Episode Overview:
We’re not here to talk about dieting, detoxes, or food fads. This week’s Sanity Check is about the small, doable changes we’ve each made to what we eat - and the unexpected shifts we’ve noticed in mood, energy, and clarity as a result.

From quitting sugar to ditching oat milk, increasing hydration, and bringing back big bowls of salad, we’re getting honest about the habits that crept in (and the ones we let slide) during perimenopause, busy life seasons, and the cold, snacky winter months. If you’ve been feeling a bit off - fuzzy-headed, bloated, fatigued - this episode is your gentle nudge to get curious, not critical, about your food.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why Aileen finally decided to give up sugar (again) and what happened in just a few days.
• How Julie's small tweaks (hello veggies, goodbye oat milk) made a surprisingly big difference.
• The emotional side of food: comfort eating, energy dips, winter cravings, and breaking old habits.
• What we’ve learned about food and brain fog, bloating, and midlife fatigue.

Listener Takeaways:

• Sometimes you don’t need a major overhaul, tiny changes can create real results.
• Feeling “off” isn’t always just hormones or stress - sometimes, it’s what’s on your plate.
• When you eat from self-care instead of self-punishment, your whole mindset shifts.
• Start with curiosity. Even a 10% shift in how you feel can ripple into everything.

Join the Conversation:

Have you made any small changes lately that helped your energy, mood or health? We’d love to hear what’s working for you! Drop us a DM, leave a comment, or send a voice note - we’re all in this together.

And if you found this helpful, please forward it to a friend who might need a reminder that it’s never too late to listen to your body.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Summary

This week we sit down with Johnny Starr – entrepreneur, fitness coach, and founder of Never Home. Johnny’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical honesty about men’s mental health. From hitting rock bottom and multiple stays in a psychiatric ward to building a thriving brand with a powerful mindset message, Johnny shares how he’s learned to manage criticism, protect his self-worth, and turn personal battles into fuel for helping others.

We dive into the stigma men still face when opening up, the mental toll of tall poppy syndrome, the pressures of social media, and why fitness became Johnny’s lifeline. This is an unfiltered conversation about courage, growth, and using your platform to lead with integrity.

Key Discussion Points

• Johnny’s mental health journey – from online hate and drug use to suicidal lows and recovery.
• The impact of tall poppy syndrome – why success and positivity can trigger criticism, and how Johnny reframed it.
• Men and vulnerability – breaking the silence, seeking help, and the role of therapy.
• Fitness as a mental health tool – how routine, discipline, and physical wellbeing transformed Johnny’s life.
• Building Never Home – creating a brand rooted in mindset, resilience, and purpose.
• Social media pressures – separating self-worth from material status and external validation.

Listener Takeaways

• Seeking professional help can be life-changing – therapy isn’t just for crisis, it’s for maintenance and growth.
• Your self-worth can’t be tied to material possessions or public perception.
• Criticism often says more about the other person’s insecurities than about you.
• Fitness, routine, and self-care aren’t just physical – they’re powerful mental health strategies.
• Vulnerability is strength, and sharing your story can give others permission to speak up.

Links to Johnny:

https://www.instagram.com/johnny_starr/

https://www.instagram.com/teamneverhome/

For Mental Health Support:

BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service — providing professional, affordable, and tailored therapy in a convenient online format.  

For

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

Why is it that when a woman shows depth, honesty, and emotional range, she’s so often called “complicated”? And why does it rarely sound like a compliment?

In this Sanity Check, we unpack the difference between being complicated and being complex. One implies chaos that needs fixing; the other speaks to richness, nuance, and a life deeply lived. We share personal stories of times we’ve been given the label, explore why it’s often used as a deflection (especially in dating and relationships), and talk about the quiet power of refusing to water yourself down.

This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever felt “too much”.

Key Discussion Points

• Complicated vs. Complex – why the two words feel so different, and how switching them can shift your perspective.
• How the “complicated” label is often used to avoid emotional intimacy or vulnerability.
• The link between emotional depth, lived experience, and midlife complexity.
• Why some people retreat from deep connection and why that’s not about you.
• How to stop shrinking yourself to be more “digestible” in relationships.

Listener Takeaways

• Your emotional depth is not a flaw - it’s your richness.
• If someone calls you “complicated,” it often says more about their limitations than your worth.
• You cannot make the wrong move with the right person.
• Check in with yourself: am I being complicated, or am I being complex? There's a difference.
• The right people will meet you where you’re at; you don’t need to twist yourself to fit.

Join the Conversation

Have you ever been told you’re “complicated”? How did it make you feel? 

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Send us a DM or join the discussion in our community spaces. And don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

This week, we’re lifting the lid on one of life’s everyday divides: the messy vs tidy debate. But we’re not here to hand out gold stars for perfect homes or shame anyone for clutter. Instead, we’re exploring what lies beneath our habits: how our upbringing, nervous systems, and life stages shape the way we live in our spaces.

From coat hanger standoffs to emotional wiring, we share our completely opposite approaches to order (and chaos), the judgments we’ve faced, and the surprising science behind mess and creativity. Whether you’re the “everything in its place” type or someone who can happily ignore a pile on the stairs, this episode is all about understanding (and accepting) the way you’re built.

Key Discussion Points

• Opposite ends of the spectrum: Aileen’s comfort with chaos vs Julie’s need for order.
• Nervous system clues: Why some of us find calm in clutter and others feel anxious until everything is put away.
• Childhood influence: How emotional temperature at home can shape our relationship with tidiness.
• The science bit: Studies linking clutter to creativity, risk-taking, and even cortisol levels.

Listener Takeaways

• Being tidy doesn’t make you “better,” and being messy doesn’t mean you don’t care - it’s often about how you regulate and what feels safe.
• Your space can reflect your internal state, but it can also influence it.
• Talk openly if you live with your opposite - it’s about understanding, not winning.
• Give yourself permission to keep your home in a way that works for your stage of life and nervous system.

Links

We refer again to Lauren from Perfect Home Organisation - Aileen got her in to her home and Lauren was amazing! 

👉Follow Lauren at @perfectspacehomeorganisation
👉Check out her Amazon shop + WhatsApp community  via her website:

https://www.perfectspacehomeorganisation.com/

Join the Conversation

Where do you sit on the messy–tidy spectrum? Do you thrive in chaos or only relax in order? We’d love to hear how you navigate differences in your household. Drop us a DM or voice note and let us know.

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

Ever had someone offer you a “favour” that felt more like a clever way to get what they wanted? In this week’s Sanity Check, we unpack those interactions that seem generous on the surface but leave you feeling off - and possibly manipulated.

We get honest about how people sometimes frame their own needs as if they’re doing you a kindness… and how easy it is to fall into the habit of saying thank you, even when you’re the one doing the heavy lifting.

This episode is a little slice of catharsis if you’ve ever:
– Felt guilted into saying yes
– Gone along with someone’s plan out of politeness
– Swallowed your frustration to “keep the peace”

We're naming the pattern, ditching the people-pleasing, and reminding you: It’s okay to say no. You’re not mean. You’re not selfish. You’re just finally setting the record straight.

Listener Takeaway:

If you’ve ever walked away from a situation thinking, Hang on, I didn’t even want to do that, you’re not alone. This is your permission slip to stop over-apologising, stop over-thanking, and stop twisting yourself into a pretzel to accommodate someone else’s plan. You’re allowed to pause, say no, and name what’s really going on.

 Join the Conversation:

We love hearing from you. Drop us a DM or a voice note with your story—have you had one of these “favour that wasn’t a favour” moments? What did you do?
And please share this episode with someone who might need to hear they’re not alone.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, we sit down with the unstoppable Jen Hardy - host of The Fabulous Over 50 Podcast, The Jen Hardy Show on YouTube, and creator of the 50 Over 50 Podcaster Awards. We first met Jen at The Podcast Show in London, and were immediately drawn to her energy, her sparkle (literally), and her mission to celebrate midlife women who are finding their voice - and using it.

Jen shares her powerful journey: from raising seven children across four decades and battling chronic illness, to reinventing herself through podcasting and embracing a new, more unapologetic version of herself. We explore how midlife can be a portal to confidence, bold boundaries, and self-acceptance - and why women over 50 are no longer asking for permission.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why Jen left behind her chronic illness-focused podcast to start Fabulous Over 50
• What really changes for women after 50 and why it’s not all bad
• How hormones like oxytocin shape our identity and priorities through life stages
• The rising power of midlife women (and why so many are divorcing in their 50s)
• How appearance still shapes visibility - and what Jen discovered after changing hers
• The strength in boundaries, self-preservation, and finally saying “no”

Listener Takeaways:

• Midlife isn’t a decline, it’s an awakening
• You’re allowed to change your story (and your outfit) at any age
• Boundaries aren’t selfish, they’re sacred
• Confidence doesn’t always arrive on time, but it always shows up if you let it
• Sometimes, glitter is a power move 💫

Where to find Jen Hardy:

https://jenhardy.net/

https://www.youtube.com/@thejenhardy

https://www.instagram.com/thejenhardy/

 Join the Conversation:

What did this episode spark for you?
We’d love to hear your story—your midlife moment, your boundary breakthrough, or just how you’re learning to embrace this chapter.

Drop us a DM, leave a voice note, or share this with someone who needs to hear it.

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Fabulous Over 50? What If You’re Not Feeling It Yet?

In this week’s Sanity Check, we’re talking about something that doesn’t get said enough: what if midlife isn’t fabulous just yet?

We dive into the glossy headlines about women thriving over 50 and unpack what it really feels like behind the scenes - from underactive thyroids and solo parenting to post-brain-fog clarity and Red Bull confessions.

