In this episode, Lucy McCarraher and her childhood friend Lisette Schuitemaker delve into the books that have profoundly influenced their lives and perspectives. From the whimsical adventures of Mary Poppins to the negotiation strategies of "Getting to Yes" and the feminist exploration of "The Female Eunuch," these two lifelong learners share how certain books have shaped their thinking, challenged their assumptions, and inspired them to see the world in new ways.

Key Highlights

* The Magical Realism of "Mary Poppins": Lucy discusses how the original Mary Poppins books by P.L. Travers transported her to a world of imagination and wonder, with a surprisingly feminist heroine role model - contrasting with the more saccharine Disney adaptation.

* The Importance of Traveling Light: Lisette reflects on how Rudyard Kipling's "Kim" inspired her to simplify her life and travel more mindfully, carrying only the essentials.

* Exploring Feminist Perspectives: Lucy shares how Germaine Greer's "The Female Eunuch" awakened her to the systemic challenges and inequities faced by women, igniting her own feminist journey.

* The Power of Win-Win Negotiations: Lisette explains how the book "Getting to Yes" by the Harvard negotiators influenced her approach to conflict resolution, emphasising the importance of finding mutually beneficial solutions.

* The Interplay of Free Will and Interdependence: Lisette's discussion of the book "The Story of Gaia" led her to reconsider the notion of free will, exploring the concept of "interdependent agency" and our interconnectedness with the natural world.

Why You Should Listen

This conversation offers a glimpse into the transformative power of books, showcasing how literature can shape our worldviews, challenge our assumptions, and inspire personal growth. By sharing their book-influenced insights and experiences, Lucy and Lisette invite listeners to reflect on their own literary journeys and the ways in which books have enriched their lives.

Join the Conversation

What are the books that have influenced your thinking or changed your life?Do you feel you have to conform to what's expected of you - especially as a woman? What compromises do you make to fit in and be likeable? Do you wish you could write your book but don't quite dare? Do you feel you have 'enough' in your life, or do you always feel the need for more?

Watch our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm&si=eb4Q7JI8ZQhD0yi7

If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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, two friends - Lucy and Lisette - reflect on their lives at 70, the times they've lived through, and how they continue to thrive as dynamic women in their later years. They discuss the powerful play "The Years" they both saw, Lucy's new book launch, and Lisette's attitude to investing in a better world rather than increasing wealth. They share personal insights on embracing their age, finding their voice, and not conforming to societal expectations.

Key Highlights

* Owning Their Age and Authenticity

Both Lisette and Lucy feel liberated by their age, no longer feeling the need to hide or conform to what's "expected" of older women. They embrace their eccentricities and prioritise self-expression over trying to be liked and likeable

. * The Power of "We"

The friends discuss how the play "The Years" by Annie Ernaux powerfully conveyed the shared experiences of women through the use of the collective "we", rather than individual perspectives. And how the performance of the ensemble of five women actors created an astounding sense of one and all women's journey through the decades that nearly match their own.

* Creativity and Contribution

Lucy and Lisette explore their creative pursuits, from Lisette's involvement in the world of impact investing to Lucy's publishing house and her books that empower women, to share their expertise.

* Redefining Wealth and Enough

They grapple with questions around what constitutes "enough" wealth and how to use financial resources to create positive change, rather than just accumulate more.

Why You Should Listen

This conversation offers a refreshing and inspiring perspective on aging, with two women who refuse to be defined by societal norms. They candidly share their personal journeys, insights, and a contagious sense of purpose, encouraging listeners to embrace their own authentic selves and find fulfillment in the second half of life.

Join the Conversation

Do you feel you have to conform to what's expected of you - especially as a woman? What compromises do you make to fit in and be likeable? Do you wish you could write your book but don't quite dare? Do you feel you have 'enough' in your life, or do you always feel the need for more?

