The Year of Being 70 Podcast By Lucy McCarraher & Lisette Schuitemaker cover art

The Year of Being 70

The Year of Being 70

By: Lucy McCarraher & Lisette Schuitemaker
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Lucy McCarraher and Lisette Schuitemaker are childhood friends. Born one month apart in 1954, they both hit 70 in 2024. In this podcast they take the long view of their experiences, the changes that have taken place through their 70 years of existence in their own lives, their families, their countries and the world. Lucy is British; Lisette is Dutch. Both are authors, eldest daughters and founders of businesses. Every week they check in on each other, recall their younger selves, discuss an important issue, and laugh a lot. You'll love this podcast if you enjoy: * Honest discussions between good friends * Social history from the 1950s to present day * Memories of growing up in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s * Living and working through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s * Hearing about families and relationships * Entrepreneurship and business * Writing and reading books * A bit of politics from a personal point of view * Women's issues and the changing face of feminism * What it's like to be 70 in the 2020sCopyright 2025 Lucy McCarraher & Lisette Schuitemaker Art Literary History & Criticism Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Spooky Stuff - Is There Life After Death?
    Jul 19 2025

    In this episode, "The Year of Being 70 Ep37: The Spooky Stuff - Is There Life After Death?" longtime friends Lucy and Lisette delve deep into the mysteries of life beyond the physical realm. From Lisette's childhood experiences with a spiritual being named Po, to Lucy's encounters with ghostly presences in her home, the conversation explores the profound and often inexplicable ways in which we may connect with realms beyond our own.

    Both women share their personal journeys of shifting beliefs, from scepticism to open-mindedness, and the profound impact these experiences have had on their understanding of life, death, and the nature of existence.

    Key Highlights

    • Lisette's childhood connection with the benevolent being "Po", and her lifelong belief in the spiritual dimensions of existence

    • Lucy's transformation from an atheist to an agnostic, and finally her acceptance of life after death after her "ghost story" experience

    • The accounts of widows receiving apparent signs and messages from their deceased partners

    • Lisette's work as a healer and her ability to sense and interact with energy fields and past lives

    • Lucy's daughter's psychic encounters with spirits and entities within their home

    • The concept of energy, vibration, and frequency as a means of communication between the physical and non-physical realms

    Why You Should Listen

    This episode offers a thought-provoking and deeply personal exploration of the mysteries that lie beyond our physical existence. Through the candid sharing of Lisette and Lucy's experiences, listeners are invited to consider the possibility of life before birth, life after death, and the myriad ways in which we may connect with unseen realms.

    Whether you are a believer, a sceptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation is sure to expand your perspectives and inspire deeper reflection on the nature of consciousness and the human experience.

    Join The Conversation

    Do you have spiritual or religious beliefs, or are you certain this physical life is it? Have you had personal experiences of life before birth, or life after death? Has anything happened to you that ended up changing your beliefs? Or are you very much a 'don't know' in this area?

    If you have personal experience or stories you'd like to share, tell us about them in the comments.

    Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

    If you enjoyed this discussion of an always engaging 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 #ep37 #lifebeforebirth #lifeafterdeath #spooky #spookystories #ghoststories #kindredspirits #spiritualgrowth #spirituality #belief #atheist #agnosticism #religion #reincarnation #fulfilment #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40 #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #sharedhistories #podcastabouthistory #trendspodcast #lifeafter70 #aginggracefully #personalstories #friendshipinoldage #womenspodcast #turning70 #agingjourney #podcastaboutaging #lifeafter50 #reinventionat50 #aginggracefully #lifelonglearning #womenover50 #personalgrowth #midlifetransitions #agingpodcast #wisdomat70 #personaltransformationstories #dutchpodcast #netherlandsvoices #britishdutchpodcast #womenat70 #agingineurope #wisdomacrossborders #storytellingwithpurpose #aifriendlypodcast

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    44 mins
  • Flying Solo - Learning To Love Being Alone
    Jul 8 2025

    Are you comfortable travelling, going out, socialising on your own, or do you always prefer to share experiences with others?

    In this episode, Lucy and Lisette reflect on their experiences of doing things independently throughout their lives and now as women in their 70s. They discuss the challenges and joys of reclaiming one’s identity after separation, divorce or the loss of a partner, and how they've learned to be comfortable in their own company.

    Key Insights

    • Lisette has generally been more comfortable doing things on her own, like going to the theatre or traveling, while Lucy took longer to embrace doing activities solo after her first marriage ended.

    • The transition away from being part of a couple can be "discombobulating" as you have to redefine your sense of self and create new boundaries and ways of being in the world.

    • Both friends have challenges with small talk and feeling anxious or self-conscious in certain social settings, like pubs or networking events. They share strategies they've learned, like asking questions to get the other person talking.

    • The conversation delves into deeper issues of self-worth and needing external validation, stemming from their upbringings and family dynamics. Lucy and Lisette plan to continue growing and learning, rather than accepting limits based on their age.

    • Learning to be comfortable in your own company develops over time, often as a result of life events that force you to reinvent yourself. Curiosity and a willingness to put yourself out there can help overcome feelings of self-consciousness.

    Why You Should Listen

    This episode provides a relatable and insightful look at the journey of self-discovery that can come with being single, independent, or working as a consultant or freelancer.

    Lisette and Lucy's experiences and reflections offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating the joys and challenges of doing things independently, whether by choice or circumstance. Their conversation is both deeply personal and universally resonant. They invite listeners to share their own tips and experiences with navigating social situations and doing activities independently – particularly as women.

    Join The Conversation

    Do you enjoy your own company or have you learned to navigate solo activities by trial and error? Or do you always prefer to socialise or network with a partner or friend alongside?

    If you have tips and tricks to help Lucy and Lisette - and others - be better at small talk or taking part in group activities alone, please tell us about them in the comments.

    Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

    If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging 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 #ep36 #flyingsolo #travellingalone #goingoutalone #theatreforone #moviesalone #independence #enjoyingmyowncompany #postdivorce #widow #losingapartner #partners #husbandwife #alwaystogether #askingquestions #smalltalk #makingconversation #fulfilment #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40 #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #sharedhistories #podcastabouthistory #trendspodcast #lifeafter70 #aginggracefully #personalstories #friendshipinoldage #womenspodcast #turning70 #agingjourney #podcastaboutaging #lifeafter50 #reinventionat50 #aginggracefully #lifelonglearning #womenover50...

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    39 mins
  • BFFs and Frenemies - 7 Decades of Friendship
    Jul 7 2025

    Do you have a childhood BFF, or a group that has stuck together through thick and thin? Or are your friendships more transient and changing?

    In this episode,''The Year of Being 70 Ep35: BFFs and Frenemies - 7 Decades of Friendship'' childhood friends and co-hosts Lucy and Lisette have an open and thoughtful discussion about the nature of friendship - how it evolves over a lifetime, the different types of friends we have, and the challenges of maintaining deep connections as we grow older. They share their personal experiences and insights, exploring themes of belonging, energy levels, and finding one's own path in relationships.

    Key Highlights

    • Lisette and Lucy reflect on the idea of having a "circle of friends" versus more individualised friendships, and how each suits their personalities differently.

    • They discuss the bittersweet experience of losing touch with childhood friends, and the mixed feelings that can come with reconnecting later in life.

    • The hosts explore how work relationships can sometimes become the closest friendships, and the importance of finding common interests and shared experiences.

    • Lisette shares her perspective on breaking away from a suffocating "student group" friendship, and the courage it took to define her own boundaries.

    • Lucy expresses her comfort in considering her sons and their partners as some of her closest friends in adulthood.

    • Both hosts acknowledge the challenge of feeling "out of tune" with certain social groups, and the value of surrounding oneself with people who energise and inspire.

    Why You Should Listen

    This episode offers a relatable and nuanced look at the evolution of friendship through the lens of two old friends looking at life from the age of 70.

    Lucy and Lisette's candid conversation provides insights into the complexities of maintaining meaningful connections, the importance of self-awareness, and the joy of finding kindred spirits at every stage of life.

    Whether you're reflecting on your own friendships or simply curious about the experiences of others, this episode is sure to resonate and encourage thoughtful introspection.

    Join The Conversation

    Do you have lifelong friends, a school bestie who is still your go-to friend, or an inner circle who have known each other forever? Or have you experienced toxic friendships or friends from your past you have nothing in common with any more? Are your work mates your best mates, or is your family your friendship group?

    Tell us in the comments – we’d love to hear your experiences, thoughts and views.

    Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

    If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging 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 #ep35 #friends #friendship #bestfriends #besties #bff #bffs #schoolfriends #studentfriends #family #friendshipgroups #newfriends #oldfriends #frenemies #toxicfriendship #menfriends #womenfriends #stayingfriends #losingfriends #fulfilment #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40 #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #sharedhistories #podcastabouthistory #trendspodcast #lifeafter70 #aginggracefully #personalstories #friendshipinoldage #womenspodcast #turning70 #agingjourney #podcastaboutaging #lifeafter50 #reinventionat50 #aginggracefully #lifelonglearning #womenover50...

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    37 mins
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