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
  • 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. 8h ago

    Ep. 334 1 Surprising Coping Skill to Reduce Anxiety & Trust Your Own Judgement, Instead of Relying on Everyone Elses Opinions

    When you’re anxious or unsure, is your first instinct to ask someone else what they think? Other people’s opinions can be helpful, but sometimes all that outside input makes it even harder to hear your own voice. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    A surprisingly simple coping skill to reduce anxiety and create enough quiet to hear what you actually think.  Take 3 minutes to discover how less outside input can help you reconnect with your inner voice and strengthen self-trust. 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. 1d ago

    Ep. 333 How to Stop Second-Guessing Yourself When Other People’s Choices Trigger Anxiety & Stress

    Have you ever felt good about a decision—until someone you respect made a completely different choice and suddenly you started second-guessing yourself? Other people’s choices can trigger anxiety and stress, making it surprisingly difficult to hear and trust your own voice. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    Why someone else’s choice can trigger anxiety and make you second-guess yourself. 2.    How to keep their decision from becoming your decision. 3.    A simple 12-minute coping skill to quiet the anxiety, come back to your own circumstances and hear yourself again.  Take 11 minutes to learn how to stop second-guessing yourself when someone else chooses differently—and find your way back to trusting yourself. 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. 4d ago

    Ep. 332 Why Anxiety Makes It So Hard to Trust Yourself & Make Decisions in Midlife

    Have you ever agonized over a decision, second-guessed yourself, or wished someone could just tell you the right thing to do? Anxiety can make it surprisingly difficult to hear your own voice and trust yourself. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why anxiety can interfere with self-trust and make even everyday decisions feel much bigger than they actually are. 2. Why feeling certain isn’t always the same as trusting yourself. 3. A surprising coping skill that can help you make decisions when your anxiety, other people’s opinions, and the pressure to get it right are getting loud.  Take 11 minutes to understand why anxiety can make decisions so difficult—and begin making more room to hear and trust yourself. 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 30

    Ep. 331 Whoa! Ease Your Anxiety in 3 Minutes With This Coping Skill When Someone Is Upset With You

    Does someone being upset or disappointed with you make your anxiety take over before you’ve had time to think? When your body is activated, it can be hard to remember the coping skills you already know—or give yourself enough time to decide what you actually want to do. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    A 3-minute coping skill using your breath, body and movement to calm anxiety and help you move from reacting to reflecting. Take 5 minutes to calm your body, find your way back to yourself and decide what you want to do next—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 29

    Ep. 330 2 Coping Skills to Calm Your Anxiety & Stop Abandoning What You Want When Someone Is Upset With You

    Does someone being upset or disappointed with you make you so anxious that you immediately want to explain, fix it or give in? You’re not alone if someone else’s reaction can create such a sense of urgency that it becomes hard to know what you actually think, feel or want. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    Why anxiety can make someone else’s disappointment feel like something you need to fix right away. 2.    Two coping skills to calm your body and question the story your mind is creating about someone else’s reaction. 3.    How to consider someone else’s feelings without automatically abandoning your own. Take 10 minutes to learn how to stay connected to yourself when someone else is upset with you—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.

  6. Oct 26

    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.

  7. Oct 23

    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.

  8. Oct 22

    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.

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5
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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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