Drinks with the Girls®
Drinks With the Girls® 🍸☕ | Real Talk for Women Over 40
Welcome to Drinks With the Girls® , the ultimate podcast for women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s ready to live life unapologetically. 🎙️ Hosted by empowerment coach Karen Shatafian and literacy consultant/special needs mama Lisa Corricello-McDowell, we’re two longtime friends sharing real conversations about everything that matters to women in midlife.
From navigating loss and grief, surviving empty nest syndrome, and redefining relationships to tackling menopause, self-reinvention, and setting rock-solid boundaries — no topic is off-limits. We laugh, cry, reminisce, and celebrate the messy, magical journey of becoming our truest selves.
If you’re craving honest midlife conversations, heartwarming nostalgia, empowering advice, and a reminder that you’re not alone — pull up a chair (and a cocktail or coffee) and join us. Cheers to midlife reinvention, women empowerment, mental health, and the beauty of female friendship.
New episodes drop weekly! Subscribe for your weekly dose of midlife wisdom, self-care tips, boundary-setting inspo, personal development, and the kind of girl talk you didn’t know you needed. 💖
🎧 Topics we spill the tea on:
• Midlife women empowerment
• Empty nest life + parenting adult kids
• Self-care, mental health, and boundaries
• Grief, loss, and healing
• Career reinvention and personal growth after 40
• Friendship, laughter, and living life on your terms
Your next chapter starts here. ✨
Episodes

Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
They said sex gets boring after 40 — they lied. In this unapologetically honest episode of Drinks With the Girls, we’re breaking down what really happens to your sex life in midlife. From hormone shifts and body confidence to redefining pleasure on your own terms, we’re talking about how to make intimacy not just good, but mind-blowing.
Whether you’re navigating menopause, rekindling the spark in a long-term relationship, or exploring your desires in new ways, we’ll help you ditch outdated rules, laugh at the awkward bits, and discover why the best sex of your life might be happening right now.
Grab your drink, pull up a chair, and join the conversation — because we’re done whispering about what we really want.
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🍸☕What We Were Drinking:
Hop Wtr - Peach#hopwtr
Sanzo Sparkling Water - Lycheehttps://drinksanzo.com#sanzo
🎧Show Notes
Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned this episode? Want it sent directly to your inbox each week along with every new episode? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife fabulousness delivered to your inbox. 💌 And, even better, no ⛔ spam or selling 💸 of your email - we promise!
👉 Subscribe Here and get the show notes for this episode!
💬 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. And don't worry, no spam and no selling the list to God knows who!
📲 Stay Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
GLP-1s like semaglutide are everywhere—from Oprah’s special to TikTok trends—but what’s the real story behind the shot? Lisa opens up about her personal experience with compounded semaglutide, sharing the good, the gross, and the emotionally complicated parts of using a GLP-1 medication in midlife.
Karen and Lisa dig into the cultural shame around weight, the privilege baked into access, and why it’s time we stop calling it “cheating” when women use tools to reclaim their health. From food noise to dosage mishaps (yep, she overdosed herself), this is the unfiltered conversation about semaglutide that the internet needs—and midlife women deserve.
In this episode:
GLP-1s and how they actually work
Lisa’s path from resistance to results
The truth about side effects and blood sugar
Why shame has no place in women’s health
Access, equity, and the pharmacy black market
This one’s for anyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and thought, Wait… who even is this?
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🍸☕What We Were Drinking:
Popwell Prebiotic Soda#popwell
Mortal Kombucha#mortalkombucha
🎧Show Notes
Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned this episode? Want it sent directly to your inbox each week along with every new episode? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife fabulousness delivered to your inbox. 💌 And, even better, no ⛔ spam or selling 💸 of your email - we promise!
👉 Subscribe Here and get the show notes for this episode!
💬 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. And don't worry, no spam and no selling the list to God knows who!
📲 Stay Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jul 28, 2025
Monday Jul 28, 2025
Forget everything you’ve been told about the “midlife crisis.” In this episode of Drinks with the Girls, Karen and Lisa are calling BS on outdated, gendered labels and reclaiming midlife as a time of powerful transformation. From societal expectations to personal reinvention, we unpack why this chapter isn't a breakdown — it’s a breakthrough.
Tune in for real talk on:
Why the term midlife crisis is harmful and outdated
How women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond are rediscovering themselves
The impact of good girl conditioning, boundaries, and menopause
Reframing midlife as a renaissance — or your “second spring”
Celebrity reinventions and role models who are thriving in midlife
With cocktails, candid stories, and a whole lot of heart, we’re redefining what it means to age with confidence, clarity, and zero apologies.
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🎧Show Notes
Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned this episode? Want it sent directly to your inbox each week along with every new episode? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife fabulousness delivered to your inbox. 💌 And, even better, no ⛔ spam or selling 💸 of your email - we promise!
👉 Subscribe Here and get the show notes for this episode!
💬 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. And don't worry, no spam and no selling the list to God knows who!
📲 Stay Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
When it’s 92 degrees and even the thought of turning on the stove feels like too much, what’s for dinner?
In this laugh-out-loud and totally relatable episode, Karen and Lisa are joined once again by fan favorite Lisa Potter to talk real-life summer cooking. We're dishing up no-drama dinner ideas, lazy-girl meal hacks, and giving you full permission to make cereal, charcuterie boards, or rotisserie chicken your go-to strategy when it’s just too hot to care.
Whether you're feeding kids, partners, or just yourself, this episode serves up practical tips and funny midlife confessions that’ll make you feel seen — and a lot less guilty about skipping the oven.
🔥 What we cover:
Low-effort summer dinner ideas
Why no one needs to be a hero in the kitchen
The emotional load of mealtime (and how to drop it)
Remembering we’re not just feeding mouths — we’re feeding lives
So grab a glass of something cold and join us for a conversation that feels like chatting with your favorite girlfriends — because that’s exactly what it is.
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🎧Show Notes
Guest: Lisa PotterSmoke Ridge Custom CateringSmokeridgecc.com
Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned this episode? Want it sent directly to your inbox each week along with every new episode? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife fabulousness delivered to your inbox. 💌 And, even better, no ⛔ spam or selling 💸 of your email - we promise!
👉 Subscribe Here and get the show notes for this episode!
💬 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. And don't worry, no spam and no selling the list to God knows who!
📲 Stay Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
What if the “midlife crisis” was actually the beginning of your most powerful transformation yet? This week, Karen and Lisa are joined by Guest Amanda Younts—educator-turned-coach, speaker, podcaster, and the original Midlife Catalyst—to talk about why change in midlife isn’t a breakdown… it’s a breakthrough.
From ditching autopilot and rewriting outdated identity scripts to navigating grief, sobriety, and the sacred art of permission, this conversation dives deep into the messy, beautiful reality of midlife reinvention.
Inside this episode:
How Amanda redefined her identity after leaving a high-pressure career
Why “midlife crisis” is a tired, unhelpful label—and what to call it instead
The truth about burnout, self-care, and reclaiming joy
How to make bold changes even when the people around you don’t get it
Giving yourself permission to want more—and actually go after it
Whether you're standing at a crossroads or just craving more meaning in this season of life, this episode will speak to your soul. It's a must-listen for anyone ready to stop running on autopilot and start becoming who they were always meant to be.
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🎧Show Notes
Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned this episode? Want it sent directly to your inbox each week along with every new episode? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife fabulousness delivered to your inbox. 💌 And, even better, no ⛔ spam or selling 💸 of your email - we promise!
👉 Subscribe Here and get the show notes for this episode!
💬 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. And don't worry, no spam and no selling the list to God knows who!
📲 Stay Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
One year, 50+ episodes, and a whole lot of laughs, real talk, and midlife magic! In this anniversary special, Karen and Lisa pull back the curtain on their first year of Drinks With the Girls—sharing their biggest wins, hilarious fails, most impactful episodes, and the behind-the-scenes chaos of building a podcast that resonates with women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. They dish on the power of friendship, consistency, and showing up for yourselves and your listeners—even when life gets messy. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to keep the mic hot, this episode’s your juicy peek behind the scenes. 🥂
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🎧Show Notes
Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned this episode? Want it sent directly to your inbox each week along with every new episode? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife fabulousness delivered to your inbox. 💌 And, even better, no ⛔ spam or selling 💸 of your email - we promise!
👉 Subscribe Here and get the show notes for this episode!
💬 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. And don't worry, no spam and no selling the list to God knows who!
📲 Stay Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Reunions in midlife come with more than old stories—they bring new truths. Karen and Lisa explore the emotional power of reconnection, from college reunions to rediscovered friendships. Backed by research on the importance of community in midlife, this heartfelt, funny conversation dives into identity, joy, and rediscovery for women in their 40s and 50s.
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🎧Show Notes
Arbonne Energy Fizz Sticks - Lisa's site
80s Episodes:Lisa & Karen's High School ReunionMore than 16 Candles
Smith CollegeUniversity of Redlands
The Gratitude Episode
Equus Coaching episode with Sue Willoughby
Thelma and Louise
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Want all this goodness sent directly to your inbox? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife goodness delivered to your inbox. 💌
👉 Subscribe Here
💬 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. And don't worry, no spam and no selling the list to God knows who!
📲 Stay Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
When it comes to midlife healing, sometimes the best therapist has four legs and a tail. In this episode, Karen and Lisa sit down with Equus Coach Sue Willoughby to talk about how horses can help women find clarity, courage, and connection during some of life’s most tender transitions.
From identity shifts to emotional overload, Sue shares how working with horses creates space for self-awareness, presence, and deep healing—no riding required. Whether you're horse-curious or just feeling stuck, this conversation will make you laugh, tear up, and maybe even consider heading to the barn.
🎧Show Notes
Guest: Sue WilloughbyA Life Worth Being PodcastIG: @sue_willoughby
Center for Equus Coaching Directory
EGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association)
PATH (Professional Assoc. of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International
Discount code for anyone wishing to attend one of her retreats VIP2025 which give you an additional $200 off current published price.
Polar Ice SelzersRecess - Calm Cool & Collected - Peach and GingerAthletic Brewing Non-Alcoholic Beer
Episode: Learning New Things
Bucephalus
“Rescued Hearts” Film about the connection between horses and humans
Episode - “No Is A Full Sentence”Episode - “The Complexities of Female Friendship”
Tim Ferriss
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Need help remembering what we talked about? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife goodness delivered to your inbox. 💌
👉 Subscribe Here
💬 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 Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Money talk doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this empowering episode of Drinks with the Girls, we sit down with Certified Financial Planner Karen Van Voorhis to break down the essentials of financial planning for women in midlife. Whether you're newly single, running your own business, or just realizing it’s time to take charge of your money, Karen offers practical, judgment-free advice on everything from 401(k)s and IRAs to SEP accounts for the self-employed.
We tackle common money myths, financial shame, and why it's never too late to get started. Learn how to take those first small steps, make smart investment choices, and build a more secure financial future—no math degree required.
🎧Show Notes
Guest: Karen Van VoorhisDirector of Financial PlanningDaniel J. Galli & Associates
Vino Disco
Hoplark HopTea - The Calm One
Midlife Brain episode
Smith College
Newsletters:Money with Katie
Fidelity’s Women Talk Money
Podcasts:The Financial Feminist: Tori Dunlap
Her Money: Jean Chatzky
Rachel Rodgers “We Should All Be Millionaires” Episode
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Need help remembering what we talked about? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife goodness delivered to your inbox. 💌
👉 Subscribe Here
💬 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 Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
In this candid and heartfelt episode of Drinks With the Girls, Karen and Lisa unpack the messy, beautiful, and sometimes painful realities of female friendship in midlife. From fading connections to explosive breakups, they reflect on why friendship hurts in a way romantic relationships often don’t — and how societal conditioning, loyalty, and expectations play into it all.
Whether you're grieving a friendship that once felt unbreakable, learning to set new boundaries, or just wondering why adult friendships feel so hard, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, heard, and a little less alone.
Grab your favorite drink and join us as we dive deep into the emotional rollercoaster of midlife friendships — with honesty, humor, and the kind of raw girl talk that only happens when the drinks are poured and the guards are down. 💔💬✨
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🎧Show Notes
Sir Inkwell’s Health Curiosity Adaptogen Infused Blood Orange & Mango Yerba Mate
Ace Guava Hard Cider
Let’s Be Friends Episode
No Is A Full Sentence Episode
Amy Daughters Letter Writing Episode
Sleep Episode
Samantha on Sex in the City
University of Redlands
Smith College
Dune
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Need help remembering what we talked about? Join the Pod Squad (our email list!) for direct links, show notes, and more midlife goodness delivered to your inbox. 💌
👉 Subscribe Here
💬 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 Connected
Follow, like, and join the conversation:Instagram: @drinkswiththegirlspodFacebook: Drinks With the Girls PodcastPinterest: Drinks With the Girls PodcastYouTube: Drinks With the Girls ChannelWebsite: www.drinkswiththegirlspodcast.com
💌 Reach Out
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? We’re all ears.Email us anytime: drinkswiththegirlspodcast@gmail.com
Connect with your hosts:✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com

Drinks With the Girls🍸☕
Karen Shatafian, an empowerment coach for women & empty nester joins forces with, Lisa Corricello-McDowell, literacy consultant, small business owner and special education mama. Together, they throw off the shackles and have real, raw conversations about the things that matter to women.This podcast centers the importance of true connection for women.
Our story starts before we were even born, through the deep and meaningful friendship of our moms. After growing up, losing touch and the passing of both of our mothers, it’s been serendipitous to reconnect through the miracle of social media and form our own special friendship as adults.
I’m sure Renee and Patty are toasting to that right now. 🥂
We are moms and solopreneurs, stepping into our own, and diving into real conversations about the things that matter to women in midlife.
We’re here to spill the tea on everything that affects women in their 40s and beyond: topics like loss and grief, changing relationships, launching kids, to reinventing ourselves in midlife, we’re here to tackle it all.
This podcast is a blend of our lived experiences, our friendship, the memory of our moms, plus a collection of real stories, honest conversations and engaging interviews that will make women over 40 feel seen and remind them that they’re not alone on this journey called life.
Join us, two recently reconnected friends, who are living life on our terms.
So hit that subscribe button and buckle up for your weekly shot of drinks with the girls. A wild ride filled with laughter, tears and the kind of girl talk that leaves you feeling understood, inspired and a believer in the power of female friendship. Cheers!








