Almost 40

Broadcaster, Sky Sports News Presenter and Former Lawyer Bela Shah gets into changing career at 29, being a "mature" student, getting a big break at Channel 5 that led to her current dream role, the best way to deal with sexism and racism at work, why IVF wasn't as straightforward as she thought it would be, Mumsnet and more.Raj has a ridiculous story about the Heathrow power cut. Of course.almost40thepodacast@gmail.comFollow @almost40pod @_rajpander @missbelashah xoxo

Community Founder, Business Lecturer + Relationship Expert, Hope Flynn checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (an almost medical check up where women are asked the most annoying/offensive things they are asked on the regular). Hope shares her thoughts on rebounds, how to figure out if someone is a catfish, why the cinema isn't the worst place for a first date, how to handle getting back into dating after being out of the game and more...almost40thepodcast@gmail.comFollow@_rajpander @almost40pod @so.what.community @hope.4.itxoxo

This one is an Oscars debrief + Millie Bobby Brown calling out her trolls mash up! Raj was dazed and confused when she saw articles about Mikey Madison's Best Actress win titled with "And the Oscar goes to...Sue." Turns out a lot of people are pressed about Demi Moore apparently being "substanced" at the Academy Awards. So naturally, we (Raj + the regulars: a selected group of women and sometimes men) had to get into it...What's their take on the discourse around Demi Moore not winning an for The Substance and Mikey Madison winning for Anora? Is the world obsessed with pitting younger women against older women? Have they ever been in a situation like this? And how do they feel about Millie Bobby Brown calling out people by name for tearing apart her looks in the name of "journalism?"SEND US YOUR TAKESalmost40thepodcast@gmail.comFollow @_rajpander @almost40podLINKS: The Oscar Goes To Sue https://www.vulture.com/article/demi-moore-lost-the-best-actress-oscar-to-mikey-madison.htmlMillie's Post https://www.instagram.com/p/DGwZgLXSJuH/xoxo

The 4th instalment of the Bridget Jones movies released on Galentines/Valentines so Raj had to get into a Galentines/Valentines debrief featuring tales of how everyone celebrated (if they did - one person was "traumatised by dusty men buying red roses in Asda") and the last time they were single shamed (because why was Bridget still being single shamed as a single mother + widow? Leave us alone!)Do you prefer celebrating Valentines with lovers or friends?Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.comFollow @_rajpander @almost40podLINKS:https://www.instagram.com/acrumbofromance/https://www.screendaily.com/news/bridget-jones-4-scores-huge-102m-opening-weekend-at-uk-ireland-box-office/5202120.articlehttps://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyolson/2025/02/11/defying-gravity-why-2024-marked-a-historic-year-for-women-in-film/

Podcaster Martha Lucia checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (an almost medical assessment where women are asked the most annoying/offensive questions they get asked on a regular basis). Martha gets into the most annoying question she gets asked as a 39 year old single lady, making peace with the biological clock, quitting her job to focus on her podcast, moving back in with her parents following a break up and more... Raj is dealing with the loss of Kanye and learning how to swear in Espanol. Follow@almost40pod @_rajpander @iamarthaluciaSend Baldoni/Lively tea to almost40thepodcast@gmail.comxoxo

Creator, Actor, Producer (not gonna list everything else he does because we will be here all day), Parle Patel gets into how he got over having yesmanitis (when you say YES to everything anyone asks of you), bad behaviour from Aunty Ji's, how turning 30 during lockdown changed everything for him and why working for a mainstream media organisation wasn't the answer to all of his career related prayers. Raj reflects on her 16th birthday party, why you have you remember you are the prize at work and Blake Lively vs Just Baldoni. Also confirming that Raj or Parle are NOT dragons. almost40thepodcast@gmail.comFollow @almost40pod @_rajpander @planetparleUmbarro Trailer (Parle's first feature film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNINQvNs2v4xoxo

Presenter, Producer and Writer, Rena Annobil checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (an almost medical assessment based on the most annoying/offensive questions women are asked on a regular basis). Rena gets into feeling an energy shift at 40, being proud of her nose, why £100 moisturisers don't work, perimenopause and more. Raj is still not over Big Flap Energy. Here's to being more Kanye!Follow:@almost40pod @_rajpander @renadannobilLinks:The insta account that I thought was called Ladies of 5th Ave is actually this https://www.instagram.com/ladiesofmadisonave/almost40thepodcast@gmail.comxoxo

Audio Producer, Writer, Presenter and Gender + Sexuality Academic, Anouszka Tate gets into why reaching her career goals at 26 left her feeling like she was at a dead end (and she's never set goals for herself since), becoming comfortable with her masculine side and celebrating being in her 30's, unmarried and child free. Raj has mad issues with the term "settle down" and is not here for Allure trying to coin the term "Old Lady Energy" as an older woman equivalent of BDE to describe the rise of older actresses who recently won and were nominated for Golden Globes. Ahhhh shit - here we go again!Send your tattoo artist recommends to: almost40thepodcast@gmail.comFollow @almost40pod @_rajpander @anouszkatateArtist Of Life: https://shop.lavendaire.com/products/2025-artist-of-life-workbook?srsltid=AfmBOop5eWHlTbPVNFvg_Sp5aMeBlOqwlgagedyFLQXksC1xxmoiJUNNxoxo