In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, our hosts challenge everything we've been taught about forgiveness. Not the textbook version we learned as kids, but the real, messy, evolving kind that shows up after serious trauma, toxic relationships, and years of bypassed emotions. This is a raw conversation about what happens when you stop forcing yourself to forgive and start focusing on what you actually feel.

💬 Barb opens up about replacing forgiveness with acceptance after her divorce, her history of sexual abuse, and why at 69 years old she's done pressuring herself to forgive people who caused real harm.

💬 Michelle gets vulnerable about being a self-described "sucker" who forgave a major trauma too quickly because the person said the right words, and how she's learning to sit with her own feelings before letting anyone else influence her process.

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why Barb swapped the word "forgiveness" for "acceptance" and how that shift changed everything
• The danger of forgiving too quickly and bypassing the emotions that actually need to be felt
• Michelle's experience of forgiving a severe trauma as a kid because the person said all the right things, only to realize decades later she'd never actually processed it
• How other people's apologies and influence can cloud what you truly feel and need
• Why taking accountability doesn't mean someone gets a pass or gets let back in
• The connection between premature forgiveness and the inability to set boundaries later in life
• Nedra Glover Tawwab's quote on forgiveness and releasing the power harm has over you

"I don't wanna wait that long. And also, is that really even the goal?"

If you've ever felt the pressure to forgive before you were ready, or wondered if forgiveness is even what you need right now, this episode is going to feel like permission to breathe. Barb and Michelle aren't here to tell you what to do. They're here to sit with you in the mess and remind you that healing doesn't have a deadline. Come listen.

📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend

If this episode on Forgiveness and Acceptance resonated with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend, a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and find clarity and strength one day at a time.

Because resilience doesn’t begin with changing your circumstances.

It begins with strengthening your relationship with yourself.

And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

Episode Breakdown ⬇️

0:00 – Intro / Teaser clip

0:58 – Welcome & introducing the forgiveness topic

7:18 – Barb shares where she is today with forgiveness (2026)

8:04 – Barb opens up about childhood sexual abuse

10:15 – Is forgiveness even the goal anymore?

18:57 – Why we put the onus on the person who was harmed

23:24 – Should you remove the other person from the equation?

24:44 – The danger of being easily swayed by an apology

25:18 – How being a "sucker" affects your healing process

41:01 – Walking through what actually works: staying in your own essence

46:21 – Closing thoughts: accountability ≠ forgiveness

49:55 – Outro & Nedra Tawwab quote on releasing forgiveness

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, this mother-daughter duo gets deeply personal about dishonesty. Not the headline-grabbing kind, but the everyday white lies, the withheld truths, the stories we tell ourselves about "protecting" the people we love. From family secrets revealed years later to the small manipulations that slowly erode trust, Barb and Michelle unpack what honesty really costs and what it makes possible.

💬 Barb shares how she navigated telling Michelle about her bulimia, a family affair, and the alcoholism in their lineage, and why she trusted life to present the right timing rather than forcing the conversation.

 💬 Michelle opens up about what it felt like to learn major truths about her family as a young adult, how those revelations triggered a "what else don't I know?" spiral, and why her mom's non-judgmental space made all the difference.

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The difference between withholding truth to protect versus withholding to manipulate and control
• How Michelle learned about her dad's affair through a Facebook message years after his death, and how Barb handled the fallout
• Why Barb believes "life will present the timing" for hard conversations with your kids
• The real damage of small, repeated white lies versus big one-time revelations
• How calling someone a "liar" or "gaslighter" can short-circuit a conversation, and what to say instead
• Creating a safe space where your child (or anyone) can tell the truth without being punished first
• Why trust can be broken in a moment but takes patience and intention to rebuild

"I truly believe the truth will set you free. I become tethered to lies."

Whether you're a parent wondering what to share and when, or someone rebuilding trust after it cracked, this episode will make you feel less alone in the mess of it. Barb and Michelle don't pretend to have perfect answers. They just show you what it looks like to keep choosing honesty, even when it's uncomfortable. Pull up a seat and listen in.

0:00 - Cold Open

0:57 - Welcome to Life Happens with Barb & Michelle

1:15 - Introducing Today's Topic: Truth & Dishonesty

2:12 - Truth Used to Be a Core Value — What Changed?

11:21 - Parent-Child Honesty: When & How to Share Hard Truths

13:45 - The "True Hat" Rule: A Family Trust Agreement

19:41 - Finding Out About Dad's Affair Through Facebook

22:18 - Letting Life Present the Right Moment to Tell the Truth

28:38 - Are White Lies More Harmful Than Big Ones?

29:33 - Work Colleague Story: When White Lies Become Control

34:01 - Lying About Drinking as a Teen & Creating Safe Spaces

41:09 - "Raised by Cave People" — Extending Grace to Our Parents

47:07 - Don't Use "You Are" — Use "I Feel" Language

49:27 - Creating Safe Spaces & Repairing Broken Trust

51:16 - Closing & Thank You

📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend

If this episode on Dishonesty and Trust resonated with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend, a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and find clarity and strength one day at a time.

Because resilience doesn’t begin with changing your circumstances. It begins with strengthening your relationship with yourself.

And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Hosted by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, our hosts go deep on one of the most universally painful human experiences: betrayal. This is a raw, honest conversation about what betrayal actually does to us, how it lives in our bodies, and what it really takes to move forward (hint: it's not just forgiving and forgetting).

💬 Barb opens up about how betrayal has quietly shattered her sense of safety and belonging over the years, including within family relationships, and shares what she's learning about the difference between repairing a relationship and repairing yourself.

💬 Michelle gets real about a time in her younger years when she found herself cast as the villain in a messy web of loyalty, secrets, and broken trust. She reflects on how she eventually made peace with it, even without resolution from the other people involved.

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why betrayal isn't just disappointment and why it activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain
• The difference between a mistake and a betrayal, and why that line matters
• What it looks like to "clean up your own side of the street" after you've hurt someone
• The pressure of "blood is thicker than water" and why family loyalty doesn't obligate you to stay in unsafe relationships
• How to know whether a broken relationship is worth repairing or whether it's okay to let it go
• The sneaky way gossip can be a gateway to bigger betrayals
• What self-betrayal has to do with all of it (and why that's a whole other episode)

"What society thinks and what other people are telling you is true... blood is thicker than water, you have to forgive and forget... none of that applies. How do you feel about it?"

If you've ever felt like you had to choose between protecting someone and protecting yourself, this episode will meet you right there. You'll walk away with a clearer sense of what you actually owe other people and what you owe yourself. Come sit with us for this one.

📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend

If this episode on Loyalty and Betrayal resonated with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend, a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and find clarity and strength one day at a time.

Because resilience doesn’t begin with changing your circumstances.

It begins with strengthening your relationship with yourself.

And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community ⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

Have you ever felt the weight of the world and wondered how to keep moving forward—with strength, dignity, and hope?

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we explore why resilience can feel so hard, especially when you're exhausted from carrying so much. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s powerful poem Still I Rise, this conversation is about finding the courage to rise again—even when life feels overwhelming.

💬 Barb candidly shares her personal experiences with trauma and how Maya Angelou’s wisdom helped her build strength and resilience in her own life.

💬 Michelle opens up about what it feels like to be tired of always having to be resilient—and how she continues to rise above life’s challenges with honesty, grace, and self-compassion.

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How to find your voice and strength after trauma
• Becoming the author of your own life story
• The healing power of literature and storytelling
• Why resilience doesn’t mean ignoring your pain
• Holding onto one powerful truth: Still I Rise
• Finding balance between growth, healing, and rest

As Maya Angelou reminds us:

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

If life feels heavy right now, this conversation is a reminder that you are stronger than you think—and you can rise again.

💗 Mentioned in today’s episode:

Maya Angelou’s Still I rise: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise

Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings-maya-angelou/1100392955

📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend

If this episode on rising above life’s hardships and practicing self-compassion resonated with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend, a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and find clarity and strength one day at a time.

Because resilience doesn’t begin with changing your circumstances.

It begins with strengthening your relationship with yourself.

And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

Have you ever been the strong one, the helper, the fixer — only to wake up exhausted, resentful, or unsure where you went?

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we explore the hidden cost of overgiving in relationships and how codependency, people-pleasing, and emotional overfunctioning quietly lead to burnout.

Inspired by Codependent No More by Melody Beattie, this conversation shifts the focus from controlling others to caring for yourself. We talk about boundaries, emotional exhaustion, self-worth, detachment, and how to stop losing yourself in relationships.

If you struggle with:

• Overgiving
• feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions
• difficulty setting boundaries
• relationship burnout
• or constantly putting others first

…this episode is for you.

💬 Barb shares how she began recognizing her codependent patterns during addiction and divorce — and how healing started when she stopped trying to manage everyone else’s experience.

💬 Michelle opens up about losing herself in past relationships and how she rebuilt trust with her own voice, needs, and intuition.

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How overgiving leads to resentment and emotional fatigue
• The difference between love and codependency
• Why healthy relationships require boundaries
• How to stop controlling others and start caring for yourself
• Acceptance, detachment, and emotional resilience
• Rebuilding self-worth after toxic dynamics

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Healthy love is mutual. Boundaries are not selfish — they are necessary.

If you’re ready to stop overextending, start honoring your needs, and build balanced, lasting relationships, press play.

💗 Mentioned in today’s episode:

Melody Beattie’s When Things Fall Apart: https://bit.ly/4rBjmvX

📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend

If this episode on overgiving, boundaries, and rebuilding self-worth resonates with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend — a daily reflection companion created to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and build emotional clarity one day at a time.

Because healing codependency doesn’t start with changing someone else.

It starts with strengthening your relationship with yourself.

And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into the wisdom of Pema Chödrön and her transformational book When Things Fall Apart — a powerful guide for navigating hardship, fear, failure, and suffering.

When life feels overwhelming, our instinct is often to escape the discomfort. But what if leaning into fear is actually the path to resilience? What if the suffering we experience isn’t just about what happened — but the meaning we attach to it?

This episode explores how to stop adding to your own suffering and start turning life’s hardest moments into growth and healing.

💬 Barb shares how When Things Fall Apart helped her navigate her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis and shift from fear to grounded presence.

💬 Michelle opens up about recognizing where she was compounding her own suffering — and how she now approaches hardship with greater awareness, compassion, and courage.

This conversation is an invitation to step out of denial, stop fighting reality, and begin building emotional resilience — especially when everything feels like it’s unraveling.

✨ In This Episode, We Explore:

• When Things Fall Apart – Why hardship and failure are not the end, but the beginning of transformation.
• How We Add to Our Own Suffering – The stories we tell ourselves that keep us stuck in guilt, denial, or fear.
• Leaning Into Fear – How facing discomfort builds real resilience.
• Reframing Failure – Why failure can be your greatest teacher.
• From Denial to Acceptance – Feeling difficult emotions instead of escaping them.
• The Danger of Passive Hope – Moving from wishing things were different to taking grounded, proactive steps.
• Building Emotional Resilience – Navigating small challenges so we’re stronger in life’s biggest storms.
• Being Fully Alive – Living with presence, curiosity, and compassion.

True healing begins when we stop resisting what is. When we meet pain with compassion instead of judgment. When we realize that fear and hardship are not signs that we’re broken — but invitations to grow.

If life feels heavy right now, this episode is for you.

💗 Mentioned in today’s episode:

Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart: https://bit.ly/3OAynj2

📘 Continue the Conversation

If this episode resonates, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend — a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with yourself, strengthen your inner voice, and practice emotional clarity one day at a time.

Because the most important relationship you’ll ever build… is the one you have with yourself.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your questions about navigating difficult relationship dynamics — without guilt, overexplaining, or abandoning yourself in the process.

From unrealistic expectations and gossip to setting boundaries for the first time, we’re diving into the messy, uncomfortable, and very real parts of relationships.

💬 Barb shares how she sets boundaries and approaches hard conversations with clarity and calm.

💬 Michelle opens up about releasing guilt, healing with confidence, and refusing to live in a victim mindset.

This conversation is honest, practical, and empowering — especially if you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing or feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions.

✨ In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why guilt often keeps us stuck — and what to do instead
• How to identify your values and honor your needs
• Setting boundaries without overexplaining
• Supporting loved ones without rescuing them
• Why healthy relationships require clarity, not self-sacrifice

At the heart of it all? You don’t build strong relationships by shrinking yourself. You build them by standing in your truth.

📘 Continue the Conversation

If this episode resonates, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend — a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with yourself, strengthen your inner voice, and practice emotional clarity one day at a time.

Because the most important relationship you’ll ever build… is the one you have with yourself.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into loyalty and betrayal — including our own experience of being unexpectedly ghosted by a friend. From healthy communication to redefining what loyalty really means, this conversation is for anyone navigating hurt, boundaries, and the courage to speak up.

💬 Barb shares her experience with fear of abandonment and how she’s learned to voice her truth, even when it feels risky.

💬 Michelle reflects on why she’s cautious with the word “loyalty” and how she’s redefined it in her own relationships.

✨ What We Talk About

Redefining Loyalty

Loyalty isn’t blind or unconditional — it’s a conscious commitment to work through discomfort, growth, and change with honesty and respect.

