"What's Next? Conversations with Boomers"

Send us Fan Mail In an age that often feels uncertain and overwhelming, how do we stay grounded and connected to what truly matters? This week, we welcome back our beloved podcast regular, Denise Torgerson, for a heartwarming conversation about rediscovering joy in the simple, everyday moments of life. From quiet mornings with a cup of coffee to adorable moments with grandkids, long walks with our...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal and moving episode, Barb sits down with mental health and marriage counsellor Jackie Adams, who opens up about the most devastating chapter of her life: betrayal. After 32 years of marriage, Jackie’s husband revealed a pattern of infidelity that shattered the foundation of their relationship and ultimately led to divorce. With honesty, grace, and insight, J...

Send us Fan Mail In this energizing episode, Barb welcomes certified personal trainer and strength coach Caylee Alzner to talk about one of the most powerful tools for healthy aging: strength training . Caylee breaks down the myths around lifting weights later in life and introduces the key principle of progressive overload —a method that helps build strength, improve mobility, and maintain indepe...

Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode, Barb is sits down with renowned physician and healthy aging expert, Dr. Gillian Lockitch , for a conversation that could change the way you think about getting older. With decades of experience in medicine and a personal journey that exemplifies vitality in later life, Dr. Lockitch shares her top 5 evidence-based strategies for healthy aging —covering e...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply reflective episode, Barb Desmarais is joined once again by our good friend, Tim Wade, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about one of life’s most difficult challenges: letting go of people when a relationship has run its course. Whether it's a friend, a partner, or even a family member, parting ways can feel like a kind of death—but it can also be the mos...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode, we explore what it truly means to "let go" after the loss of a loved one — and whether that's even the right phrase. Our special guest, grief educator and coach Denise Torgerson, invites us to reframe our understanding of loss, suggesting that instead of letting go, we consider the power of letting in . Denise shares her wisdom on how to i...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Pride Month episode, Barb sits down with her dear friend and neighbour, Candace Macpherson, a proud lesbian and advocate for authenticity, visibility, and love. Candace shares her personal journey of coming out and living openly in a time when being LGBTQIA+ was far less accepted than it is today. Candace and Barb reflect on the evolution of the language we use to...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we dive into the digital world with one of our favourite guests, Denise Torgerson. Barb and Denise breakdown what they love and hate about social media, and how much it has deeply impacted us in our daily lives. From staying connected with family to falling for misinformation, social media has reshaped how boomers engage with the world. Whether you're a seasoned sc...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's thought-provoking episode, Barb sits down with Barb Wade, leadership coach and speaker , to explore the dramatic evolution of women’s roles in society. From the traditional expectations of the past—where women were often confined to caregiving and homemaking—to today’s landscape of greater economic power, personal choice, and independence, the two Barbs dive in...

Send us Fan Mail Downsizing isn’t just about sorting through belongings—it’s about untangling the emotions tied to a lifetime of memories. In this fun, light-hearted episode of What’s Next? Conversations with Boomers , Barb sits down with Richard Ferguson once again, founder of It’s Time to Downsize , to explore the practical and emotional challenges of letting go. Why do we hold onto things we no...

Send us Fan Mail Tim is back, but this time with his better half--the infamous, Barb Wade . In this heartfelt episode, Barb Desmarais sits down with Barb & Tim and they share their extraordinary journey of rekindling their relationship after eight years of divorce. Their story isn’t just about romance—it’s about growth, true friendship, and the complexities of co-parenting their special needs...

Send us Fan Mail In this refreshingly honest episode, Barb welcomes back her longtime friend Kelley Riley (and Season 1 alum), to challenge the notion that travel must be a partnered experience. Kelley, an unapologetic solo traveler, shares her philosophy of wandering the world on her own terms. Kelley pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to travel alone for the sheer joy of it, offering...

