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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.

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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.