Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!

In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I am welcoming back my friend, Laura Acuña, for her deep insight into caregiving and personal healing. Laura shares in-depth about her own journey of emotional recovery through caregiving.

We explore practical strategies for self-care, share the importance of therapy and spiritual support, and highlight key resources—including Laura’s book, "Still Becoming," and recommendations for navigating trauma and family transitions. With real-life wisdom and touching personal stories, this episode encourages listeners to embrace healing for themselves and future generations, reminding every woman that her journey is sacred and transformative.

Resources:

• Laura’s book: Still Becoming
• Laura’s website
• Episode with Lisa Saruga: Identifying and Managing Caregiver Trauma ft. Lisa Saruga
• Lisa Saruga’s book: The Trauma Tree
• Ruthie’s book: Empty Nest Awakening

Bio:

Laura Acuña is a speaker, author, podcast host, and Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. She’s the founder of Laura Acuña Ministries and host of The Still Becoming Podcast.

Known for her honesty, warmth, and humor, Laura shares biblical truth and real-life wisdom to help women grow in emotional and spiritual health. She’s the author of the 31-day devotional Still Becoming: Hope, Help, and Healing for the Diet-Weary Soul.

Laura’s journey reflects God’s love, grace, and healing. Embracing her “work-in-progress” nature—quirks and all—she testifies that God has transformed her struggles into a source of freedom and joy. Married for 42 years to her sweetheart, Pat, she’s the proud mom of three grown sons, a beloved daughter-in-love, and one precious 4-year-old granddaughter who calls her Nonie.

When she’s not ministering, Laura loves time with family, traveling, exploring vintage shops, and sharing coffee with a friend.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!

In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, Ruthie sits down with relationship expert and author Jill Savage to discuss the delicate balance of parenting adult children during the empty nest years and how to become “unoffendable”. Jill shares candid insights from her own life, including relatable stories about unreturned texts and learning not to take delayed responses personally. Together, they explore why many parents feel anxious or rejected by their grown kids' independence, touching on anxious and avoidant attachment styles and how these styles shape our expectations and emotional responses.

Listeners will walk away with practical wisdom on fostering healthy relationships with adult children, letting go of unrealistic expectations, and finding personal peace rooted in faith rather than in others' validation. Jill offers guidance on addressing past parenting guilt, embracing opportunities for personal growth, and building emotional security in this new stage of life. Tune in for encouragement and actionable steps to truly prioritize your peace while navigating the challenges and joys of the empty nest and sandwich seasons.

Resources:

• Jill’s website
• Empty Nest, Full Life
• Ruthie’s Newsletter & Private Podcast

Bio:

Jill Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about relationships. She hosts the No More Perfect Podcast, and some of her book titles include Empty Nest, Full Life, the best-selling No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Kids, and No More Perfect Marriages. Jill and her husband, Mark, serve as Christian marriage coaches. They live in Normal, Illinois and have five children and seven grandchildren.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!

In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m joined by my husband of 38 years, Jim Gray, for his input on the holidays as empty nesters. We’re talking about our unique lifestyle, splitting time between homes in West Virginia and Florida, and how this has shaped our holiday traditions. We’ll discuss home remodels, creative solutions for celebrating with kids and grandkids across states, and the importance of embracing flexibility as our family dynamics evolve.

And don’t miss our memorable Christmas miracle—a decades-long answered prayer that restored lost wedding memories and reminded us of the power of faith and hope during the season. With a thoughtful blend of family stories, practical tips for honoring new traditions, and genuine encouragement, this episode offers a relatable and uplifting perspective for anyone seeking peace and connection during the holidays.

Resources:

• Couples United: Tackling Holiday People-Pleasing Together ft. Billie Jauss
• Holiday Adaptability for Moms of Adult Kids ft. Pamela Henkelman

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose