Using business ideas for a personal relationship. It sounds unusual at first, but Dr. Robin Buckley makes it feel surprisingly natural.

She talks about relationships in a way that feels clear and doable without losing the heart of it. She takes ideas most of us only ever use in business and shows how they can actually make home life easier… especially when you’re in the empty nest stage and trying to stay connected as a couple.

She walks through mission statements, roles, and check-ins in a way that never feels rigid. It just feels practical.

A lot of empty nesters are dealing with boomerang kids right now. Dr. Robin talks honestly about how a little structure can keep everyone from slipping back into old patterns… and how clear expectations can make that season feel healthier for both parents and adult children. It’s a simple approach that brings more calm into the house during a time that can get overwhelming fast.

If you like what she has to say, her book lays out that exact framework in a really simple way:
Marriage Inc: The Boardroom Blueprint to a Lasting Love (affiliate link)
https://amzn.to/3M1c4S8

Find Dr. Robin Buckley:
Instagram and TikTok: drrobinbuckley
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-robin-buckley/
Coaching website: https://drrobinbuckley.com/

CHATPERS

0:00 Intro
1:17 Why love needs more than hope
4:32 Mission statements for relationships
7:45 Can structure protect romance
9:58 Coaching vs therapy
12:40 Helping adult kids without overstepping
14:48 The boomerang child conversation
17:25 Keeping your marriage intact with grown kids at home
19:43 Launching kids after a boomerang season
21:46 How Dr. Robin’s kids reacted to structure
25:49 Why she wrote Marriage Inc
27:42 Where to find Dr. Robin

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Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet. Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
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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).

For a lot of families, Thanksgiving week feels like it should be a given… everyone comes home, the same sides hit the table, the Cowboys disappoint us again. But for some parents of college kids, that mid-November homecoming doesn’t happen.

In this episode, Rick and Clancy talk about what it’s like when your student can’t make it home for Thanksgiving and how to stay connected across the miles. From sending care packages and shared movie nights to adjusting family traditions (and expectations), they share real ways to keep the holiday spirit intact… even if the table feels a little emptier this year.

🧺 Care packages mentioned in this episode (Amazon affiliate links):

• Large Variety Snack, Candy & Treats for College Students – https://amzn.to/47DFQDL

• Frito-Lay Ultimate Snack Care Package – https://amzn.to/4nL5SLf

• Snack Box Healthy Care Package (35 Count) – https://amzn.to/4oLyYfb

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
1:00 Why some college kids can’t come home
2:50 When Thanksgiving travel just isn’t possible
4:00 Taking Thanksgiving to your kids
5:00 Care package ideas that actually land
6:10 Movies, music, and shared traditions from afar
7:20 The “football connection”
8:00 Sending love through food
9:30 Loosening your grip on tradition
11:00 Handling emotions on both sides
13:40 Inviting local students to your table
15:00 Using FaceTime and Zoom to stay close
16:30 Celebrating Thanksgiving on a different day
18:15 Sharing ideas in The Loud Quiet community
19:45 Final reflections: be gentle with yourself and your student

👋 Share how you’ve handled holidays apart in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet
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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).

This episode is a little different... it’s a two-parter.

We recorded the first half before leaving for our empty nest getaway to Mexico, talking through what we hoped for (and what we worried might happen).

Then, after the trip, we sat back down to see if those expectations actually matched reality.

From pre-trip nerves and some lighthearted talk about “resort romance” to real reflections on unplugging from work and finding connection again, this one’s both honest and funny. We also share how maturity changes what connection looks like... and why a slower trip might be exactly what your marriage needs right now.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a short trip can really bring you closer or just remind you that you’ve grown up a lot together, this episode’s for you.

👋 Share your favorite empty nest couple trip or where we should go next in our community:
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📬 Get our free Empty Nester Travel Tips & Gear Guide when you sign up for The Loud Quiet newsletter. It’s full of the travel hacks and favorites we actually use on our own trips:
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🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:
https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro and why we needed this trip
1:45 Before the trip, setting expectations
4:00 What we’re looking forward to (and what could go wrong)
7:20 “Resort romance” and real connection
10:10 Managing expectations as a mature couple
14:45 Transition, after the trip
16:30 Did it meet our expectations
19:20 Unplugging from work and turning off notifications
22:00 Reconnecting as a couple
26:30 The social side of all-adult resorts
29:40 Small moments that build connection
31:10 Lessons learned and travel tips for empty nesters
34:45 What’s next, maybe a cold-weather trip
35:40 Wrap-up and listener question

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).