Best Creating Midlife Calm Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 218 How "People-Pleasing" Fuels Midlife Anxiety, Stress, and Anger—And Silences What You Really Want 13:47

3d ago13:47

13:47

Do you ever wonder why you say yes when you want to say no—only to feel anxious, resentful, or even angry afterward? You’re not alone—people-pleasing is one of the most common hidden drivers of midlife anxiety and stress. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. What people-pleasing (or fawning) really is, and why it’s more than just “being nice.” 2. W…

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How to Feel Calm and Grounded This December: A Midlife Guide to Ending the Year with Presence | Create Your Midlife™ Podcast 24:10

9d ago24:10

24:10

Hosted by Dr. Oksana Skidan — Writer, Educator, and Creator of the Create Your Midlife™ Method. December can feel like a full-time job — family, work, expectations, emotions — all arriving at once. In this episode, Dr. Oksana Skidan invites midlife women to slow down and choose how they want to feel this season. She shares her personal D.E.C.E.M.B.…

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Ep 57 - A Simple Year-in-Review Ritual That Only Takes 20 Minutes 8:13

19h ago8:13

8:13

Ready for 2026 to be YOUR year? Check out my holiday discount on coaching! 🎁 If the idea of reflecting on your year or setting New Year’s resolutions feels overwhelming, or you’re not quite sure where to start, this episode offers a refreshingly simple approach. Inspired by a blog post I read by Tim Ferriss, this simple year-in-review ritual can he…

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The Art of Compliments: How Midlife Women Rebuild Confidence and Self-Trust | Create Your Midlife™ Podcast 22:38

2d ago22:38

22:38

Hosted by Dr. Oksana Skidan — Writer, Educator, and Creator of the Create Your Midlife™ Method. December is the season of gatherings — and with it, the season of compliments. But for many midlife women, hearing “you look amazing” or “you’ve done so much” can trigger discomfort instead of confidence. In this episode of the Create Your Midlife™ Podca…

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Writing Out Your Bucket List. Melessa Session 4 (Part 2) 38:09

4h ago38:09

38:09

BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, Stephanie and Melessa dive into their three-year goals, bucket-list travel dreams, and the very different ways they each experience adventure. From RV road-tripping fantasies to reflections on slow living, Melessa shares how revisiting Stephanie’s Peace Course feels easier this time around—and how she…

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The Crisis of Masculinity: Why Men Are Lost — And How to Reclaim Yourself 13:58

3h ago13:58

13:58

A clear explanation of the crisis of masculinity, why modern men feel lost, and how to reclaim strength, identity, and purpose using principles of emotional strength, male identity, and the warrior mindset. The Crisis You Can No Longer Ignore You’ve felt it, even if you haven’t said it out loud. Something in today’s world has men drifting—uncertain…

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260 | Seaside, Stuffing, and Soothing Your Stress: Calming Cortisol in a Crazy Holiday Season 20:32

6d ago20:32

20:32

In this episode of the Life Coach BFF Show, Heather Pettey shares her joyful Thanksgiving experience in Seaside, Florida, and reflects on her favorite holiday moments. She discusses the ongoing debate of stuffing vs. dressing and shares a family tradition of making Turkey nuggets. Heather also talks about the SEC football drama, her reevaluation of…

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E132: Choose Curiosity Over Judgment to Transform How You Lead and Relate 14:59

24h ago14:59

14:59

So often in our daily interactions—at work, at home, and even with strangers—we slip into automatic judgment without even noticing it. In this episode of The Inner Edge, Janet invites you to pause before reacting and explore one of the most quietly transformative leadership practices available to all of us: choosing curiosity instead of judgment. D…

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Ep. 217 3 Midlife Coping Skills to Instantly Calm Anxiety, Ease Stress, and Find Balance Fast This Holiday Season 10:34

7d ago10:34

10:34

Do you ever feel like you’re either doing everything—or nothing at all—because stress and anxiety keep hijacking your balance? Midlife often pulls you between over-functioning and under-functioning, but your nervous system holds the key to calm. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How to engage your vagus nerve—your body’s built-in calm system—to …

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Ep 56 - Simple, Calm, and Healthy: A Stress-Free Approach to the Holidays 18:17

8d ago18:17

18:17

Ready for 2026 to be YOUR year? Check out my holiday discount on coaching! 🎁 If you’re craving a simple, calm, and healthy holiday season this year, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. December can easily turn into a whirlwind of shopping, decorating, scheduling, cooking, budgeting, and carrying the mental load for everyone. But a si…

1
Being Truly You. There is Nothing Wrong. Melessa Session 4 (Part 1) 35:06

4d ago35:06

35:06

BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! Stephanie and Melessa are now two-thirds of the way through their sessions, and this conversation dives deep into rewriting old beliefs. Melessa opens up about her tendency to overcomplicate things—how her mind feels something must be “hard” to be worthwhile—and how she’s learning to embrace ease and flow instead. Tog…

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Ep. 216 Why Midlife Stress and Anxiety Push You to Over-Function or Shut Down 8:45

10d ago8:45

8:45

Are you constantly doing too much—or pulling back because you feel too drained to care? These midlife stress patterns are your body’s natural way of managing anxiety, not personal flaws. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. What it truly means to over-function or under-function when anxiety and stress take over. 2. Why these patterns are nervous-sy…

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E131: Leadership Lessons from the Special Somebodies We’ve Lost 18:45

8d ago18:45

18:45

What can the people we’ve lost teach us about who we become? And how do their everyday choices—often unnoticed in the moment—shape our leadership, our values, and the way we show up in the world? In this heartfelt conversation, Ian Ziskin returns to The Inner Edge to share the deeply personal journey that inspired his new collaborative book, Lives …

1
Ep. 215 How to Disappointment-Proof Your Holiday in 6 Minutes Using This Unexpected Midlife Coping Skill for Stress and Anxiety 6:42

14d ago6:42

6:42

What if the secret to a peaceful Thanksgiving isn’t in what you plan—but in what you accept? You’re not alone if the holidays bring a mix of love, pressure, and unrealistic expectations. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why disappointment hits harder in midlife—and how to soften it with self-awareness. 2. The one ingredient that transforms stre…

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BONUS Episode Thanksgiving Week 12:58

15d ago12:58

12:58

In this episode, the Heather Pettey expresses gratitude for the listeners and reflects on the blessings the show has brought into her life. She addresses Cheryl from Lexington's concern about blending families for the first time during Thanksgiving, providing practical, empathetic advice on creating a harmonious holiday environment. The episode als…

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Ep 55 - Think You Need More Motivation? What Really Creates Momentum When You’re Stuck 12:30

16d ago12:30

12:30

Check out my Black Friday Special! 🎁 If you’ve ever wanted to change something in your life but you just can’t seem to follow through, this episode is going to connect a few important dots. Most people know exactly what to do when it comes to eating healthier, moving consistently, and taking better care of themselves. The real struggle is staying c…

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The Quiet Breakup: Why Women Are Seeking Deeper Meaning in Their Work 9:12

10d ago9:12

9:12

When we talk about career success, we often think of climbing the ladder, collecting accolades, and thriving at the highest levels. But what happens when those very benchmarks of achievement no longer serve us, when accomplishment leads not to fulfillment, but to exhaustion? This week on The Change Effect, I’m diving into the concept of “The Quiet …

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Thanksgiving and Midlife Women: Redefining Holiday Traditions, Gratitude & Presence 20:12

15d ago20:12

20:12

What if Thanksgiving wasn’t just about the table — but about returning to yourself? In this heartwarming Thanksgiving episode, Dr. Oksana Skidan — writer, educator, and creator of the Create Your Midlife™ Method — shares a soulful reflection on belonging, gratitude, and redefining holiday traditions as a midlife woman. From her Ukrainian-American p…

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258 | Holiday Prep, Self-Care, & Christmas Cards 20:06

16d ago20:06

20:06

In this episode of the Life Coach BFF Show, hosted by Heather Petty, joined by Dr. Carol Lynn, the conversation centers around preparations for the holidays, with humorous and practical advice on how to manage self-care amidst the festive rush. Topics covered include the importance of scheduling beauty appointments early, avoiding major changes lik…

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Stop Asking for Permission. Melessa Session 3 (Part 2) 42:31

16d ago42:31

42:31

BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, Stephanie and Melessa dive into the power of routine—especially how simple habits like a nightly wind-down and consistent sleep with her CPAP have transformed Melessa’s energy and focus. She shares how she’s built a sustainable writing rhythm, dedicating a few hours several days a week to finish her b…

1
Ep. 214 Forget Gratitude Lists - This 1 Midlife Coping Skill Will Instantly Add Connection & Zap Holiday Stress and Anxiety 4:41

18d ago4:41

4:41

What if the secret to a calmer, happier holiday isn't what you add—but what you leave out? You’re not alone if holiday gatherings bring stress, distraction, and midlife anxiety instead of the peace you crave. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. The one “ingredient” that quietly steals connection at the holiday table 2. Why small boundaries create …

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Resilient Leadership: Why Pressure Creates Unbreakable Leaders 16:36

18d ago16:36

16:36

Discover how resilient leadership is forged through pressure, capacity, and the barbell mindset—and learn how to build unshakeable strength under stress. Table of Contents Toggle Introduction Understanding Resilient Leadership Why Resilient Leadership Matters Common Challenges and Limiting Beliefs Step-by-Step Implementation Guide Real-Life Success…

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E130: Seeing Beyond Difference and Leading with Humanity 11:39

