Linda Hanstra: Genuine Hope And Joy In The Empty Nest

Written By Lisa Granger

What if the empty nest season didn’t have to feel empty at all? Author and speaker Linda Hanstra joins me on A Woman’s Heart to share wisdom from her new book, Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love and Purpose on the Road to Contentment. Using the metaphor of biking and parenting, Linda helps us see this stage of life as a chance to embrace joy, strengthen relationships, and step into God’s calling with fresh perspective.

In this conversation, we talk about:

  • Why the “empty nest” can actually become a “mighty nest.”

  • The importance of keeping your relationship with your spouse strong before and after the kids leave.

  • How struggles can shape your skills and deepen your dependence on God.

  • Why parenting doesn’t end when kids move out—it simply shifts.

  • Practical encouragement for finding joy, trying new things, and trusting God with this season.

You’ll be inspired by Linda’s reminder that the best adventures often come after the kids launch.

Memorable Quotes from the Episode:

  • “It’s important to have more than just the kids to focus on.”

  • “Even after they leave home you don’t stop parenting.”

  • “Sometimes it’s through those struggles that you gain new skills or you find your strength in God.”

  • “If you sense God’s calling for something, go for it. Just try it.”

Meet Linda Hanstra:
Linda Hanstra is a semi-retired speech-language pathologist who writes about what brings joy to her empty nest—her faith, family, cycling, traveling, grandparenting, and more. She is the author of Lent through the Little Things and her new release, Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment. Linda and her husband, Tom, live in southwest Michigan and spend summers “Up North” in Minnesota—their home away from home. With four adult children, a daughter-in-law, a soon-to-be son-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren, Linda is cruising along on her own “empty-nest joyride!”

Connect with Linda:

Lisa Granger
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