Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast

Ep #55: Challenge - Take a Break

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0400

I'm challenging you to "take a break." Find something that you've kept doing this summer, maybe even while you have gone on vacation, and take a break from it.

I'm taking my own advice and, in this episode, I tell you why I have decided to take a break from the podcast for the rest of August and why you might also consider taking a break from something - even something that you love.

We also explore what comes up for us when we think about taking a break, those nagging little thoughts that have us believing we're not enough.

But I'm not in hiding. Have questions? Want to chat? Reach out - details below.

And GOOD NEWS, there are 54 other episodes you can go back and listen to over the next few weeks. This would be a great time to catch up on the back catalog.

And I'll see you in September.

I have a virtual bookclub! To stay up-to-date on future bookclubs, get on my mailing list or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #54: Making Midlife Magic with Rachel Baum

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Do you ever listen to a podcast and think that the podcaster was speaking right to you?

That's how I felt when I listened to a recent episode of Making Midlife Magic with Rachel Baum.

Her episode, titled "A love note to the exhausted," spoke right to me and I asked her if I could share it with you.

Listen and follow the Making Midlife Magic with Rachel Baum Podcast!

Find Rachel on facebook.

Find Rachel on the web.

I have a bookclub! We're reading "Humor, Seriously" in August. Join us! To stay up-to-date on future bookclubs, get on my mailing list or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #53: What Would You Do Even If You Knew You Would Fail?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, I share with you what I have learned in a year of podcasting:

About the technology

About podcasting

About myself

And why podcasting is something that I would do even if I knew it would fail.

What would you do even if you knew that you would fail?

I have a bookclub! We're reading "Humor, Seriously" in August. Join us! To stay up-to-date on future bookclubs, get on my mailing list or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #52: One Year of Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Join me as I walk through a year of Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast. On this episode, I share my favorite clips.

I have a bookclub! We're reading "Humor, Seriously" in August. Join us! To stay up-to-date on future bookclubs, get on my mailing list or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #51: Life in Five Senses

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0400

How in tune are you with your five senses?

My bookclub just read Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin. On this episode, I share with you what about the book was the most impactful to me as well as where I find intersections between the book's content and strategies that I have discussed on the podcast. I also tell you a bit about how my bookclub works in case you are interested in participating.

I have a bookclub! Despite what I said on the podcast, I do not have a Facebook Group link for you yet for August. Check back, I'll be sure to add it. In the mean time, get on my mailing list or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn for updates on our August 2023 selection.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #50: Love Your Brain: A Conversation with Allison Liu

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0400

There are steps that you can take today to improve your brain health in the second half of your life.

On this episode, I am joined by Brain Health Coach, Allison Liu.

Allison wants you to know that it is never too late to make changes that will impact the health of your brain. Indicators of cognitive decline and dementia are evident in our brain decades before symptoms begin to surface, but you don't have to accept these as inevitable consequences of aging. In this episode, Allison shares with us simple and actionable steps that we can take to keep our brains healthy as we age.

In this episode we talk about:

Allison's own very relatable and familiar story
Why "brain health" is important
11 risk-factors to consider when thinking about brain health and strategies to address each of them
The impact of chronic stress on our brains and wellbeing
The impact of alcohol and caffeine on brain health

Would you like to learn more about Allison's work? Connect with her here:

Allison is offering listeners of this podcast a free coaching session with her. Enter code NYMM23 when you book a consultation on her website to take advantage of this free offer.

I have a bookclub! Get on my mailing list or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn for updates on our August 2023 selection.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #49: You Don't Need to Make Yourself Wrong

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0400

When you want something out of someone else, do you criticize them and tell them that they are wrong? Do you make sure that your tone is conveying disapproval? That they should be ashamed?

Hopefully you answered that with a resounding "no."

And why not? We know that our peers, our colleagues, our friends, our spouses and loved ones don't actually respond well to being shamed. That isn't the way that we "get" the behavior that we want from them. When we are at our best, we try to put ourselves in their shoes and understand why they are doing what they are doing and we make a request, kindly, from one adult to another.

Ideally.

Of course sometimes we pop off. And we generally don't get the response that we are looking for.

But what about with ourselves?

When you are trying to get something from yourself are you critical? Do you make sure that you point out that you are wrong? Do you talk to yourself with a disapproving tone or one that is full of disdain?

How is that working out for you?

What if you treated yourself like you would a good friend?

On this episode, we'll talk about why "making yourself wrong" isn't necessary for you to make a change that you desire and why it actually gets in the way.

Were you interested in that bookclub I mentioned in previous episodes but forgot to mention this week? We'll be reading Bittersweet by Susan Cain in July. You can save your place in the Facebook group by joining here.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #48: Lessons from Lobsters

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Often when we feel uncomfortable in some way - restless, down, frustrated - we think that something is wrong that needs to be "fixed" so we won't feel that way anymore.

But what if that uncomfortable feeling is an indicator that we are growing and changing?

On this episode, we'll learn a bit about how lobsters grow inside their hard shells and where there may be parallels for us.

We'll also explore how to treat ourselves when we are in these times of vulnerability and growth.

Were you interested in that bookclub I mentioned? We'll be reading Bittersweet by Susan Cain next month. You can save your place in the Facebook group by joining here.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #47: In Praise of Low Hanging Fruit

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0400

This week I'm sharing an unpopular opinion.

I've gotten tired of seeing posts on social media knocking self-care strategies as a way to address burnout.

You know what I'm talking about, the posts that say that you can't "cure burnout" with a massage, or a yoga class, or a bath. The posts that refer to these things as "faux self-care."

And I get what they are trying to say, but I think what the people who post this type of thing forget is that that massage, that yoga class, or that bath might be how someone who is suffering with burnout first gets some relief.

And I want to be sure that we don't close the front door for anyone who is looking for a way to feel better by telling them that there is a better way to feel better - it's just going to take them a bit longer, be a bit more involved, and require a higher level of commitment from them.

Join me on this episode to hear more about why I think so-called "faux self-care" strategies might be an easy way in for someone who is learning how to take care of themselves.

Were you interested in that bookclub I mentioned? We'll be reading Bittersweet by Susan Cain next month. You can save your place in the Facebook group by joining here.

Too burned out for anything or much less consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #46: Take a Breath

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Do you ever notice that you are holding your breath for no reason at all?

Maybe when you are focusing on a task?

Maybe when you are apprehensive or waiting for something?

Holding your breath can contribute to increasing anxiety, depression, overwhelm, and burnout - none of which set us up to think about what we want for the second half of our lives.

On this episode we'll talk about how to notice whether you are holding your breath, why it matters, and a couple of easy strategies to - literally - take a breath.

Were you interested in that bookclub I mentioned? We're reading Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin. We got started on June 1 but if you'd like to join us, you are still welcome. Join the Facebook group here.

We'll be reading Bittersweet by Susan Cain next month. Keep an eye out here for a link to that group.

Too burned out to even consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #45: Savor the Summer

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0400

How often do you get to the end of the summer and think, "Where did it even go? I didn't do any of the things that I wanted to." In this episode, I give you four simple strategies to help you avoid feeling this way at the end of the summer.

Were you interested in that bookclub I mentioned? We're reading Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin and we start June 1, 2023. Join the Facebook group here.

Too burned out to even consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop here.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #44: Find Love After 40: A Conversation with Renée Suzanne

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 25 May 2023 02:00:00 -0400

What does it really take to find the love of your life after 40?

In this episode of Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast, I interview Renée Suzanne, a life coach who helps women over 40 start dating better men immediately so they can meet and marry the man of their dreams.

Many of my listeners are looking for a romantic relationship to enjoy in the second half of their lives. Renée tells us that finding love is just not actually all that complicated. Love isn't something that happens to you, it's something you create.

Renée gives women practical, actionable strategies to pick the right men to date, how to filter out prospects who are up to no good, and how to keep themselves safe from scammers and catfishing.

She also tells you what to expect if you've been out of the dating pool for a couple of decades and what it takes to be successful in online dating. And Renée reminds us that effortless conversation doesn't come naturally but being friendly is a skill that you can practice.

Renée offered listeners of the podcast a free gift - A brief training to help you write an online dating profile that will get you noticed by the right men. Access it here.

You can find more of Renée:

On her YouTube Channel,

On the Find Love After 40 Podcast,

And on facebook.

Were you interested in that bookclub I mentioned? We're reading Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin and we start June 1, 2023. Join the Facebook group.

Too burned out to even consider a bookclub? Check out my free burnout workshop.

If you have a question or want to know more about what it's like to work with me, DM me over on LinkedIn.

Ep #38: Be Nice to Yourself: A Conversation with Corinne Crabtree

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 18 May 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Whether you are losing weight or building a business, how you talk to yourself matters.

On this episode with Corinne Crabtree, we'll talk about Corinne's began to speak to herself more nicely when she was losing weight.

We'll also talk about how talking nicely to themselves helps her weightloss clients to become their own best friends.

And how her business coaching clients have the very same issues in the way that they talk to themselves.

Corinne also shares about how changing the way that she speaks to herself has changed her marriage.

Want more of Corinne?

100 Pounds with Corinne Podcast

Grab Corinne's FREE weight loss course.

No BS Weightloss

Instagram: @Corinne_Crabtree

Facebook

No BS Business Women

Instagram: @NoBSBusinessWomen

Facebook

Website

Bootcamp Retreat

Advanced Weightloss Coaching Certification

Are you ready to tackle your own burnout so that you can get on with living the life that you desire? Grab my free burnout workshop.

Do you have questions about whether creating the life that you desire is possible? DM on LinkedIn or facebook.

Ep #42: What to Do About That Person Who Drives You Crazy

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 11 May 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Here is the reality: There will be people in own lives who drive us nuts.

And we can't fix them. We can't change them. We can't make them go away.

And sometimes these aren't relationships that are important to us where more introspection and healing are needed.

Sometimes, we just need to deal with the irritation and maybe lessen it a bit.

That's what this episode is about.

This episode provides you with four quick steps to lessen your irritation with that person in your life who is driving you crazy so you can get on with the next thing.

And I promise, it's just not all that hard.

Could you use help managing irritation in your own life? I'm here to help. DM me LinkedIn or on Facebook.

Is irritation in your workplace contributing to your overwhelm? You'll want to watch my free webinar on how to Create your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout. Enter your email address here to download.

Ep #41: Declutter Your Calendar

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 04 May 2023 02:00:00 -0400

It's time to declutter your calendar.

Did you know that your calendar - and your to-do list - can accumulate old worn out items that don't fit anymore, just like your closet?

Time is our most precious resource and how we spend it is up to us, even when it doesn't feel like that is the case.

Listen to this episode to learn how to take your calendar back.

Would you like some support with taking your calendar back? With dedicating time and effort to those things that are most pivotal to you? Schedule a discovery call with me and let's talk about how we can do this work together.

Does decluttering your calendar feel like just one more thing to add to an overwhelming to do list? You should watch my online webinar Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout. This one-hour webinar will provide you with practical, easy-to-implement strategies, to reduce burnout so that you can begin to see your life more clearly.

Ep #40: Plan a Girls' Trip

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On this special episode, I tell you about my recent girls' trip, what this trip has come to mean to me, and why you might want to consider planning your own girls' trip.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

Are you feeling burned out? My Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout Webinar is available for free. Grab it here.

Ep #39: A Work in Progress - In Conversation with Louise Lewis

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast's first interview, we talk with Louise Lewis about her journey from practicing tax law in the Big 4 to becoming a trauma-informed life coach, after her own journey through burnout caused her to re-examine her life.

Louise also shows with us how paying attention to the nervous system and body-based interventions may be an important adjunct to more cognitive coaching interventions.

Louise's class, How to Take Care of Yourself, is available free to listeners of this podcast with the promo code "ADDRESS23"

Louise's podcast, Embodied Life Coaching is available on YouTube and on Apple Podcasts.

You can also find Louise on LinkedIn.

My Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout Webinar, offered in January 2023, is available to view online for free. Be sure to watch!

Ep #38: Decluttering Your Mind

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Did you know that you can "declutter" your mind in the same way that you would declutter your closet?

On default, our brains are a jumble of thoughts that we've collected over time.

But like we would with a closet full of clothes, we can sort through our thoughts and stories and identify the ones that serve us - the ones that support us in showing up as the person we wish to be and further our goals. And by recognizing the thoughts that don't serve us, we can begin to let them go.

Would you like some support cleaning out the stories that you are carrying around with you? Schedule a discovery call with me and let's talk about how we can do this work together.

Does cleaning out the closet of your mind feel like just one more thing to add to an overwhelming to do list? You should watch by online webinar Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout. This one-hour webinar will provide you with practical, easy-to-implement strategies, to reduce burnout so that you can begin to see your life more clearly.

