Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45

What if your Yellowstone trip was actually good and not just crowded parking lots and blurry bison photos from the road?

In this episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, Heide and Nicky sit down with Melynda Harrison, better known online as Traveling Mel, a Montana-based travel writer, content creator, and adventure trip leader who has spent years helping people experience Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Park in a way th...

There's a moment many women know well — the house goes quiet, the kids are gone, and you find yourself standing in the middle of your own life wondering, now what?

For Mary Baskin, that moment became a doorway.

Instead of shrinking into the silence, Mary said yes — to a spontaneous detour through the lavender fields of Provence, to a van full of antiques and six overstuffed suitcases, and to a wild idea that maybe she could buil...

Stop letting "someday" steal another year of your life. If you're a woman over 40 who's been putting off that bucket list travel for "when the kids are grown," "when I have more money," or "when I find the right travel companion," this episode is your wake-up call.

Hosts Heidi Brandes and Nicky Omohundro expose the three biggest reasons women delay their travel dreams—and more import...

“Wyoming Is Having a Moment in 2026”
Episode Summary

If Wyoming isn’t on your 2026 travel list yet… it will be after this episode. In this lively, laugh-filled conversation, co-hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro dive into why the Cowboy State is set to become the destination for women over 45 craving adventure, authenticity, luxury—or all three.

Heide brings back stories straight from Carbon County, like free 24/7 hot sprin...

Join co-hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro on "Untethered and Wander Wise," the award-winning travel podcast dedicated to inspiring women over 45 to embrace adventure on their own terms.

In this episode, Heide shares her unforgettable journey to Grand Junction, Colorado, a hidden gem packed with epic scenery, outdoor thrills, vibrant local culture, and welcoming community spirit. 

Discover why Grand Junction is the per...

What if your worst travel nightmare—a cancelled flight and unexpected airport layover—could become your best adventure yet?

Join Heide and Nicky as they completely flip the script on airport travel with their incredible 4-day discovery of Southside Seattle, the vibrant communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From squid fishing on a fall night to exploring a UFO mysteries trail, from a Viking-themed meadery to a...

When you think "girls trip destination," Rochester, New York probably doesn't make your top 10 list. But after this episode, it absolutely will!

Join hosts Nikki and Heidi as they spill all the tea about their unexpected love affair with this upstate gem. From sipping perfect espresso martinis at Angelina's restaurant to getting literal chills standing in Susan B. Anthony's parlor where she was arrested for ...

What if your next vacation could literally transport you through time? Meet Jackie Lapin, a 74-year-old former sports journalist who transformed her passion for historical novels into the ultimate travel hack. After visiting over 500 destinations, Jackie has cracked the code on turning ordinary sightseeing into extraordinary time-travel experiences by pairing great books with epic destinations. 

 In this episode, discover her secret...

  In this groundbreaking episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro reveal why women over 45 are becoming the driving force behind the adventure tourism revolution, sharing shocking statistics like how 81% of solo female travelers are over 45 and women over 65 increased their solo travel from 4% to 18% in just three years. 

Listeners will discover the psychology behind why hitting your forties and ...

What happens when you celebrate your 50th birthday by eating guinea pig and conquering one of the world's seven wonders?

Join hosts Heide and Nicky on Untethered and Wander Wise as they share their incredible Machu Picchu journey – proving your most epic adventures happen AFTER 45, not before.

Why This Episode Will Change How You Think About Travel:

🏔️ The emotional moment that brought tears at 8,000 feet above sea level

Ready to trade crowded tourist traps for authentic cultural connections? In this episode, we sit down with Diana Ditto, VP of Product Marketing and Growth Strategies at Collette Tours—North America's longest-running tour operator with 107 years of experience—to discover why small group travel is revolutionizing how women over 45 explore the world.

Diana reveals the hottest destinations for 2025 and 2026, from the dramatic deser...

Join host Nicky Omohundro as she welcomes travel expert Jenn Coleman of Coleman Concierge to the Untethered and Wanderwise podcast. In this episode, Jenn shares how she and Nicky transformed a recent business trip to Las Vegas into an unforgettable girls' getaway packed with extraordinary experiences. Discover the inside scoop on seeing Dead and Company at the revolutionary Sphere venue (with tips from Jenn's popular MSN ...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they discuss why America's National Parks offer the perfect adventure for women in midlife. This episode covers trending parks for 2025, practical tips for planning visits during off-seasons, and insights on accommodations ranging from traditional camping to luxury glamping. 

The hosts share their personal favorite parks—from Yosemite's majestic waterfalls to Grand Teton&apos...

Join hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heide Brandes as they interview Andrew Jernigan, co-founder and CEO of Insured Nomads, about navigating international travel in today's complex political landscape. Andrew shares crucial safety tips for travelers in 2025, from digital privacy precautions and insurance essentials to managing cross-border tensions. 

Learn about innovative travel protection technology, the importance of sharing your ...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they delve into the world of authentic solo travel experiences for midlife women. 

In this captivating episode, meet Anita Thomas - an award-winning travel show host who has visited an astounding 123 countries over her 13-year career as a Pan-American World Airways purser. Anita shares her journey from aviation professional to acclaimed broadcaster, revealing how she transforms de...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they explore an unexpected winter wonderland on this episode of Untethered and Wanderwise. Most travelers picture New Mexico as a desert landscape with adobe architecture, but our special guest Nicole Barker reveals the state's spectacular winter offerings that make it truly the Land of Enchantment during the colder months.

Nicole, a former photojournalist whose adventures have ta...

This introspective journey with travel expert Pauline Frommer, President of Frommer Media, and Editorial Director of Frommer's Guidebooks, explores the transformative power of meaningful travel for women in their prime. Through personal stories, expert insights, and practical wisdom, Pauline shares how women over 45 can create profound travel experiences that honor their accumulated wisdom while opening new chapters of discove...

Think winter travel in British Columbia is just for the young and adventurous? Think again! Join host Heide Brandes as she discovers why British Columbia's Cariboo region is becoming the ultimate winter destination for women travelers over 45. From ice fishing for mysterious burbot to following lynx tracks through pristine wilderness, this episode breaks down the barriers of cold-weather adventure travel.

Discover how to:

• Ex...