The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living

Valentine’s Day shows up every year with expectations attached. Reservations. Prix fixe menus. Cards that say more about obligation than affection.In this Greatest Hits episode of The Loud Quiet, Rick and Clancy talk honestly about why they stopped treating Valentine’s Day like a scripted performance and how their relationship evolved once they did.From early dating years and shared “love songs” to parenting seasons that reshaped priorities, this episode walks through what Valentine’s Day has looked like across decades. Sometimes romantic. Sometimes chaotic. Often funny. Always real.What’s in the episodeWhy Valentine’s Day can feel like a high-pressure holidayThe songs that became part of Rick and Clancy’s relationship storyThe dinner that officially ended Valentine’s night reservationsHow parenting changed the focus of the holidayDaddy-daughter dances, school parties, and showing love differentlyWhen Valentine’s Day quietly came back around in a new seasonWhy unscripted moments often matter more than calendar datesCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back and setting the Valentine’s context02:00 How Rick and Clancy have always viewed Valentine’s Day05:00 The love songs that stuck08:00 Endless Love and a memory that never faded12:40 The dinner that officially ended Valentine’s night reservations15:45 Choosing connection over obligation17:30 Valentine’s Day as parents19:30 Daddy-daughter dances and modeling love22:30 Sports schedules and reality checks24:00 Valentine’s Day finds its way back26:00 Flowers, mixtapes, and changing expectations28:30 Defining Valentine’s Day on your own terms📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.Details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookJoin the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquietJoin the newsletter:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupWant 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/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: 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).

Intimacy changes over time… especially when the house gets quieter. What once felt automatic often needs more intention, more conversation, and sometimes a better framework.Just in time for Valentine's Day, in this guest episode, we sit down with couples counseling team Dr. Amy and Roy Clark to talk about The Four Intimacies and why strong relationships are built on more than just physical connection. We get practical about how couples actually talk to each other, why emotional closeness matters so much, and how intimacy can deepen at every stage of marriage… including the empty nest years.Years of working with couples showed Amy and Roy that the products supporting intimacy didn’t match the care people wanted to bring into it. That insight led them to create Aria, a luxury personal lubricant designed to be both beautiful and discreet… something meant to be seen, appreciated, and used with intention.We also talk honestly about why intimacy doesn’t “just happen,” how faith and intimacy can coexist without embarrassment, and what it looks like to create rhythms of connection that feel natural, grown-up, and alive.Get Amy & Roy's free couples intimacy quiz: https://theloudquiet.kit.com/intimacyquiz📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet - Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookResources mentioned in this episodeAria Luxury Lubricant:https://arialuxelife.com/Clark Coaching & Counseling with Dr. Amy and Roy Clark:https://royandamy.com/CHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:05 Why intimacy is more than physical4:10 The four types of intimacy explained8:55 What couples miss when they skip connection12:05 Faith, intimacy, and removing the shame15:00 Creating intention with simple rituals18:20 Working together as a married team22:10 How to start hard conversations safely26:00 Teaching intimacy earlier in life28:40 What success looks like long-term👋 Join the conversation with other couples navigating this season of life:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:https://www.theloudquiet.comWant 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/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: 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 #valentinesday

We spent several days at home during an ice storm in North Texas.Sweats instead of real clothes. Garage workouts because the gym was out. Too much food because that’s what people do when they’re stuck. We talk through how our routines unraveled, what we did to fill the time, and how empty nest life changes the feel of being snowed in.We also get into the small stuff… playing games we haven’t touched in years, watching different shows in different rooms without it being a “thing,” and noticing how storms feel when there aren’t kids at home needing rides, food, or distractions. It’s not a big takeaway episode. It’s just what a few quiet, iced-in days looked like for us.📖 Our upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details, updates, and a free introduction download here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book👋 If you want to share your own snow-day habits or comfort food, join us in the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Want weekly notes and episode extras?https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupCHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:10 Iced in at home3:40 Routines falling apart fast6:30 Garage workouts and making do9:10 Eating like it’s required11:55 Storms without kids at home15:05 Being together, doing different things18:10 Forced slowdown and workdays21:20 Wrapping up the weekWant 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/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: 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).

Spring semester drop-offs don’t get the same attention as fall move-in… but for a lot of parents, they’re tougher than they expect. The house was full again. The routines came back. And then, just like that, they left.In this episode, we talk honestly about why the sadness shows up again when college kids head back after the holidays. Not for the first time… and not because anything is wrong. We talk about what’s different about winter break versus summer, how short visits mess with your emotional footing, and why even years into empty nest life, this moment can still catch you off guard.This conversation was inspired entirely by our Facebook community. Parents shared stories about pets waiting outside empty bedrooms, traditions that suddenly feel more fragile, and the quiet realization that “home” isn’t quite the same anymore… for anyone. We also talk about what actually helps once the kids are gone again… getting back into routine, being intentional, and accepting that this phase keeps shifting whether we’re ready or not.📖 Book updateOur upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/bookCHAPTERS0:00 Intro and why this episode happened1:20 Spring return sadness… again3:10 When “home” becomes a visit4:55 Winter break vs summer break6:40 Pets notice the empty rooms too8:30 Traditions feel different now11:10 Making memories without guilt14:30 Why January feels harder17:55 Getting back into routine19:45 Being intentional in this phase21:05 Wrap-up👋 Share your experience or see what other parents are saying in our community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet📬 Want more like this? Get new episodes and extras in your inbox:https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signupWant 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/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: 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).

The holidays are over, the fridge is still full of leftovers, and the routine hasn’t quite found its way home yet.In this episode, Rick and Clancy talk about what happens between Thanksgiving and “whenever we finally pull it together.” The extra food. The extra drinks. The social calendar that never lets up. And the moment, especially in your 50s, when your body makes it very clear that it noticed. They talk through why the holiday season turns into a free-for-all, how restriction can backfire, and why getting back to normal is usually less about a dramatic reset and more about rebuilding a rhythm that fits empty nest life.They also cover bloodwork reality checks, binge vs restriction thinking, supplements and skepticism, processed food, alcohol tolerance, and the uncomfortable truth that exercise alone doesn’t undo six weeks of “we’ll deal with it later.” This isn’t a resolution episode or a dry January lecture. It’s a practical conversation about returning to routine… imperfectly, gradually, and with a little more awareness than last time.📖 Upcoming bookOur upcoming book, The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, is coming soon.You can find details and updates here:https://www.theloudquiet.com/p/book📬 Want new episodes and extras sent your way?https://theloudquiet.kit.com/signup👋 Join the conversation with other empty nesters here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 All episodes and listening links live here:https://www.theloudquiet.comCHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:10 Why the holidays become a free-for-all3:55 Bloodwork as a reality check6:40 Binge vs restriction thinking9:55 Food, alcohol, and aging bodies13:45 Supplements, skepticism, and mixed messages17:05 Why routine actually matters20:10 One change beats a long list22:45 Returning to normal… eventuallyWant 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/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: 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