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Join Charlotte and guest author Roland Heersink as they talk about how retirement is a turning point that exposes what truly shapes our faith, purpose, and priorities. Many Christians enter the retirement season expecting rest and freedom, only to face unexpected questions about identity, meaning, and how to finish well.  Retirement Truths was written by Heersink and contributing theologian Dr. Szaszi Bene from Tyndale Seminary in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The book offers a clear, deeply biblical vision for navigating this decisive stage of life with faith and wisdom. Grounded in more than 150 Bible passages, this book brings rare clarity to a topic Scripture addresses often, but Christian literature rarely explores with depth.  Rather than offering lifestyle advice or encouragement to stay busy, his book speaks honestly about the real spiritual challenges of retirement – loss of role, fear, complacency, suffering, declining health, and the approach of death – and shows how the Bible speaks directly to each one. This insightful podcast conversation will help you view retirement not as a problem to manage or a reward to enjoy, but as a distinct calling.  In this special season of life, you can:  Rethink successRedefine productivity,And live your later years with purpose, surrender, and lasting fruitfulnessRetirement also is a time for having:  A biblically grounded framework for understanding retirement, rooted wholly in ScriptureClear insight into the hidden spiritual challenges many retirees experience but rarely nameGuidance for finishing well, even amid limitation, illness, or uncertaintyA perspective on retirement that goes far beyond activity, leisure, or self-fulfillment  Whether you are approaching or living in retirement, or are preparing ahead of that time, this podcast offers clarity, depth, and encouragement for one of life’s most important seasons. Retirement is not about doing more. It’s about finishing well. As Roland says, “Do your best, let Jesus do the rest (and don’t be stressed.) " Listen in to this conversation and order Heersink’s book to learn how.  Thanks for joining us!  Roland Heersink is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur with decades of leadership experience across small, medium, and large organizations. He is the Founder and Chairman of God & Work and Christian Business Angels and has written more than 85 Bible reading plans followed by over half a million subscribers, helping people integrate faith into everyday life. To order Roland’s book, Retirement Truths – What the Bible Says Compared to Popular Narratives,  click here.  To read one of Roland’s Bible plans, click here.  Click here to receive a free PDF from Roland about numbering your days.  To learn more about God & Work and Christian Business Angels, click here.    Charlotte has published YouVersion Bible plans on various subjects, including Living Fully in the Empty Nest. Click here to subscribe to it.  To reach Charlotte’s website and to learn more about her speaking, writing and more, click here.

Listen in as Charlotte welcomes guests Heather Creekmore and Doris Swift.    Heather and Doris are authors, speakers, podcast hosts and more. And they are aging gratefully with us! Heather wrote Aging Gratefully, Compared to Who? and The Comparison Free Life. Doris wrote Surrender the Joy Stealers. All books are available on Amazon. Friends, these books are so helpful, and we need them.    In this podcast episode, we talk about struggles many women face but rarely speak about openly: body image, midlife, how to age gratefully and what comes to steal our joy as we juggle so much in our encore years. Heather shares a bit about her own journey, one that many of us women have struggled with - years of dieting, disordered eating, and the belief that changing our body would finally bring happiness. Marriage and motherhood don’t resolve these struggles. For Heather, a message about modern-day idolatry led to a powerful awakening in her heart. Charlotte and Doris have their own body image journeys and share from the heart as well.   Cultural messages fuel our obsession with appearance, how comparison robs us of our joy, and why true freedom comes from understanding our God-given identity—not from pursuing the latest health trend or fitting into a certain pair of jeans.    Doris shares about what led her to write her power Bible study, Surrender the Joy Stealers, and how we can stand firm and stand against what threatens our joy. It’s a task that requires daily surrender and intentionality.    Whether you’ve battled body image insecurities, comparison in any area of your life, or the pressures of aging in a looks-obsessed world, this honest and hope-filled conversation will inspire you to pursue joy, purpose, and your fierce calling right where you are. Speaking of Fierce Calling, that is the name of Doris’s podcast. Heather’s is called Compared to Who? You’ll want to tune in to both.   Get ready for truths, laughter, encouragement, and the reminder that you are so much more than a number on a scale, a face in the mirror or a person juggling much in the empty nest. Together, and with Christ at the center of it all, we can have a full and joy-filled life.    To reach Heather Creekmore, click here.    To purchase her books, click below:    Aging Gratefully  Compared to Who?  The Burden of Better    To reach Doris Swift, click here:    To purchase Doris’s book, click below:   Surrender the Joy Stealers    To reach Charlotte, click here.    To subscribe to Charlotte’s Bible Plan, Living Fully in the Empty Nest, click here.

Seven Strategies for Building Your Grandparenting Skills Portfolio with Drs. Michelle Watson Canfield and Ken CanfieldAs grandparents, we have a unique opportunity to positively shape our grandchildren's lives. By recognizing our challenges and embracing our callings, we can nurture our family and find fulfillment in our role as grandparents.Listen in as Drs. Michelle and Ken Canfield share how we strategically can be godly role models to our children and grandchildren. This conversation will encourage you to process patterns in your own life and further invest in growing and enhancing your grand parenting skills portfolio. And you'll receive seven helpful strategies.The Canfields have five children and 19 grandchildren. They both have their PhD's and Michelle has her LPC. Both are nationally known leaders and have committed their lives to strengthening families. Dr. Ken founded and is president of the National Center for Fathering as well as the National Association for Grand parenting. He's the author of several books including 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers and The Heart of Grandparenting. You can listen to him on several radio shows too! Michelle has counseled people for over 30 years and is the founder of The Abba Project, a forum for dads whose daughters are in their teens and 20's. Michelle also is an author and has written several books including Dad: Here's What I Really Need From You: A Guide For Connecting With Your Daughter's Heart. Michelle also hosts The Dad Whisperer Podcast. (Both of them do lots more and we'll hear about that too!)The Canfields offer encouraging ways to leave a legacy of love, wisdom and faith that will guide future generations. Thanks for tuning in.To reach Ken Canfield PhD.To reach Michelle Watson Canfield PhD, LPC.To reach Charlotte.FREE PDF of 7 Strategies For Building Your Grandparenting Skills Portfolio.

Your life has been divinely designed by your Creator - a unique and beautiful blueprint. Yet, sometimes, we lose sight of our calling.In this conversation, Charlotte and Julie talk about the impact of a transformative journey of self-discovery. Designed specifically for women seeking clarity in their calling, Julie has developed a beautifully crafted workbook, rooted in scripture, and filled with practical exercises to help you uncover the rich tapestry God has for your life.Join us as we discuss how you can uncover: The specific words that energize your heartThe shaping power of your experiences and story-timelineYour God-given skills, temperament, interests, and passionsYour spiritual giftsHow your current responsibilities align with your design Your personalized Divine Design summary will keep you focused and faithful in this phase of life. Julie also shares how we can partner with God as He reveals the intricate, purposeful design He has placed on your life.You have a particular purpose even in the empty nest. God the Father has been developing and preparing you to steward your gifts well, to overcome limiting beliefs and to fully live with confidence and joy in your encore years.Whether you're in a season of transition, seeking direction, or longing to grow deeper in your calling, your Divine Design will guide you to understand who God created you to be and what innately energizes your heart. This clarity empowers you to embrace your true identity in Christ and boldly step into the life He designed.Now is a wonderful time to steward your unique gifts to bless others, shine His light, and make a meaningful impact for His glory.To reach Julie: https://Milestonecoachingok.comTo reach Charlotte: https://charlotteguest.com

A Heart for Eternity With Janet and Dan Hellige The Legacy Coalition Listen in as Charlotte, Janet and Dan talk about what it means for us as empty nesters to have a heart for eternity and to pass that yearning on to our children and grandchildren. Dan is the new CEO of The Legacy Coalition, a Christian grandparenting ministry. He and Janet have five children and seven grandchildren and a heart for what it means to parent and grandchildren with intention and the love of Christ. March 19 - 21, 2026, in Stonebriar, Texas, is the Legacy Coalition's Grandparenting Summit in Frisco, Texas. It's the only national conference on grandparenting. This year's theme, "A Heart for Eternity" invites us to invest our time, energy, and resources in what lasts. Because what we do now impacts not only our children and grandchildren, but untold generations to come. It's a wonderful opportunity to invest in your grandchildren's forever and to grow deeper in Christ as a couple as you do. At the summit you will receive wisdom, find hope, and learn from incredible speakers and breakout presenters. There will be a resource center, offering tools to help your grandparenting journey. And it's also uplifting to gather with other Christian grandparents who want to build their spiritual legacy. There is comfort in community! Janet and Dan encourage others to "be the gospel." There is much to learn from the Helliges, at the grandparenting summit and as you listen to this conversation. Thanks for sharing your time with us! To learn more about The Legacy Coalition and the Grandparenting Summit, click here. To reach Charlotte, click here What the Bible says about aging, grandparenting and leaving a legacy: Job 12:12 - " Is not wisdom found from among the aged? Does not long-life bring understanding?" Psalm 178:6 - "May you live to see your children's children..." Proverbs 13:22 - "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children..." Proverbs 17:6 - "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Isaiah 46:4 - "Even to your old age and hairs, I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Let’s be Unoffendable With Author Brant Hansen Do you find yourself getting offended easily with adult children, parents and in your empty nest relationships? Less anger and more gratitude makes for a full and joy-filled life. Being offendable is a choice. Yet it doesn’t feel that way sometimes. Anger often hinders constructive action. Unoffendable gives us a concrete, practical way to live life with less stress in our easily offended, cancel-culture society. It’s never too late to learn how to replace perpetual frustration and anger with refreshing humility and gratitude. Giving up our "right" to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things we can do. It's a radical, provocative idea: We're not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own "righteous anger" and is a problem in our societies today. Listen in as Charlotte and Brant discuss that relinquishing the right to be offended can be liberating. Brant’s book, Unoffendable, offers concrete suggestions to view frustrating moments and opportunities for personal growth. But…what if Christians were the most unoffendable people on the planet? In this conversation, you will find concrete, practical ways to live life with less stress, including: Adjusting your expectations to fit human natureReplacing perpetual anger with refreshing humility and gratitudeEmbracing forgiveness and beginning to love others in unexpected ways Newly revised with two brand-new chapters on forgiveness and what Hansen has learned since writing his original book, his updated edition of the bestselling book is a must-read for every Christian. With short chapters, this book is easy to slip into a daily routine or commute to spend time deepening in God’s Word. In a humorous and conversational style, Unoffendable seeks to lift religious burdens from our backs and allow us to experience the joy of gratitude every single day of our lives—flourishing the way God intended. A mindset of forgiveness can be adopted, in the empty nest, and at any age. Let’s be unoffendable and adopt a mindset that prioritizes forgiveness and understanding over anger. What the Bible says about being offended: Proverbs 12:16 - "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 19:11 - "A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." Matthew 5:38-39 - "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." Matthew 18:21-22 - "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." 1 Peter 4:8 - "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." To purchase Unoffendable: Click here To reach Charlotte: https://charlotteguest.com

Make Sense of Your Story with Adam Young  The personal story of your life matters.  So does living a whole and healed life.  Your past experiences have shaped your brain in countless ways. Your present-day life looks and feels the way it does because of your past. Yet, you can explore your past, transform your present and look to the future with hope. This podcast will get you started in how to do just that.  Listen in as Charlotte and Adam talk about how you can:  Adopt a posture of curiosity and kindness toward your story Experience relationships where you can be your true self Understand, express and regulate your emotions Bring any anger and disappointment to God and receive comfort Find true connection with others Engaging your story helps you experience true healing and freedom.  Now is the time to dig deep, to see the truth your story reveals about you and discover the different future, full of freedom, that you desire.  To reach Adam: Home - Adam Young Click here to purchase Adam’s book: Make Sense of Your Story Click here to find out more about The Allender Center To reach Charlotte: Charlotte Guest

Empty Nesting – Surrendered and Seen With Mary DeMuth   As we empty nest, it’s often hard to live a surrendered life and to feel seen. Author, artist, agent, podcaster, speaker, shepherd, and encourager Mary DeMuth sheds some light on these commonalities of those living in the encore season of life. She has words of wisdom as well for those healing from past trauma and shares how to live a re-storied life as a follower of Christ. On this podcast, Charlotte and Mary talk about what living a surrendered life looks like as well as what it is like to feel overlooked.  In her latest book, The Freedom of Surrender, Mary helps readers remember:  God is in control, even when we are scattered and distressed.There is joy and freedom when we let go of what we tightly grip.God desires to flourish you.Freedom is possible through prayer. You are not alone in your struggles. Now is the time to seize a surrendered life. The more you relinquish your grip, the more peace floods in. Jesus promises us that he will bear our burdens in such a way that they will become light and that He sees us. Relief comes through the power of surrender and remembering that He has His eyes on us, every day.    To reach Mary: Mary DeMuth Literary   To order The Freedom of Surrender: The Freedom of Surrender   To receive 12 free screensavers from The Freedom of Surrender: marydemuth.com/surrender   To reach Charlotte: Charlotte Guest   Podcast produced by: [email protected]

While a man tends to deal with one problem or purpose at a time (moving from waffle square to waffle square), a woman's thoughts generally flow together (like spaghetti noodles). Once you discover how your spouse processes feelings and thoughts, you're on your way to a happy and healthy relationship! Learn to energize your communication with strategies that work, ignite romance with new ideas to spice up your marriage, and empower your parenting with your combined insights and influence. Find all the ingredients for creating a fabulous recipe of loving, working, and winning together! This conversation is based on a book that will forever change the way you relate to the one you love. Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti helps you: Lower the stress in your homeTurn frustration with your spouse into fascinationCreate an environment of mutual support and achievementStop conflict before it startsLighten the mood and lower stress in your homeLaugh together more oftenEnjoy sex more often with your spouseUse forgiveness to make your relationship easier.Listen in as the Farrels explain why a man is like a waffle (each element of his life is in a separate box), and a woman is like spaghetti (everything in her life touches everything else). These principles learned in this discussion will enhance your marriage and provide strategic insight into your relationships at work, at home, at church, and with your friends. May your faith and your marriage grow stronger using the key points from this podcast. Produced by Myron Patrick Productions/[email protected] To purchase Men Are Like Waffles Women Are Like Spaghetti: Click Here To reach Charlotte: Click Here To reach Pam and Bill: Click Here

Grief – What TO Say & What NOT To Say To Someone Who Is Grieving   It’s so hard to find just the right words to someone who is grieving.   Listen in and learn from three empty nesters who have loved deeply, lost recently, and are living with hope since the passing of their loved ones.   This heartfelt and faith-filled podcast will cover: Things to say that are helpful to one who is grievingThings to NOT say that can be hurtfulHow to best help those you love who are grieving  We’ll also learn about the stages of grief so that we can best lean in and love well. Insightful counselors who have lost their loved ones share personal experiences as well as much-needed advice about how to best support those navigating the difficult emotions associated with loss.   This overlooked topic is meant to help us all be better about supporting those we love who are grieving - in the best way possible for them. Learn how to help others in the way they need offering empathy and sincere help.   Sincere thanks to these dear people whose wise words are a blessing:   Jackie Cleary, LPC, LMFT Cleary Counseling and Consulting https://clearycounseling.com [email protected] 918-671-2225   Sally Sullivan, LPCC, LMFTC Rebound Mental Health www.reboundmh.org   Shelly Drullinger A wonderful realtor in Tulsa, OK 918-637-3832   Produced by Myron Patrick https://myronpatrick.com   Recorded at Elevate Coworking https://elevatecollaborations.com   To reach Charlotte: https://charlotteguest.com

Healing Life’s Deepest Hurts  Reclaiming Your Life After Grief, Loss & Trauma With Kimberly Haar, LPC, LMFT The wounds of grief, loss, and trauma may look different for each person, but the questions we ask and the pain we feel is very much the same. Yet hope and healing are possible. Podcast guest Kimberly Haar pulls back the curtain on her own devastating journey as a domestic violence survivor. Assaulted and kidnapped by her ex-husband, she witnessed seeing her new love shot ten times. In this raw and compassionate book, Haar guides readers through the stages of healing and combines her personal testimony with her professional experience to offer a lifeline of hope to those wrestling with seemingly inescapable pain. Navigating life's darkest seasons is possible and God has not abandoned you--even if it feels like it. Kimberly and Charlotte talk about: How to move from “Why me?” to “What now?”Transforming deep pain into joy through compassionate biblical wisdom and practical mental healthGod’s ability to take our broken dreams, broken hearts, and broken lives and make something beautiful of them, no matter our story. Kimberly prays that her story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding you that you’re not alone in your pain and that you cannot only survive but thrive beyond trauma. May this podcast help you find purpose that can come from pain and help you move forward with courage and resilience. To reach Kimberly: https://kimberlyhaar.com   To reach Charlotte: https://charlotteguest.com

Join Charlotte and Kate Battistelli, speaker, author, podcaster, and mother to Christian singer Francesca Battistelli as they discuss the second act of the empty nest. Listen in and learn from Kate who’s also a grandmother to seven grandchildren. She’s also been a young actress in New York City in the early 80’s and toured with Yul Brynner with the production of The King and I. Kate and her husband, Mike, live in Franklin, Tennessee. She has much wisdom to share.In her new book, The After Party of the Empty Nest, Kate reminds us that “Mom” is not our only name. This new season is a time to rediscover many hopes and dreams as well as the freedom to act on dreams deferred while raising children.As you transition from mom to empty nest mom, take some time to ask yourself: Who am I now?What is my purpose now that my children are gone?What gifts and talents do I have to offer?What should my priorities be?How do I become something more than mom? This second act of life offers a bright future, different from yourchildren’s but filled with hope and surprises! With the Lord’s help, you can walk fearlessly into it. To reach Kate: https://katebattistelli.com To reach Charlotte: https://charlotteguest.com

Everything You Need Know About Midlife With Dr. Mikala Albertson   (This is for women but…husbands listen in so you can best understand your girl.)   Ladies, this podcast is for you if:   You are overwhelmed by midlife changes and are feeling a bit lost. You desire to navigate perimenopause and mood disorders. You would like to address preventative health measures unique to YOU. You would like to learn how to manage co-occurring life stressors like relationships issue and shifting roles. You long to find beauty and purpose in the precious stage of life.   Charlotte and Dr. Mikala Albertson discuss Dr. Mikala’s incredible book, Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife. Dr. Mikala is an MD. She’s a board-certified family practice doctor and well-being advocate who is passionate about women’s health and healing in the middle of our messy, ordinary lives. Drawing from 18 years of evidence-based clinical practice and her own experiences, Dr. Mikala offers real stories and current medical information in her book. It’s a GREAT read for empty nesters and for those whose nest is emptying.   Dr. Mikala shares warm guidance, reassuring stories, and science-based information. Her book is a medical resource as well as a supportive companion. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to understand and embrace their midlife journey. She reminds us that while life can be hard, there are steps we can take toward health, growth, and healing while discovering along the way that there is beauty too.   Dr. Mikala inspires readers to aim for wholehearted living through a gentle, achievable, sustainable approach. She and her husband have five children and live near Salt Lake City Utah.   To reach Dr. Mikala: Mikala Albertson MD   To reach Charlotte: Charlotte Guest

Are you feeling empty in your empty nest marriage? Have you experienced a slow fade regarding your feelings for each other? Would you like to move from being frustrated with your spouse to being fascinated? Jill and Mark Savage can help with that. If you are missing your wedding day connection and have turned into roommates instead of lovers and loving partners, this podcast is for you. It’s time to: Stay Curious Learn Each Other & Grow Together In the empty nesting years, many couples grow apart. Yet, it’s proven that couples that grow together stay together. But that isn’t by chance. It takes intention, commitment and leaning into to your Creator and to each other. Jill and Mark have been married for 41 years. Most of them were happy years. Yet, during their years of struggle, their hearts were miles apart. After navigating infidelity on Mark’s part, a dark year and a four-month separation, they put the broken pieces of their relationship back together and began to have different kinds of conversations. They dug deeper, listened better and learned more about fine-tuning the inside rather than symptom-treating the outside of their relationship.   Now, Jill and Mark are committed to helping other couples upgrade their marriages too. Listen in and learn how your marriage can be full and fulfilling – even in the empty nest.   To reach Jill and Mark: Coaching - Mark and Jill Savage     To reach Charlotte: Charlotte Guest

A Special Holiday Message:   Tracing His Promise  Unveiling the Presence of Jesus Throughout the Bible  With Donna Amidon   Join Charlotte and Donna as they discuss how Jesus is not confined to the Gospels alone but weaves His presence throughout the entire Bible, even in the most unexpected corners of the Old Testament.    Isn’t it special…He does this in our own lives too doesn’t He?      While the stories of Jesus in the New Testament may feel like familiar friends, the ancient tales of the Old Testament can seem daunting and distant. But fear not, there is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered--a promise that echoes from the beginning of time to the humble cradle in Bethlehem. Donna’s book, Tracing His Promise, unveils a transformative journey through key stories, unraveling the intricate tapestry of God's redemptive plan.  Amidon loves to share rich theology, heartwarming anecdotes, and practical wisdom.  Do you desire to deepen your faith?  Do you want to see the interconnectedness of Scripture?  Do you hope to draw closer to the heart of God’s story? Do you desire to have renewed peace and hope for today?  This podcast is for you! Listen in and learn how you can discover your “yes” to each of these questions.  You’ll also learn more about how to foster meaningful family traditions, ensuring that the story of Jesus is passed down from generation to generation…a precious heirloom of faith.  To reach Charlotte:  To reach Donna:  https://www.donnaamidon.org/