This Empty Nest Life

116. Who are you when the house goes quiet?


Listen Later

Send Jay comments via text

When your children leave home, the loudest voice isn't always the one you want to hear—it's your inner critic. It whispers doubts, tells you "you shouldn't," "you can't," or "you're not enough," leaving you feeling stuck and uncertain about how to move forward. However, there's a practical, proven framework that can quiet the noise and help you reclaim your peace: Positive Intelligence (PQ).

In this episode, we sit down with coach Kevin Gazzara to demystify PQ and explore how it applies to life after the nest empties. Kevin introduces us to the Judge and its nine accomplice saboteurs—Controller, Hyper-Achiever, Restless, Stickler, Pleaser, Hyper-Vigilant, Avoider, Victim, and Hyper-Rational—that hijack our thoughts with seemingly true but unhelpful stories. He explains how these saboteurs influence our daily lives and how shifting into the Sage mindset—empathy, curiosity, creativity, and decisive action—can transform challenges into opportunities.

Highlights & Key Takeaways:

  • Positive Intelligence (PQ) offers a prescriptive, practical approach to mental well-being.
  • The Judge and its nine saboteurs undermine confidence and clarity.
  • Moving from threat-based thinking to Sage powers—empathy, curiosity, creativity, and decisiveness—shifts your perspective.
  • After caregiving and life changes, reframe your identity for reinvention instead of loss.
  • The Pleaser pattern can lead to burnout—setting oxygen-mask boundaries prevents that.

Join us and challenge the noisy inner critic. Map out a clear, actionable path for growth, reinvention, and community—because the person you already are has everything it takes to lead your best life.

Here's your free PQ assessment and practical next steps!

Kevin Gazzara Bio
Dr. Kevin Gazzara - CEO of Magna Leadership Solutions, Management & Leadership Expert, Executive Positive Intelligence Coach, Professor at 5 Universities, Speaker, & Author of The Leader of OZ. Kevin worked for 18 years at Intel Corporation in positions from Program and Product Management to Leadership Development. He holds a BS in Commerce and Engineering, an MBA and a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership. 

Find

Support the show

BECOME A VIP SUBSCRIBER (Join Today!)

  • Bonus Content for Subscribers Only
  • Episode Shoutouts
  • Thank You Emails
  • Private Meet & Greets via Zoom
  • + More

ENJOY THE SHOW?
Don’t miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify and many more.

Review us on Love the Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we’d appreciate your support greatly.

LOVE THE SHOW?
Get THIS EMPTY NEST LIFE swag

CONNECT WITH JAY
Email, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

This Empty Nest LifeBy Jay Ramsden

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

16 ratings


More shows like This Empty Nest Life

View all
Happier with Gretchen Rubin by Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

12,938 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,872 Listeners

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

14,938 Listeners

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway by Vox Media Podcast Network

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

5,563 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

29,265 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,042 Listeners

The Midlife Makeover Show |  Women Over 40, Menopause Support, Hormone Health, Divorce Recovery, Empty Nest Advice, Aging Gracefully, Finding Purpose by Wendy Valentine - Podcaster, Author & Midlife Coach

The Midlife Makeover Show | Women Over 40, Menopause Support, Hormone Health, Divorce Recovery, Empty Nest Advice, Aging Gracefully, Finding Purpose

243 Listeners