Ep #37: Spring Cleaning

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Spring cleaning or decluttering your space is an opportunity to actually get to know you and what's important to you and what you love.

On this episode, we talk about:

1) How and why to declutter your space

2) What to do about storage and closets

3) How spring cleaning and decluttering can help you to get to know yourself.

This is your last chance to book a 3 session coaching package to get your Small Win with Big Results. Email to schedule yours before the end of the month before this offer runs out.

If you can't begin to get enough space in your life to think about what you want for the future, you need Stephanie's cheat sheet for Creating Mental Space. Get it here.

Ep #36: Freedom & Decisions

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, I share with you how making a decision - a decision that I didn't even know that I needed to make - opened me up to possibility and gave me a sense of freedom I didn't anticipate.

I can help you make a decision that you are wrestling with. Email me and let's set up a time to chat about your decision in my Small Wins for Big Results coaching packages: 3 - 50 minute sessions for $497.

If you don't have the time or mental space to begin thinking about what you want for your life, grab Creating Mental Space for three quick ideas to create a bit more quiet in your mind.

Ep #35: Are you resting or crashing?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, I share with you how I had a revelation that the rest I was seeking was really crashing and how I plan to incorporate more restorative rest into my life.

I also tell you about my Small Wins for Big Results Coaching packages which will be available only in the month of March. Email me to schedule your three sessions.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #34: Throwing Away the Script

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, I throw away the script. Literally.

I'm changing the podcasts format to be more informal, more unscripted, more of just me talking to you.

And I tell you a little bit about my own recent "aha" moment.

To schedule your Small Wins for Big Results coaching session, DM me on facebook, instagram, or send an email to stephanie@stephanieleighcoaching.com.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #33: Small Wins for Big Results

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

This episode is an encore of Episode #4: Tackling Burnout with Small Wins.

This is one of the shows most-downloaded episodes and it inspired me to create Small Wins for Big Results Coaching Packages to help you get a small win. Small wins are wins because they are effective. They help us to build momentum. They help us to build confidence. They help us to build belief in our ability to change, to do something different.

Let's get you your small win together. Email me to schedule your sessions.

Ep #32: The Small Win That Will Change Everything

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 02:00:00 -0400

I’d really like to “do life coaching” one day but I don’t really have time now.

I don’t really have the time and energy to dedicate to coaching long-term on this thing right now.

Working through this is going to be hard work, and I just don’t have it in me right now.

Maybe later…

Maybe when I get through this busy season at work.

Maybe after this next launch.

Maybe when my kid goes off to school.

Maybe after we’ve moved.

Maybe when I retire.

But If I could just get *this one thing* figured out, it’d help so much…

Maybe it’s truly not the right time to embark on a coaching journey to tackle the big issues in your life.

You only want to do coaching when you have the time and commitment to really get the most out of it.

But there’s this one thing that you would really like to put behind you, to make a decision about, to get some clarity around, to get started on.

You’re not ready for a longer-term commitment right now, but you still need a transformation now.

On this episode we’re going to talk about why working towards a Small Win might be the right strategy for you right now.

I have a new program that I’m going to tell you about called Small Wins for Big Results, but you can also choose to approach a small win on your own and I’m going to tell you how.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #31: Am I Just Letting Myself Off the Hook?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 02:00:00 -0400

“Do I actually need to rest or am I just letting myself off the hook?”

I bet you've asked yourself this question.

Goodness knows that I have and my clients have, too.

High-achievers often worry that they are indulging their lazy side if they power down for a while. They wonder if they are just kidding themselves, making excuses.

I recorded this episode and aired it in place of another one to tell you in real time a bit about my own wrestling with whether it was time to press forward or time for some rest.

What I didn't know was that I was well on my way to sick when I recorded this and you can totally tell in the video from the dark circles under my eyes. It just goes to show how reticent we can be to trust ourselves even when our bodies are telling us they need a break.

Grab the show notes and worksheet.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #30: It has to be perfect

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Have you ever found yourself misunderstood in an email, perhaps someone misread what you said and has offered some small correction, and you find yourself emailing that person back and referring them to your original words earlier in the thread to be sure that they know that you were correct in the first place? That you actually didn’t need correcting? It might feel a little petty, but it feels more important than petty to you in that moment for them to know that you were, in fact, right. Right?

