Midlife Mixtapes

This week Ali, Phil, JP and Chris reflect on 50 episodes of the podcast and wonder what advice they’ve got for themselves at 20, 30 and 40 years old! We also quickly talk about what we’re watching and the big new story of the week!

This week Chris, JP, Ali and Phil discuss looksmaxxing - the slightly manoshphere-y trend of focusing on being better looking… not something any of us have to worry about even a little bit! Then there’s a little bit of what’s going on in the world and what we’ve been watching… probably!

What’s coming in 2026? Find out by listening to this podcast! Chris, Phil, JP plus Ali who’s away on the western isles…

It has been a minute! The boys are back and fill in the gaps on their two month hiatus, question whether or not the world will heal itself and stumble upon the podcasts catchphrase!

This week the boys contemplate the magazines and subscriptions that shaped our early lives… leading to an examination of 90s lad mag culture and, inevitably, how “top shelf” material first appeared in our lives.@[email protected]

This week the boys (minus Big Al) check in on Christmas food and movies, the resolutions made on the pod last year and a surprising start to 2026, geopolitically speaking.

This week the boys (minus Phil) discuss the big streaming services and who comes out on top in the battle for our money and attention. The answer is.. they do!@[email protected]

This week Ali, Chris, Phil and JP skip straight to the big news story of the week. The BBC is a British institution but what does all the recent rumpus mean for it’s reputation and future - is it an indicator or an instigator of polarised modern culture! We don’t really answer these hard questions but we have a laugh talking about it as though we can and that’s the real lesson in all of this… probably.@[email protected]

This week Big Al dials in from the Western Isles of Scotland to ensure he doesn’t miss the hot debate with Chris, Phil and JP over what sandwich is the grea… oh, it’s bacon. The answer is a bacon sandwich. Or ham. Anyway, we have fun! @[email protected]

This week Phil, Ali, JP and Chris talk about Biohacking - the practice of physical optimisation! Is this just marketing and appealing to all our inner desire to live longer or are there genuine gains to come from tech and science-led approaches? What do our four midlifers reckon to it all! [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week JP, Ali, Phil and Chris discuss the state of the UK. The big news story of the week is a tie between Trump’s State visit and the incoming Ryder cup… and finally we talk about all the things we’ve been watching, listening to and not [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

Recorded in October 2024, the boys discuss AI and the internet - going back to their first experiences of dial up and hotmail email addresses through to their (ahem) cutting edge use of digital tools today… including the dawn of consumer AI and whether that’s a whole new thing or just the next iteration of the internet-as-plumbing for humanity. As ever we also talk about a big new story and what we’ve been watching or listening to.

Phil, Ali, JP and Chris talk about how they would fare in an apocalyptic scenario! Nuclear, pandemic, zombies or AI takeover? What roles do we see ourselves playing in society when civilisation has collapsed? Then we delve into some of the top stories of the week before finding out what’s good that we’ve been watching, reading or listening to. @[email protected]

Phil, Ali, JP and Chris talk about their favourite way the world ends (in fiction). What’s the best and worst version of the apocalypse? Why is this story told over and over again? Then we delve into some of the top stories of the week before finding out what’s good that we’ve been watching, reading or listening to. Apocalypse Part 2 next week! @[email protected]

This week the boys get into matters of money and debt - inc the best and worst money they’ve ever spent! Then we talk a bit about the economics of climate change and electric vehicles before finishing with a quick round up on what we’ve been watching, reading or listening [email protected] @midlifemixtapes

This week Chris, Phil and JP discuss high performance in Big Al’s absence - what do we think that means in our own work and lives across the military, government and industry… what have we given up to be high-performers, if that’s what we are? Was it worth it? We take a little spin through the news of the day - mainly deciding the UK’s got itself in a bit of a state but at least there’s finally a lot of good movies and tv [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

Ever wondered what it would be like to win the lottery? This time we do just that and consider how we’d behave, who we’d tell and what extravagant purchases we’d make. We also look at some stats that show it’s not necessarily a great thing to win a lottery. feedback@podcastclubhouse@midlifemixtapes

This week Phil, Ali, JP and Chris discuss the incredible movies that the 1980s gave us. From the larger-than-life action heroes, all-time comedies to some of the greatest sci-fi ever put on screen. We then contemplate the fact that the world seems determined to move into World War III for some reason before deciding it’s all a bit too bleak and the apocalyptic dystopia is better left to Hollywood than real life. Please.feedback@podcastclubhouse@midlifemixtapes

