40ish - Laughing Our Way Through Midlife, Perimenopause & Menopause
Welcome to 40ish, the podcast that midlifers deserve. Hosted by Lauren Mishcon and Nicole Goodman of the award-winning Self Care Club, we bring you menopause humor, midlife laughs, and candid talks on hormones and aging. We tackle real middle-age dilemmas, rant about the absurdities of aging, and share every embarrassing moment with humor and heart. It’s survival through comedy here, with plenty of relatable conversations and laughs about the midlife crisis and beyond.
Episodes
Sex, Lost Libido, HRT & The Great Pillow Protector Debate
This week on 40ish: Nicole is wondering if her post menopause personality is here to stay - and if so how worrying is that (answer: very) Whilst Lauren has finally found somewhere to wear the white shoes.
Then we revisit the subject that has divided the nation: pillow protectors.
The 40ish listeners have spoken… and Lauren is feeling VERY smug.
The listener dilemma is about sex and libido in
Menopause News: How Much Do Doctors Learn About Menopause? HRT, Supplements & Midlife
It's a 40ish Midlife News Special, and this week we're asking a fairly important question: how much do doctors actually learn about menopause? An ITV News investigation into medical schools in England and Wales found that some student doctors receive as little as one hour of formal menopause teaching during their entire five-year medical degree, with around 20% of universities that responded repor
Lounge Sets, Compost Bins & The Midlife Glow-Up
This week on 40ish: we kick off with the ultimate sign that Christmas is approaching: booking the Ocado Christmas delivery slot and immediately announcing it on the family WhatsApp. Because nothing says festive spirit quite like securing your sprouts three months early. We hear from a listener who discovered 40ish at 47 when she was feeling miserable and alone, and says the podcast helped her feel
The Midweek Meltdown Show: 3am Anxiety, Kitten Heels & Midlife Chaos
Welcome to the Midweek Meltdown Show, where we're talking midlife meltdowns, 3am anxiety and the wildly irrational thoughts that hit in your 40s. Proper, deeply middle-aged meltdowns.
Lauren wants to know why on earth she thought she needed a pair of white kitten heels. We get into the psychological damage social media does to women in midlife. And there's a double-bagging pillowcase situation th
Join "The Midlife Club" on Substack
Ever heard us mention a pair of jeans, a hair product or a recipe in passing and wished you'd written it down? That's exactly why we've started The Midlife Club on Substack.
It's our home for everything behind the episodes: the products, recipes, clothes and bits and pieces we chat about on the show, all in one place, plus extra content you won't hear anywhere else.
Come and join us: https://sub
Changing Shoes in the Street, University Drop Off & A Cancelled Girls Trip
This week on 40ish, Nicole hits a major midlife milestone as she drops her eldest child off at university. We’re not crying, you’re crying. Meanwhile, Lauren is experiencing a very different kind of midlife humiliation: changing from heels into flats on the Tube because comfort has officially won. We hear from a listener struggling with unpredictable energy levels and fluctuating hormones. She can
HRT Patches at Parties & Becoming a Bobfluencer | 40ish BONUS
Too much to cover and not enough time on Tuesday's episode, so here's a bonus show for you, Quazzers. Lauren went to a 50th birthday celebration and did something no one expects at a party; showed off her HRT patch like an accessory. Meanwhile Nicole thinks she has found her true calling: ‘bobfluencer’. Yes, it's a thing, and yes, she's considering it as a career path.