Fear of Abandonment

Recognizing the underlying fears that may keep you silent or guarded.

Being Okay with Confrontation

Healthy relationships are strengthened — not broken — by hard conversations.

Loyalty to the Relationship Itself

Respecting the time, energy, and connection you’ve built by choosing communication over avoidance.

Reminder: There is power and healing in honest communication. Be brave enough to speak your truth and set the boundaries that protect your peace.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Dear Friend is a 365-day companion designed to support self-care, self-love, and emotional clarity. Each reflection offers a gentle pause — a reminder to come back to yourself, nurture your inner voice, and build a life rooted in presence and confidence.

Explore the book and continue the journey toward deeper connection — starting with yourself.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re joined by New York Times bestselling author, therapist, and boundaries expert Nedra Glover Tawwab for an honest and timely conversation about relationships, communication, and expectations. This episode launches the same day as Nedra’s new book, The Balancing Act,offering a deeper look at the themes shaping her work right now.

From understanding how trauma can show up in our relationships to navigating boundaries, “no contact,” and emotional dependency, this conversation speaks directly to the loneliness so many of us are feeling—and what we can do about it.

💬 Nedra shares insights from her clinical work and personal experience, and offers a preview of the ideas explored in The Balancing Act.

💬 Michelle & Barb bring their own lived wisdom to the conversation, exploring relationships through a generational and mother–daughter lens.

✨ What We Talk About

Finding the Balance

Why boundaries aren’t walls to keep people out—but tools to keep relationships sustainable and meaningful.

The Challenge of “No Contact”

When cutting ties is necessary—and why building community and connection matters just as much.

Mindful Communication

Why speaking honestly instead of silently rehearsing conversations can save relationships.

The Relationship Deficit

How cultivating a fuller, more diverse community supports healthy dependency and eases unrealistic expectations.

As Nedra reminds us, every relationship—from romantic partnerships to friendships, family, and community—is a balancing act. When we give too much, we lose ourselves. When we protect ourselves too much, we lose closeness. Finding the middle ground is where connection, authenticity, and joy live.

✨UPCOMING EVENT:

Calling all South Florida friends! Join Nedra Glover Tawwab and Barb Schmidt at Books & Books in Miami for a meaningful conversation—and the opportunity to receive a signed copy of The Balancing Act.

Get your tickets here:https://shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2026-02-21/evening-nedra-glover-tawwab-barb-schmidt

Order Nedra’s new book, The Balancing Act, to create healthy dependency and connection without losing yourself:https://www.nedratawwab.com/books/the-balancing-act

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

⭐Special Guest:

Therapist, NYT Bestselling Author, Nedra Glover Tawwab

https://www.instagram.com/nedratawwab/?hl=en

Order her new book here: https://www.nedratawwab.com/books/the-balancing-act

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

You don’t need a new beginning to come back to yourself. Dear Friend is a 365-day companion for self-love, presence, and quiet courage—one page, one day at a time. 👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re unpacking the pressure around relationships, singleness, and breakups — and what it really means to choose yourself. From recognizing when a relationship has run its course to building a strong sense of self, this conversation will empower you to create healthier relationships with yourself and others.

💬 Barb opens up about ending a 33-year marriage and how she stepped into a new chapter with confidence, clarity, and freedom.

💬 Michelle shares her journey of being alone and finding peace in choosing singleness over settling for less.

✨ What We Talk About

Self-Identity

Releasing the belief that our worth or purpose is defined by our relationship status.

Being Okay With Being Alone

Singleness isn’t failure — it can be a powerful season of growth, healing, and self-love.

Listening to Yourself

Learning to trust your feelings and needs so you can take the next right step.

Choosing Differently

Sometimes the uncomfortable path is the one that leads to joy, peace, and real alignment.

Reminder: You are more than your relationship status. Your identity, purpose, and fulfillment are defined by you — not by timelines, labels, or societal expectations.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Start 2026 with New Year, Brave You. Dear Friend is a 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace — one gentle reflection at a time.

✨ Begin the year with intention and courage.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🔖 Hashtags:

#Relationships #EndedRelationships #Breakups #ToxicRelationships

But sometimes, choosing yourself is the bravest and most healing decision you can make.

What if all it took to change your life was the courage to trust yourself again?

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re joined by NYT bestselling author Jen Hatmaker for an honest, compassionate, and deeply moving conversation about life after divorce, listening to your intuition, and finding freedom on the other side of heartbreak.

Jen opens up about putting her life fully out there — the grief, the courage, the fallout — and what it was like to go from deep personal pain to becoming an instant New York Times bestseller. Together, we explore what happens when trauma finds you… and how ignoring your truth doesn’t make it any less true.

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, conflicted, exhausted from self-doubt, or quietly wondering if it’s time for something different.

💬 In this conversation, we explore:

• Choosing Yourself: Why freedom and joy begin the moment you decide your needs matter.
• Life After Divorce: The heartbreak, the healing, and the unexpected growth that follows.
• Comfort Over Coaching: Why people often want to soothe us instead of supporting real change.
• The Sunk Cost Fallacy: Why no amount of time, history, or sacrifice is worth staying somewhere that no longer feels right.
• Trusting Your Intuition: How we often gaslight ourselves out of the truth we already know.
• Parenting Through Divorce: Navigating change, honesty, and healing with your children.
• Feeling the Hurt: Grieving what was, what could’ve been, and honoring the pain without getting stuck in it.

Barb and Michelle also share their personal experience navigating divorce as a mother and daughter — and how choosing honesty, presence, and self-trust reshaped their relationship.

✨ This episode is a reminder:

You’re not broken. You’re not weak. And trusting yourself isn’t selfish — it’s necessary.

📖 Order Jen’s memoir, Awake, to go deeper into courage, truth, and choosing yourself:

https://www.amazon.com/Awake-Memoir-Jen-Hatmaker/dp/166808368X

💬 We’d love to hear from you:

What moment or insight resonated most? Share in the comments — we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle 💕

⭐ Special Guest:

Follow Jen Hatmaker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenhatmaker/?hl=en

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Start 2026 with New Year, Brave You. Dear Friend is the perfect 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace—one gentle reflection at a time.✨ Begin the year with intention and courage.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 listen to the audiobook today and step into a year that truly loves you back. 👉https://amzn.to/459zSdt

🔖 Hashtags:

#JenHatmaker #Divorce #Freedom #ChooseYou #Courage

With all the pressure to “fix” your life overnight and become a brand-new version of yourself, we’re taking a different approach to the new year—one that feels grounded, compassionate, and sustainable.

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your questions on how to start the year with clarity and confidence—without stress, overwhelm, or unrealistic expectations. From self-acceptance to pursuing your dreams, this episode is a gentle guide to stepping into a year that loves you back.

💬 Barb shares how she’s redefined purpose and goals in her life, releasing pressure and unrealistic expectations.

💬 Michelle opens up about why self-care can feel “boring,” and how she discovered a practice that actually works in real life.

✨ What We Talk About

• Starting the year intentionally: Releasing urgency, reframing the “new year pressure,” and letting go of unrealistic timelines
• Practicing self-care consistently: Finding what supports you without feeling impractical or forced
• Navigating triggering topics: Knowing your boundaries, honoring your standards, and speaking up when something feels unaligned with your values
• Approaching goals with grace: Breaking your dreams into realistic milestones while staying connected to what you truly want

The pressure to reinvent yourself every January is exhausting. You don’t need a new version of you — you just need more compassion for the person you already are.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Start 2026 with New Year, Brave You. Dear Friend is the perfect 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace—one gentle reflection at a time.✨ Begin the year with intention and courage.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 listen to the audiobook today and step into a year that truly loves you back. 👉https://amzn.to/459zSdt

Mentioned in the episode:

💛 The Three Gates of Speech Principle: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsors:

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

✨Coming soon✨

You asked. We answered.

We've been quietly creating a platform designed to support your emotional and mental wellbeing with practical tools, heartfelt teachings, and science-backed practices.

Next month, our new Emotional Wellbeing Toolkit will be LIVE! Save the date and join us in stepping into a year that loves us back💕

Be the first to know and have access by signing-up for our newsletter: https://peacefulmindpeacefullife.substack.com/

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we continue our conversation on daily practices by exploring one of the most powerful tools for resilience and confidence: affirmations. We talk about how intentional self-talk can shift your mindset, strengthen problem-solving, and help you show up with more self-trust.

💬 Barb shares her wisdom on rooting the mind in truth and self-compassion, even when self-doubt and life’s challenges feel loud.

💬 Michelle opens up about discovering affirmations and how this simple practice transformed her relationship with herself.

✨ What We Talk About

• Becoming Your Own Best Friend: Offering yourself the same grace and care you give to others
• Negative vs. Positive Thinking: How choosing supportive thoughts helps create new neural pathways
• Building Resilience: Staying grounded in your affirmations instead of spiraling into worry or self-doubt
• Honoring Your Feelings: Affirmations don’t bypass emotions—feel your feelings without letting them define you

Remember: celebrate the small moments and the big wins. Speak to yourself with kindness, honor who you are becoming, and stay present in your day-to-day life.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Start 2026 with New Year, Brave You. Dear Friend is the perfect 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace—one gentle reflection at a time.✨ Begin the year with intention and courage.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🎧 listen to the audiobook today and step into a year that truly loves you back👉 https://amzn.to/459zSdt

💛 Episode Topics

• Stepping into a year that loves you back
• Combatting the negativity with affirmations
• Trusting and believing in yourself
• Celebrating yourself more and noticing the small moments

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

✨Coming soon✨

You asked. We answered.

We've been quietly creating a platform designed to support your emotional and mental wellbeing with practical tools, heartfelt teachings, and science-backed practices.

Next month, our new Emotional Wellbeing Toolkit will be LIVE! Save the date and join us in stepping into a year that loves us back💕

Be the first to know and have access by signing-up for our newsletter: https://peacefulmindpeacefullife.substack.com/

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re digging into a modern epidemic fueled by entitlement, comparison, and our fast-paced culture: impatience. We explore why slowing down is not a weakness, but the pathway to confidence, alignment, and ease as we enter 2026.

💬 Barb shares why she chose patience as her intention word for 2026 and offers simple, grounded ways to cultivate patience in everyday life.

💬 Michelle opens up about her struggle with waiting for things to align and how trusting her timing—and herself—completely shifted her experience.

✨ What We Talk About

• The entitlement epidemic: How instant gratification and individualism have shaped our expectations and how awareness helps us reconnect with compassion.

• How impatience hurts us: Acting out of alignment, rushing decisions, and feeling hopeless when life isn’t moving fast enough.

• Patience attains all things: Trusting your timing, embracing the “in-between,” and finding purpose in waiting seasons.

• Building a relationship with yourself: Pausing, breathing, reconnecting, and beginning again, over and over.

Remember: the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.

Have patience. Your small shifts matter—and they are creating a better tomorrow.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!

A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics

• The consequences of impatience
• Why we’re more entitled than ever
• How patience attains all things
• Combatting hopelessness and stress
• Cultivating patience in our daily lives

Mentioned in today's episode:

💛 Prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila: https://bit.ly/4qLmftu

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🔖 Hashtags:

#Patience #NewYear #2026 #IntentionSetting #Entitlement

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we close out the year with a powerful conversation about the one constant in life: change. Instead of viewing impermanence as something negative, we’re flipping the script and exploring how change can be a doorway to clarity, freedom, and fulfillment.

All growth is born from change—and learning how to work with it, rather than against it, can transform the way you move through life.

💬 Barb shares how embracing small shifts and cultivating self-awareness helped her recognize where change was needed in her life, ultimately leading to one of her biggest turning points.

💬 Michelle opens up about her struggle with resisting change, getting stuck in the habit of complaining, and what helped her begin moving forward with intention.

 In this episode, we explore:

• Embracing Change: Reframing change as an opportunity instead of a disruption
• The Habit of Complaining: How staying in negativity keeps us stuck—and what to do instead
• Small Shifts, Big Growth: Why easing into change creates lasting transformation
• Practicing Presence: Finding peace by staying grounded in the present moment, even when things feel uncertain

You may not know how the story ends—but every chapter offers a new beginning. Trust the process, honor the season you’re in, and allow change to guide you forward.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!

A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.👉 Order your copy:https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics

• Being alone during the holidays
• Redefining family, tradition, and what celebration means 
• Grieving and making space for difficult emotions
• Navigating disappointment with compassion
• Giving yourself grace, care, and permission to choose what you need

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re reflecting on some of the most meaningful moments from our podcast this year. Together, we revisit powerful conversations on navigating conflict in relationships, the loneliness epidemic, self-doubt, body image, and the quiet practices that help us come home to ourselves.

This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone and that real growth begins with awareness, compassion, and presence.

✨ In this episode, we explore powerful moments from past conversations, including:

• Navigating heated arguments with honesty and compassion — from Why Your Relationships Aren’t Working (And How Hard Conversations Can Help)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u88XpgOMGqA&t
• Why loneliness is rising and how to reconnect with yourself in a disconnected world — from Loneliness Is Killing Us (Connected but Disconnected)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWZ1ij3Ii7Y
• Moving through self-doubt to rebuild confidence and clarity by trusting your intuition — from Self-Doubt Ends Here | Leaning Into Your Intuition and Inner Voice
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UHQ1vas5_U&t
• Understanding body image and why true confidence comes from within—not external validation — from Why We Think We’re Not Enough: The Truth About Body Image & Confidence
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKOFVr5HQ2Q



📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!

