The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living

Rick and Clancy Denton
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Rick and Clancy have been enjoying life together since the mid 90s. Starting in August 2023, with two college-aged kiddos they entered Empty Nest Living. The house is quieter than before...it's a loud quiet, indeed. Join them as they laugh and cry while trying to figure out how to live the empty nest. Tune in for relatable stories, navigating the ups and downs of empty nest life with humor about the empty nest journey. Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living? Send Rick And Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

  1. 1D AGO

    Empty Nesters Staying Connected With Kids From Afar - E125

    When your kids leave home, the communication changes. Sometimes it slows gradually. Sometimes it feels abrupt. In this episode, Rick and Clancy talk about what staying connected really looks like once your kids are living in a different rhythm.They share their experience navigating daily calls during a tough freshman year, the shift that often happens by spring semester, different communication styles between siblings, time zone mishaps, “proof of life” texts, and the balance between asking questions and sharing your own life. The conversation also stretches beyond college to long-distance relationships in general… even with aging parents.📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon. You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookChapters00:00 The Book Update03:10 Freshman Year Daily Communication07:30 When the Calls Slow Down12:00 “Proof of Life” Texts16:05 Different Communication Styles21:00 Time Zones Matter25:15 Making It Easy to Respond30:00 Sharing Your Own Life👋 Join the conversation with other couples adjusting to communication shifts with adult kids:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:https://www.theloudquiet.comWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

    24 min

  2. FEB 12

    Valentine’s Day Take It or Leave It - Greatest Hits E124

    Valentine’s Day shows up every year with expectations attached. Reservations. Prix fixe menus. Cards that say more about obligation than affection.In this Greatest Hits episode of The Loud Quiet, Rick and Clancy talk honestly about why they stopped treating Valentine’s Day like a scripted performance and how their relationship evolved once they did.From early dating years and shared “love songs” to parenting seasons that reshaped priorities, this episode walks through what Valentine’s Day has looked like across decades. Sometimes romantic. Sometimes chaotic. Often funny. Always real.What’s in the episodeWhy Valentine’s Day can feel like a high-pressure holidayThe songs that became part of Rick and Clancy’s relationship storyThe dinner that officially ended Valentine’s night reservationsHow parenting changed the focus of the holidayDaddy-daughter dances, school parties, and showing love differentlyWhen Valentine’s Day quietly came back around in a new seasonWhy unscripted moments often matter more than calendar datesCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back and setting the Valentine’s context02:00 How Rick and Clancy have always viewed Valentine’s Day05:00 The love songs that stuck08:00 Endless Love and a memory that never faded12:40 The dinner that officially ended Valentine’s night reservations15:45 Choosing connection over obligation17:30 Valentine’s Day as parents19:30 Daddy-daughter dances and modeling love22:30 Sports schedules and reality checks24:00 Valentine’s Day finds its way back26:00 Flowers, mixtapes, and changing expectations28:30 Defining Valentine’s Day on your own terms📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.Details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookJoin the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquietJoin the newsletter:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch here:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

    33 min

  3. FEB 5

    The Four Intimacies with Dr Amy and Roy - E123

    Intimacy changes over time… especially when the house gets quieter. What once felt automatic often needs more intention, more conversation, and sometimes a better framework.Just in time for Valentine's Day, in this guest episode, we sit down with couples counseling team Dr. Amy and Roy Clark to talk about The Four Intimacies and why strong relationships are built on more than just physical connection. We get practical about how couples actually talk to each other, why emotional closeness matters so much, and how intimacy can deepen at every stage of marriage… including the empty nest years.Years of working with couples showed Amy and Roy that the products supporting intimacy didn’t match the care people wanted to bring into it. That insight led them to create Aria, a luxury personal lubricant designed to be both beautiful and discreet… something meant to be seen, appreciated, and used with intention.We also talk honestly about why intimacy doesn’t “just happen,” how faith and intimacy can coexist without embarrassment, and what it looks like to create rhythms of connection that feel natural, grown-up, and alive.Get Amy & Roy's free couples intimacy quiz: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/intimacyquiz 📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet - Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookResources mentioned in this episodeAria Luxury Lubricant:https://arialuxelife.com/Clark Coaching & Counseling with Dr. Amy and Roy Clark:https://royandamy.com/CHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:05 Why intimacy is more than physical4:10 The four types of intimacy explained8:55 What couples miss when they skip connection12:05 Faith, intimacy, and removing the shame15:00 Creating intention with simple rituals18:20 Working together as a married team22:10 How to start hard conversations safely26:00 Teaching intimacy earlier in life28:40 What success looks like long-term👋 Join the conversation with other couples navigating this season of life:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:https://www.theloudquiet.comWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).#relationships #marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting #valentinesday

    31 min

  4. JAN 29

    Empty Nest Snow Days – E122

    We spent several days at home during an ice storm in North Texas. Sweats instead of real clothes. Garage workouts because the gym was out. Too much food because that’s what people do when they’re stuck. We talk through how our routines unraveled, what we did to fill the time, and how empty nest life changes the feel of being snowed in. We also get into the small stuff… playing games we haven’t touched in years, watching different shows in different rooms without it being a “thing,” and noticing how storms feel when there aren’t kids at home needing rides, food, or distractions. It’s not a big takeaway episode. It’s just what a few quiet, iced-in days looked like for us. 📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details, updates, and a free introduction download here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book 👋 If you want to share your own snow-day habits or comfort food, join us in the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet 📬 Want weekly notes and episode extras?https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro1:10 Iced in at home3:40 Routines falling apart fast6:30 Garage workouts and making do9:10 Eating like it’s required11:55 Storms without kids at home15:05 Being together, doing different things18:10 Forced slowdown and workdays21:20 Wrapping up the week Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

    23 min

  5. JAN 22

    Empty Nest sadness returns when college kids spring back to school – E121

    Spring semester drop-offs don’t get the same attention as fall move-in… but for a lot of parents, they’re tougher than they expect. The house was full again. The routines came back. And then, just like that, they left. In this episode, we talk honestly about why the sadness shows up again when college kids head back after the holidays. Not for the first time… and not because anything is wrong. We talk about what’s different about winter break versus summer, how short visits mess with your emotional footing, and why even years into empty nest life, this moment can still catch you off guard. This conversation was inspired entirely by our Facebook community. Parents shared stories about pets waiting outside empty bedrooms, traditions that suddenly feel more fragile, and the quiet realization that “home” isn’t quite the same anymore… for anyone. We also talk about what actually helps once the kids are gone again… getting back into routine, being intentional, and accepting that this phase keeps shifting whether we’re ready or not. 📖 Book updateOur upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro and why this episode happened1:20 Spring return sadness… again3:10 When “home” becomes a visit4:55 Winter break vs summer break6:40 Pets notice the empty rooms too8:30 Traditions feel different now11:10 Making memories without guilt14:30 Why January feels harder17:55 Getting back into routine19:45 Being intentional in this phase21:05 Wrap-up 👋 Share your experience or see what other parents are saying in our community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet 📬 Want more like this? Get new episodes and extras in your inbox:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

    22 min

  6. JAN 15

    Extended Holiday Overindulging and Return to Routine in the Empty Nest – E120

    The holidays are over, the fridge is still full of leftovers, and the routine hasn’t quite found its way home yet.In this episode, Rick and Clancy talk about what happens between Thanksgiving and “whenever we finally pull it together.” The extra food. The extra drinks. The social calendar that never lets up. And the moment, especially in your 50s, when your body makes it very clear that it noticed. They talk through why the holiday season turns into a free-for-all, how restriction can backfire, and why getting back to normal is usually less about a dramatic reset and more about rebuilding a rhythm that fits empty nest life.They also cover bloodwork reality checks, binge vs restriction thinking, supplements and skepticism, processed food, alcohol tolerance, and the uncomfortable truth that exercise alone doesn’t undo six weeks of “we’ll deal with it later.” This isn’t a resolution episode or a dry January lecture. It’s a practical conversation about returning to routine… imperfectly, gradually, and with a little more awareness than last time.📖 Upcoming bookOur upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book📬 Want new episodes and extras sent your way?https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup👋 Join the conversation with other empty nesters here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 All episodes and listening links live here:https://www.theloudquiet.comCHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:10 Why the holidays become a free-for-all3:55 Bloodwork as a reality check6:40 Binge vs restriction thinking9:55 Food, alcohol, and aging bodies13:45 Supplements, skepticism, and mixed messages17:05 Why routine actually matters20:10 One change beats a long list22:45 Returning to normal… eventuallyWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).#relationships #marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting

    31 min

  7. JAN 8

    Empty Nest Reminder...Your Young Adult’s Success Isn’t Always Linear - Joanna Lilley - E119

    Your young adult’s path may look messy, stalled, or off-script… and that doesn’t mean something is wrong.In this guest episode, we’re joined by Joanna Lilley, a therapeutic consultant who works with young adults and their parents during the often complicated transition into adulthood. Joanna helps families navigate college decisions, mental health challenges, academic setbacks, and those moments when forward motion feels unclear.We talk about the difference between being college capable and college ready, why gap years can be useful when they’re intentional, and how parents can respond when academic probation, burnout, or “I don’t think this is for me” conversations come up. Joanna also shares practical guidance on boundaries, communication, and how curiosity can be more productive than fear when things don’t go as planned.This conversation is for parents who need reassurance that progress doesn’t always look linear… and that detours can still lead somewhere meaningful.🎧 Joanna’s podcast, Success Is Subjective:https://www.successissubjective.org/🌐 Joanna’s consulting work and parent resources:https://lilleyconsulting.com/📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet - Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon. You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookCHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:07 College capable vs college ready4:10 When parents misread readiness7:32 Gap years and intentional pauses12:13 Academic probation and hard conversations16:44 Boundaries when kids stall out22:01 Failure to launch concerns27:01 Signs parents shouldn’t ignore30:43 How families find outside help34:10 Why nonlinear paths still work👋 Join the conversation in our community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Get new episodes and extras in your inbox:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

    35 min

  8. JAN 1

    2025 Reflections and 2026 Launching in the Empty Nest - E118

    That weird stretch between Christmas and New Year’s… when no one knows what day it is, the snacks never stop, and you start thinking about what just happened and what might be coming next. In this New Year’s Day episode, we look back on 2025 and talk about what surprised us most… how this podcast grew way beyond what we expected, how the community took on a life of its own, and how the empty nest feels different than it did a year ago. We also talk about what’s ahead in 2026… including the book that grew directly out of this podcast and the conversations happening inside the community. No resolutions. No pressure. Just a realistic look at where we’ve been and what we’re excited to launch next. 📘 Book updateIf you want sneak peeks, preorder bonuses, early chapters, and launch-day news for the upcoming book, sign up here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book 👋 Join the conversation in our community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet 📬 Get episodes and extras in your inbox:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro and Happy New Year1:45 The weird week between Christmas and New Year’s3:10 Looking back on 20255:20 When the podcast became more than “just us”7:35 Why guests changed the show9:45 The page vs the group (and why both exist)11:20 The book and what’s coming next14:05 Why 2026 feels like a launch16:10 What we’re excited about this year18:30 Wrapping up and thanks 👋 Share what this season looks like for you and join the conversation:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet 📬 Want book sneak peeks and weekly extras?https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

    17 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Rick and Clancy have been enjoying life together since the mid 90s. Starting in August 2023, with two college-aged kiddos they entered Empty Nest Living. The house is quieter than before...it's a loud quiet, indeed. Join them as they laugh and cry while trying to figure out how to live the empty nest. Tune in for relatable stories, navigating the ups and downs of empty nest life with humor about the empty nest journey. Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living? Send Rick And Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

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