Shows
This Empty Nest Life99. From Waiting by the Phone to Wandering in ParisSend Jay comments via textJoin us for an inspiring conversation with Susan Athari, founder of The Modern Empty Nester, as she shares her journey from uncertainty to celebration in the empty nest years. Realizing that this life stage deserves more than just survival, Susan advocates for a dynamic and adventurous approach that redefines what it means to be an empty nester.In our discussion, Susan passionately emphasizes that today’s empty nesters are not like those of previous generations. “We’re not the empty nesters sitting by the phone waiting for our kids to call,”...2025-04-2638 minThis Empty Nest Life98. The Essential Skills We Forget to Teach Our Kids Before They LaunchSend Jay comments via textWhat happens when the magic carpet ride of childhood suddenly ends? In this enlightening episode, we welcome Rob Finlay, author of "Hey Dad," as he shares invaluable insights into the jarring transition from dependence to independence that many young adults—and their parents—experience. Drawing from a humorous yet poignant middle-of-the-night call with his daughter about whether "green gas" (diesel) can be used in her gasoline-powered Jeep, Rob realized just how many practical life skills young people often lack. This inspiration led him to interview 30 experts—from NASCAR drivers to clinica...2025-04-1935 minThis Empty Nest Life97. Beyond the Scale: Rethinking Health, Strength, and Purpose After the Kids LeaveSend Jay comments via textAs our bodies begin to show the signs of aging, it’s easy to feel defeated. In this empowering episode, wellness expert Krista Daley shares her insights on how to navigate the midlife transition with strength and strategic adaptation, fostering a resilient mindset that celebrates our capabilities.Krista's journey as a "wellness warrior" began after her brain tumor diagnosis in 2010, while she was raising young children. This experience taught her that we are often stronger than we believe, a lesson that becomes crucial during perimenopause and menopause when familiar workouts st...2025-04-1229 minThis Empty Nest Life96. Help! I Got Fired From My Favorite JobSend Jay comments via textJoin us for a heartfelt conversation with Julie Voris as we explore the profound and often overlooked transition to empty nesting—a journey that many parents experience but few openly discuss. In a society lacking cultural roadmaps and generational models, this phase can leave parents feeling lost and uncertain about their purpose once their children become independent.Julie shares her personal path of moving from Indiana to Florida while her three daughters embarked on their own independent lives across the country. She reveals a crucial insight: the initial empty nesting ph...2025-04-0548 minThis Empty Nest Life95. Your Kids, Their Debt: A Parent's Guide to College Funding ConversationsSend Jay comments via textWhat happens when a burnt-out attorney with $200,000 in student loan debt decides to completely transform her life as an empty nester? Join us as Jessica Medina candidly shares her experiences burdened with a staggering average student loan debt of $145,000. She discusses the emotional weight of student loans and why they require special consideration, alongside practical strategies for parents approaching college funding conversations with their children.The conversation takes a personal turn as Jessica prepares for her own empty nest. After raising twins as a single mom while juggling her legal...2025-03-2938 minThis Empty Nest Life94. Your Next Chapter Is a Choice, Not a CrisisSend Jay comments via textJoin us for an empowering episode with mindset coach Julie Traina as we explore how shifting your perspective can turn empty nest syndrome from a period of loss into one of opportunity and growth. Julie shares her powerful insights on redefining this pivotal life transition and offers practical strategies to embrace the changes that come with it.Key Takeaways & Highlights- The evolution of parenting from “sage on the stage” to “mentor in the center” and ultimately “guide on the side” as children grow and become i...2025-03-2239 minThis Empty Nest Life93. Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Balancing Care & IndependenceSend Jay comments via textIn this insightful episode, we tackle the unique challenges faced by the sandwich generation—those individuals caught in the delicate balancing act of caring for aging parents while supporting adult children launching into independence. Joining us is Michele Magner, founder of Inspired Caring, who reflects on her journey of caregiving and whose experiences led her to create valuable resources for others walking similar paths. She introduces her "three pillars of family caregiving"—curiosity, communication, and compassion—principles that are essential in our relationships with both aging parents and adult children.2025-03-1539 minThis Empty Nest Life92. Little Changes, Big Impact: Embracing Your Empty Nest LifeSend Jay comments via textJoin us in this uplifting episode as we explore the transformative journey of empty nesting with our special guest, Jodi Silverman, founder of Moms Who Dare. This vital community is dedicated to supporting mothers as they redefine themselves after their children have left home. Together, we’ll navigate the emotional whirlwind that comes with this life transition and discover how to find joy through intentional changes.Jodi shares her invaluable insights on stepping outside our comfort zones and how even small actions can lead to profound personal growth. She encourages us...2025-03-0831 minThis Empty Nest Life91. Unlocking Connections: Communicating with Your Adult ChildrenSend Jay comments via textJoin us for an engaging and transformative episode as we explore the challenges and triumphs of parenting teens while preparing for the empty nest phase. In this captivating conversation, we welcome Jeanine Mouchawar, a seasoned parenting coach, who shares her expertise on fostering genuine connections with our children amidst their growing independence.Jeanine emphasizes the importance of understanding teenagers' emotional undercurrents and offers practical techniques that not only strengthen parent-child relationships but also enhance connections in all adult relationships. By embracing compassion and curiosity, parents can navigate this t...2025-03-0135 minThis Empty Nest Life90. Redefining Success: Nicoa Dunne's Journey from Corporate Life to Life CoachSend Jay comments via textJoin us in this enlightening episode as we embark on a profound journey of self-discovery with my guest, Nicoa Dunne from Life by Design and the Coffee with Nicoa podcast. Nicoa shares her courageous transition from feeling unfulfilled in a corporate HR executive role to becoming an Life & Executive Coach, redefining her life on her own terms in her empty nest life.Throughout our conversation, Nicoa reveals her personal story of navigating challenges such as panic attacks and societal pressures and emphasizing the importance of aligning life with t...2025-02-2240 min