Watch our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm&si=eb4Q7JI8ZQhD0yi7

If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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 #ep23 #theyearsplay #theyearsbook #annieernaux #femalegaze #womensview #personalgrowth #confidence #feelingloved #feelingvalued #creativity #creativityunleashed #eccentricity #beingdifferent #authenticity #partypanic #booklaunch #summit #investing #investors #investorssummit #angelinvestors #abundance #eldestdaughterexperience #eldestdaughters #bookmagicai #bookmagic #bookmagicbook #abookofonesown #aboo #bookmagic #rethinkpress #businessbooks #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #TheYearOfBeing70Podcast #LucyAndLisettePodcastJourney #Reflectionsonourlives #PersonalTransformationStories #LifeChangesAfter70 #LifeChangesAfter40 #Memories #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalGrowth #ThroughLifeChanges

Lucy and Lisette, childhood friends who are both now 70 years old,

discuss how their social lives and experiences with entertaining have changed

over the decades. They explore the formalities and traditions of their

parents' generation, as well as the more relaxed, fluid social lives they've

developed in their own adult years.

Key Highlights

• Lucy describes the very formal, structured dinner parties her parents used to host, with formal dress and strict etiquette; and children’s parties with entertainment like magicians or Punch and Judy shows. Lisette had a more relaxed, casual upbringing where her parents sometimes hosted parties, invited friends over and drank a lot of alcohol.
• As teenagers, Lucy and Lisette's social lives revolved more around school, parties, and developing romantic relationships. Lisette got a moped at 16 which expanded her social circle, while Lucy took up sailing because of the social life around the Yacht Club.
• The women discuss how cooking and hosting dinner parties and learning to cook more exotic food became more of a social norm for young couples in their 20s and 30s, but they've both moved away from that as they've got older. Lucy first encountered barbecues when she lived in Australia and book clubs later in London.
• Lucy and Lisette reflect on how the concept of "social life" has evolved - it's become less about status and structured entertaining, and more about fluid, authentic connections with family and friends, whether in-person or through technology.

Why You Should Listen

This conversation offers an insightful, relatable look at how social norms and personal preferences around entertaining and socialising have shifted over the decades. Listeners will appreciate the nostalgic reminiscing as well as the honest reflections on the changing nature of human connection in the modern age.

Join the Conversation

What does ‘a social life’ mean to you? Do you entertain and cook for friends frequently? Big groups or intimate events? How much of your social life now happens online, and did Covid change your social life?

Watch our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm&si=tD5_UfmXA89ax7uH

If you enjoyed this fascinating discussion, 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#ep22 #personalgrowth#friendship#goodfriends#bookmagic#bookmagicai#booklaunch#sociallife #socialising #entertainment #cooking #dinnerparties #dressingup #meetingup #goingout #goingoutout #barbcues #BBQs #cookbooks #celebritychefs #menus# #recipes #takeaways #takeouts #ingredients #parties #birthdayparties #playdates #storypodcast#lucylisettepodcast#theyearofbeing70podcast

In this episode, we join Lucy and Lisette, two 70-year-old friends, as they discuss their recent events and experiences. Lisette shares the details of her 6th annual Eldest Daughter Retreat, a transformative gathering for women who are the eldest in their families. Meanwhile, Lucy discusses the launch of her latest book, ‘Book Magic’, which provides a strategic approach to writing nonfiction books. Through their conversation, we explore the power of community, the journey of self-discovery, and the joy of sharing one's expertise with the world.

Key Highlights:

* Writing Books as Self-Development

Lucy shares her journey as a prolific author, having written seven books on the topic of writing books. She emphasises how the process of writing can be a transformative experience, even if the book is not ultimately published – which of course she is not advocating - as it helps to clarify one's ideas and expertise.

* The Eldest Daughter Retreat

Lisette describes the origin of this annual retreat, which stemmed from her own experience as an eldest daughter and her desire to create a space for women in similar roles to connect, share, and support one another. She delves into the retreat's structure, activities, and the profound impact it has had on the participants.

* Turning Expertise into ‘Business Gold’

Lucy's latest book, ‘Book Magic’, is centred around the concept of helping entrepreneurs and experts leverage their knowledge and experience to create books that can serve as lead generators and authority pieces for their businesses. She outlines her metaphor of the ‘gold mine’ of expertise and the steps involved in turning it into a valuable ‘gold bar’ in the form of a book.

* The Power of Community and Shared Experiences

Both Lisette and Lucy highlight the importance of community and shared experiences in their respective events. Lisa's retreat provides a safe space for eldest daughters to connect and support one another, while Lucy's book launch event brought together a community of aspiring authors to celebrate her work.

