Drinks with the Girls®

No Expiration Date: What the Winter Olympics Taught Us About Women and Age

The Winter Olympics gave us more than medals this year—it gave us a powerful reminder that women don’t come with an expiration date.
From the fearless comeback of Lindsey Vonn to Olympic moms racing, skating, and competing at the highest level while raising young kids, this conversation dives into the real stories behind women who refuse to age out, shrink back, or follow the timeline society hands them.
Karen and Lisa unpack the double standards women athletes still face—from criticism over age and motherhood to the pressure to look, act, and perform a certain way. They celebrate the athletes who are rewriting the narrative: women competing in their 30s and 40s, mothers balancing elite sports and family life, and younger competitors boldly prioritizing mental health and authenticity.
Along the way, they explore how these Olympic moments mirror the midlife journey so many listeners know well—questioning the rules, redefining what’s possible, and realizing it’s never too late to bet on yourself.
This episode is for listeners navigating midlife reinvention, launching kids, reclaiming their dreams, or wondering if it’s too late to start something new. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of an invisible timeline, this conversation will remind you that the most powerful chapters of life might just be the ones we write next.
Pour yourself a drink and join the conversation about courage, comeback stories, and women who prove that strength, ambition, and possibility don’t have an expiration date. 🍸
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🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:Zevia Orange SodaNaked Swim Sparkling Herbal & Black Tea - Get it at World Market!
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
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💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Life After the Leap: Midlife Women Who Move Abroad, Part 2

Moving abroad in midlife sounds romantic… until the real transformation begins.
In Part 2 of our conversation with women who left the U.S. to build lives in places like Italy, Belize, and the Caribbean, the fantasy gives way to something deeper: identity shifts, unexpected loneliness, freedom, and the courage to start again.
Our guests share the honest, unfiltered side of creating a life overseas in midlife — from finding community in a new culture, to navigating solitude, sobriety, reinvention, and the surprising ways moving abroad strips away the roles we thought defined us.
You’ll hear powerful real-life moments about building connection from scratch, realizing which friendships were real, and discovering who you are when the familiar disappears.
This conversation isn’t just about living abroad — it’s about what happens when midlife invites you to rewrite the rules.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to start over, reclaim your identity, or design the next chapter of your life on your own terms, this episode will resonate deeply.
Because sometimes the biggest transformation doesn’t happen when you leave…it happens after you land.
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🎙️Guests:
Karen Baskett lives in Belize 🇧🇿Shannon Whaley lives in ItalyMegan Mulvihill Elkins lives in Nevis 🇰🇳
🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:☕Basic B*tch Coffee🥤StarbiesKaren's Santevia Water Filter/Remineralizer
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
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Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Taylor Swift & the Patriarchy: Here's Why It Matters to Women In Midlife

The patriarchy isn’t just politics or headlines — it’s the air midlife women have been breathing for decades. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Karen and Lisa pull back the curtain on the quiet, insidious ways the patriarchy shapes women’s lives — from being told to be “likable” and low-maintenance, to carrying the emotional load at home, to shrinking our ambition so everyone else stays comfortable. Using Taylor Swift’s fight to own her masters, the public scrutiny of her success, and the cultural double standards she faces, they unpack how powerful women are still policed — and why that hits so close to home in midlife.
This isn’t about blaming men. It’s about exposing the system. It’s about recognizing the conditioning, questioning the roles we inherited, and reclaiming financial autonomy, emotional truth, and the right to want more.
If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or 60s and feeling exhausted, restless, or quietly pissed off… this conversation will feel like someone finally turned the lights on.
For listeners who are done shrinking, done apologizing, and ready to own their next chapter — this one’s for you. Cheers. 🍸
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🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:

Whalebird Kombucha - Lavender Lemonade
Recess Zero Proof Lime Margarita
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
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Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Reclaiming Who You Are in Midlife On the Dance Floor: The Early Birds Club

You still love to dance — you just don’t want to stay out until 2AM.
Somewhere between raising kids, caregiving, running businesses, and rebuilding ourselves, joy started coming with a curfew. But what if midlife fun didn’t have to mean exhaustion the next day?
This conversation dives into the magic of the Early Bird’s Club — a women-centered dance movement created for those of us with real responsibilities and early mornings. But this isn’t just about dancing. It’s about reclaiming the version of you who moved freely before everyone needed something from her.
Karen and Lisa explore the emotional shift that happens when women gather without performance, without pressure, without the male gaze — just nostalgia, sweat, laughter, and pure, unfiltered joy. They unpack what it means to carve out space where you don’t have to manage anyone else’s needs — where you show up exactly as you are and move your body because you can.
From conversations about invisible labor and midlife identity to the power of women-only spaces and rediscovering fun on your terms, this episode is a reminder that reinvention doesn’t always look like a new career or relationship. Sometimes it looks like 6PM on a dance floor with women who get it.
If you’re a woman over 40 craving connection, permission, and a little rebellion before bedtime — this one is for you.
Because joy doesn’t expire. It just gets scheduled differently.
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🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:

