Do you remember the last years of the 20th century just before the Millennium, when everything seemed to change? Is Yoko Ono a name you recognise – do you remember her Amsterdam honeymoon ‘Bed In’ with John Lennon?

In this episode of The Year of Being 70 Ep 16, two lifelong friends, Lucy and Lisette, who turned 70 last year, reflect on their personal changes in the period of their lives from 1994 to 2000, the political and social environment of that time, as well as recalling the rise of The Beatles and the social revolution they personified in the 1960s.

Key Highlights of this Episode

• Turbulent times for Lucy

Lucy experienced significant personal life changes in this period, including getting divorced, remarried, moving house several times, eventually to the country, and dealing with the death of her father who went blind in his later years.

• Transformation for Lisette

Lisette had a transformative experience playing a "game of transformation" which helped her gain insights into her own struggles with depression and led her to discover the Findhorn community. This was a major turning point that put her on a new spiritual trajectory.

• The last era of hope and renewal?

Both women discuss the social climate in their respective countries (UK and Netherlands) during this time, recalling a sense of hope and progress that they feel has not been replicated in more recent years. They look back on the broader political context, including the Labour government’s victory in the UK, a sense of prosperity and renewal, and the Netherlands' approach to tackling challenging societal issues like euthanasia through inclusive dialogue and consensus-building.

They compare the differences in the education systems between the UK and Netherlands, with the Netherlands seeming to have a more egalitarian and multilingual approach.

• Celebrating an Eldest Daughter

It was artist Yoko Ono’s 92nd birthday today, and in celebrating her ground-breaking work – and questioning whether younger people even know her name – Lucy and Lisette explore the legacy of Yoko Ono. It includes her relationship with John Lennon, their ‘Bed In’ in Amsterdam to ‘Give Peace A Chance’, and the impact of the Beatles, the music and cultural shifts of that era that have resonated through the decades.

Why You Should Listen

If you enjoy hearing about recent social history, from people who lived though it, this episode provides a thoughtful, personal, and historical lens on the period from 1994 to 1999. Lisette and Lucy look back to the rise of the Beatles and recall the innovative creativity of Lennon and McCartney, and the hysterical response of their fans. They remember how Yoko Ono, a pioneering artist in her own right, was blamed for the breakup of the Fab Four.

Join the Conversation

What are your recollections of the end of the 20th century – if you were old enough to be there? If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating political era, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

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Two lifelong friends, now 70, take a fascinating journey through decades of food—from post-war rationing to modern diets like Mounjaro. How have eating habits, body image, and food culture changed over the years? Let’s dive in!

In this new episode ‘’The Year of Being 70 Ep 15 - Food, Glorious Food: Two Friends Stories from Rationing to Mounjaro’’ is a conversation between Lisette and Lucy, two childhood friends who recently turned 70, about their experiences with and relationship to food throughout their lives.

Key Highlights of this episode:

What we ate in the 1950s

Lucy and Lisette talk about the differences in food availability, quality, and preparation between the UK and Netherlands in the post-WWII years, with rationing and limited food options in the UK versus more dairy-based diets in the Netherlands.

They remember daily food routines, such as grocery shopping for fresh food every day or the week, and the milkman and baker delivering to homes - Lucy even recalls their milkman having a horsedrawn cart when she was very young.

Lucy and her brothers ate separately, with different food at different times, to her parents

Lisette always went home from to school for lunch, while Lucy had school lunches and then all meals at school when she was at boarding school, which were not great!

Vegetarians

Lisette became a vegetarian at a young age out of ethical concerns, while Lucy more recently adopted a vegetarian diet. She has been married to a vegan for thirty years, so is used to cooking flexible meals that can be adapted for different tastes. Lisette doesn't cook, but enjoys shopping for fresh produce at her local market for her husband to make whatever meals he can from.

Body image

The women discuss how food, eating habits, and body image have changed drastically over their lifetimes, with increasing obesity linked to the prevalence of processed and unhealthy foods. Lisette has always been tall and slim - so skinny as a child that people feared her legs would break if she ran - but has always eaten well. Lucy didn't enjoy food as a child and was very slim up to her mid forties, but put on weight after perimenopause. She admits to having become too overweight in the last few years and has been taking a weight loss drug, Mounjaro for the last six months. She has lost three stone - nearly 20 kgs - feels much healthier and better for having done so.

Why You Should Listen

This episode explores how food, eating habits, and attitudes towards food have changed over their lifetimes, with increasing availability of processed foods and a rise in obesity. The two friends reflect on how their long lives have spanned major transformations in the food landscape, and the changes in availability of food have changed, from very basic when they were young to global cuisine

Join the Conversation

What are your experiences with food and eating? Do you try to eat ethically? Have you tried to lose weight at some point? Or are you lucky like Lisette and stayed slim all your life? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this conversation about the development of food, eating and cooking over the last few decades, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70.

Subscribe now and join the journey!

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#yearofbeing70 #being70 #food #foodies #foodnoise #vegetarian #vegan #pescatarian #lucyandlisette #podcast #obesityepidemic #mounjaro #ozempic #dietstruggles #diet #milkman #groceries #marketshopping #freshfood #processedfoods #1950s #schoolfood #schooldinners...

What makes us spiritual, religious or none of the above? And how do unexpected events or communications change our view of the universe and our place in it?

In this fascinating episode, The Year of Being 70 Ep 14 - Our Changing Beliefs, Spirits and a Ghost Story, Lucy and Lisette, two childhood friends who recently turned 70, discuss their personal and spiritual journeys as they reflect on their experiences with religion, spirituality, and beliefs about the afterlife during their lives.

Lisette grew up in a non-religious household but had a strong yearning for spiritual connection and exploration from a young age, exploring concepts like reincarnation and having vivid past life experiences. In contrast, Lucy had a more traditional Christian upbringing, became an atheist in her late teenage years, then later in life had a supernatural experience that caused her to question her previous beliefs about the afterlife.

Key Highlights of this Episode:

The Queen's Chapel

Lisette's family were non-believers so did not attend church, but alone among her family she craved celebration and communication with a world beyond the physical. Lucy's father was a 'member of the Royal Household' so her parents attended services at the Queen's Chapel in St James' Palace (the Queen herself was not in attendance - Lisette checked!). Lucy and her brothers went to a children's service every Sunday and had the Bible and Pilgrim's Progress read to them by a devout Nanny.

Past Lives

In her 30s and 40s, Lisette took an active route to learning to communicate with the 'interbeing universe' she had always been aware of. She accessed past lives she believed she had led, including as a young Chinese boy and an African child. Around the time of her divorce, Lucy went on an Alpha Course, and enjoyed the community and kidness of evangelical Christians, but didn't change her views in the long term.

Lucy's Ghost Story

When Lucy moved into an old farmhouse in the country, she was contacted, through a psychic friend, by the spirit of a man who had lived in her village during World War 2 and wanted her to clear his name of a baseless accusation that had forced him out of the village. He provided some specific details and, after a lot of detective work, Lucy found that Ernest really had existed, found his gravestone, records of his children at the school her daughters now attended and eventually contacted members of his family. She wrote a novel called 'Kindred Spirits' to give her ghost closure.

This led Lucy to become more open-minded about the possibility of life after death and other non-physical realms.

Conclusions: Why You Should Listen

Both Lisette and Lucy express fascination with the idea of spiritual realms, the nature of consciousness, and the ability to communicate with those who have passed on.

They discuss the challenges of being open to such experiences when the mainstream culture emphasises rational, scientific worldviews.

Overall, this episode explores the deeply personal and nuanced journeys that individuals can take in developing their spiritual beliefs and connection to the metaphysical aspects of existence.

Engage with Us!

What are your spiritual and religious experiences - or are you a confirmed materialist? Do you have a ghost story or an experience of a past life? We’d love to hear about them! Whether you’re young or old, share your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to hit the like button if you enjoyed this reflection, and make sure to subscribe to The Year of Being 70 for more inspiring conversations.

Join the conversation and be part of this thought-provoking journey through our lives and memories.

#yearofbeing70 #being70 #religion #atheists #spirituality #past lives #spirits #ghosts #ghoststories #beliefs #consciousness #metaphysical #celebration #church #chapel #thequeen #memories #kindredspirits...