You’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village,” right? Well, midlife takes a team—and in this powerful panel episode, Jodi Silverman brings together four specialists to guide you through the essential conversations and planning needed as you navigate aging, caregiving, and your own wellness.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support aging parents, how to prepare for your own next chapter, or how to avoid chaos when a crisis hits—this one’s a must-listen.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The 3 overlooked parts of a real aging plan (hint: it’s not just about a will)
• Why more women need to get familiar with their finances now
• How to approach difficult conversations with aging parents (without drama)
• What a care manager is—and how they can take 1,000 things off your plate
• Real talk on independence, boundaries, and what “help” really looks like

Whether you’re the go-to daughter, an overwhelmed caregiver, or simply thinking, “I should probably figure this out…”—this conversation gives you the clarity and tools to start now.

Meet the Panel: 

• Felicia Greenfield, LCSW – Private therapist and former Penn Memory Center clinician https://www.feliciagreenfieldtherapy.com/
• Elizabeth Dunleavy, MSW, CMC – Lead Care Manager at Kith Eldercare
• Bode Hennegan – Aging-in-Place Specialist & Founder of Life Managers & Associates
• Rebecca Thompson, CFP® – Financial Advisor for Women in Transition & Widowhood

🔗 Resources:
You don’t want to do this chapter alone. That’s why I’ve created a community for midwife women to gather, connect and grow together.  Check it out HERE

Want to see your Happiness Score?  Take our Quiz Here.

Subscribe & Review:
Love what you're hearing? Leave a review wherever you listen! Your words help other women discover the support, inspiration, and connection they’re craving right now. 💬💕

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

What really happens after the kids leave?

Spoiler alert: it’s not all peace, quiet and productivity.

In this heartfelt episode  of Beyond Empty Nest, I’m chatting with author and award winning journalist Rita Lussier about the messy, surprising and often hilarious truths of life after kids.

From the awkward silence between spouses to the grief that sneaks up between milestones, Rita shares real stories from her book And Now Back to Me-Stories that mirror what so many women are living right now.  We dive deep into what really happens when the kids leave home-and how to reclaim your identity in midlife.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover

• Why it’s totally normal to feel rudderless after your kids leave
• The surprising emotional shift many women experience-even if they have a full life outside of motherhood
• How Rita rekindled her connection with her husband (awkward Friday night drives and all!)
• The unexpected "sandwich generation” responsibilities that sneak up on us
• Why discovering your next purpose doesn’t have to be instant- and how patience plays a powerful role.

Key Takeaway:

You’re not alone. The grief, the awkwardness, the excitement, the loss, the rediscovery-it’s all part of the process. This episode is your invitation to come back to you.

Resources & Links:

• Grab Rita’s book Now Back to Me HERE
• Join the Dare on Membership Community HERE and/or  come say hi in the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group HERE

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

“I feel as if I've lost the best job I've ever had.” This is the exact statement many moms have said to me over the past ten years while I've been supporting empty nest moms. They go on to say that if they're not full-time moms anymore, then what really is their purpose?

The transition from a bustling household to an empty one can be a mix of emotions. We may experience a sense of loss as our roles as primary caregivers evolve. However, it is important to remember that this newfound freedom also offers exciting opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth.

In this podcast episode, we will explore the concept of finding your purpose as an empty nest mom and how it can empower you to embrace this next phase of life with enthusiasm and fulfillment.

Remember, the empty nest phase is an opportunity for personal reinvention, growth, and self-fulfillment. It's time to prioritize your needs, passions, and desires. And to reestablish a sense of purpose that extends beyond motherhood. So, let's embark on this exciting journey together, rediscovering the vibrant, empowered, and purpose-driven woman within each of us.

✌️ Your Dare is to take action! Take action with one thing on your list. If you are really stuck with the list-making and you can't really come up with ideas, grab a copy of My 30 Days of Daring by signing up for our weekly podcast emails.


🌟Download the Wheel of Life Workbook HERE.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

How can empty nesters deal with grief and loneliness after their children leave?  

Today, we have Adina Tovell, an Executive Coach and Founder of the People Leadership Institute. She has been a personal development expert for over 25 years and guides people to better understand who they are. She helps people find what matters most to them and refines how they want to show up in the world. You can find her podcast Courage to Be Curious on most podcast apps and you can grab one of her most powerful personal development tools on her website. 