Pocket Espresso☕️
Starbies Grande Peppermint Mocha, Half Sweet, w/Oatmilk🥤
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
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Facebook: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
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YouTube: Drinks With the Girls Channel
Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Loving Yourself in Midlife: The Valentine’s Conversation Women Need

You look in the mirror and think, When did I disappear?
Somewhere between raising kids, managing relationships, building careers, and being the “low maintenance” one, you stopped centering yourself. You became productive. Reliable. Easy.
And now? You’re not so sure who you are anymore.
This Valentine’s week, Karen and Lisa get real about what self-love actually means for women in midlife — and it’s not bubble baths and spa days.
It’s boundaries.It’s keeping the damn piece of cake.It’s saying no without apologizing.It’s choosing yourself after decades of blending in.
From hilarious holiday meltdowns to vulnerable stories about divorce, good girl conditioning, surfing at 35, and being praised for having “no needs,” this conversation explores the slow burn of self-abandonment — and the courage it takes to reclaim your voice.
They unpack why women over 40 struggle with self-worth, the difference between self-care and real self-love, and why choosing yourself in midlife can feel rebellious — and freeing.
This episode is for the woman in her 40s, 50s, or 60s who feels disconnected, exhausted from people-pleasing, or ready to stop shrinking.
Because loving yourself isn’t indulgent.
It’s overdue.
Grab a drink and join us. 🍸💗
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🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:

Kevita Probiotic Refresher Lemon Ginger
Arbonne Cleantox TeaLisa’s Affiliate Link with Arbonne - Pure, Safe, Beneficial nutrition, skincare, body care, and make-up free from 2000 banned chemicals
Email me for 35-45% off here.
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspod
Facebook: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
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YouTube: Drinks With the Girls Channel
Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

How Midlife Women Are Surviving America Right Now

America feels louder, harsher, and more unsteady than ever — and midlife women are carrying the weight of it all. The fear. The anger. The exhaustion. The constant question of how much more can we hold?
Karen and Lisa pull up their chairs for a raw, honest conversation about what it actually feels like to live through this moment in the U.S. as women in our 40s, 50s, and 60s. No debating. No talking points. Just real talk about political overwhelm, doomscrolling, nervous systems on edge, and the emotional labor women absorb every single day.
They share deeply personal stories — from setting boundaries with the news, to navigating silence versus speaking up, to the very real fears around safety, citizenship, and protecting our families. Along the way, they offer grounding perspectives, humor when it’s needed most, and permission to care for yourself without checking out completely.
This episode is for listeners who feel anxious, angry, heartbroken, confused, or just plain tired — and who need to know they’re not alone. If you’ve been wondering how to stay present, protect your mental health, and keep moving forward without losing yourself, this conversation is for you.
Pull up a seat. Take a breath. We’ve got you. 🍸
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🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:

Culture Pop Probiotic Soda Fizzy and Gutsy - Ginger, Lemon, and Turmeric
Diet Coke: The Millennial Cigarette
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspod
Facebook: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
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YouTube: Drinks With the Girls Channel
Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

The Rules We Are Ditching in Midlife

Speaking your truth after 40 often feels like breaking rules you were praised for following your entire life. In this episode of Drinks With the Girls, Karen and Lisa unpack the unspoken expectations midlife women are finally questioning — from people-pleasing and emotional labor to staying comfortable instead of honest.
This conversation explores midlife reinvention, gaslighting ourselves into staying unhappy, motherhood, caregiving, divorce, and the exhaustion that comes from carrying invisible responsibility. We talk about the difference between being comfortable and being stuck, why choosing yourself can feel radical, and how speaking your truth reshapes relationships, identity, and self-trust.
If you’re navigating midlife change, questioning old roles, or feeling ready to stop minimizing what you want, this episode will make you feel seen — and less alone.
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🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:Bare Life Hot Cocoa Mix
Starbies and Water🥤💧
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspod
Facebook: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
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YouTube: Drinks With the Girls Channel
Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com
 

Smart Financial Moves for Women Over 40 – With Karen Van Voorhis, Pt. 2

Why does money feel so complicated, especially in midlife? Because it is. And yet, as Karen Van Voorhis gently reminds us in this episode, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible—or that we’re behind.
If you’ve ever stared at your pay stub, shrugged at your 401k, or avoided eye contact with your Fidelity login like it’s an ex at the grocery store… this episode is your financial permission slip to get curious, not critical.
Karen Van Voorhis, our favorite no-nonsense, ultra-compassionate financial planner, is back. And she’s bringing the clarity, calm, and a dash of humor to the kinds of money questions that keep us up at night. Roth vs. traditional IRAs, new retirement options inside employer plans, what to do if you’re newly single or starting over in your 50s—she covers it all. And spoiler alert: if you’re not “maxing out” your contributions or don’t even know what you’re contributing… you’re not alone.
We also dig into the emotional side of money—the blame, the shame, and the “why didn’t I know this sooner?” spiral so many of us fall into. Karen V. offers a refreshing reframing: this isn’t a failure—it’s just a chapter. And we can learn this, one month, one question, one login at a time.
💸 For every woman who’s ever felt intimidated by her finances…💼 For entrepreneurs navigating retirement solo…🍷 And for anyone who's ever whispered “I probably should know this, but…”—this episode is your soft place to land.
Pour a drink (even if it’s cranberry ginger ale) and join us for a conversation full of real talk, relief, and a few laughs about the big, messy topic of money in midlife. Your future self will thank you.
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🎙️Guest:Karen Van VoorhisDirector of Financial PlanningDaniel J. Galli & Associates
🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:Modello BeerMichael David Petit PetitGinger Ale w/Cranberry Juice
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspod
Facebook: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
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Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com
 

Book Review: Chelsea Handler's "I'll Have What She's Having"

When Jane Fonda tells you to get your shit together—you listen. That’s exactly how Chelsea Handler’s latest book kicks off, and trust us, it only gets juicier from there. This week, Karen and Lisa crack open I'll Have What She's Having and find way more than celebrity gossip or comedy—they find a woman doing the deep, uncomfortable, glorious work of coming home to herself.
From therapy breakthroughs to choosing solitude over settling, Chelsea’s story is a love letter to living life on your own damn terms. And the girls don’t just review the book—they reflect on their own midlife pivots, from embracing quiet mornings alone (finally!) to dreaming up a Drinks With the Girls retirement compound where your chosen family does life together.
Karen and Lisa are your trusted guides through the messy middle—wise, hilarious, and never afraid to go deep. Whether you’re recovering from a breakup, reevaluating your life goals, or just wondering when it’s your turn to come first, this conversation will leave you laughing, thinking, and maybe even planning your own solo trip with a side of sushi.
This episode is for every woman in her 40s, 50s, or 60s who’s ready to stop shrinking and start showing up—boldly, beautifully, and without apology.
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📖Book ReviewChelsea Handler’s “I’ll Have What She’s Having”
🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:
Cab Franc
The Millennial Cigarette
🎧Podcast Episodes:
Smart Financial Moves Pt 1
Buy the F*cking Lillies Episode
📖BooksBuy the F*cking Lillies by Tara Schuster
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💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspod
Facebook: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
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YouTube: Drinks With the Girls Channel
Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

What Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Know About Functional Medicine

If you’ve ever been told your labs are “normal” but you still feel exhausted, anxious, inflamed, or just off, this episode is for you. We sit down with Dr. Tracy McCarthy, a functional medicine physician who helps women understand what’s really going on beneath the surface in midlife. From hormone shifts and thyroid dysfunction to gut health and the long-term effects of stress and trauma, Dr. McCarthy explains how the body and brain are deeply connected—and why so many women feel dismissed by conventional medicine. We talk about the difference between functional and traditional approaches, how mental health symptoms often have physical roots, and why tuning in to your body’s signals is the first step toward healing. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating perimenopause, mood changes, fatigue, or feeling like a stranger in their own skin. You’ll walk away feeling informed, validated, and more equipped to advocate for your own well-being.
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🎙️Guest:Dr. Tracy McCarthyWebsite: https://www.drtracymccarthy.com/IG: @drtracymccarthy
🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:ModeloCelestial SeasoningsYogi Green TeaThe Devil's Own Walnut & Fig RumGood Earth Sweet & Spicy Tea
💬 Takeaways — What Do YOU Think?We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send us an email at drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com. Whether it's a story, a laugh, or a “yep, been there”—we love hearing how our episodes land with you. 
📲 Stay ConnectedFollow, like, and join the conversation:
Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspod
Facebook: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
Pinterest: Drinks With the Girls Podcast
YouTube: Drinks With the Girls Channel
Website: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach OutGot a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.
Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.comConnect with your hosts:
✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com
✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com