Every January, the church flyers reappear. “Faith-based wellness.” “Biblical fitness.” And every time, I feel the echo of an old wound I’m still healing from. My faith and my attempts to change my body size have a long history. I’ve been untangling diet culture from that faith space in midlife.

This episode is a voiceover of the Substack blog post of the same title. If you prefer to get content in your earbuds, I have you covered! If you like to read, see the link below.

Read the post: https://michellerayburn.substack.com/p/when-faith-and-diet-culture-collide

A little update for you on the direction I’m going with the Midlife Repurposed podcast in the future. Plus, I’m celebrating that the podcast is eight years old! I launched in October of 2018 as the Life, Repurposed podcast and then morphed into Midlife Repurposed.

My big wish for the future would be to have a podcast co-hosted by others who can talk about midlife and all that it entails, honest conversations that invite community and conversation. But logistically, that isn’t possible right now with all that’s going on in life.

For now, going forward, I’m sharing voiceovers of some of my Substack posts, for those who are busy, don’t have time to read posts, or who love hearing something in their earbuds in the author’s voice.

Thank you for being on this journey with me!

https://michellerayburn.substack.com

What happens when only some voices are heard—and the rest stay silent? In this episode of Midlife Repurposed, Michelle Rayburn uses the metaphor of a choir to explore what a “more perfect Union” really looks like. She reflects on how every voice matters—in our homes, workplaces, communities, and in our democracy—and why silencing others diminishes us all.

Michelle speaks to midlife listeners who’ve felt overlooked, marginalized, or unheard, offering encouragement to reclaim their voice. For anyone navigating inequality, this episode challenges us to embrace differences, speak truth, and contribute to the full harmony of society.

When all voices are heard, the song—and our nation—truly belongs to everyone.

Read the accompanying article on Substack here: https://open.substack.com/pub/michellerayburn/p/when-all-voices-sing

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.

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.

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.

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.

Want more? Check out this essay: https://open.substack.com/pub/michellerayburn/p/what-we-lose-if-we-stay-silent

Find Midlife Repurposed on Substack

https://michellerayburn.substack.com

In this episode, we dive into the nuances of long-lasting relationships and finding purpose in midlife. In this special episode, Michelle Rayburn takes us on a reflective journey back in time to when she and her husband had been married for 28 years. Now, after 35 years of marriage, she revisits her past thoughts, sharing insights on what has changed and what remains true in her perspective on marriage.

Join us as we explore the critical elements of staying connected, honoring a covenant, and effective communication, all while embracing the ups and downs that come with midlife transitions.

Whether you're navigating the complexities of marriage, empty nesting, or simply seeking inspiration for a renewed sense of purpose, this episode offers timeless wisdom and practical takeaways. Let's repurpose this season of life together with encouragement and insights drawn from Michelle's own experiences.

There are also some fun printable bonuses in the show notes!

You'll find shownotes and more at https://michellerayburn.substack.com

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.

Key Points in the Episode

12 Practical Tips for Intuitive Productivity

* Start each day by checking in with yourself. Before you dive into your to-do list, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself, 'What feels most exciting or meaningful today?'

* Break free from rigid schedules. 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.

* Use joy as a compass. 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?

* Set intentions, not deadlines. Instead of rigid deadlines, focus on broad intentions. This approach moves you forward without the unnecessary pressure to be perfect or rushed.

* Honor your energy cycles. 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.

* Simplify your to-do list. 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.

* Celebrate small wins. Instead of focusing on what’s left undone, take time to acknowledge your progress.

* Let go of multitasking. 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.

* Trust your instincts when prioritizing. When you’re faced with competing demands, trust your gut to decide what truly needs your attention.

* Create space for creative exploration. Set aside unstructured time to brainstorm, experiment, or simply let your mind wander.

* Reflect and adjust regularly. At the end of each day or week, take a few minutes to reflect on what felt good and what didn’t.

* Say no to what doesn’t align. If a task or commitment doesn’t align with your values or passions, give yourself permission to say no.

Which one resonates most with you as something you can practice?

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.

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.

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.

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.

After you listen to the episode, here are a few ideas for next steps and ideas

Cultivate Awe and Wonder

* Identify Busyness:

* List your top 5 daily responsibilities or commitments. How might these be affecting your ability to experience wonder?

* Reflect: Are you making room for moments that "take your breath away"? What gets in the way?

* Revisit Childhood Awe:

* Recall a moment from your childhood that filled you with wonder. How does it feel to reconnection with the feelings?

* 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?

* Plan Nature Time:

* Plan a simple outing for this week (e.g., a walk in the park, a visit to a nearby lake).

* Pause on your outing to breathe deeply and notice the sights and sounds.

* Appreciate Art and Music:

* Choose a piece of art or music to explore today. Describe its elements that stir emotion or wonder in you.

* How can you incorporate art or music into your routine to enhance your day-to-day life?

For inspiration, here are a few photos of some of my recent nature adventures that took my breath away.

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.

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.

Time to Redefine

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.

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.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

Practical steps for spiritual decluttering

Reassessing commitments driven by guilt

Redefining relationships

Simplifying spiritual focus.

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.

This is about going deeper, not wider.

Look for bonus resources on Midlife Repurposed on Substack, including a 10-day spiritual decluttering challenge.

Mentioned in the episode: Whiskers, Wags, and Woofs book. A gift for the dog or cat lover in your life. (affiliate link)