What differentiates Adina’s approach to professional and personal growth is her focus on cultivating Productive Curiosity. Without curiosity, there is stagnation and resistance. When people are productively curious about themselves and others, healthy relationships, engagement, compassion, creativity, motivation, and loyalty follow. 

Adina is a personal dear friend of mine for many years now and she's a fellow empty nest mom of two amazing, beautiful daughters. She is also a certified 200-hour yoga teacher, an Advanced PADI scuba diver, an avid reader, a joyful cook, and an adventurous spirit.

Adina and I will talk about the grief of having an empty nest, why it's so real, and amazing strategies for navigating this grief and the sadness.

• Your Dare for the episode is to sit in the empty nest grief. To help with this, Adina recommends that you read Brene Brown's “Atlas of the Heart”, flip through the pages and do some detective work on yourself.
• Come say hi to Jodi inside the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group HERE

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of our own identity amidst the roles we play. For many women, the journey through motherhood and a thriving career has defined them for years, but what happens when the roles shift and the questions start to loom?

“What's my purpose, if not a full-time mom? Who am I? If I'm not a corporate executive anymore, why do I feel so lost and unfulfilled?" These are the haunting queries that echo from all corners of midlife transformations.

But amidst these uncertainties, a guiding light emerges, a beacon of hope in the form of Deborah Thomas. With a reservoir of wisdom, Deborah is a Midlife Empowerment Coach and Mentor. Having walked this path herself, she knows the ins and outs of grappling with change, the shift in priorities, and the gnawing desire for self-discovery.

Deborah's journey from a high-powered corporate marketing and advertising executive to a stay-at-home mom of nine children, a loving mom-in-law, and a doting grandma is nothing short of remarkable.

With grace and insight, Deborah has distilled her own evolution into a comprehensive 12-month signature program. Deborah is here to remind us all that the best truly is yet to come.

Let’s uncover the three essential pillars every woman needs for a midlife reinvention, and stride forward with the conviction that this chapter is not an ending, but a magnificent new beginning.

❤️ Your Dare this week is to do a “dream download” (minute 22:00 for clarification):

1. Write a list of everything that you dream about, while you day dream and while you sleep.   
 
2. Do not judge your dreams. Simply notice them and write them down. Things you used to dream about, things you still dream about, and things you secretly dream about.

3. Review the list and use it as a starting point to move forward toward your dreams, and in the process, you will discover purpose.

🤗 Take Jodi's Happiness Quiz and increase your level of happiness!

Dare On Membership Community is waiting HERE.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

This Season One finale episode is dedicated entirely to moms and we are diving deep into a topic that hits home for many. We're shining a light on the emotional rollercoaster that is "college move-in day" and the profound shift that every mom must embrace as they prepare to launch their children into the world.

August is the month when countless college move-ins happen, and while it's an exhilarating time, it can also be filled with stress and conflicting emotions for both moms and their children. Excitement, nervousness, anxiety, you name it, and we've all felt it. So, gather 'round, dear moms, as we embark on this heartfelt journey together.

Let's laugh, let's cry, and let's grow as we tackle the challenges and triumphs of motherhood during this significant milestone. We hope that you'll leave this episode with a newfound sense of empowerment and the tools you need to embrace this beautiful chapter in your life.

Resources just for MOM!

🌟 The Shift + College Move In Tips HERE

😍The leave behind book my mom and created HERE

Your DARE of the week :
LEAVE US A REVIEW + SHARE WITH A FRIEND-like a book club 📖

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

What if the exhaustion, resentment, or disconnection you’ve been feeling isn’t because you’re doing too much—but because you’ve been doing everything except taking care of yourself?

We’ve been conditioned to believe that self-care is indulgent, even selfish. Especially as women, we’re praised for how much we give, how much we juggle, how much we handle without asking for help. But the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. And running on fumes isn’t sustainable—it’s a fast track to burnout, bitterness, and disconnection from yourself.

Real self-care is about honoring your worth, protecting your peace, and learning to take up space in your own life again. It means setting boundaries and saying no without guilt. It means asking for what you need instead of hoping someone figures it out. And it means doing something purely for the joy of it—not because it’s productive or benefits anyone else, but simply because you matter. That joy? That rest? That five-minute walk outside or dance party in the kitchen? That’s you choosing yourself on purpose. And that’s powerful.

