
98. The Essential Skills We Forget to Teach Our Kids Before They Launch
04/19/25 • 35 min
What happens when the magic carpet ride of childhood suddenly ends? In this enlightening episode, we welcome Rob Finlay, author of "Hey Dad," as he shares invaluable insights into the jarring transition from dependence to independence that many young adults—and their parents—experience.
Drawing from a humorous yet poignant middle-of-the-night call with his daughter about whether "green gas" (diesel) can be used in her gasoline-powered Jeep, Rob realized just how many practical life skills young people often lack. This inspiration led him to interview 30 experts—from NASCAR drivers to clinical psychologists—and ultimately compile "the ultimate guide to adulting."
Highlights:
- Understanding how graduation signals the abrupt end of childhood’s predictable magic carpet ride.
- The essential interpersonal and networking skills that young adults need for success in today's diverse environment.
- The evolving landscape of challenges facing young adults today—from digital finance management to navigating social media.
- The parallel journey for parents re-evaluating their purpose as their children step into independence.
Key Takeaways:
- Young adults must cultivate adaptability to navigate unexpected disruptions after graduation.
- Finding purpose is crucial for both young adults embarking on their new path and parents adjusting to the empty nest phase.
- Rob’s book features insights from a diverse range of experts, making it a valuable resource for young adults and parents alike.
Rob Finlay Bio
Robert J. Finlay is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, seasoned entrepreneur, renowned speaker, and father of four. He is a successful entrepreneur and commercial real estate investor. He has built and sold four companies. He brings strategic insights and inspires the next generation of leaders with his commitment to mentorship, education, and the integration of technology. When Rob is not at his day job, he is passionate about agriculture, exploring new practices and sustainable methods to enhance environmental stewardship in farming.
Find Rob Online: LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Instagram
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3 Steps to Loving Your Empty Nest Life
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What happens when the magic carpet ride of childhood suddenly ends? In this enlightening episode, we welcome Rob Finlay, author of "Hey Dad," as he shares invaluable insights into the jarring transition from dependence to independence that many young adults—and their parents—experience.
Drawing from a humorous yet poignant middle-of-the-night call with his daughter about whether "green gas" (diesel) can be used in her gasoline-powered Jeep, Rob realized just how many practical life skills young people often lack. This inspiration led him to interview 30 experts—from NASCAR drivers to clinical psychologists—and ultimately compile "the ultimate guide to adulting."
Highlights:
- Understanding how graduation signals the abrupt end of childhood’s predictable magic carpet ride.
- The essential interpersonal and networking skills that young adults need for success in today's diverse environment.
- The evolving landscape of challenges facing young adults today—from digital finance management to navigating social media.
- The parallel journey for parents re-evaluating their purpose as their children step into independence.
Key Takeaways:
- Young adults must cultivate adaptability to navigate unexpected disruptions after graduation.
- Finding purpose is crucial for both young adults embarking on their new path and parents adjusting to the empty nest phase.
- Rob’s book features insights from a diverse range of experts, making it a valuable resource for young adults and parents alike.
Rob Finlay Bio
Robert J. Finlay is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, seasoned entrepreneur, renowned speaker, and father of four. He is a successful entrepreneur and commercial real estate investor. He has built and sold four companies. He brings strategic insights and inspires the next generation of leaders with his commitment to mentorship, education, and the integration of technology. When Rob is not at his day job, he is passionate about agriculture, exploring new practices and sustainable methods to enhance environmental stewardship in farming.
Find Rob Online: LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Instagram
FREE WORKBOOK
3 Steps to Loving Your Empty Nest Life
ENJOY THE SHOW?
Don’t miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify and many more.
LOVE THE SHOW?
Get your THIS EMPTY NEST LIFE swag
Review us on Love the Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we’d appreciate your support greatly.
CONNECT WITH JAY
Email, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok
Previous Episode

97. Beyond the Scale: Rethinking Health, Strength, and Purpose After the Kids Leave
As our bodies begin to show the signs of aging, it’s easy to feel defeated. In this empowering episode, wellness expert Krista Daley shares her insights on how to navigate the midlife transition with strength and strategic adaptation, fostering a resilient mindset that celebrates our capabilities.
Krista's journey as a "wellness warrior" began after her brain tumor diagnosis in 2010, while she was raising young children. This experience taught her that we are often stronger than we believe, a lesson that becomes crucial during perimenopause and menopause when familiar workouts start to feel challenging.
Highlights:
- A revolutionary take on women’s health: Krista challenges the weight-focused fitness mentality, advocating for muscle-building as the primary goal for midlife women.
- The benefits of building muscle: improved mood, enhanced metabolism, and sustainable strength that supports independence into later years.
- The liberating 80-20 approach to nutrition, allowing flexibility while maintaining focus on health.
- The dangers of high-intensity training during perimenopause and menopause.
- How nature serves as a powerful reset button for mental well-being, encouraging more frequent movement breaks.
- The newfound freedom that comes with the empty nest, embracing travel and cultural experiences at a slower pace.
Key Takeaways:
- Aging doesn’t have to mean defeat; instead, focus on adapting your workouts to suit your body’s needs.
- Shifting the narrative from weight loss to muscle building can significantly enhance your quality of life during midlife.
Join us as we flip the script on midlife wellness, providing inspiration and practical tools to embrace your empty nest years with strength and adaptability.
Krista Daley's Bio
Krista helps midlife women clear the confusion on how to boost metabolism, stress less, and focus back on themselves again after caring for everyone else for so long.
Find Krista Online: Instagram
FREE WORKBOOK
3 Steps to Loving Your Empty Nest Life
ENJOY THE SHOW?
Don’t miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify and many more.
LOVE THE SHOW?
Get your THIS EMPTY NEST LIFE swag
Review us on Love the Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we’d appreciate your support greatly.
CONNECT WITH JAY
Email, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok
This Empty Nest Life - 98. The Essential Skills We Forget to Teach Our Kids Before They Launch
Transcript
No matter what you think , they're either confident about their job or they're confident about where they're going . There's a lot of mixed emotions and uneasiness going along with this situation and in many cases , because of the way that things change in our economy or our environment , it's not what they planned . You're not going from fifth grade to sixth grade , You're going fro
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