Kitchen Table Real Talk: Kimberly’s Husband Ben on Midlife, Marriage, and Cajun Roots Host

Kimberly Maturin introduces Top Down Heart Open, a podcast for women in the “magic middle” about starting over, finding your voice, and living fully. In a special kitchen-table episode, her first guest is her husband, Benjamin Maturin, a structural superintendent; they’ve been married 23 years and raised three kids. Ben shares his initial skepticism about podcasting and how Kimberly’s drive changed his mind, while Kimberly explains her goal of relatable, real-life conversations. They discuss midlife vulnerability, the shift after their son Gage left for college and the quiet that brought them closer, and how early years of Ben working out of town created strain, resentment, and the need for better communication. The episode blends humor and Cajun culture, includes a playful cooking story, and invites listeners to follow, share, and access a Cajun family recipe in the show notes.

00:00 Welcome to Top Down Heart

00:57 Special Guest: My Husband Benjamin

00:57 Meet the First Guest

02:32 Benjamin’s Backstory

02:32 Navigating Marriage and Midlife

04:15 Podcast Pitch Reaction

06:22 Finding Her Voice

08:43 Advice for Men

10:56 Empty Nest Shift

14:30 Resentment to Real Talk

20:05 Cajun Culture and Cooking

20:11 Cajun Roots and Gravy

22:57 He’s Coming Back

24:32 Cooking Show Twist

25:05 Closing and Next Steps

Send us Fan Mail

Do you love the show? Let's stay connected.

We've just launched our new website, and we want you to be part of our growing community rate and review your feedback, helps others discover the show and helps keep us bring the content you love. Join our list. Fill out the contact form to get early access to new episodes. Exclusive giveaways. Behind the scenes updates. Don't miss out. Visit our website today and sign up to stay in the loop.

Support the show

Connect & Participate:

linktr.ee

Youtube

Instagram

X

LinkedIn

Top Down Heart Open Website

Email: topdownheartopen@gmail.com

*Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Acknowledgements & Credits, and Copyright

Episode 6: Sunrises, Second Chances & Bayou Life

Relaunch Update: Loss, Letting Go, and Slowing Down in Bayou Life

Host Kimberly Maturin introduces Top Down Heart Open, a podcast for women in the “magic middle” focused on starting over, rediscovering themselves, and living with honesty and courage. She shares a relaunch life update after stepping away due to a difficult year marked by multiple family losses, including her Aunt Alicia, her grandmother, her husband’s youngest brother, and later her Aunt Donna’s husband. These experiences deepened her appreciation for family bonds and prompted a major decision to sell their home, simplify, and prioritize time and experiences over maintaining “the pinnacle” house. She reflects on her son moving into his first place and taking an out-of-town job, signaling a new season. Now embracing quieter bayou life, sunrises, learning to fish and crab, cooking on a Blackstone, and riding an e-scooter with her dog, she previews upcoming stories, a “fake cooking show,” a 2025 podcast with Ben, and more episodes ahead.

• 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
• 01:05 Why I Stepped Away
• 01:53 Grief and Family Bonds
• 03:38 Selling the House
• 06:09 Bayou Life and What’s Next

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Connect & Participate:

linktr.ee

Youtube

Instagram

X

LinkedIn

Top Down Heart Open Website

Email: topdownheartopen@gmail.com

*Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Acknowledgements & Credits, and Copyright

Show Summary

Embracing Our True Selves: A Journey to Self-Acceptance

In this heartfelt episode of “Top Down Heart Open”, host Kimberly Maturin delves into her personal struggle with body image and self-acceptance. Sharing a transformative road trip experience with her husband, Kimberly opens up about the emotional challenges of weight gain and the fear of being seen. She emphasizes the importance of showing up as our authentic selves, embracing our current journey, and rejecting the societal pressure for perfection. This episode encourages listeners to love their bodies for what they do, not how they look, and to redefine confidence and visibility. Kimberly invites her audience to join her in a movement towards self-acceptance and real, unfiltered living. The episode concludes with a call to action to stop hiding and start living boldly.

· 00:00 Episode 5 Facing the Fear of Being Seen Again: My Body, My Story, and Learning to Love Yourself Beyond the Perfect Image

· 00:03 Introduction to “Top Down Heart Open”

· 01:06 The Struggle with Self-Image

· 04:24 The Road Trip Realization

· 06:26 Embracing Authenticity

· 10:34 Moving Forward with Confidence

Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Acknowledgements & Credits, Copyright Information: https://www.podpage.com/top-down-heart-open-1/legal/

Host & Show Info

· Host Name: Kimberly Poirier-Maturin

· About the Host: I’m deeply rooted in my Cajun heritage and cherish any chance to celebrate our culture, food, and traditions. A Jeep enthusiast, and empty nester, I’m embracing the joy of watching my children step into their next stages of life. I enjoy spending meaningful time with family, and I’m launching my next passion project: a podcast focused on storytelling, personal growth, and life’s twists and turns.

· Podcast Website:https://www.podpage.com/top-down-heart-open-1/

Community & Calls to Action:

· Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – This is the most impactful way to support the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-down-heart-open/id1813012089

· Contact the Show: https://www.podpage.com/top-down-heart-open-1/contact/

· Follow us on Social Media:

o X: @TopDwnHrtOpen

o Instagram: @TopDownHeartOpen

o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575821652338

o Linked In: linkedin.com/in/kimberlypoiriermaturin

o YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TopDownHeartOpen

· Join the Conversation: #TopDownHeartOpen #SeenAsIAm

· Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Connect & Participate:

linktr.ee

Youtube

Instagram

X

LinkedIn

Top Down Heart Open Website

Email: topdownheartopen@gmail.com

*Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Acknowledgements & Credits, and Copyright