Life After Launch: Tools for coping with the empty nest, navigating midlife transitions, and parenting adult children.

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. 11H AGO

    Feeling College Drop Off Grief? How to Handle Relationship Shifts and Changing Family Dynamics During the College Transition

    Was there a moment when you walked past your child’s empty room and it hit harder than you expected? You might find yourself debating whether to reach out or hold back, unsure of what this new dynamic should look like. If your child’s start of college has you feeling a little off balance or unsure how to handle all the changes, you’re definitely not the only one. In this week’s conversation, Laura shares what it’s been like since her son moved out, even though he's still in the same city. We talk through the grief that catches you off guard, the boundary questions that feel impossible to get right, and the tension between stepping back and staying close. We also explore what happens inside a family as roles start to shift. From the way your parent role evolves overnight to the new rhythm with the child who’s still at home, everything gets recalibrated. And if you’re married, that includes your relationship too. Laura reflects on how this life transition has sparked moments of reconnection and unexpected space to breathe. Here’s what we unpacked: What grief can look like after college drop-off, even if they’re just across townHow the mother son relationship shifts as teens seek independenceThe fine line between managing expectations and holding on too tightThe impact of changing family dynamics can have on the child who stays homeWhat it means to stay present while you're in the middle of your own self rediscoveryHow one conversation can change everything when it comes to reconnecting in marriageWhy letting go is part of raising teens, even when it doesn’t feel natural If you're adjusting to a quieter house, rethinking what parenting looks like, or just trying to navigate this new chapter, this episode is a gentle, honest companion for your journey. Here’s to navigating the quiet moments with grace, 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. SEP 2

    Bid Day Meltdowns and Rush week Pressure: Emotional Support Tips for Sorority Rush and Fraternity Rush

    Is your teen in the middle of sorority rush or fraternity rush, and you're the one fielding the emotional fallout? Are you remembering your own bid day rejection, or silently hoping your child doesn’t feel the pain of rejection? If the rush week process feels like more than you signed up for as a parent, this episode is for you. This isn’t just about Greek letters or group chats. It’s about what happens when your child is focused on finding belonging, and you’re trying to support them without steering the ship. In this episode, I share the real story of my own college rejection, what it stirred up when my daughters rushed decades later, and how I learned to step back, listen, and let them lead. We talk about the complicated emotions that rush season brings, for them and for us, and why it's so tempting to overstep. I’ll walk you through what it looks like to offer steady emotional support without taking over, and how to help your child build emotional resilience when things don’t go as planned. Here’s what we explored: Why bid day can trigger more than just disappointment, and how to support your teen through itWhat my own college rejection taught me about offering grounded parenting advice during rush weekThe difference between helping and hovering when parenting teens through high-stakes transitionsHow to recognize when your teen needs your input vs. when they just need your presenceWhy rejection might be the very thing that helps shape their college social life and clarify their college decisionsWhat it looks like to raise self-trusting kids in high-pressure environments like greek lifeTools to offer real emotional support while navigating your own college transition as a parentIf you’re holding your breath while your child waits for a bid, or trying to help them process not getting one, this conversation will help you stay grounded and connected. Here’s to parenting through pressure with compassion, 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

    9 min
  3. Why the Empty Nest Parenting Stage Feels Like Grief (and How to Rediscover Yourself and Start Finding Purpose)

    AUG 26

    Why the Empty Nest Parenting Stage Feels Like Grief (and How to Rediscover Yourself and Start Finding Purpose)

    College drop-off brought a wave of emotion you weren’t fully prepared for. Now the house is quiet, the routines are gone, and you're left sitting in a new kind of stillness. The silence isn’t just around you, it’s inside, too. If you’re like many empty nest moms, you’re feeling the weight of a major shift. The old parenting roles you knew so well don’t seem to fit anymore, and the new ones? Still unclear. You were their manager, their problem-solver, their steady hand. Now you're learning how to show up differently in a parenting stage where love has to stretch, not lead. In this conversation, I open up about the raw truth of empty nest syndrome, the loss no one prepares you for and how I fumbled through that grief despite decades as a life coach. From letting go of control to reshaping the parenting dynamics with my adult kids, I share what it looked like to be cracked open by transition and still find something sacred on the other side. We talk about the invisible shift in parenting a young adult, the pain of distance, and the surprising relief that came with loosening my grip. I walk through four communication rules that helped me reconnect and the humbling lesson of learning to simply listen instead of fix. Here’s what we explored: Why parenting roles and identity often feel fused and how to begin separating the twoThe emotional toll of empty nest syndrome, letting go of control, and honoring grief without rushing healing4 communication rules that support connection without oversteppingHow trusting the process can lead to growth in your relationship with your young adult and help you rediscover yourselfWhy this new parenting stage might be the invitation you’ve been waiting for to find purpose againIf you're standing in the doorway of a dorm room, or just starting to ask “now what?”, this episode is for you. Here’s to finding purpose, even in the quiet. 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

