Meet Michelle

A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, resting her chin on her hand, sitting at a marble table in a warmly lit cafe.

Hi, I'm Michelle.

I'm a writer, traveler, cook, lifelong learner, and the founder and editor of The Empty Nest Rebellion.

For most of my adult life, I did what so many women do: I built a life around raising a family, supporting the people I loved, and putting everyone else's needs ahead of my own.

Then one day, the nest emptied, and I found myself asking a question I never expected…

Now what?

I realized: I could quietly accept that the most exciting chapter of my life was behind me. Or I could begin again. I chose the second one. I chose rebellion.

Not rebellion fueled by crisis, but by curiosity.

The kind that says yes to adventure, creativity, learning, and the terrifyingly wonderful discomfort of trying something new.

Since then, I've written books, grew as a home chef, traveled more intentionally, built new businesses, auditioned for television, and continued saying yes to experiences that challenge me, delight me, and occasionally scare the hell out of me.

Along the way, I realized something important!

This isn't really a story about me.

It's about permission. Permission to reinvent yourself. Permission to start over.

Permission to become someone new without apologizing for who you've already been.

That's why I created The Empty Nest Rebellion.

About the Rebellion

A woman in a long, white and blue patterned dress and sunglasses standing in front of the ancient ruins of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

This isn’t a self-help brand. It’s a self-permission movement.

It's a lifestyle revolution for women who believe life gets bigger after the kids leave, not smaller.

Here you'll find thoughtful travel, boutique hotels with soul, unforgettable food and wine, bold reinvention, and honest conversations about creating a richer, more intentional second act.

My background shapes everything we publish.

I'm an MFA-trained writer, a former college writing professor, a travel writer, and a self-trained home cook. And of course, and Empty Nest Rebel. Those experiences taught me to ask better questions, notice the details that matter, and tell stories that help people see places, and themselves, a little differently.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to learn something new, book the trip, change directions, start the business, write the book, or simply become a fuller version of yourself...

You're in the right place.

Welcome to The Empty Nest Rebellion.

I'm so glad you're here.

Let's collect stories, not just souvenirs.

This is midlife as a launchpad, not a landing.
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Get in Touch

I'd Love to Hear From You

Whether you have a question, a travel recommendation, a favorite book I should read, or simply want to say hello, I'd love to hear from you.

Empty Nest Rebellion is a community for women embracing what's next, and some of my favorite conversations have started with a simple message.

Use the form below to get in touch, and I'll respond as soon as I can.

If you're reaching out about media, travel writing, speaking engagements, or brand partnerships, feel free to include those details in your message as well.