Life Happens with Barb & Michelle

Episodi

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  266 - Why is It So Easy to Be Taken Advantage Of? 21.07.2026 1h 1min

  We’ve all felt that awful pang in our stomach. Our face might turn hot and red, we might get overwhelmingly anxious. Our body is giving us signals so we can see what is so often hard for us to accept - we’ve been taken advantage of. In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, mother daughter duo explore what Barb calls “one of the hardest conversations” the two have ever explored on the show - what happens when you’ve been manipulated and taken advantage of. From the small signs that we all ignore to the unforgivable disrespect we’ve all encountered, Barb and Michelle discuss how boundaries, awareness, and connection to yourself is the first, yet incredibly difficult step in a life-long practice.Stick around until the very end, when Michelle reveals that one of the biggest manipulators in your life may be the person you least expect: yourself and shares insights and practical tools to help you recognize and change those patterns.In This Episode, We Discuss:✨ How to identify signs that someone is taking advantage of you.✨Personal experiences from both Barb and Michelle where they were taken advantage of and what they learned from their own experiences.✨How to release the shame of being manipulated, and to embrace the awareness that the experience has brought you.📅 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  265 - Start Showing Up, Stop Settling 14.07.2026 35min

  Does getting what you want feel impossible? Do you often settle just to save yourself from fear or failure? We all do. In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we breakdown the ways in which we all get in our own way, preventing ourselves from getting what we want and truly deserve. How flakiness and people-pleasing can derail our paths if we don't actively practice the art of saying "no". How simply writing down your goals and formulating a concrete plan makes you ten times more likely to succeed. Barb shares personal wisdom on the importance of just taking that single first step. Unpacking how self-sabotage often reflects hidden feelings of our own unworthiness. In This Episode, We Discuss:✨ Realizing how your actions do not line up with your stated goals or desired outcomes and where to go next.✨The importance of practicing to say “no.”✨The self-sabotaging mindset, where settling for the next best thing stops us from going for our true dreams. 📅 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  264 - When Love Isn't Enough: How to Finally Let Go 07.07.2026 42min

  What do you do when you know you need to let someone go but your heart isn’t ready yet? From realizing enough is enough to actually choosing your wellbeing over your comfort and feelings, today we’re breaking down how to let go of toxic relationships.In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we explore the difficulties of ending an unhealthy relationship and a powerful practice we use to break ties when needed. We’re sharing why it’s so hard to cut someone out, how to overcome these emotional barriers, and how to actually prioritize your mental wellbeing by ending toxic relationships. 💬 Barb shares her wisdom on overcoming the emotional brain to finally cut ties from harmful relationships.💬 Michelle opens up about finding it difficult to end toxic relationships and how she’s found that the practice of visualizing a vault helped her prioritize her boundaries and wellbeing.In This Episode, We Discuss:✨ The fears and rationalization that keeps us stuck in toxic relationshipsWe fear being alone and losing the comfort of the current version of our lives. We say reduce our experience to 'It's not that bad.' 'They're really trying.' 'It's complicated.'✨ Give Yourself Care and GraceIt’s ok if it takes longer for you to fully cut a toxic person out of your life even if you know you need to. Continue to offer yourself compassion and forgiveness for not always prioritizing your emotional wellbeing.✨ How to actually break ties with someoneIdentifying when you actually can’t move forward in an unhealthy relationship and having the courage to finally leave a toxic relationship.✨ The practice of the vaultReframe how you view cutting toxic people off by visualizing a vault that they can’t leave regardless of an apology or kind words.💬 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  ( Re-Release) 208 - Your Most Powerful Guide Is You - Leaning Into Your Intuition and Inner Voice 01.07.2026 56min

  Join Michelle and Barb and revisit this special re-released episode. Your Gut-Feelings Are Guardian Angels—Learn to Trust Them. In this episode we unlock the power of your intuition and build unshakable self-trust, so your gut-feelings become your inner compass, guiding you to a more confident and aligned life. ⬇️✨ Available now - Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌⟶ thedearfriendbook.comYour 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 VoiceOur minds often speak in judgment; your intuition comes from compassion. Learn to recognize the quieter, truer voice within.✨ Start an Inner DialogueCultivating 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 ValuesWhen you understand what truly matters to you, your intuition becomes stronger. Your values are the foundation of wise decision-making.✨ Have Faith in YourselfBelieve 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.Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕Join our community⬇️YouTube: @LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: @LifeHappensThePodcastSubstack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  263 - Why Losing My Cat Hurt More Than Losing My Dad 23.06.2026 40min

  Grief doesn't disappear, it changes form.After losing her beloved cat Charlotte at nearly 20 years old, Michelle was surprised by just how deeply the loss affected her. While it didn't mirror the grief she experienced after losing her father, it brought its own unique heartbreak and reminded her that pet grief is real, profound, and often misunderstood.In this deeply personal episode, Barb and Michelle explore the reality of pet loss, why grief can resurface in unexpected ways, and how every loss teaches us something new about love, attachment, and letting go. Michelle shares how Charlotte's passing brought waves of sadness she didn't anticipate and why trying to "prepare" for grief doesn't necessarily make it easier when the moment arrives.This conversation is for anyone who has lost a beloved pet, a loved one, or is navigating the complicated emotions that come with loving deeply and saying goodbye.What You'll Take Away:Why pet grief is real grief and why comments like "it's just a pet" can be so hurtfulMichelle's experience losing Charlotte and why the loss affected her more than she expectedHow grief can awaken memories of previous losses without being the same experienceWhy anticipatory grief doesn't protect us from heartbreakWhat acceptance actually looks like in real lifeHow to stop judging your grief and allow yourself to feel what you feelWhy grief isn't something we master, fix, or move beyond but something we learn to carry differently over timeWhether you've recently lost a pet, are supporting someone who has, or simply want a more compassionate understanding of grief, this episode offers comfort, validation, and a reminder that love and loss are always connected."Grief is the reminder that love was present, and that even if it's no longer in its original form, that love still exists." @Michelle MarosDon't risk carrying grief alone or judging yourself for how you heal. Learn how to embrace loss with compassion and discover why love never truly leaves us.Resources Mentioned:Orthodox Teaching on Head and Heart"It can take no time to get something into the head, but it can often take a lifetime to get it into the heart."The Five Stages of GriefThe Five Stages of Grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—were developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and continue to provide a framework for understanding grief and loss.Learn more: https://www.grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  262 - Should You Try to Fix Your Parents? (Q&A) 16.06.2026 28min

  Should you try to fix your parents? Most people spend years trying. Here's what actually works — and what's just making it worse.In this candid Q&A episode, Barb and Michelle get into three questions that don't have easy answers:— Should you try to fix your parents (or your adult kids)? — Does emotional connection get harder the bigger your family gets? — How do you apologize to your kids without losing your authority as a parent?Barb — who's spent 40+ years in therapy and recovery — breaks down the fix/control/compare trap that keeps most families stuck, why apologizing to your kids is actually a power move when done right, and what it really means to "let go" of a parent who hurt you (hint: it's not what the internet tells you).Michelle brings the adult-child perspective — including the quiet role reversal that happens when you start parenting your own parents, and why that's more common (and more complicated) than anyone admits.In this episode:The fix/control/compare framework Barb uses dailyWhy big families often produce invisible kids — and what that costs themHow to apologize to your child without becoming a doormatWhat "letting go" of a difficult parent actually looks likeWhy your parents were "raised by cavemen" — and why that context changes everything See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  261 - 5 Signals That You Should Cut Someone Out of Your Life 09.06.2026 48min

  If you've ever felt lighter in your life after removing someone from it — this episode explains why.Barb & Michelle get real about the 5 signals that it might be time to cut someone out of your life — and why knowing the signals is only half the battle. This episode covers the guilt, the fantasy that people will change, the sunk cost of long relationships, and how to actually do it in a way that doesn't consume the next five years of your life.Barb speaks from experience — including her own 33-year untangling — and Michelle brings the practical, modern perspective on why even empathetic, self-aware people stay in relationships that cost them everything. This is the episode for anyone who already knows what they need to do but can't seem to let themselves do it.What You'll Learn:The 5 specific signals that a relationship is costing you more than it's givingWhy the apology is often the manipulation — not the resolutionHow to tell the difference between sunk cost and real loveWhy being "the bigger person" is sometimes just being controlledHow to release someone from your life without needing to hate them first See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  260 - The Stuff Your Parents Were Too Scared to Say 02.06.2026 40min

