Explore every episode of the podcast Banter: Real Talk. Real Life.

What if menopause isn’t something we simply “get through”?

This week, Anu is joined by menopause coaching specialist and personal trainer Petra Boddington for a brilliantly honest and very funny conversation about menopause, post-menopause and what it really means to feel like yourself again in midlife.

We talk HRT, brain fog, joint pain, exercise, libido, relationships and confidence but this episode goes far beyond symptoms. Petra shares why walking may be one of the best things we can do for ourselves, how to make movement feel manageable when life already feels overwhelming, and why sometimes the most powerful word a woman can learn to say is simply… no. 

We also get into changing relationships in midlife, putting yourself first without feeling guilty, sex and dating, women supporting other women, kindness, confidence and why getting older might just give us permission to care a little less about what everybody else thinks.

Petra is refreshingly unfiltered, so expect plenty of laughs along the way and a few moments that definitely made me blush!

Because, as Petra puts it:

“We don't go through it. We live with it. It doesn't end.” 

This is a conversation for anyone navigating perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause but also for any woman who has reached midlife and wondered: when did I stop putting myself on the list?

Grab a coffee (or a glass of wine), settle in and join us for some real talk, real life and, as always, plenty of Banter.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow Banter, leave a rating or review and share it with a friend. It really does help more people find the show.

Sometimes life doesn’t quite go to plan.

This week’s episode of Banter is a little different. After an unexpectedly difficult week involving her family, Anu talks about what happens when life suddenly throws you a curveball; the worry, the shock and trying to keep everything together when you’re struggling with it yourself.

It’s an honest conversation about parenting, family, the mental load and navigating difficult moments in midlife, but also about support, perspective and the importance of talking rather than bottling everything up.

Anu also reflects on gratitude, not pretending everything is fine, but finding the things that help carry you through when it isn’t.

And, of course, there’s still room for some of the usual Banter: what she’s been reading and watching and a smoky black bean chilli for Recipe of the Week.

BANTER RECOMMENDATIONS:

📚 Book: Fruit Fly by Josh Silver

📺 TV: Youth by Sharon Horgan - HBO

📺 TV: The Split Up - BBC iPlayer

🍴 Recipe of the Week: Anu’s Smoky Black Bean Chilli and Chunky Guacamole 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 - 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 tins black beans, drained
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 packet Old El Paso Chilli Con Carne Seasoning Mix
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• Salt and pepper
• A splash of water, if needed
• 2–3 squares dark chocolate

To serve

• Anu’s chunky guacamole
• Fresh coriander
• A dollop of Greek yoghurt
• Grated cheddar
• Tortilla chips
• Lime wedges

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan.
2. Fry the onion, red pepper and garlic until softened.
3. Add the black beans, chilli seasoning and tomato purée. Stir everything together for a few minutes.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and bring everything to a gentle simmer.
5. Stir in 2–3 squares of dark chocolate.
6. Leave it to bubble gently until the edges become slightly reduced and the chilli has thickened. Add a splash of water if it needs loosening.
7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8. Serve topped with chunky guacamole, coriander, Greek yoghurt and grated cheddar, with tortilla chips and a wedge of lime.

(You can also add chicken or beef mince first) 

Anu’s Chunky Guacamole:

Ingredients

• 2 avocados
• ½ red onion, very finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh coriander, chopped
• Diced tomato, optional
• Good pinch of salt and pepper
• Fresh chilli, optional

Method

Cut the avocados in half, scoop the flesh into a bowl and roughly mash, keep it chunky.

Add the finely chopped red onion, lime juice and coriander. Add diced tomato if using, season generously with salt and pepper and add a little fresh chilli if you want some heat.

Mix gently and serve straight away.

A slightly different episode this week. Real life, as it happens because sometimes you simply have to take things one day at a time.

So grab a coffee (or a glass of wine), settle in and join me for some real talk, real life and as always, a little Banter.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the show, leave a rating or review and share it with someone who might enjoy Banter too. It really does help more people discover the podcast.

What happens when you take your slightly sceptical mum to Basel for a Joe Dispenza event with 8,300 people?!

This week, Anu is back with a proper life catch-up, sharing what the experience was really like, the people she met along the way and the one thought she brought home with her: where you put your attention is where you put your energy.

Plus, there are some very honest book reviews, what she’s been watching lately and an easy tomato, feta & butter bean bake that’s perfect for those in between September evenings.

A little travel, mindset, midlife, food and plenty of real-life Banter.

THIS WEEK’S RECOMMENDATIONS

📚 Book: Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt
📚 Also reading: Last Seen - J.L. Doucette
📺 TV: Colin From Accounts
🎧 Experience: Joe Dispenza event in Basel

🍴 Recipe of the Week: Tomato, Feta & Butter Bean Bake

An easy one-pan dinner for those not quite summer, not quite autumn evenings.

Ingredients

• 1 block feta
• 1 tin butter beans, drained and rinsed
• 250 - 300g cherry tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced or crushed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Pinch of chilli flakes, optional
• Salt & black pepper
• Handful of fresh basil or parsley, to finish
• Crusty bread, to serve

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan.
2. Add the cherry tomatoes, butter beans and garlic to a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, season with oregano, chilli flakes, black pepper and a small pinch of salt, then toss everything together.
3. Place the block of feta in the centre and drizzle with a little more olive oil.
4. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened and burst and the feta is golden around the edges.
5. Gently stir the feta through the tomatoes and beans to create a creamy, slightly chunky sauce.
6. Finish with fresh basil or parsley and plenty of black pepper.
7. Serve warm with crusty bread for scooping everything up.

So settle in and join Anu for a little escape from the everyday: real life, honest opinions and plenty of Banter along the way.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a rating or review and share it with someone who might enjoy a little Banter too. It really does help more people discover the podcast.

Have you ever looked at a wardrobe full of clothes and thought, I have absolutely nothing to wear?

This week, Anu is joined by personal stylist and former senior fashion buyer Lisa Wisdom, founder of Style With Wisdom, for a brilliantly honest conversation about style, confidence and why so many of us lose our fashion mojo in midlife.

They talk about shopping your own wardrobe, dressing for the life you have now, breaking out of a style rut and why getting dressed can have a much bigger impact on how we feel than we realise.

Plus, Lisa shares her tips for shopping pre-loved, the autumn pieces worth having on your radar and the one fashion rule she would happily ban forever…

In this episode:

• Why our wardrobes don’t always keep up when our lives change
• How to rediscover what you already own
• Style, confidence and getting your mojo back
• Why you don’t need somewhere special to go to make an effort
• Shopping pre-loved and buying more intentionally
• Lisa’s autumn style picks
• Why skinny jeans aren’t dead
• The fashion rule Lisa would ban forever
• And why sometimes you should just wear the sequins

Plus, Lisa joins Anu for a little bit of Banter with her TV, book and recipe recommendations.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in a style rut lately, this one’s for you!

Banter is back for Season 4 and Anu is officially entering year two of the podcast!

In this first episode back, Anu gets honest about the self doubt that still comes with putting yourself out there, why she continues to make Banter alongside her career as a lawyer and family life and the joy she’s found in creating something of her own in midlife.

She also catches up on a very full summer: slowing down in Croatia, surviving a week on a boat with three children and her husband plus a skipper, discovering the joy of being a tourist in your own city, keeping teenagers occupied through the school holidays and unexpectedly sending her middle son off to university in Madrid!

There’s also a conversation about losing your style mojo in midlife and how making one small effort with what you already own can completely change how you feel.

And as always, plenty of Banter recommendations and an easy Recipe of the Week.

This week on Banter

- Starting Season 4 and why the self-doubt hasn’t disappeared

- Summer with teenagers, Croatia and family travel

- Navigating A-level disappointment and an unexpected move to Madrid

- Losing and rediscovering your style mojo

- Becoming a tourist in your own city

- Summer books worth adding to your reading list

Banter Recommends

Books

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

All My Mothers by Joanna Glen

TV

Furious - Disney+

Off Campus - Prime Video

Podcast

They Call Her Emma - a fascinating series exploring Asma al-Assad and her journey from Britain to the Syrian regime.

Restaurants

Smoking Goat, Shoreditch (Thai) - particularly the crispy fish sauce chicken wings.

Home, Putney - including its Monday menu made from the weekend’s surplus ingredients.

Recipe of the Week

Merguez, Middle Eastern Chopped Salad & Crispy Chickpea Hummus

A really easy late summer meal that works just as well on the barbeque as it does in the kitchen.

You’ll need:

Merguez sausages, (from the butchers or M&S have them now)

Harissa paste

Warm pittas

For the salad:

Lettuce

Red onion

Radishes

Pomegranate seeds

Fresh parsley

Fresh mint

(Or whatever you already have in the fridge!)

For the crispy chickpea hummus:

Shop bought hummus

1 tin chickpeas, drained and dried well

Paprika

Garlic powder

Salt

To serve:

Sriracha, optional

Cook the merguez sausages on the barbeque, in a frying pan or in the oven until cooked through.

For the salad, finely chop the lettuce, red onion and radishes, then add the pomegranate seeds, parsley and mint. Toss everything together.

Spread the chickpeas on a baking tray, season with paprika, garlic powder and salt, then roast until crispy.

Smear the hummus over a serving plate and spoon the crispy chickpeas over the top.

Serve everything with warm pittas, harissa and a little sriracha if you like. Stuff the pittas with salad and merguez, add plenty of hummus and enjoy.

Happy days!

Season 4 starts here, with more honest midlife conversations, brilliant guests, books, food, travel, style and the recommendations Anu genuinely thinks are worth your time.

If you enjoy the episode, follow Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, rate the show and share it with someone who might enjoy a little more Banter in their week.

In the final episode of Season 3, Anu is joined by her sister Nidhi for a warm, funny and honest season finale full of midlife real talk, sister banter and reflections on the year.

Together they talk about menopause, perimenopause, the emotional ups and downs of midlife, the joy of small wins, cancelling plans, social batteries, resilience and why sometimes all you can do is laugh your way through it.

This episode also includes the first ever Banter Awards, where Anu and Nidhi look back at their favourite books, TV shows, films and restaurant recommendations from the season.

Plus, Anu ends the season with one last easy summer recipe: a fresh Asian cucumber salad, perfect for hot days when you cannot face cooking.

In this episode:

• The final episode of Season 3

• Anu and Nidhi’s sister catch up

• Menopause, perimenopause and midlife overwhelm

• Why women need to talk, laugh and vent

• Social batteries and cancelling plans

• Little wins, little joys and summer pauses

• The first Banter Awards

• Favourite books, TV, films and restaurants

• Easy summer recipe: Asian cucumber salad

🏆 Banter Awards

📺 Favourite TV Show

Anu and Nidhi both choose: Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Also mentioned: The Four Seasons, Rooster, Friends & Neighbours

🎬 Favourite Film

Nidhi’s pick: Michael

Anu’s pick: Project Hail Mary

Also mentioned: Tuner and Nidhi’s extra recommendation, The Invite

📚 Favourite Book

Anu’s pick: Heart the Lover

Nidhi’s pick: Fame Sick

Also mentioned: The Strangers, The Names, The Wedding People

🍴 Favourite Restaurant

Anu’s pick: The Tamil Prince

Also mentioned: Tosa in Hammersmith and Chet’s in Shepherd’s Bush.

🥒 Recipe of the Week: Asian Cucumber Salad

A fresh, crunchy cucumber salad that is perfect for summer and ideal alongside an Asian style bowl, chicken, rice or salad.

Ingredients

• 1 large cucumber

• Soy sauce

• Rice wine vinegar

• Sesame oil

• Chilli crisp or chilli oil

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• Sesame seeds, optional

• Spring onions, optional

• Crispy onions or crispy toppings, optional

Method

1. Slice the cucumber in half lengthways, then chop into half-moon pieces. You can also smash the cucumber if preferred.
2. Place in a bowl or jar.
3. Add soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, chilli crisp or chilli oil and crushed garlic.
4. Toss everything together until the cucumber is well coated.
5. Leave to sit so the flavours develop.
6. Finish with sesame seeds, spring onions or crispy toppings if you like.
7. Serve cold with an Asian bowl, chicken, rice or salad.

Perfect for hot days when you want something fresh, quick and delicious.

Thank you for listening to Season 3 of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life. If you’ve enjoyed the season, please follow, rate, review and share the podcast. Your support helps more women discover the show.

Until next season, keep talking, keep laughing and keep finding the banter in everyday life.

Anu x

This week on Banter, I’m talking about surviving what I’m calling my hot mess summer.

Between menopause, the UK heatwave, school events, parenting, work and the invisible mental load that so many women carry, I’ve been learning to slow down, simplify life and stop putting so much pressure on myself.

From meal planning and journalling to shopping my own wardrobe and finding unexpected joy in school events I almost didn’t attend, this is an honest conversation about navigating midlife when everything feels just a little too much.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or simply trying to survive the heat, I hope this episode reminds you that sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.

In this episode:

• Surviving menopause during the UK heatwave

• Coping with overwhelm and the invisible mental load

• Why slowing down helped me more than pushing through

• Journalling, meal planning and simple routines that made life easier

• Parenting teenagers, school events and mum guilt

• Finding joy in unexpected moments

• Shopping your own wardrobe and rediscovering forgotten favourites

• Wimbledon, football and embracing a slower summer

• Practical ways to make midlife feel a little lighter

📚 Book of the Week

A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving

One of my all-time favourite novels. A moving story of friendship, fate and unforgettable characters that has stayed with me for years. If you’ve never read it, this summer might be the perfect time.

📺 Watch of the Week

Criminal Record (Apple TV+)

A gripping British crime drama starring Cush Jumbo. Clever, compelling and perfect if you’re looking for your next series after the football.

🥦 Recipe of the Week: Roasted Broccoli Two Ways

A simple summer recipe that’s perfect as either a side dish or a fresh salad.

Ingredients

Base Recipe

• 2 heads (or bunches) of long-stem broccoli

• Olive oil

• Salt & pepper

• Garlic powder

Version 1 – Side Dish

• Parmesan flakes

Version 2 – Summer Salad

• Toasted flaked almonds

• Crumbled feta

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• Salt & pepper

Method

1. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.

2. Roast for around 15 minutes until tender with lightly crisp edges.

Version 1: Finish with Parmesan flakes and serve warm.

Version 2: Allow the broccoli to cool, then top with toasted almonds and crumbled feta. Dress with lemon juice, olive oil, crushed garlic, salt and pepper before serving.

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you could follow, rate and review Banter. Every review helps more women discover the podcast and join our wonderful community.

This week I’m talking about something I know so many women in midlife will recognise: overwhelm.

Between menopause, brain fog, parenting teenagers, work, school events, summer holiday planning and the endless mental load that seems to fall on our shoulders, there are times when everything feels like too much.

In this episode, I share what’s been helping me navigate a particularly challenging few weeks, why I’ve stopped putting so much pressure on myself and the small mindset shifts that are helping me cope when life feels overwhelming.

What I discuss in this episode:

• Menopause overwhelm, exhaustion and low mood

• Managing the mental load of family life

• Father’s Day expectations and family dynamics

• Mum guilt, school events and end-of-term chaos

• Parenting teenagers and surviving A-Level season

• Learning to let go of perfection

• Why exercise has helped more than I expected

• The importance of rest, boundaries and self-compassion

• Football, Wimbledon and finding simple pleasures

📺 Watch of the Week

Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)

A dark comedy with a touch of mystery and supernatural intrigue. Set on a small island off Massachusetts, this unusual series follows a mayor determined to modernise his town while battling local superstitions and strange events. Funny, quirky and completely different.

📚 Book of the Week

You Are Here by David Nicholls

A warm, funny and uplifting story about loneliness, friendship and second chances. Following two middle-aged strangers on a long-distance walking journey across northern England, it’s the perfect summer read.

🥔 Recipe of the Week: Crispy Mashed Potatoes Two Ways

Perfect as a side dish or turned into a delicious potato salad for summer gatherings and barbecues.

Ingredients

For the potatoes:

• 750g baby potatoes

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper

• Garlic powder

• Paprika

Optional topping (side dish version):

• Pickled red onions

• Chopped pickles

For the potato salad version:

• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1 heaped tsp Dijon mustard

• Capers

• Chopped pickles

• Fresh dill

• Chives

• Lemon juice

• Red onion

• Spring onions (to serve)

Method

1. Boil the baby potatoes until soft.
2. Drain and place on a baking tray.
3. Gently smash the potatoes using a potato masher or the back of a spoon.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
5. Bake until golden and crispy.

Option 1: Crispy Potato Side Dish

Top with pickled red onions and chopped pickles before serving.

Option 2: Crispy Potato Salad

Allow the potatoes to cool. Mix together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, capers, pickles, dill, chives, lemon juice and red onion. Fold through the potatoes and finish with extra chives and spring onions.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review Banter. Your support helps more listeners discover the show and means the world to me.

In this week’s episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu is back with a solo episode talking honestly about the kind of week so many midlife women will recognise.

After a joyful trip to Roland Garros with her sister, Anu returns home and is hit by what she describes as menopausal blues - a week where everything feels harder, confidence dips, motivation disappears and simply getting through the day feels like enough.

She talks about how movement helped her begin to shift out of it, from getting back on the Peloton to returning to playing tennis after a long break and why exercise, fresh air and doing one small thing for yourself can make such a difference in midlife.

Anu also gets into summer style, body confidence and the idea of wearing the clothes you already own instead of saving them for “best”. From clearing out her wardrobe to finding joy in dressing up again, she shares her reminder to wear the damn clothes, enjoy your body now and stop waiting to feel perfect.

There is also a Botox update following Anu’s appointment with Samantha Reynolds from Montclaire Aesthetics, including what she noticed, how she feels about the results and why choosing someone experienced matters.

Plus, as always, there are Banter recommendations including beauty finds, TV, books, restaurants and an easy recipe of the week.

In this episode:

- Menopause blues and low confidence

- Why movement can help shift your mood

- Getting back into tennis

- Summer style and body confidence

- Wearing the clothes you already own

- An honest Botox update

- Retinol eye patches and beauty recommendations

- Book, TV and restaurant recommendations

- Recipe of the week: French Beans with Pesto, Lemon & Parmesan

Banter Recommendations

📚 Book: Yesteryear by Caro Claire

📺 TV:

The Four Seasons

Alice and Steve

🍴 Restaurant: Chet’s at The Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush

💛 Beauty: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum & Under-Eye Patches

💛 Beauty: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask

Recipe of the Week: French Beans with Pesto, Lemon & Parmesan

A simple summer side dish that can be served warm or as a salad.

Ingredients

• 2 packets French beans

• 1 tub fresh pesto

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• Salt and pepper

• Parmesan, grated or shaved

Method

1. Roughly chop the French beans.
2. Blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, depending on how crunchy you like them.
3. Run under cold water.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the pesto, lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt and pepper.
5. Toss the beans through the dressing.
6. Finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.
7. Serve warm or cold.

Happy days 💛

A relatable, honest and practical episode about finding your way back to yourself in midlife, one small step at a time.

In this week’s episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu is joined by a very special guest, her sister, Nidhi, visiting from Los Angeles!

Together, they sit down for a candid sister to sister conversation covering everything from travel companions and female friendships to menopause, midlife and the importance of finding joy in everyday life.

The sisters share stories about travelling together, discuss what makes a great travel companion and reflect on why some friendships last a lifetime while others change with the seasons of life.

They also explore the often overlooked topic of female friendship breakups, making new friends in midlife and why connection becomes even more important as we get older.

Nidhi shares her perspective from Los Angeles, where menopause and perimenopause have become major topics of conversation among women. Together, they discuss the growing awareness around women’s health, the reality of symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, sleep disruption and hormonal changes and why talking openly about menopause matters more than ever.

As always, the episode finishes with Banter’s weekly recommendations, including books, television, films and a simple, delicious recipe.

In this episode:

Female friendships in midlife

Friendship breakups and changing seasons of life

Travelling with friends and family

Menopause and perimenopause conversations in the UK and LA

New hobbies, movement and staying connected

Book, TV and film recommendations

Recipe of the week: Chicken Piccata

Banter Recommendations

📚 Book Recommendations:

One and Only by Maureen Goo

Emily Henry novels, including People We Meet on Vacation

📺 TV Recommendations:

The Four Seasons (Season 2)

Running Point

🎬 Film Recommendations

Michael

Tuner

Recipe of the Week: Chicken Piccata

A simple, summery dish made with lightly floured chicken, lemon, garlic and capers.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts

• Flour

• Salt and pepper

• Garlic powder (optional)

• Olive oil or butter

• White wine, chicken stock or broth

• Lemon juice and lemon zest

• Garlic

• Capers

• Butter (optional)

Method:

1. Slice and flatten the chicken breasts.
2. Coat lightly in seasoned flour.
3. Sear on both sides and remove from the pan.
4. Deglaze the pan with wine or stock.
5. Add lemon juice, zest, garlic and capers.
6. Stir in butter if desired.
7. Return chicken to the pan and cook through.
8. Serve with pasta or potatoes (if your kids don't like pasta!)

A warm, funny and honest conversation about friendship, family, ageing and navigating midlife with plenty of laughs along the way.

In this week’s episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu sits down with Samantha Reynolds, an experienced nurse and aesthetics practitioner from Montclaire Aesthetics in Barnes, to answer the questions so many women have about Botox, fillers, microneedling and ageing well in midlife.

Samantha explains what Botox actually is, whether “preventative Botox” is really a thing, how fillers work, what microneedling does, and why a proper consultation matters so much.

Anu also asks the questions many of us are thinking but might feel too embarrassed to ask — from pain levels and safety, to looking natural, avoiding the “frozen” look, and whether it’s okay to simply want to feel better when you look in the mirror.

In this episode:

• ​ What Botox actually does
• ​ Prevention vs correction
• ​ Why “one treatment fits all” is a myth
• ​ Fillers explained simply
• ​ Microneedling and skin regeneration
• ​ What to look for in a safe practitioner
• ​ Retinol, SPF and skincare basics
• ​ Protein, collagen and skin health
• ​ Anu starting her own Botox journey

Samantha was highly recommended to Anu, and in true Banter style, Anu is taking listeners along for the start of her own Botox journey too — with video content coming on Instagram this week.

Whether you’re Botox-curious, confused by all the conflicting advice online, or simply interested in feeling more informed about ageing, confidence and skin in midlife, this episode is honest, practical and reassuring.

Episode 31 is out now 🎧

Welcome back to Banter: Real Talk, Real Life. Your weekly catch up on midlife, marriage, parenting, menopause, identity and all the chaos in between.

This week Anu is talking football fuelled household joy, menopause rage, hyper independence, teenage daughters, grown up sons returning home… and why midlife sometimes feels like your hormones are running a completely separate operation.

In this episode:

• the emotional transformation of living with an Arsenal fan after years of football misery

• why sport creates connection, excitement and belonging

• mysterious joint pain, brain fog and rage in menopause

• navigating pre-teen daughters with the energy of tiny lawyers preparing a case against you

• her son returning home from university

• why asking for help feels so uncomfortable for so many women

• the mental load of becoming the family “life logistics CEO”

• learning to delegate instead of silently overfunctioning

Because sometimes midlife feels like:

supporting everyone else, carrying the invisible admin, surviving hormonal rage… while also wondering why your elbows suddenly hurt for absolutely no reason.

And somehow, we keep going.

This Week’s Recommendations 

📚 Book Recommendation

• Strangers by Belle Burden

A raw, painful and beautifully written memoir exploring marriage breakdown, motherhood, betrayal, identity and rebuilding your life after everything changes overnight.

📺 TV Recommendations

• Rooster - Apple TV

Funny, clever and comforting viewing with chaotic emotional energy.

• Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed - Apple TV

Dark, addictive and impossible to stop watching.

Recipe of the Week 

Japanese Spinach Salad

Fresh, savoury, slightly sweet and ridiculously easy.

Perfect alongside sushi, salmon, fried chicken or rice bowls.

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch spinach (about 250–300g)

• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp mirin

• 1–2 tsp sugar

• Tiny splash sesame oil (optional)

Method

1. Toast the sesame seeds until fragrant.

2. Grind using a pestle and mortar.

3. Add soy sauce, mirin, sugar and sesame oil if using.

4. Boil the spinach for 30 seconds.

5. Drain, then immediately rinse with cold water.

6. Drain again and squeeze out ALL the water.

7. Roughly chop the spinach and pour over the dressing.

Simple, delicious… happy days!

If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed by the invisible mental load, irrationally furious over something tiny or quietly wondering whether everyone else is coping better than you… this episode is for you.

Episode 30 is out now 🎧

Welcome back to Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, your weekly catch up on midlife, parenting, relationships, health and all the chaos in between.

This week’s episode is a real mix of emotions, humour, honesty… and a very relatable menopausal mishap.

Anu talks about:

• Why recommending people to friends can feel oddly personal when it goes wrong

• The guilt that comes with a bad recommendation

• The reality of parenting during A levels and exam season

• University rejection and why it hurts parents too

• Learning to sit beside disappointment instead of fixing it

• A hilarious menopause moment involving arriving an hour early to an appointment

• Why kindness becomes more magnetic as we get older

• And finally… the Botox question

Because at some point in midlife, the algorithm starts showing us tweakments whether we like it or not...

When do women start?

How much is too much?

What even counts as “subtle” anymore?

Anu also introduces next week’s guest, an aesthetics expert, for a bigger conversation around ageing, confidence, Botox and tweakments.

This Week’s Recommendations

📺 TV & Streaming

• Margo's Got Money Troubles, Apple TV

• Citadel, Prime

• Rivals, Disney +

📚 Book Recommendation

Fame Sick by Lena Dunham

Recipe of the Week

Easy Samosa Wheels

Crispy, comforting and much easier than making traditional samosas.

Ingredients

• Puff pastry

• Potatoes

• Onion

• Peas

• Mango chutney

• Curry powder

• Cumin

• Garam masala

• Chilli flakes or chilli powder

• Salt & pepper

• Egg wash

Method

1. Boil the potatoes til very soft and fry with onions, peas and spices.

2. Spread mango chutney over the puff pastry.

3. Spread the potato filling evenly.

4. Roll tightly and freeze for 20-30 minutes.

5. Slice thinly into wheels.

6. Egg wash and bake until golden.

Perfect for snacks, hosting or an easy weekend treat.

If you’ve ever questioned yourself as a parent, laughed at your own midlife brain fog or stared at your reflection wondering whether Botox is inevitable… this episode is for you!

Episode 29 is out now 🎧

Welcome back to Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, your weekly catch-up on midlife, relationships, motherhood, travel, health and all the chaos in between.

This week Anu is back from Sicily… and reflecting on everything from all-inclusive holidays in your 50s to long-term marriage, contentment, menopause, family dynamics and the reality of grown-up children returning home.

She shares:

• why Palermo completely stole her heart

• the truth about travelling as a couple in midlife

• why “romance” looks different after 28 years of marriage

• the hilarious reality of all-inclusive holidays at 51

• a very unexpected voice note involving menopause and a brand-new dildo

• her emotional reflections after her son’s 19th birthday

• the reality of parenting older teens and navigating their future

• why travel still feels like freedom

And perhaps most importantly, why sometimes happiness isn’t the goal anymore… contentment is.

Because midlife isn’t always about big dramatic moments.

Sometimes it’s just walking side by side through unfamiliar streets, sharing an alcohol-free beer, and feeling quietly happy.

This Week’s Recommendations

Books 📚

• The Favorites by Lane Fargo

• Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

TV 📺

• Amandaland

Recipe of the Week 🍜

Comforting Miso Soup

Simple, nourishing, and perfect alongside last week’s sushi tray recipe.

Ingredients

• White miso paste

• Dashi stock sachets

• Silken tofu

• Spring onions

• Wakame seaweed

• Soy sauce (optional)

• Sesame oil (optional)

Method

1. Prepare the dashi stock according to packet instructions.

2. Gently heat and add the silken tofu.

3. Stir in the miso paste until dissolved.

4. Add wakame seaweed and spring onions.

5. Finish with soy sauce or sesame oil if desired.

6. Serve warm.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by midlife, questioned what connection really looks like in a long marriage or simply needed reminding that contentment counts too, this episode is for you.

Episode 28 is out now 🎧

Welcome back to Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, your weekly catch-up on everything midlife, from relationships and motherhood to health, mindset and the realities we don’t always talk about.

This week’s episode is a real one.

Anu shares what it’s been like feeling under the weather and one unexpected (and slightly mortifying) midlife moment that so many women will quietly relate to.

From there, it turns into a much bigger conversation about health, strength and how our priorities start to shift as we get older; from taking risks to protecting ourselves, physically and mentally.

She also talks about:
• becoming more risk-averse in midlife
• rebuilding strength and confidence after injury
• simple mindset shifts that actually help (including one that really stuck)
• the feeling that life is going “too well”… and what happens next
• how to cope when things don’t go to plan
• why sometimes all we can do is give it time

Because real life isn’t linear and sometimes it feels like things fall apart just as they start to come together.

Banter Recommendations:

• Book: The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff
• TV: Your Friends & Neighbours (Apple TV)
• TV: The Pitt
• TV: The Capture (BBC iPlayer)

Recipe of the Week:

Easy Sushi Tray Bake 🍣
(quick, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights)

Ingredients

• 500g sushi rice
• 1 tbsp sushi rice vinegar (or mirin)
• 2 packs crab sticks (shredded)
• 1 pack cooked king prawns (halved)
• 2–3 tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise (or regular mayo)
• 1 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• Black sesame seeds
• Japanese seasoning (or furikake)

To serve:
• Nori sheets
• Cucumber (sliced)
• Avocado (sliced)
• Sushi sauce
• Crispy onions

Method

1. Cook the sushi rice and mix through the vinegar or mirin. Leave to cool slightly.
2. Press the rice evenly into a large tray or dish.
3. In a bowl, mix the shredded crab sticks and prawns with mayo and sriracha.
4. Spread the mixture over the rice.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and Japanese seasoning.
6. Serve with nori, cucumber, avocado, sushi sauce, and crispy onions.
7. Spoon onto nori, add toppings, wrap, and enjoy.

If you’ve ever felt like your body is changing, your mindset is shifting, or life just isn’t quite going to plan, this episode will feel like a conversation with a friend.

Because sometimes it's not about having all the answers... it's about getting through it together!

Welcome back to Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, your weekly catch up on midlife, relationships, motherhood and everything in between.

This week, Anu is joined by Honor Marks for a really honest and refreshing conversation about marriage, divorce, female friendships and why women need time away for themselves.

From leaving London for the south of France to building a completely new chapter, Honor shares how her “me-treats” and community for women are helping women rebuild confidence, find connection and start again.

They talk about:
• marriage, communication & growing together
• divorce, separation & finding yourself again
• why female friendships matter more than ever
• empty nest, teenagers & changing identity
• menopause, loneliness & needing something more
• stepping out of your comfort zone and finding your people

If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected or like you’re figuring things out as you go, this episode will feel like a conversation with friends!

Because sometimes the best chapter hasn’t happened yet.

Honor's Recommendations:

• TV: The Office (US Version)
• Film: Love Actually
• Book: The Maid & The Tattooist of Auschwitz
• Recipe: Wholesome, home cooked meals are Honor's favourite type of meals so she has suggested her top two below.

Corsican Beef Stew - bourguignon beef cooked over two days in tomato passata, white wine, cinnamon and bay leaves. Served with pasta.

One Pot Chicken cooked with potatoes, white wine, cream and tarragon.

Follow, rate, review, and share with a friend who’d love some real talk, real life.

Welcome back to Season 3 of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life - your weekly midlife catch-up on real life, relationships, motherhood and everything in between.

This week, Anu shares reflections from her trip to Jaipur, India with her daughter, 30 years since meeting her husband in Barcelona and the emotional reality of parenting older children…  including what happens when your teenage son at uni blocks you!

Banter Recommendations:

This week a focus on shows and movies suitable for pre-teens and teens due to being away with her daughter on holiday.

TV: 

Scarpetta, starring Nicole Kidman on Prime Video

Finding Her Edge, Netflix

Amadeus, with Will Sharpe & Paul Bettaney on Sky and NOW

Film: People We Meet on Vacation - an easy, fun view!

Book: Heart the Lover by Lily King

Banter Bites: 

Omo (vegetarian restaurant where all produce has been farm grown in Gurgaon, India)

CAPHE (a Vietnamese restaurant owned by husband and wife in Gurgaon, India)

Recipe of the Week: Easy Mushroom Tart 

A simple, delicious midweek recipe that feels a little bit special.

Ingredients

• Ready-made puff pastry

• Mushrooms

• Garlic

• 1 onion

• Salt + black pepper

• Boursin cheese

• Parmesan

• Emmental cheese (or cheese of choice)

• Truffle oil

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Method

1. Fry garlic and onion.

2. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper.

3. Lay out the ready-made puff pastry and lightly score the edges.

4. Brush the edges with egg wash.

5. Spread a generous layer of Boursin cheese over the pastry.

6. Once the mushrooms have cooled, add on top.

7. Sprinkle over Parmesan and a little extra Emmental (or your cheese of choice).

8. Bake at 180°C for around 20 minutes until golden.

9. Finish with a drizzle of truffle oil and serve with salad.

If you’re navigating midlife, family life, relationship and trying to keep up with it all, this one will feel familiar.

Please follow, rate, review and share with a friend who would love some real talk, real life.

This week on Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu is back with the final episode of Season 2.

It’s a mix of everyday life, honest reflections and a few slightly questionable decisions - from repainting the bedroom while her husband was away, to wondering why we all keep buying things on Instagram that never quite live up to expectations.

She also shares a cultural reflection after attending a recent book launch and why sometimes things just don’t land in the way you expect them to.

Alongside the lighter moments, the episode moves into a more practical conversation around what actually happens when someone dies - something many people are beginning to navigate at this stage of life.

Anu talks through the basics:

• Registering the death

• Arranging the funeral

• Locating the will

• Applying for probate

And why having even a simple understanding of the process can make a difficult time feel more manageable.

If you’d like to get in touch regarding this, you can contact Anu at:

📩 anuja.wagner@mullenderlaw.com

As always, the episode finishes with this week’s recommendations...

📺 Banter Recommendations

TV

• Vladimir (Netflix)

• Last One Laughing UK (Prime Video)

Film

• Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling

🍽️ Banter Bites

Shiuli – Twickenham

A lovely local Indian restaurant with generous portions and great quality food.

Set menu from around £18–£22 for two or three courses.

Perfect for sharing - a group of four ordered across the menu and shared everything.

📚 Book Recommendation

All Fours by Miranda July

A bold and unusual novel exploring reinvention, feeling stuck and choosing a different path.

🌮 Recipe of the Week

The Double Wrap Chilli Melt

Layer a wrap with guacamole, salsa, chilli, grated cheese and crushed tortilla chips.

Top with a soft taco, fold into a parcel and fry until golden and crispy.

Serve with extra guacamole and salsa.

A mix of humour, honesty and real life conversations to close out Season 2.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate and share with someone who might like it.

For more, find Anu on Instagram @banter.pod

This week on Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu records the episode on Mother’s Day and reflects on how her relationship with the day has changed over the years.

When the children were younger, Mother’s Day often felt like a slightly forced celebration while still doing everything for everyone else. Now, with older children, it feels different - less about obligation and more about appreciation. Sometimes all we really need is a simple “thank you” or “you’re doing a good job.”

Anu also talks about feeling a little off recently - those moments where motivation comes and goes, confidence dips and everything feels harder than it should. After listening to Mel Robbins and trying to connect the dots, she begins to wonder whether the real issue might be something far simpler: sleep.

The episode also explores the joy of reconnecting with old friends and how, within minutes, the conversation inevitably turns to menopause - sleep struggles, energy shifts and mood changes. It’s a reminder that so many women are navigating the same changes at the same time, often with humour and honesty.

As always, the episode finishes with this week’s Banter recommendations.

📺 TV Recommendations

Love Story

A series exploring the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette and the intense media attention surrounding their lives. The show has sparked controversy with members of the Kennedy family questioning how certain figures have been portrayed.

DTF St Louis

A dark comedy crime series starring Jason Bateman and David Harbour. Funny, outrageous and highly entertaining with new episodes released weekly.

🍽️Banter Bites

Tosa – Hammersmith

A small Japanese gem serving beautifully prepared dishes in an intimate setting.

Julie’s – Notting Hill

A reminder about Julie’s “First Table” offer for early diners.

Recipe of the Week

Baked Rice with Spinach

(optional, served with grilled chicken, kale and peppers)

A comforting and simple dish perfect for midweek meals.

Full recipe will be out Monday 16th March, this evening right here!

This episode is a gentle reflection on motherhood, midlife changes and the small things - like sleep, friendship and appreciation - that can make a big difference.

If you enjoy Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, please follow the show and leave a rating or review. It really helps more people discover the podcast.

You can also find more recommendations, clips and recipes on Instagram @banter.pod

This week on Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu sits down with Jackie Upton, founder of Sheen Uncovered Lingerie Boutique and a passionate advocate for women’s health and body confidence.

For more than 20 years Jackie has been helping women feel comfortable in their own bodies through expert bra fitting and honest conversations about breast health. Through her work she has supported women navigating pregnancy, post-surgery recovery, menopause and the everyday realities of changing bodies.

In this thoughtful and refreshingly practical conversation, Jackie shares why the right fit is about so much more than lingerie. It is about confidence, education and understanding what actually works for your body.

They talk about the importance of having open conversations in changing rooms, why so much misinformation still exists around bra fitting and breast health and how education and language around our bodies should start much earlier.

Jackie also shares the challenges of running an independent retail business today, the importance of knowledgeable staff and why supporting local shops matters more than ever.

Anu also introduced a Quick Fire Round where she asked Jackie to share her thoughts on brands such as Skims and Wonderbra!

As always Anu finishes with a few Banter recommendations. This week, Jackie shared hers…

📚Book Recommendation - The Queen of Bloody Everything

A beautifully written novel exploring the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, nostalgia and the different chapters of life.

🎬 Film Recommendations: Classic films such as

Billy Elliot

The Holiday

📺 TV Recommendations:

Ted Lasso

Bridgerton

Emily in Paris

Offspring - a fabulous Australian soap on Netflix

🍴Favourite Meal 

A comforting roast - perfect for bringing family and friends together.

Think good old fashioned sides, red cabbage, celeriac and homemade gravy.

⸻

If you enjoy the podcast please follow the show and leave a rating or review. It really helps more people discover Banter.

For more from this episode including behind the scenes clips, recipes and recommendations follow along on Instagram @banter.pod

This week on Banter, Anu reflects on something deceptively simple but surprisingly powerful: self doubt.

After a thoughtful dog walk and a conscious decision to rearrange her day around good weather and daylight, she began questioning the way we think about confidence. What if confidence isn’t a personality trait at all but a nervous system state?

In this episode, she explores:

• Why self doubt often shows up just before growth

• The idea that “self doubt is fear in disguise”

• Why fear tends to appear right before expansion

• Rearranging your life around what regulates and restores you

• Asking better questions when you feel stuck

Instead of asking “Am I good enough?”

Perhaps we should be asking:

Have I seen daylight today?

Have I moved my body?

Is my nervous system calm?

Sometimes the shift is physiological before it is psychological.

As always, the episode ends with Banter Recommendations:

📺 TV Recommendations

• Waiting for the Out (BBC iPlayer) - thoughtful and intelligent, following a philosophy teacher who teaches inmates whilst navigating OCD and personal challenges

• The Walsh Sisters (BBC iPlayer) - adapted from Marian Keyes' book - sharp, funny and messy family dynamics with strong emotional themes

• Bridgerton (Netflix) - 2nd part of the latest series, Episode 1 - pure escapism, joyful and indulgent

🍽️ Restaurant Recommendation

• Ruth’s, Lower Richmond Road, Putney - a new neighbourhood-style bistro with a lovely menu, delicious cocktails and a standout lemon tart! The staff are incredibly friendly and it’s the kind of place you want to return to.

🍣 Listener Recommendation

• Tomoe, Upper Richmond Road - a Japanese sushi gem kindly recommended by one of Banter’s lovely listeners. An absolute delight and very reasonably priced.

📚 Book Recommendation

• The Names by Florence Knapp - a compelling sliding doors style novel exploring three different life trajectories shaped by what a child is named. Intriguing, reflective and deeply engaging.

🥗 Recipe of the Week

Chicken Salad with Bagel Croutons

Dressing is adapted and inspired by Baked by Melissa.

Bagel Croutons

• 1 seeded bagel, chopped into chunky squares

• Olive oil

• Maldon salt

Mix together. Pop in the oven and roast until golden and crisp.

For the Chicken

• Ready-made chicken breast, sliced lengthways

• Drizzle of olive oil

• Paprika

• Salt

• Garlic powder

• Dried parsley

Mix together and pop in the already hot oven with the croutons.

Salad Base

• Chopped iceberg lettuce

• Chopped red cabbage

• Grated carrot

• Avocado (or whatever you have in the fridge)

Dressing (Inspired by Baked by Melissa)

• 3–4 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 generous tbsp miso paste

• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 1 tbsp honey

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• 1 large garlic clove, grated

• Salt and pepper

Shake really well. Toss everything together. Dress generously.

Quick. Healthy. Really delicious. Perfect for lunch.

If this episode resonated, follow the podcast so you never miss us on a Monday. Ratings and reviews genuinely help more people discover Banter and keep these conversations going.

For more behind the scenes, the full recipe and weekly recommendations, head over to Instagram @banter.pod where Anu shares everything in real time.

In this week’s episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu reflects on something that felt unexpectedly luxurious - a quiet week off.

With her daughter and husband away on a ski trip, Anu spends half term at home with just one child, discovering the beauty of slower days, one-to-one time and letting go of the pressure to do everything herself.

From home improvements and outsourcing small jobs (hello TaskRabbit), to wandering London with her middle child - the quieter one. This episode is all about presence over perfection, and how midlife friendships are evolving beyond dinner and drinks into shared experiences and hobbies! 

In this episode:

• Taking a proper week off and finding mental clarity

• Delegating, home refreshes & releasing control

• One-to-one time with your middle child (and why it matters)

• Midlife friendships - craving more connection, less routine

• Why presence beats grand gestures

TV Recommendations:

• Heated Rivalry: binge-worthy drama

• Tehran: anxiously awaiting the next season!

Banter Bites:

• Rai - intimate dining, thoughtful menu, perfect for real conversations

• Petersham Nurseries - dreamy cream teas and a beautiful London escape

Book Recommendation:

• Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot - a powerful, dignified memoir exploring justice, survival and rebuilding identity after unimaginable betrayal

🍽️ Recipe of the Week

Lime & Coriander Chicken with Smashed Sweet Potatoes, Black Beans & Homemade Slaw

A comforting, flavour-packed meal that feels special but is easy enough for a weeknight.

Chicken Marinade

2 tbsp olive oil

Juice + zest of 1 lime

2 tbsp honey

Paprika

Cumin

Salt & pepper

Garlic powder

4 cloves garlic, crushed

Mix everything together, add chicken thighs, and marinate for 15–20 minutes.

Grill or roast until cooked through. Finish with fresh lime juice, lots of chopped coriander and pickled red onions.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Black Bean Topping

Sweet potatoes, cut lengthways

Olive oil

Roast until soft, then squash them down slightly and return to the oven to crisp.

For the topping:

Black beans (tinned or Merchant Gourmet pouch)

Red onion, finely chopped

Red pepper, finely chopped

1 clove garlic

Paprika

Salt & pepper

Chilli flakes

Sauté onion, pepper and garlic, add beans, season and warm through.

Spoon over the sweet potatoes, top with grated cheese and fresh jalapeños.

