Life After Launch: Navigating the Empty Nest

Allison Goldberg
  • 4.8 (16)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Your life isn’t over because the kids are grown, it’s just getting started. Life After Launch is the podcast that helps you take back your time, rediscover who you are, and create a life you’re excited to wake up to. If you’re navigating the empty nest, parenting adult kids, or wondering what’s next now that everything has changed—this show is for you. Hosted by Allison Goldberg , Life After Launch delivers real talk, expert tools, and honest stories that will help you feel seen, supported, and ready to launch again-on your own terms. Every episode gives you: Eye-opening conversations about identity, purpose, and midlife reinventionSmart strategies for setting boundaries, finding joy, and managing changeValidation, hope, and inspiration—especially when things don’t go as plannedYou’ve spent years pouring into others. Now it’s your turn. This is the podcast that helps you build your next chapter with clarity, courage, and community. New episodes drop weekly. Hit follow and start designing your Life After Launch.

  1. 4D AGO

    Who Supports The Single Mom When the House Goes Quiet? The Truth About Empty Nester Life, Rebuilding Self-worth and Finding Community Support


    Do you ever feel like no one warned you how hard it would be once the kids left home? Have you found yourself wondering what’s left for you now? Are you exhausted trying to hold it together as a single mom while everything around you feels like it’s unraveling? In this episode, Kelly shares what it’s really like to rebuild self-worth after heartbreak, raise kids alone, and face life after divorce with no guidebook. We talk about how ignoring relationship red flags led to more pain, and how the real work starts when we choose to stop abandoning ourselves. Kelly opens up about dealing with emotional burnout, the power of journaling for healing, and how fitness and self-awareness helped her through intense lows. You’ll also hear why choosing yourself is not selfish, how community support changed everything. Here’s what we unpacked: Why being an empty nester can feel more like grief than freedomHow to spot early relationship red flags and trust your gutHow to rebuild self-worth when everything feels like it’s falling apartWhat setting boundaries looks like when you’re used to overgivingHow journaling for healing or voice notes can release stored emotionsWays to prevent or recognize signs of emotional burnoutWhy fitness can be a reliable outlet for emotional healingHow starting or joining a small group for community support can help you feel seen If you’re in the thick of redefining who you are after the kids have left, this episode offers grounded support, relatable truths, and real steps to help you move forward with clarity, strength, and a deeper sense of self. Here’s to honoring your growth while learning to choose yourself, Allison Want to be a guest on the show? Apply to share your story. Connect with me: Website: https://www.lifecoachallisongoldberg.com Email: navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    29 min

  2. JUL 22

    When Motherhood and Life Transitions Got You Spinning: How to Keep the Mother Daughter Relationship Strong After They Leave with Emotional Parenting tools with Bernadette Catalana

    What happens when your kids grow up but still need you in new ways? What do you do when you're trying to help without taking over? This week I sat down with Bernadette Catalana, attorney, author, and mom of two grown daughters, for a real conversation about the ongoing motherhood journey. Together, we explore the hard parts of parenting adult children, how the mother daughter relationship changes over time, and what it takes to stay close without crossing the line. We didn’t just talk about the emotional stuff, we got into the practical tools too! Here’s what we unpacked: Practice emotional parenting when the problems get bigger and more personalUse family communication to stay connected, even when they pull awayShow your kids how to live by leading by example, not lecturesStay steady through life transitions like breakups, illness, and independenceBuild a strong mom and daughter bond through trust, not controlUse intentional parenting when you're not in charge of their day-to-day lifeRespectfully set boundaries that protect both you and themNavigate the real challenges of career and motherhood at different life stagesReframe "balance" into sustainable work life harmonyOffer meaningful motherhood advice without stepping on your child's growthWhether you're deep into raising daughters or just starting to experience the shift in your role, this episode gives you practical, honest tools for parenting through change and staying present through it all. Listen in and find out how to stay close, stay steady, and keep showing up, even when everything keeps changing. Here’s to leading with presence, not control. Allison Want to be a guest on the show? Apply to share your story. Connect with me: Website: https://www.lifecoachallisongoldberg.com Email: navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    29 min

