Mel Giedroyc and AJ Odudu on Body Confidence, Midlife Reinvention and Female Friendship

Mel Giedroyc and AJ Odudu on Body Confidence, Midlife Reinvention and Female Friendship

June 29, 2026 · 45 min · Season 20 · Episode 170

About this episode

Elizabeth Day hosts a roundtable discussion with Mel Giedroyc and AJ Odudu on body confidence, midlife reinvention, and the importance of female friendship.

Welcome to the FIRST EVER How To Fail Roundtable - a format we enjoyed so much we might just keep it. Today, Elizabeth is joined by broadcaster, actor, author and comedian Mel Giedroyc, and presenting powerhouse AJ Odudu for a candid conversation about body confidence, midlife reinvention and self-acceptance. Brought to you by Dove Whole Body Deodorant, they discuss navigating public scrutiny, aging, personal experiences of the menopause and the importance of friendship. Together, they explore how honesty, resilience and everyday rituals can help us feel more confident and comfortable in our own skin. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro 02:39 Mel on body confidence 05:50 AJ on self appreciation 06:53 Freshness and shoot day hacks 09:08 Mel career and live TV 11:46 Screen scrutiny and representation 18:05 Midlife reinvention begins 22:15 The Power of Invisibility 23:51 Slowing Down to Go Deeper 24:58 AJ on Reinvention and Grief 27:32 Daily Rituals as Survival 28:45 Perimenopause Reality Check 30:47 HRT and Finding Relief 33:46 Owning ‘No’ and the Crone Era 35:42 Women Supporting Women Finale 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: Mel: Body confidence, to me, is literally getting closer to the mirror…

People in this episode

Host: Elizabeth Day

Guests: Mel Giedroyc, AJ Odudu

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Dove Whole Body Deodorant

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