158: Empty Nest Success - When The Path Becomes Clear & Guest LaTrina Rogers on What She Wishes Parents of College Students Knew
Podcast episode artwork is a selfie on a sunrise walk. This is real life.
Hello, my amazing friend.
Life will continue to test your thoughts about everything. Be cognizant of what is going on in your mind, as it is game-changing.
As always, I'm cheering you on!

Coach Christine,
Your Empty Nest Coach




"No one was ever in my way more than I allowed them to be AND no one was ever in my way more than I was."
Take a listen or read the full transcript at the bottom of this post.
"No one was ever in my way more than I allowed them to be AND no one was ever in my way more than I was." episode 158 of the Your Empty Nest Coach podcast #emptynest #life #emptynestsuccess
This Episode is Brought To You By
Episode Topics & Their Minute Markers
- 00:00 Podcast intro
- 01:21 Roe versus Wade
- 02:22 Quick Reminders
- 03:30 My Wish For You Today
- 04:02 New Things: Patron Membership & Curated Episodes
- 04:46 My Lessons Learned: Sometimes things get easier the more you embrace them - my name change
- 11:52 Ask Coach Christine: I'm feeling good about the empty nest ahead
- 12:57 What's In Your Life's Toolbox? Try Something New
- 14:27 Guest LaTrina Rogers shares what she wishes parents knew
- 17:44 Two Questions For You
- bloopers
- 19:02 Still listening?
Episode Questions For You To Consider
- Are you able to identify thoughts that donβt serve you throughout the day?
- Is there something youβve been wanting to try?
First Time Here? Try This Order of Episodes
- The Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast Trailer
- Series 1: Empty Nest Prep - starts in episode #3
- Series 2: The C.E.O. of Your Life - starts in episode #64 (Protector is introduced)
- Series 3: The C.E.O. Toolbox - starts at episode #88
Episode Resources
- Last Episode: Listen to this episode when you need help in appreciating the past and need some self-prioritization tips (#157)
- PodVoices.Help
- What if Affirmation: Open Eyes - Empty Nest Success
- Your Empty Nest Coach Patron Membership
- Join the C.E.O. Training Team
- Name Change - Members Behind the Scenes Video
- Community
- What It is Like to Work With Coach Christine
LaTrina Rogers, M.S. Ed: Website | Links | TikTok
LaTrina Rogers, M.S. Ed. is the Director of Residential Life at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO. Driven by a passion for student success, she assists college students to find their voice for self advocacy and implement responsibility and independence while living on campus. A Student Affairs Professional with 19 years experience in higher education, LaTrina has worked in a variety of roles including Admissions, Academic Advising, Veterans Advising and currently Residence Life.
Her goal to encourage student independence led to the creation of her brand βThe Dorm Momβ. LaTrinaβs brand has launched with the goal of coaching parents to transition from leading their students to supporting them as they embark on independence while experiencing student housing on their college campus. She also writes for CollegiateParent a magazine and website for parents preparing their students to attend college.
Dedicated to encouraging and helping others, LaTrina serves the community with several organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors of Valedaβs Hope, a community support breast cancer organization. As the President of the Board of Advisors for The Hurston & Hughes Literary Circle, LaTrina supports the literary exposure to students of authors of the Black and Brown diaspora. LaTrina also served the American Heart Association in St. Louis over 15 years as a volunteer with the Multicultural Committee (Chair 2012-2014) and winner of the Community Impact Award. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.which serves the community based on its founding principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.
* affiliate link to SupaPass - which powers our community! Should you purchase using the link, I make a commission.




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The Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, Episode 158
FULL TRANSCRIPT
00:00:00
Christine: Hi, Iβm Coach Christine. This is my podcast, itβs the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, and weβre on episode #158. If this isn't your first time listening and you want to skip the introduction portion feel free to tap forward a couple of times. In this podcast, I focus on helping parents who are freaking out about the empty nest ahead - we'll take you from freaking out to feeling freaking awesome. No worries, though, all are welcome here, as Iβm all about coaching you to become the C.E.O. of Your Life and in my world, C.E.O. stands for Conscious Effective Olympian. Youβll do this by leveling-up
[level-up music]
your life in small increments - those small wins add up to big changes.
