Advertise on podcast: The Boomer Woman’s Podcast

What if some of the traits you've spent years trying to change aren't simply problems to solve? Returning guest Judy Wilkins-Smith joins Agnes for a different look at the patterns that travel through families — creativity, perfectionism, restlessness, independence, resilience and those inexplicable urges that seem to appear across generations. This time, the question isn't only Where did this come from? It's also What might I do with it? In this conversation: Why inherited family patterns aren't necessarily good or bad What perfectionism may look like when its energy is redirected Why Judy says action can lead to insight Creativity, restlessness and the urge to make something Starting something new when other people think you're “too old” Looking for family patterns beyond parents and grandparents What consciously and unconsciously travels through families How rejecting an earlier family behaviour can create a new pattern Why strong reactions can be clues worth investigating What changes when you “turn the coin over” and look for potential Along the way, Agnes introduces Judy to a determined great-grandmother, a possibly mythical Spanish princess and a family tendency that might best be summed up as: Oh no, we're doing this. This is a conversation about looking at your family — and yourself — with curiosity rather than rushing to decide what needs fixing. Learn more about Judy, find her prior episode and all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast.

What else travels through a family besides names, eye colour and the shape of our jowls? In this solo episode, Agnes goes rummaging through her own family tree looking for something genealogy charts don't record: creativity, perfectionism, wordplay, curiosity, independence and that intriguing family tendency to say, Why not? Along the way: Makers across generations — from furniture and knitting to photography Whether what travels is the craft or the urge to create One family tendency expressed in very different ways Turning perfectionism over to see what's on the other side How words, expressions and humour move through generations The difference between what may be inherited and what is clearly handed down The family traditions we deliberately choose not to continue Agnes's line of “why not women” What family myths might reveal about the qualities we value A different way to explore your own family tree after 60 We may never know whether these patterns are inherited, learned, modelled around the dinner table or simply coincidence. But noticing them raises a much more interesting question: What came through your family to you — and what are you sending forward? Find more than the Boomer Woman's Podcast at Boom! With A Bang!

Registered psychotherapist and author Elke Scholz joins Agnes for a conversation about something many women experience but don't always know how to name: feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or simply not quite like themselves. Why can we finally reach a stage of life with fewer responsibilities—and still wonder where our energy went? Elke explores the relationship between burnout, stress and anxiety, and why finding the root of what is draining us matters more than simply pushing ourselves to keep going. In this conversation: Why burnout and anxiety can overlap How stress can show up physically as well as emotionally Why decades of being the good mother, daughter, partner, employee or caregiver can eventually take their toll What happens when the roles that once defined us begin to disappear How resentment can contribute to exhaustion Why noticing what raises—or lowers—our energy can help us reconnect with ourselves The importance of listening to the body rather than living entirely in our heads Why connection, nature, movement and simple pleasures matter What to do when you genuinely don't know what interests you anymore Elke's simple question: “What will make me happy today?” Why slowing down can help us hear our own inner wisdom And, in a delightful change of direction, what happened when Elke bought a travel trailer and headed across North America for Arizona This isn't about forcing yourself to bounce back or filling retirement with more things to accomplish. It's about becoming curious about what drains you, what restores you—and learning to trust yourself again. Learn more about Elke and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast Note: This conversation is for general information and personal reflection and is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental-health advice.

Retirement left Paula Panariello with a question she hadn't spent much time asking before: What would I actually like to do? An avid historical-romance reader, Paula decided to try writing one herself. Her first manuscript needed plenty of help, but the story was good — and seven novels later, Paula now comfortably calls herself an author. In our conversation, we talk about: finding something meaningful to retire to, not simply something to retire from becoming a beginner later in life getting past the Who am I kidding? feeling what can happen when someone else sees possibilities in us before we do learning the technology and craft required to pursue something new how decades of life experience can feed creativity staying curious and continuing to learn maintaining activity and social connection after retirement preserving family stories while the people who remember them are still here hearing criticism without letting one negative opinion outweigh everything else Paula's experience is a reminder that sometimes an entirely new chapter begins simply because something interests us enough to try it. Learn more about Paula and find her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

Can we really change patterns we've carried for decades? Craig Meriwether is a clinical hypnotherapist, medical hypnosis specialist and subconscious transformation expert. In this conversation, Craig takes us beneath the conscious thoughts we know so well and into the patterns and beliefs that may have been quietly influencing us for years. We talk about how the subconscious mind tries to keep us safe, why an old response that once protected us may no longer serve us, and why understanding a behaviour isn't always enough to change it. Craig also clears up some of the myths surrounding hypnosis—no clucking chickens required—and explains why hypnosis is about participation rather than surrendering control. Especially relevant for those of us creating life after 60, we explore regret: the marriage that didn't work, the career left behind, the opportunity not taken, the dream postponed. The past may be part of our story, but does it have to determine what happens next? We also discuss the importance of properly trained hypnotherapists, what to look for before working with one, and why age doesn't put an expiry date on our ability to learn, change and grow. Because perhaps "this is just who I am" deserves another look. Learn more about Craig Meriwether and find all his links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast.

hirley B. Novack has reinvented herself more than once—or twice. She grew up in a family where girls weren’t expected to go to college, worked to put herself through school anyway, entered laboratory science, became a teacher, raised three children, built a decades-long career in interior design, opened a summer candy shop and eventually returned to the dream she'd carried since childhood: writing. At nine years old, a teacher told Shirley never to stop writing because he believed she could become a great writer. She never forgot him. Decades later, during the pandemic, Shirley began writing the story inspired by her father's extraordinary—and often painful—early life. She published her first novel at 75. Our conversation wanders exactly the way a good conversation with a born storyteller sometimes does. We talk about difficult marriages and finding yourself again, why age can bring better boundaries, trying things even when failure is possible, the assumptions society makes about older people—and why Shirley believes another door can always open. There are also detours involving Cyndi Lauper, Colin Powell, the bomb squad at Logan Airport, a suspected terrorist, a cocaine mule and a Porsche. Because apparently one lifetime wasn't enough material for Shirley. In this episode we talk about: reinventing yourself throughout adulthood recognizing your own worth and abilities going back to school later and learning simply because something interests you leaving a difficult marriage refusing to let age decide what you're capable of finally pursuing a childhood dream becoming a published novelist at 75 finding stories—and opportunities—in unexpected places remaining curious about whatever comes next Content note: This conversation includes references to emotional abuse, gambling addiction, sexual violence, human trafficking and a serious medical crisis. Learn more about Shirley and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

What happens when you've built the successful career, proved you could do it — and realize you don't want to spend the rest of your life doing more of the same? Lorie Eber spent 23 years as a corporate litigator, became a partner and successfully opened a branch office others predicted would fail. Then, at 49, she walked away. What followed wasn't an instant reinvention. It was a decade of trying things, discovering abilities she didn't know she had, and eventually building a second career around wellness, teaching and healthy aging. Along the way, Lorie had to ask some surprisingly difficult questions: Who was she without “Lorie the lawyer”? Had career success crowded out friendships, hobbies and connection? And did she really want to reach the end of her life wondering whether she could have billed one more hour? Now 70, she's reinventing herself again — this time by learning how to work with an aging body rather than expecting it to perform like the younger one she remembers. Lorie and Agnes talk candidly about metabolism, menopause, strength, protein, sleep, stress, food environments and why “the rules have changed, but nobody makes an announcement.” In this episode: Walking away from a successful career at 49 The identity crisis that can follow retirement or career change Why finding a new purpose can take years What changes in our bodies as we age Adjusting exercise instead of giving it up Health versus thinness Sleep, stress and our relationship with food Why social connection matters more with age Discovering kindness after a combative career Learning to give ourselves grace Why Lorie is still reinventing herself at 70 This conversation is about much more than wellness. They talk about purpose, friendship, kindness, marriage, learning to relax, letting go of things that no longer matter — and the realization that reinvention isn't a single dramatic decision. Sometimes it is simply continuing to adapt as we become the women we're going to be next. Learn more about Lorie and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

What happens when the roles, titles and definitions of success that once shaped us no longer fit? Chip Scholz joins Agnes for a warm, wide-ranging conversation about identity, marriage, family, resilience, usefulness and the quiet wisdom that comes from living long enough to reconsider what really matters. After a later-life layoff, a stroke, 42 years of marriage, raising three daughters and nearly three decades of coaching others through change, Chip has learned something about starting over: first, we have to be willing to let go. In this conversation: • Why letting go may be the necessary first step toward starting over • How small daily decisions carried Chip through recovery from a stroke • Why Chip prefers “work-life harmony” to work-life balance • What 42 years of marriage taught him about “choosing us” • The danger of confusing status with personal importance • Why usefulness matters more to him now than recognition • How lived experience turns knowledge into wisdom • What woodturning has taught him about people and relationships • Why flexibility still needs “guardrails” • “Semper Gumbi” — Chip's wonderfully simple reminder to stay flexible • Why curiosity may be one of the keys to staying young Chip is the author of Small Decisions, Big Shifts and Every Dog Has Its Day: Reflections on Life, Love and the Lathe. His newest book, Handoffs: A Family Fable, explores identity, succession and what it means to release something we've spent years building. Learn more about Chip and find all his links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast.

What happens when life gently—and sometimes painfully—asks you to rethink everything you believed about yourself? Former history teacher and memoirist Lee Knapp joins Agnes to explore faith, family, marriage, race, identity, and the surprising freedom that can come with growing older. Together they discuss why becoming ourselves is often less about reinvention than revelation. What You'll Hear: Why retirement can become a time of discovery Accommodation versus authenticity Learning from younger generations Returning to the school that transformed her worldview Faith without fear Letting go of perfectionism Family history and difficult truths Late-life romance on your own terms Why curiosity matters more than certainty This is a thoughtful, hopeful conversation about becoming more fully yourself—no matter your age or your past. Note: This conversation includes thoughtful discussion of race, religious authority, divorce, family dynamics, and historical injustice. While approached with warmth and hope, some listeners may find parts emotionally reflective. Learn more about Lee and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast.

Sometimes the deepest wounds are the ones no one else can see. In this heartfelt conversation, grief and resilience coach Lee Atherton shares how years of unresolved trauma, family loss, and PTSD led her to one of the darkest periods of her life—and how a remarkable service dog named Shadow became part of her journey back to hope. Together, we also explore the everyday losses many women carry quietly and what genuine healing can look like. In this episode: Why grief isn't limited to losing a loved one The hidden impact of cumulative losses throughout life Why so many women struggle to ask for help after years of caring for others How service dogs support people living with PTSD Practical ways to build resilience before life becomes overwhelming Finding hope, connection and purpose after trauma Healing doesn't erase what we've lived through—but it can help us carry those experiences with greater compassion, strength, and hope. Find Lee at CoachRev Phoenix Rising Learn more about Lee and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

What if many of the freedoms women celebrate today didn't begin in the 1960s at all? In this fascinating conversation, author Scott Reisfield explores how Greta Garbo quietly challenged expectations nearly a century ago—not through speeches or slogans, but through the women she portrayed, the life she chose, and the influence she had on generations that followed. Together, we explore history, Hollywood, cultural change and why many of today's conversations about women aren't nearly as new as we imagine. In this episode: Why Greta Garbo became far more than a Hollywood legend The surprising ways women in the 1920s were already redefining independence How Garbo quietly challenged expectations without calling herself a feminist Why censorship was about much more than sex and scandal What Garbo and Taylor Swift unexpectedly have in common How every generation of women builds on those who came before Sometimes understanding where we've come from changes how we see where we're going. Learn more about Scott Reisfield and find all his links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

This conversation begins with cats but quickly becomes something much bigger. Deborah Felin Magaldi never intended to build a rescue organization. One stray cat led to another, and today she leads CatPAWS, helping thousands of vulnerable animals while inspiring ordinary people to discover that small acts of compassion can transform entire communities. In this episode • How one neighbour's cats became a sixteen-year mission • Why fostering may be easier—and more rewarding—than you think • The critical role of spay and neuter programs in reducing animal suffering • The surprising connection between animal welfare, empathy, and stronger communities • How older women can continue making a meaningful difference, whether through volunteering, donating, fostering, or simply caring • Why "someone should do something" might actually mean "someone is you" Whether your passion is animals, people, or your local community, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person deciding to care. Learn more about Deborah and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

For many women, saying yes became second nature long before we ever stopped to ask what we actually wanted. We were raised to be dependable, accommodating, and generous—often at the expense of ourselves. Psychologist Wendy Oconnor joins me to explore why learning to say no isn't about becoming selfish. It's about making room for the people, passions, and purpose that truly belong in this next chapter of life. In this episode: Why so many women mistake burnout for simply "being busy" What "languishing" really feels like—and why it matters How decades of conditioning make saying no surprisingly difficult Practical ways to set boundaries without guilt or over-explaining Why every no creates space for a more meaningful yes How curiosity can become a guide for designing your next chapter Perhaps the most important question isn't "What should I do next?" but "What am I finally ready to stop saying yes to?" Read more about Wendy and find all of her resources here: The Boomer Woman's Podcast

Talking about death isn't easy—but avoiding the conversation doesn't make it any easier. ICU nurse, yoga teacher and author Theresa Evans joins Agnes to share the deeply personal story of supporting her mother through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Together they explore anticipatory grief, caregiving, family relationships, dignity, and why showing up with love may matter more than having all the answers. In this episode: • What anticipatory grief really feels like • Supporting a loved one without losing yourself • Why nature became Theresa's greatest teacher during her mother's final months • The importance of conversations before a crisis • How families can honour different end-of-life choices with compassion • Why sometimes there is nothing to fix—only someone to accompany This conversation isn't really about death. It's about how we choose to love one another while we're still here. Find Theresa Evans at https://theresaeevans.com/ Learn more about Theresa and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

How many women have spent decades doing what needed to be done while quietly setting their own dreams aside? At 85, nurse, hospice specialist, writer, grandmother, and author Nancy Jasin Ensley believes we all have two jobs in life: the one that earns a living and the one that feeds the soul. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares stories of resilience, recovery, creativity, caregiving, and finding purpose at every stage of life. In This Episode: • Why Nancy believes every woman has a hidden passion worth exploring • The role writing played in her recovery and healing • Lessons learned from decades of nursing and hospice care • Why it's never too late to reinvent yourself • Finding meaning beyond the roles of wife, mother, grandmother, or career professional • How small "light-up moments" can change the course of a life The dreams we set aside don't necessarily disappear—they often wait patiently for us to notice them again. Find Nancy Jasin Ensley at https://nancyjasinensley.com/ Learn more about Nancy and find all her links at The Boomer Woman’s Podcast