Explore every episode of the podcast Still Well Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Brooke dives into the deep and often overlooked topics of loneliness, friendship, and spiritual connection during midlife. She shares personal struggles, insights from faith and research, and practical steps to foster meaningful relationships and spiritual growth.

Main Topics:

• The emotional challenge of loneliness in midlife

• The importance of community, connection, and faith

• Practical ways to build friendships and deepen spiritual life

• Understanding seasons of solitude and desert experiences

• The role of reliance on God versus human relationships

Timestamps: 00:14 - Welcome and introduction to the podcast's focus on midlife transitions 01:15 - Announcing episode release schedule and community connection 02:27 - Brooke’s overview of the episode's theme: loneliness and relationships 03:08 - Personal struggle with loneliness and its impact on emotions 04:00 - Signs of feeling disconnected or off in daily life 05:04 - Recognizing loneliness as a key driver of emotional overwhelm 05:34 - Brooke’s historical difficulty with female friendships and expectations 06:52 - How life phases, especially children’s independence, affect friendships 07:21 - Challenges after moving and with older children 09:03 - The importance of community for emotional and physical health 10:52 - Faith, connection, and the need for spiritual relationships 11:42 - Celebrating friendships and the value of deep, meaningful connections 13:04 - Why connection is vital for longevity and well-being 14:39 - The impact of feeling connected on health, as researched by Harvard 15:46 - The significance of spiritual connection and prayer 17:24 - Reflection on biblical teachings and community examples 18:52 - Jenny Allen’s insights on spiraling thoughts and the importance of honest relationships 19:39 - The influence of seasons and experiences like birthdays on feelings of connection 20:08 - Pastor Tim’s message on desert seasons and dependence on God 21:16 - The trap of high expectations and reliance on friends for joy 22:11 - Relinquishing the need for friends to be our happiness source 23:46 - Relying on God as the only perfect source of love and joy 24:41 - Self-worth rooted in divine love, not human validation 25:24 - Building a relationship with God through time and prayer 26:46 - Practical steps: church, Bible studies, service, and community involvement 28:24 - Recognizing cycles of disconnection and cultivating purposeful connection 30:48 - The importance of praying for friendships and taking actionable steps 31:47 - Practical ways to find and build community: church, book clubs, service, and more 33:02 - The value of local groups, Bible studies, and reconnecting with old friends 34:11 - Strengthening relationships with family and engaging in shared activities 36:12 - The power of service and community projects to foster new connections 38:19 - Overcoming fears of loneliness in future seasons 39:03 - Embracing community as part of God's plan for a fulfilled midlife 40:12 - The impact of encouragement and shared faith stories 41:12 - Building relationships through outreach, social media, and church connections 42:08 - Final encouragement: choose faith, foster connection, and remain rooted

Resources & Links:

• Get Out of Your Head by Jenny Allen

• Moms in Prayer

• Still Well Mom Website

Connect with Dr. Brooke:

•  Instagram
•  Facebook
• Newsletter

EMAIL: brooke@thestillwellmom.com

Let's continue this journey of connection and faith together. Remember, you're not alone, and building a community rooted in faith secures our joy and purpose in midlife.

Don't forget to head over to www.stillwellmom.com to get more information about Strong, Steady Rooted Foundations, and learn more about growing physical capacity, emotional balance, and a deeper faith in midlife. Remember, your body is not a problem to fix, but a gift to honor, and you do not have to do midlife alone.

This episode explores what true freedom looks like in midlife—especially when life feels full, noisy, and hard to control. Dr. Brooke Stillwell shares honest reflections on surrender, faith, and the peace that comes from letting go of fear and trusting God’s plan.

Key Topics:

