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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

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

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my guest, Billie Jauss, an international speaker, author, and podcast host known as the "What's Next Coach." We talk through the challenges couples face during the holidays—especially around maintaining a united front and setting boundaries amidst family expectations. Billie reveals her journey as a "recovering people pleaser" and offers actionable advice for couples looking to prioritize peace and connection, even if it means disappointing others.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for communicating holiday decisions, advice for resisting unhealthy people-pleasing, and a reminder to focus on building a strong foundation in marriage. Whether you're wrestling with family traditions or navigating new seasons as your children grow, this episode offers empathy, wisdom, and encouragement to help you protect your peace and honor your relationships through every holiday season.

Resources:

• {Free} Ebook: What’s Next Game Plan: 7 Steps to Move From Lost in Change to Living With Purpose
• Listen to The Family Room Podcast
• Billie’s Website: www.billiejauss.com

Billie’s Bio:

Billie Jauss is an international speaker, author, and podcast host, known as the “What's Next Coach?” Helping Women Trade Inner Chaos for peace, purpose, and powerful connections, empowering them to step confidently into what’s next.

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, Sue Donaldson, a speaker, author, and expert on hospitality opens up about the realities of loneliness faced during the "sandwich season"—the time in life when women care for both aging parents and growing children. Sue also shares wisdom from her new book, "Never Alone: Stories of Invitation and Connection," offering practical advice on building genuine community, finding mentorship, and bringing organic support into everyday life.

Discover meaningful strategies for balancing busy caregiving demands with self-care and intentional relationships while learning creative ways to foster community, even with limited time or space, and how to listen to the Holy Spirit when extending hospitality. Check the show notes for Sue’s free hospitality prayers and mentoring worksheets.

Resources:

• A prayer for a hospitality heart, a recipe, and 10 printables to help you get started in a mentoring relationship
• Sue's 17 keynotes and 8 Retreat Series
• Sue’s Facebook group: Welcome Heart, Welcome Home
• Facebook
• Insta
• Pinterest
• Twitter

Bio:

Speaker, author, podcaster, Sue Donaldson and her husband, Mark, have raised 3 daughters who keep them at the bank and on their knees. Sue loves connecting people to one another, to God, and to His Word, and has been speaking for the last 20 years. Sue hosts a weekly podcast: Welcome Heart: Living a Legacy Life and a free Facebook group: Welcome Heart, Welcome Home. You’re invited!

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!

On this episode, host Ruthie Gray welcomes Pamela Henkelman, certified empty nest coach and host of the Midlife Momma podcast, for a candid conversation about navigating the holidays with adult children. Pamela shares her wisdom on letting go of old expectations, respecting new family traditions, and fostering open communication—especially when it comes to those difficult conversations we tend to avoid. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and prioritizing peace, reminding moms that the holidays may not look like they used to, but can still be filled with joy and connection.

Pamela also offers practical advice drawn from her own family’s experience, from scheduling celebrations on non-traditional dates to asking adult kids what traditions matter most to them. The episode highlights the need for moms to process their emotions privately and show up with love, creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Listeners will find encouragement to embrace trust and surrender, as well as resources like Pamela’s free guide “10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child and 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Doing It”—linked in the show notes. If you’re a mom facing the empty nest or the “sandwich season” of life, this episode delivers actionable tips and heartfelt support for maintaining healthy, vibrant family relationships.

Resources:

• Freebie: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child(And 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them)
• The Midlife Momma podcast

Pamela’s Bio:

Pamela Henkelman is a certified Empty Nest Coach, speaker, writer, and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast. With her bright smile and enthusiastic personality, she is passionate about encouraging women, particularly the often-forgotten group of moms with adult children. Pamela helps Christian moms let go with grace and enjoy the empty nest.

As a mom of five grown children and four grandchildren, Pamela has firsthand experience with the challenges and joys of navigating the empty-nest phase of life. She and her husband, of 37 years, are living their best empty-nest life and loving every minute of it.

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!

Peg Arnold, speaker, author, and “Drama Queen for Jesus”, shares her powerful caregiving journey. Peg opens up about a time when her family navigated joyful milestones like her children's graduations, only to be hit with the sudden loss of her father-in-law and her mother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's, all within the same year. She speaks candidly about the emotional roller coaster of managing crises across generations, the challenge of being needed in two places at once, and the importance of leaning on faith during seasons of overwhelming change.

Throughout the episode, Peg offers wisdom on finding strength and hope in difficult times, emphasizing the critical role of prayer, family collaboration, and practical planning. We discuss how God provides "joy gems" in the darkest moments, and Peg shares her own spiritual practices, including journaling and praying scripture. Listeners will also hear how Peg and her husband balanced long-distance caregiving, career loss, and the emotional fallout of life’s unexpected turns. Be sure to check out Peg’s free prayer book, designed to help listeners deepen their prayer lives during trying seasons, and learn more about her speaking ministry and creative presentations on her website, listed in the show notes.

Resources:

Peg’s Website

Peg’s Facebook

Peg’s Instagram

Peg’s Youtube Channel

Peg’s Free Prayer Workbook

Peg’s Bio:

Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author/Teacher, is a Drama Queen for Jesus. Her interactive and inspiring presentations and workshops equip and empower others to step into their God-given purpose. Whether speaking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds at a conference, her passion for encouraging women to discover their true value and purpose and to utilize their gifts in everyday life is contagious. As a wife to Rick, empty-nest mom, and Nana of eight, Peg creatively shares the joys and challenges of these life experiences through her devotions, dramas, messages, and personal testimony. You can find those devotions in her book, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, on YouVersion, the Upper Room, and several other anthologies. Additionally, she has a new resource: a book for equipping speakers, teachers, and preachers called Making Your Message Memorable: Creative Ideas for Captivating Presentations. Peg grew up in Michigan, raised her family while completing her Master’s in Maryland, and now resides in Colorado, close to her 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, I’m sitting down with my sweet friend, Suzy Mighell, author of the FABULOUS new release, "Empty Nest: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest." Suzy shares her heart and practical wisdom for navigating the challenging transition from hands-on parenting to developing healthy, encouraging adult-to-adult relationships with grown children.

We discuss:

- The emotional journey of the empty nest

- Practical strategies for supporting adult kids and in-laws

- Finding renewed purpose after the kids leave home

Suzy also gives wise insight into self-reflection, embracing new roles, and gracefully entering the grandparent chapter.

Whether you're approaching the empty nest years or already well into them, this episode offers uplifting encouragement and actionable tips to help you thrive. Don’t forget to check out Suzy's book and resources linked in the show notes.

Resources:

Suzy’s Book: Empty Nest: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest

Suzy’s Website

Suzy’s Bio:

Suzy Mighell is the personality and content creator behind the popular blog and social media brand Empty Nest Blessed. Known for her bright spirit and biblical encouragement, Suzy creates content to uplift and inspire midlife women in everything from fashion and beauty to marriage, travel, and parenting adult kids. She and her husband love traveling, working, and spending time with their three grown children, two daughters-in-law, two grandchildren, and two crazy granddogs.

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