Best Middleage Podcasts (2025)

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Improving Sex in Middleage 50:33

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8d ago50:33

50:33

Join us for an insightful episode of "Man Up Man Down" as we dive into men's health with Jackson Hightower, CEO and founder of Natural Jackson. Discover how Jackson's journey from athlete to health influencer is revolutionizing men's approach to vitality and intimate wellness. The impact of early sports and nutrition education on Jackson's health j…

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Ep 223: Genius or Garbage? 1:43:54

4h ago1:43:54

1:43:54

Colin is missing. Holiday Dan rears his head. The rest of us are equally confused. We take a short dip into the mire of tunes that could be GENIUS or could be GARBAGE. Whatchathink? who knows. it's chilly.

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Episode 199: Are We Changing Lives? 59:07

12h ago59:07

59:07

It's the last MAE episode of the year! Today we're giving a masterclass on how to do small talk for Americans. We're discussing the level of involvement is appropriate for our husbands in home decor, and Mel has a shocking revelation to share about her seasonal colour palate! Merry Christmas MAE Gang! We love you! Don't forget - we'll continue to h…

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#390 You Can't Fill Their Bucket 29:29

1h ago29:29

29:29

Many of us grew up hearing about the bucket analogy, an we were taught to believe that we could fill other people's buckets by complimenting them or telling them great things about themselves. In this podcast I propose that we can't fill anyone else's bucket. That filling our bucket is a job that only we can do, and when we expect others to fill ou…

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Understanding your past through a Hollywood lens. 48:38

4h ago48:38

48:38

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Maria Leonhard Olsen, a multifaceted individual who has transformed her life in remarkable ways. From practicing law in Washington, D.C., to becoming a celebrated author, podcaster, and mentor, Maria shares her journey of overcoming personal challenges and embracing new opportunities. Discover how she navi…

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Richard the Lionheart with Heather Blurton 50:23

5d ago50:23

50:23

Love him or hate him, it’s hard to take one step into the medieval world without running into the larger-than-life figure of Richard the Lionheart. Rebel, crusader, prisoner, castle-builder Richard is one of the most colourful and quotable kings of the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Heather Blurton about how Richard’s contemporaries sa…

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Episode 198: Your Holiday Food Traditions (with crying) 54:46

10h ago54:46

54:46

Well well well! If that wasn't such an emotional rollercoaster! Thank you to everyone who submitted their favourite holiday food and let us into your family traditions. Food is the language of love and we felt ALL the feels recording this episode - a firm favourite of ours this year! All the recipes you hear in this will be available soon on our pa…

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#389 The Partnership of Marriage 32:49

1h ago32:49

32:49

Creating a partnership in our marriages was the goal when we got married, and yet many of us over the years, end up retreating into a paper marriage, a place where we live in the same space, but we do so as roommates, people who aren't connected. The goal of marriage isn't just to share a house and a washing machine, it's to connect emotionally, to…

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The Medieval Order of Assassins with Steve Tibble 55:43

12d ago55:43

55:43

In the last twenty years, the shadowy Assassins of the medieval Middle East have seen a serious resurgence in popularity. And yet, like so many medieval people and groups, it’s still hard to tell the legend from the reality - and that’s just the way the Assassins wanted it. This week, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, w…

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Episode 197: Grown Up Little Homemakers 59:37

8d ago59:37

59:37

Turns out we are grown ups and we buy and do grown up things. Like bulk ordering toilet roll! Look at us go! We catch up on Thanksgiving in the USA and Mel tells us about her hangover and a really unfortunately bagel situation. Listeners - don't forget to send us your favourite holiday family food tradition stories and recipes! We want a quick voic…

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#388 Is it I? 23:46

12d ago23:46

23:46

When Christ informed his disciples that one of them would betray them, their response was, 'Is it I, Lord?' When I'm confronted with something that I did wrong or an accusation, most often my immediate response is, 'What are you talking about? I didn't mess that up! How could you accuse me of such a thing?!?' Hmmm. Very telling. I'm obviously not d…

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Discover the Fascinating World of Glass Eyes 43:16

