Drinks with the Girls® cover art

Drinks with the Girls®

Drinks with the Girls®

By: Karen Shatafian and Lisa Corricello-McDowell
Listen for free

About this listen

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. ✨

Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Daughter Lessons: Rewriting the Mother–Daughter Story

    Daughter Lessons: Rewriting the Mother–Daughter Story
    Dec 1 2025
    This one’s for every woman who’s ever wondered if she was a good enough daughter—or a good enough mom. Karen and Lisa sit down with attorney, writer, and self-proclaimed Queen Bee, Bernadette Catalana, for a conversation that’s tender, honest, and full of midlife wisdom. Inspired by her book Daughter Lessons: Wise and Witty Reflections on Leading, Learning From, and Loving Our Daughters, Bernadette opens up about raising two girls, navigating the emotional complexity of mother-daughter relationships, and how writing helped her process grief, aging, and identity. From healing generational wounds to finding herself after the kids left home, Bernadette’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to reflect, reconnect, and redefine what legacy means. Pour yourself something cozy—this episode explores: Letting go of old narratives (and writing new ones) The surprising grief of launching grown children Reconnecting with hometown roots (and old heartbreaks) Keeping the promises we make to ourselves in midlife The beauty and bravery of sharing our stories—even the hard ones Whether you’re a mom, a daughter, or someone trying to make peace with both, this conversation will hit you in the heart and stay with you long after the last sip. **************************************** 🎙️Guest: Bernadette Catalana bernadette@daughterlessons.com https://www.daughterlessons.com/ Daughter Lessons: Wise and Witty Reflections on Leading, Learning From, and Loving our Daughters by Bernadette Catalana Bernadette on LinkedIn 🍸☕ What We Were Drinking: Pacifico w/Lime Drink Up Witches Glass Stella Artois Liberte Rosé Wine ***************************************** 🎧Show Notes Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned in 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. 📲 Stay Connected Follow, 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 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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Leaving It All Behind: Midlife Women Who Move Abroad

    Leaving It All Behind: Midlife Women Who Move Abroad
    Nov 24 2025

    What if midlife wasn’t the beginning of the end, but the start of your boldest chapter yet—somewhere far, far from home?

    In this raw and vibrant episode of Drinks With the Girls, Karen and Lisa talk with three midlife women who traded burnout, people-pleasing, and autopilot living for new lives abroad. We're talking Belize, Italy, and a beach in the Caribbean. Real places. Real stories. Real women who said, “What if I just… left?”

    These aren’t polished highlight reels. You’ll hear about the hot flashes that turned into wake-up calls, the packed suitcases filled with fear and hope, and the quiet moments that sparked giant life pivots. One woman healed her asthma, another rediscovered joy through storytelling, and all of them gave themselves permission to live differently.

    Whether you’re dreaming of a passport stamp or just desperate to break free from the roles that no longer fit, this episode will leave you feeling empowered, grounded, and deeply seen.

    🎧 Perfect for any woman in midlife who’s quietly asking: Is this really it—or could there be more?

    ****************************************

    🎙️Guests:

    Karen Baskett lives in Belize Shannon Whaley lives in Italy Megan Mulvihill Elkins lives in Nevis and New York

    🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:

    🍵Tizzy CleanTox Tea + Arbonne Energy Fizz #arbonne ☕Basic B*tch Coffee 🍵CCF Tea

    *****************************************

    🎧Show Notes

    Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned in 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.

    📲 Stay Connected Follow, 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 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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Dinner Without the Drama: Holiday Edition

    Dinner Without the Drama: Holiday Edition
    Nov 17 2025

    'Tis the season to ditch the pressure and keep the connection! In this festive episode of Drinks With the Girls, Karen and Lisa are joined once again by our favorite kitchen goddess, Lisa Potter, for the third installment of our "Dinner Without the Drama" series—this time with a holiday twist.

    We're serving up real-talk and real strategies for women in midlife who are over the chaos and ready to reclaim their holiday table. From the art of the “micro-party” to make-ahead mashed potatoes and freezer-friendly gravy (yes, a month ahead), we’re talking about how to host without losing your mind—or your joy.

    Whether you’re feeding a full house or just gathering your chosen crew, this episode is packed with practical tips, nostalgic laughs (hello, moldy pretzel ornaments), and the kind of heartfelt conversation that reminds you: it’s not about the perfect spread—it’s about the people around it.

    Topics we cover:

    • Reframing what holiday hosting looks like in midlife

    • Smart prep tips for stress-free entertaining

    • Holiday food hacks that actually work

    • Why it’s okay to say no to the Pinterest pressure

    • Creating memory-making moments without martyring yourself

    So grab a drink (Slice with vodka, anyone?) and pull up a chair—let’s toast to doing the holidays our way.

    🔗 Plus: Recipes, tips, and Lisa Potter’s pantry must-haves in the show notes!

    Perfect for: women 40+ | midlife moms | empty nesters | holiday hosts | connection seekers

    ****************************************

    🎙️Guest: Lisa Potter Smoke Ridge Custom Catering Smokeridgecc.com 🍸☕ What We Were Drinking:

    Slice - Grapefruit Spritz w/ Vodka - natch Popwell Cherry Citrus Cabernet Sauvignon

    *****************************************

    🎧Show Notes

    Looking for all the magical goodness we mentioned in 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.

    📲 Stay Connected Follow, 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 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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.