Encore Living
You raised your kids. They’re launching their next chapter… but what about yours?
Welcome to Encore Living, the show for empty nesters and midlife moms who suddenly have more time—and are ready to fill it with purpose, passion, and possibility.
If you’re asking yourself, “What now?” or “Who am I without the role of full-time parent?”—you’re in the right place.
Each week, Thor Challgren (TEDx speaker, author, and New Thought minister) shares heartfelt reflections, spiritual insight, and practical tools to help you reconnect with who you are and reimagine what’s next.
This is your season of reinvention—your second act, your encore. No more waiting. No more wondering. Let’s create a life you’re excited to wake up to. Subscribe now and start your next chapter with confidence.
Episodes
156 episodes
Starting Again With Time To Spare | EP155
Sometimes, starting again doesn’t begin with a plan, it begins with time.In this episode, I share the story behind something I did last year that surprised me: I wrote a novel in 30 days. And what writing that book taught me ...
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13:17
What Luke Skywalker’s "Day Off" Says About Midlife | EP154
After a big chapter ends, the hardest part isn’t knowing what’s next. It’s giving yourself permission to pause.###If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider.Tha...
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16:39
Empty Nester Parents: What If YOU Went Back to College? | EP153
If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider.That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — small ideas, gentle reframes, and prompts to help...
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17:28
Before You Set Goals, Celebrate What You Lived Through | EP152
If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider.That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — including...
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19:47
Packing Away Decorations, Unpacking Who You Are Now | EP151
If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider.That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — includin...
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15:35
College Decision Month—But What About Your Midlife Plan? | EP150
It’s April—aka College Decision Month. Your teen is making a huge life decision. But have you stopped to consider your own?Subscribe to Dr. Thor’s FREE Encore Living Insider newsletter here > Encor...
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17:49
Empty Nest Life: Why You Feel Lost (And Why That’s Totally Normal) | EP149
Feel lost after the kids leave? You're not alone. Today I share one shift that can change your empty nest experience.Subscribe to Dr. Thor’s FREE Encore Living Insider newsletter here > Encore Livin...
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18:34
Transforming Your Life: The Journey from Complaints to Power PT2 #148
Ever found yourself caught in the traffic, complaining about how it's ruining your day? What if I told you that you can transform your life by simply changing the way you react to such situations? In this episode, I continue to bre...
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8:20
Breaking Down the Habit of Complaints - PT1 #147
Ready to break free from the endless loop of complaints? Join me in this first episode of a four part-series on complaining.In this episode, I explore why complaining rarely solves problems. The key takeaway: redirecting your energy towa...
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6:27
T.G.I.TED - Anne Lamott and A Bird by Bird Approach to Life's Challenges #146
In this episode, I share my perspective on a TED talk given by author Anne Lamott. Her talk is called, "12 Truths I Learned From Life and Writing." You can find her talk
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8:25
Unpacking The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles - Chapter 14 - #145
Can you truly attract abundance into your life by conveying the impression of increase to others? In this episode, I explore into Chapter 14 of Wallace D. Wattles' classic work, "The Science of Getting Rich," written back in 1910. <...
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7:09
Unpacking The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles - Chapter 11 - #144
Can mere thoughts alone bring riches, or is action an essential ingredient for success? In this episode, I explore Chapter 11 of Wallace D. Wattles' timeless book, "The Science of Getting Rich," written over a century ago. I...
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6:14
Unpacking The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles - Chapter 7 - #143
Immerse yourself in a transformative journey as we crack open the wisdom of Wallace Waddles' 1910 classic, the Science of Getting Rich, and uncover the profound power of gratitude. Not just in saying thank you, but as a pivotal mental adjustmen...
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6:42
Unpacking The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles - Chapter 4 - #142
Are your thoughts shaping your destiny, or are you simply going through the motions of life?In this episode, I dive into the mind-expanding pages of Wallace D. Wattles' 1910 classic, "The Science of Getting Rich." Have you ...
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6:42
T.G.I.TED - Programming Your Mind for Success with Carrie Green #141
Have you ever felt that nagging self-doubt creep in just as you're about to pursue your dreams? That moment when you ask yourself, "Who am I to do this?" In this episode, I dive into the remarkable TEDx talk, "Programming your Mind ...
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8:21
#140: Navigating the Long Haul: Strategies for Endurance
Are you staring down a seemingly endless stretch of time or a monumental task that feels insurmountable? How do you maintain your focus and keep your spirits up when the road ahead seems never-ending?In this episode, I delve into the ar...
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7:56
#139: Navigating Purpose: How Visualization Maps the Way to Achievement
Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle of a seemingly endless traffic jam, unsure when it will finally clear up? It's a universal frustration we've all experienced. Of course most of us can check the map on our phones and...
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6:11
#138: Changing the Case: UPPERCASE Thinking for Life's Lowercase Challenges
We all face challenges in life, but what if we could change the way we think about them? Instead of dwelling on the lowercase hurdles, why not focus on the UPPERCASE blessings that often go unnoticed?In today's episode, I sh...
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5:29
#137: When The Circumstances Don't Show Up in the Vacation Photo
In today's episode, I pose a question: when you look at a picture, do you see the circumstances behind the photo? And do they matter?I recently returned from an Alaskan cruise, and had an amazing time seeing the sights. On one morning, ...
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6:13
#136: T.G.I.TED - Exploring the Call to Learn, Teach, and Maintain Perpetual Curiosity
You reach a point in life, and you think to yourself, I’ve done everything I want to do in life. But have you? I just watched a TED talk that’s made me re-evaluate how I look at what’s mine to do. And I talk about it in today’s episode....
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8:00
#135: Put Yourself First Pt 4: Exploring a Two-Month Purpose
Ready to challenge the norm and explore a new perspective on your life's purpose? In this finale of my 'Put Yourself First' series, I talk about creating a two-month purpose. Life is filled with transitions - moving from raising...
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3:56
#134: Put Yourself First Pt 3: Give Yourself Permission to Shine in Your Next Life Chapter
What if the next chapter of your life sees you accomplishing something even more significant than being a parent? That's the question at the heart of the latest episode in the 'Put Yourself First' series. This thought-provoking discussi...
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4:39
#133: Put Yourself First Pt 2: Celebrating Personal Achievements and Embracing Life Transitions
After ushering my daughter off to her new life chapter, my house fell silent and an overwhelming sense of emptiness, mingled with accomplishment, washed over me. It was from this empty nest that I found the inspiration to encourage others to ce...
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5:12
#132: Put Yourself First Pt 1: Navigating the Next Phase of Life after an Empty Nest
Ever found yourself with an empty nest and suddenly confronted with the question, "What's next?" I know exactly how that feels. When my daughter first moved away to college, I realized I was in a whole new phase of life, I had to give some thou...
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5:03
#131: Deepak Chopra's 7th Spiritual Law of Success - The Law of Dharma or Purpose in Life
Ready to unlock the key to true affluence and discover your unique purpose in life? Promise yourself this transformative journey as we wrap up our enlightening series on Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, focusing on the seventh l...
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5:47