Carrie Bradshaw’s solo lunch, Celine Song’s Materialists, and Love Is Blind have Raj questioning everything—dating, matchmakers, and whether love can actually be blind (spoiler: she thinks it can). What’s the last thing you did solo? 👀 Talk to us: almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander & @almost40pod xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcaster, Writer +Certified Lovergirl Nicole Ocran checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (a faux medical check up where patients are asked the most annoying/offensive things women are asked about on a regular basis). Nicole gets into why even a crumb of romance would satisfy her romantic desires, dating younger men, relationship fears, The Summer I Turned Pretty, the concept of taking someone back after ghosting and more (including her take on heterofatalism) Watch her dating wrapped: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleocran/video/7450859506768088353 Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod @acrumbofromance @nicoleocran https://substack.com/@nicoleocran Give me your takes almost40thepodcast@gmail.com xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadcaster, Sky Sports News Presenter and Former Lawyer Bela Shah gets into changing career at 29, being a "mature" student, getting a big break at Channel 5 that led to her current dream role, the best way to deal with sexism and racism at work, why IVF wasn't as straightforward as she thought it would be, Mumsnet and more. Raj has a ridiculous story about the Heathrow power cut. Of course. almost40thepodacast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @missbelashah xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Community Founder, Business Lecturer + Relationship Expert, Hope Flynn checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (an almost medical check up where women are asked the most annoying/offensive things they are asked on the regular). Hope shares her thoughts on rebounds, how to figure out if someone is a catfish, why the cinema isn't the worst place for a first date, how to handle getting back into dating after being out of the game and more... almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod @so.what.community @hope.4.it xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one is an Oscars debrief + Millie Bobby Brown calling out her trolls mash up! Raj was dazed and confused when she saw articles about Mikey Madison's Best Actress win titled with "And the Oscar goes to...Sue." Turns out a lot of people are pressed about Demi Moore apparently being "substanced" at the Academy Awards. So naturally, we (Raj + the regulars: a selected group of women and sometimes men) had to get into it... What's their take on the discourse around Demi Moore not winning an for The Substance and Mikey Madison winning for Anora? Is the world obsessed with pitting younger women against older women? Have they ever been in a situation like this? And how do they feel about Millie Bobby Brown calling out people by name for tearing apart her looks in the name of "journalism?" SEND US YOUR TAKES almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod LINKS: The Oscar Goes To Sue https://www.vulture.com/article/demi-moore-lost-the-best-actress-oscar-to-mikey-madison.html Millie's Post https://www.instagram.com/p/DGwZgLXSJuH/ xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 4th instalment of the Bridget Jones movies released on Galentines/Valentines so Raj had to get into a Galentines/Valentines debrief featuring tales of how everyone celebrated (if they did - one person was "traumatised by dusty men buying red roses in Asda") and the last time they were single shamed (because why was Bridget still being single shamed as a single mother + widow? Leave us alone!) Do you prefer celebrating Valentines with lovers or friends? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/acrumbofromance/ https://www.screendaily.com/news/bridget-jones-4-scores-huge-102m-opening-weekend-at-uk-ireland-box-office/5202120.article https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyolson/2025/02/11/defying-gravity-why-2024-marked-a-historic-year-for-women-in-film/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcaster Martha Lucia checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (an almost medical assessment where women are asked the most annoying/offensive questions they get asked on a regular basis). Martha gets into the most annoying question she gets asked as a 39 year old single lady, making peace with the biological clock, quitting her job to focus on her podcast, moving back in with her parents following a break up and more... Raj is dealing with the loss of Kanye and learning how to swear in Espanol. Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @iamarthalucia Send Baldoni/Lively tea to almost40thepodcast@gmail.com xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creator, Actor, Producer (not gonna list everything else he does because we will be here all day), Parle Patel gets into how he got over having yesmanitis (when you say YES to everything anyone asks of you), bad behaviour from Aunty Ji's, how turning 30 during lockdown changed everything for him and why working for a mainstream media organisation wasn't the answer to all of his career related prayers. Raj reflects on her 16th birthday party, why you have you remember you are the prize at work and Blake Lively vs Just Baldoni. Also confirming that Raj or Parle are NOT dragons. almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @planetparle Umbarro Trailer (Parle's first feature film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNINQvNs2v4 xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bollywood legend Zeenat Aman posted an image of herself wearing a sweatshirt with "Aunty" sprawled across it, loud and proud asking "which genius decided Aunty is a derogatory term?" So this episode is a deep dive on the Aunty. How do women feel about being called one? When were they first called one? What does the word mean to them? Are they currently in their Aunty era? It's like an ode to all the Aunty's of past, present and future... Aaannnndd I have a theory about Andrew Garfields glow up. You may be seated. Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod LINKS: Zeenat Aman "Aunty" post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAIKm92Pvyp/ Andrew Garfield: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEgcpKEAnPi/?igsh=MW51eXBoNGxvYnNocA== Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presenter, Producer and Writer, Rena Annobil checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (an almost medical assessment based on the most annoying/offensive questions women are asked on a regular basis). Rena gets into feeling an energy shift at 40, being proud of her nose, why £100 moisturisers don't work, perimenopause and more. Raj is still not over Big Flap Energy. Here's to being more Kanye! Follow: @almost40pod @_rajpander @renadannobil Links: The insta account that I thought was called Ladies of 5th Ave is actually this https://www.instagram.com/ladiesofmadisonave/ almost40thepodcast@gmail.com xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Audio Producer, Writer, Presenter and Gender + Sexuality Academic, Anouszka Tate gets into why reaching her career goals at 26 left her feeling like she was at a dead end (and she's never set goals for herself since), becoming comfortable with her masculine side and celebrating being in her 30's, unmarried and child free. Raj has mad issues with the term "settle down" and is not here for Allure trying to coin the term "Old Lady Energy" as an older woman equivalent of BDE to describe the rise of older actresses who recently won and were nominated for Golden Globes. Ahhhh shit - here we go again! Send your tattoo artist recommends to: almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @anouszkatate Artist Of Life: https://shop.lavendaire.com/products/2025-artist-of-life-workbook?srsltid=AfmBOop5eWHlTbPVNFvg_Sp5aMeBlOqwlgagedyFLQXksC1xxmoiJUNN xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vulture called 2024 the year of MILF cinema thanks to rise of "onscreen moms climbing atop a youthful stud and running off into the sunset." We're talking Anne Hathaway in The Idea Of You, Nicole Kidman in A Family Affair, Nicole Kidman (again!) in Babygirl and the trend moving into 2025 with Renee Zellweger in the latest Bridget Jones installment (that's not a spoiler, okurrrr). Naturally Raj had to get into it to and find out what everyone's experiences of dating younger/older were like, why they think men are attracted to older women (shout out to Freud) and what everyone thinks of older women characters dating younger men onscreen. What's your take? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander Articles mentioned: https://www.vulture.com/article/why-are-there-so-many-milf-movies-in-2024.html https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/64499/1/the-new-era-of-milf-visibility-in-film-ageing-idea-of-you-family-affair https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-idea-of-you-review-2024 xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private Stylist, Fashion Editor and former Southall Girl Amrita Singh gets into how moving to Dubai at 30 led to a healing journey, why fashion doesn't know what to do when it comes to Brown women, the lore behind choosing to work for herself, being on a journey of constant reinvention, why being called "lucky" is offensive and more... Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @curatedbyamritasingh @__amrita__singh__ Amrita's substack https://substack.com/@curatedbyamritasingh almost40thepodcast@gmail.com AD by BetterHelp. Get 10 percent off your first month of online therapy at betterhelp.com/almost40 and start your own healing journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IT'S A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Do you dream of having the perfect "trad" Christmas? Does it ever work out that way? Raj gets into how Papa Johns saved her celebrations, why she thinks ozempic is the biggest influencer of 2024 and why she picked a Cowboy Carter Christmas over a Gavin and Stacey one. She's asked her friends to share the Christmas traditions they've kept since childhood, the traditions they've broken and if they've ever felt judged for how they celebrate. Got something to say about age gap relationships for the next episode? Or the rise of the MILF? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcaster, Actor and soon to be Author, Salima Saxton checks in with Nurse for an Almost Assessment (a fake doctors assessment based on the most annoying/offensive questions women get asked on a regular basis). Salima gets into why she did the same degree as James Bond, smear tests, being a child bride (not really - she just married young!) and a meet cute where she did everything wrong but when the it's "the one" you can literally do no wrong... Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @salimajsaxton @womenaremad What's a Christmas tradition you've broken recently? almost40thepodcast@gmail.com xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your favourite (solo?) Love Island winner, Reality TV Qween, Romance Author and Swimwear Designer, Amber Rose Gill gets into the expectations vs the reality of being twenty something, friendship break-ups and moving to London from Newcastle. Did she really have a quarter life crisis? Is life different after a friendship break up? And why did she hate London when she first moved there? And - Raj has f***** up her thyroid. Completely her own doing and now she's mad about it. Has anyone tried malachite/moldavite? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @amberrosegill Get Amber's new book: One Summer In Miami: https://amzn.to/47uw3PV Listen to Amazing Starts Here (SEASON ONE): https://omny.fm/shows/amazing-starts-here xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer, DJ and one half of Panjabi Hit Squad, Rav Patti gets into the PHS origin story, navigating grief in his teens, PHS becoming the first South Asians to be signed to Def Jam and BBC 1xtra and how lockdown changed his life's course. Oh and Raj is a bad judge of character and has one major lockdown regret. Send your clubbing suggestions to: almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @panjabihitsquad xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The one about the recent UK Race Riots, which were for some reason called "protests." What was being protested? How did POCs feel in the lead up to the riots and now, in the aftermath? Did we win the fight against racism? Expect to hear takes on that and an introduction to the Southall Race Riots which took place in 1979 (FYI Raj Pander is a Southall Girl and will never shut up about it). Watch Defiance (the documentary mentioned multiple times on this episode) https://www.channel4.com/programmes/defiance-fighting-the-far-right/on-demand/75276-001 Watch The Long Goodbye (Riz Ahmed's short film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzz50xENH4g Ready to say something with your chest? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Radio Presenter (Gaydio), Viral Sensation and Podcaster (Fancy A Pod), Bally Singh visits the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (a fake doctors assessment based on the most annoying/offensive questions women get asked on a regular basis). Bally gets into why he has kept his age a secret (until now), his issues with people not liking his content (a like is free you know) and Tito Jackson's OBSESSION with Wolverhampton. Raj has an It Ends With Us update... Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @putasinghonit Send me your takes on the race riots almost40thepodcast@gmail.com xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcaster, Events + Partnerships Extraordinaire and Former Fashion Gworl, Jennie Becker (Sliding Doors Podcast) shares her top secret tip for getting into the cockpit, why treating yourself is hella important and getting her smile back. She gets into the expectations vs the reality of her life's biggest milestones so far including turning 30, quitting her dream job and starting a passion project. Raj drops her take on the UK race riots and all the drama surrounding Blake Lively's new movie It Ends With Us. Send your hot takes to almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @jenbecks28 @slidingdoorspod If you fancy coming to see us at the International Women's Podcast Festival click this: https://bit.ly/IWPF2024X xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judd Apatow has mentioned that 40 year olds have a tendency to re-watch "This Is 40," so now that I'm 3 months into my 40th era, I thought why not? Join me as I figure out how turning 40 in 2012 compares to hitting that milestone in 2024. I totally forgot Leslie Mann's character was OBSESSED with telling everyone she was younger than her actual age, so I asked the squad to tell me about the times they've lied about how old they are. We also get into being a Mum in your 40s... I've decided I'm DONE with overpriced concert tickets (erm hello hi Diljit Dosanjh) and I want Gen Z to keep some of our secrets (they're really outing us for using the thumbs up emoji as a silent f*** you). Ummm and why is a child getting nail extensions at the nail salon. Come on, let us have nice things sometimes. Got shit to say? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander xoxo The 40 Year Old Gossip Girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award winning Podcaster, BAFTA nominated Director and Raj's soul sister Poppy Jay (Brown Girls Do It Too) steps into the Nurse's office for an Almost Assessment (a faux doctors assessment based on the most annoying/offensive questions women are asked on a regular basis). Poppy reviews 11 dating apps - including Raya, talks us through her preference for open relationships and why she is cool with being an ANGRY BROWN WOMAN! Raj has been inspired by Shannen Doherty's funeral blacklist and has found another reason to be triggered by Sima Aunty (Indian Matchmaking). RIP Shannen - DYLAN AND BRENDA 4 EVA xoxo Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @poppy__jay__ @browngirlsdoittoo Talk to me about your funeral songs/plans almost40thepodcast@gmail.com PEACE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entrepreneur, Viral Sensation and founder of Make Love Not Porn, Cindy Gallop schools us on why life gets better the OLDER you are, moving to New York from London for her dream job (and how to negotiate a pay rise) and the encounters that led her to start Make Love Not Porn. She talks us through her life's biggest milestones so far, including some unpredictable moments (stripping off in an interview, saying cum on my face 6 times on a Ted Talk and more). Raj is not happy with the Ambanis. Surprise, surprise. Send your hot takes to almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @cindygallop @makelovenotporn Invest/Donate/Send this link to the Ambanis: https://wefunder.com/makelovenotporn xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj was triggered by Beyoncé slander on TikTok, where a brown male said Queen B should stay in her lane and go back to making R'n'B. So this is a Cowboy Carter special. Raj takes it back to the origin story of the album, brown on brown crime, why genres are a funny little concept and that got her thinking... How do you respond when people tell you to stay in your lane?  What are the stereotypes or labels we happily wear vs the ones we feel restricted by? What genres have people put us in? And what happens when we consume genres that are unexpected? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mattel and The Design Museum are celebrating 65 years of Barbie this year. So (insert Carrie voice here) I couldn't help but wonder... what would be different for us if we grew up without Stereotypical Barbie beauty standards? And is the doll Ruth Handler created with her daughter in mind really responsible for shero worshipping blonde hair, blue eyes, and being super slim? There are rants about representation, chats about colourism, why everyone wanted to be Baby Spice in the 90s, why it's so damn hard to find a South Asian Barbie and MORE Got shit to say? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Executive Assistant (she's an Emily, not an Andie, honey) Sara Orritt checks in with Nurse for another Almost Asessment (a fake doctors assessment where women are asked the MOST ANNOYING questions they are asked on a regular basis). Sara gets into enjoying single life, pre nups, long distance friendships and more. Raj is trying to figure out why she feels nothing for her long term celebrity crush. The girls discuss men trying to tell us Taylor Swift is a bad role model because she's childless in her 30s (insert eyeroll here). It's a fuck the patriarchy vibe. Holla with your thoughts on pre nup and your questions for the Almost Assessment almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow: @almost40pod @_rajpander @girlintheprettydress xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist, Author and Powerlifter, Poorna Bell gets into writing the South Asian representation she wants to see in her new novel This Is Fine, choosing not to have children and her thoughts on ultimatums in relationships. She talks through the expectations vs the reality of her life's biggest milestones including turning 40 and how she believed it would change her sense of style and why she thought no one would date her if she was single in her 40s (obviously, that didn't happen). Raj is embarrazzed about a car parking situation LOL. Send me your hot takes on ANYTHING we discussed on the episode... Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @poornabell and check out This Is Fine xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj Pander and friends get into Bridget Jones... Is Bridge REALLY a problematic character? Surely the fuck not. Aaaannnddd she gets into Bridget's and her own relationship with her weight... So she's decided to ask herself (and her people) what their weight has held them back from. If that wasn't enough, Raj has been enlightened by the Love Island Samantha/Joey/Grace scenario that she now backs the "if he wanted to he would" theory 100 percent. Does everyone else back it though? Send over your hot takes on all of the above to almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a Taylor Swift Eras Tour SPECIAL baby! Raj is off to see TayTay in Liverpool so she's having conversations based on some of her favourite ERAS. We get into what everyone is still doing now, that they once thought they would be too old to do (we're all still feeling 22 and Red), how life would be different if we were men (shout out to The Man), our thoughts on Karma (Midnights is my favourite) and cutting off friends when there's bad blood (1989). Annnnddd there's more dating horror stories... ft. Pilar Nalwimba, Poppy Jay, Rav (Panjabi Hit Squad), Sara Orritt, Sheetal Parmar xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcaster Nikkita Beghi (Two Chickpeas In A Podcast) checks in with Nurse for her Almost Asessment (a fake doctors assessment where women are asked THE MOST ANNOYING questions they get on a regular basis). Nikkita gets into why she thinks brown men are the best kissers, her first date stories and that Sex And The City theory either known as the taxi cab theory or the bus theory (we aren't sure). Raj shares some dating horror stories from Tiktok (her algorithm is messy) and she's watching Love Island again... If you have thoughts on brown men being the best kissers, Joey Essex being on Love Island or anything else from the episode, email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow: @almost40pod @_rajpander @twochickpeasinapodcast @nikkitab xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Radio Presenter, West London's Kris Jenner/Marketing Extraordinaire, Kirat Assi talks us through her expectations vs the reality of turning 40, celebrating surviving the "Sweet Bobby" era and why watching Neighbours is her self care ritual. She gets into some Southall history and how she handles other people's perceptions of herself. Raj has lost her voice, again. This is becoming a pattern eh? DAILY MAIL LINKS AS PROMISED: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10146435/British-radio-presenter-seduced-online-duped-decade-man-female-cousin.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10362619/Woman-duped-DECADE-female-cousin-says-catfishing-criminal-offence.html xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj Pander is phuckin 40 and she's lost her voice. It turns out that even though she wanted to do nothing for her 40th, her friends had other plans... Raj gets into the representation of women in their late 30s/early 40s in film as according to the internet, Anne Hathaway is "too hot" to play a 40 year old in The Idea Of You, even though she's 41. And apparently, being 40 means she shouldn't be wearing "shoulder bearing" dresses. Has anyone ever see Moonstruck? There 's some Met Gala tea. Raj tries to figure out why she didn't want to do anything for her 40th, so she's asked her friends how they plan to celebrate theirs and what they thought 40 would look like vs what it actually will look like... Send over your hot takes on The Idea Of You, how you're celebrating your milestone birthdays and if the ending of Desperate Housewives make sense to you Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrity Social Media Strategist, Letitia Becher heads into the surgery to take on Nurse and the Almost Assessment (a questionnaire made up of THE MOST ANNOYING questions women get asked on a regular basis). Letitia gets into unsolicited baby making advice, chess players cheating via vibrators where the sun don't shine, her worst dating stories and Raya vs Hinge. Raj finally gets the tea on botox and fillers and the girls reveal their old obsession with TikTok tarot... If you are crushing on emotionally unavailable men, have questions you want added to the next Almost Assessment or think you know the celebrity Letitia works for email Almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @letitiawolf 3686ea0ad3fd85b5d546f8da0dd2f85d1cab7f14 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcaster, Author and Fashion Gworl, Nicole Ocran gets into why she was convinced she was going to be with her high school boyfriend forever, wanting to lose her virginity at 18 and the expectations vs the reality of becoming a wife. She talks us through her biggest milestones, including starting Mixed Up pod with Emma Slade Edmondson. The girls reflect on why they have considered dating women. Raj is all about New York right now... xoxo Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander `@nicoleocran @mixedup.podcast Pre order Nicole's new book, The Half Of It: https://lnkfi.re/nf0upC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, Journalist and New Dad Sam Parker gets into why he thought he would become a literary sensation after writing his first novel at 30 (he published his first book Good Anger at 40), how he learned to express anger in a healthy way, how men and women experience anger differently, becoming a parent way later than he thought he would and more. Raj decides to share a few things that have made her angry lately, including being fat shamed in Southall. Currently taking voicenotes/thoughts for a future episode. How have you reacted to being told to stay in one lane? almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @samparkeruk Get Good Anger here: http://bit.ly/4f5FOYN See you next Thursday xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj Pander gets into divorce babe, divorce. She's trying to figure out why she didn't buy those Sophia Webster "wifey for lifey" shoes, what being a Sabyasachi Divorcee looks like and why divorce parties are important. Raj wanted to make this episode extra awkward by asking her friends for their thoughts on the breakdown of her marriage. Did they feel sorry for her? Did it change her? There are also some "woman scorned" updates... PS - IF YOU ARE A GYM BRO SAY NO TO DISTURBING WOMEN'S PEACE WHEN THEY ARE DOING WEIGHTS Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pilar Nalwimba is back and in the surgery for her Almost Assesment. Can she handle Nurse's q's? It's Raj Pander vs Sima Aunty (Indian Matchmaking). Pilar gives you the PERFECT response to the "when will you marry" question. The girls talk dating, divorce, "damages," living with their families as adults and more. THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN. Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @pilarofsociety @ontothenextonepod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer, Presenter, Creative and Raj's work wife, Pilar Nalwimba talks getting cancelled on Twitter, why she thought she would not be out in the club past the age of 30 and gives us her guide to code switching. She talks us through her expectations vs the reality of her life's biggest milestones, including The Reality Tea. Raj gets into being fired for watching teen tv shows and having a low key 30th. Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on socials @almost40pod @_rajpander @pilarofsociety @ontothenextonepod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj Pander shares the Almost 40 origin story, her love for the "woman scorned" genre and tries to find out why it's rude to ask a woman her age. There's also some Cowboy Carter, Swiftie and Mariah Carey chat. And she's pretty sure she's taken something Annie Mac said out of context... Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander Links: Mariah Carey hitting the high notes @ The Celebration Of Mimi Live from Las Vegas https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeH9AKK8/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj Pander is a lot of Almosts. Almost a promising young woman (she got told she was too old for a job). Almost a wifey for lifey (she’s a divorcee - according to Indian Matchmaking/Sima Aunty that makes her “disadvantaged”). And she’s Almost 40 (and hasn’t got a clue).  Single. Living at home with her parents. Still watching TV shows made for teens. Still swearing on work calls. Still has an unhealthy obsession with pop culture. She’s getting older, but not necessarily wiser (s/o to Taylor Swift for relatable lyrics).  Raj is heading for a milestone birthday and has no interest in celebrating it. But she’ll talk about milestones on this podcast, not just the ones we associate with age, WE decide what a milestone is around here! On each episode, Raj and her guests will get into 3 milestones from their lives and whatever else is on their mind. Who said you’ve got to have your shit together by a certain age? Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.com and follow us on socials @almost40pod @_rajpander Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presenter + Founder of The Big Bosom Brunch, Jackie Adedeji checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (a faux medical check up where guests are asked the most annoying/offensive questions women are asked on a regular basis). Jackie gets into feeding her inner child, the art of backing yourself, age gap relationships, living with endometriosis and more. Oh, and she's serving sermons like she's a Pastor... almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod @jackieadedeji xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Taylor Swift said "I'm so depressed I act like it's my birthday everyday" what the helly did she mean? Raj just turned 41 and she's decided to dive deep into the mystery of those lyrics while trying to figure out why everyone tends to get a little worried about her when she decides she doesn't want to do anything for her bday. Contains best and worst birfday memories from the regulars and a lot of ranting about Beyoncé haters, agents and joint birthdays. Talk to us almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist, Founder of Mixed Messages and Freelancer Isabella Silvers gets into why she thought she would have hit her career goals at 30 (and what she did when she didn't), interviewing her celebrity crushes, being single and child free in her 30s, starting therapy, getting better with boundaries, building something for herself, the freelance struggle being SO real and more. Raj is trying to stop reading and watching Diddler trial content (and not succeeding). almost40thepodcast@gmail.coml Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @izzymks @mixedmessagesnewsletter @asuitablebookpodcast Check out Izzy's next Lit Night http://bit.ly/4jZsR4t xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast Comissioner, Producer + Presenter, Leanne Alie checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (an almost medical check up where guests are asked the most annoying/offensive questions women get asked on a regular basis). Leanne gets into being single at 30, feeling out of the loop after watching Adolescence, her love/hate relationship with dating apps, creating her smash hit podcast Coiled, Love Is Blind and more... almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod @leannealie_ xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you guys ever think about dying? After re-watching Barbie and contemplating Barbie Margot's dancefloor stopping question, Raj started thinking about Shannon Doherty's funeral block list again and wondered if anyone else planned on having a block list for their final send off, what came to their minds when they thought about dying, what their funeral song was and other potentially morbid things. We get into grief, mourning styles, being petty and more... almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod LINKS: https://swansongproject.co.uk/ https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/22876551/mourning-grief-second-line-new-orleans-jazz-funeral xoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soft Life Queen, Content Creator and Forty-Something Saima gets into why she thought having a nose job at 23 would change her life, the assumptions of what life looks like when living with parents, deciding to shut down a successful flower business, moving out of her family home at the tender age of 36 and being up front and honest about centering men. Raj thinks Love Is Blind could be patriarchal propaganda (here she goes again) Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @sai_ma (insta) @sai_maa (tiktok) almost40thepodcast@gmail.com xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj has decided to leave dating apps for good, so she recorded this episode as evidence. This means if you ever see her on a dating app again you should report her directly to almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Let's see if anyone else's experiences can sway her (spoiler alert, the only person who had anything positive to say about apps was a man). Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presenter, Broadcaster, DJ + Producer Harpz Kaur checks in with the Nurse for an Almost Assessment (a fake medical check up where patients are asked the most annoying questions women are asked on a regular basis). Harpz gets into being congratulated on pregnancies that didn't exist, choosing to keep her marriage off the gram, a complex relationship with social media, leaving a dream job with no back up plan, misconceptions around Breaking Borders and MORE Watch We Were There Too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7L8_yRfufs Holla almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod @harpzkaurofficial xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj went to see Haim's "I Quit" tour and it got her thinking... What do people wish they could quit in relationships? What made them angry recently that made them realise they need to quit something - did they do it? What do they need to quit to feel free? Raj is fuming about someone asking her to work for free , she's ready to move to Mamdani's New York (Shakira Law included) and of course she's getting into why having a boyfriend is embarrassing... Get it off your chest almost40thepodcast@gmail.com Follow @_rajpander @almost40pod xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reinvention Strategist,  Neurosomatic Practitioner and Author Riana Malia reflects on the expectations vs the reality of her personal milestones including getting married at 23 and why she doesn’t recommend it, navigating divorce, finding power in forgiveness after the ultimate betrayal (I know it sounds dramatic, but it is, there's an FBI raid involved) and why sometimes therapy doesn’t go deep enough.  Raj is obsessed with West End Girl and divorce albums... Follow @almost40pod @_rajpander @rianamalia almost40thepodcast.com xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices