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March 25th, 2025

From Fixer Uppers to New Careers with Natalie Gipson

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Christine Van BloemFrom Fixer Uppers to New Careers with Natalie Gipson
  1. From Fixer Uppers to New Careers with Natalie Gipson Christine Van Bloem 41:14

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Looking for inspiration? Meet Natalie Gibson, Home renovator, empty nester, and independent educational consultant. We're discussing Natalie’s journey into buying and renovating a fixer-upper home in downtown Frederick, Maryland, and her professional pivot into educational consulting. Natalie shares her experiences with her family, the importance of female friendships, and finding a support network during life's transitions. 

00:30 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen
00:59 Meet Natalie Gibson
01:55 Natalie's Fixer Upper Journey
04:42 The Candlelight House Tour
09:02 Natalie's Career Transition
17:53 The Importance of Female Friendships
20:25 Navigating Midlife Challenges
24:50 Reflecting on Parenting and Future Possibilities
25:44 The Certification Process and Peer Support
26:45 Visiting Colleges and Maintaining Certification
28:23 The Importance of Asking for What You Want
30:00 Passion for Working with High School Students
31:01 Exploring Local Food and Dining Experiences
34:41 Frederick, Maryland: A Great Place to Live and Eat
40:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

You can find Natalie here at Gipson College Consulting.

Hi! I’m Christine, and I’m super stoked to be cooking, writing, and helping everyone sink into to a better life. If you’re looking for healthier recipes for one and two, or want to add more delightful cocktails into your repertoire, you’re in the right place.

My philosophy is simple:

It’s a meal, not a mortgage.

Real food is the most important factor in good cooking.

If you’re going to drink, drink in moderation and always drink the good stuff.

I’ve been teaching cooking for a long, long time, and I am still excited to cook, teach, and share with you. If you’ve got a question, I’ll work hard to give you an answer so that you’re better and more confident in the kitchen. Hey, it’s a meal not a mortgage, so there’s nothing to stress about and only fun to be had.

With a heart attack in 2020, loss of my brick & mortar cooking school business of 15 years, broken bones, and even my husband having a stroke, and all within just a couple of months, I've been through it! BUT, I’m a lucky gal with endless support and a deep gratitude for everything that I do have. It’s not always easy, but I’m working to make sure that it stays fun.

Post heart attack, I’m reforming my butter-loving, heavy cream worshiping ways by making changes to how I cook, taking things in a healthier direction, without doing a complete 180 and still keeping things flavorful and delightful. The key here is healthier. I’m not afraid of butter, but I’m using a touch instead of stick. A tablespoon or two of cream or half-and-half, not a cup, and so on and so forth. And now that the kids are grown and living lives on their own, I’m re-learning how to cook for two.

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