"What's Next? Conversations with Boomers"
What’s Next? Conversations with Boomers is a candid, cross-generational dialogue exploring life after the milestones—career shifts, retirement, relationships, family, reinvention, and everything in between. Hosted by Barb Desmarais, a retired family & parenting coach and public speaker, each episode dives into honest stories and lived wisdom from Boomers navigating their “what’s next?” moments, offering insights that resonate across generations. Thoughtful, curious, and sometimes funny, the show bridges perspectives and sparks conversations about how we age, adapt, and continue to dream.
Episodes
Time to get moving! This week's show sheds some light on a little-known (but positively excellent) exercise program called Essentrics, which might just hold the secrets to unlocking the body stiffness most of us experience as we age.
This week's guest is Susan, a former Essentrics coach who's been doing their workouts herself for many years. She describes the program as "One of the best things that's ever happe...
Did you know Seasonal Affective Disorder isn't limited to the winter months? Our good friend and resident mental health expert Jackie Adams returns this week to shed some light on why seasonal depression can sometimes rear its ugly head as the weather warms up.
From longer days leading to less sleep, to the pressure of getting your "beach bod" ready (and the self-esteem trouble that comes from not having one), Jackie...
In this rare and deeply personal solo episode, Barb reflects on her 73 years of life on Earth, and all the things she's learned and experienced in that time. She discusses love, heartbreak, connection, loss, sadness, joy, and most importantly, how all of those experiences have affected the person she is today.
She also shares some excellent tips for fellow Boomers on how she stays fit, happy, and healthy - both...
Can journaling help reduce stress, process grief, spark self-discovery, and even become part of the legacy we leave behind? In this thoughtful conversation, Barb and returning guest Denise Torgerson explore the many forms journaling can take—from art and gratitude journals to guided prompts, and even letter writing. They share personal stories of using journals through major life transitions, including loss, d...
What if one of the most powerful ways to manage stress and anxiety was something you’re already doing all day—breathing?
In this episode, Barb is joined again by somatic yin yoga instructor Annie Au to explore the power of conscious breathing. Together, they discuss why there’s no single “right” way to breathe, and how simply becoming aware of your breathing patterns can help you better ...
Is walking every day really enough to stay healthy as we age?
In this powerful and research-backed episode, Barb is joined by “super agers” Larry Wolf and David Cravit to break down what your body actually needs after 60 to stay strong, mobile, and independent.
They introduce the simple but game-changing FABS formula: Flexibility, Aerobics, Balance & Breathing, and Strength Training — a practical...
In this episode, Barb welcomes back therapist and returning guest Jackie Adams for an honest and deeply relatable conversation about dating later in life.
Both single women in their seventies, Barb and Jackie share personal stories of navigating dating after divorce and widowhood—exploring everything from dating apps and scammers to emotional availability, trust, and the changing expectations of relationships i...
What truly matters to you, and are you living in alignment with it?
In this latest episode, Barb welcomes back our favourite guest Denise Torgerson for a deep dive into personal values — what they are, how they evolve, and why understanding them becomes even more important in retirement and later life. Together, they explore the values assessment, how to distinguish values from shoulds, wants, and nee...
What if healing anxiety and trauma starts not in the mind—but in the body?
In this deeply grounded episode, Barb speaks with Annie Au, a YouTuber and somatic yoga instructor, about nervous system healing, the vagus nerve, and how somatic yoga helps the body feel safe again.
Annie shares her personal journey from professional dancer to global yoga teacher, and how years of physical injury, emotional heartbreak, a...
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Barb welcomes back pod-friend Denise Torgerson for a powerful conversation about self-love—what it really means and why it matters at every stage of life.
Together, they explore self-love as a daily practice rather than a destination, emphasizing kindness, tenderness, and compassion toward ourselves. Denise shares a meaningful definition of self-love, including being &l...
Happy New Year! New year, new season. Same Barb. In this episode, Barb dives into the fascinating and sometimes alarming world of artificial intelligence with special guest, David Cravit from SuperAging News. From practical uses like ChatGPT for research, relationship advice, and home care solutions, to cutting-edge applications in medicine and smart homes, Barb and David explore how AI is transforming daily life fo...
In our final episode of 2025, Barb and our producer Mela reflect on the past year's episodes, sharing favorite moments and key insights. Barb reminisces about her favourite guests, and highlighted episode topics such as sustaining friendships in golden years, solo travel, self-care, and boomer dating. Special shout-outs are given to guests like Jackie Adams, Kelley Riley, and comedian Colleen Landry.
On behalf ...
While the holiday season is often marketed as the "most wonderful time of the year," the reality for many is a mix of pressure, loneliness, and seasonal depression. In this very special episode, Barb is joined by returning guest and mental health therapist Jackie Adams to explore why this season can be so difficult and how to navigate it with your mental health intact. Together, they unpack the differences between t...
In this latest episode, Barb and Tim dive deep into the often-misunderstood world of boundaries in relationships. From defining what a boundary really is to exploring why so many of us struggle to say “no,” they unpack how healthy boundaries protect your wellbeing, prevent burnout, and create respect and security in all your relationships.
Through real-life stories, practical examples, and reflections on ...
In this latest conversation with our favourite Boomers, Barb and Tim revisit the topic of avoidant attachment—why it happens, how it shows up, and what it feels like when you're in a relationship with someone who has it. Building on their previous discussion, they explore the nuances between dismissive and fearful avoidance, the classic pursuer–distancer dynamic, and why so many people are suddenly recog...
In this insightful episode, Barb sits down with our favourite relationship coach Tim Wade to explore the often misunderstood world of Avoidant Attachment. Together, they unpack how this attachment style develops, what it looks like in relationships, and why those with avoidant tendencies may struggle with closeness despite craving connection.
Tim sheds light on the emotional patterns that drive avoidant behavior and ...
Barb returns from a dreamy mother-daughter trip through France — and she’s still glowing from the experience. From the bustling cafés of Paris to the charm of Lyon and the serene beauty of Annecy, Barb reflects on what made this journey so special. Along the way, she and her daughter Claire (not featured on the episode) even made a spontaneous detour to Art Basel Paris — because sometimes the best ...
In this very special episode, Barb is joined by one of our favourite podcast regulars, the insightful, licensed mental health counsellor, Jackie Adams, of jackieadamscounseling.com. Barb and Jackie sit down and they both share their expertise on nurturing meaningful friendships as we age. From keeping connections strong to recognizing when a friendship has naturally run its course, Jackie helps us navigate the ...
In this episode, we explore the concept of the “Senior Encore”—the growing movement of older adults re-entering or reinventing their place in the job market. Our special guest, Mike Dwyer of Emplana Career, shares insights on how seniors can leverage their wealth of experience, adapt to today’s changing work landscape, and find renewed purpose in meaningful roles. Whether it’s a career ...
In this episode, Barb sits down with singer-songwriter John Michael Ferrari to explore his remarkable journey through music. From his early beginnings to his evolution as an award-winning artist, to being considered for a Grammy nomination, John Michael shares stories of resilience, reinvention, and the passion that fuels his creativity. He opens up about the challenges of breaking into the industry later in life, t...
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