Dare On with Jodi

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!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

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!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

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!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

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!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

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!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

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!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

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!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

If you spoke to your best friend the way you speak to yourself… would you still be friends? 😬

It’s a confronting question—but an important one.

Because most of us are walking around with an inner voice that’s not just unkind… it’s downright brutal. And the wild part is, we don’t even realize it.

That voice? It’s shaping your confidence, your choices, your relationships—your whole life.
 Whether you’re aware of it or not, your self-talk is running the show behind the scenes.

But here’s the good news:
You can change it.

You can start noticing the things you say to yourself on repeat.
You can start interrupting the thoughts that tear you down.
And you can start choosing new ones—thoughts that support, uplift, and empower you.

Here’s what helps:
 ✨ Becoming aware of how often your inner dialogue leans negative
 ✨ Making small, intentional swaps in the words you use with yourself
 ✨ Learning the difference between supportive self-talk and tough-love talk—and when to use each
 ✨ Trying a simple affirmation challenge to break the pattern and build a new one

This could be the beginning of a powerful new chapter.
 One where your inner voice finally becomes your greatest ally.

You've got this. 💛

Next Chapter Coaching Program HERE-  Use code: DAREON20 as my gift to you. Inside it starts with quieting your inner mean girl.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

What’s one word that best describes you?  Now add the words I AM in front of it and share that affirmation with me!

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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.

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

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

What happens when dads take the lead at home? 🤔 In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Sullivan, founder of The Company of Dads, to explore the evolving role of Lead Dads—fathers who step into the primary caregiving role. As a Lead Dad himself, Paul shares how this often-overlooked role is reshaping families, workplaces, and the definition of fatherhood.

We dive into:
 ✨ The untold realities of being a Lead Dad
 ✨ The impact of midlife and empty nest transitions on fatherhood
 ✨ Why workplaces need to rethink policies to support all parents

This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about fatherhood and work-life balance!

Your Dare for the Week ❤️
Dare to be open and honest. Speak openly about your caregiving responsibilities and needs at work, and bring forward thoughtful, honest plans when negotiating things like flexible schedules or parental leave. 

Resources Referenced
Lead Dad Guide

About Paul
Paul is the founder of The Company of Dads, the first platform dedicated to creating a community for Lead Dads and working with companies on policies for working parents. As a Lead Dad himself, Paul understands intimately the joys, frustrations, isolation and reticence around talking about being a Lead Dad. It’s a role that is growing in numbers but is far from normalized. Before starting The Company of Dads in 2021, Paul wrote the Wealth Matters column in The New York Times for 13 years. He also created the Money Game column in GOLF Magazine.

Connect With Paul
Website Podcast Instagram

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The #1 Parenting Shift Every Mom Needs
Empower your kids with confidence. Ease your worry. 💜

Grab this must-have resource to help your children thrive — and give yourself peace of mind. Click here.

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

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Is your comfort zone holding you back from the life—and parenthood—you truly want?

Today, I’m joined by Tim Conniff—keynote speaker, clean comedian, and proud dad—for an inspiring and entertaining conversation about midlife reinvention, fatherhood, and what it really means to step into your purpose with courage and humor.

With over 30 years of experience in sales, training, and leadership in corporate America, Tim now takes the stage across the country delivering his signature keynote, “Your Comfort Zone Is No Joke!” Through his blend of clean comedy and practical wisdom, he encourages audiences to rethink failure, challenge their limits, and live with intention.

In this episode, we talk about getting out of your comfort zone 🎤, viewing failure as valuable feedback 🔁, and the surprising power of ditching negative self-talk 🧠. Tim also shares what fatherhood has taught him about presence, patience, and growth through every season.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️
Make a list of 10 things you want to try. Think about what you used to enjoy doing, what you’ve always thought about doing and what others are doing that you think, “that looks like something I would enjoy.”  

Or head to Tim’s website and ask him to send you his copy of 25 Ways to Step out Of Your Comfort zone.

Resources Referenced

• Email [email protected] for for his PDF- 25 things you can do to get out of your comfort zone
• Tim’s Past Episode on BEN

About Tim
Tim Conniff has over 30 years of sales, training and leadership experience in corporate America.  He couples that with his passion of clean stand-up comedy in his keynote talk "Your Comfort Zone is No Joke!" that he delivers to companies and at conventions across the U.S. each year.  He and his wife Deb live in Doylestown, PA and they are the proud parents of two sons.

Connect With Tim
Website LinkedIn Instagram

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The #1 Parenting Shift Every Mom Needs
Empower your kids with confidence. Ease your worry. 💜

Grab this must-have resource to help your children thrive — and give yourself peace of mind. Click here.

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

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!