"What's Next? Conversations with Boomers"
Barb Desmarais, a baby boomer, interviews guests for lively, light hearted conversations to discuss 'what's next?' now that our kids have grown, and many of us are retired or moving in that direction. We're traveling, engaging in new hobbies, some are learning a new language, and some of us are back on the dating scene. Also, what is it like being a grandparent? All of this and more on "What's Next? Conversations with Boomers. We're excited to now be part of the SuperAging News Network, the most authoritative online source of news, trends and ideas on longevity and the SuperAging Revolution -- getting older without getting old. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter at http://superagingnews.com!
Episodes
In this week’s episode, Barb takes a break from guests and sits down with her producer, Mela, for a candid chat about one of the worst parts of online dating: scammers. From fake profiles and too-good-to-be-true stories to the subtle red flags that often get overlooked, Barb and Mela unpack how these schemes work and share practical tips on how to be more discerning when navigating technology. Whether you’re dipping y...
In this week's episode, Barb welcomes back special guest and mental health professional Jackie Adams for a heartfelt continuation of their discussion on betrayal. This time, Jackie opens up about her own healing journey—sharing personal insights, hard-earned wisdom, and the tools that helped her move forward after being hurt. Together, Barb and Jackie explore the path to recovery after betrayal in friendships, fa...
In an age that often feels uncertain and overwhelming, how do we stay grounded and connected to what truly matters? This week, we welcome back our beloved podcast regular, Denise Torgerson, for a heartwarming conversation about rediscovering joy in the simple, everyday moments of life.
From quiet mornings with a cup of coffee to adorable moments with grandkids, long walks with our pets, and the healing power of time sp...
In this deeply personal and moving episode, Barb sits down with mental health and marriage counsellor Jackie Adams, who opens up about the most devastating chapter of her life: betrayal. After 32 years of marriage, Jackie’s husband revealed a pattern of infidelity that shattered the foundation of their relationship and ultimately led to divorce.
With honesty, grace, and insight, Jackie walks us through her experience—f...
In this energizing episode, Barb welcomes certified personal trainer and strength coach Caylee Alzner to talk about one of the most powerful tools for healthy aging: strength training. Caylee breaks down the myths around lifting weights later in life and introduces the key principle of progressive overload—a method that helps build strength, improve mobility, and maintain independence as we age.
Tailored specifically f...
In this empowering episode, Barb is sits down with renowned physician and healthy aging expert, Dr. Gillian Lockitch, for a conversation that could change the way you think about getting older. With decades of experience in medicine and a personal journey that exemplifies vitality in later life, Dr. Lockitch shares her top 5 evidence-based strategies for healthy aging—covering everything from nutrition and movement to...
In this deeply reflective episode, Barb Desmarais is joined once again by our good friend, Tim Wade, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about one of life’s most difficult challenges: letting go of people when a relationship has run its course. Whether it's a friend, a partner, or even a family member, parting ways can feel like a kind of death—but it can also be the most loving choice you make, not just for...
In this heartfelt episode, we explore what it truly means to "let go" after the loss of a loved one — and whether that's even the right phrase. Our special guest, grief educator and coach Denise Torgerson, invites us to reframe our understanding of loss, suggesting that instead of letting go, we consider the power of letting in.
Denise shares her wisdom on how to integrate grief into our present reality,...
In this special Pride Month episode, Barb sits down with her dear friend and neighbour, Candace Macpherson, a proud lesbian and advocate for authenticity, visibility, and love. Candace shares her personal journey of coming out and living openly in a time when being LGBTQIA+ was far less accepted than it is today.
Candace and Barb reflect on the evolution of the language we use to refer to the LGBTQIA+ community. They s...
This week, we dive into the digital world with one of our favourite guests, Denise Torgerson. Barb and Denise breakdown what they love and hate about social media, and how much it has deeply impacted us in our daily lives.
From staying connected with family to falling for misinformation, social media has reshaped how boomers engage with the world.
Whether you're a seasoned scroller or just dipping your toes into th...
In this week's thought-provoking episode, Barb sits down with Barb Wade, leadership coach and speaker, to explore the dramatic evolution of women’s roles in society. From the traditional expectations of the past—where women were often confined to caregiving and homemaking—to today’s landscape of greater economic power, personal choice, and independence, the two Barbs dive into how these shifts have reshaped famil...
Downsizing isn’t just about sorting through belongings—it’s about untangling the emotions tied to a lifetime of memories. In this fun, light-hearted episode of What’s Next? Conversations with Boomers, Barb sits down with Richard Ferguson once again, founder of It’s Time to Downsize, to explore the practical and emotional challenges of letting go.
Why do we hold onto things we no longer need—and how do we finally releas...
Tim is back, but this time with his better half--the infamous, Barb Wade. In this heartfelt episode, Barb Desmarais sits down with Barb & Tim and they share their extraordinary journey of rekindling their relationship after eight years of divorce. Their story isn’t just about romance—it’s about growth, true friendship, and the complexities of co-parenting their special needs children through life’s ups and downs.
B...
In this refreshingly honest episode, Barb welcomes back her longtime friend Kelley Riley (and Season 1 alum), to challenge the notion that travel must be a partnered experience. Kelley, an unapologetic solo traveler, shares her philosophy of wandering the world on her own terms.
Kelley pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to travel alone for the sheer joy of it, offering practical tips for dining, sightseeing,...
In this candid and relatable episode, Barb sits down with our good friend and co-host, relationship coach Tim Wade, to dive into the modern world of online dating. They discuss navigating the emotional rollercoaster of rejection and ghosting, and Tim shares his personal experiences and insights into the complexities of finding love in the digital age.
Barb and Tim explore the nuances of online dating, including the ch...
If you're a retiree, you're probably spending more time in your home and this episode will tickle your designer veins and perhaps inspire you to freshen up your space. Barb welcomes renowned interior designer Leo Santana to explore the transformative power of interior design. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining your entire home, Leo shares his expert insights on creating spaces that are no...
Tim is back! And both he and Barb explore the ever-evolving world of friendships just a bit further. Part 2 and a continuation of our Season 10 finale, they dig a bit deeper on the rise of online connections to the complexities of sibling relationships and the uncomfortable reality of friendship break-ups. This conversation dives deep into what it means to build, maintain, and sometimes let go of the people in our liv...
In the spirit of St. Valentine, Barb sits down with a remarkable couple whose love story defies time and distance. After losing touch for nearly two decades, Felicia Barlow Clar and Paul Clar found their way back to each other and have now been happily married for 15 years.
Join us as they share their incredible journey of separation, personal growth, and the serendipitous moment that brought them together ...
It's the end of Season 10, and what a season it's been! So to close out yet another chapter, what better way to do so than to have our favourite relationship coach, Tim Wade, back to talk about one of the pillars of existence--friendships.
Barb and Tim explore the evolving dynamics of friendships, and Tim shares some personal insights on nurturing meaning connections in our later years. Whether you...
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Barb dives into the art of memoir writing with our special guest, Cea Person--acclaimed author of "North of Normal." Cea shares her journey of writing her deeply personal memoir and offers practical advice for those looking to tell their own stories.
From deciding what part of your life to include, to finding your unique voice, Cea’s insights will inspire and...
Popular Podcasts
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.
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!