How to age well: A Woman's Hour special
Woman's Hour
BBC
4.1 • 3K Ratings
🗓️ 6 May 2024
⏱️ 59 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
We are all ageing, if we're lucky, so in this Woman's Hour special programme, we're exploring how women can age well.
Anita Rani is joined by a panel of women of different ages to talk about the possibility of re-invention and the wisdom of age, as well as the difficulties and barriers women face as they get older. What we can learn from each other and how can women of different generations support each other? Author and psychologist, Dr Sharon Blackie’s book, Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life, explores stories of little-known but powerful elder women in European myth and folklore – with the hope of inspiring women now. She joins Anita to discuss what we can learn from these stories and the power she feels we can gain if we embrace getting older. NHS GP Dr Radha Modgil is often to be found on BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks. Radha joins the discussion to explain the things we can do specifically to age well. She highlights exercise and nutrition, as well as the real need for women to have purpose in their lives, no matter what age they are and how that can impact our ageing both physically and mentally. Our reporter Martha Owen meets Lindi, Sue & Celia in the British Library in London, at a meeting for the Older Peoples Advisory Group – a forum for older community members – hosted by Age UK Camden. They give their thoughts on ageing, what they’ve enjoyed most about getting older and why dancing trumps housework. Cally Beaton was formerly a top TV exec, then she swapped the boardroom for the stage and became a comedian at the age of 45. Ten years later, she now refuses to make self-deprecating jokes in her sets. She joins Anita to discuss what it's like ageing in the public eye, defying her age and the importance of advice from older – and younger – women. The writer and content creator Pippa Stacey's perceptions of ageing have changed because of her experience of a chronic illness. Pippa was diagnosed with ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, while she was at university. She joins Anita to reflect on the impact of the physical changes she has experienced, the pressures young women are under and why she wants to listen to older, and wiser, women. Presenter: Anita Rani Guest: Sharon Blackie Guest: Dr Radha Modgil Guest: Cally Beaton Guest: Pippa Stacey Reporter: Martha Owen Producer: Claire Fox Editor: Erin Riley Studio Engineer: Giles Aspen
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Before you listen to this BBC podcast I'd like to introduce myself. My name's |
| 0:04.0 | Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport |
| 0:07.5 | podcasts. I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with leading |
| 0:11.1 | journalists, experienced pundits and the biggest |
| 0:13.3 | sports stars. Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights |
| 0:17.4 | straight from the player's mouth. But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is |
| 0:22.0 | our unique access to the sporting world. |
| 0:25.0 | What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to |
| 0:28.9 | dedicated sports fans across the UK. |
| 0:31.5 | So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more. |
| 0:37.1 | BBC Sounds Music Radio Podcasts. |
| 0:40.8 | Hello, I'm Anita Rani and welcome to Woman's Hour from BBC Radio 4. |
| 0:45.8 | Hello and Welcome to Woman's Hour. |
| 0:48.3 | I'm Anita Rani and this is our very special programme on Bank Holiday Monday all about ageing, an undeniable |
| 0:55.8 | truth of life which will happen to us all if we're lucky. We'll get older. |
| 1:00.5 | So to get into this huge subject I've got a brilliant panel of guests |
| 1:04.9 | with me in the studio to discuss all the things we think about and perhaps worry |
| 1:08.3 | about when it comes to aging. The highs and the lows, the positive attitudes and the creaking bones. |
| 1:14.0 | But before I introduce them, have a listen to this. |
| 1:16.8 | I'm definitely the cliche of saying, I'm miles happier than I was younger. |
| 1:20.2 | I don't want to ever go back there. |
| 1:21.4 | I mean every single magazine, Instagram, anything, it's all about |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.

