The Boomer Woman’s Podcast

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

 

Claiming Your Dream at Any Age with Donna Marie Barr

Donna Barr has lived a life many of us dream of living. She’s trail-blazer: joining the U.S. Air Force in the 70s when few women considered the possibility and during the Viet Nam War. She’s made a difference: working in Samoa with The Peace Corp.

Today Donna describes:

• How The Peace Corp and the Air Force were early interests
• Making changes at age 57
• The Peace Corps – no age restrictions and choose your adventure
• The process of starting a project in a country
• Some insights into local governance and lifestyle
• Unexpected highlights

Donna’s love for her new life might be the impetus you’re looking for to take your giant leap. Enjoy her journey by reading her book My View From The House By The Sea.

Find Donna at https://www.donnamariebarr.com/

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

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

 

Being Intentional in Being You with Dr. Foojan Zeine

Dr. Foojan Zeine has so many credentials in the Behavioral Psychology field that there is no way to write a synopsis. She founded the International Awareness Integration Institute and she co-founded the “Foojan” App, offering AIT to the public globally.

Today, Dr. Zeine explains:

• The structured, evidence-based framework called Awareness Integration Theory (AIT)
• Being intentional in being you
• How our reality is based on perception
• When interpretation of an event leads to “self-medication”
• The dominoes of change and communicating change
• Mira – when AIT and ChatGPT meet!

Foojan is so enthusiastic in her advice to our demographic that you have to pay attention!

Find Dr. Foojan Zeine at https://foojanzeine.com/

Learn more about Foojan and find all her links at The Boomer Woman's Podcast: Dr. Foojan Zeine

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

 

 

Retirement Planning Besides The Financials with Jennifer Rovet

Jennifer Rovet is a Certified Professional Retirement Coach who works with individuals and couples alike, exploring values, priorities, and purposes to help design a rewarding retirement lifestyle. She’s seen firsthand the struggles many retirees go through.

Today Jennifer discusses:

• How there is so much more to retirement planning than money
• Redefining identity post-career
• How to make new friends outside the workplace
• Having some structure and purpose to our day
• When a couple retires at the same time
• Some of the possibilities for our demographic

Throughout, Jennifer emphasizes the fact that we are all unique, that there is no single path to follow to or through retirement.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Jennifer at https://retirereadycanada.com/

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

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

 

 

Authenticity & Having The Courage to Live Your Truth with Bobbi Barrington

Bobbi Barrington is a trans woman, but her message is not about gender – it’s about the universal challenges we all face: fear, uncertainty, and the courage to create the future we truly want.

Today she discusses:

• Spending 59 years in the wrong body
• Her advice for both men and women, given that she has lived as both
• Her two transitions: in body, and in mindset
• Great insight for people who challenge the right of trans people to exist
• Our lives are finite so we have to embrace dreams and change

Bobbi is a living, breathing embodiment of transformation – stepping into the unknown, falling down and getting back up, embracing the messiness of the journey, and proving that we are never a finished product but always learning, growing, and evolving.

Listen now and then share this episode!

Find Bobbi at https://www.bobbibarrington.com/

Learn more about Bobbi and find all her links at The Boom Woman's Podcast: Bobbi Barrington