Welcome to the Media Page
Discover my latest podcast and radio interviews, where I share stories, insights, and meaningful conversations. New episodes are added regularly, so check back often for fresh perspectives and inspiration.
Beyond the Empty Nest Podcast is for midlife women who are ready to dare more, doubt less and live fully. Host Jodi is the ultimate mindset coach and personal hype woman for this next chapter of life. We talked about how, as kids gain more independence, they can feel more distant. I shared how, in wanting to change the conversation with my kids with no expectations in return, I rethought communications by using my phone to reach my kids where they are, by sending texts of connection, love, empowerment, gratitude, and accountability. This simple daily habit turned into a powerful tool that transformed our relationship.
We covered:
Why sending “just because” texts (with no expectation) can deepen emotional bonds
How to use mobile devices to connect meaningfully — not just logistically
The ripple effect of consistent connection and gratitude
Why it’s never too late to start building (or rebuilding) relationships with your kids
How Tammy’s journey through personal growth and cancer shaped her parenting and purpose
Wendy and I dived deep into the heart of familial connection, exploring the essence of these messages, reflecting on how they serve as a bridge between generations. A big theme here is that life is full of gifts, even in tough times, and my own health journey illustrates how we can transform challenges into opportunities for personal growth and connection.
“Text Messages to My Sons: A Guide to Using Mobile Devices to Connect and Communicate with your Kids” is not really about parenting; it’s about self-discovery and the importance of nurturing relationships with our loved ones. These texts were a way for me to share what I learned about gratitude, resilience, and self-worth, and this introspective journey led me to a deeper self-understanding that, in turn, allowed me to foster a more profound connection with my sons. It’s a beautiful reminder that our vulnerabilities can become strengths, and that love is a language that transcends generations.
We Covered
At the start of the COVID shutdown, I began sending my sons daily texts filled with love and wisdom.
The journey of self-discovery can lead to profound connections with loved ones through simple messages.
Connecting with loved ones is something we all need.
Aging well means constantly learning, staying connected with loved ones, and taking care of your health.
Small messages can create significant connection wins.
I shared how the simple act of sending daily messages to my sons rebuilt trust at home and later inspired my 2nd book, Text Messages to My Sons: A Guide to Using Mobile Devices to Connect and Communicate with Your Kids.
You’ll hear why meeting people where they are, writing like a human, and practicing gratitude can transform not just your communication but the relationships that matter most.
Highlights:
The Power of Daily Texts
Meeting People Where They Are
Owning Your Brand
Networking with Intention
Gratitude as a Practice
We discussed introducing the modern message in a lunchbox or bottle concept by starting to communicate with your kids when they get a phone. Middle School, High School, College, and Beyond are all milestones that bring further independence for your child.
It is essential to be a foundational pillar, helping your child navigate new stages, while also being a safe space and support system in an online world that seeks to over-engage, often misinform, and indoctrinate.
Highlights
Revolutionizing Parent- Teen Communication Through Texting
Building Emotional Strength and Positive Intelligence Through Texts
Strategic Yet Heartfelt: Crafting the Perfect Message
Empathy in the Age of Technology
Overcoming Resistance and Building Trust
How to Bring it All Together
If you are inspired to incorporate these methods into your life, read Text Messages to My Sons (link to purchase) and feel free to tweak the 215 pages of ready text messages to start building your habit.
Parents of Teens: join the Parenting Teen Today Facebook group. If you are looking for more tailored strategies, explore the @Attitude Advantage Program.
Nick Hutchinson, the genius behind Book Thinkers and the host of Life Changing Books Podcast.
Nick, who is the father of a baby boy and one of 4 sons himself, was very intrigued with what I have created with Text Messages to My Sons: A Guide to Using Mobile Devices with Your Kids. While his son is far from having a phone, Nick has been sharing messages in his family chat, showing that love, gratitude, resilience, accountability, inspiration, and wisdom are things you can share with anyone you love and care about.
In this episode, we focused on how to turn phones into a force for connection with simple daily texts, what to say (and why a reply isn’t required) to build trust and resilience, and a repeatable framework for infusing love, gratitude, and accountability into short messages that cut through digital noise.
Clancy and Rick Denton, hosts of The Loud Quiet.
The Loud Quiet is all about the empty nest – once the kiddos are off to college and leave home. And yes, it is a journey and a whole new chapter of ups and downs that have to be navigated during this stage of life.
And this is where Text Messages to My Sons comes into play, because just like with every stage of raising your kids, parenting doesn't come with a guidebook, but sometimes it can come with text messages. In this episode, we discussed the lessons, reminders, and heart-to-hearts that I have been sending my sons for years and why I started sharing wisdom, love, accountability, resilience, and inspiration in text forms, how my sons received it, and what it looks like to parent adult kids with honesty and love.
This conversation isn’t just about moms and sons, it’s about communication, connection, and the little ways we keep showing up for our kids even as they grow.
Cheryl guides parents in reimagining better relationships with their teens by doing the essential inner work. She fosters engaging and empathetic discussions to understand today's complex parenting landscape.
Cheryl and I discussed the complexity of being a teenager in today’s world, as they transition into the next stage of increased independence and outside influences having a greater impact on their day-to-day lives, while also living at home. It is the stage before leaving home. We discussed why it is vital to reach teens, and let's face it, where most people today spend their time, which is on their phones and electronic devices. This is where you consistently show up as the pillar, foundation, and support system by letting your kiddo know that they matter, are loved, and that you want to share with them. Modeling respect, discipline, growth, accountability, and resilience can be effectively communicated through daily messages. A message that is sent with no expectations in return.
I had the honor of being a guest on "Your Life, Your Story - Rise Up," hosted by Jill O'Boyle. Jill is a divinely inspired communicator who creates a space that uncovers raw, unfiltered experiences that shape our lives and connects us all. Jill talks with real people, sharing real stories as she navigates this thing called life. I shared how simple, meaningful messages can deepen connections with our kids, family, friends, and community, even in a digital world. It is building a consistent daily habit that enables technology to work for us, not against us.
Confessions of a Freebird hosted by Laurie James, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and PCC Certified Coach. In our conversation, I shared my journey of:
Respecting my sons’ independence while finding new ways to connect.
Transforming my phone from a tool of reminders into a channel of love, gratitude, and accountability.
Reimagining parenting in the digital age through intentional texting.
What began as a one-way practice during the pandemic grew into a pathway for deeper family communication, mutual respect, and emotional growth.
I submitted an article to the creator of Parenting of Teens and Tweens, and it is on their website, which is exciting and you should read it 🙂
Our conversation dives into themes of self-awareness, healing generational patterns, and the courage it takes to be authentic, even when it’s uncomfortable. I opened up about writing my second book and how vulnerability is helping me connect more deeply with myself and others.
What You'll Hear:
A moment of personal crisis that sparked reflection
How parenting changed when she stopped leading with control
The surprising impact of one simple daily practice
Lessons on authenticity, accountability, and inner peace
The mission of the Organized and Energized Podcast is to present stories from entrepreneurs who have embraced the unknown and cleared their lives of obstacles that were holding them back.
Award-winning director Tricia Brouk teaches the Art of Public Speaking with authentic and meaningful storytelling. Her clients speak on big stages globally. I had the honor of being Tricia’s guest. We had a dynamic and engaging conversation about my award-winning book, Text Messages To My Sons: A Guide to Using Mobile Devices to Connect and Communicate with Your Kids, and the power of messaging, leadership, and parent-child connection in a digital age. I shared how one can transform technology from a barrier to a bridge and strengthen family relationships and communication.
Lighting the path for leaders and changemakers to align and activate their true passion so they can create meaningful impact and become a living legacy.
Jennifer is the founder of the Leadership Alliance
Business mentorship featuring entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and participate in the ShareYourStories.online guest blog series. We are Keepin’ It Real as we share lightbulb moments and 3 words of advice.
Her Nation Global is dedicated to women business owners and their thriving businesses. Her Talk Show hosts single shows, Impact Panels, live events, and conferences. The show highlights one question: ‘What do you know that I don’t know?’