What if grief wasn’t something to “get over,” but something we learn how to carry — together?

This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele open up about a chapter of life many of us enter quietly and unprepared: losing our parents. Over the past year, both have navigated profound loss while continuing to show up for work, family, friendships, and this very podcast.

They talk honestly about what grief actually looks like in real life — not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the months that follow. The empty chairs at holidays. The moments you instinctively reach for the phone to call someone who isn’t there anymore. The strange comfort of talking to loved ones after they’re gone, and the different ways faith, spirituality, science, and belief can help us make sense of it all.

Liz shares reflections on caregiving, anticipatory grief, and how loss reshaped her perspective on happiness, travel, and time. Michele reflects on losing both parents in the same year, finding comfort in signs, conversations, and legacy — including a powerful reminder to “Be Roberta,” honoring a beloved caregiver whose kindness left a lasting mark.

Together, they explore not just grief, but gratitude. Not just loss, but the light that can still exist alongside it. And they begin a larger conversation about how we prepare — or don’t — for aging, caregiving, and the end of life.

If you’re navigating grief, caring for aging parents, or simply feeling the weight of this chapter of life, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why midlife often becomes the season of losing parents — and why it can feel so disorienting

• What grief looks like after the funeral, in everyday moments and quiet spaces

• Different ways people stay connected to loved ones after they’re gone

• How faith, spirituality, science, or personal belief can coexist in grief

• Why the “firsts” after loss — holidays, traditions, routines — can be especially hard

• How caregiving and anticipatory grief quietly shape our emotional lives

• Why talking about death, aging, and planning ahead can actually be an act of love

• How honoring someone’s legacy can become a daily practice (“Be Roberta”)

• A powerful perspective shift: letting grief deepen gratitude instead of diminishing joy

  
  

Keep Sparking

If this conversation resonated with you:

• Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a Spark Short

• Share this episode with a friend navigating loss, caregiving, or a changing family dynamic

• Leave a rating or review — it helps other women in their second act discover the show

• Tag us when you’re listening and tell us: What has helped you navigate grief or honor someone you’ve lost?

  
  

What if the “future of AI” wasn’t just about technology, but about what kind of humans we become while we build it?

This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele sit down for a Spark Short that’s… not actually all that short. They dive into the wild, complicated, and very real ways artificial intelligence is already reshaping our energy use, our jobs, our politics, and even how we show up for our kids’ futures.

Liz shares her perspective as an investor in AI-related companies, unpacking why AI isn’t actually “new,” why it’s suddenly moving at flywheel speed, and how its enormous computing demands are driving everything from nuclear energy conversations to geopolitical tensions over rare earth metals. Michele brings it down to ground level—wondering what all of this means for college majors, careers, small towns trying to site data centers, and those of us just trying to get through our inbox.

Together, they explore the double-edged sword of AI: the incredible productivity gains (think: hours of work turned into minutes) and the unsettling realities of job loss, deepfakes, and what happens when we let machines think for us instead of with us. They also talk about how they’re using AI in very human ways—from AI note-takers and enterprise tools that protect client data, to visual design helpers and “agentic” tools that can schedule your whole business trip in the background.

If you’ve ever felt both excited and uneasy about AI, or wondered how to stay grounded, authentic, and connected in a world where you might not be able to trust what you see or hear, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Why AI isn’t “brand new” technology—and what it means that we’ve now hit the flywheel moment

• How AI’s massive energy and resource needs are tied to geopolitics, national security, and local fights over data centers

• The real ways AI is already reshaping the job market—from call centers to finance teams to new grads trying to get hired

• What parents might want to consider as their kids choose college majors and careers in an AI-saturated world

• Practical, real-life ways Liz and Michele are using AI in their businesses (and where they’re drawing the line)

• Why authenticity, in-person connection, and basic communication skills may become the “currency of the future”

• How over-relying on AI can quietly erode our own thinking— and why “use it, don’t lose it” applies to our brains, too

• A hopeful reframe: treating AI like something we can “nurture” with our values, instead of a force that’s automatically against us

Keep Sparking

If this conversation resonated with you:

• Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a Spark Short
• Share this episode with a friend navigating grief, shifting traditions, or seeking presence this season
• Leave a rating or review — it helps other women in their second act discover the show
• Tag us when you’re listening and tell us: How do you maintain meaningful human connection in an increasingly digital world?

In this heartfelt Spark Short, Liz and Michele share how this holiday season is bringing surprising joy, deeper connection, and fresh starts—even in the middle of big life changes.

From a relaxed, sun‑soaked Thanksgiving at a North Carolina beach house to a bustling family gathering back home with all the classic recipes, they show how traditions can evolve and still feel just as rich and meaningful.

