The Boomer Woman’s Podcast

From Work to AfterWork with Don Akchin

Don Akchin has had a long, somewhat circuitous career as a writer. Since leaving the working world, he stays busy publishing a weekly newsletter, The EndGame, on the broad topic of positive aging. His newest book, The AfterWork: Finding Fulfilling Alternatives to Retirement, is a positive guide for older adults looking for paths forward in their post-career years.

Today we discuss:

• How his “AfterWork” is far more rewarding than the Work was
• “The Piña Colada Fever Dream”
• Moving to “AfterWork” can be a hard transition to accept
• Boomers have always been “making it up as we went along”
• The importance of resilience
• Internalized ageism

We end with me asking a rather impertinent “personal question” but it leads to a good chat.

Find Don at https://www.donakchin.com/

Learn more about Don and find all his links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Don Akchin

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here: Agnes on PodMatch

 

 

From Stiff to Fit with Laura Dow

Laura Dow has worked with older adults for more than twenty years, providing fitness training and yoga instruction in both commercial health clubs and retirement communities. She is the founder of Stiff To Fit, a business she created to specifically address ways to stay active as we age.

Today we discuss:

• Laura’s path to fitness training
• The most common ailments she hears from older adults
• “Activities of daily living”
• Breathing, balance and posture – great insights!
• Snap, crackle and pop
• Ageism

Such an informative and reassuring conversation with Laura, so specific for our older demographic.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Laura at https://stifftofit.com/

Learn more about Laura and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Laura Dow

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

 

History and Women and Superpowers with Jodi Vandenberg-Daves

Jodi Vandenberg-Daves taught and held leadership roles for many years at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, focusing on systems of privilege and inequality and social change. Her specialties include women’s history and gender, race, and leadership.

Today Jodi discusses:

• How she sees the history in our present
• Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it
• Gender roles and their value haven’t really changed much
• Older women in the workplace
• Ageism
• Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
• Naming and claiming our superpowers

Jodi’s final advice to us is so very impactful, please pay attention to it.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Jodi at https://www.jodivandenberg-daves.com/

Learn more about Jodi and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Jodi Vandenberg-Daves

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

 

"The New Old" with Erika Andersen

Erika Andersen is one of those wonderful people who talk the talk and walk the walk. After more than three decades of executive consulting and coaching, she has turned her attention to the challenge of getting old well, using everything she’s learned helping individuals and organizations succeed to write her latest book, The New Old: Crafting Your Best Later Life.

Today Erika discusses:

• Why “The New Old”… with statistics!
• Be the Boss of Your Life: create a compelling vision for your future, build a plan and a crew
• Master Your Mindset: mindfulness, gratitude and ageism
• Get Good at Change and modify gracefully
• Curiosity is “jet fuel for learning”
• Finding connection as we age

Erika’s advice to us all: You have the power to craft the life you want.

Find Erika at https://erikaandersen.com/

Learn more about Erika and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Erika Andersen

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

 

 

Attract the Love of Your Life with Bern Mendez

Bern Mendez helps accomplished & authentic women thriving in midlife attract the love of their life through neuroscience and resonant design, not chance.

Today we discuss:

• How he, a man, can coach women about dating
• Neuroscience and trauma-informed somatic approaches based on polyvaGal theory
• Some may need counselling before they get to relationship coaching
• At our age, a lot of our views about partners are learned, AND we can undo those expectations and start over
• Brain vs heart vs libido
• Meeting in real life vs online connections

As always, I ask Bern what else he would say to you, dear listener… and then I ask him to give some advice to the men out there.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Bern at https://bernmendez.com/

Learn more about Bern and find all his links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Bern Mendez

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

 

 

 

Medicare Explained with Al Kushner

Al Kushner is the author of Virtual Medicare – 10 Costly Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make. He offers information that’s especially helpful for Boomer women (that’s us!) who are navigating the next chapter of their lives.

Today he explains:

• The difference between Medicare and Medicaid in the US
• Different plans
• Deadlines for enrollment
• How to avoid common mistakes that can cost you
• IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts)
• How Medicare fits into the broader picture of financial security and retirement
• Use of AI in the medical system

Al has several other “tips” to help you make sure you get the Medicare that’s right for you.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Al Kushner at https://realeasymedicare.com/

Learn more about Al and find all his links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Al Kushner

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

"Retired and Killin' It" with Lisa Haynes

Lisa Haynes is a certified executive and retirement coach and the author of Retired and Killin’ It. After decades as a CFO, she now helps retirees and soon-to-be retirees design a life they’re excited to live, focusing on the non-financial side of retirement.

Today we discuss:

• Six Saturdays and a Sunday
• Retiring at age 58
• External identity is easy, finding internal identity not so easy
• Why/how to find/create new connections
• The changing face of friendships
• Purpose can be harder to realize
• What is in your wheelhouse that can bring you joy

Lisa quotes Maya Angelou “your legacy is every life that you touch”. That thought, combined with Lisa’s closing advice to us, is so very impactful.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Lisa Haynes at https://retiredandkillinit.com/

Learn more about Lisa and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Lisa Haynes.

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

 

Personal Growth Through a Nomadic Lifestyle with Gila Melamed

Gila Melamed is back! Gila first joined me in 2023 to talk about her decision to adopt a nomadic life… by choice. She came back last year to update us and share how this lifestyle had helped her grow to a place of forgiveness and healing.

Today, she talks about:

• Making the best of it means being flexible, adaptable
• “Fear” – whether it’s the elements or gut feelings
• How she deals with fear – it’s not fear, it’s an opportunity to learn
• Solitude
• The dream that has grown within her as she’s traveled and talked with other ‘nomads’
• Her two books written about her travels and her growth

**Trigger warning: we do discuss suicide in our conversation today.

Gila also credits the books by others and the talks she’s listened to as important parts of her growth. It’s quite the reading list and you can find it at the bottom of this page.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Gila Melamed at https://www.gilacolorguru.com/

Learn more about Gila and find all her links (and her reading list) at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Gila Melamed 2025

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

 

Thriving After Grey Divorce with Pat Fenner

Pat Fenner’s divorce provided a kick in the pants to deal with mental health issues such as self-image, self-worth, and imposter syndrome. Combining these skills and experiences, she helps other “mature” women find their voices and thrive in life.

Today Pat discusses:

• The changes in self over 37 years of marriage
• The challenges in starting over
• time, counsel, prayer, reading, patience
• self-image, self-worth, and imposter syndrome
• ageism, gratitude
• couple friends, adult children

Pat interjects comments throughout our conversation about her life as divorce was happening to her that so many of us will identify with. Take inspiration from how she pushed herself through and came out the other side.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Pat Fenner at https://www.patfenner.me/

Learn more about Pat and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Pat Fenner

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch

Be Your Own Hero with Patti Bevilacqua

Patti Bevilacqua is in my socials a lot and her accomplishments since we last spoke 3 years ago are almost too many to count.  Why is that impressive? Well, 35 years ago, Patti was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis – MS.

Today Patti discusses:

• What exactly MS is
• Canada has highest rate of MS in the world and 3 out of 4 are women
• Evolution of Patti’s journey
• Patti shares some great stories
• Be your own hero
• why people with disabilities will change the world

If you have the ear of Christine Sinclair, listen in to Patti and then share this episode with Christine!!

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Patti Bevilacqua at https://pattibevilacqua.com/

Learn more about Patti and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Patti Bevilacqua

Find your nearest A&W at https://web.aw.ca/en/locations and buy a Teenburger for MS!

Want to be a guest on The Boomer Woman’s Podcast? Send Agnes a message on PodMatch, here:  Agnes on PodMatch