Libsyn Directory

[40] Rules Are Made to Be Broken (Part 2): Freeing Relationships from “Should”

Release Date: 09/19/2025

[48] What Nature Has to Teach Us About Rest (Season 1 Finale)

Becoming In the Middle

The final episode of Season 1! In this episode, I share how my life is lived in 7-year cycles. As I've felt the current cycle coming to a close, I've been pondering what comes next. Just as trees loose its leaves in the fall, letting go of past growth is an important process of resting and preparing for a new season of growth. With this observation of nature, I am taking a pause before I jump into Season 2. My pause is time to go inward and make space in my life for the next 7-year cycle. Embodying creation principles, I'll be doing the inner work to lay the foundation of what lies ahead. I'm...

[47] When the Nest Isn’t Empty: Real Talk About Life with Adult Kids at Home

Becoming In the Middle

What happens when the kids are mostly grown—but not quite gone? In this honest heart-to-heart conversation, Alicia sits down with two friends who are walking through the same season of life: launching some kids into adulthood while still raising the last few at home. Together, they share the honest ups and downs of this in-between phase—what’s been surprisingly hard, unexpectedly beautiful, and what they’re looking forward to as they create a new rhythm for themselves. You’ll hear them talk about: The emotional shift of letting go and rediscovering who they are The surprise of...

[46] What Young Adults Wish Parents Knew, a Conversation with Coach Gregory Jack

Becoming In the Middle

In this conversation, I sit down with Gregory Jack, a coach for young adults, to explore the unique struggles facing today’s emerging generation. From loneliness and dating challenges to friendship struggles and the pressure of feeling behind in life, Gregory shares insight into the emotional world of young adults—and how parents can show up in supportive, meaningful ways. Together, we discuss: Why so many young adults feel disconnected and unsure of themselves What parents can do (and avoid) to strengthen relationships with their grown children How to offer support without control ...

[45] Why Your Brain Craves Drama (And How to Rewire It for Peace)

Becoming In the Middle

Do you find yourself drawn to drama, overthinking, or trying to control everything around you? You’re not alone — and your brain isn’t broken. In this episode, we explore why the brain becomes addicted to negative emotions like drama, worry, and control, and how these patterns actually feel like safety to the nervous system. You’ll learn: The neuroscience behind emotional addiction — why your brain seeks predictable over calm How drama, control, worry, and fixing can hijack your nervous system The real cost of these patterns on your relationships, energy, and peace of mind ...

[44] What’s Next: Finding New Purpose in Midlife

Becoming In the Middle

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What’s next for me?” — you’re not alone. In this episode, we explore the beautiful invitation that comes when one season of life ends and another begins: the chance to rediscover purpose. We’ll talk about why having a purpose matters so deeply — how it gives direction, energy, and meaning to our days — and why it’s especially vital in midlife, when roles and routines start to shift. You’ll learn: How purpose enriches your life and connects you to something bigger Why identifying your gifts, talents, and curiosities can reveal what’s...

[43] When Midlife Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations: How to Keep Going When You’re Tired

Becoming In the Middle

You thought this season would bring more space. But between grown kids who still need you, aging parents who rely on you, and a body that doesn’t bounce back like it used to… you feel stretched thin. You love your people deeply. But if you’re honest, exhaustion, disappointment, and guilt have crept in. It’s not that you’ve lost your faith — you’ve just lost your footing. In this episode, we’ll talk about: ✨ Why it’s normal to feel this way when the “finish line” keeps moving. ✨ How permission, perspective, and presence can help you breathe again. ✨ Why making space...

[42] Life Patterns: Discovering How It Is Anywhere Is How It Is Everywhere

Becoming In the Middle

In this episode I explore the powerful principle: how it is anywhere is how it is everywhere. The patterns you notice in one part of your life often show up in other areas too. Maybe the way you speak to yourself about your body also mirrors how you approach your relationships. Or the habits you carry at home ripple into your work and faith. I’ll share personal examples of where I’ve seen this principle at play and how reflecting on it has helped me uncover deeper truths about myself. More importantly, I’ll guide you through a simple practice: asking “Where else is this showing up...

[41] The Spiral of Growth: Why Revisiting Old Patterns Doesn’t Mean You’ve Failed

Becoming In the Middle

Have you ever wondered why certain challenges seem to come back around, even after you thought you had already overcome them? Maybe it’s an old habit, a familiar frustration, or a repeating pattern in your relationships. It’s easy to see these moments as failures or proof that you’re “back at square one.” But what if they’re actually invitations to grow? In this episode, we’ll explore the idea of the spiral of growth. When you revisit old patterns, you’re not looping back to the same place—you’re meeting them at a higher level, as a stronger and wiser version of yourself....

[40] Rules Are Made to Be Broken (Part 2): Freeing Relationships from “Should”

Becoming In the Middle

Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “They should know what I need,” or “They should treat me differently”? In this second part of the Rules Are Made to Be Broken series, we dig deeper into the rules we unconsciously create for other people—and how those rules can quietly drain our joy and connection. At the root of every rule is a feeling we’re trying to reach. The problem? When we place that responsibility on someone else, we give away our power and place unnecessary pressure on the relationship. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Recognize the hidden “shoulds”...

[Bonus] Want the World to Get Better? Start with This Question

Becoming In the Middle

Like you, I'm feeling the heaviness of the events this week. In this episode I'm sharing an experience I had about a month ago when I had to ask myself a hard question. It seems to have come full circle after this week, and I'm learning that the most important way I can help be the change I hope to see in the world is to go inward first. Subscribe to the newsletter .

More Episodes

Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “They should know what I need,” or “They should treat me differently”? In this second part of the Rules Are Made to Be Broken series, we dig deeper into the rules we unconsciously create for other people—and how those rules can quietly drain our joy and connection.

At the root of every rule is a feeling we’re trying to reach. The problem? When we place that responsibility on someone else, we give away our power and place unnecessary pressure on the relationship.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

Recognize the hidden “shoulds” you’ve placed on others
Understand the feelings at the root of your expectations
Take responsibility for meeting your own needs without waiting for someone else to do it
Reclaim your personal agency so you can show up empowered, peaceful, and authentic in your relationships
See why “should” thinking keeps us in victimhood—and how to break free

When you stop outsourcing your needs and start using your agency, you step out of victimhood and into freedom. Your relationships lighten, your self-respect grows, and you begin to feel better—because your well-being is finally back in your own hands.

Subscribe to the newsletter here.

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