The Year of Being 70

By: Lucy McCarraher & Lisette Schuitemaker
  • Summary

  • 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 2020s
    Copyright 2025 Lucy McCarraher & Lisette Schuitemaker
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Episodes
  • Reminiscing on a Lifetime of Holidays - Round The World in 70 Years
    Apr 22 2025

    In this week's episode, Lucy and Lisette celebrate 6 months of being 70 and look at the role of holidays in their lives over the past 70 years. They reflect on the holidays they took as children, the family trips they organised for their own families, and how their perspectives on holidays have changed as they've aged. They reveal their differing perspectives, with Lisette embracing more spontaneous and exploratory travel, while Lucy favours more structured and planning for family holidays. The discussion touches on how their holiday experiences and preferences evolved over time, as well as the changing nature of travel and tourism.

    Key Highlights

    * Lucy and Lisette had very different experiences of holidays growing up in the 50s and 60s - Lisette's family took more spontaneous, unplanned trips, while Lucy's family had a more structured, scheduled approach to holiday planning.

    * Lisette's first solo trip abroad was to visit Lucy's family in England, which sparked an interest in international travel for her.

    * They discuss how work and technology have changed the nature of their holidays, with both often bringing laptops and being connected even when away.

    * Lucy describes a holiday in Jamaica where she and her family stayed at 'GoldenEye' - once the iconic home of James Bond 007 author, Ian Fleming.

    * Lisette recounts a formative solo trip to India in her 30s that had a profound impact on her worldview and perspective and made her very open to the idea of reincarnation.

    * The two friends explore how attitudes around skin safety (getting tanned) and environmentally-conscious travel and "flight shame" have evolved over the decades.

    Why You Should Listen

    This conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into how the meaning and experience of holidays has shifted over the course of Lucy and Lisette's 70-year lifetimes. Whether you're a travel enthusiast or just enjoy reminiscing about holidays past, there's something for everyone in this wide-ranging discussion. The hosts' warm rapport and diverse perspectives make for an engaging and thought-provoking listen.

    Join the Conversation

    What are your favourite kinds of holidays? Do you like to plan every detail, or do you prefer to be spontaneous and open to opportunity? What are your memories of childhood holidays? When was your first solo, or parent-free trip? Where is your ultimate bucket list holiday destination?

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

    If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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 #ep25 #personalgrowth #holidays #holidayseason #holidayvibes #holidaysineurope #travel #travelling #childhoodholidays #50stravel #bucketsandspades #60stravel #flightshame #ethicaltravel #tanning #beach #bucketlisttravel #bestholiday #worstholiday #vacation #planning #spontaneoustravel #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #TheYearOfBeing70Podcast #LucyAndLisettePodcastJourney #Reflectionsonourlives #PersonalTransformationStories #LifeChangesAfter70 #LifeChangesAfter40 #Memories #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalGrowth #ThroughLifeChanges

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    42 mins
  • The Transformative Power of Books: Life-Changing Reads and Reflections
    Apr 15 2025

    In this episode, Lucy McCarraher and her childhood friend Lisette Schuitemaker delve into the books that have profoundly influenced their lives and perspectives. From the whimsical adventures of Mary Poppins to the negotiation strategies of "Getting to Yes" and the feminist exploration of "The Female Eunuch," these two lifelong learners share how certain books have shaped their thinking, challenged their assumptions, and inspired them to see the world in new ways.

    Key Highlights

    * The Magical Realism of "Mary Poppins": Lucy discusses how the original Mary Poppins books by P.L. Travers transported her to a world of imagination and wonder, with a surprisingly feminist heroine role model - contrasting with the more saccharine Disney adaptation.

    * The Importance of Traveling Light: Lisette reflects on how Rudyard Kipling's "Kim" inspired her to simplify her life and travel more mindfully, carrying only the essentials.

    * Exploring Feminist Perspectives: Lucy shares how Germaine Greer's "The Female Eunuch" awakened her to the systemic challenges and inequities faced by women, igniting her own feminist journey.

    * The Power of Win-Win Negotiations: Lisette explains how the book "Getting to Yes" by the Harvard negotiators influenced her approach to conflict resolution, emphasising the importance of finding mutually beneficial solutions.

    *Lucy also describes how Christopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey helped her structure and improve her first novel, leading to it being published.

    * The Interplay of Free Will and Interdependence: Lisette's discussion of the book "The Story of Gaia" led her to reconsider the notion of free will, exploring the concept of "interdependent agency" and our interconnectedness with the natural world.

    Why You Should Listen

    This conversation offers a glimpse into the transformative power of books, showcasing how literature can shape our worldviews, challenge our assumptions, and inspire personal growth. By sharing their book-influenced insights and experiences, Lucy and Lisette invite listeners to reflect on their own literary journeys and the ways in which books have enriched their lives.

    Join the Conversation

    What are the books that have influenced your thinking or changed your life?Do you feel you have to conform to what's expected of you - especially as a woman? What compromises do you make to fit in and be likeable? Do you wish you could write your book but don't quite dare? Do you feel you have 'enough' in your life, or do you always feel the need for more?

    Watch our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm&si=eb4Q7JI8ZQhD0yi7

    If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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 #ep23 #personalgrowth #books #reading #favouritebooks #lifechangingbooks #childhoodbooks #childrensbooks #bookclubs #businessbooks #businessbookawards #bba2025 #marypoppins #pltravers #disney #rudyardkipling #kimthebook #germainegreer #thefemaleeunuch #gettingtoyes #thestoryofgaia #maryannsieghart #theauthoritygap #thewritersjourney #christophervogler #confidence #creativity #creativityunleashed #eccentricity #beingdifferent #authenticity #eldestdaughterexperience #eldestdaughters #bookmagicai #bookmagic #bookmagicbook #abookofonesown #aboo #bookmagic #rethinkpress #businessbooks #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #TheYearOfBeing70Podcast #LucyAndLisettePodcastJourney #Reflectionsonourlives #PersonalTransformationStories #LifeChangesAfter70 #LifeChangesAfter40 #Memories #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalGrowth #ThroughLifeChanges

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    42 mins
  • Reviewing 'The Years', the Power of 'We', Creativity and Contribution
    Apr 8 2025

    In this episode, two friends - Lucy and Lisette - reflect on their lives at 70, the times they've lived through, and how they continue to thrive as dynamic women in their later years. They discuss the powerful play "The Years" they both saw, Lucy's new book launch, and Lisette's attitude to investing in a better world rather than increasing wealth. They share personal insights on embracing their age, finding their voice, and not conforming to societal expectations.

    Key Highlights

    * Owning Their Age and Authenticity

    Both Lisette and Lucy feel liberated by their age, no longer feeling the need to hide or conform to what's "expected" of older women. They embrace their eccentricities and prioritise self-expression over trying to be liked and likeable

    . * The Power of "We"

    The friends discuss how the play "The Years" by Annie Ernaux powerfully conveyed the shared experiences of women through the use of the collective "we", rather than individual perspectives. And how the performance of the ensemble of five women actors created an astounding sense of one and all women's journey through the decades that nearly match their own.

    * Creativity and Contribution

    Lucy and Lisette explore their creative pursuits, from Lisette's involvement in the world of impact investing to Lucy's publishing house and her books that empower women, to share their expertise.

    * Redefining Wealth and Enough

    They grapple with questions around what constitutes "enough" wealth and how to use financial resources to create positive change, rather than just accumulate more.

    Why You Should Listen

    This conversation offers a refreshing and inspiring perspective on aging, with two women who refuse to be defined by societal norms. They candidly share their personal journeys, insights, and a contagious sense of purpose, encouraging listeners to embrace their own authentic selves and find fulfillment in the second half of life.

    Join the Conversation

    Do you feel you have to conform to what's expected of you - especially as a woman? What compromises do you make to fit in and be likeable? Do you wish you could write your book but don't quite dare? Do you feel you have 'enough' in your life, or do you always feel the need for more?

    Watch our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm&si=eb4Q7JI8ZQhD0yi7

    If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating 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 #ep23 #theyearsplay #theyearsbook #annieernaux #femalegaze #womensview #personalgrowth #confidence #feelingloved #feelingvalued #creativity #creativityunleashed #eccentricity #beingdifferent #authenticity #partypanic #booklaunch #summit #investing #investors #investorssummit #angelinvestors #abundance #eldestdaughterexperience #eldestdaughters #bookmagicai #bookmagic #bookmagicbook #abookofonesown #aboo #bookmagic #rethinkpress #businessbooks #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #TheYearOfBeing70Podcast #LucyAndLisettePodcastJourney #Reflectionsonourlives #PersonalTransformationStories #LifeChangesAfter70 #LifeChangesAfter40 #Memories #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalGrowth #ThroughLifeChanges

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    45 mins
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