The Whole Woman Podcast with Kim and Rachel

As our parents grow older, many of us find ourselves stepping into a new role. We become advocates, researchers, and sometimes the voice asking hard questions when something doesn't seem right.In this episode of The Whole Woman Podcast, Kim and Rachel continue an honest conversation about scams targeting older adults, online fraud, reverse mortgages, and the growing responsibility of helping aging parents navigate a world that has changed faster than they have.They share personal experiences, practical tips for recognizing red flags, trusted resources for checking suspicious websites, and encouragement for anyone walking through the challenges of caring for aging parents while still honoring their independence.Whether you're helping your own parents, approaching retirement yourself, or simply wondering how to protect the people you love, this conversation offers practical wisdom and a reminder that awareness is one of the greatest gifts we can give each other.In this episode, we discuss:Why seniors are often targeted by scamsOnline fraud and text message scamsReverse mortgages and questions every family should askHelpful tools for checking whether a website is legitimateHow adult children can advocate for aging parents with patience and graceWhy slowing down before making financial decisions mattersIf this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is helping care for an aging parent.The Whole Woman Podcast is where honest conversations meet practical wisdom for women navigating health, relationships, faith, family, and everyday life.#TheWholeWomanPodcast #AgingParents #ScamAwareness

Rachel shares the painful story of how an online romance scam changed her family forever. What began as hidden online conversations eventually led to the loss of more than $60,000, the end of a forty-year marriage, and a difficult season of healing for everyone involved.

Together, Kim and Rachel discuss how romance scams work, why they are becoming more common, the warning signs families often overlook, and how we can better protect the people we love. This conversation is honest, compassionate, and filled with practical insight for anyone caring for aging parents or concerned about online scams.

Be sure to visit our Whole Woman Podcast Substack after listening. We've gathered additional resources, organizations that support victims and families, warning signs to watch for, and practical information to help you protect the people you love.

What happens when two podcast hosts who have recorded together for more than a year finally meet face to face?

In this episode, Kim Mosiman and Rachel Lavin share what it was like to discover that the friendship they'd built through weekly conversations felt just as natural in person. Their conversation explores long-distance friendships, the way relationships change as we get older, why our circles often become smaller, and how honesty and consistency create trust that lasts.

If you've ever wondered how to build deeper friendships in a busy, connected world, this episode is for you.

#wholewomanpodcast #middleagedfriendship #girltime

After last week's inspiring conversation with Angela Rakis, Kim and Rachel reflect on their own career journeys and the unexpected paths that led them to where they are today. From restaurants and gyms to writing, coaching, organizing, and entrepreneurship, they share what they've learned about following dreams, avoiding burnout, asking for help, and building a life that aligns with who they've become.

Whether you're considering a career change, retirement, a new business, or simply wondering if there's another chapter ahead, this episode is an encouraging reminder that it's never too late to grow, learn something new, or pursue the work you're meant to do.

After you listen, jump over to Substack for some post show reflections.

What if the biggest lie women have believed is that someone else's success means there's less available for us?In this episode of The Whole Woman Podcast, Kim Mosiman and Rachel Lavin welcome business strategist Angela Rakis of Favorite Daughter LLC for a conversation about second careers, entrepreneurship, community, and why collaboration will always take us further than competition.Angela shares her remarkable journey from New York advertising agencies to culinary school, corporate leadership at Whole Foods, and eventually building a business that helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs gain clarity, navigate change, and grow with confidence.Together, they explore career pivots, the courage to start over, knowing when it's time to ask for help, building authentic businesses, and why success isn't about competing for a limited number of opportunities.One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Angela reminds us:"There is room for all of us. It's not a pie with just a certain amount of slices in it."Whether you're considering a career change, starting a business, or simply wondering what's next in this season of life, this episode is a reminder that your experience matters, your gifts are needed, and there truly is enough for all of us.In this episode:• Why careers look more like jungle gyms than ladders• How layoffs and setbacks can become unexpected opportunities• The importance of finding your unique message• Why women don't have to compete to succeed• Knowing when to hire an expert instead of figuring it out alone• Building authentic businesses in the age of AI and social media• Rediscovering your purpose when your work no longer fitsThe conversation doesn't end when the microphones turn off. Join us on Substack for our weekly after-show thoughts, behind-the-scenes reflections, links to everything we mention in the episode, and a place to keep the conversation going. We'd love to have you there.

Do you ever feel like you have to be completely overwhelmed before you're "allowed" to ask for help?

In this episode of The Whole Woman Podcast, Kim Mosiman and Rachel Lavin explore why so many women wait until they're exhausted before hiring an expert, working with a coach, seeing a therapist, or simply asking for support.

From housekeepers and home organizers to writing coaches, counselors, meal services, and personal trainers, they discuss how investing in the right help isn't about luxury—it's about creating more time, peace, and space for the life you actually want to live.

Along the way, they share personal stories about laundry services in New York City, maintaining a home you love, growing businesses in midlife, learning to value your time, and why asking for help may be one of the healthiest decisions you can make.

If you've ever thought:

• "I should be able to do this myself."

• "I'll ask for help when things calm down."

• "Maybe I don't really need an expert...".

..this conversation is for you.

In this episode:

Why women often wait too long to ask for help

The difference between needing rescue and wanting support

How experts create systems that bring lasting peace

Why hiring help can actually save time, energy, and money

Midlife, second careers, and learning from people who've gone before us

How to decide what's worth outsourcing

If you enjoyed today's conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs permission to stop carrying everything alone.

#TheWholeWomanPodcast #WomenOver50 #MidlifeWomen

What do crossing your eyes, swallowing gum, going outside with wet hair, cracking your knuckles, and eating watermelon seeds all have in common? According to the women who raised us, they could apparently ruin your life.In this first episode of year two of The Whole Woman Podcast, Kim Mosiman and Rachel Lavin are diving into the old wives’ tales, superstitions, and childhood myths they grew up hearing—and in some cases, repeating. From “feed a cold, starve a fever” to “coffee stunts your growth,” “sugar makes kids hyper,” and “don’t swim right after you eat,” they’re sorting through which stories still make them laugh, which ones may have a tiny grain of truth, and which ones deserve to be retired for good.Along the way, they talk about family sayings passed down through generations, the strange staying power of superstition, the stories they told their own kids, and the difference between harmless nostalgia and living in fear. They also wander into conversations about cardinals, black bears, stormy mornings, bird encounters, and the beauty of noticing the world around us with curiosity instead of anxiety.If you grew up hearing warnings about black cats, broken mirrors, watermelon seeds, gum in your stomach, coffee, coats, cracked knuckles, or stepping on sidewalk cracks, this episode will feel like a trip back in time—with plenty of laughter along the way.In this episode, we talk about:~ Old wives’ tales about sickness, food, weather, and childhood behavior~ Superstitions about black cats, pennies, broken mirrors, birds, and omens~ Which old wives’ tales actually have a little truth behind them~ How stories get passed down through generations~ Why some myths stick around longer than facts~ The difference between fun family folklore and fear-based thinkingIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who grew up hearing the exact same warnings. And we’d love to hear from you in the comments: What old wives’ tale or superstition did you grow up believing?#WholeWomanPodcast #OldWivesTales #MidlifeConversations

The Whole Woman Podcast is officially one year old.

In this special anniversary episode, co-hosts Kim Mosiman and Rachel Lavin look back on 52 episodes, countless conversations, unexpected lessons, and a friendship that grew one podcast episode at a time.

What began as a discussion about health, wellness, and everyday life quickly became something much bigger. Over the past year, Kim and Rachel have explored faith, friendship, family, purpose, food, travel, aging, relationships, personal growth, and the many experiences that shape women in midlife and beyond.

Together, they reflect on their favorite episodes, the conversations that surprised them most, the lessons they've learned about listening, friendship, and curiosity, and what they hope listeners have taken away from the show.

Whether you've been here since Episode 1 or you're discovering The Whole Woman Podcast for the first time, this episode is a celebration of community, connection, and the belief that it's never too late to grow, change, learn, and become more fully yourself.

In this episode:

• Favorite episodes from the past year
• Lessons learned about friendship and communication
• Why curiosity matters more than being right
• What we're still learning in this season of life
• The joys and challenges of midlife
• What we're looking forward to in Season Two

Thank you for being part of our first year.

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join us for Season Two of The Whole Woman Podcast.

