"What's Next? Conversations with Boomers"
What’s Next? Conversations with Boomers is a candid, cross-generational dialogue exploring life after the milestones—career shifts, retirement, relationships, family, reinvention, and everything in between. Hosted by Barb Desmarais, a retired family & parenting coach and public speaker, each episode dives into honest stories and lived wisdom from Boomers navigating their “what’s next?” moments, offering insights that resonate across generations. Thoughtful, curious, and sometimes funny, the show bridges perspectives and sparks conversations about how we age, adapt, and continue to dream.
Episodes
128 episodes
“We’ll Always Have Paris (and Lyon… and Annecy)”
Barb returns from a dreamy mother-daughter trip through France — and she’s still glowing from the experience. From the bustling cafés of Paris to the charm of Lyon and the serene beauty of Annecy, Barb reflects on what made this journey so spec...
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Season 13
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Episode 5
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36:22
Holding On and Letting Go: Sustaining Friendships in Your Golden Years
In this very special episode, Barb is joined by one of our favourite podcast regulars, the insightful, licensed mental health counsellor, Jackie Adams, of jackieadamscounseling.com. Barb and Jacki...
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Season 13
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Episode 4
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45:57
The Senior Encore with Mike Dwyer of Emplana Career
In this episode, we explore the concept of the “Senior Encore”—the growing movement of older adults re-entering or reinventing their place in the job market. Our special guest, Mike Dwyer of Emplana Career, shares insights on how seniors can le...
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Season 13
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Episode 3
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49:56
It’s Never Too Late to Follow the Music: John Michael Ferrari
In this episode, Barb sits down with singer-songwriter John Michael Ferrari to explore his remarkable journey through music. From his early beginnings to his evolution as an award-winning artist, to being considered for a Grammy nominati...
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Season 13
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Episode 2
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47:13
The Fine Line Between Self-Care and Selfishness with Denise Torgerson
In the premiere episode of Season 13, Barb sits down with our special guest and friend of the pod, Denise Torgerson, to explore the fine line between self-care and being seen as selfish. Together, they dig into our...
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Season 13
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Episode 1
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35:27
Follow the Goose Butt & the Universe's Little Nudges (with Comedy Influencer Colleen Landry)
In our Season 12 finale of What’s Next? Conversations with Boomers, Barb is joined by the vibrant and hilarious Colleen Landry. After retiring from her career as a teacher, Colleen found an unexpected new path as a social media sensati...
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Season 12
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Episode 10
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47:10
Love or Lies? Spotting Online Dating Scammers
In this week’s episode, Barb takes a break from guests and sits down with her producer, Mela, for a candid chat about one of the worst parts of online dating: scammers. From fake profiles and too-good-to-be-true stories to the subtle red flags ...
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Season 12
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Episode 9
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36:53
What's next....after betrayal? The Journey of Healing with Jackie Adams
In this week's episode, Barb welcomes back special guest and mental health professional Jackie Adams for a heartfelt continuation of their discussion on betrayal. This time, Jackie opens up about her own healing journey—sharing personal insight...
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Season 12
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Episode 8
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42:58
Buy yourself flowers! Finding Joy in 2025
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 jo...
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Season 12
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Episode 7
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48:42
From Betrayal to Breakthrough: Trust, Trauma, and the Long Road Back with Jackie Adams
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 p...
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Season 12
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Episode 6
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50:21
Stronger with Age: Strength Training for Boomers with Caylee Alzner
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 w...
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Season 12
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Episode 5
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44:18
Longevity with Purpose: Dr. Gillian Lockitch’s Top Tips for Healthy Aging
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 ...
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Season 12
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Episode 4
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38:31
The Art of Letting Go... A Supreme Act of Love (Pt. 3)
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 r...
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Season 12
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Episode 3
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49:27
The Art of Letting Go… or Letting In? With Denise Torgerson (Pt. 2)
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 understandin...
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Season 12
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Episode 2
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36:15
Pride Special: Coming Out, Coming Through – A Conversation with Candace Macpherson
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...
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Season 12
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Episode 1
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44:27
Social Media & Boomers: The Good, The Bad and the Misinformation
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 sta...
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Season 11
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Episode 10
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33:25
A Tale of Two Barbs: The Changing Roles of Women – From Tradition to Transformation
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 o...
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Season 11
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Episode 9
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40:01
The Art of Letting Go: Downsizing Edition
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 Fer...
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Season 11
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Episode 8
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44:57
Second Chances & A Remarkable Reconnection with Barb & Tim Wade
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 relation...
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Season 11
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Episode 6
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42:56
Solo, Not Sorry: Kelley Riley on the Liberating Art of Traveling Alone
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 wa...
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Season 11
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Episode 6
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29:47
The Trouble With Online Dating: Rejections & the Online Culture of Incivility
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, a...
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Season 11
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Episode 5
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55:48
Retiring & Re-Designing Your Space: The Art of Light, Color, and Balance with Leo Santana
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 transfor...
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52:35
Friendships in the Golden Era (Part 2): Online Friends, Siblings & Awkward Goodbyes (with Tim Wade)
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 relat...
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Season 11
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Episode 3
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45:42
Love Rekindled: A Valentine's Day Episode
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...
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Season 11
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Episode 2
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27:54
Friendships in the Golden Era (Season Finale)
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.<...
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Season 10
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Episode 10
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57:16