Midlife Matters

We know that new places, experiences, and people enrich our imaginations and add a freshness to our lives. But what if you're surrounded by the familiar? Can you infuse that same spark there? Join us as we talk about happiness and the world around us, no matter how big that circle may be!  Links mentioned in this episode Happier at Home  by Gretchen Rubin I'm a fan recommendations Julie: Call the...

Today we're getting honest about the hard parts of parenting teens. What are the struggles, what do we wish someone would have told us, and when does the roller coaster ride end? Join us as we share what we learned launching our older kids and what we're still learning raising our younger ones. Parenting teens can be lonely and we hope you're encouraged as we walk this road together.  Links from t...

Today we're talking about dealing with anxiety and depression. What's the difference between feeling sad and feeling depressed? How do we know when our anxiety is getting out of control? How can we help and support those we love going through this? Join us as we ask a counselor these and other questions related to this timely issue!  Links in this episode Tina's book Tina's website Association of...

Today we're discussing self care, or really self survival, during a pandemic. Our routines have been upended, and we're all being asked to do new things under stressful conditions. How do we take care of ourselves while also taking care of our families during this crisis? We're joined by Jeana Floyd to talk about her ideas and we also want to hear yours!  Let us know what you're doing for self car...

It looks like we'll be continuing social distancing guidelines and sheltering at home throughout the month of April. Today we've got lots of ideas for how to make our time in quarantine more fun, interesting and productive. Listen to learn what we're doing and what we want to try! Also, follow us on Instagram to share your quarantine ideas with the Midlife Matters community. We all need them!  Lin...

It's time to talk about happiness and family! Lots of people are spending a lot more time with their families than they're used to, and other people are separated from their families by shelter in place orders. Whatever your situation, we've got some insight to share around the ways all of us can create a happier family life!  I'm a fan recommendations Julie 's  Netflix show Marie's lemon drink en...

Today we're talking about all anyone is talking about...COVID-19 or the coronavirus. How are we doing social distancing? How has the quarantine affected our daily lives? What can we do to create a sense of community while we're having to be so isolated? Join us as we discuss all this and more!  I'm a fan recommendations Julie's photo book Marie's podcast We'd love to hear from you! Find us here: I...

Today we're answering listener questions! We put a call out on Instagram and you did not let us down. From beauty tips to college prep, spouses that travel to caring for aging parents, there's something for everyone. Join us as we talk about all this and more!  I'm a fan recommendations Mindy's facial spray Julie's knife Marie's book We'd love to hear from you! Find us here: Instagram: Midlife Mat...

Today we're going back in time and talking about when we were kids! What's different about life then and life now? What would our kids say if they were transported back to 1980? How did we survive home perms and party lines? Get ready for lots of laughs as we walk down memory lane together!  I'm a fan recommendations: Julie's lassi recipe Mindy's workout pants Marie's electric throw blanket We'd l...

It's time to talk about happiness and body! We can improve our relationships by paying attention to the ways people interact with us. Sounds easy enough, right?! Noticing sights, sounds, and even smells makes us more aware of our surroundings and reminds us to experience the experience. Let's get out of our heads and notice the ways our physical body can increase happiness!  I"m a fan recommendati...

This week we're talking about embracing the empty nest. Most of the time this stage is associated with fear or sadness, but today we've got a story that will fill you with hope. Whether it's a new home, new career, new adventure or even a new pet, entering the empty nest is a time for a new set of dreams!  Links mentioned in the episode: Preston Taylor Ministries Spring Break in the Marketplace Li...

Today we're exploring the world of social media influencing. We've all bought things based on the recommendations of friends and now many of us buy things based on the recommendations of people we follow on Instagram or Facebook. We're talking with Alley Leto about how to get into this field and what goes on behind the scenes of the perfect photo!  Where to find Alley: Instagram: Life of Alley Fac...

Today we're talking about love in the middle years! From the most romantic songs and movies to fun date night ideas, we've got Valentine's Day covered. We'll also share how to identify your love language and the ways this has impacted our own marriages through the years!  Links mentioned in this episode: The Five Love Languages   Five Love Languages Quiz I'm a fan recommendations: Downy Wrinkle Re...

Today we're talking about happiness and time. Why does time seem to pass more quickly as we get older? How can we make time slow down? What are some ways we can use our time more wisely? Join us as we share our thoughts on how to make the most of time for ourselves and our families! Links in today's episode: Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin "I'm a fan" recommendations: Trader Joe's Black Bean Sou...

Today we're talking about indulgences. Whether it's a bubble bath or Godiva cheesecake, gourmet coffee, or a manicure, we all have treats that we allow ourselves, not because we deserve them, but just for pleasure! We're talking about our favorites, as well as those of our listeners. Who knows, you may even find some new ways to indulge yourself!  Links from this episode: Bonne Mamam Preserves I'm...

Today we're talking about photo organization and safe photo storage. So many of us feel overwhelmed by the number of pictures we have on different devices or the number of years we're behind on our photo books. Kate Miley is an expert in this area and she's here to share organization and storage tips, editing hacks, and ways to create beautiful photo books in less time!  Links mentioned in this ep...

Today we're joined by popular design blogger Emily A. Clark to talk about interior design, home decor, and the 2020 trends! Emily describes herself as a bargain hunter, pattern lover, and habitual rearranger. She enjoys helping her readers break down big decorating ideas so they're less intimidating and more doable. We loved the ideas Emily shared with us and we know you will too! Emily's Blog Emi...

It's time to talk about happiness and ourselves! It can be easy to think of things other people can do to make us happy, but today we're discovering ways we can make ourselves happier. Join us as we discuss the things we've tried and the things we hope will carry into the future!  Links in this episode:  Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin Ghosted by Rosie Walsh   We'd love to hear from you! Find us...

Happy New Year! Can you believe we're about to begin a whole new year and decade? Today we're talking about habits we want to start, adventures we want to go on, risks we want to take and more. Join us as we lay out our goals for 2020!  Links from this episode: The Biggest Risk is Not Taking One Our "I'm a Fan" recommendations:  Julie's game, Linkee Marie's show, The Missing We'd love to hear from...

Today we're talking about ways to practice hospitality. Many listeners host family and friends over the holiday season, so we thought this would be the perfect time to re-air our episode on hospitality. That was episode 7 for us, so it's new to many of you! We're sharing ways to make people feel welcome both in and outside our homes. Join us as we laugh at the things we do right and the things we...

Today we're going to see how we did meeting the 2019 goals we set way back in January! In episode 10, we laid out categories such as books we wanted to read, movies we wanted to see, things we wanted to experience and more. Now that 12 months have gone by, let's see how we did!  Links mentioned in this episode: Love You Hard by Abby Maslin Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make Mo...

Today we're taking a deep dive into Trader Joe's! Join us as we share lots of fun facts and fabulous products found at everyone's favorite little grocery store. You'll want to print the show notes and take a trip there after you hear this episode!  Products mentioned: Broccoli and Kale Slaw, Brie, Fig and Olive Crackers, Cheese Fondue, Gyro Meat Slices, Tandori Naan Bread, Taziki Sauce, Beef Roast...

Today we're talking about happiness and parenthood! Whether your kids are still at home or out on their own, there are always things we can do to foster happier, more loving relationships. Join us as we share the old habits we're trying to break and the new ones we hope will take their place! Links from this episode:  Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin We'd love to hear from you! Find us here: Inst...

It's that time of year when we focus on thankfulness. The month of November is full of ways we should be counting our blessings. But what do we do when we don't feel thankful? Today we're sharing times when we've struggled to be grateful. We're getting honest about things that steal our joy. We're also talking about things we can all do to move ourselves into a more grateful state of mind! Links f...

Today we're talking about mother and daughter-in-laws! What can we do to foster a loving relationship? What are some pitfalls to avoid? How can we be a help and encouragement to each other? We'll cover all this and more!  Links mentioned in this episode: Free of Me: Why Life is Better When It's Not About You Julie's Silk Pillowcases Marie's Cell Phone Wallets Dede's Hot Chocolate: 1 lb. 9.6 oz box...