The midlife crisis isn't dead… it's had a makeover! We explore 5 new stereotypes replacing the old motorbike-and-affair cliché, confess which ones we fit and reveal shocking stats about sex after 50. Nothing is off the table!

Forget the leather jacket and motorcycle stereotype! The Times Magazine has declared the traditional midlife crisis dead and replaced it with FIVE new archetypes. Join us hilariously dissect each one;from the LinkedIn Thought Leader to the Midlife Clubber and (reluctantly) admit which stereotypes we have fallen into.

But this episode goes deeper than stereotypes. We break the taboo around sex after 50 with eye-opening statistics: 85% of men aged 60-69 are sexually active, 45% of over-50s are having the best sex of their lives, and 1 in 8 are doing it at least 5 times a week!

Inspired by the BBC series "Riot Women" and our own midlife experiences, we explore why society doesn't want to see older people as sexual beings, what happens when the kids leave home and the surprising kinks dominating the over-50s bedroom.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The old midlife crisis stereotype (motorbike, affair, leather jacket) has been replaced by 5 new archetypes

 The Midlife Clubber is real and we are living proof (daytime clubbing, anyone?)

45% of people over 50 report having the best sex of their lives RIGHT NOW

Media representation of sex after 50 is virtually non-existent (67% say it's rarely/never shown)

Empty nesters experience significant improvements in their sex lives (48% report better intimacy)

33% of over-50s are open to multiple sexual partners

Confidence and self-acceptance increase with age, leading to more sexual exploration

TIMESTAMPS

00:43 - The Times redefines the Old Midlife Crisis Stereotype and a look at the 5 new stereotypes
02:20 - Kev's Confession: Living the Stereotype Early
04:04 - Stereotype #1: The Thought Leader (Kyle with his LinkedIn insights)
06:20 - Stereotype #2: The Psychedelic Dabbler (Emma's mushroom journey)
08:05 - Stereotype #3: The Camper Van Fan (Kath's van life obsession)
09:54 - Stereotype #4: The Midlife Clubber – We could be guilty!
12:57 - Stereotype #5: The Open Relationship Advocate (Polyamorous Debs)
14:30 - Sex After 50: Breaking the Taboo
16:07 - Shocking Statistics: Sex Lives of Over-50s
20:16 - The Lelo Survey: Best Sex of Their Lives
23:12 - The Great British Sex Experiment Discussion
25:27 - Top 5 Kinks for Over-50s Revealed
26:20 – Do We Need to Re-do Our Bucket List?
26:33 - Which Stereotype Do We Relate to?
30:17 - Creating Their Own Stereotype & Next Episode Preview

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• BBC Series: Riot Women
• Times Magazine Article on midlife crisis stereotypes
• Lelo Survey: Sex Lives of Over-50s
• Previous guests: Suzanne Noble (sex advice for seniors)and Dr. Elliott Justin
• Previous episode: The Happiness Curve & Midlife Malaise

NEXT EPISODE

Valentine's Day Special - February 6, 2026

#MidlifeCrisis #AgeingUnapologetically #SexAfter50 #MidlifeReinvention #PodcastOver50 #AgeingWell #MidlifeClubbing #Perimenopause #RiotWomen #SexualWellness #Over50AndThriving

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Follow us on

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/

Email us [email protected]

January isn’t over yet and neither are the resolutions, bucket lists, or existential reckonings. We take a brutally honest (and very funny) look at how our January intentions are actually going, from elusive masquerade balls and long-delayed bucket list dreams, to Dry January becoming… possibly Dry February.

Along the way, the conversation turns deeply personal: drinking habits, relationships, sex, sobriety, ageing bodies, and the symbolic end-of-day drink. The episode concludes with a passionate tribute to one of January’s most iconic sons, David Bowie, and why his legacy still matters across generations.

 Key Takeaways

• Bucket lists don’t expire - sometimes timing is everything.
• Alcohol is deeply symbolic, especially in relationships and daily rituals.
• Stopping (or questioning) drinking later in life is emotional, not just physical.
• Ageing invites honesty - about bodies, habits, sex and self-image.
• David Bowie remains timeless, influencing generations long after his death.
• January isn’t about perfection - it’s about reflection.

Timestamps

00:53  Our Bucket List Update, The Masquerade Ball - Venice, Versailles, eye-watering ticket prices and alternative

02:15 Kev finally ticks off a 23-year-old dream and the emotional backstory involving Jeremy Clarkson, fatherhood, guilt and timing

05:56 Kev’s Post-Christmas stubborn weight and why January hasn’t magically fixed anything

06:45 Drinking Maths – Kev is drinking 50–70 units a week, 4,000 calories, NHS guidelines and the uncomfortable truth behind “I don’t want to eat less”

08:11 He is considering “dry something” because 17.5M people in the UK are doing Dry January

09:11 The over-55s are least likely to question alcohol intake, Kev will do a month dry

10:16 Jo’s Sobriety Story, why she gave up alcohol over 20 years ago, being a single parent- fear, responsibility and choosing pain over pleasure

13:15 Jo & Kev have questions for each other from a recent article

13:36 Kev asks if she thinks he is drinking too much

15:40 When was the last time we had sober sex

16:20 If Kev gives up drinking, there is a possibility that he might be miserable

18:43 Kev predicts irritability, garage cleaning and losing the symbolic “end of the day” drink.

20:30 Celebrities of our age who have given up alcohol

22:10 David Bowie gave up alcohol in 1993

23:07 David and Elvis were massive icons

24:27 Ziggy Stardust was a redhead

24:55 The first airplay of “Heroes” played by John Peel, in the same year as Elvis died

26:05 Bowie’s cultural impact, he is timeless. He died 10 years ago, he released Black Star. Was that orchestrated?

29:20 Bowie was a nonconformist; he shaped music and fashion

29:54  A recent article said 10 bands wouldn’t exist without Bowie, including Sex Pistols, Joy Division, The Cure, Suede, Pulp, Placebo and The Kooks

38:37 We promise to report back on Dry January/February

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@WhentheFdidIbecomeold

In this episode, we dive headfirst into one of the biggest changes of our time: AI.
Jo believes AI is moving fast and could be dangerous if left unchecked. Kev? Not convinced and frankly a bit exhausted by constant change.

From black-and-white TVs to ChatGPT, VHS barcode pens to Alexa paranoia, we explore how different generations adapt (or don’t), whether AI really threatens jobs or humanity itself and why fatigue, scepticism, and “I just can’t be arsed” might be the most honest response of all.

Funny, sharp and unfiltered this is a real conversation about ageing, tech, fear, curiosity, and knowing when to lean in… and when to say no.

Key Takeaways

• AI feels revolutionary, but so did the internet, mobile phones and Sky TV
• Change fatigue is real, especially after decades of adapting
• AI will replace easy work, not human judgment
• Critical thinking will matter more than ever
• AI poses risks around misinformation, fraud, and emotional manipulation
• The biggest danger may not be Skynet, but the exploitation of vulnerable people
• You don’t have to love AI to accept it’s here
• Curiosity beats panic (and denial)

Timestamps

• 00:29 – Our attitudes to change, in particular to AI
• 01:25 – Kev admits he’s an AI Philistine, he agrees he should know more
• 02:32 – Growing up without phones, internet, or streaming and with black & white TVs
• 03:29 – VHS recorders, barcode pens & early tech miracles
• 04:28 – People said the internet “would never catch on”
• 05:14 – Home automation – The internet of things
• 06:52 – Change fatigue: “How many times can we relearn everything?”
• 07:50 – AI at work: productivity tools & human oversight
• 08:40 – Will AI take our jobs? The “easy work” argument
• 10:30 – AI hallucinations and critical thinking
• 11:24 – What the “big boys” are worried about
• 11:57 – Creativity, charts & AI-generated music, what is real
• 13:16 – AI avatars, grief & replacing dead loved ones
• 14:02 – Kev’s glamourous AI version of Jo
• 15:00 –Useful for the elderly
• 16:06 – Humanoid robots and avatars
• 16:54 – Fraud, FaceTime scams & the elderly
• 17:54 – Cold War fears vs AI panic
• 22:05 – The race to AGI & East vs West
• 24:26 – Medical AI, wearables & privacy dilemmas
• 27:23 – When tech fails the people it’s meant to help
• 28:35 – Jo’s real-life AI uses for podcasts & business
• 31:41 – Kev’s current use of AI and his commitment for 2026

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Follow us on

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/

Email us [email protected]

What if everything we’ve been told about ageing and happiness is wrong?

In this episode of When the F**k Did I Become Old?, we dive into the surprising science behind happiness and why life often feels hardest in midlife but better on the other side of it.

Sparked by a viral Christmas clip that racked up over 163,000 views and ignited fierce debate, our conversation moves into the World Happiness Report, the Cantril Ladder and the research behind the so-called midlife malaise.

Kev shares insights from The Happiness Curve by Jonathan Rauch, revealing why happiness follows a U-shaped curve; dipping in our 40s and 50s before rising again as we age. Together we unpack expectations, resilience, gratitude, emotional intelligence and why getting older may actually be something to look forward to.

This is an honest, funny, and deeply reassuring episode for anyone who’s ever wondered:
Is this it?
(Spoiler: no, it really isn’t.)

Key Takeaways

• Happiness follows a U-shaped curve, not a steady climb
• Midlife is often the lowest point — and that’s normal
• Young people are optimistic but unrealistic about happiness
• Midlife pressure comes from expectations, responsibility, and comparison
• After 50, people become more resilient, emotionally intelligent, and grateful
• Older adults cope better with stress and uncertainty
• Life shifts from striving to being
• Ageing isn’t the end — it’s often the most fulfilling chapter
• Reinvention and “encore careers” are common and powerful after midlife

Timestamps

00:45 – Christmas without children & why it went viral
02:40 – Introducing the topic: happiness
03:24 – The World Happiness Report & how happiness is measured
03:58 – The Cantril Ladder explained
05:30 – Happiest and unhappiest countries in the world
06:40 – The Happiness Curve & the surprising U-shape
08:28 – Why young people are happier (and more optimistic)
09:00 – The optimism bias & unrealistic expectations
12:06 – The hedonic treadmill: chasing “more”
12:50 – Kev’s personal happiness graph experiment
16:17– Midlife malaise vs the myth of the midlife crisis
16:50 – How longer lifespans changed everything
19:46 – Divorce, redundancy & pressure in midlife
20:35 – Glass ceilings and career reality checks
22:33 – Illness, mortality & emotional turning points
24:26 – Reframing and why life feels lighter after 50
26:45 – Why comparison changes and people believe they are happier
27:38 – Gratitude, perspective & comparison traps
28:41 – Increased emotional intelligence, resilience & compassion
30:21 – “Having what you want” vs “wanting what you have”
31:57 – Encore careers & reinvention after 50
33:15 – Why ageing isn’t the disaster we were sold

📚 Resources Mentioned

• The Happiness Curve – Jonathan Rauch
• World Happiness Report
• Cantril Ladder of Life Satisfaction

Supporting organisations

https://www.oddfellows.co.uk/

https://www.workingtransitions.com/

https://www.proage.org/

Do New Year’s resolutions actually work, especially as we get older?

In this honest, funny and refreshingly unfiltered episode we challenge everything we’ve been told about January self-improvement.

From overcrowded gyms and guilt-driven goal setting to the pressure to “start fresh” on January 1st, we explore why traditional New Year’s resolutions often fail and why optimism, agency and having something to look forward to matter far more as we age.

Drawing on insights from geriatric psychiatry, lived experience and bucket-list thinking for over-50s, this episode reframes ageing as a time for renewal, curiosity and choosing goals that genuinely make life more vibrant, not just more “virtuous”.

Key Takeaways

• Why looking forward to the future is vital for mental health in later life
• New Year’s resolutions vs bucket lists and which actually works
• Motivation, fitness and goal-setting after 50
• Why “boring but sensible” goals don’t always inspire change
• How hobbies, travel, social connection and curiosity keep life meaningful
• Choosing one achievable goal that makes life richer

If you’re over 50, questioning ageing, fed up with guilt-based self-improvement or simply want to feel more excited about what’s ahead, this episode is for you.

Timestamps

00:48 - Do either of us actually do resolutions? Kev has traditionally had projects planned.
04:07 - Are any of Jo’s regimes cyclical/planned for January 1st?
04:38 - Why don’t we do New Year's Resolutions?
05:50 - What is a New Year’s resolution and why is it important to make them?
09:45 - Christmas is a natural pause, which allows us to reflect
10:27 - Optimism and agency  give you the feeling of being in control
11:37 - The top 10 New Year’s resolutions for seniors, including exercise, mental health and diet
16:35 - Bucket lists vs resolutions: what’s the difference?
18:26  -Bucket list ideas for over-50s that actually excite us -Travel dreams, hobbies & new experiences
22:03 - Build something amazing
22:30 - Our joint bucket list wish list
25:40 - The benefits of goals that make a positive change for 2026
27:35 - Our goals for 2026

https://lifeconnect24.co.uk/blogs/hobbies/50-bucket-list-ideas

In this episode, we explore the complexities of spending Christmas with adult children. We discuss the emotional challenges of changing family dynamics, the evolution of Christmas traditions and the importance of adapting to new realities as children grow up. We highlight the importance of open communication and understanding as our families navigate the evolving landscape of holiday celebrations.

Key Takeaways

Christmas with adult children brings new challenges.

Creating new traditions is essential as families evolve.

Emotional responses to children not being home for Christmas are common.

Parents must adapt to their children's changing preferences.

The pressure of parental expectations can affect holiday gatherings.

Open communication is key to understanding children's needs.

Christmas celebrations should reflect the current family dynamics.

It's important to allow children to create their own holiday experiences.

Financial considerations play a role in hosting Christmas.

Navigating adult relationships requires flexibility and understanding.

Time Stamps

01:14 Our first Xmas with no kids at home

01:38 Remembering Xmas as a child

06:04 Creating New Christmas Traditions for our kids

10:55 How it felt when my daughter asked if she could spend Xmas with her friends

13:15 Pros and cons of having Xmas with adult children

16:29 Managing expectations

17:58 Shifting Dynamics of Family Gatherings

18:23 Hosting Xmas is expensive

20:41 We think we might be invited for Xmas soon

21:21 We have to let our kids create their own Xmas

22:00 Main reasons adult children don’t want to spend Xmas with their parents

24:24 New Year’s Eve

27:35 Is this the last year we go clubbing on New Year’s Eve?

29:10 Get to know your children as adults

30:14 Redefining Christmas CelebrationsSubscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Follow us on

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_jo

Email us [email protected]

Our sponsor

https://sallyrule.com/

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo sits down with Amanda Forsyth, the co-founder and CEO of LivOn, a new app helping people navigate the transition into retirement by discovering their interests, building purpose and staying connected to their community.Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

They unpack identity loss, loneliness and why retirement is far more than finances and how LivOn is redefining what this next chapter can look like.

