Today, we're bringing back one of our favorite conversations in this Greatest Hits replay of The Loud Quiet. (Originally E23 January 2024)

In this episode, we go through five thoughtful questions aimed at empty nesters — a chance to check in with each other, reflect on this phase of life, and think about what’s next.

We cover topics like:

How we’re navigating marriage now that the nest is empty

• New adventures we want to take (hello, Maldives and Greece)
• How intimacy shifts after kids leave
• The hobbies we’re excited to explore
• What a perfect retired day could look like

• 
  

This was a fun and honest conversation, sparked by a list of questions geared specifically for empty nest couples.

It’s a great episode to listen to with your own partner — or just to think about your own next chapter.

Stick around at the end for a "text from Teagan" moment too!

Empty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Hf9LJkmdU/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome and Headphone Mayhem

01:40 Why We’re Doing a 5-Question Empty Nest Check-In

04:00 Dream Travel Destinations Without the Kids

07:00 What We Need from Each Other at This Stage

11:00 How We Want Our Intimacy and Sex Life to Grow

16:00 New Hobbies We’d Like to Try

20:00 What a Perfect Retirement Day Looks Like

27:00 Final Thoughts on Staying Connected

29:00 Text from Teagan and Episode Wrap-Up

#relationships

#marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting

Today’s episode is a little different here on The Loud Quiet.

Instead of hosting, we’re guests!

We joined Lynn Smargis on her podcast Caring for Your Aging Parents to share our family’s journey through Alzheimer's and caregiving.

In this conversation, we talk about:

How we first noticed the early signs of dementia in Rick’s mom.

The difficult realities of caregiving from afar, especially during COVID.

What it was like to face Capgras syndrome and the emotional toll it took on the family.

How we worked together with Rick’s stepfather to make the hard decision to move his mom into memory care.

What we learned about hospice, long-term care planning, and supporting each other along the way.

This is an unedited replay of that episode, and we’re grateful to Lynn for the opportunity to share this story — one we know many empty nesters are starting to walk through themselves.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

02:00 First Signs of Alzheimer's in Rick’s Mom

06:30 Confirming the Diagnosis and Building a Care Team

11:00 Facing Capgras Syndrome and Caregiving Challenges

16:00 Supporting the Primary Caregiver from Afar

20:30 Deciding It Was Time for Memory Care

24:00 Moving into Memory Care: How We Handled the Transition

28:00 Hospice Care: What We Wish More People Knew

33:00 Advice for Families Starting This Journey

35:00 About The Loud Quiet and Final Reflections

Follow "Caring for Your Aging Parents" - https://www.youtube.com/@CaringforYourAgingParent-pl9qwEmpty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Hf9LJkmdU/

#relationships

#marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting

We are back from our Mission Trip.

Rick and Clancy talk about what their expectations were and what they took away from their experiences.

Listen to what surprised us and how we plan on implementing some of the things we learned.

Casas por Cristo - https://casasporcristo.org

Empty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Hf9LJkmdU/

CHAPTERS

0:00 - Back from mission trip and settling back in

2:48 - Pre-trip nerves and physical/emotional concerns

6:58 - Group dynamics and fitting in with the team

9:02 - Emotional expectations and post-trip guilt

12:35 - Feeling humbled vs. pride in what was built

16:32 - Community spirit on the trip and local help

19:33 - Reactions from the family and village

22:43 - Culture shock and differences in daily life

23:55 - New awareness and personal takeaways

27:22 - Are mission trips worth the cost?

29:33 - Letting go of the noise back home

30:29 - Rebuilding community after returning home

32:06 - Staying grounded after re-entering normal life

#relationships #marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting