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Next Chapter Empty Nest

Next Chapter Empty Nest

By Brenda Lenweaver

Welcome to the Next Chapter Empty Nest podcast! This podcast is about creating a community for parents preparing for an empty nest. The ups and downs, the emotions, and what we go through as parents. It is about discovering what we want to do as we have more time to focus on ourselves. We will hear from others who have been through the empty nest, those who have interesting stories to inspire us, and those with fascinating ideas to help us find our passion! Where we meet our goals while our kids are out meeting theirs!

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Currently playing episode

How to Find Friends

Next Chapter Empty NestOct 27, 2023

00:00
23:14
How to Find Friends

How to Find Friends

The lifelong question of how to find friends! My youngest is in her first semester at college, and it has been hard to find friends. Listen to what advice I’ve given her, and how it also applies to us as we move to new jobs or new places in the empty nest phase.
Oct 27, 202323:14
I QUIT MY JOB! What was I thinking??

I QUIT MY JOB! What was I thinking??

I quit my job! After 16 years and with 2 in college, what was I thinking?? It’s scary, exciting, and crazy! But I did it! Listen in and hear my thoughts on how and why I did it.
Oct 17, 202327:12
Our Youngest Has Flown the Nest!

Our Youngest Has Flown the Nest!

We dropped off our youngest at college, and we are doing well! Leading up to this, I was a little worried at how we would all do at this point. There were some tears, but overall, it was a positive experience! I also decided with her dad and I feeling good, we should celebrate! The emotions will come, I’m sure, but if we are feeling good about things, why not celebrate our successes in raising two wonderful kids?! That is something worth celebrating!
Aug 18, 202322:43
You’re Not Invited-A Mom’s Realization

You’re Not Invited-A Mom’s Realization

An empty nest mom realizing her kids want to do more and more without her! Yes, it is hard to adjust to. But it is totally normal. Has this happened to you? Any advice for those of us just realizing this? Reach out to Next Chapter Empty Nest on Facebook and Instagram! I’d love to hear from you!
Aug 10, 202311:49
You’re Going Back to School Early??

You’re Going Back to School Early??

When your child heads back to college early instead of staying home for the entire summer, what’s your reaction? Mine was shock! I don’t know if I’m over it yet (ok-I’m not!). Hear how I’m dealing with it and how I’m preparing myself for this kind of thing.
Aug 02, 202315:47
College Orientation-Parent Advice!

College Orientation-Parent Advice!

Hear how college orientation went and what two lessons the parents learned! Very valuable advice!
Jul 21, 202315:46
Pomp and Circumstance-She Did It!!

Pomp and Circumstance-She Did It!!

High school graduation is complete! My youngest has officially graduated from high school! Hear how it went, the ceremony and the graduation party. Almost a full-fledged empty nester- at least during the college months! Yikes!
Jul 11, 202323:37
The Youngest is Graduating!

The Youngest is Graduating!

Hear Brenda tell about her youngest finishing her senior year of high school! So much growth, and some tears for mom, as we look forward to what is to come.
Jun 21, 202335:36
The Bad and the Ugly

The Bad and the Ugly

Last week I talked about my college student and after it, I felt like I talked about the good. Well, what about the rest of it? It is has been an emotional time around here with my daughter coming home from college. As many people have warned me, it is an adjustment! So listen in for the rest of the story! Also, numbers 21-30 of my 50 New Things I tried in my 50th year!
Jun 15, 202323:06
The College Student

The College Student

A review of my college student’s last 2 years & how it has been for her! And a review of Numbers 11-20 of my 50 New Things! Do you have a college kid? How was their year? Send me a DM on Facebook or Instagram @nextchapteremptynest and tell me about it! If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with others or give it a review!
Jun 07, 202333:42
Season 4 RELAUNCH OF THE NEXT CHAPTER EMPTY NEST PODCAST!!!
May 17, 202329:28
Gina Rindfleisch and The Creeptastics
Mar 08, 202243:17
Emily Baker- Entrepreneur Extraordinaire!
Feb 23, 202237:58
Nicole Williams-Start Your Week!

Nicole Williams-Start Your Week!

Today we have Nicole Williams on the podcast! She is so lovely, sweet, and kind. Listen as she shares with us how she got her dream job of working from home, about the online community she created, and what she is planning to do when she has an empty nest.


You can find Nicole and join her Start Your Week below. You will have access to Nicole's FREE invite for Monday Mornings live on Zoom at 9am EST!

https://startyourweek-selfcare.com.site/home

Nicole's blog is here:

thankfulsinglemomma.com

Everyone is invited to send a FREE card, compliments of Nicole, with SendOutCards! Anywhere you like, and it includes a card and postage!

http://ltl.is/twcb54n


You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at:

https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot:

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/

Feb 16, 202244:45
Jenna- The First Semester and How It Went

Jenna- The First Semester and How It Went

Today we talk with my daughter, Jenna. Get the low down on college life from her first semester experiences. We talk about meeting new people, finding her way around, being away from home, and much more!

You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at:

https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot:

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/

Feb 08, 202230:15
VaRonica Jackson-empty nester with her RV

VaRonica Jackson-empty nester with her RV

Meet VaRonica Jackson, empty nester and solo RV traveler! Veronica inspires us with making her dreams come true! She wanted to travel, always wanted an RV, so she went and got one. Nothing is stopping her now! Listen to VaRonica share with us the benefits of an RV, where she's been, and where she wants to go. You can watch her videos on YouTube, like the tour of her RV. I subscribed to her channel so I can see all that she does!

If you'd like to follow VaRonica, and who wouldn't?, you can find her here:

Instagram: @vstraveling fun

You Tube: ImVGodsgift

You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at:

https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot:

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/



Feb 02, 202233:54
Updates and back at it!

Updates and back at it!

The first semester, 50 New Things, and more of what’s been going on! So glad to be back at podcasting! Thanks for joining me!
Jan 17, 202227:48
Rachel Karpf from Mic Drop Miniatures

Rachel Karpf from Mic Drop Miniatures

Rachel Karpf is here from Mic Drop Miniatures. She makes the ordinary extraordinary- in miniature! Rachel is full of ideas in how to make miniature replicas of just about anything, and how these can be used. The miniature world has been around a long time but is really taking off now. And they aren't just for kids anymore! Listen to all that she does, and get inspired to follow her and learn how to make things in miniature. 

You can find Rachel on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/MicDropMiniatures/ 

and also at this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/miniaturesclub/?ref=share

 Rachel has also started a new website to meet and collaborate with other miniaturists: theminidistrict.com


You can find Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at: https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

on Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured in the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot! https://blog.feedspot.com/empty_nest_podcasts/

Dec 07, 202129:22
Anne Kulhanek-travel agent to empty nesters
Nov 18, 202123:01
Kathy Belge- solo woman RVer

Kathy Belge- solo woman RVer

Kathy was fun to interview! Hear about her adventures with RVing solo on this episode. To find Kathy, her blog is travelswithsqueaky.com and has a link to her podcast. On Instagram you can find her @kbelge, and on Facebook she is at Solo Women RVers. In this episode, she talks about finding where she likes to camp, and sent us her link to Harvest Hosts, which has a discount code, to use for interesting places to stay: harvesthosts.refr.cc/kathybelge.
For more empty nest fun, you can connect on Facebook and Instagram at Next Chapter Empty Nest!
Nov 11, 202123:23
Updates! Season 3 Episode 5

Updates! Season 3 Episode 5

A monthly update on me, my family-including our college student- and the Next Chapter Empty Nest community! So many good things are happening! Like being named to the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts!! See link below!

Top 25 List of Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot:

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty_nest_podcasts/


Our new website:

https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/


Check us out on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2672047719776656/


And Instagram:

@nextchapteremptynest

Nov 04, 202115:13
Jennifer Francis- Solo mom, empty nester, and podcaster!

Jennifer Francis- Solo mom, empty nester, and podcaster!

Meet Jennifer Francis who has been a solo mom for most of her children’s lives, a new empty nester, and a podcaster! Jennifer shared her story of her empty nest and what plans she now has for herself during this time. She is inspiring! To reach Jennifer, you can find her on Facebook at JRosemarie, on Instagram @JRosemarie1, and at her website Solomon’s-talk.com.
Oct 28, 202119:44
Jessica Doolin- Hollywood Makeup Artist and Producer
Oct 20, 202152:25
Interviewing My Parents!

Interviewing My Parents!

As we prepare for the empty nest, did you ever wonder what your parents thought when they went through it? No?! Me, neither! Until I started going through it! So I asked them! What did the empty nest mean to them? What was it like compared to my view on it today? It's very interesting how it has changed and how different we are about it!
If you like Next Chapter Empty Nest podcast, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!
You can also follow us @nextchapteremptynest on Facebook and Instagram!

Oct 12, 202124:07
Welcome to Season 3!

Welcome to Season 3!

Welcome to Season 3! This season, MORE interviews with empty nesters and others, setting goals for the next year, and how our preparation for the empty nest is going!
Oct 06, 202118:28
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series Episode 15
Sep 28, 202123:38
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 14
Sep 14, 202115:53
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 13
Sep 07, 202113:33
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series-Episode 12
Sep 01, 202117:49
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 11

Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 11

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, the first week our college kid is away!
Aug 24, 202117:23
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series Episode 10

Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series Episode 10

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, dropping our baby off at college!
Aug 17, 202117:20
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 9

Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 9

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, we get the perspectives of the college student and the dad!
Aug 11, 202113:10
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 8

Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series- Episode 8

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, the thoughts that are going through my mind as we prepare to take my daughter to college in one week!
Aug 04, 202114:44
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series-The First One Leaves the Nest-Episode 7

Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series-The First One Leaves the Nest-Episode 7

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, our family vacation and time is getting closer to taking my daughter to college!
Jul 29, 202111:29
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series-Episode 6

Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series-Episode 6

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, the graduation party and all that happened!
Jul 19, 202114:39
Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series Episode 5

