Empty Nest Happy Hour

This week, we’re spilling all the details on our Paris trip—late-night champagne with the Eiffel Tower, dodging rain at Christmas markets, and living our best off-season traveler lives. Then, we dive into the good, the bad, and the hilariously weird of Christmas movies. From White Christmas and The Holiday to questionable choices like Merry Gentlemen (Chad Michael Murray’s hair deserves its own credit), we’ve got thoughts.

Cocktail of the Week: Christmas Old Fashioned

In this special Thanksgiving episode, the kids take over Empty Nest Happy Hour! Amy and Danielle are joined by their oldest children, Emma and Ricky, for a hilarious and heartwarming conversation about growing up, college life, and the joys (and pains) of being independent. From Emma’s love of city living to Ricky’s cleanroom adventures, they reflect on lessons learned, Thanksgiving traditions, and the quirks of their Gen X moms. Cocktail of the Week: Caramel Apple Sangria.

Celebrate our 21st episode with laughs, life lessons, and a toast to midlife! This week, we unpack pickleball wisdom (relax those shoulders!), navigate the ups and downs of perimenopause, and take a nostalgic dive into 70s baby names. We’re also dishing on prepping for college kids coming home, giving our underwear drawers a much-needed glow-up, and embracing the chaos of the empty nest. Grab a drink and join the fun!

Description goes hereIn this episode of Empty Nest Happy Hour, the hosts discuss when to move after the kids leave, offering practical tips on downsizing and decluttering your space. They also share top TV picks, including the Martha Stewart documentary, Rivals, and Younger, perfect for winter binge-watching. Plus, they give a shout-out to new listeners from Janesville, Wisconsin, and toast to OPI’s iconic nail polish shade, Lincoln Park After Dark.

Producer Aunt Lizzy is back from Australia and shares her adventures with us! We chat Halloween cocktails, the history of makeup, and why Amy must drive everywhere. Plus, we debate favorite fall movies and get a bit passionate about voting. Drink of the Week: Terror Tini

This week on Empty Nest Happy Hour, we welcome Suzy Mighell, founder of Empty Nest Blessed, for a hilarious and honest conversation about life in the empty nest. Suzy shares her journey, surprising perks of this phase, and real talk about parenting adult children. Plus, we dive into new self-care routines, unexpected freedom, and how to navigate this “last third” of life with purpose and joy. AND…it’s the final week of Breast Cancer Awareness Month - get those mammograms!

We’re taking a short break this week because, well, our trusty producer, Aunt Lizzy, is off traveling for work in Australia, and let’s just say, we haven’t quite mastered the tech side of things on our own. We will be back next week with a great episode. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletter below!

In this episode of Empty Nest Happy Hour, the ladies dive into a hilarious and heartfelt chat about life as empty nesters, from unexpected "rage issues" to listener stories. Danielle shares her recent battles with menopausal rage, including a dramatic (and hilarious) incident where she shattered her Apple Watch, while Erin brings some laughter with her "chlamydia" gardening mix-up story. They also discuss a heartwarming email from a listener in England, who sent in a pros and cons list about empty nesting—revealing that peace and quiet can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

In this lively and heartfelt episode, Amy and Danielle are joined by special guest, Sue Grey. The three dive deep into different stages of empty nesting, from learning how to "right-size" their lives (not downsize!), to figuring out what to do with all the new found freedom, the trio discusses the emotional and logistical transitions that come with this life change. Sue shares her personal journey, offering wisdom from her 11+ years as an empty nester.

Drink of the Week: The Spaghett!

In this episode, the Empty Nest Happy Hour, Stephanie Faraci joins Amy and Danielle as a special guest. Stephanie brings a unique perspective as a mom of an only child who recently left for college, sharing the emotional ups and downs of navigating empty nesting with an only. Drink of the week: Caramel Apple Mimosa.

Special guest Rick, spouse to Danielle, shares the Dad perspective to empty nesting and the lack of resources for males when it comes to kids leaving the nest. Erin, Danielle, and Rick also go all in on the hottest show on television - The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Come for the outlook on dad's and empty nesting, stay for a realistic look at Danielle and Rick behind the scenes. Drink of the week: Blueberry Mojito.

This week Amy, Erin, and Danielle discuss how they are suddenly talking to themselves, the need for women to size down, adult Halloween party ideas, homecoming past and present, and a passionate take on music icon Dave Grohl. Drink of the week: Honey Deuce.

A full book discussion on Kristin Hannah's "The Women" and a joyous recap of the last dorm drop-off as we celebrate being official empty nesters.

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Learn about how the Kathy and Judy show on WGN was the inspiration for this podcast and so much more!

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Danielle and Amy have dropped off their last kid at college and are now officially empty nesters!

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