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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 spiritual giants to gain insights and courage in pursuing one's purpose. The discussion highlights the significance of recognizing one's own growth and identity amidst the demands of family life, and how learning from historical figures can provide guidance and inspiration.

Resources:

• Lori’s website: www.lorigmelton.com,
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.melton
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.gmelton/
• Journey with a Giant Sneak Peek (Introduction and Chapter 1) & The Transformational Ten Spiritual Giant Quiz

Bio:

Lori Melton is an author, spiritual director, and retreat leader. She and her husband, Bryan, are the creators of the Sanctuary Stirrings Podcast and the founders and directors of The Sanctuary at Bear Creek Retreat Center, serving hundreds of people a year. She also has six children and 3 grandchildren AND is the newly published author of the brand new book, Journey With A Giant. her story of writing Journey with a Giant — after homeschooling six children, supporting your husband’s work, and then stepping into a new season as a spiritual director, retreat leader, and author — illustrates that it’s never too late to become who God is calling you to be.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

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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, especially during busy caregiving seasons. Brandice unpacks her grace-filled approach to ditching diet mentalities, encouraging listeners to shift away from all-or-nothing thinking and embrace sustainable, realistic habits that honor both body and spirit.

Listeners will hear practical strategies for marrying their food wants with wisdom, inviting God into everyday food choices, and cultivating gratitude for their bodies. Brandice shares how even small, mindful changes can transform your relationship with food and foster peace—no matter how hectic life gets. The conversation is full of real-life examples, faith-based encouragement, and actionable tips for anyone seeking to break free from diet cycles and find true nourishment, both inside and out.

Resources:

• Book: https://gracefilledplate.com/book
• Website: https://gracefilledplate.com

Bio:

Brandice Lardner is a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Amazon #1 Best Selling Author, and Jesus Girl whose mission in life is to help women ditch the diet mentality and find peace with food and their bodies so that they are better equipped to do the great things God has called them to do. And, she is the author of the new book, “Fully Nourished: A Grace-Filled Approach to Ditch Diets and Find Peace with Food and Your Body”.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

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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 support, and highlight key resources—including Laura’s book, "Still Becoming," and recommendations for navigating trauma and family transitions. With real-life wisdom and touching personal stories, this episode encourages listeners to embrace healing for themselves and future generations, reminding every woman that her journey is sacred and transformative.

Resources:

• Laura’s book: Still Becoming
• Laura’s website
• Episode with Lisa Saruga: Identifying and Managing Caregiver Trauma ft. Lisa Saruga
• Lisa Saruga’s book: The Trauma Tree
• Ruthie’s book: Empty Nest Awakening

Bio:

Laura Acuña is a speaker, author, podcast host, and Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. She’s the founder of Laura Acuña Ministries and host of The Still Becoming Podcast.

Known for her honesty, warmth, and humor, Laura shares biblical truth and real-life wisdom to help women grow in emotional and spiritual health. She’s the author of the 31-day devotional Still Becoming: Hope, Help, and Healing for the Diet-Weary Soul.

Laura’s journey reflects God’s love, grace, and healing. Embracing her “work-in-progress” nature—quirks and all—she testifies that God has transformed her struggles into a source of freedom and joy. Married for 42 years to her sweetheart, Pat, she’s the proud mom of three grown sons, a beloved daughter-in-love, and one precious 4-year-old granddaughter who calls her Nonie.

When she’s not ministering, Laura loves time with family, traveling, exploring vintage shops, and sharing coffee with a friend.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

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 and learning not to take delayed responses personally. Together, they explore why many parents feel anxious or rejected by their grown kids' independence, touching on anxious and avoidant attachment styles and how these styles shape our expectations and emotional responses.

Listeners will walk away with practical wisdom on fostering healthy relationships with adult children, letting go of unrealistic expectations, and finding personal peace rooted in faith rather than in others' validation. Jill offers guidance on addressing past parenting guilt, embracing opportunities for personal growth, and building emotional security in this new stage of life. Tune in for encouragement and actionable steps to truly prioritize your peace while navigating the challenges and joys of the empty nest and sandwich seasons.

