Claim OwnershipEmpty Nester Life: The Podcast with Mark and Jacki
Subscribed: 1Played: 0
Subscribe
© 2026 Empty Nester Life: The Podcast with Mark and Jacki
Description
Empty Nester Life: The Podcast is your honest, heartfelt guide to life after the kids leave home. Join Jacki and Mark as they dive into real conversations about marriage, grief, purpose, parenting adult children, rediscovering yourself, and navigating major life transitions. Whether you’re embracing freedom, facing loneliness, or dreaming of what’s next, you’ll find encouragement, humor, and real talk here. Welcome to the next—and best—chapter of life.
23 Episodes
Reverse
What do you do when someone you love deeply lets you down? When unmet expectations leave quiet but lasting wounds? In this episode of Empty Nester Life, Jacki and Mark talk candidly about forgiveness — not the dramatic kind, but the quiet, everyday kind. The kind that creeps into marriages, friendships, and family relationships when people don’t show up the way we hoped they would. This conversation is inspired by the chapter on forgiveness from the Re|engage Marriage Program, a powerful Chri...
Looking for fresh date night inspiration now that the nest is empty? In this episode of Empty Nester Life, we’re sharing 3 fun, affordable, and memorable date night ideas you can try this week! ✨ Here’s what we cover: At-Home Experiences – from indoor picnics to backyard stargazing.Local Exploration – discover hidden gems like hiking trails, farmers markets, and cozy cafés.Activity-Centered Overnight Trips – make a concert, festival, or special event the centerpiece of a quick getaway.Whether...
Dogs aren’t just pets — they’re family. 🐶 In this heartfelt episode, we explore how dogs teach us about love, loyalty, presence, and even faith. We’ll talk about: Why dogs are often the emotional heart of a home ❤️How they comfort us without words and reduce lonelinessThe way dogs model loyalty, protection, and responsibility 🛡️What unconditional love looks like — and how it reflects God’s love for usLessons dogs quietly teach us about living fully and loving freelyWhether you’re a lifelong d...
Is growth always good? Or is the constant pressure to “do more and be more” actually keeping us from true transformation? In this episode, we dive into the big question: Should we keep growing? Together, we’ll explore what healthy, Spirit-led growth looks like — not growth for performance or approval, but growth rooted in God’s love and grace. We’ll talk about: Why pruning, resting, and rooting are all part of real growth 🌱The difference between striving out of insecurity vs. striving out of ...
Looking for the best travel ideas for empty nesters? In this episode, we share our Top 5 Travel Destinations for Empty Nesters. From romantic getaways to bucket-list adventures, these top 5 travel ideas are perfect for couples ready to explore life after kids leave home. One of the best parts of becoming an empty nester is the freedom to travel! Whether you’re looking for romantic escapes, cultural city trips, or big adventures you’ve been dreaming about for years, this list will inspi...
In this episode of Empty Nester Life, we share how a Bible-based faith in Christ has shaped our story from the very beginning. We talk about how God brought us together, the ways Scripture continues to guide our marriage, and why walking with Jesus is the key to staying strong through every season of life—including the empty nest years. You’ll hear how leaning on God’s Word has helped us navigate challenges, find peace in uncertainty, and grow closer to each other by growing closer to Him. W...
Becoming an empty nester is one of the biggest life transitions you’ll ever face—and it comes with more changes than you might expect. In this episode of Empty Nester Life: The Podcast, Mark and Jacki dive into the Top 5 Ways Your Life Changes when the kids leave home. From the way your house feels, to your daily routines, relationships, social life, and even your finances, we’re exploring the emotional and practical shifts that define this season. Whether you’re excited for the freedom ahead...
Thinking about turning your second home into a short-term rental? 🏡✨ In this episode of Empty Nester Life, we’re diving into everything you need to know before listing your vacation home on Airbnb, VRBO, or another rental platform. From permits and regulations to property management, marketing, taxes, and guest prep—we cover the real-world details that can make or break your rental experience. We’ll also share our own experience renting out our Rockport, Texas home and the lessons we learned...
Arizona Travel & Lifestyle Guide: From the Desert to the Pines 🌵🌲 Arizona is so much more than cactus and sunshine—it’s a state full of stunning contrasts, rich history, and endless adventures. In this episode of the Empty Nester Life Podcast, we’re taking you on a regional road trip through Northern, Central, and Southern Arizona, sharing what makes each area truly special. From the pine-covered mountains of Flagstaff and the red rocks of Sedona… To the vibrant urban life of Phoenix an...
Buying a home in a different state can be exciting—but also overwhelming. In this episode of Empty Nester Life, we share our real-life experience buying a second home in Rockport, Texas, and walk you through what you need to know before purchasing out of state—whether you're relocating full-time or looking for a getaway spot. From emotional prep to financial must-knows, insurance surprises, and how to find the right agent, we cover the key things that can make or break your experience. And ...
🎥 10 Ways to Ruin Your YouTube Channel (And What to Do Instead!) Welcome to Empty Nester Life, where we explore the next chapter with curiosity, humor, and purpose. In this episode, we’re diving into something a little different: YouTube mistakes. Whether you're a fellow empty nester starting a channel, a creator trying to find your audience, or someone just curious about what not to do on YouTube — this episode is for you. We break down the 10 most common ways people mess up their YouTube c...
“It’s not too late to make a phone call, write a letter, or open a door.” In this episode of Empty Nester Life, we’re diving into one of the hardest and most meaningful challenges of midlife: rebuilding broken or distant relationships. Whether you're hoping to reconnect with adult children, an estranged sibling, or an old friend, this conversation offers hope, encouragement, and real-world strategies. We’ll explore: Why relationships drift apart over timeHow to take the first step toward reco...
Have you ever found yourself coping with regret thinking, “I should have…” or “If only I had…”? In this heartfelt episode of the Empty Nester Life Podcast, we dive into the universal experience of regret—and how to stop letting it define you. Whether you're looking back on parenting choices, missed career opportunities, or relationships that didn’t go the way you hoped, this conversation will help you: ✨ Understand the deeper meaning behind your regrets ✨ Reframe your past without judgment ...
Is it time to downsize your home now that the kids have moved out? In this episode of Empty Nester Life: The Podcast, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions empty nesters face: Should we sell the family home and move into something smaller? As realtors who are also living the empty nest life ourselves, we’ve helped countless clients through this very transition—and we’ve walked through it personally, too. We’ll unpack the emotional attachments that come with downsizing, signs it might be...
Blending a family is never easy—especially when it involves integrating a stepfather into a child’s life. In this episode of Empty Nester Life: The Podcast, we dive into the emotional, practical, and relational aspects of becoming a stepdad or welcoming one into the family. We explore: ✅ Setting realistic expectations ✅ Communicating with empathy ✅ Defining roles and boundaries ✅ Building trust through consistency ✅ Supporting without replacing ✅ Navigating loyalty conflicts ✅ When to seek o...
What does it really mean to live the Empty Nester Life? In this episode, we unpack the meaning behind each word in our title: – Empty: From the quiet house to the emotional emptiness we sometimes feel – Nest: How our home evolves when the kids are gone – Life: What this next chapter looks like — the fun, the freedom, and the sometimes unexpected identity shifts Whether you're just entering this stage or you've been in it for a while, we hope this conversation brings you clarity, comfort, and...
In this first episode of our health mini-series, we kick things off with the eye-opening moment that changed everything for us: a casual clean-out of our spice rack that led to a deep dive into food toxins, ultra-processed products, and ingredient transparency. We compare two jars of paprika—one organic and pure, the other full of mystery (literally, no ingredients listed!). That discovery launched a full kitchen detox and inspired us to rethink what we consume every day, starting with our ow...
Your kids are grown, but the parenting role hasn’t disappeared—it’s just changed. In this episode of Empty Nester Life: The Podcast, we explore how to support your adult children without hovering, offer advice without overstepping, and encourage independence while staying emotionally connected. We’ll talk about letting go of your timeline for their life, celebrating small wins, and what healthy support really looks like in this season. If your adult child is still figuring things out—and you’...
In this episode of Empty Nester Life: The Podcast, we dive into one of the most important—and sometimes overlooked—topics in the empty nester journey: marriage after the kids leave home. When the house gets quiet and the routines change, couples often find themselves asking, "Now what?" We’re sharing our own experiences, the challenges we’ve faced, and how we’re working to reconnect, redefine our roles, and rediscover who we are as a couple in this new season of life. Whether you’re thriving ...
Episode 3: Heart Health & Diet – Mark’s Wake-Up Call and What We Learned In this episode of Empty Nester Life: The Podcast, we open up about Mark’s personal health scare that became a major turning point in how we approach wellness. We walk you through the specific tests that revealed a hidden heart issue, what those results meant, and how we used that moment as a catalyst for change. From the emotional impact to the dietary overhaul that helped get Mark back on track, this episode is al...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States