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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. 85 5 Easy & Effective Steps to Stop Overthinking in Midlife To Decrease Stress & Anxiety Now Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

Ep. 85 5 Easy & Effective Steps to Stop Over Thinking, Now!

Do you ever feel trapped in a never-ending cycle of worry and anxiety, unable to shut off your mind?"

Overthinking is an issue many of us face, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. It can rob us of peace, ruin our sleep, and harm our relationships. In this episode, MJ Murray Vachon LCSW introduces a five-step process to help you reduce overthinking, making room for more calm and clarity in your life.

In this episode you will learn:

1. How to befriend your overthinking rather than fighting it, leading to more self-compassion and inner peace.

2. Learn simple yet effective strategies to calm your body and mind during moments of intense overthinking.

3. Gain practical tools that will help you shift from endless worry to focusing on joyful and productive activities.

Listen to this episode now and start implementing these five easy steps to stop overthinking and create more calm in your life today!

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. 84 3 Effective Strategies to Overcome Family Disagreements & Stress when Navigating Your Child's Mental, Social, Intellectual and Physical Differences Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

Ep. 84 3 Effective Strategies to Overcome Family Disagreements when Navigating Your Child's Mental, Social, Intellectual and Physical Differences

Do family disagreements over your child's needs feel overwhelming? When you're not aligned with your co-parent or child on how to handle mental, social, learning, or physical differences, finding peace can seem impossible.

This episode is designed to help you manage these tough family moments by giving you practical steps to lower the tension and move forward—together. If you've ever felt stuck, frustrated, or unsure how to bring everyone to the same page, you're not alone. The tools in this episode can help you create calm in your home and guide your child more effectively.

In this episode you'll learn:

1. A proven three-step process to navigate family disagreements with empathy and understanding.

2. How to use curiosity as a powerful tool to build deeper family connections.

3. Techniques to ensure everyone has the time and space they need to get aligned and move forward as a team.

Press play now to discover how you can turn family conflict into an opportunity for growth, understanding, and unity.

Check out Ep. 83 Mastering the Seven-Stage Path: Reducing Anxiety and Boosting Strategies for Families Navigating a Child’s Physical, Mental Learning or Social Challenges.

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. 83 Mastering the Seven-Stage Path: Reducing Stress & Anxiety and Boosting Strategies for Families Navigating a Child's Physical, Mental, Learning, or Social Challenges. Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

Ep. 83 Mastering the Seven-Stage Path: Reducing Anxiety and Boosting Strategies for Families Navigating a Child's Physical, Mental, Learning, or Social Challenges
What happens when your child’s development takes an unexpected turn, and you suddenly realize their path is different from what you imagined?

Raising a child with physical, mental, learning, or social challenges can be emotionally overwhelming for any parent. This episode dives into the seven stages that parents experience, providing you with a roadmap to move from anxiety to understanding, while empowering you to better support your child.

In this episode you will:

1.Gain a deep understanding of the seven emotional and practical stages parents face when navigating a child’s differences.

2. Learn actionable strategies to reduce fear, embrace reality, and take confident steps toward finding the right support.

3. Discover how to stay emotionally resilient while guiding your child through life’s unique challenges.

Listen now to explore the seven-stage path and gain valuable tools to help your child thrive while easing your own anxiety.

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. 82 Stopping The Midlife Spread and Decrease Anxiety & Stress Your Way By Getting Off The Couch Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

Are you a couch potato? A Sofa Spud? Does your critical voice constantly call you lazy? Do you plan on working out but don’t follow through? Someone looking to stop the weight gain as you juggle all the demands of midlife which leave little time for the gym? This is the episode for you!!!! We all know the stats: working out is essential for the wellness of our body, spirit and mind. But, what to do if you’re a GOOD person but can’t get yourself to exercise? Maybe you’re are a GOOD person who starts to work out but can’t keep at it. Join MJ and her guest Julie Hamilton, a personal trainer, who bench press this dilemma with some super practical and doable tips. Remember, we’re meant to move but we don’t need to be Olympians or Cross-Fit Enthusiasts to do what helps us feel better, now! So, listen on the couch or put in your earbuds and go for a walk, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
In this episode MJ shares that her new podcast Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships debuts next Monday with a follow-up episodes on Thursday featuring tips on her weekly Inner Challenge Insights!
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.

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.

Emergency Episode Ep. 81 School Anxiety & Stress: Three Coping Skills Midlife Parents and Kids Can Use Right Now! Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

It's August and you may be one of those parents sending an anxious child off to school, college, trade school, or the world of full time work. Yep, it's animal house right under your own roof. If it feels a little crazy, I'm here to bring you a bit of calm.

In this episode, you'll learn:
The practical science of why your child's anxiety is contagious
Three simple steps to help decrease anxiety contagion
How to be helpful without becoming a dumping ground for your child's nerves when it comes to this significant life transition.

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. 80 Mental Wellness: Having Fun Building Self-Confidence & Decreasing Stress & Anxiety with the Enneagram! (Part 2 External Self-Awareness) Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how others see you and how it shapes who you are?

External self-awareness is crucial for cultivating mental wellness, yet many of us overlook it, believing that internal self-awareness is enough. In this episode, MJ and her guest explore why both are essential. Through real-life examples and practical insights, you'll discover how gaining a balanced view of self-awareness can significantly boost your growth and mental well-being.

In this episode, you will:

Learn how to gather and integrate external self-awareness to enhance your personal and professional relationships.
Gain insights into overcoming defensiveness, enabling you to receive feedback without feeling threatened.
Discover practical steps to balance internal and external self-awareness, leading to a more authentic and confident you.

Tune in now to uncover the secrets of external self-awareness and start creating a healthier, more balanced approach to building self-awareness and increased self=confidence.

Don’t forget to listen to Part 1: Ep. 73 Mental Wellness: The Enneagram & Internal Self-Awareness.

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. 79 Mental Wellness: Having Fun Building Self-Confidence & Self-Awareness with the Enneagram! (Part 1 Internal Self-Awareness) Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Join MJ Murray Vachon, a licensed clinical social worker, as she explores the depths of self-awareness with a guest who shares his journey of understanding through the Enneagram personality test. This unscripted conversation will help you learn the intricacies of internal self-awareness, the importance of values, and how tools like the Enneagram can aid in mental wellness and personal growth. Discover insights into human development, the role of personality tests, and the balance between internal reflections and external feedback. Tune in to learn how self-awareness can enhance not only personal mental health but also contribute to a better world.

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.

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. 78 Mental Wellness: Turning Midlife Stress & Anxiety from Adult Child into Calm and Effective Parenting! Aug 03, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Inner Challenge, a podcast dedicated to mental wellness. In this episode, MJ and her guest explore the theme 'How do I stay sane when my adult children are distressed?' Join the unscripted conversation between the host and a mother in mid-life who grapples with the struggles of supporting her adult children while maintaining her own mental wellness. By sharing real-life challenges, strategies for emotional regulation, and insightful tips on handling life's obstacles, this episode aims to provide practical advice for listeners. Featuring five key insights, including rewiring parent-child dynamics, recognizing contagious emotions, and practicing self-care, this conversation delves into the art of mental wellness with the hope of cultivating a healthier mindset for both the parent and the child.
00:00 Introduction to Inner Challenge Podcast
00:32 Guest Introduction and Background
01:32 Defining Mental Wellness
04:26 Challenges of Supporting Adult Children
06:30 Strategies for Emotional Regulation
12:16 Practical Tips for Parents
24:03 Insights and Takeaways
26:59 Conclusion and Resources
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.

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. 77 Mental Wellness:The Stress & Anxiety of the Immigration Journey: Practical Coping Skills Jul 27, 2024

Show notes

Is there anything quite as inspiring as the Olympics! This episode may be it!! Join MJ and her guest, a wise young man who immigrated from Asia at the age of six, as he shares his experiences and challenges growing up in a new land. From dealing with the pain of cultural shocks and relational differences to finding solace in simple activities like walking, this conversation offers a profound look into the struggles and resilience of immigrant children. Like so many of our athletes he doesn't get a medal his journey may make your heart soften and have you look anew at your immigrant doctor, grocery bagger or classmate. This episode also helps us gain insight into the importance of mental wellness and the impact of empathy and understanding in healing emotional wounds often experienced by immigrants.
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.

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. 76 Mental Wellness: Coping Skills to Tame Cell Phone Stress & Anxiety: Finding Balance in a Digital World!” Jul 20, 2024

Show notes

It's summertime! Time for the beach, walks and sitting outside with friends-real friends not virtual friends. In one of her favorite episodes MJ talks with a neuroscience major who becomes her own cell phone therapist. This episode will give you not only the science of why it is hard to stop using our phones but little known solutions for this BIG problem. Are you tired of this 3x6 inch tech marvel controlling you, listen and take back your SUMMER!
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.

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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