2024 is the 5th Season of The Boomer Woman’s Podcast. Each episode is a conversation between me – I’m Agnes Knowles, your host – and a guest who talks to a subject that, someway, somehow, is relatable to Boomer Women. The guests can be any age, any gender, as long as their message is positive, informative, pertinent to our demographic. You, dear listener, might need to be open-minded, curious, tolerant, inclusive… and if you are, you will enjoy these conversations, maybe learn something, and I encourage you to share each and any episode! Click the Follow/Subscribe button to be notified of the next great guest.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Barbara Schnarr Giatti with Senior Workbooks
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Barb Giatti experienced dementia with both her parents while she was living internationally, so she moved back to small town, Michigan to take care of them.
Barb discusses some of the experiences with her parents – you’ll be relieved to know your parents aren’t worse than others.
Barb’s mother would never understand a computer or the internet so Barb created hard copy workbooks. You’ll find the content really interesting… just as Barb was interested in keeping the content as varied as possible.
Don’t for a second think this conversation is just about senior workbooks… when Barb and I put our heads together there are so many other purposes for her various books... and maybe yours.
I’m just a regular person… trying to help - that might sound so familiar if you are caregiver of a person with dementia.
(If you’re an aspiring author, tune in for so many tips from Barb about getting your book out there)
Quite a random conversation! Enjoy!
Find Barbara Giatti at https://seniorworkbooks.com/
Learn more about Barbara and find links at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-barbara-schnarr-giatti/
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Taru Fisher on Ageism... Rageism?
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Taru Fisher has been a guest on this podcast before. New topic for us, old topic between us… age-old topic between us.
Ageism is the last socially accepted form of prejudice.
We discuss Internalized ageism, Cultural ageism, Implicit ageism, and Benevolent ageism. All are irritating, and wrong.
The medical system, tech subjects, are areas where people feel quite free to talk down to elders.
Honest and candid, personal experience and personal irritations…
Both of us have great analogies for the ability of our brains to remember more and more as we get older. You’ll hear a few tips for keeping things straight!
Lots of laughter… because that never gets old!
Find Taru at https://tarufisher.com/
Learn more about Taru and find all the links at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-taru-fisher/
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
Jeanne Andrus: The Gift of Menopause
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
My guest today had a perfectly fine life… until age 48; Jeanne Andrus then uses the verb “clobbered” to explain what perimenopause did to her. That began her 4 year journey through personal experience, research, and training to understand how and why menopause affects women so completely.
It's hard enough that our mothers probably never talked about menopause, and perhaps we don’t have too many friends we compare stories with, but when doctors and other health practitioners don’t talk about it either, it can be super confusing, even frightening.
A strong proponent of a natural menopause, Jeanne is firm that you need to support your body as it navigates the changes that come with menopause.
“The gift of menopause is that we get to take ourselves and put ourselves in the center, in the very center, of our lives”
Jeanne also has thoughts for men and relationships.
Find Jeanne at https://menopause.guru/
Learn more about Jeanne at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-jeanne-andrus/
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Beate Chelette With Thoughts for Women Planning the Next Chapter
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Beate Chelette has an amazing story… actually she has more than one. So many good ideas… and almost every calamity except pestilence… and then a gift: the Small Business Administration (U.S.A.)
A smart business woman who could stay one step ahead of the trends – maybe she created them? – the truth lies somewhere between kismet and serendipity.
This podcast doesn’t often pursue a business theme, but Beate’s stories and insights and wisdom make it really interesting. Many pre- and early-retirement people consider another career, Beate talks to the entrepreneur and the VA.
Beate has also written The Women’s Code – that’s a book worth picking up. Such an advocate for women and the issues that society inflicts.
I give Beate several scenarios about a woman’s “work” situation… her answers are both insightful and so interesting… the words of a professional… and so inspiring!
Find Beate at https://beatechelette.com/
Learn more about Beate at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-beate-chelette/
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Cristina Castignini: Eating Disorders at Any Age
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Cristina Castignini had an eating disorder. Once she had her PhD in Counseling Psychology, perhaps it was inevitable that she focus in on eating disorders.
In this episode, Cristina explains eating disorders and blows some myths out of the water.
As women, we tend to think that young women are the prime suspects for eating disorders, but menopause can also be a trigger.
I’m fairly sure I’ve not had an eating disorder but some of Cristina’s examples really hit home for me… remnants of the diet mentality?
What do you not say to someone with an eating disorder, or that you’re concerned might have an eating disorder? Cristina helps us out.
Find Cristina at https://behindthebitepodcast.com/home/
Learn more about Cristina at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-cristina-castignini/
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Chris Donaldson: It’s The Journey Not The Destination
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
From bullets and bombs in Belfast in the 70s to a variety of civil wars in Africa… not to mention crossing the Sahara on a café racer… Chris Donaldson’s life did not lack excitement and danger in 1979/80.
As Chris’ “trip” unfolded he realized the destination was no longer the “thing” – he was traveling for the sake of traveling (… still on the Moto Guzzi café racer!)
From Ireland down through Africa to South America, L.A. to Vancouver and across Canada, south through the U.S. and Mexico to South America… that was Chris’ first trip.
You might remember names like the Ayatollah Khomeini, Idi Amin, Pablo Escobar… Chris seemed to visit at less than opportune times!
This conversation is adventure but nothing compared to the book!! Holy Moly!
Find Chris at http://chrisdonaldson.world/
Buy The Book: Going The Wrong Way
Learn more about Chris at: https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-chris-donaldson/
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
DON’T Be Dismissed by the Medical System with Amanda Laden
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Amanda Laden’s medical issues went undiagnosed… or misdiagnosed for decades. Ridiculously debilitating periods, several miscarriages… until the right doctor happened to be in attendance and recognized all the signs.
As Boomer Women, we are past our baby-making years but this might be vital info for our daughters or granddaughters. We are, however, not past the age of being misdiagnosed, even ignored, as medical patients.
Both Amanda and I are privileged, educated white women. Health equity is a subject (read passion) that has grown out of Amanda’s personal experiences. Women of colour, gender-non-conforming people are at way higher risk of misdiagnosis or being ignored.
We do get a little political – no apologies.
Find Amanda at https://www.periodtopause.com/
Learn more about Amanda at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-amanda-laden/
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Swami Nityananda on Living in Joy and Freedom
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
From the moment she joins the conversation Swami Nityananda’s warmth and joy shines through.
I start at the beginning, requesting a better understanding of “Swami” and her names.
If, for even a second, you struggle to find your true self… or you define yourself by one of the roles you play in life, Swami will remind you of your strengths, and loveliness… again and again.
Connectedness is a bit of a theme throughout, but Swami also has thoughts on those people who live and connect only with themselves.
We have some discussion about gender and Swami explains that the divine is beyond gender, as is the light inside you / us but… we have social circumstances that also come into play.
My questions may have proven my lack of knowledge in this episode but Swami’s explanations really reflect her knowledge of, her belief in all facets of her practices.
So much inspiration and joy from Swami Nityananda in this episode.
Find Swami Nityananda at https://awakeyogameditation.org/
Learn more about Swami and find all her links at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-swami-nityananda/
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Nan Ives on Your Ultimate Retirement Life
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Retirement is in need of a reboot. That is Nan Ives’ mantra and she is the woman to show you how to do that. Don’t arrive at retirement thinking it will unfold. In today’s world, you may have 30 years to go after you relinquish the 9-5.
Nan encourages you to consider options, to experiment your way forward… but do it before you get the golden handshake. There are so many options in a variety of areas of life.
She realized she had a lot of the financial bits organized when she took her retirement, but there’s a lot more to retirement than just the money. So, she and her partner did a lot of research into the lives and choices of pre- and post-retirees before they created the signature programs that will make sure you’re prepared in all areas of the post-9-5 world.
“It’s not one and done.”
Find Nan Ives at https://www.thefutureofyou.com/
Learn more about Nan and find all her links at https://boomwithabang.com/the-boomer-womans-podcast-nan-ives/
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Paula Harris on Financial / Life Planning for Widows
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Paula Harris found herself often helping widows sort out and plan finances after the death of their husband… and thus her business had a focus.
Paula shares a few of the very unfortunate scenarios she has encountered and then discusses the realities of “older” folk who are not as computer literate as they might need to be to access financial information these days.
Curve Ball Life Planning refers to being pre-prepared for the things life throws at you.
Paula also lists the documents that might be needed in the event of a life change… so know where they are. And the documents might change as the years go by.
The gift of preparedness… so important for those left behind.
So many good tips about the importance of preparing now. You thought tomorrow was a gift a decade ago? It’s even more so now. As is purpose.
Find Paula Harris at https://whcornerstone.com/
Learn more about Paula and find all the links at https://boomwithabang.com/paula-harris/