Resources:

• Jill’s website
• Empty Nest, Full Life
• Ruthie’s Newsletter & Private Podcast

Bio:

Jill Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about relationships. She hosts the No More Perfect Podcast, and some of her book titles include Empty Nest, Full Life, the best-selling No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Kids, and No More Perfect Marriages. Jill and her husband, Mark, serve as Christian marriage coaches. They live in Normal, Illinois and have five children and seven grandchildren.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

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 solutions for celebrating with kids and grandkids across states, and the importance of embracing flexibility as our family dynamics evolve.

And don’t miss our memorable Christmas miracle—a decades-long answered prayer that restored lost wedding memories and reminded us of the power of faith and hope during the season. With a thoughtful blend of family stories, practical tips for honoring new traditions, and genuine encouragement, this episode offers a relatable and uplifting perspective for anyone seeking peace and connection during the holidays.

Resources:

• Couples United: Tackling Holiday People-Pleasing Together ft. Billie Jauss
• Holiday Adaptability for Moms of Adult Kids ft. Pamela Henkelman

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

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 her journey as a "recovering people pleaser" and offers actionable advice for couples looking to prioritize peace and connection, even if it means disappointing others.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for communicating holiday decisions, advice for resisting unhealthy people-pleasing, and a reminder to focus on building a strong foundation in marriage. Whether you're wrestling with family traditions or navigating new seasons as your children grow, this episode offers empathy, wisdom, and encouragement to help you protect your peace and honor your relationships through every holiday season.

Resources:

• {Free} Ebook: What’s Next Game Plan: 7 Steps to Move From Lost in Change to Living With Purpose
• Listen to The Family Room Podcast
• Billie’s Website: www.billiejauss.com

Billie’s Bio:

Billie Jauss is an international speaker, author, and podcast host, known as the “What's Next Coach?” Helping Women Trade Inner Chaos for peace, purpose, and powerful connections, empowering them to step confidently into what’s next.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

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 Alone: Stories of Invitation and Connection," offering practical advice on building genuine community, finding mentorship, and bringing organic support into everyday life.

Discover meaningful strategies for balancing busy caregiving demands with self-care and intentional relationships while learning creative ways to foster community, even with limited time or space, and how to listen to the Holy Spirit when extending hospitality. Check the show notes for Sue’s free hospitality prayers and mentoring worksheets.

Resources:

• A prayer for a hospitality heart, recipe, and 10 printables to help you get started in a mentoring relationship
• Sue's Book: Never Alone; Stories of Invitation & Connection
• Sue's 17 keynotes and 8 Retreat Series
• Sue’s Facebook group: Welcome Heart, Welcome Home
• Facebook
• Insta
• Pinterest
• Twitter

Bio:

Speaker, author, podcaster, Sue Donaldson and her husband, Mark, have raised 3 daughters who keep them at the bank and on their knees. Sue loves connecting people to one another, to God, and to His Word, and has been speaking for the last 20 years. Sue hosts a weekly podcast: Welcome Heart: Living a Legacy Life and a free Facebook group: Welcome Heart, Welcome Home. You’re invited!

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

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—especially when it comes to those difficult conversations we tend to avoid. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and prioritizing peace, reminding moms that the holidays may not look like they used to, but can still be filled with joy and connection.

Pamela also offers practical advice drawn from her own family’s experience, from scheduling celebrations on non-traditional dates to asking adult kids what traditions matter most to them. The episode highlights the need for moms to process their emotions privately and show up with love, creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Listeners will find encouragement to embrace trust and surrender, as well as resources like Pamela’s free guide “10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child and 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Doing It”—linked in the show notes. If you’re a mom facing the empty nest or the “sandwich season” of life, this episode delivers actionable tips and heartfelt support for maintaining healthy, vibrant family relationships.

Resources:

• Freebie: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child(And 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them)
• The Midlife Momma podcast

Pamela’s Bio:

Pamela Henkelman is a certified Empty Nest Coach, speaker, writer, and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast. With her bright smile and enthusiastic personality, she is passionate about encouraging women, particularly the often-forgotten group of moms with adult children. Pamela helps Christian moms let go with grace and enjoy the empty nest.

As a mom of five grown children and four grandchildren, Pamela has firsthand experience with the challenges and joys of navigating the empty-nest phase of life. She and her husband, of 37 years, are living their best empty-nest life and loving every minute of it.

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose