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That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — including a free upcoming bonus called “99 Ways to Celebrate You.”

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January has a way of rushing us forward before we’ve had a chance to look back.

In this episode of Encore Living, I talk about why—especially if you’re a parent or empty nester—this might actually be the perfect moment to pause and celebrate what you’ve already lived through.

Not in a forced, confetti kind of way. But in a grounded, honest, “that mattered” way.

If your house feels quieter than it used to…
If your kid just went back to school…
If you’re feeling a little behind heading into the new year…

This episode is for you.

As I mention in the episode, before you decide what comes next, make a list of the most memorable things you did last year.

Big things. Small things. Moments that took energy, courage, or heart.

To give you a sense of what I mean, here’s my list from 2025:

🗽 NYC for my birthday
🎭 Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway
🖼️ NYC museums
📚 Taught an 8-week Let Them Theory class
🌴 Cabo villa (with a chef!)
🇫🇷 Traveled through France for 12 days
🪖 Normandy
🙏 Finished a year-long spiritual program
✍️ Wrote my first novel in 30 days
🔥 Led Whatever It Takes (30 days)
🎓 Ordained as a minister
🚪 Retired after 8 years
🎉 Made it to 2026

When I put it all in one place, I didn’t feel behind anymore. I could actually see what I did. And celebrate it.

After you make your list, ask yourself:

What kind of person does this list describe?

Then finish this sentence:

“I’m the kind of person who…”

P.S. If someone came to mind while you were listening this, feel free to share the episode with them.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

The house gets quiet, the bins come out, and a single question sneaks in with the tangle of lights: what am I still carrying that doesn’t belong in this season? We lean into that moment with honesty and humor, using the ritual of packing decorations to spark a reset for empty nesters and anyone navigating a fresh start. The noise of the holidays fades, and with it comes a pull toward self-judgment—those sticky shoulds that make January feel heavier than it needs to. We unpack why that happens, how to notice it without letting it run the show, and what it looks like to put old narratives on the shelf so something new can breathe.

Drawing from personal experience of a career pivot and the transition from all-in parent to a new chapter, we map out a practical, compassionate approach to starting again. You’ll hear a simple framework: sort your last year like a storage bin—keep what strengthens you, store what doesn’t fit right now, and set down what drains you. We explore the difference between wisdom and self-judgment, how perfectionism disguises itself as responsibility, and why momentum beats polish when you’re building a next act. Along the way, we offer three reflection questions designed to lower the pressure and raise your clarity: which belief can rest for now, which pressure doesn’t belong, and which small part of you is ready to wake up.

This conversation won’t hand you a grand reinvention plan. It will give you space, language, and encouragement to make room for what fits who you’re becoming. If the silence after the holidays feels too loud, you’re not alone—and you’re not at the end. You’re between seasons. Listen, reflect, and then tell us: what will you put down to begin again? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find their way to a gentler January.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

It’s April—aka College Decision Month. Your teen is making a huge life decision. But have you stopped to consider your own?

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Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
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If you're an empty nester (or soon-to-be), now is the perfect time to ask: What do I want next? This episode is about reclaiming your power to choose—and giving yourself permission to start planning your next chapter, just like your teen is planning theirs.

In this episode:

• "My kid is making a huge decision—shouldn’t I be focused on them?"
  Yes—but don’t forget your own future matters too. You can support them and invest in yourself.
• "I’ll figure it out later."
  Will you? Or will you keep waiting for the 'right time'? (Spoiler: now is the right time.)
• "Okay… but where do I start?"
  I’ll give you one small decision you can make this week to start shaping your next chapter.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/