Spark Me

Spark Me Podcast
  • 5.0 (8)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Spark Me was born out of countless honest talks with girlfriends about how life keeps shifting — and how incredible it is when women support each other through it. Co-hosts Michele Dempsey and Liz Graham bring humor, heart, and just the right amount of “did-we-really-just-say-that?” honesty to real conversations about careers, family, identity, health, relationships — and all the curveballs life throws in between.

  1. 2D AGO

    We Lived It. Here's What Cameron's Episode Hit Home For Us.

    Even the most prepared families miss something. In Liz's case, it was a document sitting in a file cabinet that nobody remembered to upload to the hospital portal. This Spark Short is a real, unfiltered conversation between Michele and Liz about what's been hitting home since their episode with Cameron Huddleston — author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk. Liz opens up about her dad's recent health crisis, what went sideways even with everything in place, and what she's learned navigating the healthcare system firsthand. Michele reflects on her own family's experience, the sibling dynamics that almost every family faces, and what she's realizing she needs to do for herself — right now. This one is less about advice and more about two women living the very thing they've been podcasting about. And it turns out, knowing what to do and actually doing it are very different things. In This Episode You'll Hear: Why Liz's dad's recent hospitalization proved that even the most financially prepared families can miss a critical step — and what it wasThe honest conversation about why it almost always falls on the daughter, even when she's the youngest or the furthest awayHow Liz handled a sibling who wanted to be part of decisions without being present — and the one sentence that resolved itWhy Liz compares the American healthcare system to a construction site with no general contractor — and why that matters for your familyThe case for building a personal network inside the healthcare world before you need itWhy giving money during your lifetime may serve your kids better than leaving it as an inheritanceThe cemetery tour story — and why it's actually the smartest thing a friend of Liz's has ever doneWhy both Michele and Liz are leaving this episode thinking about their own affairs — not just their parents' Resources Mentioned: Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk by Cameron Huddleston — CameronHuddleston.comBelieve Big – A nonprofit supporting individuals and families navigating cancer through integrative and conventional care - https://believebig.orgAging Life Care Association Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you: Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a Spark ShortShare this episode with a sibling — you know the oneLeave a rating or review — it helps other women in their second act discover the showTag us and tell us: What's the one conversation your family keeps putting off?

    34 min

  2. MAY 6

    She thought she had more time. Then her mom got Alzheimer’s

    She was 35 with three little kids when her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's — and she had no plan in place. You're home for the holidays. Your dad's lost weight. Your mom tells the same story three times. You go to help with a bill and realize you have no idea where anything is — no will, no account numbers, no idea who their doctor is. And the conversation you've been meaning to have? It still hasn't happened. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Cameron Huddleston is an award-winning personal finance journalist and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk, which the Washington Post called an excellent step-by-step guide to one of the hardest conversations families face. But Cameron didn't write this book from a newsroom — she wrote it from the trenches. At 35, while raising three young children, she watched her mother receive an Alzheimer's diagnosis with no financial plan in place. She had to figure out power of attorney, estate documents, long-term care, and caregiving decisions in real time — all while her life was already full. In this episode, Cameron walks us through exactly what documents your parents need (and you need), how to start the conversation without putting them on the defensive, how to navigate sibling dynamics when not everyone is on the same page, and the real cost of long-term care that most families aren't prepared for. She also shares the one thing she wishes she'd done differently — and the human element most people forget entirely. In This Episode You'll Learn: The three essential estate planning documents every parent needs — and why they must be signed while your parent is still mentally competentHow to start the conversation without making your parents feel like they're losing independence — including using stories, third parties, and positive framingWhat happens when you don't have power of attorney in place (hint: it involves court, $10,000, and nine months of waiting)How to navigate sibling dynamics when caregiving responsibilities aren't equally shared — and how to set boundaries when siblings criticize but won't helpWhy talking about scams can be the perfect low-pressure entry point into bigger financial conversationsThe real cost of long-term care — Cameron spent over half a million dollars on her mother's memory care over eight years, and says that was cheapWhen to look into long-term care insurance and why your early 50s is the ideal windowWhy Cameron's number one piece of advice is to get professional help — and not try to do it all aloneThe one thing most families forget: getting your parents' stories before it's too late Resources From This Episode: Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk by Cameron HuddlestonCameronHuddleston.com (includes free scam red flags list)Aging Life Care Association (formerly geriatric care managers)Fee-only financial planners (fiduciary advisors) Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you: Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a Spark ShortShare this episode with a sibling — seriously, forward it right now and say "we need to talk about mom and dad"Leave a rating or review — it helps other women in their second act discover the showTag us when you're listening and tell us: Have you had "the talk" with your parents yet?

