Sandwich Season Sanity

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m joined by my husband of 38 years, Jim Gray, for his input on the holidays as empty nesters. We’re talking about our unique lifestyle, splitting time between homes in West Virginia and Florida, and how this has shaped our holiday traditions. We’ll discuss home remodels, creative...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!In this episode, I’m sitting down with my guest, Billie Jauss, an international speaker, author, and podcast host known as the "What's Next Coach." We talk through the challenges couples face during the holidays—especially around maintaining a united front and setting boundaries amidst family expectations. Billie reveals her journey as a...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, Sue Donaldson, a speaker, author, and expert on hospitality opens up about the realities of loneliness faced during the "sandwich season"—the time in life when women care for both aging parents and growing children. Sue also shares wisdom from her new book, "Never Alone: Stories of...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!On this episode, host Ruthie Gray welcomes Pamela Henkelman, certified empty nest coach and host of the Midlife Momma podcast, for a candid conversation about navigating the holidays with adult children. Pamela shares her wisdom on letting go of old expectations, respecting new family traditions, and fostering open...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!Peg Arnold, speaker, author, and “Drama Queen for Jesus”, shares her powerful caregiving journey. Peg opens up about a time when her family navigated joyful milestones like her children's graduations, only to be hit with the sudden loss of her father-in-law and her mother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's, all within the same year. She speaks...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!In this episode, I’m sitting down with my sweet friend, Suzy Mighell, author of the FABULOUS new release, "Empty Nest: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest." Suzy shares her heart and practical wisdom for navigating the challenging transition from hands-on parenting to developing healthy, encouraging adult-to-adult relationships with...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!On this episode, I’m welcoming Kelly Hall—host of the Unshakable Hope podcast, author, Bible teacher, and seasoned caregiver. Kelly shares her profound journey of raising four children (three with special needs) amidst the unique challenges of military life, alongside navigating her own health struggles and ongoing caregiving...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!Linda Hanstra, a semi-retired speech-language pathologist, author, and seasoned empty nester joins the podcast to share her personal stories of navigating the "sandwich season". From unexpected joys with kids and grandkids to profound loss and pandemic-era challenges, Linda opens up about the lessons learned, the importance of family...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!In this episode of Sandwich Season Sanity, I’m sitting down with my friend and fellow caregiver, Lori Schumaker. Lori opens up about her caregiving journey and gives her wisdom for those of us going through this season. We discuss topics like embracing your God-given identity, prioritizing personal peace, and letting go of the pressure...

Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show!In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m interviewing Cathy Lawdanski, a retired empty nester with a wealth of wit and wisdom for navigating life’s later seasons. Cathy shares the story behind her essential "Medical Records Checklist," inspired by a personal medical emergency that revealed how critical it is to have...