Shiv - a prairie girl who has been drinking since the ripe old age of 18 - has definitely seen her taste in alcohol change, moving from mixed drinks and scotch in her youth and med school days to wine in her adulthood. And Sim, a fan of fruity cocktails, Peach Schnapps, and Long Island Ice Teas in her youth, has definitely noticed a clear change in both her drinking capacity and tastes (beer in her 20s and wine in her 30s). 

We’ll also look at how drinking affects your sleep, regardless of age, and how as you age you aren’t able to metabolize your alcohol at the same rate as you could in your 20s (especially if you weren’t kind to your liver in your youth!). And how waking up with a hangover in your 40s is definitely not enjoyable anymore! 

We’d love to hear how you handle drinking as you age, both in terms of how much you can consume and what you want to consume. And how well you handle those pesky hangovers (so not fun in our 40s!). And a very depressing study from the UK that said that if average alcohol consumption increased daily by one pint of beer that was equivalent to two years of aging in the brain. And how quality of life is so important as we age, drinking or not drinking. And fountains of youth (and they are coming!). 

Shoot us a note at doesthismakemelookold@gmail.com anytime about this or anything else that’s on your mind. All input is welcome! 

This week it’s Gen Z slang all the way. 

We channel our inner ten to 25 year old and quiz ourselves game show/spelling bee style (“Can you use that in a sentence?”) to see how Gen Z proficient we are. We’ll touch on bro, brah, fam, glow up, cancel culture, CEO (Like “Sim and Shiv are the CEOs of podcasting!”), Stan (shout out to Eminem), e-boy and a-girl, W, dank (excellent) (“That ride is dank”), ghosting, salty (jealous), big yikes, and more unique and memorable Gen Z slang meanings.

How proficient are you in Gen Z slang? Have you heard and/or used any of these terms? Care to share? Shoot us a note at doesthismakemelookold@gmail.com. 

Also, are you Team Shiv or Team Sim when it comes to your slang use?

It’s all about the slang this week (the 90's and otherwise) and how it changes from cohort to cohort and generation to generation, much like in niche cultures but in a more relatable way. We also examine how not knowing what a certain slang word is can quickly date you or just really confuse you. Test your proficiency by clicking HERE.

We’ll reminisce on the slang of the GenX generation (word to our fellow 90s peeps!) and question some we’ve never heard of or didn’t use very often (like “dip”, “chillax”, “thingy”). We’ll also question the definition of “bogus” and whether or not we were using it properly or even in the right context. Shiv used it when someone was lame/not cool but apparently, it was supposed to be used to denote that someone was fake. Thoughts? 

We’ll also share our distaste of certain slang (case in point - psyche!), question if some slang is actually slang (Getting Jiggy With It, home slice for example), and attribute some slang to gaming and/or the Millennial culture (i.e. newb). 

What GenX slang are you familiar or not familiar with? Drop us a note at doesthismakemelookold@gmail.com. 

Being “temporarily abled” does make us aware that as we age, some things in the world might become more difficult to navigate, which can be a hard pill to swallow. But if we look at ourselves in this light, it could also make it easier for us to accept the changes in our abilities that come with aging. And then there’s Steve’s hearing loss in And Just Like That…yes, we went there! And admit we use closed captioning. We can’t be alone, right? 

It’s important to acknowledge that at some point we may become differently-abled and become part of a community that can, unfortunately, suffer from the effects of society's disability bias. We should also take into account that there is a lot in common between ageism and bias against those that are differently-abled. The silver lining is that by doing so and addressing disability bias, it can people who are older and vice versa. 

How do you feel about "normal" ranges, falling outside of them, and being "temporarily abled"? Let us know at doesthismakemelookold@gmail.com.

We'll chat about how we tend to just arbitrarily absorb these ages that society says we should have met certain milestones, i.e., "You should be married by now!", "Tick tock, biological clock!". And how when we don't meet these milestones, there is an urgency to remedy it, or there's something wrong (you're a spinster, you won't be able to keep up with your kids). Societal pressure definitely comes into play here. 

We'll talk about how your perceptions of age change from when you are young. Hands up if you thought 40 was ancient! 

Sim questions how we land on these adult milestones numbers, Shiv talks about not feeling pressured to get married by a certain age, Canada's five adult milestone markers, the "tyranny of the should", and what the media is telling people about delayed adulthood if the economic situation isn't allowing them to do so. Also, do we even need to have these markers? Is it just to track the economic health of a country? And don't get us started on the people who feel compelled to point out that you aren't meeting said milestones! 

We'd love to hear your thoughts on adult milestones. Have you felt pressured to meet them? Are there even any true markers of adulthood? Please drop us a note anytime at doesthismakemelookold@gmail.com.

We’ll question why it took the show 10 episodes (yes, 10) to show Seema, a woman in her 50s, having good sex and looking glamorous. Also, why was it such a big deal that Charlotte still gives blow jobs? Is her sex life supposed to be boring because she’s older? PSA: Sex shaming is not cool!  And then Carrie being a prude about masturbation…umm, what’s that about? 

And for a show with the word SEX in its title, there is surprisingly little sex happening. Is the show trying to say the characters are too old to have sex?

We’ll talk about awkward first kisses, asking for permission and consent, and the out of nowhere kiss in the elevator. And some serious Seema Patel love life envy, and a little book called “How to Be Single”. And Miranda blowing up some serious rules. 

Thoughts? Drop us a note anytime at doesthismakemelookold@gmail.com. We promise we’ll respond!

Along the way, we find ourselves wondering if the women’s attitudes are because they are in their 50s and stuck in their ways or because of their social standing. And why is the issue of Asian hate never touched on (Miranda’s daughter Lily is Asian)? 

Things will take a positive turn as we embrace the character of Seema Patel. She’s vibrant in her 50s and enjoying sex in her 50s (more to come on that!). Can we also appreciate that there’s an actual sari shop in the show? 

Overall, we’re just puzzled by the show’s portrayal of, and approach to, topics of race. We found it cringy how instead of being truly done to address the show’s past lack of diversity it was more done for comedic effect, and poorly at that. We can’t be alone, right? 

Thoughts? Drop us a note anytime at doesthismakemelookold@gmail.com.

We’ll touch on (SPOILER ALERT) Big’s death from a heart attack after over-exerting himself on a Peloton and how we’re not a big fan of Carrie’s reaction. Instead of just cradling him and crying, why couldn’t Carrie have administered him his heart medication??? IT’S A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, PEOPLE! After all, it wasn’t Big’s first heart attack, so you think they both would have known what to do. She didn’t even call 911 or perform CPR. WTF?  (On that note, learn how to do CPR. It’s important! “Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive….”).

Then, there’s Carrie’s hip surgery. On the one hand, the show shows the trials and tribulations people go through with hip surgery (it’s no walk in the park). On the other hand, we’re annoyed that her surgery is attributed solely to congenital hip disorder. Don’t get us wrong - there’s no shame in having the condition (Shiv has the same thing) but why could they just embrace that Carrie was having hip surgery due to regular aging? Why attribute it to something other than age? Is it because it’s considered an “old lady” surgery? Is it ageism?

There are moments where the producers did get it right, though, and addressed issues that come with aging and independence. We’ll touch on those as well. That and sore knees and frozen shoulders. And heels and menopause. And Carrie and Anthony’s trip to the plastic surgeon. There’s never a dull moment in our podcast!

What do you think about how Big’s heart attack and Carrie’s surgery were handled? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

So first off, let’s get this out of the way: ranting was definitely involved (a common occurrence in many of our episodes!). We reflect on what bearing pop culture has on society - how it reflects the way society changes over time. We share which pop culture references really bug us (hint: Christian Grey and vampires - it’s a bit about the plot, a bit about the writing, and we equate a certain book with a really badly written English report. Trust us - we get passionate this week!)

And then we’ll get back on track….SQUIRREL!

But jokes aside, this week we delve into how media has portrayed Sex and the City’s leading ladies (Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie) aging twenty years, and what does this say about how media typically expects us to see aged women. And FULL DISCLAIMER - There are spoilers! We chat about hair color (or lack thereof), on-trend and age-appropriate fashion, the late great Betty White, menopause, naming jewelry and purses, Seinfeld, gender diversity, and more. So check out this week’s episode, and let us know what you think! 

In this episode, we get into the nitty-gritty of New Year’s resolutions - our attitudes around them, do we set them, do we not set them, and why. Spoiler alert: Shiv doesn’t! 

We chat about the magic and promise of the New Year - how it seems to fade/change as you age and why we’ve adjusted our approach to making resolutions over time. There’s talk about intentions versus resolutions and living our lives in a way that enriches – making meaningful changes rather than ones doomed for failures (Does anyone else need to lose 30 pounds EVERY SINGLE FREAKING YEAR? [insert virtual fist bump here!]). 

We also touch on the topics of living a balanced life and how the pandemic has changed our perspective of what downtime looks like. The older we get, the easier it is to let go of self-blame when we “fail” to meet our resolutions.  We’ve definitely become more forgiving and compassionate to ourselves over time. Which begs the two most important questions ever: Why were we so harsh towards ourselves when we were younger?  And why did we ever bash Brussels sprouts?

If you’re just joining us or can vaguely recall listening to a past podcast but aren’t sure what it was about (we forgive you!), here’s what we’re all about in a nutshell: We’re Sim and Shiv, two middle-aged friends…. scratch that, one middle-aged friend and one who is deluded about her age (obviously!), and we like to chat about all things related to aging even if ONE of us doesn’t want to admit that it’s relevant to her. 

We invite you to join us this season, as we have some interesting topics to discuss. We’re going to channel our love of pop culture and learning, talk about shows, books, and people (oh my!), all through the lens of getting older. We’re going to talk sex (baby!) as you get older (scandalous, we know!), aging as a disease, and even bring Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda into the mix. 

And we’ll do it all with laughter and, of course, some ranting! Join us! 

Every time there is a reboot - especially with the same characters (and the actors who portrayed them), there is a risk of ruining the original. This is something that people who grew up with a show face - as we get older, we want our memories of watching that show to remain intact. A reboot challenges that, and it's impossible for many of us not to compare. 

Both Sim and Shiv will definitely watch it, but they are both worried it will negatively impact their love for the show (we're looking at you, Gilmore Girls!). On one hand, it may introduce a new generation of viewers to one of their favourite shows (always a win!!!). But there is always this discomfort too, that what we liked and found appealing "back then" may not translate to modern times. And what does that really say about us? :) 

This week, Sim wanted to talk about - without any actual evidence - how people pivot at some point from their careers, and start a completely new career. People like Julia Childs, Colonel Sanders, Ken Jeong, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart and (one of Sim's favourites) Jimmy Stewart! And these are just some of the famous examples. They're sure you know at least one person - though they can't prove it :) 

But what is it that makes them do this? Shiv is sure there's a story there - but it's hard to figure out how they were able to do that. What motivates them? Or gives them the confidence? And why - is it to free up time to pursue non-work passions? Or is it to change career tracks and redirect their energies towards a career they're passionate about? Or maybe it's just to feel like they have more meaning in their life. And when is it too late to make a change? There are no clear answers of course, but it's certainly worth a conversation or two!

Somehow they also find a few minutes to rant (reminisce?) about 90's fashion and how Generation Z's are bringing it back and don't even know it. 

Given that this was the first time they had heard about the day, and given that 50% of the population have/will experience menopause, Shiv wonders why the day doesn't have bigger recognition in our society, and why more people don't openly talk about menopause, and what we can do to help women during the process. For example, in the UK, there is a campaign to try and make HRT (Hormone replacement therapy), a treatment to relieve menopause symptoms, free for women. 

Of course, no discussion on well-being and health would be complete without Sim realizing that diet and exercise is often also key to dealing with menopause symptoms as well. Maybe this will motivate her to finally take action? 

As always, please note that any information discussed here is not a substitute for professional advice. If you feel that you may need medical advice, please consult a qualified health care professional.

Are we doing the right thing by constantly admiring and praising older women and actresses who look younger than they are?

Is it a requirement that you should want to look sexy, or value sexiness, at all ages?

These are some of the questions that Sim and Shiv tackle in this week's episode. We've all read and heard how aging is not easy if you're in Hollywood. Celebrities, especially female celebrities, have long called out the ageism that exists in their respective industries, especially movies and TV.

However, a certain level of vanity and perhaps insecurity seems to drive many celebrities to look and behave a certain way, a way that is youthfully sexy and vibrant. This in turn may be impacting how the average person is influenced and pressured into emulating those celebrities. Do we ever get to just let go of ourselves a little, and still feel good?

The duo chat about philantrophy, work products, mentoring others, Steve Jobs and Facebook. And what conversation about legacies would be complete without mentioning getting older and having kids?

Shiv goes down a dark hole about how do we ensure our contribution to the world is impactful enough, and if it'll really not move the needle" The question she wants answered is "Should I even bother?" (The answer, according to Sim, is of course she should! Though she doesn't really explain why!) 

Ultimately though, thinking about legacies seem to go hand in hand with wanting our lives to meaningful. So perhaps it does come down to doing and being the best version of ourselves. 

Enjoy! 

The trio also chat about the idea of being whole only once you have kids - how true is that? It's true that economic independence, focus on career or other options (egg freezing!) gives people the freedom to delay having children, or even decide it's not for them. But let's not forget that there are those who want children and are unable to have them. 

And then there's climate change! A lot of people - men, women, other - wonder if it's worth having children with the acceleration of climate change. Are they being selfish bringing kids into this world? Or are they being selfish if they don't? Besides - will the next generation be upset with us for letting the world get to this state?

Tune in and find out! 

Together, the trio touch on the different aspects of this biolgiocal clock - how did it influence their life decisions? Did age have a role to play in their decision to either have/not have children? How did it impact their career progression? And along the way, there is mention of climate change, being scared of birth and how society dictates that people talk/feel about having children. 

Both Sim and Shiv fell victim to emotional spending habits in their 20s - jewellery for the fashionable Shiv, and notebooks for the geeky Sim. They recognize it's a proxy for something else - but not being psychiatrists themselves, they are loathe to fully analyze what that proxy could be. Other mistakes - being too risk averse, not knowing how (or willing to) negotiate for raises and of course, getting into credit card debt. 

Over time, they've gotten better (relatively speaking), but a chance to do over would see both of them making slightly better choices in life. And by slightly, they mean "a lot"! :) 

Her trip can definitely be described as nostalgic, as she describers her conversations with her parents, particularly her mom. Shiv chats about her childhood - the time she spent in Libya and Ghana - before moving to Canada, and has some surprising new stories about that time. These stories make Shiv realize that how much her parents' intrepid adventures across the globe has shaped her to become the person she is today. She learned a thing or two during this trip, and the most important lesson she takes away from it all, is that we really should listen to our parents as much as we can ! :) 

This week, we ask them questions such as: What worries them about getting older? What keeps them up at night? Do they have such a thing as a biological clock? And what would they do over if they could? 

 Join us this week for part 1 of Men Age Too! 

Financial literacy makes the list. And being more confident (which is a good thing!) And somewhere along the line, we manage to talk about @starbucks* and the new Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion too. 

(*Note: Not a paid endorsement - we just love Starbucks lattes!)! 

See if you like and hate the same things we do about getting older!