How To Be 60: Kaye Adams gets real about getting older

How To Be 60 is a weekly podcast exploring life after 60. We spoke to co-host Kaye Adams to find out more about the podcast…

Who are you and what is your podcast about?

I am Kaye Adams, journalist, and broadcaster. I have worked in television and radio since the beginning of time and I am probably best known as a long-standing anchor on ITV’s Loose Women. I decided to set up the podcast How To Be 60 when I was about nine months shy of the milestone. Previously, I had been a shameless age-denier and was horrified at the prospect of being 60 so I decided the only way to deal with it was to dive right in. My co-host is Karen McKenzie, who is a couple of years further down the track than me and has been living her best life since she retired at 59. She loves growing her own veg, Nordic walking and campervanning…all the things that give me the absolute ick. She thinks I am bonkers for continuing to work, I think she has waved the white flag…hilarity ensues.

The podcast also invites guests to come on and discuss their attitude to being 60…we’ve had a host of famous names including Andi Oliver, Shirley Ballas, Jonathan Ross, Alastair Campbell as well as people who take an alternative approach.

Who is the biggest inspiration on your podcasting style?

I am a big fan of Jenny Eclair and Judith Holder’s podcast Older and Wider, they are very relaxed and natural which is the way I like it. I also devoured Dear Joan and Jericha which made me howl.

What do you like most about podcasting as a medium?

I spend a lot of time broadcasting on live TV and radio where time is always of the essence. It’s all about getting the essential information in the shortest space of time. Also studio settings tend to be very busy and full of people. Podcasting is the opposite of that. We record in a freezing cold attic room in my house where I only painted half the wall so it’s just me, Karen, and the guest on a screen. We start talking and see where the conversation takes us and it is often in very unexpected directions. That’s what I like the most.

If you could do a cross-over episode with one other podcast, which podcast would you choose?

I should be so lucky but I would love to do a crossover with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss’ Wiser Than Me where she interviews women who are older than her. Many, if not most, of her guests are 70+ and it is a real acknowledgement that their currency is not devalued by age.

What advice would you give to someone starting a podcast?

Don’t do it for the money and don’t do it for the short haul.

Is there any kind of episode/special you’d like to do but haven’t done yet?

I would like to do a special about erectile dysfunction. Women tend to be more open about having intimate conversations and sharing some of the challenges of getting older. Men face similar challenges but are either loathe to talk about it or hide behind humour. Let’s get it out there.

Which episode(s) mean the most to you?

I am going to say the very first one. It’s easy to talk about doing a podcast and it’s a common joke that ‘everyone has a podcast these days’ but going from a vague idea to sitting in front of a mic is a big leap and a big deal.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

On our website or at @kayeadamsofficial on Instagram and @kayeadams on Twitter/X.

Listen to How To Be 60 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>