Life Of Joy & Purpose With Vicki Gardiner, LPC

Vicki Gardiner, LPC
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Life of Joy & Purpose is the go-to podcast for women in life transitions ready to rediscover their passion, purpose, and confidence. Hosted by Licensed Professional Counselor and Life Coach Vicki Gardiner, each episode offers mindset tools and intentional strategies to help you move forward with clarity and joy. You’re not starting over — you’re stepping into who you were always meant to be.

  1. 3D AGO

    It Might Not Be Your Hormones: The Nervous System Truth About Women’s Libido in Midlife

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! If your libido has changed and you’ve immediately thought, “It must be my hormones”… this episode may shift everything.In this episode, therapist and women’s mental health coach Vicki Gardiner explores a deeper, science-backed perspective on low libido in midlife—one that goes beyond hormones and looks at the nervous system, stress, and emotional load many high-capacity women are carrying.Because for many women, desire doesn’t disappear.It becomes inaccessible in a body that feels overwhelmed. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How the nervous system impacts libido and desire  • The connection between stress, mental load, and low libido  • Why overfunctioning and emotional labor affect your body  • The difference between hormonal changes and nervous system dysregulation  • How midlife responsibilities (career, caregiving, relationships) impact desire  • A simple daily grounding practice to help your body feel safe again  • Journal prompts to reconnect with yourself and your needs This episode is for you if: • You feel disconnected from your body or desire  • You’re navigating perimenopause or menopause  • You’re constantly in “go mode” and can’t seem to relax  • You’re the strong one everyone depends on  • You feel exhausted in a way rest doesn’t fix Important Reminder: You are not broken.Your body is responding to what it’s been carrying.And when your nervous system begins to feel safe again—connection, presence, and even desire can return. 🎙 Subscribe to the Life of Joy & Purpose Podcast for weekly conversations on mental health, identity, boundaries, purpose, and sustainable strength for women who carry a lot. Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    18 min

  2. MAR 31

    You’re Allowed to Want More—Even If Life Is “Fine”

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! You’re Allowed to Want More—Even If Life Is “Fine” Do you ever feel like your life looks good on the outside—but something still feels missing? In this episode, therapist and life coach Vicki Gardiner explores why so many capable, high-functioning women minimize their desires and how that pattern leads to emotional disconnection, burnout, and lack of fulfillment. You’ll learn: • Why “fine” can be a hidden form of emotional suppression  • The psychology of overfunctioning and role strain  • How nervous system regulation impacts your ability to desire more  • The cognitive distortions that keep women stuck in dissatisfaction  • How attachment patterns influence your comfort with wanting more  • A simple journal prompt to reconnect with your true desires This episode is for midlife women who are the strong one in their families, careers, and communities—and are ready to feel more present, aligned, and fulfilled without blowing up their lives. If you’re ready to stop minimizing what matters to you and start living more intentionally, this conversation will guide you forward. Subscribe to the Life of Joy & Purpose Podcast for weekly episodes on mental health, purpose, identity, and sustainable strength. Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    11 min

  3. MAR 24

    From Survival Mode to Soul-Led Living

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! From Survival Mode to Soul-Led Living Are you constantly handling responsibilities, solving problems, and supporting everyone around you — but feeling disconnected from yourself? In this episode, therapist and life coach Vicki Gardiner explores why so many capable women end up living in survival mode and how to begin shifting into a more grounded, intentional way of living. You’ll learn: • Why high-capacity women often operate in survival mode  • The psychology behind overfunctioning and role strain  • How nervous system regulation impacts your daily life  • The cognitive patterns that keep women stuck in reactive living  • One simple grounding ritual that helps you reconnect with yourself This episode is especially helpful for women navigating midlife, burnout, emotional overload, and the pressure of being the strong one in their families and careers. If you’re ready to move from constant reaction to steady, soul-led living, this conversation will give you practical tools to begin. Subscribe to the Life of Joy & Purpose Podcast for weekly conversations on mental health, purpose, identity, and emotional resilience for women who carry a lot. Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    15 min

  4. MAR 17

    The Power of Letting Go of What No Longer Fits

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! The Power of Letting Go of What No Longer Fits Many high-capacity women reach midlife and quietly realize something important: they are carrying roles, responsibilities, and expectations that no longer fit the life they want to live. In this episode, licensed therapist and life coach Vicki Gardiner explores why letting go can feel so difficult — especially for women who have always been the strong one for their families, workplaces, and communities. Using psychology research on identity theory, nervous system regulation, cognitive distortions, attachment patterns, and midlife development, Vicki explains why overfunctioning often becomes an identity and how women can begin releasing outdated roles without abandoning the people they love. You’ll learn: • Why strong women often struggle to let go of responsibility  • The psychology behind overfunctioning and role strain  • How your nervous system adapts to constant responsibility  • Why midlife naturally triggers identity reevaluation  • A gentle reflection exercise to help you release what no longer fits  • How to start carrying responsibility without carrying everything alone This episode also includes a guided reflection exercise and practical questions to help you begin noticing where you may be holding more than your share. 🎧 Download the free resource mentioned in the episode:  The CARE Check-In — a short reflection designed to help you see whether you’re overwhelmed or quietly overfunctioning. If you are a woman who has always been the strong one, this conversation will help you reconnect with steadiness, clarity, and purpose. Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    19 min

