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 “c...
Jun 10, 2025•45 min•Season 9Ep. 10
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...
Jun 03, 2025•37 min•Season 9Ep. 9
This week on Two Women Chatting , Michelle is joined by dynamic duo Marie Thom and Yvonne Vincent for a witty, heartfelt conversation about navigating midlife with confidence, creativity, and community. From finding their voices through writing to embracing ageing with a sense of humour, Marie and Yvonne share how life after 40 can be the most empowering chapter yet. They also introduce their exciting new podcast, Hear Me Roar , which celebrates the midlife journeys of both women and men - break...
May 13, 2025•43 min•Season 9Ep. 8
This week on Two Women Chatting , Michelle celebrates the 100th episode with none other than Olympic legend and advocate Dame Kelly Holmes in a powerful and deeply personal conversation. From winning double gold to becoming a fearless voice for LGBTQ+ rights and women's health, Kelly shares her journey of transformation with honesty and passion. Marking this special milestone episode, Kelly reflects on the ups and downs of life after sport and military service, the power of vulnerability and why...
May 06, 2025•50 min•Season 9Ep. 7
This week on Two Women Chatting , Michelle welcomes pop icon and powerhouse woman Sinitta for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation. Sinitta opens up about her early career, her longtime friendship with Simon Cowell, the highs and lows of fame, and how she’s now using her platform to empower other women. From her early years shaped by a showbiz childhood to founding Sin's Angels , a collective for women rediscovering their strength, Sinitta shares what it means to find your voice, create...
Apr 29, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 6
This week on Two Women Chatting , Michelle is recording on location from the Pinecraft Inn in Sarasota, Florida with special guest Kendra Cross, who offers a heartfelt window into the Amish and Mennonite way of life. Raised in these communities, Kendra shares her personal story of multigenerational wisdom, strong women, and cultural connection. Kendra speaks candidly about growing up in a male-dominated culture, the misconceptions outsiders often have, and the ways in which community, storytelli...
Apr 22, 2025•39 min•Season 9Ep. 5
This week on Two Women Chatting , Michelle welcomes actress and advocate Tamzin Outhwaite for a heartfelt and empowering conversation about navigating midlife, finding strength in sisterhood, and building community through shared experience. From the highs of her acting career to the deeply personal challenges of grief, menopause, and hormonal shifts, Tamzin opens up with warmth, honesty, and humour. Have you ever felt like you’re juggling too much, or that your female friendships offer more ful...
Apr 15, 2025•37 min•Season 9Ep. 4
This week on Two Women Chatting , Michelle sits down with Becky Holmes to uncover the dark yet strangely humorous world of romance fraud. From fake online lovers to AI-powered scams, Becky shares her journey from posting on Twitter to publishing a book that cleverly blends humour with insight on this serious issue. Have you ever wondered how scammers manipulate emotions, why victims get trapped, or how AI is changing the game? This episode dives deep into the psychological tricks scammers use, t...
Apr 08, 2025•48 min•Season 9Ep. 3
This week on Two Women Chatting , we’re exploring the fascinating world of colour psychology with expert Anita Feron Clark. Have you ever noticed how wearing a particular shade can lift your mood or make you feel more confident? Anita breaks down the science behind colour, its emotional impact, and how midlife women can harness it to enhance well-being, self-care and personal style. Whether you’re drawn to neutrals or love a bold pop of colour, this conversation will change the way you see your ...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Welcome back to a brand-new season of Two Women Chatting ! We’re opening this season with a fascinating conversation with Dame Stella Rimington, the first female Director General of MI5, whose career spans real-world espionage and gripping spy fiction. From classified files to bestselling thrillers, she’s got stories that would make Bond jealous!. She takes us behind the scenes of intelligence work, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, and the surprising realities of spy li...
Mar 25, 2025•41 min•Season 9Ep. 1
In this festive episode of Two Women Chatting , Michelle welcomes back Hannah Bartlett from Jolly Festive for another holiday season! Past Christmas episodes with Hannah have been among our most downloaded to date, so she’s back by popular demand to sprinkle more holiday cheer. Together, they dive into practical tips for making your money go further, taking care of yourself during the busy season, and embracing fun, sustainable ways to reuse Christmas decor and cards. Hannah also shares advice o...
Dec 10, 2024•27 min•Season 8Ep. 10
In this transformative episode of Two Women Chatting , Michelle speaks with breath work coach Caroline Boyle, exploring the profound impact of breath work on wellness, mental health, and emotional resilience. Caroline shares her personal journey with breath work, especially its supportive role during her battle with breast cancer and the loss of her father. Together, they uncover the science and benefits behind conscious breathing, including its effectiveness for managing stress, enhancing athle...
Nov 19, 2024•29 min•Season 8Ep. 9
In this insightful episode of Two Women Chatting , Michelle is joined by Clare Jefferies, owner of four Home Instead franchises, who opens up about her journey into elder care and shares her experiences of caring for ageing parents. Clare emphasises the need for compassionate, person-centred care and offers practical advice on navigating the complexities of the ageing process. The conversation explores proactive approaches to caregiving, from creating safe home environments to discussing sensiti...
Nov 12, 2024•51 min•Season 8Ep. 8
In this inspiring episode, Dame Prue Leith joins Michelle to share her insights on embracing colour and confidence in midlife, encouraging listeners to experiment with their personal style as a means of self-expression. Prue discusses her philosophy that fashion should be fun and that age should never limit our choices. The conversation then moves to a deeply personal topic: assisted dying. Prue, an advocate for the right to a dignified death, shares her perspective on why this choice should be ...
Nov 05, 2024•35 min•Season 8Ep. 7
In this inspiring episode of Two Women Chatting , Michelle sits down with wellness advocate and fitness expert Kate Rowe-Ham for a deep dive into the complex journey of menopause and future proofing our health. Kate shares her insights on how strength training, mindful nutrition and taking charge of personal well-being can transform this life stage. The conversation emphasises the power of health ownership, body confidence, and viewing menopause as a time of growth rather than limitation. Kate a...
Oct 29, 2024•48 min•Season 8Ep. 6
This week on Two Women Chatting , Michelle sits down with Susan Saunders, a renowned brain health coach, to discuss the vital topic of brain health for women over 50. Susan shares her deeply personal journey of caring for her mother with dementia, which inspired her to dive into research on reducing her own risk and helping others do the same. With her expertise, she breaks down the steps we can take to prioritise brain health and offers hope for a healthier future. Key Insights: 🎙️ Prioritisin...
Oct 22, 2024•35 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Michelle sits down with Jessica Buchanan, a former teacher working in Somalia who shares her harrowing experience of being kidnapped and held captive for 93 days. Jess recounts the moment she realised something was wrong and the events that led to her abduction. She vividly describes the conditions she endured during captivity, including sleeping outside in the desert and facing the constant threat of violence. Despite the challenges, Jess demonstrates remarkable resilience and finds solace in i...
Oct 15, 2024•56 min•Season 8Ep. 4
In this enlightening episode of Two Women Chatting , Michelle is joined by psychologist, author and wellbeing expert Suzy Reading to share her top tips for improving sleep and embracing the winter season. Suzy offers practical advice on how to prioritise self-care, create a sleep-friendly routine and even find joy in the colder, darker months. From yoga nidra to gut health, Suzy explains how these often-overlooked factors can make a world of difference in how we sleep and thrive. Key Insights: �...
Oct 08, 2024•36 min•Season 8Ep. 3
In this heartwarming episode of Two Women Chatting , Michelle is joined by ‘instagram poet’ and author Donna Ashworth to explore the transformative power of poetry, vibrant colours and the bravery women show in everyday life, especially in midlife. Donna shares her personal journey from blogger to celebrated poet, discussing how creative expression can heal and uplift. She also treats listeners to a live reading of one of her powerful poems from new book Growing Brave , showcasing how poetry can...
Oct 01, 2024•34 min•Season 8Ep. 2
In this captivating episode of Two Women Chatting , Michelle sits down with the beloved Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver to explore her deeply personal journey and her new book, A Work in Progress . Sue opens up about the complexities of her life, from being adopted and always feeling a bit different to her experiences of resilience, rebellion, and self-discovery. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about ageing positively, embracing who you are and finding joy in life’s second act. Key I...
Sep 24, 2024•41 min•Season 8Ep. 1
In the final episode of Season 7, Michelle sits down with Sara Davison, The Divorce Coach, to discuss the intricacies of navigating divorce in midlife. The conversation delves into the unique challenges faced by individuals during this stage of life and explores why divorce becomes more common, touching on factors such as empty nest syndrome and shifting priorities. Sara offers practical advice on finding a divorce lawyer, managing the cost of divorce, and understanding the different avenues ava...
Jul 08, 2024•43 min•Season 7Ep. 10
In this episode, Michelle sits down with Jacynth Bassett, a leading pioneer and voice in the anti-ageism movement. Jacynth founded 'Ageism is Never in Style', a global consultancy, campaign, and community dedicated to addressing ageism in all its forms. Join them as they explore the impact of ageism on individuals of all ages and genders, and the intersectionality between ageism and sexism. Jacynth was behind viral campaigns #ILookMyAge #RemoveAntiFromAging viewed 40 million plus times on social...
Jul 01, 2024•30 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Do you feel the midlife droop setting in? In this episode, Michelle invites Jo Tuffrey, Pilates instructor and health professional, to discuss the physical and mental changes that occur during midlife. Jo shares her personal experience of going through early menopause and the challenges she faced. She also talks about her journey from being a PE teacher to becoming a Pilates instructor and the development of her online Pilates classes and Menopause Metamorphosis program, helping clients salvage ...
Jun 25, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Do you struggle to find five minutes a day to be calm? In this episode, Michelle sits down with Joanne Mallon, the author and life coach behind 'How to Find Calm in 5 Minutes'. Join them as they delve into the secrets of maintaining composure and finding peace in the midst of life's chaos. Key Insights: 🎙️ The Reality Behind Appearances: Appearances can be deceiving, so avoid comparing yourself to others and remember that everyone has their own struggles. It’s easy to assume those that appear c...
Jun 17, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 7
In this episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle and special guest Dawn Dines, founder of Stamp Out Spiking, tackle the serious issue of drink spiking, with a particular focus on its rise among midlife individuals. They explore personal accounts, including a powerful testimony from Michelle's daughter Jemima, who shares her traumatic spiking experience in Singapore. Together, they discuss the importance of awareness and legislative change to better protect victims. Key Insights: 🎙️ Understanding...
Jun 10, 2024•33 min•Season 7Ep. 6
In this episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle and special guests James and Claire Davis, also known as the Midlife Mentors, explore the challenges and opportunities that come with fluctuating hormones in midlife, with particular reference to andropause and its impact on ageing men. Michelle questions why it is that previously easy going men become stubborn and sometimes downright irritable in midlife - more grumpy 'Victor Meldrew' (the fictional character from BBC's One Foot in the Grave) and ...
Jun 03, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 5
In this episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle and special guest Esther Stanhope, the Impact Guru, embark on an empowering journey of mastering midlife small talk and overcoming social anxieties. Esther shares her transformative journey of overcoming stage fright and building confidence in public speaking, emphasising the importance of authenticity and adding value to the audience. Key Insights: 🎙️ Networking Strategies for Success: Esther and Michelle dive into practical networking strategies...
May 27, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 4
In this episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle and special guest Sarah Orecchia, founder of Unbeelievable Health, explore the fascinating world of bee products and their remarkable benefits for midlife women. Sarah shares her passion for bees and the various products they produce, delving into their incredible properties and uses. Key Insights: 🎙️ Health Benefits of Bee Products: Sarah discusses the incredible health benefits of bee products like propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen, which ha...
May 20, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Welcome back to Season 7 with Michelle Ford! This episode delves deep into the transformative power of manifesting and intentional living with Cherry Healey. Join Michelle and Cherry as they explore the highlights and key takeaways from their insightful conversation: *TW* DISORDERED EATING. Key Insights: 🎙️ Understanding Manifesting: Explore how manifesting and the law of attraction can benefit individuals of all beliefs, as Cherry shares her personal experiences and practical tips for manifest...
May 13, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Kicking off Season 7 in organised style is the wonderful Dilly Carter from BBC’s ‘Sort Your Life Out’. Though we bid farewell to co-host Liz at the end of last season, she joins us for one last interview with Michelle to unveil some of Dilly’s top kept secrets to transforming spaces and bringing tranquillity into the home. Key Insights: 🎙️ Repurposing Spaces: "Discover practical strategies for repurposing your children's rooms as Dilly offers sage advice on boxing up items and making space for ...
May 06, 2024•32 min•Season 7Ep. 1
