Middle Age Management

Barbara Stratte & Bryan Stratte
  • 5.0 (11)
  • RELATIONSHIPS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A brutally honest, unexpectedly hilarious podcast about one family juggling kids, aging parents, and the beautiful chaos of barely holding it all together.

  1. If Not Now, When? The Harsh (But Motivating) Midlife Truth

    5D AGO

    If Not Now, When? The Harsh (But Motivating) Midlife Truth

    If not now… when? In this episode, we dive into one of those midlife questions that can either scare the crap out of you or light a little fire under you: "If not now, when?" We talk about starting the business, the hobby, the bucket list trip, or anything you keep saying you'll get to "someday." Spoiler: someday has a sneaky way of turning into never. This is an unqualified, unsolicited, and totally honest midlife conversation about change, momentum, and giving yourself permission to start, even when it's messy, uncomfortable, or you're pretty sure you're going to suck at first. We talk empty nests, shifting seasons, pickleball epiphanies, scary career pivots, hobbies that keep your brain alive, and why being bad at something is actually part of the deal. We cover: • Why midlife is a powerful (and underrated) starting line • Businesses, hobbies, and bucket list dreams that don't require quitting your job • The mental gymnastics that keep us stuck, and how to move anyway • Why challenge, curiosity, and growth matter for your brain and your joy • Starting small, taking swings, and letting things percolate • Using AI, community, and curiosity as tools, not threats • Why memories last longer than excuses This episode isn't about chasing unicorns or blowing up your life. It's about nudging things forward 1%, getting curious, and not letting another year fly by, wondering what if. Because you're not getting any younger… but you're also not done. If this conversation made you laugh, nod, or rethink that thing you've been putting off, hit like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a little midlife motivation. Now go rock the rest of your day! thesandwichedgen.com  (grab the ebook, blog, support) Instagram: @BarbaraStratte   If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook   Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram   Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent   If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog

    27 min
  2. How to Receive Without Guilt: A Midlife Mindset Shift

    FEB 2

    How to Receive Without Guilt: A Midlife Mindset Shift

    As good as it feels to give, it feels just as good to receive, and somehow… that's the part most of us struggle with. In this episode, we have an unqualified, unsolicited, and totally honest midlife conversation about receiving: compliments, help, ease, abundance, and the good stuff life (and other people) are already trying to hand us. Why do we deflect? Minimize? Get awkward? Spiral on a pool chair instead of enjoying the moment? Yep… we go there. We talk about: • Why receiving is actually a skill (and not a weakness) • Compliments, vulnerability, and the weird panic response • How not receiving can quietly shut people down • Gratitude as a gateway drug to better days • Midlife overwhelm, the Sandwich Generation, and learning to accept help • Parenting, sports, middle school moods, and the power of appreciation • Ease, abundance, and letting good moments actually land • Why receiving builds stronger relationships and better mental health From Palm Springs pool chairs to lacrosse sidelines, toll booths, coffee shops, and awkward "thank yous," this episode is about choosing to let the good stuff in,  without guilt, excuses, or self-sabotage. If you've ever struggled to accept a compliment, felt uncomfortable receiving help, or realized you might be blocking joy without meaning to… this one's for you. If you loved hanging out with us, hit like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder to receive a little more. Now go rock the rest of your day! And don't cheat anyone out of their good feelings. 💛 thesandwichedgen.com  (grab the ebook, blog, support) Instagram: @BarbaraStratte If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog

    27 min
  3. The 51% Rule: How to Embrace Imperfection and Thrive in Midlife

    JAN 26

    The 51% Rule: How to Embrace Imperfection and Thrive in Midlife

    It's so simple… and yet we make it so hard.  In this empowering episode, we unravel the magic of the 51% rule, doing just enough to alleviate the pressure, silence the overwhelm, and celebrate your wins. Join us as we dive into the realities of midlife, tackling the chaos of double Mondays, caregiving, parenting, work stress, and the burnout fueled by hustle culture.  This conversation serves as your much-needed permission slip to breathe deeply and embrace imperfection. If you're navigating the complexities of raising kids, caring for aging parents, and juggling a full plate, this episode is crafted just for you.  You don't need to be perfect; you only need to be 1% better than not. With unqualified, unsolicited, and refreshingly honest opinions on midlife, we encourage you to hit play, lower the bar (just a little), and let 51% be enough. Tune in for practical insights that will help you reclaim your time, find balance, and thrive, one imperfect step at a time! thesandwichedgen.com  (grab the ebook, blog, support) Instagram: @BarbaraStratte If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog

    24 min
  4. Sandwich Generation: Fixing Sibling Conflicts + Guilt

    JAN 19

    Sandwich Generation: Fixing Sibling Conflicts + Guilt

    Sibling fights exploding over who does what for aging parents? Guilt eating you alive because you're the "default" one doing everything?  Resentment building while old childhood roles creep back in? If you're in the sandwich generation, raising kids, juggling midlife, and now refereeing family chaos around caregiving, this episode is your no-BS lifeline. We dive raw and real into the mess most people whisper about: default daughter syndrome, reverting to kid dynamics, guilt vs. gratitude, resentment that simmers until it boils over. You're not alone if it feels unfair, exhausting, or like you're carrying it all silently. We share honest stories, frustrations, and battle-tested tools to actually make it better: Setting clear boundaries before you burn out (and why "no" is loving) Communicating expectations without World War III Asking for help (and getting it) before you explode Simple hacks like audio texts, call limits, task delegation, and why one "thank you" can shift everything Turning resentment into grace—and surviving (maybe even thriving) together If you're caregiving up close or from afar, quietly wondering "Why is this so hard?" press play. This isn't fluffy advice; it's real talk + practical steps to protect your sanity, your relationships, and your heart. You're doing more than you think, and you're doing a damn good job. Hit subscribe for more sandwich gen real talk, share this with a sibling or friend who needs it (they'll thank you later), and let's navigate this season without losing ourselves. thesandwichedgen.com  (grab the ebook, blog, support) Instagram: @BarbaraStratte If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog

    31 min
  5. Is It Time to Step In? How to Know When Aging Parents Need Help & What to Do Next

    JAN 12

    Is It Time to Step In? How to Know When Aging Parents Need Help & What to Do Next

    You're in your 40s or 50s, raising kids, grinding at work, and suddenly noticing the signs: mail piling up, expired food in the fridge, repeated stories, a fall, a hospital scare. That gut punch of "something's off" with your aging parents hits hard, and the panic follows fast.  Welcome to the sandwich generation: caring for aging parents while still raising your own kids, often at 60 mph with no brakes. If you're feeling overwhelmed, guilty, isolated, or like you're failing on all fronts, this episode is your lifeline. We get real (unqualified, unsolicited, totally honest) about the messy middle: role reversal, emotional chaos, sibling fights, finances, resistance from parents, and why ignoring it doesn't make it disappear. We share raw personal stories—from living under the same roof with a parent facing Alzheimer's to supporting parents from thousands of miles away, and break down a practical, loving roadmap so you don't have to figure it out alone: Spotting early signs of decline before crisis hits How to pause, breathe, and start those hard conversations without panic Watching patterns, getting power of attorney, and medical directives in place Long-range planning that protects everyone (including you) Navigating guilt, overwhelm, and family dynamics without losing yourself Aging is a privilege, but it's also scary, hard, and isolating. You don't have to do this solo. Hit play for the real-world steps, reassurance you're not crazy, and tools to move forward with love instead of fear. If you're raising kids, managing midlife, and realizing your parents need more support, this is for you.  Subscribe for more no-fluff midlife tools, share with a friend in the trenches, and let's rock this sandwiched life together. 🥪 thesandwichedgen.com (grab the ebook, read the blog, get support) Instagram: @BarbaraStratte 👉 Share this episode with someone who could use a little midlife magic 👉 Like, subscribe, and hit follow to hang out with us again Now go rock the rest of your day. If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog

    23 min
  6. Midlife Happiness in Chaos: Sandwich Gen Joy & Gratitude Hacks

    JAN 6

    Midlife Happiness in Chaos: Sandwich Gen Joy & Gratitude Hacks

    Midlife hits hard: You're sandwiched between aging parents and stressed-out kids, drowning in worries that never fix anything, losing retainers (or your mind), dodging emotional dodgeball, and wondering where the joy went. If you've ever thought, "Life is overwhelming, midlife is weird, and happiness feels impossible," this episode is your wake-up call and your relief. We get unqualified, unsolicited, and brutally honest about real midlife happiness: It's not big, flashy moments or a perfect destination. It's stacking micro wins, choosing gratitude as your nervous-system reset, depositing small joys daily instead of spending energy on complaints, and deciding that being happy more often than not is actually enough. In this raw, funny convo (yes, dumpster trauma stories included 😅), we cover: Why worrying drains you but changes nothing, and how to quit it cold. The power of micro wins over perfection (they build momentum when everything feels chaotic). Gratitude is the underrated hack that actually calms your body and shifts your lens. Surviving sandwich generation life: Raising kids while caring for parents without losing yourself. Why childhood joy (bikes, dumb jokes, listening to elders) still matters, and how to reclaim it. How not sweating the small stuff + better "glasses" turns mayhem into manageable moments. Life takes work, especially now. But small, doable choices? They stack up to a road worth walking—one with more laughs, nods, and "damn, it's actually pretty good" days. If this makes you laugh, rethink your default mode, or feel seen—hit play. You're not alone in the mess, and happiness is closer than you think. Subscribe for more no-fluff midlife tools, share with a friend in the trenches, and go deposit some happiness today. 💛 Follow for weekly real talk and simple wins: Instagram: @BarbaraStratte Website: TheSandwichedGen.com (grab the ebook, latest blogs, and more) If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog

    29 min
  7. Ditch the Big Resolutions: Micro Shifts That Actually Stick in Midlife (Goals Over 40)

    12/29/2025

    Ditch the Big Resolutions: Micro Shifts That Actually Stick in Midlife (Goals Over 40)

    Are you already over your New Year's resolutions because last year's big promises burned out fast? If you're in midlife, juggling career demands, family responsibilities, energy dips, and that nagging "is this all there is?" feeling, this episode is your no-BS reset button. We're kicking the new year off with straight talk: Why the classic "New Year, New You" hype feels exhausting and unrealistic after 40... and how flipping to micro shifts and small daily wins builds real, lasting momentum without the crash. In this refreshing conversation, we cover: Honest takes on midlife pressures, New Year's Eve overload, and why "all-or-nothing" changes set most people up to quit. Practical ways to set attainable goals that create quick wins, focusing on tiny victories that stack up and actually feel good. Personal stories about real-life boundaries, self-care that fits busy schedules, and thriving in the "gray" zone (no extremes, just steady progress). How to inject more ease, growth, and even enjoyment into the year, because midlife should feel energizing, not draining. If you've ever muttered, "I can't face another failed resolution," press play. This isn't fluffy motivation; it's tools and real talk to turn overwhelm into manageable steps that stick. Tune in now and let's make this the year of small shifts, bigger results, and actually liking the process. Subscribe for more midlife real talk, practical life hacks, and share if this resonates—you're not going through this alone! ✨ **Let's make this a year of joy, ease, and growth** together! If you enjoy our chat, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and share this episode with your friends who could use some midlife magic! **Follow us for more relatable midlife content:** If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog #NewYearNewYou #MicroShifts #MidlifeMagic #Goals #SelfCare #Joy #EasingInto2026

    28 min
  8. Friendship Isn't Failing: Why Midlife Relationships Change (and That's Normal)

    12/22/2025

    Friendship Isn't Failing: Why Midlife Relationships Change (and That's Normal)

    Have your friendships changed in midlife, and you're wondering if you did something wrong? You didn't. And this episode will explain why. In this candid, relatable conversation, we unpack what's really happening to friendships in your 40s and 50s, and why drifting, redefining, or outgrowing relationships is not a failure, but a natural part of midlife. We talk honestly about: Why midlife friendships feel harder (and quieter) than before The emotional shift that happens when kids grow up, parents age, and life gets heavier Letting go of surface-level friendships without guilt Choosing quality, depth, and peace over drama and obligation What being a good friend actually looks like in this season of life If you've felt lonely in a room full of people, unsure who to call, or confused about why friendships don't look like they used to, this episode will make you feel seen, understood, and relieved. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating midlife friendships, life transitions, aging parents, empty nesting, or personal growth and wondering, "Is this normal?" 🎧 Press play if you're ready to stop blaming yourself and start embracing friendships that fit who you are now. Share this episode with someone who's quietly struggling, you might say what they haven't been able to put into words. Thank you for joining us today. Let's keep the conversation going! What are your thoughts on midlife friendships? Share in the comments below!  **Follow us for more relatable midlife content:** If You Have Aging Parents & Are In The Sandwich Generation, I Got What You Need Here: https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/ebook Make sure you follow for daily entertainment here @BarbaraStratte on Instagram Find Our Go To Favorite Things for Fun, Home, Family & Aging Parents  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thrivingfamilypodcastbycalmparent If You Enjoy Reading Here's The Blog https://www.thesandwichedgen.com/blog #MidlifeFriendships #SelfImprovement #FriendshipDynamics #LifeAfterKids #MidlifeMagic

    27 min
See All (37)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

A brutally honest, unexpectedly hilarious podcast about one family juggling kids, aging parents, and the beautiful chaos of barely holding it all together.

Information

  • Creator
    Barbara Stratte & Bryan Stratte
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Middle Age Management

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