This week on the Empty Nest Happy Hour, we're sipping Cape Codders and diving into our winter book choice -Sandwich by Catherine Newman. From navigating menopause to the emotional toll of parenting adult children and dealing with aging parents, this book captures midlife in all its chaotic glory. We unpack its most relatable moments.

We also explore the great name change debate—from sports arenas to iconic landmarks like the Sears (not Willis) Tower. Why do some names stick while others fade into obscurity? Plus, we take a hilarious detour into some of the weirdest corporate sponsorships (Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, anyone?).

This week, we're raising a glass to the return of Bridget Jones and a man who survived being swallowed by a whale, And don’t miss the start of our Real Housewives Franchise Bracket Battle next week—cast your votes and help us crown the ultimate Housewives city!

Flare jeans are back, and we have some thoughts. This week, we’re diving into the ever-changing world of fashion—what’s trending, what’s timeless, and what we’re just too short to pull off. Plus, are we following the rules, breaking them, or making up our own? (Spoiler: probably the last one.)

Also on the agenda: Danielle’s retail therapy win, Craig and Paige’s Southern Charm breakup, and a winter cocktail that pairs well with wardrobe crises. And don’t forget—we’re reading Sandwich by Catherine Newman, so send us your thoughts before next week’s deep dive!

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Flare jeans are back—do we embrace or reject the trend?
• Danielle’s retail therapy splurge (worth it, obviously)
• Bravo breakdown: Paige sets boundaries, Craig ignores them, and RHOSLC signs off
• This week’s cocktail: Winter Spiced Gin & Tonic

Join the Conversation! Tell us your fashion dilemmas, Sandwich hot takes, or just send us a virtual cheers 🍹 at [email protected].

🎧 Listen & subscribe! And don’t forget to rate and review!

#EmptyNestHappyHour #CheersToThat

This week, we’re getting deep, honest, and real about one of the most challenging aspects of midlife parenting: navigating anxiety and college transitions with our kids. Danielle opens up about her daughter's difficult adjustment to dorm life, the struggle to find independence, and the emotional toll it takes on both child and parent. How do we balance tough love with support? How do we stop anxiety from taking the wheel in our children's lives? And when do we, as parents, step in—or step back?

Amy shares her own experiences with parenting through mental health struggles and the hard truth that parenting never really ends—no matter how much we wish for an easy transition to empty nesting. We talk about the challenges of making the right choices, letting go of guilt, and accepting that sometimes, there are no perfect answers.

But it’s not all serious! We lighten things up with:

• Funny Life Advice: From “Never trust someone who microwaves fish at work” to grocery cart parking strategies that might just change your life.
• Bravo’s Winners & Losers: We break down the messiest reality TV moments of the week, including Rebecca Minkoff’s awkward exit from RHONY, Dorit’s divorce drama on RHOBH, and why Boz is the MVP of Beverly Hills.
• Cheers to That: We’re raising a glass to the Grammys, the year of powerful female artists, and a night of music that actually felt fun, fresh, and exciting again. Plus, why Beyoncé’s big win matters and our favorite moments from the show (spoiler: Will Smith’s random Quincy Jones tribute did NOT make the cut).
• Book Club Reminder: We’re reading Sandwich this month—join us for our deep dive discussion on February 25!

ICYMI: Our brand-new newsletter is LIVE! It’s packed with exclusive content, bonus topics we couldn’t fit into the episode, and our latest book recommendations. Subscribe at emptynesthappyhour.com.

Pour yourself a drink, take a deep breath, and join us for an episode that’s equal parts raw, relatable, and ridiculously funny. Because no matter what season of life you’re in, we’re all just figuring it out—together. Cheers to that!

This week, Amy and Danielle confess their childhood celebrity crushes (some more embarrassing than others), panic over our phone addictions (turns out, we're all doomed), and raise a glass to Danielle’s one-eyed Yorkie, Bandit, who is now officially a pirate.

Plus, we break down Southern Charm’s most unexpected star (a tiny tuba), call out Karen Huger for skipping the RHOP reunion, and—shockingly—give Bronwynn from RHOSLC some credit for accountability.

In This Episode:

Cocktail of the Week: The “Very Sexy Martini” (because Valentine’s Day deserves a drink)

Celebrity Crush Confessions: From Jake Ryan to Leonardo DiCaprio, we spill it all

Phone Addiction Panic: How much screen time is too much?

A Pirate’s Life for Bandit: A dramatic poem for Danielle’s newly one-eyed Yorkie

Book Club Reminder: We’re reading Sandwich by Katherine Newman—discussion on Feb 25!

Join the Party!

• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads: @EmptyNestHappyHour
• Email us your episode topic ideas: [email protected]
• Help us grow! Subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends—because we’re so close to 400 Instagram followers!

This week on Empty Nest Happy Hour, Amy and Danielle tackle everything from grocery store frustrations to the power of women taking charge. Kicking things off with a listener email, the hosts share creative ways to get homebody spouses out off the house and into the social scene. Spoiler: Separate cars might be the secret to marital bliss.

Plus:

• A snowy week inspires a cozy cocktail recipe: the Nor’easter.
• The great grocery cart debate—why are small carts always MIA?
• Compliments: why giving and receiving them matters (and how not to overshare).
• Women in power: let’s talk about letting HER lead.

Special Announcement: We announce our winter book pick: Sandwich by Katherine Newman. It’s the ultimate empty-nester read, exploring aging parents, adult kids, and midlife challenges with wit and heart. Join us for the discussion on February 25th!

Grab your drink (or mocktail), settle in, and let’s laugh, rant, and raise a toast to midlife adventures. As always, follow us @EmptyNestHappyHour, email us at [email protected], and rate, review, and subscribe. Cheers! 🥂

This week, Amy and Danielle dig into the lost art of gathering in midlife. From casseroles to cocktails (and everything in between), they explore how building community can combat loneliness and why face-to-face connections matter more than ever. This episode is a perfect blend of humor, nostalgia, and practical tips to help you reconnect with friend.

Highlights:

• Drinking in Midlife: A deeper look at Dry January and the messaging around women and alcohol.
• Combating Loneliness.: Practical ways to rebuild your social circle in a digital, disconnected age.
• Party Time: Quirky, fun ideas like Casserole Night and Mocktail Mixers to inspire your next gathering.
• Goonies Never Say Die: A nostalgic nod to how growing up in the 80s and 90s shaped our sense of connection.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads @emptynesthappyhour for more laughs and updates. Don’t forget to leave a review and share the podcast with friends!

This week, Amy and Danielle dive into Dry January, Sweaty January, and the highs and lows of movies featuring midlife women. From awkward moments in Nicole Kidman’s Babygirl to the empowering Good Luck to You, Leo Grand, no topic is off-limits.

Here’s What We’re Talking About This Week:

• Dry January vs. Sweaty January: Amy’s goal to sweat every day (not from stress!) and Danielle’s refreshing Cranberry Ginger Fizz recipe.
• Empty Nest Adventures: Snowstorms, forgotten essentials, and shipping laptops (plus pesto!) to kids at college.
• Movie Critiques: Why Babygirl missed the mark and why Good Luck to You, Leo Grand is the midlife movie we deserve.
• Cheers to Women in Hollywood: Celebrating the midlife women who dominated the Golden Globes, from Jodie Foster to Demi Moore.

Cocktail (or Mocktail) of the Week: Cranberry Ginger Fizz

As 2024 ends and we step into 2025, Amy and Danielle bring a festive and reflective episode of Empty Nest Happy Hour. This week, the hosts share their favorite moments of 2024, from memorable trips (hello, Paris!) to favorite reads and standout pop culture moments.

They also pay tribute to President Jimmy Carter, discuss the amicable breakup of Bravo stars Paige and Craig, and dive into some fun tarot card predictions for the year ahead. With personal stories about the chaos and joy of kids returning for winter break and their "words of the year" for 2025—growth and abide—this episode is the perfect way to kick off the new year.

Don’t miss their signature humor, heartfelt moments, and of course, the always entertaining "Cheers to That" segment!

What You’ll Hear:

• A tribute to Jimmy Carter and his legacy
• Reflections on 2024, from favorite books and TV shows to gas station sandwiches
• Women dominating the pop music scene
• Tarot card predictions for 2025
• The joys (and challenges) of welcoming adult children back home
• Words to inspire: "Growth" and "Abide"

Cocktail of the Week:

• Midnight Mule
• Kir Impérial

Grab your favorite festive drink—it’s time for the Empty Nest Happy Hour! This week, Amy and Danielle dive into the emotional labor of the holidays, the chaos of Bravo shows, and why Craig Conover might be Bravo’s only redeemable man. From discussing eggnog white Russians to reminiscing about holiday music, this episode is packed with humor, heart, and plenty of laughs.

What You’ll Hear:

• The recipe for a festive Eggnog White Russian that’s perfect for Christmas Eve.
• A Bravo breakdown: Why Southern Charm’s men are the worst (except Craig).
• Relatable moments from Real Housewives stars navigating empty nesting.
• Nostalgic feels with Wham!’s “Last Christmas” and a must-watch Netflix documentary.
• A thoughtful conversation on the mental load of parenting and holiday prep.
• Cheers to the people working during the holidays—from emergency vets to gas station heroes.

Weekly Highlights:

• Tip of the Week: Embrace your holiday downtime—watch Dash & Lily on Netflix for cozy vibes.
• Cheers to That: Shoutout to all the first responders, retail workers, and service providers keeping the holidays running smoothly.

Drink of the Week: Eggnog White Russian

• 2 oz coffee liqueur
• 2 oz vodka
• Eggnog (non-alcoholic recommended)
• Top with nutmeg for extra cheer!

Call to Action: Enjoying the podcast? Rate and review us to spread the cheer! Connect with us on social media @EmptyNestHappyHour and share your holiday drink recipes. Don’t forget to send us your favorite Bravo takes or empty nest stories!

Find Us:

• Website: emptynesthappyhour.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Socials: Instagram, Facebook, Threads @EmptyNestHappyHour

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 – bourbon, cranberry juice, and just enough bitters to match our holiday moods.

Christmas Movie Favorites: What’s your ride-or-die Christmas movie? We share our favorites and discuss some of the newly released movies this season.

Christmas Traditions: For the love of eggnog, are we actually moving an Elf on the Shelf every night?

Cheers to Paris lights, Christmas, and binge-watching holiday favorites. 🥂