In this week’s episode of Together, Unscripted: Love, Laughs, and Leftovers, Jenn and Danny Lavoie tackle the heartfelt and humorous realities of transitioning to life as “open nesters.” While the term “empty nesters” often feels too final, Jenn and Danny prefer the term “open nesting,” a reminder that the door is always open for their children to return. With their signature wit and honesty, they reflect on their journey as a blended family, sharing lessons learned, unexpected perks, and the bittersweet challenges of this new phase.
Danny opens up about the emotional toll of not being there for life’s big and small moments, while Jenn highlights the importance of staying connected as a couple. Together, they share practical advice for maintaining a strong relationship, navigating the quieter household, and avoiding common pitfalls couples face when their children leave home. From the joys of newfound flexibility to the surprising challenges of redefining their roles, this episode is a candid and relatable look at what it truly means to embrace life after kids.
Key Takeaways:
• Why “open nesting” is a more positive way to frame this stage of life.
• The importance of maintaining a strong relationship throughout parenting to avoid growing apart.
• How to handle the emotional adjustment of letting adult children make their own decisions.
• Tips for rediscovering each other as a couple and embracing newfound freedom.
• Why building friendships outside your kids’ activities is essential.
Whether you’re preparing for this stage or are already there, this episode offers humor, insight, and encouragement. Tune in, laugh along, and share this episode with a friend who might need a little extra support in their open-nesting journey! Don’t forget to leave a review and let Jenn and Danny know how you’re navigating life in this new season.
“The hardest part of letting go is realizing you’ve raised them to not need you, even when you wish they still did.”
Learn more about Danny Lavoie through the following links:
Learn more about Jenn Lavoie through the following links:
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com