• The importance of freedom and what it means in midlife

• How the pandemic highlighted our appreciation for freedom

• The role of control and surrender in overcoming anxiety and fear

• Practical steps to release worries and align with God's plan

• How age and life changes impact our sense of freedom

• Biblical truths about God's control and presence outside of time

• The significance of quiet, stillness, and reflection for emotional well-being

• The difference between striving and surrendering to God's will

Timestamps: 00:44 - Introduction to the episode and setting their new backdrop 01:07 - The significance of releasing control and embracing freedom 02:16 - Reflection on the timing of the episode and life deadlines 03:39 - Working through stress and the need for flexibility 04:29 - The importance of freedom from the to-do list 05:54 - The internal battle with control, OCD tendencies, and spiraling 07:16 - How the history of freedom and recent events like COVID-19 highlight its value 08:44 - Experiencing time with family and the importance of quality over quantity 09:35 - Reflecting on historical sacrifices for freedom and gratitude 10:48 - Recognizing the shifts in freedom as children grow older 11:56 - Visiting Concord and Lexington, understanding sacrifices for independence 12:37 - The significance of gratitude for those who served in the military 14:19 - Comparing past struggles with contemporary emotional and mental health battles 15:32 - The concept of freedom in our minds and emotional well-being 16:58 - Different forms of freedom in midlife: time, faith, finances, and identity 17:49 - Managing feelings of excess freedom and adjusting to changes 18:45 - Emotional balance and the challenges of distractions 19:46 - Learning to be still and the importance of quiet time with God 21:20 - The illusion of control and fears that hold us back 23:39 - Surrendering control and the power of letting go 24:22 - The ongoing process of trusting God and releasing worries 25:46 - Freedom from others' opinions and the need to help everyone 27:04 - The biblical truth that God is outside of time and in control 28:48 - The significance of trusting God's plan and relinquishing control 29:43 - The role of faith, patience, and spiritual growth in experiencing true freedom 30:56 - Practical steps: Bible study, prayer, and surrender as tools for freedom 32:18 - Recognizing the danger of distractions and avoiding avoidance behaviors 33:15 - The importance of silence, stillness, and letting go 34:15 - The concept of calling a truce in life—laying down your weapons 35:16 - The joy of living free through surrender and trust in God 36:04 - How seeking God's kingdom leads to all other freedoms 36:55 - The challenge of the noisy world and the need for intentional quiet 37:23 - Appreciation for our freedoms and gratitude to God 38:19 - Finding peace, joy, and freedom as life changes with age 39:08 - The lesson learned about control and release in the past year 40:05 - Invitation for listener feedback and connection 40:34 - Encouragement to live with purpose, faith, and freedom 41:03 - Closing thoughts: Choosing surrender and stewardship over striving

Resources & Links:

• Bible Recap

• Romans 8:28

• Stillwell Mom Website

• Follow on Instagram

• Follow on Facebook

Connect with Dr. Brooke Stillwell:

• brooke@thestillwellmom.com

<Note: The content emphasizes the spiritual and practical journey of embracing freedom in midlife, blending personal stories, biblical truths, and actionable insights for listeners navigating this phase of life.>

Don't forget to head over to www.stillwellmom.com to get more information about Strong, Steady Rooted Foundations, and learn more about growing physical capacity, emotional balance, and a deeper faith in midlife. Remember, your body is not a problem to fix, but a gift to honor, and you do not have to do midlife alone.

Embracing Midlife: Faith, Family, and Growth in Stillwell Podcast Episode 1

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Stillwell Podcast, where Brooke shares her heartfelt reflections on entering a new season of life—navigating aging, motherhood, faith, and self-discovery. She invites listeners to embrace vulnerability and find strength in faith and community as they navigate midlife.

Main Topics:

• The transition into midlife and embracing aging
• Balancing faith, health, and emotional well-being
• Relationships with family, spouse, and friends during this phase
• Letting go of control and trusting God's plan
• Finding gratitude and perspective amid life's changes

In this episode:

• Brooke introduces her personal journey into midlife, discussing turning fifty and the emotional shifts involved
• She reflects on how her faith has been pivotal in navigating aging, health, and loss of control
• The importance of holistic health: physical strength, emotional balance, and spiritual faith
• Practical insights on managing stress, expectations, and cultivating gratitude
• The significance of grace—toward ourselves and others—during seasons of change
• Brooke shares a recent experience celebrating her birthday, adjusting expectations, and finding joy in the moment

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the podcast's purpose
01:09 - Brooke shares her personal life and current season of motherhood
02:32 - Reflection on turning fifty and feelings about aging
04:00 - Embracing God's plan and faith during life's transitions
07:13 - The role of faith in dealing with mortality and purpose
08:10 - Realizing health and longevity are rooted in trusting God
09:35 - Managing expectations and surrendering control
10:48 - The importance of spiritual connection in midlife
13:07 - How to put faith into action through stewardship of health and relationships
14:30 - Physical health topics: sleep, hormones, menopause
15:36 - Emotional balance techniques and managing adult children's stresses
17:14 - Reconnecting with spouse and strengthening relationships
18:35 - Self-control and working on humility in marriage
19:57 - Faith as the foundation for parenting and life's uncertainties
22:33 - Growth through trials and trusting God's greater plan
24:44 - Letting go of perfection and embracing grace and gratitude
26:30 - Shifting perspective on expectations and life's blessings
27:45 - Celebrating life's milestones amid adjustments
29:11 - The importance of gratitude and making the best of what we have
30:31 - Closing thoughts and invitation for feedback

Resources & Links:

• Stillwell Mom Website

Connect with Brooke:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Email: brooke@thestillwellmom.com

Note: Upcoming episodes will reflect real-time experiences, faith insights, and practical tips for thriving in midlife. Stay connected HERE for weekly updates and community support.