In this special endings episode of The Inner Space Project Podcast, Patti focuses on the grief and loss of the empty nest. Even though we often don't think about that time as one of mourning, the Inner Space Project opens our eyes so that we can allow ALL feelings to be explored.

May is the time of year when many parents are preparing for high school and college graduations. To help you walk through this paradoxical transition, Patti invited conscious parenting coach and recent "empty-nester," Stacie Lovato to the mic!

Together, they dive into the paradox of saying goodbye to our children, and the human challenges around loving and letting go. This episode focuses on how we navigate the complexities of the empty nest with grace and ease. Conscious parenting is Stacie's passion and life-long lived experience. You will feel so much better as you hear her voice and share her experiences.

Stacie is a mom to three incredible young men ages 20, 23, and 26, a lifelong educator, a devoted wife, daughter, sister, and friend. As a conscious parenting coach, Stacie is passionate about helping parents slow down, connect deeply, and raise emotionally resilient kids. She is the host of Mindful Mama Conversations, a podcast where she explores the idea of connecting to others through meaningful conversations. These days, she is also nannying—what she lovingly calls her "grandma-in-training."

In this heartfelt episode of The Inner Space Project Podcast, Dr. Patti Ashley welcomes longtime friend Patrick Wilson, founder of Balance Mind Coaching.

Patrick Wilson is an advocate and coach for people who are wanting to create change and navigate transition but are struggling with mental patterns that undermine their progress. He focuses on helping people practice and apply simple, practical strategies to work more effectively with both their mind and their body. His work also emphasizes identifying values and creating an action plan that aligns actions with those values. His motto is do more important stuff with less mental noise! For more information, you can visit his website at www.BalanceMindCoaching.com

Together, they dive into the “middle” of life—those messy, beautiful, and often confusing years where personal growth and transformation unfold. Dr. Ashley frames the conversation within her unique four-part structure: beginnings, middles, endings, and liminal spaces. This episode focuses on how we navigate the complexities of midlife transitions and the mental patterns that can either hold us back or help us evolve.

Patrick shares his journey of learning to work with his mind rather than against it, drawing from both personal experience and his work as a coach. With deep empathy and insight, he unpacks the ways overthinking, doubt, and control can disconnect us from the present—and how simple, practical strategies can restore balance.

Tune in for an honest, compassionate exploration of how we can align with our values, reconnect with our bodies, and move through life with more clarity and intention.

MORE INFORMATION: https://pattiashley.com/

Patrick Wilson: www.BalanceMindCoaching.com⁠

Dr. Patti talks with family and community specialist Florence Ann Romano about the best practices for raising children in this polarized new world. Florence speaks to the pros and cons of digital media and the importance of being a good role model. She also gives parents permission to seek resources, keeping in mind that they are "learning on the job." She invites parents to be more intentional in how they speak to children in order to nurture respect and kindness. She also shares the importance of the "dirty" word failure, stating that children will spend most of their time as adults, and need to learn how to manage struggles growing up. That doesn't mean neglecting children, but rather teaching coping skills to better understand and regulate emotions.

Florence Ann Romano is the author of the best-selling book Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life. She has been featured on over 500 national and local media outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Home and Family, The Jenny McCarthy Show, Sirius XM, and more. She is an authority on childcare and has been referred to as "The Windy City Nanny." She draws on years of experience and expertise helping parents and families build strong communities to support her incredible philanthropic work today. She invites you to reach out to her anytime for support.

MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Patti Ashley

https://pattiashley.com/

linktr.ee/drpattiashley

Florence Ann Romano

https://florenceann.com/