(These are delicious on their own with a simple salad too.)

Homemade Slaw

Cabbage, finely sliced

Grated carrot

Fresh parsley

Dressing:

Olive oil

White wine vinegar

1 clove garlic

2 tsp honey

Salt & pepper

Mix dressing and pour over veg just before serving.

A gentle reminder that it’s okay to slow down, ask for help and make space for what really matters.

If this episode resonated - please follow, rate and share Banter: Real Talk, Real Life. It truly helps the podcast grow 🤍

February energy hits differently… and in this episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu reflects on lingering thoughts from her powerful interview with Laura Behnke, half-term chaos, expiring birthday vouchers and finding meaning in everyday moments. Plus her latest book, TV and music picks, and a comforting Chicken Nasi Goreng to finish.

Real life. Real conversations. And just enough chaos to keep it interesting.

✨ Reflections After Laura Behnke

Anu opens up about why their conversation stayed with her; from misogyny in the workplace and fertility journeys, to cancer survival and the quiet ways women learn not to speak up. A raw, honest look at shared female experiences, invisible grief and why these stories matter.

🌧️ February Energy, Half-Term & Voucher Panic

Grey weather, half-term logistics and the classic scramble to use nearly expired birthday vouchers (including a Valentine’s booking fail). Anu shares why experiences beat “stuff,” plus highlights from a recent cookery class that boosted her confidence in the kitchen.

Banter Recommendations

📚Book: The Wedding People - intelligent, funny and quietly uplifting

📺 TV: 

Bridgerton (latest season) for escapist indulgence

Under Salt Marsh for something darker and moodier

🎶 Music: DJO (Joe Keery) - varied, soulful tracks worth a Spotify deep dive

🍳 Recipe of the Week:  Chicken Nasi Goreng (Anu’s Adapted Version)

Inspired by her cookery class and turned into a hearty, midweek family meal.

Ingredients:

• Cooked jasmine rice (ideally day-old)

• Chicken breast or thighs, diced

• Garlic, ginger, red chilli

• Onion + spring onions

• Mixed veg (carrots, peppers, peas, greens)

• Dark soy sauce

• Sweet soy (kecap manis if you have it)

• Dash of fish sauce

• Sesame oil + neutral oil

• Lime wedge

• Optional: fried egg + crispy shallots

Method:

1. Lightly marinate chicken in soy + sesame oil, then fry until golden. Set aside.

2. In the same pan, stir-fry garlic, ginger, chilli and onion.

3. Add vegetables and cook until just tender.

4. Add rice, breaking up any clumps.

5. Stir in dark soy, sweet soy and fish sauce. Return chicken to the pan.

6. Finish with spring onions, a squeeze of lime and fresh herbs.

Optional topping: fried egg + crispy shallots.

Flexible, comforting and perfect for busy weeks.

💛 A reminder that every woman has a story and real life doesn’t come in neat chapters.

If this episode resonated, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review and share it with someone who might enjoy a little real-life banter. Thank you so much for listening.

In this deeply honest episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu sits down with Laura Behnke - a US based former sports anchor, mum, wife, cancer survivor and all round incredible human.

Laura shares her journey from covering Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and the American Women’s World Cup celebratory parade in New York City, to navigating the disadvantages of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.

She opens up about finding love at 35, expecting her happily ever after… then facing grief, an IVF journey and ultimately stage three cancer.

With courage and candour, Laura talks about adapting to a “new normal,” the importance of listening to your body and why breaking the taboo of talking about poop with your doctor could literally save your life.

Together, Anu and Laura explore surrender, resilience and why real stories matter more than curated social media lives. It’s a powerful conversation about survival, identity and learning to work with your body, not against it - offering hope to anyone facing illness, recovery or major life change.

In true Banter style, Laura also shares some of her favourite comfort picks:

📚 Book: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss - a beautiful story about all kinds of love

📺 TV: The Pitt starring Noah Wyle - raw, gripping and deeply human

🎬 Feel-good films: Pitch Perfect 2 and Eurovision on Netflix - comfort watches on repeat

🍰 Recipe tease: Laura’s easy Mexican Churro Cake - a simple crowd pleaser perfect for brunch or dessert (full recipe coming soon!)

If this episode resonates, please follow, rate and share Banter: Real Talk, Real Life with someone who might need it 🤍

February is here and in this episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu reflects on letting go of January pressure and discovering that progress doesn’t always come from pushing harder.

A family trip to Abu Dhabi brings rest, beautiful food and time with close friends but real life arrives too. Just after landing, Anu receives news that her son has been taken to hospital. From the shock of being far away, to a long day waiting for updates, to the relief when he’s able to go home, this episode gently explores how joy and worry often exist side by side.

Anu talks about slowly allowing herself to enjoy the moment again, finding grounding through creativity, good food and the comfort of adult friendships, the kind that don’t need constant maintenance but show up when it matters.

In this episode:

Abu Dhabi: travel, food, creativity & staying present

When life collides: holding joy and worry at the same time

Adult friendships: calm, supportive & grounding

Letting go of January pressure: progress without force

Recommendations:

• Book: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

• TV: Steal, starring Sophie Turner

🍽️ Recipe of the Week

Caper Butter Sea Bass with Zesty Parmesan Macaroni & Cavolo Nero

A simple but special dinner; fresh, comforting and easy.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 4 sea bass fillets

• Plain flour, for dusting

• Butter

• Capers

• Macaroni

• Lemon zest

• Parmesan cheese

• Fresh dill

• Cavolo nero

Method:

Lightly dust the sea bass in flour and pan-fry skin-side down in butter until crisp. Remove from the pan, then add more butter and capers. Return the fish, season, and baste for another minute.

Cook the macaroni, then finish with butter, lemon zest, fresh dill and Parmesan. Steam the cavolo nero and serve alongside.

Life feels noisy right now - advice everywhere, habits to fix, routines to perfect. In this episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu slows things down and shares what she’s actually taking from it all: small changes, honest updates and letting go of pressure.

She checks in on life lately, shares a realistic update on decluttering (momentum over motivation, progress over perfection), reflects on how the body holds stress after a visit to the osteopath and gives a candid, non-polished update on quitting smoking.

As always, there are plenty of Banter recommendations:

Banter Bites: Holy Carrot, Notting Hill

TV Recommendations: Heated Rivalry and Agatha Christie: Seven Dials

Book Recommendation: Until August — first impressions

🍽️ Banter Recipe of the Week:

Asian Sticky Chicken with Sesame Broccoli & Smashed Cucumber Salad

Fresh, comforting, and perfect for busy weeks.

Sticky Chicken Marinade

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 3 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1½ tbsp ketchup

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional)

• ½–1 tsp chilli flakes or sriracha (optional)

Marinate chicken (thighs work best) for 30 minutes–12 hours. Cook hot and glaze at the end.

Sesame Garlic Broccoli

• 1 large head broccoli, florets

• 1 tbsp neutral oil

• 1–2 tsp toasted sesame oil

• 2 garlic cloves, sliced

• 1–2 tsp soy sauce

Sauté garlic briefly, add broccoli, splash of water, steam, then finish with sesame oil.

Smashed Cucumber Salad

• 2 large cucumbers

• 1 tsp salt

• 1½ tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1–2 tsp sugar or honey

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 small garlic clove, grated

• Chilli crisp or flakes (optional)

Salt cucumbers 10 minutes, drain, toss with dressing, rest briefly before serving.

A reminder that small wins count in habits, health and headspace.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review the podcast. And share it with someone who might need a little real-life encouragement 🤍

In this episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life, Anu turns her attention to the kind of life admin most of us avoid and explains why putting it off can create far more stress than dealing with it calmly and early.

A Gentle January Reset

January begins slowly, with Anu embracing short bursts of decluttering to create space and clarity. From clearing out clothes and letting go of chipped plates to finally paying off a lingering credit card, this isn’t about a full reset, just easing pressure and doing what feels manageable. No big goals yet. Just breathing room.

Life Admin (The Important Stuff We Keep Avoiding)

Drawing on her day job as a wills & probate private client lawyer, Anu dives into why wills, probate and powers of attorney are so important and why they so often stay at the bottom of our to do lists.

She breaks it down in a clear, reassuring way:

• ​ Why having a will is about certainty and choice, regardless of how much you own
• ​ What happens if you don’t have one (the intestacy rules and why they often surprise people)
• ​ Common misconceptions, including what married couples assume will happen
• ​ Why probate can become costly, slow and stressful without planning
• ​ What a power of attorney is and why not having one can mean court involvement, long delays and added expense if something unexpected happens

This is practical, real-life advice designed to inform, not overwhelm and a reminder that you’re not behind!

If you have further questions , please get in touch! You can find out more or message Anu on the socials: Instagram, TikTok or via email: Anuja.wagner@mullenderlaw.com

Banter Recommendations

Banter Bites:

🍽 The Tamil Prince, Islington - a standout South Indian restaurant set in a pub. Unexpected, delicious and full of flavour.

Book (Audiobook):

📖 Only Say Good Things by Crystal Hefner - a fascinating and revealing listen from Hugh Hefner’s last wife, offering a perspective few have heard.

TV:

📺 New Year Days - a Spanish series told across ten New Year’s Eves over a decade. Beautifully acted, deeply human and completely absorbing.

Film:

🎬 One Battle After Another - starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor and Benicio del Toro. A bold action thriller with dark humour and sharp political commentary on modern polarisation.

Recipe of the Week: Low-Effort Comfort Food

Anu shares a simple, satisfying dinner that delivers every time.

Ingredients:

• ​ Rotisserie chicken (½–1 chicken) Great ones from Waitrose
• ​ Iceberg lettuce, chopped
• ​ Avocado
• ​ Cucumber
• ​ Red onion
• ​ Sweetcorn

Garlic Dressing:

• ​ Olive oil
• ​ White wine vinegar
• ​ 1–2 cloves garlic, finely crushed
• ​ Salt & pepper
• ​ A drizzle of honey

Side:

Sweet potato wedges roasted with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs, salt & pepper.

Finished with sweet & spicy jalapeño relish (Waitrose) and Anu’s pickled onions.

This episode is about tackling the things that quietly weigh on us gently, clearly and without pressure.

If you’re enjoying Banter, please rate, review, follow or comment - it really helps the podcast grow.

Thank you so much for listening 💛

​

​For all enquiries, please email emily@banterpod.com

Recorded on a cold, bleak January morning, this week’s episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life is all about slowing down, resetting after Christmas chaos and easing gently into the new year.

The Non-Ski Ski Trip

Anu shares highlights from a 4 night family break in Mayrhofen, Austria as a calm reset before returning to work. After a skiing accident a few years ago, she made the decision to stop skiing and fully embrace a slower pace. With teens sleeping in, her husband and daughter on the slopes, and amazing food at their hotel each night, the trip became the perfect January retreat.

Type 1 Diabetes & Problem-Solving on the Slopes

Anu opens up about the irony of her son, the keenest skier, living with Type 1 diabetes and the challenges cold climates bring. After a stressful first day, she turned to ChatGPT for practical advice on energy levels, timing food and managing glucose levels, sharing how small changes helped him enjoy the rest of the trip.

January Overwhelm & When to Pause

Back home, Anu reflects on January overwhelm - cluttered spaces, mental fog and the pressure to set goals before feeling ready. Instead of forcing productivity, she chose a gentler approach: 20 minute decluttering bursts, tea breaks, reading and waiting until the right headspace arrived.

Banter Recommendations

Book of the Week

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A surprisingly warm, comforting read - perfect for easing into January.

TV Recommendations

Runaway (Netflix) - A Harlan Coben adaptation watched with her daughter. Not groundbreaking but highly watchable with classic cliffhanger endings.

The Night Manager (BBC iPlayer) - Gripping and brilliantly cast. Tom Hiddleston shines alongside Indira Varma in this John le Carré adaptation.

Task starring Mark Ruffalo - Mixed reviews but entertaining and hard not to enjoy with Ruffalo on screen.

Looking Ahead

A little winter escapism on the horizon — Bridgerton, Shrinking, and a conscious effort to get back to the cinema this year.

Banter Bites

Le Swine, East Sheen

Anu’s weekly favourite for incredible fresh produce, outstanding bacon butties, homemade sauces (chipotle, mushroom ketchup-style), in-house pickles, delicious burgers, wonderful staff and fun evening events with cocktails and music.

Recipe of the Week — Anu’s Pork Bánh Mì

A fresh Vietnamese style sandwich that’s easy to adapt!

Ingredients

For the pork (or alternative):

• Pork (or chicken, tofu, prawns or mushrooms)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp fish sauce

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• Plenty of garlic, crushed or grated

• Fresh ginger, grated (optional)

• Optional oyster sauce (Anu keeps it simple)

Quick pickles:

• Red onion or radish, thinly sliced

• White wine vinegar or rice vinegar

• Hot water

• Sugar, to taste

Fresh filling:

• Grated carrots

• Cucumber sticks

• Fresh coriander

• Fresh jalapeños (optional)

Sauce:

• Mayonnaise

• Sriracha

To serve:

• Baguette

• Prawn crackers or sweet potato fries (optional)

Method

1. Mix soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. Add the pork (or alternative) and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Place sliced onion or radish in a jar, cover with vinegar, add a splash of hot water and a pinch of sugar. Shake and set aside.

3. Fry the marinated meat until cooked and caramelised. Slice finely at an angle.

4. Prep the veg: grate carrots, cut cucumber, chop coriander and slice jalapeños.

5. Mix mayonnaise and sriracha to taste.

6. Fill the baguette with sauce, meat, pickles and fresh veg.

7. Serve immediately, ideally with prawn crackers or sweet potato fries.

A gentle reminder to take January at your own pace, there’s no rush. If you’re enjoying Banter, please rate, review, comment or share, it really helps the podcast grow.

Next week, Ep 15, Anu brings together her two worlds, exploring the importance of wills and powers of attorney.

Thank you so much for listening 🤍

Christmas didn’t quite go to plan, New Year’s Eve surprised her (in the best way) and now Anu is easing gently into January with fresh goals, softer boundaries and a big reminder to do less not more. Welcome back to Season 2 of Banter 🎧

🎄 Christmas Reflections: When the Magic Shifts

Anu gets real about Christmas being a bit of a sh*t show. From juggling different cultural traditions (European Christmas Eve + Christmas Day), extended family staying over and teens and pre teens who no longer fuss over Santa - she reflects on the pressure to please everyone and the emotional load that comes with it.

Takeaways: smaller, quieter Christmas Days, kinder boundaries, and less pressure to host for too long.

✨ New Year’s Eve Done RightA low-key New Year’s Eve with family, close friends, kids and zero pressure - plus a new game obsession: Hitster.

Spotify-linked, music-based, competitive and hilarious - highly recommended for all ages. Photos of the game are linked here !

Anu heads into 2026 feeling refreshed, connected and ready.

📝 New Year Goals (Without the Overwhelm)Forget typing, Anu is all about writing goals down.

She shares simple, realistic goal-setting ideas:

• ​ small, achievable habits (drink more water, eat more protein)
• ​ setting goals when you’re in the right headspace
• ​ categorising goals (health, finances, personal)
• ​ writing a letter to your future self, congratulating you in advance

Plus, how she’s using ChatGPT as an accountability coach with monthly check-ins.

📺 TV RecommendationPernille (Netflix) - a warm, funny and quietly emotional Norwegian series about a divorced mum navigating grief, family and life. A hidden gem.

🎬 Movie RecommendationJay Kelly starring George Clooney & Adam Sandler - a poignant, thoughtful film about ageing, fame, loneliness and identity.

Understated, moving, and a standout performance from Adam Sandler!

🧀 Recipe of the Week: Anu’s Chilli Cheese ToastA super easy January comfort bite — perfect as a snack or light dinner with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:​ grated cheese

• ​ finely chopped red onion
• ​ finely chopped green pepper
• ​ chopped tomato
• ​ salt & plenty of black pepper
• ​ bread
• ​ ketchup or mango chutney (crucial step!)
• ​ chopped coriander (optional)
• ​chilli flakes (to finish)

Method:​ In a bowl, mix the cheese, red onion, green pepper, tomato, salt and black pepper.

1. ​ Grill one side of the bread until lightly toasted.
2. ​ Flip the bread and spread a thin layer of ketchup or mango chutney on the untoasted side.
3. ​ Pile the cheese mixture on top.
4. ​ Grill until bubbling and golden.
5. ​ Finish with chopped coriander and sprinkle chilli flakes on top if using.

Simple, comforting and perfect for a quiet January evening.

🤍 Closing ThoughtsTake it slow. Ease into January. You don’t need to do everything at once!

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review or comment - it really helps the podcast grow and means so much.Thank you for listening ✨

End of Season One

Recorded on her actual birthday, Anu wraps up Season One of Banter with honesty, reflection and festive warmth and is joined by her sister Nidhi, who is visiting from Los Angeles, for a powerful end-of-year conversation about burnout, recovery and starting again.

From saying yes more than ever before, to navigating money worries, family and slowing down at Christmas, this episode is a thoughtful, feel good close to the year.

Welcome back to Banter — real talk, real life and just enough chaos to keep it interesting ✨

Birthday Reflections & Saying Yes

Turning 51, Anu reflects on a year that went faster than expected. From scrolling through old photos to revisiting the intention she set last year, to say yes more, she shares how one small mindset shift led to joy, connection and unforgettable experiences… alongside tiredness and the need for balance.

Highlights of the Year

From her 50th birthday celebration, Wimbledon men’s finals with her dad, the Champions League final and finally starting Banter, Anu reflects on the moments that truly mattered and the power of going for things even when fear is present.

The Lowlights: Money & Mental Load

A refreshingly open conversation about financial stress, overspending and the quiet anxiety money can bring, even in a year filled with joy. Anu shares how planning, budgeting and small mindset changes helped her regain a sense of control.

Christmas in London (Without the Pressure) 🎄

A reminder that you don’t need constant plans to enjoy Christmas. One or two things a day is plenty - leave space for walks, rest and spontaneity.

Favourite festive ideas include:

• ​ A Christmas lights walk

(Piccadilly Circus → Fortnum & Mason → Jermyn Street → Arcades → Bond Street → Carnaby → Soho → Seven Dials → Covent Garden)

• ​ Saatchi Gallery Interactive Days (23rd & 30th December — free)

• ​ Winter walks through Kensington Gardens to the Serpentine

• ​ Pavilion Road treats & Bread Ahead sourdough

• ​ Finding last-minute musical deals via TodayTix

Banter Bites 🍝

La Mia Mamma — joyful Italian food, incredible value and perfect if you want a break from Christmas cooking.

Festive TV Pick 📺

Amandaland Christmas Special — Christmas Day on BBC iPlayer. Cosy, sharp and very funny.

Special Interview: Sisterhood & Starting Again

Anu is joined by her sister Nidhi, who is visiting from Los Angeles, for a deeply honest and inspiring conversation. Nidhi shares her journey through burnout, a serious car accident, traumatic brain injury, forced rest or as she likes to call it a sabbatical, and how surrendering to a slower pace changed her outlook on life, work and healing.

A powerful conversation about ambition, identity, recovery and redefining success.

Banter Recipes — Christmas Edition 🥬

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta, Maple & Pecans

Ingredients:

• ​ Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (or quartered if large)
• ​ Shallots
• ​ Garlic (optional)
• ​ Pancetta (optional)
• ​ Maple syrup
• ​ Roasted pecans

Method:

Parboil sprouts, drain and dry well.

Fry pancetta until crisp, set aside.

Sauté shallots (and garlic if using), add sprouts and cook until golden.

Return pancetta, drizzle with maple syrup and finish with roasted pecans.

Simple, festive and genuinely delicious.

Thank you for being part of Season One of Banter — your support has meant everything 💛

This is your gentle reminder to slow down, reflect and carry what matters into the new year.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please rate, review, comment or follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It truly helps the show grow.

Wishing you a warm, restful Christmas and a beautiful end to the year ✨🎄

From easing up on Christmas pressure to mulled cider swaps, caring for ageing parents and a surprise banter confession from a very unexpected guest. Anu reflects on december life with honesty, humour and a lot of perspective.

Welcome back to Banter: Real talk, Real life and just enough chaos to keep it interesting!

🧘‍♀️ A Calmer Run Up to Christmas

Anu talks about the sudden shock of it being December (again) and her determination to keep things as stress free as possible this year. From leaving decorations and shopping until the last minute to letting plans unfold naturally, it’s all about choosing ease over pressure.

🍷 Mulled Cider Instead of Mulled Wine

A festive game changer. Anu discovers mulled cider and explains why it’s officially replaced mulled wine; lighter, warmer and perfect for decorating the tree with mince pies in hand.

🎁 Gifting Without the Guilt

Do we really need to buy presents for friends? Anu shares her relaxed approach to gifting - giving when it feels joyful, letting go when it doesn’t and realising nobody actually minds as much as we think.

🍗 Christmas Food, Minus the Panic

No turkey ordered? No problem. Anu talks about ditching the queues, trusting the supermarkets and reminding herself that chicken works just fine if needed.

🤧 Cold & Flu Survival Tips

Anu shares the remedies she swears by at the first sign of a cold: from Coldzine to soothing sore throats plus her go to homemade power shots when something starts creeping in:

Hot lemon/honey, fresh turmeric, homemade power shots (orange juice + turmeric + ginger +

black pepper + honey)

The Sandwich Generation

A candid, thoughtful reflection on caring for ageing parents while still raising children. From navigating big life decisions to learning when to step back, Anu opens up about worry, boundaries and letting go of what you can’t control.

📺 TV Recommendations

Beast in Me - A gripping Netflix drama starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. Intense, binge-worthy and brilliantly acted.

Riot Women - A powerful BBC iPlayer series about midlife women forming a punk band - sharp, funny, emotional and deeply relatable. A standout recommendation that feels very Banter.

📚 Book of the Week

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

A layered rural drama blending love, loss and mystery. Emotional, compelling and an easy yet absorbing read for the festive break.

