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The Year of Being 70

The Year of Being 70

By: Lucy McCarraher & Lisette Schuitemaker
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About this listen

Lucy McCarraher and Lisette Schuitemaker are childhood friends. Born one month apart in 1954, they both hit 70 in 2024. In this podcast they take the long view of their experiences, the changes that have taken place through their 70 years of existence in their own lives, their families, their countries and the world. Lucy is British; Lisette is Dutch. Both are authors, eldest daughters and founders of businesses. Every week they check in on each other, recall their younger selves, discuss an important issue, and laugh a lot. You'll love this podcast if you enjoy: * Honest discussions between good friends * Social history from the 1950s to present day * Memories of growing up in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s * Living and working through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s * Hearing about families and relationships * Entrepreneurship and business * Writing and reading books * A bit of politics from a personal point of view * Women's issues and the changing face of feminism * What it's like to be 70 in the 2020sCopyright 2025 Lucy McCarraher & Lisette Schuitemaker Art Literary History & Criticism Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • City vs Country, Old vs Modern - the Influence of Childhood Homes
    Aug 12 2025

    In this episode, lifelong friends Lucy and Lisette dive deep into how the homes and environments they grew up in have profoundly shaped who they are today, even into their 70s. As they reflect on the houses, neighbourhoods, and cities that defined their childhoods, an intimate portrait emerges of how our most formative spaces leave an indelible mark on our personalities, values, and life paths.

    Join these two septuagenarians as they unpack the surprising ways our living spaces become inextricably linked to our identities.

    Key Insights

    • Lucy and Lisette grew up in very different home environments - Lucy in a large, eccentric house in London, Lisette in a modern, eco-friendly home in a small town outside Amsterdam

    • These early childhood homes shaped their personalities and preferences as adults - Lucy gravitating towards the country and Lisette towards city living

    • Both see their childhood homes as having a strong influence on their adult lives and the homes they've chosen for themselves

    • There is a mix of nostalgia and rebellion towards their childhood homes - Lucy wanting to preserve the memories of her eccentric family home, Lisette more open to change and modernisation

    • The homes they grew up in have left a lasting imprint on their identities and outlook on life

    Why You Should Listen:

    This conversation offers a unique window into the lifelong impact of our most formative living spaces. The homes we grow up in can create a "neurological imprint" that subtly guides our preferences and expectations for the rest of our lives. Many people either rebel against or unconsciously recreate the environments they knew as children when establishing their own homes as adults. Nostalgia for childhood homes can be a powerful force, even if those spaces were less than ideal - there's a comfort in the familiar.

    Whether you're nearing 70 yourself or simply curious about the profound role environment plays in shaping human identity, you'll find Lucy and Lisette's reflections insightful, relatable, and surprisingly profound. Gain a deeper appreciation for how the places we call "home" become inextricably linked to who we are.

    Join The Conversation

    How has your childhood home/s and environment/s influenced you as an adult? Do you live somewhere similar to where you grew up, or have you chosen to live somewhere, and in a style completely different? Do you feel nostalgic about the places you spent your childhood, or do you shudder at the memory of them?

    If you feel like sharing, tell us your personal experience 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 a universal 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 #ep40 #turning70 #being70 #childhoodhomes #familyhouse #familyhome #modernhome #oldhouses #architecture #apartment #farmhouse #grade2listed #ageingwell #oldage #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40 #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #sharedhistories #podcastabouthistory #trendspodcast #lifeafter70 #aginggracefully #personalstories #friendshipinoldage #womenspodcast #turning70 #agingjourney #podcastaboutaging #lifeafter50 #reinventionat50 #aginggracefully #lifelonglearning #womenover50 #personalgrowth #midlifetransitions #agingpodcast #wisdomat70 #personaltransformationstories...

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    48 mins
  • Realities of Age 70: Being Honest and Vulnerable
    Aug 5 2025

    In this candid and relatable episode of "The Year of Being 70" podcast, hosts and childhood friends Lucy and Lisette openly discuss the physical and emotional realities of ageing. From Lisette's recent eye and skin issues to Lucy's past struggles with weight, menopause, and high blood pressure, the two friends vulnerably share their personal experiences with the changing nature of their bodies.

    Key Highlights

    • Lisette opens up about a recent tear in her retina and the challenges of dealing with age-related eye problems

    • Lucy reflects on how her body has changed over the years, including joint pain and inflammation during menopause that has since improved with weight loss

    • The hosts explore the societal pressure to appear "in control" and "professional" as older adults, even when experiencing normal physical changes

    • They discuss the emotional and psychological aspects of menopause, with Lisette sharing her perspective on how hot flushes can be a natural process of "burning up" old resentments

    • Lisette and Lucy grapple with the realisation that at 70, they are no longer "middle-aged" but firmly in the "elderly" category, prompting reflections on mortality and being a "burden" on society

    Why You Should Listen

    This episode provides a refreshingly honest look at the realities of ageing, challenging the sometimes romanticised narrative around growing older.

