March is full in a different way when you’re in the empty nest.

Rick and Clancy talk about birthdays that don’t carry the same weight, even while they still show up for their kids in bigger ways. That shift leads into a wider conversation about how life looks now... less centered on events, more on everyday rhythms.

They also revisit spring break and travel... what they did then versus what they’re comfortable with now as parents of young adults. A recent trip to Austin brings that into real time, along with how awareness and perspective have changed.

There’s also the usual March mix... St. Patrick’s Day, memories of March 2020, and how certain dates stick.

And in the middle of all of it... March Madness, which still manages to take over the calendar.

📖 Our book is here! The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest.Get your copy: https://amzn.to/4rpo7rA (Amazon affiliate link)

If birthdays, travel, or even this time of year feels different in your empty nest, add your take to the conversation ...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:
https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS

00:00 March feels full already
02:00 Birthdays in the empty nest
04:30 Not wanting the spotlight
07:00 Spring break then vs now
10:30 March 2020 memories
12:15 St. Patrick’s Day changes
15:00 Travel stories and risk
18:00 Austin trip and reaction
21:30 March Madness takes over

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

Rick and Clancy talk about a different side of the sandwich generation.Not caregiving… life events.More funerals connected to parents and their friends.More celebrations connected to adult children.The conversation started after Clancy arrived at happy hour straight from a funeral for one of her mom’s close friends. It sparked a discussion about how empty nesters often find themselves moving between those two worlds.One part of life is filled with weddings, trips, and milestones with the younger generation. The other includes supporting parents as their circle of friends begins to shrink.Rick and Clancy also talk about how celebrations have changed over time. Bachelor parties are now trips. Proposals have become productions. Even high school dances involve elaborate “promposals.”They also look back at their own engagement story, when Rick surprised Clancy with a trip that led to a proposal in Costa Rica.Toward the end of the episode, Rick shares one simple piece of advice for supporting someone who has lost a parent. Acknowledge the loss… and when the time is right, invite them to share stories about the person they lost.📖 Our book is here! The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest. Get your copy at https://amzn.to/4rpo7rAChapters00:00 Funeral Clothes at Happy Hour02:30 The Life Events Sandwich Generation05:30 Supporting Parents Through Loss08:00 Lunch With Tanner11:20 Storytelling at Celebrations of Life13:20 Destination Bachelor Parties and Weddings16:00 Big Proposal Culture20:10 What to Say to Someone GrievingIf this season of life feels familiar, join the conversation in the community.https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:https://www.theloudquiet.comWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

At 49, Tracy Smith booked a trip to Ireland with friends. Then she changed the flight. Then she changed it again. What began as a group vacation slowly turned into arriving in Iceland alone… with no clear plan home.

In this episode, Tracy talks about how travel became the vehicle for reclaiming parts of herself she had set aside during years of parenting and managing daily life. The shifts were not dramatic. They started small. Taking a new job. Going to dinner instead of cooking. Letting her son walk home from school. Saying yes to herself in ways she had not before.

She also reflects on something unexpected. At home, she often felt invisible in the routines of everyday life. Abroad, even as a stranger, she felt seen. That difference changed how she approached connection, belonging, and identity.

Her memoir, The Purpose of Getting Lost, explores that evolution. In this conversation, she shares how solo travel reshaped her confidence, her relationships with her kids, and her understanding of what it means to choose yourself in midlife.

Connect with Tracy:

Substack:
https://tracytravelseverywhere.substack.com/

Website:
https://tracysmithauthor.com/

Book – The Purpose of Getting Lost (Amazon affiliate link):
https://amzn.to/4shPDIe

CHATPERS

00:00 Rewriting Your Story
02:30 The Trip That Kept Changing
05:26 Realizing She Had Changed
08:11 The Pre–Empty Nest Shift
12:37 Fitting In vs Belonging
16:22 From Tour Guide to Wedding Guest
21:08 Building Connection After the Kids Leave
24:53 Learning to Say Yes to Yourself
26:45 What Her Kids Think
29:06 Where to Find Tracy

👋 If you’re figuring out who you are outside of the parenting role, this conversation continues inside the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:
https://www.theloudquiet.com

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

Chapters