Mom is Not Your Only Name
Old School with Michele Vrabel - Featuring Kate Battistelli
Summary
In this heartfelt episode of Old School with Michele Vrabel, Michele welcomes Kate Battistelli, author of The After Party of the Empty Nest: Mom is Not Your Only Name. Kate shares her remarkable faith journey, starting with her unexpected rise to stardom as the lead in the 1981 national tour of The King and I alongside Yul Brynner, where she also met her husband. She recounts their transformative salvation experience in 1984 at an all-black holiness church in Jamaica, Queens, which marked a turning point in their lives. Kate’s story is one of embracing “God Dare” moments, including the bold decision to lay down her Broadway career to follow God’s calling, eventually leading her to homeschool her daughter, Christian artist Francesca Battistelli.
The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities of the empty nest phase, as Kate discusses how God led her to writing after her daughter moved out. Prompted by a divine nudge to turn 15 parenting principles into a book, Kate overcame self-doubt to become an author, encouraging women to find their “mom and” purpose. Michele and Kate connect over shared experiences of life transitions, self-publishing, and the importance of obedience to God’s plan. Kate’s message is clear: don’t let fear hold you back from the fulfilling second act God has prepared, whether it’s writing, ministering, or pursuing a long-buried dream.
Keywords
Faith Journey
God Dare
Empty Nest
Obedience
Christian Living
Second Act
Motherhood
Purpose
Healing
Writing
Chapters
00:00 - 07:51 Introduction and Personal Connection
Michele and Kate discuss their locations (Arizona and Tennessee) and a humorous story about a Christian matchmaking service in Franklin.
07:51 - 16:28 Kate’s Faith Journey and The King and I Story
Kate recounts her unexpected role as the understudy and eventual lead in The King and I with Yul Brynner, meeting her husband, and their salvation experience in 1984.
16:28 - 26:20 The God Dare and Writing Journey
Kate shares how God led her to lay down her Broadway career, homeschool her daughter (Christian artist Francesca Battistelli), and embrace writing after a divine prompting to turn 15 parenting principles into a book.
26:20 - 41:28 Navigating the Empty Nest and Finding Purpose
Kate and Michele discuss the challenges of the empty nest phase, self-publishing, and the importance of finding a new purpose through obedience to God’s calling.
41:28 - 46:17 Key Takeaways and Closing
Kate shares her nugget of wisdom: “Don’t be afraid to do what God’s calling you to do.” She offers listeners a free introduction and first chapter of her book by texting “afterparty” to 44144.
46:17 Outro
Michele wraps up the episode and prepares to stop recording.
Connect with Kate Battistelli
Website: KateBattistelli.com
Instagram: @KateBattistelli
Facebook: Kate Battistelli
Book: The After Party of the Empty Nest: Mom is Not Your Only Name (available on Amazon)
Special Offer: Text “afterparty” (one word, no spaces) to 44144 to receive the introduction and first chapter of Kate’s book for free.
Connect with Old School with Michele Vrabel
Podcast: Old School with Michele Vrabel
Instagram: @sweetartbyshelly
Facebook: Michele Vrabel
Website: www.michelevrabel.com