Next Chapter Empty Nest Summer Series Episode 5

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, connecting with my younger daughter and the college kid preparing for her new dorm room. And transcripts- there’s always something due to worry about!
Jul 12, 202113:39
Summer Series- The First One Leaves the Nest Episode 4

Summer Series- The First One Leaves the Nest Episode 4

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, preparing for the graduation party, date night, and when the youngest starts having her own things to do.
Jul 08, 202116:07
Summer Series- The First One Leaves the Nest Episode 3

Summer Series- The First One Leaves the Nest Episode 3

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, how graduation went, what a monumental time in their lives, and ours, too!
Jun 28, 202112:44
Summer Series-The First One Leaves the Nest! Episode 2

Summer Series-The First One Leaves the Nest! Episode 2

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, last minute updates to graduation and the start of the college process.
Jun 22, 202115:35
Summer Series- The First One Leaves the Nest!

Summer Series- The First One Leaves the Nest!

A weekly update on what it is like to have the first child out of high school leave the nest! The ups and downs, the emotions, what we go through as parents and our take on what our child is going through. On this week’s episode, the last month of high school.
Jun 14, 202117:20
Taking a break!

Taking a break!

Hi! It’s Brenda! I am taking a break for a few weeks to prepare for our summer series “The First One Leaves the Nest”! Starting June 7, we will have a weekly episode discussing our experience as the first child heads out of the nest and into college. See you then!
May 17, 202101:36
Episode 18-Recap and what’s to come!

Episode 18-Recap and what’s to come!

A recap of some of our guests and what some of them are up to today! Also, what’s to come for the podcast this summer!
May 10, 202122:46
Episode 17 Debi Stovicek from Dancing in the Kitchen

Episode 17 Debi Stovicek from Dancing in the Kitchen

Debi Stovicek is on the podcast today to share her empty nest story. She discusses her empty nest as a single mom, how and why she created her podcast Dancing in The Kitchen, and an exciting turn of events that is happening for her very soon!
You can find Debi at:
Podcast: Dancing in the Kitchen, where ever you listen to podcasts.
Facebook: Dancing in the Kitchen Podcast and also on Facebook at Dining with Debi
Instagram: @diningwithdebi
May 03, 202128:43
Episode 16- Beth Goshow of Daughters Without Moms
Apr 26, 202127:01
Episode 15 Caprice Pickett
Apr 21, 202130:24
Episode 14- Empowered Women’s Experience with Elizabeth Stephenson
Apr 12, 202131:53
Episode 13-Jessica Seiders

Episode 13-Jessica Seiders

You are going to be inspired by our guest, Jessica Seiders. Jessica has a fascinating empty nester story that led her to a life of travel that has her living her best life-in Bali!

You can follow Jessica at www.fearlessemptynester.com, on Instagram @fearlessemptynester, on Facebook at Jessica Seiders, and she also runs a Facebook group called Empty Nester Zoom Moms! that meets over Zoom for events with different topics so you can connect with others. 


You can find @NextChapterEmptyNest on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe to the podcast to get the next episode!


Apr 05, 202128:24
Episode 12 Vanessa McMahan
Mar 29, 202148:25
Episode 11- Yvonne Reese’s empty nest story

Episode 11- Yvonne Reese’s empty nest story

Yvonne shares her story with us on her empty nest journey, and it’s a good one! Yvonne is fun and energizing, and her story is one that many of us can relate to.

 To reach Yvonne or to follow her on Instagram, go to @yvonnereesesalescoach


If you would like to share your empty nest story, reach out to Next Chapter Empty Nest:

Email: nextchapteremptynest@gmail.com

To follow us on social media:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2672047719776656/

Instagram: @nextchapteremptynest


Mar 22, 202129:37
Luisa Morrone- My Way of Eating

Luisa Morrone- My Way of Eating

PODCAST NOTES FOR NEXT CHAPTER EMPTY NEST
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and leave a review!
Follow me on Instagram @nextchapteremptynest and Facebook at
www.facebook.com/groups/NextChapterEmptyNest/
On today’s episode, I am thrilled to welcome Luisa Morrone! As parents, we tend to focus on our kids, and losing ourselves in the mix. Many of us have put on weight while supporting our families, running around in the evenings to all the activities for the kids, not much time to prepare the healthiest meals or exercise. It has all added up and now that the kids are soon to leave the nest, we have more time to focus on us. One way is getting healthier by eating well and losing weight.
Luisa has an amazing story of weight loss. She is real, honest and so very relatable. If you’ve had weight issues, you will appreciate Luisa’s story as much as I do. After her long weight loss journey, she started her own business in helping others to lose weight. She is honest in sharing that it isn’t going to be fast, it’s a lifelong journey to be on, and that you can do it, just as she did. Luisa shows supports in amazing ways, like sharing her incredibly delicious recipes and sharing alternatives to treats- great alternatives that make you feel like you are still getting a treat! She shares her struggles as well, and you know she totally gets it! So enjoy today’s episode!
You can follow Luisa here: Her website: mywayofeating.ca
on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyWayofEating/on Instagram @mwayofeating
***Also, stay tuned for her podcast to launch soon!
Mar 15, 202101:17:58