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

Feeling seen in the mess? Good.
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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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