Retirement isn’t just about 401(k)s and Social Security. It’s also about your identity, your routines, your relationship, and that strange feeling of waking up with nowhere to be. In this episode, Rick and Clancy sit down with retirement coach Wendy Leggett to talk about the non-financial side of retirement: what makes it hard, what makes it meaningful, and how to approach it with curiosity instead of fear. Wendy shares thoughtful advice for individuals and couples navigating this transition. Wh...

The house is quiet again... and we’re back in the studio. The return of the empty nest, even for the 3rd time, stirs up a wide range of feelings. In this milestone 100th episode, we reflect on how much has changed... since starting the podcast, since our first round of empty nest living, and even just since last summer. From Iceland inside jokes to unexpected museum noises to the rediscovery of personal space (and skinny dipping), we talk through the return of the quiet, what we’ve learned, and ...

You’re a couple again... but it doesn’t feel quite the same. This Greatest Hits episode takes us back to the early weeks of our empty nest life. The routines technically returned... but everything about them felt different. From light trash cans to creepy museum portraits to the moment the house goes quiet and it hits you all over again... this one’s for anyone staring down the weird, slow shift from full house to two place mats at dinner. 👋 Share your first-week-of-empty-nest moments with us: h...

Some parenting lessons don’t hit until you’re in a parking lot, crying with your kid, trying to help them through something you can’t fix. This Greatest Hits episode from our first season walks through a tough moment with our daughter Teagan... her first big roommate conflict in college... and how we had to learn a new way to parent her through it. From awkward campus moments to the heartbreak of long-distance support, we’re revisiting this story now because we know so many of you will be in thi...

The IKEA bags. The ramen in the pantry. The horse figurine in the car. This is the episode we recorded just days after becoming official empty nesters... and let’s just say, the tears were flowing. Originally aired as Episode 2, this one holds a lot of heart. It’s a real-time look at what it feels like to leave your youngest at college... awkward silences, Target runs, unexpected breakdowns, and the surprising peace of watching your kid help someone else swipe into the dorm. We're bringing it ba...

Whether it’s your first college drop-off or your last, move-in season is a major milestone in empty nest life... and it comes with a LOT of moving parts. In this episode, we walk through our favorite practical and emotional tips from years of college move-ins... what we’ve learned, what we wish we had known earlier, and what might help ease the transition for you and your student. From the glory of IKEA-style blue bags to overlooked essentials like doorstops and duplicate chargers... it’s a wide...

You’re never too old... or too deep into the empty nest... to go back to school. In this episode of The Loud Quiet , we’re joined by our friends Scott and Eileen Nichols, fellow empty nesters, public school educators, and proud parents (and grandparents). They share why they each made the decision to pursue master’s degrees after the kids had left home... and what it’s really like to juggle classes, papers, marriage, and grandparenting. We talk about the emotional tug of parenting adult kids fro...

This week’s episode is a bit of a wild card... and we kind of love it that way. We kick things off with three trivia questions from a recent night out…answers revealed at the end…before diving into a week that reminded us how the empty nest stage isn’t always as “empty” as it sounds. Clancy shares what it was like to step back into full “Mom Mode” after Teagan’s wisdom teeth surgery…complete with mashed peaches and emergency trash cans. Rick reflects on the emotional weight of writing his Nana’s...

Summer used to be packed with popsicles, pool days, and time together. But now... with one child living away and the other working long hours, it just feels different.In this episode of The Loud Quiet, we open up about what it’s been like navigating summer in the empty nest—almost. We talk through our attempts (and occasional misses) at staying connected with our adult kids during the summer months. From making space for impromptu lunches to feeling guilty while working from home, we wrestle wit...

Fireworks. Flags. Parades. The Fourth of July used to mean something very specific when the kids were young. But now... in the empty nest... the holiday looks a little different.In this episode of The Loud Quiet, we talk about how the Fourth has changed for us. From packed neighborhood traditions to quieter long weekends, and from firework memories with the kids to unexpected fun as empty nesters. We swap stories, laugh about red MGBs and parade chaos, and explore how this holiday keeps evolving...

