Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore the real, raw, and remarkable stories of people breaking cycles, finding freedom, and leading with courage.

Today’s episode features Rita Lussier, Boomer, writer, longtime Providence Journal columnist, and now author of And Now, Back to Me. Her debut book reflects on the bittersweet transition from hands-on motherhood to empty nesting, weaving together grief, gratitude, and the journey of rediscovery.

✨ In this conversation, we cover:

• Why the empty nest often feels harder — and more layered — than expected

• How small symbols (like a child’s blanket or a grocery-store snack) can trigger powerful emotions

• Practical ways to “rewire” after years of care giving and start investing in yourself again

• The importance of finding bliss in everyday moments — new windows, banana bread, or a neighbor’s smile

• How strength, reinvention, and gratitude emerge through life’s transitions

  
  

Rita’s heartfelt stories remind us that while change may bring loss, it also offers an invitation: to rediscover who we are, to create again, and to embrace the journey with joy.

⏱️ Timestamps📖 

00:00 – Meet Rita Lussier: journalist, columnist, and debut author
01:27 – Why she wrote And Now Back to Me and how it resonated beyond parenting
04:18 – A moving passage about motherhood, grief, and creating again
07:15 – Yo’s story of sending her daughter to college and the moment of grief that followed
08:42 – The “power bar” story and how everyday objects spark emotions
10:09 – Fat Pinky, blankets, and the bittersweet speed of time
11:05 – Rewiring: investing in self-care after years of care giving
13:28 – Finding joy in everyday moments and “the good old days”
18:23 – Gratitude, new windows, and seeing with fresh eyes
25:05 – How the empty nest brings focus back to relationships
26:00 – Rediscovering your own voice beyond roles of motherhood and career
27:44 – The strength that comes from embracing transitions
31:07 – Stress and hardship as invitations to grow

💡 Key Takeaways📬

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