At 49, Tracy Smith booked a trip to Ireland with friends. Then she changed the flight. Then she changed it again. What began as a group vacation slowly turned into arriving in Iceland alone… with no clear plan home.

In this episode, Tracy talks about how travel became the vehicle for reclaiming parts of herself she had set aside during years of parenting and managing daily life. The shifts were not dramatic. They started small. Taking a new job. Going to dinner instead of cooking. Letting her son walk home from school. Saying yes to herself in ways she had not before.

She also reflects on something unexpected. At home, she often felt invisible in the routines of everyday life. Abroad, even as a stranger, she felt seen. That difference changed how she approached connection, belonging, and identity.

Her memoir, The Purpose of Getting Lost, explores that evolution. In this conversation, she shares how solo travel reshaped her confidence, her relationships with her kids, and her understanding of what it means to choose yourself in midlife.

Connect with Tracy:

Substack:
https://tracytravelseverywhere.substack.com/

Website:
https://tracysmithauthor.com/

Book – The Purpose of Getting Lost (Amazon affiliate link):
https://amzn.to/4shPDIe

CHATPERS

00:00 Rewriting Your Story
02:30 The Trip That Kept Changing
05:26 Realizing She Had Changed
08:11 The Pre–Empty Nest Shift
12:37 Fitting In vs Belonging
16:22 From Tour Guide to Wedding Guest
21:08 Building Connection After the Kids Leave
24:53 Learning to Say Yes to Yourself
26:45 What Her Kids Think
29:06 Where to Find Tracy

👋 If you’re figuring out who you are outside of the parenting role, this conversation continues inside the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:
https://www.theloudquiet.com

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

Chapters

The Olympics just wrapped… so Rick and Clancy stepped back into their own arena.

Two years ago, they created the “Empty Nest Olympics” and ranked themselves in five events. This week, they revisit the same categories and ask: did we improve… or are we still stretching before the race?

They talk through friendship momentum, hobbies that still haven’t happened, whether group dinners count as date nights, how working together has sharpened their communication, and why dreaming about the future feels different when you’re already in the middle of something big.

There are a few gold medals.
A couple near misses.
And at least one event that still needs practice.

It is light. It is honest. And it might start a conversation at your own kitchen bar tonight.

CHAPTERS00:00 Empty Nest Olympics Returns
03:00 Event 1: Maintaining and Making Friends
08:00 Event 2: Discovering New Hobbies
12:00 Event 3: Planning Dates and Trips
18:00 Event 4: Communicating With Each Other
23:00 Event 5: Dreaming About the Future
👋 If this episode makes you want to compare medal counts with other couples, join the conversation here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:
https://www.theloudquiet.com

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

When your kids leave home, the communication changes. Sometimes it slows gradually. Sometimes it feels abrupt.

In this episode, Rick and Clancy talk about what staying connected really looks like once your kids are living in a different rhythm.They share their experience navigating daily calls during a tough freshman year, the shift that often happens by spring semester, different communication styles between siblings, time zone mishaps, “proof of life” texts, and the balance between asking questions and sharing your own life. The conversation also stretches beyond college to long-distance relationships in general… even with aging parents.📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon. You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookChapters00:00 The Book Update03:10 Freshman Year Daily Communication07:30 When the Calls Slow Down12:00 “Proof of Life” Texts16:05 Different Communication Styles21:00 Time Zones Matter25:15 Making It Easy to Respond30:00 Sharing Your Own Life👋 Join the conversation with other couples adjusting to communication shifts with adult kids:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:https://www.theloudquiet.comWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).