This episode of The Midlife Mud is all about resentment—that sneaky, simmering emotion that drains your energy, messes with your relationships, and makes you feel like the world owes you something.

Morgan and Chris break down where resentment comes from (think: unmet expectations, shaky boundaries, and self-abandonment), how to spot it, and how to start letting it go. With real-life stories, some uncomfortable truths, and a few laughs, they're figuring out how to stop dragging that emotional deadweight through midlife.

Because holding onto resentment doesn’t make you strong—it just makes you tired.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

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This week on The Midlife Mud, we’re talking about the five love languages—words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, gifts, and physical touch—and how they might feel different as we move through midlife. Because let’s be honest: what used to feel like love might now just feel like another thing to manage.

We explore:

• What love languages actually mean (and why they still matter)
• How most people have 1–2 dominant ones
• How midlife may or may not shift the way you give and receive love
• Why understanding your love language—and someone else’s—can lead to fewer WTF moments in relationships
• And why your relationship with yourself is just as important

We also get into how our own love languages have evolved over time, especially when it comes to quality time and solo moments of self-connection—and why that awareness can bring more clarity, grace, and connection.

🎯 Take the official Love Languages quiz
📚 Check out The 5 Love Languages book by Gary Chapman

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Why is making (and keeping) friends as an adult so hard?

In this episode of The Midlife Mud, Morgan and Chris get into the complicated world of adult friendships. From the seasonal besties to the awkward art of making new friends in your 40s, they're unpacking why friendship feels different now—and what to do about it.

They talk about the time crunch of adult life, the courage it takes to be the first to reach out, and why the best friendships often survive long silences. If you’ve ever felt lonely in a room full of people or wondered how to build real connection again, this one’s for you.

Key themes:

• Why adult friendships are harder (and not just for you)
• How to build new connections when you feel like the new kid at school
• What makes a friendship truly deep—and how to keep it that way

Whether you're craving a better connection or trying to revive an old one, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone in the mud.

Referenced in this episode:

• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 📚
• Platonic by Dr. Marisa G. Franco, PhD 📚
• Emily Vondy on Instagram

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4o

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In this episode, Morgan and Chris dive into the messy reality of time management in midlife — where the days fly by, the to-do list never ends, and energy is the real currency. They talk about procrastination, energy drains vs. energy boosts, and why routines help (but flexibility saves us). As kids get older and the "empty nest" looms, time feels even trickier — and loaded with big questions about purpose and identity.

They don’t promise solutions, but they do offer real talk, a few laughs, and some takeaways:
✔️ Be intentional with your time
✔️ Prioritize what fills you up
✔️ Practice saying no (without guilt)
✔️ Remember: time is not guaranteed

Ask yourself: What am I saying yes and no to this week?

Links:
📚 Atomic Habits by James Clear
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Money isn't just math—it's deeply emotional. In this episode of The Midlife Mud, Morgan and Chris open up about their personal money stories, from early family influences to midlife financial pressures like raising kids, saving for retirement, and supporting aging parents. They share how emotions like fear, scarcity, and abundance have shaped their money mindset over time. This is not a financial advice episode—it's a real, relatable conversation about the emotional side of money, financial wellness, and aligning finances with personal values.

Curious to learn more about the connection between money and emotions? Check out Money Is Emotional by Christine Luken.

And if you're ready for more honest conversations about midlife, money, and meaning, join us at themidlifemud.com/join!

In this episode of The Midlife Mud, Morgan and Chris wade into the unpredictable waters of parenting teenagers in 2025. Sparked by the Netflix series Adolescents, they unpack the shifting landscape of teen life—from evolving social norms and emotional challenges to the ever-present tech and screen time debates. With humor and honesty, they explore how to stay connected, model empathy, and create space for real conversations (and even a little chaos). Spoiler: there’s no perfect way to do it—but showing up still counts.

Referenced in this episode:
📘 Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
📕 Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

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In this episode of The Midlife Mud podcast, Morgan and Chris dive into the lost art of play in adulthood. Why do so many of us see play as unproductive or even childish? They break down how play can be a secret weapon for stress relief, connection, and even problem-solving—without turning into avoidance or escapism. From childhood memories to the little things that still make them lose track of time, they share personal stories and practical ways to bring more play into daily life.

Plus, they wrap things up with a little game that proves fun isn’t just for kids—so stick around! Want to dig deeper into the science of play? Check out Play by Dr. Stuart Brown: https://www.amazon.com/Play-Shapes-Brain-Imagination-Invigorates/dp/1583333789.

Join the conversation and rediscover the power of play at themidlifemud.com/join.

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In this episode of The Midlife Mud, Morgan dives into her lifelong struggle with perfectionism, control, and the fear of failure—common themes for anyone navigating midlife. She unpacks how early coping mechanisms, like meticulously arranging her Lip Smackers as a kid, set the stage for a relentless pursuit of certainty in adulthood. That drive led her to dentistry, not out of passion but because it felt like a “sure thing.” But when her orthodontic practice failed, she was forced to face a hard truth: perfectionism isn’t a safety net—it’s a trap.

Morgan shares the breaking points that finally made her question everything, from the stress-induced shingles that took her down in 2017 to the life-changing car accident in 2024 that forced her to rethink what really matters. She opens up about her shift from fear-based parenting to connection-focused parenting, the lessons she’s learned through coaching, and how midlife has been both a reckoning and a reset.

If you’ve ever tried to control your way to happiness—only to realize it’s exhausting and unsustainable—this episode is for you. Tune in for an honest, unfiltered conversation about perfectionism, failure, resilience, and what it really takes to let go in midlife.