The Whole Woman Podcast with Kim and Rachel

S2~ E54: From Watermelon Seeds to Wet Hair: Old Wives’ Tales We Had to Revisit

What do crossing your eyes, swallowing gum, going outside with wet hair, cracking your knuckles, and eating watermelon seeds all have in common? According to the women who raised us, they could apparently ruin your life.In this first episode of year two of The Whole Woman Podcast, Kim Mosiman and Rachel Lavin are diving into the old wives’ tales, superstitions, and childhood myths they grew up hearing—and in some cases, repeating. From “feed a cold, starve a fever” to “coffee stunts your growth,” “sugar makes kids hyper,” and “don’t swim right after you eat,” they’re sorting through which stories still make them laugh, which ones may have a tiny grain of truth, and which ones deserve to be retired for good.Along the way, they talk about family sayings passed down through generations, the strange staying power of superstition, the stories they told their own kids, and the difference between harmless nostalgia and living in fear. They also wander into conversations about cardinals, black bears, stormy mornings, bird encounters, and the beauty of noticing the world around us with curiosity instead of anxiety.If you grew up hearing warnings about black cats, broken mirrors, watermelon seeds, gum in your stomach, coffee, coats, cracked knuckles, or stepping on sidewalk cracks, this episode will feel like a trip back in time—with plenty of laughter along the way.In this episode, we talk about:~ Old wives’ tales about sickness, food, weather, and childhood behavior~ Superstitions about black cats, pennies, broken mirrors, birds, and omens~ Which old wives’ tales actually have a little truth behind them~ How stories get passed down through generations~ Why some myths stick around longer than facts~ The difference between fun family folklore and fear-based thinkingIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who grew up hearing the exact same warnings. And we’d love to hear from you in the comments: What old wives’ tale or superstition did you grow up believing?#WholeWomanPodcast #OldWivesTales #MidlifeConversations

Special Episode! Lessons, Laughter, and Friendship: One Year of The Whole Woman Podcast

The Whole Woman Podcast is officially one year old. In this special anniversary episode, co-hosts Kim Mosiman and Rachel Lavin look back on 52 episodes, countless conversations, unexpected lessons, and a friendship that grew one podcast episode at a time. What began as a discussion about health, wellness, and everyday life quickly became something much bigger. Over the past year, Kim and Rachel have explored faith, friendship, family, purpose, food, travel, aging, relationships, personal growth, and the many experiences that shape women in midlife and beyond. Together, they reflect on their favorite episodes, the conversations that surprised them most, the lessons they've learned about listening, friendship, and curiosity, and what they hope listeners have taken away from the show. Whether you've been here since Episode 1 or you're discovering The Whole Woman Podcast for the first time, this episode is a celebration of community, connection, and the belief that it's never too late to grow, change, learn, and become more fully yourself. In this episode: • Favorite episodes from the past year • Lessons learned about friendship and communication • Why curiosity matters more than being right • What we're still learning in this season of life • The joys and challenges of midlife • What we're looking forward to in Season Two Thank you for being part of our first year. Subscribe, share with a friend, and join us for Season Two of The Whole Woman Podcast. #TheWholeWomanPodcast #MidlifeWomen #Friendship

