Rethinking Possible: When Life Doesn't Go as Planned

Guest: Becky Galli | The Beauty In The Mess Podcast

What happens when life looks nothing like the one you imagined? How do you move forward when loss, grief, and unexpected challenges change everything?

In this episode, Michele Simms welcomes author, columnist, and resilience advocate Becky Galli for an honest conversation about navigating life's most difficult seasons.

After losing her younger brother in a tragic accident, Becky faced additional challenges, including raising children with special needs, divorce, and transverse myelitis, a rare spinal cord condition that left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Through writing, relationships, and perseverance, Becky discovered how to rethink what might still be possible.

Becky doesn't believe everything happens for a reason. Instead, she reminds us that acknowledging suffering and finding meaning afterward are two very different things.

"Life can be good no matter what."

As Becky explains, the most important word is "can." Finding goodness takes effort, support, and time.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

Why everyone experiences grief differently

Finding meaning without minimizing suffering

How to support someone who is grieving

The importance of structure, companionship, and community

Recognizing isolation and learning to accept help

How writing helped Becky discover purpose

Finding hope when life doesn't go as planned

A POWERFUL REMINDER

You don't have to be grateful for everything you've experienced to find something meaningful in how you move forward.

Sometimes resilience means acknowledging life's difficulties, allowing others to walk beside you, and remaining open to new possibilities.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to Becky Galli

02:35 - Becky's unexpected life journey

03:35 - Losing her brother and understanding grief

05:35 - Special-needs parenting, divorce, and paralysis

07:35 - Finding purpose through writing

09:35 - Does everything happen for a reason?

12:35 - Supporting someone through grief

13:35 - Rethinking Possible: Love over loss

15:35 - Morning Fuel: Daily encouragement

16:35 - Losing Without Losing It

17:35 - Storytelling and family memories

20:35 - Finding connection and community

23:35 - Helping others through difficult experiences

25:35 - Three steps for navigating loss

27:35 - Structure and companionship during grief

29:35 - Accepting help and finding support

35:35 - Protecting relationships

37:35 - Connecting with Becky

#TheBeautyInTheMess #MicheleSimms #BeckyGalli #RethinkingPossible #Resilience #GriefAndHealing #FindingHope #LifeAfterLoss #FindingPurpose #YouAreNotAlone

CONNECT WITH BECKY GALLI

Website: beckygalli.com

Books: Rethinking Possible, Morning Fuel, and Losing Without Losing It (in progress)

CONNECT WITH MICHELE SIMMS

Website: thebeautyinthemess.com

Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess

LinkedIn: Michele Simms

Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

RATE AND REVIEW

If this episode spoke to you, please follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs encouragement, and consider leaving a five-star review.

#TheBeautyInTheMess #MicheleSimms #BeckyGalli #RethinkingPossible #Resilience #GriefAndHealing #FindingHope #LifeAfterLoss #FindingPurpose #YouAreNotAlone

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The Past Is Over So Why Does It Still Hurt?

Why do old experiences still affect our confidence, relationships, and ability to speak up, even when we think we’ve moved on?

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Nicky Yazbeck, a licensed, trauma-informed EMDR therapist and podcast host, to explore the connections between past experiences, people-pleasing, and the belief that we’re somehow “not enough.”

Nicky explains EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and walks us through what a session can look like. We discuss emotional triggers, the importance of feeling safe with your therapist, and how healing can change the way you show up for yourself and others.

If you’ve ever wondered why the same patterns keep repeating, this conversation offers a starting point for understanding them.

In this episode:

• How childhood experiences can shape beliefs about ourselves
• People-pleasing, self-abandonment, and seeking approval
• What EMDR involves beyond eye movements
• Why trust, preparation, and pacing matter in therapy
• Finding a qualified therapist you feel comfortable with
• What progress can look like in everyday relationships

02:05 Meet Nicky and hear her path to becoming an EMDR therapist

04:05 What EMDR stands for and how Nicky describes trauma

07:05 People-pleasing, perfectionism, and relationship patterns

10:05 Self-worth and the belief that “I’m not enough”

14:05 What an EMDR session can look like

17:05 Emotional triggers and physical reactions

18:05 Eye movements, tapping, and the EMDR process

23:05 Trauma, memory gaps, and preparing for therapy

27:05 How long EMDR therapy can take

32:05 Choosing a qualified therapist and finding the right fit

35:05 Noticing changes in your reactions and relationships

37:05 Nicky’s personal experience with EMDR

39:05 Safety, trust, and working with a licensed therapist

41:05 What healing and feeling more connected can look like

44:05 Nicky’s podcast and how to connect with her

46:05 When additional preparation or specialized care may be needed

✨ Connect with Nicky Yazbeck

• Website: www.nickyYyoga.com

•Podcast: The Connected Community: Exploring Possibility (https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity/videos)

• YouTube: Watch Nicky’s podcast

✨ Connect with Michele Simms

• Website: The Beauty In The Mess

• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess

• LinkedIn: Michele Simms

• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

💬 Rate & Review

If this episode spoke to you, please like and subscribe and consider giving a 5-star review.

#TheBeautyInTheMess #NickyYazbeck #EMDR #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #PeoplePleasing #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney

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What happens when you're great at managing everything in your life, but that same drive for control starts showing up in your marriage?

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Katie Doles, Marriage Strategist and founder of Rooted Wife Coaching.

We talk about something many driven women may recognize: taking charge, doing everything ourselves, and then becoming frustrated when our husbands step back.

Katie and I explore control, resentment, communication, intimacy, date nights, overscheduled lives, community, and creating a home that feels like a sanctuary rather than another source of stress.

Faith is also central to our conversation as Katie shares how her relationship with Jesus shapes her views on marriage, grace, forgiveness, boundaries, and loving someone imperfectly.

2:30 – Meet Katie and her path to marriage coaching

5:30 – What she looked for in a husband—and herself

6:30 – Faith, marriage, and covenant

8:30 – Problem-solving and relationship patterns

10:30 – Turning off “work mode” at home

12:30 – When taking charge becomes managing your husband

13:30 – She steps up, he steps back—and resentment grows

16:30 – Why changing the dynamic takes more than a conversation

17:30 – Letting go of control so your spouse can step up

19:30 – Letting your husband do things his way

21:30 – Can a marriage recover from resentment?

22:30 – Marriage coaching vs. therapy

24:30 – The “roommate/business partner” phase

25:30 – “If everything's a priority, nothing's a priority”

27:30 – Overscheduled kids and families

30:30 – Why your spouse can't meet every social need

32:30 – “Fika,” friendship, and meaningful connection

34:30 – Making the first move in friendship

37:30 – Why date nights matter

39:30 – Emotional, spiritual, and physical intimacy

41:30 – Withholding what your spouse needs

43:30 – Creating a home sanctuary

45:30 – The impossible standards we set for ourselves

47:30 – Faith, forgiveness, kindness, and grace

49:30 – Boundaries and unconditional love

52:30 – What does a beautiful marriage look like?

53:30 – “Daily sleepovers with your best friend”

55:30 – Disagreeing without disrespect

56:30 – Rooted Wife Coaching and Cultivating a Beautiful Marriage

58:30 – Why proactive work matters

• Rooted Wife Coaching

• Facebook

• Instagram

• YouTube

• Website: The Beauty In The Mess

• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess

• LinkedIn: Michele Simms

• Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

If this episode spoke to you, please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with someone who could use a little encouragement in their marriage.

#KatieDoles #RootedWifeCoaching #TheBeautyInTheMess #Marriage #ChristianMarriage #Relationships #MarriageAdvice #FaithAndMarriage

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