in lockdown for a select few, to a global following of over 2 million people.

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Musician turned priest, and now author and broadcaster, the Reverend Richard Coles, joins Gabby to talk about his fabulous and varied journey to the midpoint! Richard speaks about his early years in London as a self-described gay runaway, and working with Jimmy Sommerville; how he went from 80’s pop to the pulpit; and dealing with the death of his husband in midlife before finding love again. 

Richard is really enjoying his sixties, and speaks about his return to piano lessons and the importance of learning new things at any age. They also touch on topics both big and small, including assisted dying, Gaelic football, and Richard’s time on Strictly and in The Jungle! 

Richard’s latest podcast The Apple & The Tree unpacks the complex bonds between parents and their grown-up children, and you can listen to it now on all podcast platforms.

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