We slow down to notice how seasonal change lands in the body and mind, then use breath, posture, and simple journal prompts to turn fall from a stressor into a source of intention. A short, guided practice helps you ground, listen, and choose how you want autumn to feel.

• normalising sensitivity to seasonal changes
• posture setup for grounding and stability
• rib-directed breathing and heart awareness
• free-writing on what fall brings up
• envisioning an ideal fall day and feelings
• present-moment body and mood check
• closing with self-kindness and gratitude

"Let this simmer in your journal or in the notes section of your phone, and we'll be back for part two very soon"

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer

We talk with our dear friend Gladys Autry about using books and audiobooks to bring warmth, connection, and joy back into a quieter home. We share narrator tips, light starter picks, and how fiction can make this stage of life feel less lonely while giving you energy to pursue what’s next.

• why audiobooks can soften an empty house and build a reading habit
• narrator and multi-cast tips, with Julia Whelan as a go‑to
• the value of fiction for empathy, imagination and rest
• light, engaging recommendations to restart reading
• time‑split stories and sense of place as “literary travel”
• women authors who write women well versus heavier historical reads
• setting boundaries with thrillers and sleep
• memoirs like Ina Garten’s as models for brave pivots
• parenting adult kids with support instead of control
• practical ways to choose better books and track your reading

You can find Gladys at gladys.autry on Instagram and on The StoryGraph as “glads.” Follow her there to see her top picks! She would love to know what you’re reading!

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer

Ever caught yourself frantically trying to teach your teen everything before they leave home? That panic isn't helping either of you.

Healing specialist Liz McNulty joins Melynda for an illuminating conversation about the subtle ways our fears manifest in parenting—and how to shift toward something more powerful. Through personal stories and professional insights, they explore the paradox at the heart of effective parenting: when we focus on our own alignment rather than controlling our children's experiences, everyone benefits.

"When I was being the fixer," Liz explains, "it's because ego-wise I wanted to be seen as someone who helped. That has a shelf life. It burns me out and doesn't create lasting change for the client or the child." This wisdom applies equally to parenting and healing work. The alternative? Radiating our authentic presence and trusting others' capacity to grow.

The conversation weaves through powerful examples—like when Melynda let her young daughter witness her setting a boundary with an angry client, providing a model of self-respect that lectures never could. Or the moment Liz caught herself mid-argument with her teenage daughter, recognizing she was projecting her own fears rather than respecting her daughter's wisdom about what she needed.

Their insights offer liberation for parents approaching the empty nest phase. Rather than obsessing over what you haven't taught your almost-adult children, consider what they're learning from how you embody self-trust, boundary-setting, and authentic living. Your example speaks volumes more than your instructions ever could.

Ready to shift from fear-based parenting to something more powerful? Listen now, and discover why your radiance might be the greatest gift you can offer your children as they prepare to leave home.

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer

Ever looked at someone's social media and felt your life didn't measure up, only to discover later they're struggling just like everyone else? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation, we dive deep into the world of social comparison and how it's specifically affecting women in midlife.

The statistics point to why we are more anxious than we have ever been—the average woman spends 3-4 hours daily on her phone (that's a full day each week!). Midlife women have experienced a 50% increase in anxiety and depression since 2020.

Social media has evolved from occasional photo album browsing into 24/7 access to carefully curated versions of others' lives, creating a constant comparison trap that's nearly impossible to escape.

We share personal stories about our own struggles with screen time, including one hilarious anecdote about unconscious scrolling during sleep that perfectly illustrates how hardwired these behaviors have become. The dopamine hits we receive while scrolling create addictive patterns that keep us reaching for our phones first thing in the morning and last thing at night, often without realizing how it's affecting our mental health.

The key question we challenge you to ask yourself: "Am I using social media, or is social media using me?" Breaking these patterns requires awareness and intentional action—checking your screen time statistics, setting limits, and finding meaningful activities to replace mindless scrolling. Instead of just consuming inspirational content, what if you actually did one thing you saw online today?

Ready to reclaim your time and mental wellbeing? Join us as we explore practical strategies for healthier social media habits and remember that what we see online is just a tiny glimpse through a peephole—not the full, beautiful, messy reality of someone's life. Your relationship with your phone might be the most important one to examine right now.

