Can AI save you $1,400? It did for Rick.

This week, Rick and Clancy talk about how AI is showing up in real life for empty nesters, including stories from The Loud Quiet community. From planning dinners for two and simplifying home maintenance to creating custom workouts and even preparing for job interviews, listeners shared how they’re using these tools in practical, everyday ways.

They also talk about boundaries and common sense... what’s safe to share, how to keep your thinking sharp, and why the goal isn’t to replace humans but to make life a little easier, a little smarter, and maybe a little more fun.

👋 Join the conversation in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet
📬 Get weekly extras and stories: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup
🎧 Find all episodes and ways to listen: https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS0:00 Intro
0:53 Rick’s AI victory story ($1,400 win)
4:06 How listeners are using AI
7:46 Using AI for everyday life and meal planning
9:13 Travel help and packing tips
11:29 Simplifying home maintenance
12:12 Custom workouts and fitness help
14:28 AI, humanity, and staying connected
16:48 Smart inspiration: gifts, resumes, and creativity
20:46 Writing better emails and messages
23:14 Setting smart boundaries and protecting privacy
26:38 Staying safe and thoughtful online
29:39 Proceed with caution... and curiosity

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

Every podcast starts somewhere… and this week, we’re sharing exactly how The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living came to be.

It all goes back to one late-night drive, a little vodka honesty, and a question from Clancy that stopped Rick cold. That moment caught us off guard and led to discussions on how we saw our relationship, our future, and eventually led to creating this show.

In this episode, we talk through the real story behind that night, how it led to our first recording in what used to be the kids’ playroom, and what it’s taught us about doing life (and business) together as empty nesters. We also share a first look at something we’ve been quietly working on since February... our upcoming book about what empty nest living has really meant to us.

If you want to stay up to date on the book launch and get extras and updates, you can join our newsletter here:

📬 https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup

👋 Join the conversation or share your own “start of it all” story in our community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

🎧 Find all episodes and listening platforms here:

https://www.theloudquiet.com

Videos Mentioned in the Episode

Embrace The Shift - E10 https://youtu.be/eQjUxpcq2jk

Behind The Scenes Studio Build https://youtu.be/ljiP26VLheo

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro – back on the road again

0:48 Why we started sharing our story

1:50 The night that changed everything

3:25 The question that froze Rick

4:55 When fear meets honesty

6:20 The moment the podcast idea hit

7:40 Turning the playroom into a studio

8:45 Recording that first raw episode

10:15 From therapy sessions to a community

11:10 Naming The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living

12:25 Doing the empty nest instead of feeling done to

13:25 Saying yes and sometimes saying no

14:50 The real talk promise (and an AMA idea)

16:30 Working together as partners and creatives

18:30 A new creative chapter: the book

20:10 Finding meaning in the loud and the quiet

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living?

Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

#relationships #marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting

How Do We Reinvent Ourselves?

What does it really mean to reinvent yourself once the house goes quiet? In this episode, Rick and Clancy talk about what reinvention has looked like for them since becoming empty nesters... how it’s less about one big change and more about staying curious, open, and willing to keep learning.

They share stories from their recent trip to the Empowered Podcaster Conference in Charlotte, NC, what it taught them about community and confidence, and how this phase of life is the perfect time to keep reinventing... not because you have to, but because you can.

We’re thankful to our episode sponsor, Damon Vinci with Magical Memory Planners, a long-time travel planner who helps make dream vacations stress-free.
📞 Call or text Damon at 972-987-0527 or email [email protected] to start planning your next adventure.

From the emotional recharge of being around other creators... to the moment Rick realized reinventing might never actually end... this one’s for anyone wondering what comes next when the kids are gone and the schedule finally opens up.

👋 Join the conversation in our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet
📬 Get new episodes and extras in your inbox: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup
🎧 Find all episodes and links: https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro and what reinventing means
2:15 Why small conferences matter
5:44 Sponsor thank you: Magical Memory Planners
8:10 Traveling as a couple and space apart
10:53 Kindness across differences
13:20 How reinvention connects us to our kids
15:20 From imposter syndrome to confidence
18:48 Thriving in the empty nest
21:20 What we are acting on next
23:40 Building a real-life community

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

Parenting doesn’t come with a guidebook... but sometimes it comes with text messages. In this episode, we sit down with Tammy Cohen, author of Text Messages To My Sons, to talk about the lessons, reminders, and heart-to-hearts she’s been sending her boys for years.

Tammy shares why she started capturing her wisdom in text form, how her sons have received it, and what it looks like to parent adult kids with honesty and love. This conversation isn’t just about moms and sons—it’s about communication, connection, and the little ways we keep showing up for our kids even as they grow.

📖 Get Tammy’s book Text Messages To My Sons:
Amazon (affiliate link): ⁠https://amzn.to/3Koe06r⁠

IndiePubs (use code TEXTMOM for a discount): https://indiepubs.com/products/text-messages-to-my-sons-new-edition

✨ Want to preview the book? Tammy is giving away 2 free chapters when you sign up here: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/texts

🌐 Connect with Tammy:
Website: https://tammyjcohen.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tammy-j-cohen-915815143
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tammyjcohen/

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:35 Why Tammy started texting her sons
4:50 Turning texts into a book
8:10 How her sons reacted
11:45 Parenting adult kids with boundaries
15:30 Lessons she most wanted to pass on
19:20 The power of short reminders
23:00 Communication across generations
26:40 What she hopes readers take away
29:55 Wrap-up

👋 Join the conversation in our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet
📬 Get episodes and extras in your inbox: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup
🎧 Find all episodes and platforms here: https://www.theloudquiet.com

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation.

What started as “just a quick drive” turned into a full-on Baylor game day adventure… complete with tailgates, rivalries, bugs that wouldn’t quit, and a whole lot of laughs with friends.

In this episode, we talk about navigating friendships in the empty nest… especially when your kids are dating each other… plus what it’s like to step into traditions that weren’t originally ours but now feel pretty special. From Waco eats to a last-second field goal to realizing game days can be mini-adventures of their own, this trip gave us plenty to reflect on.

🌬️ The handheld fan that saved us in the Texas heat (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/429B1Ai

👋 Share your own family rivalry stories in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet
📬 Want more like this? Get weekly extras in your inbox: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
2:10 Parent friends to kid couple
4:30 Empty nest road trip dynamics
6:50 Rivalry ground rules and the 20 bet
9:00 Surviving Texas heat with that fan
11:10 Tailgating Baylor style
13:20 The bug attack saga
15:30 Waco surprises and great food
17:40 Sports as a unifier and the finish

—

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation.

What happens when you visit your kids in their own space? We share the funny, surprising, and eye-opening moments of stepping into their world while on the road between Phoenix and Tucson.

Visiting your kids on their turf brings a mix of surprises, laughs, and those little reminders that they’re building lives outside of your roof. This week’s episode was recorded while we were literally on the road between Phoenix and Tucson… headed to spend the weekend with our daughter.

We talk about what it’s like to step into your kids’ world… seeing their spaces, meeting their friends, trying their favorite restaurants, and even noticing new habits (or lack of vacuuming skills). We also share some stories from The Loud Quiet Facebook community and how their experiences mirror our own.

It’s about learning when to lean in, when to step back, and how to enjoy the ride… sometimes literally, with road noise in the background.

👋 Want to join the conversation and maybe get a future shoutout on the podcast? Our community is growing and we’d love to have you: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

0:00 Intro on the road

1:00 Community stories that made us laugh

3:25 Eating new foods and favorite local restaurants

5:40 Changing interests and new hobbies

7:50 The mystery of vacuuming skills

9:30 Parents, grades, and stepping back

12:00 Balancing your visit with their schedule

14:20 Meeting friend groups (and picking up the check)

16:00 Seeing them become capable adults

18:30 Driving, independence, and handling big moments

19:50 Wrap-up on the ride to Tucson

👋 Share your own “visiting on their turf” stories in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet 📬 Want more like this?

Get weekly extras in your inbox: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup 🎧

Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here: https://www.theloudquiet.com

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living? Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation.

Some signs of fall are comforting. Some are kind of annoying. And some, like the flashing yellow school zone lights, just make you groan.

In this episode, Rick and Clancy share the little markers that tell them fall has arrived. Childhood soccer uniforms, back-to-school shopping trips, college football weekends, the first cool front fake-out, and pumpkin scented candles all make the list. They also talk about how fall still feels like a reset, even when you’re not chasing kids to Friday night games anymore.

👃 Got a favorite fall scent? Or a sign of fall in your town? Come share it with us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

📬 Want more like this? Get new episodes and the FREE curated Travel Tips & Gear guide: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup

🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here: https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

1:00 Childhood fall memories

4:30 Back-to-school shopping then vs. now

7:10 College football is back

10:50 School zones and Friday night games

14:20 Travel plans as fall markers

16:00 Pumpkin candles and fall flavors

17:30 State Fair and local festivals

18:50 The cool weather fake-out

20:10 Why fall feels like a reset

22:45 Fall is busy and we love it

✅ Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living? Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation.

Retirement isn’t just about 401(k)s and Social Security. It’s also about your identity, your routines, your relationship, and that strange feeling of waking up with nowhere to be.

In this episode, Rick and Clancy sit down with retirement coach Wendy Leggett to talk about the non-financial side of retirement: what makes it hard, what makes it meaningful, and how to approach it with curiosity instead of fear. Wendy shares thoughtful advice for individuals and couples navigating this transition.

Whether you’re five years out or already a few months in, this one’s packed with real, useful insight.

🧭 Learn more about Wendy’s coaching work: https://confluxretirementcoaching.com/

👋 Join the conversation in our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

📬 Want more like this? Get new episodes and extras in your inbox: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup

🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here: https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

1:11 What does a retirement coach do?

2:41 Why retirement can be a struggle

5:10 Identity shifts after work

7:09 How to thrive in retirement
8:44 Transition vs. change
11:26 When couples have different visions
14:44 Respecting the stay-at-home spouse’s role
18:39 Feeling like a stranger in your own home
20:09 Are you really ready to retire?
22:10 When to talk to a retirement coach

24:39 Wendy’s 8-session coaching process
26:13 Free coaching session + workbook offer
27:43 Final thoughts and thank you

✅ Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living? Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation.

The house is quiet again... and we’re back in the studio. The return of the empty nest, even for the 3rd time, stirs up a wide range of feelings. 

In this milestone 100th episode, we reflect on how much has changed... since starting the podcast, since our first round of empty nest living, and even just since last summer. From Iceland inside jokes to unexpected museum noises to the rediscovery of personal space (and skinny dipping), we talk through the return of the quiet, what we’ve learned, and why we’re still choosing each other in year three.

And mostly... we just want to say thank you. This podcast exists because of you. Whether you’ve listened to one episode or all 100, your support means everything.

🧳 Want our favorite travel gear and tips? Get the free download (plus our newsletter): https://www.theloudquiet.com

🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here: https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro + back in the studio

1:00 Thanking you for 100 episodes

2:35 A summer of nonstop travel

4:16 Iceland memories and inside jokes

6:10 Watching our kids connect as adults

8:50 When the empty nest fills back up

10:50 Adjusting when she moves back out

16:50 Choosing to say yes

22:40 Finding friends in the empty nest

24:41 Final thoughts + thank you

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living? Send Rick And Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation.

You’re a couple again... but it doesn’t feel quite the same.

This Greatest Hits episode takes us back to the early weeks of our empty nest life. The routines technically returned... but everything about them felt different. From light trash cans to creepy museum portraits to the moment the house goes quiet and it hits you all over again... this one’s for anyone staring down the weird, slow shift from full house to two place mats at dinner.

👋 Share your first-week-of-empty-nest moments with us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet
📬 Get Greatest Hits and new episodes straight to your inbox: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup
🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here: https://www.theloudquiet.com

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:20 Back to routine...ish
3:30 First day photo tradition
5:10 Grocery carts and empty trash cans
6:50 Two placemats at dinner
8:15 What do weekends look like now?
11:00 Walks, weather, and rediscovering each other
13:10 Fort Worth day trip: museum and cocktails
17:10 “The Clancy” is born
20:00 That first boring Sunday
25:00 The loudness of the quiet
28:30 Even the cat is adjusting

Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet – Empty Nest Living?
Send us a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost