The holidays can feel bittersweet when your nest is newly empty. The house is quieter, traditions feel different, and the season that was once full of child-centered chaos may suddenly feel… a little too calm.

In this episode of Empty Nest Era, we’ll talk about how to navigate the first holiday season without your kids living at home — and actually find ways to enjoy it. You’ll hear why this season can feel so emotionally heavy (yes, the research backs it up!), and I’ll share 8 practical tips to help you embrace connection, reimagine traditions, and even rediscover joy for yourself.

We’ll talk about:

• Why the first holiday season as an empty nester can feel so strange
• How to honor old traditions while letting them evolve
• Simple ways to connect with your adult kids — even if you’re apart
• Creating new rituals that are just for you
• Using humor and flexibility to ease the transition

Whether your child is off at college, starting their career, or simply no longer living at home, this episode will help you feel less alone and more hopeful as you head into the holidays.

Because surviving the holidays as an empty nester isn’t about recreating the past — it’s about embracing the present, quirks and all.

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📧 Contact Jamie at: emptynesteralife@gmail.com

💬 COMMENT below: Are you looking at a different kind of holiday this year? If so, what are you doing that will be a change for your family?

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.

When the kids leave home, life shifts in profound ways. The silence can feel overwhelming, the routines fall away, and questions of identity naturally rise. But this new season is not just about loss—it’s also about possibility.

In this episode of Empty Nest Era, we explore what research reveals about the emotional journey of the empty nest and the surprising upsides many parents discover. You’ll hear real-life stories of parents who found new passions, reignited their marriages, and uncovered fresh purpose once their children were grown.

Together, we’ll talk through practical, actionable steps you can take to navigate this transition—whether it’s creating new rituals, reconnecting with your partner, or rediscovering long-forgotten hobbies. With honesty, encouragement, and a gentle reminder that you are not alone, this episode is about learning how to embrace the empty nest as a time of growth, renewal, and joy.

🔔Subscribe for monthly episodes on rediscovery, relationships, and emotional wellness in midlife.

📧 Contact Jamie at: emptynesteralife@gmail.com

💬 COMMENT below: Can you see yourself eventually embracing the empty nest? If so, how would you get started?

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.

When your child leaves home, the silence can feel deafening — and the ache in your chest is more than just “missing them.” In this heartfelt episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Jamie Chin shares the real symptoms of empty nest heart ache, why it’s completely normal, and gentle ways to cope. Through personal stories, compassionate insight, and practical tips, Jamie helps you feel seen, understood, and reassured that you can move through this transition with hope. Whether you’re in the thick of the sadness or just anticipating it, this conversation will remind you: your nest may be emptier, but your life is far from empty.

🔔Subscribe for weekly episodes on rediscovery, relationships, and emotional wellness in midlife.

📧 Contact Jamie at: emptynesteralife@gmail.com

💬 COMMENT below: Have you been dealing with empty nest heartache? If so, has anything made it better?

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.

How do you emotionally and practically prepare for your child leaving home?
In this episode of Empty Nest Era, licensed therapist Jamie Chin, LMFT, dives into the emotional rollercoaster and logistical chaos that often come with an impending empty nest. From dealing with identity shifts and grief, to setting healthy boundaries and rediscovering your passions, Jamie shares heartfelt advice and therapist-approved tips to help you feel less alone.

Whether you’re a parent of a college-bound teen, a recent high school grad, or just quietly panicking about what happens after graduation day—this episode is your roadmap to a more confident, connected, and hopeful next chapter.

Because preparing for an empty nest isn’t about letting go—it’s about leveling up.

🔔Subscribe for weekly episodes on rediscovery, relationships, and emotional wellness in midlife.

📧 Contact Jamie at: emptynesteralife@gmail.com

💬 COMMENT below: Is there anything you’ve started doing to prepare for your empty nest or are you still just processing it?

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.

The empty nest doesn't have to mean empty relationships. Discover practical strategies to maintain meaningful connections with your adult children after they've left home. This podcast explores how to navigate the changing parent-child dynamic, use technology effectively, create new traditions, and respect boundaries while still being present in your children's lives. Whether your children have just left for college or have been gone for years, these strategies will help you build a relationship that grows stronger with time.

🔔Subscribe for weekly episodes on rediscovery, relationships, and emotional wellness in midlife.

📧 Contact Jamie at: emptynesteralife@gmail.com

💬 COMMENT below: What unexpected way have you found to stay connected with your adult children? Your idea might be exactly what another parent needs to hear today.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.

In this episode of Empty Nest Era, we dive deep into the emotional challenges couples face when their children leave home. Can empty nest syndrome lead to divorce? It’s a question that many empty nesters ask themselves as they navigate the emotional rollercoaster of this major life transition.

Join Jamie Chin, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), as she explores how the empty nest phase can impact marriages, uncovering the hidden stressors that can strain relationships. From rediscovering your partner to facing unexpected tensions, this episode offers valuable insights on how to prevent marital problems during this critical time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How empty nest syndrome affects communication in relationships
• The common marital issues that arise when children leave the home
• Practical strategies to strengthen your marriage and rebuild your connection
• The importance of therapy for couples during life transitions

Whether you’re worried about the future of your marriage or just trying to reconnect with your partner, this episode will provide you with the tools and understanding you need to navigate this challenging but rewarding stage of life.

🔔Subscribe for weekly episodes on rediscovery, relationships, and emotional wellness in midlife.

📧 Contact Jamie at: emptynesteralife@gmail.com

💬 COMMENT below: Has an empty nest affected your relationship with your partner, and if so, have you found anything that has actually helped get you back on track?

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.

Empty nest syndrome affects millions of parents each year, but when does normal sadness cross the line into clinical depression? This podcast explores the emotional and physical impact when children leave home, why some parents are more vulnerable to depression during this transition, and evidence-based strategies to navigate this major life change. Whether you're approaching an empty nest or currently struggling with one, this conversation offers insights to help you transform this ending into a new beginning.

Send me a text with feedback or topic ideas

Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.

Feeling lost or unsure what to do now that the kids have moved out? In this podcast, we’re diving into 25 meaningful activities and goals for empty nesters that will help you stay busy, inspired, and fulfilled. Whether you're looking for fun hobbies, new adventures, or deeper purpose, this guide is packed with practical ideas to help you embrace this exciting new season of life.

💛 From learning how to paddleboard to joining a local club, starting a garden, or reigniting forgotten passions — you'll walk away with fresh motivation and a plan to make this chapter your best yet.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more support, encouragement, and inspiration during your empty nest journey.

📧 Contact Jamie at: emptynesteralife@gmail.com

👇 COMMENT below: Which idea are you most excited to try?

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation if needed.