Judy Holland

Judy Holland has been a journalist for more than 30 years, having spent 13 years in the Washington Bureau of Hearst Newspapers, where she was national editor, preparing stories for 600 newspapers over The New York Times wire. She also served as Capitol Hill Correspondent and was elected president of the Washington Press Club Foundation, a nonprofit celebrating female pioneers in journalism and providing scholarships for women and minorities. She has been a Capitol Hill commentator for C-Span and won the Hearst Eagle Award for excellence in journalism.

Judy’s stories have appeared in dozens of publications, including the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Tampa Tribune, and Washingtonian magazine. Her work includes hundreds of stories about teens, including a piece for Washingtonian about the pressures that teenagers face. She also was founder and editor-in-chief of Parentinsider.com, an online magazine for parents of teens, for which she wrote stories, edited columns, and co-produced videos.

She lives in Washington, D.C., and is married to orthopedic spine surgeon John Starr. They have three children: Lindsay, Maddie, and Jack Starr who left their Great Dane Hudson at home to fill the empty nest.

I’m so excited for you to connect with Judy, check out her work her book, and follow along as she continues to help parents reinvent themselves in the second half of life.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

I’m Judy Holland, and I’ve been a journalist for more than three decades, including serving as Capitol Hill correspondent for Hearst Newspapers in the Senate Press Gallery for 13 years. I also appeared as a pundit for C-Span on the Hill and was elected president of the Washington Press Club Foundation, presiding over black-tie congressional dinners and raising money for scholarships for women and minorities. I wrote stories for Washingtonian magazine and founded Parentinsider.com, an online magazine for parents of teens for which I interviewed top psychologists, psychiatrists, coaches, therapists, etc. in the greater metropolitan area.

How did you get started?

When my last of three kids left home, I thought it made sense to delve into the empty nest field. I read about 60 books and 80 academic papers and boiled them down. I also interviewed more than 300 people, professionals and seasoned parents and young adults to get a sense of what’s happening today. I was able to find information and data in studies that had never seen the light of day, then ginned up HappiNest: Finding Fulfillment When Your Kids Leave Home. I woke up in the middle of the night and had a light bulb of an idea for the title: HappiNest! I don’t like the idea of a glass or anything else half empty if you can reframe it as half full!

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion? I love to write. And I love to interview interesting people.

I am without a doubt living my passion and purpose. My goal or purpose is to use my writing, interviewing and research skills to spread light and understanding and to unite people rather than divide them.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

I love to write, to learn from editors who can teach me more, to interview fascinating and colorful people and to take and edit photos. I also love to do Barre 3 daily, which is a ballet-like exercise and a replacement for figure skating. I grew up skating at the Figure Skating Club at Dartmouth. I love music and movement and the comradery that comes along with it. I also love to visit and watch my three kids grow and learn and move toward their passions.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I meditate daily, do Barre 3 and sometimes yoga, read lots, keep close touch with my nuclear family, and walk in the wood daily with our 155-pound great dane Hudson. I always think of three things I am grateful for before I go to sleep, and I meditate for five minutes before I get up in the morning. I also read philosophy.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

I think my younger self, who wrote little cardboard books as a child, then studied American Literature and Political theory at Middlebury College before getting an MSJ at Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, would expect me to be writing books.

What is your biggest dream?

I want to become a great speaker so I can spread what I learn to others, even those who don’t read much.

To learn more about Judy and her work check out her website Judyhollandauthor.com, and on Facebook @judyhollandauthor Instagram @judyhollandauthor Twitter @JudyHauthor and you can find her book here

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here

Judy Holland - Author, "HappiNest: Finding Fulfillment When Your Kids Leave Home"