Sandwich Season Sanity

Ruthie Gray

Welcome to Sandwich Season:  Peace, joy, and wisdom for moms who are stretched thin in multigenerational caregiving, juggling parenting, grandparenting, and eldercare.  Take charge of reactions, set those oh-so-important boundaries, and find time for new passions and hobbies.

  1. DEC 8

    Couples United: Tackling Holiday People-Pleasing Together ft. Billie Jauss

    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 PurposeListen to The Family Room PodcastBillie’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

    27 min
  2. NOV 24

    Finding Time for Friendships Amidst Caregiver Overwhelm ft. Sue Donaldson

    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 relationshipSue's Book: Never Alone; Stories of Invitation & ConnectionSue's 17 keynotes and 8 Retreat SeriesSue’s Facebook group: Welcome Heart, Welcome Home Facebook Insta PinterestTwitter 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

    26 min
  3. NOV 10

    Holiday Adaptability for Moms of Adult Kids ft. Pamela Henkelman

    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

    24 min
  4. OCT 27

    Diplomas to Diagnosis: When Graduation Meets Caregiving ft. Peg Arnold

    Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Peg Arnold, speaker, author, and “Drama Queen for Jesus”, shares her powerful caregiving journey. Peg opens up about a time when her family navigated joyful milestones like her children's graduations, only to be hit with the sudden loss of her father-in-law and her mother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's, all within the same year. She speaks candidly about the emotional roller coaster of managing crises across generations, the challenge of being needed in two places at once, and the importance of leaning on faith during seasons of overwhelming change. Throughout the episode, Peg offers wisdom on finding strength and hope in difficult times, emphasizing the critical role of prayer, family collaboration, and practical planning. We discuss how God provides "joy gems" in the darkest moments, and Peg shares her own spiritual practices, including journaling and praying scripture. Listeners will also hear how Peg and her husband balanced long-distance caregiving, career loss, and the emotional fallout of life’s unexpected turns. Be sure to check out Peg’s free prayer book, designed to help listeners deepen their prayer lives during trying seasons, and learn more about her speaking ministry and creative presentations on her website, listed in the show notes.  Resources: Peg’s Website Peg’s Facebook Peg’s Instagram Peg’s Youtube Channel Peg’s Free Prayer Workbook Peg’s Bio: Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author/Teacher, is a Drama Queen for Jesus. Her interactive and inspiring presentations and workshops equip and empower others to step into their God-given purpose. Whether speaking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds at a conference, her passion for encouraging women to discover their true value and purpose and to utilize their gifts in everyday life is contagious. As a wife to Rick, empty-nest mom, and Nana of eight, Peg creatively shares the joys and challenges of these life experiences through her devotions, dramas, messages, and personal testimony. You can find those devotions in her book, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, on YouVersion, the Upper Room, and several other anthologies. Additionally, she has a new resource: a book for equipping speakers, teachers, and preachers called Making Your Message Memorable: Creative Ideas for Captivating Presentations. Peg grew up in Michigan, raised her family while completing her Master’s in Maryland, and now resides in Colorado, close to her 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

    22 min
  5. OCT 13

    Building Healthy Connections with Adult Children and In-Laws ft. Suzy Mighell

    Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode, I’m sitting down with my sweet friend, Suzy Mighell, author of the FABULOUS new release, "Empty Nest: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest." Suzy shares her heart and practical wisdom for navigating the challenging transition from hands-on parenting to developing healthy, encouraging adult-to-adult relationships with grown children.  We discuss: - The emotional journey of the empty nest  - Practical strategies for supporting adult kids and in-laws  - Finding renewed purpose after the kids leave home Suzy also gives wise insight into self-reflection, embracing new roles, and gracefully entering the grandparent chapter.  Whether you're approaching the empty nest years or already well into them, this episode offers uplifting encouragement and actionable tips to help you thrive. Don’t forget to check out Suzy's book and resources linked in the show notes. Resources:  Suzy’s Book: Empty Nest: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest Suzy’s Website Suzy’s Bio:  Suzy Mighell is the personality and content creator behind the popular blog and social media brand Empty Nest Blessed. Known for her bright spirit and biblical encouragement, Suzy creates content to uplift and inspire midlife women in everything from fashion and beauty to marriage, travel, and parenting adult kids. She and her husband love traveling, working, and spending time with their three grown children, two daughters-in-law, two grandchildren, and two crazy granddogs. 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

    19 min
  6. SEP 29

    Caregiving Special Needs Children and Aging Parents ft. Kelly Hall

    Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! On this episode, I’m welcoming Kelly Hall—host of the Unshakable Hope podcast, author, Bible teacher, and seasoned caregiver. Kelly shares her profound journey of raising four children (three with special needs) amidst the unique challenges of military life, alongside navigating her own health struggles and ongoing caregiving responsibilities. We get into the emotional and spiritual complexities of caregiving across generations, highlighting the overwhelming moments, the importance of surrender over control, and how faith, scripture, and prayer became their anchors during times of uncertainty. Listeners will find comfort and practical wisdom as Kelly recounts powerful stories of God’s provision, from tangible miracles in moments of need to the sustaining peace found in daily prayer and specific scriptures. The conversation also addresses the transition to caring for aging parents while balancing the needs of one’s own family, emphasizing that God’s love and sovereignty are constant—even when life doesn’t go as planned. Kelly’s experience is a reminder that while the caregiving journey can feel chaotic and isolating, hope is always within reach. Be sure to check out more resources at kellyhall.org and tune in for inspiration, encouragement, and practical support for your own sandwich season. Resources:  Kelly’s Website Unshakable Hope Podcast Kelly’s Facebook Kelly’s Instagram Unshakable Hope Podcast YouTube Kelly’s Bio: Kelly hosts the Unshakable Hope podcast and is an author, Bible teacher, and speaker. She has a unique family story of raising four children, three with special needs, in the constantly challenging world of the Air Force followed by an unexpected journey into chronic illness and ongoing caregiving, She is intimately familiar with the ache of unanswered prayers, so her greatest joy is helping others discover the hope that holds us even when life shakes us. She lives in AZ and enjoys the beauty of the desert with her husband of 39 years, 2 adult daughters and a super smart service dog named Skylar.  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

    29 min
  7. SEP 15

    From Boomerang Kids to Pandemic Caregiving & Loss ft. Linda Hanstra

    Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Linda Hanstra, a semi-retired speech-language pathologist, author, and seasoned empty nester joins the podcast to share her personal stories of navigating the "sandwich season". From unexpected joys with kids and grandkids to profound loss and pandemic-era challenges, Linda opens up about the lessons learned, the importance of family connection, and the growth that comes from balancing joy with grief. Tune in to hear Linda’s insights from her new book, Empty Nest Joyride: Hope, Love and Purpose on the Road to Contentment. The conversation covers everything from tips for handling “boomerang kids” to the nuances of parenting adult children and finding peace in times of transition. Listeners will also learn about Linda’s practical resources, including her “Happy Together” checklist for families navigating returning adult children, and get a chance to enter an exciting book giveaway.  Don’t miss this encouraging episode filled with relatable stories, practical advice, and a gentle reminder that peace and joy can flourish even amid life’s toughest seasons. The following links contain affiliate links.  Resources:  Linda’s book,  Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to ContentmentWebsite: lindahanstra.comSubstack: lindahanstra.substack.com/"Happy Together" checklists: lindahanstra.com/happy Tiny Testimony Book Workshop: Learn more here Linda’s Bio: Linda Hanstra writes about what brings joy to her empty nest, including topics such as her faith, family, cycling, traveling, grandparenting, and more. Linda is the author of two books—Lent through the Little Things and her new release, Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment. Linda and her husband, Tom, live in southwest Michigan and spend summers “Up North” in Minnesota—their home away from home. With four adult children, a daughter-in-law, a soon-to-be son-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren, Linda is cruising along on her “empty-nest joyride!” 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

    27 min
5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Welcome to Sandwich Season:  Peace, joy, and wisdom for moms who are stretched thin in multigenerational caregiving, juggling parenting, grandparenting, and eldercare.  Take charge of reactions, set those oh-so-important boundaries, and find time for new passions and hobbies.

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