Episode 52: What Is A Midlife Crisis?
The itch isn’t a meltdown. It’s a message.
We kick off Season 6 of The Mango Times by naming the midlife feeling many of us carry but rarely say out loud. Therapist and fellow motocycler Chris Oneth joins me to unpack what people casually call a “midlife crisis”—where it comes from, why it shows up, and why it might be less about blowing things up and more about waking up.
We move past the red-sports-car cliché and talk about identity, deferred desires, and the roles and expectations that quietly try to box us in. We pressure-test the "Purpose" Venn diagram and explore why Gen X feels this moment so acutely—even though the urge to shift is universal and non-generational.
Most importantly, we get practical. We talk through thought exercises, small rituals, weekly reps, and how adventure helps to build clarity without burning everything down.
Hey friend! If you’re feeling restless, curious, or unfinished, you’re not broken—you’re waking up.
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Guest Information
Chris Oneth is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Modesto, California, and the Executive Director of Downey Park Counseling Associates. With a background in education and years of counseling experience, Chris works with individuals, couples, and families navigating identity, relationships, and life transitions — especially the questions that surface at midlife.
Outside the therapy room, Chris is a fellow adventurer, overlander, and motorcycle rider. Like Fletch, he’s partial to his Triumph motorcycle, spending time on the road and trail where reflection, perspective, and renewal tend to show up naturally.
Resources and Links
Downey Park Counseling
Chris Oneth - Personal Website
Venn Diagram - Purpose
Music used in this episode:
All music in this episode is licensed for use through Epidemic Sound.
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