Empty Nest Quest

The transition through midlife presents an opportunity.  We often look at this season as a "hot mess" or the old midlife Crisis label, but what if it is a chance  for personal rebirth rather than crisis, inviting us to unravel everything that no longer aligns with our soul's purpose?

 Our internal dialogue and the language we use to describe our lives profoundly shape our experiences, creating either limitations or po...

Five powerful words can transform your empty nest journey: "Our focus determines our feelings." This transformative principle from Tommy Newberry's "40 Days to a Joyful Life" offers a roadmap to rewiring your mind for joy during midlife transitions.

At any moment, you can choose where to direct your attention—toward what's present or what's missing, what's working or what's brok...

The journey through menopause and the empty nest phase isn't just about navigating physical changes—it's an invitation to reconnect with your emotional landscape after decades of putting others first.

Many of us have spent years running on fumes, managing our families and responsibilities while neglecting our own emotional wellbeing. When this season of life arrives with its whirlwind of changes, it often feels o...

Ever wondered why your mother's generation was so afraid of hormone replacement therapy? In this eye-opening conversation with returning guest Brookes Vaughn, we unravel decades of misunderstanding surrounding menopause treatment, diving deep into the flawed Women's Health Initiative study that scared millions of women away from potentially life-enhancing care.

"Estrogen is the only drug proven to reduce the...

Trust your instincts. When you don't feel like yourself during perimenopause or menopause, that alone is reason enough to seek help. This powerful validation emerged as we reflected on our conversation with women's health expert Brooks Vaughn and shared our personal journeys through the hormonal maze of midlife.

Many women struggle for years with debilitating symptoms—from night sweats that destroy sleep to brain...

Anna MacArthur joins us to discuss her powerful new book "Hope for Moms: It's Tough Out There, But So Are You," offering wisdom for mothers who feel everyone else has parenting figured out while they're just trying to keep everyone alive.

• Examining how we often use children as "walking report cards" to validate our parenting
• Creating a "Yes, No, Maybe" system to prioritize wh...

Hormone health isn't just about managing hot flashes—it's about reclaiming your sense of self when everything feels off-kilter. Jennifer and Melynda dive deep into the misunderstood world of perimenopause and menopause, sharing their personal journeys with hormone replacement therapy while emphasizing there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

After their enlightening conversation with women's health specia...

What if that feeling of "I just need to get my act together" isn't about organization or willpower, but your hormones? Brookes Vaughan, founder of The Women's Health Company, joins us to untangle the confusing web of perimenopause and menopause – two terms often used interchangeably but representing distinctly different phases of a woman's life.

Brookes brilliantly explains that menopause literally...

Discover the transformative power of the Enneagram for empty nesters with Debbie Huckabee, certified Enneagram coach and therapist. After spending years prioritizing others' needs as a Type Nine "Peacemaker," Debbie found liberation through understanding her personality type just before her nest began emptying. This knowledge sparked an inspiring journey from advertising executive to mental health counselor, proving ...

In this enlightening episode, we invite listeners to embark on a journey of joy through engaging discussions around the book "40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life" by Tommy Newberry. As your host, Jennifer, delves into relatable strategies and heartfelt stories, we touch upon the transformative power of mindset shifts and how these shifts can lead to a more fulfilling life in midlife and beyond. The conversation revolves around t...

What if embracing life's chaos could actually bring you peace? Join me, Melynda, as I guide you on a quest to find balance and joy amid life's ups and downs. Through personal reflections and spiritual grounding techniques, you'll discover how centering yourself can lead to stability and calm, no matter how tumultuous the times. Whether it's placing a hand on your body to feel your presence or learning from upcom...

Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey can often feel like jumping without a parachute, a sensation I know all too well. Through 25 years of business ventures, I've found my parachute in the mantra "Stop Stopping," which has propelled me through every challenge, from starting a restaurant with no more than hosting experience to recuperating from open heart surgery. This episode of the Empty Nester Entrepreneur podc...

This episode offers a playful yet poignant exploration of Valentine’s Day, filled with laughter and relatable stories about love in midlife. The hosts share personal anecdotes about past Valentine's experiences while discussing the broader theme of emotional wellness and positive thinking. 

• Reflecting on life’s current challenges and their impact 
• Importance of self-care and intentional living 
• Discussin...

What if a seemingly routine check-up could change the course of your life? Join us on the Empty Nest Quest as we kick off Heart Month with a personal tale of unexpected heart health revelations. This episode is an invitation to explore the nuances of heart health for women, especially during menopause and perimenopause. I share my surprising journey of discovering a congenital heart defect—a bicuspid aortic valve—during a mandatory...

What if the state of a restaurant's bathroom really does mirror the kitchen's hygiene? Join us on the Empty Nest Quest as we kick off 2025 with some unexpected bathroom humor and pivot to the challenges life has thrown our way, reminding us to embrace grace and flexibility. As we set our intentions for the new year, we suggest aligning our monthly goals with the seasons, allowing us to flow naturally through the year&apos...

As the holiday season approaches, it's a time for reflection and preparation, especially for those of us experiencing the empty nest phase. Have you ever noticed how time seems to bend and warp when you enter this stage of life? Join Meliyda, as she guides you through a soothing meditation and journaling exercise to help you reconnect with your inner self. We'll explore the unique perception of time during the empty nest ...

What if the holiday season could be your time to redefine midlife, free from the pressures of perfection and tradition? Join us as we share how we’re navigating these transformative years, starting with a heartwarming tale from Jennifer’s adventures in Oregon with Johnny, where the true beauty of the Pacific Northwest dispelled any preconceived notions they had. Meanwhile, Melinda opens up about the whirlwind of activities as the s...

Have you ever found yourself juggling multiple roles, only to discover a moment of peace in the chaos? That's exactly what happened when Melinda faced a health scare and I managed a busy life with five kids. Recording from separate locations for the first time, we talk about the flexibility this affords us amidst our packed schedules. Melinda offers a poignant reminder of the importance of regular skin checks following her pro...

What happens when the nest empties, and suddenly, it's just you and your thoughts in the quiet of midlife? Join us on the Empty Nest Quest as we unravel the complexities of this transformative phase in parenting. Discover how nurturing personal boundaries and self-care can enrich not only your life but also support your children's journey to individuality. We explore the delicate balance between guiding our children and a...