  3. JUL 15

    My Husband’s Side of the Story

    Ever wonder what your partner is really thinking about the kids leaving home? What if you could get inside his head and hear the unspoken fears, the surprising joys, and the honest truth about what this new chapter means for your marriage? Well, today in a special episode, I’m sitting down with my husband, Joel, for a raw and honest conversation about his experience as an empty nester.  We’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like from a husband's perspective, the loneliness he felt, the concerns he had for me, and how our relationship has transformed since the kids left the nest. This episode is for anyone dealing with the quiet house, changing identities, and the amazing chance to rediscover love with your partner. "When you have that time, I think there can be a loneliness, a sadness, a boredom, whatever that comes along with just what do I do with my day, what's my purpose?"  In this episode, I share: 👉 A husband’s perspective on the empty nest  👉 The initial loneliness and adjustment period  👉 Fears about the marriage post-kids 👉 How fatherhood changes after children leave  👉 Recommitting to the marriage and partnership  👉 Moving houses to start a new chapter  =================== Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story. Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    38 min

  4. JUL 8

    Navigating the Emotional Shift: Mental Wellness After Launch

    Are you standing in your quiet kitchen, feeling a void that even work can't fill? There's nothing wrong with you, and there are proactive ways to feel like yourself again. Today, I’m exploring a topic often left unspoken: the profound emotional shift that happens when our homes become quiet after our kids launch. Many of us imagine an empty nest filled with relaxation and new hobbies, but the reality for so many is a sense of grief, loneliness, or a feeling of being completely lost. I want you to know that feeling this way is completely normal – you're not broken; you're just adjusting. Let’s explore proactive ways to navigate these feelings, from the power of therapy and life coaching to creating a personal "wellness space" in your home. It's about remembering that you matter, your joy matters, and this quiet period is actually the beginning of a new chapter in your life.  In this episode, I discuss: 👉 Coping with the empty nest quiet  👉 Why grief and loneliness are normal  👉 Therapy versus life coaching benefits 👉 Affordable mental wellness resources  👉 Creating your home wellness sanctuary  👉 Rebuilding your social connections  =================== Download my FREE Mental Wellness Starter Kit Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story. Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    14 min

  5. JUL 1

    What Really Prepares Your Teen to Thrive with Stuart Dow

    What if we’ve been looking at our children's success all wrong? Senior year hits, and we're on an unexpected rollercoaster. It’s not just our kids’ transition; it’s ours, too. While they figure out who they are without us, we must figure out who we are without them. It’s a messy, beautiful, often terrifying process of letting go. Today, I speak with Stuart Dow, Head of School at Emery Weiner. He has a front-row seat to what readiness looks like for both our kids and us, the parents, as we learn to let go. As an administrator, he teaches every senior, providing them with a valuable perspective on their shifts that we might miss. In this episode, Stuart and I explore what it takes for a teen to thrive, emphasizing patience and allowing kids to find their own path. Stuart highlights the importance of soft skills, such as respect, eye contact, and apologies, for long-term success, often more so than academic ability. He discusses common parental mistakes, such as projecting dreams and intervening too much, especially before college. This conversation offers a grounded, empowering perspective, reminding us our role isn't to control outcomes but to build a foundation and trust them to succeed. In this episode, we discuss: 👉 The emotional transition for parents and teens 👉 Why patience is a parent’s greatest tool 👉 Soft skills that matter more than grades 👉 How parental interference can hinder growth 👉 Letting kids find their own unique paths 👉 The truth about following talent versus passion =================== Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story. Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    38 min

  6. JUN 24

    When the Launch Looks Different: College Isn’t the Only Way

    Ever looked around and felt like your child's launch doesn't fit the "typical" path? What if their dream doesn't involve a dorm or a degree? Today, we're redefining what a successful launch truly looks like. Many of you have asked me: What happens when your child's launch doesn't follow the straight-to-college path? We often hear about the "one-dimensional path": high school, college, job, independence. But the truth is, launch is rarely a straight line, and it definitely doesn't always include a degree. As parents, it's vital that we stop measuring our worth, or our children's, by whether they took this "expected" path. Today, I’ll share how to support your child without judgment, how to set expectations if they return home, and, most importantly, how to celebrate their unique successes, big or small. This episode is all about letting go of your plan and allowing them to create their own dream.  In this episode, we cover: 👉 Challenging the "traditional" launch narrative 👉 Celebrating success beyond a college degree 👉 Supporting your child without judgment 👉 Setting clear expectations for boomerang kids 👉 Watching for progress, not perfection 👉 Celebrating your child's "little wins"   =================== Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27. Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story. Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    11 min

