The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living

Empty Nest Reminder...Your Young Adult’s Success Isn’t Always Linear - Joanna Lilley - E119

Your young adult’s path may look messy, stalled, or off-script… and that doesn’t mean something is wrong.In this guest episode, we’re joined by Joanna Lilley, a therapeutic consultant who works with young adults and their parents during the often complicated transition into adulthood. Joanna helps families navigate college decisions, mental health challenges, academic setbacks, and those moments when forward motion feels unclear.We talk about the difference between being college capable and college ready, why gap years can be useful when they’re intentional, and how parents can respond when academic probation, burnout, or “I don’t think this is for me” conversations come up. Joanna also shares practical guidance on boundaries, communication, and how curiosity can be more productive than fear when things don’t go as planned.This conversation is for parents who need reassurance that progress doesn’t always look linear… and that detours can still lead somewhere meaningful.🎧 Joanna’s podcast, Success Is Subjective:https://www.successissubjective.org/🌐 Joanna’s consulting work and parent resources:https://lilleyconsulting.com/📖 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/bookCHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:07 College capable vs college ready4:10 When parents misread readiness7:32 Gap years and intentional pauses12:13 Academic probation and hard conversations16:44 Boundaries when kids stall out22:01 Failure to launch concerns27:01 Signs parents shouldn’t ignore30:43 How families find outside help34:10 Why nonlinear paths still work👋 Join the conversation in our community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Get new episodes and extras in your inbox:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupWant 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).

2025 Reflections and 2026 Launching in the Empty Nest - E118

That weird stretch between Christmas and New Year’s… when no one knows what day it is, the snacks never stop, and you start thinking about what just happened and what might be coming next.In this New Year’s Day episode, we look back on 2025 and talk about what surprised us most… how this podcast grew way beyond what we expected, how the community took on a life of its own, and how the empty nest feels different than it did a year ago.We also talk about what’s ahead in 2026… including the book that grew directly out of this podcast and the conversations happening inside the community. No resolutions. No pressure. Just a realistic look at where we’ve been and what we’re excited to launch next.📘 Book updateIf you want sneak peeks, preorder bonuses, early chapters, and launch-day news for the upcoming book, sign up here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book👋 Join the conversation in our community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Get episodes and extras in your inbox:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupCHAPTERS0:00 Intro and Happy New Year1:45 The weird week between Christmas and New Year’s3:10 Looking back on 20255:20 When the podcast became more than “just us”7:35 Why guests changed the show9:45 The page vs the group (and why both exist)11:20 The book and what’s coming next14:05 Why 2026 feels like a launch16:10 What we’re excited about this year18:30 Wrapping up and thanks👋 Share what this season looks like for you and join the conversation:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Want book sneak peeks and weekly extras?https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupWant 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).

Fa La La Full Nest – Greatest Hits E117

We’re releasing this episode on Christmas Day, and it felt like the right time to bring this one back.This is a Greatest Hits re-release of Episode 20, originally recorded after our very first holiday season as empty nesters… when both kids came home from college and the house went from quiet to very full, very fast. It was the first time we experienced that swing back to shared meals, full schedules, late nights, and just being the four of us again.We talk through what surprised us, what we loved, and what we noticed about ourselves as parents and as a couple. The traditions that still mattered. The pressure we let go of. And the strange mix of activity and stillness that showed up when the nest filled back up… even temporarily.If you’re heading into a season where your kids come home and everything shifts again, this one might feel familiar.📘 Coming soon in early 2026… The Loud Quiet book Be the first to get sneak peeks, preorder bonuses, and launch-day news. Pre-orders open soon… join the list for early access: https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book/👋 Share your holiday experiences or join the conversation in our community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:https://www.theloudquiet.comCHAPTERS0:00 Christmas Day re-release intro1:20 First holidays as empty nesters4:15 When the house gets loud again7:30 Living life together, not scheduling it11:05 Holiday traditions that still matter14:40 Letting go of “perfect”18:05 Seeing your kids differently now22:15 New Year’s Eve, our way26:10 Quiet moments we didn’t expect30:45 What we want to rememberWant 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).#relationships #marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting

Enhancing Empty Nest Communication with Raffi Bilek – E116

When the kids are grown and the house is quieter, the way couples talk to each other starts to matter in new ways. Some patterns get easier. Others get harder to ignore.In this episode of The Loud Quiet, we’re joined by marriage counselor and author Raffi Bilek for a practical, honest conversation about communication, conflict, and what actually helps couples stay connected during the empty nest years. We talk about why avoiding conflict doesn’t equal good communication, why solving the problem too fast often backfires, and how couples can stay on the same team even when they don’t agree.Raffi shares insights from years of counseling couples… including why it’s okay to pause a conversation, why “don’t go to bed angry” isn’t always great advice, and how focusing on impact instead of who’s right can change everything. This conversation is especially relevant for couples navigating adult kids, retirement, aging parents, and spending more time together than ever before.Guest links:The Couples Communication Handbook (Amazon affiliate link)https://amzn.to/48QJJpsThe Couples Communication book websitehttps://www.thecommunicationbook.com/Baltimore Therapy Centerhttps://www.baltimoretherapycenter.com/CHAPTERS0:00 Intro and a quick health PSA1:20 Meet Raffi Bilek3:10 Reconnecting after years of focusing on kids4:50 When adult kids still cause conflict7:10 Explore first, solve later9:55 Is conflict actually bad for a marriage?12:10 Feeling uncomfortable expressing anger14:05 Generational shifts in communication16:30 Why “don’t go to bed angry” doesn’t always help19:00 When agreement isn’t possible20:45 Focusing on impact instead of facts23:05 Common conflict topics couples face25:10 Retirement and being together 24/728:00 One communication skill that matters most29:30 Where to find Raffi and his work📘 Coming soon in early 2026… The Loud Quiet bookBe the first to get sneak peeks, preorder bonuses, and launch-day news.Pre-orders open soon… join the list for early access:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book/👋 Join the conversation in our Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Get new episodes and weekly notes in your inbox:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupWant 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).

Empty Nest Nostalgia: The Holiday Foods We Still Crave - E115

Holiday food has a way of anchoring a season. We make certain things every year without even thinking about it… and the kids now expect them just as much as we do. In this episode we talk through the foods we grew up with, the ones that stuck, and the ones we only remember when someone says “remember when…?”Quick note… The Loud Quiet book is almost ready. If you want early updates and preorder info, here’s the list: https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book/Candy canes, Texas trash, haystacks, spiced tea… all the things our parents made without any ceremony. At one point we realize our kids have their own list now too… the pickle platter, the dips, the reindeer mix.We also talk through the foods we haven’t made in years. Chicken spaghetti, tetrazzini, pistachio salad, all the old casseroles that faded out once the house emptied. Lasagna comes up. So do meatballs.It’s a simple conversation about how certain foods end up tied to people and seasons whether we planned it or not.CHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:20 Holiday foods we grew up with4:45 The smells and small traditions that defined the season7:10 The treats our parents made every year12:25 Christmas Eve Mexican food13:50 The foods our kids now count on15:20 How reindeer mix became a tradition18:00 The dishes that have to be on the holiday table20:55 The nostalgic meals we rarely make anymore28:45 Why certain foods stay connected to certain people29:30 Wrap up👋 Share your holiday food memories or join the conversation in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Want more like this? Get new episodes and extras in your inbox: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup🎧 Find all episodes, listening platforms, 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).