Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships
Forget the midlife crisis—how about creating midlife calm? The stress and anxiety of this life stage can be overwhelming, draining your energy, and making it hard to enjoy what should be the best years of your life. This podcast is your guide to easing midlife anxiety and discovering a deeper sense of calm.
Discover how to:
- Be happier, more present, and more effective at home and work.
- Transform stress and anxiety into powerful tools that ignite your inner energy, helping you gain clarity and confidently meet your needs.
- Cultivate calm and enjoyment by creating a positive internal mindset using practical, affordable coping skills to handle life's challenges.
Join MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, a seasoned therapist with over 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years’ experience as a mental wellness educator as she guides you on a journey to reclaim your inner peace. Learn how to find contentment in the present moment, empowering you to handle the pressures of midlife with a confidence clarity that leads to calm.
Every Monday, MJ delves into the unique challenges of midlife, offering insights and concluding each episode with an "Inner Challenge"—simple, science-backed techniques designed to shift you from feeling overwhelmed to centered. Tune in every Thursday for a brief 5-10 minute "Inner Challenge Tune-Up," where MJ offers easy-to-follow tips to integrate these practices into your daily life.
Let’s evolve from crisis to calm and embrace the incredible journey of midlife. Tired of feeling overwhelmed? Tune into fan-favorite Ep. 63 for a boost! Let anxiety go and embrace your calm!
Episodes
143 episodes
Ep. 144 How to Finally Feel Confident Setting Boundaries When Midlife Anxiety Makes It Feel Impossible
Is anxiety stopping you from setting the boundaries you know you need?Get a clear, simple strategy to move through fear and finally take action to get what you want and need.In this episode, you’ll...
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Season 4
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Episode 148
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11:56
Ep. 143 3 Powerful Coping Skills to Conquer Midlife Anxiety & Perfectionism for a Happier Life
Are you constantly pushing yourself to the max, yet feeling exhausted and on edge?Doing less could actually help you achieve more.In this episode you’ll discover: 1. Why stri...
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Season 4
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Episode 143
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10:41
Ep. 142 The Hidden Anxiety of Midlife Overachievers and 3 Coping Skills to Finally Enjoy Your Success
Do you feel like you're constantly running, as if a boulder is chasing you downhill?You can be successful and driven without the fear and exhaustion.In this episode you’ll discover:What truly fuels your s...
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Season 4
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Episode 142
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13:39
Ep. 141 The 3 Essential Hormones You Must Balance in Midlife for Less Anxiety, Better Sleep, and a Healthier Weight
Are your midlife hormones working for you or against you? What if you could become your own hormone detective and start with the right tests and lifestyle changes?...
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Season 4
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Episode 141
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13:30
Ep. 140 Understanding Hormones and Anxiety and How Midlife Women Can Regain Control
Are you focusing on the wrong hormones in midlife?Many women believe estrogen is the key to feeling better, but what if the real secret lies elsewhere.In this episode, you’ll discover:1. The three essential ho...
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Season 4
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Episode 140
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11:28
Ep. 139 3 Essential Coping Skills to Break Free From Negative Thoughts and Calm Midlife Anxiety
Tired of feeling stuck in negative thoughts? Your brain is wired to focus on the bad—but you don’t have to stay trapped in that cycle. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. The science b...
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Season 4
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Episode 139
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14:59
Ep. 138 The 4-Step Brain Hack to Stop Intrusive Thoughts & Lower Anxiety in Midlife
Ever had a frightening thought pop into your head that you just can’t shake?Intrusive thoughts happen to everyone, but without the right tools, they can spiral into anxiety, stress, and sleepless ni...
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Season 4
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Episode 138
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13:24
Ep. 135 5 Coping Skills for Midlife Parents to Reduce Anxiety, Strengthen Connection, and Navigate College Costs With Their Child
Feeling overwhelmed by the financial burden of college?Navigating these tough conversations with your child without guilt, stress, or unnecessary conflict is not easy.In this episode, you’ll discoverFive ess...
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Season 4
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Episode 135
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15:23
Ep. 134 5 Coping Skills to Help Midlife Parents Turn Their Child’s College & Job Rejection into Growth
Have you ever felt the gut punch of watching your child face rejection—whether from a dream school, a job, or an opportunity they worked so hard for?For midlife parents, March brings more than blooming flowers—it’s also a season o...
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17:29
Ep. 133 4 Coping Skills to Handle a Critical Boss & Transform Midlife Self-Doubt into Self-Assurance
Is your boss constantly demanding more while offering little support or recognition? If their negativity is draining your confidence, it’s time to shift the way you respond. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How to ...
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Season 4
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Episode 133
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18:59
Ep. 132 Eliminate Imposter Syndrome Forever with These 3 Coping Skills
Have you ever stepped into a new—whether at work, in your community, or in your personal life—only to feel like an imposter?Don’t let "imposter syndrome" take over and crush this great opportunity.In this episode y...