Settle in for a bonus dose
Bunkers, Brain Fog & Birthday Cake Fails
Today on 40ish: Nicole has bought a steam mop and it's love at first swipe. Lauren, meanwhile, is about to celebrate her silver wedding anniversary ( surely that's for old people?) This week's listener feedback brings an enthusiastic leggings recommendation (sorry, Lululemon). Then Mary-Anne gets in touch from deep inside perimenopause brain fog; words? Gone. Executive function? Also gone. If you'
Hamilton, ‘OreoGate’ debate & The Avocado Incident | 40ish BONUS
There was simply too much to cover and not enough time on Tuesday’s episode, so here is a little bonus one for you, Quazzers. The ladies have been out -out, going to see Hamilton (Lauren’s first time, so obviously we have thoughts.) We also discuss The Invite (spoiler alert: do NOT watch this one with your husband) and Lauren is put off avocado for life after a woman on the internet describes what
M&S Crotchless Knickers & The Mother-in-Law Who Won’t STFU
This week on 40ish: Nicole is becoming allergic to everything and has to reign in her dad as he brings new meaning to “life begins at 40” when he insists on walking a marathon for charity for his 80th birthday. Lauren has been spending too much time alone and queries what quantifies a gift after being given a toilet brush. We have feedback from 44yr old rave queen and a very special surprise from
Steam Mops, Baby Names & Trendy Moustaches
This week on 40ish, Nicole has bought a steam mop and is feeling like she’s absolutely nailed adulthood. Meanwhile, Lauren has finally disposed of some Uniqlo “slacks” that were making her feel approximately 60ish.
In Midlife News, we’re talking about the latest research into HRT and dementia risk and what it actually tells us about menopause, HRT and brain health. Then we tackle this week’s dile
Lost Sparks, Raving & Relationship Advice | Midlife & Menopause Podcast
Welcome to the brand new season of 40ish - the midlife and menopause podcast for women in their 30s, 40s & 50s.
This week: a couple who are healthy, financially secure and stable, but have completely lost their spark. How do you start enjoying life and each other again? Plus, is raving the new midlife self-care? We're asking whether swapping the spa day for a crop top and loud music actually cou
From The Archives: Aussie Deception Drama & Varicose Veins
We are taking a break over the summer holidays . In the meantime, please enjoy this classic episode from the archives.
This week on 40ish: Lauren and Nicole receive an email offering varicose vein treatment, a listener is in a bit of a pickle after lying at work and one woman in desperate need of a wee completely loses her sh*t in public and now regrets it. We would love to hear from you!&n
From The Archives: Period Necklaces, Parking & Homebase
We are taking a break over the summer holidays . In the meantime, please enjoy this classic episode from the archives.
This week on 40ish; a woman asks if it’s sweet or if it’s weird to give her daughter a necklace to celebrate her first period. Lauren is hoping the idea may inspire Nicole’s husband to buy her a very special wedding anniversary gift. Plus, a listener asks what happened to her roc
From The Archives: Nipple Tassels, Top Gun & Frozen Shoulders
We are taking a break over the summer holidays . In the meantime, please enjoy this classic episode from the archives.
This week on 40ish: Nicole has embarrassed her daughter, Lauren is dressing like an extra from Top Gun, a listener wants to make a raunchy dance video for her lover and a woman has a very unnerving situation with her shoulder surgeon.
We love to hear from you! To share you
From The Archives: I Told A Huge Lie, Sex Dreams & James Nesbitt
We are taking a break over the summer holidays . In the meantime, please enjoy this classic episode from the archives.
This week on 40ish we are diving into a listener’s crush that's ruining her life. We choose our middle age Spice Girl names. Nicole is asked out by Jimmy Nesbitt and is convinced Lauren is having sex dreams about her. Plus, one listener has her got herself in hot water after tell
40ish Live: Menopause, Relationships & Midlife Madness in London (Part 2)
Part two of our first ever live show — recorded in front of a sold-out crowd at Kings Cross, London in July 2026. The chaos continues with more stories, more laughs, and even more of the honest, hilarious conversations that make 40ish what it is.
This time it's midlife madness, menopause moments, relationship dramas, and all the ridiculous things we experience but rarely say out loud — with a roo
40ish Live: Menopause, Midlife & Audience Chaos in London (Part 1)
Part one of our first ever live show — recorded in front of a sold-out audience at Kings Cross, London in July 2026. All the usual 40ish chaos, midlife meltdowns and menopause madness you know from the podcast, but this time with a room full of women (and two blokes) laughing along in real time.
