"What's Next? Conversations with Boomers"

"What's Next? Conversations with Boomers"

By Barb DesmaraisSociety & Culture
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"What's Next? Conversations with Boomers" episodes

  • Life Reflections at 73

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    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 mentally and physically. (Hint: It helps to start as early as you can. Take notes, 20-somethings!)

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    9 min
  • Journaling: A Resurgence

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    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, dating, healing, and personal growth, while reflecting on why putting pen to paper can be such a powerful act of self-care. Whether you’ve kept journals for decades or have never written a word, this episode may inspire you to pick up a pen and begin.

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    35 min
  • Breathe Better, Feel Better: How Conscious Breathing Calms Anxiety & Resets Your Nervous System

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    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 understand what’s happening in your body.

    Annie explains how different types of breathing can either calm or energize you, depending on your state, and why long exhales are such an effective way to bring the body back to a relaxed, safe place. They also talk about the connection between breath and anxiety, how the nervous system responds to stress, and simple techniques you can use in everyday moments to reset and feel more in control.

    This conversation is a reminder that small, intentional changes—like how you breathe—can have a big impact on how you feel.

    Connect with Annie by visiting her website https://annieauyoga.com or find her on Instagram @annie_au_yoga.

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    35 min
  • Motion Is Lotion: Feel Stronger, Move Better, and Age with Confidence

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    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 approach to fitness that goes beyond walking.

    Join the SuperAging Revolution at https://superagingnews.com/ to learn more about the latest news, trends, and ideas on longevity and aging with confidence.


    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    36 min
  • Dating After 70: Independence, Dating Apps & Raising the Bar

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    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 in later life.

    They reflect on how dating in your 60s and 70s is very different from dating in your twenties. Many boomers today are simply seeking companionship, mutual respect, and meaningful conversation.

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    49 min
  • Your True North, Strong & Free: Discovering Your Core Values After 60

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    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 needs, and how our core values often stay the same, but how we express them changes overtime.

    Denise shares practical insight from her years of coaching, including how she guides people to narrow down 70 possible values to just five core anchors — their personal “true north.”

    For many Boomers navigating retirement, identity shifts, grief, or simply asking “What’s next?”, this episode offers clarity, language, and reassurance. You may discover that what you thought were values were actually expectations — and that freedom begins with recognizing the difference.

    If you’ve ever felt something was “off” but couldn’t quite name it, this conversation may help you find the words.

    Because knowing your values isn’t just an exercise — it’s a pathway to living more authentically in this next chapter.

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    37 min
  • Somatic Yin Yoga & the Vagus Nerve: Healing Trauma and Anxiety with Annie Au

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    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, and anxiety led her to somatic healing. Together, they explore how trauma is stored in the body, why talk therapy isn’t always enough, and how bottom-up practices calm the nervous system.

    Subscribe to Annie's Youtube channel @YinYogaWithAnnie. You can also find her on Instagram @annie_au_yoga. More info on Annie can be found on her website at https://annieauyoga.com/.

    Check out her 14 Day challenge here: https://annieauyoga.com/somatic-yin-challenge

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    45 min
  • Self-Love Is a Practice: Kindness, Boundaries, and Healing

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    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 “on your own side,” softening the inner critic, and learning to honour your emotional, physical, and relational wellbeing.

    Denise also shares personal insights about learning to feel her feelings later in life, practicing daily meditation, and using EFT to manage anxiety and build self-acceptance. Barb and Mela reflect on how self-love supports emotional resilience, healthier relationships, and a deeper sense of peace.

    The episode closes with a reminder that self-love is not about ego or self-indulgence—it’s about learning to treat yourself with the same care you would offer a dear friend.

    A warm, honest, and soul-enriching conversation you won’t want to miss.

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    41 min
  • The Good, the Bad, and the AI: Boomers and the New Digital Frontier

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    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 for boomers and beyond.

    They also discuss the risks—deepfakes, scams, and privacy concerns—and share tips for staying vigilant while embracing the benefits. Whether you’re curious about AI avatars, virtual companions, or just want to understand what all the buzz is about, this conversation breaks it down in a relatable, no-nonsense way for our generation of tech-savvy boomers.

    To learn more about David Cravit and SuperAging News, visit their website here:

    https://superagingnews.com/

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    44 min
  • A Year in Conversations: Friendships, Relationships, and Lessons Learned--2025 Recap!

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    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 of our show "What's Next? Conversations with Boomers," we want to wish you all a happy and safe Holiday Season! We will be back with more inspired conversations in 2026!

    Find us on Instagram @convoswithboomerspod.

    If you like our show, make sure you follow us on your favourite Podcast player. Feel free to rate and review our show and tell us what you'd like to hear, and what other topics you'd like Barb to explore!

    32 min

About "What's Next? Conversations with Boomers"

From the publisher's feed

What’s Next? Conversations with Boomers is a candid, cross-generational dialogue exploring life after the milestones—career shifts, retirement, relationships, family, reinvention, and…

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