Dare On with Jodi

With dementia cases projected to surge as baby boomers age, our country is facing a crisis that we're not ready for. This, coupled with the lack of resources for seniors, can leave many of us feeling overwhelmed and feeling the pressure to step up. So what signs should we look for? And what would you do if your loved one starts to show symptoms? Beth Allen is a dedicated family caregiver and...

We all have our own stories—yours, your parents', your grandparents'. Each of us carries years of life experience behind us, but are these stories being shared with future generations? 📚 In this episode, I sit down with Sky Bergman—professor, artist, and the visionary behind the acclaimed PBS documentary Lives Well Lived . Sky is passionate about creating films and projects that inspire...

Is less stress, less anxiety, and less reactivity on your wish list this holiday season? That used to be me for years, until I refused to let these emotions steal another holiday from me! One special gift I want to give to you this year is the gift of joy and being present. So I’m sharing three strategies that I’ve been using for years that have allowed me to truly enjoy holiday gatherings, regard...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the changes that come with midlife? You may be grappling with sleep issues, stress, or body shifts…the list goes on! Many of us face these challenges, but what if there were simple strategies to help you not just cope but truly thrive? ⁉️ Adrien Cotton is helping to guide us with simple yet effective strategies to boost your health & wellness. As a transformation...

Stepping out of your comfort zone can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—terrifying, yet exhilarating. It's time to step away from the familiar and discover what you’re truly capable of!🧗 I usually talk about moms adjusting to life beyond parenting, but today we’re flipping the script.  In this episode, I sit down with Tim Conniff—an Empty Nest dad who's embraced the challenge of...

Do you ever feel like you're pretending, hiding parts of yourself to fit in, or shielding your true self from the world? 🎭 In this episode, we explore the masks we wear—those layers of armor that keep us safe but also keep us disconnected from our true selves. Join me as I share some of my thoughts about vulnerability and the courage it takes to show up as your true self even when it feels u...

How do you encourage independence when your child is so close? How do you resist becoming a helicopter mom? We're getting real about the lessons in letting go, even when they're still close by. In this episode of Beyond Empty Nest , the conversation centers on the unique challenges parents face when their children transition to college, particularly when they’re just a short distance awa...

Navigating midlife often means taking on new responsibilities, and for many of us, that includes helping aging parents make difficult transitions, like downsizing from a long-time home. But the truth is, downsizing isn't just for our parents—it's something we all need to consider. In this episode, we’re joined by Darla Pompilio, a professional organizer and founder of Your Tasks Our Time...

Losing your confidence and sparkle as an empty nester can feel hopeless, trust me I know. By taking small, meaningful steps to rediscover what lights you up, you can turn this transition into an exciting opportunity for growth and self-discovery In this episode, I am joined by Karla Olson, author of The Almost Empty Nester and founder of The Empty Nester Club, to talk about how moms can reclaim th...

As we enter a new season, what are some of the questions that you’re asking yourself? 🍂💭 Fall is known to be a time of reflection and renewal, this episode I invite you to explore where you might have fallen short, not with harsh judgement, but with compassion.❤️ Today’s episode is very short, showing us all that we can achieve something amazing in just a short period of time!   Your Reminder th...

Is managing your day to day or sticking to goals a big struggle for you? Empty nests, menopause and life transitions can leave us feeling lost, but what if there’s another reason behind it all? The guest today is my good friend Lauren Gladstone who is an ADHD coach. We have lots to discuss this episode as we dive deep into the unexpected link between ADHD and the challenges many women face in midl...

If you’re here, you’ve more than likely heard the term ‘midlife crisis’.  In addition to the emotional aspect of experiencing midlife, there are so many other issues besides emotional, there's physical issues like hot flashes and mood swings as well.  Sometimes, we find ourselves wide awake at 3am daydreaming of the possibilities, which I want to dive in with you today! Your Dare for the Week...