  5. MAR 10

    Rediscovering Purpose Without Reinventing Your Whole Life

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! Rediscovering Purpose Without Reinventing Your Whole Life Are you a high-achieving, overfunctioning woman who feels restless — but terrified of blowing up your life? In this episode, licensed therapist and life coach Vicki Gardiner explores: Midlife purpose and identity shiftsWhy overfunctioning women fear changeThe psychology of role strain and burnoutHow to rediscover purpose without drastic life changesNervous system regulation and personal growthOne purpose-aligned micro-step you can take this weekIf you’re the strong one in your family, career, or community — and you’re ready to grow without chaos — this episode will show you how. Perfect for women navigating:  Midlife transitions  Burnout recovery  Identity loss  Personal growth  Purpose discovery  Emotional exhaustion  Caregiver fatigue  Overresponsibility patterns Subscribe to Life of Joy & Purpose for weekly conversations on mental health, identity, boundaries, purpose, and sustainable strength. Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    12 min

  6. MAR 3

    When You Ask, “Is This All There Is?”—You’re Not Ungrateful, You’re Waking Up

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is this all there is?” — and then immediately felt guilty for even thinking it? If you’ve built a good life…  If you love your family…  If you’ve done the responsible, faithful, steady things… And yet there’s a quiet longing you can’t quite name — this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, we’re talking about midlife awakening, identity shifts, and the science behind why longing often increases in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. You’ll learn why this feeling isn’t ingratitude or discontent — it’s evolution. We cover: Why meaning becomes more important than achievement as we ageThe neurological shift from performance to purposeHow overfunctioning and responsibility can quietly disconnect you from yourselfA simple curiosity question that sparks clarity without blowing up your lifeOne small weekly practice to realign with who you’re becomingThis isn’t about reinvention.  It’s about rediscovery. If you’ve felt restless, invisible, or quietly unfinished, you are not behind — you’re waking up. Listen in and take one small, courageous step toward alignment this week. Because longing isn’t a crisis. It’s an invitation. Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    22 min

  7. FEB 24

    Trusting Yourself Again After Years of Putting Everyone Else First

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! Have you ever looked up and realized you don’t even know what you want anymore? If you’ve spent years being the planner, the strong one, the responsible one — this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, we’re talking about what happens when overgiving leads to decision fatigue, anxiety, and a quiet loss of intuition. When you’re the one who plans the holidays, manages aging parents, anticipates financial fears, and keeps everything moving — it’s easy to stop consulting your own voice. You’ll learn: Why long-term responsibility disconnects you from your intuitionHow decision fatigue is a nervous system issue, not a personal failureThe hidden cost of being the “invisible” strong oneA simple daily self-trust practice to rebuild confidencePractical steps to move from anxiety to structureIf you’ve been wondering:  “Is my purpose just to hold everything together?”  “How do I regroup and claim something for myself?”  “Can I trust myself to handle what’s ahead?” This episode will feel like someone finally naming what you’ve been carrying. ✨ Start with one small decision.  ✨ Rebuild trust steadily.  ✨ Protect your peace with structure. If you’re ready for deeper support, explore the CARE Framework and begin with the free CARE Check-In — a simple reset you can return to anytime life feels heavy. You are not invisible here. Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    15 min

  8. FEB 17

    Boundaries That Protect Your Peace (Without Burning Bridges)

    I’d love to hear from you- send a text! Do you struggle with overgiving… and then feel resentment creeping in? In this episode of Life of Joy and Purpose, we’re talking about how to set healthy boundaries without guilt — and without damaging the relationships that matter to you. If you’ve ever: Said yes when you meant noFelt exhausted from being the “strong one”Resented the people you loveWondered how to protect your peace without becoming coldThis conversation is for you. You’ll learn:  ✔ Why resentment is a signal — not a flaw  ✔ How overgiving leads to burnout  ✔ How to say no without burning bridges  ✔ One simple boundary script you can use this week  ✔ How the CARE Framework (Care, Allow, Respond, Empower) helps you create sustainable support You’ll also hear about the free CARE Check-In — a 2-minute reset to help you pause, clarify, and protect your energy before resentment builds. If you’re a midlife woman, silent supporter, caregiver, or simply someone who feels stretched too thin, this episode will help you protect your peace without sacrificing connection. 🎁 Grab the free CARE Check-In in the show notes.  ✨ Ready to go deeper? CARE Reset is where we build sustainable rhythms that include you. #midlife #caregiving #sandwichgeneration #therapy #coaching #CARE #overwhelmed #burnout #boundaries Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too. You can connect with me on Instagram @vickigardinercoaching. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose.  Click here to sign up! Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time. 🎧 If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.  Free 2 Min Check-In: The CARE Check-In PDF- Course: The CARE Reset - $27 Join my free Facebook Group and be a part of our community of women! Check out ALL the links here

    16 min
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Life of Joy & Purpose is the go-to podcast for women in life transitions ready to rediscover their passion, purpose, and confidence. Hosted by Licensed Professional Counselor and Life Coach Vicki Gardiner, each episode offers mindset tools and intentional strategies to help you move forward with clarity and joy. You’re not starting over — you’re stepping into who you were always meant to be.

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