Shows
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhy Vacation Feels So Hard for Moms of Teens—And What Lets You Reconnect | Ep. 169Why does something that’s supposed to be fun feel so hard?
You plan the vacation hoping for rest, reconnection, maybe even a few magical moments. But instead, you find yourself wondering if your teen even wants to be there. If you’ve ever come home from a family trip more drained than when you left—this episode is for you.
In this conversation, I’m unpacking the real reasons vacation with teens and young adults feels so emotionally charged, especially for moms parenting teens or college kids. You’ll discover:
The four hidden rea...2025-07-2618 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach“I'm Just a Mom”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 168 Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’m just a mom”?
Maybe you wouldn’t say this out loud. The "just" a mom. Because you’re proud of being a mom. You love your kids more than anything. And yet… you can feel this ache and uncertainty when your kids don’t need you the same way anymore. You feel a sense of emptiness. Wondering who you are now.
In today’s episode, I’m exploring the thought “I’m just a mom” to help you uncover the deeper fears and grief that often hide beneath it, understand how...2025-07-2315 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachDo Chores Really Make Kids More Successful When Parenting Teens? What the Research Says | Ep. 167Are you worried that your kid not doing their choices means they're never going to be responsible?
I saw a social media post referencing a Harvard study that claims that kids who do chores grow up to be more successful—and the minute I read it I thought, "But what happens if I can't get my kid to do chores?! The study seems to affirm our deepest sense of responsibility to help our kids be good people and prepare them for the real world. But if you’ve got a teen who refuses to empty the dishwasher or who...2025-07-1929 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach“My Kid Doesn't Like Me”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 166Absolutely—here’s a refined version in your voice: warm, grounded, emotionally honest, and empowering, with the right mix of personal connection and clear value:
Have you ever thought, “My kid doesn’t even like me”—and then felt a mix of heartbreak and shame, because you can’t believe this is where you’ve ended up after everything you’ve poured into them?
If so, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. And I’ve coached so many moms who’ve sat with this exact fear in silence, wondering what they did wrong and how to fix it.2025-07-1615 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachParenting Teens in the Empty Nest Straddle—How Moms Can Let Go Without Losing Themselves | Ep. 165Are you a mom navigating the wild terrain of parenting teens — where one minute they need you and the next they’re pushing you away? Then this episode will show you that you're not alone.
I call this stretch of motherhood the Empty Nest Straddle™ — that long, uncertain season when you're still deeply involved in your kids' lives…while also learning to let go. It’s messy. Emotional. And completely normal. But most moms feel totally unprepared for it.
In this episode, I share:
Why uncertainty is the real reason this stage feels so overwhelmi...2025-07-1225 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach“I’m Afraid I Messed My Kid Up.”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 164Have you ever looked at something your teen is doing and thought, “What if this is my fault?” Maybe that you pushed too hard… or not hard enough. Maybe you missed a sign or set the wrong boundaries. If you've ever wondered whether you somehow messed up your kid, you're not alone.
In this episode, I open up about the fear so many moms of teens and college-age kids carry: that our choices, our reactions, or our mistakes in the past have damaged our children. And I explore how this fear isn’t a sign that you’ve f...2025-07-0922 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachHow to Manage the Anxiety of Parenting Teens: 4 Steps to Let Go Without Losing Control | Ep. 163Have you ever felt like your mind is constantly spinning with fear about your teen’s safety, choices, or future—and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t turn it off?It's not just you. In fact, what's really going on is that you’re a mom trying to love and protect your child in a chapter that feels wildly out of your control.
In this episode, I’m sharing the real truth about the anxiety we moms of teens and empty nesters carry. From sleepless nights and worst-case thinking to panic and the urge to...2025-07-0531 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach“I Don’t Even Like My Kid.”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 162Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t even like my kid right now”—and then felt instantly ashamed? If you’re parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, this thought might sound shocking… but it’s far more common than you think.
In this honest and validating new series, I'm exploring the thoughts we moms are most ashamed to admit out loud—and I'll explain why they don’t make you a bad mom, but they might just be a sign that your mind is trying to protect you from the pain, frustration, and disconnection we so...2025-07-0219 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachHard to Break Habits, Explained — What Nagging Really Solves for Moms of Teens | Ep. 161Ever tell yourself, “I’ve got to stop nagging”—and then do it anyway?Or find yourself falling into the same bad habit you wish you could just stop? Whether it’s reminding your teen (again), pouring a glass of wine you swore you’d skip, or losing it after vowing to stay calm… you’re not alone. And there’s a reason these habits feel so hard to break.
In this episode, I share why these patterns—nagging, numbing, controlling—aren’t just bad habits. They’re emotional coping strategies rooted in how your brain tries to manage fear...2025-06-2827 minThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Approval Trap: How Moms Parenting Teens Can Rebuild Confidence After Years of Putting Others First - Trap #12 | Ep. 160Are you a mom of teens or young adults who finds herself constantly second-guessing decisions, holding back your opinions, or putting your own desires on pause to keep others happy? You might be caught in the Approval Trap. And if you've spent years putting others first, it’s no wonder confidence feels hard to access right now.
In this episode of the Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I unpack Mindset Trap #12—the Approval Trap. This isn't just about people-pleasing. It's about how deeply motherhood conditions us to seek approval and shape our identity around what others need, expect, or v...2025-06-2126 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhy Letting Go with Your Teen Feels So Hard—Trap #11—Resisting Reality | Ep. 159Ever find yourself staring at your teen’s behavior thinking, this can’t be happening? Whether it’s a missed curfew, a cold shoulder, or the ache of disconnection, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of resisting what is — and it’s costing us more than we realize. In this episode, I’m diving deep into the mindset trap of resisting reality — what it looks like in parenting teens and almost-empty-nest life, how it connects to anxiety and emotional overwhelm, and why the harder we fight what’s happening, the more powerless we feel. But here’s the twist: resisti...2025-06-1430 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachYou Don't Have to Let Go of Summer Expectations with Your Teen | Ep. 158If you pictured summer with your teen feeling relaxing, connected, maybe even joyful—but instead, you’re staring at a messy house, unpredictable schedules, and feeling more frustration than peace—you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing what summer has looked like in my house so far—and how easy it is to get caught in disappointment when reality doesn’t match your hopes. But we’re not just talking about letting go of expectations.
