A Grown Up’s Gap Year – Guest Guide
What to expect when you come on the podcast
Welcome – I’m so glad you’re here
Thank you for saying yes to being a guest on A Grown Up’s Gap Year – The Podcast.
This show is about the real middle bit of life – the second and third acts where we’re juggling work, kidults, ageing parents, partners, money and a very busy brain… and still wanting more from the years ahead.
My promise: this won’t be a stiff media interview. It’s a real conversation between two grown-ups who’ve lived a bit.
What the podcast is about
Each episode explores how people are creating more space, purpose and adventure in the life they already have – not the fantasy life on Instagram.
We talk about things like:
- The season of life you’re in now
- The moments that made you think, “Something has to change” (or “surely there’s more than this”)
- The practical steps you’ve taken – tiny or huge – to feel more like yourself again
- What you’re learning as you go, including the messy bits.
My listeners are smart, time-poor women (and a few curious blokes) who want stories and ideas they can actually use.
Before we record
You don’t need to prepare a TED Talk.
If you’d like to feel organised, you can:
- Skim the email with your recording details and Zoom link
- Jot a few dot points about:
- The season you’re in
- A couple of turning points
- Any practical ideas you’d love listeners to take away
- Send me:
- A short bio (2–3 sentences)
- A headshot
- Any links you’d like in the show notes (website, socials, book, business)
Tech-wise, if possible:
- Use headphones/earbuds
- Sit somewhere reasonably quiet
- Check your internet connection is stable
That’s it. No fancy equipment required.
On the day – how the conversation flows
We’ll record on Zoom at your booked time.
We’ll start with a quick hello and sound check, then ease into the conversation.
There’s a loose structure, but it’s a chat, not an interrogation.
We’ll roughly cover:
- Who you are and where you are in life right now
- How you realised you needed more space / purpose / adventure (or wanted more from your next chapters)
- What you actually did – and how it looked in real life (not the polished version)
- Any encouragement or practical ideas you want to offer others in this season
If relevant, we might also touch on:
- Your professional or business expertise and how it intersects with this season
- How you’re leading other women (and The Blokes) through similar changes
I’ll guide us with questions, and I’m very happy to move away from anything that doesn’t feel right for you. If you need a pause, a re-do, or a “can we take that bit out?”, just say so. This is a collaboration, not a gotcha.
We usually record for about 60 minutes.
Our signature question – your hot coffee moment
I end each episode with one recurring question:
“Where is your favourite place in the world to have a hot coffee?”
It might be a tiny café in another city, your harbour wall, a commuter train, or your back deck in the morning sun. I call this your “hot coffee moment” – that small pocket of time where you feel most yourself.
It leaves listeners with a real, specific image – and maybe an idea they’d like to recreate for themselves.
No need to overthink it; whatever comes to mind is perfect.
After the episode
Once your episode is edited and scheduled, you’ll receive:
- A link to the episode page and show notes
- Direct links on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
- A couple of copy-and-paste blurbs you can use on social media or in your newsletter if you’d like to share it
You’re very welcome to:
- Add the episode to your media page
- Share it with your community or clients
- Use it as a way to introduce people to your work
Final Reassurance
This podcast exists to help people in this season feel less alone and more hopeful about what comes next.
My job is to help you feel comfortable, heard and supported; your job is simply to show up as yourself.
If you have any questions at any stage, please just reply to my email.
Love & thanks,
Monique
Host – A Grown Up’s Gap Year – The Podcast
