This week, I’m chatting with facial cupping expert Sakina about something I think so many of us in our 40s quietly wrestle with:
Do I go down the tweakments route… or is there a more natural way to keep my skin feeling alive and glowing?

Botox is everywhere right now - it’s almost become a casual part of getting ready. And while there’s zero judgement, I’ve found myself wondering if there’s another path… something that still makes my midlife skin look fresh, lifted, and me.

That’s where facial cupping comes in.

Sakina talks me through how it actually works (yes, it’s more than a TikTok trend), why it’s becoming such a powerful alternative to tweakments, and what it can do for circulation, lymphatic drainage, sculpting, and that healthy glow we all miss sometimes.

We also go a bit deeper - into the mindset around aging, and the way men and women are allowed to age so differently. And I loved what Sakina had to say about developing a healthier relationship with getting older. Spoiler: it has nothing to do with creams or serums… and everything to do with surrounding yourself with people who bring out your joy.

If you’re standing at that midlife crossroads and thinking, Do I need injectables, or is there something else? - this episode is such an encouraging place to start.

Please do follow along for more episodes of Thriving in our 40s - it's simple, just click subscribe! Thank you.

To discover more about Sakina and her work, please check out:

The Facial Cupping Expert website

IG: @thefacialcuppingexpert

Ever wondered how someone goes from dreaming of writing a book to actually seeing it on the shelf?

Children’s author Alex Atkinson joins Thriving in Our 40s to share how she turned a simple idea into two brilliantly spooky stories, and what her writing journey can teach us about creativity, confidence, and following our passions in midlife.

We talk about finding self-belief when doubt creeps in, learning to take feedback with confidence, and surrounding yourself with a community that lifts you up.

Alex also shares her take on inspiring kids to fall in love with reading - and why staying curious and open-minded matters at any age.

A heartfelt, funny and inspiring chat that reminds us it’s never too late to start your next chapter.

Listen now!

Further Reading:

Buy Spooksmiths Investigate from your local bookshop

Alex Atkinson Website

Save the Cat

Save the Cat Writes a Novel

Into The Woods

Write Mentor

Ever feel like you’re talking to a wall when it comes to your teen? You’re not alone.

In this episode of Thriving in Our 40s, I’m joined by Teen Whisperer, Kirsten Cobabe, to unpack what it really means to be present as a parent - beyond the nagging, lecturing, and “just do as I say” moments we all fall into.

We explore how to:
💬 Have those tricky, awkward conversations that actually build trust
💛 Support rather than dictate and meet your teen in their world
🌱 Give autonomy in a life ruled by school, rules, and routines
🌞 Look at the whole picture of teen mental health - sleep, sunlight, laughter, connection
🙌 Move away from perfection and pressure to raise whole humans, not just high achievers

I even share a few of my own fails (because let’s be honest, we’ve all had them).

It’s not about being the perfect parent, it’s about presence over pressure, and guidance over control.

🎧 Listen now

To learn more about Kirsten's work, please visited:

www.kirstencobabe.com

@kirstencobabe

#ThrivingInOur40s #ParentingTeens #ParentingPodcast #TeenMentalHealth #ConsciousParenting #PresenceOverPressure #GuidanceOverControl #RaisingWholeHumans

Why are so many couples splitting in their 40s and 50s? And how does menopause affect intimacy, desire, and connection?

In this week’s Thriving in Our 40s episode, we go deep with couples and sex therapist Suzette Castle-Mackie - and no topic is off-limits.

✨ Why midlife relationships are under pressure (and the rise of ‘grey divorce’)
✨ The fine line between healthy and destructive conflict
✨ What to do if only one partner wants therapy
✨ How to have those tough conversations, from intimacy and menopause to screen use
✨ Rebuilding connection through vulnerability, passion, and new ways to date
✨ Everyday intimacy tips to feel closer outside the bedroom

🎧 Plus, don't forget to check out these other Thriving In Our 40s episodes:
👉 Dr Sharma & Dr Wright on Menopause & Relationships
👉 Helen on Intimacy, Conflict & Couples Therapy

Subscribe, share with your partner and join us for honest, unscripted conversations about thriving - not just surviving - in your 40s and beyond.

To contact Suzette, please visit: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/suzette-castle-mackie

#ThrivingInOur40s #MidlifeRelationships #CouplesTherapy #MenopauseSupport #SexAfter40 #RelationshipAdvice

Your Menopause 101 guide - from crash menopause and HRT myths to sex after menopause and midlife mental health. With Dr Angela Sharma & Dr Angela Wright of Spiced Pear Health, we dive into the real questions women face but rarely get answered.

This episode of Thriving in Our 40s is your Menopause 101 - an honest, practical conversation with menopause specialists Dr Angela Sharma and Dr Angela Wright of Spiced Pear Health.