This week JP, Ali, Phil and Chris talk about booze. Where did it begin, the most brutal hangovers and injuries and what we drink now versus back in the day. The news is all too grim so we skip that and instead focus on JPs obsession with the “Dave” channels’ bottomless barrel of B-list panel game [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week JP, Ali and Phil talk about beings Dads while child-free Chris listens and moves the podcast along. Along the way we contemplate discipline, what role the grandparents play, the greatest thrashings we ever got and what being a parent comes down to. In big news story of the week we think about the UK’s commitment to spending 3% of GDP on defence and finally we wrap with what we’ve been watching, reading or listening to! Great [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

All the boys are back this week - JP, Ali, Phil and Chris take a look at how the world has changed (or not) thanks to the “China Virus” that prompted global lockdowns, massive government programmes and spiked divorce rates! We consider what’s endured, what hasn’t, how home and work life has changed and what hasn’t too. Then we take a quick canter through a few big news stories and start to plan the summer’s cinema schedule with 28 Years Later, Fantastic 4, Superman and Jurassic World all coming out in the next two [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week Chris, Ali and Phil (no JP!) discuss pets - our pet history, our relationships with them and how they become part of our lives and families. Then we briefly discuss the news and what shows and movies we’ve been [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week JP, Ali, Phil and Chris debate what the best biscuit is… categories are plain, topped, sandwich, savoury and luxury… plus a surprise guest category. There’s not really a winner but JP seems sure he knows what the people want. There’s a cursory glance at the slow news week before we consider what we’re watching and sort-of make plans to go to the movies to watch Mission Impossible 9: Yet another [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week Chris, JP, Ali and Phil contemplate what the identity politics agenda has been all about for the last decade - what has fuelled the sometimes quite hostile debates and what are the goals behind it all? The new Pope is the big news story of the week and finally we talk about Thunderbolts and Andor - are Marvel and Star Wars [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week the boys discuss the Bond movie franchise, recently bought in its entirety by Amazon Studios from the family that had steered it for 60 years… Favourite movie, gadget, Bond girls and what on earth does the future look like under the streaming giant’s leadership. Plus some news stories and what we’ve been watching of late! [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week Chris, JP and Big Al take the opportunity to talk about drugs as resident physician (Phil) is on holiday. While Phil enjoys the beaches of Thailand, the rest of the boys discuss their experiences with drugs, what’s the driver behind taking them and what drugs we would take if there were no consequences to doing so. Then we discuss the biggest news story there is: Trump’s tarrifs and ponder what might be the intent behind this incredibly disruptive economic [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week Chris, Al, JP and Phil do a deep dive into the Netflix show “Adolescence” to see what all the fuss has been about. The show’s structure, script, acting and technical direction have all been acclaimed but what is it actually saying and about whom? [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week the boys get into what their favourite movies are - by genre, by actor and by [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week the boys take a tour of their favourite sweets (candy) and crisps (potato chips) to see what variety of snack comes out on top. Then we consider how these choices hold up when going to the movies and what discontinued delights we’d bring back if we could! Finally we scamper through some big news stories and what we’ve been watching (or not watching)[email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week we take a more serious look at the world, the impact of the new US President and what the knock-on implications are for the UK and everyone else! Will the US posture on many global affairs prompt chaos or will it shake things up, allowing new options for old problems to [email protected]@midlifemixtapes

This week the boys discuss the role sport has played in their lives - from playing to watching to why it’s so [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

This week the boys contemplate what their must-do’s are before leaving this earth… what makes a bucket list? What goes on it and why for each of us… have we already managed to tick some of those things off? Then we quickly react to the new form of American diplomacy on display and other news stories before wrapping up with what we’re watching, reading or listening to. [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

This week the boys have a rowdy conversation about reality TV - looking at where it all began (kind of) with Season 1 of Big Brother back in 2000 while we were all at university together. Eventually things swing round to Chris’s own appearance on a well known show. We think about what reality show we’d want to be on ourselves before finally putting forward some ideas about what concepts (depths) remain to be plumbed in search of more TV ratings. [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

This week the boys discuss food and drink - but mostly food. The conversation sways mostly towards fine dining experiences but there’s also time to talk about the worst meals ever and, to provide some balance, the best value for money meals we’ve ever had too, not everything that’s good is fancypants after all… [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

This week JP, Ali, Phil and Chris dance with cancellation as they discuss the newly controversial topic of “The Manosphere”! Is there really a connection between men with long-form podcasts and extremism? We then delve into some news with AI and quantum breakthrough’s that baffle/ annoy JP. What’s not to [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

It’s 2025 and the boys are back to discuss their complete lack of New Year resolutions and why people make them at all. This turns into a discussion about the big decisions in life that we’ve had to make. Then we discuss the absolute state of US and UK politics and whether big talk ever leads to actual results. Finally, we skim through the tv and movie [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

A more sombre tone this week as Chris, JP, Ali and Phil attempt to talk about the afterlife but end up talking about death and… associated topics like ghosts, ouija boards and psilocybin! It’s may be not all that funny but neither’s assisted dying becoming a real possibility in the UK. The big story of the week isn’t funny either. But we are watching some good stuff if you last till the [email protected] Insta @midlifemixtapes

Ever wondered what it would be like to win the lottery? This time we do just that and consider how we’d behave, who we’d tell and what extravagant purchases we’d make. We also look at some stats that show it’s not necessarily a great thing to win a lottery. Then we get into some topical stories like Syria, the US election and the recent murder of an American Health Insurance CEO and reflect on what it all adds up to, if anything…[email protected] @midlifemixtapes

It’s Christmas! The boys rummage around under the tree to recall their favourite Christmas moments and presents… Chris makes a controversial suggestion about which holiday is the best and we all marvel at JP’s impressive recall when it comes to 80s cartoon theme [email protected] @midlifemixtapes

This week JP, Chris, Ali and Phil dive into the world of video games and their history (or not really history) with games consoles… The conversation somehow takes a hard left or two before we wrap up debating whether or not we’re all just living in a simulation like Elon Musk thinks we are. The we discuss some of the key news stories in typically sober fashion before looking at what we’ve been watching, reading or listening to that’s any good… or kind of okay in the case of Gladiator [email protected] @midlifemixtapes

This week, Big Al is missing so Phil, JP and Chris get into their travels - best trips, embarrassing moments and what’s left to see! We canter through a few radioactive news subjects before abandoning that and instead focus on the large amount of very good TV there is to watch just now… much nicer than wars and politics - even though the shows are mostly about wars and [email protected] @midlifemixtapes

This week the boys get into matters of money and debt - inc the best and worst money they’ve ever spent! Then we talk a bit about the economics of climate change and electric vehicles before finishing with a quick round up on what we’ve been watching, reading or listening [email protected] @midlifemixtapes

This week the boys discuss AI and the internet - going back to their first experiences of dial up and hotmail email addresses through to their (ahem) cutting edge use of digital tools today… including the dawn of consumer AI and whether that’s a whole new thing or just the next iteration of the internet-as-plumbing for humanity. As ever we also talk about a big new story and what we’ve been watching or listening [email protected] @midlifemixtapes

The boys gather and discuss their favourite conspiracy theories, why they’ve taken hold in popular culture and what that says about us humans… then we discuss the main news stories of the day and what we’ve been watching, listening to or [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

The boys gather to discuss their various journeys into the world of work - where it all began and how much the workplace has changed since 2002/3. Then we consider the new Labour government’s idea to enshrine the “right to switch off” in law alongside our thoughts on some of Gen Z/ Gen Alpha’s refusal to comply with “normal” workplace expectations… Finally we talk about what we’ve been watching, reading or listening [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

Midlife health - the boys discuss where they’re at health-wise, what they have done or can do about it! Also, stuff we're watching and a smidge of US and UK political [email protected]: @midlifemixtapes

Tonight the boys get together and discuss Star Wars - earliest memories, favourite toys and why some of the nine films in the franchise don’t work terribly well despite a forgiving audience. We wrap up as ever with our reading, listening and watching picks of the [email protected]: @midlifemixtapesMessage us @midlifemixtapes or @pod.cast.club.house on [email protected]

[email protected]: @midlifemixtapesIn this episode - Chris, JP, Ali and Phil discuss meeting at University and how those years reflect onwards into their lives. Also up for discussion is the nearly-new Labour government’s approach to tax and boosting (or not) UK plc. Finally, we wrap with some suggestions on what to read, watch or listen to.