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  

Downsizing is rarely about the stuff. For many women, it's about deciding what still fits, what no longer serves them, and how to create space for the life they want next. Professional organizer and author Donna Barwald joins Agnes to talk about decluttering, moving, family treasures, storage units, memories, and why your home should reflect who you are today—not who you used to be. In This Episode: Why downsizing is really about lifestyle, not possessions The emotional side of letting go What to do when your children don't want your treasures How clutter affects stress, focus, and decision-making Simple ways to start decluttering today Creating a home that supports your next chapter Sometimes creating space isn't about having less—it's about making room for more of what matters now. Find Donna at Neatly Arranged Learn more about Donna and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast  

Many Boomer women remember the reality of single parenthood. Today, many are watching their adult children face the same challenges in a world that feels faster, more expensive, and far more demanding. In this conversation, Pat Hankin shares practical, research-backed strategies for reducing overwhelm, managing the mental load, building resilience, and creating support systems that help both parents and children thrive. • What the "mental load" really looks like for single parents • Why routines reduce stress for both children and adults • Practical ways grandparents can support without overstepping • The surprising power of systems over motivation • Why resilience grows through everyday challenges • How to let go of guilt and give yourself grace Sometimes the most valuable support we can offer isn't solving someone's problems—it's helping carry a little of the weight. Find Pat Hankin at https://pathankin.com/ Learn more about Pat Hankin and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast  

What happens when we stop asking who we're supposed to be and start asking who we really are? In this thoughtful conversation, Agnes talks with life coach Zipporah Jarmon about transitions, identity, self-trust, communication, curiosity, and the courage to live a life aligned with who you are—whether you're 35 or 85. In This Episode: Why transition never really stops How coaching helps people uncover answers they already carry within themselves What grandparents can do when younger family members share something unfamiliar The role of curiosity in understanding people different from ourselves What inclusion means beyond simple acceptance Why it's never too late to claim your own truth Perhaps the greatest gift we can offer ourselves—and one another—is the willingness to stay curious. Find more about Zee at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

What happens when the life you built no longer feels like your life? In this deeply honest conversation, Agnes talks with Kim Peek about divorce after 30 years of marriage, empty nest loneliness, toxic relationships, breast cancer survival, and the surprising power of small “yes” decisions that slowly rebuild a life. This episode of The Boomer Woman’s Podcast explores health, reinvention, and personal growth for women navigating life after 60. Why “plot twists” can become turning points The emotional reality of an empty nest after decades of motherhood What Kim learned from a toxic post-divorce relationship The idea of “micro yeses” and reclaiming small moments for yourself The Six Ps of the YES Life Why movement, community, and curiosity matter more as we age Sometimes the next chapter doesn’t begin with a grand reinvention — sometimes it begins with one small yes. Learn more about Kim Peek and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Kim Peek  

What do worms, sprouts, and laughter have in common? More than you might think. In this lively and surprisingly thoughtful conversation, Agnes talks with Cathy Nesbitt — founder of Cathy's Crawly Composters — about composting, food, resilience, stress, and why joy may be one of the most overlooked health practices of all. What begins as a conversation about worms becomes a much deeper discussion about slowing down, reconnecting to nature, and creating a life that actually feels nourishing. In This Episode: Why Cathy believes worms are part of the future of food security and waste management How laughter yoga transformed her resilience and wellbeing The connection between stress, modern life, and disconnection from joy Why “being too sensitive” may actually be a gift The surprising health benefits of sprouts and live foods What midlife women can learn about saying yes to curiosity and small shifts Sometimes the next chapter doesn’t begin with a dramatic reinvention — sometimes it begins with paying attention to what brings us back to life. ➡️ Full guest page and resources: boomwithabang.com    

Author Teri M. Brown returns to The Boomer Woman’s Podcast for a conversation filled with laughter, honesty, grief, reinvention, and the wonderfully messy reality of midlife. From menopause rage and dark humour to widowhood, writing through grief, and learning how to keep becoming after life changes everything, Teri shares the deeply human stories behind her newest novel, Peg, Unhinged. In This Episode: Why menopause can feel “like being thirteen again… but worse” Writing humour while grieving the loss of the love of your life The emotional reality of rebuilding life after widowhood Why women should never allow age to define possibility Lessons learned from riding a tandem bicycle across America How historical fiction reveals that human nature rarely changes Sometimes the next chapter begins not because we chose it — but because life insisted — and we discover we are still capable of becoming. Find Teri M. Brown at https://www.terimbrown.com/ Lern more about Teri and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Teri M Brown  

Have you noticed that quiet sense that something has shifted? Not dramatically, not overnight—but enough that the old answers don’t quite fit anymore. In this solo episode, Agnes reflects on what many women are quietly navigating right now—and asks a simple, powerful question. Why life after 60 can feel “unsettled” even when nothing is obviously wrong The real questions women are asking (but not always saying out loud) Why inspirational stories don’t always translate to real life A grounded, no-hype perspective on AI and how to approach it The subtle shift in conversations that actually helps Sometimes the most powerful step forward is simply naming what you’re trying to figure out. There's more at the website: The Boomer Woman's Podcast

What happens when you stop asking “Can I?” and start asking “What if I did?” In this conversation, Debbi DiMaggio shares the story behind running the LA Marathon just before turning 60—but more importantly, what that experience revealed about mindset, transitions, and what’s still possible at this stage of life. In this episode: Why focusing on “the next step” changes everything What to do when you feel stuck, lost, or unsure what comes next The reality of mindset vs real-life limitations How to reconnect with yourself after years of caring for others Why perfection keeps us stuck—and how to let it go Where to find support when you feel like you’re doing it alone Sometimes it’s not about doing something extraordinary—it’s about being willing to take the next step, wherever you are. Find Debbi at http://debbidimaggio.org/ Learn more about Debbi and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Debbi DiMaggio