My guest this week is someone whose words have stopped people in their tracks all over the world. Donna Ashworth is a poet whose work has taken social media by storm — honest, warm and deeply human poems that somehow manage to say exactly what so many of us are feeling but can't quite find the words for ourselves.

What I love about Donna's story is that it didn't happen overnight — she came to poetry later in life, through her own personal journey, and that experience is at the heart of everything she writes. She is a perfect Midpoint guest because she understands better than most what it means to find your true purpose when you least expect it. This is a really beautiful and uplifting conversation about creativity, self discovery and the extraordinary power of the right words at the right time.

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My guest this week is one of Britain's most respected and fearless journalists.

Cathy Newman spent twenty years at Channel 4 News, interviewed eight Prime Ministers, and broke some of the biggest stories of the last decade — including the investigation that led to the Archbishop of Canterbury resigning for the first time in history. She's just been named Journalist of the Year and Interviewer of the Year, and she's now embarking on an exciting new chapter at Sky News fronting her own show.

But away from the headlines and the political interviews, who is Cathy Newman? What drives her, what has she sacrificed, and what does it feel like to be at this particular midpoint — leaving somewhere you've called home for two decades and stepping into something completely new? This is a really honest and fascinating conversation and I think you're going to enjoy it.

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WE MISSED YOU, REUBEN!

This week I'm doing something a little different — I'm joined by my husband Kenny and our daughter Lois.

Yes, I'm interviewing my own family.

Kenny is someone who has never been short of an opinion, and has had quite a journey both on and off the pitch that he talks about with real openness. Lois is twenty, at university, and absolutely not afraid to say what she thinks — especially about me and her dad. Between the two of them I barely got a word in. We chat about meeting in-laws, giving back and how technology is taking over our communication methods.

What I love about this conversation is that it's a proper family chat — the kind where nothing is really off limits and everyone is fair game. It's honest, it's fun and at times it's fairly revealing. I really enjoyed making this one and I hope you enjoy listening to it.

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Hilary Whitehall is warm, funny, razor sharp and utterly brilliant company — someone who has lived a life full of joy, laughter and love. And right now life is particularly sweet — she's embracing the wonderful chaos of being a grandmother, and with Jack's wedding to Roxy on the horizon, the Whitehall family is about to have even more to celebrate.

Hilary has played hockey all her life and that commitment to staying active hasn't slowed down one bit — she's found a brilliant PT and is more determined than ever to keep fit and healthy for the grandchildren she adores. She is a perfect Midpoint guest because this is a woman who has arrived at this chapter of life with real grace, real energy and a genuine appreciation for everything it brings.

This is a funny, warm and deeply heartfelt conversation about family, love, keeping yourself going and the very particular joy of watching your children find their happiness.

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David Gray is one of those artists whose music has genuinely soundtracked people's lives. Babylon, Please Forgive Me, This Year's Love — songs that felt deeply personal to millions of people all over the world.

But what really sits at the heart of David's story is something so pure and so human — a love of music so deep and so consuming that it has driven everything he has ever done. And then there's the live experience — the extraordinary connection that happens between an artist and an audience when a song lands in a room full of people (even if touring is sometimes difficult). For David, that feeling is everything. He's a perfect Midpoint guest because reaching this point in life and career doesn't dim that fire — if anything it deepens it. The love of the craft, the thrill of performing, the relationship with an audience built over decades — at the midpoint, all of that means more, not less.

His story is really a love story — between an artist, his music, and the people who have shared it with him. This is a joyful, warm and deeply honest conversation about creativity, connection and what it means to dedicate your life to something you truly love.

David Gray’s new album Nightjar, a companion to his 2005 No.1 record Life in Slow Motion, is out now via Bella Figura. He’ll be touring across the UK and Ireland this summer as part of his Past & Present World Tour (21 dates).

More info: https://www.davidgray.com/

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This week on The Midpoint, we’re joined by GP and media medic Dr James Moseley for a timely and much-needed conversation about GLP-1 medications — and what they really mean for our health in midlife.

Dr Moseley breaks down the science behind drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, explaining how they work in the body, why they’ve become so popular, and what role they can (and should) play in weight management. With so much hype — and misinformation — surrounding these medications, he offers a clear, balanced view on who they’re for, the potential benefits, and the risks that are often overlooked.

We also explore the bigger picture: why midlife weight gain happens, how hormones, lifestyle and metabolism all intersect, and whether these medications are a long-term solution or simply part of a wider toolkit.

It’s an honest conversation about expectations, quick fixes, and the reality of sustainable health — without shame or judgment.

If you’ve been curious about GLP-1s, confused by the headlines, or wondering whether they might be right for you, this episode will help you make sense of it all.

Jack is working with The Fast 800 intermittent fasting plan. For a 7 day free trial of The Fast 800 online programme and for more info, please visit www.thefast800.com

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This week on The Midpoint, we’re joined by breathwork expert and wellness coach Rebecca Dennis to explore the transformative power of the breath — and why something we do every day might be the key to feeling calmer, clearer and more in control.

Rebecca shares her personal journey from burnout and anxiety to discovering breathwork as a life-changing practice, and explains how conscious breathing can help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress and reconnect us with our bodies — especially during the often overwhelming midlife years.

In this episode, we talk about why so many of us are stuck in “survival mode,” how poor breathing habits can impact both our mental and physical health, and the simple techniques we can use to reset in moments of stress. Rebecca also demystifies breathwork, making it accessible for beginners while offering deeper insight for those looking to build a consistent practice.

This is a grounding, practical and deeply empowering conversation — a reminder that sometimes the most powerful tools for change are already within us.

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This week on The Midpoint, we’re joined by psychotherapist, former NHS clinical lead, and bestselling author Owen O’Kane for a powerful conversation about what it really means to take care of your mental health in midlife.

Owen has spent decades helping people navigate anxiety, burnout, grief and the relentless pressure many of us place on ourselves. In this episode, he shares the lessons he’s learned from both the therapy room and his own life — from growing up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland to working in palliative care, where he witnessed firsthand what people value most at the end of life.

Together we explore why midlife can be such a psychologically intense period, how perfectionism and people-pleasing keep us stuck, and why learning to tolerate uncertainty might be the most important skill we can build. Owen also offers practical tools to quiet an overactive mind, manage anxiety, and create a healthier relationship with our thoughts.

It’s an honest, reassuring conversation about letting go of the pressure to have everything figured out — and focusing instead on what actually matters. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own mind, this episode is for you.

For 40% off Owen's course, when it is fully released on 19th March use code: MIDPOINT40 valid until 31st August 2026.

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