  There are conversations every parent knows they should have — and most of them never do. In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, mother and daughter go deep on the exact things they wish someone had said to them before life had to teach them the hard way.From family alcoholism surfacing after a 15-year-old's first drunken night, to growing up with two alcoholic parents and never once hearing 'I love you' — Barb and Michelle trace how silence passes down through generations, and what it actually takes to break that chain. This one is for every parent afraid to say the hard thing, and every adult child who's still waiting to hear it.In this episode, you'll learn:- Why 'protecting' your kids from hard truths usually means protecting yourself from discomfort- How to create a safe space so your child actually comes to you — without fishing or manipulating- The HALT tool (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) and how to make it a natural part of family life- What to do when you've already said something that closed your child off — and how to repair it- Why you don't need the perfect moment — and how to let hard conversations unfold naturallyFrom psychiatrist and author M. Scott Peck's famous opening line in The Road Less Traveled: "Life is difficult." Rather than seeing this as pessimistic, Barb taught Michelle that accepting life's challenges is one of the greatest pathways to peace, resilience, and emotional freedom.“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult ―once we truly understand and accept it― then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.” - M. Scott PeckDon't wait for the sit-down talk. The moment is already here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  259 - The Truth About Becoming Your Mother w/ Jessi Cruickshank 26.05.2026 32min

  Comedian Jessi Cruickshank joins Barb and Michelle backstage at Lynn University for a raw, funny, and unexpectedly emotional conversation about motherhood, performance, anxiety, and becoming the women their mothers raised them to be.From professional perfectionism to internet criticism, the conversation moves from hilarious behind-the-scenes moments into deeper reflections on identity, mindfulness, and the pressure women carry in public and private life. Jessi opens up about the comment she never forgot, while Barb and Michelle unpack what they inherited — and what they had to unlearn.In this episode:• Why perfectionism quietly controls so many women• The emotional cost of always performing “fine”• How humor and mindfulness actually serve the same purpose• The parenting lessons they resisted most• Why confidence is usually built through embarrassmentLearn how to stop performing perfection and start connecting honestly.Connect with Jessi:Follow her on Instagram & Facebook: @jessicruickshank Follow her on TikTok: @jessicruickshanktok Check out her Evening Club Tour: jessicruickshank.com/tour Listen to her podcast: https://tr.ee/u6WMhIAnoi See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  258 - Alex Elle On How Your Closest Friends Might Be Holding You Back 19.05.2026 45min

  Healthy relationships require honesty, reciprocity, and the courage to stop self-silencing. In this episode of Life Happens, Barb and Michelle sit down with Alex Elle to unpack what it really means to outgrow people, rebuild trust, and tell the truth in your relationships before resentment takes over. They discuss her new book, “The Company We Keep” which just launched today and can be found here:The Company We Keep -- Book link: https://bit.ly/4fe0kbw The Company We Keep tour link: https://sites.prh.com/alexelletour This conversation will help anyone navigating changes in friendship, people pleasing, divorce, boundaries, and the painful reality that growth sometimes means letting go.Together, Barb, Michelle, and Alex explore why saying yes when you mean no creates disconnection, how reciprocity shapes healthy friendship, and why “clarity is a radical act of love.” If you’ve been questioning your friendships, struggling to use your voice, or trying to understand what trust and alignment actually look like in real life, this episode offers both the emotional validation and the language to begin.Learn how to recognize self-silencing and people-pleasing patternsUnderstand the difference between growing together and growing apartGet language for hard conversations about friendship, trust, and capacityReframe honesty as an act of love instead of conflictBuild healthier, more reciprocal relationships without abandoning yourselfIf you’ve ever stayed in a friendship longer than you should have because you didn’t want to be the one who left... this episode will meet you right there. Alex’s book, The Company We Keep, is available on May 19, 2026. Don’t miss it.💗 Connect with Alex:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_elle/ Substack: https://alexelle.substack.com/ 💬 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  257 - The Void After You Get What You Wanted 12.05.2026 42min

  What happens after the book tour ends, the championship is won, and the calendar goes blank? Michelle opens up about the unexpected emptiness she felt after her biggest accomplishment, and Barb reveals something she has never experienced: a void. This mother-daughter conversation uncovers why success can feel like getting fired, what it means to live like you are running out of time, and why the quiet after the loud season might be the most important chapter of all.This episode dives into the generational divide between pushing through and pausing, the difference between rest and avoidance, and how two very different people navigate the same transition. Whether you just graduated, finished a big project, ended a season, or closed a chapter you poured everything into, this conversation will help you understand why the void is not a problem to fix but a space to fill on your own terms.What you'll take away:Why achieving your biggest goal can feel like getting fired overnightThe generational difference between 'keep moving' and 'feel your feelings' after a big momentHow Barb's micro-transitions throughout the day prevent her from ever hitting emptyThe connection between running out of time, grief, and never allowing a voidHow to recognize when sitting in the void becomes productive reflection vs. staying stuckDon't let the quiet after the loud season convince you that the best part is over. Learn how to make the space count.💬 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.🎙️ Hosted by:https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community⬇️YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday0:00 — Intro: Michelle's post-book-tour void0:58 — Welcome to Life Happens with Barb and Michelle1:14 — It's bigger than a book: any major milestone1:45 — Indiana football national championship & the "now what?"2:44 — Barb's reaction: the joy of the unexpected3:51 — Michelle's book journey and the feeling of the drop-off7:39 — Barb never felt a void — a generational contrast14:35 — What is rest? Defining it differently for everyone21:32 — Vulnerable question: does living like you're running out of time come from grief?24:28 — How will you know when you've done what you came here to do?38:32 — Barb's Italy trip: sometimes the transition is fast41:01 — Closing reflections & takeaways See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  256 - Why Being Nice Is Getting Harder 05.05.2026 37min

  Mean people are everywhere right now and the data confirms it. In this episode, Barb and Michelle unpack why cruelty seems to be escalating, breaking down the different types of mean people we all encounter and what actually drives their behavior. Barb shares a raw, personal story about being screamed at in a parking lot while her mother was dying in hospice, and what that moment taught her about judgment, control, and the stories we never see.This conversation goes deep into narcissism, spiritual bypassing, the difference between empathy and giving someone a pass, and how to stop carrying what was never yours in the first place. Whether you are dealing with a cruel stranger, a toxic family member, or your own tendency to absorb other people's behavior, this episode gives you a practical framework for protecting your peace without losing your compassion.What you'll take away:Why the shift from "thinking it" to "saying it" is fueling a cruelty epidemicThe grocery store moment that reveals how we all judge without knowing someone's storyHow to shift from asking "why are they like this" to "what can I do right now"What a real narcissist looks like and why they genuinely cannot changeThe practical difference between forgiving someone and simply being done with themDon't let someone else's cruelty become the story you carry. Learn how to set it down.💬 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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📘 Go Deeper with Dear FriendIf this episode 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  255 - The Comparison Episode We Were Scared to Record 28.04.2026 54min

  Comparison is the one emotion everybody feels and nobody admits to — and Barb Schmidt and Michelle Maros of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle were scared to record this episode for a reason. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, they unpack the jealousy, resentment, and quiet self-destruction that comparison leaves behind — and make a case that might surprise you by the end.From Michelle comparing her book sales to her friends' mid-tour, to Barb owning up to something she projected onto Michelle for years, this episode goes places most podcast conversations never do. If you've ever felt something ugly creep in while watching someone else win — and then felt ashamed of it — this one is for you.What you'll take away:Why 85% of your daily thoughts are negative — and how comparison supercharges the loopHow jealousy and envy are signals, not character flaws — and what they're actually pointing toThe self-talk method for catching comparison before it turns into resentmentWhy "be better than yesterday" might be quietly doing more damage than goodHow to let comparison fuel action instead of shameDon't risk letting comparison keep stealing your joy without ever asking what it was trying to tell you. Learn how to read it instead.Episode Breakdown ⬇️0:00 Introduction0:36 Where Does Comparison Come From?0:52 The Science of Negative Thinking7:07 Barb's Personal Story: Childhood & Comparison9:19 Comparing Yourself to Yourself11:23 Comparison, Jealousy & Envy25:09 Michelle's Story: Visiting a Friend's Family28:22 Self-Talk as the Key Tool39:17 Can Comparison Actually Be Helpful?40:50 Takeaways & Closing💬 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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📘 Go Deeper with Dear FriendIf this episode 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/459zSdtOur Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  254 - Devi Brown On The Healing Advice That's Actually Keeping You Broken 21.04.2026 1h 12min

  You've read the books. You've tried the meditation. You've done the journaling, the breathwork, the therapy. So why do you still feel stuck?In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, master well-being educator Devi Brown joins the conversation for one of the most honest discussions about healing we've ever had. Devi spent years teaching wellness to athletes, executives, and thousands of students through her Deeply Well podcast and her work at Chopra Global. Then her own life fell apart... and she discovered that everything she'd been teaching wasn't enough to save her.What she built from that breaking point became her book Living in Wisdom... a completely different approach to healing that doesn't start with fixing yourself. It starts with being brave enough to actually meet yourself. This conversation goes beyond surface-level wellness and into the real, messy, uncomfortable process of becoming whole.In this episode, you'll learn:- Why "doing the work" can still leave you stuck... and what's actually missing- The difference between surface-level wellness and true well-being- What "Complex Lived Experience" means and why it changes how you think about your pain- Why Devi's 8-step healing process starts with grief, not gratitude- What it looks like to live in wisdom on an ordinary Tuesday... not just during a retreatIf you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and still not feeling better... this episode is going to change how you think about the entire journey. Devi's book Living in Wisdom is available now in paperback (as of TODAY).📍0:00 Introduction & Wellness Industry Overview1:11 Welcoming Devi Brown2:11 Healer Burnout & Passing the Torch10:17 Creators, Art & Living for the Work17:31 Music, Consciousness & Cultural Roots18:13 Bridging Generations & Staying Curious26:10 Navigating Uncertainty & The Shift from Hope to Faith33:36 Freedom After Divorce39:20 Surface Wellness vs. Real Healing40:47 The Wellness Industrial Complex59:38 Truth Telling & The Personal Healing Path1:05:38 Closing Reflections & Where to Find DeviConnect: @DeviBrown @DeeplyWellPodcastRead: "Living in Wisdom" DeviBrown.com Now Available!Substack: https://substack.com/@devibrownThe Deeply Well Podcast is available on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3n5hEIV…Youtube: @devibrownwell-being  Our Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  253 - The Truth About Living with Your Mother (at 40) 14.04.2026 51min

  Living with someone you love is supposed to be easy — until it isn't. In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, hosts Barb Schmidt and Michelle Maros pull back the curtain on the two years they spent living together after a sudden condo flood turned a two-week crash pad into an unplanned life arrangement. What started as a temporary inconvenience became one of the most challenging — and unexpectedly transformative — seasons of their relationship.From laundry wars to a 20-year high school reunion that felt like stepping back in time, Barb and Michelle get honest about the moments that nearly broke them and the practices that kept them together. This conversation is for anyone who has ever loved someone deeply and still needed serious space from them.What you'll take away:Why trying to control small things (like dryer settings) is almost never actually about the small thingHow to survive cohabitation with someone you love without losing the relationshipThe real emotion hiding underneath anger — and how to get to itWhy your role as a parent fundamentally shifts when your adult child moves back inA practical starting point for building self-awareness through journaling and reflectionDon't risk letting conflict quietly damage a relationship you can't afford to lose. Learn how to find the baseline of love — even when you want to pull your hair out.Episode Breakdown ⬇️00:00:00 - Intro00:01:34 - Moving In00:07:38 - Early Adjustment00:09:00 - Tension Builds00:14:06 - The Laundry Wars00:21:16 - Learning to Pause00:25:08 - Finding the Lessons00:39:40 - Love Coexists00:41:35 - Parent Role Shifts00:43:50 - Closing Wisdom💬 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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📘 Go Deeper with Dear FriendIf this episode 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/459zSdtOur Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  252 - How Forgiving Too Fast Kept Me Stuck for 20 Years 07.04.2026 55min

  What if the thing you've been told will set you free is actually keeping you stuck? What if forgiveness isn't even the goal?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 everythingThe danger of forgiving too quickly and bypassing the emotions that actually need to be feltMichelle'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 itHow other people's apologies and influence can cloud what you truly feel and needWhy taking accountability doesn't mean someone gets a pass or gets let back inThe connection between premature forgiveness and the inability to set boundaries later in lifeNedra 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 FriendIf 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/459zSdtEpisode Breakdown ⬇️0:00 – Intro / Teaser clip0:58 – Welcome & introducing the forgiveness topic7:18 – Barb shares where she is today with forgiveness (2026)8:04 – Barb opens up about childhood sexual abuse10:15 – Is forgiveness even the goal anymore?18:57 – Why we put the onus on the person who was harmed23:24 – Should you remove the other person from the equation?24:44 – The danger of being easily swayed by an apology25:18 – How being a "sucker" affects your healing process41:01 – Walking through what actually works: staying in your own essence46:21 – Closing thoughts: accountability ≠ forgiveness49:55 – 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! 💕🎙️ Hosted by:https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community ⬇️YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  251 - My Mom Hid a Family Secret for 20 Years… 31.03.2026 57min

  Have you ever found out someone you love wasn't telling you the whole truth, and even though it wasn't malicious, something inside you shifted? That quiet crack in trust can change a relationship more than any dramatic betrayal ever could.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 controlHow Michelle learned about her dad's affair through a Facebook message years after his death, and how Barb handled the falloutWhy Barb believes "life will present the timing" for hard conversations with your kidsThe real damage of small, repeated white lies versus big one-time revelationsHow calling someone a "liar" or "gaslighter" can short-circuit a conversation, and what to say insteadCreating a safe space where your child (or anyone) can tell the truth without being punished firstWhy 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 Open0:57 - Welcome to Life Happens with Barb & Michelle1:15 - Introducing Today's Topic: Truth & Dishonesty2:12 - Truth Used to Be a Core Value — What Changed?11:21 - Parent-Child Honesty: When & How to Share Hard Truths13:45 - The "True Hat" Rule: A Family Trust Agreement19:41 - Finding Out About Dad's Affair Through Facebook22:18 - Letting Life Present the Right Moment to Tell the Truth28:38 - Are White Lies More Harmful Than Big Ones?29:33 - Work Colleague Story: When White Lies Become Control34:01 - Lying About Drinking as a Teen & Creating Safe Spaces41:09 - "Raised by Cave People" — Extending Grace to Our Parents47:07 - Don't Use "You Are" — Use "I Feel" Language49:27 - Creating Safe Spaces & Repairing Broken Trust51:16 - Closing & Thank You📘 Go Deeper with Dear FriendIf 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  250 - Why Betrayal Hurts Like a Physical Wound 24.03.2026 48min

  What happens when the person you trusted completely becomes the source of your deepest wound? And what does it mean when you're the one who caused that kind of pain for someone else?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 painThe difference between a mistake and a betrayal, and why that line mattersWhat it looks like to "clean up your own side of the street" after you've hurt someoneThe pressure of "blood is thicker than water" and why family loyalty doesn't obligate you to stay in unsafe relationshipsHow to know whether a broken relationship is worth repairing or whether it's okay to let it goThe sneaky way gossip can be a gateway to bigger betrayalsWhat 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 FriendIf 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! 💕🎙️ Hosted by:https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community ⬇️YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  249 - Why Being Resilient Is Making You Exhausted 17.03.2026 37min

  Have you ever been knocked down so hard you weren’t sure you could get back up?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-riseMaya 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 FriendIf 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  248 - The Hidden Cost of Overgiving in Relationships 10.03.2026 44min

  Have you ever cared about someone so much that you slowly disappeared?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 FriendIf 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.