As empty nesters, we finally have the space to look back and ask: "Who am I now?" Join me as I reflect on lessons learned from my 20s, 30s, and 40s!

Today, I open up about my personal journey through different decades of my life – my 20s, 30s, and 40s – and share the lessons I've learned that resonate deeply with where we are now as empty nesters. I talk about my struggle with people-pleasing in my 20s and the importance of finding my authentic voice. In my 30s, I reflect on being "knee-deep in motherhood" and the realization that I needed to honor my kids for who they were, not who I wanted them to be. My 40s were a time of grappling with control and, unfortunately, letting my relationship with Joel take a back seat. Now, in my 50s, I'm finally finding my voice and leaning into the person I was always meant to be. This episode is about making peace with our past, sharing our wisdom, and deciding how we want to move forward from this point on.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Finding your authentic voice in your 20s

👉 Honoring your kids' true selves

👉 Releasing control as a parent

👉 Prioritizing your marriage in midlife

👉 Embracing your voice in your 50s

👉 Owning your story and the lessons learned

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Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Does it feel like our bodies threw a massive party (that we didn't RSVP to) when our kids went off on their adventures? If you're nodding, feeling lost and cranky, you're in the right place. This episode is for YOU.

I've been eager for this episode because when I started going through "it," I felt confused and alone. One minute you're juggling carpools and college applications, and the next, you're wondering if the thermostat is broken or if you're combusting! Suddenly, our homes are quieter and our roles are shifting. It's a LOT.

That's why I was excited to talk to Dr. Codi Wiener, an OBGYN, to unpack menopause. We discussed why this has been a "hush-hush" topic—spoiler: it's not just about "getting older" or something only "women deal with." Dr. Weiner explained everything from pesky hot flashes and belly fat to the differences between perimenopause and menopause.

We covered important questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), the fears surrounding it, who it's for, and how long one can stay on it. Plus, we discussed testosterone and those controversial pellets. It was an eye-opening and reassuring conversation. Knowing that what we're experiencing is shared by many and there are ways to manage it and feel like ourselves again is empowering. We deserve to thrive in this chapter, not just survive it!

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Why menopause talk is finally emerging now

👉 Decoding perimenopause vs. actual menopause symptoms

👉 Hormone Replacement Therapy: busting myths, knowing facts

👉 Testosterone: understanding its crucial role for women

👉 Pellets vs. other effective hormone therapy options

👉 Navigating intimacy and desire changes during menopause

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Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Ever been completely inspired by someone's story of overcoming adversity? Get ready, because today's guest will amaze you with her resilience and ability to create the life she wants!

Today, I sit with DeAnna, whose life journey has been filled with both challenges and triumphs. We discuss her experiences growing up, including navigating her parents' struggles and becoming a teen mom. DeAnna shares how she found the strength to build a successful career, raise her children, and ultimately, reinvent herself in her 40s. DeAnna's story is a powerful reminder that our circumstances don't define us and that we all have the potential to create a fulfilling life.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 Your circumstances don't define you

👉 Embrace your personal story

👉 Prioritize self-discovery

👉 Be kind to yourself

👉 You can reinvent yourself

👉 Life isn't always linear

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Or on TikTok @stylesbydeeee: https://www.tiktok.com/@stylesbydeeee

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Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Feeling lost now that the kids are gone? You're not alone! Today, I'm tackling your real questions and giving you practical tools to feel grounded and empowered in this next chapter.

Today, I answer listener questions about navigating the empty nest. So many of you are asking about losing their sense of purpose, finding a new identity, balancing involvement with adult children, feeling lost, reconnecting with a spouse, guilt about self-care, and rediscovering oneself. I emphasize that this phase is a beginning, not an end, and encourage you to embrace self-discovery.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 Create a "curiosity calendar" to find new passions

👉 Shift from manager to mentor with adult kids

👉 Use the "Paired" app to spark conversations with your partner

👉 Prioritize small acts of self-care daily

👉 Reframe feeling "stuck" as an opportunity for self-discovery

👉 Don't wait until the kids are gone to enrich your life

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Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Do you ever look at other people and wonder why your life feels so much harder? I'm here to tell you a secret: no one has it all together, not even me. Today, I get vulnerable and share some of my own personal struggles, revealing that even as a life coach, I'm still navigating the ups and downs of life. I talk about my battles with unreasonable worry, the need to give myself permission to shut down, and the importance of slowing down and being present.

I also discuss the challenges of redefining my identity beyond motherhood and the ongoing work my husband and I are doing to strengthen our relationship. It's a candid and honest look at the reality that everyone faces difficulties, and it's okay to not have all the answers. My goal is to create a sense of community and normalize the messy parts of life, especially during the empty nest transition.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 No one has it all figured out

👉 Give yourself permission to feel

👉 Don't stay stuck in difficult times

👉 Slow down and be present

👉 You are not alone in your struggles

👉 Embrace the journey of learning and growing

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Have you ever felt completely blindsided by someone you trusted, leaving you questioning everything? Let's talk about betrayal, why it hurts so deeply, and how we can heal. Today, I speak with Dr. Debi Silber, the founder of the Post Betrayal Transformation Institute, about the complex issue of betrayal. We discuss what betrayal is, why it's so painful, and how it can manifest in different relationships, particularly in the context of empty nesting.

Dr. Debi shares her expertise on post-betrayal syndrome and the common symptoms that arise after betrayal. She emphasizes that healing from betrayal is possible, although it requires a different approach than healing from other types of trauma. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone who has experienced betrayal, whether from a partner, family member, or even themselves, and provides a pathway toward healing and rebuilding trust.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 The deep impact of betrayal

👉 Betrayal as a distinct form of trauma

👉 Post-Betrayal Syndrome and its symptoms

👉 The role of self-betrayal in the healing process

👉 How to rebuild trust after it's been broken

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Find out more about Dr Debi and the PBT Institute

Get a great deal at Frasier Sterling using my code EMPTYNESTER20

Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Has life ever thrown you a curveball that forced you to completely reinvent yourself? This episode is all about embracing change and discovering hidden strengths even after you’re kids have left the nest.

Today, I talk with Elle Hart, a strengths consultant and self-intelligence coach, about her inspiring journey. Elle shares her experiences as a stay-at-home mom, the unexpected turn her life took with a divorce as her youngest son was preparing to launch, and her courageous move to California to start a new chapter.

We dive into Elle's work on self-intelligence and discuss her Self-Intelligence Cards, a unique tool for fostering self-discovery, as well as her “Feel Empowered Every Day” program. Elle's story is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of significant life changes, we can uncover hidden strengths and create a fulfilling life.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 Embrace change as an opportunity

👉 Discover your hidden strengths

👉 Practice self-intelligence daily

👉 Parenting skills are transferable

👉 You can reinvent yourself at any age

👉 Focus on self-empowerment

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Find out more about Elle and Feel Empowered Every Day

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Is empty nesting getting a bad rap? Today on Life After Launch, we’re exploring why this phase is so underrated and how to navigate its unique challenges and opportunities.

Today, I chat with Anthony Damaschino, an author and expert on all things empty nesting. We explore why empty nesting isn't discussed enough as its own distinct life stage and the surprising statistics around things like divorce in this phase. Anthony shares his personal experiences and the research that led him to write two books on the topic.

We delve into the "empty nest threat," which Anthony breaks down into the four D's: depression, disownment, divorce, and drift. It's a sobering look at the potential pitfalls, but we also discuss how awareness and proactive steps can make this a time of reinvention and growth.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 Acknowledging empty nesting as a unique phase

👉 Be aware of potential challenges

👉 Reinvest in your relationship

👉 Single parents: prioritize self-care

👉 It's never too late to reinvent yourself

👉 Community support is essential

Find out more about Anthony and grab a copy of his book, The Empty Nest Blueprint

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