Here’s the beautiful part: when you begin to show up for yourself, you’re not just changing your own life—you’re modeling self-worth for the people around you. Your kids, your partner, your friends. They watch you, and they learn. When you value your time and energy, you teach them to do the same. Self-care becomes a quiet revolution—one that starts with you, but doesn’t end there.

So if you’ve been waiting for permission to take care of yourself, consider this IT. Because when you thrive, everything around you starts to thrive too.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

I want to challenge you to stop waiting for the “right time” or permission to take care of yourself. Set a boundary. Ask for what you need. Do something that fills your cup—without apology.

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Loved this episode? Keep the conversation going in the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group HERE. Jodi’s waiting to say hi.

Next Chapter Coaching Program HERE-  Use code: DAREON20 as my gift to you.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

What if the stress, tension, or emotional heaviness you’re carrying isn’t just “life”—but a direct result of resisting what you can’t control?

Just like our bodies respond to overexertion, our minds react to the emotional weight of trying to fix, change, or manage things—and people—that aren’t actually ours to carry. In midlife, when so much feels uncertain or outside your influence, the practice of acceptance becomes a quiet but powerful strength.

Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up. It means releasing the fight against reality—so you can meet the moment as it is, not as you wish it were. It looks like noticing where your expectations are creating frustration or pain, and asking whether those expectations were ever agreed to in the first place. It means acknowledging what’s outside your control, so you can reclaim your energy and peace.

This mindset shift invites more than just calm—it creates clarity. When you stop tying your inner peace to someone else’s behavior, you begin to respond rather than react. You choose aligned action over emotional reactivity. You move through disappointment with grace, and find freedom in saying, “This is where I am right now. And that’s okay.”

When you release the need to control what was never yours to begin with, you create space—for peace, for healing, and for something new to begin.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Where might you be holding onto something it’s time to let go of?

Revisit the three questions from today (Is this something I can change or influence? Am I expecting someone to act in a way they never agreed to? Is holding onto this expectation costing me my peace?) —and give yourself permission to release what’s not yours to carry.

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Loved this episode? Keep the conversation going in the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group HERE. Jodi’s waiting to say hi.

Next Chapter Coaching Program HERE-  Use code: DAREON20 as my gift to you.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

What if the mental clutter, overwhelm, or low energy you’re feeling isn’t just “life”—but a direct result of what you’re feeding your mind?

Just like your body reacts to what you eat, your thoughts and emotions respond to the content you consume. In midlife, when transitions can feel overwhelming, being mindful about your mental diet is more important than ever.

Discover how to detox your mind by:
 🌿 Reducing news and social media overload
 🌿 Surrounding yourself with uplifting people
 🌿 Choosing inspiring, intentional reading
 🌿 Decluttering your physical environment
 🌿 Finding peace in nature or silence

When you clear the noise, you create space for peace, creativity, and fresh possibilities.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Take a full day away from social media and news. Notice how it shifts your energy and mindset.

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Loved this episode? Keep the conversation going in the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group HERE. Jodi’s waiting to say hi.

Next Chapter Coaching Program HERE-  Use code: DAREON20 as my gift to you.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” or jotting a few notes in a journal. It’s about choosing to focus on what’s good—even when life feels anything but easy.

Especially when life feels messy.

Because when you can find gratitude in the middle of the chaos, everything begins to shift. 💫

Here’s why it matters:
 🌿 Gratitude rewires your brain for more positivity and peace
 🌿 It boosts your resilience, strengthens your relationships, and helps you stay grounded
 🌿 It reminds you there’s still beauty, even when life feels uncertain

The best part? You don’t need more time. Just more intention.

✨ Try this:
 – Write down 3 small things you’re grateful for each day
 – Tell someone out loud why you appreciate them
 – In a hard moment, ask: “What might this be teaching me?”

Gratitude doesn’t ignore the hard—it helps you move through it with strength and softness.

Take the Happy in Midlife Quiz HERE.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Each day, find one thing that makes you feel good or grateful—and let it sink in for at least 20 seconds. Then share it in our Share the Good post inside the Moms Who Dare FB group on Friday. I’d love to hear what shows up for you. 💛

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Loved this episode? Keep the conversation going in the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group HERE. Jodi’s waiting to say hi.

Next Chapter Coaching Program HERE-  Use code: DAREON20 as my gift to you.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE