The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

Clinical Psychologist, Dr Tara Porter, has worked with children and adolescents for over 25 years, including as the lead of a NHS CAMHS Psychology Team. She has seen first hand the increase in children being referred to these services, and has written a new book based on what she believes are some of the root causes of the problems that children - and parents - are struggling with today. Tara does not profess to have all the answers, or to be the perfect parent herself; far from it, the focus of her book is on parenting that’s “good enough” - not perfect. She explains to Gabby the reasoning behind this, and how the strive for perfection has caused a disparity between opportunities and expectations, which is harming both parents and children. As well as explaining what she’s come to see as her three principles of “good enough” parenting, Dr Tara answers some of your questions including how best to support your child through exam stress, and how to help your child navigate friendships and school dynamics. They also discuss some of the issues raised in the recent Netflix series, Adolescence, and her take on how to approach the issue of smartphones with your children to try and ensure they stay open about what’s going on in their digital world. Dr Tara’s new book Good Enough: A Framework for Modern Parenting is available now, as is her debut You Don't Understand Me: the Young Woman's Guide to Life. You can find out more about the therapeutic services she provides at www.taraporterpsychologist.com

Son of Queen Camilla, Tom Parker Bowles, joins Gabby this week to talk about his career as a food writer, turning 50, and why he considers long lunches to be one of life’s greatest pleasures.Tom shares some of his earliest food memories of his mother’s home cooking, why the dining table has always been so important to him and his family, and why he believes food is endlessly fascinating and has always been political. They also discuss what it was like for him growing up within a family in the glare of the media spotlight, how our relationship with our parents changes as we age, and how hangovers have become much more “psychological” as he’s gotten older! As well as diving deep into his book Cooking and the Crown - an exploration of royal food - and the inspiration behind his new podcast Intoxicating History, Tom gives us an insight into Christmas celebrations with the King and Queen.     

It’s not everyday that the Managing Director of one of the biggest media platforms drops by the studio, but today, Gabby is joined by Alison Lomax - MD of Youtube UK and Ireland. Alison explains how she came to be doing a job that didn’t even exist when she was graduating from university, and how she took a massive chance by working in digital advertising - a chance that has really paid off! She also speaks about what it was like climbing the ladder in a male dominated industry and how it took her a long time to find her leadership style, plus how she learned how to juggle her responsibilities as a mother with her career. She speaks openly about taking a sabbatical in midlife in order to recharge and to help her daughters through their exams, and how it enabled her to attack her dream job with new energy and rigour. She also shares what it’s been like since discovering she had breast cancer 18 months ago, and how it led to a health reset and even more gratitude for life and all the opportunities it presents. Alison mentions Future Dreams in this episode, and to find out more about the charity’s work visit futuredreams.org.uk

This week Fitness Coach and Founder of Caroline’s Circuits, Caroline Idiens, shares what she’s learned about strength training in midlife. Caroline’s passion for movement and fitness is infectious, but as you’ll hear throughout this episode, as a busy working middle-aged mum she is also mindful of keeping workouts achievable; the key thing for Caroline is consistency, not complicated equipment, fancy gyms, or long sessions. Gabby and Caroline chat about tailoring workouts in midlife so that they future-proof your daily activities, how strength training can help prevent injuries, and most importantly, the empowerment and inner confidence that Caroline sees time and again when her clients start to lift weights. They also discuss the six week plan that features in her new book Fit At 50, and Caroline busts some myths around strength training and addresses the questions she is most asked online.As well as practicing what she preaches, Caroline is also the living embodiment of someone who has made a huge success out of doing what they love! And she shares her story of how she went from online workouts in lockdown for a select few, to a global following of over 2 million people.

Musician turned priest, and now author and broadcaster, the Reverend Richard Coles, joins Gabby to talk about his fabulous and varied journey to the midpoint! Richard speaks about his early years in London as a self-described gay runaway, and working with Jimmy Sommerville; how he went from 80’s pop to the pulpit; and dealing with the death of his husband in midlife before finding love again. Richard is really enjoying his sixties, and speaks about his return to piano lessons and the importance of learning new things at any age. They also touch on topics both big and small, including assisted dying, Gaelic football, and Richard’s time on Strictly and in The Jungle! Richard’s latest podcast The Apple & The Tree unpacks the complex bonds between parents and their grown-up children, and you can listen to it now on all podcast platforms.

Holly Tucker MBE sits down with Gabby this week to share her fascinating journey to the midpoint in life, and how she’s using her mortality as a motivating force to ensure the next chapter is a healthy and purposeful one. The trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of Holly & Co has dedicated the last twenty years to championing small businesses, and especially, turning people’s attention to the power of the female pound! We find out why her nickname is Holly Hurricane; what exactly a “marigold clause” is; and why doing things differently has been the one constant in Holly’s life. She also talks about why guilt is a wasted emotion when it comes to juggling parenting with a successful career, and how women in midlife have an opportunity to reclaim themselves and own their power, both in business and in life. Just like Holly, this episode will leave you with a sense of belief, purpose, and power!

In this episode of The Mid.Point, Gabby sits down with the multi-talented Rick Edwards, renowned BBC Radio 5Live presenter. Rick shares what it’s like hosting live radio, the challenges, the joys, and offering a behind-the-scenes look at the world of broadcasting. With a perfect blend of humour and sincerity, he also opens up about his life as a father and the challenges and joys of balancing a demanding career with family life. Beyond radio and parenting, Rick shares his deep love for science, and his passion for sport. This episode is full of relatable moments and inspiring insights with one of radio’s most dynamic personalities.

In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode, Gabby chats to former British Number 1 tennis player Annabel Croft. At 15, Annabel became the youngest Briton to play in Wimbledon’s main draw for nearly 100 years! And after retiring from tennis at 21, she turned her attention to TV and has been working as a presenter and pundit ever since.In this episode Annabel opens up about the loss of her husband Mel who died of colon cancer in 2023 and the grief she's experienced. She and her husband, Mel, were married for nearly 30 years and established the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy together, which now has a permanent centre in Portugal. Annabel also tells Gabby about her decision to join Strictly Come Dancing after her husband's passing, revealing how dancing became a form of healing. This episode is a raw and powerful conversation that goes far beyond the tennis court.Annabel is also set to embark on her upcoming 28-date tour across England, Scotland, and Wales starting September 2025. For more information on the tour visit https://www.awaywithmedia.com/tours/annabel-croft 

In this special episode brought to you in partnership with Lingo by Abbott, Gabby sits down with certified food lover, TV host and chef, Matt Tebbutt. We hear how Matt’s fun-loving and sometimes chaotic lifestyle is evolving in midlife, which brings with it a number of changes - not least to his health. From living in and running an award-winning restaurant with his wife, to kicking off the weekend for millions of us on TV every Saturday; Matt’s zest for life is something to admire. With the help of today’s expert – Sophie Bertrand, in-house nutritionist at Abbott's Lingo business - and the wealth of data available to Matt on the Lingo app, will he be able to continue to embrace life whilst also making the positive changes he needs to hit his health goal?Lingo is not for medical use. 18+ only. Individual responses may vary. Lingo, and related trademarks are marks of the Abbott group of companies. This podcast and the guests are part of a paid advertisement for Lingo.For more information visit hellolingo.com/uk#HelloLingouk