Sandwich Season Sanity

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Celebrate one year of the Sandwich Season Sanity Podcast with us!!! This episode highlights the top five most-downloaded episodes, shares updates on coaching and upcoming seasons, and offers practical advice for caregivers and parents navigating multigenerational relationships. Resources below are highlighted in this special episode. Ple...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Ever felt caught in a struggle between your beliefs and that of your adult children and your aging parents? You're not alone. In this episode, Michelle Rayburn and Ruthie open up about their own struggles and wins in bridging those generational divides with kindness and faith. If you're juggling family differences, craving peac...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Ever feel like mornings are just too overwhelming to handle? Trust me, I’ve been there. Whether you’re caring for loved ones, managing a busy household, or navigating life's chaos, establishing a morning ritual can be your anchor. In this episode, we explore practical ways to make mornings matter—no matter what season you're in...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Ever feel like caregiving is wearing you thin? You're not alone—and the good news? You can find moments of joy, hope, and even peace amid the chaos. In this heartfelt episode, Kim shares honest stories and simple strategies that help caregivers like us keep dreaming, connecting, and nurturing ourselves. In this episode: The power of...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Sometimes life throws a curveball when you least expect it. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about resilience, faith, and finding peace amid chaos—like Lois Flowers’ story of surviving a traumatic brain injury or navigating her parents' last years without fear. We discuss: How fear influences caregiving and the importance of...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this conversation, Lori G. Melton discusses the challenges and opportunities of rediscovering personal callings during the sandwich season of life, where individuals often juggle caregiving responsibilities for both children and aging parents. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, journaling, and the practice of journeying with...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode, I am joined by friend Brandice Lardner, a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and Amazon bestselling author of "Fully Nourished: A Grace-Filled Approach to Ditch Diets and Find Peace with Food and Your Body”. Together, we discuss the challenges women face around food, perfectionism, and self-care, especiall...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I am welcoming back my friend, Laura Acuña, for her deep insight into caregiving and personal healing. Laura shares in-depth about her own journey of emotional recovery through caregiving.  We explore practical strategies for self-care, share the importance of therapy and spiritual s...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, Ruthie sits down with relationship expert and author Jill Savage to discuss the delicate balance of parenting adult children during the empty nest years and how to become “unoffendable”. Jill shares candid insights from her own life, including relatable stories about unreturned texts...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m joined by my husband of 38 years, Jim Gray, for his input on the holidays as empty nesters. We’re talking about our unique lifestyle, splitting time between homes in West Virginia and Florida, and how this has shaped our holiday traditions. We’ll discuss home remodels, creative s...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode, I’m sitting down with my guest, Billie Jauss, an international speaker, author, and podcast host known as the "What's Next Coach." We talk through the challenges couples face during the holidays—especially around maintaining a united front and setting boundaries amidst family expectations. Billie reveals h...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, Sue Donaldson, a speaker, author, and expert on hospitality opens up about the realities of loneliness faced during the "sandwich season"—the time in life when women care for both aging parents and growing children. Sue also shares wisdom from her new book, "Never Alon...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! On this episode,  host Ruthie Gray welcomes Pamela Henkelman, certified empty nest coach and host of the Midlife Momma podcast, for a candid conversation about navigating the holidays with adult children. Pamela shares her wisdom on letting go of old expectations, respecting new family traditions, and fostering open communication—especia...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Peg Arnold, speaker, author, and “Drama Queen for Jesus”, shares her powerful caregiving journey. Peg opens up about a time when her family navigated joyful milestones like her children's graduations, only to be hit with the sudden loss of her father-in-law and her mother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's, all within the same y...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode, I’m sitting down with my sweet friend, Suzy Mighell, author of the FABULOUS new release, "Empty Nest: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest." Suzy shares her heart and practical wisdom for navigating the challenging transition from hands-on parenting to developing healthy, encouraging adult-to-adult relation...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! On this episode, I’m welcoming Kelly Hall—host of the Unshakable Hope podcast, author, Bible teacher, and seasoned caregiver. Kelly shares her profound journey of raising four children (three with special needs) amidst the unique challenges of military life, alongside navigating her own health struggles and ongoing caregiving responsibil...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Linda Hanstra, a semi-retired speech-language pathologist, author, and seasoned empty nester joins the podcast to share her personal stories of navigating the "sandwich season". From unexpected joys with kids and grandkids to profound loss and pandemic-era challenges, Linda opens up about the lessons learned, the importance of...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of Sandwich Season Sanity, I’m sitting down with my friend and fellow caregiver, Lori Schumaker. Lori opens up about her caregiving journey and gives her wisdom for those of us going through this season. We discuss topics like embracing your God-given identity, prioritizing personal peace, and letting go of the pressure t...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m interviewing Cathy Lawdanski, a retired empty nester with a wealth of wit and wisdom for navigating life’s later seasons. Cathy shares the story behind her essential "Medical Records Checklist," inspired by a personal medical emergency that revealed how critical it is t...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity Podcast, I’m discussing the challenge of finding peace during one of life’s most chaotic seasons. This episode offers a compassionate exploration of how true peace isn’t just handed to us—even believers need to take intentional, sometimes uncomfortable steps to experience it fully.  I’m shari...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m sharing my "Dream with God in 60 Minutes" task-sorting method through a practical, prayer-centered exercise for balancing personal desires, family responsibilities, and your calling from God.  We’ll talk about shifting priorities, setting healthy boundaries, and learnin...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In the second half of this episode with Laura Acuna, we’re dissecting the real-life balancing act of being an entrepreneur, author, and mom/caregiver/grandparent. Learn insights on saying “no” and how to prioritize listening to God’s guidance, making time for family, and accepting help in caregiving roles.  I give the scoop on my practic...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity, I’m sharing my guest appearance on the Still Becoming Podcast with Laura Acuña, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities that come with balancing caregiving roles and personal ambitions during midlife. I’ll share my personal journey from being a busy mom of four to finding renewed...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I sat down with my youngest daughter, Kylie, to explore the unique challenges that arise when a mom transitions into a caregiving role while still raising children. Kylie, who was fourteen when I began caring for my aging parents, shares her perspective of what it was like to experie...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity Podcast, Ruthie opens up about her personal healing journey after years of caregiving and business leadership left her feeling emotionally depleted. She shares a candid reflection on the toll that “little t” trauma—like ongoing stress, caregiver emergencies, and unresolved emotions—can take o...