Key Takeaways

Retirement is a whole new chapter, not an ending

So much of “good retirement” is down to luck

Identity loss is a huge, hidden problem

Live On is like a retirement coach in your pocket

Special support for men & the newly “forced” retired

The app is free, with a “tech for good” mission

Timestamps

01:38 - What is LivOn

02:04 - Retirement Comes Down to Luck

02:40 - Amanda’s Parents’ Journey

04:28 - The Difficulty of Finding Activities After 60

05:34 - 1 in 3 People Struggle with Retirement

06:04 - We Are Living Much Longer

06:20 - What LivOn Offers (Overview)

07:25 - The Personality Test, designed to help the individual

07:53 - How the App Recommends Activities

09:30 - Helping Introverts or the Newly Alone Make Friends

10:26 - Partnerships & Trusted Sources

11:25 - Supporting Men in Retirement

12:33 - Can Users Add Their Own Groups or Events?

13:42 - If the App Is Free, How Will It Make Money?

14:32 - What Might the Premium Version Include?

15:15 - The Gap in the Market

17:08 - Who Is the App For? (55+ and beyond)

18:35 - Why Aren’t We Emotionally Prepared for Retirement?

19:38 - Jo Talks About Kev’s Forthcoming Retirement Process

22:22 - Why Live On Avoids Health & Finance Advice (For Now)

23:40 - Anonymous Chat Groups (Reddit-Style)

25:56 - The Bigger Mission

28:24 - When Is the App Launching? January 2026

28:46 - Early Testers Wanted

Website: www.livon.ai (people can sign up for early access and learn a bit more about what we’re building.)

Follow us on

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_jo

Email us [email protected]

Our sponsor

https://sallyrule.com/

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Summary

In this unapologetically honest episode, we dive into the exploding world of cosmetic surgery, injectables and weight-loss drugs, especially for people over 50. From facelifts to Ozempic, celebrity transparency and the reality of loose skin, we explore what’s real, what’s taboo and what’s becoming completely normal.

We also discuss how Gen X is redefining aging, why social media is both inspiring and exhausting and the huge rise in both men and women seeking aesthetic treatments.

Topics Discussed

• Why celebrities finally admitting surgery helps everyone
• Cosmetic procedures growing rapidly in men (up 70% since 2021)
• The difference between surgery in the 2000s vs today
• Zoom culture and the rise of self-criticism
• Top cosmetic procedures for men vs women
• Jo’s personal experience with surgery & Botox
• Kev’s reconstructive surgery story
• Are facelifts still taboo? Why they shouldn’t be?
• Brad Pitt rumours (has he or hasn't he?)
• Fitness culture, shredding and the pressure to look “ageless”
• Weight loss drugs (Ozempic/Wegovy/Mounjaro) becoming mainstream
• The truth about side effects: sickness, muscle loss & long-term risk
• Loose skin after weight loss and why it’s driving more facelifts
• Gen X refusing to “act old” and how culture is shifting
• Confidence, comparison and the expectations placed on women over 50

Timestamps

• 01.45 – Celebrity honesty & why it matters
• 04:13– Kev’s reconstructive surgery background
• 06:48 – Zoom culture and self-image after 50
• 08:05 – Men vs women: top 5 cosmetic procedures
• 11:05 – Kev on ageing, weight, and “could I be bothered?”
• 13:48 – Jo on Botox, implants & considering a facelift
• 14:48 – “Glamour pusses” over 50: Liz Hurley, Aniston, Kidman
• 18:32 – Gen X is ageing differently, here’s why
• 22:34 – What men really think about women having surgery
• 24:38 – Facelifts in Turkey & risks vs results
• 28:00 – The weight-loss drug boom
• 31:49 – Side effects, muscle loss & poor dosage
• 33:00 – Weight loss → loose skin → facelift trend
• 34:20 – Weight loss drugs and cosmetic work are no longer taboo

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Follow us on

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_jo

Email us [email protected]

Our sponsor

https://sallyrule.com/

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Winter Health: Flu Jabs, SAD, Christmas Weight Gain & Wellbeing in Later Life

Episode Summary

In this candid and humorous episode, we dive into the realities of winter health for people over 60, from flu jabs and COVID boosters to Seasonal Affective Disorder, sleep struggles, hydration, exercise, Christmas weight gain and what truly defines wellbeing in later life. We explore how older adults can stay physically and mentally strong during the darkest months of the year.

Key Takeaways

• Maintaining winter health is a combination of lifestyle, sunlight exposure, exercise, sleep, and nutrition.
• Flu jabs significantly reduce hospitalisations in people over 65 — but decisions are personal.
• SAD is more common than people realise and often goes undiagnosed.
• Christmas weight gain isn't the problem — not losing it afterwards is.
• The biggest predictors of wellbeing in later life are:
• cognitive engagement, social connection, physical activity, and housing stability.
• 
  

Timestamps

.

01:53 Flu jabs: Should we get them?

03:34 If I am fit, do I need one?

04:59 COVID vaccinations are no longer free? How do you know if you have it?

07:43 Herd mentality vs personal choice

08:59 Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): What it is & why it hits in winter

09:30 Symptoms of SAD in everyday life

10:40 Fixing winter fatigue: Light, sleep, and routine

12:40 The Ultimate Energy Edge Challenge with Ben Price; go outside

15:17 The reality of winter exercise

16:56 Ben Price’s advice on sleep and sleep patterns

17:38 Christmas weight gain: truth, myths & personal disasters

20:57 The recommended steps to not putting on weight at Christmas

22:43 Avoid stress eating as a response to bad sleep, sugar cravings, sleep & emotional eating

26:00 Kev once made the mistake of having a medical after Christmas eating

28:07 Wellbeing in later life: What the new Age UK index reveals

29:50 Age UK suggestions on how to improve wellbeing at 60+

32:00 Exercise; padel, gyms, social connection & staying active

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Follow us on

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_jo

Email us [email protected]

Our sponsor

https://sallyrule.com/

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I welcome my new co-host, Kev Stockbridge, for a deep, honest, and surprisingly uplifting conversation about Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, International Men’s Day, and the often-hidden issue of male loneliness , especially as men age.

Kev brings his experience as a UK Mental Health First Aider, sharing shocking statistics, the roots of men’s silence, why loneliness hits men harder later in life, the crisis of male social isolation, and why so many men fall off a social cliff after retirement.

From Movember moustaches to actionable support models, from suicide statistics to why men avoid support groups filled with women, this episode is equal parts enlightening, tender, funny, and necessary.

Key Takeawys

• Why November matters for men’s mental health
• Movember: where it started and what it funds today
• Suicide statistics and the shocking gender divide
• How men and women differ in social connection
• Why loneliness skyrockets for men over 50
• The “A.L.E.C.” model anyone can use to support someone
• Why retirement is psychologically dangerous for men
• How purpose protects mental health
• The rise of male-only support spaces (Men’s Shed, Andy’s Man Club)
• Creating social networks before retirement
• Practical, real-life ways to support the men in your life

Timestamps

01:57 – Why Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month matters

03:11 – Suicide; methods & how they differ by age

05:30 – Movember: the origin story (and the ridiculous moustaches)

06:34 – What Movember funds today

08:00 – The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

09:35 – International Men’s Day & this year’s theme

11.34 – Why men die younger than women

13.33 – The A.L.E.C. Model: Ask, Listen, Encourage, Check-in

14:10 – What problems men bring to mental health first aiders

15:50 – Loneliness: the hidden epidemic for older men

16:35 – Social isolation vs loneliness (they’re not the same)

18:00 – 911,000 men over 50 live alone, rising to 1.5 million by 2030

20:55 – Why men struggle socially after 50

22:17 – Why men avoid support groups run mostly by women

22:45 – Men’s Shed, Andy’s Man Club & male-only spaces

24:50 – Kev’s personal retirement plans (and my opinion)

29:12 – The importance of purpose, routine & brain stimulation after retirement

30:36 – Men need reasons to meet up, not just “a chat”

31:10 – Being kind, checking in, and supporting the men around you

https://uk.movember.com

https://internationalmensday.com

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/loneliness/

https://menssheds.org.uk

https://andysmanclub.co.uk

Our sponsor

https://sallyrule.com/

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.