As the air turns crisper and the days grow shorter, many of us feel that familiar seasonal shift. Autumn always brings with it a sense of change – the school run settles back into routine, jumpers are dug out of drawers, and curling up with a good book or tuning in to a favourite podcast feels like the perfect way to spend an afternoon. For me, it’s also a time of anticipation as I prepare to launch Season 10 of  my podcast Two Women Chatting, celebrating midlife and the women living it with passion, honesty and humour.

Launching on 30 September, this new season promises conversations that are thought-provoking, warm, and at times downright funny. I’m thrilled to be welcoming some incredible guests including broadcaster and author Elizabeth Day, whose How To Fail series has resonated with millions; TV and radio presenter Gaby Roslin, who is always bursting with energy and joy; actress Natalie Cassidy, who many of us have grown up watching on EastEnders; and the fabulous , stylist and presenter of 10 Years Younger, who has plenty to say about confidence, ageing, and fashion. I’m also delighted to welcome the indomitable Jane Moore – the sharp-witted journalist, novelist, and TV fixture whose career spans decades. From her tenure as The Sun’s trusted columnist and her no-nonsense presence on Loose Women, to her recent foray into reality TV on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2024, Jane brings a potent blend of compassion, candour, and seasoned insight. Whether she’s dissecting current affairs or sharing laugh-worthy life moments, her voice is warmly relatable.

Michelle Ford. Photo: Eddie Judd Photography

Books are always at the heart of what I do. My line-up for Michelle’s Book Club on Brooklands Radio this season is looking particularly exciting, with Surrey resident authors Rosie Nixon and Adele Parks joining me on air.  As the former editor-in-chief of Hello magazine, Rosie’s insider take on the glossy world of fashion and magazines makes for sparkling fiction in Bad Influence.  Meanwhile Adele is marking a milestone of 25 years and her 25th book Our Beautiful Mess. There are also great conversations with the queen of the twisty psych thriller, Lisa Jewell, and in October I’ll be welcoming poet Donna Ashworth, whose uplifting words have captured millions as she publishes her new poetry collection Joy Chose You.

Whether you’re walking through rustling leaves, driving on the school run, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea, I like to think of Two Women Chatting as a companion – a chance to eavesdrop on real conversations that will make you laugh, nod along, and sometimes even shed a tear.

So, as the seasons change, why not embrace a new listening (and reading) routine? You can find Two Women Chatting on any podcast platform, on instagram @michelleford_twc and catch me on Brooklands Radio every Thursday at 1pm for great music, celebrity buzz, entertainment reviews, and Book Club at 2pm.

This article appears in the autumn edition of Premier Magazine. Tap here to browse