I appreciate that you pressed play on this episode today. Here we goβ¦
[up beat music]
00:00:53
This podcast is my gift to you: a parent adjusting to the idea of an empty nest, or possibly a student whoβs wondering how your parents are feeling about you heading out on your own. These podcast episodes will have a base of life coaching infused with reminders to cheer yourself on, and maybe with a dash of my alter ego, Sally, the hotline video operator popping in from time to time. Iβm here to remind you that you should be your own biggest fan.
00:1:22
Before we dive in, this is the first episode I have released since the June 24th Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe versus Wade, and Iβd like to take a moment to address it. No, I donβt always share things like this here but this one, my inner guidance wouldnβt let go of. The Supreme Courtβs decision stripped away the legal right to have a safe and legal abortion for all Americans by leaving this decision up to the states. Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans impacting us, our children and generations to come. This decision could also lead to the loss of other rights. To learn more about what you can do to help, visit podvoices.help youβll find ways to get involved and other resources there. I encourage you to take care, speak up, and spread the word all from a place of love.
00:2:22
[jingle]
And now for the usual quick reminders:
First, youβll find time markers in this episodeβs full show notes, if you are looking for something specific or would like to hop around.
Second, youβll find a ton of information, resources and more on my website: YourEmptyNestCoach.com or EmptyNestSuccess.com.
Reminder #3 If you enjoy this podcast, donβt forget to follow it in your favorite podcast player - or register for a free account in the empty nest success home. You may also join my Thursday Thoughts about email list where Iβll pop in your inbox with a thought and updates on most Thursdays. Those are the best ways to be notified when I release a new episode.
And finally, a special thanks to our fabulous sponsor and my dear friends SupaPass. SupaPass powers the online home for all available resources that I have created for you. Register today for that free account I mentioned - youβll find it at EmptyNestSuccess.com - where you may also join the C.E.O. training team, or purchase other premium content.
00:03:30
[computer game level up music (short)]
My Wish for You Today
My wish for you today is that you are able to see and believe in an exciting future ahead, by allowing yourself permission to become YOU - to see opportunities you might normally miss.
If you are intrigued and want to dive a bit deeper into this topic, I have a short βWhat ifβ affirmation and worksheet related to this topic titled (Open Eyes - Empty Nest Success) available for you - see the show notes!
00:04:02
[computer game level up music (short)]
New Things. New Things. New Things!
I added a membership option in the Empty Nest Success community. Iβll be breaking all future podcast episodes and the back catalogue, as I have time - into segments to make topics easier to find! Become a Your Empty Nest Coach podcast patron for access and a few other goodies including a podcast shout-out are included- join today for only $5/month!
Another new thing is youβll find the podcast episodes that are parts of a series - curated now also in the Empty Nest Success community. Curated topics include - Empty Nest Syndrome, Empty Nest Prep, The C.E.O. of Your Life concepts, and more!
00:04:46
[computer game level up music (short)]
My Lessons Learned
Sometimes things get easier the more you embrace them. Have you ever noticed that?
About six months ago, I said to myself, βWhat if I donβt keep my married last name?β I gave it some thought, and quickly poo-pooed the idea. Yeah, I said poo-poo.
A bit later, it popped in my mind again, at that time, I did a little online research and once I saw how much work is involved and that it could impact my credit score, I stopped considering it again. After all, I thought to myself, βChristine, it has already been a busy year, do we really need to add ANYTHING else into the mix?β
So, I let it go again.
Again, it came up and I couldnβt shake itβ¦ by now, though, I began to consider, βOkay, what would I change my name to?β And then it took courage to say what I was thinking out loud to someone - that Iβm thinking about completely changing my current last name - I believe my daughter heard it first. Honestly, she was way more supportive than she needed to be but sheβs also one of the most practical humans I know and someone who is extremely aware that her mother changing her name isnβt about her it is for her mother. - Yeah, I feel like I should wipe away the tears now.
I still wasnβt ready to commit to the change but began floating the idea a bit more as the weeks progressed. Even mentioned it to some others - who had a bit more push back on the topic - especially since I was planning on going with a brand new last name.
There was a lot of back and forth for me on the topic and then finally one day I woke up and thought, βYes, Iβm gonna do it. Iβm ready to put the finances behind it and do the paper work - ohhhhh the paperwork.
Then the waiting: Who do I tell? Anyone? Everyone? Does anyone want to be there with me at my court hearing? Should I ask anyone? Should I do it alone?
The last time I changed my name, there was a really big ceremony and party. And this time⦠what do I do?
Whoo. After working through my own thoughts and desires, navigating comfortably (though sometimes not so well) around other peopleβs reactions, getting fingerprinted, the criminal check, the searches on the name, two counties to go process it all through since I had recently moved, public notices in papers and many phone calls. Way too many phone calls, but the day finally arrives.
I head to my morning appointments to pick up final paperwork. Super easy - and the friendliest of people everywhere. I had a few hours before the hearing, so I treated myself to a lovely meal in one of my favorite lunch spots, I arrived super early and had this moment where I was the only one in this huge stone hallway of the courthouse. Big, wide, sterile feeling - a lot of marble and grey, if you can picture it. The kind where if you walk with heels - you hear the echo for seconds.
No one was there.
And in that moment, it hit me how clear the rest of my path was to get this done. No one was going to oppose the change. No one was ever in my way any more than I allowed them to be. I did this for me but I had to decide it was worth the joyous investment of my time to make this huge - and it is HUGE - change.
There I am: sitting in the hallway, processing all of this - thinking it would make a great episode.
And just as I was thinking about βif I could have anyone here with me, who WOULD it be?β At that moment, I heard the sound of a group of people chatting enter the hallway and head towards me. All to the courtroom Iβm assigned to. All name changes. Every single person there with me in that moment understood the impact. Understood the paperwork, the emotions and the change. They were exactly who I needed with me. For an hour or so, we were all family. It was beautiful. All of us were changing our names for different reasons. All of us were nervous, and excited at the same time. We waited together, extended encouragement and celebratory words when the judge agreed to sign the court orders. I cried tears of joy for the others much easier than for me because when it was my turn I was in work mode. But it was amazing, and fantastic and lovely.
Just as you reach a destination in your life, understanding itβs only the beginning of what is next makes it fun.
Two days later I spent the day at the social security office, the DMV, notaries and more. All went so much better than expected. Despite being told by three people that day, that the DMV wasnβt gonna to give me a new license without x, y, and z.
And what is the lesson I learned? I already kind of said it with:
βNo one was ever in my way any more than I allowed them to be.β
Iβll adjust that statement to:
No one was ever in my way more than I allowed them to be AND no one was ever in my way more than I was.
And how can we apply this to the empty nest?
Well, we often get in our own way with our thoughts. We spend hours and hours of time βworried and concerned for our kids, for our future, about choices and moreβ time that we could be focused instead on the things that bring us joy. After all, when is the last time you saw worry and concern, actually fix a problem? Think about it. Worry and concern: they mostly just seem to stir a pot of drama but there are some who do love the drama. If you arenβt one those humans, pay attention to your thoughts and where they are throughout the day - youβll catch them in the strangest of places.
And when you do catch them, donβt add to the drama by being upset that you had the thought in the first place, or that you spent so much time thinking about it. Instead, try being thankful that you caught the thought before it spiraled. Be thankful that you have the opportunity to change it to a thought that allows you to feel better.
And the more thoughts you change, the clearer your path will become.
Itβs all you, after all. Youβve got this and Iβm cheering you on!
00:11:52
[computer game level up music (short)]
Ask Coach Christine
Christine, my kiddo is heading off to college in the fall. I am excited for them. People keep telling me, though, βjust you wait - you are going to be a mess.β Iβm not seeing it. Should I be concerned?
Simply? Nope.
If you need a little more, here you go: If you feel good right now, stay there! You may feel perfectly fine - even wonderful - through the transition and the empty nest years - or, it might hit you all of the sudden. Either way, your journey is YOUR journey. There is no right or wrong. There is, however, NOW. Now, this moment, this is all you do know for sure, so if you feel good now. Embrace it. Lean into it and let others spin their tales about how you might feel. That is their story to tell but for now, you are exactly where you need to be! Enjoy it!
00:12:57
[computer game level up music (short)]
Whatβs in your lifeβs toolbox?
Your C.E.O. Toolbox is the analogy we use for items and resources that help you get through tough moments, enjoy the amazing moments and then also, do some deeper work, as needed. Todayβs recommendation is a fun one and one that would be a top-of-the-toolbox item - it isnβt deeper level work - but it could turn into that, for sure.
What is it? Itβ s to sign up for something you wouldnβt normally sign up for - something that maybe you needed to do a double-take when you read it or heard about it, or something that is a bit challenging but also something that you could imagine a version of yourself doing. It could be virtual or in-person. It could be something you pay for or something thatβs free. Maybe itβs not an event but itβs reading a genre of book that you wouldnβt normally read. It really can be anything. Something thatβs a stretch for you but also do-able.
For some of you, a warning, the goal is NOT to set out to become an expert. The goal is to see if you like it - and also what can you learn about yourself by trying it? Learning what motivates you - and what doesnβt. Learning what you enjoy doing - and what you donβt enjoy doing is incredibly valuable - itβs more information for that toolbox of yours!
Iβd love to know what you try!
00:14:27
[computer game level up music (short)]
What I Wish My Parents Knew
I have a special guest for this segment, LaTrina Rogers, also known as The Dorm Mom on TikTok, where I believe I first connected with her. LaTrina shares with us today what she wishes parent knew. She is the Director of Residential Life at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo and sheβs driven by a passion for student success. LaTrinaβs full bio and link to her website will be - you guessed it - in my show notes. Be sure to connect with her and let her know you heard her segment here!
Things I wish parents knew from The Dorm Mom. I wish parents knew that teaching independence has to come with opportunities to be independent. And those opportunities can be done very early, by a student learning to complete an application by student learning to self advocate for resources that they need in school. Those things can be easily taught so that when they get older, for instance, the audience I work with are college students, when a student gets older, and they come to college, that parents should go from leading that student to supporting that student, meaning the students should be completed their own applications for housing, for college, for parking. Over my years in higher education, I have seen countless amounts of parents completing applications for their student. And I strongly encourage the parents to not do that, because it takes away the opportunity for their students to be independent. That student will have to answer questions when that parent goes home. And that student is now matriculating on a college campus. So it's very imperative they learn those little things. And that also gives them confidence in their independence. Allow your students to experience those little bumps of adversity that may come if they miss a deadline, if they don't show up on time, there are consequences to actions. And oftentimes parents tried to remove the consequences. But part of being independent and having freedom is that there's a responsibility to go with it. All of that is taught not just by instruction, but it's solidified by experience. And that independence, as you know, as a parent, as an adult, is beyond joyous especially for someone young and just experiencing it. So remember, take your student, from leading them to supporting them at the proper age, and also encourage independence by giving small opportunities for them to engage in it. You can empower your student to be great in so many things, and on so many levels. That's what I wish parents knew.
00:17:44
Two Questions for You
Question 1: Are you able to identify thoughts that donβt serve you, throughout the day?
and Question 2: Is there something youβve been wanting to try?
As always, I provide content to make you think, my empty nest friend.
My HOPE is that Iβm able to provide you with thoughts that positively impact your life.
If you enjoy this episode please donβt forget to share it with others, itβs the best way to allow it to reach a wider audience. Yes, all the goodies, links and resources are in my show notes. Iβll be back next month with a new episode.
Thank you for listening.
Thanks for being you. The world is incredibly lucky to have you here.
YOU ARE AMAZING!
[end music]
00:18:37
[bloopers]
00:19:02
Still Listening?
I am aware that I didnβt tell you my new last name. It isnβt really a secret I just am still syncing everything behind the scenes. I did share the story with C.E.O. Training team members in a behind the scenes video. So, if youβre a member and curious, check out the video. It will be public everywhere soon enough and much of that story feels like it will be in my upcoming book.
[end music]
[end]