The Boomer Woman’s Podcast

TBW Guest: International Adoption Mom Anna Maria DiDio

Anna Maria DiDio is an international adoption mom whose best intentions and plans couldn't have prepared her fully for the challenges of a cross-border adoption.

When we think of international adoptions, we often picture a waif of a child who is unloved and under-nourished with haunting and haunted eyes.  That's not necessarily the case as today's guest found out when she and her husband adopted a young child from Mexico.  

In this episode Anna Maria is candid about the challenges faced by her, her husband, their biological daughter and their adopted daughter as they worked to create a family and find their path forward as a family.  Anna Maria's chronicles were adapted into a book Love at the Border, An Adoption Adventure that will reassure other adopting families that their struggles are not unusual, and that they will come out the other end.  Anna Maria also writes children's books which feature stories about adoption, foster care, stepchildren, and all blended families from the point of view of the child.

As grandparents we Boomers can play as important a role in the lives of adopted children as we do in the lives of our biological grands.

Learn more about Anna Maria DiDio and find her books at https://www.amdidio.com/

 

 

TBW Guest: Professional & Phone Photographer Debbie Flynn

Professional Photographer Debbie Flynn combines skill with heart when she takes her photographs, with beautiful success.  So it was rather unsettling for her to find her talent didn't translate to her phone camera.  Needles to say, she solved that problem. 

With a background as a healing practitioner as well as a professional photographer, Debbie explains how the feel, or mood, of a photo - the occasion, the subject, the place and time - all contribute to a photographer's success.

In this episode Debbie shares some technical information but emphasizes how to approach the moment with the feel of the moment and the subject being captured.

Debbie and her trainings can be found at https://www.debbieflynnphotography.com/

 

 

TBW Guest: RD Martha Tettenborn on Cancer, Keto, Chemo and Fasting

Martha Tettenborn RD is a Registered Dietitian and certified Primal Health Coach with over 30 years of experience working in various areas of nutrition.

When diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer, Martha began exploring the research of the disease and discovered the science of cancer metabolism. This led her to develop and use a protocol of ketogenic diet with targeted therapeutic fasting to significantly impact her response to chemotherapy.

Her experience, strategies and resources, plus the science behind them, (and her determined and positive attitude) are outlined in her book Hacking Chemo: Using Ketogenic Diet, Therapeutic Fasting and a Kickass Attitude to Power Through Cancer.

Lots of science in this episode and, when Martha explains it, it all really makes sense.  Definitely a must-listen as we all know someone who has or has had cancer.

Martha can be found at https://www.marthatettenborn.com/

And at her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Hacking-Chemo-Using-Nutrition-to-Journey-through-Cancer-362100501250902/

 

 

TBW Guest: Life Mission Guide Carissa Kazyss

Carissa Kazyss understands that there is a "Golden Thread" that weaves through our life, past, present and into the future and wants us to find that golden thread and experience the aliveness that comes from that.

Carissa explains that people in their third act want more aliveness, that our culture often fails to appreciate the wisdom we hold and how much we have to contribute.

Based on the work (and book) of Daniel Goodenough, The Caravan of Remembering is a call to live a life of authentic purpose.

Today's conversation offers seeds of introspection, and includes an exercise that Agnes appreciated while researching this episode but struggled with on air until Carissa guided her along the discovery path.

A truly interesting conversation that may well be the call you've been waiting for as you reflect on your life mission.

Carissa can be found at https://caravanofremembering.com/thegoldenthread/

The book and all the amazing resources can be found by clicking the links on the menu bar.

TBW Guest: Personal Finance Coach Alissa Locke

Alissa Locke is part of the Financial Coaching team of Money Mentor Group, which helps people understand their money mindset,  pay off debt, create a budget that respects how they want to live, and become financially confident.

In this episode, Alissa explains the difference between a financial advisor and a money coach.  She explains the five money personalities.

Phrases like "I deserve" and "retail therapy" can lead to over-spending while "Me Money" gives you some spending freedom.  Alissa shares her views on credit cards (maybe not what you think!) and emphasizes the need to have strategies for paying off debt.

Alissa and Agnes discuss financial education for young people, along with retirement planning and pension realities.

Alissa can be found at https://moneymentorgroup.com

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/moneymentorgroup/

On LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/money-mentor-group/

 

TBW Guest: Registered Nutritional Therapist Alison Bladh

How fortunate for us that Alison Bladh's work as a registered Nutritional Therapist is focused on women in the peri- and post-menopausal stage of life.  We Boomer Women are living longer now so our post-menopausal years are many and we will take all the help we can get to be healthy through them.

