Midlife Repurposed
Midlife Repurposed

Midlife Repurposed

Michelle Rayburn

Overview
Episodes

Details

Midlife Repurposed is your go-to podcast for inspiration, practical guidance, and a fresh sense of purpose in midlife. Join Michelle Rayburn as she navigates the messy, uncertain twists of life with humor, uncovering treasure in the most unexpected places.

michellerayburn.substack.com

Recent Episodes

Human Rights Progress and the Cost of Silence
FEB 19, 2025
Human Rights Progress and the Cost of Silence
<p>In this episode, we dive into the tapestry of transformational history over the last fifty years and explore how these pivotal moments intertwine with human rights, the gospel, and our roles as advocates in midlife. Michelle Rayburn shares her heart in a vulnerable plea for seeing and listening and then speaking up. If you're searching for inspiration and practical wisdom to navigate the complexities of midlife while making a positive impact, you're in the right place.</p><p>In this episode, Michelle reflects on the monumental shifts in human rights and societal norms that have unfolded during her lifetime, highlighting how these changes have redefined our world. Yet, she emphasizes the fragility of such progress and the risk of it vanishing overnight. As midlifers, we've witnessed cycles of change, reminding us of our responsibility to protect and preserve these hard-won advancements.</p><p>Listeners will gain valuable insights into how the gospel calls us to advocate for human dignity beyond political divides and to embrace the interconnectedness of our global community.</p><p>Equip yourself with the knowledge that our silence has a cost, and that by standing together, we can champion a future where justice and human rights aren't temporary. So, tune in to discover how repurposing your midlife with intention and courage can leave a lasting legacy of advocacy, love, and impact.</p><p>Want more? Check out this essay: <a target="_blank" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/michellerayburn/p/what-we-lose-if-we-stay-silent?r=21izd&#38;utm_campaign=post&#38;utm_medium=web&#38;showWelcomeOnShare=true">https://open.substack.com/pub/michellerayburn/p/what-we-lose-if-we-stay-silent</a></p><p>Find Midlife Repurposed on Substack</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://michellerayburn.substack.com">https://michellerayburn.substack.com</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://michellerayburn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">michellerayburn.substack.com</a>
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16 MIN
Intuitive Productivity: Tips for Less Pressure, More Joy
JAN 8, 2025
Intuitive Productivity: Tips for Less Pressure, More Joy
<p>If you caught my recent article about intuitive productivity, then I hope you enjoy this follow-up podcast with 12 practical tips for practicing it daily. </p><p>Key Points in the Episode</p><p><strong>12 Practical Tips for Intuitive Productivity</strong></p><p>* <em>Start each day by checking in with yourself.</em> Before you dive into your to-do list, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself, 'What feels most exciting or meaningful today?' </p><p>* <em>Break free from rigid schedules.</em> If you’re feeling energized and creative in the morning, tackle your most challenging or creative tasks. Flexibility allows you to work in harmony with your natural rhythms instead of fighting against them.</p><p>* <em>Use joy as a compass.</em> Pay attention to the tasks that bring you a sense of joy or flow. If something feels draining, pause and ask yourself if it’s truly necessary. Can you approach it differently or delegate it? </p><p>* <em>Set intentions, not deadlines.</em> Instead of rigid deadlines, focus on broad intentions. This approach moves you forward without the unnecessary pressure to be perfect or rushed.</p><p>* <em>Honor your energy cycles.</em> Productivity ebbs and flows—that’s normal. When it’s low, give yourself permission to rest or shift to less demanding tasks. Trust that the flow will return.</p><p>* <em>Simplify your to-do list.</em> Choose just one to three things to focus on each day. This clarity helps you avoid overwhelm and allows you to pour your energy into what matters most.</p><p>* <em>Celebrate small wins.</em> Instead of focusing on what’s left undone, take time to acknowledge your progress. </p><p>* <em>Let go of multitasking.</em> We often think doing more at once makes us productive, but it usually has the opposite effect. Intuitive productivity thrives when you’re fully present with one task at a time.</p><p>* <em>Trust your instincts when prioritizing.</em> When you’re faced with competing demands, trust your gut to decide what truly needs your attention. </p><p>* <em>Create space for creative exploration.</em> Set aside unstructured time to brainstorm, experiment, or simply let your mind wander. </p><p>* <em>Reflect and adjust regularly.</em> At the end of each day or week, take a few minutes to reflect on what felt good and what didn’t.</p><p>* <em>Say no to what doesn’t align.</em> If a task or commitment doesn’t align with your values or passions, give yourself permission to say no. </p><p>Which one resonates most with you as something you can practice?</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://michellerayburn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">michellerayburn.substack.com</a>
