Timed to coincide with National Stop Snoring Week (27 April to 3 May). 

Jo sits down with sleep psychologist Dr Maja Schaedel to unpack everything nobody tells you about snoring, sleep apnoea and ageing. From why women approaching menopause are increasingly at risk, to whether sleeping in separate bedrooms might actually save your relationship, this conversation covers the practical, the awkward and the surprisingly funny.

•        Snoring disrupts partners more than snorers themselves. Sleeping apart is not the beginning of the end. •        Women approaching menopause are increasingly likely to snore and develop sleep apnoea due to hormonal and physical changes in the throat.

•        Sleep apnoea in women often looks different to men. Watch for fatigue, lethargy, dry mouth and broken sleep rather than obvious snoring.

•        Alcohol worsens snoring. Move your drinks earlier in the evening so your body has time to process it before bed.

•        There are multiple types of snoring. The BSSAA free interactive sleep test can help identify which type you have before you see a GP.

•        A CPAP is still the gold standard for sleep apnoea. Less severe cases may be treated with a mandibular advancement device.

•        Magnesium might improve sleep by about 15 minutes. CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) is far more evidence-based. Apps like Sleepio and Sleepful are a good starting point.

•        Power naps work best at 15 to 20 minutes. Beyond 30 minutes, you risk sleep inertia and feeling worse than before.

•        Sleep quality naturally declines after 55 for both men and women.

•        Poor sleep costs the average person around £5,000 a year. 

00:00  Welcome and introducing Dr. Maja Schaedel and the problem of snoring

01:15  Why partners suffer more than snorers

03:07  Why people snore, menopause, hormones and the snoring link

04:06  Sleeping apart: stigma, reality and relationship benefits

07:04  Sleep apnoea symptoms in women versus men

07:50  How insomnia and sleep apnoea feed each other

10:02  National Stop Snoring Week and the BSSAA

11:05  Sleep position, alcohol and easy lifestyle tweaks

12:35  Types of snoring and the BSSAA sleep test

14:56  What to do if you suspect sleep apnoea

16:30  CPAP, mouth guards and treatment options

18:30  Perimenopause, hormones and disrupted sleep

20:58  Why sleep declines after 55 for everyone

22:16  The perfect power nap (and when it backfires)

24:02  The hidden £5,000 a year cost of bad sleep

25:29 Magnesium, melatonin and what the research actually says

26:10  CBT-I, sleep apps and where to get real help

British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association: britishsnoring.co.uk

The Good Sleep Clinic: goodsleep.clinic/

sleepio.com

sleepful.me

This week, we cover the full ride from single parenting to empty nesting, downsizing, and now... the kids are back. Spoiler: the Aston Martin didn't help.

Whether you're in the thick of solo parenting, watching your kids slowly stop needing you or about to open the front door to a 22-year-old with a suitcase, this one will hit home.

IN THIS EPISODE

•        The brutal pragmatics of setting up as a single parent: schools, commutes, custody logistics and money

•        How your identity quietly disappears when you're the primary carer and how long it takes to get it back

•        The surprising emotional gut-punch of empty nesting, even when you thought you were prepared

•        From two houses to one: the financial and emotional decision to downsize and move in together

•        The week we bought a two-seater Aston Martin... and both kids said "Can I come home?"

•        Why we wrote actual house rules before the kids arrived and what made the list

KEY TAKEAWAYS

•        Nearly 58% of 21-24 year olds and 34% of 24-35 year olds currently live at home with parents. The boomerang effect is real and growing

•        Every life stage feels permanent until it suddenly isn't

•        The shift from parent to host is a genuine identity challenge

•        Setting expectations upfront (yes, in writing) can save a lot of friction

•        Short-term stays: skip the rent conversation. Longer-term: consider saving contributions as a deposit fund

TIMESTAMPS

00:09  Intro & why this episode is happening right now

02:32  Single parenting after divorce; logistics, finances, identity

09:44  Rebuilding yourself outside the parent role

14:21  Empty nesting: when it hits, even when you saw it coming

19:06  Downsizing from two houses to one life

26:53  Life as a couple with zero kids at home

29:12  The boomerang call… and the Aston Martin timing

31:33  The house rules document

36:15  How to handle money when adult kids move back in

Guest: Julia Chi-Taylor, relationship coach, mentor, and international athlete who has been running for over 60 years. Julia works with people on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels and is still competing in her late 60s.

•        It's never too late to start running. Begin with lots of walking and a little running, take it slowly, and find a guide who understands you emotionally as well as physically.

•        The belief that recovery takes longer as you age is just that, a belief. Mindset and narrative around pain can spiral things down as much as the injury itself.

•        Blue Zones (Japan, Sardinia, Okinawa, Loma Linda, Ikaria) show us a different model of communities living well into their 100s through movement, plants, purpose and community.

•        Running as meditation: the goal is non-attachment to outcome. Aiming for something AND letting go of the result is the ultimate practice.

•        Staying visible as you age is a choice. You can disappear into it, or you can keep showing up with energy.

•        If you're starting to exercise later in life, the goal isn't pace or distance; it's whether you enjoyed it. That's the measure of success.

•        Reactivity is an arrow to past wounding. Real stillness in running and in life means not reacting from old patterns.

00:09  Meet Julia: 50 years of coaching, running since age 6

02:34  How to start running later in life

04:59  Miracles in recovery: real stories

07:24  Jo's deadlift injury and healing journey

09:52  Blue Zones, aging myths and the beliefs we're fed

14:36  Being the oldest in the gym (and why it's great)

16:51  Making yourself invisible  and how to stop

19:11  Julia's spiritual path and the running-meditation connection

26:04  How Julia would coach Jo to start running

29:00  The Happiness Curve and the striving trap

33:13  Where to find Julia + Jo might actually take up running!

https://juliachitaylor.com

Ever looked around at your life and thought “is this it?” This week, Jo and Kev are joined by Rosie Freshwater: serial entrepreneur, wife, mum and now a DJ playing gigs across the UK.

Rosie's story is one of the most honest midlife reinventions you'll hear. Perimenopause and the empty nest landed at the same time, she started disconnecting from everything she'd worked hard to build and found her way back through music, TikTok and a whole lot of not giving a f**k what anyone thinks.

From borrowing her brother-in-law's decks to building a TikTok following as Roo's Renaissance, putting on the UK's first 80s modern remix dance event and planning to swap a country house for a one-bed in Hackney, Rosie is proof it's never too late to start over.

•        Perimenopause and empty nesting can collide and that identity crash is real

•        You don't need a course to start something new; YouTube and borrowed kit will do

•        Your existing friends might not get it. That's okay. Go find your tribe

•        Reinvention puts pressure on relationships, talking (and therapy) can get you through

•        The daytime rave scene is growing and it's genuinely multi-generational

•        Success looks different in midlife: happiness and freedom over money and status

•        Don't wait for permission. Try the thing. Don't give a f**k what anyone thinks

01:55 — Introducing Rosie + the midlife pressure points

04:10 — How the DJ journey started

06:10 — From borrowed decks to TikTok and paid gigs

08:03 — The 80s modern remix concept and live event

10:41 — Why creativity beat career: the total escape moment

11:48 — “ Bit old to do that aren’t you?”

12:45 — Finding a new tribe when your old one doesn’t get it

15:23 — Day raving and the multi-generational club scene

16:27 — Partner and kids: how family reacts to your reinvention

19:42 — Downsizing: letting go of your old identity

22:21 — Empty nest: how the boys are handling the move

25:35 — What’s next: Rue’s Renaissance as a brand and community

29:00 — Rosie’s advice if you’re standing on the edge of change

TikTok: @roos_renaissance Instagram @rosiefresh

Event: 80s Modern Remix Dance Party — 18th April, Bermondsey Social Club, London, 2pm–9pm

Are you in the middle of your own reinvention? Drop us a message — nothing's off the table. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone who needs to hear this.

What does it actually mean to be fit and fabulous in your 50s and beyond? Jo and Kev dig into the science of why fitness matters more than ever at midlife, covering strength, cardio, and flexibility, while getting real about the overwhelming amount of conflicting advice out there. They celebrate some genuinely inspiring role models (and debate whether their abs are achievable), break down why you wake up feeling like a broken robot, and share practical tips for getting your body moving in the morning without a complete overhaul of your life.

•        Strength, cardio, and flexibility all matter, but you don't have to do everything. Pick what works for you.

