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Blooming in the Middle
Blooming in the Middle Podcast is hosted by Jody Cates, biblical counselor and certified life coach for midlife women. This show offers practical guidance and inspiration to women navigating midlife changes who want to create a second-half life they love. Episodes will cover how to dream into a new future, age with confidence, and grow satisfying relationships with adult kids, aging parents, and life partners. The show also delves into midlife myths that keep women stuck, positive mindsets to fuel the midlife journey, and how to listen for God’s invitation to what’s next. Jody has over 16 years of experience in pastoral care, counseling, and coaching. Join the conversation and listen to shows at bloominginthemiddle.com/podcast.
Episodes
23 episodes
Midlife Choices: Acceptance or Change and How to Decide
In this episode, we're talking about something we all wrestle with at some point in midlife—whether to accept something as it is or take action to change it.You know the feeling… standing at a crossroads, wondering: Is this ju...
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Episode 22
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10:07
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How to Respond to Criticism From Your Adult Child
When criticism from your adult child strikes, it can take you by surprise and leave you without words. Let’s fix that on today’s episode of the Blooming in the Middle Podcast!Because if you’re a mom of adult kids, you’ve probably been th...
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Episode 21
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12:23
3 Ways to Be a Better Friend to Yourself in Midlife
Today, we’re diving into the topic of how to be a better friend to yourself in midlife.I know this idea can sound odd, especially when we try as Christian women to love others the way God asks us to. Thinking too much about ours...
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Episode 20
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9:22
19: It’s Time to Say Goodbye to "Should" and Hello to More Joy in Midlife
It seems like the voices of “should” are everywhere, especially this time of year: I should get in better shape.I should save more money.I should finally get organized.I should … well, the list goes on and on, d...
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Episode 19
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10:13
18: How to Keep Holiday Spirits Bright Inside Your Empty Nest
Holidays look different in your empty nest, but they don't have to lose their magic. Here's how to enjoy the holidays with your adult kids.If you've got adult kids, you already know how quickly holiday spirits can sag when you s...
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Episode 18
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11:18
17: Overcome Resistance With 5 Better Ways to Ask for What You Want
What's keeping you from asking for what you want in midlife?You might think it’s because you’re not clear yet on what you want your next chapter to look like.Or maybe you’re feeling a bit rusty when making requests for yourself af...
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Episode 17
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15:04
16: How to Handle Midlife Mean Girls Without Losing Your Cool
Most of us have encountered at least one woman who seems nice at first, welcomes you into the fold of friendship then subtly – or not so subtly – makes you start questioning yourself and wondering if you’re imagining things.Things like b...
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Episode 16
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14:37
15: One Thing Your Aging Parents Wish You Would Stop Doing (and what to do instead)
Do your aging parents send you mixed messages? They ask for help one minute, and the next, they stop listening. You're not alone. This happens all the time between aging parents and their kids.Parents welcome your concern bec...
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Episode 15
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9:46
14: Find Your Midlife Purpose With These 5 Inspiring Questions
Trying to find your new purpose in midlife can feel like a monumental task. Especially after years filled with activity that left little room for pondering questions like, “What should I do with my time?”Are you kidding me? What time? Fi...
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Episode 14
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9:04
13: How Pursuing Perfection Sucks the Joy Out of Midlife
If finding joy in midlife feels elusive, you might think it's because you have responsibilities you weren't prepared for. Things like caring for an aging parent, helping a struggling adult child, or managing your health and wellness.Thes...
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Episode 13
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11:24
12: 6 Smart Moves for Making New Friends in Midlife
Who doesn't want a best friend or two? Someone to share all the joys and challenges that life brings.With all the highs and lows of midlife, having a supportive circle of friends around you is more important now than ever.But life...
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Episode 12
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11:50
11: The Weird Way Wise Women Embrace Aging
Does being told what’s age-appropriate ruffle your feathers the way it does mine?What about the term “aging gracefully”? Does it leave you feeling frustrated or maybe limited to a way of being that just isn’t enough for you? ...
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Episode 11
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8:59
10: Get Unstuck and Ignite Your Midlife Dreams
I talk to so many midlife women who want to plan for what comes next and know they need to, but they just don’t know where to start.Maybe the same is true for you?What happens when you think about planning for the future?Ar...
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Episode 10
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9:24
9: How to Lean In After Your Kids Leave Home
Once your kids leave home, and you’re left wondering about your new parenting role, it’s easy to think it’s all about you and how you’ll fit into their new lives – but it isn’t.It’s also tempting to believe that it’s all about them – tha...
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Episode 9
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10:44
8: Facing the #1 Enemy of Aging Well
I’m just going to come right out and say it: the #1 enemy of aging well is often fear.Fear of changes to your body, your relationships, and your place in the world. Fear of the unknown. Uncertainty about what lies ahead.It's norma...
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Episode 8
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9:27
7: 4 Things Midlife Women Can Confidently Leave Behind
Are you feeling weighed down and less than enthusiastic about preparing for your next chapter of life? Does thinking about what’s next make you feel tired and overwhelmed?If you’re having trouble opening yourself up to what God has next ...
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Episode 7
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7:56
6: How to Accept Midlife Love Loss
It’s one of the hardest things about midlife. Relationship changes that your head knows are a normal part of life. But your heart feels like it’s breaking.It seems like no relationship goes unchanged in this time of transition.Y...
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Episode 6
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8:57
5: Who Are You Listening To About Aging?
Sometimes, the influences in midlife slip in like background music. They set the tone and tempo night and day. They can be upbeat and positive, like the music at a theme park that makes you want to run straight to the first ride you...
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Episode 5
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10:24
4: The Midlife Meaning You're Looking For is Closer Than You Think
Today, I’m talking about how to handle the pressure midlife brings to figure out where you’ll find meaning and purpose in the second half of life.The search for an answer to the nagging question of what will bring life meaning after the...
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Episode 4
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8:52
3: Boost Midlife Energy With 3 Essential Daily Habits
Many women arrive at midlife with a deep need for rest after caring for others for much of their lives. If you’ve spent years fueled by adrenaline and caffeine like I once did, you may not feel comfortable stepping off the go-hard path.B...
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Episode 3
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8:58
2: One Simple Way to Stop Midlife Anxiety in Its Tracks
Today’s episode is about one simple change you can make to free yourself from the midlife anxiety that keeps you stuck so you can start moving in the direction of a second-half life you’ll love.You thought you’d enjoy having the time to ...
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Episode 2
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7:30
1: Gain Clarity in Midlife with 3 Powerful Mindset Shifts
Once you knew where you were going in life. You were raising your family, building your career, and growing your relationships.Some years flew by with milestones and celebrations. Others slowed to a snail’s pace as you overcame challeng...
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Episode 1
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6:13
Welcome to Blooming in the Middle Podcast
Blooming in the Middle Podcast is hosted by Jody Cates, biblical counselor and certified life coach for midlife women. This show offers practical guidance and inspiration to women navigating midlife changes who want to create a second-half life...
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Episode 0
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1:45