    1h 4m

  3. APR 29

    Bombs, Boardrooms, and Building Community: Liz Graham’s Spark Me Origin Story

    he was 12 years old when terrorists bombed her father’s military headquarters — and for a day, she thought he was dead. In this deeply personal episode, Michele sits down with someone listeners have come to know and love on the other side of the mic — Spark Me co‑host Liz Graham. For the first time, Liz shares her own origin story: growing up as an Air Force brat, moving every two years across the globe from Korea to Germany to Turkey, and a childhood shaped by service, adaptability, and a family unit that was “home” no matter the geography.   She opens up about the terrifying day a terrorist bombing shook her family, the moment her mother drew a line after 28 years of military life, and how her father turned down a promotion to general to honor his wife’s sacrifice. From there, Liz traces the thread that’s run through her entire life — empowering women. From helping to create Women Business Leaders in Healthcare (WBL) in Washington, D.C., to founding Circle 200 in Northeastern Pennsylvania, to building a financial advisory practice centered on guiding women through life’s biggest transitions, Liz has spent decades building community and putting women on boards, in rooms, and in positions of power.   She also shares the story behind her father’s Vietnam memoir— written together — and why, surprisingly, women have been its most passionate readers.   This is the episode that shows you why Spark Me exists — and the remarkable woman who helped bring it to life. Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or this is your first time, you’ll walk away understanding the heart behind this podcast. In This Episode You’ll Learn How growing up as a military brat shaped Liz’s leadership style, global perspective, and ability to build community anywhere she goes.The harrowing story of the early‑1980s Baader‑Meinhof terrorist bombing at USAFE headquarters and how it changed her family’s trajectory forever.Why Liz’s father turned down a promotion to general — and what that choice taught her about partnership, values, and sacrifice.How the sudden loss of a close friend in a helicopter accident forced Liz to reevaluate what she wanted from her one wild and precious life.The origin story of Women Business Leaders in Healthcare (WBL) and how one sentence in a strategic planning meeting became a movement to put more women on healthcare boards.How Circle 200 was born, and why executive women’s networks matter just as much — if not more — in smaller communities.What Liz does as a financial advisor at Riggs Asset Management, specifically focused on women navigating transitions like divorce, loss, retirement, and business exits.The story behind her father’s Vietnam memoir and why it resonates so strongly with women readers.How Spark Me was born from a knocked‑on window, a lunch, and two women listening to the same pull from the universe.Why Liz believes AI is the most democratizing technology of our lifetime — and what that means for the next generation of women leaders and entrepreneurs. Resources From This Episode Riggs Asset Management - www.riggsadvisors.comCircle 200Women Business Leaders in Healthcare (WBL) www.wbl.orgOne of the Few: A True Account of Courage and Stepping into the Fight by Col. Robert J. Graham, USAF, Retired - https://www.amazon.com/One-Few-Account-Courage-Stepping/dp/B0DWYRT8YR Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you: Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear a powerful story about resilience, service, and building something meaningful.Leave a rating or review — it helps other women discover stories like Liz'sTag us when you’re listening and tell us: What’s the thread that’s been running through your life?

    1h 18m

  4. APR 22

    Ripple Effects: How One Family's Idea Changed a Country

    What if one small idea — born from a family vacation — could change the trajectory of an entire community, an entire country, and your own family forever? This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele reflect on one of the most moving stories they've covered: Barb Cox, a mom who turned a trip to visit her kids' former au pair in South Africa into a years-long mission that introduced lacrosse to an entire nation. What started with her sons asking, "Can they play lacrosse?" grew into organized camps, a 501(c)(3), partnerships with U.S. Lacrosse, equipment donations from British Airways, and — most powerfully — scholarships that sent kids to high school and college who otherwise couldn't afford the $50 annual tuition. Liz and Michele unpack the layers of Barb's story: the opening ceremony where South African children showed up in their Sunday best to greet the American visitors. The moment Barb's kids realized the real need wasn't sports — it was education. The way Barb taught herself to build a nonprofit from scratch. The three children she informally adopted and supported through college. And how her two sons, who started this as teenagers, carried the mission well into adulthood — building skills in leadership, public speaking, and problem-solving that shaped their careers. The conversation also turns personal. Michele shares her own lesson in overcoming excuses through the Landmark Forum, when a simple phone call she'd been avoiding unlocked an entire project. Liz opens up about her dad's recent health scare and the resilience he's shown at 90 — a reminder that the ability to get back up matters at every age. Together, they explore why the people with the most extraordinary stories are often the ones sitting right next to you — not on a stage, but in your neighborhood, your community, your circle. This is an episode about starting before you're ready, refusing to let obstacles become excuses, and trusting that when you put a big idea into the world, the solutions have a way of finding you. In This Episode You'll Learn How a family vacation to South Africa turned into a nonprofit that introduced lacrosse to an entire country Why Barb's kids saw beyond the sport and identified education as the deeper need • How Barb built a 501(c)(3) from scratch — managing fundraising, travel logistics, equipment, and scholarshipsThe unintended ripple effects: English language programming, college scholarships, and lifelong bonds across continents Why the people with the most extraordinary stories are often ordinary people in your own community • Michele's Landmark Forum experience and what it taught her about excuses vs. real barriersThe ICANN framework for turning ideas into action: Idea, Conversations, Action, Never give up The starfish parable and why impact doesn't need to be massive to be meaningfulWhy resilience is a skill you need at every stage of life — and why it starts with simply getting back up Resources From This Episode Barb Cox's Full Spark Me Episode - (https://www.sparkmepodcast.com/from-one-trip-to-a-movement-how-lacrosse-and-135-sticks-changed-lives-in-south-africa/) Landmark Forum - https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/ Steve Jobs Biography by Walter Isaacson - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Steve-Jobs/Walter-Isaacson/9781451648539 Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you: Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode Share this episode with someone who has a big idea they've been sitting on — this might be the nudge they need?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's one idea you've been holding back on? What would it take to just start?

    31 min

  5. APR 8

    From One Trip to a Movement: How Lacrosse and 135 Sticks Changed Lives in South Africa

