The Midlife Muse

In the final episode of Summer Camp, Allison looks at the healing power of water. Water is--both literally and symbolically--essential to our mental health, and there's still time to realize its many benefits before the weather turns cooler. The Midlife Muse is looking for suggestions for future seasons/episodes/formats; please send your suggestions to midlifemusepodcast@gmail.com, or answer this week's question on Spotify. Thanks so much for spending your summer with The Midlife Muse!

In this episode, Allison looks at the value--the necessity, really--of human connection to our mental health. Interrupted in so many ways by the pandemic, our connections with loved ones are too often treated as something "extra," when in reality they're essential to our sense of belonging and wellbeing. Whom can you reach out to this week to strengthen a weakened or broken connection... and thereby your mental health? This week's meditation is a loving kindness meditation; one version can be found here: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/10min-LovingKindness-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3.

In this episode, Allison uses a favorite summertime ritual--travel--to explore the mental health benefits associate with novel experiences. Learn how travel--near or far, brief or extended--can boost both your mood and brain health, and use this week's guided imagery meditation to discovery the joys of a free, on-demand vacation whenever your mind or spirit are in need of a lift: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/10min-GuidedImagery-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3

In this episode, Allison looks at the role sleep plays in maintaining balance and a sense of mental wellness, and encourages listeners to prioritize and embrace sleep--even naps!--as a critical aspect of self-care. This week's meditation can be found here: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/5min-Belly-Breathing-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3. And don't forget to answer this week's question about your favorite place to take a nap!

We all know the ways in which food impacts our physical health, but in this episode Allison take a look at our diet's influence over our mood. Using antioxident-rich, anti-inflammatory summer staples such as berries and leafy greens, listeners are challenged to practice "gut self-care" and to integrate mindfulness into their everyday eating habits. This week's meditation can be found here, and don't forget to answer this week's question!

In this episode, Allison explores the mental health benefits associated with organization. She offers practical tips/considerations for ways to tackle home and office projects both big and small, hopefully inspiring her listeners to organize their way into a more peaceful, less frustrating existence. The meditation for this week is a departure from what many imagine when they think of "meditation"--this quick video by The Center for Koru Mindfulness demonstrates an energizing technique they call "Dynamic Breathing," but which many refer to as "chicken breathing": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZx7kXbJezg. Enjoy!

In this episode, Allison highlights the benefits of time in nature to our mental health, and suggests ways to incorporate more natural activities into listeners' day-to-day. Two books to consider for further reading include The Nature Fix by Florence Williams and Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. This week's guided meditation is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjHDNQp4RJ8, and forest sounds are compliments of: Music: https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Welcome to SUMMER CAMP with The Midlife Muse! In this short, slice-of-summer season Allison examines the joys of summer, how and why summer can be advantageous to our mental health, and ways to maximize the positive impact of summer activities on our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Allison highlights the benefits of "wasted" time and asks her viewers to "name their nothing"--in other words, to discover and make time for those activities that accomplish absolutely nothing other than the focusing of our attention on that which brings us peace and joy. This week's meditation link: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/10min-Walking-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3

In the final episode of Season One of The Midlife Muse, Allison introduces her upcoming series--Summer Camp--and reflects on the value of a good ol' fashioned thank you note. A gratitude practice turned outward, thank you notes come in all shapes and sizes; listen in to reveal your own, personal homework assignment. (Spoiler alert--if you put a stamp on it--and winds up in the hands of someone for whom you are grateful--you're guaranteed an A+!)

In this episode, Allison offers listeners practical suggestions for those wishing to respond in a meaningful way to the latest mass shooting in Uvalde, TX. Juxtaposing her own son's upcoming high school graduation with the unspeakable loss of 19 (20, if you count the gunman, which Allison does) young lives cut far too short, Allison expresses both anger and a path towards hope. For more ways to help, check out https://front.moveon.org/, https://www.ymca.org/, https://www.bbbs.org/, or simple search "helping youth in my community."