  7. JUN 17

    Before They Leave: The Talks Every Parent Needs to Have Before College Drop-Off

    The countdown to college drop-off has begun, and with it, all the questions: "Did I do enough? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" Today, we're giving you a game plan for their first year away!  Joining me today is my incredible friend and empowerment coach, Sunni Markowitz, to tackle the big anxieties parents face when their kids head off to college. We discuss setting realistic expectations for freshman year, emphasizing that true success involves building community, managing work-life balance, and learning from "healthy mistakes". Sunni shares invaluable advice on shifting from managing to mentoring our young adults and encouraging them to find their own solutions. We also discuss how to navigate homesickness with empathy and practical tools like journaling. A key takeaway is the importance of having open conversations before drop-off about communication boundaries, handling money, and accessing on-campus resources. This episode is all about letting go with courage and trust, understanding that college is a journey of growth for both our kids and us, and remembering that leaning in doesn't mean disappearing. In this episode, we cover: 👉 Defining freshman year success realistically  👉 Shifting from parent to mentor  👉 Encouraging community building and connection  👉 Navigating homesickness with practical tools  👉 Teaching financial responsibility and boundaries  👉 Healthy vs. hurtful parental support  =================== Discover more about Sunni and what she offers at Brighter U Coaching. Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27. Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story. Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    42 min

  8. JUN 10

    They’re Baaack: From Empty Nest to Full House (Again)

    Just when you were getting used to the quiet house and your newfound freedom, they're back! Are you ready for the beautiful, messy, and totally unexpected reality of having your college kids home for the summer? If you’re like me, these next months, you’re diving into a major plot twist in your empty nester journey, the summer return of our college kids. I know that feeling of pure excitement, stocking the fridge with all their favorites and counting down the minutes until they walk through the door. But then, reality sets in, right? For us, it started with curfews and quickly became clear that the kids we dropped off last fall weren't the same ones who came back. They’ve tasted independence, and we've gotten used to our quiet evenings and clean kitchens.  Suddenly, we’re navigating messy bathrooms, endless laundry, and conversations that sound a lot like, "I'm 18, I can do what I want!". It’s a huge adjustment for everyone, and if we’re not careful, it can lead to some really tough moments and hurt feelings. In this episode, I discuss my family’s struggles and the lessons I've learned from my kids and their friends. It’s not just about rules; it’s about shifting identities for everyone. We must honor the new people our kids are becoming while respecting our new lives. Needing your space isn’t selfish… It's just reality. In this episode, we cover: 👉 The "honeymoon phase" of kids returning home 👉 Navigating the inevitable clash over rules and freedom 👉 Understanding your college kid's perspective on returning 👉 The pros and cons kids experience at home 👉 Shifting identities for both parents and kids 👉 Adjusting to a new, shared-space reality =================== Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27. Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story. Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

    13 min
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About

Your life isn’t over because the kids are grown, it’s just getting started. Life After Launch is the podcast that helps you take back your time, rediscover who you are, and create a life you’re excited to wake up to. If you’re navigating the empty nest, parenting adult kids, or wondering what’s next now that everything has changed—this show is for you. Hosted by Allison Goldberg , Life After Launch delivers real talk, expert tools, and honest stories that will help you feel seen, supported, and ready to launch again-on your own terms. Every episode gives you: Eye-opening conversations about identity, purpose, and midlife reinventionSmart strategies for setting boundaries, finding joy, and managing changeValidation, hope, and inspiration—especially when things don’t go as plannedYou’ve spent years pouring into others. Now it’s your turn. This is the podcast that helps you build your next chapter with clarity, courage, and community. New episodes drop weekly. Hit follow and start designing your Life After Launch.

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