Alison discusses how some of the vagaries of aging, like Type 2 diabetes and chronic fatigue, bone health and heart health, can be affected by menopause - another reason to understand and be pro-active with our food habits as we age.

You get a ton of nutritional advice and food choice tips in this episode!

Finally, Sparkle!  Alison reminds us that, when we were younger, we Sparkled! - yes, we did! and through reclaiming our lives and good nutrition we can be well on our way to reclaiming that Sparkle!

So many places to find Alison online!

https://www.alisonbladh.com/

on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/alisonbladhnutrition

on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/pinktearoom

on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/alisonbladh/

on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-bladh-b5178638/

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBW Guest: Rev. Jeffrey Ryan of Center for Spiritual Living

These are unusual, possibly stressful times we're living in.  At a time when many people may be looking for spiritual support, mainstream churches are suffering an identity crisis which leaves many people alienated.

Reverend Jeffrey Ryan has been on the periphery of Agnes' life for many years so, finally, the light came on for Agnes, that he may be the ideal person to talk about options for those people who are looking for guidance, for support, for community in these chaotic times.

The Center for Spiritual Living may not be the answer for everyone but Reverend Jeff explains their philosophy of community and inclusion and joy that is their raison d'etre.  Agnes tuned in to several of Reverend Jeff's services before the interview and will attest to their joy and Jeff's spirit.

Reverend Jeff can be found at https://riversidecsl.org/

on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/riversidecsl

and at YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/RiversideCSL

To find a community near you:  https://csl.org/

 

TBW Guest: TK Mitchell on Inspired Aging

Do you ever say... at this age... "What's next"?

Do you get excited over and over again about the rest of your life?

Do you ever say "I'm too old to pursue my passions"  or "my best years have passed"  "I'm not good enough"  "I'm not smart enough".  That self-talk stops with TK Mitchell.

Learn about her 7 key lifestyle components… and a secret sauce.

You might recognize some of TK's components; today Agnes and TK focus on rest/sleep, and a calm living space.

Take this opportunity as we come out pandemic restrictions to choose your path for this next chapter. AND stop "shoulding" all over yourself! If we're going to live to 120, we need to be healthy and complete.  

TK discusses goals and goal-setting, and to keep your reasons for goals personal, not external.

Her "Sprout Your New Life" program gives you the foundation and the tools to make lasting change in your life... because a transformational journey requires guidance and support.

Find TK Mitchell at: https://www.lifestyle120.com 

and Sprout Your New Life at: https://www.lifestyle120.com/sprout-your-new-life

at YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjLsfHoqxtNcUnGazugtfOg

 

TBW Guest: Certified Laughter Leader Kim McIntyre

Play… Joy… Laughter… if you can't find them easily in your life, take a page out of this guest's playbook and find "laughter and play therapy"  - maybe even become a Joyful Living Teacher & Certified Laughter Leader.  

If finding joy seems monumental, you may need professional guidance, but if it's more a forgotten idea, then start small.  If joy and laughter were never part of your life, sit with a smile and give yourself permission (or Kim and Agnes give you permission) to enjoy some moments today, tomorrow and everyday.  

YouTube videos, games without scorekeeping... once you've mastered finding joy in a flower or a blue sky, there are many ways to up the ante and start laughing.

The stories will keep you chuckling as Kim and Agnes share anecdotes.

Kim's advice for mid-life women near the end is a must-listen.  

Find Kim at https://joyfulbeing.com/ and be sure to download her 10 Powerful Questions.

Kim's YouTube channel is:  https://www.youtube.com/c/JoyfulBeingwithKim

 

TBW Guest: Laura Brandao on ”Say Yes Everyday!”

When a smart, savvy, successful businesswoman tries to outsmart an invitation… and gets called on it… a whole new woman is birthed!  Comfort zone, schmomfort zone!  

High energy doesn't come close to describing this episode with Laura Brandao.

"Being a connector without expecting anything in return" may be good business practice but it also works in real life.  

Listen to Laura's take on "Success" "The News" "Second Guessing"  "The Strength of Women" "Motivation" "Find Your Super-Power" ...what would someone who loves you say is your super-power - you might be surprised. 

We recorded on March 1st - National Complement Day - so go complement someone today, no matter the date!!  

Finally, don't look back to what you think you didn't do!!  Look forward to the possibilities...  

Laura can be found at https://laurabrandao.com/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-j-brandao/