In this episode of "Between Over and Next," Holli and Robert candidly share their journey through the empty nest stage of life. The episode serves as a soothing balm for parents grappling with the adjustment of their children leaving home for college, work, or to start their own lives. As a dynamic duo, they peel back the layers of emotions involved in this transition, offering an empathetic narrative that many listeners can relate to.

The hosts reveal their transition into empty nesting, interspersing anecdotes and reflections on their parenting journey. A considerable part of the discussion focuses on maintaining a healthy marital relationship, ensuring personal growth, and the complex interplay between parents and adult children. By exploring the benefits, challenges, and strategies to cope with the empty nest syndrome, the episode is embedded with wisdom, practical advice, and relatable sentiments. This episode is for anyone looking for encouragement and affirming that life holds plenty for them to look forward to. Holli and Robert's musings will leave you with a renewed perspective, equipped to handle the inevitable changes life throws your way.

In This Episode

0:00 Embracing Life's Transitions as Empty Nesters
4:42 Transitions: College, Home, and City Living
5:12 Navigating the Emotional Journey of Becoming Empty Nesters
9:28 Empty Nesters Reflect on Parental Transitions
12:22 Embracing the Empty Nest Stage in Marriage
16:38 Embracing Life Transitions and Maintaining Parent-Child Connections
22:25 Parenting Reflections and the Empty Nest Experience
24:23 Embracing Life's Next Stage: The Empty Nest Transition
30:18 Exploring Life's Transitions with Holli and Robert

Key Takeaways

• Embrace Transition: Viewing the empty nest stage as an opportunity rather than a loss can lead to personal and spiritual growth.
• Rekindle Relationships: This stage offers couples a chance to reconnect with one another and rediscover shared interests.
• Parental Reflections: Parents often introspect about their parenting effectiveness and their children’s future independence.
• Personal Rediscovery: This stage allows parents to explore new hobbies, education, or career options, leading toward self-discovery.
• Communicative Bonds: Maintaining open communication lines with adult children is vital for a supportive, ongoing relationship.

Holli & Robert Quotes

"Empty nesting is more of a pivot than a final stop. It's a process of shifting one's energy and focus. It's creating a new stage in life."
"If all your life, if everything you've done, if your whole focus has been your children and doting on them and taking care of them, and now, suddenly it's like losing a job, in a sense, you don't have those responsibilities anymore."
"You need to forge a new relationship with yourself and your adult children. Let it be a supportive relationship rather than a controlling one."
"It's a time to learn, to grow, to pursue personal goals."
"Investing in your fulfillment will not only bring you more freedom and joy but also serve as a model for your children."

Related "Between Over & Next" Podcast Episodes and Blog Articles

Blog Article: From Endings to Beginnings: Finding Fulfillment in Life’s Beautiful Transitions
Podcast Episode 4 with Holli & Robert's Adult Children: Celebrating Achievements Of The Parent-Child Journey
Podcast Episode 11: Charting New Territories: Strengthening Relationships Hand in Hand
Podcast Episode 19: Your Next Big Thing: Tips for Exploring, Discovering, and Launching

In this episode of 'Between Over and Next,' co-hosts Holli and Robert delve into the complexities and rewards of navigating personal and professional life as a married couple. They discuss their journey of working closely together for more than three decades, exploring the nuances of maintaining happiness when your spouse is also your business partner. This episode provides a candid look into their own experiences, offering listeners a unique window into the harmonious world they've cultivated.

The couple reflects on the intricate balance of partnership, detailing their strategies to overcome obstacles and achieve success together. Their shared beliefs in communication, trust, and respect have established a strong foundation for their marriage and joint business endeavors. Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of the key aspects that make a professional relationship work, even when mixed with romance.

Key Takeaways

• Working with your spouse professionally requires clear communication, trust, and mutual respect to navigate the mixed dynamics successfully.
• Establishing distinct roles and boundaries within the partnership is crucial to maintaining personal happiness and professional effectiveness.
• Celebrating successes and learning from disagreements are an integral part of growing together in a business partnership.
• Entrepreneurial couples should share a vision and goals but also need to be flexible and willing to pivot when necessary.
• A successful working relationship with your spouse can offer incredible rewards, including a deeper level of understanding and collaboration.

