In this first episode of This Middle Life, Dr. Holly Rusher invites you into a gentle, honest conversation about why December so often feels both magical and overwhelming. From the quiet weight of expectations to the tender ache of changing traditions, Holly explores how this season becomes a mirror for the fullness — and the fatigue — of midlife.

With warmth, humor, and grounded faith, she reflects on the invisible load so many women carry, the pressure to create a “perfect” holiday, and the real-life moments that matter far more than flawless plans. There’s even a lighthearted nod to Christmas Vacation — because sometimes December feels like that, too.

This episode also shares the heart behind the podcast: a space for women navigating midlife transitions, identity shifts, caregiving, grief, joy, and the sacred in-between places where we’re still becoming.

If December feels like too much — or if you’re stepping into something new with a shaky but hopeful voice — you’re not alone. Start here. Breathe here. You belong here.