Cougar College

Our good friend Erik sits down with us for a powerful, real, and unexpectedly tender conversation about living an authentic life. From his coming out journey to navigating faith and Christianity along the way, Erik opens up about the tension, the growth, and the grace it takes to become fully yourself. This one is about truth without performance, faith without fear, and learning how to hold all th...

This week, we’re diving into the wildly unpredictable world of animal rescue with Stephanie! Pun definitely intended🤭 From rescuing animals that most people wouldn’t know how to approach to caring for giant breeds with even bigger hearts, Stephanie shares what it really takes to give these animals a second chance. We talk about the challenges, the unforgettable success stories, and the kind of da...

You think today’s world is weird? Just wait until you hear the laws that somehow survived the test of time. 😂 In this episode, we’re diving into the most ridiculous, head-scratching, “there’s NO way that’s real” laws that are technically still hanging around. From bizarre rules you could accidentally break to laws that make you wonder what happened to inspire them in the first place…we’re laughin...

We spend years counting down to milestones—driving, graduation, moving out, becoming independent. Then one day, they’re technically grown, making their own decisions, and somehow the worrying doesn’t stop. It just changes. In this episode, we’re talking about the unique challenges of parenting teens and adult children: learning when to step in, when to stay quiet, and how to support them without t...

Order in the court! This week at Cougar College, we’re putting life under oath with attorney Shawn Copeland. From LLCs to civil disputes, Shawn breaks down what you need to know to protect yourself, details the most insane case he’s ever handled and how you should not try to get out of the jury summons. No confusing legal jargon. No boring lectures. Just real talk, practical advice, and a few laug...

If there’s one thing we should all be getting better at with age, it’s setting boundaries. Not because we’re difficult. Not because we don’t care. But because our peace is too valuable to hand out for free. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re guidelines. They teach people how to treat us, respect our time, and honor our energy. In this episode of Cougar College, we’re talking about the boundaries we w...

Episode 43 is for every woman who’s looked around in midlife and thought… “Wait. I can change my mind.” ✈️✨ This week we’re talking about pivoting careers in midlife, taking risks that actually light you up, and why becoming a travel advisor is about so much more than booking vacations. It’s freedom. Flexibility. Reinvention. And sometimes… finally choosing yourself. Because contrary to popular b...

In Episode 42, we sit down with April Zuiderveen, a licensed therapist and an integral part of leading women in faith at Search National, for a conversation about women’s leadership in faith, spirituality, and creating spaces where people of all beliefs feel safe to be heard. We explore the importance of leading with compassion instead of judgment, how respectful disagreement can bring deeper unde...

Usually around Cougar College we keep things light, funny and a little wild…but Episode 41 is different. This week we sat down with Maria Hamm for one of the most meaningful conversations we’ve had. We talked about grief, child loss, faith, and what it looks like to keep living when life changes forever. Maria shares the heart behind Beauty for Ashes, her ministry that provides grief boxes to thos...

You ever look back at your life and realize…you were never actually in control of the board? Cougar College Episode 40 is all about the plot twists we didn’t plan, the people who showed up right on time (or suspiciously late), and the moves that only make sense in hindsight. One minute you think you’re the one making power plays…next thing you know, you’re getting spiritually checkmated into growt...

Episode 39 of Cougar College is here, and we’re rolling out the red carpet for Dr. Julie Adams! 🐴🐶🐱✨ A licensed chiropractor with a lifelong passion for healing, Dr. Julie grew up on a horse farm where she learned early how to care for injured animals while helping at her family’s rehabilitation center, Indian Creek. Over the years, they’ve helped hundreds of animals—from horses and dogs to ca...

This week we sit down with Jen Barboza of Boza Boards—serving up stunning spreads and one seriously powerful story. From building her charcuterie business to walking through a diagnosis of a** cancer, her words not ours😆, Jen brings the kind of strength that hits different. She opens up about what it means to fight, heal, and keep showing up with grit (and a little glam). But that’s not all… her...

Episode 37 is serving SKIN, sass, and zero apologies 💅✨ We’re talking all things CC’s Wild Skin Care —the glow, the tallow, the “wait…why is my skin actually thriving?” energy. From dry and dull to dewy and a little dangerous, we’re breaking down what’s working, what we’re obsessed with, and why medical grade skincare just isn’t in our vocabulary anymore. Expect strong opinions, soft skin, and t...

In Episode 36, Fierce & Flawed: 3 Things We Slay and 3 We… Don’t , we’re serving equal parts confidence and chaos. We’re owning the things we absolutely crush—where the cougar energy is strong💪—and just as boldly calling out the areas where we… let’s say, could use a little glow-up🤭It’s honest, a little unhinged, and very real, because being fierce doesn’t mean being flawless. Tune in for la...

EMFs…they’re everywhere—but how much do we really know about them? ⚡️ In Episode 35, the Cougars sit down with Ildiko Toth from Low EMF Living to break down what EMFs are, how they impact our daily lives, and simple ways to create a healthier home environment. This conversation is eye-opening, empowering, and one you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned—your awareness is about to level up. 🎙️ And may y...

Episode 34, Money Talks: Building Cougar Cashflow Confidence with Michael Duggan , is all about stepping into your financial power with clarity and confidence. Michael breaks down practical, real-life strategies for managing money, building sustainable cashflow, and shifting your mindset around wealth—without the overwhelm. With the Cougars keeping it fun and relatable, this episode blends smart f...

Episode 33 of Cougar College is all about Anything and Everything as the Cougars sit down with special guest and friend, Jen Knag for a conversation that goes in every direction—in the best way. From real-life moments and laughter to unexpected tangents and honest reflections, nothing is off the table. It’s the kind of episode that feels like sitting around with friends where one topic leads to an...

On Episode 32 of Cougar College , the Cougars sit down with Brandon Lindsey, founder of Dream On 3 , for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring, heartfelt, and wildly motivating. Brandon shares the powerful story behind launching Dream On 3 and how the organization is changing lives by making once-in-a-lifetime sports dreams come true for children and young adults facing serious illnesses, d...

The Cougars dive into the real story behind lasting relationships — the kind built not on fairy tales, but on resilience, forgiveness, hard conversations, and choosing each other again and again. In this episode, we peel back the polished surface of “perfect love” to talk honestly about the struggles, lessons, and growing pains that shape a marriage into something unshakable. Because real love isn...

Cougars, we’re unscrewing🔩the pretty label and reading the real ingredients list. This episode dives deep into the toxic chemicals, hidden additives, and not-so-cute overly processed junk lurking👀in everyday foods — the ones marketed as “healthy,” “natural,” and “totally fine.” Spoiler: most of them are neither.🍽️🥀 We’re talking food politics, label lies, body intuition, and how modern convenie...

In Episode 29 – We step into a world of powdered wigs, gilded salons, and unapologetic indulgence before crossing the threshold into the buttoned-up discipline of Victorian society. Joining us from her studies at Aberystwyth in Wales🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, Parker guides us through the dazzling contrasts between Rococo extravagance and Victorian propriety, unpacking the art, fashion, scandals, and social codes t...

In Episode 28, we sit down with our friend Lucy Parker—an all around amazing person AND former Miss Teen North Carolina turned artist and photographer—to talk about the beauty of evolving, creating, and falling in love when you least expect it. Lucy shares how life’s winding road led her to a more meaningful kind of spotlight, one filled with creativity, self-discovery, and a deeper sense of purpo...

Episode 27, “The Accidental Artist,” is one of those stories that feels like it was written by the universe itself. We sit down with Nancy Martin to talk about the beautiful, winding road that led to the adoption of her daughter and the unexpected way creativity found her along the way. What started as simply surviving a season of life slowly turned into self-expression, healing, and an artistic j...

Episode 26 – The Great Cleanup is your sign to finally break up with the plastics and mystery chemicals quietly taking over our lives. We’re diving into the not-so-cute truth about “forever chemicals,” where they’re hiding in your home, and the small, realistic swaps that actually make a difference (no, you don’t have to live off-grid or churn your own butter). From kitchens to skincare to the stu...

In “A Kidney Stone Story: Paris, A Volcano & Pregnancy,” the Cougars take you on a rollercoaster that somehow includes international travel, a literal volcano, morning sickness, and the absolute nightmare that is a kidney stone. It’s one of those episodes where you laugh, cringe, and say “there’s no way this is real life” more than once. From chaos abroad to pain you wouldn’t wish on your wors...