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25 MIN
Awakening Awe and Wonder in Everyday Life
NOV 20, 2024
Awakening Awe and Wonder in Everyday Life
<p>Have you ever felt that the busyness of life has dulled your sense of curiosity and awe? It’s so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities.</p><p>Balancing work, family, and everything in between can leave us feeling drained and disconnected from the beauty around us. But here's something I've discovered: intentionally seeking moments of wonder can bring a breath of fresh air to our busy lives.</p><p>Whether it’s a simple walk in the park, listening to your favorite piece of music, or watching a sunset, these moments can reignite a sense of amazement. They help us to slow down, appreciate the little things, and reconnect with our Creator. It’s in these moments that we can see God’s fingerprints in our everyday lives, and that is incredibly grounding and uplifting.</p><p>This podcast episode reminds us of how reconnecting with wonder—in nature, art, travel, and through children's eyes—can shift our perspective, boost mental health, and deepen our connection with God. Rediscover how moments that once seemed fleeting can become sources of inspiration and renewed purpose.</p><p><strong>After you listen to the episode, here are a few ideas for next steps and ideas</strong></p><p>Cultivate Awe and Wonder</p><p>* <strong>Identify Busyness</strong>:</p><p>* List your top 5 daily responsibilities or commitments. How might these be affecting your ability to experience wonder?</p><p>* Reflect: Are you making room for moments that "take your breath away"? What gets in the way?</p><p>* <strong>Revisit Childhood Awe</strong>:</p><p>* Recall a moment from your childhood that filled you with wonder. How does it feel to reconnection with the feelings?</p><p>* The podcast episode mentions childhood delights such as chasing fireflies and rainbows. Think of crunching leaves or northern lights. What childhood wonder would you like to replicate?</p><p>* <strong>Plan Nature Time</strong>:</p><p>* Plan a simple outing for this week (e.g., a walk in the park, a visit to a nearby lake).</p><p>* Pause on your outing to breathe deeply and notice the sights and sounds.</p><p>* <strong>Appreciate Art and Music</strong>:</p><p>* Choose a piece of art or music to explore today. Describe its elements that stir emotion or wonder in you.</p><p>* How can you incorporate art or music into your routine to enhance your day-to-day life?</p><p>For inspiration, here are a few photos of some of my recent nature adventures that took my breath away. </p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://michellerayburn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">michellerayburn.substack.com</a>
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20 MIN
Spiritual Minimalism: The Art of Letting Go
NOV 13, 2024
Spiritual Minimalism: The Art of Letting Go
<p>Are you ready to let go of the mental clutter that is affecting your spiritual well-being? The influences come from outside of us—social media, arguments, political angst, and busyness—but how we allow it to influence our spiritual health is up to us. Perhaps it’s time for spiritual minimalism.</p><p>In today’s podcast episode, Michelle discussed the transformative power of letting go of mind clutter and how it can lead to a more meaningful midlife. As life tends to become increasingly complicated, especially around midlife, simplifying both our physical and spiritual spaces can pave the way for clarity, growth, and inner peace.</p><p><strong>Time to Redefine</strong></p><p>Outdated beliefs, spiritual baggage, and unhelpful thought patterns can weigh us down. Midlife presents an opportune moment to reflect and redefine what genuinely matters, allowing us to shed the excess and embrace a faith focused on love, compassion, and true spiritual alignment.</p><p>It doesn’t mean abandoning your core faith. It means extracting it from the stuff that doesn’t belong there. And no, we don’t need to donate this to charity or dump it on someone else. If you have cleaned a closet or a room and dumped the stuff that filled every space, you know how freeing that is. That how it feels to say goodbye to the mental and spiritual clutter.</p><p><strong>Key takeaways from this episode include:</strong></p><p>Practical steps for spiritual decluttering</p><p>Reassessing commitments driven by guilt</p><p>Redefining relationships</p><p>Simplifying spiritual focus.</p><p>I know. Some of your cultural expectations are tied to religious upbringing and the entanglement of political and spiritual identities. You can reclaim those spaces. There is room for even stronger faith when you clear out the stuff that doesn’t belong there.</p><p>This is about going deeper, not wider.</p><p><strong>Look for bonus resources on Midlife Repurposed on Substack, including a 10-day spiritual decluttering challenge</strong>. </p><p>Mentioned in the episode: <a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3Y1VTGB"><em>Whiskers, Wags, and Woofs</em></a><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3Y1VTGB"> book</a>. A gift for the dog or cat lover in your life. (affiliate link)</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://michellerayburn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">michellerayburn.substack.com</a>
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27 MIN