Your mental health is your competitive advantage. Learn how to integrate mindfulness and emotional wellness into your daily life—especially when you’re navigating high expectations, constant pressure, and a packed schedule. ⬇️

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

Life is unpredictable—and learning to navigate change with grace isn’t always easy.

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! 💕

This generation is growing up more stressed, isolated, and overwhelmed than ever before— here’s how parents can help bridge the gap and support youth mental health. ⬇️

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/

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