I am smart. I've got this. I can, I will, watch me! 3 simple affirmations that I use daily for a positive mindset during challenging and difficult times. Affirmations are a wonderful way to create positive shifts within our mindset and ourselves overall. It takes being intentional with your practice of using affirmations to realize the power that they truly have over our thoughts and our acti...

Are you currently being faced with a tough decision that is causing you anxiety and unease? This could be a result of health concerns you’re facing, changing career paths, or even navigating relationship changes. My guest today is Susan Guthrie, and she is here to share her wisdom from her experience being a top divorce attorney around what it has taught her about making important decisions. Susan...

How do you handle good-byes? Some of us find it easier than others.  As moms, we face countless good-byes with our children, but none are quite as emotionally charged as the empty nest. Whether our kids leave for college, join the service, or step into the working world, empty nest syndrome is a real thing. For some, it brings a wave of sadness that might last a few days or weeks. For others, it h...

If you’re new to the empty nest scene, you may be struggling with a surprising time of day…dinner time! 🍽️ Maybe it’s because you’re not used to eating alone. Maybe it’s because you don’t know how to cook for a smaller family unit. Or maybe you’re just not feeling like eating. These are all valid feelings, but it’s important to remember that even something as simple as cooking dinner can bring us...

Welcome to Beyond Empty Nest! Get ready to dive into Season 3, where we explore the next chapter of life with fresh insights and inspiring stories. This season is packed with must-hear topics that you won't want to miss. 🥺 First up , we tackle strategies to manage anxiety , offering practical tips and expert advice to help you find calm and balance in your everyday life. 📣 Next , discover t...

One of my favorite things to do at home is to entertain. We have a big bar at our home where I try my best to ensure that I have each of our closest’s friends’ favorite drinks available. While searching for ingredients, I came across this incredible brand called Camp Craft Cocktails and their incredible infusion kits.  But this brand is so much more than that. It's a vehicle that encourages c...

As our nests become empty and we enter midlife, there's a lot of talk about downsizing and decluttering. And although there are many benefits to simplifying our lives by getting rid of stuff, there's also another perspective to keep in mind. That perspective is to have things around you that matter, the things that bring back those happy memories of either times gone by or about loved on...

I’m ready to do-away with age-old notions of what we should do, how we should act, and how we should dress when we’re in our midlife years! I’m tired of being forced to fit a narrative that is dated and unrealistic, and you should be too! Join me and my guest this week in changing the narrative for all of us, for good! Jack Perez, a pro aging champion who promotes normalizing aging for women throu...

This one is for all the moms out there getting ready to send their kids off to college! 🎒I'm going to share with you three essential conversations that you want to have with your college bound child that I WISH I had had with mine.  As a result of not being proactive in having these conversations with my children, there was a lot of stress, anxiety, and worry from all sides. Be sure to liste...

Do you have a secret dream? Are you dimming your light because of the fear that people will judge you for what you really want to do with your life? If you are keeping this secret dream hidden because of doubt and fear,  my next guest  is going to share with you how to unleash that. Cheldin has played a huge role in pushing me toward my own secret dream. She and her team helped me start my own dig...

Change can be daunting. It brings about uncertainty, fear, and often pushes us out of our comfort zones. But here's the thing….change is inevitable, especially as we navigate the landscape of midlife. And while it may seem scary, it's also the key to unlocking our next chapter, a chapter that can be filled with hope. Dive into the transformative power of embracing change in midlife with...

Can you really unlock purpose, meaning and fulfillment in your life through something as simple as playing?! Society has tried to tell us that playing is just for kids. I’m here to remind you that it’s not. We were all once kids who would play for hours, and there is always a part of us that misses those moments & experiences. Just because we are in midlife does not mean that we can’t find joy...

Have you ever had something you’re passionate about achieving but that you’ve put on the backburner for various reasons? Maybe you pursued a different career, or were raising a family, or maybe you were simply trying to navigate the demands of life and somehow that passion became buried.  Does this sound like you? If so, this week we’re going to explore the idea of reigniting your passions, hobbie...