WERTH The Listen
By WERTH The Listen
WERTH The ListenFeb 18, 2024
Spring Break Recap: Costa Rica & Cape Cod
Maya and Penny discuss their recent vacations to Costa Rica and Cape Cod. Penny shares her experiences in Costa Rica, specifically in the Playa Nosara region. She highlights the beautiful beaches, surfing opportunities, and the relaxed and authentic culture of the area. Penny expresses her interest in visiting Cape Cod and learning more about the different areas and activities available. They discuss the appeal of both destinations and the unique experiences they offer. Maya grew up on Cape Cod and visits every summer. Cape Cod is a popular vacation destination known for its picturesque towns, beautiful beaches, and outdoor activities. The region offers a variety of attractions, including historic small towns, lighthouses, and scenic routes for biking and hiking. Cape Cod is also famous for its seafood, particularly lobster, clams, and scallops. The population of Cape Cod fluctuates throughout the year, with many people having summer homes and visiting during the warmer months. Highlights 00:00 Introduction and Spring Break Vacations 07:00 Choosing Playa Nosara and Exploring the Area 13:46 Culinary Delights in Costa Rica 32:24 Springtime in Cape Cod: Appreciating the Region's Beauty 39:07 Travel Times to Cape Cod: Flying from Boston or Providence 46:32 Exploring the Attractions of Cape Cod 54:32 The Beauty of Cape Cod 01:02:56 Luxury Resorts on Cape Cod
**We had some technical glitches recording from two different and new locations, so we apologize for any verbal overlaps or delays in this episode.** #capecod #costarica #traveltips #vacationmode #bucketlistdestinations
Planning a Trip to Spain: From Madrid to Andalusia
Summary Kristin Espinar, an expert on travel in Spain, shares her experiences and tips for planning a trip to Spain. She fell in love with Spain for its language, culture, and the feeling of being at home. Spain is a safe and social country, with a strong emphasis on social connections and a vibrant street life. Kristin recommends spending about 10 days in Spain, starting in Madrid and then exploring Andalusia, including cities like Seville, Granada, and Cordoba. She advises against renting a car due to narrow streets and parking difficulties, and instead suggests using public transportation like the metro and high-speed trains. Safety precautions include being aware of pickpocketing scams and keeping belongings in front of you. In this conversation, Kristin shares her insights and recommendations for traveling in Spain. She discusses topics such as using credit cards vs. cash, choosing between Airbnb and hotels, must-see attractions in different cities, the best time to visit Spain, the wine regions, and the diverse cuisine in each region. Kristin also emphasizes the importance of learning a few words in the local language and making connections with locals. She offers assistance in creating travel itineraries and provides a digital travel planner on her website, MUSTSEESPAIN.COM Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kristin Espinar and her expertise on travel in Spain 07:57 The allure of Spain: Language, culture, and social connections 29:00 Staying safe and avoiding scams in Spain 38:08 Must-See Attractions in Different Cities of Spain 44:45 The Best Time to Visit Spain and the Wine Regions 51:58 Diverse Cuisine in Different Regions of Spain #spain #spaintravel #traveltips
Navigating College Planning with Parents and Teens
Spring break is a popular time for teens thinking about college to go and visit some of the higher education institutions they may be interested in attending. We thought it would be the perfect time to discuss the college prep journey. Maya currently has two children in college and Penny is just starting the planning process with her son, Sam, who's a junior in high school.
Maya shares her experience with college planning and provides some insight into what you and your children can be working on each year of your child's high school years. Her youngest is a freshman in college and plays soccer, so she speaks to what that recruiting process was like for her daughter.
Penny explains what the experience has been like so far for her family and what she's learned along the way, including the value that college open houses offer.
#collegeplanning #collegeprep #parentingteens #parentingteenagers
Mindset, Nutrition & Fitness: A Holistic Approach
This episode of WERTH The Listen is all about total wellbeing. We had a great conversation with our friend Brooke Biggers about the best ways to reach our wellness goals. Brooke is a longtime mindset, nutrition & fitness coach for perimenopausal women. We delve deep into how our choices and daily living routine factor into our weight and overall wellness. We also discuss the challenges midlife women face in their pursuit of feeling vibrant and healthy - mind, body & spirit and how the menopause journey can derail us. Brooke's approach to helping you achieve your goals is steeped in personalization, awareness and going back to the basics and keeping things simple. She also shares her success with the weight loss program: The Faster Way to Weight Loss. We talk candidly about the use of scales, quick-fix weight loss solutions like Ozempic and Munjaro, and Brooke shares her take on different approaches to diet like going gluten free and intermittent fasting. We also chat about how to help our children adopt a healthy mindset when it comes to nutrition and fitness. #midlifeawakening #wellnessgoals #wellbeing #podcasting #menopause #perimenopausehealth #midlifeblogger #midlifevibes #midlifehealth
Summer Vacation Planning: Ideas, Inspo & Tips
Who's ready for vacation? Here's the thing, if you haven't started planning your summer vacation, now is the time to do so. We had a great time chatting with travel stylist Maranatha Lee, owner of Travel Queen. She fell in love with travel at three years old and grew it into a career. Maranatha has visited over 30 countries and loves helping people tap into their wanderlust. As a travel stylist, she offers personalized travel planning and concierge services. This saves you time and offers convenience leaving you to enjoy your adventures or relaxing vacation. Maranatha and her team seek the best hotels, excursions, sites, and experiences your destination has to offer, with the utmost consideration for your specific needs and desires for traveling. #wanderlust #vacationplanning #vacationprep #summervacationsspots #traveladvisors #travels #budgettravel #familyvacation #couplestravel
Finding Financial Freedom at Any Age
Who doesn't want financial freedom? We all do. The road to achieve this freedom is different for every person and unique to lifestyle, earnings, family dynamic and generational wealth. It's also different for women than men. Statistically women live longer than men, we make less money than men, and it's in our nature to help others first before we help ourselves. All of these factors contribute to our lagging in financial literacy and security. We want to change this, which is why we write and discuss how to get your financial house in order. In this episode we speak with our friend and financial advisor, Daniel Ross about how to get on top of your finances, no matter your age, and take the necessary steps to gain financial freedom. We went very broad in our conversation because the reality is we're all at different points in our financial security. The goal was simply to educate and empower you to take your financial planning to the next level. Daniel breaks down the difference between IRA's and 401K's. He discusses how trusts, wills, medical directives, insurance and the stock market can be factors in achieving financial freedom for you and your heirs. We chat about creating wealth as a solopreneur or small business owner, how to teach our children financial literacy, and how to make a college education affordable - with or without a 529 plan. Daniel emphasizes the need to budget and manage our desires for the "shiny things" that threat our financial wellbeing. If you're thirsting to take control of your finances and unleash the freedom to live the life you want, then you will absolutely enjoy this discussion. #financialfreedom #financialeducation #financialliteracy #financialplanning #midlifeawakening #sandwichgeneration #midlifeblogger #midlifecrisis #midlifelessons
Managing Menopause with Functional Medicine
If you’re seeking a non-traditional medical approach to addressing your menopause symptoms then you'll want to tune into episode 14 of WERTH The Listen. In this episode we speak with functional medicine doctor, Dr. Camille Vardy. Dr. Vardy is deeply committed to understanding the root cause of illness and working with you to create a program that will help you achieve your health goals. She is part medical sleuth, part old-fashioned country doctor. She has over 25 years of clinical experience, utilizing cutting-edge biochemical, genetic and nutritional perspectives, integrated with insights from her extensive training in Chinese Medicine. She has studied nutrition and biochemistry for 40 years and is a pioneer in the field of Functional Medicine. Her specialties include immunology, endocrinology, neurochemistry, psychology, environmental