

How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams
Kaye Adams
Turning 60 isn’t about slowing down—it’s about shaking things up. Whether it’s downsizing and embracing a simpler life, starting a new career, moving abroad, or navigating love and relationships in unexpected ways, How To Be 60 proves that this stage of life is anything but predictable.Join Kaye Adams and her brilliantly blunt co-host, Karen MacKenzie, as they chat with familiar faces and everyday people rewriting the rulebook on aging. With honesty, humour, and plenty of surprises, they explore what it really means to embrace change, challenge expectations, and make the years ahead the best yet.If you’re wondering what’s next—or just need a reminder that it’s never too late to do something bold - this is the podcast for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 26, 2025 • 49min
Sarah Vine on Divorce, Disappearing — and Writing Herself Back In
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Sarah Vine, who opens up about the slow unraveling of her marriage to Michael Gove, the fallout from politics, and the childhood wounds that made it hard to ever say, “What about me?”It’s never just about divorce — it’s about disappearing, dimming yourself, and trying to be good enough for people who never really saw you. But at 58, Sarah’s finally drawing a line. In this conversation, she shares how writing her memoir helped her process the damage, break the cycle for her kids, and quietly start again — on her own terms.Whether you’ve stayed too long, stayed too quiet, or just want to feel seen again, this one wll land with you.Sarah's book "How Not To Be A Political Wife" is out now.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 2025 • 16min
Midweek Catchup: Hedge Trimming, Hospital Bags & Red Lipstick Resilience
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we’re with Kaye and Karen ahead of Karen’s breast cancer surgery — and true to form, she’s been cutting hedges, hoovering stair carpets, and planning which shade of red lipstick to take to hospital.We talk about the surreal build-up to surgery, the power of distraction, and the shock absorbers our brains kindly deploy when reality feels too big. There’s also nesting, mallet shopping, granola stress, and the unexpected comfort of community.Whether you’re facing something tough or just dealing with the everyday chaos of being a woman over 60, this one’s full of warmth, grit, and a few perfectly placed tea bags.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 19, 2025 • 40min
Catherine Russell On Being 3 Stone Down and Joyfully 60
She left Holby City, dropped 3 stone, gained a granddaughter, and is still lighting up the West End in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This week, actress and accidental TikTok star Catherine Russell joins us to talk joyful ageing, misophonia, campervan blow-ups, ditching the hair dye — and why she’s determined to choose joy in her 60s.Got your own reinvention (or campervan row) to share?We’d love to hear from you at podcast@htb60.com And don’t forget — we’re at the Edinburgh Fringe, 10–12 August at 2:45PM.Book tickets now via Gilded Balloon or the Fringe website — it’ll be emotional, and probably inappropriate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 17, 2025 • 15min
Midweek Catchup: When You Hear the Word Cancer (Karen's Diagnosis)
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Karen shares something profoundly personal: her recent breast cancer diagnosis. From finding a lump, to unexpected test results, to prepping for surgery — she opens up about the emotional rollercoaster, the conversations with family, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going when life changes overnight.This episode is about the surrealness of it all — how it doesn’t feel like it’s happening, how you shop for post-surgery bras while still cycling to appointments, and how even in the middle of it, there’s room for strawberries, courgettes, and a little lipstick.Whether you’ve faced something similar, or you’re supporting someone who has, Karen’s story will resonate — honest, grounded, and full of heart.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 2025 • 42min
Sandra Parsons on Outrunning Your Age (Literally)
Join Sandra Parsons, a journalist and author of 'Age Less', as she shares her inspiring journey of transforming her health and mindset to achieve a biological age of 20 at 63. Discover her secrets involving fiber, fasting, and running, plus a hilarious take on the new-age dining dilemma of cauliflower over Chardonnay. Explore intriguing concepts like autophagy and the challenges faced as one embraces healthy aging. With humor and warmth, Sandra inspires listeners to stop accepting age as a limit and start redefining it.

Jun 10, 2025 • 23min
Camper Vans, Crap Cooking & Crystal Chandeliers
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Karen returns from her Hebridean holiday – campervan, cow traffic, and all – and declares herself a far superior driver (Stephen’s bruised knuckles may disagree). Meanwhile, Kaye faces the emotional landmine of letting go – almost – of her late mum’s chandelier, dad’s favourite chair, and that ugly-but-meaningful desk… all for the Yorkshire Auction House.Plus: why Kaye’s poached eggs could double as weapons, and the moment she had to place a jumbo salt tub on the dinner table.Whether you're downsizing, free camping, or trying to impress the neighbours with wild salmon (don’t), there’s something here for everyone who knows this chapter of life is never dull.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com – and yes, there’s still time to book tickets for the How to Be 60 live show at the Edinburgh Festival (Aug 10–12, 2:45pm) at https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5856/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 5, 2025 • 44min
Kate Muir: The Midlife Crash That Became Her Comeback
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by author and menopause campaigner Kate Muir, who takes us through the glorious chaos of her fifties—from divorce and career detonation to therapy, HRT, and finally, healing on a Hebridean beach.Kate lays bare the mess and magic of a “magnificent midlife crisis,” revealing how hormonal havoc triggered a total life reboot—and why she believes therapy is more necessity than indulgence. From tear-stained shopping lists to surprise late-life love, her story is raw, witty, and defiantly hopeful.Whether you're battling brain fog or just wondering what's next, this is a must-listen for anyone trying to make sense of their second act.Kate's new book, How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis: Rethink, Reboot, Revive and Thrive, is out now.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 3, 2025 • 24min
Midweek Catchup: Tan Lines & The Loose Women Shake-Up
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, we find Karen fresh off the plane from Italy — sun-kissed, smug, and still moaning about Kaye’s teacups. Meanwhile, Kaye's dealing with a holiday-free existential wobble, thanks to ITV’s major cuts to Loose Women. But true to form, she’s channeling change into downsizing chaos, emotional reinvention... and maybe offloading a baby grand piano.From lipstick regrets to toe-breaking tragedies and a t-shirt that defied hygiene norms, it’s never just about summer holidays. Because no one tells you your sixties will involve arguing over crockery while secretly Googling “Russian Red vs. Chili.”Whether you’re team mug-specific or team make-do, this one’s for anyone balancing life’s curveballs with a dodgy yoga pose and a bit of perspective.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 29, 2025 • 46min
Val Garland: The Red Lip, the Confidence, and the Power of Owning Your Age
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by the world’s coolest makeup artist and Glow Up judge, Val Garland, who proves that ageing doesn’t mean fading — it means owning. From painting gold curtains post-divorce to redefining what it means to be stylish at 66, Val shares how she lives boldly, dresses on her own terms, and refuses to shrink to fit.We talk fearless reinvention, finding your signature look, and why “you look good for your age” isn’t the compliment people think it is. Val’s take? “Don’t be old. Be bold.”Whether you’re still figuring out your red lip or dodging neck masks with questionable results, this one’s for anyone navigating confidence, clothes, and identity in the decade where you stop asking permission.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 27, 2025 • 15min
Midweek Catchup: Menthol Tissues, Missed Weddings & Motherhood Regrets (Sort Of)
On this week’s Midweek Catchup, Karen’s trying to shake a cold and wrangle baby Tulip (not easy when you’ve only packed menthol tissues and blind optimism). Kaye joins her for a heartfelt conversation about motherhood, timing, and the lives we don’t end up living.It’s a conversation about choice, but also circumstance — and how easy it is to misread someone else’s story.Whether you’ve raised a brood, hoped to, or never saw it for yourself — this one’s gentle, honest, and wide open.Get in touch with your thoughts at podcast@htb60.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


