479: Kathy Lette in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf

479: Kathy Lette in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf

Author: Radio Oldie June 24, 2026 Duration: 40:50

Kathy Lette burst onto our scenes as the exuberant and hilariously outspoken Australian novelist with Puberty Blues when she was just 17. With 20 more novels to her name since then, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her move to Britain, her marriages, sex and relationships, raising an autistic son and her latest novel The Sisterhood Rules which is underpinned by her determination to boost older women’s confidence and encourage and promote female solidarity.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.


Tucked away from the frantic pace of modern media, Radio Oldie offers a quiet corner for reflection and conversation. This podcast feels like a series of thoughtful letters from a wise friend, weaving together personal journals, societal observations, and cultural musings. Each episode is a gentle exploration of life’s quieter moments and larger questions, all delivered with a warmth that feels distinctly human. You’ll hear stories that ponder the nuances of daily existence, discussions that delve into how we live and connect, and personal narratives that resonate with authenticity. It’s a collection of audio essays and dialogues that value depth over speed, and perspective over noise. The Radio Oldie podcast doesn’t shout for attention; it invites you to lean in and listen closely, creating a space where the personal and the universal comfortably meet. For anyone seeking a respite from the clamor and a genuine, considered take on the world, this series provides a consistently engaging and thoughtful companion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Radio Oldie
Podcast Episodes
475: Andrew Gailey at the Oldie Literary Lunch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:07
Andrew Gailey speaking about his book, The Lost Imperialist: Lord Dufferin, Memory and Mythmaking in an Age of Celebrity, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Ireland's historic Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, o…
474: When Harry Met Fruity – the July Issue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:53
Oldie Editor Harry Mount and Supplements Editor Charlotte Metcalf enjoy the latest issue of the magazine. They discuss Tony Adams' last drink and Liz Hodgkinson's vow of celibacy.
472: Andrew Graham-Dixon at the Oldie Literary Lunch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:19
Andrew Graham-Dixon speaking about his new book, Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 16th 2026.
471: Sinclair McKay at the Oldie Literary Lunch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:37
Sinclair McKay speaking about his new book, Dad's Army: The Glorious True Story of the Home Guard in WW2, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 16th 2026.
470: James Reed at the Oldie Literary Lunch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:17
James Reed speaking about his new book, Karma Capitalism: Why Being a Good Business is Good Business, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 16th 2026.
468: Maureen Lipman – Driving Miss Maisie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:51
In a special sketch written for The Oldie, Maureen plays an aggrieved ex-wife asking her ex-husband, Brian, for help with her daughter, Maisie, who has gone catastrophically off the rails...
466: Margaret Drabble in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:45
Charlotte Metcalf talks to the multiple-award winning writer Margaret Drabble about her books, her upbringing, her early life in theatre and her new book, The Great Good Places and discovers why she will never write anot…