This week, Anna, Gen and Margaret are back for a catch-up, starting with a big thank you to Exhale Coffee for keeping them very happily caffeinated! (link for free coffee below)

They're also reflecting on their recent conversation with confidence coach Jodi Goldman. Is fake it till you make it really good advice? Can changing the way you stand actually help you feel more confident? And how do you get those butterflies flying in the right direction?

There's also chat about menopause symptoms, driving anxiety, finding a new hobby in midlife and Margaret's award-nominated podcast CrushedbyMCS, including some rather surprising revelations from her guests.

As usual, the conversation goes off in a few unexpected directions!

A big thank you to Exhale Coffee for sending us some delicious coffee and travel mugs. We're genuinely big fans, and if you fancy trying it yourself, you can find out more (including their free trial) at https://exhalecoffee.com/pages/free-trial-hp

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.

Have you ever walked into a room, stood up to give a presentation or faced something new and thought, "I can't do this. Why would anyone even want to know this"?

What if feeling nervous or anxious doesn't mean you're not capable? And what if confidence isn't something you need to have before you take action?

In the first of three conversations with Jodi Goldman, we're exploring the confidence gap: why it exists, how it holds us back and, most importantly, what we can do to close it.

We talk about when it's OK to 'fake it', particularly when speaking in public or putting yourself out there, and why feeling anxious doesn't automatically mean you're not good enough. Just because we feel something doesn't make it a fact.

We also challenge the idea that being a strong, independent woman means doing everything on your own. What if, instead of thinking we have to do it all ourselves, we approached things with a sense of "I'm doing this for you, for me and for us"? Because supporting one another can be far more powerful than going it alone.

And confidence is only part of the picture. Jodi also introduces two other gaps that can hold women back: the influence gap and the visibility gap, which we'll be exploring with her when she returns in our next season.

It's a conversation full of practical insights, fresh perspectives and reassurance that we don't need to wait until we feel completely confident to take the next step.

Because feeling anxious doesn't mean you're not capable. And confidence isn't necessarily something you have to always have, it's something you can build.

Find Jodi here https://jodigoldman.co.uk/

Find her onboarding quiz here https://animalinstincts.scoreapp.com/

And follow her on LinkedIn here: Jodi Goldman

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.

So happy to be back together and In Real Life. We cover trusting your instincts, the silver lining of chaos, and once again the ups and downs of Summer 2026

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.

In this episode of 40s Woman and Beyond, Anna Black and Gen Hallam, alongside Margaret Cabourn-Smith, dive into the everyday realities of navigating perimenopause.

From managing the impact of social media on mood and energy, to simple (and realistic) ways to stay hydrated, they share what’s actually working for them right now. They also explore whether “healthier” options like organic wine make any difference when it comes to symptoms like hot flushes.

It’s an honest and relatable conversation covering anxiety, low mood, hot flushes, dry skin (including those unexpected dry eyelids), and the small habits that can make a difference day to day.

And if you want to find the trip truck, see here (-: http://triptruck.uk/

Please note: this episode is based on our own personal experiences and is not medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health or symptoms, it’s important to speak with your GP.

Trigger warning: this episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts.

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.

We are so delighted to welcome back Dr Lindsey Thomas, Menopause expert and a voice of reason in a somewhat overwhelming onslaught of information, back to the podcast. This is the third time she's joined us, and each time we're overwhelmed by her expertise and generosity. Highly recommend a listen.

As always - This info is educational material only and is not intended to take the place of advice from your own health care provider or physician or to be a means of diagnosing or treating an illness. Always seek medical care from a qualified pro if you are having a health condition or symptoms. Dr Lindsey, Anna, Genevieve and Margaret do not accept any responsibility for your health, how you chose to use the information contained in the material, or your medical outcomes resulting from applying this information.

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.

This week on 40s Women & Beyond, we’re chatting through feathery kisses, public speaking and Margaret's wellness breakfast.

We touch on love languages and how they play out in real life, plus how minding less if things go wrong can make all the difference.

We revisit a few tips from previous guests that have stuck and talk International Women’s Day and whether it sometimes leans a little too far into forced positivity.

Please do like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.

Cathy Walker is a consultant, coach, and writer with 25 years in education, including 20 in the classroom. A parenting expert and regular contributor to The Sunday Times and The Telegraph, she works with schools, universities, parents, young people, and other individuals on holistic education, future-readiness, and career transitions. She appears on Good Morning Britain and Times Radio, and hosts The Futures Project podcast.

In this enlightening episode we discuss the tricky balance of supporting your kids without taking on their anxiety yourself. We talk about how to step back and say less instead of spiral, and what actually helps in the moment.

Plus, we share a few simple but effective questions you can ask your children to deal with comparison - both in the home and at school.

If you have children in your life - this is one not to be missed!

Cathy Walker - https://cathywalkerconsulting.uk/

Instagram - @educathy

Please note: These tips are intended as general guidance. We recognise that children experience and respond to the world in different ways, and approaches may need to be adapted accordingly.

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.

Gen Hallam (@ghnutritioncoaching), Margaret Cabourn-Smith (@crushedbymcs) and Anna Black (@40swomanandbeyond), discuss what brings them joy without virtue, which celebrities have replied to DMs, and who has history with Sir Cliff Richard!

Products mentioned - https://exhalecoffee.com/

https://weevinoteca.com/

Please do like and subscribe and follow Margaret @crushedbymcs, Gen @ghnutritioncoaching and Anna @40swoman&beyond.
Disclaimer: Anna Black, Genevieve Hallam, Margaret Cabourn-Smith or any guest presenter featured in this podcast cannot be held responsible for any injury or harm caused as a result of participation in any session or ideas you follow as a result of listening to this podcast. You are taking part at your own risks and need to make sensible decisions. Check in with your GP if you have any concerns and before making changes.