Why you should listen

Lucy and Lisette describe how events like launches and retreats provide bonding experiences, although Lucy outlines her personal reasons for feeling a bit reluctant to engage in retreats. But when Lisette finishes outlining how flexible and open the Eldest Daughters Retreat is, she thinks she might take part in the next one to share experiences and perspectives on being the eldest child. Participating in the retreat helped Lisette gain insight into patterns she had been repeating in her work relationships, and how those patterns were connected to her relationship with her younger brother.

Join the Conversation

What events and celebrations are important to you, and do you enjoy coming together with others you don’t necessarily know to share experiences and perspectives? How does your place in your family of origin affect your relationships and the patterns that play out in your life?

If you enjoyed this fascinating discussion, 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 #ep21 #personalgrowth #friendship #goodfriends #bookmagic #bookmagicai #booklaunch #writeyourbook #writingastherapy #businessbooks #bookstobuildbusiness #theeldestdaughtereffet #eldestdaughters #eldestdaughterretreat #siblings #littlebrothers #littlesisters #findhorncommunity #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter50 #memories #empowered #empowerment #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #throughlifechanges #midlifereflections #personalgrowthjourney...

In this episode of The Year of Being 70 podcast, where old friends Lisette and Lucy reflect on their long lives, they discuss people and groups who have been major influences in their lives, beyond just their immediate family members. They each share three examples - some individuals and some groups - that have significantly shaped who they are today.

Key Highlights

• The Class of 1970

Lucy's first influential group was the class of girls she went to school with when she switched to a new, more academically-focused state school as a teenager. These working-class and middle-class girls were incredibly dedicated to their studies, which was eye-opening for Lucy who had previously coasted through school with little effort. This experience challenged Lucy's previously privileged perspective, inspired her to work harder and value her education and what it might mean to other less privileged girls.

• The Marvelous Mrs Miedema

Lisette's first influential figure was a woman named Mrs Miedema, the mother of Lisette's childhood friend, who had a calming presence and made Lisette feel truly seen and accepted for who she was, rather than just for her achievements. Lisette cherishes the memory of Mrs Miedema's empathy and unconditional acceptance, although she had no idea at the time that her friend’s mother was terminally ill.

• The Tracey Beaker Children

Lucy's second influential experience was working at a Barnardo's children's home for six months during a gap year in 1973. Caring for the underprivileged and often troubled children there had a lasting impact on Lucy, and she was amazed to reconnect with some of them decades later on social media and see how they had persevered through difficult lives. Their resilience and ability to thrive has stayed with her.

• The Bankers’ Legacy

Lisette started working at a bank in 1981, and was disappointed to find that the work environment was haphazard and lacking in real professionalism, with people just doing anything without a plan. However, Lisette realised that this lack of structure actually liberated her to speak up and question things that she thought could be improved, which her bosses appreciated. This was a significant influence that led Lisette to later start her own communications company, with the bank becoming a major client.

• The Beauty and the Businessman

While Lucy's third major influence was the model Twiggy, who pioneered a certain look, style and vision of the 1960s and 70s, Lisette's was the visionary entrepreneur Eckhart Vincent, who shared his ideas about a value extracted tax system.

Why you should listen

Overall, this episode provides a reflective look how both individual people and broader social/professional circles can have a profound and lasting influence on one's life path and perspective. By acknowledging these influential figures in their lives, Lucy and Lisette demonstrate the power of presence, empathy and challenge to the status quo that make a difference in others' lives.

This intimate and revealing conversation will move and inspire you to reflect on your own life influences.

Join the Conversation

Who are the individuals or groups that have influenced or even changed the course of your life?

If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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 #ep19 #personalgrowth #friendship #goodfriends #girlseducation #valuingeducation #school #allgirlsschools #freeeducation #1970s #hardwork #coastingalong #privilege #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #onespecialperson #personaltransformationstories...

What has your ‘biggest’ birthday been so far? How did you celebrate – with a big community party, or a select group of friends and family? And did it feel like a new phase of life – a milestone or a reset?