In this episode you’ll learn: ✔️ Why even reasonable expectations can leave you feeling anxious, resentful, or disconnected ✔️ How to uncover t...2025-06-0730 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Identity Crisis: Letting Go, Finding Purpose, and Redefining Who You Are As Your Teens Grow Up - Trap #10 | Ep. 157There was a moment—standing in my kitchen, alone on a Saturday while my kids were out living their lives—when I asked myself, “Is this it? Who am I now?”
In this episode, I’m talking about the identity crisis so many of us face as moms of teens, college students, and young adults. Whether you're in the thick of middle school meltdowns or staring at an empty bedroom, the shift in how you're needed can leave you feeling invisible, untethered, and quietly asking, What’s my purpose now?
I’ll share how this trap has follo...2025-05-3130 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhat I've Learned About Letting Go as a Mom of Teens - The Last Graduation | Ep. 156There’s a moment when it hits you: this is the last time. The last prom. The last school lunch. The last graduation day. And it’s not just about your teen moving on — it’s about everything this moment brings up for you. In this episode, I’m reflecting on my own journey as a mom of teens standing at the edge of the empty nest, and what this season has taught me about identity, connection, and the deep, invisible work of motherhood. Letting go isn’t one big act — it’s a thousand tiny shifts. And it’s not about giving...2025-05-2426 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Validation Trap: Why Moms of Teens Feel Anxious and Unappreciated | Mindset Trap #9 | Ep. 155If you’re a mom of teens and you’ve ever found yourself feeling anxious, overthinking, or just wondering why doesn’t anyone notice everything I do?—this episode is for you. In this next part of the Mindset Traps of the Empty Nest series, I’m talking about validation seeking—how it shows up, why it’s so normal, and what it costs us when we don’t see it clearly. This isn’t about trying to let go of your kid—it’s about letting go of the belief that their behavior defines your worth. If you’ve been stuck in self-do...2025-05-1726 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhy Moms of Teens Need to Stop Waiting to Be Celebrated — Especially in the Almost Empty Nest Years | Ep. 154Mother’s Day hasn’t always felt the way I thought it would — especially as a mom of teenagers. I spent years waiting to be celebrated, managing my mindset around disappointment, and wondering if anyone really saw everything I was carrying. In this episode, I’m sharing a raw and honest reflection on why this day can feel so emotionally charged, and what I’ve learned about letting go — not just of expectations, but of the idea that our worth depends on anyone else’s recognition. If you’re navigating the almost empty nest, this conversation will give you the perspective...2025-05-1024 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe "Should Trap": Trap: When Moms of Teens Feel Like They’re Failing (Even When They’re Not) | Mindset Trap #8 | Ep. 153If you’re a mom of a teen and you ever find yourself thinking, “I should be more patient... I should give them more space… I should have done something differently,” this episode is for you.
In this week’s episode of the Mindset Traps of the Empty Nest series, I’m diving into the Should Trap. As moms, especially in this stressful season leading up to the empty nest, we carry around an invisible checklist of expectations—and when we don’t meet those expectations, we don’t just feel like we’ve made a mistake… we feel like we’re fail...2025-05-0324 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Real Reason Boundaries Feel So Hard for Moms of Teens | Ep. 152In today’s episode, I’m getting real about one of the hardest parts of raising teens—setting boundaries. Not boundaries to control your teen or fix their behavior—but boundaries that reconnect you to your own peace, clarity, and confidence. We’ll talk about why boundaries feel so hard (hint: it’s not because you’re doing it wrong), what’s actually underneath the guilt and second-guessing, and how the most powerful boundary you can ever set… is the one you set with yourself. If you’ve been feeling like you’re losing connection with your teen—or losing connection with y...2025-04-2625 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Worst-Case Scenario Trap: Anxiety, Teens, and the Empty Nest Spiral | Mindset Trap #7 | Ep. 151We’re continuing the Empty Nest Mindset Trap series this week with one of the most common and exhausting patterns I see in anxious moms: worst-case scenario thinking. Maybe your teen’s been struggling in school for a while… or they’ve been more distant lately. The concerns are real—but your brain takes that evidence and spins it into something so much bigger, imagining futures that feel terrifying and out of your control. I’ve been there too, lying awake at night trying to solve problems that haven’t even happened yet. In this episode, I’ll show you why your min...2025-04-1931 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Fear of Failing Your Teen - A College Decision Wake-Up Call for Anxious Moms | Ep. 150This episode is for every anxious, almost empty nest mom whose heart is tangled up in her teen’s future. Whether you're in the thick of college admissions or simply watching your child make choices that feel high-stakes, I promise—you’re not alone. I share my own raw experience of watching my son navigate college decisions and the gut-punch of feeling powerless. But this isn’t just a conversation about college. It’s about the fear of failure—not just for our teens, but our own fear of failing them. And how that fear keeps so many of us stuck in...2025-04-1234 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Guilt That Keeps You Stuck as an Almost Empty Nest Mom | Mindset Trap #6 | Ep. 149MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #6 - Personalization
Ever feel like your teen’s bad mood is somehow your fault? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I’m diving deep into one of the most painful and sneaky mindset traps we moms fall into—personalization. It’s that gut-wrenching habit of making our kids’ struggles, choices, and emotions mean something about us. I’ve lived it, I’ve coached through it, and I’ve seen how it quietly steals our peace and strains our connection with our kids. But here’s the truth: this trap i...2025-04-0526 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Your Teen Starts Pulling Away: How to Let Go without Losing Connection | Ep. 148Have you ever felt like you're living in two worlds at once—still deep in the trenches of motherhood while also staring down an almost-empty nest? I know I have. In this episode, I dive into what I call the Empty Nest Straddle—that long, messy, emotional transition where you're constantly shifting between holding on and letting go. It’s the push and pull of still being needed while feeling your child drift into their own independence. And if you’ve ever wrestled with uncertainty, control, or the fear of what comes next for you, you’re not alone. I’ll share...2025-03-2930 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Being A Good Mom Still Feels Like It's Not Enough | Mindset Trap #5 | Ep. 147MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #5 - Perfectionism
In this episode, I’m digging into one of the most exhausting and invisible traps so many of us fall into—perfectionism. You might think you're just trying to do your best, but what if that constant pressure to get it all right is actually making motherhood—and life—so much harder than it has to be? I’ll share how perfectionism shows up in ways you might not expect, how it affects your relationship with your teen, and how it keeps you stuck in fear and self-doubt...2025-03-2230 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachCan't Wait for the Empty Nest? Why You Feel That Way and What To Do With It | Ep. 146Some moms dread the empty nest...and some of us....can't wait. Have you ever found yourself counting down the days until your child leaves home (either for the first time or after a visit)—but then feeling guilty about it? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into the emotional rollercoaster of looking forward to the empty nest while still holding space for the deep love we have for our kids. Why do some of us feel relief at the thought of reclaiming our time, while others struggle with the idea of letting go? An...2025-03-1531 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachTrying To Fix Everything As a Mom? The Illusion of Control | Mindset Trap #4 | Ep. 145MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #4 - Illusion of Control
