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

Rick and Clancy are headed out of the country for a mission trip. What are they nervous about? What are they excited about? Hear their thoughts and tune in next week for the recap.

Coming to you from the road in Arizona. Are you feeling overwhelmed?

Clancy and Rick talk about trying to keep their heads above water as they have so many irons in different fires.

What can they change as they approach new opportunities? Listen to find out.

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 - Road trip to Teagan's birthday and feeling overwhelmed

2:48 - Clancy’s breaking point and struggles with balancing life

6:40 - Signs of burnout and doing too much in the empty nest

8:18 - Saying yes too often in the empty nest

10:34 - Tangled priorities and the search for clarity in the empty nest

13:43 - Coping strategies for stress and overwhelm

15:53 - Learning to say no and refocus priorities

#relationships

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

Rick is headed to his college reunion and Clancy stays behind. Hear the perspectives of each one …what is Rick thinking before he goes and a recap when he gets back.

Did Clancy have FOMO? Listen and find out.

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 Rick's Anticipation of Duke 30th Reunion

1:30 Nostalgia and Excitement about College Friends

3:45 Campus Memories and Changing Perspectives

5:30 Disappointment about Clancy Not Attending

7:20 Insecurities and Personal Growth Reflections

9:07 Clancy's FOMO, Jomo, and Romo Perspective

18:44 Rick's Post-Reunion Experience and Reflections

#jomo #fomo #romo

#relationships

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

Are you taking a spring break or spring vacation? Clancy and Rick reminisce on their past spring breaks and how they are enjoying the non travel parameters of empty nest travel.

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 Is Your Spring Break Mode On, Off, or Paused?

1:11 Childhood Spring Breaks: Road Trips & Ski Trips

3:39 Church Ski Trips & Teenage Freedom

7:11 College Spring Break: Party Mode vs. Travel Planning

8:52 Family Spring Breaks: From Theme Parks to Ski Trips

12:40 How Empty Nesters Travel Differently

16:26 Why Empty Nest Travel is Cheaper & Easier

19:03 The Unexpected Joy of a Laid-Back Spring Break

21:12 Do Grandparents Get Invited on Spring Break?

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

Rick and Clancy get real and raw in this episode about interruptions in life.

Last minute changes can cause hurt feelings and struggles with communication.

How do you handle the unexpected things that life throws at you?

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/1Hf9LJkmdUCHAPTERS

CHAPTERS

0:00 Sharing Emotional Pain in the Empty Nest

0:06 The Weight of Disruptions & Unexpected Changes

2:07 A Difficult Decision: Changing Plans for Family

4:09 A Last-Minute Trip to See Nana

6:29 Clancy’s Honest Feelings About the Situation

8:44 When Caregiving & Loss Take Over Your Life

10:17 The Emotional Complexity of Birthdays & Grief

14:48 Facing the Reality of Losing a Family Matriarch

17:07 Hospice Care & The Final Stages of Life

18:10 Preparing for the Inevitable & Family Dynamics

19:41 Finding Support in the Empty Nest Community

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