In this episode, Allison examines the ways in which seemingly small details have the power to derail our best efforts. The good news? Small adjustments are equally powerful in resuscitating projects, reinvigorating our spirits, and making all things feel possible again. Listen in!

In this episode, Allison celebrates motherhood and remembers those on whose hearts Mother's Day weighs heavily. Using Billy Collins' poem The Lanyard, Allison challenges the notion that motherhood needs to be "repaid" in any way, and rejoices in her own miraculous, complicated, frightening, and ultimately rewarding experience as a mother.

In this episode, Allison uses crew boat positions (both of her sons are rowers) as an analogy for life and an opportunity to consider the ways in which all of these positions--whether providing balance, strength, or direction--must work together if the race is to be won.

In this episode, Allison explores ways we can support ourselves in the aftermath of personal injustices, painful betrayals, and unfair outcomes. When it feels like there's nothing you can do, what can you do?!? As it turns out, quite a lot. Give a listen!

In this episode, Allison and her partner Ben chat about two recent trips, the pros and cons of travel, and whether or not the hassles are worth it (spoiler alert: they are).

In this episode, Allison reflects on the discomforts and revelations associated with being (unintentionally, unexpectedly) "unplugged" for much of her recent vacation to the Greek isles. Listen in to hear what she discovered about herself, and why she intends to unplug herself on a much more regular basis.

In this episode, Allison challenges the notion that we need to "pick up the pieces," "move forward," or "get on with it." When life falls apart, sometimes the best thing we can do is to let it stay broken for a minute, take some time to check in with ourselves, and decide whether whatever it is--or was--is worth fixing.

In this episode, Allison reviews a relatively new mindfulness app called "Finch" (spoiler alert: she loves it!), and discusses how daily practices such as gratitude, positive affirmations, reflection, and acts of kindness can help combat our brains' natural bias towards the negative.

In this episode Allison's husband, Ben, challenges her recent assertion that we "make our own luck." They explore concepts such as effort, empathy, the circumstances of our birth, and what it all means for a society built upon the notion of meritocracy.

In this episode, Allison recounts the varied history of an outbuilding that used to serve as her stepfather's office. Currently (and lovingly) refered to as "The Cousin Cave," this space has functioned in a variety of ways throughout its 70-80 year history, up to and including being pressed into service as a metaphor for the boundless renovation possibilities within each of us.

In this episode, Allison uses author and licensed clinical social worker Megan McQuary's notion of the "Restoration Team" to help listeners explore and celebrate sources of emotional support through 5 different lenses: strength, nurture, wisdom, spirituality, and the ideal self. Grab your spirit animal and give it a listen!

In this Valentine's Day episode, Allison rejects the Hallmark holiday and shares some lessons she's learned about romantic attachments, as well as the importance of maintaining a love affair with oneself.

In this episode, Allison and husband Ben unpack the concept of motivation. By de-emphasizing the end goal (including any failures we may encounter along the way), can we actually increase our chances of success? How can a focus on process v. product expand our definition of achievement and help us push past day-to-day obstacles and inevitable inspiration slumps? Listen to find out!

In this episode, Allison uses Stephen Covey's Habit #7--Sharpen the Saw--to chat with listeners about the importance of self-care and how to operationalize this trendy-but-vital concept in everyday life. Don't forget to submit questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes to midlifemusepodcast@gmail.com! And please subscribe if you'd like to be notified when new episodes come out!

In this episode, Allison explores what our pets can teach us about living in the present moment. She also chats with her sister Ann--a professional dog trainer--about what else we might be able to learn from our four-legged friends.

In this episode, Allison chats with longtime friend Julie Finnegan about what draws people together, how the concept of friendship shifts as we age, and the impact of the pandemic on the social lives of our children.

In Episode 1, Allison introduces herself and embraces the notion that success can be unplanned, imperfect, and have exactly zero listeners. Learn a bit about what this weekly, 20-30 minute podcast will cover, and then submit questions/feedback/ideas for future episodes to midlifemusepodcast@gmail.com