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 ...

Rick is headed to his college reunion and Clancy stays behind. Hear the perspectives of each one …what is Rick thinking before he goes and a recap when he gets back. Did Clancy have FOMO? Listen and 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 Rick's Anticipation of Duke 30th Reunion 1:30 Nostalgia and Excitement about Colleg...

Are you taking a spring break or spring vacation? Clancy and Rick reminisce on their past spring breaks and how they are enjoying the non travel parameters of empty nest travel. 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 Is Your Spring Break Mode On, Off, or Paused? 1:11 Childhood Spring Breaks: Road Trips & Ski Trips 3:39 Church Ski...

Rick and Clancy get real and raw in this episode about interruptions in life. Last minute changes can cause hurt feelings and struggles with communication. How do you handle the unexpected things that life throws at you? 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/1Hf9LJkmdUCHAPTERS CHAPTERS 0:00 Sharing Emotional Pain in the Empty Nest 0:06 The Weight of Disr...

Are you waiting on something? Do you find it harder to wait without the kids around as a distraction? We talk about the things (big and small) that we are waiting on right now. CHAPTERS 0:00 The Waiting Game: How It Affects Empty Nest Life 0:31 A Birthday Weekend in Tucson 2:24 Delayed Flights & Rental Car Trouble 4:52 Waiting on Parking While Clancy & Teagan Eat 6:05 The Hotel AC Disaster & What We Did 7:49 Hiking to Reset a Bad Mood 8:34 The Challenge of Waiting for Your Adult Kids 10:41 Suppo...

How do you start the conversation about “what’s next” with our aging parents? We talk with Lynn Smargis, a Certified Senior Advisor about tips to get these conversations started and the steps to take when it’s time to explore new living arrangements. Get Lynn’s book….Sensible Senior Solutions - ebook https://amzn.to/43kZQdP Sensible Senior Solutions - paperback https://amzn.to/4i2WMHJ Watch Lynn’s Podcast “Caring For Your Aging Parent” on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CaringforYourAgingParent...