Ever looked around and felt like your child's launch doesn't fit the "typical" path? What if their dream doesn't involve a dorm or a degree? Today, we're redefining what a successful launch truly looks like.

Many of you have asked me: What happens when your child's launch doesn't follow the straight-to-college path? We often hear about the "one-dimensional path": high school, college, job, independence. But the truth is, launch is rarely a straight line, and it definitely doesn't always include a degree. As parents, it's vital that we stop measuring our worth, or our children's, by whether they took this "expected" path. Today, I’ll share how to support your child without judgment, how to set expectations if they return home, and, most importantly, how to celebrate their unique successes, big or small. This episode is all about letting go of your plan and allowing them to create their own dream.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Challenging the "traditional" launch narrative

👉 Celebrating success beyond a college degree

👉 Supporting your child without judgment

👉 Setting clear expectations for boomerang kids

👉 Watching for progress, not perfection

👉 Celebrating your child's "little wins"

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

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

The countdown to college drop-off has begun, and with it, all the questions: "Did I do enough? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" Today, we're giving you a game plan for their first year away!

Joining me today is my incredible friend and empowerment coach, Sunni Markowitz, to tackle the big anxieties parents face when their kids head off to college. We discuss setting realistic expectations for freshman year, emphasizing that true success involves building community, managing work-life balance, and learning from "healthy mistakes". Sunni shares invaluable advice on shifting from managing to mentoring our young adults and encouraging them to find their own solutions. We also discuss how to navigate homesickness with empathy and practical tools like journaling. A key takeaway is the importance of having open conversations before drop-off about communication boundaries, handling money, and accessing on-campus resources. This episode is all about letting go with courage and trust, understanding that college is a journey of growth for both our kids and us, and remembering that leaning in doesn't mean disappearing.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Defining freshman year success realistically

👉 Shifting from parent to mentor

👉 Encouraging community building and connection

👉 Navigating homesickness with practical tools

👉 Teaching financial responsibility and boundaries

👉 Healthy vs. hurtful parental support

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Discover more about Sunni and what she offers at Brighter U Coaching.

Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

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

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Just when you were getting used to the quiet house and your newfound freedom, they're back! Are you ready for the beautiful, messy, and totally unexpected reality of having your college kids home for the summer?

If you’re like me, these next months, you’re diving into a major plot twist in your empty nester journey, the summer return of our college kids. I know that feeling of pure excitement, stocking the fridge with all their favorites and counting down the minutes until they walk through the door.

But then, reality sets in, right? For us, it started with curfews and quickly became clear that the kids we dropped off last fall weren't the same ones who came back. They’ve tasted independence, and we've gotten used to our quiet evenings and clean kitchens. Suddenly, we’re navigating messy bathrooms, endless laundry, and conversations that sound a lot like, "I'm 18, I can do what I want!". It’s a huge adjustment for everyone, and if we’re not careful, it can lead to some really tough moments and hurt feelings.

In this episode, I discuss my family’s struggles and the lessons I've learned from my kids and their friends. It’s not just about rules; it’s about shifting identities for everyone. We must honor the new people our kids are becoming while respecting our new lives. Needing your space isn’t selfish… It's just reality.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 The "honeymoon phase" of kids returning home

👉 Navigating the inevitable clash over rules and freedom

👉 Understanding your college kid's perspective on returning

👉 The pros and cons kids experience at home

👉 Shifting identities for both parents and kids

👉 Adjusting to a new, shared-space reality

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Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

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

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

As empty nesters, we finally have the space to look back and ask: "Who am I now?" Join me as I reflect on lessons learned from my 20s, 30s, and 40s!

Today, I open up about my personal journey through different decades of my life – my 20s, 30s, and 40s – and share the lessons I've learned that resonate deeply with where we are now as empty nesters. I talk about my struggle with people-pleasing in my 20s and the importance of finding my authentic voice. In my 30s, I reflect on being "knee-deep in motherhood" and the realization that I needed to honor my kids for who they were, not who I wanted them to be. My 40s were a time of grappling with control and, unfortunately, letting my relationship with Joel take a back seat. Now, in my 50s, I'm finally finding my voice and leaning into the person I was always meant to be. This episode is about making peace with our past, sharing our wisdom, and deciding how we want to move forward from this point on.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Finding your authentic voice in your 20s

👉 Honoring your kids' true selves

👉 Releasing control as a parent

👉 Prioritizing your marriage in midlife

👉 Embracing your voice in your 50s

👉 Owning your story and the lessons learned

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Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

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

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Does it feel like our bodies threw a massive party (that we didn't RSVP to) when our kids went off on their adventures? If you're nodding, feeling lost and cranky, you're in the right place. This episode is for YOU.

I've been eager for this episode because when I started going through "it," I felt confused and alone. One minute you're juggling carpools and college applications, and the next, you're wondering if the thermostat is broken or if you're combusting! Suddenly, our homes are quieter and our roles are shifting. It's a LOT.

That's why I was excited to talk to Dr. Codi Wiener, an OBGYN, to unpack menopause. We discussed why this has been a "hush-hush" topic—spoiler: it's not just about "getting older" or something only "women deal with." Dr. Weiner explained everything from pesky hot flashes and belly fat to the differences between perimenopause and menopause.

We covered important questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), the fears surrounding it, who it's for, and how long one can stay on it. Plus, we discussed testosterone and those controversial pellets. It was an eye-opening and reassuring conversation. Knowing that what we're experiencing is shared by many and there are ways to manage it and feel like ourselves again is empowering. We deserve to thrive in this chapter, not just survive it!

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Why menopause talk is finally emerging now

👉 Decoding perimenopause vs. actual menopause symptoms

👉 Hormone Replacement Therapy: busting myths, knowing facts

👉 Testosterone: understanding its crucial role for women

👉 Pellets vs. other effective hormone therapy options

👉 Navigating intimacy and desire changes during menopause

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Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

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

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Ever been completely inspired by someone's story of overcoming adversity? Get ready, because today's guest will amaze you with her resilience and ability to create the life she wants!

Today, I sit with DeAnna, whose life journey has been filled with both challenges and triumphs. We discuss her experiences growing up, including navigating her parents' struggles and becoming a teen mom. DeAnna shares how she found the strength to build a successful career, raise her children, and ultimately, reinvent herself in her 40s. DeAnna's story is a powerful reminder that our circumstances don't define us and that we all have the potential to create a fulfilling life.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 Your circumstances don't define you

👉 Embrace your personal story

👉 Prioritize self-discovery

👉 Be kind to yourself

👉 You can reinvent yourself

👉 Life isn't always linear

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Follow DeAnna on Instagram @stylesbydee: https://www.instagram.com/stylesbyydee/

Or on TikTok @stylesbydeeee: https://www.tiktok.com/@stylesbydeeee

Get a great deal at Frasier Sterling using my code EMPTYNESTER20

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

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Feeling lost now that the kids are gone? You're not alone! Today, I'm tackling your real questions and giving you practical tools to feel grounded and empowered in this next chapter.

Today, I answer listener questions about navigating the empty nest. So many of you are asking about losing their sense of purpose, finding a new identity, balancing involvement with adult children, feeling lost, reconnecting with a spouse, guilt about self-care, and rediscovering oneself. I emphasize that this phase is a beginning, not an end, and encourage you to embrace self-discovery.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 Create a "curiosity calendar" to find new passions

👉 Shift from manager to mentor with adult kids

👉 Use the "Paired" app to spark conversations with your partner

👉 Prioritize small acts of self-care daily

👉 Reframe feeling "stuck" as an opportunity for self-discovery

👉 Don't wait until the kids are gone to enrich your life

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Get a great deal at Frasier Sterling using my code EMPTYNESTER20

Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Do you ever look at other people and wonder why your life feels so much harder? I'm here to tell you a secret: no one has it all together, not even me. Today, I get vulnerable and share some of my own personal struggles, revealing that even as a life coach, I'm still navigating the ups and downs of life. I talk about my battles with unreasonable worry, the need to give myself permission to shut down, and the importance of slowing down and being present.

I also discuss the challenges of redefining my identity beyond motherhood and the ongoing work my husband and I are doing to strengthen our relationship. It's a candid and honest look at the reality that everyone faces difficulties, and it's okay to not have all the answers. My goal is to create a sense of community and normalize the messy parts of life, especially during the empty nest transition.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

👉 No one has it all figured out

👉 Give yourself permission to feel

👉 Don't stay stuck in difficult times

👉 Slow down and be present

👉 You are not alone in your struggles

👉 Embrace the journey of learning and growing

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Get a great deal at Frasier Sterling using my code EMPTYNESTER20

Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com