Maggie Beer is a bloody champion! For years she’s been encouraging and teaching Australians how to source and prepare tasty, and healthy, fresh food. Now she’s on a mission – a Big Mission - to improve the food in aged care homes. Thanks Maggie! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s been at the helm of some of Australia’s glossiest mastheads (think Cleo, Mode, Elle, Women’s Weekly) and now steers the children’s cancer charity Camp Quality. Despite her remarkable skills Deborah Thomas has still felt the weight of the ‘age ceiling’. But age, she says, has gifted her with patience, empathy and a house full of friends and family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deborah Thomas - With age comes patience

Baby Boomers did a lot for the travel industry when they kickstarted the ‘backpacking’ movement back in the 60s and 70s. But does the travel industry still welcome Boomers? With higher travel insurance than other age groups, and some hotels actively preventing people over 60 booking rooms, it would seem not. Simon Darcy specialises in inclusive organisational approaches for marginalised groups and says ageism is rife in tourism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Darcy - Ageism is rife in the tourism industry

Retreating to an exotic Caribbean island sounds like a dream retirement plan for many, but for Jaslyn Hall it's a homecoming. Originally born in Barbados, Jaslyn introduced Australians to global beats with her world music show on triple j in the 1990s. Now she wakes at 4.30 every morning to begin her exercise regime, and then gets started on writing scripts for puppets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jaslyn Hall - Happy, happy, happy ... dead. That's how I roll.

After turning sixty many of us start thinking about how to wind down a little in life and rid ourselves of some of the stresses of full-time work. But actor and director Rachel Ward decided her sixties was the perfect time to launch a new career. She pivoted to farming and is now immersed in the world of regeneration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Ward - It's all about regeneration

Maggie Beer - We need to create aged care “homes", not centres or facilities

He’s only just turned 60 but he's already familiar with issues around aged-care facilities, because he’s been trying to keep young people out of them. Tim Ferguson is best known for his comedy work with The Doug Anthony Allstars but has many other accomplishments under his belt, not least his advocacy for disability rights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Ferguson - Just keep pushing that rock up the mountain

Sleep becomes such a valuable commodity in our older years but unfortunately, for many of us, it gets harder to fall asleep as we age. Dr Stan Rodski is a neuroscientist, a neuroplastician, and most importantly a sleep expert! He shares his tips for regular good quality sleep. You can read more in his book The Neuroscience of Excellent Sleep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stan Rodksi - Have you been getting enough lately?

Youth is the currency of the music industry and ageism is rife within it, but Deborah Conway believes you can make age work for you if you put a bit of creative thinking into the mix.  During the 90s she was the 'it' girl of the Australian music scene. At the age of 64 she’s still as creative, passionate, and fired up as she ever was and has recently released a memoir titled Book of Life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deborah Conway - You can make age work for you

As a founding member of the Warumpi Band Neil Murray inadvertently wrote Australia’s unofficial national song. He also helped record the first rock song sung in an indigenous language. After a life on the road touring and performing, these days he’s focussing on living a simple life and preserving energy which has become a precious resource.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Murray - Just focussing on a simpler life

Robert Tickner began his advocacy with Friends of the Earth and ended up becoming the Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in the Hawke/Keating governments. He's still fighting for the underdog as Chair of the Justice Reform Initiative, as well as being Co-chair of the EveryAGE Counts initiative to combat ageism. He says ageism is rife in the employment sector and says it's just a matter of time until class actions are launched.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Tickner – Ageism class actions are coming!

As we grow older we find ourselves grieving the loss of many things; our friends and family, our homes and neighbourhood, our bodies and minds, and more surprisingly many of us  grieve the loss of our own sense of self. Writer Carol Lefevre likens this grief to a type of ‘homesickness’, elusive and bone gnawing in nature.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carole Lefevre - Grieving the loss of our sense of 'self'

Bryan Brown's acting career started in the 70s with films like The Odd Angry Shot and Breaker Morant and he quickly became a fixture on our screens, and still is. But he’s also a producer and a writer of books, his most recent titled The Drowning. He doesn't think about death much, has no plans to retire, and keeps fits by surfing whenever he can.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bryan Brown - Surfing with an Opal Card

Iva Davies followed an unconventional path to pop-star status. Initially immersed in the world of classical music (he even did a stint in the ABC Training Orchestra) he went on to pioneer Australia’s electronic music scene with his band Icehouse and has become one of the country’s most highly regarded composers and multi-instrumentalists. He’s currently on tour - buy tickets HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iva Davies - It's all about the medication

Grahame Bond changed Australian TV forever with his mad-cap creation Aunty Jack, a fat and feisty persona who frequently threatened to ‘rip your bloody arms off’. This led to a portfolio career with digressions into advertising, lifestyle television, and blockbuster stage shows like Boys Own McBeth and 2JJs Nude Radio. Luckily this all took place before cancel culture emerged.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grahame Bond - There's only so many lunches you can have

Australian actor Heather Mitchell has been on our screens or stages every year since her career began in the 1980s. Now into her 60s she’s still got plenty of job offers rolling in. She says that’s because older women no longer buy into old norms around the ageing process and there’s demand for their stories to be told. Now she’s telling her story in a memoir called Everything and Nothing and she’s excited about the next stage of her life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heather Mitchell – I’m excited about ageing!

First he was Fat, Forty and Fired. Then he was Fit, Fifty and Fired Up. Now Nigel Marsh reckons he’s Smart, Stupid and Sixty. He must be doing something right because his TED speech on work/life balance has clocked up over four million hits. Oh, and he also hosts The Five of My Life podcast. Find Nigel's books and contact him hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nigel Marsh – Smart, Stupid and Sixty

If you’ve started waking suddenly in the night with an acute and anxious awareness of the inevitability of death, you’re not alone. After experiencing this herself, journalist and author Jane Hutcheon discovered that it’s a common phenomenon for people in their late 50s and 60s. That’s when she realised she’d become a juvenile geriatric. Find Suddenly Senior on FB here and on Instagram here Join the Juvenile Geriatric Substack here Find Jane's work hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jane Hutcheon – Juvenile geriatrics and the mortality alarm

Not all 'influencers' are young and vacuous, posting thousands of images on Instagram which promote products that end up in landfill. Lex Marinos (Kingswood Country, Aunty Jack, Matlock Police) was recently crowned Senior Influencer of the Year for his role as co-host of the podcast Baby Boomers Guide to Life in the 21st Century.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lex Marinos - What does a 'senior influencer' do?

If there was an aesthetic that defined Australia’s rock/pop culture in the 80s then Reg Mombassa was surely a master crafter of it. His band Mental As Anything was heard on radio around the country and it seemed everyone wore a Mambo t-shirt featuring his darkly-comic art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reg Mombassa - It's good to be still alive!

One of the biggest worries we have as we age relates to brain function with dementia and Alzheimer’s at the top of the list. But should we just accept a general decline in brain function? Neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay explains what happens to the ageing brain, the role that hormones play and why women often experience reverse adolescence in their post-menopausal years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah McKay - Why naps improve brain plasticity

If there’s one thing we’ve learned making this podcast it’s that a lot of people prefer to avoid the topic of ageing. But Keryn Curtis has made a living out of it. She became fascinated with gerontology in her 40s and says it changed the way she views life. She also reveals the preferred word to describe people who've reached a certain age.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keryn Curtis - Elders, seniors, olders? What is the preferred term?

He’s been making Australia laugh for decades with shows like Utopia, Front Line, Hollowmen, and D Generation, but is he also the most vilified person on Australian TV? As the host of Have You Been Paying Attention, Tom Gleisner fends off a barrage of ageist jibes every week, and he's only recently turned 60!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Gleisner - Can you tell ageist jokes if you're old?

After the longest 'nana' nap ever, Ange and Ian are back in business. They've lined up a stack of great guests to chat to, but before they get started there's a lot to catch up on. Ange has been learning how to do backflips, and Ian has been thinking about exercise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ange and Ian - We're back baby!!

Sadly our friend and colleague Doug Mulray passed away yesterday, so we thought we'd republish our chat with him from late last year. Always cheeky, always up for fun and a true entertainer, Doug was an  Australian radio and TV icon in the 70's and 80's. Vale 'Uncle Doug' and thanks for all the laughs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vale Doug Mulray

Such a sad way to start 2023. We are republishing this episode with the talent and force of nature that was Renee Geyer - as we say farewell today. She made such a huge contribution to the Australian music industry and brought joy to many. Thank you Renee for sharing your ferocious spirit and talents with us all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vale Renee Geyer

Ian Henschke once graced our screens as a hard-hitting journalist on programs like Four Corners and 7.30 Report. Now he's your Chief Advocate for National Seniors Australia which means he's here to fight for your rights. With one in four seniors living in poverty one of his priorities is to get older Australians who want to work back into a job.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Henschke - One in four older Australians live in poverty

Michael Caton has been a constant presence on Australian screens since the 1970s and became a household name playing Harry Sullivan in The Sullivans. But he attained ‘absolute bloody legend’ status as Daryl Kerrigan in The Castle and has done plenty more since then. He'd love to keep working but says he’s been forced into involuntary retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Caton - I'm always waiting for another great script

Doug Mulray was king of the airwaves in Sydney in the 80s (and a nude model) but stepped away from the microphone 20 years ago. These days he rarely makes a public appearance. which is why it’s an extra special delight to have him join Suddenly Senior. And in true Dr Dougie style he even brought drugs with him! The legal kind that is.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doug Mulray - These days going to the doctor is an outing

At the age of 15 she stunned the world when she took out five medals, three of them gold, at the 1972 Munich Olympics.  At the age of 61 she stunned her competitors when she became the oldest ever winner of the Survivor franchise. Shane Gould is a true champion who has always walked to the beat of her own drum. Independent, courageous, and adventurous, she’s not about to let her age slow her down. Not until she's finished building her dream house.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Gould - Ignore older women at your peril!

Australians have been listening to his Health Report for decades, but thanks to the Coronacast podcast Dr Norman Swan has become a global sensation. Now he’s encouraging everyone to focus on how to Live Younger Longer. After crunching the research numbers he reckons you can now expect to live till your late 90s if you’ve had a reasonably good life. But, he says there’s no point living longer if you feel like shit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Norman Swan - So you want to live younger longer?

As his alter-ego H.G. Nelson he's been making Australians laugh at their sporting obsessions for decades. But there's more to Greig Pickhaver than comedy and acting. In his later years he's been exploring more the relationship between mind and body, and is now a firm believer in the bliss of the moment. Is he becoming a Zen master? Supported by Homemade  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greig Pickhaver - It's all about your attitude in the moment

Many folk explore genealogy as they age but for Anita Jacoby the prompt to investigate her family's past came from a chance conversation at a party. She's one of the most respected figures in Australian television, and her most recent project is a deeply personal book about her father who died from Alzheimer's. The process has made her reflect on what we choose to tell our children about our lives, and what's best left secret.  Check out Anita's book here - Secrets Beyond The Screen Supported by Homemade  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anita Jacoby - What secrets should we keep from our older children

There are many strings to James Valentine’s bow. On weekday mornings he hosts one of Australia's most coveted roles in breakfast radio but at night you might find him burning up some bebop with his jazz combo. He's loving the freedom of being over 60, but he does find the extra aches and pains a bit frustrating. Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Valentine - Never start a conversation with an organ recital

When you’re planning a holiday in an unfamiliar place, you’ll probably enjoy it more if you do a bit of research before arriving.  That’s exactly how Dr Anne Ring has approached ageing. She’s a health sociologist and writer who, thankfully for us, has written the travel guide on old age. Engaging With Ageing will be available via her website. Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Anne Ring – We need a new way to think about ‘old'

Clive Hamilton is one of Australia’s most well-known public intellectuals. He’s a Professor of Public Ethics and is the founder of the The Australia Institute. A provocateur since youth he's plans to continue challenging baseless assumptions, even when he's no longer paid to. While he admits that many problems still confront the globe, he says Boomers needs to remember the victories they have won. And he's also keen to champion the many benefits of an ageing population.  Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clive Hamilton - We boomers need to remember our victories

Miriam Margolyse has graced our screens for many years. She’s gone from sexy voice-over girl, to serious thesbian, to self-described Fat Jewish Lesbian in TV comedy, and then to film roles in Babe and Harry Potter to name a few. Now, at the age of 81, she’s a regular maker of documentaries showing no signs of stopping. She doesn't like being old but says it allows us to challenge ourselves and explore new territory. But don't forget the spare pair of knickers! Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miriam Margolyes - Always take a spare pair of knickers with you!

For the last couple of months Angela and Ian have been having a blast chatting with mates about growing old. This week they're probing themselves about ageing. Ange reveals some of her most frustrating recent 'senior moments', while Ian shares intimate details of his shoe collection, and why he won't be caught dead in a pair of track pants. Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angela and Ian - The one where they interview themselves

Meredith Burgmann has been an activist since her university days and went on to become a Labor MP in NSW. Radicalised by the Vietnam War she’s been arrested many times, attended countless rallies, and even received a jail term. While she’s still an activist she does admit to sneaking off early from rallies these days. She plans to be part of the generation that improves aged care services, and has already planned how she’ll spend her days if she ends up in one. Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meredith Burgmann - I just want to watch Vera on loop and eat Tim Tams

A true trail blazer in sports journalism Debbie Spillane was the first woman to commentate cricket on ABC Radio. She went on to co-host Hard Coffee on triple j, and then claim the Australian Sports Commission Media Award for Lifetime Achievement.  Now happily retired and bra-less on the NSW mid-North Coast she doesn’t want to do anything other than play guitar, wear overalls, and solve Wordle. Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debbie Spillane - I don't have to wear a bra anymore!

Joe Camilleri has been rocking the blues groove for decades and with a string of hits to name has well deserved his place in the ARIA Hall of Fame. Ask him what shape he’s in these days and he reckons that he feels 25 on stage, but 105 as soon as he gets off. When he’s not touring he retreats to his country home, writes music, prunes the plum trees, and watches Tipping Point with a cup of tea. Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Camilleri - You’ve just got to be open to ageing

It’s been some decades since Derek Smalls came to fame as the bass player in the rock band Spinal Tap. A documentary about the band made him a household name but the phone hasn’t rung much in the years after its release. He did release a solo album with help from the British Fund for Ageing Rockers but now spends most of time reading crime fiction and managing toe fungus. Oh, and he eats a banana every day. Supported by HomemadeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Derek Smalls (aka Harry Shearer) - Spandex trousers cannot be expanded

Renee Geyer is fierce, funny, and arguably Australia’s finest voice. She’s never been the quiet type and old age certainly isn’t tempering her voice.  She refuses to go quietly into retirement and plans to be singing to us for quite a few years yet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renee Geyer – People my own age give me the shits!

There’s not much that Wendy Harmer hasn’t conquered. A successful comedian, author, and broadcaster, she’s recently stepped aside from a very demanding breakfast radio gig. Now she’s looking forward to a relaxing lie down while she mentally adjusts to the next chapter in her life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wendy Harmer - The relief of losing your ambition

After being at the helm of Vogue Australia for more than a decade Kirstie Clements knows a thing or two about style. She’s a senior now too, so she’s well placed to offer sartorial tips to those of us who can’t find our older style groove. Her advice? Buy fewer and buy better.... and wear whatever the fuck you like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kirstie Clements - #CoastalGrandmaChic is not just for young hipsters

With a career dating back to the 60s Richard Clapton has given Australia some of its greatest hits. While he’s thankful for a vocation which has kept him young at heart, he’s disappointed in the generation that made him a star. Folk in their 70s he says, need to reawaken their inner rebel and start fighting again for things that are important.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Clapton - Still rocking hard(ish), artificial hip and all!

Having spent much of her career in the youth dominated advertising industry, Jane Caro knows well the euphemisms of ageist talk. She says the best thing about ageing is realising you don’t need other people’s approval and losing your shame. She’s not so keen on Moreton’s Neuroma but refuses to give up high heels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jane Caro - I’m not giving up my high heels!

Bob Downe has been an “old show-biz clack” for more than two decades, forever in denial of ageing. His creator, comedian Mark Trevorrow however, wouldn’t be younger for quids. Despite being invisible in gay bars and at Mardi Gras, he now loves the anonymity of being old and no longer gives a shit about much at all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Trevorrow - Being young is highly overrated

Michael Lynch has managed and directed some of Australia’s - and the world’s - most influential cultural institutions. Since losing his life partner he’s been navigating grief and loneliness, rediscovering joy, and learning how to date again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Lynch –  Rediscovering joy and dating in your 70s

Mikey Robins has gone from hosting triple j’s breakfast program to talking history with mostly old men. He’s thankful he made it to 60 and spends his time playing the ‘How am I going to die’ game with friends. He’s also got the lowdown on post-colonoscopy sandwiches. Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook Presented by MableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mikey Robins - Post-colonoscopy sandwiches are a disgrace!

Ian Hickie is really brainy. That’s why he’s a Professor with Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre. He busts a few myths about dementia and finally reveals what’s worse for an ageing brain – pot or booze. Join the conversation on Twitter @SuddenlySrPod and Facebook @SuddenlySenior Presented by MableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Hickie - Is pot better than booze for an ageing brain?

Jean Kittson has been making Australians laugh for decades. Once the Queen of the comedy circuit these days she’s more likely to perform at a senior’s festival, (and boy do those mosh pits go off). She loves growing old but just wishes the chin-hair and ears would stop growing. Join the conversation on Twitter @SuddenlySrPod and Facebook @SuddenlySenior Presented by MableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean Kittson - I’d like wine with my meds please!

He’s one of Australia’s most influential chefs and his Rockpool restaurant certainly helped elevate Australia’s culinary reputation globally. Neil Perry has been described as the “ageing Lion King of Australian cuisine” (by Jill Dupleix) but thankfully, for the foodies amongst us, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Perry - Life isn't ending, it's only just starting.

Dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women. Unless we find a cure soon it's estimated that 812,500 people will be living with dementia by 2054. But dementia is not inevitable. Professor Ian Hickie from the Brain and Mind Research Institute has a few tips for preventing it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Hickie - Dementia is not inevitable

Journalist Lollie Barr made a critical decision when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease five years ago. Instead of shielding her mum from the world she decided to try and make her mother's life as enjoyable as possible, taking her on daily adventures, creating new memories, and truly live life in the moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lollie Barr - Dementia forces you to live in the moment

Suddenly Senior is for anyone who’s getting old…. or planning to.Angela Catterns and Ian Rogerson have been buddies since the 80s when they first met at radio station Double J. Now they’re considered ‘veterans of the industry’ and they’re not sure they like it.Join them and their friends in a no-holds-barred exploration of ageing as they navigate their way through all the glories and indignities of getting old.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

Maggie Beer - We need to create aged care “homes", not centres or facilities

Mark as played

Share

About the episode

View all episodes