What is the ideal you? And how does one become that?

This is something you’ve been hearing me talk alot about recently: The importance of having a role model… or several.

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better people. They affect us because they have touched a part of ourselves that is aching to be stimulated and awakened to its fullest potential. Role models can be real or fictitious.

That is right. You have the power to create your ideal and theoretical hero, and you absolutely should.

Your hero will advocate for you and your goals. This supreme being takes leadership on the issues that you believe in, handles rejection with grace and integrity, and is a prototype for everything we are creating in ourselves. We often don’t recognize our true role models until we have noticed our own personal growth and progress .

On this show, I am going to tell you about some of my role models and how you can take all of the best qualities of those you admire most to help you influence yourself. 

We’ll also be talking a little about The Empty Nest Syndrome at each stage of parenting, whether you are just about to send your little ones to kindergarten, or not-so-little-ones to college. Natalie Caine will be joining us as this week’s guest to talk about how to handle life’s bittersweet moments and deal with a newly emptied nest. READ MORE ABOUT NATALIE——>

Our Guest

Natalie Caine

Natalie Caine, M.A., is the founder of Empty Nest Support Services – the joys and challenges of this major transition. Natalie shares wisdom, tips, and comfort to singles, couples, and adult children across the country, as people deal with happy and challenging life transitions that include the major life change of empty nest. She has been featured in top media including Time Magazine, USA Today, New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens, Associated Press, Miami Herald and more for her expertise. Empty Nest Support Services helps anticipating empty nesters and current empty nest families through the joys and challenges of a new life chapter.

She teaches LIFE IN TRANSITION, WHAT NOW at resorts and spas , as well as, cities where her audience includes, re-invention, divorce, blending families, retirement, grand parenting, re-marriage, illness, loss, longevity, care-taking, and mentoring.

Clients and reporters ask her, “How do you get through the disappointments and exhaustion?”  Her reply, “My middle name is HOPE.  I rely on it.  My two best friends are Curiosity and Compassion. I developed them after living a  life of transitions, that include, five month sudden bed rest when pregnant, life threatening illness , divorce, re-locating, re-marriage, care-taking parents, empty nest, suicide of my best friend, re-inventing myself and career and death of my parents.

When her daughter was a senior in high school, she realized that as a soon-to-be “empty nester,” she would be undergoing a major life shift. Not wanting to confront this transition alone nor have her many friends face this abyss without strong support, she created a support services group, which quickly grew into a new career and an exciting full-time business.

In 1972, Natalie received a master’s degree and board of medical examiner’s license in speech and language therapy. After 15 years of offering therapy and workshops to the Los Angeles Unified School District, she opened a private practice to serve her community. Since the early 80s, Natalie has created and facilitated women’s support groups dealing with marriage, divorce, parenting, dating, illness, loss, and helping people fulfill their dreams and goals.

Natalie is the Southern California Representative for The International Women’s Writing Guild, Volunteer at UCLA Law School Witness Protection Program, Mentors children and adults, Volunteer for Women Making A Difference, Member of CSHA.