Welcome to The Boomer Woman's Podcast
That Was Then, This Is Now: Design Your Own Next Chapter
2024 is the 5th Season of The Boomer Woman’s Podcast.
Each episode is a conversation between me – I’m Agnes Knowles, your host – and a guest who talks to a subject that relates to Boomer Women. The guests can be any age, any gender, as long as their message is positive, informative, pertinent to our demographic.
When we were young many of us fell into step with societal or parental expectations and put our own dreams on the back burner. Now, this is our time.
This page is the Home of the podcast, but we can be found on most podcast platforms – check out the links below. And, of course, Share any episode that talks to you.
Scroll down now to meet this year’s guests, or click the appropriate link to meet any of the guests of the previous three years.
Where do you listen to podcasts? We’re probably there!
Meet the guests of 2024!
Click on the pics to learn more about the guest, Click on the date to listen to the episode
Build Muscle and Eat Intentionally with Kim Rahir
Guest: 18 April 2024
Kim Rahir is a former journalist with a doctorate in Political Science. Like many of us, she made a career change in mid-life to a passion career and now promotes… I love this… intentional eating for us mid-life women, as well as building AND maintaining muscle as we get older to delay, possibly even avoid many of the health issues too many people think are inevitable…
I said Passion and you’ll get the picture when I tell you Kim started weight training and last year won a European Masters Weightlifting Championship… at age 60. Are you impressed? Well, how about if I tell you that in 2013 Kim was diagnosed with MS -Multiple Sclerosis.
In this episode, Kim explains
- how her diagnosis came to be
- what intentional eating actually is
- what muscle building looks like for women
- what “retrain your brain to reconnect with your muscles” means
- AND… don’t let one poor choice become a character trait!
Bonus: a definition of resilience
Listen in!
Solo RV Travel with Jenell Jones
Guest: 11 April 2024
Have you ever contemplated getting into a vehicle and seeing where the road led? A camperized van, maybe a beautiful RV could be your new home? Perhaps you’re flying solo however, and the concept of being out there on your own deflates the dream.
Jenell Jones is the solution. Her Wandering Individuals Network is the RV club for anyone traveling on their own. They are a diverse group who drive everything from big class A motorhomes to car campers.
In this episode, Jenell explains
- her past, which made the lifestyle a fairly easy decision for her
- what makes her RV as much a home as your house
- the club’s route planning and destination decisions
- some of her adventures
- why mid-age women should consider the lifestyle
Jenell hosts a webinar on April 13th to explain more and answer your questions – email freervwebinar@gmail.com to register.
Listen in!
Cybersecurity Awareness with Wendy Battles
Guest: 04 April 2024
Wendy Battles is on the cybersecurity team at Yale University so she trains and explains to the security aware and the security uninitiated.
In this episode, Wendy discusses:
- Passwords and password managers
- Phishing emails
- Scam phone calls
- How to check for data breaches that might have included your personal information
- Imitation websites
Her Bee Cyber Fit Podcast discusses more of what we discussed today, the link is in the show notes.
Stay tuned to the end when Wendy tells us about her alter ego at Reinvention Rebels.
Listen in!
The Expat Life with Doreen Cumberford
Guest: 28 March 2024
Doreen Cumberford has lived and worked across cultures in 8 countries as a junior diplomat, a corporate climber, an entrepreneur and an accompanying spouse over the last four decades.
Doreen discusses:
- How our past might influence our ability to wander
- The three facets of “intercultural interactions”
- Expats and repats
- Some common challenges expats face
- Factors to consider when considering a location
- The reality of our advancing years
Doreen is definitely the voice of experience.
Listen in!
Trusts and Other Financial Decisions with Greg Kurinec
Guest: 21 March 2024
Greg Kurinec talks to us about “retirement” planning… and what we do with our money as we tackle/plan for this next chapter (and what might happen to that money when we depart this world).
Greg discusses:
- trusts and their efficacy
- considerations for dealing with the tax-person
- social security
- questions to consider when planning
While Greg’s info is American, he gives so much food for thought when having the discussion with our own financial planner in our own country.
Listen in!
Age-, Trauma-, Newbie-Informed Yoga with Ellen O'Hara
Guest: 14 March 2024
After my first few (only) highly disappointing yoga classes I was pleased to have Ellen O’Hara address all my concerns and explain what age/joint/health sensitive yoga should look like.
Ellen discusses:
- Yoga through her nursing lens
- explains vinyasa yoga and trauma-informed yoga
- how to feel comfortable in class
- what the props are and how to use them
- balance, self-awareness, stress reduction
Such great advice and tips for the new yoga participant, the achy yoga participant, the older yoga participant… maybe you’re all three!
Listen in!
Understanding Men's Post-Career Transitions with Michael Kay
Guest: 07 March 2024
Michael Kay talks to mid-age men about the transition from work to whatever’s next. He approached me asking if he could share how we mid-age women could support the men in our lives, how to have those non-threatening conversations. His request was like having the tables turned when I hadn’t thought about their turnability.
Michael explains:
- Why post-career is so difficult for men
- Who has the most difficulty with transitions? (Great insights and he is candid, even as he is also a man.)
- How so many facets of post 9-5 life aren’t considered, aren’t discussed well before the big day comes. (Just like we women don’t think about, don’t always know what we aren’t considering)
- The conversations we mid-age women might have with the men in our lives when they’re considering the next chapter… and when they won’t.
We both try to be honest about gender differences while maintaining respect for the opposite gender. Except I do slip a few comments in…
Listen in!
Family and Friend Estrangement with Wendy Green
Guest: 29 February 2024
Wendy Green is both a Boomer podcaster and a coach to help people find their vision for the next chapter of life.
In this episode we discuss:
- Estrangement from siblings
- Estrangement from children
- Estrangement from friends
Interesting topics as both of us have estrangement in our lives… and there’s a good chance you might too.
I mentioned Wendy’s a Boomer podcaster too. A bonus discussion is what an amazing experience it is for both of us; how our boomer cohort is very much still on the outside looking in… and how we want you to help us spread the word what a great companion podcasts are, whether you’re a listener or a host. The subject matter is as varied as the hosts and all the listeners!
Listen in!
Combat Zones to Spirituality with John Lawyer
Guest: 22 February 2024
From desert combat zones to a battle within, John Lawyer transformed from soldier to spiritual seeker. John’s military service took him to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq.
John is candid about living in war zones with his wife, his culture shock in returning to civilian life, and the VA therapist who may have saved his life.
He explains:
- What is dharma, why is it important?
- How do we navigate the spiritual path in the modern age?
- What is being open to the universe about?
- What is the Stream of Unconsciousness?
- What’s the difference between Spirituality, Art, Science, Philosophy, Religion and Self-Help?
And finally: finding Joy, at any age.
Listen in!
Sandy Kaye Interviews Our Favourite Musicians from the 60s, 70s, 80s
Guest: 15 February 2024
After a career in media and entertainment media, Sandy Kaye was a natural to interview all the musicians we know and love across three continents.
In this episode, Sandy has memories, anecdotes, and shares so much about so many music artists. When I listen to her podcast (which I do now, often!) I think I don’t know that musician… oh, wait a minute, I love that song!
Today she tells us:
- which interviews were coups for her
- her favourites
- who leaves her star struck
- all the good gossip – ok, there’s none.
If you have even a shred of music enjoyment from those earlier decades, you’ll love this interview!
Listen in!
Firewalking, Board Breaks and More: Dave Albin
Guest: 08 February 2024
Dave Albin’s company is Firewalk Productions. Firewalking is a 1,000 year old rite of passage ritual and he’s firewalked hundreds of thousands of people.
In this episode, he explains:
- firewalking
- glasswalking
- board breaks and arrow breaks
- why people don’t get burned
- why it is SO empowering for participants
Dave also shares his morning ritual for health and energy.
Stay tuned for his Mom’s dating advice and “Elf on the Shelf”!
Listen in!
Estate Planning & Asset Protection with Scherrie Prince
Guest: 01 February 2024
Dying. We’re all going to do it, that‘s a given… but what happens to your property, your heirs, your business after you take your last breath?
Scherrie answers:
- What exactly is estate planning?
- What are assets?
- What are they basic legal forms everyone should have, in terms of estate planning?
- Is planning with a small ,mom and pop business different from a large company with many employees?
- What are considerations for couples and families in asset planning and asset protection?
Listen in!
Eating Disorders in Mid-Age with Nicole Christina
Guest: 25 January 2024
Social and media pressures haunt us from our early years all the way through to our crone years. Even we, the wise women, are not immune.
I was stunned to learn that, recently, the number of eating disorders in mid-life women has increased dramatically.
In this episode I ask Nicole:
- Why eating disorders are increasing in mid-life women.
- What defines an eating disorder.
- Is there ever a time we might consider pharmaceutical help for weight management.
- The efficacy of apps and tools (think FitBit or Apple watch).
- Bonus topic: how we talk to our grandchildren.
and stay tuned to Nicole’s story about her Zestful Aging including hunting pythons!!
Listen in!
The Wisdom of Morrie: Rob Schwartz, editor
Guest: 18 January 2024
Mitch Albom wrote the first book. Rob Schwartz lived the reality. What reality? Morrie Schwartz… you know, Tuesdays With Morrie, was Rob’s dad.
Almost thirty years after his dad died, Rob has released a book: The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully – manuscripts he found in his dad’s desk years after Morrie had passed.
I ask Rob about his dad, Morrie and also about his Mom, Charlotte. I love the warmth and pride in his voice when he speaks of them. He gets emotional at one point – it’s such emphasis that love does last forever, even if the body is gone.
Rob and I discuss Morrie’s advice for living a long and happy life, the concept of ‘tension of opposites’… and if you’re thinking those subjects sound a little esoteric, let me assure you, he is his father’s son and Rob keeps the conversation real, and in the present.
I think you’ll find the “personal question” part of this conversation really interesting!
Listen in!
Live Your Third Act to Its Fullest: Carol Ebert
Guest: 11 January 2024
Sometimes when I interview health professionals, their advice sounds great but when they’re 30-40 years younger than me I can’t help but think their knowledge is based on book learning, not experience. Carol Ebert is the exact opposite: she’s the poster woman for Boomer Women.
In this episode I ask her:
- What is your definition of “wellness”?
- Your speaker topic: “Too Busy For You?” – does that topic hit home for mid-life women? And what do you say to women when that topic is the basis of your presentation?
- The important questions: If we have grandchildren at the school or college level, how do we talk to the kids about wellness – or encourage them to develop good habits – while still staying on our grandparent pedestal?
- Where do genetics fit into the equation?
and my inevitable: What haven’t we talked about that you want mid-age women to think about as they plan for the future?
Listen in!
Break Free of The Rules: Heather Whelpley
Guest: 04 January 2024
Heather Whelpley started life as an audacious, confident, whole-life child… but as she grew through her teens into womanhood, she wore the societal rules so many of us grew up with, that many of us hold true to this day. Until one day, as she says… she woke up.
How did Heather wake up to this reality?
How did she connect to her “grounded wildness”? How do we do that?
What’s her advice for us mid-age women who want to recognize and break free from some of the “brules” we’ve been living under?
Listen in!
Meet the guests of 2023!
Click here to see the line-up
and listen to episodes.
Meet the guests of 2022!
Click here to see the line-up
and listen to episodes.
Meet the guests of 2021!
Click here to see the line-up
and listen to episodes.