Have you ever found yourself checking your kid, reminding them (again) about their responsibilities, or feeling that tight grip of anxiety when they don’t do what you ask or hope they'll do? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest mindset traps we face as moms of teens—the illusion of control. For years, we’ve shaped our children’s lives, guiding them, protecting them, ensuring their happiness. But as they step i...2025-03-0832 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach100 Days Until High School Graduation....On My Way to the Empty Nest | Ep. 144Two years ago, I recorded an episode about the last 100 days before my oldest son's high school graduation—full of emotion, nostalgia, and the feeling that time was slipping away. Now, I'm here again, counting down the last 100 days with my youngest, but this time, everything feels different. In this episode, I reflect on how much I've grown, how my perspective has shifted, and what I’ve learned about letting go, trusting the journey, and embracing this season with peace instead of fear. If you’re feeling the weight of change and wondering how to navigate it with grace, this o...2025-03-0131 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Moms Always Fall Short Thanks to the Comparison Trap | Mindset Trap #3 | Ep. 143MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #3 - Comparison Trap
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, seeing another mom’s perfectly happy family vacation, and feeling that pang of “Why can’t I have that?” Or maybe you’ve heard about another teen’s big achievement and suddenly questioned whether you’ve done enough for your own child? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into the comparison trap—one of the sneakiest mindset traps that keeps us feeling inadequate and anxious. I’ll unpack why our brains are wired to compare, h...2025-02-2226 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachRedefining Self-Awareness: What Every Mom Raising Teens Needs to Know About Letting Go Without Losing Herself | Ep. 142I used to think self-awareness meant being brutally honest about all the ways I was falling short—until I realized that what I thought was awareness was actually just self-judgment. In this episode, I’m redefining what true self-awareness really looks like and how shifting your perspective can change everything. You’ll learn why self-judgment keeps you stuck, how to recognize sneaky mindset traps disguised as "truth," and the simple but powerful shift that will help you trust yourself and move forward with confidence. If you’ve ever felt like you’re your own worst critic, this episode is for you. L...2025-02-1528 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachAll or Nothing? Why That Mindset Is Exhausting Moms of Teens | Mindset Trap #2 | Ep. 141MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #2 - All-or-Nothing Thinking
In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I’m diving into the second mindset trap on the road to the empty nest—all-or-nothing thinking. You know the feeling: if your teen misses a curfew, your brain leaps to worst-case scenarios, or if you’re not the 'perfect mom,' you fear you’re failing altogether. But here’s what you might not believe—you’re not falling into this trap because you’re anxious or overreacting. In fact, your brain thinks it’s protecting you. I’ll show you...2025-02-0831 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Letting Go Hurts: A Mom’s Honest Look at the Hard Parts of Motherhood | Ep. 140As moms, we're always trying our best. You pour your heart into your kids. But as they pull away, or as you approach the empty nest, it can feel really hard. In fact, during this transitional time of life, there are many things that can feel really hard. Just looking on the bright side isn't an option. In this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal story about one of the hardest moments I’ve faced as a mom—and what it taught me about love, letting go, and trusting myself. If you’re struggling with the emotional rollercoaster of raisin...2025-02-0127 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachI Feel Anxious as I Raise My Teen, So Something Must Be Wrong… Right? | Mindset Trap #1 | Ep. 139MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #1 - Emotional Reasoning
Are you ready to take a closer look at the mindset traps that keep us stuck as moms approaching the empty nest? In this episode of my new series on the mindset traps of the empty nest, I'm tackling Mindset Trap #1, and that is the emotional rollercoaster that so many of us moms find ourselves riding. I’ll share why we often feel like our emotions are completely out of our control and how this mindset can hold us back from peace and clarity. You’ll walk...2025-01-2531 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhat Is a Mindset Trap? How Moms Raising Teens Can Stop Overthinking and Let Go | Ep. 138Join me for a Mindset Trap 101. In this episode, I continue The Almost Empty Nest Podcast's new series on Midlife Mindset Traps by exploring what they are, how they form, and how they intertwine with our instincts as humans. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode... First, you'll learn how mindset traps are fueled by subconscious biological responses that are completely normal and natural. Second, you'll discover how our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves shape the stories we tell about who we are. And finally, I'll share how understanding this interplay between instincts and mindset offers a path to...2025-01-1828 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMindset Traps of the Empty Nest - Intro Part III - Conserving Energy While Raising Teens | Ep. 137Join me as I wrap up the three-part introduction to The Almost Empty Nest Podcast's new series on Midlife Mindset Taps with a deep dive into the instinct to conserve energy—what I call "keeping it simple." I explore how this instinct has evolutionary roots and helps us create habits, routines, and efficiencies in our lives. But I also explore how this instinct can hold us back when life calls for change, like letting go of our teens or navigating the transition to an empty nest. You'll learn how your mindset drives both productive and unproductive habits, how to iden...2025-01-1126 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMindset Traps of the Empty Nest - Intro Part II - Avoiding Pain While Raising Teens | Ep. 136Welcome back to Part II of the introduction to this new series on The Almost Empty Nest Podcast where I dive into the mindset traps that can hold us back as moms of teens and almost empty nesters. This week focus on our instinct to avoid pain and how this shapes the lens through which we view our role as parents and our kids' moods, behavior and outcomes. This basic instinct is a really good thing in many ways, but it can also hold us back and cause us to show up in ways that we don't really want. Bu...2025-01-0427 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWho Will You Be in 2025? A Mom’s Guide to Letting Go and Loving Forward | Ep 135As we stand on the threshold of 2025, I invite you to join me for a journey through the lessons, growth, and pivotal moments that have defined my past five years. In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I reflect on the evolution of motherhood, the transition into an empty nest, and the profound realization that loving unconditionally and leading with intention is the key to thriving in every role we play. Together, we’ll explore how celebrating small wins, embracing self-compassion, and letting go of fear can transform our lives in ways we never imagined. Let’s step...2025-01-0125 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMindset Traps of the Empty Nest - Intro Part I - Seeking Comfort While Raising Teens | Ep. 134This week on The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I'm kicking off a transformative new series on Midlife Mindset Traps that keep us stuck in frustration and anxiety. If you find yourself struggling as a mom to find peace, connection, and purpose, this episode is for you. In this first episode, I dive into how our instinct to seek comfort can sometimes lead us astray, leaving us feeling dependent on external validation or stuck in unproductive habits. You’ll learn three powerful insights: the role your mindset plays in your emotional experiences, how to spot and step out of mindset trap...2024-12-2834 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachLetting Go of Holiday Pressure: How Moms of Teen Can Redefine Joy This Season | Ep. 13310 out of 10! 5 stars! Excellent! Amazing!
Wouldn't it be nice if you could reflect on the upcoming holidays with this sentiment? In this episode of the Small Jar Podcast, I explore how...not by creating perfect circumstances, but by taking ownership of your emotional experience. Like a teacher, we have an internal "rubric" for judging our lives. But this often leads to disappointment when reality doesn't meet our expectations. Join me as I uncover how to redefine those expectations, embrace the messy beauty of life with our teens, and empower ourselves to create joy and peace this holiday se...2024-12-2128 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachUnconditional Connection with Your Teen: Letting Go Without Losing Love | Ep. 132Join me as I open up about the emotional tug-of-war that comes with parenting a high school senior as they prepare to leave the nest. It’s a time of mixed emotions—grappling with pride, fear, and the bittersweet realization that life is changing. I share personal stories and insights on how to let go of the expectations that often define our connection with our teens, and instead, learn to embrace unconditional love and connection, even as they grow more independent. This episode is a guide for navigating this transformative time with intention and purpose.
🎯 Want to take thi...2024-12-1422 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachA Gift for My Teen: Letting Go of Expectations, Holding On to Love | Ep. 131 The emotions of parenting teens can hit hard—whether it’s waiting for big college news, managing the quiet shift of an almost-empty nest, or navigating the bittersweet joy of watching your kids grow up. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing one of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned as a mom: how to create unconditional love, connection, and purpose—no matter the challenges or changes that come our way. This episode isn’t just about giving your teen the space to grow; it’s about discovering the gift of growth for yourself.
🎯 Want to take this work deep...2024-12-0724 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachChoosing Peace: Letting Go of Expectations in Motherhood and the Holidays | Ep. 130 The holiday season is upon us—filled with joy, love, and, let’s be honest, a fair share of stress. In this episode, I invite you to consider that peace isn't something you have to earn...but instead something that you have the power to choose. Join me as I share how you can step off the hamster wheel of expectations—your own and everyone else's—and truly embrace a sense of calm and connection. As you navigate the holidays, give yourself the most precious gift of all—the ability to choose peace.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save y...2024-11-3022 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachLetting Go on College Move-In Day — A Mindset Shift for Moms of Teens Stepping Into the Empty Nest | Ep. 60College drop-off is coming, and the countdown has begun. Whether you're sending your first or your last off to school, this episode is about the tidal wave of emotions that comes with this milestone moment in motherhood. For me, it’s a mix of pride, grief, excitement, and anxiety—all tangled up in the space between what’s ending and what’s beginning.
In this episode, I talk about what it means to truly let go—not just of your child, but of the guilt, the shame, the pressure to hold it all together. I share what it looks l...2023-07-2921 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Dream Teen Checklist: Special Group Coaching Edition | Ep. 59Join me for a sneak peak into one of Small Jar's recent Group Coaching Workshops, where we explore the topic of relationships, particularly the dream relationship we want with our teenager. In coaching, almost any topic we explore often comes down to relationships...those we have with others, and also the one we have with ourselves. In this episode, I have omitted the individual coaching to respect the privacy of those brave enough to get coached in front of the group, but this episode includes the opening workshop and Q&A. Subscribe to Small Jar on www.thesmalljar.com t...2023-07-2230 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Problem with “Happy Thoughts” — Why Real Peace in Parenting Teens Starts with Emotional Honesty | Ep. 58I used to believe that if I could just change my thoughts, I’d feel better—less anxious, more calm, more in control. But when life as a mom of teens started to feel like a constant emotional roller coaster, I realized: positive thinking alone wasn’t enough.
In this episode, I explore the real power of mindset—not as a quick fix, but as a tool to help us stop overthinking, release mom guilt, and create space for the full range of emotions we experience in the empty nest years. I share powerful stories, including the resilien...2023-07-1522 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen the House Gets Quiet — Facing Loneliness and Reclaiming Yourself in the Empty Nest Years | Ep. 57This episode came from a quiet moment on a family trip—my first without my boys. As I walked onto the ferry alone, I felt the full weight of what it means to be a mom in the teen and empty nest years. The emotional space once filled with cuddles and chaos is quieter now. And while I cherish the independence my kids are building, I’m also discovering what it means to be truly alone—with my thoughts, my memories, and myself.
This episode is for you if:
You’ve ever felt the ache of watch...2023-07-0819 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhat You Really Want — Letting Go of Control, Guilt, and Fear in Parenting Teens | Ep. 56What do I really want as a mom? That question sounds simple, but it goes deep. I used to think that if I worked hard enough, tried my best, and followed the rules, I'd raise happy, successful kids and feel fulfilled in motherhood. But the truth is—when my teens struggled, so did I. Their happiness felt like the only measure of my success, and when they were angry, distant, or anxious, I felt powerless and guilty.
In this episode, I share how I had to shift my mindset, let go of the illusion of control, and le...2023-07-0123 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachRedefining Your Purpose in the Empty Nest — A Mindset Shift for Moms Letting Go | Ep. 55As my boys became more independent—first with driver’s licenses, then with dorm move-ins—I began to feel it: the empty spaces in our routine, in the house, and in myself. It wasn’t just the empty nest I was bracing for; it was the quiet erosion of the identity I’d built over years of motherhood.
In this episode, I talk about what it really means to redefine your purpose as a mom of teens and young adults. We explore the deep mindset work of letting go—not just of your kids' physical presence, but of the role...2023-06-2420 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Hidden Weight of Motherhood — How Resentment and Guilt Keep Moms Stuck | Ep. 54Resentment is one of those emotions we don’t talk about—but most of us moms are carrying it. In this episode, I share how my own emotional habits—like reaching for wine or snacks to take the edge off—have been tied to deeper, uncomfortable feelings I’ve been avoiding. Especially resentment.
I open up about what it feels like to do everything for everyone, often without acknowledgment, and the shame that can come from even admitting we feel this way. Whether it's frustration over daily parenting struggles, lack of help at home, or guilt around needing sp...2023-06-1724 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Kids Return to the Nest — Letting Go, Setting Boundaries, and Parenting Adult Children Under One Roof | Ep. 53When your teen or young adult returns home—whether for the summer, after graduation, or because life didn’t go as planned—it’s a mix of joy, tension, and everything in between. I created this episode for the moms who are navigating this tricky transition, where parenting shifts from daily control to emotional guidance, and boundaries feel harder than ever to define.
You might be thrilled to have your child back, and also completely overwhelmed by the chaos, anxiety, and the return of old conflicts. I talk about the mindset shifts that help moms balance letting go, whil...2023-06-1120 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachGetting Your Teen to Listen — Letting Go of Control and Rebuilding Connection | Ep. 52You’re not alone if it feels like your teen won’t listen to anything you say. I’ve been there—and so have most of the moms I coach. In this episode, I unpack why our usual parenting strategies often fail, even when we have the best intentions. It's not just about finding the right words; it's about the mindset we bring to these tough conversations.
We talk about:
Why communication breakdowns with teens are so common
How emotional triggers like guilt, anxiety, and mom anger get in the way
The surp...2023-06-0320 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachGraduation Day — Letting Go, Facing the Empty Nest, and Redefining Your Role as a Mom | Ep. 51Graduation isn’t just a milestone for our kids—it’s a turning point for us as moms. In this deeply personal episode, I share what it feels like to stand on the brink of my son’s high school graduation and all the emotions that come with it—nostalgia, fear, regret, and love.
Letting go of our teens as they step into adulthood is filled with uncertainty. We question if we did enough, if they’re ready, if we’re ready. The routines we've known are ending, and the future feels both wide open and deeply unsettling. Th...2023-05-2820 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachYou Can't Afford NOT to Invest in Yourself | Ep. 50Everyone is WORTHY. Period. Everyone is valuable. Period. And everyone deserves to have support when they need it. The people we love mean well, but they have their own opinions about what we should do. Sometimes what we need is an unbiased, listening ear, who can help us see the truth inside ourselves that we can't see. In this episode, I explore the ways life coaching and therapy can help us find peace and our own truth. Your well-being is priceless. And your life is waiting for you to live it. You can't afford to miss it.
🎯 Want...2023-05-2120 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachLove Letters to Moms | Ep 49Mother's Day is fraught with the potential for disappointed expectations. So in this episode I explore how we can guarantee all of our dreams come true...that we feel love, appreciation, and respect. To do this, I write a letter to my 25-year-old self, and learn that many of the things I would tell her, I needed to hear myself. There are a few other letters I'd love to send and receive, so I've shared them with you here. My love letter to all of you moms. Happy Mother's Day.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your...2023-05-1322 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachSetting Boundaries | Ep. 48We often think we have a hard time setting boundaries because other people don't follow them. But boundaries are not rules. In fact, boundaries have much more to do with us than with anyone else. In this episode we explore how to set boundaries with our teens, others in our lives, and even more powerfully, with and for ourselves.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmal...2023-05-0722 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachFor Better or for Worse | Ep. 47Any long-term partnership, particularly ones that involves co-parenting children, experiences better and worse, probably richer and poorer, and most definitely sickness and health. We've been through a lot in the past 20+ years with our partners, but statistically that doesn't mean we're safe from divorce. So in this episode, I explore the root cause of why we can find we're drifting apart, and how to access those feelings of love and appreciation we are all looking for in our relationships.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: ht...2023-04-3021 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachNavigating Stress of the College Process - with Adam Materasso | Ep. 46There are so many reasons why the college process is hard for our kids….and, if we're honest...for us as parents. The time we have left with our kids at home is short. How do you want to show up for your child, and yourself, through this process without letting go of your hopes and dreams for them or your sense of responsibility as a parent to do everything you can to support them?
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class...2023-04-2326 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachDon't Let Yourself Be Bullied | Ep. 45Bullies are everywhere. Bullies we don't know. Bullies we know...even that we love. And possibly worst of all...the bully we are to ourselves. We will never be able to change all of the bullies in the world, but you NEVER have to let yourself be bullied again.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0.
❓ Have questions or want to share y...2023-04-1619 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachGet Out of "Doing Jail" | Ep. 44“I have so much to do.” “I wish I had more time.” The concept of “doing jail” is that you are STUCK DOING. In this episode we explore our "need" to do and why it is such a driving force for us. And also that we can feel a discomfort of NOT doing. Join me to learn how to break out of doing jail.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching...2023-04-0920 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMaybe We Should Be Mad | Ep. 43Let's face it, sometimes we get mad. But sometimes as moms, we hold ourselves to a ridiculous standard: that we shouldn't get mad. How often have you beat yourself up for getting mad. Or bottled the feeling up, because you didn't want to react. But let's question this for a moment....what if we should be mad?
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0.2023-04-0222 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachPeople Pleasing with My Kids - Spring Break Edition | Ep. 42They say people pleasing behavior often stems from instability in a relationship. And as our kids grow up and seek independence, instability seems inevitable. But what hasn't changed is that we want our kids to be happy, so we do everything in our power to try to make our kids happy....only, it doesn't seem to work a lot of the time. So the question for us as moms is: do we keep putting our own happiness on hold until our kids perform their happiness so that we can give ourselves permission to be happy?
🎯 Want to take th...2023-03-2622 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWriting a New Story of Who You Want to Be | Ep. 41We have these precious moments—days, months, years—left with our children at home and we’re gritting our teeth. In this episode, I share that the most transformative lesson that I have learned during this journey of motherhood is about who I am and the lens that I use to interpret the circumstances of my life. I invite you to consider that it's possible to re-write this narrative, so that you can show up exactly as you want to, both for your child and yourself.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free mas...2023-03-1920 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachManaging the Anxiety of Raising Teens | Ep. 40Anxiety feels like an inevitable part of raising teens. They are pulling away, and we're losing control. We're losing our ability to help keep them safe, healthy and to ensure they reach their full potential. In this episode we explore how to manage this challenging emotion, and to build compassion for both our children and ourselves as we navigate this transition.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching pr...2023-03-1222 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThis Is It - The Last 100 | Ep. 39You have 100....days or weeks to graduation...hours that they come home to visit. This is it. In this episode we explore the reason why it's really so hard to let go.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0.
❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com...2023-03-0522 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Reason Parenting Teens is So Hard | Ep. 38There are so many reasons why parenting feels hard. For each of our children...each of our families, the reasons we may list are different. But there is actually one reason that is common to all of us, and it's not what you think.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0.
❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to h...2023-02-2623 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachIs it Possible to Feel Unconditional Love? | Ep. 37Feeling unconditional love--it's easier said than done. We tend to think about loving our children unconditionally...but if we're honest with ourselves, while we know in our hearts we will always love our children, sometimes our expectations of our children lead us to show up in ways that might make our children question whether, in fact, our love is conditional. So if it's hard to deliver on unconditional love for our kids, it seems impossible to maintain unconditional love--love without expectation--for our partners...and ourselves. Join me in exploring the concept of unconditional love--and how you can have it wit...2023-02-1923 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachTeen Love | Ep. 36Join me in this episode as I explore a topic we're often not comfortable talking about. The thought of our kids finding love is lovely...until it isn't. Heartache. Heartbreak. Sex. Safety. Consequences. So much about our teen's love life can bring up really uncomfortable feelings for us as moms. The anxiety and fears about the worse case scenarios. The frustration that our kids may not be listening to us. But it's interesting to consider that we can often spend so much time worrying about our kid's relationships, that we lose sight of our own relationship with them, and...2023-02-1223 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMaking a Decision to Move Toward Your Goal | Ep. 35Every goal, requires you to make a decision. But there are many reasons that keep us from making decisions....fear of failure...fear of discomfort...the responsibility we feel for our families. So we often stay stuck, because it feels safer to not take big risks than to risk failure or negatively impacting those we love. In this episode we explore the factors underlying our decision to stay stuck...because not making a decision, is a decision.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.the...2023-02-0522 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachBreaking Drinking Habits | Ep. 34This is a very personal episode for me. Join me as I share my journey with breaking my wine habit. It was something that I had struggled with for a long time. I knew I wasn't an alcoholic, but somehow felt completely unable to not pour a glass (or two) of wine at the end of the night. I tried everything, without success...until I discovered life coaching and everything changed--not just with my wine habit, but with so much more.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign...2023-01-2924 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMom Guilt | Ep. 33As moms, we feel so much pressure to help our kids... We feel responsible. To help them succeed. To make them happy. We are overwhelmed with "shoulds" and "have tos". There is no end to the worry....the guilt. In this episode, we explore how to relieve mom guilt, and open up a new world of possibility to create the results we want.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0...2023-01-1521 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachTaking Control of Your Emotions | Ep. 32As mothers navigating the transition to the empty nest, many of just want to feel better in our lives. One of the reasons many of us don’t even bother setting big goals for ourselves is that we feel stuck in some kind of pain, and so this negative emotional experience crowds out dreaming or goal-setting. In this episode, we explore how to take control of our emotional life, and that when we learn to consciously decide, on purpose, how we want to think and feel about our lives…that’s the beginning of a whole new realm of possib...2023-01-0723 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWho Will You Be in 2023? | Ep. 31As a mom of children leaving the nest, do you even bother setting big goals for yourself? As women in our 40s and 50s, it can be challenging to pursue personal goals given a number of challenges unique to us in this time of our lives. Explore with me how to think about who you have the opportunity to become in this next chapter of your life.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar...2022-12-3124 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Our Kids Come Home for the Holidays | Ep. 30Most of us can’t wait for our kids to come home. We’ve missed them so much. Their empty room is finally filled again. We get to revisit all of our beloved traditions. We fill the refrigerator with their favorite foods. We envision the joy of spending time with them. The relief of having them safe under our roof again. It’s amazing.
Except….when it isn’t. Don’t get me wrong….we love our kids. We’re so happy to have them home….but…we also find ourselves feeling…. disappointed, frustrated, worried, annoyed, anxious....
In this episode we...2022-12-0522 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachCreating Purpose from Pain | Ep. 29One of the interesting aspects of being in this time of life in our 40s and 50s…is that there is such an incredible opportunity in front of us…to create something new for our lives, but that it often feels incredibly difficult for many of us to move toward this opportunity for a variety of reasons. We might call it lack of motivation, anxiety, worry about our children...
In this episode, I talk about how to move through the emotional pain that we can experience during this transitional time to move toward creating a new purpose for...2022-11-2522 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachEarly Decision Anxiety | Ep. 28The college process is complex, competitive and stressful. We want desperately to support them and help them be successful through the process, but somehow we are left feeling anxious and frustrated. In this episode we explore how the way we and our children view this process can often leave us at odds...and how we can begin to make the process a little easier on our children...and ourselves.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.
💪 Curious about coaching w...2022-10-3117 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachFeeling Better about the Worst Case Scenario | Ep. 27As your child leaves the nest, it's not uncommon for us as mothers to feel anxious about the worst case scenario. No matter how many times you try to tell yourself it will all turn out ok, it’s often hard for our brains to accept that possibility with any degree of comfort. In this episode, we explore new ways of thinking about our anxiety so that we can begin to move toward acceptance and living in the present moment of the reality of what is.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next fr...2022-10-2526 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMaking Room for Joy | Ep. 26There are times in life when it feels easy to find joy...and other times, where joy and peace seem to allude us. We try to capture joy by doing things that make us happy. But this doesn't work in the long run. We also try to change the circumstances of our lives, particularly other people, to try and feel better. This also rarely works. In this episode, we explore the three ways to create room for joy, even in the midst of pain.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free mast...2022-09-2723 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachAllowing Pain | Ep. 25When you are in emotional pain, it is so hard to find the energy to focus on your goals and move forward.
