Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

• Donna Ashworth on Sobriety, Anxiety and the Moment Midlife Women Start Questioning Alcohol

  Poet and bestselling author Donna Ashworth joins me, your host, Donna Francis, for an honest, powerful conversation about sobriety, sober curiosity, alcohol and anxiety, and why so many midlife women are quietly rethinking their relationship with drinking.Donna shares what led her to stop drinking, how alcohol was affecting her anxiety, the mental load of grey-area drinking, and the surprising clarity, creativity and energy she found on the other side. This warm, relatable chat dives deep into the emotional and physical impact of alcohol, how to navigate social events sober, and why sobriety can feel like getting your life back in technicolour.Perfect for: sober-curious listeners, midlife women questioning alcohol, anyone exploring sobriety or struggling with alcohol-related anxiety.Want more?Join host Donna on her Substack - My Skin Type Is Sober - for deeper reflections - and watch the full video episode exclusively as a paid subscriber:💛 Watch the Full Video Episode on my Substack: My Skin Type Is Sober🔗 Donna Ashworth's Links & ResourcesFollow Donna Ashworth on Instagram and buy her gorgeous books hereAnd don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too. 🧡 If You Enjoyed This Episode:Share it with a friend who’s sober curiousLeave a review for the showScreenshot the episode and tag us on Instagram - I love hearing your storiesSee you next week! Donna x Chapters00:00 The Journey to Sobriety07:21 Understanding the Impact of Alcohol16:17 Navigating Social Situations Without Alcohol20:23 The Impact of Alcohol on Well-being23:19 Embracing Sobriety: A Journey of Self-Discovery27:55 Mindfulness and Alternative Coping Mechanisms31:52 The Gift of Sobriety: A New Perspective on Life36:53 Navigating Social Situations Without Alcohol39:42 Outro - With Music.wav

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• Christmas Gifts And Chats With Friends of The Podcast

  Is it too early to talk Christmas shopping? Well in my world it is, but as I'm trying to be a bit more organised this year, I thought I'd ask for some inspiration from past Smiling Gives You Wrinkles guests. Actress and TV chef Lisa Faulkner, menopause fitness coach Kate Rowe-Ham, Physician and menopause expert Dr. Louise Newson, and dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk all kindly shared the gifts they’d love to receive - and what they plan on giving - this Christmas. There's some really thoughtful ideas in there! Enjoy! And happy Christmas shopping 🎄

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• Eat Cake! A Nutritionist's Advice on How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Food Guilt,

  In today’s episode, Donna is joined again by nutritionist Karen Newby for a much-needed conversation about holiday eating, food guilt and why women feel so much pressure around this time of year. They chat about:Why the holiday season is so triggering for women around foodHow 80/90s diet culture still shapes our thinking (“sins”, calorie counting, food rules)The rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and how they’re shifting the conversationPractical, realistic ways to enjoy Christmas without shameWhy skipping meals backfiresThe power of protein, fibre, hydration and earlier dinnersEmotional eating vs true hunger - and tiny habits that actually workWhy celebration, joy and connection matter just as much as nutritionThis is the perfect chat for anyone craving a calmer, kinder mindset around food this season.To learn more about Karen and her books, visit her website and follow her on Instagram too. You can also join Karen’s Natural Menopause Membership Retreat where SGYW listeners can get 50% off by using code DONNA50. And don't forget to check out Donna's website, and follow her on Instagram and Tik Tok too.

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• What do dermatologists say about LED masks?

  In this chat, Donna sits down with consultant dermatologist, Dr. Justine Kluk to unpack the truth behind the beauty industry's most Instagrammable gadget: LED masks.They dig into what LED light therapy actually does, whether at-home devices can compete with in-clinic treatments, and why consistency matters more than you think. Justine also explains the difference between red and blue light, the real evidence behind the claims, and whether an LED mask is a must-have in your skin ageing routine.This episode is great for anyone who is LED-curious, skincare-obsessed, or simply trying to make smart choices for midlife skin.If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast and leave a review. You can also follow Donna on Instagram and Tik Tok and subscribe to her new substack, My Skin Type Is Sober too.

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• Best Skincare Products For 2026 - Honest Recommendations From A Beauty Editor

  As we head into Black Friday and Christmas, it feels like everyone online is telling you what to buy - but not everything is worth your money, so in this episode Donna shares her honest, tried-and-tested skincare recommendations that she is taking with her into 2026.After 26 years in the beauty industry, Donna’s tried it all - from gold-flecked serums to budget moisturisers - and knows exactly which products deliver. This episode is your trusted skincare shopping guide, featuring the products she actually uses and believes are worth investing in. No ads, no gimmicks. Products mentioned:Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing BalmElemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing BalmLiz Earle Superskin Advanced Nourishing Cleansing Balme.l.f. Woah Glow SPF 30 (Sunbeam)RoC Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30Beauty Pie Traceless Mineral SPF 30CeraVe Daily Moisturising LotionMedik8 Crystal Retinal 10Beauty Pie Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal SerumCeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol SerumClarins Double SerumEstée Lauder Advanced Night RepairCeraVe Hyaluronic Acid SerumAlpha-H Liquid GoldKyushi Soothe & Calm Night Recovery Face Oil*Some of these links are affiliate Follow Donna on Instagram, Tik Tok and subscribe to her substack, My Skin Type Is Sober too. And please, if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share, follow and leave a review. It really helps!

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