The Women Are Plotting

What is dating really like after 40? Has modern dating made finding connection easier—or just more complicated?

In this candid, funny, and refreshingly honest episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari dive into the realities of dating in midlife. From dating apps and first-date expectations to emotional baggage, sexual compatibility, and finding authentic connection, the hosts share personal experiences and discuss how dating priorities change with age.

The conversation explores online dating, casual relationships, dating after divorce, communication, confidence, boundaries, and why many people over 40 are looking for kindness, emotional stability, and consistency instead of drama. The hosts also discuss the importance of knowing yourself, being honest about your needs, navigating modern dating culture, and why good communication and mutual respect matter more than ever.

Whether you're newly single, happily partnered, or simply fascinated by today's dating landscape, this episode offers plenty of laughs, surprising insights, and reassurance that dating later in life can be exciting, empowering, and full of unexpected possibilities.

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What does it really mean to age gracefully? Is it embracing every wrinkle, investing in Botox, prioritizing skincare, or simply staying healthy and active?

In this thoughtful and often hilarious episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari share their personal philosophies on growing older while discussing everything from Botox, facelifts, fillers, cosmetic procedures, and skincare to sunscreen, healthy habits, and the surprising history of plastic surgery. The conversation explores the pressures women face to look younger, the rise of "pro-aging" over "anti-aging," and why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to beauty.

The hosts also swap personal stories about cosmetic treatments, family beauty traditions, facial exercises, gray hair, and the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. Jane shares the remarkable wellness habits of her grandparents, whose active lifestyles inspired her own approach to aging, while Etienne explains why sunscreen has been one of her best investments and why she's comfortable with Botox—but not more invasive procedures.

Filled with humor, honesty, and practical advice, this episode celebrates aging as a privilege and reminds listeners that confidence, health, and authenticity are far more important than chasing perfection.

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What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation? Lost luggage? Missed flights? Food poisoning? Try adding emergency surgery, international hospital visits, passport problems, and airport meltdowns.

In this wildly entertaining episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari share their most unforgettable vacation disasters—and somehow manage to find the humor in all of them. From Etienne's nightmare trip to the French Riviera that ended with necrotizing tonsillitis, emergency medical treatment, customs suspicion, and an emergency tonsillectomy, to Heidi's missing backpack containing her passport, medication, and nearly everything she owned before a honeymoon in Jamaica, the stories just keep getting more unbelievable.

Jane adds her own travel chaos with a passport name mismatch that nearly prevented her from boarding an international flight after getting married, along with lessons learned about staying calm under pressure. Along the way, the hosts discuss travel planning, vacation psychology, traveler's diarrhea, airline mishaps, and the surprising ways even the best vacations can go spectacularly off the rails.

Filled with outrageous true stories, laughter, and practical travel wisdom, this episode is a reminder that the vacations we survive often become the stories we tell forever.

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From anatomy and evolution to dating disasters and surprisingly educational rabbit holes, this might be the most candid conversation The Women Are Plotting has ever had.

In this hilarious and refreshingly honest episode, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari tackle the topic of penises from every imaginable angle. The hosts discuss common myths about penis size, the realities of micropenis, the challenges of unusually large anatomy, circumcision versus being uncircumcised, erectile dysfunction, condom fit, sexual compatibility, and the science behind male sexual health. Along the way, they examine fascinating research, including the evolutionary theory that our distant primate ancestors may have had barbed penises—and why humanity should probably be grateful that trait disappeared.

Blending personal dating experiences with humor and genuine curiosity, the conversation explores how communication, generosity, and sexual compatibility matter far more than unrealistic expectations or cultural stereotypes. Whether they're sharing awkward dating stories, discussing safe sex, or diving into surprising medical facts, the hosts approach the subject with honesty, empathy, and plenty of laughs.

Equal parts educational, outrageous, and entertaining, this episode proves that sometimes the most taboo conversations are also the most informative.

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Why do some adults throw tantrums over seemingly small things while others never seem to grow up emotionally?

In this entertaining and insightful episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore why adults sometimes behave like children—and when those behaviors may point to deeper emotional patterns. From the pop psychology concept of Peter Pan Syndrome to emotional immaturity, narcissistic traits, and unhealthy conflict styles, the hosts discuss what happens when grown-ups struggle with accountability, emotional regulation, and communication.

The conversation is packed with hilarious and relatable personal stories, including legendary Tupperware disputes, lost screws that sparked epic meltdowns, printer rage, slammed doors, parenting through emotional outbursts, menopause-fueled frustration, and even the therapeutic appeal of rage rooms. Along the way, the hosts reflect on how childhood experiences shape adult coping mechanisms, why self-awareness matters, and how learning to express emotions in healthy ways can strengthen relationships.

Blending psychology, humor, and honest self-reflection, this episode reminds listeners that everyone has moments of emotional immaturity—but recognizing those moments, taking responsibility, and continuing to grow are what truly define emotional adulthood.

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What if the thoughts that frighten you the most are the very reason you know they're not who you are?

In this deeply moving and educational episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari welcome author Kim Conrey, co-author of the memoir You're Not a Murderer, You Just Have Harm OCD, to explore one of the most misunderstood forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Together, they discuss what harm OCD really is, why intrusive thoughts are so terrifying, and how they differ from genuine intentions or desires.

Kim shares her family's journey supporting her child through harm OCD while also revealing her own lifelong experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Jane opens up about her personal struggles with OCD, intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and the therapies that helped her regain control of her life. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about OCD, the importance of finding qualified mental health professionals, exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and why humor, honesty, and compassion can play an important role in recovery.

Whether you're living with OCD, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand mental health, this heartfelt conversation offers hope, practical insights, and a powerful reminder that intrusive thoughts do not define your character—and that effective help is available.

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Why do people suddenly disappear without explanation—and is ghosting ever the right thing to do?

In this engaging episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari dive into one of modern dating's most frustrating phenomena: ghosting. Drawing from psychological research, personal experiences, and plenty of humor, the hosts explore why people ghost romantic partners, friends, and even long-term relationships, while examining the emotional impact on everyone involved.

The conversation covers online dating, texting culture, emotional maturity, rejection, difficult conversations, toxic relationships, and the growing influence of technology on modern communication. The hosts share unforgettable stories of awkward dates, clingy matches, friendship breakups, accidental ghosting, and the rare situations where disappearing without another word may actually be the safest choice.

Whether you've been ghosted, have ghosted someone yourself, or are simply navigating today's dating world, this episode offers honest insights into communication, boundaries, closure, and why having one difficult conversation can sometimes make all the difference.

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Sexual harassment is something far too many people experience—but far too few people openly discuss.

In this candid and deeply personal episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari share their own experiences with sexual harassment in workplaces, schools, the military, healthcare, retail, restaurants, and everyday life. Through a mix of heartfelt stories, humor, and honest reflection, they explore how unwanted attention, inappropriate comments, intimidation, and abuse of power have affected them throughout their lives and careers.

The hosts examine current research on workplace harassment, discuss why many incidents go unreported, and explore the complex dynamics of consent, power, boundaries, and respect. They also reflect on how societal attitudes have changed over the years, why speaking up matters, and what allies, employers, and bystanders can do to create safer environments for everyone.

While the subject is serious, the conversation also highlights resilience, personal growth, and the importance of standing up for yourself and others. It's an honest discussion about recognizing inappropriate behavior, respecting boundaries, and building a culture where everyone feels safe, heard, and valued.

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Why are some people fascinated by feet while others enjoy BDSM, exhibitionism, or role play? And what exactly is the difference between a kink and a fetish?

In this open, funny, and judgment-free episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore the fascinating world of sexual kinks and fetishes. Drawing from scientific research, psychology, personal experiences, and plenty of laughter, the hosts discuss everything from foot fetishes, BDSM, exhibitionism, spanking, hair pulling, and auralism to age play, watersports, mummification, and the many ways human sexuality can express itself.

Along the way, they examine theories about how kinks develop, the psychology behind fetishes, the importance of consent, communication, trust, and safe exploration between partners. The conversation also tackles common misconceptions, shares a few surprising personal stories, and emphasizes that healthy sexual expression begins with mutual respect and enthusiastic consent.

Whether you're simply curious about human sexuality or interested in understanding why people are drawn to different fantasies and experiences, this episode offers an honest, educational, and often hilarious look at one of the most misunderstood aspects of adult relationships.

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Can artificial intelligence write a great novel—or is there something uniquely human that no algorithm can replicate?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari dive into one of the biggest questions facing writers today: how should authors use AI, and where should they draw the line? From ChatGPT and Claude to enterprise AI tools and content marketing, the hosts share their firsthand experiences using artificial intelligence professionally while debating its place in the creative process.

The conversation explores AI hallucinations, misinformation, publishing ethics, copyright concerns, query letters, marketing copy, editing, and the risks of feeding original manuscripts into large language models. The hosts also discuss a fascinating New York Times experiment comparing an AI-generated short story with one written by a bestselling author, examining what separates competent writing from truly meaningful storytelling.

Whether you're an author, student, content creator, or simply curious about the future of creativity, this episode offers a balanced, honest discussion about AI's strengths, its limitations, and why lived human experience may remain the one thing no machine can convincingly imitate.

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