Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45

Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45

After decades of putting others first, Nicky and Heide found themselves single after 45 and feeling untethered, they chose to embrace the chance to spread their wings and explore the world on their own terms. Untethered & Wanderwise is a weekly podcast where Nicky and Heide share their adventures, insights, and mishaps as newly single women rediscovering themselves through travel. With each episode, we pull back the curtain on destinations around the globe, diving deep into the cultures, cuisine and experiences that come from wandering off the beaten path. Whether you're dreaming of a sabbatical, newly single, empty nesters, or simply craving an injection of wanderlust into your life, join Nicky and Heide for straight-talk, helpful tips, and wild tales from ther adventures embracing life as a globetrotting "wanderwise" woman. Join our dynamic duo each week as they explore uncharted territories, share travel tales, and inspire women to embrace adventure after 45.

Episodes

September 9, 2025 34 mins

When you think "girls trip destination," Rochester, New York probably doesn't make your top 10 list. But after this episode, it absolutely will!

Join hosts Nikki and Heidi as they spill all the tea about their unexpected love affair with this upstate gem. From sipping perfect espresso martinis at Angelina's restaurant to getting literal chills standing in Susan B. Anthony's parlor where she was arrested for ...

Mark as Played

What if your next vacation could literally transport you through time? Meet Jackie Lapin, a 74-year-old former sports journalist who transformed her passion for historical novels into the ultimate travel hack. After visiting over 500 destinations, Jackie has cracked the code on turning ordinary sightseeing into extraordinary time-travel experiences by pairing great books with epic destinations. 

 In this episode, discover her secret...

Mark as Played

  In this groundbreaking episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro reveal why women over 45 are becoming the driving force behind the adventure tourism revolution, sharing shocking statistics like how 81% of solo female travelers are over 45 and women over 65 increased their solo travel from 4% to 18% in just three years. 

Listeners will discover the psychology behind why hitting your forties and ...

Mark as Played

What happens when you celebrate your 50th birthday by eating guinea pig and conquering one of the world's seven wonders?

Join hosts Heide and Nicky on Untethered and Wander Wise as they share their incredible Machu Picchu journey – proving your most epic adventures happen AFTER 45, not before.


Why This Episode Will Change How You Think About Travel:

🏔️ The emotional moment that brought tears at 8,000 feet above sea level

Mark as Played

Nicky and Heide give their review of the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica adults-only luxury resort in Los Cabos. From fine dining and top-notch spa experiences to day trips to one of Mexico's "Magical towns," the resort far exceeded any expectations. Perfect for a girls' getaway or a romantic escape, see what you can expect from this premium resort.

Support the show

Mark as Played

Ready to trade crowded tourist traps for authentic cultural connections? In this episode, we sit down with Diana Ditto, VP of Product Marketing and Growth Strategies at Collette Tours—North America's longest-running tour operator with 107 years of experience—to discover why small group travel is revolutionizing how women over 45 explore the world.

Diana reveals the hottest destinations for 2025 and 2026, from the dramatic deser...

Mark as Played

Join host Nicky Omohundro as she welcomes travel expert Jenn Coleman of Coleman Concierge to the Untethered and Wanderwise podcast. In this episode, Jenn shares how she and Nicky transformed a recent business trip to Las Vegas into an unforgettable girls' getaway packed with extraordinary experiences. Discover the inside scoop on seeing Dead and Company at the revolutionary Sphere venue (with tips from Jenn's popular MSN ...

Mark as Played

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they discuss why America's National Parks offer the perfect adventure for women in midlife. This episode covers trending parks for 2025, practical tips for planning visits during off-seasons, and insights on accommodations ranging from traditional camping to luxury glamping. 

The hosts share their personal favorite parks—from Yosemite's majestic waterfalls to Grand Teton&apos...

Mark as Played

Join hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heide Brandes as they interview Andrew Jernigan, co-founder and CEO of Insured Nomads, about navigating international travel in today's complex political landscape. Andrew shares crucial safety tips for travelers in 2025, from digital privacy precautions and insurance essentials to managing cross-border tensions. 

Learn about innovative travel protection technology, the importance of sharing your ...

Mark as Played


Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they delve into the world of authentic solo travel experiences for midlife women. 

In this captivating episode, meet Anita Thomas - an award-winning travel show host who has visited an astounding 123 countries over her 13-year career as a Pan-American World Airways purser. Anita shares her journey from aviation professional to acclaimed broadcaster, revealing how she transforms de...

Mark as Played

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they explore an unexpected winter wonderland on this episode of Untethered and Wanderwise. Most travelers picture New Mexico as a desert landscape with adobe architecture, but our special guest Nicole Barker reveals the state's spectacular winter offerings that make it truly the Land of Enchantment during the colder months.

Nicole, a former photojournalist whose adventures have ta...

Mark as Played

This introspective journey with travel expert Pauline Frommer, President of Frommer Media, and Editorial Director of Frommer's Guidebooks, explores the transformative power of meaningful travel for women in their prime. Through personal stories, expert insights, and practical wisdom, Pauline shares how women over 45 can create profound travel experiences that honor their accumulated wisdom while opening new chapters of discove...

Mark as Played

Think winter travel in British Columbia is just for the young and adventurous? Think again! Join host Heide Brandes as she discovers why British Columbia's Cariboo region is becoming the ultimate winter destination for women travelers over 45. From ice fishing for mysterious burbot to following lynx tracks through pristine wilderness, this episode breaks down the barriers of cold-weather adventure travel.

Discover how to:

  • Ex...
Mark as Played

In this heartfelt episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heidi Brandes share their personal journeys of embracing adventure after major life changes. After both experiencing the end of 28-year relationships, they discuss how travel became not just an escape but a path to rediscovery and transformation.

From conquering driving anxiety to exploring the Amazon with one pair of underwear, Nicky and Heide offer p...

Mark as Played

Join hosts Heide and Nikki as they explore five incredible weekend road trips perfect for women over 45. From the magical Buffalo National River in Arkansas with its stunning bluffs and waterfalls, to the spiritual vortexes of Sedona, Arizona, to Mississippi's hidden coastal gems, the waterfall-rich Finger Lakes region of New York, and Wisconsin's scenic Great River Road along the Mississippi. Along the way, they share in...

Mark as Played

Uncover a fresh perspective on New York City in this savvy traveler's guide to the Big Apple! Join hosts Heide and Nicky as they reveal how to navigate NYC like a seasoned pro, from mastering the modernized subway system with simple phone taps to scoring amazing deals on Broadway shows and TV tapings.

Dive into the city's hidden treasures as we explore the transformed Industry City in Brooklyn, the peaceful medieval world ...

Mark as Played

Join hosts Heide and Nicky as they dive into the unique experience of cruising three continents aboard Celestyal Cruises.  on the Celestyal Journey, Nicky shares insider tips and highlights from this extraordinary Mediterranean adventure aboard the Celestyal Journey. 

From standing before the Great Pyramids of Giza to exploring the mythological Palace of Knossos and walking the marble-paved streets of ancient Ephesus, disc...

Mark as Played


Calgary surprises as more than just a gateway to the Rockies in this adventure-packed episode. We start at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, where rescued wolfdogs roam vast enclosures, offering an intimate glimpse into these magnificent creatures' lives. The experience continues with an adrenaline rush at the summer dog carting trails, where teams of energetic dogs pull specially designed carts through scenic paths – provi...

Mark as Played

Say goodbye to GPS mishaps and hello to effortless exploration! In this illuminating episode, we dive into why organized bus tours are becoming the go-to choice for adventurous women traveling solo after 45. From an African safari to the cloud forest in Costa Rica, discover how these structured journeys offer the perfect blend of independence and community.

Our seasoned travelers share their firsthand experiences of forming lasting ...

Mark as Played

 Join seasoned travelers Heide and Nicky as they break down actionable travel resolutions for 2025. From mastering minimalist packing techniques to building genuine connections through solo female travel, this podcast delivers practical strategies for transforming your travel dreams into reality. 
Learn budget-savvy tips for growing your travel fund, essential language hacks for authentic local experiences, and expert insights ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.