19d ago11:39

11:39

When was the last time you truly saw someone, not for what made them different, but for the human being underneath? In this deeply personal solo episode, Janet shares a childhood story that shaped her lifelong perspective on inclusion, empathy, and what it really means to lead with humanity. Janet explores how neuroscience forms the lens through wh…

1
Ep. 213 — When Midlife Disappointment Turns to Anger or Self-Pity: Coping Skills for Stress and Anxiety 10:19

21d ago10:19

10:19

Have you ever felt that mix of anger and self-pity when life—or family—doesn’t go the way you hoped? You’re not alone. Those emotions you try to hide aren’t weakness—they’re signals that something inside you needs care. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why anger and self-pity are your nervous system’s natural way of asking for protection and ca…

1
Carly Catherine: Exploring EFT Tapping for Stress, Burnout, and Inner Peace 33:11

23d ago33:11

33:11

When life feels like an endless list of demands, how do you find peace and safety in your own body? This week on The Change Effect, we're joined by Carly Catherine, Certified Teacher, Emotional Success Coach, and founder of The Healing Hive. In this episode, she shares how nervous system regulation and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) tapping hel…

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The Art of Continuing: How to Keep Your Routines During the Holiday Season 26:35

23d ago26:35

26:35

The holidays are beautiful — and they’re overwhelming. For most midlife women, this season is when routines fall apart, self-care disappears, and all the progress you’ve built quietly slips into the background. In this episode, Dr. Oksana Skidan takes you inside The Art of Continuing™ — a grounded, elegant, real-life approach to keeping your routin…

1
257 | Trends, Forced Smiles, and Vaccinations 27:41

18d ago27:41

27:41

In this episode of Life Coach BFF Show, hosts Heather Pettey and Dr. Carol Lynn welcome women in midlife to join their uplifting discussions about thriving during this life stage. They cover a range of topics from simple life systems, midlife health, wellness, and menopause, to fun aspects like travel, fashion, and cooking. They dive into an engagi…

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There is Nothing Wrong With You - Melessa Session 3 (Part 1) 32:22

24d ago32:22

32:22

BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this heartfelt episode, Melessa settles into her new home and begins mapping out her upcoming book. With Stephanie’s guidance, she revisits her goals and creates a fresh three-year plan that reflects who she is today. Together, they explore how to balance ambition, creativity, and self-compassion while embracing ch…

1
Ep. 212 — How to Cope with the Midlife Holiday Ache of Missing Loved Ones: Simple Coping Skills for Stress, Anxiety, and Longing 9:33

24d ago9:33

9:33

Have you ever looked at the holiday table and felt the quiet ache of someone missing? You’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your love is remembering. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. The science of why your brain links memory, belonging, and emotion so powerfully this time of year. 2. Why noticing your “missing” is the …

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Male Archetypes: The Hidden Blueprint of Strength and Balance 21:49

27d ago21:49

21:49

Discover how the four male archetypes—Warrior, King, Magician, and Lover—hold the key to strength, balance, and purpose in every man’s journey. Introduction You feel it—that internal pull between power and peace, drive and stillness, focus and connection. Most men do. It’s the tension between the parts of yourself that fight for control and the par…

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Learning from the Past Holidays — How to Create the Season Your Way 17:23

27d ago17:23

17:23

Are you tired of holidays that drain you more than they delight you? The pressure, the planning, the overdoing, the performing — and somehow still feeling like it wasn’t enough? Then this episode is your reset. Because the truth is simple: You don’t need a perfect plan to create a meaningful holiday season — you need a clear one. And there’s one fo…

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E129: Be the Beacon: Leading Through Change and Uncertainty 15:53

26d ago15:53

15:53

In this solo episode, Janet Ioli explores what it really means to lead when everything around you feels like it’s shifting and uncertain. Instead of trying to eliminate the storm, she invites you to learn how to become the beacon—steady, grounded, and intentional—so others can orient themselves by your light. Drawing from real coaching conversation…

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Ep 54 - How Many Calories Should I Eat? Make Sure You Know This One Number 9:08

28d ago9:08

9:08

Calories often get a bad rap, but they’re not the enemy. In fact, understanding them is key to feeling your best and reaching your health goals. In this episode, I explain how to find your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure). This number determines how many calories your body burns in a day, and why it’s so important for sustainable fat loss, mus…

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Ep. 211 Triggered? The 1 Powerful Coping Skill That Can Calm Midlife Stress and Anxiety Before It Takes Over 10:44

28d ago10:44

10:44

What if your biggest triggers are actually your best teachers? You’re not broken—you’re human, and your nervous system is simply trying to protect you. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How to use a simple coping skill to move through triggers in real time 2. Why tending to your inner world (not controlling the outer one) is the real path to cal…

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Finding Your Voice: How Speaking Your Truth Changes Everything 6:07

