On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Russell Watson — the People’s Tenor — who’s faced more than his share of life’s brutal curveballs. From brain tumours and emergency surgeries to the moments he thought he wouldn’t wake up again, Russell talks with raw honesty about survival, family, and why he’s singing better now than ever. Whether you’re approaching 60 with a clean bill of health or carrying the scars of your own battles, this is a conversation about resilience, priorities, and finding j...
Aug 14, 2025•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen are fresh from three sell-out Edinburgh Fringe shows — and ready to spill the tea on their best moments… and the bits they’d rather forget. From the joy of full houses and unexpected celebrity inspiration to the heated debate over pillowcase etiquette, it’s a rollercoaster of laughs, digs, and questionable housekeeping. Expect congealed bacon croissant horror, shroud-like bedding, and the mystery of the missing clitoral stimulator finale. Because no...
Aug 12, 2025•14 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Professor Rose Anne Kenny- Ireland’s leading expert on ageing, bestselling author of Age Proof , and a woman who absolutely refuses to tell Kaye her age. (For good reason.) Together, they dive into the science of staying young without falling for fads - from why feeling younger literally slows down how you age, to what actually works when it comes to vitamins, resistance training, and keeping your marbles. Whether you're curious about cold showers, confuse...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we discover that behind Karen’s wholesome image lies a woman who hides chocolates from her partner and grows kombucha monsters in the living room, while the pair share stories about plumping lipsticks, fringe show nerves, Pamela Anderson’s barefaced brilliance, and what it feels like to really be in love past 50. Whether you’re hiding a secret stash of choccies or wondering if you’ll ever feel giddy about someone again - this one’s for you. Get in touch with your ...
Aug 05, 2025•22 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Alison Cork, MBE - entrepreneur, author, and self-confessed late bloomer - who opens up about the moment she looked in the mirror at 57 and decided to change everything. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your second act or just quietly wondering where your spark went, Alison’s story is proof that it’s never just about weight or wellness, it’s about reclaiming your energy, your ambition, and your voice. She shares the wake-up call that changed her habits, her...
Jul 31, 2025•54 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we cover everything from hernias that hum to hospital forms that make you question your own sanity. Karen’s recovering from her second breast surgery (and hilariously failing the pre-op quiz), while Kaye’s trying not to spiral at the sight of an empty Fringe venue. We talk healing, glue instead of bandages, nipple-free bravery, and the strange comfort of toast with marmalade. Plus: the joy of walking 7,500 steps and the horror of your phone reminding you that last...
Jul 29, 2025•20 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Fiona Lambert, who’s swapped corporate couture for dating apps and tattoos — and she’s not looking back. After 31 years of marriage, Fiona is navigating life solo in her 60s: full of confidence, cautious optimism, and the occasional dating disaster involving a fake address and a wig disguise (yes, really). We talk sex, self-worth, and the seductive thrill of saying "no" — plus why midlife reinvention isn’t about being complete, but finally being you . Whet...
Jul 24, 2025•45 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re knee-deep in chaos and cheek as Karen battles dodgy insurers, preps for her second surgery, and reflects on life in separate bedrooms — while Kaye returns from sun-soaked Porto dreaming of relocation and lighter luggage. Whether you’re wrestling with bureaucracy, body image, or the question of whether your shorts still fit because they’re baggy , this episode delivers the usual mix of raw honesty and riotous laughter. We’ve got Fringe gossip, family baggage ...
Jul 22, 2025•17 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Judy Murray, who opens up about life after elite tennis, grandparenting with gusto, and why golf (not romance) is her new great love. Whether you remember her as the fierce figure in the Wimbledon box or the surprisingly funny contestant on Strictly , this conversation reveals the woman behind the headlines: smart, self-deprecating, and done with skinny jeans. We talk about: What really happens in the player’s box Why she never let the boys win — until the...
Jul 17, 2025•45 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re in full summer mode — or trying to be. Karen’s battling slugs, rogue cauliflower, and a partner who may have faked a hernia for attention. Kaye’s sunning herself in Spain, confessing to lazy mornings, Golden Girls reruns, and questionable SPF choices. From surgical bras stuck to stitches, to the unspeakable horror of tan lines between tummy rolls, it’s proof that midlife holidays are anything but serene. Whether you’re slapping on Factor 50 or still clinging...
Jul 15, 2025•18 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Glynis Barber — actress, wellness advocate, and one half of iconic ‘80s duo Dempsey and Makepeace . Now approaching 70, Glynis shares how fear used to quietly rule her decisions — until one pivotal question made her completely change how she shows up in the world. We talk reinvention, long-term love (even if your husband still can’t dance), and what it really means to live “agelessly” when the world insists on putting you in a box. Whether you’re still wor...
Jul 10, 2025•47 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re deep in cauliflower season (Karen vs. Slugs: Round 3), baking our way through cardamom moods, and navigating campervan logistics that would make Enid Blyton blush. Kaye’s rediscovering her love of reading (thanks, Amy Bloom), while Karen shares the emotional whiplash of post-op rashes, toddler shoe shopping, and prepping for round two of surgery with her usual dark humour and a side of millionaire’s shortbread. Also in the mix: rash revelations, auction room...
Jul 08, 2025•19 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by American writer and psychotherapist Amy Bloom, who shares the extraordinary story behind her memoir In Love - a tender, raw, and deeply honest account of her husband Brian’s decision to end his life at Dignitas after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. But this isn’t a story about assisted dying. It’s a love story - one that begins with deep affection, holds steady through devastating change, and ends in an act of unwavering devotion. We talk abo...
Jul 03, 2025•50 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup , Karen’s fresh out of surgery and Kaye’s just back from Paris. Naturally, we kick off with a rogue penis, a marmalade moment, and a quick lesson in echo cancellation. Karen shares a raw, funny account of hospital life: surgical stockings, toast better than sourdough, and the emotional wobble that comes with waiting for results. There’s honesty about healing, the frustration of being a terrible patient, and the heartbreak of not being able to lift your grandchild w...
Jul 01, 2025•20 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Sarah Vine, who opens up about the slow unraveling of her marriage to Michael Gove, the fallout from politics, and the childhood wounds that made it hard to ever say, “What about me?” It’s never just about divorce — it’s about disappearing, dimming yourself, and trying to be good enough for people who never really saw you. But at 58, Sarah’s finally drawing a line. In this conversation, she shares how writing her memoir helped her process the damage, break...
Jun 26, 2025•49 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re with Kaye and Karen ahead of Karen’s breast cancer surgery — and true to form, she’s been cutting hedges, hoovering stair carpets, and planning which shade of red lipstick to take to hospital. We talk about the surreal build-up to surgery, the power of distraction, and the shock absorbers our brains kindly deploy when reality feels too big. There’s also nesting, mallet shopping, granola stress, and the unexpected comfort of community. Whether you’re facing s...
Jun 24, 2025•16 min
She left Holby City , dropped 3 stone, gained a granddaughter, and is still lighting up the West End in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . This week, actress and accidental TikTok star Catherine Russell joins us to talk joyful ageing, misophonia, campervan blow-ups, ditching the hair dye — and why she’s determined to choose joy in her 60s. Got your own reinvention (or campervan row) to share? We’d love to hear from you at podcast@htb60.com And don’t forget — we’re at the Edinburgh Fringe , 10–1...
Jun 19, 2025•40 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Karen shares something profoundly personal: her recent breast cancer diagnosis. From finding a lump, to unexpected test results, to prepping for surgery — she opens up about the emotional rollercoaster, the conversations with family, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going when life changes overnight. This episode is about the surrealness of it all — how it doesn’t feel like it’s happening, how you shop for post-surgery bras while still cycling to appointmen...
Jun 17, 2025•15 min
She’s 63 with a biological age of 20 — and Kaye and Karen are trying to smile through the envy. In this episode, they’re joined by journalist and author Sandra Parsons, whose book Age Less is flying off shelves faster than a pair of sensible Skechers. Sandra shares how she rewired her body (and mindset) through fibre, fasting, running, and yes — cauliflower for breakfast. From the science of glycans and autophagy to the reality of longevity clinics and the occasional well-timed Turkish bath, thi...
Jun 12, 2025•42 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Karen returns from her Hebridean holiday – campervan, cow traffic, and all – and declares herself a far superior driver (Stephen’s bruised knuckles may disagree). Meanwhile, Kaye faces the emotional landmine of letting go – almost – of her late mum’s chandelier, dad’s favourite chair, and that ugly-but-meaningful desk… all for the Yorkshire Auction House . Plus: why Kaye’s poached eggs could double as weapons, and the moment she had to place a jumbo salt tub on th...
Jun 10, 2025•23 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by author and menopause campaigner Kate Muir , who takes us through the glorious chaos of her fifties—from divorce and career detonation to therapy, HRT, and finally, healing on a Hebridean beach. Kate lays bare the mess and magic of a “magnificent midlife crisis,” revealing how hormonal havoc triggered a total life reboot—and why she believes therapy is more necessity than indulgence. From tear-stained shopping lists to surprise late-life love, her story is ...
Jun 05, 2025•44 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we find Karen fresh off the plane from Italy — sun-kissed, smug, and still moaning about Kaye’s teacups. Meanwhile, Kaye's dealing with a holiday-free existential wobble, thanks to ITV’s major cuts to Loose Women . But true to form, she’s channeling change into downsizing chaos, emotional reinvention... and maybe offloading a baby grand piano. From lipstick regrets to toe-breaking tragedies and a t-shirt that defied hygiene norms, it’s never just about summer holi...
Jun 03, 2025•24 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by the world’s coolest makeup artist and Glow Up judge, Val Garland , who proves that ageing doesn’t mean fading — it means owning. From painting gold curtains post-divorce to redefining what it means to be stylish at 66, Val shares how she lives boldly, dresses on her own terms, and refuses to shrink to fit. We talk fearless reinvention, finding your signature look, and why “you look good for your age” isn’t the compliment people think it is. Val’s take? “Do...
May 29, 2025•46 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Karen’s trying to shake a cold and wrangle baby Tulip (not easy when you’ve only packed menthol tissues and blind optimism). Kaye joins her for a heartfelt conversation about motherhood, timing, and the lives we don’t end up living. It’s a conversation about choice, but also circumstance — and how easy it is to misread someone else’s story. Whether you’ve raised a brood, hoped to, or never saw it for yourself — this one’s gentle, honest, and wide open. Get in touc...
May 27, 2025•15 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Karen Mooney, the matchmaker behind high-end dating agency Sara Eden, to talk silver splitters, second chances, and what older women really want from a partner. (Spoiler: it's not a brown Sierra.) Kaye confesses to lying about her great-nephew. Karen McKenzie puts her daughter’s boyfriend to work. And we ask the big question: if your partner vanished tomorrow, would you even want to replace them? Whether you’re newly single, long-time married, or team “nev...
May 22, 2025•40 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Kaye and Karen go from garden tours to glam squads — and land right in the middle of the Pamela Anderson makeup-free Met Gala drama. What happens when women over 50 stop asking permission? You get rebellion in lipstick form, fury at the word “frumpy,” and a quiet refusal to be told what ageing should look like. Because hitting 60 isn’t about fading out. It’s about deciding for yourself. Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Hosted on Acast. See aca...
May 20, 2025•19 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by stand-up legend Jeff Innocent, who proves that life doesn’t mellow you — it just sharpens the comedy. From farting in first class to falling in love at 68, Jeff takes us on a ride through what it really means to age disgracefully (and brilliantly). He opens up about his unexpected daughter, his late-life fame thanks to a young comic’s intervention, and why he’s only just getting honest on stage — and in life. Whether you’re mortified by mid-train mishaps o...
May 15, 2025•44 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re talking tattoos — from drunken wrist blunders to meaningful mum tributes, nipple symbols of survival, and the beauty of late-life ink. Whether you’ve never fancied one or you’re already inked up like a wildflower meadow, it’s never just about the tattoo — it’s what it means . Kaye’s still shocked she’s got one, Karen’s daughters went stealth-mode, and listeners sent in some brilliant, bonkers, and beautiful tattoo stories (including the woman who accidentall...
May 13, 2025•16 min
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by actress Cheryl Fergison — forever known to many as Heather from EastEnders — who opens up about turning 60, the decade of upheaval she’s survived, and why this milestone might just mark her true comeback. From cancer and food banks to trolls and tabloid takedowns, Cheryl reflects on the tough years since Albert Square — and how her younger husband, her son, and a hard-won sense of humour have kept her going. Also in this episode: Kaye confesses to texting ...
May 08, 2025•44 min
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re talking about how turning 60 today is a whole different beast — less pinnies and perms, more denim cut-offs and dodgy car keys. From grandmothers on ponies to short hair politics and the surprisingly emotional weight of a fringe, we unpack how getting older has changed — in looks, in attitude, and in spirit. Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Book tickets for our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe at https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/even...
May 06, 2025•17 min