🎙️ Podcast Pick: How to Fail interview with Alex Hassell

An unexpectedly moving conversation about confidence, insecurity and taking risks - a reminder that everyone is figuring it out as they go.

🍽️ Banter Bites: Tower House, Richmond

A newly opened, beautiful riverside restaurant with small plates, relaxed elegance and stunning views - so good Anu’s already booked to go back.

😅 Banter Confessions

This week’s confession comes from a very special guest, guaranteed to make you smile.

Recipe of the Week:

Anu-Style Tandoori Chicken, French Beans & Gunpowder Potatoes

Tandoori Chicken:

- Use chicken thigh fillets or thighs; breast only if cut at an angle.

- Marinade: yogurt, 2 tbsp oil, juice of 1/2 lemon, 2 tsp salt, 4 garlic cloves,

2 tsp coriander powder, 2 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp chaat masala (key spice).

- Optional ginger.

- Marinate 30 mins - overnight.

- Bake ~ 45 mins at 200°C.

- Finish with chaat masala, lemon/lime, coriander.

French Beans:

- Fine beans cooked with black mustard seeds and dried curry leaves.

- Blanch first if you have time; if not, cook straight in the pan.

Gunpowder Potatoes:

- Boil tiny potatoes, smash slightly.

- Roast with salt, chaat masala, coriander powder, garam masala.

- Finish with coriander, extra chaat masala, pomegranate seeds.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, rate and review wherever you listen, it really helps the podcast grow 🌱

Thank you so much for listening and for all your support 💛

✨ Follow along on Instagram @banter.pod for more.

🎄 Early December Reflections
The annual shock that it’s somehow already December. This year, Anu treats herself to a beauty advent calendar, reflects on the joy (and mild chaos) of having a birthday right before Christmas, and navigates that December tension.

Christmas Questions
Are you hosting or happily not hosting?Do Christmas cards still exist?Is everyone already booked up… or already exhausted?A little festive pondering and planning reality.

📺 Banter TV Picks
• Blue Lights - a gritty, gripping Belfast drama.

Nobody Wants This - warm, funny, easy rom-com vibes.

Prisoner 951 - powerful, political and deeply moving.

😂 Comedy Night Out: Quip Shed Comedy
A brilliant night out… with:• the second-row trap after the entire front row stayed empty,• Anu’s friend blurting out “unemployed”, Anu admitting “I’m a solicitor”… and someone in the audience recognizing her,

🍴 Restaurant Recommendation
Kolae, Borough Market — bold Thai flavours, amazing atmosphere, the perfect pre Christmas night out

🥣 Recipe of the Week — Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese & Pesto Sandwich
Simple, comforting, and perfect for a Monday night.

Ingredients:
• Ripe tomatoes• Onion• Garlic• Olive oil• Salt & pepper• Basil (optional)• Bread & cheese for grilled cheese• Salad leaves & pesto

Method:
1. Roast tomatoes, onion & garlic with olive oil, salt and pepper until soft and caramelised.

2. Blend into a smooth, cozy soup.

3. Make a classic grilled cheese on the side.

4. Toss salad leaves with pesto for freshness.The easiest winter comfort you’ll make all season.

If you’re enjoying Banter, please rate on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify - it truly helps the show grow. Thank you so much for listening 💛

Anu’s first ever guest has arrived and what a woman to begin with!

This week, she sits down with Lise Thorne, a midlife money mentor helping women rebuild confidence, reclaim their power and finally feel in control of their finances and their future.

Honest, warm, funny and deeply relatable - this conversation is everything Banter is meant to be.

💬 Midlife, Money & A Total Reset

Lise opens up about navigating midlife change, stepping into independence and the very real emotions that come with starting again.

She and Anu dive into:

• why women lose confidence around money

• rebuilding financial independence after big life shifts

• boundaries, friendships & midlife identity

• choosing yourself (even when it feels scary)

• why it’s never too late to take control of your life

🌱 Reinvention, Purpose & What Comes Next

Lise shares what life looks like for her now - a growing platform, meaningful work, a new sense of direction and the tiny steps that helped her get there.

A grounded, empowering chat about resilience and trusting your instincts.

Find Lise on Instagram: @walking_this_way

🎥 Banter’s First Video Episode

For the first time ever, this episode is also available to watch on YouTube.

Search: Banter.podcast

Thank you for listening to Banter: Real Talk, Real Life.

If you’re enjoying the show, please follow, rate or leave a comment, it truly helps the podcast grow 💖

This week, Anu talks big nerves, big speeches, spontaneous escapes, early Christmas feelings, book and TV recommendations and a beautifully comforting French dish.

Real life, real challenges, real growth - and all the Banter in between. ✨

🎤 The Speech, The Nerves & Saying YES to Challenges

The Type 1 Diabetes fundraising ball finally arrived and this year Anu stepped on stage to speak.

After days of nerves, the moment came… and the speech went brilliantly.

Calm, grounded, joyful and a staggering £150,000 raised for charity.

Proof that saying YES to challenges can change everything!

🌿 Somerset, Friendship & Feeling Unstuck

A quiet weekend escape.

A beautiful eco-home.

A heartfelt conversation with a friend who just needed a new challenge.

Plus… the surprising story of manifesting a Croatian yacht trip at the fundraiser auction.

🎄 Christmas… Already?!

Restaurant bookings, Christmas cards (are we still doing those?), gift lists, calendars filling fast and SALES everywhere.

Once December begins, everything accelerates!

Recommendations of the Week

📍 Banter Bites: Books for Cooks, Notting Hill

A charming neighbourhood gem cooking a new dish every day from one of their cookbooks.

Affordable, delicious, cosy and endlessly inspiring.

📺 Banter TV: Better Things

Warm, funny, sharp and deeply human. A beautifully observed show about motherhood, chaos, creativity and the emotional absurdity of everyday life, (Celia Imrie stars in this program!)

📚 Banter Book: All Fours by Miranda July

Unusual, intimate, funny and wildly imaginative.

A bold look at identity, relationships and creativity.

🍽️ Recipe of the Week: Jules’s Duck Parmentier

Ingredients:

– 4 confit duck legs

– 1 large onion, finely chopped

– 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

– Fresh thyme (a few sprigs)

– Splash of white wine or chicken stock

– 1kg potatoes, peeled & chopped

– Butter (50–70g)

– Milk or cream

– Salt & pepper

– Parmesan or breadcrumbs

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.

2. Remove skin & shred the duck.

3. Sauté onion, then garlic, add duck, thyme + splash of wine/stock.

4. Make mash with potatoes, butter, milk/cream, salt + pepper.

5. Layer duck mix in a baking dish.

6. Spread mash on top.

7. Sprinkle Parmesan or breadcrumbs.

8. Bake 25–30 mins until bubbling and golden.

A luxurious, comforting dish that tastes like far more effort than it takes.

Thank you so much for listening to Banter 💛

If you’re enjoying the show, following on Spotify and rating on Apple helps more people discover it.

This week, Anu dives into solo adventures, flaky commitments, goes on the hunt for the perfect ball dress and a hilarious age mix up confession. Plus a gripping book pick, a binge-worthy TV thriller, a favourite Chelsea noodle bar and an easy rotisserie chicken and stacked sweet potato recipe, perfect for cozy November Sundays. Real talk, real life - and all the Banter in between. 

🎭 Solo Outing to a Show: The Rest Is Politics Live

Anu heads to the Hammersmith Apollo alone to see The Rest Is Politics live and unexpectedly loves every minute of her solo adventure. From pre-show nerves to interval Prosecco, she finds freedom, joy and a surprising sense of empowerment.

🤷‍♀️ Flaky Commitments: High Stakes vs Low Stakes Friends

Anu chats about the unexpected schedule changes that pop up in life, how we cope when plans shift and the funny way we all fall somwhere on the "cancel or commit" spectrum.

👗 The Great Dress Hunt for the Ball

Three dresses. One ball. Zero patience for skimpy shapewear.

From Harrods to GANNI to a velvet surprise on King’s Road, Anu tries to find the dress while her husband suddenly takes an interest in her outfit!

📚 Banter Book Corner: The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson

Anu begins this gripping memoir about a working class maths prodigy who lands at LSE and Citibank and narrates the audiobook himself. Intelligent, compelling and a fresh perspective on money, power and class. More thoughts to come once she finishes.

📺 TV Recommendation: All Her Fault (Now TV / Sky)

An eight episode thriller starring Sarah Snook & Dakota Fanning that hooks you from the first scene: a mum arrives to collect her son from a playdate… and the woman at the door has no idea who he is!

🍜 Restaurant Recommendation: Phat Phuk Noodle Bar

A long-time favourite just off King’s Road.

Order the laksa (not the pho!) - rich, flavourful and unforgettable.

😂 Banter Confession : The Case of the Mistaken Age

No listener confessions this week, so Anu shares her own:

A woman mistakes her for her 41-year-old friend’s mother… and then another person once suggested she and her mum were her dad’s two wives.

Mortification. Comedy gold.

Got a confession? DM @banter.pod - she wants them all!

🍽 Recipe of the Week: Effortless Sunday Lunch

A store-bought rotisserie chicken paired with:

• crispy sweet potato stacks,

• roasted broccoli, and

• sautéed garlic mushrooms,

finished with a bright homemade parsley sauce blitzed with olive oil, lemon and cottage cheese for a protein hit.

Delicious. Simple. Perfect for a lazy Sunday.

Thank you for listening to Banter - Real Talk, Real Life.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please rate on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify - it truly helps the show grow. 💛

Do you ever wake up and just feel… beige? Welcome to November - that weird, in between time before the Christmas rush begins. This week, Anu talks about those November blues, finding small joys and why getting “drunk on nature” might just be the best therapy 🌲

💙 Real Life, Real Talk – Life with Type 1 Diabetes

Anu opens up about her son’s Type 1 Diabetes and how it’s brought both challenges and unexpected gifts; from resilience to community. With the Breakthrough T1D Ball coming up (where she’s giving a speech!), she shares the nerves, the gratitude and the funny little moments that keep her grounded.

🎁 The Spirit of Christmas (…aka Shopping for Myself)

Festive sparkle, warm lights and yes, a touch of self gifting. Anu shares her trip to the Spirit of Christmas Fair, her thoughts on festive chaos and the quiet joy of treating yourself ✨

🍝 Restaurant Recommendation – Lassagino, Richmond

A tiny Sardinian gem (also known as the “Ted Lasso restaurant”) full of charm and authenticity. Delicious food, cosy atmosphere - just don’t sit upstairs if you don’t love narrow stairs! Perfect for a date night, meal for four or a little winter indulgence.

📚 Banter Book of the Week - All of Us by Elizabeth Day

A clever, layered and morally complex novel about friendship, privilege and ambition. One of those stories that pulls you in and makes you question every character - perfect for fans of sharp, thought provoking fiction.

🎶 Music Pick - Lily Allen, West End Girl

Lily’s first album in seven years - honest, messy and emotional. It’s full of raw storytelling and perfectly imperfect truth. One for your playlist this week.