Given how easy it is to misunderstand each other via email, why do we waste time doing this? Because we want to control how others see us. We want them to think that we have exquisite attention to detail, flawless reasoning, and are always right.

We might not put it quite that way, but our level of discomfort when they think we have a small detail wrong gives us away.

We’ve been talking on the last few episodes of the podcast about burnout - how it keeps you stuck, what to do about it, and how it’s particularly fraught for people who are high performers and high achievers.

A characteristic of many high achievers that likely contributes to the burnout that they experience is perfectionism.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

Find the worksheet and shownotes for this episode here.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #29: Burnout, Loving Your Job, & Being a High Achiever

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On today’s episode, we’re going to talk about the realities of burnout, especially for high-achievers and those who are passionate about their jobs. And we’re doing this because we hold on to a misconception that hard workers just expect and know how to manage a level of work that “other people” might get into burnout from. And we expect that people who love their jobs, believe that their jobs are important, or feel a sense of calling from them are somehow insulated against the deleterious effects of burnout.

But, in fact, neither are true. And high-achievers, who often get a lot of their self-worth and validation from their jobs, and people who believe that the work that they do is important and is aligned with their values can actually use these traits against themselves, unknowingly, and make their experience of burnout worse.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

BONUS: Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout Webinar

Stephanie Leigh — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0400

If you missed the free Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout Webinar on Monday, January 23rd, sign up to receive the replay here.

Ep #28: Stress & Rest: The Nervous System Edition

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we are going to revisit cycles of stress and rest and talk about what this might look like if we explicitly take our nervous system states and completing our stress cycles into account.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

Burnout got you down?

I'm offering a free webinar on Monday, January 23rd at 8pm ET to help you Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout: Strategies for High Performers.

In this 90 minute session I will help you to identify your own signs and signals of burnout - you can't tackle a problem when you don't know it's there. We'll discuss how you can leverage the concept of Small Wins to avoid introducing more overwhelm into your system. And we'll discuss Things to Do, Things to Think, and Things to Practice to tackle burnout.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #27: Why Can't I Just Turn It Off?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we are going to revisit cycles of stress and rest and talk about what to do when you can’t seem to escape the stress cycle to actually get the rest you need. So many of us struggle with overwhelm and burnout and when those things are happening in our bodies, it’s next to impossible to cycle gently between stress and rest as we would like to in a healthy way. But with awareness comes strategies and today we’ll talk about practical strategies to move you forward.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

Shownotes & Worksheet

Burnout got you down?

I'm offering a free webinar on Monday, January 23rd at 8pm ET to help you Create Your Own Plan to Tackle Burnout: Strategies for High Performers.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #26: Could Burnout Be Keeping You Stuck?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0400

One of the primary reasons that people do not go after whatever it is that they want for the second half of their lives is because they are burned out. Which is ironic, given that many people would say that they want something different for the second half of their lives because they are burned out.

But burnout is actually a pretty insidious impediment to change. Among other things, it can create both fear and learned helplessness, neither of which will serve you on a journey of personal growth.

For many people, the first step to addressing what they want for the second half of their lives is first addressing their burnout where they are today. Today we will get clear on what burnout actually is, how it can be a sneaky block to your next chapter, and what to do to begin to get a hold of it.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #25: Planning for Big Goals in 2023

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we’re going to talk about how to set a goal for 2023 and make sure that you achieve it. I can’t wait to see what you do. And my favorite part of this exercise, by the way, is thinking about who you need to become in order to achieve your goal.

I’ve created a whole workbook for you for this episode. This is a great resource and you do not want to miss it. Grab yours here.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my other free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #24: Year End Review

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we’ll talk about why you might wish to carve out some time just for you to review and close out 2022.

This is an exercise, if you will, in metacognition. It’s always fun, or at least interesting, to look back on the events of the year, but I would encourage you to look not only at the events of 2022 but to think back and reflect on how you showed up for those events, what they mean for you today, what you learned, and how you changed.

It’s an opportunity to consolidate your learning. So often we feel like our lives are too busy to just sit down and think and reflect. But we lose a lot of our own growth when we don’t take the time to really give it some airtime in our own mind. I would really encourage you to consider giving yourself the gift of airtime this time of year.

In this episode, I'll provide you with questions to consider as you review 2022. We've got the show notes and questions for you here.

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If this kind of work gets your juices flowing and you would like to dig in deeper and invest time in discovering what you want for the second half of your life, you may be a candidate for one of the 1:1 coaching packages that I am opening in January 2023.

Coaching one-on-one with me offers you the opportunity to truly invest in yourself and the creation of the second half of your life.

We’ll uncover how you are keeping yourself stuck.

We’ll look at patterns that you have that are creating burnout and overwhelm and what to do about them so that you even have the energy to think meaningfully about your life.

We’ll take a look at the story that you tell about your life and see where it is serving you and where it is not - and where you want to, we’ll re-write it together.

We’ll clean all of the junk out of the way so that you can get clear about what it is you want for the second half of your life. We can’t go after goals that we don’t know we have. We’re going to figure out what those things that you really want are.

I’m only offering a few of these 1:1 coaching slots - all of them are going to be a weekend afternoon - 24 sessions over the course of six months. If this sounds like exactly what you need to wake up to your life - let’s get to work. Go to my website to schedule a discovery call. I have slots available next week for discovery calls if you are listening in real time. If those don’t work for you, email me at hello@stephanieleighcoaching.com and we’ll find a time that does.

Ep #23 Cause for Celebration

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0400

How often do you take time for reflection and celebration?

Most of us are terrible at celebrating ourselves. Holidays? Birthdays? Sure…but celebrating ourselves? Things we’ve done or achieved? No.

What about celebrating or spending time noticing progress? Good things, Achievement of a goal? A job well done? When you showed up the way that you wanted to - mostly or even some. When you figured something out? When you caught yourself with your hand in the potato chip bag as you were eating mindlessly instead of later?

Or are you just on to the next thing...not really ever stepping out of that striving energy?

But what if celebration is actually important? Not necessarily the party-planning type of celebration but what if stopping to recognize and acknowledge the good and progress, steps on the right direction and small wins is really a helpful way for me to tune my brain toward the positive? To get a more realistic picture of progress on a project or goals or just something that I’m trying to do? What if celebrating is actually a tool that I can use to make myself more likely to achieve my goals or do the thing?

Today I am offering you some reasons why you might want to consider adding a bit more celebration into your life.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #22: Big Holidays

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0400

We often talk on this show about how to have a Big Job and a Big Life. Today, we’re going to talk about having a Big Job and Big Holidays.

For many high-achievers, what we experience this time of year is not only the demands of family and Christmas parties and gifts and decorating, but also year-end at our places of business. Maybe your organization has a Board Meeting in December, the insanity. Perhaps you have a job that requires one last push for the year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe you work for yourself and it’s all on the line this time of year. Many professionals experience an escalation in their responsibilities around the holidays so they are challenging by both increasing personal demands and increasing professional demands.

The good news is that the same strategies that you might use to survive the chaos of year end at your business will also set you up for success to survive the personal demands for your time.

On this episode, we’re going to discuss a series of strategies and ways of thinking that will set you up for success this December - whatever the personal and professional demands on you might be. You can have a Big Job and a Big Life that includes Big Holidays.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #21: How You Keep Yourself Stuck

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Do you feel stuck? I have felt stuck. That’s how a lot of my clients describe themselves. Stuck in situations that are outside of their control. No exit in sight.

But do you know that you also keep yourself stuck? One of the primary functions of our brains is to keep us safe. And our brains tend to view change or new things or a new adventure or opportunity - as unsafe. Better to stay here, even if we’re unhappy, because we know the lay of the land. Better the known disappointment than the unknown possibility.

Today, I’m going to share with you five ways that we conspire to keep ourselves stuck. How we get in our own way when it comes to pursuing our dreams for what we want and especially what we want for the second half of our lives.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #20 Just Stop Doing It

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On today’s short-and-sweet episode, where I provide you with a tool that you can use today to improve your life or feel better in some way, I’m going to suggest to you that you Just Stop.

Just STOP doing it.

We’ve been hearing “just do it” for decades, but today I’m saying “Just STOP doing it.”

I would offer to you that an important way to cull your to-do list at work and at home, is to bring awareness to why you are doing the things that are on it. And determining whether those why’s align with your overall goals, especially if you are seeking to reduce burnout and overwhelm in your life.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #19: What if life is just 50/50?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The world that we live in today is a mixture of incredible, staggering beauty and gut-wrenching evil and pain.

It has both.

So do our lives.

So much of our unhappiness is caused by thinking that we should be happy all of the time.

So what if you decided that life was going to be a roughly 50/50 mix of good and bad most of the time?

On today’s show, I’m going to tell you why thinking about life as a mixed bag - as 50/50 - might be a useful thought experiment for you to try and how to do it.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #18: Above all, be kind...even (especially) to yourself

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On today’s episode, I’m going to share with you why that stern voice that you use to keep yourself moving, going, pressing forward isn’t doing you any favors and is actually, in fact, making things harder for you.

Then I’m going to introduce you to an alternative approach and a brief exercise where you can begin to implement this alternative approach for yourself.

S how Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #17: Change is an Inside Job

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0400

I would like to bring a little more clarity to the idea of making change in our lives. When I initially thought about what I wanted to do with this podcast, I wanted the change that I spoke about to encompass both changes such as changing careers, changing the way that you live your life (maybe working part time or in a full-time remote context, things like minimalism, tiny houses, and vanlife), and changing the way that you see the world.

But what I don’t want to do is suggest that the solution to the problem is in changing your external world.

In reality, the change that I want to help you create is within you first and foremost.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #16 For When Your Check Engine Light Comes On

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0400

You know what happens when your body and mind signal that they need rest. The way that yours will signal is different than the way that mine will. But I am willing to be that you know your own cues.

How often do you ignore them?

How often do you ignore the messages that your body is sending you?

How often do you just push them to the side and say, “I just have to get through” this date, or this project, or these thing?

What I want to tell you today is that pushing just that little bit more, ignoring your body’s cues that it is tired or depleted, this is not how you set yourself up for the second half of your life. This actually flies in the face of what we’ve been socialized to believe. Work hard and then you can rest in retirement. But we know that “retirement,” whatever that may mean, is by no means guaranteed. And that “retirement” that you are saving all of your pennies for and working so hard for now, its quality will be greatly diminished if your physical and cognitive health have declined due to lack of paying attention to your body’s cues.

So today we are going back to basics and I’m providing you with a strategy for what to do when your body is tired. And it’s easy - get some sleep and get moving.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #15: A Tool for Examining How You Create Your Life

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0400

We’ve been building up to this the last couple of weeks and I am excited to share this week’s topic with you. This week I am introducing you to the Self-Coaching Model. It’s a cognitive tool for you to use to create awareness and it’s so incredibly powerful. We’ve talked about facts, things that occur, things that are, and we’ve talked about how our stories, our thoughts about them are what create our feelings. And that it’s actually those stories and feelings that make up the experience we have of our life. This week, we’re going to see how it all fits together and how your feelings fuel how you show up and ultimately what you create in your life. This is going to be fun - I hope that you’re ready.

S how Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #14: The Truth About How We Create Our Experience of Our Lives

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0400

This week we’re building on what we talked about last week about stories and the “bare facts” of our lives and looking at how our stories create our feelings and emotions. Together, how we think about our lives and the various aspects of them and how we feel about them creates the experience of our lives. And next week, I’m going to take what we’ve learned so far about facts, thoughts or stories, and what we’ll learn today about feelings and I will introduce you to a tool that you can use to create awareness of how you are creating your life. You don’t want to miss this!

S how Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #13: Don't Let the Facts Get in the Way of a Good Story

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we will talk about how we create our lives through our thoughts about the things that we experience in our lives. We’ll learn a quick and easy tool to allow us to get some awareness about how this works. And we will see how much power you have to change your experience of your life and that you don’t have to wait on other people, circumstances, or other things to change, for you to change your experience.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #12: Wanting What You Already Have

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we’ll talk about why one of the first places to look for what you want is in what you already have. And why it actually feels good to want what you have.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #11: Do you know what you want?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we’re going to talk about how to think about what you want for the second half of your life, why you need to know what it is that you want, and what’s scary about knowing it.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

If you’d like to rate and review this or any other podcast, my step-by-step video will show you how.

Ep #10: Before You Consider #QuietQuitting

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode I’m going to tell you why I think that the kind of #quietquitting that has you phoning-it-in is bad for you, why the #quietquitting that appears to be deciding to have a full life should not be considered quitting at all, and suggest some things that you might quit doing instead.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #9: Purposefully Soaking in Positive Experiences

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Today, I’m going to teach you a framework for soaking up positive experiences that you can use to get the most out of periods of focused work and purposeful rest. Positive experiences don’t tend to stick with us - but we have highly malleable brains and we can purposefully engage in exercises to create a bigger footprint in our brains for good experiences. It’s easy, it’s actionable, and it’s brief. This is a skill that you can use to intensify the impact of any beneficial experience that you have.