    By openly sharing their personal health journeys, Lucy and Lisette offer a relatable and empathetic perspective on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of being 70. Listeners will come away with a greater appreciation for the complexities of the ageing process and the importance of embracing both the ups and downs with compassion.

    Join The Conversation

    What's your experience of health and wellness as you've aged? Have you worked at staying super-healthy, or has ill-health hit you out of the blue? Have any effects of ageing made you feel suddenly vulnerable, like Lisette's eye problem? Or have you found some antidotes to ageing like Lucy has with HRT and Mounjaro?

    If you feel like sharing, tell us your personal experience 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 a universal 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 #ep40 #ageingskin #ageingeyes #eyesight #contactlenses #skincancer #lasertreatment #menopause #weightloss #weightgain #mounjaro #hrt #achesandpains #arthritis #turning70 #being70 #ageingwell #oldage #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40 #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #sharedhistories #podcastabouthistory #trendspodcast #lifeafter70 #aginggracefully #personalstories #friendshipinoldage #womenspodcast #turning70 #agingjourney #podcastaboutaging #lifeafter50 #reinventionat50 #aginggracefully #lifelonglearning #womenover50 #personalgrowth #midlifetransitions #agingpodcast #wisdomat70 #personaltransformationstories #dutchpodcast #netherlandsvoices #britishdutchpodcast #womenat70 #agingineurope #wisdomacrossborders #storytellingwithpurpose #aifriendlypodcast

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    47 mins
  • Reinventing Not Retiring - How We Turned 60
    Jul 28 2025

    In this episode, Lisette and Lucy, lifelong friends who turned 70 together in 2024, reflect on their productive and transformative years between 60 and 65. Both women share how this period was a time of reinvention, consolidation of their experiences, and stepping into new roles and responsibilities. Their insightful conversation highlights how the traditional notions of retirement age can be challenged, and how the 60s can be a time to truly come into one's own.

    Key Insights

    • Lucy and Lisette both found that their 60s were a time of immense productivity, creativity, and stepping into leadership roles - contrary to the common perception of this age as a time to wind down.

    • Both women wrote more books during this period, drawing on their wealth of experience to share their knowledge and inspire others.

    • Lisette took on the role of chair for an educational charity, while Lucy founded the Business Book Awards and became the Publish Mentor for the Key Person of Influuence programme - initiatives that allowed them to share their wisdom and have a wider impact.

    • The women reflect on how their earlier life experiences, including periods of uncertainty and reinvention, ultimately converged to help them feel more grounded and confident in their 60s.

    • Lisette and Lucy emphasise the importance of not seeing traditional retirement age as a finish line, but rather as a springboard for new adventures, contributions, and personal growth.

    Why You Should Listen

    This conversation provides a refreshing and empowering perspective on being in your 60s, challenging the traditional notions of retirement and old age. Lisette and Lucy's stories of reinvention, leadership, and creative expression during this period will inspire listeners to embrace the opportunities that come with this stage of life. Their insights offer encouragement and guidance for those approaching or already in their 60s, as well as a hopeful message for younger listeners about the potential that lies ahead.

    Join The Conversation

    Have you reached your 60s - if so how has your experience been? has it been a productive and creative era for you as it has been for Lucy and Lisette? Or are you approaching your 60s - and is it feeling like it could be the beginning of the end? Or are you beyond your 60s like L&L - are you enjoying the years of consolidation as much as they are?

    If you have personal experience or stories you'd like to share, tell us about them 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 a universal 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 #ep39 #turning60 #being60 #60-56 #retirement #neverretire #nevergiveup #creativity #authors #writeyourbook #booktok #howtowritefictionwithoutthefuss #eldestdaughtereffect #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40 #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #sharedhistories #podcastabouthistory #trendspodcast #lifeafter70 #aginggracefully #personalstories #friendshipinoldage #womenspodcast #turning70 #agingjourney #podcastaboutaging #lifeafter50 #reinventionat50 #aginggracefully #lifelonglearning #womenover50 #personalgrowth #midlifetransitions #agingpodcast #wisdomat70 #personaltransformationstories #dutchpodcast #netherlandsvoices #britishdutchpodcast #womenat70 #agingineurope...

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    44 mins
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