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer

We explore how empty nesters can harness the "back to school" energy and create their own seasonal reset, even when the school calendar no longer dictates their lives.

• The importance of creating your own renewal traditions when you enter the empty nest years
• Small ways to mark new seasons: journal purchases, haircuts, home rearrangements
• Why today can be your "new year" instead of waiting for January 1st
• Making goals attainable rather than overwhelming
• Finding unexpected passions: birdwatching, gardening, cooking
• How preparing food at home connects to health and inflammation management
• The power of mindset in shaping your empty nest experience
• Trying new things without self-judgment or fear of failure
• Creating seasonal rhythms to give structure and excitement to your days

Whatever new activity or reset you decide to try, let us know! Tag us on social media and inspire others to begin their own new chapter.

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer

Parenting adult children demands a radical shift from directing every aspect of their lives to becoming their mentors, friends, and encouragers. This transformation challenges us to manage our own anxieties while supporting our children's increasingly independent decisions—whether they're studying abroad or moving across the country.

The transition creates space for personal growth and renewal. When our daily responsibilities shift, we can finally pursue interests we've long postponed. Maybe it's addressing health challenges with new dietary approaches (goodbye gluten, dairy, soy, corn, caffeine, and added sugar!), or finally completing that Pilates certification you've contemplated for fifteen years. The empty nest season offers fertile ground for reinvention and self-discovery.

Community connection remains our anchor through these transitions. In our screen-dominated world, the simple act of putting down phones and engaging face-to-face with neighbors, shopkeepers, and community members provides essential grounding. These interactions—whether brief exchanges at the post office or deeper conversations with friends—remind us we're part of something larger than ourselves and our immediate families.

Summer presents the perfect opportunity to experiment with something new. Take that cooking class you've always wanted to try. Join the adult dance studio you've been eyeing. Start playing pickleball with your partner. These small steps outside your comfort zone might bring unexpected joy and direction. As we temporarily wrap up Season Two (returning in August), we're grateful for your engagement through this journey of empty nest exploration. Your feedback shapes our content and strengthens our community of empty nesters supporting one another through this significant life transition.

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer

Have you ever caught yourself adding an already-completed task to your to-do list just for the satisfaction of checking it off? That desire for validation through accomplishment speaks to a deeper struggle many of us face, especially as we navigate midlife transitions.

This episode dives into day eight of Tommy Newberry's "40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life," exploring the powerful concept of spiritual identity theft. As our roles shift—children growing up, careers evolving, bodies changing—many of us find ourselves asking: Who am I now? What's my purpose? Do I still matter?

The transformative message here is that your identity isn't rooted in your roles, performance, or past. It's founded in being a child of God—chosen, loved, and enough exactly as you are. When we forget this truth, we experience a form of identity theft, allowing the world to define our worth through achievements, appearance, or approval from others.

For those in the empty nest phase, this perspective offers tremendous freedom. You don't have to hustle for love or constantly compete. Your fundamental worth never diminishes, regardless of changing circumstances. The episode provides practical ways to reinforce this truth, including creating personalized "I am" statements grounded in spiritual reality to combat negative self-talk.

Ready to reclaim your true identity? Listen now, and remember—you are a masterpiece created for a joyful purpose. Your identity is safe with the One who made you. Share this message with someone who needs to hear it today, and subscribe so you don't miss our next episode continuing this transformative journey.

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer

The transition through midlife presents an opportunity. We often look at this season as a "hot mess" or the old midlife Crisis label, but what if it is a chance for personal rebirth rather than crisis, inviting us to unravel everything that no longer aligns with our soul's purpose?

Our internal dialogue and the language we use to describe our lives profoundly shape our experiences, creating either limitations or possibilities for growth and transformation.

• Our self-talk influences our perception more than anything else, filtering what we notice and experience
• Women waste enormous energy obsessing about appearance when we could redirect that energy toward passion and joy
• Labeling midlife as a "crisis" versus "rebirth" fundamentally changes how we navigate this season

Take a few deep breaths right now, wherever you are, and remember that in every spiritual tradition, breath is life—sometimes all it takes is a few intentional moments to reset and try again.

We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer