Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45

Is Gulf Shores, Alabama the best beach vacation most women haven't taken yet? We think so — and we're making the case. In this episode of Untethered & Wanderwise, hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heide Brandes break down everything you need to know about planning a Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation for women who want more than a beach chair — but also know how to use one. Nicky has been...

Whether you're married to a man who won't leave the zip code, freshly single and figuring out what solo even means, or somewhere in the beautiful messy middle, this episode is for you. Nicky and Heide get personal about the relationships that couldn't keep up with their wanderlust, and sit down with dating expert and somatic coach Lauren Salaun to talk about what it really means to...

You know the moment. The trip is right there. The timing works, the destination is calling your name, and your cursor is hovering over confirm — and then something shuts it all down. Not your budget. Not your schedule. Something deeper. A flood of "but what ifs" that sends you straight back to the couch wondering why you can never just go. Coach and Big Bravely founder Sheri Larson has a...

Join Heide and Nicky as they go chasing wildflower blooms this spring throughout the U.S. From Texas bluebonnets and California poppies to Shenandoah violets and Smoky Mountain trillium, springtime is the perfect time to plan an impromptu trip to destinations that also shine with food, accommodations and wine! Support the show

What if your Yellowstone trip was actually good and not just crowded parking lots and blurry bison photos from the road? In this episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, Heide and Nicky sit down with Melynda Harrison, better known online as Traveling Mel, a Montana-based travel writer, content creator, and adventure trip leader who has spent years helping people experience Yellowstone, Grand Teton, a...

There's a moment many women know well — the house goes quiet, the kids are gone, and you find yourself standing in the middle of your own life wondering, now what? For Mary Baskin, that moment became a doorway. Instead of shrinking into the silence, Mary said yes — to a spontaneous detour through the lavender fields of Provence, to a van full of antiques and six overstuffed suitcases, and to...

Stop letting "someday" steal another year of your life. If you're a woman over 40 who's been putting off that bucket list travel for "when the kids are grown," "when I have more money," or "when I find the right travel companion," this episode is your wake-up call. Hosts Heidi Brandes and Nicky Omohundro expose the three biggest reasons women delay...

“Wyoming Is Having a Moment in 2026” Episode Summary If Wyoming isn’t on your 2026 travel list yet… it will be after this episode. In this lively, laugh-filled conversation, co-hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro dive into why the Cowboy State is set to become the destination for women over 45 craving adventure, authenticity, luxury—or all three. Heide brings back stories straight from Carbon...

Join co-hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro on "Untethered and Wander Wise," the award-winning travel podcast dedicated to inspiring women over 45 to embrace adventure on their own terms. In this episode, Heide shares her unforgettable journey to Grand Junction, Colorado, a hidden gem packed with epic scenery, outdoor thrills, vibrant local culture, and welcoming community spirit.  D...

What if your worst travel nightmare—a cancelled flight and unexpected airport layover—could become your best adventure yet? Join Heide and Nicky as they completely flip the script on airport travel with their incredible 4-day discovery of Southside Seattle, the vibrant communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From squid fishing on a fall night to exploring a UFO mysteries trai...

When you think "girls trip destination," Rochester, New York probably doesn't make your top 10 list. But after this episode, it absolutely will! Join hosts Nikki and Heidi as they spill all the tea about their unexpected love affair with this upstate gem. From sipping perfect espresso martinis at Angelina's restaurant to getting literal chills standing in Susan B. Anthony'...

What if your next vacation could literally transport you through time? Meet Jackie Lapin, a 74-year-old former sports journalist who transformed her passion for historical novels into the ultimate travel hack. After visiting over 500 destinations, Jackie has cracked the code on turning ordinary sightseeing into extraordinary time-travel experiences by pairing great books with epic destinations.   ...

  In this groundbreaking episode of Untethered and Wanderwise , hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro reveal why women over 45 are becoming the driving force behind the adventure tourism revolution, sharing shocking statistics like how 81% of solo female travelers are over 45 and women over 65 increased their solo travel from 4% to 18% in just three years.  Listeners will discover the psychology...

What happens when you celebrate your 50th birthday by eating guinea pig and conquering one of the world's seven wonders? Join hosts Heide and Nicky on Untethered and Wander Wise as they share their incredible Machu Picchu journey – proving your most epic adventures happen AFTER 45, not before. Why This Episode Will Change How You Think About Travel: 🏔️ The emotional moment that brought tears...

Nicky and Heide give their review of the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica adults-only luxury resort in Los Cabos. From fine dining and top-notch spa experiences to day trips to one of Mexico's "Magical towns," the resort far exceeded any expectations. Perfect for a girls' getaway or a romantic escape, see what you can expect from this premium resort. Support the show

Ready to trade crowded tourist traps for authentic cultural connections? In this episode, we sit down with Diana Ditto, VP of Product Marketing and Growth Strategies at Collette Tours—North America's longest-running tour operator with 107 years of experience—to discover why small group travel is revolutionizing how women over 45 explore the world. Diana reveals the hottest destinations for 20...

Join host Nicky Omohundro as she welcomes travel expert Jenn Coleman of Coleman Concierge to the Untethered and Wanderwise podcast. In this episode, Jenn shares how she and Nicky transformed a recent business trip to Las Vegas into an unforgettable girls' getaway packed with extraordinary experiences. Discover the inside scoop on seeing Dead and Company at the revolutionary Sphere venue (with...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they discuss why America's National Parks offer the perfect adventure for women in midlife. This episode covers trending parks for 2025, practical tips for planning visits during off-seasons, and insights on accommodations ranging from traditional camping to luxury glamping.  The hosts share their personal favorite parks—from Yosemite's maj...

Join hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heide Brandes as they interview Andrew Jernigan, co-founder and CEO of Insured Nomads, about navigating international travel in today's complex political landscape. Andrew shares crucial safety tips for travelers in 2025, from digital privacy precautions and insurance essentials to managing cross-border tensions.  Learn about innovative travel protection technol...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they delve into the world of authentic solo travel experiences for midlife women.  In this captivating episode, meet Anita Thomas - an award-winning travel show host who has visited an astounding 123 countries over her 13-year career as a Pan-American World Airways purser. Anita shares her journey from aviation professional to acclaimed broadcaster,...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they explore an unexpected winter wonderland on this episode of Untethered and Wanderwise. Most travelers picture New Mexico as a desert landscape with adobe architecture, but our special guest Nicole Barker reveals the state's spectacular winter offerings that make it truly the Land of Enchantment during the colder months. Nicole, a former phot...

This introspective journey with travel expert Pauline Frommer, President of Frommer Media, and Editorial Director of Frommer's Guidebooks, explores the transformative power of meaningful travel for women in their prime. Through personal stories, expert insights, and practical wisdom, Pauline shares how women over 45 can create profound travel experiences that honor their accumulated wisdom wh...

Think winter travel in British Columbia is just for the young and adventurous? Think again! Join host Heide Brandes as she discovers why British Columbia's Cariboo region is becoming the ultimate winter destination for women travelers over 45. From ice fishing for mysterious burbot to following lynx tracks through pristine wilderness, this episode breaks down the barriers of cold-weather adve...

In this heartfelt episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heidi Brandes share their personal journeys of embracing adventure after major life changes. After both experiencing the end of 28-year relationships, they discuss how travel became not just an escape but a path to rediscovery and transformation. From conquering driving anxiety to exploring the Amazon with one pair o...

Join hosts Heide and Nikki as they explore five incredible weekend road trips perfect for women over 45. From the magical Buffalo National River in Arkansas with its stunning bluffs and waterfalls, to the spiritual vortexes of Sedona, Arizona, to Mississippi's hidden coastal gems, the waterfall-rich Finger Lakes region of New York, and Wisconsin's scenic Great River Road along the Missis...