Holli & Robert Quotes

• "Almost 100% of the time when we tell people that we're married and work together, almost 100% of the time, the reaction is, oh, my God, I could never do that." Robert
• "Our compatibility is extraordinary. We are friends, lovers, and business partners." Holli
• "Being an entrepreneur is based on wanting to and being able to be in control of your schedule, your daily schedule, not having someone else dictate that to you." Robert
• "We have each other's best interests at heart." Holli
• "Our personalities are very different... but they're complimentary." Robert

Mentioned In Episode 18

HollI & Robert's About US Page

Holli's Huffington Post Article "All You Need is Love - A Tale Of A Happily Married Couple"

LinkedIn Weekly Newsletter THE PIVOT by Robert Allen

Between Over & Next Episode 4 Featured Guests Lindsey & Alex Ehrlich

Wedding Podcast Network

Wedding Podcast Network YouTube Page

Planet Bride with Henry Roth & Michelle Roth

All My Children 2000 - Mateo and Hayley Wed - Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Live with Kelly & Mark
Regis Farewell Special: Joy Philbin and Daughters
Regis and Kelly Host Chat - March 16, 2001 (time stamp 21:31 = a fun exchange about Kelly's pregnancy with baby #2)

Life is a series of moments strung together, colored by experiences that mark our journey from one milestone to the next. Join hosts Holli and Robert as they celebrate their age and talk fondly of their six decades lived as a testament to their resilience and positivity. They share insights on marriage, parenting, and the value of a strong support system. Spanning topics like career transitions and entrepreneurship, personal growth, and family dynamics, the duo candidly shares the wisdom garnered from their own experiences, shedding light on the trajectory from their youth to the seasoned perspectives they now hold in their sixties. The episode doesn't shy away from discussing the significance of growing older with gratitude, maintaining health, forging and nurturing relationships, and embracing change. This episode of 'Between Over & Next' will inspire listeners to lead a life brimming with joy and fulfillment, irrespective of their age.

• Age is just a number; mindset and embracing every moment are the true determinants of a fulfilling life.
• Investing in personal and professional growth in your twenties lays a strong foundation for the future.
• The thirties and forties are pivotal for balancing family life with personal aspirations and maintaining strong relationships.
• Reflection and reevaluation become more intrinsic in one's fifties, setting the stage for a focused and intentional approach to the coming years.
• Lifelong learning, self-care, and giving back to the community are essential practices for a happy and meaningful life.

"Time seems to move so much faster as you get older."
"Invest in your relationships over and over and over again."
"We are the architect of our happiness."
"I am grateful for the abundance in my life."

In this episode of "Between Over & Next," hosts Holli and Robert sit down with Jill Frechtman to delve into her journey from creating a popular office party snack to becoming the powerhouse behind a nationally admired gourmet brand, Fretzels. The episode promises a blend of personal storytelling, practical advice, and inspiring entrepreneurial insights that are bound to engage listeners from various walks of life.

Known for her innovative approach to marketing and her expertise in branding, Jill articulates the challenges and triumphs of starting and scaling a business, touching on key moments such as receiving overwhelming support and the serendipitous feature on Daily Candy that skyrocketed her sales. She provides a candid look into the evolution of a business, the strategies deployed to thrive in the competitive market, and the bittersweet but necessary decision to close the doors to her venture. As a bonus, listeners will gain an understanding of how personal experiences and professional expertise can pivot to seize new opportunities and guide others.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jill Frechtman shares her story of transitioning from advertising to entrepreneurship, building the Fretzels brand from scratch.
2. Serendipitous opportunities, such as being featured in Daily Candy, can significantly boost a new business.
3. Transitioning a product from direct sales to retail requires a rethinking of packaging, branding, and distribution strategy.
4. The importance of excellent customer service and personal touches in building brand loyalty and standing out in the marketplace.
5. Closing a business can be a complex emotional journey, yet the experience gained is invaluable for future endeavors and mentoring others.

Jill Frechtman Quotes:

“I never invented chocolate-covered pretzels, but nobody was marketing it as a high-end gourmet gift item."
"I just leaned into what I knew and what was available to me when I started."
"Say yes and figure it out later."
"Attention to detail is really important. It's the little things that are important."
"People just want to be seen and heard and understood."
"I certainly knew nothing about the food industry."

About Jill Frechtman

Jill Frechtman is an award-winning entrepreneur turned brand strategist and trusted startup advisor. Her journey from advertising to entrepreneurship embodies the spirit of resilience and reinvention.

Inspired by the acclaim her homemade chocolate pretzels received at an office holiday, Jill launched Fretzels by Jill in 2005 as an online gift business for just $300. Her creative ingenuity propelled Fretzels into a nationally recognized brand, featured on The Today Show and in The Wall Street Journal. Navigating the challenges of the 2008 recession, Jill pivoted to wholesale distribution and secured retail partnerships with Nordstrom, The Fresh Market, and various independent specialty food shops.

Beyond her entrepreneurial success, she played a pivotal role in expanding Chocolate Works, a second-generation chocolate company, into a national franchise. Her roles at organizations like TIGER 21 and Russell Reynolds Associates further honed her branding, marketing, and community engagement expertise.

Today, as a consultant and educator, Jill shares her insights with aspiring food entrepreneurs, teaching brands to stand out and set themselves up for success. She recently co-founded and launched The Aura Project, a community for women leaders navigating a period of personal reinvention due to a career transition.