29d ago6:07

6:07

This week on The Change Effect, I talk about how speaking your truth can change well, frankly - everything! In this short but mighty episode, I address something that's at the core of every personal transformation – finding your voice and learning to trust it. If we can’t find our voice, we can’t find our truth and at the end of the day, isn't the …

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256 | The Flat Stomach Myth: Strong, Confident, and Energized in Midlife with Heike Yates 32:36

1M ago32:36

32:36

In this episode of the Life Coach BFF Show, host Heather Pettey introduces Heike Yates, a midlife fitness expert with over 35 years of experience, an Iron Man triathlete, ultra marathon runner, author, and podcast host. Heike shares her journey from Germany to the United States, her love for travel, and how she evolved her fitness career to focus o…

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Your Life Story. Melessa Session 2 (Part 2) 37:09

1M ago37:09

37:09

BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this heartfelt conversation, Melessa opens up about the creative and emotional journey of writing her first book—a story shaped by resilience, self-discovery, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. As she works to narrow down her book’s focus, Melessa reflects on the pressure of putting her life on paper, fro…

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Ep. 210 This Is What Science Says Really Happens To Your Brain When You're Triggered By Stress & Anxiety In Midlife 11:29

1M ago11:29

11:29

Have you ever wondered why you suddenly feel triggered by something small? You’re not broken—your brain is simply reacting faster than your awareness can catch up. In this episode, you’ll discover: What’s really happening in your brain and body when you’re triggered. The science behind why a small moment in the present can activate big feelings fro…

1
How to End the Year on Your Own Terms - Reflection, Power, and Presence in Midlife 26:13

1M ago26:13

26:13

What if finishing the year strong had nothing to do with doing more — and everything to do with how you feel while doing it? In this reflective episode, Dr. Oksana Skidan — writer, educator, and creator of the Create Your Midlife™ Method — invites you to slow down and rediscover the power of the pause. Through her signature blend of story and strat…

1
Authentic Self: The Warrior’s Path to Inner Alignment 17:24

1M ago17:24

17:24

Discover how to forge your authentic self through the Warrior Mind framework—a tactical process for men ready to replace false identities with inner strength and integrity. Introduction Most men are living behind masks—the high-performer mask, the provider mask, the “I’ve got it all together” mask. Yet beneath these identities lies exhaustion and d…

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Ep 53 - Shorter Days Got You Down? Cozy Up with These Healthy Hygge Habits 19:22

1M ago19:22

19:22

Colder days and darker evenings used to leave me feeling drained, discouraged, and desperate for spring. But not anymore! And in this episode, I’m sharing exactly what changed. When I discovered the concept of hygge (pronounced HOO-gah), it helped me to reframe winter completely. Instead of just pushing through the season, I learned how to create a…

1
E128: How to Lead with Calm and Presence in a Chaotic World 10:57

1M ago10:57

10:57

When everything around us feels uncertain, divided, and loud, true leadership doesn’t come from reacting; it comes from grounding. In this solo episode, Janet explores what it really means to cultivate presence and self-mastery when the world feels incomprehensible and brittle. She shares how our human wiring pulls us toward defensiveness and chaos…

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Ep. 209 — The Science of Small Shifts: Easy Midlife Coping Skills That Take No Time But Calm Stress and Anxiety Before The Holidays 10:24

1M ago10:24

10:24

Are you taking care of everyone else and forgetting yourself? You’re not alone — midlife often turns self-care into an afterthought, In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why micro self-care shifts work better than big resolutions for midlife stress and anxiety. 2. Four simple, science-backed coping skills that take no extra time and cost nothing. 3…

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Lori Massicot: Choosing Yourself in Midlife: Sobriety, Confidence and Second Chances 39:19

1M ago39:19

39:19

What does it mean to truly say “enough” and rewrite your own story in the middle of life’s chaos? This week on The Change Effect, I welcome back midlife sobriety coach Lori Massicot, founder of Team Alcohol Free, for a candid and empowering conversation about embracing change, breaking free from alcohol, and finding deeper peace and purpose in midl…

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255 | Countdown to Christmas: Anxiety-Free Holiday Planning and KK Did It Again! 12:56

1M ago12:56

12:56

In this episode of the Life Coach BFF Show, Heather Pettey provides valuable tips on how to manage holiday stress and anxiety, focusing on planning ahead with calendars and mind dumps. She encourages blocking out important events and family traditions to ensure nothing interferes with cherished moments. Heather also shares a personal tradition of e…

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New Beginnings Melessa Session 2 (Part 1) 33:01

1M ago33:01

33:01

BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, Melessa and Stephanie catch up on her big move into a new home and the lessons that come with fresh beginnings. As she and her husband sort through what to keep and what to let go, Melessa reflects on how far they’ve come as a couple—learning to communicate better, compromise, and create a space that …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Creating Midlife Calm Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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