We're talking the everyday absurdities of being a woman in your 40s and beyond — the stuff we normally
My Husband Has Money Secrets & Why I'm Done With "Sexy"
HRT and breast cancer fears — the real talk women are having about how hormone replacement therapy has genuinely changed their lives. Plus: a listener's husband won't explain a mysterious £600 missing from their joint account ("I can't say who it's for"), and Clare has an epiphany about being completely done wanting "sexy" on holiday — she just wants a spa, room service, and nobody touching her or
We are on Holiday (well Nicole is)
A quick one from us today just letting you know we will be back on Thursday!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
My Husband Shaved WHAT?! and The Great Midlife Shorts Debate
Today on 40ish, Lauren and Nicole spill the behind-the-scenes gossip from their live show, where, as you'd expect, absolutely anything can happen once they're let loose in front of an audience. A listener takes a passionate stand in the great midlife shorts debate. Strong legs? Absolutely. Thigh chafing, uncomfortable wedges and feeling like a busted can of biscuits? Not a chance. Then comes a di
The Mental Load, Midlife Divorce & Body-Shaming Mothers-in-Law
This week on 40ish: Nicole needs to be treated like an unsettled baby until her implant kicks in and Lauren discovers cycling shorts are not just for fancy dress. In Midlife News, we unpack the research behind the UK's rising divorce rate and why so many women in their 40s and 50s are choosing to walk away from their marriages. Is it really about falling out of love, or are women finally reaching
Testosterone, Hormonal Rage & An ADHD Marriage Dilemma
This week on 40ish, Lauren discovers that Mah Jong, tea and cake might actually be peak midlife entertainment, while Nicole has an unexpected tantrum on the padel court.
We hear from a listener who says finally being prescribed testosterone during menopause helped her feel like herself again, boosted her confidence, improved her libido and even made her like her husband again. We discuss testoste
Bad Hair, Midlife Sleep & The Canadian Gynecologist
Today on 40ish, Nicole is having a hair moan, because apparently menopausal hair now requires its own emotional support team. Lauren is not helping. We also get into your feedback on whether it’s normal or deeply unhinged to track your husband’s location. Opinions are strong and polarising but our favourite is from a husband who says he’s usually in the loo. In Midlife News, we discuss a new study
Midlife Libido, Confidence & Getting Rated by Teenagers
This week on 40ish, Nicole brings a Hogman update direct from the gym and somehow ends up discussing the workout routine of a man called Brian, while Lauren takes her first steps into the world of Substack.
We tackle a listener dilemma that every British woman will understand. What do you do when you notice someone's leggings are completely see-through at the gym? Say something and risk the embar
AI, Burnout & Liquorice Allsorts
In this week's episode of 40ish, Nicole and Lauren tackle some of the biggest midlife challenges facing women today: people pleasing, setting boundaries, emotional overload and the reality of being part of the sandwich generation.
Alongside the usual chaos, they discuss AI destroying garden dreams, accidental Instagram business strategies, makeup storage meltdowns, Temu temptations and why a pack
FLASH SALE on live show tickets!
Here is the link to our live show! We hope you can join us 🙏🏻https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/40ish-live-show-5-jul-2026-ticketsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/40ish-laughing-our-way-through-midlife-perimenopause-menopause--6942825/support.We love to hear from you! Get in touch with your dilemmas and rants.DM & follow us on Instagram TikTokOrder Our Bo
Husband Tracking, Itchy Bottoms and The World Cup
On todays episode of 40ish: Nicole is losing her mind over losing absolutely everything she owns, while Lauren is deeply disturbed by the algorithm's insistence that she might be in the market for itchy anus remedies. We hear from a listener who has accidentally become a midlife music sensation, discuss why women in midlife are increasingly swapping big friendship groups for a handful of meaningfu
Family Feuds, Gym Friendships & Hangovers
Today on 40ish, Nicole has become friends with ‘Hogman’ - the weight-hogging man at the gym. The man everyone silently judges while waiting for the dumbbells is now part of her social circle. Protein shake dates can't be far away. Meanwhile, Lauren fails to make the connection between half a bottle of champagne and her hangover whilst maintaining a full-blown rant about Steven Bartlett's obsession
HRT Hack, Midlife Confidence and Padel is for Losers
This week on 40ish, the ladies embrace their latest career pivot as unofficial vaginal wellness influencers. If anyone had “vaginal hydration gel ambassador” on their bingo card, congratulations. Lauren shares an HRT patch hack - if your arse looks like a patchwork quilt you will want to know! In Midlife News, there’s a breakthrough from Harvard researchers whose award-winning “vagina-on-a-chip”
Driving Anxiety, Midlife News & A PCOS Update
This week on 40ish, Nicole finally concedes defeat as Lauren is crowned the people’s champion and the “who’s more down to earth?” debate is officially settled. Following a stranger’s meltdown in a nail salon, the ladies open up about how perimenopause completely knocked them sideways. In Midlife News, there’s a major update in women’s health as PCOS gets a new name, reflecting a growing understand
Live Show is Live!
Come join us 5th July in London for our first live show! Get your tickets here - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/40ish-live-show-5-jul-2026-ticketsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/40ish-laughing-our-way-through-midlife-perimenopause-menopause--6942825/support.We love to hear from you! Get in touch with your dilemmas and rants.DM & follow us on Instagram
Itchy Pubes, Friendship Fallouts & the Fear of a Shrinking Fanny
Today on 40ish, James is drafted in to settle the highly important debate over which one of the ladies is actually more down to earth.Nicole is sporting enormous statement earrings to enhance her brand new Invisalign teeth, whilst Lauren is having a deeply middle-aged moment refusing to throw away perfectly good ziplock bags because they’ve still got life left in them. Meanwhile, the podcast accid
Making Female Friends in Your 40s & Becoming ‘Mumsy’
This week on 40ish, Lauren ponders whether becoming “mumsy” is actually contagious, whilst Nicole continues her impressive streak of losing dog leads, car keys and essentially any object not physically attached to her body. A listener shares an unexpectedly wholesome dream about meeting the ladies, which somehow sparks a fierce debate over who is actually more down to earth and honestly, the jury
Sienna Miller, Emotional Affairs & Marriage Red Flags
Today on 40ish: Lauren and Nicole win a comedy award and celebrate in true 40ish style - by having a yogurt and an apple on the way home. Huge congratulations to Sienna Miller who has welcomed her third child. We discuss her comments about not caring what anyone thinks anymore, and why society still acts like women over 40 getting pregnant is breaking news while men are out here having babies duri
Hot Doctors, Freelance Farts and the Anxious Vagina
On today's show: Nicole has an anxious vagina and is feeling mumsy on a Saturday night out, whilst Lauren is trying to play matchmaker in A&E with her friend and a hot Italian doctor. Because nothing says romance quite like fluorescent lighting and a triage wristband. In Midlife News we reveal that one in six women have considered leaving work because of menopause symptoms. Elsewhere, a listener
Why Midlife Friendship Breakups Hurt So Much & The Mental Load
This week on 40ish: Nicole and Lauren find themselves nominated alongside fellow 40-something Romesh Ranganathan for a comedy award which, considering he’s an actual professional comedian and we mainly discuss pelvic floors, peri-menopause and Real Housewives, feels both surreal and deeply flattering. We were completely overwhelmed by your response to our conversation about friendship breakups and
Midlife Problems: Pelvic Floors, Ex-Husbands & Dorothy Perkins
Today on 40ish: Nicole goes to the women’s physio and discovers that pelvic floor assessments are essentially the medical equivalent of rummaging around in a paper bag full of sweets. Dignity? Gone. Mystery? Also gone. Meanwhile, Lauren is absolutely thriving thanks to two things: a garden centre discount and her new boyfriend, Jeff. He’s golden, handsome, emotionally available, and a dog - which,
More Menopause Symptoms, Tarty Shoes and the Toddler Turd
This week on 40ish: Lauren has put her neck out by sleeping on the wrong pillow, which feels deeply unfair considering that in our twenties we could sleep on a laminate floor and wake up absolutely fine. Meanwhile, Nicole has discovered a brand new menopause symptom because apparently the gift that keeps on giving… keeps on giving. In Midlife News, Damian Lewis has released a music video while Nic
Weight Loss in Your 40s, Menopause at Work & Ottolenghi
This week on 40ish Lauren reaches peak midlife as she attends an wholesome Ottolenghi Cooking Club; yet somehow gets embroiled in a conversation about anal s*x within 3 minutes of arrival. Meanwhile Nicole realises that you know when you’re spending too much time with your gyne when he feels fully comfortable eating crisps off your plate. In midlife news it turns out almost half of middle-aged Bri
Friendship Breakups in Your 40s, Menopause Feedback & Midlife Mean Girls
Today on 40ish Lauren wonders if Nicole is a totally new person post menopause. It kicks off with what may genuinely be the world’s worst lunch and ends as she rolls out of a hospital bed and attends a sip & paint evening (weird as she neither sips nor paints). The 40ish feedback on menopause education has been overwhelming and you are coming in all guns blazing. From rallying cries about women’s
