In this episode, Lucy and Lisette discuss an interesting dinner party concept - if you could invite three people, alive or deceased, to your dinner table, who would you choose and why?

This leads to a fascinating conversation where the two good friends share their selected trio of dinner guests and the reasoning behind their choices.

Key Highlights

* Lisette's Trio

Lisette takes a very personal approach to this challenge, choosing to invite three people she was very close to and who all passed away in 2008. They were a gay American greengrocer friend, a software entrepreneur who pioneered ideas around environmental accounting and taxation, and her own father. This diverse group represents different eras, passions and personal connections for Lisette, all of whose company she misses and would like to experience again.

* Lucy's Trio

Lucy, on the other hand, wants to meet up and chat with three of the best known writers of all time: the renowned playwright and poet, William Shakespeare; Virginia Woolf, the pioneering novelist and publisher; and J.K. Rowling, the massively successful author of the Harry Potter series of books and films. These three all share literary genius, immense popularity with their audiences, financial success and a flair for business – all of which reflect Lucy's interests.

* The two friends discuss the different creative processes of writers like Lucy’s guests, and composers like Mozart and Beethoven – something Lucy would want to ask her dinner guests about, as well as their lived experience of London in the Elizabethan and early 20th century eras.

* Lisette and Lucy both share poignant personal anecdotes about their loved ones, including Lisette's father thinking he had died and a touching final conversation.

* They wonder how the diverse guests they have both invited to their dinner parties would interact and converse with one another and what intriguing insights they might share.

Why You Should Listen

This episode of The Year of Being 70 offers a unique window into Lucy and Lisette's personal connections, intellectual interests and creative sensibilities. By sharing their dream dinner party guest lists, they give listeners an opportunity to consider who their own ideal dinner party guests might be, and why; as well as gaining insights into what motivates and inspires these two unique and perhaps unusual women.

The conversation also touches on profound themes of mortality, legacy and the enduring power of the human mind and spirit.

Join The Conversation

Who would you invite to an intimate dinner party at your place – people you know or knew well, or heroes past or present? How do you think they would interact with each other and, if they are no longer alive, what would they think of the world today you’ve invited them back to? What would you want to ask them, find out from them or get their insights about? And what menu would you offer them?

Tell us in the comments – we’d love to hear your thoughts and views.

Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging subject, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

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The meaning of "success" is highly personal and can change over the course of our lives. In this episode of The Year of Being 70 podcast, hosts Lisette and Lucy discuss their evolving definitions of success - from the external markers of achievement to the internal sense of fulfilment. In the year of their 70th birthdays, they reflect on how success has taken on new meanings for them.

Key Highlights

• The distinction between outward "success" and inner "fulfilment" - Lisette and Lucy explore how success is often associated with external accomplishments, while fulfilment comes from a more intrinsic sense of purpose and contribution.

• Overcoming self-doubt and the tendency to undervalue our own achievements - The hosts acknowledge the "feminine" tendency to downplay one's successes, and challenge the idea that we should judge ourselves solely on external measures.

• The role of parental expectations and the "eldest daughter effect" - As the eldest daughters in their families, Lucy and Lisette discuss how they often felt the need to please their parents and live up to certain standards of success.

• Helping others achieve their goals as a source of fulfilment - Both hosts find great satisfaction in supporting and enabling the success of others, whether through mentoring, coaching publishing, or facilitating new ventures

• The enduring importance of our parents' approval, even in our 70s - Despite their age, Lisette and Lucy still feel a desire for their late parents' pride and acknowledgment of their achievements.

Why You Should Listen

This conversation offers a refreshing perspective on success and fulfilment at the age of 70. By delving into their personal experiences and reflections, Lucy and Lisette encourage listeners to redefine success on their own terms, embrace their inner strengths, and find joy in supporting the growth of others. This episode will resonate with anyone seeking a more holistic and empowering understanding of what it means to live a successful life.

Join The Conversation

What does success mean to you – how would you define it? Is it more to do with outward markers, or internal feelings? Tell us what achievements, are your greatest successes. If you have children, do you consider them successes of you as a parent? Do you hanker for your parents approval, whatever your age? What gives you your greatest sense of personal fulfilment?

Tell us in the comments – we’d love to hear your thoughts and views.

Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging subject, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

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In this episode, Lucy and Lisette, two longtime friends who turned 70 in 2024, explore the changing dynamics and responsibilities that come with age. As they navigate the transition from middle-age to elderhood, they discuss the value of presence, curiosity, and wisdom that their life experiences have provided.

They discuss how they are now seen as the "elders" in various groups and settings, which brings a sense of responsibility but also freedom. As the oldest in the room, they feel a shift in their role - from needing to prove themselves to being a calming, grounding presence that others look to for wisdom and perspective.

Key Highlights

• The shift from feeling like the 'youngest in the room' to embracing the role of respected elder, being able to speak up more freely without worrying about how they will be perceived, and focusing on listening and sharing their accumulated life experiences.

• Learning to manage time and priorities with a more relaxed, less hurried approach. Lisette shares how she has learned to better organise her time and not feel the need to rush or cram everything in, which was a habit when she was younger.

• They discuss shedding unnecessary 'shoulds' and obligations, and focusing on what truly matters to them at this stage of life while recognising the responsibility to share their accumulated knowledge and provide a grounding presence for younger generations

• Lucy talks about the joys and challenges of being a grandparent, and the differences between parenting and grandparenting. They both share memories of their own grandparents and what that older generation brought to their lives as children.

• Lucy shares her experience of going through her mother's belongings to sell the house she no longer lives in, and how it was an emotional process for her and her siblings, each with their own approach. Lisette emphasiaes the importance of having humour and understanding when going through these family transitions.

• They recognise that these moments of saying goodbye to the past can also represent a farewell to one's own childhood.

Why You Should Listen

This episode provides a thoughtful and relatable perspective on the realities of aging, the benefits of embracing one's role as an elder, and the unique insights that can come with a lifetime of experiences. Lucy and Lisette's candid conversation offers listeners a chance to reflect on their own journeys and the evolving dynamics of age and wisdom. They also consider the implications of being part of the large 'baby boomer' cohort and the potential influence they hold as a group.

Join the Conversation

Are you approaching the age of 70, or have family members, friends or mentors older than yourself who are at that stage? If you are an ‘elder’, how do you feel about your role, especially if it's new to you? If you are younger, what benefits and strengths to older people bring to your life and/or work?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging subject, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

#yearofbeing70 #lucyandlisette #podcast #mccarraherpodcast #ep32 #elders #becomingelders #responsibility #freedom #wisdom #grandparents #growingold #growingolder #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #stability #grounding #thelongview #timemanagement #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40...