In this episode, I share my own experience with empty nest loneliness, how it impacted my relationship, and the small but powerful steps I took to reconnect with myself and rebuild my self identity. We talk about how shame can keep us stuck, why pretending everything is fine only deepens the disconnection, and the moment I decided to face the truth out loud.

I open up about the role therapy played in helping me unravel years of overgiving, how honest conversations brought my husband and I closer, and why reaching out to old friends became a lifeline. You’ll hear how I shifted from feeling invisible to creating meaningful connections in both my marriage and everyday life.

Here’s what we unpacked:

• Why empty nest life can trigger unexpected signs of loneliness
• How to recognize emotional distance in relationships before it grows
• Practical ways to rediscover yourself after years of prioritizing everyone else
• The first step to relationship renewal in a long-term marriage
• Why naming your feelings is the starting point for coping with change
• How to take one small, intentional step toward connection every day
• Ways to rebuild a deeper emotional connection with your partner
• The importance of seeking community and not waiting for someone else to “rescue” you

If you’re in the season of redefining who you are after the kids have left, this conversation offers grounded support, honest reflection, and actionable steps to help you feel seen again — in your marriage, in your relationships, and most importantly, in yourself.

Here’s to finding your way back to you, one honest step at a time.

Allison

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

Connect with me:

Website: https://www.lifecoachallisongoldberg.com

Email: navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

In this episode, I sit down with my soon-to-be son-in-law Adam to talk about what it really felt like to leave home and head to college. He looked ready on the outside but inside, he was figuring out how to stay grounded while everything around him was changing.

If you’ve been looking for parenting advice that’s honest and rooted in real experience with talking to teens, this episode is for you. We talk about real examples, awkward moments, and the quiet things boys often don’t express.

Here’s what we unpacked:

• How to offer steady emotional support during your son’s college journey
• Practical parenting tips for guiding teens through big decisions
• The importance of family communication when your child pulls away
• How to approach talking to teens who don’t share much
• Why healthy setting boundaries helps both parents and kids feel safe
• Real ways to support the transition to adulthood without micromanaging
• How to stay connected while navigating change as you parent adult children
• What sons often feel but rarely say when leaving home
• How to navigate early life transitions with empathy and confidence
• Simple tips for long-distance parenting that actually work
• What every parent needs to hear about understanding teenagers

Whether you’re weeks away from college drop-off or already a year into the launch, this episode is filled with honest reflections and real tools to help you show up with love, presence, and calm confidence.

Here’s to trusting their journey while staying rooted in love,

Allison

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

Connect with me: Website: https://www.lifecoachallisongoldberg.com

Email: navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Do you ever feel like no one warned you how hard it would be once the kids left home? Have you found yourself wondering what’s left for you now? Are you exhausted trying to hold it together as a single mom while everything around you feels like it’s unraveling?

In this episode, Kelly shares what it’s really like to rebuild self-worth after heartbreak, raise kids alone, and face life after divorce with no guidebook. We talk about how ignoring relationship red flags led to more pain, and how the real work starts when we choose to stop abandoning ourselves.

Kelly opens up about dealing with emotional burnout, the power of journaling for healing, and how fitness and self-awareness helped her through intense lows. You’ll also hear why choosing yourself is not selfish, how community support changed everything.

Here’s what we unpacked:

• Why being an empty nester can feel more like grief than freedom
• How to spot early relationship red flags and trust your gut
• How to rebuild self-worth when everything feels like it’s falling apart
• What setting boundaries looks like when you’re used to overgiving
• How journaling for healing or voice notes can release stored emotions
• Ways to prevent or recognize signs of emotional burnout
• Why fitness can be a reliable outlet for emotional healing
• How starting or joining a small group for community support can help you feel seen

If you’re in the thick of redefining who you are after the kids have left, this episode offers grounded support, relatable truths, and real steps to help you move forward with clarity, strength, and a deeper sense of self.

Here’s to honoring your growth while learning to choose yourself,

Allison

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

Connect with me:

Website: https://www.lifecoachallisongoldberg.com

Email: navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com