Why Your Midlife Crisis Isn’t What You Think: 5 Hidden Signs of Grief
Most men think a midlife crisis is about buying sports cars, switching careers, or chasing thrills. But beneath the surface, midlife is often something deeper: grief — the quiet loss of old identities and roles.
In this episode of Good Grief, John Doe, experiential psychologist Dr. Nelson Pahl reveals five hidden ways unresolved grief disguises itself as the midlife funk. You’ll see why this so-called “crisis” isn’t an ending, but an invitation to grow.
👉 You’ll learn how to recognize:
- Why unexplained sadness may actually be grief for your younger self
- How nostalgia signals midlife identity loss, not just fond memories
- Why old passions feel empty — and what it really means
- The link between restlessness and unprocessed grief in men after 50
- How feeling like a stranger to yourself is actually a call to evolve
Whether you call it a midlife crisis, transition, or reinvention, this episode will help you name what’s really happening — and begin the grief recovery process that frees you to reinvent yourself after 50.
🎧 Tune in now and discover how unspoken grief can become the key to midlife renewal.
Episode Highlights
- Midlife as Death of Old Identities
- Historic Study of Midlife Crisis in Men
- Five Signs Midlife = Grief
- Growth Through Midlife Grief
Healing Links
5-Day Challenge: Resurrection Camp
Supporting Links
Empirical Research: Core Identity Transition Research
Foundation Research: Successful Midlife Development Study
HelpGuide Article: Analysis of Midlife Research
Next Episode: Men After 50: Why You Struggle to Let Go of Old Identities (Midlife Resurrection Series - Part 2)
About the Host
Nelson Pahl, Ph.D. is an experiential psychologist that helps midlife men move from midlife crisis depression to midlife reinvention. Through his proprietary approaches — Resurrection Camp, the Six Stones Retreat Arc, and his Legacy Lab — he guides men after 50 through identity loss, midlife transformation, and personal reinvention. He's also author of the book, Escaping Sartre's Hell: A Guide for Self-Validation in Midlife.
Want to Share?
If his episode resonated with you, drop a note or a timestamped comment — or send a private message.
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.