This week on Dr Nichola's Second opinion we open our eyes to the fascinating science of mindfulness and its impact on aging.

Discover how your thoughts, emotions, and mindset can influence your biological age—right down to the cellular level. 

Dr. Nic explains how stress and positivity affect inflammation, telomeres, and cognitive health, and answers your questions on meditation, optimism, and mindful movement.

Whether you're a busy parent, a nature lover, or just curious about staying mentally sharp, this episode offers practical insights and science-backed tips to help you think young and stay young. 

If you're finding things difficult from a mental health point of view, don't suffer alone. You can find links to support services on the Hub of Hope or speak with your GP.

If you'd like to send in a question for Dr Nic, email your voicenotes to [email protected] or get in touch via our socials

Producer: Mick Coyle

Sound Design: James Stodd

There’s a new take on things for this episode as Katherine welcomes Tim Spector onto the podcast – the first guest who is no stranger to the Glycanage blood test. Tim has been tracking his biological age for several years, so there is more data to discuss with Dr Nichola, as they delve into how his internal age has changed over time and the various things he was doing to shift the needle.  

With Tim’s new book Ferment: The Life-Changing Power of Microbes out now in all good bookshops, expect to hear all the latest science about our gut microbiomes, Tim’s predictions for wellness trends, and more personal stories about how he recovered from a health episode in 2012 and how a fast food experiment with his son had a lasting impact on his son’s microbiome.  

Listen now to find out how Tim’s biological age reflects his knowledge and advocacy and hear what he has to say about how your diet could impact your biological age. 

In this bonus episode, our resident scientist Dr. Nicola dives beneath the surface of cosmetic procedures to explore how modern treatments are evolving—from masking aging to actually targeting it at the cellular level.

Discover the science behind biohacking, fillers, skin boosters, and polynucleotides (yes, the “salmon sperm facial”)

We'll hear how these treatments affect your skin’s biology, and hear listener questions answered on long-term Botox use, microneedling and the impact of dermal fillers.

Plus, Dr. Nic’s Quick Fix offers three practical takeaways to support healthy aging from the inside out.

If you've got a question for Dr Nic, send it in via our socials or email [email protected]

If you're thinking of undergoing any procedures, or changing your diet to start your own "biohacking" journey, do seek advice from a trained medical professional, and make sure anyone conducting the procedure is trained, and linked to a licensed body.

Producer: Mick Coyle

Sound Design: James Stodd

Katie Piper spent the second half of her twenties recovering from a violent acid attack, and coming to terms with how her life had permanently changed. Nearly two decades on, her life couldn’t be more different.  

In this wide-ranging conversation, Katie and Katherine cover being a wayward teenagers and how attitudes to alcohol change as you age, the false and short-acting currency of beauty, and how she found faith after her life-path was changed at 24.  

As Katie observes in her 2025 book Still Beautiful, age is a gift not everybody is given, which is why she’s very happy for journalists to print her real age. She doesn’t think that traumatic life events have added to her biological age, but the day-to-day reality of being married with children may well have. Listen to this episode of What’s My Age Again to find out how accurate her predictions were. 

In this bonus episode of Dr. Nichola’s Second Opinion, Dr. Nichola Conlon gets into the science behind the hormonal shifts that come with aging, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

She'll explain how hormones like oestrogen and progesterone impact everything from mood and sleep to skin and bone health, and why menopause isn’t just a symptom of aging—it can actually accelerate it.

She'll break down the science behind how HRT can reverse some of the effects, and shares practical lifestyle tips to help you feel better and age smarter.

Plus, your questions tackle everything from early menopause to visible aging and the real benefits of HRT.

Whether you're navigating hot flushes or just curious about aging better, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

And if you've got a question for Dr Nic, send it in on our socials or email [email protected]

Producer: Mick Coyle

Sound Design: James Stodd

He didn’t win the final but Sandro Farmhouse was the star of The Bake Off 2022. 

He takes Katherine behind the scenes and reveals it’s not all sprinkles and icing on the show and tells her the lengths he went to, to get in that infamous tent. 

He’s made cakes for Little Mix, Katherine and hiss show-stopper for Stormzy brought him lots of new followers though not necessarily for the right reason.  

 Sandro’s early years were in Angola and he talks openly to Katherine about how fleeing war has impacted on him and Katherine’s concerned, trauma at a young age, may play out in his biological age.  

Nichola delves into his exercise routine and promotes a balanced approach.  Sandro argues abs are more important than biological age and Katherine sort of agrees.  Sandro admits he still licks out the bowl on occasions and Nichola explains for people prone to a sweet tooth, the healthiest way to consume sugar. 

 Senior Video Producer – Elena Cotton

Video Producer– David May

Social Media -  Demi Brockway

Artwork – Ben Watkins 

Video Editor - Mossie Cassidy

Head of Video – Edie Jefferys

Sound Designer – Rick Loynes

Executive Producer – Henrietta Harrison

Head of Production – Cat Moran

Chief Creative Officer – Lucie Cave 

In this bonus episode Dr. Nichola Conlon explores the booming world of supplements and biohacking.

Are they truly the secret to slowing aging—or just social media hype? From red light therapy and cold plunges to NAD boosters and collagen powders, Dr. Nic breaks down what’s backed by science and what might be just draining your wallet.

She'll answer your questions about how to pick the right product for you, but if you're thinking about making big changes to the way you live or eat, make sure you talk it through with a medical expert first.

Don’t miss Dr. Nic’s Quick Fix this week for three more practical tips you can try today to support your biological age.

And if you've got a question send it in on our socials or email [email protected]

Producer: Mick Coyle

Sound Design: James Stodd

 Having spent her twenties feeling she was both too much and not enough, at 35 Rosie Jones is happy with her age. She talks about growing up with cerebral palsy and how her parents never made her feel any different  - but how it did take her until 4 to get off her arse and start walking! 

She’s making up for it now – a successful writer, stand up and actor – she regularly works 16 hours days.  Her and Katherine discuss whether women, especially ones living with a disability – need to work those extra hours to earn a place at the showbiz table.  

It’s a funny, fascinating insight into the world of Rosie.  She never orders soup in restaurants but tells us how she admired a man she met recently with CP who did.  

Rosie tells Nichola about her diet and says her disability makes home cooking difficult but when she is at the fancy restaurants, she does order vegetables.  Rosie often has late nights so she can see her girlfriend and though sleep is good for biological age, Nichola also explains the importance of human connection. 

 Senior Video Producer – Elena Cotton

Video Producer– David May

Social Media -  Demi Brockway

Artwork – Ben Watkins 

Video Editor - Mossie Cassidy

Head of Video – Edie Jefferys

Sound Designer – James Stodd

Executive Producer – Henrietta Harrison

Head of Production – Cat Moran

Chief Creative Officer – Lucie Cave 

In this episode of Dr. Nichola’s Second Opinion, everyone's favourite scientist dives deep into one of the hottest topics in longevity science: gut health.

From understanding what your microbiome is to exploring its powerful influence on aging, inflammation, mental clarity, and even skin health, this episode is packed with science-backed insights and practical advice. 

Dr. Nichola answers listener questions on bloating, brain fog, mood swings, and probiotics, and shares her “Quick Fix” tips for nurturing a youthful gut.

Plus, we'll hear how many times a day Katie Price farts and what it actually means. 

Whether you're curious about fermented foods, wondering if gluten is your enemy, or looking for ways to reset your lifestyle for better health, this episode is your go-to guide. 

If you've got a question for Dr Nic, send it in on our socials or email [email protected]

Producer: Mick Coyle

Sound Design: James Stodd

In Season One, Katherine Ryan’s age came in at 77 years – the oldest on the series. 

She’s bravely taken another test to find out what impact pregnancy had on her biological age and all will be revealed in this episode.  

Katherine lives with the auto-immune condition Lupus and is joined by Dr Chris Wincup, a consultant rheumatologist at King’s College hospital as well as resident scientist Dr Nichola Conlon. 

They talk about the impact pregnancy has on biological age, why women with Lupus used to be discouraged from becoming pregnant and why monitoring is important for some women.  Plus Chris gets excited about potential breakthrough in treatment that is currently being trialled.  

Senior Video Producer – Elena Cotton

Video Producer– David May

Social Media -  Demi Brockway

Artwork – Ben Watkins 

Video Editor - Mossie Cassidy

Head of Video – Edie Jefferys

Sound Designer – Michelle Homan

Executive Producer – Henrietta Harrison

Head of Production – Cat Moran

Chief Creative Officer – Lucie Cave