We are going to learn how to purposefully soak in positive experiences - particularly of focused work and purposeful rest - as the concluding step in our three step process to turn burnout into resilience.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #8: Focused Work & Purposeful Rest

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we’re going to talk about interspersing periods of focused work with restorative rest. And this is a double win, you’ll be increasing your efficiency and effectiveness at work, while introducing meaningful rest to ensure you remain healthy and not depleted.

We are learning to incorporate and cycle focused work and meaningful rest as the second step in a three-pronged approach to turning burnout into resilience.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #7: Change Your Stress Mindset

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Would you love to feel differently and think differently about stress but you’re afraid you’d just be deluding yourself? Today, I’m going to introduce you to some of the latest research about stress and mindset as well as where to get more information on the topic.

I’m also going to share with you five steps to changing your mindset about any topic in a simple and actionable way- but particularly your stress mindset - and actually, those fears you have about deluding yourself? We’re going to talk about why it’s totally fine for those to keep hanging around and why trying to “get rid” of them might actually be fanning the flames.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #6: What is your Stress Mindset?

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, I’m going to introduce you to the concepts of meta-cognition and mindsets. We’re also going to uncover your mindset about stress, and discuss how - if you think about stress negatively as most of us do - that mindset might be causing you to show up in your life.

We are examining our mindsets about stress as the first in a three-pronged approach to turning burnout into resilience.

S how Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #5: 3 Steps from Burnout to Resilience

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode, I am introducing you to my three-step process to come to view the stress in our personal and professional lives as the catalysts for our own growth to develop our resilience.

We’ll do this by:

Changing the mindset that we have about stress
Intentionally interspersing stress with rest and recovery, and
Purposefully soaking in these experiences to leverage neuroplasticity

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #4: Tackle Burnout with Small Wins

Stephanie Leigh — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

On today’s show I’m going to address a common concern that I hear from people who would like to change their lives in some way but are simply too busy or to tired to do so. Change doesn’t have to be one more thing added to your to do list and it can be an opportunity to actually take the pressure off in your life.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #3: Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast and its Host

Stephanie Leigh — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:10:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m going to get personal and talk about what led me to become a life coach and ultimately to start this podcast. You’ll hear a little bit about the catalyst for me was, my biggest takeaway, and things that I’m continuing to work on. I’ve never been one for sharing a whole lot about my personal life on social media, or, you know, generally, but I’ve decided to change that and on this episode I’m going to tell you why. I hope by the end of the episode you feel like we’ve been fully introduced and you have a sense for what we’re going to do here together.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #2: Why design a midlife crisis?

Stephanie Leigh — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:05:00 -0400

In this episode, I'm going to tell you why I use the term midlife crisis. Why I think you should consider designing yourself a midlife crisis. And just how old you have to be to have a midlife crisis.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Ep #1: What if I wasn't afraid of change?

Stephanie Leigh — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Not Your Mama’s Midlife Podcast with Stephanie Leigh. On this show, we are going to talk about what it means to be a late-GenX or early Millennial woman dipping her toes into midlife. I’m talking specifically to the woman who sees this life stage as an opportunity to reflect on her life to date and to begin the second half with intentionality and purposefulness - whatever that may mean to her.

To get us started on our first episode, I'm going to respond to a post that I saw online in a facebook group: "I’m wondering where my life would be if I wasn’t afraid of change. I know that if you want your life to be different, you need to be different. But I am afraid of failure, so I don’t change.

If I could talk to this woman, I would want her to know that:

You are not alone with your desire for something different.

Your fear of change doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with you - in fact, it means that your brain is working just as designed.

And that fear of change and failure doesn’t mean that you can’t have something different. (And actually, the fact that you are aware of your fear of change is HUGE in allowing you to do it anyway.)

Join us on this first episode to learn why this is true for you, too.

Show Notes & Worksheet

Be sure to Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss our next episode.

And if you lack the mental space to even think about making changes in your life, check out my free resource for Creating Mental Space.

Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast

Stephanie Leigh — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Can't wait for the first episode of Not Your Mama's Midlife Podcast? Find Stephanie on instagram at @stephanieleighcoaching or at https://stephanieleighcoaching.com.