Episode 52 ~ Summer Porch Series: The Summer Foods That Shaped Our Childhood

What is it about summer food that brings back memories in an instant? In this final edition of our Porch Conversations summer series, Kim and Rachel sit down to talk about the foods that shaped their childhoods, the meals that still feel like home, and why certain flavors seem to carry entire seasons inside them. From BLTs and grilled burgers to watermelon, peaches, ice cream cones, and road-trip snacks packed in coolers, this conversation is filled with memories of grandparents, family vacations, summer lunches, church picnics, and favorite traditions passed down from one generation to the next. Along the way, they discuss vacation food, local restaurants, summer fruits, homemade treats, ice cream shops, and the recipes they would never dream of changing. Whether you grew up eating hot dogs by the pool, fresh sweet corn at family gatherings, or ice cream from the neighborhood dairy bar, this episode will remind you that food is often about much more than what is on the plate. It is about the people, places, and stories that stay with us long after the meal is over. In this episode: ~ Summer foods that instantly transport us back to childhood ~ Favorite family vacation food memories ~ The best summer fruits and treats ~ Ice cream shop nostalgia~ Foods connected to grandparents and family traditions ~ A fun round of summer-themed "This or That." Recipe for Rachel's Favorite Lemon Greek Chicken From Sivans Kitchen https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJZbOUeJLcl/?igsh=MXMwemdxZzljdXFxag== [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJZbOUeJLcl/?igsh=MXMwemdxZzljdXFxag==] Ingredients: 4 to 5 golden potatoes, peeled and quartered 8 pieces of chicken (bone-in thighs and drumsticks work beautifully, but use your favorite!) For the sauce: Juice of 2 large lemons 1/4 cup good-quality olive oil 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 5 to 6 garlic cloves, minced 2 to 3 tsp salt A few sprigs of fresh thyme optional 1 tbsp. dry oregano Instructions: Prep the potatoes and chicken: Peel and rinse your golden potatoes, then cut them into large wedges. Wash and pat dry your chicken pieces. Layer in your pot: Arrange the potato wedges in a large oven-safe pot or braiser (I use a 14-inch cast iron). Lay the chicken pieces flat on top. Tip: If your pot has plastic handles, wrap them in foil and you’re good to go in the oven. No oven-safe lid? Cover with parchment and foil. Make the sauce: In a jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and salt. Give it a good shake until everything is well mixed and emulsified. Assemble: Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and potatoes. Use a pastry brush to make sure everything is coated. Add a few sprigs of thyme on top. Bake: Cover and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Finish uncovered: After 1.5 hours, remove the lid, baste the chicken and potatoes with those delicious juices, and return to the oven uncovered for 30 minutes, until everything is golden and caramelized. A perfect dish to prepare ahead of time on busy days. Freezes excellently, and leftovers are even better. Subscribe to The Whole Woman Podcast so you never miss an episode, and join us next week as we celebrate one full year of conversations together.

Episode 51: Summer Porch Series ~ Things We Miss About Simpler Times

Take a nostalgic trip back to the simpler summers of the 1980s and 1990s in this cozy edition of our Porch Conversations summer series. Kim and Rachel reminisce about life before smartphones, texting, social media, and streaming services. From long phone calls with friends and handwritten letters to neighborhood bike rides, family movie nights, photo albums, Blockbuster rentals, and old-fashioned ice cream shops, this conversation explores the memories that shaped a generation. Along the way, they share stories about summer vacations, grandparents' houses, pool days, beach memories, Friday night traditions, and the surprising ways technology has changed how we connect, remember, and experience life. They also debate whether they would trade today's convenience for yesterday's peace and discuss which traditions are worth preserving for future generations. Pull up a chair, pour a glass of strawberry lemonade, and join us for a heartfelt conversation about nostalgia, connection, family memories, and the simple joys that still matter today. Whether you grew up in the '80s and '90s or simply long for a slower pace of life, this episode will leave you smiling and remembering the moments that made summer special. Porch Table Recipes are available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wholewomanpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/wholewomanpodcast/]Join the ConversationIf this episode brought back a favorite summer memory, we'd love to hear it. What do you miss most about simpler times? Was it bike rides with friends, handwritten letters, family movie nights, photo albums, or something else entirely?Share your memories with us in the comments, tag us on social media, and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode of The Whole Woman Podcast. New episodes drop every Friday at 5:00 a.m. EDT. We can't wait to spend another morning on the porch with you.

Episode 50 ~ Porch Conversations: Favorite Things Edition | Cozy Living & Midlife Must-Haves

Welcome back to another episode of The Whole Woman Podcast’s summer series, Porch Conversations with Kim and Rachel. In this fun and cozy conversation, we’re sharing all of our current favorite things… from barefoot-inspired sneakers and supportive bras to coffee gadgets, kitchen tools, skincare finds, cooling sleep essentials, menopause must-haves, and the little everyday comforts making life easier and more enjoyable right now. This episode feels like sitting on the porch with friends while swapping recommendations, recipes, summer routines, and honest conversations about wellness, aging, home life, and finding joy in the small things. In this episode, we talk about: • favorite walking shoes and barefoot-style sneakers • supportive bras and comfortable undergarments • coffee essentials and kitchen gadgets • Instant Pot meals and cast iron cooking • skincare, lip care, and beauty favorites • menopause hot flashes and cooling products • summer bedding and bamboo sheets • easy summer dinners and comfort food favorites • nostalgic routines, cozy living, and everyday wellness Want links to everything we mentioned in this episode? Head over to our Facebook page where we’ve gathered all of our favorite products, recipes, and recommendations in one place. https://www.facebook.com/wholewomanpodcast If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this conversation with a friend who loves cozy recommendations, good food, summer routines, and honest conversations about womanhood and wellness.