438: Facing Midlife: Ian Simkins on Success, Loneliness in Your 40s, Spiritual Abuse, and Why Efficiency Is a Terrible God

There’s a moment, often quietly, when you realize life didn’t turn out how you thought it would. The dreams you chased, the milestones you reached—they didn’t deliver the satisfaction you imagined. And somewhere along the way, loneliness crept in, success started to feel hollow, and the constant pressure to optimize every part of your life became a crushing weight. This week on Win Today, Ian Simkins joins us to discuss the uncomfortable truths no one tells you about midlife. In this conversation, we’ll unpack:

• Why midlife often exposes the false gods we’ve been serving
• The unique, often hidden loneliness of your 40s—and how to navigate it
• How spiritual abuse leaves scars that don’t just go away with time
• Why efficiency, while celebrated, makes a terrible master
• The freedom that comes when you stop demanding success from God

Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s an invitation. An invitation to reevaluate what you’ve been chasing, to heal what’s still wounded, and to walk with God in a deeper, quieter way. If you’re feeling stuck, unseen, or frustrated by the gap between your expectations and your reality, this episode will speak directly to where you are.

Guest Bio

Ian Simkins is the lead pastor of The Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee, a dynamic and rapidly growing church known for its commitment to authenticity, spiritual formation, and emotional health. As a pastor, teacher, and storyteller, Ian is passionate about helping people encounter the grace of God in the middle of their real, messy lives. His voice is raw, wise, and relentlessly honest, inviting others to trade performance-based religion for genuine transformation.

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Resources Mentioned This Week

• Healing What You Can’t Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out

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