When the f**k did I become old?

Jo Parker
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When the F**k Did I Become Old? is hosted by Jo Parker — a no-nonsense woman in her 60s who’s done sugarcoating the realities of ageing. With humour, honesty and a healthy dose of profanity, Jo tackles everything from chin hairs and creaky joints to grief, reinvention and the fast pace of tech. This no-holds-barred podcast is for anyone over 60 who feels like life is shifting fast; physically, emotionally, financially and no one’s talking about it properly. Each episode mixes Jo’s raw reflections with unfiltered conversations from guests who have lived a little (and learned a lot). Topics range from sex after 60 and digital-age dating (bifocals optional), to loneliness, retirement shenanigans and the art of staying visible when society wants you to disappear. Jo’s mission? To break the silence, smash the stereotypes and make aging something we can laugh at, cry through and fully own….together. It’s aging, without the airbrushing Season 1 - The Journney Begins... Season 2 - The Search for a Co-Host Season 3 - A new Co-Host; my partner Kev Stockbridge Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_jo Email us whenthefkdidibecomeold@gmail.com   Our sponsor https://sallyrule.com/ sally@sallyrule.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6D AGO

    Brat-ults, Beckham Drama & What Happens When Your Kid Gets Married

    When your adult children get married, you're not just gaining an in-law you're potentially entering a minefield of power struggles, boundary conflicts and family drama. This week, we unpack "brat-ults (privileged young adults publicly cancelling parents) through the lens of celebrity wedding wars, then dig into what happens when your first child ties the knot. From Brooklyn Beckham's 6 page Instagram manifesto to the universal challenges of dealing with your kids' partners, wedding ceremonies and prenup conversation. KEY TAKEAWAYS The "Brat-ult" Phenomenon: Privileged young adults publicly cancelling parents Entitlement vs. Legitimate Conflict: The difference between healthy boundaries and entitled behaviour 1st Marriage Milestone: Parents in their mid-50s/early-60s typically experience their first child's wedding The Partner Question: Do you express concerns about your child's relationship Power Struggles Are Real: Wedding planning can become a battleground between families "Us" Matters: Supporting your adult child's relationship means accepting their partner is their priority Prenup: Best done when couples are in love and with wealth inequality Grandchildren Pressure: Being obsessive about grandchildren Independence Is Healthy: Teaching children self-sufficiency early creates better boundaries The Divorce Reality: With a 48% divorce rate, statistical concerns about marriage are valid but tricky Let Them Make Mistakes: Adult children need to make their own choices   TIMESTAMPS 00:30 Brat-ults, cancelling parents and wedding conflicts 00:59 - What are "brat-ults"? Dr. Elizabeth McCain's article on privileged young adults in conflict with their parents 01:53 - Celebrity examples: Brooklyn Beckham and Prince Harry 03:00 - Jo's frustration with Brooklyn’s entitled behaviour and public family feuds 04:38 - The psychology of spoiled children and parental guilt 06:43 - Social media's role in normalising parent cancellation, by the rich and famous 07:08 - The immaturity of public family conflicts 08:22 - Brooklyn Beckham's wedding as the catalyst 09:26 - Plot twist: When did the Spice Girls get old? 09:52 - Parents in their 50s/60s experiencing their first child's wedding 10:24 - Power struggles behind the scenes at the Beckham wedding 10:57 - The new family dynamic: Your kid is no longer a kid 12:06 - Do you like your child's partner? What if you think it won’t last? 13:30 - The importance of "the us" in relationships 14:15 -Jo's take on not being married herself 15:05 - Mother's sense of loss when a child marries 16:43 - Jo's parenting style: Independence from an early age 17:23 - Single parenting and teaching self-sufficiency 18:33 - In-law relationships: Does it really matter if you don't click? 19:20 - Power struggles over the wedding ceremony itself 19:35 - Mumzilla vs. bridezilla: Jo's prom dress experience 20:33 - Making mistakes and learning independence 20:52 - The grandchildren pressure problem 22:11 - Kev's statistical approach to marriage advice for his boys 23:01 - The prenup debate: When does it make sense? 23:47 - Deed of trust: Jo's experience with wealth protection 24:33 - Wealth inequality and prenup timing 25:20 - Kev - Would you tell your child you don't like their partner? 26:06 - Malevolence vs. minor annoyances 27:17 - Wedding planning involvement 28:52 - Final thoughts: Freedom, boundaries and respecting choices

    30 min

  2. FEB 6

    Dating Over 50: What Really Matters (It's Not What You Think) & Valentine's Day

    We celebrate our podcast's 1st anniversary on Valentine's Day by diving into dating after 50, relationship maintenance and why this made-up holiday matters more than we thought. Forget just celebrating Valentine's Day, we're celebrating a full year of podcasting! In this milestone episode, we reflect on our journey from starting with different co-hosts to building an audience (slower than expected!), going viral with 200K views and even getting nominated for a Pro-Ageing Podcast Award. But the heart of this episode is about love after 50. We explore the three types of people on Valentine's Day (singles, established couples, and newly dating), confess how we nearly let Valentine's Day slide after 8 years together and share what people actually prioritise when dating post-50: intelligence, humour, honesty and kindness. We get brutally honest about the challenges of dating later in life, the baggage everyone brings, financial compatibility conversations, health considerations and the reality that 35-40 years of habits won't change. From joint bank accounts (we don't have one) to understanding your partner's "money language," we cover the conversations you need to have before fully committing.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Podcasting reality check: We overestimated Year 1 success and learned listeners dip in and out rather than following.  Valentine's serves as a reminder to invest effort in your relationship, not just celebrate on one specific date. Post-50 dating priorities shift: Intelligence, humour, honesty and kindness matter most (men add facial attractiveness; women add dependability). Everyone over 50 has baggage; we think it's actually a red flag if they don't. The comfort zone trap is real: Cohabitation can lead to taking each other for granted if you're not careful Money means different things: Safety, control, freedom, or love, understanding your partner's "money language" is crucial We took 4.5 years before moving in together, there's no rush when you're building something real   TIMESTAMPS 00:27 - Introduction & First Anniversary01:54 - Year One Highlights and Surprises: Viral Posts & Award Nominations 02:49 – Lessons Learnt from Our First Year04:10 - The Three Categories of Dating for People over 50 on Valentine's Day 05:41 – The Evolution of Our Valentine’s Day06:18 - The Comfort Zone Trap: How We Nearly Let Valentine's Slide 10:15 - What People Over 50 Actually Look For in Partners 11:29 - The Baggage Factor: Everyone Has a History 14:07 - Blended Families & Why We Had It Easier 14:55 – Our Primary Motivation When We Started Dating Each Other in Our Mid 50s16:21 - Health & Wealth: The Delicate Conversations – Do you want to be a nursemaid? 17:19 - It Is Important to do Things Together19:00 - Financial Compatibility: Joint Accounts vs. Independence 21:21 - Emotional Transparency, Past Relationship Trauma & Understanding Your Own “Money Language”23:34 - Our Relationship Journey  & Philosophies to Dating 25:53 - Our Opinion on Dating post 50   RESOURCES MENTIONED • Anthony Robbins quote on Year 1 vs. Year 5 expectations  • Sunday papers article on dating characteristics post-50  • Research on financial compatibility in couples  • Love languages and attachment styles theory  • Previous viral episode: Should Adult Children Spend Christmas With Us?   CONNECT WITH US Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Instagram: @whenthefuckdididbecomeold

    27 min

  3. JAN 30

    The Midlife Crisis Gets a Makeover: 5 New Stereotypes Which One Are YOU?

    The midlife crisis isn't dead… it's had a makeover! We explore 5 new stereotypes replacing the old motorbike-and-affair cliché, confess which ones we fit and reveal shocking stats about sex after 50. Nothing is off the table! Forget the leather jacket and motorcycle stereotype! The Times Magazine has declared the traditional midlife crisis dead and replaced it with FIVE new archetypes. Join us hilariously dissect each one;from the LinkedIn Thought Leader to the Midlife Clubber and (reluctantly) admit which stereotypes we have fallen into. But this episode goes deeper than stereotypes. We break the taboo around sex after 50 with eye-opening statistics: 85% of men aged 60-69 are sexually active, 45% of over-50s are having the best sex of their lives, and 1 in 8 are doing it at least 5 times a week! Inspired by the BBC series "Riot Women" and our own midlife experiences, we explore why society doesn't want to see older people as sexual beings, what happens when the kids leave home and the surprising kinks dominating the over-50s bedroom. KEY TAKEAWAYS The old midlife crisis stereotype (motorbike, affair, leather jacket) has been replaced by 5 new archetypes  The Midlife Clubber is real and we are living proof (daytime clubbing, anyone?) 45% of people over 50 report having the best sex of their lives RIGHT NOW Media representation of sex after 50 is virtually non-existent (67% say it's rarely/never shown) Empty nesters experience significant improvements in their sex lives (48% report better intimacy) 33% of over-50s are open to multiple sexual partners Confidence and self-acceptance increase with age, leading to more sexual exploration TIMESTAMPS 00:43 - The Times redefines the Old Midlife Crisis Stereotype and a look at the 5 new stereotypes02:20 - Kev's Confession: Living the Stereotype Early 04:04 - Stereotype #1: The Thought Leader (Kyle with his LinkedIn insights) 06:20 - Stereotype #2: The Psychedelic Dabbler (Emma's mushroom journey) 08:05 - Stereotype #3: The Camper Van Fan (Kath's van life obsession) 09:54 - Stereotype #4: The Midlife Clubber – We could be guilty! 12:57 - Stereotype #5: The Open Relationship Advocate (Polyamorous Debs) 14:30 - Sex After 50: Breaking the Taboo 16:07 - Shocking Statistics: Sex Lives of Over-50s 20:16 - The Lelo Survey: Best Sex of Their Lives 23:12 - The Great British Sex Experiment Discussion 25:27 - Top 5 Kinks for Over-50s Revealed 26:20 – Do We Need to Re-do Our Bucket List?26:33 - Which Stereotype Do We Relate to? 30:17 - Creating Their Own Stereotype & Next Episode Preview RESOURCES MENTIONED • BBC Series: Riot Women • Times Magazine Article on midlife crisis stereotypes • Lelo Survey: Sex Lives of Over-50s • Previous guests: Suzanne Noble (sex advice for seniors)and Dr. Elliott Justin • Previous episode: The Happiness Curve & Midlife Malaise NEXT EPISODE Valentine's Day Special - February 6, 2026 #MidlifeCrisis #AgeingUnapologetically #SexAfter50 #MidlifeReinvention #PodcastOver50 #AgeingWell #MidlifeClubbing #Perimenopause #RiotWomen #SexualWellness #Over50AndThriving Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/ Email us whenthefkdidibecomeold@gmail.com

    31 min

  4. JAN 23

    Dry January, Bucket Lists & David Bowie: Drinking, Ageing & Reinventing Yourself After 60

    January isn’t over yet and neither are the resolutions, bucket lists, or existential reckonings. We take a brutally honest (and very funny) look at how our January intentions are actually going, from elusive masquerade balls and long-delayed bucket list dreams, to Dry January becoming… possibly Dry February. Along the way, the conversation turns deeply personal: drinking habits, relationships, sex, sobriety, ageing bodies, and the symbolic end-of-day drink. The episode concludes with a passionate tribute to one of January’s most iconic sons, David Bowie, and why his legacy still matters across generations.  Key Takeaways Bucket lists don’t expire - sometimes timing is everything.Alcohol is deeply symbolic, especially in relationships and daily rituals.Stopping (or questioning) drinking later in life is emotional, not just physical.Ageing invites honesty - about bodies, habits, sex and self-image.David Bowie remains timeless, influencing generations long after his death.January isn’t about perfection - it’s about reflection. Timestamps 00:53  Our Bucket List Update, The Masquerade Ball - Venice, Versailles, eye-watering ticket prices and alternative 02:15 Kev finally ticks off a 23-year-old dream and the emotional backstory involving Jeremy Clarkson, fatherhood, guilt and timing 05:56 Kev’s Post-Christmas stubborn weight and why January hasn’t magically fixed anything 06:45 Drinking Maths – Kev is drinking 50–70 units a week, 4,000 calories, NHS guidelines and the uncomfortable truth behind “I don’t want to eat less” 08:11 He is considering “dry something” because 17.5M people in the UK are doing Dry January 09:11 The over-55s are least likely to question alcohol intake, Kev will do a month dry 10:16 Jo’s Sobriety Story, why she gave up alcohol over 20 years ago, being a single parent- fear, responsibility and choosing pain over pleasure 13:15 Jo & Kev have questions for each other from a recent article 13:36 Kev asks if she thinks he is drinking too much 15:40 When was the last time we had sober sex 16:20 If Kev gives up drinking, there is a possibility that he might be miserable 18:43 Kev predicts irritability, garage cleaning and losing the symbolic “end of the day” drink. 20:30 Celebrities of our age who have given up alcohol 22:10 David Bowie gave up alcohol in 1993 23:07 David and Elvis were massive icons 24:27 Ziggy Stardust was a redhead 24:55 The first airplay of “Heroes” played by John Peel, in the same year as Elvis died 26:05 Bowie’s cultural impact, he is timeless. He died 10 years ago, he released Black Star. Was that orchestrated? 29:20 Bowie was a nonconformist; he shaped music and fashion 29:54  A recent article said 10 bands wouldn’t exist without Bowie, including Sex Pistols, Joy Division, The Cure, Suede, Pulp, Placebo and The Kooks 38:37 We promise to report back on Dry January/February Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@WhentheFdidIbecomeold

    39 min

  5. JAN 16

    Our perspectives on Change - Is AI going to make a difference?

    In this episode, we dive headfirst into one of the biggest changes of our time: AI.Jo believes AI is moving fast and could be dangerous if left unchecked. Kev? Not convinced and frankly a bit exhausted by constant change. From black-and-white TVs to ChatGPT, VHS barcode pens to Alexa paranoia, we explore how different generations adapt (or don’t), whether AI really threatens jobs or humanity itself and why fatigue, scepticism, and “I just can’t be arsed” might be the most honest response of all. Funny, sharp and unfiltered this is a real conversation about ageing, tech, fear, curiosity, and knowing when to lean in… and when to say no. Key Takeaways AI feels revolutionary, but so did the internet, mobile phones and Sky TVChange fatigue is real, especially after decades of adaptingAI will replace easy work, not human judgmentCritical thinking will matter more than everAI poses risks around misinformation, fraud, and emotional manipulationThe biggest danger may not be Skynet, but the exploitation of vulnerable peopleYou don’t have to love AI to accept it’s hereCuriosity beats panic (and denial)Timestamps 00:29 – Our attitudes to change, in particular to AI01:25 – Kev admits he’s an AI Philistine, he agrees he should know more02:32 – Growing up without phones, internet, or streaming and with black & white TVs03:29 – VHS recorders, barcode pens & early tech miracles04:28 – People said the internet “would never catch on”05:14 – Home automation – The internet of things06:52 – Change fatigue: “How many times can we relearn everything?”07:50 – AI at work: productivity tools & human oversight08:40 – Will AI take our jobs? The “easy work” argument10:30 – AI hallucinations and critical thinking11:24 – What the “big boys” are worried about11:57 – Creativity, charts & AI-generated music, what is real13:16 – AI avatars, grief & replacing dead loved ones14:02 – Kev’s glamourous AI version of Jo15:00 –Useful for the elderly16:06 – Humanoid robots and avatars16:54 – Fraud, FaceTime scams & the elderly17:54 – Cold War fears vs AI panic22:05 – The race to AGI & East vs West24:26 – Medical AI, wearables & privacy dilemmas27:23 – When tech fails the people it’s meant to help28:35 – Jo’s real-life AI uses for podcasts & business31:41 – Kev’s current use of AI and his commitment for 2026Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/ Email us whenthefkdidibecomeold@gmail.com

    35 min

  6. JAN 9

    The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After Midlife

    What if everything we’ve been told about ageing and happiness is wrong? In this episode of When the F**k Did I Become Old?, we dive into the surprising science behind happiness and why life often feels hardest in midlife but better on the other side of it. Sparked by a viral Christmas clip that racked up over 163,000 views and ignited fierce debate, our conversation moves into the World Happiness Report, the Cantril Ladder and the research behind the so-called midlife malaise. Kev shares insights from The Happiness Curve by Jonathan Rauch, revealing why happiness follows a U-shaped curve; dipping in our 40s and 50s before rising again as we age. Together we unpack expectations, resilience, gratitude, emotional intelligence and why getting older may actually be something to look forward to. This is an honest, funny, and deeply reassuring episode for anyone who’s ever wondered:Is this it?(Spoiler: no, it really isn’t.) Key Takeaways Happiness follows a U-shaped curve, not a steady climbMidlife is often the lowest point — and that’s normalYoung people are optimistic but unrealistic about happinessMidlife pressure comes from expectations, responsibility, and comparisonAfter 50, people become more resilient, emotionally intelligent, and gratefulOlder adults cope better with stress and uncertaintyLife shifts from striving to beingAgeing isn’t the end — it’s often the most fulfilling chapterReinvention and “encore careers” are common and powerful after midlife Timestamps 00:45 – Christmas without children & why it went viral02:40 – Introducing the topic: happiness03:24 – The World Happiness Report & how happiness is measured03:58 – The Cantril Ladder explained05:30 – Happiest and unhappiest countries in the world06:40 – The Happiness Curve & the surprising U-shape08:28 – Why young people are happier (and more optimistic)09:00 – The optimism bias & unrealistic expectations12:06 – The hedonic treadmill: chasing “more”12:50 – Kev’s personal happiness graph experiment16:17– Midlife malaise vs the myth of the midlife crisis16:50 – How longer lifespans changed everything19:46 – Divorce, redundancy & pressure in midlife20:35 – Glass ceilings and career reality checks22:33 – Illness, mortality & emotional turning points24:26 – Reframing and why life feels lighter after 5026:45 – Why comparison changes and people believe they are happier27:38 – Gratitude, perspective & comparison traps28:41 – Increased emotional intelligence, resilience & compassion30:21 – “Having what you want” vs “wanting what you have”31:57 – Encore careers & reinvention after 5033:15 – Why ageing isn’t the disaster we were sold 📚 Resources Mentioned The Happiness Curve – Jonathan RauchWorld Happiness ReportCantril Ladder of Life Satisfaction Supporting organisations https://www.oddfellows.co.uk/ https://www.workingtransitions.com/ https://www.proage.org/

    34 min

  7. JAN 2

    New Year, Same You? Rethinking Resolutions, Bucket Lists & Ageing with Optimism

    Do New Year’s resolutions actually work, especially as we get older? In this honest, funny and refreshingly unfiltered episode we challenge everything we’ve been told about January self-improvement. From overcrowded gyms and guilt-driven goal setting to the pressure to “start fresh” on January 1st, we explore why traditional New Year’s resolutions often fail and why optimism, agency and having something to look forward to matter far more as we age. Drawing on insights from geriatric psychiatry, lived experience and bucket-list thinking for over-50s, this episode reframes ageing as a time for renewal, curiosity and choosing goals that genuinely make life more vibrant, not just more “virtuous”. Key Takeaways • Why looking forward to the future is vital for mental health in later life• New Year’s resolutions vs bucket lists and which actually works• Motivation, fitness and goal-setting after 50• Why “boring but sensible” goals don’t always inspire change• How hobbies, travel, social connection and curiosity keep life meaningful• Choosing one achievable goal that makes life richer If you’re over 50, questioning ageing, fed up with guilt-based self-improvement or simply want to feel more excited about what’s ahead, this episode is for you. Timestamps 00:48 - Do either of us actually do resolutions? Kev has traditionally had projects planned.04:07 - Are any of Jo’s regimes cyclical/planned for January 1st?04:38 - Why don’t we do New Year's Resolutions?05:50 - What is a New Year’s resolution and why is it important to make them?09:45 - Christmas is a natural pause, which allows us to reflect10:27 - Optimism and agency  give you the feeling of being in control11:37 - The top 10 New Year’s resolutions for seniors, including exercise, mental health and diet16:35 - Bucket lists vs resolutions: what’s the difference?18:26  -Bucket list ideas for over-50s that actually excite us -Travel dreams, hobbies & new experiences22:03 - Build something amazing22:30 - Our joint bucket list wish list25:40 - The benefits of goals that make a positive change for 202627:35 - Our goals for 2026   https://lifeconnect24.co.uk/blogs/hobbies/50-bucket-list-ideas

    29 min
  8. Do we need to spend Christmas with our adult children?

    12/19/2025

    Do we need to spend Christmas with our adult children?

    In this episode, we explore the complexities of spending Christmas with adult children. We discuss the emotional challenges of changing family dynamics, the evolution of Christmas traditions and the importance of adapting to new realities as children grow up. We highlight the importance of open communication and understanding as our families navigate the evolving landscape of holiday celebrations. Key Takeaways Christmas with adult children brings new challenges. Creating new traditions is essential as families evolve. Emotional responses to children not being home for Christmas are common. Parents must adapt to their children's changing preferences. The pressure of parental expectations can affect holiday gatherings. Open communication is key to understanding children's needs. Christmas celebrations should reflect the current family dynamics. It's important to allow children to create their own holiday experiences. Financial considerations play a role in hosting Christmas. Navigating adult relationships requires flexibility and understanding. Time Stamps 01:14 Our first Xmas with no kids at home 01:38 Remembering Xmas as a child 06:04 Creating New Christmas Traditions for our kids 10:55 How it felt when my daughter asked if she could spend Xmas with her friends 13:15 Pros and cons of having Xmas with adult children 16:29 Managing expectations 17:58 Shifting Dynamics of Family Gatherings 18:23 Hosting Xmas is expensive 20:41 We think we might be invited for Xmas soon 21:21 We have to let our kids create their own Xmas 22:00 Main reasons adult children don’t want to spend Xmas with their parents 24:24 New Year’s Eve 27:35 Is this the last year we go clubbing on New Year’s Eve? 29:10 Get to know your children as adults 30:14 Redefining Christmas CelebrationsSubscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_jo Email us whenthefkdidibecomeold@gmail.com   Our sponsor https://sallyrule.com/ sally@sallyrule.com     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
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About

When the F**k Did I Become Old? is hosted by Jo Parker — a no-nonsense woman in her 60s who’s done sugarcoating the realities of ageing. With humour, honesty and a healthy dose of profanity, Jo tackles everything from chin hairs and creaky joints to grief, reinvention and the fast pace of tech. This no-holds-barred podcast is for anyone over 60 who feels like life is shifting fast; physically, emotionally, financially and no one’s talking about it properly. Each episode mixes Jo’s raw reflections with unfiltered conversations from guests who have lived a little (and learned a lot). Topics range from sex after 60 and digital-age dating (bifocals optional), to loneliness, retirement shenanigans and the art of staying visible when society wants you to disappear. Jo’s mission? To break the silence, smash the stereotypes and make aging something we can laugh at, cry through and fully own….together. It’s aging, without the airbrushing Season 1 - The Journney Begins... Season 2 - The Search for a Co-Host Season 3 - A new Co-Host; my partner Kev Stockbridge Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_jo Email us whenthefkdidibecomeold@gmail.com   Our sponsor https://sallyrule.com/ sally@sallyrule.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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