Liz talks about trading a 20‑person Thanksgiving for a smaller, more intimate celebration that left space for real conversation, laughter, and the cherished ritual of toasting loved ones who are no longer at the table—making her even more grateful for everyone who still is.

Michele celebrates a house full of family, a beloved pre-Thanksgiving tradition of walking around the lake as a family, and the overwhelming joy of watching her son choose to lean into healing and EMDR trauma work so he can step more fully into his future.

Work and purpose are in a season of growth too. Michele shares the excitement of her firm’s new merger and the energy of collaborating with trusted partners, plus the thrill of earning recent AIA design awards on projects that create community and honor courage. Liz reflects on cheering on the latest Amplify women’s leadership cohort, the unexpected delight of being told her work and this very podcast are changing lives, and the quiet power of helping women step into their leadership.

The conversation wraps with two perfectly timed book recs for the season: Liz’s pick, Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, a warm, hope‑filled novel about a mysterious stranger whose quiet kindness and gift of “seeing” people transforms an entire town. Michele’s pick, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, offers empowering, practical ideas for parents and communities who want to help kids (and themselves) spend less life on screens and more life in the real world.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How to reimagine traditions so they reflect who you are now

• Simple ways to turn errands, walks, and dinners into lasting memories

• Why naming what you “see” in someone might be the greatest gift you give this year

• How work, purpose, and healing can all flourish—even during the holidays

Resources & Mentions

Books:

• Theo of Golden — Allen Levi

• The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt

Links:

• LayerX Architecture — https://layerxstudio.com/

• Amplify Women’s Leadership Program — https://leadershipnortheast.org/programs/amplify-womens-leadership-certificate-program/

Keep Sparking

If this conversation resonated with you:

• Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a Spark Short
• Share this episode with a friend navigating grief, shifting traditions, or seeking presence this season
• Leave a rating or review — it helps other women in their second act discover the show
• Tag us when you’re listening and tell us: What are you most grateful for right now?

What if the greatest heartbreak in your life could become the turning point for the most courageous chapter yet?

This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele sit down with Angela Buchter to explore an extraordinary journey through loss, resilience, and unexpected renewal.

Angela built a thriving career in science, rising from the night shift to Director at a major vaccine facility. But in 2019, her world shattered with the sudden loss of her husband. Overnight, she became a single mother of three, facing a depth of grief no one is prepared for.

In the rawest season of her life, Angela turned to therapy and EMDR—determined not only to heal, but to lead her family toward light again. With openness and heart, she shares how tiny acts of kindness from neighbors, coworkers, and friends became the scaffolding she rebuilt her life upon.

Step by step, Angela found ways to parent through trauma, protect her energy at work, and slowly reconnect to hope. Years later, she was surprised to discover love again—proof of the resilience, softness, and strength she cultivated through her grief.

This is more than a story of survival. It’s a powerful testament to how loss can carve open space for bolder dreams, deeper relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose.

In This Episode You’ll Experience:

• The real, messy, beautiful process of rebuilding after unimaginable loss
• How therapy and EMDR can become lifelines when the world feels upside-down
• Why boundary-setting is essential for protecting yourself and your children
• How small gestures from a community can color hope back into everyday life
• The ways loss transforms not only families, but how we lead and love
• Honest reflections on dating, blending families, and opening your heart again

Resources & Mentions:

• Angela’s career journey through Sanofi’s vaccine manufacturing
• EMDR as a transformative healing tool
• The unsung heroes in her community support network

Join the Spark Me Community:

If Angela’s journey touched your heart, share this episode with someone navigating a difficult season.

Follow @sparkmepodcast on Instagram for more conversations where resilience is celebrated, compassion leads the way, and every ending is the beginning of something new.

Because sometimes, the path through loss leads to the most unexpected and beautiful places.

What if the key to a longer, happier life isn’t what you eat or how much you exercise, but who you call your friend?

This week on Spark Me Shorts, Liz and Michele explore the power of friendship in the second act of life and why meaningful connection may be the ultimate secret to happiness and longevity.

Drawing on Aristotle’s timeless philosophy and decades of modern research, they unpack how different types of friendships shape our lives, from social circles that fade to those rare, enduring relationships that help us grow and stay grounded.

Michele shares new studies showing that connection, not just health habits, predicts who lives longest — from the barista who knows your order to the best friend who shows up when it matters most. Liz reminds us that friendships, like anything meaningful, require intention and presence, especially as we move into new seasons of life.

This short but powerful episode will inspire you to reach out, reconnect, and maybe even tell your best friend just how much they mean to you.

• Aristotle’s three types of friendship and which one leads to true happiness

• How social integration can increase your lifespan

• Why women often rediscover friendship in their second act

• The surprising connection between friendship and workplace happiness

• • Ways to nurture deeper friendships (even if you live miles apart)
    

  Resources & Mentions:

  
  

• • The Harvard Study of Adult Development — The world’s longest study on happiness and relationships: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adriangostick/2023/08/15/harvard-research-reveals-the-1-key-to-living-longer-and-happier/

  • Aristotle’s Theory of Friendship — Explore the philosopher’s three kinds of friendship: utility, pleasure, and virtue: https://philosophybreak.com/articles/aristotle-on-the-3-types-of-friendship-and-how-they-enrich-life/

  • TEDx Talk on Longevity and Connection — Discussed by Michele in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptIecdCZ3dg

  • Workplace Friendship Study — How having a “work friend” influences job satisfaction: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/397058/increasing-importance-best-friend-work.aspx

  
  

  If this conversation lit a spark in you, share this episode with a friend, especially the one who always shows up when it counts.,

  
  

  Join The Spark Me Community:

  Follow @sparkmepodcast on Instagram and join our growing community of women embracing reinvention, gratitude, and connection in their second act.

  
  

  Because friendship isn’t just part of a good life. It is the good life.

  
  

What if life's unexpected pivots were actually leading to your purpose?

This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele sit down with Katrina Bowers, founder of Guided Giving, to explore how a life of pivots — from early marriage and career changes to personal loss — led her to a powerful second act centered on generosity and purpose.

Katrina shares how she built a 30-year career in philanthropy, why true giving is about impact, not money, and how faith and friendship carried her through her hardest season. From discovering her calling in fundraising to launching her own business helping others give with intention, Katrina’s story is one of resilience, grace, and joy.

She reminds us that it’s never too late to rewrite your story and that women supporting women is one of life’s greatest forces for good.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start again with grace, or how to make a deeper impact, this episode is your roadmap.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How to reframe “fundraising” as helping people turn intention to impact

• Ways to navigate career pivots without losing your center

• How single parents can ask for help and set workable boundaries

• Practical steps to move from intention to impact in your giving

• What grief can teach us about faith, friendship, and forward motion

• Why girlfriends are an essential support system at every stage

• How to give yourself time to think before starting your next chapter

  
  

Resources & Mentions:

• Guided Giving — Katrina’s philanthropy coaching practice for donors and nonprofits: guided-giving.com

• University of Georgia — Katrina’s three decades in development spanned Family and Consumer Sciences and the Terry College of Business: https://www.uga.edu/

• Katrina works with a Life Coach who helped her uncover her that her next chapter after an early retirement would be Guided Giving.

Join the Spark Me Community:
If Katrina’s story lit a spark in you, share this episode with a friend who may be experiencing an unexpected pivot.

Follow @sparkmepodcast on Instagram and join our community of women embracing reinvention, gratitude, and purpose in their second act.

Because you're just getting interesting and your next act might just be your best one.

Ever fallen head-over-boots for a voice that feels like home? Meet Laurel Wright, one half of Nashville duo The Young Fables, whose crystal-clear vocals and soul-first songwriting chart a path through grief, grit, and gorgeous melody. From singing in East Tennessee churches at age three to American Idol and USA’s Real Country, Laurel opens up about loss, mental health, thick skin in a male-dominated genre, and why success is something you define for yourself.

In this conversation, we spin 30-second clips of “Daddy’s Girl” and “Good at Hurtin’,” talk bout touring life with partner Wes Lunsford, and dig into Laurel’s documentary The Fable of a Song, a project that began as a simple “let’s film a writing session” and became a lifeline after unimaginable loss. Watch the film on Amazon Prime or via their Patreon.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How Laurel built thick skin without losing kindness, and what it is really like navigating
• country music as a woman.
• Why grief has no timeline, and how therapy plus medication helped her move forward.
• The story behind “Daddy’s Girl” and how it grew into the documentary The Fable of a
• Song.
• What a modern indie career looks like: van life, meaningful rooms, and defining success
• on your own terms.
• How signing a publishing deal with BMG changed her writing life (yes, paid to write songs).

Resources & Mentions

• The Young Fables — Official Site (music, tour, merch)
• The Fable of a Song — available on Amazon Prime Video and via their Patreon
• Patreon: The Young Fables — behind-the-scenes, unreleased songs and livestreams
• “Daddy’s Girl” — stream the song
• “Good at Hurtin’” — stream the song
• BMG Publishing Deal — coverage and announcements

Tour Notes (from the episode)

PLYMOUTH, MA — The Spire Center (Lobby Series). Check listing for details and tickets.

Gouldsboro, PA — Historic Train Station — Sunday, November 2, 2025, 7:00 PM. Tickets available.

“We don’t play huge rooms, we play meaningful rooms.” - Laurel Wright.

If Laurel’s story lit a spark in you, share this episode with a friend who needs a little hope today. And keep the conversation going with us on Instagram @sparkmepodcast. We’re building a community of women embracing reinvention, gratitude, and courage in their second act.

Because you're just getting interesting.