GXJ Replay: Midlife Adventure Awaits! Belinda Coker on Hiking, Confidence, and Budget Travel

GXJ Replay: Grief is Not a 4-Letter Word: Finding Hope and Purpose through the Pain of Loss with Michelle Bader Ebersole

This week on the Gen X Juggler Podcast, host Deb introduces Michelle Bader Ebersole, a woman who transformed her profound grief into a mission of helping others. Ebersole shares her personal story of losing her husband, Luke, to cancer while raising young children. She details the journey of caregiving, grieving, and ultimately finding a new purpose. Ebersole talks about founding her nonprofit Widow Goals and her Christian podcast, Widowed 2 Soon, both dedicated to supporting widows. She emphasizes the importance of community, the church's role in supporting widows, and offers practical advice on what to say and do when someone you care about is grieving. Tune in for an insightful conversation on finding hope and purpose after a profound loss. 00:00 Guest Intro And Teaser 00:57 Meet Michelle And Gen X Chat 02:36 Love Story With Luke 03:21 Cancer Diagnosis And Amputation 05:12 Family Life After Treatment 06:19 Cancer Returns And Kids Told 07:56 Last Wishes And Hospice Care 10:22 Final Hours And Goodbye 13:41 Early Widowhood And COVID Grief 17:28 Healing Tools And New Purpose 21:22 Widow Goals Nonprofit And Retreats 23:04 Book Widow Goals And Chosen Vision 25:08 Chosen Launch Tribute 25:24 Workbook to Leaders Guide 26:02 Widows Programs in Churches 27:04 Finding Love Again 30:57 Supporting Widows Mission 31:31 Remembering Key Dates 37:15 How to Help Grievers 44:05 Grief Waves Not Stages 46:04 Retreat and Ripple Effect 49:06 Where to Find Her   Links to Michelle Bader Ebersole widowgoals.org [http://widowgoals.org] https://www.tiktok.com/@widowgoals?_r=1&_t=ZP-93qoZuRxvJ9 [https://www.tiktok.com/@widowgoals?_r=1&_t=ZP-93qoZuRxvJ9] https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals?igsh=OXd0b3d3eXE2enF4 [https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals?igsh=OXd0b3d3eXE2enF4] https://www.facebook.com/share/1CAsC2ZJoW/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1CAsC2ZJoW/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Checkout Michelle's Podcast, Widowed 2 Soon, on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. For speaking and event enquiries, please contact Deb at: Deb@GenXJuggler.com [Deb@GenXJuggler.com]   **Want to be a guest on Gen X Juggler Podcast? Send Deb Foster a message      on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler]   Links to Gen X Juggler: https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC [https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ== [https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1]   **THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN ANY FIELD INCLUDING LEGAL, MEDICAL, FINANCIAL OR MENTAL HEALTH. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY GUESTS ON THIS PODCAST ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE HOST AND/OR PRODUCERS.**

GXJ Replay: It’s 10 O’Clock. Do You Know Where Your Parents Are? From Latchkey Kids to Caregivers with Janice Goldmintz

Host Deb welcomes Janice Goldmintz, an expert in gerontology, whose mission is to prepare families for the aging process of their parents. The discussion covers essential topics such as starting conversations about aging, the importance of being prepared, dealing with the emotional aspects of caregiving, and the necessity of self-care for caregivers. Janice Goldmintz also shares insights from her personal experiences and offers valuable resources through her website, talkaboutaging.com. Whether you're already a caregiver or looking to start preparing, this episode provides practical advice and support for navigating the challenges of aging and caregiving. 00:00 Why Aging Talks Matter 01:07 Meet Janice Goldmans 01:56 Normalize the Conversation 04:36 Janice’s Career Path 06:33 Caregiving Role Reversal 09:00 How to Start the Talk 09:24 Red Flags at Home 11:43 The Red File Essentials 14:48 When Crisis Hits Fast 18:18 Sharing Family Responsibilities 22:01 Caregiver Guilt and Resentment 24:11 Finding Support Systems 25:10 Who Will Care 25:56 Modeling for Kids 26:49 Plan Before Crisis 30:47 Stay or Go Decisions 32:48 Advocate in Care 37:38 Ageism and Dignity 40:35 Alzheimer’s Reality 42:12 Meet Them There 42:59 Caregiver Boundaries 43:59 Resources and Wrap Up   Links to Janice Goldmintz http://www.talkaboutaging.com [http://www.talkaboutaging.com]    https://www.facebook.com/share/1C765roB8P/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1C765roB8P/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.instagram.com/agingparentjourney?igsh=MWcwOGpncXB5eWRuMA== [https://www.instagram.com/agingparentjourney?igsh=MWcwOGpncXB5eWRuMA==] For speaking and event enquiries, please contact Deb at: Deb@GenXJuggler.com [Deb@GenXJuggler.com]   **Want to be a guest on Gen X Juggler Podcast? Send Deb Foster a message      on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler]   Links to Gen X Juggler: https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC [https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ== [https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1]   **THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN ANY FIELD INCLUDING LEGAL, MEDICAL, FINANCIAL OR MENTAL HEALTH. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY GUESTS ON THIS PODCAST ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE HOST AND/OR PRODUCERS.**

GXJ Replay: Midlife Adventure Awaits! Belinda Coker on Hiking, Confidence, and Budget Travel

This week on the Gen X Juggler Podcast, Deb interviews Australian hiker, writer, and educator Belinda Coker about her midlife transformation from a stressed, out of shape, home-centered life to pursuing adventure and rebuilding confidence through action.   Belinda describes how the pandemic prompted her to reassess her health, begin hiking with a meetup group, and learn that confidence grows by showing up, even when starting is hard.   She shares a harrowing incident which involves a hurricane-damaged-tent incident and a hypothermia scare while traversing the Canary Islands that shook her confidence but reinforced safety lessons and exit planning.   Belinda recounts memorable experiences hiking Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail and Australia’s red center, including powerful encounters tied to Indigenous culture. She explains house sitting as a frugal, healthier, community-immersive way to travel via her platforms Soul Treader and the House Sitting Collective, offering listeners a 20% discount with code GENX.   00:00 Midlife Missing Piece 00:48 Meet Belinda Coker 01:34 Hurricane Tent Detour 02:39 Life Before the Shift 05:38 Pandemic Mirror Moment 07:54 First Hike Wake Up Call 10:17 Confidence Comes From Action 13:19 Canary Islands Survival Scare 24:01 Learning Safety the Hard Way 27:03 Midlife Losing Yourself 28:06 Choosing Early Retirement 29:12 Adventure After Retirement 30:28 House Sitting Explained 34:49 Budget Travel Tips 37:43 Greenland Solo Trek 42:58 Red Center Spiritual Moment 48:31 Resources Discount Farewell   Links to Belinda Coker: www.soultreader.com [http://www.soultreader.com] www.housesittingcollective.com [http://www.housesittingcollective.com]   **For speaking and event enquiries, please contact Deb at: Deb@GenXJuggler.com [Deb@GenXJuggler.com]   **Want to be a guest on Gen X Juggler Podcast? Send Deb Foster a message      on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler]   Links to Gen X Juggler: https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC [https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ== [https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1]   **THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN ANY FIELD INCLUDING LEGAL, MEDICAL, FINANCIAL OR MENTAL HEALTH. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY GUESTS ON THIS PODCAST ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE HOST AND/OR PRODUCERS.**

GXJ Replay: The Loud Quiet of Empty Nesting: Letting Go, Reconnecting, and Having Fun with Rick and Clancy Denton

This week on the Gen X Juggler podcast, Deb welcomes Rick and Clancy Denton, empty nesters who host The Loud Quiet podcast and wrote a book of the same name about life after kids leave home. They explain that the podcast began after Clancy worried about what their marriage would be like without “kid glue,” becoming a weekly intentional connection point. The conversation covers how empty nesting changes roles and routines, the need for intentionality to avoid drifting apart, and balancing independence with couple connection amid the risk of “gray divorce.” They discuss shifting from parent-in-charge to coach/mentor with adult kids, offering advice mainly when asked, and letting kids make non-catastrophic mistakes while staying supportive. They share rediscovering friendships and fun, and describe their book—organized by the first year’s seasons—capturing highs and lows, with their kids writing the foreword, and they direct listeners to theloudquiet.com, a Facebook community, and Amazon. 00:00 Empty Nest Reality Check 00:52 Meet Rick and Clancy 01:42 How the Podcast Began 04:45 Preparing for the Shift 06:45 Intentionality Beats Inertia 08:23 When Adult Kids Come Home 10:01 Parenting as Coach Mentor 13:06 Letting Them Fail Safely 17:08 Rethinking the College Path 20:06 New Roles and New Rhythms 21:07 Independence and Friendships 23:56 Saying Yes Staying Connected 26:00 Reconnecting With Friends 26:36 Rediscovering Dallas Nights 28:28 Gen X Freedom Returns 29:39 Feral But Responsible 30:16 Writing Their Book 32:19 Proud To Be Authors 33:37 Kids Read It Too 35:11 Graduation Gift Idea 35:58 Empty Nest Daily Changes 38:37 Embracing The Fifties 39:49 Small Newness Matters 41:16 Sadness And Tough Love 42:48 Moving Forward Together 44:27 Where To Find Them Links to Rick & Clancy Denton: https://theloudquiet.com [https://the] https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18aPc3YHmT/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://the] Purchase their book at: https://a.co/d/0byi2IQE [https://a.co/d/0byi2IQE] **For speaking and event enquiries, please contact Deb at: Deb@GenXJuggler.com [Deb@GenXJuggler.com]   **Want to be a guest on Gen X Juggler Podcast? Send Deb Foster a message      on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler]   Links to Gen X Juggler: https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC [https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ== [https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1] **THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN ANY FIELD INCLUDING LEGAL, MEDICAL, FINANCIAL OR MENTAL HEALTH. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY GUESTS ON THIS PODCAST ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE HOST AND/OR PRODUCERS.**

GXJ Replay: Can Faith Help You Sleep? Midlife Insomnia, Sleep Science, and Theology with Dr. Benjamin Long

Today, we address sleep struggles, especially for the sandwich generation, through a conversation with sleep medicine doctor and seminary student Dr. Benjamin Long, author of Sleep Habits Journal: Practices, Prayers and Devotions to Ease Your Sleepless Nights.   Long explains integrating evidence-based insomnia care (including CBT-I and the SATED sleep health framework) with a Christian worldview, noting research linking religious service attendance to better sleep and religious doubt to worse sleep.   The discussion covers midlife factors such as perimenopause, hot flashes, hormone therapy options, and increasing sleep apnea risk with age, including underdiagnosis and subtler symptoms in women.   Long shares “sleepless night rules” (cease before bed, get out of bed if awake, connect with God, repeat, avoid sleeping in/naps), emphasizes prayer and the Daily Office, cautions against transactional “just trust more” thinking, and highlights biblical themes of sleep as gift, trust, and God’s presence in sleeplessness.   00:00 Midlife Sleep Struggles 01:16 Meet Dr. Long 02:05 Faith Meets Sleep Medicine 04:00 Science Based Sleep Tools 06:25 Research On Religion Sleep 10:25 Screens Stress And Sleep Stages 12:46 White Noise Myths 13:54 Midlife Changes And Menopause 16:41 Sleep Apnea In Midlife 19:46 Sleep In The Bible 21:24 Sleep as Blessing 22:45 Beloved Sleep Psalm 127 24:44 Trust That Lets You Rest 25:45 Trauma and Nonlinear Sleep 28:35 Sleepless Night Rules 30:01 Prayer and Daily Office 33:53 Insomnia as Spiritual Formation 36:21 Caregiving and Night Retreats 40:48 Jesus Shares Our Sleeplessness 42:05 Where to Find the Journal 43:41 Final Encouragement and Thanks   Links to Dr. Benjamin Long:   https://www.sleephabitsjournal.com/ [https://www.sleephabitsjournal.com/]   https://www.instagram.com/thewholeheartedmd? [https://www.instagram.com/thewholeheartedmd?igsh=MXB3cnI2b2hpNDlyYQ==]igsh=MXB3cnI2b2hpNDlyYQ== [https://www.instagram.com/thewholeheartedmd?igsh=MXB3cnI2b2hpNDlyYQ==]   https://www.tiktok.com/@thewholeheartedmd?_r=1&_t=ZP-94Yav67g3pP [https://www.instagram.com/thewholeheartedmd?igsh=MXB3cnI2b2hpNDlyYQ==]   https://benjaminlongmd.substack.com/ [https://benjaminlongmd.substack.com/]     **For speaking and event enquiries, please contact Deb at: Deb@GenXJuggler.com [Deb@GenXJuggler.com]   **Want to be a guest on Gen X Juggler Podcast? Send Deb Foster a message      on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler]   Links to Gen X Juggler: https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC [https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ== [https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1]   **THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN ANY FIELD INCLUDING LEGAL, MEDICAL, FINANCIAL OR MENTAL HEALTH. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY GUESTS ON THIS PODCAST ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE HOST AND/OR PRODUCERS.**