Judgment. Comparison. That side-eye when you mention you're still financially helping your adult kids. If you're an empty nester, chances are you’ve either given that look... or gotten it. In this episode of The Loud Quiet, we unpack the topic of financially supporting adult children. We’re not financial advisors, but we are living this in real time. Grad school tuition. Rent. Budgeting lessons. All of it. We share what we’ve chosen to cover and why, where we draw our boundaries (marriage = fina...

Time to lighten it up. After a couple of deeper episodes, we’re kicking back with some TV talk. Summer used to be rerun season, but now there’s new content dropping all year long. So what’s keeping us company on the couch lately? In this episode, we run through what we’re currently watching, the comedies we use as entertainment filler, and a few titles queued up for later. From courtroom chaos and mega churches to awkward high school teachers and flashbacks at a Mexican resort, it’s all here. 📺 ...

Empty nesters, rejoice... and brace yourselves. The kids are coming home for summer break, and the vibe in your once-quiet house is about to shift.Clancy and Rick share 10 real-world tips to help you handle the return of your college-age kids. From setting expectations to balancing mealtime and independence, they explore what works, what doesn’t, and how to keep the peace while strengthening your relationship.💡 Want a downloadable copy of the 10 Tips?Join our newsletter here and get it sent dire...

What happens when your carefully planned life suddenly goes off script? In this deeply personal episode, Clancy and Rick open up about the past few weeks—full of unexpected loss, chaotic schedules, and the quiet disconnection that can sneak up in empty nest life. From memorial planning and rushed moves to a cardboard box anniversary and a last minute bus ride, they explore what it means to lose your sense of self and how to start finding your way back. This isn’t just an update—it’s a reminder t...

Rick and Clancy returned from Germany and have 10 travel points to share. From pre planning to what to do when you arrive-they have put these points into practice many times. Listen before you plan your next trip. Get your free "10 Tips for Parents of College Kids Home for the Summer" https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup Empty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: https://www.facebook.com/shar...

We thought we knew what to expect from our trip to Germany. We didn’t. In the best way. In this episode of The Loud Quiet, we share the surprises that made our empty nest adventure unforgettable…from unexpected experiences to moments that moved us. Join us as we explore how saying “Ja” to Germany brought more delight than we could have anticipated. Empty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: ...

Today, we're bringing back one of our favorite conversations in this Greatest Hits replay of The Loud Quiet. (Originally E23 January 2024) In this episode, we go through five thoughtful questions aimed at empty nesters — a chance to check in with each other, reflect on this phase of life, and think about what’s next. We cover topics like: How we’re navigating marriage now that the nest is empty New adventures we want to take (hello, Maldives and Greece) How intimacy shifts after kids leave The h...

Today’s episode is a little different here on The Loud Quiet. Instead of hosting, we’re guests! We joined Lynn Smargis on her podcast Caring for Your Aging Parents to share our family’s journey through Alzheimer's and caregiving. In this conversation, we talk about: How we first noticed the early signs of dementia in Rick’s mom. The difficult realities of caregiving from afar, especially during COVID. What it was like to face Capgras syndrome and the emotional toll it took on the family. How we ...

We are back from our Mission Trip. Rick and Clancy talk about what their expectations were and what they took away from their experiences. Listen to what surprised us and how we plan on implementing some of the things we learned. Casas por Cristo - https://casasporcristo.org Empty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Hf9LJkmdU/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Back from miss...

Rick and Clancy are headed out of the country for a mission trip. What are they nervous about? What are they excited about? Hear their thoughts and tune in next week for the recap.

Coming to you from the road in Arizona. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Clancy and Rick talk about trying to keep their heads above water as they have so many irons in different fires. What can they change as they approach new opportunities? Listen to find out. Empty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Hf9LJkmdU/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Road trip to Teagan's birthday ...