In this special Summer Rewind episode from the Two Women Chatting archive, Liz and Michelle revisit their inspiring conversation with TV presenter, journalist and author Louise Minchin. Louise opens up about her deeply personal journey through empty nest syndrome, sharing the unexpected grief and sense of loss she felt when both her daughters left home for university.

Louise explains how she overcame this emotional rollercoaster by setting new challenges: becoming an endurance athlete, pushing herself out of her comfort zone, and chronicling her adventures with remarkable women in her bestselling book, Fearless. From swimming through shark-infested waters to Alcatraz to ice diving, Louise shows how embracing adventure and focusing on what your body can do — rather than how it looks — can transform your midlife years.

This episode offers practical advice and inspiration for anyone facing the empty nest: learn to celebrate your achievements, set fresh goals, and reinvent yourself at any stage of life.

For more resources, visit our Midlife Library and blog on empty nest syndrome at twowomenchatting.com.

✅ Louise was surprised by the intensity of grief she felt when her daughters first left home.

✅ She describes parenting at this stage as a rollercoaster — no longer being in control.

✅ Finding new challenges helped her cope: endurance sports, triathlons, and writing books.

✅ Celebrate what your body can do, not just how it looks.

✅ Reinventing your career in midlife is possible and exciting — Louise proudly now calls herself a writer.

✅ Set small goals, step outside your comfort zone, and don’t let fear of failure stop you.

First broadcast: 25 September 2023

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.

We love hearing from you: email us at twowomenchatting@gmail.com.

Explore more blogs and resources on empty nest syndrome and midlife reinvention at www.twowomenchatting.com.

Follow Two Women Chatting on instagram @michelleford_twc

on Facebook @twowomenchatting

on YouTube @twowomenchatting

on X @michellefordvo

on TikTok @twowomenchatting0

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

In this no-holds-barred conversation, Michelle chats with journalist, author, and campaigner Kate Muir about the silent epidemic affecting women in midlife - bone health. They unpack the emotional and physical toll of menopause, how hormonal changes can impact everything from mental health to neurodivergence, and why it’s time for women to take charge of their midlife wellbeing. From wild swimming to strength training to HRT, Kate advocates for preventative healthcare and reclaims the midlife “crisis” as a powerful turning point. Plus, she shares highlights from her new book, How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis.

🎙️ Menopause, Mental Health & Neurodivergence: Kate explains how hormonal shifts can bring mental health challenges and reveal or intensify neurodivergent traits in midlife - making awareness and proper support systems essential.

🎙️ Lifting for Longevity: Strength training isn’t optional. Kate breaks down how weight-bearing exercise and vaginal estrogen are key to protecting bone health, reducing UTIs, and improving quality of life after 40.

🎙️ Midlife as a Second Act: Rather than seeing midlife as a decline, Kate encourages women to embrace it as a time for reinvention, joy, and self-discovery - central themes in her latest book.

🎙️ The Vaginal Microbiome Matters: Often overlooked, the vaginal microbiome plays a critical role in long-term health. Kate explains how estrogen, supplements and awareness can help reduce infections and support longevity.

📘 How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis by Kate Muir: Buy the Book

📸 Kate Muir on Instagram: @menoscandal

🌟 Website: TwoWomenChatting.com

📸 Instagram: @michelleford_twc

🐦 Twitter/X: @ChattingTwo

📘 Facebook: Two Women Chatting

📺 YouTube: TwoWomenChatting

Keywords:

midlife crisis, women's health, menopause, wild swimming, mental health, HRT, emotional changes, healthcare advocacy, longevity, exercise, bone health, UTI, estrogen, vaginal health, neurodivergence, midlife, self-care, strength training

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

This week on Two Women Chatting, Michelle welcomes the brilliant and bold Tova Leigh - writer, performer, and fierce advocate for female empowerment - for a refreshingly honest and insightful conversation. From reclaiming the word "gossip" as a force for good to navigating midlife friendships, Tova shares her journey of self-expression, boundary-setting and building meaningful female connections.

They also dive into deeper issues like toxic masculinity, the rise of figures like Andrew Tate, and the role of technology in shaping how young boys and girls perceive themselves. Tova brings a fresh lens to complex issues, while reminding women that they hold incredible power - in their voices, their friendships and their choices.

🎙️ Reclaiming Gossip: Tova reframes gossip not as something petty, but as a historically vital form of connection and communication among women - one rooted in trust and intimacy.

🎙️ Finding Power in Boundaries: Saying “no” isn’t selfish - it’s necessary. Tova talks about how boundaries protect our mental health and help foster healthier, more respectful relationships.

🎙️ The Evolution of Female Friendship: In midlife, women often find deeper, more meaningful friendships. Tova shares how her retreats and creative work help women foster true community and support.

🎙️ Toxic Masculinity & Technology’s Role: Tova discusses the troubling rise of toxic male influencers like Andrew Tate and how education, awareness, and community can push back against harmful narratives targeting young boys.

Tova brings her one woman show Honey I’m Losing It to in London on 24 July. Tickets available here https://www.jw3.org.uk/whats-on/tova-leigh-honey-im-losing-it

Love these insights?

Share your thoughts and stories at twowomenchatting@gmail.com, and don’t forget to rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform!

💫 Tova Leigh's Website: www.tovaleigh.com

📸 Follow Tova on Instagram: @tova_leigh

🌟 Website: TwoWomenChatting.com

📸 Instagram: @michelleford_twc

🐦 Twitter/X: @ChattingTwo

📘 Facebook: Two Women Chatting

📺 YouTube: TwoWomenChatting

Whether you’re finding your feet in midlife or learning to say “no” for the first time, this episode is a powerful reminder that sharing stories and standing together makes us all stronger.

Tova Leigh, empowerment, women, gossip, boundaries, friendships, midlife, community, creativity, storytelling, toxic masculinity, Andrew Tate, humor, social media, parenting, education, relationships, women's empowerment, sisterhood, self-expression

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