In this episode of The Year of Being 70 Ep19 - Turning 50: A Milestone of Celebrations, Friendships, and a Life Reset, Lisette and Lucy, childhood friends who were born a month apart in 1954 and turned 70 in 2024, each share their 50th birthday parties, their thoughts on friendship and the feeling that at 50 they had reached a midpoint. As ever, their conversation makes for surprising revelations – for each other and themselves.

Key Highlights:

• Birthday Parties

Lucy, having recently moved from London to the countryside, had a whole new group of "mum friends" from her daughters' local school. Her 50th party was held at the village hall with her new local friends, as well as some of her family and long-time friends. She notes how new friends were surprised by her age, assuming she was younger since she had young children.

Lisette had a very different kind of 50th birthday: she organised a dinner party with only men as guests, with the idea of being "the princess" among them. Her girlfriends later surprised her with a separate birthday party, feeling a bit slighted that Lisette didn't think they were as important, but Lisette enjoyed the men's dinner party and shared some of the touching speeches given at the event.

• Good friends / Bad friends

The discussion touches on the challenges of maintaining friendships, with both Lisette and Lucy admitting they are not the best at regularly keeping in touch with friends, preferring to focus more on work and family. They ponder how that may impact them as they get older.

The conversation also covers how events like the rise of Facebook and the end of the TV show 'Friends' in 2004 affected social dynamics and friendships around that time. Lisette and Lucy also discuss how their eldest daughter status has shaped their approaches to friendship and caring for others.

• The Counterclockwise Study

Lucy points out that at the age of 50 she had just adopted two young children so was back to the school runs and mother role she had been through in her 20s and 30s. She recalls psychologist Ellen Langer’s ‘Counterclockwise’ experiment of taking older people back to a closed environment designed to recreate the era of their youth, and how they seemed to rejuvenate in that setting. Lucy wonders whether she ‘reset’ her timeline aged 50 in this way.

• Reaching the Midpoint

Lucy and Lisette both felt that turning 50 was a midpoint and a milestone in their lives, in various ways. Lisette was embarking on a whole new spiritual life, including her involvement with the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, while Lucy was working with big corporations and government departments on the new concept of work-life balance.

Why you should listen

Overall, this episode provides a reflective look at the significant life milestone of turning 50, the nature of friendships, and the personal insights Lucy and Lisette gained about themselves through this journey.

This intimate and revealing conversation will move and inspire you to reflect on your own life stage, celebrations and friendships, and know that being 50, 60 and even 70 is full of exciting possibilities.

Join the Conversation

What kind of birthday celebrations do you prefer? Are you a good friend who keeps in regular touch with people from all stages of your life? Or do you rely on other people to make that happen? Do you enjoy social media to keep in contact, or prefer IRL connections?

If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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...

What are you most proud of achieving in your life? Is it something you did, or didn’t do? Is it a choice you made, a project or piece of work you created? How your children have turned out or your decision not to have a family?

In this episode,The Year of Being 70 Ep 18: Our Greatest Hits – Achievements, Life Choices, and Personal Growth ,Lucy and her longtime friend Lisette, born a month apart in 1954 and having turned 70 in 2024, each share three things they take pride in having accomplished over their lives. As ever, their conversation makes for surprising revelations – for each other and themselves.

Key Highlights:

• Staying fit and well post-70

Lisette starts the conversation by sharing that she is proud of going to the gym every week, and today going through her fitness routine, even though her trainer wasn't there. She feels that staying fit is ‘part of the job’ as she gets older.

• Being the mother of two great fathers

Lucy shares how proud she is of how her two sons have become wonderful fathers, fully involved in sharing equally the childcare and domestic responsibilities with their partners. She says she takes no credit for this, as she did not model that behavior herself, so she can simply be proud of the men they have become.

• Choosing an unconventional life path

Lisette reveals how proud she is of having flowered from the awkward and gauche little girl she was and having had the courage to break off an engagement that would have taken her into a marriage and family life she did not want. She fought to find her own independent path in life against societal and family expectations, including overcoming feeling different for not wanting children.

• Books that have inspired others

Lisette’s most successful book is ‘The Eldest Daughter Effect’, which many readers, including Lucy, tell her changed their lives. But she is perhaps most proud of ‘Childless Living’ which is finding increased audiences as that choice becomes more popular.

