The Mindful Midlife Crisis Podcast

The Mindful Midlife Crisis Podcast A podcast for people navigating the complexities and possibilities of life's second half...

Tonight's guided practice is called Awareness, Focus, and Expansion. This meditation has 2 main benefits.First, it helps...
01/08/2024

Tonight's guided practice is called Awareness, Focus, and Expansion.

This meditation has 2 main benefits.

First, it helps to defuse negative states of mind before they can gather unstoppable momentum. (If left to themselves, these may spiral out of control and enhance your suffering.)

Second, it’s an emergency meditation that you can carry out in times of acute crisis or pain to soothe your suffering. The meditation is composed of three stages of roughly one minute each.

It condenses the main elements of the whole mindfulness program into three minutes. A good way of viewing it is to imagine your awareness moving through an hourglass shape as the meditation progresses.

At first, I'll ask you to become fully aware of the thoughts flowing through your mind and the sensations in your body in a broad sense. I'll then ask you to gather up and focus your awareness on the sensations of the breath as it flows into and out of your body.

Finally, I'll ask you to expand your attention outward again, to encompass your whole body and to imbue what you find with warmth and compassion.

You then expand your awareness even further to reengage with the world.
The beauty of the Breathing Space meditation is that it can be performed virtually anywhere. It works equally well at work, at home, in lines, or on trains, the subway, or buses. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, the Breathing Space is waiting.

During this practice, I will guide you through other practical mindfulness techniques, share personal insights, and create a space for meaningful discussions.

Let’s take intentional action to live a more mindful life!

Interested in practicing mindfulness with us?
Click the link in the bio!

Ready to make 2024 a more mindful year?Then all you gotta do is this: 1.  Visit The Mindful Midlife Crisis website (link...
01/06/2024

Ready to make 2024 a more mindful year?

Then all you gotta do is this:
1. Visit The Mindful Midlife Crisis website (link in bio)
2. Click on "Introduction to Mindfulness" under the Courses tab
3. Use promo code "MINDFULESSENTIALS 18" at checkout.
4. Follow through with the daily lessons for the next two weeks and make mindful and intentional living a priority!

May you feel happy, healthy, and loved.
Take care, friends!

Happy New Year!  What better way to start off 2024 than by envisioning your future potential!  Join us tonight from 8:00...
01/01/2024

Happy New Year! What better way to start off 2024 than by envisioning your future potential!

Join us tonight from 8:00 - 9:00 PM CT and I’ll share how mindfulness can help you become however you WANT to be, rather than simply reacting to the stressors of work, news and responsibilities.

The more comfortable you become practicing mindfulness, the more likely you'll feel the potential of what mindfulness can do for you.

What would it be like if you weren’t worried about work or your mortgage?
Or feeling overwhelmed all the time?
Or feeling tired from all of your chores?

What if, instead of feeling overwhelmed, bored or stressed, you were able to step back and say, "Oh, okay. That’s overwhelm. Okay, that’s worry. Okay, that’s just stress.

I got this."

That's what this evening's session will guide you towards! Part mindfulness practice, part motivational speech, this session will help you jump start your 2024 with the right mindset for more happiness, health, and love.

During this practice, I will guide you through other practical mindfulness techniques, share personal insights, and create a space for meaningful discussions.

Let’s take intentional action to live a more mindful life!

Interested in practicing mindfulness with us?
Click the link in the bio!

Happy 2024!  As the holiday season wraps up, the lingering effects can bring unexpected mental health challenges. The di...
01/01/2024

Happy 2024!

As the holiday season wraps up, the lingering effects can bring unexpected mental health challenges. The disparity between expectations and reality, reflections on the year, social pressures, and potential isolation can contribute to stress and sadness.

Mindfulness can be a powerful ally during this time of year, and what better way to start the new year off on the right foot than by cultivating your own mindfulness practice with my Mindfulness Essentials course!

This course (formerly called Introduction to Mindfulness) will help you:

*Focus on the Present Moment: Mindfulness anchors attention in the present, alleviating stress tied to reflections on the past and uncertainties about the future.

*Cultivate Self-Compassion: Mindfulness nurtures self-compassion, fostering the acknowledgment and acceptance of emotions without judgment as we navigate the complexities of year-end reflections.

*Manage Expectations: Staying present enables detachment from unrealistic New Year's expectations, fostering contentment and reducing stress.

*Foster Social Connections: Mindfulness in social interactions fosters meaningful connections, countering feelings of isolation during this reflective time.

For more details, visit The Mindful Midlife Crisis website and use promo code "MINDFULESSENTIALS18" to knock of the zero from the price tag! That means each lesson costs you a just over a dollar per day!

Take the time to invest in yourself!

May you feel happy, healthy, and loved in 2024!
Take care, friends!

Jump Start 2024!What are your goals for the new year?
01/01/2024

Jump Start 2024!
What are your goals for the new year?

Self-Explanatory
12/31/2023

Self-Explanatory

12/31/2023

Looking for more free resources to help you reflect, learn, and grow (with a side of wit and humor)?

Then join my Mindful Midlife Community Newsletter!

I use this newsletter to share more of the stuff you see here, dish out some goodies like my No BS GPS Guide to Purpose and Passion, and stay connected to my crew (that’s you!).

You’ll also get access to my weekly Meditate & Mingle sessions as well as my carefully-crafted travel tips and hacks for those of you looking to explore the world!

Signing up is a breeze:
👉 Click the link in my bio to access the newsletter sign-up form.
👉 Enter your email address.
👉 Hit that subscribe button

And that's it! No spam, and you can unsubscribe at any time if you don’t find the material useful (but trust me…you will!)

Your support means the world to me, and I'm looking forward to helping you navigate the complexities and possibilities of life's second half!

Thank you for being a part of the Mindful Midlife Community!
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved.
Take care, friends!

As an Intentional Living and Mindfulness Coach, my purpose is to help you navigate the complexities and possibilities of...
12/30/2023

As an Intentional Living and Mindfulness Coach, my purpose is to help you navigate the complexities and possibilities of life’s second half using my No BS GPS Guide to Purpose and Passion.

I am sick and tired of people telling you to “follow your passions” because that is complete and utter bu****it.

As your coach, we’ll take the time necessary to identify your strengths, explore your curiosities, find and synergize with your crew, and cultivate consistency, discipline, patience, and self-compassion.

Purpose and passion are destinations, not starting points. If you’re ready to embark on this journey together, click on the to get access to:

Meditate & Mingle–weekly group call designed to demystify mindfulness by providing practical strategies you can use despite your busy and hectic schedule
Introduction to Mindfulness–a two-week course that will help you cultivate more balance and emotional attunement
Mindfulness for Anxiety–a two-day course for those of you struggling with anxious thoughts and overthinking
My No BS GPS Guide to Purpose and Passion (including self-assessments that can provide you with more awareness to your strengths and areas for growth)

I’m looking forward to helping you reflect, learn, and grow!

As always, may you feel happy, healthy, and loved.
Take care, friends!

12/29/2023

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

I've thought about ways to answer this without sounding too pretentious or conversely too simplistic.

When it comes down to it, I want my legacy in life to be this:
I want to make people feel included, valued, heard, and inspired.
And I feel like The Mindful Midlife Crisis did a good job of doing that.

I am proud of what this podcast has accomplished. As a straight, white, American male, I knew it was important to get a cross-section of viewpoints so that I could provide a platform for people to share their experiences and expertise because diversity of thought not only prevents us from living in an echo chamber but it also nurtures empathy and compassion for others.

In the first 100 episodes, we interviewed 81 guests.

45 are women.
23 are people of color.
5 identify as LGBTQ.

I started with my own internal network, but as I looked at that community, I realized it lacked certain voices, experiences, and perspectives, so I did my best to be intentional around making sure I was having conversations with people who were not just doing great things but who also had unique experiences to mine who could provide new insights, reframe my biases, and make me more aware of my blind spots.

I owe so much to my guests for the wisdom they shared not just with my listeners but also with me. I am a better person for sitting down with each of them, and I look forward to using the knowledge they have imparted (and continue to impart) to help me better navigate the complexities and possibilities of life's second half.

I hope you take the time to listen to their words as well.
I hope you take the time to listen to the experiences of others around you.
I hope you take the time to become aware of whose voice is missing from the table.
I hope you take the time to invite them to sit with you.
I hope you take the time to reflect, learn, and grow.

Thank you for listening to The Mindful Midlife Crisis.
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved.
Take care, friends!

12/28/2023

I was having a hard time putting my feelings about leaving The Mindful Midlife Crisis into words, but I recently saw a post from renowned strength coach where he talked about the importance of "Care Units" as a coach, and it put things into perspective as to why I feel the time is right to leave the podcast behind.

It reminded me of my time as a teacher and how much I was connecting my feelings of success and failure to other people's "success" in my class. I think that's a common feeling for teachers, but it's hard for people in professions like education and medicine to "care less."

But I'm feeling that same desperation and frustration I felt back when I was a teacher and a dean, and the more I press, the further I'm driving people away. One of the most important life lessons I've learned during this 2.5 year odyssey is to stop investing time and energy into people and things that are not reciprocating that same time and energy.

This podcast has been an amazing experience for me, and I sincerely hope you've found it to be both entertaining and enlightening. But I'm starting to associate my worth with its performance, and the amount of time, energy, and money I'm pouring into it isn't showing me the returns I was hoping to see, so it's time to let it go.

As the song goes...
"You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run."

New doors of opportunity are opening for me, and it's time to walk through them and close the door to the podcast studio. But I've left behind a catalogue of helpful conversations that we can all return to anytime we need help navigating the complexities and possibilities of life's second half.

Thank you all for you support.
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved.
Take care, friends!

THE LAST EVER NEW EPISODE WEDNESDAY!!!Journey's end and new beginnings intertwine in this heartfelt farewell to The Mind...
12/27/2023

THE LAST EVER NEW EPISODE WEDNESDAY!!!

Journey's end and new beginnings intertwine in this heartfelt farewell to The Mindful Midlife Crisis podcast as Billy and Matt toast to three transformative years. With nostalgia as their companion, Billy strolls down memory lane, reflecting on the peaks and valleys traversed in pursuing purpose and passion. Transitioning from a microphone to a classroom, Billy unveils the joys of his upcoming adventure—empowering adults in Seoul with the art of business English. Infused with the insights of his mindfulness meditation teacher certification, Billy explores the philosophies that now steer his new path. As the guys bid adieu to this podcast, they thank YOU, the listeners, for embarking on this journey with them, reminding you to continue cherishing personal growth and life's ever-evolving beauty.

Thank you for your support over the past three years!
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved!
Take care, friends!

FAN FAVE ALERT!  Check out this week's Episode from the Vault!Episode 76: How to Beautifully Co-Parent with Your Ex with...
12/26/2023

FAN FAVE ALERT!
Check out this week's Episode from the Vault!
Episode 76: How to Beautifully Co-Parent with Your Ex with Anna Skender

Billy talks with Anna Skender. Anna is the Vice President of Talent Acquisition at a market-leading digital business based in Raleigh, NC. Anna has lived all over the U.S., including Nashville, NYC, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, but she now primarily resides in Raleigh, NC, with her two beautiful children, spending 1-2 weeks a month in Orange County, CA, with her partner. She is here today to talk about how an alpha woman like herself maintains a respectable co-parenting arrangement with her ex-husband, allowing them to operate as a loving, caring family.

Click the for more episodes!

Not sure where to start?
Click on “Fan Faves” under the Podcast tab to see our top-rated episodes!

Thank you for listening!
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved!
Take care, friends!

Loving-kindness meditation, often referred to as "metta" meditation, is a beautiful and powerful practice that complemen...
12/26/2023

Loving-kindness meditation, often referred to as "metta" meditation, is a beautiful and powerful practice that complements mindfulness meditation. It focuses on cultivating feelings of love, compassion, and well-wishes for oneself and others. Here's a breakdown of the loving-kindness meditation practice you've described:

Choosing Beneficiaries: Begin by selecting someone for whom you wish to send well-wishes. Traditionally, you start with yourself and then gradually expand to include loved ones, acquaintances, neutral individuals, and even people you may have conflicts with. You can tailor the practice to suit your needs.

Setting Intentions: As you visualize the chosen person in your mind, repeat specific phrases or well-wishes silently. These phrases are designed to express goodwill and positive intentions. The common phrases you've mentioned are:

"May you be safe and free from harm."
"May you feel happy."
"May you feel healthy."
"May you feel loved."

Repeating Phrases: While focusing on the chosen individual, repeat the well-wishes several times in your mind. Allow each phrase to resonate with genuine care and warmth. Let go of any resistance or judgments that may arise.

Expanding Circles of Well-Wishing: After practicing loving-kindness for yourself or the initial person, gradually expand your well-wishes to include other individuals in your life. Move from loved ones to acquaintances, to those with whom you have conflicts, and eventually to all living beings.

Feeling the Effects: As you engage in this practice regularly, you may notice shifts in your emotional state. It can increase feelings of compassion, empathy, and connectedness. It can also reduce negative emotions, like anger and resentment.

Intent Over Outcome: The goal of loving-kindness meditation is not to change the external world or make specific things happen for others. Instead, it's about the intention to send love and well-wishes, which can have profound effects on your own mental and emotional well-being.

Self-Care and Altruism: Engaging in loving-kindness meditation is an act of both self-care and altruism. It's an opportunity to foster a kinder and more compassionate mindset within yourself while simultaneously extending good intentions to others.

Remember that this practice is about nurturing kindness, compassion, and empathy within yourself. It's not about the outcome or whether the well-wishes come true for others. By cultivating these positive qualities, you can create a more loving and compassionate inner environment and, in turn, contribute positively to your relationships with others and the world around you.

Jump Start Monday!  What are your goals for this week?  Comment below!                                                  ...
12/25/2023

Jump Start Monday!
What are your goals for this week? Comment below!

Merry Christmas! With the holiday season in full swing, many of us look forward to festive celebrations, quality time wi...
12/25/2023

Merry Christmas!

With the holiday season in full swing, many of us look forward to festive celebrations, quality time with loved ones, and a well-deserved break. However, for some, the week between Christmas and New Year's can bring about unexpected mental health challenges. The juxtaposition of heightened expectations, social pressures, and reflections on the past year can contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, and even sadness.

Mindfulness, the practice of being present in the moment without judgment, can be a powerful tool to navigate the emotional landscape of the holiday season. Here's why:

1. Grounding in the Present: Mindfulness encourages us to focus on the present moment, diverting our attention from worries about the past or future. This can help alleviate the stress associated with reflections on the year gone by.

2. Cultivating Self-Compassion: Mindfulness promotes self-compassion, allowing individuals to acknowledge and accept their feelings without judgment. This is crucial during a time when self-reflection may bring up a mix of emotions.

3. Managing Expectations: By staying present, mindfulness helps individuals detach from unrealistic expectations and accept the holiday season as it unfolds. This can foster a sense of contentment and reduce stress.

4. Connecting with Others: Mindfulness also involves cultivating awareness of our interactions with others. Being present and fully engaged in social interactions can help build meaningful connections and alleviate feelings of isolation.

Embracing mindfulness can provide a valuable anchor, offering a pathway to serenity, self-compassion, and a more fulfilling holiday experience.

That's why I'm giving the gift of mindfulness this holiday season! Throughout the 12 Days of Christmas, I'm knocking a zero off of my Mindfulness Essentials course (formerly Introduction to Mindfulness) so you can navigate 2024 with more awareness of your experiences.

Click through the slides and click on the "Mindfulness Essentials" link in the bio for more details!

May you feel happy, healthy, and loved this holiday season and moving into 2024!
Take care, friends!

12/23/2023

Check out this week's Episode from the Vault!
Episode 74--Too Foreign for Here, Too Foreign for Home: A Korean Adoptee Meets Her Birth Family with Brook Mallak ()

Billy and Brook discuss:
–How the two of them randomly met at a restaurant in Seoul
–What a reunification program looks like and how it happened for her
–Getting ahold of her family in Korea
–How the pandemic stretched out their reunion
–The idea of being too foreign for here, too foreign for home

Click the for more episodes!

Not sure where to start?
Click on “Fan Faves” under the Podcast tab to see our top-rated episodes!

Thank you for listening!
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved!
Take care, friends!

NEW EPISODE WEDNESDAY! In this week’s episode, Billy and Matt talk about how their journeys toward passion and purpose w...
12/21/2023

NEW EPISODE WEDNESDAY!

In this week’s episode, Billy and Matt talk about how their journeys toward passion and purpose were better traveled with companions. They unravel the tapestry of community and its undeniable role in carving out a fulfilling second act in life. In this no-filters conversation, they share insights and stories about the power of connection and how engaging with others—like Matt does through his performance art and being “the host with the most”—can bring us closer to a life brimming with joy and purpose. They also share practical tips for building and maintaining authentic relationships, so you'll feel empowered to stretch the pizza dough of your comfort zone and enrich your life with the kind of connections that matter. It's never too late to find your crew and truly live life with intention.

Don’t forget! New episodes of The Mindful Midlife Crisis come out every Wednesday! Click on our link to listen to past episodes on topics such as social/emotional learning, clear and compassionate communication, navigating the uncertainty and gray areas in our lives, relationships and dating, and understanding the importance of inclusion/diversity/equity.

Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for your support!
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved!
Take care, friends!

Check out this week's Episode from the Vault!Episode 74--Too Foreign for Here, Too Foreign for Home: A Korean Adoptee Me...
12/19/2023

Check out this week's Episode from the Vault!
Episode 74--Too Foreign for Here, Too Foreign for Home: A Korean Adoptee Meets Here Birth Family with Brook Mallak

Billy talks to Brook Mallak. Brook is a Korean adoptee who recently reunited with her birth mother and sisters for the first time. Brook is here today to talk about that reunification experience and how her time in Korea has her feeling too foreign for here, yet too foreign for home.

Click the for more episodes!

Not sure where to start?
Click on “Fan Faves” under the Podcast tab to see our top-rated episodes!

Thank you for listening!
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved!
Take care, friends!

12/19/2023

Anxiety is something many of us face, so let's talk about its sources and how to manage it.
Anxiety triggers can vary from person to person, but there are some common factors that tend to affect many individuals. Understanding these triggers can help us better cope with and manage anxiety. Here are some widespread anxiety triggers:

Stressful Life Events: Major life changes such as job loss, divorce, moving, or the death of a loved one can trigger anxiety. These events disrupt our routines and create uncertainty, leading to heightened stress levels.

Work Pressure: Job-related stress, tight deadlines, a heavy workload, or a toxic work environment can contribute to anxiety. The pressure to perform well can be overwhelming for many people.

Financial Concerns: Money worries, such as debt, financial instability, or the fear of not being able to make ends meet, can lead to significant anxiety.
Health Issues: Both personal health problems and concerns about the health of loved ones can be anxiety triggers. Health-related anxiety can be particularly distressing.

Relationship Problems: Conflicts within personal relationships, including romantic relationships, friendships, or family dynamics, can lead to anxiety. Feeling misunderstood, neglected, or in conflict with those close to you can be emotionally taxing.

Uncertainty and Change: Humans often crave stability and predictability. When faced with uncertain situations or major life changes, like moving to a new city or starting a new phase in life, anxiety can arise.

Social Situations: Social anxiety is a specific type of anxiety triggered by social interactions. It can involve fear of judgment, embarrassment, or feeling uncomfortable in social gatherings.

Trauma and PTSD: Past traumatic experiences, including physical or emotional abuse, accidents, or witnessing traumatic events, can lead to anxiety disorders, especially if they remain unprocessed.

Perfectionism: Setting unrealistically high standards for oneself and fearing failure can create chronic anxiety. The constant need to be perfect can be emotionally draining.

News and Media Overload: Constant exposure to negative news, social media, or the 24/7 news cycle can lead to heightened anxiety, as it can create a sense of hopelessness or a feeling of being overwhelmed by the world's problems.

It's important to remember that anxiety is a natural response to stress, and what triggers anxiety can vary greatly from person to person. Additionally, individuals may have multiple triggers that contribute to their anxiety. Seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can be beneficial in managing anxiety and developing coping strategies tailored to one's specific triggers.

If you need some help navigating those feelings of anxiety, join our Meditate & Mingle sessions every Monday evening at 8:00 PM CT! Click the for more information!

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