Send Jay comments via text Feeling lost after your kids leave the nest? You're not alone. For decades, many parents’ identities have been intertwined with their roles at home, making the empty nest transition feel daunting. But what if this shift is an exciting opportunity to rediscover who you truly are—and craft a future that excites you? In this enlightening episode, mind mapping expert John Diggs, known as the "Mappaneering Mentor," shares how a simple visual thinking tool can be a catalyst ...
Jul 12, 2025•45 min•Ep. 109
Send Jay comments via text Is true love still possible after 40? Heidi Friedman’s remarkable journey—from her divorce to dating 104 times over ten years—reveals a transformative path to authentic connection and genuine partnership later in life. Drawing from her extensive experiences and interviews with happily married couples, Heidi shares inspiring insights and practical wisdom for anyone navigating love in midlife. In this candid conversation, Heidi discusses how therapy helped her break patt...
Jun 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 108
Send Jay comments via text What if the empty nest isn't the end of your parenting journey, but a new beginning—an opportunity to reconnect with yourself? In this enlightening episode, Bernadette Catalana, author of Daughter Lessons: Wise and Witty Reflections on Leading, Learning From, and Loving our Daughters , challenges us to reframe this pivotal life transition. Throughout the conversation, Bernadette dismantles common misconceptions that launching adult children signifies failure or loss. I...
Jun 21, 2025•39 min•Ep. 107
Send Jay comments via text Feeling lost now that your nest has emptied? You’re not alone—but that silence in your home doesn’t have to be the end of your story. Instead, it can be the opening note to your most authentic chapter yet. In this transformative episode, we explore how major life changes—like empty nesting, career shifts, or personal reinvention—are rooted in who we want to become, not just how we’ll do it. Through relatable stories like Lisa, who questioned if binge-watching Netflix w...
Jun 18, 2025•10 min•Ep. 106
Send Jay comments via text When your children leave home, your primary identity as a parent shifts—often leaving a sense of emptiness and questioning, "Who am I now?" According to research, nearly 80% of adults aged 50-64 feel dissatisfied with their sense of purpose, highlighting how challenging this transition can be. But what if this period is also an opportunity for a personal renaissance? In this empowering episode, we explore how to transform the emotional turmoil of the empty nest into a ...
Jun 10, 2025•14 min•Ep. 105
Send Jay comments via text Graduation season often brings a sudden, gut-wrenching realization: your child is leaving, and life as you've known it is about to change forever. This episode explores that pivotal moment when parents shift from full-time caretakers to part-time advisors. Instead of resisting or pretending the change isn’t happening, discover how embracing the mantra "Let Life Evolve" can transform this challenging time into an opportunity for growth and renewal. We dive into the powe...
May 31, 2025•18 min•Ep. 104
Send Jay comments via text What if your most profound life lessons could come from an unexpected journey? In this inspiring episode, I explore how my recent walk along the Camino de Santiago in Spain became a powerful metaphor for navigating the empty nest years—filled with surprises, deep connections, and personal growth. Walking the Portuguese route with strangers from around the world pushed me beyond my comfort zone, revealing that the richest experiences often come from embracing detours ra...
May 24, 2025•22 min•Ep. 103
Send Jay comments via text As relationships evolve, the empty nest phase presents a pivotal moment for couples to rediscover each other beyond their parenting roles. In this insightful episode, Carolyn Sharp shares valuable insights from her new book, "Fire it Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship." Join us as we explore how to reconnect and reignite passion when the kids leave home. Highlights: The three crucial elements for a healthy relationship: ignition (spark...
May 17, 2025•41 min•Ep. 102
Send Jay comments via text What happens to long-term relationships when the kids leave home? In this candid conversation, relationship coach Dr. Marie Murphy shares her insightful and judgment-free perspective on the growing phenomenon of gray divorce—the trend of couples separating after the age of 50. With her PhD in sociology of sexuality, Dr. Murphy challenges conventional views on infidelity and relationship transitions. She emphasizes the importance of being honest with ourselves about wha...
May 10, 2025•37 min•Ep. 101
Send Jay comments via text What happens when life changes overnight, shattering your identity through loss? In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the profound journey of Emily Tanner, known as The Brave Widow, who transformed devastating grief into a supportive community for others navigating widowhood and significant life transitions. After losing her husband in 2021 while raising four teenagers, Emily realized how inadequate our cultural understanding of grief can be. “Platitudes like 'He's...
May 03, 2025•35 min•Ep. 100
Send Jay comments via text Join us for an inspiring conversation with Susan Athari, founder of The Modern Empty Nester, as she shares her journey from uncertainty to celebration in the empty nest years. Realizing that this life stage deserves more than just survival, Susan advocates for a dynamic and adventurous approach that redefines what it means to be an empty nester. In our discussion, Susan passionately emphasizes that today’s empty nesters are not like those of previous generations. “We’r...
Apr 26, 2025•39 min•Ep. 99
Send Jay comments via text What happens when the magic carpet ride of childhood suddenly ends? In this enlightening episode, we welcome Rob Finlay, author of " Hey Dad ," as he shares invaluable insights into the jarring transition from dependence to independence that many young adults—and their parents—experience. Drawing from a humorous yet poignant middle-of-the-night call with his daughter about whether "green gas" (diesel) can be used in her gasoline-powered Jeep, Rob realized just how many...
Apr 19, 2025•35 min•Ep. 98
Send Jay comments via text As our bodies begin to show the signs of aging, it’s easy to feel defeated. In this empowering episode, wellness expert Krista Daley shares her insights on how to navigate the midlife transition with strength and strategic adaptation, fostering a resilient mindset that celebrates our capabilities. Krista's journey as a "wellness warrior" began after her brain tumor diagnosis in 2010, while she was raising young children. This experience taught her that we are often str...
Apr 12, 2025•30 min•Ep. 97
Send Jay comments via text Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Julie Voris as we explore the profound and often overlooked transition to empty nesting—a journey that many parents experience but few openly discuss. In a society lacking cultural roadmaps and generational models, this phase can leave parents feeling lost and uncertain about their purpose once their children become independent. Julie shares her personal path of moving from Indiana to Florida while her three daughters embarked ...
Apr 05, 2025•49 min•Ep. 96
Send Jay comments via text What happens when a burnt-out attorney with $200,000 in student loan debt decides to completely transform her life as an empty nester? Join us as Jessica Medina candidly shares her experiences burdened with a staggering average student loan debt of $145,000. She discusses the emotional weight of student loans and why they require special consideration, alongside practical strategies for parents approaching college funding conversations with their children. The conversa...
Mar 29, 2025•39 min•Ep. 95
Send Jay comments via text Join us for an empowering episode with mindset coach Julie Traina as we explore how shifting your perspective can turn empty nest syndrome from a period of loss into one of opportunity and growth. Julie shares her powerful insights on redefining this pivotal life transition and offers practical strategies to embrace the changes that come with it. Key Takeaways & Highlights - The evolution of parenting from “sage on the stage” to “mentor in the center” and ultimatel...
Mar 22, 2025•39 min•Ep. 94
Send Jay comments via text In this insightful episode, we tackle the unique challenges faced by the sandwich generation—those individuals caught in the delicate balancing act of caring for aging parents while supporting adult children launching into independence. Joining us is Michele Magner, founder of Inspired Caring, who reflects on her journey of caregiving and whose experiences led her to create valuable resources for others walking similar paths. She introduces her "three pillars of family...
Mar 15, 2025•40 min•Ep. 93
Send Jay comments via text Join us in this uplifting episode as we explore the transformative journey of empty nesting with our special guest, Jodi Silverman, founder of Moms Who Dare. This vital community is dedicated to supporting mothers as they redefine themselves after their children have left home. Together, we’ll navigate the emotional whirlwind that comes with this life transition and discover how to find joy through intentional changes. Jodi shares her invaluable insights on stepping ou...
Mar 08, 2025•31 min•Ep. 92
Send Jay comments via text Join us for an engaging and transformative episode as we explore the challenges and triumphs of parenting teens while preparing for the empty nest phase. In this captivating conversation, we welcome Jeanine Mouchawar, a seasoned parenting coach, who shares her expertise on fostering genuine connections with our children amidst their growing independence. Jeanine emphasizes the importance of understanding teenagers' emotional undercurrents and offers practical technique...
Mar 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 91
Send Jay comments via text Join us in this enlightening episode as we embark on a profound journey of self-discovery with my guest, Nicoa Dunne from Life by Design and the Coffee with Nicoa podcast. Nicoa shares her courageous transition from feeling unfulfilled in a corporate HR executive role to becoming an Life & Executive Coach, redefining her life on her own terms in her empty nest life. Throughout our conversation, Nicoa reveals her personal story of navigating challenges such as panic...
Feb 22, 2025•41 min•Ep. 90
Send Jay comments via text Feeling a mix of excitement and dread as the holidays approach and your home is emptier than usual? Join me, Jay Ramsden, on a journey through the emotional landscape of empty nesting during this festive season. Together, we'll confront those pangs of sadness and disappointment when our kids choose to celebrate elsewhere, and we'll talk about how important it is to let those feelings surface. But there's a silver lining—by supporting our children's growing independence...
Nov 24, 2024•15 min•Ep. 89
Send Jay comments via text Have you ever thought about what it means to truly be the main character in your own life story? Join me as I guide you through the emotional and transformative journey of stepping into your main character energy as an empty nester. We're exploring the bittersweet transition from being supporting characters in our children's lives to claiming the spotlight in our own narratives. Gain insights on how to prioritize yourself without neglecting your loved ones, and learn f...
Nov 09, 2024•25 min•Ep. 88
Send Jay comments via text What if you could transform the uncertainty of an empty nest into an empowering journey of self-discovery and renewal? In this episode we'll unravel the mysteries of midlife and empty nesting, turning potential feelings of loss into exciting opportunities for growth. Embrace the chance to redefine your life by gaining clarity on your core values, which will serve as a compass in navigating this new chapter. With personal stories and insightful reflection prompts, we'll...
Nov 02, 2024•18 min•Ep. 87
Send Jay comments via text In episode 86 of "This Empty Nest Life," host Jay Ramsden addresses a common yet challenging emotion that many face as their kids leave home: self-doubt. If you've ever questioned your ability to navigate life after parenting, this episode offers the encouragement and tools you need to reclaim your confidence and tackle what's next. Tune in and discover that every step has purpose! Join Jay as he unpacks the feelings of uncertainty and loss that often accompany this li...
Oct 19, 2024•15 min•Ep. 86
Send Jay comments via text Welcome to This Empty Nest Life. I’m Jay Ramsden, The Empty Nest Coach on TikTok and Instagram and this podcast is a reflection of my own journey from looking for positivity during the pandemic, to becoming intentionally curious about what the future held for me, to a show now based on my work coaching empty nesters and mid-lifers. So glad you’ve decided to join me here. Support the show FREE WORKBOOK 3 Steps to Loving Your Empty Nest Life ENJOY THE SHOW? Don’t miss an...
Sep 02, 2024•41 sec
Send Jay comments via text From Raleigh, NC to Massachusetts - a journey marked by change, transition, and rebirth. That's the story I share in this heartfelt episode. Remember the tumultuous feelings that come with significant life changes? I do. I walked that path, grappled with the emotions, and emerged on the other side with a new perspective and a renewed love for life. This episode is for anyone standing on the precipice of a life transition, feeling the storm of emotions, and seeking a wa...
Nov 11, 2023•13 min•Ep. 85
Send Jay comments via text Getting what you want from life really isn’t all that difficult when you make a point of asking yourself “what am I willing to do to get it?” The hard part is actually being willing to try anything and everything to get what you want. Unfortunately, until you are willing to get really uncomfortable in your pursuit of what you want from life, you will have trouble attaining it no matter what you want. In this episode, I share 10 of the foundational pieces of The Success...
Oct 15, 2022•16 min•Ep. 84
Send Jay comments via text Traditionally, the fall tends to be a time for us to express the things we are grateful for in our lives especially as Thanksgiving arrives. My question to you is…is once a year enough to express the things we are grateful for in our lives? Practicing gratitude regularly is the key to a more fulfilling life and a daily gratitude practice is one way to open the door to living a life filled with thankfulness for all you have in your life. Imagine if being grateful for wh...
Oct 08, 2022•13 min•Ep. 83
Send Jay comments via text W ho’s doubting themselves these days? Are you saying me, me, me, me? Doubt pops when you begin to wonder if you are in the right relationship, picked the right career, doing a good job as a parent, or asking yourself if you should leave that organization you’ve been with forever. Doubt has a funny way of creeping into your life at the exact moment you don’t want it to because that it’s job. Doubt wants you to check yourself. Doubt wants to keep you safe. And doubt is ...
Sep 24, 2022•11 min•Ep. 82
Send Jay comments via text When I say that your relationship with yourself is the cornerstone upon which all other relationships in your life are built, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Yep, that’s a no brainer. Of course I have to have a good relationship with myself to have relationships with other people that are solid. And yet, do you? Do you have a solid relationship with yourself mentally, physically, emotionally? What about with money? Or your time? I’m going to go out on a lim...
Sep 17, 2022•20 min•Ep. 81