Lucy shares that she is proud of writing a book called 'A Book of One's Own', which aimed to encourage more women to write and publish their own books, after she noticed a gender imbalance in the Business Book Awards. The book and her campaign to get more women to write their books helped to equalise the number of women- and men-authored books being submitted and short-listed. Her women-only book-writing programmes led to her annual ‘Mission Mastermind’ programme for women entrepreneurs and how both Lucy as a mentor and Lisette in a coaching role, have learned to listen and empathise rather than make conversations ‘all about them’.

Why you should listen

Lucy and Lisette also discuss the challenges of being proud of their achievements as they get older, the difficulty of accepting compliments gracefully, and how conversations like this help them gain perspective on their lives. They are both proud simply of reaching the age of 70 and being comfortable in their own skin. This intimate and revealing conversation will move and inspire you to make your own choices, achieve your goals and look forward to being 70 (or 80, or 90).

Join the Conversation

What are you most proud of in your life so far? Have you had to make difficult or unconventional choices? Are your children your greatest pride and joy? What skills or abilities have you learned or developed over your lifetime however long or short?

If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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 #ep18 #personalgrowth #imsoproud #mygreatestachievements #difficultchoices #mothers #fathers #parenting #children #childfreelife #childlessliving...

Where were you when the clocks struck midnight on 31st January 1999 and ushered in the first minutes of the new Millennium? If you are old enough to have been there, or remember, that is! Do you recall worries about the Y2K bug deleting all our data? Or where you were when the twin towers fell on 9/11/2001?

In this episode of The Year of Being 70 Ep 17, ‘Millenium Memories, Y2K, 9/11 and our travels to the US and Russia’, two lifelong friends, Lucy and Lisette, who turned 70 last year, revisit their first moments of the year 2000, their different experiences of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, and their international travels over the next few years.

Key Highlights

• Celebrations and fears at the start of the new Millennium

Lucy watched the fireworks on the Thames while Lisette was on a roof in Amsterdam when the clocks chimed in the year 2000. They recall the real – or was it manufactured – anxiety that when the year settings on computers clicked through from 1999 to 2000, the IT system would collapse and we would lose all our data and comms. Spoiler alert – it didn’t happen!

• Memories of 9/11

While Lucy sat and watched the planes crash into the twin tours of the World Trade Center from her home in London, Lisette was actually in New York City and witnessed firsthand the destruction and horror. She describes feeling the physical impact of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center and walking amongst the traumatised residents of the city.

• Travels to and adoption from Russia

Lucy describes her experience of adopting two young children from two different children’s homes in Russia over several years in the early 2000s. This was a long, complicated process involving a lot of bureaucracy and travel between the UK and Russia. Lucy’s daughters were 11 months and 18 months when she brought them home to their new family

• Learning at the School of Healing in Miami

Lisette felt called to enrol in studies at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing in Miami, Florida, which took place over a 4-year period. She focused on psychology, energy healing, and the theories of psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, developing a new understanding of herself and others. This resulted in her book ‘The Childhood Conclusions’.

You can take Lisette’s test for your Childhood Conclusions on her website here: https://lisetteschuitemaker.com/test-your-childhood-conclusions/

Why You Should Listen

Both Lisette and Lucy went through major life changes and transitions in their 40s, with Lisette exploring her inner self and Lucy taking on the challenges of international adoption. Their overall sense that their 40s were a transformative period in their lives, with both women embarking on new personal journeys and projects, makes fascinating listening, along with their personal memories of the year 2000 and the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Join the Conversation

What are your recollections of the turn of the 21st century – if you were old enough to be there? If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating era, 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 #ep17 #personalgrowth #startofthe21stcentury #endofanera #socialchange #2000s #9/11 #worldtradecenter #fireworks #newyearcelebrations #newmillennium #Y2K #transformation #adoption #intercountryadoption #russianadoption #moscow #bryansk #petrazavodsk #newbabies #toddlers #learningtowalk #internationaltravel #miami #florida #barbarabrennan #barbarabrennanschoolofhealing #childrenshomes #Russianchildrenshomes #spirituallife #thechildhoodconclusions #eldestdaughterexperience #bookmagicai #bookmagic #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #TheYearOfBeing70Podcast...