    What starts as an ordinary trip can sometimes become the spark for real, lasting change. This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele sit down with Barb Cox, a working mom whose decision to take her two teenage sons to visit their former au pair in South Africa quietly planted the seeds of the South African Lacrosse Project. What began as “just another summer adventure” became a 12-year effort that used sport, education, and community partnership to expand opportunity for orphans and vulnerable children in the Waterberg region. At the time, Barb was balancing a demanding real estate career, raising two boys, and navigating life after divorce. Travel was her way of giving her kids a wider view of the world. When her sons were invited to spend an afternoon with children at a local NGO—the Waterberg Welfare Society—a simple question changed the trajectory of the trip: “What could we teach them?” That question led to a bold idea: bring lacrosse, a sport the local kids had never seen, to a rural township in South Africa. From there, things grew in ways Barb never planned. A one-week camp with borrowed fields and 135 lacrosse sticks turned into the South African Lacrosse Project, drawing volunteer players and coaches from across the U.S. and beyond. Over more than a decade, the project hosted camps for hundreds of children, partnered closely with the Waterberg Welfare Society, and helped support school fees and learning resources so kids could stay in school and dream bigger about their futures. This episode isn’t just about lacrosse—or even just about one NGO. It’s about what happens when you take a simple idea seriously, follow it longer than is comfortable, and let it reshape both your kids’ lives and your own. It’s about youth development, cross-cultural connection, and the quiet power of building something from nothing, one small “yes” at a time. In This Episode You’ll Learn: How a family trip grew into the South African Lacrosse Project and sparked a movementWhy introducing a single new sport can open doors to education, confidence, and communityHow Barb involved her teenage sons so they were leading, not just “tagging along”What it actually took to raise money, move 100+ sticks across the world, and run camps every yearHow partnerships with local leaders and organizations turned a fun idea into a sustained effortWhy exposure to different cultures can transform how kids see privilege, responsibility, and possibilityThe role education played alongside sport—school fees, homework support, and long-term opportunityHow the project rippled outward to touch hundreds of kids, volunteers, and families across two continentsWhat it looks like to let a project end with integrity once it’s run its course—and still stay connectedHow you can recognize your own “small idea” and take the very first step toward making it real Resources From This Episode: Barbara Cox - https://cummingsrealtors.com/barb-cox/South African Lacrosse Project (history, photos, and legacy) - https://www.facebook.com/salacrosse/Waterberg Welfare Society (NGO partner organization) - https://www.facebook.com/WaterbergWelfareSociety/Articles and features on lacrosse development in South Africa - https://laxbuzz.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/lacrosse-in-the-world-the-south-african-lacrosse-project-salp-was-founded-to-improve-the-lives-of-children-video/South Africa women make their international debut in Scotland - https://worldlacrosse.sport/south-africa-women-make-their-international-debut-in-scotland/Keep Sparking If this conversation resonates with you: Follow Spark Me wherever you listen so you never miss an episodeShare it with a friend who’s craving more meaning or impact beyond their day jobLeave a review—it helps more women discover stories like Barb’sTag us and tell us: What’s one “small” idea you can’t stop thinking about that might be worth saying yes to?

    1h 8m

  6. APR 2

    Preparation vs Pressure: What Wins Every Time

    If you're not prepared… everything changes. In this Spark Short, Liz and Michele unpack one of the most practical and overlooked skills behind confident communication: preparation. Inspired by their conversation with Professor Jamie Leddin, they explore why so many of us struggle in negotiations—and how it often comes down to w Michele shares her personal experience with emotional reactions in high-pressure moments and how preparation directly impacts her confidence. From shaky high school presentations to standing in front of a stadium, she reflects on how readiness—not experience—is what truly makes the difference. Together, they dive into the tension between overthinking and being caught off guard. While preparation can build confidence, real life doesn’t always give you a heads-up. So what happens when you're suddenly in a negotiation you didn’t see coming? They also touch on the idea that communication and negotiation are learned skills—not instincts—and why some people, like those trained in debate, may have an advantage. But the good news? These are skills anyone can build. This episode is a reminder that confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s something you create through preparation. In This Episode You’ll Learn Why preparation is the foundation of confidenceHow emotions show up in high-stakes conversationsThe connection between preparation and performanceWhy “winging it” often leads to poor outcomesHow overthinking can both help and hurt youThe challenge of unexpected negotiationsWhy communication is a learned skill—not an innate oneHow debate-style thinking can improve real-life conversationsThe difference between being experienced vs. being prepared Resources From This Episode Never Split the Difference View Resource Anna Mae Krier, The Original Rosie The Riveter Best Defense Foundation Watch on YouTube Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you: Follow Spark Me so you never miss a Spark ShortShare this episode with someone who struggles with tough conversationsLeave a rating or review to help more women find the showTag us and tell us: Do you prepare—or wing it?

    37 min

  7. MAR 25

    Leadership Is Not Reserved For People With Titles

    What if leadership isn’t something you wait to be given—but something you choose to step into? This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele sit down with Dr. Jamie Leddin, professor of practice at Vanderbilt University, leadership expert, executive coach, and negotiation specialist, for a conversation about the everyday moments that shape how we lead. From speaking up in a meeting to asking for flexibility, more support, or better boundaries, Jamie reminds us that leadership is not reserved for people with titles—it starts with ownership. Together, they unpack the challenges women often face around visibility, confidence, imposter syndrome, and navigating systems that weren’t necessarily built with them in mind. Jamie shares why confidence alone is not enough, why character and competence matter deeply, and how authentic leadership is less about fitting a mold and more about living and leading in alignment with your values. The conversation also dives into negotiation—not as a high-stakes boardroom skill, but as something we do every single day. Jamie explains how women can approach difficult conversations more strategically by preparing well, understanding the other person’s interests, and focusing on creating true win-win outcomes. Whether you’re negotiating salary, flexibility, time, support, or your next chapter, this episode offers practical wisdom you can use immediately. And because no Spark Me conversation is complete without heart, Jamie also shares powerful reflections on gratitude, trust, vulnerability, and the relationships that sustain us. This episode is a thoughtful reminder that better conversations really can lead to better leadership—and a better life. In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why leadership is a choice, not a titleHow women can stop waiting to feel fully ready before stepping upThe difference between confidence, character, and competenceWhy authenticity in leadership is about alignment, not being unfilteredHow to prepare for difficult conversations without letting emotions take overA practical negotiation lens for asking for what you need at workWhy understanding the other side’s interests changes everythingHow negotiations evolve across life stages and career seasonsWhat gratitude does to workplace culture and leadership effectivenessWhy trust and vulnerability are foundational to stronger relationships and better outcomes Resources From This Episode: Dr. Jamie Leddin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieleddin/Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss - https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton - https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Yes-Negotiating-Agreement-Without/dp/0143118757The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey - https://www.amazon.com/SPEED-TRUST-Thing-Changes-Everything/dp/1416549005 Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you: Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episodeShare this episode with a friend who’s navigating leadership, self-advocacy, or a difficult conversation at workLeave a rating or review — it helps other women in their second act discover the showTag us when you’re listening and tell us: what’s one conversation you know it’s time to have?

    54 min

  8. MAR 18

    I Thought It Was Just Stress…

    What if the symptoms you’ve been brushing off as “just stress” are actually your body asking for help? This week’s Spark Short is a real, honest check-in between Liz and Michele as they reflect on their conversation with menopause expert Adrienne Cotton — and the wake-up calls that followed. From realizing that OBGYN care doesn’t always cover this next phase of life, to uncovering how perimenopause symptoms can quietly impact sleep, anxiety, and overall health, this conversation is filled with those “why didn’t we know this sooner?” moments. Liz and Michele open up about their own experiences — from night sweats and sleep struggles to the tendency to “gut it out” instead of seeking answers — and how that mindset is starting to shift. They also talk about the power of taking action, even when it’s uncomfortable, and why making that one doctor’s appointment might be the most important step you take this year. But this episode is about more than health — it’s about community. It’s about accountability. And it’s about building a space where women support each other through this next chapter of life. If you’ve been putting yourself last, ignoring symptoms, or telling yourself you’ll deal with it “later”… this conversation is your nudge.   In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why your OBGYN may not be enough in this phase of lifeThe surprising symptoms of perimenopause many women missHow stress, hormones, and sleep are deeply connectedWhy your 40s can feel like the most overwhelming decadeThe long-term impact of poor sleep on brain healthWhy “gutting it out” might be doing more harm than goodThe importance of proactive health decisions (even when inconvenient)How small actions — like booking an appointment — create momentumWhy accountability partners can change your health trajectoryThe bigger vision behind Spark Me: community, connection, and real-life support  Resources From This Episode: Adrienne Cotton episode- https://www.sparkmepodcast.com/menopause-misunderstood-what-every-woman-needs-to-know/ Spark Guides (coming soon) Menopause specialists (to be included in Spark Guides) The Vidaball   Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you:   Follow Spark Me so you never miss a Spark ShortShare this episode with a friend who’s been “gutting it out”Join our mailing list to stay up to date with the community.Leave a rating or review — it helps more women find these conversationsTag us and tell us: What appointment are you finally making this week?

    30 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Spark Me was born out of countless honest talks with girlfriends about how life keeps shifting — and how incredible it is when women support each other through it. Co-hosts Michele Dempsey and Liz Graham bring humor, heart, and just the right amount of “did-we-really-just-say-that?” honesty to real conversations about careers, family, identity, health, relationships — and all the curveballs life throws in between.

Information

  • Creator
    Spark Me Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Spark Me Podcast
  • Show Website
    Spark Me

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