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In this week's episode of The 40+ Life, Katy chats with blogger, podcaster, author, and content creator Alison Perry.

Many listeners will know Alison from Not Another Mummy Blog and the chart-topping Not Another Mummy Podcast, where she's spent over a decade sharing the realities of motherhood, identity, and modern life. But in recent years, Alison has become a powerful voice for women rediscovering their confidence, style, and sense of self in midlife.

Together, Katy and Alison reflect on the early days of mummy blogging, building online communities before Instagram took over, and how sharing honest stories helped thousands of women feel less alone during motherhood. Alison also opens up about her fertility journey, the heartbreak of secondary infertility, undergoing IVF, and the incredible surprise that led to the birth of her twin daughters.

The conversation explores the challenges many women face in their late 30s and 40s—balancing motherhood, self-worth, and identity—and how Alison found her way back to herself through fashion, colour, creativity, and a commitment to putting her own happiness back on the agenda.

They also discuss social media pressures, confidence, comparison, style ruts, why "fake it till you make it" sometimes works, and the powerful moment when you stop worrying about what other people think and start embracing who you are.

Find out more about Alison -

On Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/iamalisonperry/

Not Another Mummy Blog

https://notanothermummyblog.com/

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Find out more about TV Presenter Katy Pullinger https://www.instagram.com/katypullinger/

https://www.katypullinger.com/

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This week on The 40 Plus Life, I’m joined by Donna Jackson, better known to many as The Curious Mummy — content creator, recipe sharer, mum of two, and someone who has built an online community through warmth, honesty and connection.

Donna opens up about the unimaginable loss of her husband Gareth in 2022 and the journey that followed. We talk candidly about grief in all its forms, rebuilding life after loss, parenting through heartbreak, and the unexpected strength and confidence that can emerge from life's hardest moments.

We also chat about navigating midlife, boundaries, perimenopause, finding purpose, raising children, and why saying "no" can be one of the most empowering things we learn in our forties.

Donna also shares the inspiration behind The After Movement — a new initiative creating connection and community for people navigating grief and loss.

And because this is The 40 Plus Life, there’s also room for the important topics: bedtime chats, beach holidays, style in your forties… and the bronzer that got Donna through winter.

This is a conversation about loss, resilience, growth, and learning that life after heartbreak can still be full of joy, purpose and beautiful new memories.

You can follow Donna https://www.instagram.com/thecuriousmummy/

and The After Movement https://www.instagram.com/theaftermovement/

If you enjoyed the episode please do subscribe and leave The 40+ Life a review.

Follow The 40+ Life on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the40pluslifepodcast/

Find out more about TV Presenter Katy Pullinger https://www.instagram.com/katypullinger/

https://www.katypullinger.com/

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What happens when you finally create the life you’ve been craving… only for everything to change overnight?

In this deeply moving and honest conversation, actress Ali Bastian joins me to share the story behind her bold move from London to the wild beauty of West Cork — a decision rooted in a desire for a slower, more connected way of living. But just weeks into this new chapter, Ali was diagnosed with breast cancer, turning her world upside down in an instant.

With incredible openness, Ali takes us through the reality of that moment — from finding a lump while breastfeeding, to navigating treatment in a new country, to the emotional aftermath that doesn’t simply end when treatment does. We talk about the shock, the fear, the strength it takes to keep going, and the ongoing process of healing — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

But this episode is also about so much more than illness. It’s about identity, community, motherhood, and rebuilding yourself from the ground up. Ali shares how the rugged landscape of West Cork, the power of female connection, and the simplest moments — sea swims, fresh air, slowing down — became a lifeline during her hardest days.

We also dive into:
– Growing up in the spotlight and navigating body image in the 2000s media era
– The reality of menopause brought on by cancer treatment
– Learning to accept and reconnect with your body after a mastectomy
– Redefining style, confidence, and what it means to feel like you again
– Why community and asking for help can be everything

This is a raw, powerful and ultimately uplifting conversation about resilience, perspective, and finding light in the darkest moments.

If you’ve ever faced a life curveball, felt the need to start again, or wondered how to rebuild after everything changes — this episode will stay with you.

🎧 Hit follow and join us for more real conversations on The 40 Plus Life Podcast.

Follow Ali on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/alibastianinsta/

Ali's prosthetic breast insert can be found here -

https://wewearboost.com

Ali's website recommendation

https://percihealth.com/

If you enjoyed the episode please do subscribe and leave The 40+ Life a review.

Follow The 40+ Life on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the40pluslifepodcast/

Find out more about TV Presenter Katy Pullinger https://www.instagram.com/katypullinger/

https://www.katypullinger.com/