Aileen shares how she’s doing everything “in reverse” - thriving in her 40s, now dealing with inflammation, fatigue, and the reality of perimenopause in her 50s. Julie reflects on finding energy and confidence again (finally!) after a decade-long fog lifted in her late 40s.

Together, we explore:

• Why “fabulous” looks different for every woman
• The invisible timeline pressure of ageing
• How our life stage, health, hormones, and circumstances shape how we feel
• And why your best decade might still be ahead of you (hello, sensational 60s!)

Takeaway: There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to ageing well. You’re not failing if you’re not feeling it right now. Your chapter might be different — and that’s more than okay.

 Join the conversation:
Have you hit your stride yet, or are you still waiting for your fabulous to arrive? Drop us a DM or voice note — we’d love to hear your story.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, we speak with broadcast journalist Ania Lichtarowicz - Managing Director of Somewhere on Earth Productions and former producer of BBC’s Digital Planet. 

Ania breaks down the alarming rise of AI-generated deepfake pornography - how it works, who’s being targeted, and what we all need to understand to protect ourselves and our children in an increasingly digital world.

This isn't just about celebrities. People with under 10,000 followers are being exploited through these technologies. As mums of teenagers ourselves, this hit close to home.

Key Discussion Points:

• What exactly is a deepfake? 
• Why women are disproportionately targeted, and how social media makes us vulnerable.
• The risks for kids and teens.
• Steps parents and teens can take today to stay safer online

Listener Takeaways:

• You don’t need to be famous to be affected. 
• Talk to your kids about digital consent and teach them to be cautious about what they post.
• There are tools that can help - see the below e-book link.
• Being digitally savvy is part of being safe - that starts with awareness, not fear.

Download our E-Book for Parents, The Deep Fake Survival Guide: 

https://stan.store/YouKeepMeSane/YouKeepMeSane_store/page/3381269 

Links To Ania and her work at Somewhere On Earth Productions:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anialichtarowicz/

https://www.instagram.com/soeptec

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this week’s Sanity Check, Julie shares a hilarious (and maddeningly relatable) story about a coat hanger left in the hallway - for four days. No one else in the house noticed it. Or did they?

From coat hangers to mugs, to stairs stacked with “to-be-taken-up” items, we unpack the domestic phenomenon where women seem to carry the invisible job of noticing and picking things up. Is it biology? Conditioning? Or just... the dreaded mental load?

We reflect on how women often scan the home for what needs doing, while others just walk past it. If you’ve ever run your own coat hanger experiment or feel like the only one holding the household together - this one’s for you.

Key Discussion Points:

• Julie’s hallway “coat hanger test” and what it revealed
• Why so many women carry a hyper-awareness of household mess
• The role of mental load and who’s been conditioned to carry it
• Is it that they really can’t see it… or that they just don’t care?
• Why kids and partners might not be scanning like we do
• Aileen’s theory on how we’ve trained others not to notice

Listener Takeaways:

• You’re not imagining it - many women are the default “noticers” of domestic clutter.
• Mental load isn’t just about doing the tasks - it starts with seeing what needs doing.
• We often train the people around us (without meaning to) to expect us to clean up.
• If you feel like the only one seeing the mess, you’re not alone and it’s okay to change the pattern.

Join the Conversation:

Does this happen in your house too?
Do you think they genuinely don’t see it or just don’t care?
Drop us a message or DM - we want to know we’re not losing it (or at least, we’re all losing it together!).

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

If you're parenting a 12-year-old (or about to), this one’s for you.

We talk about the moment your sweet kid suddenly starts rolling their eyes, refusing hugs, demanding independence - and testing every nerve you have. We share real stories from our own homes, laugh through the chaos, and get honest about how hard this transition can feel.

But underneath the attitude and inconsistency is a powerful truth: your child’s brain is under construction, their emotions are big, and you are still their safe place - even when they act like they can’t stand you.

This episode is a mix of neuroscience, nostalgia, and no-filter parenting. You’re not imagining the shift and you’re not alone in finding it hard.

Key Discussion Points:

• What’s really going on in a 12-year-old’s brain and why their behaviour feels so inconsistent
• How pushback is actually a (messy) form of connection and growth
• The importance of small connection moments over forced big talks
• How to model emotional regulation (even when you want to scream)
• Why grief is a real part of watching your child pull away and how to process it

Listener Takeaways:

• You’re not failing, your child is becoming.
• Connection doesn’t always look like closeness.
• The tone might sting, but it’s not personal, it’s developmental.
• Let them push, but you don’t need to push back.
• Laugh, pause, model calm, and remember: this is a season.

📣 Join the Conversation:

Are you in the thick of the tween phase too?
What’s been the most surprising thing about parenting a 12-year-old?
Leave us a voice note or drop us a DM - we’d love to share this journey with you.

And if you found this helpful, please send it to a fellow parent who might need the reminder: you’re not alone.

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.