We tackle the questions too many women face alone: from the shock of crash menopause, to the myths and realities of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), intimacy and sex after menopause, and the impact on midlife mental health.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
✨ What crash menopause really means - and how hormone blockers affect women
✨ The facts about HRT - how long you should (or shouldn’t) take it, and why lifestyle still matters
✨ Social media myths around menopause - what advice to trust and what to ignore
✨ Supplements - evidence vs hype, and why consistency is key
✨ Testosterone - the benefits, risks, and what we still don’t know
✨ Sex and intimacy in midlife - from low libido to reconnecting with your partner
✨ Communication & relationships - how psychosexual therapy can rebuild trust and connection
✨ Practical GP advice - how to prepare, what to ask, and why persistence matters

Menopause can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re curious about perimenopause symptoms, struggling with low libido, or confused about HRT options, this conversation offers clarity, confidence, and real-world support.

Learn more at Spiced Pear Health with Dr Angela Sharma & Dr Angela Wright.

Further Support:

Maggie's Cancer Care: https://www.maggies.org

Guideline Resources:

BSSM:

https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BSSM-Position-statement-for-management-of-genitourinary-syndrome-of-the-menopause-GSM.pdf

ACOG:

https://www.acog.org/-/media/project/acog/acogorg/clinical/files/clinical-consensus/articles/2021/12/treatment-of-urogenital-symptoms-in-individuals.pdf?rev=42989a66fa1c4daaa148a3853d27bb05&hash=C03514B3BD087D1FE7A80E6E95A545BA

RCOG green top for PMS:

https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1471-0528.14260

NAPS guidelines for PMS:

https://www.pms.org.uk/app/uploads/2018/06/guidelinesfinal60210.pdf

Fashion advice - but not as we know it.In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Thriving In Our Forties, style coach Loulou Storey shares invaluable advice for women who feel disconnected from their wardrobes, unsure of their style, or invisible in midlife.At the heart of Loulou’s approach is her Style Storey Method - a unique process that helps women rediscover their identity through three energy words that reflect who they truly are. This isn’t about trends or body types - it’s about reconnecting with your inner compass, listening to your instincts, and dressing in a way that supports your lifestyle and reflects your personality.Whether you're time-starved, feeling uninspired by your wardrobe, navigating a changing body, or just want to feel visible again, Loulou’s insights will leave you uplifted and reconnected with your own style story.We also talk about:How clothes can help us feel relevant againThe emotional power of functional yet expressive dressingHow to talk to our daughters and young people about style and self-worth without focusing on sizeLoulou’s deeply personal story - how she found her way to becoming a style coach after postnatal depression and body image struggles, and how fashion helped her 'show up' as a mother when she felt most unsure of herselfThis episode is a beautiful blend of practical wisdom and emotional depth, offering a new way of thinking about clothes, confidence, and what it really means to thrive in your forties.Further Resources:Loulou Storey: www.louloustorey.comIG: @louloustorey_stylist: www.instagram.com/louloustorey_stylist/Elizabeth Gilbert 'Big Magic': www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or just not yourself lately? In this episode, we’re joined by nutritional therapist Kate Chaytor-Norris to explore what stress really does to our bodies - especially in our 40s - and how we can NOURISH ourselves back to balance.

We unpack the science, the hormones, and the emotional side of stress, and share practical, compassionate strategies to help you feel more grounded, energised and in tune with your body.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your stress response may have been set in childhood, or even in the womb

• How nutrition can support your nervous system and improve resilience

• The importance of blood sugar stability for mood, focus and energy

• How tired adrenals affect food cravings, energy levels and your ability to exercise

• Why stress can block weight loss (and what to do instead)

• The powerful connection between oestrogen in our water system and hormone health

• How perimenopause and menopause magnify the effects of stress

• And why our bodies are incredibly wise, intuitive beings - they never lie, we just need to start listening

Whether you’re deep in perimenopause or just trying to get through a stressful season, this conversation is packed with reassurance, knowledge and practical tools.

SUBSCRIBE for more empowering conversations on women’s health, midlife transitions, and thriving through the messy bits.

Like this video if it resonated

Comment below: What’s one thing you’re doing to support your body through stress right now?

🎙️ Watch the full episode on YouTube
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thrivinginourforties

Further Resources:

Kate Chaytor- Norris: https://kate-chaytor-norris.co.uk/

I Wish My Doctor Had Told Me This by Kate Chaytor- Norris: https://kate-chaytor-norris.co.uk/books/

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van Der Kolk: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score

BioCera Filter Jug: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/products/biocera-alkaline-water-filter-jug

Wherever you go, there you are by Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wherever-You-There-Are-Mindfulness/dp/0749925485

Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-mindfulness/dp/0749958413