Lessons from Living

Are you struggling to navigate the transition into the empty nest? In this encouraging second segment, author and speaker Suzy Mighell joins Lessons From Living to share practical, faith-filled wisdom on how to embrace this new season of life with hope, purpose, and joy.

Whether you are just entering the empty nest or have been navigating it for years, this episode provides actionable advice on fostering healthy relationships with your adult children and reclaiming your own identity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Managing Expectations: How self-imposed expectations can rob your joy and why it is essential to replace them with hope.
• Parenting Adult Children: The two most powerful tools you still have to influence your children: setting a fruitful example and offering intentional encouragement.
• The Danger of "Suggestions": Why unsolicited advice can undermine your adult child's confidence and how to shift your communication style.
• Processing Grief: Why it is a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek professional help or counseling during this major life transition.
• Strengthening Your Marriage: The importance of turning toward your spouse and intentionally growing together as you navigate life after kids.
• Praying Scripture: How to align your heart with God's promises by praying specific verses over your children.

Suzy reminds us that God does not waste a thing—not our pain, our challenges, or our victories. Tune in to be reminded that you are not alone, you have a purpose in this season, and you can trust the Lord with the children you love so dearly.

Connect with Suzy Mighell:

• Visit her website for resources, blog posts, and encouragement: emptynestblessed.com
• Check out her book: Empty Nest Blessed: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest

Enjoyed this conversation? Make sure to subscribe to Lessons From Living and join our community at lfl.net to share your thoughts and join the conversation!

Are you struggling with the transition to an empty nest? In this episode of Lessons from Living, host Beth Graham interviews author Suzy Mighell about the complex emotions of this significant life phase. They explore the "two-track" experience of simultaneously feeling grief and exhilaration, why it is crucial to reclaim your identity outside of motherhood, and actionable steps to reorient your time and focus. Discover how to move past feeling adrift and step into a purposeful, joy-filled next season.

After two weeks in Peru, Lessons From Living host Beth Graham reflects on the warmth and resilience of the Peruvian people, the country’s turbulent history, and the contrasts between Machu Picchu’s Inca engineering and modern infrastructure challenges. The episode explores community-led cooperation, education, opportunity, and the lessons travel can offer—while inviting listeners to share their own perspectives on Peru.

In our second segment of our conversation with Chris Moore, we explore grief, resilience, and the mindset shifts that help us keep living with purpose after devastating loss. Chris shares the story of losing his wife Barbara at 55, the fog that followed, and the conscious decision to “start living again.” He explains how reframing—choosing gratitude over despair—can transform suffering, why community and shared experience matter, and how deep sorrow can expand our capacity for joy.

We also discuss:

• Practical ways to walk through grief (not around it)
• Building resilience, empathy, and meaning in later life
• Connection across generations and making younger friends
• Creating a life you don’t want to retire from
• Purpose, mentorship, and shifting goals as abilities change
• Lifelong learning for brain health (languages, instruments)
• The spiritual dimension of aging well and longevity
• Valuing your wisdom—others need what comes naturally to you

Connect with Chris: Age Out Loud (book and community) and Alma Travel with Soul.

Aging specialist Chris Moore joins Lessons From Living to debunk ageism and show how belief, purpose, and intergenerational connection drive healthy, meaningful aging. Learn why mindset matters, what “retirement” gets wrong, and how simple shifts can add years to your life.

• What you’ll learn:
• A clear definition of ageism—and why the most damaging form is self-directed
• How cultural narratives about “acting your age” limit health, purpose, and potential
• The truth behind “retirement,” Social Security, and why 65 became the norm
• Why belief changes outcomes (Roger Bannister effect) and can add ~7.5 years to life
• Practical ways to counter ageism: purpose, visibility, intergenerational ties, travel
• Loneliness vs. social isolation—and hidden barriers like untreated hearing loss

• Highlights & timestamps (Part 1):

00:01 Welcome 00:18 What ageism really is (expectations based on age)

01:50 The 91-year-old Appalachian Trail thru-hiker (why outliers matter—but so do myths)

03:43 Why norms change slowly—and the power of visible counterexamples

04:29 How 65 became “retirement” (Social Security origins and shifting math)

06:13 “Retire” vs. human value: we don’t outlive our usefulness

07:22 America’s worship of youth—procedures rising even in 20s

08:26 What we should honor about youth (wonder, trying new things) vs. looks

10:22 The undervalued strengths of age: wisdom, discernment, relationships

11:42 Appearance vs. character: what actually matters 13:39 From multigenerational homes to age segregation—what we lost

14:44 The 1960s and the amplification of ageism (“never trust anyone over 30”)

16:35 Ageism as prejudice against your future self 18:34 Living purposefully as proof that changes beliefs

19:28 Roger Bannister and breaking “impossible” limits

23:25 Self-directed ageism, belief, and Becca Levy’s research (+7.5 years)

24:41 Age-segregated living and why it matters

25:26 University–senior living collaborations that bridge generations

27:07 Cross-cultural lessons from Japan (reverence vs. openness)

30:33 “Alma: Travel with Soul” — designing trips for people who think they’re “too old” to travel

32:49 Loneliness vs. social isolation—and why hearing loss can isolate

• About our guest: Chris Moore is an aging specialist and author focused on practical, evidence-based approaches to healthy aging, purpose, and intergenerational connection.
• Mentioned:
• Becca Levy, Breaking the Age Code (positive aging beliefs linked to ~7.5-year longevity gain)
• Dale “Greybeard” Sanders, record-setting AT thru-hike at 91
• Call to action: If this helped you rethink aging, subscribe, share with a friend, and comment: What belief about aging are you breaking this year?

In this solo episode of Lessons from Living, Beth Graham reflects on the powerful life lessons she gleaned from an unforgettable US Open. From contrasting emotional styles on the women’s side to extraordinary humility and gratitude on the men’s, Beth explores what truly endures beyond a scoreboard.

She contrasts visible emotion and outbursts with steady composure, then highlights moments of quiet greatness: Alexander Zverev staying locked in point-by-point, his heartfelt respect for Ben Shelton at the net, and Ben’s remarkably generous runner-up speech that thanked everyone from tournament staff to his driver by name. Beth also shares Zverev’s story of overcoming diabetes—and a mother’s courageous resolve that her son would not be defined by a diagnosis.

Themes include emotional regulation, sportsmanship, resilience, faith, parenting for character over accomplishments, and why grace under pressure shapes reputations and futures. Whether you watched every match or none at all, you’ll find timely reminders for raising kids, leading teams, and living well.

Quote to remember: “Who you are and how you treat others lasts forever, while a victory on a scoreboard is temporary.”

Write Beth at [email protected]—she reads every email.

In this moving episode of Lessons from Living, host Beth Graham welcomes Carissa Hope—a poised, purpose-driven young leader who turned a difficult childhood into a calling to help others heal. Carissa opens up about the moments that shaped her, the mentors and practices that helped her reframe pain into strength, and the daily habits that keep her grounded as she serves her community. If you’ve faced adversity and wondered how to transform it into impact, Carissa’s story offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and a roadmap for resilient living.

Drawing on the spirit of J.K. Rowling’s reminder that emerging wiser and stronger from setbacks builds lifelong confidence, this conversation explores how to move from survival to service. You’ll hear how Carissa cultivates hope, sets healthy boundaries, finds meaning in the mess, and empowers others—proving that it’s never too early (or too late) to start changing lives.

What you’ll learn:

• How to reframe hardship into purpose and service
• Practical tools for healing: mindset, routines, and supportive relationships
• Setting boundaries without losing compassion
• Finding your voice after adversity and using it to uplift others
• Why starting young accelerates growth—and how to begin wherever you are

Who this episode is for:

• Anyone recovering from a tough season and seeking direction
• Young adults and students looking for purpose-driven paths
• Caregivers, educators, counselors, and community leaders
• Listeners who love real stories of grit, grace, and growth

Quotable moment: “The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are ever after secure in your ability to survive.” —J.K. Rowling

Call to action:

• Watch the video version on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@LessonsfromLiving
• Subscribe for more stories that encourage and equip you to live with purpose
• Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that hope is possible

Suggested chapter markers (optional):

• 00:00 Welcome and today’s theme
• 01:23 Meet Carissa Hope
• 06:10 Turning pain into purpose
• 14:45 Habits that build resilience
• 22:30 Boundaries, healing, and serving others
• 32:50 Advice for starting young
• 40:00 Final reflections and J.K. Rowling quote

Note: First segment of Jody Hudson's interview published August 20, 2026. Go back to catch the opening segment.

In this powerful segment, Jody Hudson opens up about the resilience she learned in childhood—and the unexpected blessing of letting people love you through casseroles, cards, and acts of kindness. She traces her spiritual journey from a strict Catholic upbringing to “double-dipping” weekends with her daughter Alex—Saturday sacraments and Sunday worship at a non-denominational church—moments that laid the groundwork for unshakeable faith during Alex’s illness.

Jody recalls a providential meeting with “Jack,” a prayer companion whose words reframed healing as spiritual transformation, and shares the letter of Scripture he gave them. She also tells the story behind the bluebird on her book cover: a daily reminder that God hadn’t forgotten Alex—and a sign that brought deep peace. Jody describes Alex’s radiant final moments and how that parting gift breathed new life into her purpose, moving her from grief to action.

This conversation explores accepting support, recognizing God’s presence in suffering, and carrying forward Alex’s legacy through a Lyme disease foundation focused on awareness, prevention, and patient support. Listeners will find hope-filled takeaways on faith, resilience, and choosing how to “show up” after loss.

In this heartfelt bonus episode of Lessons From Living, we honor Dolly Parton’s life and legacy by reflecting on 10 timeless lessons she modeled for the world. From being unapologetically herself and chasing audacious dreams, to putting in the reps as a prolific songwriter, protecting her business interests, and leading with humility, kindness, loyalty, and love for children—Dolly showed us what it means to live big and give bigger.

We revisit her iconic journey from a one-room cabin in Tennessee to global stardom; her fearless stage persona and frank honesty about beauty and image; the long road from childhood songwriting to worldwide hits like I Will Always Love You, Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, and 9 to 5; the pivotal decision to keep ownership of her catalog (including the song Elvis wanted and Whitney later made immortal); and the enduring impact of Dollywood and the Imagination Library, which has gifted books to millions of children. We also reflect on her steadfast marriage, her collaborative spirit, and her forward-looking philosophy—working and dreaming right to the end.

If Dolly taught us anything, it’s that excellence comes from patience and practice, success from courage and ownership, and legacy from compassion. As we grieve, we can honor her by embodying the kindness she gave so freely: “If you see someone without a smile today, give ’em yours.”

If this episode resonates, please share it with a fellow Dolly fan—and let us know your favorite Dolly lesson or memory.

Ben Oofana joins Lessons From Living to explain how trauma imprints in the body and how to heal it from the inside out. Drawing on his apprenticeship with a traditional Native healer, decades of vision quest practice, internal martial arts, and work with clients worldwide, Ben details an embodied meditation method that processes emotions rather than bypasses them. We discuss spiritual bypassing, resilience, why some people fragment while others cope, the trauma–health link, relationships after wounding, and cultivating connection to a higher power. Expect practical steps you can use today to calm the nervous system, digest difficult feelings, and rebuild capacity.

BenOofana.com

TeachMeToMeditate.com

BreakUpFirstAid.com

IG @BenOofana