Recently-retired broadcasters Louise Priest and Mike Talbot have launched the Older and Bolder Podcast, to help people make the most of retirement. Here, they compare notes
Who are you both and what did you do before retiring?
Mike Talbot: I studied law and then journalism before joining the Eastern Daily Press in the early 80s. I then crossed the Cattle Market car park to join Anglia Television, as a researcher and reporter in news and current affairs. Then followed over three decades of factual TV production, making programmes for ITV, as well as the BBC, Channels 4 and 5, Sky and others. I worked in Birmingham, London, and Cardiff, but mostly Norwich. I also took time away from broadcasting as Chief Executive of the charity now known as Vision Norfolk.
Louise Priest: So, I’m Louise Priest. I spent almost 40 years working at the BBC, firstly as a local radio reporter at different locations around the UK and then at BBC Radio Norfolk where I went on to be a news producer and presenter. After this I joined BBC Look East as a reporter and presenter. I left after three years to have two children before returning to BBC Radio Norfolk as the breakfast presenter for six years. I then presented mid-morning before returning to the BBC Look East production department and breakfast presenting.
What would you say were the highlights of your broadcasting careers?
Mike: Lots of memorable moments, including meeting Pope John Paul ll in the Vatican; arriving in Dunblane hours after the tragic school shootings; and producing global coverage of the memorial service in London’s American Church immediately after 9/11. I also produced a Bafta-winning film about the hunt for a serial killer in Pembrokeshire.
Louise: So many highlights…from interviewing politicians and actors, to reporting on major news stories and even abseiling for Children in Need!
When did you retire and how has retirement been for you so far?
Mike: I stood down as Head of News at ITV Anglia in September 2022 (the Queen’s death was announced just as my leaving party was starting). It took me many months to really get my head round the concept of not going into work every day and not having to worry about every breaking news story. I had conversations about various trustee roles, before joining the board of Fight For Sight, a national charity which funds ophthalmic research and social impact in the vision impaired sector.
Louise: I retired in August 2023. Since then, I have been helping to run my husband’s cleaning franchise and learning to play the piano (plus going to many other social events)!
When did you first have the idea for the Older and Bolder Podcast and what’s the thinking behind it? Who is supporting it?
Mike: I became a big fan of podcasts once I had more time to listen to them, particularly enjoying the more relaxed, conversational style. As more of my friends started retiring, I found we were discussing similar topics and issues – so I thought there might be an opportunity to combine the two with a podcast about retirement. What really kick-started the project was support from both Age UK Norwich and Future Radio, who were able to supply studio facilities thanks to a grant from the Norfolk Community Foundation.
Louise: The podcast was Mike’s idea as he did some research and found that although there were plenty of podcasts to advise retired people on managing their pensions, there was nothing in this country that addressed all the other issues retired people face, from physical and mental health, to volunteering, learning new skills etc. Mike and I began to meet last summer to chat over our ideas. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mike better and having a worthwhile project to sink my teeth into!
So, do you feel bolder as you’ve gotten older?
Mike: I suspect most broadcasters are fairly bold in the first place – and generally that doesn’t disappear!
How was the first Podcast received?
Mike: It was lovely to get really positive feedback from all sorts of people, even those who certainly weren’t the target audience. My niece said she loved it, and she produces mega-podcasts for Sony, so we can’t be getting it too wrong.
Louise: The week we launched the podcast we were lucky to get a spot in BBC Radio Norfolk as (I always say it’s not what you know, but who you know!) we also featured in the Norwich Evening News and EDP. Mike and I put the word out to as many friends as possible. It’s important for us to “spread the word”!
What sort of subjects will you both be covering every fortnight, and will the Podcasts be a mix of lighter and heavier topics?
Mike: We’re planning to cover a wide range of topics, from finance to fitness, sleeping to socialising, relationships to reading. Whatever people in later life want to talk about. It will be a real mix of serious and fun, sense and nonsense.
What would your message be to people on the cusp of retiring?
Mike: Think carefully and do your research before taking the plunge. There’s a discussion about the key questions to consider in episode 2 – out now!
Louise: My message to someone on the cusp of retiring would be…give yourself a proper break from committing to anything straight away. And then explore something you would like to do and see if it’s possible to do it! There are so many ways to fill those days, whether it’s volunteering, getting a completely different job, learning a new skill, or catching up with friends at last!
Older And Bolder with Mike & Louise. Search online for “olderandbolderpod” or “Older And Bolder with Mike and Louise”. The podcast is also on Spotify and Amazon Music. Visit olderandbolderpod.podbean.com and follow on Facebook.
Featured images supplied by Older and Bolder
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