#TheWholeWomanPodcast #MidlifeWomen #Friendship

What is it about summer food that brings back memories in an instant?

In this final edition of our Porch Conversations summer series, Kim and Rachel sit down to talk about the foods that shaped their childhoods, the meals that still feel like home, and why certain flavors seem to carry entire seasons inside them.

From BLTs and grilled burgers to watermelon, peaches, ice cream cones, and road-trip snacks packed in coolers, this conversation is filled with memories of grandparents, family vacations, summer lunches, church picnics, and favorite traditions passed down from one generation to the next.

Along the way, they discuss vacation food, local restaurants, summer fruits, homemade treats, ice cream shops, and the recipes they would never dream of changing.

Whether you grew up eating hot dogs by the pool, fresh sweet corn at family gatherings, or ice cream from the neighborhood dairy bar, this episode will remind you that food is often about much more than what is on the plate. It is about the people, places, and stories that stay with us long after the meal is over.

In this episode:

~ Summer foods that instantly transport us back to childhood

~ Favorite family vacation food memories

~ The best summer fruits and treats

~ Ice cream shop nostalgia~ Foods connected to grandparents and family traditions

~ A fun round of summer-themed "This or That."

Recipe for Rachel's Favorite Lemon Greek Chicken From Sivans Kitchen https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJZbOUeJLcl/?igsh=MXMwemdxZzljdXFxag==

Ingredients:

4 to 5 golden potatoes, peeled and quartered

8 pieces of chicken (bone-in thighs and drumsticks work beautifully, but use your favorite!)

For the sauce:

Juice of 2 large lemons

1/4 cup good-quality olive oil

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

5 to 6 garlic cloves, minced

2 to 3 tsp salt

A few sprigs of fresh thyme optional

1 tbsp. dry oregano

Instructions:

Prep the potatoes and chicken:
Peel and rinse your golden potatoes, then cut them into large wedges.

Wash and pat dry your chicken pieces.

Layer in your pot:
Arrange the potato wedges in a large oven-safe pot or braiser (I use a 14-inch cast iron). Lay the chicken pieces flat on top.


Tip: If your pot has plastic handles, wrap them in foil and you’re good to go in the oven. No oven-safe lid? Cover with parchment and foil.

Make the sauce:
In a jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and salt. Give it a good shake until everything is well mixed and emulsified.

Assemble:
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and potatoes. Use a pastry brush to make sure everything is coated. Add a few sprigs of thyme on top.

Bake:
Cover and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Finish uncovered:
After 1.5 hours, remove the lid, baste the chicken and potatoes with those delicious juices, and return to the oven uncovered for 30 minutes, until everything is golden and caramelized.

A perfect dish to prepare ahead of time on busy days. Freezes excellently, and leftovers are even better.
Subscribe to The Whole Woman Podcast so you never miss an episode, and join us next week as we celebrate one full year of conversations together.

Take a nostalgic trip back to the simpler summers of the 1980s and 1990s in this cozy edition of our Porch Conversations summer series.

Kim and Rachel reminisce about life before smartphones, texting, social media, and streaming services. From long phone calls with friends and handwritten letters to neighborhood bike rides, family movie nights, photo albums, Blockbuster rentals, and old-fashioned ice cream shops, this conversation explores the memories that shaped a generation.

Along the way, they share stories about summer vacations, grandparents' houses, pool days, beach memories, Friday night traditions, and the surprising ways technology has changed how we connect, remember, and experience life.

They also debate whether they would trade today's convenience for yesterday's peace and discuss which traditions are worth preserving for future generations.

Pull up a chair, pour a glass of strawberry lemonade, and join us for a heartfelt conversation about nostalgia, connection, family memories, and the simple joys that still matter today.

Whether you grew up in the '80s and '90s or simply long for a slower pace of life, this episode will leave you smiling and remembering the moments that made summer special.
Porch Table Recipes are available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wholewomanpodcast/Join the ConversationIf this episode brought back a favorite summer memory, we'd love to hear it. What do you miss most about simpler times? Was it bike rides with friends, handwritten letters, family movie nights, photo albums, or something else entirely?Share your memories with us in the comments, tag us on social media, and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode of The Whole Woman Podcast. New episodes drop every Friday at 5:00 a.m. EDT. We can't wait to spend another morning on the porch with you.