Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

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

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.

Copyright: © 2024 Inner Challenge Podcast with MJ Murray Vachon LCSW

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 134 5 Coping Skills to Help Midlife Parents Turn Their Child’s College & Job Rejection into Growth Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

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 of tough decisions and, for many, painful rejections.

In this episode, you’ll discover

1. Three essential coping strategies to help your child process rejection in a healthy way.

2. What NOT to do when your child faces disappointment—and how to avoid common parental missteps that make your child feel WORSE when facing rejection

3. A powerful real-life story of resilience that proves rejection can be a stepping stone to growth, not a roadblock.

Press play now to learn how to turn rejection into an opportunity for growth—and give your child the lifelong gift of resilience, confidence, and 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.

Ep. 133 4 Coping Skills to Handle a Critical Boss & Transform Midlife Self-Doubt & Anxiety into Self-Assurance Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

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 stop taking your boss’s behavior personally—because it’s not about you.
2. A mindset shift that frees up your mental energy and puts you back in control.
3. Practical tools to build self-validation and confidence, no matter who’s in charge.
Press play now to learn how to reclaim your confidence and career growth—even if your boss never changes!

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.

Ep. 132 Eliminate the Stress & Anxiety of Imposter Syndrome Forever with These 3 Coping Skills Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

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 you’ll discover:
1. Why the term “imposter syndrome” is outdated and how it may be holding you back.

2. Three proven coping skills to reduce anxiety and step into new roles with confidence.

3. How a simple growth map can transform self-doubt into structured learning and professional success.

Hit play now to learn how to replace imposter syndrome with a mindset that fosters confidence, resilience, and growth in midlife so you can enjoy your new opportunity!

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.

Ep.131 5 Simple Words That Will Transform Stress, Anxiety & Chaos Into Calm, To Make Better Midlife Decisions Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

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 discover
1. How to recognize and shift from mental chaos or rigidity to a state of calm flow.
2. Discover actionable steps to re-regulate your body and observe your mind for better emotional control and decision making.
3. Hear real-life examples of how the FACES framework transforms anxious reactions into actions aligned with your desires and values.
Press play now to learn how to regain clarity, avoid regrets, and stay aligned with your values using the FACES model.
Check out this awesome one pager that summarizes this episode:
https://mjmurrayvachon.com/podcast-1/

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.

Ep. 130 1 Simple Coping Skill To Stop Stress & Anxiety From Spiraling Out Of Control & Derailing Midlife Calm Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

In this episode you’ll discover:

The transformative practice of noticing, naming, and taming anxiety to break free from overwhelming thoughts.
How to harness the power of your breath to reset your nervous system and restore clarity.
The "river of wellness" metaphor to understand your mind’s natural flow and navigate challenges with confidence.

Listen now to unlock the tools you need to calm your anxiety and create a more peaceful, focused state of mind.
Check out my one pager for this episode: https://mjmurrayvachon.com/podcast-1

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.

Ep. 129 From Criticism to Connection: How to Embrace Your Partner Imperfections & Quirks This Valentine’s Day Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

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 episode provides a practical path to creating deeper love and connection.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How to embrace your partner's quirks and imperfections to cultivate a stronger bond.

2. Easy mindfulness techniques to neutralize judgment and foster emotional courage.

3. How one mindset shift can transform your focus from "what's missing" to gratitude for "what is."

Tune in now to explore this no cost way to deepen your connection and love with your partner and yourself this Valentine’s Day.

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.

Ep. 128 The 1 Coping Skill That Will Transform Your Relationship This Valentines Day, For Reduced Stress & Anxiety & Joy In Midlife Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

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 connection. Traditional Valentine’s gifts like roses and chocolates might check the box, but they rarely spark lasting connection.

By listening to this episode, you’ll discover:
1. A transformative mindset to deepen connection, spark joy, and foster greater acceptance in your midlife relationship.

2. How to overcome common challenges like negativity and judgment in your partnership.

3. Practical strategies to creating a stronger, more peaceful connection with your partner.

Tune in now to discover how one simple mindset shift can transform your Valentine’s Day and revitalize your relationship—no wrapping paper required!

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.

Ep. 127 Emergency Episode: 5 Effective Coping Skills to Calm Overwhelming Stress & Anxiety Caused by Donald Trump & Elon Musk Feb 08, 2025

Show notes

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 sense of calm—even when the world feels chaotic.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. Five powerful coping strategies to reduce anxiety and regain control of your mental well-being.

2. Learn how to manage your news intake, incorporate movement into your routine, and choose projects that restore your sense of control.

3. Find out why meditation is key—even when your mind won’t stop racing.

Press play now to learn practical, therapist-approved ways to calm your mind and navigate uncertainty with resilience.

b685f629da959b2425ab005193e9722d89f789b9

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.

Ep. 126 The Incredible Way Mel Robbin's 'Let Them' Theory Can Help You To Navigate Midlife Stress & Anxiety with Confidence Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

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.

In this episode you’ll discover:

Why letting go of control over others often brings up unexpected emotions—and how to address them.
Practical strategies to move from “Let Them” to “Let Me,” shifting your focus inward for personal growth and clarity.
How shifting your focus from others' onto yourself can help you achieve growth and clarity in your relationships

Take back your emotional energy today—press play and discover how the “Let Them” mindset can help you create more calm and control in your life!

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.

Ep. 125 How Mel Robbins ‘Let Them’ Mindset Can Help You Reduce Midlife Stress & Anxiety with Simple Coping Skills Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

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 discover:

How the "Let Them" mindset can help you stop wasting energy on things outside your control, fostering inner peace.
Learn practical steps to pause, breathe, and refocus your energy to better manage your emotions and priorities.
How releasing judgment can lead to compassion, better relationships, and a greater sense of calm.

Take back your emotional energy today—press play and discover how the “Let Them” mindset can help you create more calm and control in your life!

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.

Related Podcasts