Back To The Nest

Leah Kern
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Leisure

Back To The Nest is a monthly podcast where Leah Kern sits down with a loved one to swap “acorns”—little tips and insights we’re currently leaning into. Acorns can be trivial things, like a fun new way to store earrings or a brand of clear lip gloss that tastes like vanilla and isn’t too sticky. But they can also be deeper nuggets of wisdom—lessons from therapy, profound lyrics, or a tip to calm existential anxiety. Acorns are the things we gather along the way, and Back To The Nest is the place we share them with you.

Episodes

  1. May 27

    [Thoughtful Conversations] From Hedge Funds to Higher Questions with Bruce Gimpel

    In this episode, Douglas sits down with Bruce Gimpel for a thoughtful conversation about ambition, reinvention, spirituality, and the search for meaning beyond professional success. Bruce spent decades in the demanding world of hedge funds and high finance, where performance, pressure, and achievement shaped daily life. But alongside his professional career, he was also pursuing something less visible — a lifelong search for deeper understanding and fulfillment. After stepping away from finance, Bruce redirected his energy toward volunteering, nonprofit work, and personal growth. His journey eventually led him to complete five separate 10-day silent meditation retreats — experiences that challenged him to slow down, sit in stillness, and examine life from a completely different perspective. Together, Douglas and Bruce explore what happens when high achievement no longer feels like the full answer, and why so many successful people eventually begin asking deeper questions about purpose, identity, and inner peace. In this episode: What life inside the hedge fund world was really likeThe emotional cost of constant performance and achievementWhy success alone often fails to create fulfillmentBruce’s transition into volunteering and nonprofit workLessons learned from five 10-day silent meditation retreatsThe power — and discomfort — of silence and stillnessIdentity shifts during retirement and reinventionMoving from external validation to internal reflectionWhy lifelong curiosity matters more than having answersWhat it means to become a “seeker” later in lifeThis episode is an honest exploration of the second half of life — not as a winding down, but as an opportunity to grow in entirely new directions. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s more to life than accomplishment, this conversation will resonate deeply.

    [Thoughtful Conversations] From Hedge Funds to Higher Questions with Bruce Gimpel

  2. Mar 5

    [Thoughtful Conversations] When Identity Change with Brent Bowden

    What happens when the thing that once defined you… no longer does? In this episode, Brent shares his journey from being an NFL punter to building a life in the corporate world—and the identity reckoning that came with that transition. Together, we explore how meaning is built outside of work, why tying your entire identity to one role can be so fragile, and what it really takes to live a purposeful, grounded life after a major career shift. Brent opens up about why he no longer leads with his NFL career when meeting new people, what athletes mean when they say “an athlete dies twice,” and how the character traits developed through elite sports can be translated into a meaningful life beyond the field. Whether you’re a former athlete, someone navigating a career transition,​ retirement,  or simply questioning how much of your identity is wrapped up in your job—this conversation offers perspective, honesty, and a powerful reminder that meaning is something you build, not something you earn through titles. In This Episode, We Cover: How to make meaning outside of workBrent’s journey from the NFL to the corporate worldWhy Brent chose not to lead with his former NFL career when meeting new peopleThe importance of diversifying your identityWhat it means when people say “an athlete dies twice”The emotional and psychological transition from professional sports to life after footballHow Brent translated the character traits developed in football into his post-NFL lifeThe connection between meaning, purpose, and responsibility

    [Thoughtful Conversations] When Identity Change with Brent Bowden

  3. Mar 3

    Tinned Fish, Entrepreneurship, & The Year of the Fire Horse [with Sonia]

    Join Leah and Sonia as they exchange acorns! More from Sonia: Sonia's Website: https://www.soniaholstein.com/Sonia's IG: @youllwantsecondsSonia's Substack: https://substack.com/@youllwantsecondsMore From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  4. Jan 5

    Alternative Deodorants, Meatballs, Decluttering, & The Radio [with Victoria]

    Join Leah and Victoria as they exchange acorns! More From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  5. 12/08/2025

    High School Reunions, Felted Acorns, Social Work & Lorazepam [with Beatrix]

    Join Leah and Bea as they exchange acorns! More From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  6. 11/03/2025

    Amelia Earhart, Apple Store Heartbreak, & Buttered Bagels [with Kayla]

    Join Leah and Kayla as they exchange acorns! More from Kayla! More From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  7. 08/31/2025

    Rewirement, Rainbow Girls, Rosy’s Chicken Breast, & Grandma Snacks [with Robyn]

    Join Leah and Robyn as they exchange acorns! More From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  8. 08/17/2025

    Acorns From The Appalachian Trail [With Bea & Victoria]

    Special edition episode! Join me and 2 of my pals, Bea and Victoria, as we reflect on our acorns from our recent section hike of the Appalachian Trail. More From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  9. 07/31/2025

    Babies, Stone Fruit, Weddings & The Appalachian Trail [with Jamie]

    Join Leah & one of her dearest friends, Jamie, as they exchange acorns! More From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  10. 06/03/2025

    Weird Rituals, Living Alone, Bird By Bird, & Insurance [with Maddie]

    Join Leah and one of her childhood best friends, Maddie, as they exchange acorns 🐿️ More From Maddie: Follow Maddie on Instagram for art Email Maddie about a custom piece: artbymkd@gmail.com More From Leah Subscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

  11. 04/03/2025

    Friendship, Squirrels, & Acorns

    Welcome to Back To The Nest!  In this episode, Leah is sharing the piece that inspired this podcast and what you can expect from this show. For additional content and to make sure you never miss an episode, head to leahkern.substack.com and subscribe. To learn more about Leah's Intuitive Eating work visit https://leahkernrd.com/ or checkout Shoulder Down Podcast.

  12. Trailer

    Welcome to Back To The Nest!

    Welcome to Back to the Nest. I'm your host, Leah Kern, and this is a monthly podcast where I sit down with a loved one to swap “acorns”— the little bits and tips we’re currently leaning into. Acorns can be trivial things, like a fun new way to store earrings or a brand of clear lip gloss that tastes like vanilla and isn’t too sticky. But they can also be deeper nuggets of wisdom—lessons from therapy, profound song lyrics, or a tip to calm existential anxiety. As your host, I'm here to bring you sweet, “slice of life” conversations that will help you gather inspiration and infuse your days with fresh energy. Acorns are the things we gather along the way, and Back to the Nest is the place we share them with you. Subscribe on Apple and Spotify so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening. For additional content and to make sure you never miss an episode and make sure you never miss an episode, head to https://leahkern.substack.com/

  • 1 Trailer
    11 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Back To The Nest is a monthly podcast where Leah Kern sits down with a loved one to swap “acorns”—little tips and insights we’re currently leaning into. Acorns can be trivial things, like a fun new way to store earrings or a brand of clear lip gloss that tastes like vanilla and isn’t too sticky. But they can also be deeper nuggets of wisdom—lessons from therapy, profound lyrics, or a tip to calm existential anxiety. Acorns are the things we gather along the way, and Back To The Nest is the place we share them with you.

Information

  • Creator
    Leah Kern
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Back To The Nest
  • Show Website
    Back To The Nest