There are so many reasons that we might be in pain. I can’t possibly do justice to all of them in one episode. In this episode, rather than focusing on any one emotion of pain, we address how we respond to our pain…and also, why it’s so hard to find the lessons that our pain might be teaching us.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free m...2022-09-1920 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachLetting Go So Your Child Can Fly | Ep. 24As our kids become young adults, there is so much new territory for US as parents to navigate. Where is the rule book? Please, someone give me a strategy that works without fail. Because look, we’re all human. And even experts must struggle in the relationships they have with their own teens and young adults. Because it’s one thing to execute a strategy when there’s no emotion. When you don’t have skin in the game. But these are our kids. Our life’s work. The perceived stakes of “doing it wrong” seem so high.
So, we worry...2022-09-0623 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachReframing the Side Hustle | Ep. 23It's not just about the money. The "side hustle" is an incredible opportunity to pursue something you are really passionate about.
As we contemplate the empty nest, so often we rush to fill our time so that we don't feel so...Empty. Stuck. Bored. Frustrated. Resentful.
But have you considered that the possibilities in front of you are infinite? It's not just about getting a job. Or changing jobs.
In this episode we explore how opening your mind up to the possibilities of your life may unveil the dream you have not been allowin...2022-08-1023 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachCollege Move-In Day | Ep. 22It doesn’t matter if the college drop off will happen in a few weeks or a few years….it doesn’t matter if it’s your oldest or your youngest…there is something about the college move-in day that can fill us—as mothers—with absolute dread.
As you imagine standing on the green, about to say goodbye. What comes up for you? Most likely pride, love and excitement. But also potentially overwhelm, anxiety, and sadness. In this episode we explore the many emotions that challenge us as we think about the day we leave our child at college...2022-08-0124 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachPeace & Loneliness in the Empty Nest | Ep. 21So often over the past 17+ years, I have longed for more peace in my life. There is something about having children that makes you wonder what you even spent your time doing before you had kids. Given how overwhelming and busy our lives have been for the past 15, 20, 30 years of raising kids…one would think that we would fully embrace the moment when circumstances of our lives became still and we could breathe. But then…there is the reality of the day when your kids are no longer at home. And suddenly we feel lost...listless....empty...lonely. In this epi...2022-07-1821 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachJob Satisfaction | Ep. 20As our children grow up and leave the nest, we have an opportunity to re-focus on our professional careers. But when we think about job satisfaction, we tend to focus more on what we don't like about particular jobs rather than really taking a step back to understand what job satisfaction really means for us. In this episode, we take a look at how to create job satisfaction for ourselves--and perhaps even more important, how to create opportunities for personal growth and emotional well-being, no matter the circumstances of your job.
🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save...2022-07-1123 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachFear of What Ifs | Ep. 19When it comes to our children...the people we love...we often can’t help ourselves but think endlessly of all of the terrible things that might happen. The What Ifs. As our children become adults, we have less ability to protect them from the dangers out there waiting for them. So we imagine these dangers and bring the PAIN of that projected danger into our present moment. In this episode, we talk about why our minds think this worry is so important, and how we can begin to see the "What If" mind for what it is....and le...2022-07-0117 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachFinding Love | Ep. 18Whether you are already in a relationship, wondering whether you should stay in a relationship, or looking for love…this one’s for you.
How do you find love?
Here's the thing about love…we’re frequently looking for somebody else to create the feeling of love for us.
But if somebody else is responsible for how I feel, that’s a pretty helpless and powerless place to be. And I think that’s why love can be so painful so much of the time. Because if we don’t receive love in the way we want...2022-06-2127 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachFilling the Empty Nest | Ep. 17The empty nest. Think about the visual image of what is implied by the phrase, the "empty nest." The nest is a home, and its purpose is to keep eggs and baby birds safe until they are ready to fly off on their own. But what happens then? After the adorable baby birds grow up and leave the nest? In my head, I conjure up an image of a literal empty nest. Barren cold. Lonely. Without purpose. Empty.
Now, not all of us look at the empty nest in such a negative light. But even the concept of...2022-06-1329 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Your Best Isn't Good Enough | Ep. 16Have you ever found yourself saying, “I am literally doing the best I can….and it’s not enough.” We are trying our best. We have the best intentions. We think we have done everything that we could have done. And yet…things go wrong. Our kids get into trouble. People get angry at us. We disappoint ourselves...
In this episode we explore feelings of powerlessness related to things that have happened in the past that make us feel frustrated, guilty, and even ashamed. These emotions can feel overwhelming and leave us feeling powerless because we can’t change the pa...2022-06-0323 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachPowerlessness. When Your Child Pulls Away. | Ep. 15As we watch our children grow up, we experience so many beautiful emotions. But we can also experience a wide range of challenging emotions—like worry, fear, anxiety, and frustration. When we worry or feel fear, we are typically imagining a negative future outcome that we want to avoid. And when we feel frustration—we are typically looking at a situation and thinking of all of the ways it should be different.
And when we feel this way, we try to control our children. We try to convince them they’re wrong. That they need to try a little h...2022-05-1622 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachMom, CEO of Home Inc. | Ep. 14Moms are the CEO of Home Inc.
Now, I want to be clear…I’m not saying this to be cute or cheeky. I certainly do not want to in any way come across as belittling stay-at-home moms. In fact, I believe that being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time (or more than full-time) job for which we are not paid. Although I am sure we as mothers could all agree that raising a family is important work, we sometimes tend to discount the work in our minds because it’s not quote/unquote “professional.”
In this epi...2022-05-0820 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhy You’re So Hard on Yourself — A Mindset Shift for Moms Letting Go of Judgment | Ep. 13Previously the Small Jar Podcast
So many moms—especially those parenting teens—get stuck in a painful cycle of self-judgment, overthinking, and constantly feeling like we're not enough. In this episode, I reflect on how easily we fall into negative narratives about ourselves—our bodies, our parenting, our worth—and how deeply those beliefs affect our mindset, emotional regulation, and daily lives.
If you’ve ever told yourself, “I should be better, thinner, calmer, more patient, more successful…” or questioned your worth based on your teen’s behavior, you are not alone. We dig into the internalized s...2022-05-0221 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhen Your Teen Won’t Listen — A Mindset Shift for Moms Struggling to Stay Calm | Ep. 12Previously the Small Jar Podcast
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “If they would just do what I want…” Whether it's your teen, your partner, or even a colleague, it's easy to believe our frustration is caused by their refusal to cooperate. In this episode, I dive into one of the most common mindset traps for moms of teens: believing our emotional peace depends on others changing.
I explore real-life scenarios—from workplace dynamics to intense conversations with your teenager—and show how our expectations often create stress, anxiety, and resentment. As moms, we want our kids t...2022-04-1819 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachHaving It All Is a Myth... Or Is It? A Mindset Shift for Moms in Midlife | Ep. 11Previously the Small Jar Podcast
This episode is deeply personal and provocative—because it’s about the question so many moms ask themselves: Can I really have it all? As a mom, professional, and woman in midlife, I reflect on the career decisions, mindset traps, and societal narratives that shaped my path—and challenge the belief that we can’t pursue purpose, parenting, and peace simultaneously.
Whether you’re a mom of teens, navigating college transitions, or stepping into the empty nest, you might feel caught between guilt, ambition, and the desire to reclaim yourself. We unpack...2022-04-1121 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachStop Chasing Happiness — How Moms of Teens Can Find Joy in the Present | Ep. 10Previously the Small Jar Podcast
As moms of teens, we often chase happiness through perfect vacations, ideal family moments, or dreams of life after the kids leave home. But even on a picture-perfect trip to paradise, I realized something powerful: happiness isn’t found in the perfect plan—it’s created by how we think.
In this episode, I share what a family trip to the British Virgin Islands taught me about letting go of expectations, the emotional traps we fall into, and how to find peace right where we are. If you’ve ever thought...2022-04-0422 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachHidden Ways Moms of Teens Waste Time—You Don’t Have to Do It All | Ep. 9Previously the Small Jar Podcast
If you’re a mom who feels like there’s never enough time—and that no matter how much you do, it’s never enough—this episode is for you. I dive into how our mindset around time is often shaped by overthinking, guilt, and the pressure to be everything for everyone. The result? Anxiety, burnout, and a deep disconnection from your own purpose.
In this episode, we explore:
How to let go of unrealistic expectations and create emotional space for what truly matters
The role of emotion...2022-03-2328 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhy Bad Habits Are So Hard to Break — A Mindset Shift for Moms Raising Teens | Ep. 8Previously the Small Jar Podcast
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a habit you know isn’t serving you—but you can’t seem to break it—you’re not alone. In this episode, I dive into the neuroscience behind why we do what we do (even when we don’t want to), and how that knowledge can empower us to make lasting change.
This one’s especially for moms of teens and those entering the empty nest years who are trying to let go of patterns that no longer align with who they want to be...2022-03-1328 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachRediscovering Who You Are as Your Teen Grows Up as a Midlife Mom - Part II | Ep. 7Previously the Small Jar Podcast
If you’ve ever felt stuck—unsure how to move forward or even what you want next—this episode is for you. As moms of teens and college kids, we spend so much time supporting everyone else that we forget to ask ourselves what we want. And when we finally do? The self-doubt, guilt, and anxiety creep in fast.
In this follow-up to last week’s episode, I dive deeper into why pursuing your dreams isn’t about having the perfect plan—it’s about shifting your mindset, letting go of old beliefs...2022-03-0724 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachRediscovering Who You Are as Your Teen Grows Up as a Midlife Mom - Part I | Ep. 6Previously the Small Jar Podcast
As my son hit a milestone and got his driver’s permit, I found myself flooded with that familiar mix of pride and heartbreak—another reminder of how parenting teens is a constant practice in letting go. But that emotional tension stirred up something else too: reflection.
In this episode, I explore how watching my teens chase their dreams reminded me of something I had long put down—my own sense of purpose. I share how I moved from feeling stuck and small to daring to dream big again, and why we...2022-02-2822 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachThe Emotional Overwhelm Moms of Teens Don’t Talk About — Letting Go Without Losing It | Ep. 5Previously the Small Jar Podcast
This week, I was in it—completely flooded by frustration, anxiety, guilt, regret, and exhaustion. As a mom of teens, I’m used to feeling a lot, but sometimes the wave hits harder than usual. In this episode, I’m sharing my experience with emotional overwhelm—and what I’m learning about letting go of the guilt and shame that so often come with it.
We’ll talk about how reacting to or avoiding our emotions—whether through snapping, crying, or numbing with wine or food—only compounds the pain. And I’ll show yo...2022-02-2124 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachLove, Resentment, and the Mom Who Feels Invisible — Rewriting Emotional Scripts in Marriage and the Empty Nest Years | Ep. 4Previously the Small Jar Podcast
As moms of teens or young adults, we’re already juggling emotional labor, overthinking, and the exhausting process of letting go. But when it comes to love and marriage, that emotional weight gets even heavier—especially in the empty nest years when we suddenly have more time and space to reflect on what’s working… and what isn’t.
In this vulnerable episode, I explore the emotional complexity of long-term relationships and what happens when our idea of love doesn't match our reality. Whether you’re navigating resentment, guilt, loneliness, or simply qu...2022-02-1425 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachWhy Motivation Feels So Hard — A Mindset Shift for Midlife Moms Ready to Reclaim Their Dreams | Ep. 3Previously the Small Jar Podcast
Motivation can feel like a mystery—especially when you're a mom juggling teens, college kids, work, and the emotional weight of an almost empty nest. In this episode, I challenge the idea that we need to “feel motivated” before taking action on our dreams.
Instead, I share what I've learned about showing up when you don’t feel inspired, how to find purpose in the mundane, and why letting go of perfection and control is essential for building consistency and confidence. This isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about shifting you...2022-02-0624 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachLetting Go of How Your Teen Reaches Their Potential — A New Mindset for Parenting Teens | Ep. 2Previously the Small Jar Podcast
I used to believe it was my job to make sure my kids reached their full potential—that if I just parented “right,” I could protect them from mistakes, failure, and regret. But somewhere along the way, I realized that belief was costing me peace, connection, and even my relationship with my teens. In this episode, I share what happens when we let go of the illusion that we can control the outcome and begin trusting our children’s path—even when it looks different than we imagined. You’ll hear the mindset trap...2022-01-3123 min
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachLetting Go of Who You Are — A Midlife Mom’s First Step Toward Purpose, Peace, and Possibility | Ep. 1Previously the Small Jar Podcast
This season of motherhood can feel like one long goodbye—letting go of our kids, our roles, our bodies, our sense of purpose. I’ve felt it deeply, and so have many of the moms I work with. But here’s the truth I’ve discovered: sometimes, letting go isn’t just about loss. It’s the beginning of something new. In this very first episode, I share what it means to release the stories we’ve told ourselves—about our worth, our limitations, and our place in the world—and how we can step into a...2022-01-2420 min