Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships

MJ Murray Vachon LCSW | Midlife Stress & Anxiety Therapist
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Semiweekly

Coping Skills for Midlife Stress and Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships Forget the midlife crisis—how about creating midlife calm? The anxiety and stress of this life stage can drain your energy, fuel overthinking, and make it hard to enjoy what should be the best years of your life. This podcast offers practical coping skills to help you reduce anxiety, manage stress, and rediscover a calmer, more confident version of yourself. In Creating Midlife Calm, you’ll discover how to: Be happier, more present, and more effective at home and work.Transform stress and anxiety into powerful tools that boost your clarity, energy, and confidence.Cultivate calm and joy through practical, affordable coping skills that help you handle life’s daily challenges.Join MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, a seasoned therapist with over 50,000 hours of clinical experience and 32 years teaching mental wellness, as she guides you to reclaim your inner calm. Learn to stay grounded in the present, navigate midlife transitions with clarity, and build emotional resilience using proven coping tools. Every Monday, MJ dives into real stories and science-backed insights to help you shift from anxious to centered—ending each episode with an “Inner Challenge” you can practice right away. Then, on Thursdays, she shares a brief follow-up episode that connects, deepens, or expands the week’s topic, helping you apply these skills in real life. Let’s evolve from crisis to calm—and make midlife your most balanced and fulfilling chapter yet. 🎧 Start with listener favorite Ep. 138 to feel the difference calm can make.      

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 329 Why Someone Being Disappointed When You Say NO Triggers So Much Anxiety & Activates Your People Pleasing

    Have you ever known exactly what you wanted, said no to someone—and then found yourself explaining, apologizing or wondering if you should just change your mind? What if the problem isn’t simply people-pleasing? In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    Why someone being disappointed in you can trigger so much anxiety and stress—even when you’re not sure they’re actually upset. 2.    How your nervous system may be influencing what you do next when someone doesn’t like your answer. 3.    Why being helpful and reliable can make it especially difficult to stick with what you want when someone wants something different. Take 12 minutes and begin noticing what happens inside you before you automatically explain, apologize or change your mind. You’re worth it. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

  2. 5d ago

    Ep. 328 Is Trying to Support Everyone in Your Family Leaving You Stressed & Overwhelmed?

    Do you want to support what matters to your spouse and children—but sometimes feel like there simply isn’t enough time, energy, or room for everyone-including you? Supporting the people you love doesn’t mean every opportunity gets a yes—it also means making room for the life you share. In this mini episode, you’ll discover: How understanding what matters to your spouse and children can help your family decide what gets a yes, what gets a no, and leave enough time and energy for your shared life to flourish.  Take 6 minutes to make more room for the life you share—you’re worth it. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

  3. 6d ago

    Ep. 327 How to Get Unstuck When Relationship Stress Leaves You Maxed Out & Overwhelmed

    What do you do when you and your partner are both maxed out, overwhelmed and convinced there’s no room for what each of you needs? When neither person is necessarily wrong, there is a way to get unstuck without losing yourself or your relationship. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    Why a strong sense of self is only part of what you need to build a healthy, connected relationship. 2.    How to stay true to yourself while making room for what matters to your partner. 3.    One simple way to understand each other better and decrease stress, resentment and overwhelm.  Take 13 minutes to get unstuck and feel more connected in your relationship—you’re worth it. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

  4. Oct 19

    Ep. 326 Why In Midlife You Feel So Limited by Your Partner—Even in a Good Relationship

    Have you ever wondered why a good relationship can still leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed or limited by the person you love? Sometimes the tension isn’t a sign that something is wrong with your relationship—it may be what happens when two full lives run into the limits of one shared life. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    Why two capable people who love and support each other can still begin to feel limited by one another. 2.    Why you may see your own compromises more clearly than your partner’s—and how both of you can sincerely believe you’ve given up more. 3.    One simple question to help you see what may actually be underneath the stress and overwhelm you’re feeling toward your partner.  Take 10 minutes to understand what may really be underneath the stress and overwhelm in your relationship—you’re worth it. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