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Season 4
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Episode 131
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17:21
Ep.131 5 Simple Words That Will Transform Chaos Into Calm, To Make Better Midlife Decisions
Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety?Discover five powerful words that can help you move from chaos to calm and help you make better decisions in your daily life.In this episode, you’ll discover1. How to re...
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Season 4
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Episode 126
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9:51
Ep. 130 1 Simple Coping Skill To Stop Anxiety From Spiraling Out Of Control & Derailing Midlife Calm
Have you ever felt like anxiety hijacks your day, leaving you overwhelmed and disconnected from peace?Anxiety can strike at any moment—whether it’s an email, a text, or an unexpected life challenge—and derail your calm. <...
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Season 4
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Episode 125
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10:00
Ep. 129 From Criticism to Connection: How to Embrace Your Partner Imperfections & Quirks This Valentine’s Day
What if the most meaningful Valentine’s gift you could give your partner also turned out to be the best gift you could give yourself?Whether you're feeling disconnected from your partner or caught up in midlife expectations, this ...
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Season 4
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Episode 128
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11:00
Ep. 128 The 1 Coping Skill That Will Transform Your Relationship This Valentines Day, For Reduced Anxiety & Joy In Midlife
What if the most meaningful Valentine’s Day gift you could give this year doesn’t cost a penny—and could transform your relationship?In midlife, juggling work, family, and daily stress often leaves little time for meaningful conne...
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Season 4
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Episode 127
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9:04
Ep. 127 Emergency Episode: 5 Effective Coping Skills to Calm Overwhelming Anxiety Caused by Donald Trump & Elon Musk
Is President Trump & Elon Musk governing style making you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or on high alert, you're not alone. In this emergency episode, we address how to care for your mind in unpredictable times and regain a...
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Season 4
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Episode 127
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10:29
Ep. 126 The Incredible Way Mel Robbin's 'Let Them' Theory Can Help You To Navigate Midlife Anxiety with Confidence
Have you ever found yourself caught in frustration over someone else’s choices? Whether it’s your partner glued to their phone or a coworker missing deadlines, other people's behavior can trigger anxiety and stress.
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Season 4
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Episode 126
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9:21
Ep. 125 How Mel Robbins ‘Let Them’ Mindset Can Help You Reduce Midlife Anxiety with Simple Coping Skills
Have you ever found yourself drained by trying to control other people’s decisions, only to realize it doesn’t work? What if two simple words could change that and bring you more peace?In this episode you’ll discove...
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Season 4
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Episode 125
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10:52
Ep. 124 3 Science-Backed Coping Skills to Overcome Exercise Challenges in Midlife
Struggling to stay consistent with your exercise goals? What if you could conquer the three biggest obstacles that hold you back?In this episode you’ll discover:1. How to face the "I don't want to exercise" minds...
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Season 4
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Episode 124
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8:29
Ep. 123 Simple Hacks to Conquer Midlife Exercise Resistance, Shift Your Mindset, Decrease Anxiety This New Year
In the New Year, are you tired of feeling stuck on the couch and longing for a way to embrace exercise—even if you’ve always hated it?In this episode, you’ll discover:A midlife mindset update to see yourself as someone...
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Season 4
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Episode 121
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17:42
Ep.122 3 Proven Coping Skills to Outsmart Your Smartphone and Decrease Anxiety & Reclaim 2 Hours a Day for Midlife Calm
Do you ever feel like your smartphone is outsmarting you? Want to gain two more hours in your day and decrease your anxiety?In this episode, you'll discover: How the simple 3-step ACT plan c...
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Season 4
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Episode 118
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16:20
Ep. 121 Outsmarting Your Smartphone – The Science and Solutions You Need To Decrease Anxiety & Increase Midlife Calm
Is your smartphone increasing your anxiety, decreasing your focus, and preventing you from being productive and happy? Discover the surprising science behind its impact—and how to take control.In this episode, yo...
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Season 4
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Episode 117
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12:29
Ep. 120 3 Coping Skills To Decrease Overwhelm & Anxiety During The LA Wildfires & Mass Shootings
How do you navigate the overwhelming emotions that come with hearing bad news in today’s world?Without the right tools to process these challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or even numb. In this episode...
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Season 4
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Episode 120
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10:45
Ep. 119 5-Minute Meditation to Ease Anxiety and Cultivate Compassion for LA Wildfires
Are you heart broken and overwhelmed by the wild fires in Los Angelos? What if a simple five-minute meditation could help you transform those feelings into calm and compassion?In this episode you’ll discover: ...
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Season 4
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Episode 123
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10:34
Ep. 118 4 Proven Coping Skills To Overcome Weight Loss Obstacles During Midlife
Do you find yourself constantly battling obstacles that make losing weight feel impossible?In this episode you’ll discover: How to stay focused on your weight loss journey, even in a world designed to tempt...
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Season 4
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Episode 116
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13:52