Spark Me

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do in your second act is walk away from a life you thought you were “supposed” to live. This week on  Spark Me , Liz and Michele sit down with  Rachel Olszewski Conrad , founder of  Fear Less Publicity , for a deeply honest conversation about reinvention, resilience, and trusting yourself when life takes an unexpected turn. Rachel shares her journey from growing...

What happens when a story refuses to be forgotten? In this Spark Short, we talk about a book that took decades to become real — not because it was being written, but because it was being lived . What started as cassette tapes mailed back and forth between a father and daughter slowly became a memoir spanning war, reinvention, service, and legacy. From fighter pilot missions in Vietnam to starting...

What if grief wasn’t something to “get over,” but something we learn how to carry — together? This week on  Spark Me , Liz and Michele open up about a chapter of life many of us enter quietly and unprepared: losing our parents. Over the past year, both have navigated profound loss while continuing to show up for work, family, friendships, and this very podcast. They talk honestly about what grief...

What if the “future of AI” wasn’t just about technology, but about what kind of humans we become while we build it? This week on  Spark Me , Liz and Michele sit down for a Spark Short that’s… not actually all that short. They dive into the wild, complicated, and very real ways artificial intelligence is already reshaping our energy use, our jobs, our politics, and even how we show up for our kids’...

What if life feels fuller when we notice just how much there is to be grateful for in every part of it? In this heartfelt Spark Short, Liz and Michele share how this holiday season is bringing surprising joy, deeper connection, and fresh starts—even in the middle of big life changes. From a relaxed, sun‑soaked Thanksgiving at a North Carolina beach house to a bustling family gathering back home wi...

What happens when you keep choosing the unconventional path because that’s what feels true to you? This week on “Spark Me,” Liz turns the mic inward and interviews her co-host, Michele Dempsey—architect, mom, community advocate, and lifelong challenger of the status quo. In this intimate origin story, Michele shares how she built a life that followed her own blueprint. From forging her way as a bu...

What if the greatest heartbreak in your life could become the turning point for the most courageous chapter yet? This week on Spark Me , Liz and Michele sit down with Angela Buchter to explore an extraordinary journey through loss, resilience, and unexpected renewal. Angela built a thriving career in science, rising from the night shift to Director at a major vaccine facility. But in 2019, her wor...

What if the key to a longer, happier life isn’t what you eat or how much you exercise, but who you call your friend? This week on  Spark Me Shorts , Liz and Michele explore the power of friendship in the second act of life and why meaningful connection may be the ultimate secret to happiness and longevity. Drawing on Aristotle’s timeless philosophy and decades of modern research, they unpack how d...

What if life's unexpected pivots were actually leading to your purpose? This week on  Spark Me , Liz and Michele sit down with  Katrina Bowers , founder of  Guided Giving , to explore how a life of pivots — from early marriage and career changes to personal loss — led her to a powerful second act centered on generosity and purpose. Katrina shares how she built a 30-year career in philanthropy,...

Ever fallen head-over-boots for a voice that feels like home? Meet Laurel Wright, one half of Nashville duo The Young Fables, whose crystal-clear vocals and soul-first songwriting chart a path through grief, grit, and gorgeous melody. From singing in East Tennessee churches at age three to American Idol and USA’s Real Country, Laurel opens up about loss, mental health, thick skin in a male-dominat...

Ever had that moment when logic says one thing, but your gut says another? In this Spark Short, hosts Michele Dempsey and Liz Graham dive into the art (and challenge) of trusting your gut. Michele shares a raw, real-life story about a moment when her intuition told her to pause even though logic said, “Go.” It’s a story about slowing down, listening to your inner wisdom, and realizing that sometim...

Ever feel like you’re supposed to “stay in your lane?” Tara Mugford Wilson never got the memo.  From corporate consulting to running a unionized mechanical business in a male-dominated industry, to buying (and rebranding) a women’s fashion and home store just before the pandemic — Tara proves that your second act (and third!) can be as bold as you dare to make it. In this conversation, Tara shares...

What if the key to getting more out of life isn’t doing more — it’s slowing down? In this inspiring episode of  Spark Me , Michele and Liz sit down with  Kris Holmes , a woman whose life has been defined by love, resilience, and gratitude. From becoming a mom at 18 to building a thriving career and rediscovering herself through yoga and sound healing, Kris shares what happens when you stop saying...

This week on Spark Me , Liz and Michele turn the spotlight inward to share the story behind the podcast itself. What began as recurring dinner-table conversations with girlfriends—about kids leaving the nest, shifting careers, caring for aging parents, and craving something more —has become a platform for women in their middle chapters to connect, learn, and grow together. From balancing family an...

This week on  Spark Me , Liz and Michele welcome the inspiring Dr. Karen Murphy—a trailblazer in healthcare transformation whose extraordinary journey proves that life’s twists and turns can lead to incredible destinations. From teenage mom and nurse to CEO, Secretary of Health, and a leader in healthcare innovation, Karen’s story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of communi...

This week on  Spark Me , Liz and Michele sit down with the brilliant and inspiring  Beth Twohy —a strategic leader whose career journey spans from predictive analytics at Procter & Gamble to transforming education in Baltimore public schools. Before diving into Beth’s story, Liz and Michele share personal reflections on community, personal loss, and the power of connection. From navigating gri...

In this deeply inspiring conversation, we sit down with  Dr. Christine Kiesinger —executive coach, meditation guide, and expert in relational communication—to explore what it really means to transform your life, relationships, and leadership. Christine shares her journey from a 30-year career in academia to leaving tenure behind and stepping into a new book—not just a new chapter—of her life. She...

In this deeply moving conversation, we sit down with ⁠ Tracey Selingo ⁠—founder of Fork Over Love —to explore how one woman’s vision during the pandemic became a powerful movement of community, nourishment, and hope. When COVID-19 shuttered restaurants and left thousands of families struggling with food insecurity, Tracey saw an opportunity to bring both challenges together into a beautiful soluti...