😂 Banter Confessions

This week’s Banter Confession is a classic - one that’ll have you laughing out loud. Want to share your own?

👉 DM Anu on Instagram @banter.pod

🥣 Recipe of the Week - Roasted Butternut Squash, Lentil, Italian Sausage & Cavolo Nero Bowl

Proper November comfort food; healthy, hearty and full of flavour!

Ingredients:

• ​1 small butternut squash, peeled & cubed
• ​2 Italian sausages (or swap for chicken, any sausage or mushrooms)
• ​1 tin green lentils, rinsed & drained
• ​1 small bunch cavolo nero (or kale), chopped
• ​Olive oil, salt & pepper

Method:

1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).

2️⃣ Toss the squash cubes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes until golden and caramelised.

3️⃣ Pan fry the sausages until browned and crispy, then slice into bite sized pieces.

4️⃣ Sauté the cavolo nero with a drizzle of olive oil until just wilted.

5️⃣ In a large bowl, combine lentils, roasted squash, sausage and cavolo nero.

6️⃣ Drizzle with olive oil or balsamic glaze and toss gently.

Simple, satisfying and full of goodness; comfort in a bowl. 💛

So if November’s got you feeling a bit grey, remember: a little nature, a good meal and some Banter always help!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, comment and share with someone who might be feeling those November blues too.

From Banksy exhibitions to budgeting and our very first Banter Confession, Anu’s back with a full mix of real life and reflection.

Half-Term Highlights
Half-term fun with her daughter: a trip to the Banksy: Limitless exhibition and dinner at Temper  (a true “meat central” experience). Then off to Heidelberg to visit her eldest son; sunshine, chats about budgeting and that bittersweet joy of seeing your kids find their way.

Money Matters at 50
Anu opens up about financial confidence - wishing she’d learned to invest earlier, inspired by Lise Thorne and Adrianne D’Souza. From discovering tools like Marcus and Chip to teaching her kids good money habits, it’s all about starting where you are and feeling empowered.

This Week’s Picks
🎭 Every Brilliant Thing with Minnie Driver - touching and unforgettable.
📺 Slow Horses (S3), The Iris Affair and Blue Lights - binge-worthy favourites.
📚 Still Life by Sarah Winman - warm, beautiful escapism after last week’s heavy read.

Banter Confessions
It’s here! Our very first Banter Confession! Funny, honest and perfectly imperfect - exactly what this new segment’s all about.

Recipe of the Week – Easy Asian Bowl with Thai Salmon
A quick, flavour-packed favourite to reset after a meat-filled week.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets

• Oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic & brown sugar

• Broccoli (pan-fried in sesame oil)

• Aubergine (miso, sesame oil & maple syrup)

• Jasmine or sushi rice

• Spring onions, seaweed strips & sriracha

Method:

1. Marinate salmon and cook in air fryer or oven.

2. Stir-fry broccoli, glaze aubergine.

3. Serve over rice, top with seaweed, onions & sriracha.

Fresh, easy, and full of flavour - exactly how we like it!

✨ Subscribe, rate & share Banter if you’re enjoying it so far and send in your confession for next week’s show!

banterrealtalk@gmail.com

From family drama you can’t choose to birthday chaos, half term plans and a brand new “Banter Confessions” segment. Anu gets real about life’s messy bits, one laugh (and sigh) at a time.

Welcome back to Banter - real talk, real life and just enough chaos to keep it interesting.

💬 Relationships You Can’t Choose
Anu dives into those tricky relationships we don’t get to pick: siblings, in-laws and all the emotional baggage that comes with them. From passive aggression to guilt and boundaries, she opens up about learning to protect your peace and why it’s okay to love someone but not actually like them.

🎂 Birthday Chaos and Gift Fails
With her husband away for his birthday and her daughter turning 12, Anu reflects on low-key celebrations, the half-eaten Toblerone disaster and how parent birthdays always seem to come last.

🎉 Keeping Kids’ Parties Simple
From being her own entertainer (“pirate lady”, “quiz master”, and “wicked witch”) to the power of pass the parcel and sandwiches, Anu shares her tried and true formula for stress-free fun.

🌧️ Half Term and Family Time
Plans for London exhibitions, a mother and daughter theatre trip and a reunion with her son in Heidelberg, Germany. Real talk on letting kids grow and giving them the spaceto thrive.

📺 TV Pick of the Week – “Film Club” on BBC iPlayer
A warm, quirky series about friendship, film nights and connection. Features Aimee Lou Wood and Suranne Jones.

📚 Book of the Week : “Nobody’s Girl” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre
A powerful, heartbreaking memoir from one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. An unflinching look at injustice, survival and the fight for truth.

😳 New Segment : Banter Confessions
Anu introduces a new listener segment inspired by Lockdown Secrets. Expect anonymous, hilarious and shocking real life confessions: starting with a wild “cat mix up” story that you won’t believe!

Do share your confessions with us: banterrealtalk@gmail.com

🥧 Recipe of the Week – Caramelised Butternut Squash, Blue Cheese & Pecan Tart
Ingredients:

• 1 puff pastry sheet

• 1 small butternut squash (roasted)

• 2 onions (caramelised or use jarred)

• Blue cheese (like Stilton)

• Handful of pecans (crushed)

• 1 egg (for wash)

Method:

1. Roast chopped butternut squash until golden.

2. Caramelise onions (or use a jar).

3. Layer onions on pastry, top with squash, blue cheese & pecans.

4. Brush with egg wash and bake for 20 mins until puffed and golden.

5. Serve with rocket & parmesan salad — simple, delicious, and a total crowd-pleaser.

👉 Follow Anu on Instagram @banter.pod for photos, confessions & more!

Anu gets real about her Mounjaro journey - from miracle weight loss to mystery side effects. Plus a mammogram mishap, a Vinted victory and aVictoria Beckham moment that'll make you laugh.

💉 Mounjaro and Anu's Weight Journey
Anu opens up about her Mounjaro experience; the highs, lows and what happens when the magic fades. Honest, funny and full of real talk about health, hormones and self-acceptance.

🩺 The Mammogram Moment
A mammogram story that’ll make you laugh (and remind you to always pack your AKT deodorant).

🧥 Vinted Find of the Week
From Erica Davies’s Instagram to Vinted. Anu’s dream Essential Antwerp coat finally found its way home! Proof that patience and a little scrolling magic pay off.

📺 TV Recommendations

• Victoria Beckham: The Documentary (Netflix) chic, polished, fascinating and surprisingly funny. Plus, a real-life VB encounter from Anu’s Tennis Club days.

• Frauds (ITV)  Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker bring humour, heart and chaos to this clever, sun-soaked drama.

🎧 Podcast Pick
Coining It with Lewis Goodall: a gripping story of Bitcoin, luck and moral choices. Smart, surprising and totally bingeable.

🍽 Restaurant Recommendation
The Base (Barnes) : relaxed, stylish and home to one unforgettable Bakewell tart. A true local gem for brunch or a glass of wine.

🥘 Recipe of the Week
Baked chicken with cannellini beans, onions and garlic, served with miso-maple cabbage and roasted radish. Sweet, salty and even better the next day.

📸 See all the photos, finds and foodie moments on Instagram → @banter.pod

This week, Anu is back with more Banter: Real Talk. Real Life.  reflecting on motherhood, milestones and the beautiful chaos of everyday life.

Here’s what’s inside:

👩‍👧‍👦 Life and Reflections → Anu shares an update on her eldest son (spoiler: Germany calls!), her daughter settling into secondary school and a big family moment - her mum’s 75th birthday.
From family dinners to small moments of gratitude, she opens up about navigating midlife, parenting teens and finding balance in the in-between.

📚 Book Corner → Anu pays tribute to Jilly Cooper and her classic "Rivals".

Anu dives into three compelling reads; autobiographies andmemoirs that explore resilience, creativity and the power of personal storytelling.

1. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

2. From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

3. The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

🎭 Culture Spotlight → Theatre is back on the agenda! Anu reviews her trip to Shaftesbury Theatre where she treated her mum to watch Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical.

📺 TV  → Slow Horses on Amazon Prime

📱 Lifestyle Find → The app that’s changing the way she dines out (yes, you’ll want to download this one too): First Table - Anu was able to treat her family to a love meal at Red Farm Restaurant with 50% off!

🍴 Recipe of the Week → Natalie Chassay’s Miso Maple Chilli Sweet Potatoes with Coriander, Lime & Jalapeño Dressing — a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish that Anu has already made twice (and counting!).

Here’s how to make it:

🥔 Ingredients
For the sweet potatoes:

• 2 - 3 medium sweet potatoes, chopped into bite size chunks

• 1 tbsp miso paste

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp chilli flakes (or chilli oil)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

For the dressing:

• 1 large handful fresh coriander

• Juice of 1 lime

• ½ fresh jalapeño, roughly chopped

• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)

• Pinch of salt

🔪 Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).

2. Mix miso, maple syrup, chilli flakes, sesame oil together and coat sweet potatoes well.

3. Roast for 25–30 mins until golden and crisp.

4. Blitz coriander, lime, jalapeño, olive oil, and salt for the dressing.

5. Serve by drizzling the green dressing on top or smearing it on the plate first for that restaurant-style look.

✨ Anu’s tip: “Simple, fresh and full of flavour — just how I like it.”

It’s warm, relatable, and full of those little slices of life that make you nod, smile, and think, “Yes, me too.”

Real talk, real life, and all the Banter in between.

New episodes every Monday 🎧

The Banter officially begins!

In this first episode, Anu - lawyer, mum and unapologetic pop culture lover introduces Banter: Real Talk. Real Life. with a mix of honest reflections and weekly recommendations.

Here’s what’s inside:

👩‍👧‍👦 Life & Reflections → Back to school, back to reality and a summer split between Austria and Portugal.

Anu shares the hilarious twist of booking a holiday in Albufeira with her 16 year old son and his friend, only to discover their accommodation was right on the party strip!

Shocking at first but fun in the end, proving sometimes it’s good to do something different. Meanwhile, her husband and daughter enjoyed a quieter Austrian getaway.

And now the family waits on news: her eldest son’s plans to study in Germany.

Anu also touches on being part of the sandwich generation where she cares for both her family and elderly parents.

📚 Book of the Week → My friends by Frederick Backman

📺 What I’m Watching → Department Q, Netflix

🎭 Culture Spotlight →Sing Street Musical, Lyric Theatre

🍽 Restaurant Picks → Jin Bao, Kew and Zazza Korean Noodles, New Malden

🍴 Recipe of the Week → Cauliflower Cheese

Ingredients: Cauliflower head

Gratted cheese

Paprika

Garlic Powder

Dry parsley

Salt and pepper

Red onions

2tsp brown sugar

Method: Cut cauliflower into steaks, pieces also fine.

Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and dry parsley.

Roast for 20 mins.

Take out and add grated cheese.

In one pan, sauté one long sliced red onion. Add sugar, salt and pepper.

Once cauliflower is golden and crispy, sprinkle the onion mix and serve!

It’s honest, warm, and the perfect mix of lifestyle, culture, and real talk - like catching up with a friend over coffee or wine!

New episodes every Monday 🎧