6d ago43:16

43:16

Do you know what an ocularist is? Neither did I until I went to a talk by today's guest, author Dan Roche. I never would have known about Dan or his book about glass eyes unless I was friends with the illustrator of his new book: "Eyes By Hand". And it is fascinating. In this episode, we learn about the obscure world of glass eye making and talk ab…

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Best Medieval Books of 2025 42:24

16d ago42:24

42:24

It's the most wonderful time of the year: time to celebrate the best medieval books of 2025. This week, Danièle speaks with Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, about their favourite reads this year - and she announces some exciting news about the future of The Medieval Podcast.By Medievalists.net

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Ep 222: The 1980 - 84 SuperDraft 1:15:38

9d ago1:15:38

1:15:38

Get out your UNO cards and play along just don't get SLAPPED. Pick one band from each year 80 - 84 and add one complete CLUNKER for discussion and hilarity. Did we pick yours? Did you pick ours? WAZZZZAAAAAUUUPPP

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Episode 196: What In The Cult? 43:25

13d ago43:25

43:25

Hello it's MAEDAY! This week we ponder our sleep patterns, Gabby shares the labour of a Christmas Craft and Mel shares a bit about the fun weekend she had with Hillary McBride! Listeners - don't forget to send us your favourite holiday family food tradition stories and recipes! We want a quick voicenote to explain the background and the recipe atta…

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#387 The Spiritual Nature of Sexuality with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife 52:43

11d ago52:43

52:43

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and I explored the intersection of spirituality and sexuality, particularly focusing on how societal and religious expectations impact LDS women's understanding and expression of sexuality. Jennifer teaches us about three stages of spiritual and sexual development, including how individuals progress from…

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The Medieval Moon with Ayoush Lazikani 48:22

26d ago48:22

48:22

In the last century we’ve witnessed people set foot on the moon, and seen even the dark side in high-res images, and yet the moon still evokes a sense of romance and mystery, just as it did in the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Ayoush Lazikani about what – and who – medieval people across the world believed the moon to be. Support this…

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Episode 195: Your Body Doesn't Do That Very Well 53:59

20d ago53:59

53:59

Today we get straight into Christmas party chat, Mel gripes about a gym injury and a blunt physiotherapist. Gabby weighs in on premade cocktail recipes, the glory of a bowl of popcorn, and Mel reacts to the HORROR that Gabby has not yet watched a very special holiday classic movie! Listeners - don't forget to send us your favourite holiday family f…

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#386 Overcoming Resentment 30:03

25d ago30:03

30:03

All of us are familiar with the feeling a resentment, the angst that comes from feeling anger, frustration, or envy about how someone else is showing up and we think we're being taken advantage of or that things are unfair or that we don't deserve that treatment. And yet, remembering that resentment is not caused by someone else's behavior, but rat…

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Around the World at 80 44:59

20d ago44:59

44:59

When Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip met more than 25 years ago, after becoming empty nesters and then widows, it was best friends at first sight. They never could've imagined that their relationship would propel them, in their eighties, through an around the globe adventure, or that they would go viral online and inspire people young and old …

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Midlife Opportunities - What's in stock for midlife transition 48:32

24d ago48:32

48:32

In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," we sit down with Ken Valledy, a seasoned entrepreneur and keynote speaker, to explore the journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship. Ken shares his personal story of leaving a successful marketing career to co-found Progressive Acceleration, a company that bridges the gap between startups and major corp…

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The Language of Heresy with Erin Wagner 49:59

1M ago49:59

49:59

With just one word, we can evoke a world of assumptions, stereotypes, and even accusations, clearly marking the difference between who’s in and who’s out. And when it comes to legal terminology, the stakes are even higher. This week, Danièle speaks with Erin Wagner about what late medieval people meant when they used the word heresy, how the usage …

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Episode 194: Wipe Down The Shower! 58:42

1M ago58:42

58:42

We waste no time getting into important stuff this episode - underwear and jammies. Mel has bathroom renovation woes and beef with her MIL. I give my best pitch for watching 'All's Fair' and we have a CALL OUT FOR YOU! Send us a (short) voice-note telling us about your favourite holiday tradition around food. Attach it, and the recipe send it to he…

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#385 Self-Forgiveness 32:56

25d ago32:56

32:56

Sometimes, forgiving ourselves can be really hard. And not only the process, but also the long-lasting repercussions of not being able to accept our human flaws and move forward, to let go of a painful past and move forward with more hope and light. In this episode we are talking about how to forgive ourselves and what to do when the other person d…

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417. Breathing (Replay!) 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

Hey, hey, my runner friend. I'm doing a little self-care and taking the week off from podcasting. So please enjoy this episode from last year! Your breathing is a direct indicator of your effort level. When your breathing feels controlled and relaxed, it means your effort level is right in the sweet spot. And when it feels like you can't catch your…

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Balthild of Francia with Isabel Moreira 54:12

1M ago54:12

54:12

This year, we’ve spent some good quality time with early medieval queens, digging into their mysterious and spectacular lives and reigns. And when it comes to the spectacular, it’s hard to compete with the star of this week’s episode, a woman who arrived in Francia a slave, rose to become a queen, and then ascended to the heavens as a saint. This w…

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Ep 221: MAMH on Ace Frehley 1:30:53

1M ago1:30:53

1:30:53

We lost a legend. But he's been lost before. We'll find him again. Memories, music, experiences, and camaraderie as always. RIP to the Spaceman.

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Episode 193: MAE The Musical 48:29

1M ago48:29

48:29

Welcome back! This week you're getting some spooky chat, some really uneducated thoughts around modern dating and if we missed out on being on apps etc. Mel's mum's dating advice and Gabby gets an unexpected text 😬. Also, what if we made our demands into a musical act - would that get our kids to listen to us? The Making An Effort Podcast is a prou…

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#384 Relational Living 38:22

1M ago38:22

38:22

Learning to live in relationship is a skill, and one that many of us have not learned, let alone even considered. But to have the intimate, connected relationships we innately crave, it is imperative we learn to move into 'we' thinking, considering our spouse and our relationship just as much as we consider ourselves. When we can deeply desire our …

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The Power of Traditional Naturopathy 36:59

1M ago36:59

36:59

Amanda Conta Steencken is a classically trained musician and neuroanatomist originally from Argentina who has a fascinating story about her journey into health and wellness education. Amanda was training in classical piano when she began having problems with her hands. Her health problems became too severe for her to continue in her music training.…

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Navigating Midlife. Fulfilment, Leadership, and Legacy with Bernie Borges 48:29

1M ago48:29

48:29

In this episode of "Men Up, Men Down," we welcome Bernie Borges, creator of the Fulfillment Centric Leadership Framework and host of the Midlife Fulfilled Podcast. Bernie shares his insights on aligning personal purpose with organizational success, the importance of fulfillment over fleeting happiness, and how to navigate the three phases of midlif…

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416. I Don't Even Know Where to Start 13:30

2M ago13:30

13:30

Don't know where to start — or feel like you just don't have time to exercise? In this episode, Jill breaks down the bare minimum you actually need to start moving again. Learn how to build a consistent routine in just a few minutes a day and feel stronger for decades to come. Click HERE to grab the Midlife Movement Makeover!…

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Medieval Vampire Epidemics with John Blair 49:15

2M ago49:15

49:15

As the nights get longer and spookier, there's one thing that's guaranteed to make our hair stand on end: corpses that just won’t stay dead. Especially the ones interested in eating us. This week, Danièle speaks with John Blair about who refused to rest in peace in the Middle Ages, how medieval people attempted to keep the dead buried, and why some…

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Episode 192: I Do Not Consent To Your Tent 51:18

2M ago51:18

51:18

This week we talk about our respective Supper Clubs and a tale about Dave being clumsy with a precious plate. We discuss Mel's son's entrepreneurial skills, Gabby's short lived soccer career and all the extra curriculars we did as kids. The Making An Effort Podcast is a proud listener supported podcast! If you want access to bonus episodes (one com…

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#383 Greatest Hits – Charity is the Antidote 21:51

1M ago21:51

21:51

In the last episode we talked about a huge list of mental and emotional behaviors. In this podcast, we're going to talk about the antidote for these behaviors, which is charity. This amazing piece of Christ-like love will rid us of those dysfunctional relationship disconnectors and instead deepen and strengthen and connect our relationships. Charit…

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Can You Really Transform Your Body at 50?! 1:11:52

2M ago1:11:52

1:11:52

EP 139: Hey, midlife ladies, are you staring down at your weights like they're judging you? Or maybe you're still convinced that picking up a dumbbell will turn you into a pro bodybuilder overnight? I get it—figuring out how to build strength in midlife can feel like one more chore we don't have the energy for. But what if I told you that strength …

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415. F*ck Running! 11:29

2M ago11:29

11:29

In this episode, Jill gets real about why forcing yourself to run—when you hate it, when you're injured, or when your body just isn't responding—doesn't build fitness or confidence. She talks honestly about the grief that comes with stepping back from running if it's part of your identity, and how to find new ways to move that still feel empowering…

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The Two Hundred Years' War with Michael Livingston 44:59

2M ago44:59

44:59

Although a lot of medieval history is murky, the whys and wherefores – not to mention the timeline – of the Hundred Years’ War are firmly nailed down. Or are they? This week, Danièle speaks with Michael Livingston about why the Hundred Years’ War should actually be called the Two Hundred Years’ War, what actually touched off the conflict, and why w…

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Ep 220: The Episode in Metal 1:15:44

2M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

What could be better than THE WEEK IN METAL? THE EPISODE IN METAL.

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Episode 191: Her Patience Is In Her Boots 59:02

2M ago59:02

59:02

We are pre-menstrual - come close at your own risk. We have a whinge, Mel details a netball injury, we discuss Jen Hatmaker's new book 'Awake' Gabs ponders the role of the influencer and the disparity between men and women in that role. We're such a party! The Making An Effort Podcast is a proud listener supported podcast! If you want access to bon…

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#382 Greatest Hits – Mental and Emotional Abusive Behaviors 29:05

2M ago29:05

29:05

Who knew that there were so many ways we could engage in mental and emotional abusive behaviors. Because so much of what we do has been modeled after behavior we experienced growing up, we often don't see the hurt and dysfunction in those behaviors. Educating ourselves on healthier behaviors is vital for our growth and progress. Because when we kno…

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"Cooking Your Way to a Calm Mind" 34:12

2M ago34:12

34:12

Psychotherapist and author Julie Ohana combines two of my loves–psychotherapy and cooking. In fact I just pulled 2 sourdough boules out of the oven. Who bakes in summer? I do! Cooking has been a passion of Julie's since childhood. It started while baking family recipes with her grandmother, working as a prep cook while in high school and as the kit…

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Weight Loss Journey with the Big Fellas 48:29

2M ago48:29

48:29

Join us for an insightful episode of Man Up Man Down, where we team up with Mark and Darren, the hosts of the Big Fellas podcast. We dive into their incredible weight loss journeys, discussing the challenges and triumphs along the way. From personal stories to practical tips, this episode is packed with inspiration and motivation for anyone on a si…

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414. Stop Telling Me To Love My Body 13:36

2M ago13:36

13:36

In this episode, Jill gets real about why "just love your body" can feel dismissive and unrealistic. Instead, she offers a more honest path forward—through respect, neutrality, and treating your body as a partner instead of an enemy. Click HERE to grab the Midlife Movement Makeover

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Medieval Animal Names with Ben Parsons 44:19

2M ago44:19

44:19

Since time immemorial, we've given animals names, from the sublime to the utterly ridiculous. For everyone who’s looked at a puppy or a kitten and wondered what it should be called – and then called it an embarrassingly silly nickname anyway – this episode is for you. This week, Danièle speaks with Ben Parsons about what medieval people named their…

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Episode 190: The Harvest Moon Got Us 47:38

2M ago47:38

47:38

MAE friends! This week we pay tribute to an icon gone too soon - the formidable, inimitable Diane Keaton. We reminisce on her impact as a staple of our 80's/90's comfort movies, her mystery and fashion superiority. What a loss! We also get into a deeper chat about The Life of A Showgirl, the critique around TS herself and some of the lore of the tr…