The Midlife Momma Podcast - Empty nest mom, Parenting adult children, Midlife transition, Christian mom
Welcome to The Midlife Momma Podcast, the go-to resource for empty nest moms ready to embrace the next chapter of life with confidence and purpose! Join me, Pamela Henkelman, a certified Empty Nest Coach and proud momma of five, as we navigate this transformative journey together. Each week, we dive into essential topics that matter most to midlife moms, including: Setting and maintaining boundaries Rediscovering your life’s purpose Mastering effective communication with adult children Strengthening your marriage in the empty nest season Leaning on faith to guide your journey Follow The Midlife Momma Podcast now to join a community of like-minded moms and start your journey toward confidence, connection, and fulfillment in this exciting new chapter of motherhood. The Midlife Momma podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at www.ChristianParenting.org
Episodes
Are you exhausted from worrying about your adult children? In this episode, Pamela shares six practical ways to become a more peaceful mom by letting go of expectations, managing emotions, and learning to trust God with the people you love most. If you're ready to let go of fear and experience more peace in the adult-child years, this episode will encourage your heart.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, granddaughter of Billy Graham, joins me to talk about her new book, God Won’t Leave You There, and the powerful lessons empty-nest moms can learn from Joseph’s story. We discuss trusting God through family pain, waiting seasons, broken relationships, and the challenges of surrendering our adult children to Him. If you’re carrying heartbreak or unanswered questions in motherhood, this conve...
Family estrangement can leave moms feeling heartbroken, confused, and unsure where to turn. In this episode, therapist Rachel Haack shares insight into the family dynamics that often lead to distance, the role of differentiation, and practical ways parents can create space for healing and repair. If you're longing for reconciliation with your adult child, this conversation offers wisdom and hope for the journey.
HELPFUL LINKS:
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In this heartfelt conversation, family estrangement expert Tania Khazaal shares her personal journey from estrangement with her own mother to reconciliation and healing. Together, we explore why adult children sometimes pull away, what emotional safety looks like in family relationships, and how moms can respond with emotional confidence and the right language.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Tania Kazhaal's website and resources here
Free Guide...
What do you do when your relationship with your adult child is marked by distance or estrangement? In this episode, estranged mom mentor Nicole Coates shares her personal story of estrangement with her oldest daughter and the emotional and spiritual journey that followed. We talk about heartbreak, identity, healing, and how God led Nicole to start a ministry for estranged moms.
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Estrangement with an adult child is one of the most painful and confusing experiences a mom can face. In this episode, we’re talking about what estrangement really is, what it isn’t, and how it often develops over time. You’ll learn how to navigate this season with clarity and a steady heart.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Christian Parenting's Moms, Dads & Grads Gift Guide here
If you’ve been holding everything together and feeling the weight of it, this conversation is for you. Author Nichole Suvar joins me to talk about her book, I Don’t Have to Hold it All Together, and how God’s original design still leads us to real peace. We talk about the pressure we carry, the places we seek peace, and what it means to finally rest in God rather than striving. This one will meet you right where y...
HELPFUL LINKS:
Cozy Earth Website here 20% Off Discount Code: MOMMA
Connect with Courtney here
Free Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief here
Apply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here
Take the free 2-minute Quiz here
Review + Rate podcasthere
Follow Pamela on Instagram here
Follow Pamela on Facebook here
Pamela's website with free resources here
In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Pamela sits down with author Melanie Shankle to discuss healing from the wounds many women carry from their relationships with their mothers. Together, they explore how those experiences shape us, how faith plays a role in healing, and what it looks like to move forward with grace. This episode offers encouragement for any mom ready to stop carrying the past and step into freedom.
HELPFUL...
There comes a moment in midlife when the roles begin to shift, and the woman who once cared for you now needs care from you. In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with a very special guest, my own mom, to talk about the realities of aging and the beauty of honoring our parents. If you’re navigating changing roles with your parents or wondering how to walk this season with grace, this episode will remind you that you...
Watching an adult child walk away from faith can be one of the most painful experiences a mother faces. In this episode, author and podcast host Judy Douglas shares the story of her prodigal child’s return and the hope she discovered while waiting on God. If you are praying for a wandering child, this conversation will encourage you not to give up.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Prayer for Prodigals Website here
Prayers for P...
What do you do when your adult child no longer believes in God and is captured by the world? In this episode, we look at the father in the parable of the prodigal son and uncover six powerful ways to love your wayward adult child with grace, trust, and hope. If you’re a Christian mom struggling with fear, guilt, or frustration, this conversation will encourage you to release control, guard your heart, and trust God with...
Pastor Inés Franklin joins Pamela to talk about the hidden grief many children carry when families change because of divorce, remarriage, or other transitions. They discuss how unresolved loss can look like rebellion, why spiritual pressure often backfires, and how parents can disciple their children through empathy instead of control.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Ines' Website here
Ines' book, Blended and Blessed here
When your adult child walks away from the faith, heartbreak is only part of the story. Shame often follows close behind. In this episode, Pamela shares six biblical perspective shifts to help Christian moms release guilt, trust God with their wandering child, and rest securely in their identity in Christ. If you’re carrying shame about a prodigal son or daughter, this episode will help you breathe again.
HELPFUL L...
What if learning to love your morning could change the way you experience the empty nest? Pamela talks with Jennifer Dukes Lee about her book How to Love Your Morning and how empty nest moms can create grace-filled morning rhythms, renew their mindset, and experience God’s mercy at the start of each day.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Get Jennifer's Book, How to Love Your Morning here
Free Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief here
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Does your relationship with God feel different in midlife? In this episode, Pamela shares 7 ways intimacy with God deepens as you grow older, especially in the empty nest season. If you’ve moved from striving to surrender, from performance to peace, this conversation will affirm the beautiful maturity happening in your faith.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Christian Parenting's Easter Bundle here
Author Autumn Schoeck joins Pamela to discuss what it means to find peace in Christ during empty-nest transitions. If you’ve been feeling unsteady in this season, this conversation will help you anchor your identity, peace, and sense of belonging in Him.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Autumn's book, This Feels Like Home: Inspiration for Finding Peace here
Autumn's website here
Worry doesn’t disappear when our kids grow up; it just changes shape. In this episode, Pamela shares a simple, grace-filled prayer framework from Philippians 4:6 to help empty nest moms move from worry to peace. If you’re tired of carrying anxiety, guilt, and unanswered questions, this gentle conversation will remind you that God isn’t asking you to try harder. He’s inviting you closer.
HELPFUL L...
In this episode, Pamela talks with Dr. Allison Alford about her book Good Daughtering and the emotional tension many empty nest moms feel in midlife. As we care for aging parents and learn new ways to relate to our adult children, guilt and pressure can quietly take over. This gentle conversation explores how to redefine what it means to be a “good daughter,” set healthy boundaries, and walk through t...
When the kids leave home, many couples discover they don’t know how to talk anymore. Christian marriage counselors Chris and Jamie Bailey share practical, faith-filled insights on improving communication in empty-nest marriages, so couples can move from roommates to meaningful connection.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Chris & Jamie's website here
Free Guide: Marriage Awareness Worksheet here
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