Best Podcasts For Women Over 50

By Rachel Lankester, Founder Magnificent Midlife

I absolutely love podcasts and listen to them all the time. I thought it only fair to share some of my favorites, my personal list of the best podcasts for women over 50 or just generally in midlife. Especially if you’re a bit like me and love to learn about new things, people and ideas!

Usually I listen to podcasts on regular speed if I want to take the time to indulge in the speaker or their ideas. But sometimes I listen on 1.5 time speed if I’m pretty sure I can ingest the cool content at speed without losing any of its goodness. Either way I listen when I’m walking, running, driving, flying (that was in a different life), and when wandering around the house doing random things like cleaning or cooking.

I’ve been so inspired by podcasts that I even started my own! And of course, being a midlife woman creating content to inspire and empower midlife women, my podcast, called the Magnificent Midlife Podcast is the absolute bestest in the whole wide world ever for midlife women! You can listen on the player below!

So I’m just putting that out there first! But here are others I really, really recommend. They’re not necessarily about midlife or even about women, but if you’re anything like me, which means curious, multi-passionate and just hungry to learn about anything and everything, these are almost as magnificent as mine!

Unlocking Us

Who wouldn’t want to listen to Brené Brown whenever and wherever possible? And of course she has the most amazing guests. I love every episode but especially the one with Harriet Lerner on the art of apologizing. As I started listening I realised I’d read Harriet’s book The Dance of Intimacy as recommended by a marriage guidance counsellor many moons ago. It was a book that changed my life. And Brené was raving about another of Harriet’s books The Dance of Anger which I promptly bought. There is just so much good stuff here.

Menopodcast

If you’re in perimenopause and wondering what’s happened to your life, this is a good place to get lots of information about menopause; the good, the bad and the ugly. But with a generally pretty positive spin which is what I prefer. The wonderful and hilariously funny hosts, Sarah and Julia must be good at picking guests too, because they’ve had me on three times! This was one of the most popular podcasts for women talking about menopause.

Messy Middle Road Trip

This is another double act podcast and lots of fun. I love Janine and Nicole’s approach to interviewing their guests and they have such interesting women on their show too. They cover a huge variety of different topics but every episode has something to teach you, which I love. And they don’t shy away from the hard stuff.

Fortunately with Fi and Jane

These two are guaranteed to put a smile on my face. I love both these BBC broadcasters and putting them together is a stroke of genius. Prepare to giggle out loud and be very well entertained by two magnificent midlife women. I’m waiting for them to invite me on their show!

Twisting the Plot

If you’ve ever wondered if your best years are behind you and are unsure of how to do things differently in the second half of your life, this is the podcast for you. Two New York psychotherapists pick apart the narratives we wrap ourselves up in and share stories of women twisting their plots at every opportunity. Anything is possible.

Sh*gged, married, annoyed

Okay this one is a little out of left field, but when I need a really good laugh, this is the podcast I turn to. Admittedly it does get ruder and ruder as time goes on. So if you’re of a sensitive disposition, I wouldn’t recommend this one. But if you’re able to put any and all sensitivities to one side, there is nothing funnier than Chris and Rosie Ramsay prattling on together in their kitchen about life, the universe and revolting things and people. But don’t say I didn’t warn you!

The Tim Ferriss Show

This one has absolutely nothing to do with midlife and not that often women either. But it’s the first podcast I ever listened to and I learnt so much from it. I’ve discovered many new writers, ideas and other interesting people through listening to it. Stoicism for example! And he’s interviewed Brené Brown too. Tim’s podcasts are very long and I got into the habit of listening to them at 1.5x speed. Currently I’m listening to them at normal speed but if you want to get through lots of ideas in a shorter time period, try speeding him up.

Zestful Ageing

I reckon this is one of the best of the podcasts focusing specifically on ageing, of which there are a few. I really enjoy Nicole Christina’s approach and enthusiasm, and the diverse people she interviews on her show. She’s really getting the message out (she’s listened to in 88 countries) about how ageing is something to be embraced and enjoyed, while at the same time, not being afraid to tackle the difficult issues that come along with it too.

This American Life

This is another one that has nothing to do with midlife or women. But if you enjoy learning about different people and experiences, this is a fabulous podcast in which to indulge. It’s particularly good on long car journeys! The stories just grab you by the throat and capture your imagination. For anyone who is endlessly curious and likes a good story.

How To Own The Room & How To Fail

I’ve put these two in joint position at #10. I can’t really choose between them and they’re both fantastic. How to Own the Room is by Viv Groskop and How to Fail is by Elizabeth Day. Both these podcasts grew out of books their hosts have written. I love the style of these interviewers and they are such powerful women, it’s a delight to listen to them interview other fascinating individuals. Elizabeth Day did some wonderful pandemic podcasts which I found really useful.