WOW - today’s Growing Good Humans podcast episode really hit home for me. There are some conversations that meet you exactly where you are, and this was one of them. I was so struck by the words and perspective shared by Kristin Brenner from Sparking Positivity, and I truly took her advice to heart.

Having launched four children of my own, I know firsthand that the “empty nest” is about so much more than the day your student leaves for college. It’s a transition that happens gradually - and one that can bring a surprising mix of pride, excitement, grief, uncertainty, and even questions about who you are in this next chapter.

For many parents, it marks the beginning of a season filled with new questions about identity, purpose, relationships, and what comes next.

Topics explored:

• What the empty nest years really look like beyond college move-in day

• Why this season can bring unexpected emotions and shifts in identity

• How relationships with adult children naturally evolve

• Why some women feel they’ve lost their joy - and how they begin to find it again

• How the empty nest can change relationships with partners

• Ways to move through this season with more purpose and self-compassion

Whether you’re approaching the empty nest, right in the middle of it, or wondering what this next chapter might hold, I hope you’ll listen! 💛

Resources From Emerging

• Download the Free Getting Ready to Launch Guide — includes a College Application Timeline for every grade level
• Explore Our College Consulting Services — learn how Emerging guides families through the full process
• Academic Services — mentored research projects and internship matching to help students build the experiences that stand out
• Work With Us — if this conversation sparked questions, we'd love to learn about your student
• Watch Us On YouTube