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/

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

Struggling with negative self-talk and body image issues? You’re not alone.

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.

What if the messiest parts of your life were actually the key to your confidence and healing?

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

Learn how you can empower yourself to say no with confidence, stop people-pleasing, and set boundaries to cultivate healthy connections.

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.

How you feel about your body can shape your entire life—and in this episode, we’re diving deep into the truth about body image, self-worth, and the journey to self-acceptance.

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

Discover how to transform trauma into growth and purpose with special guest Briony Douglas—a multi-talented artist and mental health advocate whose journey is both inspiring and deeply human. This week on Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re exploring how creativity, self-worth, and healing intersect. ⬇️

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