    11 min

  4. AUG 19

    When Silence Becomes the Norm: How Family Estrangement Shapes Your Self-Worth in Your Parenting Journey

    Have your adult children pulled away, not just emotionally, but completely? Do holidays pass without a single call or message? Are you living in the silence of family estrangement and wondering how things ended up here? You might be one of the estranged parents quietly carrying the weight of silence, questioning how something so natural, like parenting, could lead to such a painful distance. What once felt like care and involvement may now look like codependent parenting, tangled in fear, guilt, and a deep longing to stay connected. In this conversation, Lori Albright opens up about her real-life journey through parenting mistakes, silence from her adult children, and the hard truth of letting go as a parent. She shares how joining support groups for parents and working through the 12 steps for codependency helped her shift from heartbreak to hope. We talk about the grief that doesn’t come with a funeral, the kind of grief rooted in empty nest grief and the ache of family estrangement. Lori reflects on her decision to break long-standing generational patterns and how therapy for estranged parents gave her language, perspective, and the strength to keep showing up. You’ll hear how the pressure of perfection and overgiving led to patterns of codependent parenting, and how redefining boundaries became a step toward emotional healing. Lori’s journey reminds us that no matter the silence, there's still room to heal, reflect, and begin again. We also unpack why motherhood and identity often feel fused and what it takes to untangle them in the aftermath of estrangement and disconnection. Here’s what we explored: Why motherhood and identity often feel fused and how to untangle the twoThe role of reflection and humility in emotional healingWhen silence becomes the signal to begin againHow to honor boundaries while holding space for future connectionWhat it really means to be brave after breaking generational cycles If you’ve ever felt invisible inside your own story, this episode is for you. It’s not a how-to manual. It’s a hand on your shoulder, saying “You’re not alone and there’s still purpose for you here.” Here’s to healing forward, 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

    27 min

  5. AUG 12

    Empty Nest Loneliness and Relationship Struggles: 5 Steps to Heal Emotional Disconnection and Rediscover Yourself

    In this episode, I share my own experience with empty nest loneliness, how it impacted my relationship, and the small but powerful steps I took to reconnect with myself and rebuild my self identity. We talk about how shame can keep us stuck, why pretending everything is fine only deepens the disconnection, and the moment I decided to face the truth out loud. I open up about the role therapy played in helping me unravel years of overgiving, how honest conversations brought my husband and I closer, and why reaching out to old friends became a lifeline. You’ll hear how I shifted from feeling invisible to creating meaningful connections in both my marriage and everyday life. Here’s what we unpacked: Why empty nest life can trigger unexpected signs of lonelinessHow to recognize emotional distance in relationships before it growsPractical ways to rediscover yourself after years of prioritizing everyone elseThe first step to relationship renewal in a long-term marriageWhy naming your feelings is the starting point for coping with changeHow to take one small, intentional step toward connection every dayWays to rebuild a deeper emotional connection with your partnerThe importance of seeking community and not waiting for someone else to “rescue” you If you’re in the season of redefining who you are after the kids have left, this conversation offers grounded support, honest reflection, and actionable steps to help you feel seen again — in your marriage, in your relationships, and most importantly, in yourself. Here’s to finding your way back to you, one honest step at a time. 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

    11 min

  6. AUG 5

    Is Your Son Leaving for College? 3 Proven Ways to Stay Close, Set Boundaries, and Support Him Through the Transition

    In this episode, I sit down with my soon-to-be son-in-law Adam to talk about what it really felt like to leave home and head to college. He looked ready on the outside but inside, he was figuring out how to stay grounded while everything around him was changing. If you’ve been looking for parenting advice that’s honest and rooted in real experience with talking to teens, this episode is for you. We talk about real examples, awkward moments, and the quiet things boys often don’t express. Here’s what we unpacked: How to offer steady emotional support during your son’s college journeyPractical parenting tips for guiding teens through big decisionsThe importance of family communication when your child pulls awayHow to approach talking to teens who don’t share muchWhy healthy setting boundaries helps both parents and kids feel safeReal ways to support the transition to adulthood without micromanagingHow to stay connected while navigating change as you parent adult childrenWhat sons often feel but rarely say when leaving homeHow to navigate early life transitions with empathy and confidenceSimple tips for long-distance parenting that actually workWhat every parent needs to hear about understanding teenagers Whether you’re weeks away from college drop-off or already a year into the launch, this episode is filled with honest reflections and real tools to help you show up with love, presence, and calm confidence. Here’s to trusting their journey while staying rooted in love, 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

    20 min

  7. JUL 29

    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

  8. 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
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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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