illness and detoxification, internal medicine, genetics, and optimum aging. In our conversation Dr. Vardy explains what functional medicine is and how it differs from traditional healthcare and she discusses how she applies traditional Chinese medicine to managing hormone imbalances in her patients. She notes that in Chinese medicine they don't just treat symptoms, but do deeper into the 'why' of the symptoms and where they're originating in the body. Dr. Vardy also touches on the role of acupuncture and herbs in menopause management. Dr. Vardy focuses heavily on nutrition and how to choose foods and eating practices that can help ease menopause symptoms. She talks about how synthetics and other chemicals in foods and packaging play a factor in hormone imbalance and the importance of minimizing exposure to chemicals. We go on to discuss the difference between synthetic and bio-identical HRT, and how you can determine whether you’re a good candidate for HRT. Dr. Vardy highly recommends books by Dr. John R. Lee - a series on 'What your Doctor May Not Tell You About.' If you want to hear more from Dr. Vardy you can listen to her podcast, Healthy Wellthy You. . #functionalmedicine #menopauserelief #hormones #midlifeawakening #menopausesymptoms #midlifevibes #midlifeblogger #alternativemedicine #chinesemedicine #menopausetips
Divorce Sucks! Mediation Can Help
Did you know that a person thinks about divorce for six years before making the declaration to dissolve a marriage? Six years is a long time to exist in a broken marriage. Mediation can help you determine whether your marriage is worth saving or if it's time to find an amicable way to end the union. In this episode, we speak with divorce mediator Vanessa Linsey about what mediation is and how it differs from therapy. Vanessa shares her process with the couples she works with and what mediation entails. She shares why she believes couples should go through discernment coaching before mediation and the "D-word" should never be uttered until you know for sure your marriage has run its course. . Vanessa brings a unique approach to mediation where she blends her meditation teachings as a navigational tool with the couples she works with. Not only will you benefit from her expertise, you'll appreciate her lived experiences with divorce, mediation, meditation and blending families. She provides practical and digestible guidance and lots of hope, love and light - no matter whether you and your partner want to put in the work to save your marriage or put in the work for a peaceful divorce. #divorce #marriageissues #mediation #divorcemediation #marriagehelp #meditationpractices #discernment #couplestherapy #midlifeawakening #couplescoaching
'Sandwich Generation': Understanding and Navigating the Journey
WERTH is starting a quarterly series about the 'Sandwich Generation,' because it affects so many of us. The general definition refers to middle-aged adults (often in their 40s and 50s) who are caring for both elderly parents and their own children. Research shows that nearly half of all 40-something adults are in this caregiving capacity and more than 64% of folks in this position are women. In our first podcast episode about this subject and reality for so many of us we speak with Stephanie Chan. Stephanie is the founder and owner of two companies in the senior living industry (Based in Canada). Her first company started in 2007. Home to Home, helps seniors and families with healthcare navigation, care planning, downsizing/transitions and care management. Her newer venture, myCareBase, offers an online marketplace of pre-screened professional caregivers to help seniors remain living safely at home and care management tools for family caregivers to monitor and oversee that care. In this episode Stephanie walks us through all of the important components a family needs to consider and prepare for should they be faced with this scenario, whether it's planned well in advance or presents itself unexpectedly. #sandwichgeneration #midlifeawakening #aging #lifeplanning
Two Chicks Chatting: Super Bowl, Galentine's & Spring Fashion Predictions
In this episode of WERTH The Listen Penny & Maya dip their toes into pop culture, talking about everything from the Super Bowl, Galentine's Day and Spring style trend predictions from the runways of NYFW. They share what's new at WERTH and tease upcoming WTL guests and topics. Maya schools Penny on football and the two teams playing in the Super Bowl. They talk the Travis & Taylor romance and share their favorite Super Bowl food. The ladies dish on the origin on Galentine's day and a slew of celebration ideas you can take part in if you're looking for ways to celebrate your gal friends. For the fashionistas, Penny & Maya share their thoughts on the upcoming spring and summer fashion trends - which one's they're looking forward to and those they plan on passing up. #superbowl58 #galentines #fashiontrends #springstyle #midlifevibes #midlifeblogger #podcasting #midlifeawakening #footballanalysis #fashiontrends #popcultu
Going Gray Gracefully
In this episode of WERTH The Listen we talk with hairdresser Al Kelly, owner of Alfred Kelly Salon, about what women need to know when they decide to let their hair go gray. It's a complex process that requires commitment and patience. We discuss transition plans, pricing, beauty and fashion choices and the maintenance required to make sure the end goal is next level silver-foxiness! Al shares hair trends and myths when it comes to hairstyles for midlife women and the most natural way to address thinning brows. You'll have to wait until the end of the interview for that nugget of wisdom. . . . #midlifevibes #midlifeawakening #midlifeblogger #grayhairtransition #grayhair #grayhairjourney #grayhairdontcare #podcasting #midlifepodcasters
Uterine Ablation vs. Hysterectomy: Maya's Personal Journey
In this episode of WERTH The Listen Maya shares her painful and personal journey with years of heavy periods that ultimately resulted in two surgeries. First she underwent a uterine ablation and five years later had a full abdominal hysterectomy. She reveals all that she didn't know about ablations, how her doctor at the time didn't layout the risks and potential failure, nor what the other options were for her at the time. Fibroids wreaked havoc on her body and were the leading factor in having to undergo an abdominal hysterectomy. It was a tumultuous and trying time, but she hopes her story helps other women struggling with heavy periods and uterine issues like endometriosis, fibroids and prolapse uterus. She also wrote a blog about her health journey that you can read here. . . . . #womenshealth #midlifeblogger #midlifeawakening #femalehealth #podcasting #midlifevibes #healthjourney #midlifewomen
Winter Wellness: Beating the Blues
The #winterblues have creeped in for some of us now that the holidays are over, temperatures have plummeted, and ice, wind and snow are clobbering us on a daily basis. Even if winter is a favorite season of yours, sometimes the blues can override the love of the season and take hold of you. In this podcast we #chitchat about Penny's latest blog post on #winterwellness and beating the blues, in which she lays out 60 suggestions to ensure you continue to live your best life during the grayest of seasons. (#clickthelinkinbio to read her post). In this episode, we hysterically touch on subjects like sexual wellness, dancing it out (see our story), napping, deciphering the blues from hormones and #menopausesymptoms, staycations, retreats and so much more! So, on Sunday morning when you're all #coziedup at home, head over to your favorite podcast platform or go to our Youtube channel and tune into WERTH The Listen. We promise, it will brighten your day and provide a few ideas and laughs too!
Xoxo~Penny & Maya.......
#beattheblues #newblogpost #sneakpreview #werth #werththelisten #beatthewinterblues #defydepression #liveyourbestlifenow #midlifemama #midlifeblogger #midlifewomen #midlife #mywerth #WellnessGoals #womenempoweringwomen #youreworthit #riffing
Priyanka Juneja: Solo Travel for Women
Priyanka is the wanderlust genius behind the blog Champagne Flight and Wandering CEO podcast. She's traveled the globe as a solo traveler for years, taking in the sights and sounds of over 60 countries. She shares with us and our viewers an arsenal of tips and safety precautions women should consider when they're planning solo trips and ways to ensure solo doesn't mean alone. There's numerous ways to travel independently while accruing group activities and friends along the way. We dive deep into why she enjoys solo travel so much and how she believes it can be a huge confidence booster for women and ignite a spirit of adventure and independence. We touch on cost saving measures, capsule wardrobes, traveling essentials, some of Priyanka's favorite destinations, those that are still on her bucket list and her crystal clear vision for where and how she wants to retire. #solotravel #wanderlusting #midlifeblogger #midlifeawakening #traveling #travel #podcasting #womenempowerment #women_issues
Carla Hesseltine: Be Brave
When you end your podcast interview screaming CARLA FOR PRESIDENT, you know you’ve got a rockstar of a guest and an episode with so many mind blowing nuggets of wisdom. .We were honored to have Carla Hesseltine @since.i.retired as our very first #werththelisten podcast guest and she dropped so many #truthbombs and #inspiration we’re still on a high from it. The episode is about #reinventingyourself and Carla has handled this journey many times and with a perfect combination of guts, grace, and confidence. .We touched on so many topics we could’ve talked for days. Tune in on Sunday to learn about everything from #entrepreneurship #cupcakes #politicsandpolicy #foodnetwork #earlymenopause #legacies #stilettos #mottos #lifeafter60 #beingunderestimated and so much more!!
We love Carla to pieces and we know you will too. .XoXo ~ Penny & Maya
NYE: 2023 Reflection & Looking Ahead to 2024
In the last episode of 2023 Penny and Maya reflect on their year, sharing the good, bad, and ugly and what lessons they learned. Both ladies have chosen a word to define their 2024, and share why they chose their words and what they plan on doing to live it each day. Maya outlines how you can choose your word for the new year too.
The ladies debate about resolutions vs. intentions and goal setting and they provide a glimpse into what WERTH will be bringing to you in the new year, including the WERTH The Listen YouTube Channel!
Christmas Traditions From Years Past to Today
**Disclaimer - We advise you not to listen to the first 10 minutes with young children in earshot, due to content regarding Santa Claus.**
In this episode Penny and Maya dive into their family Christmas traditions as children and share some of their favorite Christmas memories growing up. They share what the present-opening routine was like in their homes and if they've stayed true to that with their kiddos. The ladies chat about the traditions they've carried on with their own families and new ones they've created with their children. Penny and Maya dive into the topic of gift-giving and who they purchase presents for and when the appropriate time is to stop giving gifts to adult children and extended family.
At the top of the episode they mentioned going into detail about how to manage menopausal hormones during the holiday season, but their meno-brains got the better of them and they totally forgot to hit on this topic. No need to worry, Maya wrote a blog titled Ho Ho Ho Hormones that you can read by clicking on the link in the title.
The ladies end the episode wishing each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season!
Meet WERTH Co-founder Maya Holihan
Maya is in the hot seat in episode three. As she puts it, she's had a very colorful life. Maya shares her adoption story, what it was like growing up on Cape Cod as a bi-racial child and how her parents did a phenomenal job making sure every opportunity was afforded to her. You'll learn about her exciting career - all the ups and downs - including when she met Elton John to losing her first business. She will discuss her experience with divorce and building an incredibly healthy blended family and the journey she went on to find her birth mother and what that revealed. We'll lighten things up as she divulges what her favorite books and movies are, her dream vacation, her mantra and so much more.
Meet WERTH Co-founder Penny O'Connor
In our second podcast episode you get to meet Penny! Tune in and soak up Penny sharing details about her Filipino heritage, what it was like to grow up in Virginia Beach. She divulges how she met her husband Kevin and life with two teenage children. She and Maya discuss the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and how to establish work-life balance when you're a busy mother, wife and business owner. You'll learn everything from her favorite cuisine, to who her "Shero's" are, and what's the best and worst part of being a woman in her 50's. You'll also get a glimpse into what her ideal retired life looks like and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
WERTH The Listen Inaugural Episode
Meet Penny and Maya, founders of WERTH, a multimedia platform for middle-aged women. The WERTH The Listen podcast is one of the media channels Penny and Maya will utilize to connect with their audience.
WERTH celebrates the lives and voices of middle-aged women. We believe in the transformative power of rich and insightful content, a welcome and active community dialogue, and curating products and services that bring vibrancy and fulfillment to the middle-aged lifestyle.
The podcast will be rich with personal stories, interviews with experts on a variety of subjects women care about, and fun with fashion, lifestyle and beauty and wellness products.