A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your holiday questions and talking openly about navigating loneliness, grief, unwanted traditions, and disappointment. From estranged relationships and embracing solitude to feeling nostalgic or simply not feeling festive at all, this episode invites you to redefine what the holidays can mean for you.

What We Talk About

• Navigating Loneliness — How to honor your feelings without getting stuck in them, and gentle ways to lift your spirits
• Creating New Memories — Loosening our grip on expectations and allowing new traditions to emerge
• Grieving During the Holidays — Making space for loss, estrangement, and difficult emotions; it’s okay if this season doesn’t feel joyful
• Navigating Disappointment — Offering yourself grace while taking small steps that empower you to shift your experience

Remember: you’re allowed to celebrate differently.

You’re allowed to choose rest over routine.

You’re allowed to release traditions that no longer serve you.

Whatever this season looks like, you deserve to move through it with gentleness, honesty, and authenticity.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!

A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics

• Being alone during the holidays
• Redefining family, tradition, and what celebration means 
• Grieving and making space for difficult emotions
• Navigating disappointment with compassion
•  Giving yourself grace, care, and permission to choose what you need

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsors:

💕Cashapp

Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ineo05vp #CashAppPod. 

Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-.... Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

On this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into holiday stress, perfectionism, boundaries, and the real reason so many of us feel overwhelmed this time of year. With 62% of people reporting elevated holiday stress, this conversation will help you slow down, stay grounded, and make space for joy and presence.

Whether you’re navigating family expectations, food triggers, financial pressure, or the urge to “do it all,” this episode offers practical guidance on creating a holiday season that feels peaceful and true to you.

✨ What We Talk About

• How to release holiday perfectionism and find meaning in what’s real—not what’s flawless.
• The art of saying no and the freedom that comes with not overextending yourself.
• Checking in with your emotions: A simple practice for asking, “What do I desire and need this season?”
• Setting boundaries without guilt so you can protect your peace and energy.
• Navigating triggers & pressure:
• Barb opens up about food triggers and social overwhelm as a recovering bulimic.
• Michelle shares tools for managing financial stress and releasing unrealistic expectations.

If you’ve ever felt anxious, stretched too thin, or disappointed by the holidays, this episode is your reminder: You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to choose peace. You’re allowed to make this season meaningful in your own way.

📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!

A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.

👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics

• Saying No to Social Pressure — Navigating invitations from friends, family, and coworkers with confidence and compassion
• Managing Financial Stress — Rethinking gift-giving, events, and the cost of “holiday expectations”
• Handling Food Triggers — Staying grounded amid pressure to overindulge
• Avoiding Overextension — Setting healthy boundaries to protect your energy and well-being
• Letting Go of Perfectionism — Releasing the need to do it all and redefining what a meaningful holiday looks like

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsors:

💕Washington Red Raspberries

Washington Red Raspberries are a clean, simple, and seriously delicious way to add more  nutrition to your day. 

• They’re American grown, picked at peak ripeness, and frozen within hours to lock in nutrients  like fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. And they have no added sugar—just fruit, as nature  intended. Each serving is an excellent source of fiber (21% daily value) , high in antioxidant Vitamin C (30% daily value), low natural sugar, and a good source of folate.

You can grab your own bag of fresh, delicious, and locally grown raspberries at the following retailers:

Costco, Kroger, Meijer, and WinCo Foods

Look for “Product of the U.S.” on the bag. Want to discover new ways to use American frozen red raspberries and get more details on  where you can grab a bag of these delicious berries? 

✨ Go to redrazz.org

💕Wayfair

Wayfair is here to help with any last-minute gifts, decor emergencies, and final touches to make your space feel merry and cozy. From bedding and linens to decor for every room in the house—Wayfair’s your one-stop shop.

We’ve been updating our own spaces with Wayfair and love their wide selection, affordable prices, and free, easy delivery. From small touches to complete room makeovers, they have everything you need to create a home that feels just right.

✨ Start browsing and get inspired at Wayfair.com

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In today’s episode, we explore the truth that being messy is part of being human — and why perfection is the biggest lie we’ve ever been sold. 💫

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re joined by actress, comedian, and author Zosia Mamet for a deeply honest conversation about recovery, self-acceptance, and learning to embrace our imperfections.

In a world that glorifies thinness, achievement, and flawlessness, it’s easy to feel like you’ll never be “enough.” Zosia shares her raw journey through eating disorder recovery, the pressure to be perfect, and the unexpected power of community and vulnerability.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, comparison, or feeling alone in your pain — this episode is your reminder that you are worthy, lovable, and not alone.

✨ Episode Highlights

• Releasing Comparison: How social media fuels unrealistic expectations—and how to break free.

• Healing From an Eating Disorder: Understanding the roots of addiction and why support is essential.

• The Importance of Community: Why you don’t have to (and shouldn’t) struggle alone.

• Learning From Imperfection: Growth happens in the mistakes, the messiness, and the trying again.

This conversation is a soft place to land — a safe space to breathe, heal, and remember who you really are. 🌸

DEAR FRIEND: USA TODAY & INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

We are so proud to announce that Michelle’s book Dear Friend is now a USA TODAY and International Bestseller!

This moment is only possible because of YOU — your support, your reviews, your love, and your belief in this work.

Dear Friend offers 365 daily reflections to help you return to yourself with compassion, clarity, and peace.

👉 Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics

• How to break free from comparison and impossible beauty standards

• The truth about perfectionism—and its impact on your mental and emotional well-being

• Zosia Mamet’s honest journey through eating disorder recovery

• Why community, vulnerability, and support are essential for healing

• How to embrace imperfection and begin accepting yourself from the inside out

💬 We’d love to hear from you!

Which insight or moment resonated with you the most in this episode? Share in the comments below—we truly read every single one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

⭐ Special Guest:

https://www.instagram.com/zosiamamet/

And grab a copy of her amazing book: https://bit.ly/484YFRW

✨ Your New Must-Have Mindfulness Mug ✨ PMPL x Uncommon Goods

This isn’t just a mug—it’s a daily pause, a breath, a moment to return to yourself.

Every sip becomes a gentle reset, with year-round reflections designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and ground your day in intention. Make self-care simple, beautiful, and meaningful.

Shop your Mindfulness Mug here:

https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/daily-mindfulness-interactive-qr-mug

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your questions about self-love and how to build a strong foundation within. With envy, self-doubt, comparison, and self-judgment at an all-time high, this conversation offers a gentle, grounded guide for breaking through the noise and cultivating real confidence.

💬 Barb opens up about the power of positive self-talk and how it helped her heal from perfectionism and years of self-doubt.

💬 Michelle shares her personal experience with envy and how understanding the root of it transformed her relationship with herself.

✨ Episode Highlights

• Cultivating Real Self-Love: How to act with compassion even when your mind is filled with negative thoughts.

• Releasing Tough Love Habits: Identifying when you’re bypassing your emotions and learning to honour your true self-love language.

• From Envy to Self-Satisfaction: Recognizing comparison, interrupting the negative narrative, and rewriting your internal dialogue.

• Navigating Singleness: It’s okay to feel disappointment—while still choosing joy, connection, and fulfillment in your life today.

Remember: You don’t need to earn your self-love. There is nothing you must prove or achieve to be worthy of kindness, compassion, and care. 🌸

USA TODAY and INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER 📖

Michelle’s new book Dear Friend is out now!

A daily companion with 365 reflections to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, and inner peace.

👉 Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics:

• Releasing self-doubt and constant self-criticism
• Cultivating kinder, more loving self-talk
• Letting go of judgment, comparison, and the urge to “fix” yourself
• Finding genuine satisfaction and love for your life as it is
• Navigating singleness with confidence and self-worth

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

NEW MINDFULNESS MUG 💕 PMPL x Uncommon Goods

This isn’t just a mug—it’s a daily pause, a moment to breathe, and a gentle reminder to come back home to yourself. Each sip becomes a mindful reset, with year-round reflections delivered straight to your mug. Make self-care simple and meaningful. Shop your mug here:

https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/daily-mindfulness-interactive-qr-mug

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re talking about navigating unprecedented times by grounding ourselves in hope and leaning into faith. Join us for an encouraging conversation about taking purposeful action today while holding a vision for a better tomorrow.

💬 Barb vulnerably shares the hopelessness she felt during aging and divorce — and how she moved through those fears by trusting faith.

💬 Michelle explores the difference between hope and faith, and how she’s learned to navigate dark seasons with a realistic belief that things can get better.

✨ Episode Highlights

• Faith in action: Rising above despair and taking meaningful steps toward a better tomorrow.
• You were made for these times: Trusting your worth and stepping into your purpose right where you are.
• Things can change: Believing in the collective power of community, compassion, and action.
• You’re not alone: Finding strength in connection during shared grief and uncertainty.

Remember — in unprecedented times, the greatest thing we can do is have faith that the actions we take today are planting the seeds of hope for tomorrow. 🌸

Dive deeper: Here’s the full Clarissa Pinkola Estés piece we reference in the episode:https://www.awakin.org/v2/read/view.php?tid=2195

USA TODAY BESTSELLER 📖 Michelle’s new book, Dear Friend, is out now!

A daily companion with 365 reflections to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, and inner peace.

👉Order your copy here:  https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics:

• Cultivating hope in a better tomorrow
• Trusting that your actions are impactful
• Leaning on your community 
• Feeling your feelings through the difficulties
• Embracing the present moment fully

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsors:

💕Nature’s Sunshine

Give yourself a little daily reset with Chlorophyll Stick Packs (or any of the amazing goodies from Nature’s Sunshine!). As a gift, you’ll get 20% off your first order + free shipping. 

✨ Just head to naturessunshine.com and use code LIFEHAPPENS at checkout.

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🔖 Hashtags:

#DearFriendthebook #MichelleMaros #Hope #CreatingaBetterTomorrow #BeingPresent

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re introducing The 1% Practice — a conversation on how small, intentional actions can create the life of your dreams. From cultivating patience to releasing perfectionism, this episode is for anyone seeking more ease, confidence, and joy in daily life.

💬 Barb shares how letting go of perfectionism and rigidity helped her find grounding through patience and presence.

💬 Michelle opens up about the power of tiny joys — and how small self-care moments spark hope, happiness, and healing.

✨ Episode Highlights

• The 1% Practice: Small, consistent steps lead to meaningful growth — just 1% of your day can positively impact the rest.
• Discipline & Consistency: Commit to your well-being and find a sustainable rhythm that supports you long-term.
• Pause, Breathe, Begin Again: Take the edge off life by returning to the present moment and choosing your next step with intention.
• Release Rigidity: There are no rules or timelines — your path is your own, and what works for you may look different for others.

Finding bliss in your daily life begins with the small, mindful moments we weave into our routines. Just pause, breathe, and begin again. 🌸

📖 Michelle’s new book, Dear Friend, is out now!

A daily companion with 365 reflections to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, and inner peace.

👉Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics:

• Understanding we can only control our actions
• Leaning into who you want to be and your desires
• Seeking the tiny joys to spark hope and resiliency 
• Trusting that your practice is benefiting you
• Grounding yourself in the present moment

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsors:

💕Wayfair

“Cozify” your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. From comfy recliners to cozy bedding and autumn decor. Find it all for way less at Wayfair.

We’ve been updating our own spaces with Wayfair and love their wide selection, affordable prices, and free, easy delivery. From small touches to complete room makeovers, they have everything you need to create a home that feels just right.

✨ Start browsing and get inspired at Wayfair.com

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🔖 Hashtags:

#DearFriendthebook #MichelleMaros #1%Practice #ThePractice #PeacefulBarb

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re celebrating two incredible milestones with Michelle: the launch of her debut book Dear Friend and her 40th birthday! 🎉

In this heartfelt conversation, Michelle opens up about her inspiring journey to becoming a published author — from overcoming fear and self-doubt to trusting her timing and refusing to settle for anything less than her dream life.

If you’ve ever felt held back by fear, uncertainty, or the weight of others’ expectations, this episode is your reminder that it’s never too late to believe in yourself and follow what truly lights you up.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• Overcoming Self-Doubt: Choosing confidence and resilience over fear
• Trusting Your Timing: Believing everything is unfolding exactly as it should
• Following Your Dreams: Refusing to settle for anything less than the life you desire
• Combatting Loneliness: Creating connection and belonging through your purpose

This episode is your gentle nudge to prioritize yourself, reignite your passion, and start listening to the whispers of your heart.

📖 Michelle’s new book — Dear Friend — is out now!

A daily companion with 365 reflections to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, and inner peace.

👉Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics:

• Ground yourself in the present moment
• Find connection and clarity through your practice
• Trust your timeline and the path you’re on
• Set the intention to prioritize yourself
• Follow your dreams without fear or self-doubt

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsors:

💕Cashapp

We’re excited to be sponsored by Cash App in today’s episode! If you want to bank without all the fees—send, spend, and grow your money the way you want– Cash App is for you.

Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ineo05vp #CashAppPod.

Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-.... Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🔖 Hashtags:

#DearFriendthebook #MichelleMaros #BookLanch #DreamsComeTrue #Loneliness

💬 Barb speaks vulnerably about her current experience with grief as a dear friend has recently entered hospice care. She reflects on what it means to grieve in the present moment while also recalling the pain of supporting Michelle through the loss of her dad—while carrying her own.

💬 Michelle shares how she’s navigated her dad’s passing over the years and what it means to live with grief. She also offers one of her favorite practices for moving through the emotional waves that still arise.

Here’s what you can expect from this heartfelt episode:

🌿 Lean on Others: Grieving doesn’t have to be done alone. Communicate your needs and let loved ones support you.

🌿 Healing Isn’t a Destination: Grief is a continuous journey. Some days will feel heavier than others—allow yourself grace.

🌿 Feel Your Feelings: Embrace your emotions without judgment or timeline. There’s no “right” way to grieve.

🌿 Celebrate Love: Grief is love with nowhere to go. Reframe it as gratitude for having loved so deeply.

Grief can be a tender, complex journey—but you don’t have to walk it alone. This episode was created with love, to remind you that healing is possible, and connection is always within reach.

We’re so grateful to have you with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned through our own journeys, with the hope of inspiring you to live your best life, no matter what challenges come your way.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Life Happens the Podcast! 💕

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://bit.ly/4iMnVPn 🎙️ New episodes are released every Tuesday🎧

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

Today’s Episode Sponsor:

We’re excited to be sponsored by Cash App in today’s episode! If you want to bank without all the fees—send, spend, and grow your money the way you want– Cash App is for you.

Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ineo05vp #CashAppPod.

Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation on trusting your intuition, leaning on your values, and honoring your feelings when navigating toxic or one-sided relationships.

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your personal questions about recovering from toxic relationships, managing one-sided friendships, grieving relationship endings, and more.

💬 In this episode:

• Barb shares her unique perspective on forgiveness and letting go, drawing from her experiences as a divorcee and recovering perfectionist.
• Michelle opens up about grieving her estranged stepdad, and her experiences with both platonic and romantic breakups — including the stigma around ending friendships.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• Enough is enough: Lean on your values, desires, and intuition to know your limits in relationships.
• Recovering from toxic treatment: Forgive yourself as you heal from hurtful relationships.
• Endings are okay: Find peace and acceptance when relationships — especially friendships — don’t last forever.
• Grieving estranged relationships: Feel your feelings and set boundaries as you process grief that comes from distance or estrangement.

Remember, people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime — and it’s okay for relationships to end and dynamics to shift. Trust that the right people will stay.

📖 Michelle’s new book — Dear Friend — is now available for pre-order!

Filled with 365 reflections, it’s your daily companion for cultivating self-love, clarity, and inner peace.

👉 Pre-order your copy here:  https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics:

• When to know enough is enough
• Handling one-side relationships
• Accepting we can’t change people
• Healing isn’t a linear process
• Feeling your feelings when ending a relationship

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsors:

💕Nature’s Sunshine

Give yourself a little daily reset with Chlorophyll Stick Packs (or any of the amazing goodies from Nature’s Sunshine!). As a gift, you’ll get 20% off your first order + free shipping. 

✨ Just head to naturessunshine.com and use code LIFEHAPPENS at checkout.

💕Wayfair

“Cozify” your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. From comfy recliners to cozy bedding and autumn decor. Find it all for way less at Wayfair.

We’ve been updating our own spaces with Wayfair and love their wide selection, affordable prices, and free, easy delivery. From small touches to complete room makeovers, they have everything you need to create a home that feels just right.

✨ Start browsing and get inspired at Wayfair.com

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into how to protect your peace by picking your battles, knowing your triggers, setting boundaries, and loving people from afar.

We continue our conversation on navigating disrespect and difficult interactions by strengthening your discernment muscle. Barb and Michelle share personal stories, practical tools, and compassionate strategies to help you manage conflict without losing your inner calm.

💬 In this episode:

• Barb opens up about lessons learned when she was triggered and crossed her own boundaries after divorce—and how she now practices loving people from afar.
• Michelle shares her mindset shift from being hard on herself for mistakes to embracing life as a laboratory for growth and learning.

✨ Episode Highlights

• Don’t test yourself: Keep honoring your boundaries, even when you feel confident in your healing. Boundaries are meant to protect your peace.
• Develop a relationship with yourself: Balance compassion and accountability. Love yourself enough to grow through the hard things.
• Pick your battles: Be wise about what deserves your time, energy, and attention—you don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.
• Know your triggers: Be aware of the areas where you’re vulnerable and communicate boundaries to protect your peace.

From recognizing your triggers to communicating with intention, this episode will help you preserve your mental health, stay rooted in your values, and engage only in the battles that truly matter.

📖 Michelle’s new book — Dear Friend — is now available for pre-order!

Filled with 365 reflections, it’s your daily companion for cultivating self-love, clarity, and inner peace.

👉 Pre-order your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics:

• Outer peace begins with inner peace
• Knowing is this worth your time, energy, and efforts
• Setting and Maintaining boundaries 
• Loving people from afar
• The power of pausing before reacting

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsor:

“Cozify” your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. From comfy recliners to cozy bedding and autumn decor. Find it all for way less at Wayfair.

We’ve been updating our own spaces with Wayfair and love their wide selection, affordable prices, and free, easy delivery. From small touches to complete room makeovers, they have everything you need to create a home that feels just right.

✨ Start browsing and get inspired at Wayfair.com

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

🔖 Hashtags:

#Disrespect #NavigatingDisrespect #Triggers #HealthyRelationships #Boundaries

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re unpacking one of the most common yet painful behaviors we all experience — disrespect. From entitlement and impatience to unhealed trauma and lack of accountability, disrespect has become a quiet epidemic affecting our workplaces, families, and friendships.

Join Barb and Michelle as they share heartfelt stories and practical tools to help you navigate disrespect with confidence, compassion, and clarity—without losing your peace.

💬 Barb opens up about her personal experiences with disrespect in both business and family life, including how she made amends and healed her relationship with her mother.

💬 Michelle reflects on how rudeness seems to be at an all-time high and how she’s learning to reconnect with her values to respond from a place of confidence instead of reaction.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• Releasing entitlement: How superiority thinking feeds disrespect.
• Not taking it personally: Remembering that cruelty often stems from inner pain.
• Bridging the gap: Accountability, apology, and empathy heal divides.
• Reconnecting to values: Why choosing kindness over success is revolutionary.
• Loving from afar: When boundaries become the most loving act.

💡 Remember: Relationships are a two-way street. Healing begins when both sides are willing to listen, communicate, and take accountability.

📖 Michelle’s new book —Dear Friend — is now available for pre-order!

Filled with 365 reflections, it’s your daily companion for cultivating self-love, clarity, and inner peace.

👉 Pre-order your copy here

💛 Episode Topics:

• How we can bridge the gap during these divided times
• Building the confidence to push back on disrespect
• The impact of social media and the pandemic on meanness and disrespect
• Hurt people hurt people, but it’s never an excuse
• Having a relationship with yourself to begin to show up with intention and awareness

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

Today’s Episode Sponsor:

Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ineo05vp #CashAppPod. 

Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-.... Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we welcome the incredible Tara Stiles, founder of Strala Yoga, for a transformative conversation on redefining wellness. Together, we explore how movement, softness, and presence can heal both mind and body — and why breaking free from rigid rules is the key to harmony.

💬 Tara shares her journey from anger to action — transforming yoga into an accessible, welcoming practice for all.

💬 Barb & Michelle reflect on their own struggles with the wellness world and how Tara’s approach helped them reconnect with themselves.

Episode Highlights:

• Your practice is YOURS: Forget the rules — wellness is personal.
• Living softly in a harsh world: Release tension, stress, and impatience by choosing ease.
• Letting anger guide you: Rage can illuminate the path to your greatest passion.
• The body-mind connection: Peace begins when we listen to our bodies and our feelings.

💫 As a special gift, Tara is offering listeners 50% off the Strala Yoga app — making it easy to bring mindfulness and movement into your daily life. Use code LIFEHAPPENS at StralaHome.com.

📖 And don’t forget — Michelle’s new book, Dear Friend, is now available for pre-order! With 365 daily reflections, it’s your companion for beginning each day with intention, clarity, and self-love.

👉 Get your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

Today’s Episode Sponsor:

Give yourself a little daily reset with Chlorophyll Stick Packs (or any of the amazing goodies from Nature’s Sunshine!). As a gift, you’ll get 20% off your first order + free shipping. Just head to naturessunshine.com and use code LIFEHAPPENS at checkout.

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your questions on how to reconnect with yourself, release negative emotions, and find strength from within. From people-pleasing to imposter syndrome to midlife fears, this honest conversation offers comfort, clarity, and encouragement for anyone ready to write their own chapters.

💬 Barb opens up about her journey with imposter syndrome and how she discovered true confidence and inner strength.

💬 Michelle shares candid reflections on the fear of aging and how she’s learning to live authentically, aligned with her own desires rather than societal expectations.

Episode Highlights

• Viewing peace as strength and learning to prioritize your own needs
• Accepting and honoring your emotions without judgment
• Finding comfort and confidence in your own presence
• Releasing the self-criticism around aging and life timelines
• Building confidence when imposter syndrome creeps in

Happiness and peace aren’t found outside of us—they’re choices we make every day. Tune in to discover how to start living the life you choose, with more joy, authenticity, and true success.

💫 Take the next step in writing your own chapters—pre-order Dear Friend, Michelle’s new book with 365 daily reflections to begin each day with positive intention, nurture emotional well-being, gain clarity, and build lasting confidence.

👉 Get your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Topics:

• Redefining peace as strength
• Giving yourself permission to feel
• Unlearning survival mode
• The blessing of aging
• Releasing self-judgment
• Realigning with your dreams

We’d love to hear from you! 💬 What resonated most with you in this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments—we read every single one.

Today’s Episode Sponsor:

Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ineo05vp #CashAppPod. 

Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re breaking down how to move through overwhelm with ease and resilience. You’ll learn practical tools to pause, reset, and breathe, while letting go of what you can’t control. Remember—you’re not broken or in need of fixing. You’re worthy, just as you are.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• Fixing vs. Shifting: releasing the idea that we’re broken
• The power of small shifts in creating lasting change
• Talking back to worry and taking back your control
• Releasing thoughts and tasks that weigh on the mind
• Building resilience by countering apathy with curiosity and fun

Discover how to anchor yourself in the present moment, release the mental noise, and reconnect with what truly matters—so you can navigate challenges with clarity, calm, and confidence.

💫 Pre-order Dear Friend — Michelle’s new book with 365 daily reflections for emotional well-being, clarity, and confidence.

👉 Get your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

Join our community⬇️

YouTube

Instagram

Substack

TikTok

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ click here🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @LifeHappensthePodcast or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re challenging the myth of multitasking and offering a healthier, more sustainable approach—one rooted in presence and ease. Together, we explore:

✨ Moving from a “monkey mind” to focused awareness

✨ Why multitasking fragments our attention and reduces productivity

✨ Letting go of guilt and shame through intentional action

✨ The power of patience—and how to cultivate it

✨ Finding balance between work and personal life

💬 Barb shares timeless wisdom on understanding the mind and staying grounded in the present.

💬 Michelle offers fresh insights and powerful visuals on how slowing down can transform the way we live and work.

This episode is a gentle reminder that even in the busiest seasons, patience and presence will always serve us better than hustle and overwhelm.

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend—Michelle’s new book with 365 daily reflections for emotional well-being, clarity, and confidence. Get your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Highlights:

• Understanding the “monkey mind”
• The power of presence in daily life
• Navigating life’s pressures with ease
• Exploring the mind–body connection
• Cultivating patience as a virtue
• Practical strategies for emotional well-being
• Creating balance and presence in your life

We’d love to hear from you! 💬

What resonated most with you in this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments—we read every single one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re joined by our dear friend—actor, writer, comedian, and activist—Tyler Merritt. In this heartfelt and profound conversation, we explore how life’s challenges can become powerful teachers of purpose, gratitude, and joy.

Together, we share:

✨ The courage and freedom of standing vulnerably in your truth

✨ How to heal and find levity in the midst of hardship

✨ The gift of presence in cherishing life’s everyday moments

✨ Ways to discover hope and purpose, even through life’s difficulties

💬 Tyler vulnerably opens up about his cancer diagnosis and how it transformed his appreciation for life.

💬 Barb and Michelle reflect on their own journeys of finding meaning, joy, and resilience despite imperfections and challenges.

This episode is an invitation to shift your perspective and rediscover the beauty and purpose woven into each moment.

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend — Michelle’s new book with 365 daily reflections for emotional well-being, clarity, and confidence.

📖 Get your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Highlights:

• Express yourself with confidence and vulnerability
• Heal from perfectionism by embracing humor
• Set clear intentions to spread love and light
• Create a positive impact on the world around you
• Fully appreciate the beauty of the present moment

We’d love to hear from you! 💬

What resonated most with you in this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments—we read every single one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this month’s Q&A, we share real-life tips and personal stories to help you:

• Manage overwhelm and stress in everyday life
• Heal from past trauma and release guilt
• Set healthy boundaries with difficult people
• Stay grounded and confident as you age
• Stop taking things personally
• Use affirmations and mindfulness to build resilience

💬 Barb opens up about the pressure she’s felt with aging and how she shifts her mindset to stay grounded.

💬 Michelle shares her journey of healing from trauma, navigating unsupportive relationships, and cultivating daily self-love.

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend — Michelle’s new book with 365 daily reflections for emotional well-being, clarity, and confidence.

📖 Get your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

💛 Episode Highlights:

• Navigating the mental and emotional impact of aging
• Healing is a journey, not a destination
• Practicing the pause before big decisions
• Releasing the need for external validation
• How daily affirmations can change your perspective

This episode is sponsored by Wayfair

Refresh your home or workspace just in time for the school year with Wayfair’s affordable, stylish options—plus free, easy delivery. 🛋

🛒 Start exploring → Wayfair.com

We’d love to hear from you! 💬

What resonated most with you in this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments—we read every single one.

📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this special episode, we sit down with former NFL athlete and children’s book author Brandin Bryant and sports psychologist Dr. Desaree “Dr. Dez” Festa to de-stigmatize mental health and share how mindfulness can become your greatest tool—whether you’re an athlete, student, or simply living in a high-pressure environment.

You’ll discover how to:

• Build a mindfulness practice that actually works for you
• Accept mistakes and move forward with confidence
• Handle outside opinions from social media and your surroundings
• Boost your mental performance under pressure
• Let go of perfectionism and embrace a growth mindset

💬 Brandin opens up about learning mindfulness in college and how prioritizing mental health helped him thrive in the NFL.

💬 Dr. Dez shares powerful research and real-world strategies for building resilience and reaching your optimal performance zone.

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend — Michelle’s new book with 365 daily reflections for emotional well-being, clarity, and confidence. Get your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

In this heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we dive into the emotional realities of unexpected loss, transition, and the journey toward acceptance.

Barb opens up about the grief and growth she experienced during her recent divorce—offering honest reflections and practical wisdom.

Michelle shares the profound impact of losing her father, and how she continues to find meaning and healing through life’s uncertainties.

Together, this mother-daughter conversation offers powerful reframes, gentle encouragement, and real-life tools to help you face life’s twists and turns with self-compassion, resilience, and hope.

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend – Michelle’s brand new book filled with daily inspiration, emotional support, and grounding messages for every season of life.

Perfect for yourself or someone navigating change.

Grab your copy here → https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

Let us know in the comments what resonated most—we’d love to hear your story.

Episode Highlights:

• The five most common life changes that profoundly impact our mental health and sense of identity
• How to trust the impermanence of life—and find faith in the unknown
• Understanding emotions during life’s “in-between” chapters through the lens of the five stages of grief
• Why it’s essential to feel your difficult emotions rather than avoid them
• Letting go of self-blame and shame in the face of loss, change, and disappointment
• The power of taking the first small step toward acceptance
• Embracing peace by viewing life as a journey—not a destination

Remember, no feeling is ever final– this, too, shall pass.

We’re so grateful you’re here. As a mother-daughter team, we’re committed to having honest, healing conversations about life’s challenges and the inner work that helps us grow through them.

This August, we’re focusing on youth and student mental health—but the truth is, emotional well-being matters at every age. We’re all navigating transitions in one form or another. Whether you’re heading back to school, starting a new job, grieving a loss, or simply adjusting to the change in seasons, you’re not alone.

Together, we’re stronger—and we’re here to support you through it all.

Join us as we explore how to grow through change, find steadiness in the chaos, and embrace acceptance—one small step at a time.

Thank You to Our Sponsor: Wayfair

With the school year just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home or workspace—and we’re so grateful to Wayfair for helping make that possible.

We’ve been redecorating ourselves and have truly loved the ease, inspiration, and wide variety that Wayfair offers. From cozy touches to complete room makeovers, it’s our go-to for affordable, stylish pieces for every space and budget. Plus, their free and easy delivery makes the experience seamless.

Ready to refresh your space? Start exploring today at Wayfair.com and find everything you need to create a home that feels just right.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

In this eye-opening episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we dive into the realities of parenting in today’s world—one shaped by technology, anxiety, and unrealistic expectations. We explore how listening without judgment, leading with vulnerability, and embracing imperfection can transform the parent-child relationship.

Barb shares practical insights from her own parenting journey and how she built a strong, emotionally safe bond with Michelle. Michelle reflects on being raised by a parent who prioritized emotional well-being, and together, they unpack lessons learned both as a mother-daughter duo and from years of working with students of all ages.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or someone who works with teens, this conversation will move you, challenge you, and leave you with tools to better show up for the young people in your life.

✨Pre-order Dear Friend — Michelle’s new book filled with daily inspiration, clarity, and encouragement. A perfect gift for anyone supporting the emotional well-being of the next generation.

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

Let us know in the comments what resonated most—we’d love to hear your story.

Episode Highlights:

• How to really listen and be fully present with your child
• Bridging the generational gap through empathy, not authority
• The transformative power of apologizing and showing vulnerability as a parent
• Why how you model behavior matters more than what you say
• Helping young people navigate pressure, anxiety, and unrealistic expectations
• Introducing emotional well-being early and what that actually looks like
• Creating safe spaces for honest, judgment-free conversations



Parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being real, open, and willing to grow.

We’re so grateful you’re here. As a mother-daughter team, we’re committed to honest conversations about life’s challenges and the healing that starts from within.

🗓️ This August, we're focusing on youth and student mental health—supporting young minds through self-awareness, emotional resilience, and life's pressures.

Join us as we explore how to raise this next generation with confidence, compassion, and connection.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

With diet culture, self-loathing, and unrealistic beauty standards woven into our feeds and conversations, we’re challenging the narrative and shifting toward self-acceptance and confidence from the inside out.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to quiet the inner critic, heal your relationship with your body, and begin reclaiming the confidence that diet culture, beauty standards, and perfectionism tried to take from you.

We’ll explore:

✨ Where the inner critic comes from

💭 How social media and cultural messages fuel self-doubt

🛠️ Practical tools to challenge toxic narratives and build self-compassion

💡 Why confidence is a practice, not a personality trait

Barb opens up about her healing journey from bulimia to self-love, and Michelle shares her experience navigating critical friendships and body insecurities. Together, we’re unpacking what it means to truly feel at home in your body and at peace with yourself.

💌 Want to quiet the self-criticism and build true confidence? This one’s for you.

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend—Michelle’s new book filled with daily inspiration, clarity, and encouragement. Sign up for exclusive updates at https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg

📢 Let us know in the comments what resonated most—we’d love to hear your story.

Episode Topics:

✨Healing body image by becoming your own best friend

✨Valuing your voice over external validation and judgment

✨Understanding the power of words—how you speak to yourself and others matters

✨Letting go of comparison and unrealistic beauty standards on social media

✨Supporting your child’s self-worth and confidence through mindful parenting

✨Navigating relationships with critical or unsupportive people

✨Practicing gratitude and celebrating your personal growth

You are your greatest companion in life—so choose to love, accept, and trust yourself every day.

We’re so grateful you’re here. As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about having real, honest conversations around the challenges we all face—and the healing that begins from within.

This July, we’re diving deep into confidence, self-worth, self-advocacy, and purpose. In this episode, we unpack the harmful messages and behaviors that chip away at our self-confidence and body image.

We’ll explore how to begin healing the way you see yourself—shifting from self-judgment and comparison to inner validation, self-love, and acceptance that comes from within, not the outside world.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

YouTube

Instagram

Substack

TikTok

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ click here🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @LifeHappensthePodcast or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

In this light-hearted yet profound episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we’re joined by best-selling author Jen Pastiloff for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation on embracing imperfections, healing from within, and living without regret.

We share raw, personal stories—of grief, eating disorders, trauma, and the everyday chaos of life—and explore how to stay rooted in self-love and confidence even when everything feels shaky.

💌 Struggling to stay consistent with your self-care? Start your day with Dear Friend — Michelle’s new book filled with daily encouragement, inspiration, and clarity. Sign up for exclusive updates at thedearfriendbook.com and explore all the ways to pre-order today.

📢 Leave a comment with what resonated most. We’d love to hear your story.

Episode Topics:

• Pushing through fear and self-judgment to live your fullest life
• Using humor as a healing tool
• Releasing rigidity on the self-growth journey with daily(ish) practices
• Following the “school of whatever works”
• Owning your imperfections and finding freedom in the mess
• Healing past traumas with grace, compassion, and self-forgiveness

No matter what you’ve been through or how broken you feel—you are worthy of a beautiful, joy-filled life. Tune in and begin rewriting your story from the inside out.

We’re so grateful you’re here. As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about having real, honest conversations about the challenges we all face—and the healing that’s possible when we begin within.

This July, we’re diving deep into confidence, self-worth, self-advocacy, and purpose. In this episode, we explore how to live your most authentic life by embracing imperfection and aligning with your truth.

We’ll share how to build confidence from the inside out by quieting your inner bully—with kindness, compassion, and even a little humor. It's time to stop waiting for perfection and start living fully—just as you are.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

🎙️ Host by:

• https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/
• https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

⭐ Today’s Special Guest:

https://www.instagram.com/jenpastiloff/?hl=en

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 

🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://thedearfriendbook.com

In this episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we’re talking about the art of saying no with confidence—why it’s so hard, how people-pleasing steals our joy, and how honoring your needs can lead to deeper, more authentic relationships.

With personal stories, vulnerable reflection, and practical advice, this episode will give you the courage to pause, speak your truth, and set boundaries that support your well-being.

What you’ll learn:

• Why saying no matters—and how it builds self-worth
• How people-pleasing leads to resentment and burnout
• Learning to prioritize your needs without guilt
• The fear of being excluded and how to move through it
• Saying yes out of obligation vs. alignment
• Tools to pause, reflect, and respond from your authentic self

💌 Struggling to say no and reclaim your confidence? Start your day with “Dear Friend” – Michelle’s new book filled with daily encouragement and clarity. Preorder now at thedearfriendbook.com.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to say yes when your heart is screaming no—this episode is for you.

Leave a comment with what resonated most. We’d love to hear your story.

Episode topics:

We’re so grateful you’re here with us. As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about having honest conversations about the struggles we all face—and the healing that’s possible when we start from within.

This July, we’re diving deep into confidence, self-worth, self-advocacy, and purpose—beginning with the relationship we have with our bodies. In past episodes, we’ve unpacked how early experiences and cultural messages shape our self-image, why external validation never fills the void, and how to reclaim your worth one kind thought at a time.

We're challenging the beliefs that tell us we have to look a certain way to be enough. Because you are enough—just as you are.

And in this episode, we're expanding that conversation by exploring the art of saying no with confidence—honoring your needs, setting boundaries, and showing up fully as your authentic self.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

YouTube

Instagram

Substack

TikTok

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ click here🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @LifeHappensthePodcast or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

In this deeply personal conversation on Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we open up about how harmful messages around appearance take root, how they impact our confidence, and what it really takes to unlearn them. From childhood memories and cultural pressure to the struggle of believing compliments and chasing “enoughness,” we explore the path from self-criticism to compassion—one thought at a time.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why self-worth can’t come from outside validation
• How body image issues start early and get reinforced by society
• Why “you matter” is more than just a nice phrase
• Barb’s story of success, bulimia, and finding real healing
• The difference between body positivity, neutrality, and appreciation
• Tips to stop body-shaming yourself and start practicing self-kindness

This episode is filled with truth, tools, and a reminder that being human means you already matter—just as you are.

Episode Topics:

We’re so grateful you’re here with us. As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about having honest conversations about the struggles we all face—and the healing that’s possible when we start from within.

This July, we’re diving deep into confidence, self-worth, self-advocacy, and purpose—beginning with the relationship we have with our bodies. In this episode, we’re unpacking how early experiences and cultural messages shape our self-image, why external validation never fills the void, and how to reclaim your worth one kind thought at a time.

We're challenging the beliefs that tell us we have to look a certain way to be enough. Because you are enough—just as you are. It's time to shift the story, appreciate your body, and start living like you truly matter.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Dear Friend: Struggling with your own self-confidence.

Start your day with clarity and courage. ✨ Dear Friend—Michelle’s new book—is your daily companion to reclaim confidence, set boundaries, and find peace within. 💌 Pre-order now at thedearfriendbook.com

Connect with us⬇️

🎙️ Hosted by:

• @Peaceful_Barb
• @MichelleMaros

YouTube

Instagram

Substack

TikTok

Tune in and don’t miss a captivating episode with our special guest Briony Douglas joining us on a powerful discussion on turning our pain into beauty. 

Briony, known for her captivating sculptures, installations, and photography, shares how art became a lifeline during her healing journey. Her work challenges perception, sparks meaningful conversations, and connects us back to ourselves.

In this raw and powerful episode, we talk about:

• ✨ Honoring Your Passions and Creativity
• Healing often begins with giving yourself permission to create. Let joy lead.
• ✨ Trusting Your Own Timeline
• Life isn’t linear—and your healing doesn’t have to be either.
• ✨ Choosing Happiness Over Survival Mode
• Breaking free from the victim mentality opens the door to growth and peace.
• ✨ Rising Above Criticism and Pain
• You are more than your trauma. You are worthy of a life you love.

Briony opens up about how she used creativity to process pain and reclaim her identity. Barb shares her own experiences of turning struggle into service, and Michelle reflects on staying rooted in purpose despite criticism and setbacks. Together, they remind us that healing is possible—and that joy is a choice we can keep making.

💗 Remember, You are not what happened to you. You are who you decide to become.

We’re so grateful you’re here with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the real-life lessons that have shaped us—so you can feel empowered to build confidence, prioritize self-care, and navigate life’s challenges with emotional strength and resilience.

This July, we’re diving deep into the themes of self-advocacy, trust, and purpose—starting with the relationship we have with ourselves. We're challenging harmful beliefs and societal pressures to reclaim our self-worth and embrace who we are from the inside out. Each episode this month is a powerful reminder to trust yourself, stand up for your needs, and honor the body you live in. It's time to love yourself fully—and live like you mean it.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

YouTube

Instagram

Substack

TikTok

Discover why putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s essential. From divorce to everyday self-care, we’re encouraging you to prioritize your peace, reclaim your freedom, and confidently choose yourself over others’ comfort. ⬇️

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌

⟶ https://thedearfriendbook.com

You asked, we answered. In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it really means to prioritize your peace—even when it challenges others’ expectations. For generations, we’ve been told that self-care is selfish or even narcissistic, but we’re unpacking that outdated narrative and redefining what it means to truly care for yourself.

Barb shares how she reclaimed her freedom and individuality through divorce, and Michelle opens up about being undermined by people in her inner circle—and how she rose above it with confidence and clarity. Together, this mother-daughter duo explores the power of choosing yourself, embracing growth, and surrounding yourself with friends who lift you up rather than tear you down.

Here’s what we’re unpacking:

✨ You’re Not Selfish for Prioritizing Your Needs

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn’t indulgence—it’s survival.

✨ Finding Freedom and Individuality After Divorce

Barb shares her journey of rediscovering herself post-divorce and what freedom truly looks like.

✨ Handling People Who Undermine You

Michelle opens up about how she overcame being criticized and dismissed—and how you can rise above it too.

Remember: When you care for yourself first, you show up for others in a deeper, more meaningful way. 💕

We’re so grateful you’re here with us. 💛 As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the real-life lessons that have shaped us—so you can feel empowered to build confidence, embrace your individuality, and navigate life’s inevitable challenges with emotional strength and resilience.

This month on Life Happens, we’re diving deep into themes of self-advocacy, healing, and reclaiming your power. Each episode is rooted in mindfulness and designed to help you connect with your purpose, trust your inner voice, and prioritize your peace—especially during moments of grief, loss, and transition.

✨ Expect powerful practices, honest conversations, and heartfelt reminders to support your growth and self-care journey.

Join us next Tuesday for another healing, empowering episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle. 💕

Join our community⬇️

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Emmy-winning actress Sarah Levy shares her powerful story of heartbreak, grief, and healing in the wake of unimaginable loss.

In this raw and deeply moving episode, Sarah shares the heartbreaking story of losing her home and community during the devastating LA fires—and the emotional aftermath that followed. With honesty, grace, and vulnerability, she talks about the grief no one prepares you for, the myths of toxic positivity, and the long, often messy process of rebuilding from the inside out.

At the beginning of this year, wildfires tore through Southern California, destroying over 40,000 acres and displacing countless families. Sarah, co-star of Schitt’s Creek, experienced this devastation firsthand while raising her 2-year-old son. She opens up about how she’s navigated the grief, shock, and slow process of healing in the months since.

 In this conversation, we explore:

✨ You Don’t Have to Move On — Grief has no timeline. It’s okay to still be hurting.

✨ Feeling the Hard Feelings — Why giving yourself space to cry and process is essential.

✨ The Power of Patience — Healing and progress take time, especially in a world of instant everything.

✨ Finding Your Own Path — Reconnecting with your truth and values after life throws you off course.

This is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t linear—and even in the darkest moments, it’s possible to rediscover purpose, connection, and unexpected joy.

💗 Stay tuned until the end for heartfelt insights and inspiring takeaways from Sarah’s journey.

We’re so grateful you’re here with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the real-life lessons that have shaped us—so you can feel empowered to build confidence, prioritize self-care, and navigate life’s challenges with emotional strength and resilience.

This month, we’re diving deep into building confidence and advocating for yourself. Every episode this June is devoted to helping you connect with your purpose and trust your inner voice—with powerful practices, heartfelt reminders, and real talk to support you every step of the way.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

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✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌

⟶ thedearfriendbook.com

Redefine how you view life’s purpose with this eye opening episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle. In a world that glorifies big achievements, Barb and Michelle offer a refreshing perspective: that true fulfillment often lives in the small, everyday moments. Join us as we explore how letting go of society’s pressure to do more can open the door to a more authentic, purpose-driven life—rooted in presence, connection, and values that truly matter. ⬇️

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌

⟶ https://thedearfriendbook.com

Purpose isn’t about fitting into a box or meeting society’s predefined notions of success. It’s not limited to titles or grand milestones. Instead, purpose is about trusting your unique path—showing up as your most authentic self and living from a place of alignment and intention.

In today’s episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we have a candid conversation about discovering purpose and meaning in life. With so much pressure to define success through external accomplishments, it’s easy to feel like purpose has to be something extraordinary or dramatic. But what if the most meaningful life is built through small, intentional choices rooted in your values?

Barb shares her wisdom on living with purpose, even amid uncertainty and societal expectations. Michelle opens up about her own journey of struggling to find meaning—and how she ultimately found clarity and alignment by embracing her truth.

From their unique mother-daughter perspective, Barb and Michelle explore how their understanding of purpose has shifted over time—moving away from hustle and pressure and toward ease, presence, and self-compassion.

Purpose isn’t a fixed destination—it’s fluid, evolving as we grow. This episode is an invitation to stay curious, stay open, and trust what’s calling you in each moment.

Here's what we’re exploring in this episode:

✨ Follow the Breadcrumbs of Life

Start noticing the small actions or interactions that spark curiosity, light you up, or leave you feeling inspired. These seemingly simple moments are breadcrumbs—clues that can lead you toward a more purposeful, aligned life.

✨ Find Your Teachers

There's a deep purpose in growth. Stay open to the wisdom and lessons that come your way—whether through books, conversations, experiences, or people who speak to your soul.

✨ Be Open to the Unexpected

Let go of the rigid idea of how your life should look. When you release expectations, you create space for your true path to reveal itself—one that’s uniquely yours.

✨ Your Purpose Doesn’t Have to Be Grandiose

You don’t need a single, defining achievement to live a meaningful life. Purpose is woven through small, everyday moments. Whether it’s holding the door for someone or contributing your gifts at work, these acts matter. You are already enough—just as you are.

💗 A Gentle Reminder:

Purpose often reveals itself in the quiet, ordinary moments. The key is learning to notice and honor them.

We’re so grateful you’re here with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the real-life lessons that have shaped us—so you can feel empowered to build confidence, prioritize self-care, manage our mental health and navigate life’s challenges with emotional strength and resilience.

This month, we dive deep into building confidence and advocating for yourself. Every episode this June is devoted to helping you connect with your purpose and trust your inner voice—with powerful practices, heartfelt reminders, and real talk to support you every step of the way.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community:

YouTube: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Substack: lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com

TikTok: @LifeHappensThePodcast

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌

⟶ thedearfriendbook.com

Your intuition is one of the most powerful tools you possess—an internal compass that protects, guides, and speaks with a wisdom deeper than logic. In a world filled with noise, learning to hear and trust your inner voice is one of the greatest acts of self-love and a vital part of mental health and emotional well-being.

In today’s episode, Michelle and Barb open up about the deep connection between intuition, gut-feelings, and self-trust. They share how learning to listen to their inner voices helped them make aligned decisions in love, life, and healing. Together, they explore how building confidence in your inner knowing can transform your mental health and empower you to live with clarity and intention.

Barb offers practical wisdom on overcoming self-doubt and tuning into your intuition, while Michelle shares her honest experience with navigating uncertainty and how she began cultivating a trusting relationship with herself.

Your gut-feelings are not random—they are your soul speaking. The more we honor our intuition, the more confident we become in navigating life’s challenges with grace and truth.

Here's what we’re covering in this episode:

✨ Know the Difference Between Your Head and Heart Voice

Our minds often speak in judgment; your intuition comes from compassion. Learn to recognize the quieter, truer voice within.

✨ Start an Inner Dialogue

Cultivating self-trust starts with listening. Whether through journaling or speaking aloud, getting to know your inner voice is the first step toward clarity.

✨ Stay Rooted in Your Values

When you understand what truly matters to you, your intuition becomes stronger. Your values are the foundation of wise decision-making.

✨ Have Faith in Yourself

Believe that you already have the answers. Confidence grows each time you honor your inner voice and take action from a place of truth.

Remember: your gut-feelings and intuition are guardians, not guesses. The more you tune in, the clearer the path becomes.💕

We’re so grateful you’re here with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the real-life lessons that have shaped us—so you can feel empowered to build confidence, prioritize self-care, and navigate life’s challenges with emotional strength and resilience.

This month, we’re diving deep into building confidence and advocating for yourself. Every episode this June is devoted to helping you connect with your purpose and trust your inner voice—with powerful practices, heartfelt reminders, and real talk to support you every step of the way.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast

Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://kite.link/barb-knows-best 🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, mindfulness experts Jeff Warren and Tasha Schumann join the conversation to explore how meditation can transform your mental and emotional wellbeing.

Meditation is often misunderstood, but at its core, it's the simple, consistent practice of returning to the present moment. This episode breaks down the myths, offering practical ways to integrate mindfulness into your daily life with trust, ease, and curiosity.

Barb shares how her decades-long journey with perfectionism was softened through meditation and self-compassion, while Michelle reflects on how her evolving practice continues to ground and empower her. Together with Jeff and Tasha, they dive into the power of presence, the importance of consistency, and the openness it takes to truly unravel your thoughts and emotions.

Whether you're new to meditation or returning with fresh intention, this episode will inspire and equip you to build a practice rooted in mental clarity, emotional resilience, and inner peace.

Here’s What We’re Exploring in This Episode:

✨ Meditation Is Meant to Be Lived, Not Just Learned

Meditation isn’t just about sitting in silence—it’s about bringing mindful awareness into every part of life. Whether you’re on the dance floor or in a doctor’s office, real growth happens when your practice flows into the everyday.

✨ There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Mental health and mindfulness look different for everyone—culturally, neurologically, and spiritually. The power lies in making meditation approachable, inclusive, and adaptable to your needs in each season of life.

✨  Trust and Safety Start Within

Inner safety is the foundation for meaningful growth. As you build self-trust through consistent practice, you become more grounded, open, and resilient—for yourself and your community.

✨ The ordinary moments are extraordinary—just calling your mind to the present and embracing the now is enough. 💕

Join our community⬇️

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Listen to our podcast anywhere→ kite.link/barb-knows-best 🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

Ready to quiet the self-doubt, and finally put yourself first?

In this episode, we’re answering your questions about building resilience, practicing real self-care, and taking control of your mental health — even when life feels heavy.

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌

⟶ thedearfriendbook.com

In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your most-asked questions about building emotional resilience, boosting confidence, and caring for your mental health.

Emotional resilience is your ability to adapt through stress and uncertainty while still protecting your peace. In this heartfelt Q&A, we explore how to manage overwhelm, quiet self-doubt, and make self-care a non-negotiable part of your healing.

Barb shares the self-care practices that helped her reclaim her worth during divorce, while Michelle offers grounding tools for empaths and highly sensitive people. Together, they open up about the beauty and challenges of mother-daughter relationships, gentle parenting, and staying emotionally connected through life’s ups and downs.

If you’re feeling stretched thin, second-guessing yourself, or struggling to put your needs first, this episode offers real talk and practical support for your emotional well-being.

Here's what we’re covering:

💕 Overcoming Self-Doubt: How do you let go and stay grounded when self-doubt creeps in?

💕 Mental Health for Empaths: How can you manage big emotions as a highly sensitive person?

💕 Releasing External Validation: How do you handle being misunderstood or judged by others?

💕 Gentle Parenting & Confidence Building: What makes Barb such a strong, supportive mom?

Your mental health matters. Tune in for practical tools, heartfelt stories, and empowering reminders that you are capable, worthy, and never alone. 💛

Join our community⬇️

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Listen to our podcast anywhere→ click here🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

✨ Pre-order Dear Friend and unlock daily moments of clarity, encouragement, and heartfelt inspiration. 💌

⟶ thedearfriendbook.com

In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving deep into generational trauma, toxic family dynamics, and what it means to be a cycle breaker. Generations of dysfunction and unhealed pain can unknowingly shape how we show up in the world—but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

We’re shifting from survival mode into healing, unlearning harmful patterns, and reclaiming the life we deserve.

Barb opens up about growing up as the eldest daughter of two alcoholic parents in a low-income household, and how she made the conscious decision to parent differently. Michelle shares her experience of growing up with a mother in the midst of healing and how generational trauma still showed up in her own journey. They unpack how to navigate dysfunctional family dynamics and toxic patterns as a mother-daughter duo.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in inherited pain, longed for change, or is bravely doing the work to heal.

✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

❤️‍🩹 Choosing a New Path: Your past doesn’t define you—you have the power to end the cycle and start fresh.

❤️‍🩹 Unlearning Survival Patterns: Learn how to recognize and release the behaviors that no longer serve you.

❤️‍🩹 Letting Go of Shame: Healing from dysfunction means showing yourself grace and compassion.

❤️‍🩹 Healing Takes Time: Progress isn’t linear—every moment you choose healing is a victory.

Breaking generational cycles takes courage, patience, and love. If you’re doing that work, we see you—and we’re cheering you on. 💛

We’re so grateful to have you with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned on our journeys in the hope of inspiring you to live your best life—no matter the challenges you face.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, this May we’re dedicating each episode to caring for our minds, breaking harmful cycles, and finding strength through life’s challenges.

Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt, healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

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Listen to our podcast anywhere→ click here🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

✨ Never miss an episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle ✨

⟶ Subscribe to our channel here: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast

​Did you know that loneliness can have the same impact on our mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? According to the U.S. Surgeon General, widespread loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily. With 1 in 3 Americans experiencing feelings of loneliness at least once a week, and social media often exacerbating feelings of isolation, this is an epidemic affecting many of us.​

In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we delve into the stigma surrounding loneliness and provide practical tips to combat this epidemic. We explore our perspectives on digital well-being from two different generational standpoints—Michelle, who grew up during the rise of social media, and Barb, who was introduced to it as an adult.

We share our personal experiences with feeling lonely and discuss the lessons we've learned to overcome these periods of disconnection. Remember, loneliness, like all emotions, is temporary. This episode aims to empower and equip you with steps to foster meaningful connections with others and within yourself.

Here’s What You Can Expect From Today’s Episode:

💚 The Power of the Mind: Your thoughts shape your reality and influence how you feel about yourself and others. A negative and positive thought cannot coexist—through affirmations and journaling, you can create a kinder headspace for yourself.​

💚 Be Mindful of Your Media Consumption: Social media is designed to showcase curated perfection, often validating our insecurities. Limit your screen time and engage less with content that leaves you feeling poorly about yourself.​

💚 Follow the Breadcrumbs: Reconnect with yourself and your deepest desires. What brings you joy? What sparks interest in your heart?​

💚 Be Intentionally Attentive: Social media offers the illusion of connection, but genuine relationships are nurtured through presence. Set the intention to spend quality time with loved ones in person, offering them your full, undivided attention.​

Healing and growth occur moment by moment. It takes time to break the habit of doom-scrolling on social media or to cultivate the intention to be present. However, through small, consistent steps, you can transition into a life reconnected to yourself and others.​

🎙️ Hosted by:

• @peaceful_barb
• @michellemaros

We're so grateful to have you with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we're passionate about sharing the lessons we've learned through our own journeys, with the hope of inspiring you to live your best life, no matter what challenges come your way.​

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, each episode will focus on caring for our minds, breaking negative cycles, and finding strength in life's challenges. Join us next Tuesday for another mental and emotional health-centered episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

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Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://bit.ly/4iMnVPn 🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday🎧

⟶ Subscribe to our channel here: @LifeHappensThePodcast

With 1 in 4 people estranged from a family member, it’s clear there’s a crisis in connection—one we don’t talk about enough.

What happens when communication breaks down, when misunderstandings pile up, and when silence becomes the only way we know how to cope? It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room: how do we have the hard conversations that help us heal, reconnect, and grow stronger together?

The answer isn’t always cutting someone off. In fact, many relationships can be repaired—not by avoiding conflict—but by learning how to navigate it with compassion, honesty, and patience. In this episode, we’re diving into the tools and strategies that helped us through a real and recent conflict, offering you a front-row seat to the messiness and beauty of working things out.

As a mother-daughter duo, we each bring a different lens to these conversations. Barb shares hard-won wisdom for parents who want to bridge the gap with their adult children, and Michelle opens up about what it takes to stay connected with a parent—even when it’s uncomfortable or emotional.

Here’s what you can expect from today’s episode:

Every relationship hits rough patches—but how you handle them can make all the difference. In this episode, you’ll learn how to show up with courage, clarity, and compassion—no matter how hard the conversation.

💗 Stop Avoiding the Tough Conversations

Avoiding conflict only feeds resentment. Vulnerability may feel uncomfortable, but when you open up honestly—even if it’s messy—you create space for healing, boundaries, and real connection.

💗 Identify Your Core Relationship Values

When things get rocky, return to the foundation. Even in disagreement, love, respect, and care can still be the ground you stand on.

💗 Take Accountability

When hurt happens, don’t deflect or avoid responsibility. Acknowledge your part, offer a sincere apology, and commit to doing better. Taking responsibility, apologizing sincerely, and choosing to grow builds trust that lasts.

💗 Lead with Grace

We’re all human—and we all mess up. What matters most is giving ourselves and others room to grow. Relationships take work, but with patience, kindness, and a little grace, we can keep showing up better every day.

We’re so grateful to have you with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned through our own journeys, with the hope of inspiring you to live your best life, no matter what challenges come your way.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕

Join our community⬇️

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Listen to our podcast anywhere→ Click Here 🎙️ New episodes are released every Tuesday🎧

⟶ Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: @LifeHappensThePodcast

This week on Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we’re opening up about our personal journeys with grief and how we’ve supported each other through loss as mother and daughter. We’re sharing the lessons we’ve learned, the ways we’ve found resilience, and the love that continues to guide us.

This episode is especially close to our hearts. Barb speaks vulnerably about her current experience with grief, as a dear friend of hers has recently entered hospice care. She reflects on what it’s like to grieve in the present while also recalling the pain of supporting Michelle through the loss of her dad, while carrying her own.

Michelle shares more about how she navigated her dad’s passing over the years and how she redefined what it means to live with grief. She also offers one of her favorite practices that helps her move through the waves of emotions that still arise.

Here’s what you can expect from this week’s episode:

• Lean on Others: Grief is not meant to be carried alone. Let your loved ones show up for you. Community can be one of your greatest sources of strength.
• Healing Isn’t a Destination: Grief is not linear—it’s a lifelong process. Some days will still feel heavy. Give yourself compassion and space to just be where you are.
• Feel Your Feelings: There’s no right or wrong way to grieve. Allow yourself to fully feel whatever comes up, without judgment or a timeline.
• Celebrate the Love: Grief is proof of how deeply we’ve loved. That love doesn’t disappear. Reframing grief as a reflection of love can bring peace, even joy.

Grief is a tender, complicated journey—but you don’t have to walk it alone. We created this episode with deep love and care, hoping it will bring you comfort and connection as you move through your own experience of loss.

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Substack: @LifeHappensThePodcast

TikTok: @LifeHappensThePodcast

We’re so grateful to have you with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned through our own journeys, with the hope of inspiring you to live your best life, no matter what challenges come your way.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Life Happens the Podcast! 💕

Listen to our podcast anywhere 🎙️ New episodes are released every Tuesday🎧

After three incredible years of Barb Knows Best, we’re excited to evolve and relaunch as Life Happens Podcast—where we dive deeper into navigating life's ups and downs through the lens of our unique mother-daughter dynamic.

In our debut episode, we’re reflecting on the evolution of our relationship as parent and adult child. We’ll explore the growth, changes, and lessons we’ve learned along the way, and how we’ve tackled life’s challenges together.

Barb shares the wisdom she’s gained as a mother, embracing each new chapter of her daughter’s journey, while Michelle opens up about the lessons learned from her mom and how they face obstacles side by side. 

Here’s what you can expect from today’s episode:

○ Embrace Change: Relationships are constantly evolving, and life is full of surprises. Stay present, stay curious, and embrace the lessons and growth that come with the twists and turns.

○ Prioritize the Pause: Clarity starts with awareness. The best way to understand your emotions and gain perspective is to take a moment to pause—breathe, reflect, and then respond. This is especially powerful in heated moments.

○ Accept Life’s Challenges: Life isn’t always easy, but how we view and navigate challenges makes all the difference. Focus on what you can control and take proactive steps toward solutions.

○ Find Freedom in Letting go of Control: We can’t change or control others, but we hold the power to shape our own actions. By having honest conversations, setting healthy boundaries, and approaching situations with compassion, we create the space for growth and understanding.

From releasing control and embracing change to acknowledging your emotions and overcoming challenges, this episode is packed with heartfelt insights and valuable wisdom for all.!

We’re so grateful to have you with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned through our own journeys, with the hope of inspiring others to live their best lives, no matter what life throws their way.

See you next Tuesday for another episode of Life Happens the Podcast💕

Join our community⬇️

YouTube: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Instagram: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Substack: @LifeHappensThePodcast

TikTok: @LifeHappensThePodcast

Why Life Happens?

Because life isn't linear. It's full of twists, turns, unexpected lessons, and beautifully messy moments. We're here to talk through all of it — with honesty, vulnerability, and love. 🌱

Starting Tuesday, April 15, 2025, join Michelle and Barb for heartfelt conversations, actionable insights, and inspiring stories that remind you you're never alone in what you're going through.

We're growing, evolving, and living life as it comes. Let's do it together. ✨

🎥 Subscribe to the Life Happens podcast on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensthePodcast

Xo,

Michelle & Barb

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast:

• The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck
• Roadmap to Resilience by Donald Meichenbaum

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @LifeHappensthePodcast or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, TruDiagnostic, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/factorpodcast to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Think about it, what would it be like to know exactly how your lifestyle is impacting your body? TruDiagnostic makes it easy to get started, offering simple, actionable insights that you can use right away. Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their entire order at trudiagnostic.com by using the code BARBKNOWSBEST at checkout. Plus, if you subscribe, you’ll get an additional 20% off the 50% discount.

This week, Barb shares her experience of divorce after spending 33 years as the peacekeeper and emotional monitor in her marriage. Through our personal stories, Barb and Michelle explore how to recognize emotional monitoring and, more importantly, how to break free from it.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• Cultivate Awareness – Ask yourself: Are you walking on eggshells in certain relationships? Are you telling small lies or half-truths to avoid conflict?
• Give Yourself Time to Heal – Realizing you’ve been emotionally monitoring is a breakthrough, but change doesn’t happen overnight. Healing requires mindfulness, intentional shifts, and small but meaningful actions.
• Tune Into Your Own Feelings – Other people’s emotions aren’t your responsibility to manage. Pay attention to how you feel in these interactions. When stress or anxiety arise, shift your focus from fixing them to bringing yourself peace.
• Stay in Alignment With Your Truth – Before acting, pause and reflect: Am I doing this to fix things or to keep the peace? It’s not your job to clean up someone else’s mess—your role is to show up as your most authentic self.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, TruDiagnostic, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/factorpodcast to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Think about it, what would it be like to know exactly how your lifestyle is impacting your body? TruDiagnostic makes it easy to get started, offering simple, actionable insights that you can use right away. Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their entire order at trudiagnostic.com by using the code BARBKNOWSBEST at checkout. Plus, if you subscribe, you’ll get an additional 20% off the 50% discount.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, TruDiagnostic, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/factorpodcast to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Think about it, what would it be like to know exactly how your lifestyle is impacting your body? TruDiagnostic makes it easy to get started, offering simple, actionable insights that you can use right away. Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their entire order at trudiagnostic.com by using the code BARBKNOWSBEST at checkout. Plus, if you subscribe, you’ll get an additional 20% off the 50% discount.

They unpack the struggles women face daily—from the impossibly high expectations to the ongoing battle for equality. If you’ve ever felt like you were too much, too little, or simply not enough, this episode is for you.

Here are some key takeaways from today’s episode:

• Be aware of societal expectations. The beauty standards, lifestyle pressures, and timelines imposed on us are often unrealistic. Release the need to conform to them.
• Give yourself grace. Who you are and what you do is already more than enough. Trust your own timing and path, even if it looks different from others.
• Support other women. Show up for the women in your life—listen, check in, and uplift them whenever you can.
• Speak Up. Push back or speak up when you can against injustice, even in small ways. Sometimes, simply validating someone’s experience by saying, “That wasn’t okay, and you were treated unfairly,” can make a difference.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, TruDiagnostic, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/factorpodcast to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Think about it, what would it be like to know exactly how your lifestyle is impacting your body? TruDiagnostic makes it easy to get started, offering simple, actionable insights that you can use right away. Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their entire order at trudiagnostic.com by using the code BARBKNOWSBEST at checkout. Plus, if you subscribe, you’ll get an additional 20% off the 50% discount.

Here are some key takeaways from today’s episode:

• Awareness: Recognize when trust issues and paranoia start creeping into your relationships. Self-awareness is the first step in breaking the cycle.
• Acceptance: Healing begins when we accept what happened without allowing it to define us. We can’t change the past, but we can learn, grow, and choose not to see ourselves as victims.
• Vulnerability: Be intentional about who you let in. Not everyone has earned the right to your trust, and protecting your peace is an act of self-care.
• Freedom: You are not meant to stay stuck in the pain of betrayal. Feel your feelings, process them, and remember—your worth is never defined by someone else’s actions. You deserve to move forward and live fully.

Resources Referenced in this week's show:

Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

Rising Strong by Brene Brown

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, TruDiagnostic, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/factorpodcast to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Think about it, what would it be like to know exactly how your lifestyle is impacting your body? TruDiagnostic makes it easy to get started, offering simple, actionable insights that you can use right away. Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their entire order at trudiagnostic.com by using the code BARBKNOWSBEST at checkout. Plus, if you subscribe, you’ll get an additional 20% off the 50% discount.

References Mentioned in Today’s Podcast:

• Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
• Codependency by Psychology Today
• Breaking This Pattern Changed My Relationships by Michelle Maros

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, TruDiagnostic, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/factorpodcast to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Think about it, what would it be like to know exactly how your lifestyle is impacting your body? TruDiagnostic makes it easy to get started, offering simple, actionable insights that you can use right away. Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their entire order at trudiagnostic.com by using the code BARBKNOWSBEST at checkout. Plus, if you subscribe, you’ll get an additional 20% off the 50% discount.

They share personal struggles with breaking free from self-doubt, elevating standards, and trusting that the right things will come at the right time. Not settling isn’t just about getting what you want, it’s about believing in yourself enough to wait for it.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or afraid to ask for more, this episode is for you.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Let Go of "Good Enough" – Settling for the bare minimum or something that almost fits your needs can lead to resentment. What you welcome into your life should align with your worth—because you deserve it.
• The Power of Reflection – Take time to check in with yourself. Where are you feeling unaligned? What do you truly desire? Quiet moments of reflection help reveal where you may be settling instead of honoring your worth.
• Prioritize Yourself – When you put your peace, joy, and well-being first, making choices that align with your dreams and standards becomes second nature. Self-love isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
• Celebrate Your Growth – Every experience has taught you something valuable. Forgive yourself for the past, embrace the lessons, and trust that you are always evolving toward your best life.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, Medik8, TruDiagnostic, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/factorpodcast to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Medik8 is an award-winning, age-defying skincare brand. Medik8 combines medical-grade efficacy with cutting-edge skincare innovation.Visit us.medik8.com to learn more and use code BARB20 for 20% off your first order!

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Think about it, what would it be like to know exactly how your lifestyle is impacting your body? TruDiagnostic makes it easy to get started, offering simple, actionable insights that you can use right away. Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their entire order at trudiagnostic.com by using the code BARBKNOWSBEST at checkout. Plus, if you subscribe, you’ll get an additional 20% off the 50% discount. Discover your TruAge today!

Love is a verb: it’s something we practice and infuse into everything we do. The more we cultivate self-love, the greater our capacity to share love with others. When we build a strong foundation within, we no longer seek external validation to feel whole. You are already complete and worthy.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

• You are already complete and worthy. Stop searching for others to fulfill what is already within you. True love starts with self-acceptance.
• Love is a verb. It’s not just something we receive—it’s something we practice. Look for opportunities to spread love in your daily life, whether through kindness, gratitude, or simple acts of care.
• Self-love expands your capacity for love. When you nurture a strong foundation within, you create more space to give and receive love authentically.
• Love is all around you. It exists in nature, in the people who support you, and in the small, meaningful moments of life. You don’t have to define it—just allow yourself to feel and appreciate it.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, Medik8, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Medik8 is an award-winning, age-defying skincare brand. Borne from years of clinical and consumer research, Elliot embarked upon a unique mission to deliver one simple customer promise: results without compromise. Medik8 combines medical-grade efficacy with cutting-edge skincare innovation.Visit us.medik8.com to learn more and use code BARB20 for 20% off your first order!

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Trusted by over 1.64 million customers from 33 countries. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

In this week's episode, Barb and Michelle dive into an important conversation: How do we handle disrespect? Many of us absorb negative encounters and allow them to impact our moods and mindsets—but we don’t have to. 

While we can’t control the external world, we can control our reactions and responses to it.

In this powerful episode, we share our personalized emotional health toolkit to help you navigate difficult times, uncomfortable feelings, and challenging interactions. We share our practical tools and essential practices for staying grounded, emotionally regulated, and responding with compassion—even in the face of triggers and heightened emotions.

It’s not always easy, and no one is perfect, but we hope that by listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with a few valuable tools to help you navigate life’s challenges with more ease and resilience.

References in this week's show:

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor, Medik8, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Medik8 is an award-winning, age-defying skincare brand. Borne from years of clinical and consumer research, Elliot embarked upon a unique mission to deliver one simple customer promise: results without compromise. Medik8 combines medical-grade efficacy with cutting-edge skincare innovation.Visit us.medik8.com to learn more and use code BARB20 for 20% off your first order!

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Trusted by over 1.64 million customers from 33 countries. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Barb and Michelle unpack a quote that has been simmering in their minds, “Please let go of the habit of comforting people after they have harmed you” by Liana Naima. It’s easy for many of us to go into people pleasing mode to keep the peace in our relationships, but at what cost? Listen to learn their thoughts!

Episode Notes:

• Give yourself space and allow yourself to sit in the uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
• Remember there is power in the space. You do not always need to be reactive, fix and comfort. Allow yourself that space to determine what is comfortable for you in that situation.
• Remember you are worthy of kind and loving relationships where you don’t have to fix things.
• Have at least one trustworthy person who you can talk to, and who will be unbiased and not judge you. Someone who will just listen.
• Be gentle, loving and caring with yourself while you learning, while you are growing, while you are healing and uncovering what’s underneath.

References Mentioned in Today’s Podcast:

Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm by Thich Nhat Hanh 

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor, Medik8, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Medik8 is an award-winning, age-defying skincare brand. Borne from years of clinical and consumer research, Elliot embarked upon a unique mission to deliver one simple customer promise: results without compromise. Medik8 combines medical-grade efficacy with cutting-edge skincare innovation.Visit us.medik8.com to learn more and use code BARB20 for 20% off your first order!

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Trusted by over 1.64 million customers from 33 countries. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

This episode serves as a reminder that it’s normal to have difficult interactions in life; life happens! The trick is not not letting missteps and mistakes derail us from being the best versions of ourselves. Challenges always provide wonderful opportunities for reflection, learning, and growth.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

1. Give Yourself Grace: Know that you’re not always going to get it right—and that’s okay. What matters is how you use your mistakes to grow.
2. Recognize Triggers and Set Boundaries: If someone unsettles your nerves, take the time to identify your triggers and establish boundaries to protect your peace.
3. Pause and Reflect: When you act out of alignment, pause. Reflect on your feelings, consider what you could do better, and decide how you want to move forward.
4. Let It Go: Give yourself permission to move on. Dwelling on mistakes only keeps you stuck and prevents healing and growth.

Being intentional and responsible with our emotions and our actions is a lifelong practice of discipline and learning. But it is worth it when we each do our part to quell the traumatic cycle of rage-fueled interaction. Life feels so much better when we own our thoughts, feelings, actions and emotions, it provides for a greater space of healing and harmony.

And remember, every step forward—no matter how small—is a victory on the path to becoming your best self.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

They explore the transformative power of community care, especially during difficult times. While self-care has its place, it often overlooks our intrinsic need for connection. We are not meant to navigate life’s challenges in isolation.

Tune in to today’s episode to hear how you can practice community care and be a part of making the world a better place.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Community care is as important as self-care. We thrive when we support one another. It’s the strength of our communities that helps us through tough times.
• Take small steps. You don’t need to fix everything. Small, consistent acts—like offering kindness, support, or a donation—make a big difference.
• Pause the media and take action. Too much news can be overwhelming. Step back from the headlines and focus on how you can actively help your community.
• Ask yourself: What is needed from me? Consider how your unique skills or resources can offer support. Whether through actions, listening, or kindness, showing up matters.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

Register for our in-person Omega retreat, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle dive into the transformative practice of intention setting. Take a moment to reflect: how often have you truly followed through on a New Year’s resolution? While many of us start the year eager to grow and thrive, studies show that only 1% of resolutions stick for the entire year.

In today’s episode, they explore why resolutions often fall short and how embracing the new year with intention can lead to meaningful, lasting change. They’ll share practical tips and insights to help you set powerful intentions, so you can step into the year ahead with confidence and ease.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor and Sunbasket.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor and Sunbasket.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

This week on Barb Knows Best, my mom and I open up about how we can process these emotions and still find meaning, connection, and peace during the holidays—even when they don’t feel perfect.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

Together, we’ll share our experiences and insights, unpacking how to transform relationships filled with pain, stress, or emotional turbulence into something healthier and more peaceful—even if that means redefining the connection from a distance.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

If you’ve ever found yourself drained by certain people or dreading holiday gatherings because of toxic dynamics, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore how to reclaim your energy, set healthy boundaries, and step into 2025 feeling empowered and grounded.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Anisa Beauty, Factor, and Sunbasket.

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50 to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

Gratitude isn’t just a fleeting feeling, but rather a way of life. It anchors us during hardships, reminding us of the beauty and blessings we often overlook. In this episode, they explore why adopting a grateful spirit is an essential practice, even when life feels challenging, and how it can bring resilience, joy, and a sense of abundance to your life.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp, Factor, and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50 to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp, Factor, and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50 to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

In this episode, they talk about the subtle signals that can tell us it’s time to reassess or even step away from people or situations that no longer feel respectful or aligned. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and practical advice, they explore how small acts of disrespect—often brushed off as “no big deal”—can, over time, erode our sense of trust and security. Through this episode, they’ll help you identify patterns that may be quietly signaling it’s time to reevaluate, set new boundaries, or even make the choice to walk away.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Anisa Beauty, Factor, and Sunbasket.

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50 to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

View full show notes of this episode.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Barb and Michelle, through their charity Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, are launching an exclusive merchandise line to raise both awareness and funds for the cause. All proceeds from the collection will be matched by them and the Barb Knows Best Podcast with the total going toward expanding innovative programs and creating impactful content to improve mental health. 

Check out the merchandise here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/peaceful-mind-peaceful-life/

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Anisa Beauty, Armoire, and Sunbasket.

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

Armoire makes getting dressed easy. With a clothing rental membership from Armoire, build the perfect wardrobe with brands that are high quality, unique, and recommended just for you. Go to armoire.style/barbknowsbest to get up to 50% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

View full show notes of this episode.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Barb and Michelle, through their charity Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, are launching an exclusive merchandise line to raise both awareness and funds for the cause. All proceeds from the collection will be matched by them and the Barb Knows Best Podcast with the total going toward expanding innovative programs and creating impactful content to improve mental health. 

Check out the merchandise here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/peaceful-mind-peaceful-life/

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, Armoire, and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

Armoire makes getting dressed easy. With a clothing rental membership from Armoire, build the perfect wardrobe with brands that are high quality, unique, and recommended just for you. Go to armoire.style/barbknowsbest to get up to 50% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

View full show notes of this episode.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Barb and Michelle, through their charity Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, are launching an exclusive merchandise line to raise both awareness and funds for the cause. All proceeds from the collection will be matched by them and the Barb Knows Best Podcast with the total going toward expanding innovative programs and creating impactful content to improve mental health. 

Check out the merchandise here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/peaceful-mind-peaceful-life/

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, Armoire, and BetterHelp.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

Armoire makes getting dressed easy. With a clothing rental membership from Armoire, build the perfect wardrobe with brands that are high quality, unique, and recommended just for you. Go to armoire.style/barbknowsbest to get up to 50% off your first month. 

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month.

Quotes mentioned in this episode:

• "The real voyage of discovery consists, not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Barb and Michelle, through their charity Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, are launching an exclusive merchandise line to raise both awareness and funds for the cause. All proceeds from the collection will be matched by them and the Barb Knows Best Podcast with the total going toward expanding innovative programs and creating impactful content to improve mental health. 

Check out the merchandise here!

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Anisa Beauty, Armoire, BetterHelp, and ByHeart.

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

Armoire makes getting dressed easy. With a clothing rental membership from Armoire, build the perfect wardrobe with brands that are high quality, unique, and recommended just for you. Go to armoire.style/barbknowsbest to get up to 50% off your first month. 

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month. 

ByHeart is an infant nutrition company built from the ground up to deliver real innovation on behalf of babies and parents. Their mission is simple: make the best formula in the world. Redeem your welcome offer at ByHeart.com/Podcast with code BARBKNOWSBEST for a limited time. Additional terms and conditions apply.

This week, Barb and Michelle talk about navigating loss before it happens. Anticipatory grief is when someone is expecting or preparing for an impending loss, such as the death of a loved one, the decline of health, or significant life changes. During their conversation, they share their personal experiences, challenges, and the insights they’ve learned navigating their own grief. They also discuss how to manage the feelings of guilt, fear, anger, sadness, helplessness, and the other difficult emotions that arise from this form of grief.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Grief is a natural, yet challenging, part of life.

• Release yourself from any timeline: stay present, take things one step at a time, and remember it’s okay not to have everything figured out.

• Acceptance is key to grieving—it allows us to acknowledge that life has changed and embrace the uncertainty that comes with it.

• Even in grief, there can be moments of joy, especially when being fully present with a loved one in their final moments.

• As Mary Oliver’s poem The Uses of Sorrow reminds us, even the darkest times can eventually reveal themselves as gifts. Grief isn’t linear, and healing takes time, but with patience, we can discover strength and beauty in our most difficult seasons.

Books on grief:

• It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok by Megan Devine

• I’m Not a Mourning Person: Braving Loss, Grief, and the Big Messy Emotions That Happen When Life Falls Apart by Kris Carr 

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice.