In this light and cozy Thanksgiving episode of Midlife Mud, Chris and Morgan take a trip back to the analog days — when phones had cords, weekends meant Blockbuster runs, and friendships were built on mixtapes and movie nights. From handwritten notes to the evolution of group chats, they reflect on how communication, music, and entertainment have changed from the 1980s to now — and what’s stayed the same at the core of the human experience.

This isn’t a deep dive — it’s more like the marshmallows on top of your sweet potato casserole: sweet, fluffy, and worth savoring.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up in the 1980s vs. now
• The evolution of phones, mixtapes, and movie rentals
• Coming-of-age movies and cultural milestones
• The shift from anticipation to instant gratification
• Why nostalgia hits harder during the holidays

Whether you’re driving to grandma’s or recovering from too much pie, this is your permission slip to slow down and reminisce.

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In this episode of Midlife Mud, Chris and Morgan dive headfirst into the messy, meaningful world of struggle—what it looks like, why we resist it, and how it can actually be a powerful catalyst for growth.

From personal stories of addiction recovery and returning to college later in life, to parenting strategies that embrace discomfort, this conversation is a deep (but approachable) look at how life’s hardest moments can shape us—for the better.

They break down the difference between passive and active struggle, explore the role of neuroplasticity in adult learning, and discuss why a little bit of stress might actually be good for us. Whether you're navigating career pivots, parenting challenges, or just feeling stuck in the mud, this episode offers tools and perspective to help you move forward—mud and all.

🔑 In This Episode:

• The surprising value of struggle in adulthood
• Chris’s story of addiction recovery and going back to college at 25
• Why letting your kids struggle is a gift
• The brain science behind learning new things in midlife
• How to reframe challenges with the mantra “Be where your feet are”

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It’s spooky season—and we’re diving face-first into the muddiest emotion of all: fear.

In this episode, Morgan and Chris explore why we intentionally scare ourselves, from childhood Bloody Mary dares to haunted houses and horror movies. But it's not just about jump scares—turns out, fear can actually be good for us.

We talk about:

• The difference between rational vs. irrational fears
• Why some fears (like garage doors or missing emails) live rent-free in our heads
• What science says about the emotional benefits of “safe danger”
• How scary experiences build resilience, mood, and connection
• Why shared fear can actually strengthen family bonds

Whether you're a thrill-seeker or a Halloween hider, this episode is a lighthearted look at how confronting fear—on purpose—might just help us live more fully in midlife.

👻 Ready to get spooky in the best way? Press play.

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