•        Morning stiffness has actual science behind it: tendons and ligaments shorten with age, and your joints produce less synovial fluid. It's not just you being lazy.

•        Hydration is more important than most people realise; your muscles and ligaments are 70% water.

•        Maintaining weight loss is harder (and less glamorous) than losing it in the first place.

•        A simple morning routine; box breathing, knee hugs, hot shower, ankle rotations can genuinely help.

00:09  Why fitness matters over 50, strength, cardio, flexibility

02:34  The benefits: bone density, muscle mass, mental health, sleep

03:20  Inspiring role models; Mel C, Gwyneth, JLo, Gillian Anderson

09:43  Dylan Jones on male style and fitness over 50

14:33  Alison Cork's 10 tips for maintaining weight loss

21:23  Jo's progress and why it's harder than expected

23:47  Why you wake up stiff: the science explained

25:00  Morning mobility routine to fix it

[Add links here]

Subscribe, leave us a review, and tell a friend. We're on all major podcast platforms. Got a topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message ,nothing is off the table.

Skiing, Anxiety & the Power of Mindset — with Louise Pode, Ski Mindset Coach

Jo sits down with Louise Pode, a ski mindset coach based in the UK, for a frank and funny conversation about why so many women over 45 quietly stop doing the things they love and what it actually takes to get back out there. Louise shares her own journey from chronically anxious skier with two replaced hips to leading an international coaching practice and explains how psychology plays a far bigger role on the slopes than most people realise. If skiing has ever terrified you, made you feel like the oldest, slowest person on the mountain or left you questioning why you even bothered, this one's for you.

•        Your 'why' is everything. Before technique or training, Louise asks every client why they want to ski. That emotional anchor is what gets you through fear on the mountain.

•        Women over 45 are more likely to step back than step forward and it's not just about menopause. Decades of prioritising others, cultural expectations and internalised self-doubt all play a role.

•        Anxiety physically changes how you ski. Rigidity, leaning back, bracing; fear creates the very instability you're trying to avoid.

•        Learning to ski as an adult is genuinely hard. Expecting to crack it in a week sets you up to feel like a failure. Feeling comfortable on skis after a few days is already a win.

•        Environment matters enormously. Busy Christmas resorts with packed slopes are the worst place to learn or relearn. A quiet Italian resort beats Courchevel every time.

•        Men have anxiety too, they're just less likely to ask for help. Louise's one-to-one clients are almost exclusively women, but men do turn up at group masterclasses.

•        Overcoming anxiety is liberating beyond the slopes. Being able to look at a scary run and walk away with your head held high…that's the real goal.

00:57  Louise's background: physiotherapy, hip replacements and a love-hate relationship with skiing

02:06  The accident that changed everything and the sliding doors moment that followed

04:31  Why women 45+ tend to step back, not forward

06:52  Male-dominated slopes and the intimidation factor

08:57  How anxiety physically distorts your skiing

11:24  What good learning actually looks like and why your instructor matters, it’s less stressful

12:56  The coaching process; finding your 'why' before anything else

15:45  Louise's own moment of panic at the top of Mont Vallon and how she talked herself down

17:43 The hybrid skiing model for families of mixed abilities

20:06  Do men seek coaching? (Spoiler: sort of)

22:53  What Louise offers - five-session programmes, power-hours and a new online course

25:08  Masterclasses at Tamworth and Hemel Hempstead and what a full day looks like

27:28  Jo's experience and the best advice for anyone thinking of going back

•        Website: www.louisepode.com

•        Instagram: @coachingwithlou

•        Masterclasses coming soon in Hemel Hempstead

Mother's Day, it's more complicated than a card and some flowers. This week we dig into the real origins of Mothering Sunday (16th century, religious, nothing to do with Hallmark), why mums feel the need to be celebrated and the uncomfortable truth about how much of our identity as parents we've wrapped up in our kids.

We also get into delayed adult development, why young adults are struggling to launch, how we might be making it worse and why letting go is the kindest thing you can do. For them AND for you. Plus: the love letter that made Jo emotional, the Mother's Day plan that backfired spectacularly and what David Beckham got right about letting your kids fail.

•        00:45 — The real origins of Mother's Day

•        02:12— Why mums need to feel valued

•        04:20 — The love letter from Jo’s daughter

•        06:34 — Delayed adult development & the stats

•        09:54 — How our generation parents differently

•        10:48 — Tying our self-worth to our kids' outcomes

•        14:14 — Mother’s Day isn’t good for everyone

•        17:11 — The case for a day to yourself and Kev’s plan backfired

•        19:42 — Expectations vs reality

•        21:40 — Letting them fail…David Beckham

•        23:00 — Why you can't control the outcome

•        25:30 — How to detach without losing the relationship

•        26:45 — Finding your third chapter – the beginning of your post-parenthood

•        Mother's Day started as a 16th-century religious festival; the commercial version is a modern invention

•        Around 58% of 21-24 year olds currently live at home; independence is arriving 5-7 years later than in previous generations

•        Our generation ties its self-worth to our kids' outcomes more than any generation before us

•        Shielding your kids from every failure actually delays their ability to function independently

•        Detaching isn't about loving them less, it's about freeing you both to move forward

“When Our Grown Kids Disappoint Us” by Jane Adams

Kev gets brutally honest about retirement, what it actually means, whether you can afford it and what to do if you can't. With guest Richard Squire of My Finance Future, they dig into the financial realities facing people in their 50s & 60s: from FIRE movements to the PLSA's benchmark figures, legacy planning and why your first retirement budget will probably be laughed at. Spoiler: Jo laughed at Kev's.

Key Takeaways

•        Second & third careers, partial work & financial independence

•        FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is reshaping how people think about work & money

•        The PLSA estimates that a comfortable retirement in UK £60K pa after tax

•        Build your retirement budget from the bottom up.

•        Keeping mentally active matters

•        Helping kids is a newer, growing part of strategy

•        Start checking your pension now

•        00:45 — 4 stages of retirement, what it brought up for Kev

•        02:20 — Mortality reality check: losing parents, becoming head of family

•        03:10 — Triggers: empty nest, mortgage renewal, the oldest at work

•        04:30 — Introducing Richard Squire

•        04:59 — What does retirement mean today

•        06:09 — FIRE movement: Financial Independence, Retire Early explained

•        07:15 — Final salary pensions vs. modern approaches

•        08:09 — Keeping your brain active, why Kev worries about doing sod all

•        09:08 — Leaving a legacy vs spending it all

•        12:04 — Pension briefings at work

•        12:38 — Kev's 1st retirement budget, Jo's verdict: f**king ridiculous

•        13:39 — PLSA figures: what a comfortable retirement actually costs

•        15:00 — Why bottom-up personal budgeting beats mythical averages

•        16:38 – The go-go, slow-go and no-go years of retirement explained

•        18:30 – 3 approaches to planning: advisor, coach or DIY

•        22:25 – Kev's experience trying to move money out of a defined benefit pension

•        23:40 – The British Steelworkers DB scandal

•        24:30 – Where to start if you want to take control •        26:46 – Why getting pension decisions right first time matters

•        27:53 – What Richard's cashflow forecasting tool does

•        30:04 – Treat retirement planning like project management

https://myfinancefuture.com/learn-more

MyFinanceFuture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3tke_J8HrY

Inspired by the Winter Olympics, we dive into whether it's ever too late to hit the slopes and what to do when your partner just isn't that into it.

Kev is a seasoned snowboarder heading to Méribel in his 60s. Jo learned to ski at 57... under protest. We share our honest, sometimes hilarious experiences, plus practical advice for midlifers considering winter sports for the first time (or for the first time in a while).

Key Takeaways

·       Why the 2025 Winter Olympics felt so inspiring for older viewers

·       The 2030 Winter Olympics in France: 7 centres including Nice, Courchevel & Méribel

·       Why the average age of a new ski school student in Canada is 45

·       The real reason older beginners struggle; it's psychological, not physical

·       The physical and social benefits of skiing and boarding in midlife

·       Ski trips designed specifically for the over-50s

·       What to do when one partner loves it and the other... really doesn't

·       The rules: never teach your partner yourself

·       How to sweeten the deal and find the right resort for mixed-ability couples

·       Jo's ongoing negotiations about whether she'll ever ski again

Coming up: Jo talks to a coach who specialises in helping women over 45 rebuild their confidence on the slopes.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:44 – The Winter Olympics were inspiring

03:15 – What makes the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics different; multiple locations

04:25 – The 2030 Winter Olympics in France: 7-centre breakdown

07:00 – Kev heads to Méribel; two men over 60 on the mountain

08:00 – Jo's ski history (it's not pretty)

10:05 – The family Christmas ski trip to Méribel

11:20 – Jo learns to ski at 57 (under duress)

12:22 – Stats: average age of new skiers is 45 and cognitive ability at 50+

13:10 – The fear of falling problem

14:01 – Physical & social benefits of skiing in midlife

15:22 – Jo admits her fears of falling and her blocks

16:28 – Over-50s ski organisations & group holidays

19:00 – Club Med do social skiing for adults in term time, could this be the answer?

20:33 – Options when partners have different enthusiasm and skill levels

21:55 – Choices for going to a ski resort, rules and Golden rules: don't teach your partner; be back for après

25:25 – The infamous lost children incident in Méribel

28:45 – Will Jo ever ski again? Watch this space

RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Ski Gathering | Snow Camps Europe | Ski World Over 50s | Ski Club of Great Britain – Fresh Tracks (over 60s) | AARP 50+ Ski Club | Club Med social skiing

Think retirement is all about having enough money saved? Think again. In this eye-opening conversation, retirement coach Dawn Marcotte reveals the hidden challenges that hit six months after you leave work - the anxiety, the boredom, the loss of identity. Dawn breaks down the four stages of retirement and shares practical strategies for building a fulfilling post-work life, from creating your "curiosity list" to joining industry associations where your expertise still matters. This episode tackles the emotional and social aspects of retirement that nobody prepares you for, with honest discussion about depression and invisibility. disappear.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·       Retirement coaching focuses on the emotional, social, and psychological changes - not finances

·       The first 6 months feel amazing, then many people experience anxiety and depression

·       Without planning, it takes 2 years on average to figure out retirement happiness

·       The four stages: Honeymoon → Lost → Exploration → Reinvention

·       You need to replace: routine, intellectual stimulation, purpose and social connections

·       Create a "curiosity list" of things to explore without judging if you'll be good at them

·       Join industry associations to mentor others

·       Quality of relationships is the #1 predictor of happiness

·       Society tells retirees to "be small"

TIMESTAMPS

00:52 - What is a Retirement Coach? Dawn explains the non-financial side of retirement coaching and why it's needed

01:40 - Why the first six months of retirement feel fantastic

02:03 - The "Now What?" Moment. When boredom and anxiety set in

03:13 – Why am I not having the time of my life?

04:02 - Key Elements for Retirement Success

04:33 - Dawn compares retirement boredom to the end of summer holidays as a kid

05:40 - DIY Jo discusses people who think they'll paint the house repeatedly (the Severn Bridge analogy)

06:45 - Most people feel lost 6 months to a year after retiring

07:56 - The Four Stages of Retirement

08:22 - The Reinvention Stage

08:43 - Giving Back Through Your Passions

09:44 - Why some people never reach the reinvention stage

10:02 - When grandchildren grow up and don't need you anymore - then what?

11:45 - UK retirement age is rising to 67-70, meaning 15-20 years to fill

13:00 - How removing structure without replacement can cause depression

14:20 - Baby Boomers & The Retirement Crisis

15:04 - The Introvert-Extrovert Marriage Challenge

16:00 - Why men particularly struggle when all their friends were at work

16:44 - Kev's Retirement Plans, he is considering snowboard instructor training to manage the transition

18:32 - The Need for Intellectual Stimulation

19:09 - Dawn's coaching technique: brainstorm things you're curious about

19:42 - Using your career expertise to mentor others after retirement

22:00 - Dawn recommends public speaking to share expertise

23:45 - Culture "be small" in retirement

24:17 - Tony Robbins' Six Human Needs

25:19 - Research shows relationship quality is the #1 indicator of happiness at any age

27:19 - Joining Organizations, finding people who enjoy what you enjoy to build new social connections

28:09 - Dawn's Book: "Filling the Blank Page"- practical guide to building a retirement of passion and purpose

30:00 - New Website Launch dawnmarcotte.com

30:30 - Dawn offers to help UK listeners find coaches i