Meg Mason: Loneliness, shame & relationships plus 6 new Book Club reads

Surrounded by people but still feel lonely? Bestselling author Meg Mason (Sorrow and Bliss) joins Lorraine and Trish to talk about how she wrote her new novel Sophie Standing There, a story of love, loneliness and life after divorce. Meg shares her own feelings of acute loneliness and the shame that comes with it for many women, as well as what saved her. She also reveals how midlife wisdom has made her more compassionate towards herself, why she is finally able to ask for what she wants in life and what she really thinks of her readers getting Sorrow And Bliss tattoos.Plus: Lorraine’s empty nest surprise & how the universe conspired this week for Trish📩 Got a question? Email [email protected] 👥 Join the private Facebook group: Postcards from Midlife ⭐ Follow, rate and review — it helps other midlife women find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Dr Sam Bunting, the leading dermatologist who says you don't need facials, a silk pillowcase or have to drink gallons of water to get bright, glowing skin after 40. As well as busting midlife skincare myths, the author of Flawless: Your Ultimate Guide to Bright, Clear Skin, tells Lorraine & Trish about the science behind her four step simple & cost effective daily routine & answers listeners’ questions about rosacea, adult acne, fine lines, SPF, Botox, fillers, pigmentation & menopausal changes. Listen now if you want to find out whether your skincare routine is on the right track & know how to separate the products that work from those that are a waste of money.Plus: Pole dancing in your fifties & what to do if a looming big birthday is getting you down📩 Got a question? Email [email protected] 👥 Join the private Facebook group: Postcards from Midlife ⭐ Follow, rate and review — it helps other midlife women find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV’s Julia Bradbury was diagnosed with breast cancer at 51. Then she went on a mission to give herself the best shot at a long, healthy life. The mum of three joins Lorraine and Trish to share the screening tests worth having, how she quit alcohol and tamed her sugar addiction, and the free daily habits any midlifer can follow, all without overwhelm, guilt or shame. Because sometimes, you just have to eat the goddamn cake!Julia's book, Hack Yourself Healthy, is out now in paperback.Plus: Trish got scammed (find out how), second-time-round wedding dressing, and six things to look forward to this autumn.📩 Questions? [email protected] 👥 Join our Facebook group: Postcards from Midlife ⭐ Follow, rate and review to help other midlife women find us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish & Lorraine are joined by the author of hit novel & TV drama Trespasses to talk about her new book Stations & what it feels like to write a best seller & start a whole new career in midlife. Former chef Louise opens up about the impact of fleeing Belfast as a child during the Troubles after her grandmother’s pub was bombed, the anxiety that followed her through life from that point, the friend who lured her to a writing group & what happened on the night she had a glass too many with Gillian Anderson!Trish and Lorraine also tackle listener questions on parenting twenty-somethings who have moved back home in a warm, honest episode for women navigating midlife, family life and reinvention.📩 Got a question? Email [email protected] 👥 Join the private Facebook group: Postcards from Midlife ⭐ Follow, rate and review — it helps other midlife women find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine & Trish are back for Season 19 of Postcards from Midlife! In this opener, they catch up on their summer — from Cornwall staycations and David Byrne concerts to accidental Ted Lasso interviews and lake-swimming mishaps — & share why midlife women so often feel guilty about resting (hello, Gen X work ethic).They also give you a first look at this season's brilliant guest lineup, including:Julia Bradbury on her new book Hack Yourself Healthy and the longevity tips actually worth tryingRose Ferguson, nutritionist, on her four-week reset plan and the MJMB Protocol for more energyDr Sam Bunting, dermatologist, on midlife skin changes, skincare routines, and cosmetic proceduresProfessor Tanya Byron on her new book You Are Not a DiagnosisNovelists Louise Kennedy (Stations) and Meg Mason (Sophie Standing There)Plus: navigating a full-again "empty nest," the British Heart Foundation Strong Women Challenge, book & telly recommendations for autumn, & stories from the Postcards from Midlife Facebook community.Nature's Best Pea Protein link: https://tidd.ly/3UWJpSZUse code LIFE30Got a question for Julia, Rose, Sam or Tanya? Email [email protected] the private Facebook group: Postcards from MidlifeFollow, rate and review — it helps other midlife women find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine & Trish meet Dr Julie Smith, clinical psychologist, multi-million selling author of ‘Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before’ & one of the most trusted mental health advisors on social media. Discover how to be your own coach to manage midlife plate spinning, shake off your inner critic, shift your thoughts from judgement to curiosity & tune into all your emotions to understand what your brain & body are trying to tell you. Julie also shares how she adopted a ‘predator’ mindset to face her own fears following a breast cancer diagnosis & has reassuring advice for parents about what children really need to support their mental health & wellbeing.Plus: Season finale round up: all the best advice from this season’s fabulous guests!  Contact: [email protected]: @postcardsfrommidlifeJoin our private Facebook Group here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trish & Lorraine speak to divorce coach Nawal Houghton who explains step by step what to do from the moment you think things aren’t right in your marriage, to initiating proceedings, navigating mediation, negotiating finances & thinking about what you need to build your new future. Nawal, who specialises in high conflict divorces, also shares how to cope if things turn toxic, what to do if you’ve been kept in the financial dark, the importance of creating a small support group & the question you must ask yourself if you think it’s best to stay for the children. Plus, how to talk to your kids about what’s happening & supporting their emotional needs now & in the future.Plus: Post work dinner panic? Quick, easy & tasty things to make in a hurry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Lorraine & Trish share their list of brilliant reads: there is a love story, a powerful memoir, a standout debut novel, and a tip on the funny Agatha Christie style writer you probably don’t know but will love. This curated list has everything: it is perfect for your holiday, train journeys, for summer reading, for book clubs or for those stuck in a reading rut. Plus the duo share insider secrets about the follow up to a book Gen X’ers loved and a new read on couples therapy which is a game changer.Contact: [email protected]: @postcardsfrommidlifeJoin our private Facebook Group here  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV legend Fern shares her vital life lessons and advice on divorce, single parenting, loss, career reinvention, weight loss, fitness, love and making new friends. The best-selling author and mum-of-four also talks hosts Trish Halpin and Lorraine Candy through how she recovered from depression and suicidal thoughts in midlife with the help of a new health regime, talking therapy and the right medication.Plus: The surprising gift hubby Neil got Trish & a family email you all need to sendContact: [email protected]: @postcardsfrommidlifeJoin our private Facebook Group here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This candid interview is a  great listen for anyone feeling lonely or unsure of where their life is heading or wants to learn to love & value themself. The best-selling Gen X author tells Lorraine & Trish about her remarkable midlife awakening, detailed in her new memoir, Rewilding: Freedom, Fearlessness & Finding Our Way Home. In a powerful conversation she explains the decision to leave her husband, her New York home & the life she’d built over 25 years to move to Marrakech after her career hit a downward spiral. She reveals how she loves living alone & starting again financially. After asking herself the question ‘who would I be if I didn’t care what anyone else thought?’ Jane goes on a ‘rewilding’ journey. Along the way she rediscovers sex & dating, learns to live alone without being lonely & becomes her true authentic self.  Plus: Will Lorraine’s pelvic floor hold up with her new bouncy exercise regime!!Contact: [email protected]: @postcardsfrommidlifeJoin our private Facebook Group here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.