Send us Fan Mail In this candid and relatable episode, Barb sits down with our good friend and co-host, relationship coach Tim Wade, to dive into the modern world of online dating. They discuss navigating the emotional rollercoaster of rejection and ghosting, and Tim shares his personal experiences and insights into the complexities of finding love in the digital age.  Barb and Tim explore the nua...

Send us Fan Mail If you're a retiree, you're probably spending more time in your home and this episode will tickle your designer veins and perhaps inspire you to freshen up your space. Barb welcomes renowned interior designer Leo Santana to explore the transformative power of interior design. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining your entire home, Leo shares his expert i...

Send us Fan Mail Tim is back! And both he and Barb explore the ever-evolving world of friendships just a bit further. Part 2 and a continuation of our Season 10 finale, they dig a bit deeper on the rise of online connections to the complexities of sibling relationships and the uncomfortable reality of friendship break-ups. This conversation dives deep into what it means to build, maintain, and som...

Send us Fan Mail In the spirit of St. Valentine, Barb sits down with a remarkable couple whose love story defies time and distance. After losing touch for nearly two decades, Felicia Barlow Clar and Paul Clar found their way back to each other and have now been happily married for 15 years.   Join us as they share their incredible journey of separation, personal growth, and the serendipitous momen...

Send us Fan Mail It's the end of Season 10, and what a season it's been! So to close out yet another chapter, what better way to do so than to have our favourite relationship coach, Tim Wade, back to talk about one of the pillars of existence-- friendships. Barb and Tim explore the evolving dynamics of friendships, and Tim shares some personal insights on nurturing meaning connections in...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Barb dives into the art of memoir writing with our special guest, Cea Person--acclaimed author of " North of Normal ." Cea shares her journey of writing her deeply personal memoir and offers practical advice for those looking to tell their own stories. From deciding what part of your life to include, to finding your unique voice,...

Send us Fan Mail Dating in our Boomer years can be a fascinating journey, especially when life experiences don’t align. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the unique challenges of dating someone who has never married or had children when you’re coming from a life shaped by kids, divorce, or widowhood. Joining Barb is our favourite dating coach Tim Wade, who offers expert advice on navig...

Send us Fan Mail In this landmark 100th episode of "What's Next? Conversations with Boomers," Barb reflects on the incredible journey of her podcast. Over ten seasons, Barb has delved into the joys, challenges, and evolving perspectives of the Boomer generation, offering insightful conversations and heartfelt stories. Join the Conversation: Share your favorite "What's Next...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Barb dives into the essential components of lasting relationships with one of our favourite special guest Tim Wade, an experienced coach and relationship expert. Together, they explore the "must-haves" that can make or break a partnership. From trust and communication to respect and shared values, Barb and Tim unpack the ingredients that keep relationshi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Barb sits down with our favourite co-host and life coach, Denise Torgerson to delve into the concept of " tolerations ." These are the little (or big) things in life that we put up with, often without realizing how much they drain our energy and prevent us from thriving. Denise walks us through identifying these hidden tolerances, understanding why we ke...

Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode, we explore the transformative power of gratitude, inspired by the latest article in the SuperAging News Newsletter . Our guests, David Cravit and Larry Wolf, dive deep into the science-backed benefits of practicing gratitude, particularly in the context of aging. We discuss how cultivating gratitude can enhance mental health, improve physical well-bei...

Send us Fan Mail At the time of this recording, the United States Supreme Court has just overturned Roe Vs. Wade. In a world that seems to be spinning out of control, Barb and her best friend, Deb Pedersen, discuss the issues surrounding this ruling as they try to make sense of it all and what it means to all women and society at large in this new era of feminism.  Find us on Instagram @convoswith...

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with our podcast regular, Tim Wade, a seasoned speaker, trainer, and coach, to explore how the roles of men have evolved over time. From traditional expectations to modern-day challenges, Tim shares his personal insights and professional experience to shed light on how men are navigating these shifting dynamics. Together, we discuss t...