Midlife Spring Style Special
Today on 40ish: Lauren ambushes Nicole with a Spring Style Special - a surprise absolutely nobody asked for (least of all Nicole), but like all good midlife crises, we commit and carry on anyway. Together they tackle the truly vital issues: are denim jackets officially mumsy now? And why someone calling Lauren “brave” for butter yellow nails is somehow both a compliment and an insult. They cover t
Pesto, Patches & Public Farts: A Podcast of Petty Problems
This week on 40-ish: Nicole is in BAD MOOD and Lauren is not helping by regaling her with her wholesome tale of foraging and pesto making. Of course, it wouldn’t be the podcast without a dilemma that makes you squirm. This week: what do you do when your judgy Mcjudge pants BFF best friend gets lip filler… and it’s not great? Should you say something, or take it to the grave? Elsewhere, expect the
HRT at the Pool, Menopause Questions & The Holiday Food Shop Fail
This week on 40ish, Lauren is feeling self conscious about rocking up to the pool with her HRT patch fully on display and Nicole has zero empathy. She’s too busy wondering what happens post-menopause. Who are you when you arrive? Do you get a badge? A certificate? A lie down? Anyone? Meanwhile; A listener has spent good money on a thoughtful, meaningful 40th birthday gift for her sister only to di
Overpacking for Holidays, Menopause Drama & a Tricky Parenting Dilemma
This week on 40ish, we’re discussing one of the most delusional acts of midlife optimism: packing holiday clothes for a version of yourself that absolutely does not exist. Does adulting mean that we have finally worked out that we just need the same two outfits on rotation and flat shoes? We’re also deep in a very important debate: what are we actually calling you lot? Fabbers (40 and fabulous, ob
Is It Hormones or Annoyance? WFH Washing Up Wars & Easter Egg Drama
This week on 40ish, Lauren has to calculate exactly what a wee is worth and if a parking ticket is better or worse than wetting yourself. Nicol is debating whether she’s hormonally annoyed or just genuinely irritated… and whether there’s even a difference. Meanwhile we tackle a very relatable midlife dilemma about working from home, washing up wars, and the silent rage that builds when one partner
Am I Becoming a Hermit? Too Many Jeans and Social Burnout.
This week on 40ish Lauren reveals the unreasonable number of jeans she owns - it’s essentially a denim museum at this point and Nicole is nostalgic about being grounded and realising she’s somehow become the parent she used to dramatically roll her eyes at. This week’s dilemma hits hard: Do you actually want to go out, or are you just going because society says you should leave the house occasiona
Waving Goodbye, Hotmail Shame & the £100 Bottle of Wine
In todays show: Lauren is sporting something brand new on her bum cheek and can’t wait to show Nicole - who is somewhat miffed at the pulling down of the pants live in the studio. We dive into the surprisingly emotional world of waving goodbye and tackle a very important midlife question: does having a Hotmail email address officially make you old, or should we all proudly keep our vintage inboxes
Drunk in Barcelona, Movicol and Menopause Awareness
In today’s show: Nicole goes to Barcelona. Nicole gets very drunk. Nicole takes electrolytes and Movicol before bed and decides that it would be socially acceptable to kiss Jon Hamm if he just happened to turn up. Lauren decides to share her drunk texts with the nation. We also discuss the absolute state of modern “healthy” recipes including cauliflower fudge (why), cauliflower pizza (still why),
Peace Signs, Petty Parking & Protecting Your Energy
Today on 40ish: Nicole has officially had enough of the algorithm, and Lauren is launching a bold new driving movement: replacing the universal thank-you hand with a casual two-finger peace-out gesture. Will it catch on? Only time will tell. We dive into a listener dilemma about friendships in midlife. She used to be the organiser and emotional support system for everyone. Now the energy to keep
Empty Nest, Earl Grey and The Itty Bitty Saggy Titty Committee
This week on 40ish: Lauren is entering her Earl Grey Era. It’s a bit like a Taylor Swift Era but a lot more middle aged. Meanwhile Nicole takes time (far too much time) to contemplate her favourite electrolyte flavour and a weekend of resting. We hear from a listener struggling with the emotional shift of parenting adult children. With one child at home and another living their dream in Australi
Saturday Night Spin Cycles & Celebrity Crushes
Today on 40ish: It may be Nicole’s most rock n’ roll Saturday night ever as she treats herself to “putting on a small washing load” and Lauren has bought a ticket to an antiques fair. Wild. Reckless. Who even are we anymore? We’ve got some lovely listener feedback (including a genuinely helpful iron supplement tip, who knew we’d become this demographic), before diving into a dilemma that is equal
Meditation, Mumsnet & Moany Neighbours
This week on 40ish:, things get deep (briefly) because Nicole meditated (we know, who is she?), and we also tackle the Oscars - mainly how illegally and problematically handsome Paul Anthony Kelly is. Also, are we just too old to get Timothée Chalamet. Is he brilliant? Is he a Year 8 boy? A listener has a dilemma with a truly stomach dropping moment; discovering a Mumsnet thread that may or may n
Fibre, Friendship Fallouts & Where Are We With Facebook?
This week on 40ish, Nicole reports from the glamorous world of post-surgery recovery where the main event of the day is… taking painkillers. Timing them, thinking about them, planning the next one. Meanwhile, Lauren has a mysterious foot situation developing. There is very validating listener feedback about the extremely serious issue of designated mugs. We also tackle this week’s dilemma where a
Perimenopause Rage, Burnt Tables & The Screenshot Crisis
Perimenopause, brain fog and relationships This week on 40ish: Nicole debates if she’s doing too little or too much post surgery - (the fact she cant stand her living room wall paint suggests the former) and Lauren attends her 30yr school reunion. The listeners have feedback for James after his appearances on the show (Let’s just say his comments about women drivers have not gone unnoticed). We
Gossip, Gratitude and Sneakerinas
Today on 40ish: It’s Lauren’s birthday and she’s apparently a fortune teller now. Nicole is feeling grateful for all her ‘get well soon’ gifts and lighting the candle whilst wearing crystals in her bra. We solve a listener dilemma involving overhearing two women casually tearing apart a friend at a party. Do you tell her? Confront them? Pretend you never heard it? Or carry the resentment like a we
Mother’s Day, Midlife Algorithms and Cycle Synching With Your Dog
This week on 40ish: Nicole returns to work post op, but now she’s officially menopausal and quietly wondering if she’s evolved beyond the podcast. Has she transcended? (short answer, no) Meanwhile Lauren absolutely has not evolved, as her cycle has somehow synced with her dog’s. Yes. The dog. There are hormones in the air and no one feels entirely stable about it. Plus both women mess about kissin
The Sexy Lady Lamp, Two Fridges & The Great Lactose Hack
Today on 40ish: James is back! giving us a peek inside the internal world of the midlife male brain including a deep dive into his two-fridge conundrum — while Lauren admits she’s spectacularly hopeless at booking holidays. A listener is being tormented by her husband's (quite frankly revolting sounding) lamp and lactose-intolerant folks rejoice — a milky hack promises sweet relief. Expect laughs,
DJ Daddy, Dog Groomers and The Surprise Co-host
This week on 40ish: James stands in for Nicole bringing a whole new male perspective on 40-something life. Lauren asks why is everyone on loudspeaker all the time and why is it always on the Tube? And James gives a thorough rundown of his supplement regime. (Thrilling). One listener shares her dilemma being married to a midlifer who has been reborn as DJ “Daddy” and listener Sarah delivers possibl
Thumbs-up. The Pesto Revelation & Nicole’s Replacement
Today on 40ish, Nicole is facing every podcaster’s worst nightmare: being replaced. (Temporarily, while she recovers from her op - but still.) Enter James - Brave. Unprepared. About to be exposed to levels of menopause and nunny chat that no man could ever train for. Will he survive? Will he make eye contact again? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, Lauren has had a life-altering revelation about pes
The Immaculate Bob Lady and The Icon
This week on 40ish: Stop the Press! Nicole has changed foundation brands and has also been rebranded “The Immaculate Bob Lady” Lauren is in some very functional new Uniqlo trousers - they may qualify her for early admission to the National Trust but she has recently discovered she’s an icon, so it’s all ok. A listener asks if she’s being oversensitive when her husband teases her about her outfit -
Wuthering Heights and The World's Saddest Sandwich
On 40ish: Lauren reports back from the cinematic gothic f***fest where the wind was wild, the passion was feral, and one drenched Jacob Elordi on horseback has single-handedly reset her standards and her blood pressure. Frankly, she hasn’t been the same since. For God’s sake, someone hide the linen shirts and put her in a cold shower. Meanwhile, Nicole’s quest for a dignified lunch ends in sadness
Birthdays, Bums and Brownies
Today on 40ish: it's Nicole's birthday. Both Lauren and her padel friends have baked for her although Nicole has to quite literally ‘spell it out’. Lauren shares her latest Amazon purchase - anal gland chews for smelly rear ends (they're for the dog - relax!) and graphically overshares her experience trying on SKIMS. Meanwhile, a listener writes in to ask if she's being unreasonable to be annoyed
PIN Numbers, Prime Purchases and Padel
Today on 40ish, Lauren and Nicole debut a brand-new game: What’s the Most Middle-Aged Thing in Your Amazon Basket? Brace yourselves; there is nothing remotely sexy about it. Lauren is also celebrating a genuine midlife milestone: she remembered her PIN without having to lock her card. Growth. A listener writes in with a juicy dilemma as she weighs up her stale marriage against some unexpectedly fl
Savage Brides, Social Faux Pas & Jeggings
Today on 40ish: Nicole is still in wardrobe crisis. She’s retreated back to skinny jeans and some decidedly mumsy leather trousers (absolutely do not say the word jeggings). Meanwhile, she’s attempting—against all odds—to convince Lauren to sign up for a 26-mile charity walk. (Spoiler: the chances are slim) as Lauren is far too busy debating whether it’s socially acceptable to join in a TikTok da
Beckhams, Bed Injuries and Best-Before Dates
Today on 40ish Lauren has done her back in by making the bed. Tragic? Yes. Painful? Also yes. Meanwhile Nicole is floating serenely on a cloud of oestrogen but despite the hormonal induced glow her family are still approaching with caution. They discuss the Beckham feud (because it’s deliciously unavoidable) Lauren's apparent inability to choose shoes that Nicole doesn't deem "DISGUSTING" and why
FOMO, HRT & Bin Bag Rage
Today on 40ish: Nicole is just one more day away from her HRT implant and her husband is bravely counting down the hours until he can exist, speak, or inhale oxygen without being informed he’s irritating. (Stay strong, Adam). Meanwhile, Lauren and her husband enjoy the most middle-aged date imaginable: a couples health scan. Meanwhile, a listener writes in with her dilemma: She desperately wants t
Lost Keys, NPC’s and A Very Awkward Appointment
Today on 40ish: Lauren innocently considers buying some new trainers and is promptly informed by her son she’s an “NPC”. Rude. Confusing (Isn’t that a car park?) We unpack the insult, and whether footwear is now a personality flaw. Meanwhile, the brain fog is fogging as Nicole misplaces her keys and eventually finds them in the last place any sane person would look. And in dilemma territory, thin
Chat GPT, Breathing Wrong and Birthday Singlongs
This week on 40ish: Nicole finds unexpected emotional support from ChatGPT and, honestly, it’s more validating than most real-life husbands. Speaking of husbands, they are absolutely not winning at life this week. Both Lauren and Nicole have suffered through a list of their offences, including breathing, speaking, napping on the sofa, and the ultimate crime: wearing jeans on the bed. Meanwhile, a
Bad Cake, Skinny Jeans & a Tampon Emergency
In today’s episode of 40ish: Lauren is spiralling over the sudden disappearance of Hermesetas and asking how is she supposed to drink a hot beverage now? Whilst Nicole is back at her spiritual home (Costco) and thrilled with her new veg chopper. In other news that nobody emotionally prepared us for: skinny jeans are back. We discuss how to wear them in midlife without looking like you’re heading o
Halfords, “Healthy January” and the Highway Code
Today on 40ish Lauren faces the ultimate midlife thrill - a trip to Halfords - does she know where her wheel nut key is? Does it exist? Meanwhile, Nicole is failing the Highway Code and wondering why nobody answers their phone anymore. A listener writes in with a dilemma that perfectly sums up January. She is cheating on her husband - he’s fully invested in the January health kick - whilst she is
Midlife injuries, Feeling mumsy and Timothée Chalamet
Welcome back to the first episode of 40ish for 2026. Nicole returns from holiday feeling mumsy, while Lauren kicks off the new year by injuring her shoulder blade… in her sleep. Because apparently even resting is dangerous now. We dive into a listener dilemma after an awkward Christmas Day gift exchange leaves some lingering hurt, and 40ish listeners share their post-Christmas meltdowns - festiv
Architraves, Eyebrows and Twinning with your MIL
Today on 40ish: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and what says xmas better than a heated debate about architraves? Nicole is spiralling over the fact that she appears to be growing eyebrows… above her eyebrows (a festive miracle nobody asked for). Speaking of bushy, Lauren is locked in an existential crisis about the girth of her Christmas tree, which is apparently so wide it should com
Bald Eyes, Bad Jeans and Christmas Cockapoos
In today’s episode, Lauren somehow manages to accidentally pull out her own eyelashes and is now sporting a festive single-lid look… while Nicole is still spiralling about the state of jeans. Are we meant to be in wide-leg? Straight-leg? Bootcut? Low-rise?! Nobody knows and honestly we’re tired. We also tackle a listener dilemma: How do you tell your brother his dog is not invited to Christmas Day
Falling, Fibbing and Airing the Fanny
This week on 40ish. Things are looking up for Lauren in the laundry room, but the moment she steps outside? Down she goes. Did she fall over… or, at our age, has she officially “had a fall”? Nicole has a jolly trip to Costco (pick n’ mix for adults with no self control) and makes a shocking confession involving lying to Lauren. Could it be the end of a beautiful friendship? (Spoiler: probably no
Cosy, Cranky and Passive aggressive punctuation
Today on 40ish: Nicole publicly outs Lauren’s escalating email rudeness. Is this the moment we finally admit that yes, midlife has arrived -and apparently it’s brought passive-aggressive punctuation with it. Meanwhile, the pair discover that nothing makes them happier these days than being gifted… extra virgin olive oil. Not gin. Not wine. Olive oil. Nicole, for her part, is living her absolute pe
Granola, Puppy Pandemonium & A stolen kiss in the stables
Things go completely off the rails today when Lauren’s puppy’s antics push James to the brink… and he in turn pushes them right out of the studio (much to Nicole’s amusement) Speaking of Nicole, she’s been busy browsing the M&S clothes and she likes what she sees - classic midlife move. Lauren then casually drops into conversation that she’s met national treasure Clare Balding (as you do) while at
Ankle Boots, Plant based buffets and Netflix Negotiations
Today on 40ish: Lauren wonders if long-term marriage really just comes down to which Netflix series you can both tolerate, while Nicole’s deeply unconvinced that the cowboy aesthetic is making a comeback. A listener faces a full-blown footwear crisis (seriously, what is up with ankle boots?) and another dreads her company’s “Annual Office Holiday Experience.” Nothing says festive joy quite like a
Face Blind, Feline Rescue and 6-7
This week on 40ish: A listener writes in about her rescue cat (that she quite frankly hates), and Lauren discovers she’s face-blind - which is awkward AF and Nicole is still obsessed with 6-7, according to her this makes her 'cool' - All unpicked in this episode. We love to hear from you! To share your feedback, dilemmas, rants, funny stories or general complaints about midlife please be in touc
Piercings, Tantrums and Nothing says I love you like a Dustbuster.
This week on 40ish Lauren's husband romances her with a new DustBuster. (Nothing says I love you like Dyson) whilst Nicole is radiating extra bougie energy as she lights up a 3 wick high end candle. (Then has an almighty adult tantrum). A listener doesn't know what to make of her 53yr old husband suddenly arriving home with an ear piercing (Midlife crisis or David Beckham tribute?) and another wo
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