  5. Oct 16

    Ep. 325 The 5 Minute Coping Skill To Reduce Anxiety & Allow You To Enjoy The Present

    Does anxiety about a problem keep taking over your thoughts even when you want to be present for what’s happening right in front of you? You don’t have to solve every problem before you can bring your attention back to your life. In this mini episode, you’ll discover: A surprisingly easy coping skill to keep an anxious problem from taking over your thoughts and pulling you away from the present. Take 3 minutes to discover a simple way to calm your anxiety and come back to the moment you’re actually in. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

  6. Oct 15

    Ep. 324: How to Stop Feeling Pulled in Too Many Directions To Decrease Anxiety, Stress & Overwhelm in Midlife

    Do you ever feel like work, family, relationships and responsibilities are all competing for your attention—even when you’re trying to focus on just one thing? You don’t need to give up the roles that matter to you to feel less pulled in too many directions. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to bring your attention back to where you actually are when another part of your life starts pulling at your mind.How to move from one role to another without carrying the stress of the last one with you.How to get more comfortable letting something important wait without feeling like you’re dropping the ball. Listen now for practical coping skills to decrease anxiety, stress and overwhelm when everything seems to need your attention at once. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

  7. Oct 12

    Ep. 323 Why Wearing So Many Hats Can Leave You Feeling Anxious, Overwhelmed and Never in the Right Place

    Do you wear a lot of hats in midlife and still feel like you’re always behind? You’re not alone, and there may be a reason it feels so hard to keep up. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    Why the many roles you carry in midlife can increase anxiety, stress and overwhelm even when they’re roles you value. 2.    Why you can feel constantly behind and drained even when you’ve been getting things done all day. 3.    One helpful coping skill to help you better understand your overwhelm instead of assuming you simply can’t keep up anymore.  Take 10 minutes to better understand why your many roles can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed and behind—you’re worth it. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

  8. Oct 9

    Ep. 322 How To Cope With Tragedy & Trauma, So You Can Ease Anxiety & Stop Feeling Overwhelmed, Even When There's Nothing You Can Do To Fix The Situation

    When something painful and tragic happens that you can’t fix, anxiety, stress and overwhelm can show up in ways you don’t expect. Learning to notice what you need can help you move through the experience without demanding that you feel differently. In this mini episode, you’ll discover: How staying with yourself when tragedy feels overwhelming can help you move through difficult thoughts and feelings with greater connection and compassion. Take a few minutes to discover what coping with tragedy can look like when there’s nothing you can fix—you’re worth it. Send us Fan Mail **** About the Host:  MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

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About

Coping Skills for Midlife Stress and Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships Forget the midlife crisis—how about creating midlife calm? The anxiety and stress of this life stage can drain your energy, fuel overthinking, and make it hard to enjoy what should be the best years of your life. This podcast offers practical coping skills to help you reduce anxiety, manage stress, and rediscover a calmer, more confident version of yourself. In Creating Midlife Calm, you’ll discover how to: Be happier, more present, and more effective at home and work.Transform stress and anxiety into powerful tools that boost your clarity, energy, and confidence.Cultivate calm and joy through practical, affordable coping skills that help you handle life’s daily challenges.Join MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, a seasoned therapist with over 50,000 hours of clinical experience and 32 years teaching mental wellness, as she guides you to reclaim your inner calm. Learn to stay grounded in the present, navigate midlife transitions with clarity, and build emotional resilience using proven coping tools. Every Monday, MJ dives into real stories and science-backed insights to help you shift from anxious to centered—ending each episode with an “Inner Challenge” you can practice right away. Then, on Thursdays, she shares a brief follow-up episode that connects, deepens, or expands the week’s topic, helping you apply these skills in real life. Let’s evolve from crisis to calm—and make midlife your most balanced and fulfilling chapter yet. 🎧 Start with listener favorite Ep. 138 to feel the difference calm can make.      

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