Episode 1: The Day I Looked in the Mirror and Didn't Know Who I Was

In the inaugural episode of "Top Down, Heart Open", host Kimberly Maturin introduces her podcast, specifically aimed at women navigating the midlife transition, which she terms the "magic middle." She recounts her personal journey of self-discovery following the transition to an empty nester. With candor and vulnerability, Kimberly reflects on the emotions and insights she encountered upon realizing she no longer recognized herself. She underscores the significance of reclaiming one's identity and joy during this new phase of life. 

Listeners are invited to join Kimberly in exploring topics like motherhood, identity, and personal growth. The episode sets the stage for future discussions and community building, encouraging women to connect and share their own stories. 

• 00:00 - Introduction to "Top Down, Heart Open" 
• 01:11 - Meet Your Host: Kimberly Matra 
• 04:05 - The Moment of Realization 
• 05:44 - Embracing the New Season 
• 07:11 - Rediscovery and Reinvention 
• 08:13 - Community and Connection 
• 08:58 - Looking Ahead: Upcoming Episodes 

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Top Down, Heart Open
• 1:11 Meet Your Host: Kimberly Maturin
• 4:05 The Moment of Realization
• 5:44 Embracing the New Season
• 7:11 Rediscovery and Reinvention
• 8:13 Community and Connection
• 8:58 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Episodes

Transcript

EPISODE 1: The Day I Looked in the Mirror and Didn't Know Who I Was  

Introduction to “Top Down, Heart Open” 

[00:00:00] Kimberly Poirier-Maturin: Welcome to “Top Down, Heart Open” episode one. 

A podcast for women in the magic middle, navigating what is next with the wind in their hair and their hearts wide open. I am your host, Kimberly Maturin, and today we are starting right where my journey began: the day I looked in the mirror and did not recognize myself. 

My kids were grown, the house was quieter, and so was my identity. After years of giving them everything, I found myself wondering, "Who am I now?" 

This episode is not full of answers. It is full of honesty because the truth is that moment was filled with fear, confusion, and yes, a little grief. 

This podcast is about that journey of figuring it out one step, one open road at a time. It is about reclaiming yourself when no one needs you in the same way anymore, but you still matter just as much. So, if you have ever stood in front of the mirror and asked, "Where did I go?" This [00:01:00] one is for you. Because life is not over; it is just changing, and so are we. Let us go top down, heart open. Buckle up. The next chapter is waiting! 

Meet Your Host: Kimberly Maturin 

Kimberly Poirier-Maturin: Before we jump into the actual episode, I want to take a moment to give you a little bit of my story, who I am—your host, Kimberly Mara—or as I hope you'll come to know me, your friend. 

This space we're creating together is personal, honest, and real. And it would not feel right to dive in without first letting you know a bit about the woman behind the mic. I'm not here as an expert; I am here as someone who is living it alongside you, navigating the ups, the downs, and everything in between. 

I am a Ragin Cajun. I built a career that spans sales, advertising, and operations. I currently work in the staffing industry, connecting people with opportunity. I am deeply rooted in my Cajun heritage and cherish any chance I get to celebrate culture, food, and tradition. I am a [00:02:00] Jeep enthusiast. I'm embracing the joy of watching my children step into the next stages of their lives, spending time with my family, and launching my next passion project: a podcast focused on storytelling, personal growth, and life's twists and turns. 

I am not here to tell you how to live your life or push an agenda, or to pretend to be someone I'm not. I am not a celebrity. I am not a perfect Instagram version of a woman. I am a real woman, imperfect, passionate, and I am growing. 

Am I a doctor? Do I have a bunch of degrees or certifications? No, I do not. What I do have is human experience. But more importantly, I have lived. I have spent my life being a mother devoted to raising my children, giving them everything I had. Now? I am an empty nester trying to find my way again, [00:03:00] trying to rediscover who I am without that daily role. If you have not been there yet, you will not understand, and that is okay. 

People keep asking me, "Why are you doing a podcast? What do you even know about that? What makes you think anybody will listen?" And honestly, I do not care. I am not doing this podcast for approval. I am doing it because I want to, because there are things that I want to talk about: about discovery, about life, about finding yourself again when the world expects you to stay quiet. If the only thing you have to offer is doubt or criticism, the real question is not why I am doing this. It's about why you are not. 

I am here; I am speaking. I am stepping into this next chapter, and I am doing it for me, because women like us deserve to be heard. [00:04:00] Now that I have shared a little about myself, let us get into today's episode. 

The Moment of Realization 

Kimberly Poirier-Maturin: The moment that started this journey—it was the day I looked in the mirror and did not recognize the woman staring back at me. Not because of how I looked, but because I had lost touch with who I was. 

That moment was raw, emotional, and honestly a little scary, but it was also the beginning—the spark that lit something inside of me and pushed me to start showing up for myself again. So let me take you back to that day and walk you through what I felt, what I realized, and why it changed everything. 

It was not dramatic. No real meltdown. No cinematic breakthroughs or breakdowns. Just quiet. I was brushing my teeth, going through my usual routines, but when I looked up—really looked up—I realized, I do not know this version of me. [00:05:00] The kids were grown. They had their own lives and schedules. The house was not loud anymore. There were not backpacks, games, reminders scribbled on the fridge. It was just me, and I did not know who that was. 

Embracing the New Season 

Kimberly Poirier-Maturin: You have felt it too—the stillness after the noise. The question mark, where your identity used to be. The ache of being needed differently. 

In the silence, I realized something. You are not crazy; you are not being [00:06:00] dramatic. You are not too late. You are not too old. I was not broken; I was not lost. The woman who existed before the carpool lines, late-night homework, and laundry piles—the one with dreams and spark. The one I had not thought about in a while, but I promised myself I would. 

Because there is life on the other side of raising these humans—a beautiful life. Motherhood is one of the best parts of us. I will never stop doing it and neither will you. But we are also allowed to come home to ourselves—to rediscover joy, independence, and that quiet fire inside. 

I am still figuring out this new season of life, and honestly, I have not even named it yet. It is somewhere between who I used to be and who I am becoming. It is not a restart, not a reinvention—just a quiet unfolding. And I am learning that it is [00:07:00] okay not to have it all figured out. This season does not need a perfect label. It just needs honesty, and that is what I am bringing here—raw, unfiltered, and in real time. 

Rediscovery and Reinvention 

Kimberly Poirier-Maturin: This podcast? This is the start of me naming that season. This show is about rediscovery, reinvention, new adventures, and real talk. It is about laughing, crying, reflecting, and sometimes just riding with the top down and our hearts open—literally and emotionally. 

We are going to navigate this messy, beautiful middle. This is going to be a journey, and as we move forward together, we will shape this podcast into something more focused and intentional. We will support one another in all of it. We will make sure everyone can feel part of this community, no matter your season of life or your financial situation. This podcast is not meant for just one version of womanhood. [00:08:00] It is meant for every woman. 

This space is about women lifting each other up. I do not have all the answers, but I am here to grow with you. We are doing this together. Let us keep going. 

Community and Connection 

Kimberly Poirier-Maturin: So, here is what I would love for you to continue this journey with me. Tell me how you feel in this magic middle of life. That is really the first step in doing anything—being open about where we are. I would love to hear your stories too. Let us start talking, connecting, sharing. Follow this show so you do not miss a single episode. Share this episode with a woman in your life who might be feeling the same way. It might be exactly what she needs today. 

Connect with me on Instagram at Top Down, Heart Open. Send me a DM, tell me your story. Or just say hi. Join the conversation. Use hashtags, follow us on social media, subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Episodes 

Kimberly Poirier-Maturin: Over the next few [00:09:00] episodes, we will talk about motherhood. We will talk about discovering our identity after motherhood. We will explore starting over after 40, how a Jeep ride helped me rediscover freedom, and what feeling alive and independent again looked like for me. 

In episode five, my son will be joining me to share how our family reacted when I told them that I wanted to start a podcast. That one is going to be fun and real. 

Until next time, take a deep breath. Roll the windows down and keep your heart open. You are exactly where you are meant to be. This is our road now, and we do not have to drive it alone. Thank you so much for listening today. Until next time. 

On a quick side note, I just wanted to say, I have been listening back to my podcast and noticed how my voice fluctuates up and down, sometimes going in and out. A lot of it feels raw and emotional, and honestly, there were moments where I thought, should I rerecord this? But I decided not to. I want to be real with you all. 

This is me. [00:10:00] I am just learning as I go. Figuring it out. Figuring out how to use the mic. How to express myself and make this podcast better over time. Right now, I am choosing to share it uncut and unpolished because that is the honesty I am bringing to this space. 

My hope is that one day I will look back on this episode and hear how wild it sounded and just laugh, and you will too. But for now, this is where I am at. And I am grateful you were here for it. Thanks for rolling with me. 

Privacy Policy for Top Down Heart Open  

Effective Date: May 7, 2025 

Top Down Heart Open  (“we,” “us,” or “our”) values your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information through our Facebook Page and related digital content platforms. By engaging with our content, you agree to the practices described in this policy. 

1. Information We Collect 

• We may collect the following types of information: 
• Public Facebook Profile Information: When you like, comment on, or message our page, we may see your public profile information (e.g., name, profile picture). 
• Direct Messages: Any information you share with us via Messenger or comments may be collected. 
• Email Addresses: If you voluntarily sign up for a newsletter or promotion. 
• Analytics Data: Facebook provides anonymized data about page performance, audience insights, and post engagement. 

2. How We Use Your Information 

• We use the information we collect to: 
• Improve our content and listener engagement 
• Respond to inquiries and comments 
• Send promotional or informational content, if you opt in 
• Monitor analytics to enhance our podcast and digital presence 

3. Sharing Your Information 

• We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties, except: 
• With Facebook as governed by its data policies 
• When required by law or legal process 
• To protect our rights and ensure safety 

4. Your Rights Under Louisiana Law 

If you are a Louisiana resident, you have the right to: 

• Request access to the information we hold about you 
• Request corrections or deletions of your personal data 
• Opt out of marketing communications at any time 
• To exercise these rights, contact us at: topdownheartopen@gmail.com 

5. Data Security 

• We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information. However, no system is 100% secure, especially when using third-party platforms like Facebook. 

6. Children’s Privacy 

• Our content is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect data from them. 

7. Third-Party Links 

• Our page may contain links to other websites or platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. 

 8. Changes to This Policy 

• We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally. Updates will be posted on this page with the revised date. 

 9. Contact Us 

• If you have questions or concerns about this policy, contact us at: 

Top Down Heart Open 

Click to visit our website 

topdownheartopen@gmail.com 

Mandeville, Louisiana 

Disclaimer  

This podcast "Top Down, Heart Open" and website represents the opinions of Kimberly Poirier-Maturin, and her guests to the show and website. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.  

Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and website are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcomeany comments, suggestions, or correction of errors. 

Acknowledgement & Credits 

Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. 

 Soundstripe (tracks used in Broadcast) 

      Track Title: Sunshine Drive 
      Artist Name(s): LNDO 
      Writer Name: Landon Bailey 
      Writer IPI Number: 805181264 
      Publisher Name: Boss Soundstripe Productions 
      Publisher IPI Number: 886235500 
      |  
      Track Title: Magical oomerang 
      Artist Name(s): Wayfair 
      Writer Name: Aaron Sprinkle 
      Writer IPI Number: 179772610 
      Publisher Name: Boss Soundstripe Productions 
      Publisher IPI Number: 886235500 
    

Copyright Notice 

All content, including audio, text, images, and other materials provided on the podcast “Top Down, Heart Open” and its associated website, are the intellectual property of Kimberly Poirier-Maturin and contributors, unless otherwise stated. These materials are protected under copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise utilized without prior written permission from the copyright holder. 

The unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the owner is strictly prohibited. Exceptions include brief quotations for reviews or scholarly articles, provided proper credit is attributed to the original source. 

For permissions, inquiries, or licensing requests, please contact: [topdownheartopen@gmail.com](mailto:topdownheartopen@gmail.com)