Life Happens with Barb & Michelle

Michelle Maros & Barb Schmidt
  • 4.9 (1K)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Life Happens with Barb and Michelle is your guide to navigating the twists, turns, and beautifully messy moments of life. Hosted by Barb and Michelle, a dynamic mother-daughter duo and the Co-Founders of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life®, this podcast dives into the growth, shifts, and self-discovery that define our journeys. Together, they explore what it truly means to live authentically, strengthen mental health, embrace change, and rise after every stumble. Tune in for heartfelt conversations, insights, and inspiration to help you thrive in every chapter of your story. Thanks so much for being with us, we love being with you and sharing life with you all! Join our YouTube community and see our episodes on video by subscribing to our channel @lifehappensthepodcast *The information and opinions expressed in this program are for educational purposes only, are not intended as medical or other health advice, and solely reflect the personal experiences of the host and guests. You should not act or rely upon any information contained in this program without seeking the advice of a qualified medical provider. Any reproduction or rebroadcast of this program, in whole or part, is prohibited without the prior written permission of Michelle Maros™, LLC. © 2022 Michelle Maros, LLC*

  1. 1d ago

    266 - Why is It So Easy to Be Taken Advantage Of?

    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/@LifeHappensThePodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/ Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/  🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday ✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  2. Jul 14

    265 - Start Showing Up, Stop Settling

    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/@LifeHappensThePodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/ Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/  🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday ✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  3. Jul 7

    264 - When Love Isn't Enough: How to Finally Let Go

    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 relationships We 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 Grace It’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 someone Identifying 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 vault Reframe 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/@LifeHappensThePodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/ Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/  🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday ✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  4. Jul 1

    ( Re-Release) 208 - Your Most Powerful Guide Is You - Leaning Into Your Intuition and Inner Voice

    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.com Your intuition is one of the most powerful tools you possess—an internal compass that protects, guides, and speaks with a wisdom deeper than logic. In a world filled with noise, learning to hear and trust your inner voice is one of the greatest acts of self-love and a vital part of mental health and emotional well-being. In today’s episode, Michelle and Barb open up about the deep connection between intuition, gut-feelings, and self-trust. They share how learning to listen to their inner voices helped them make aligned decisions in love, life, and healing. Together, they explore how building confidence in your inner knowing can transform your mental health and empower you to live with clarity and intention. Barb offers practical wisdom on overcoming self-doubt and tuning into your intuition, while Michelle shares her honest experience with navigating uncertainty and how she began cultivating a trusting relationship with herself. Your gut-feelings are not random—they are your soul speaking. The more we honor our intuition, the more confident we become in navigating life’s challenges with grace and truth. Here's what we’re covering in this episode: ✨ Know the Difference Between Your Head and Heart Voice Our minds often speak in judgment; your intuition comes from compassion. Learn to recognize the quieter, truer voice within. ✨ Start an Inner Dialogue Cultivating self-trust starts with listening. Whether through journaling or speaking aloud, getting to know your inner voice is the first step toward clarity. ✨ Stay Rooted in Your Values When you understand what truly matters to you, your intuition becomes stronger. Your values are the foundation of wise decision-making. ✨ Have Faith in Yourself Believe that you already have the answers. Confidence grows each time you honor your inner voice and take action from a place of truth. Remember: your gut-feelings and intuition are guardians, not guesses. The more you tune in, the clearer the path becomes.💕 We’re so grateful you’re here with us! As a mother-daughter duo, we’re passionate about sharing the real-life lessons that have shaped us—so you can feel empowered to build confidence, prioritize self-care, and navigate life’s challenges with emotional strength and resilience. Join us next Tuesday for another heartfelt and healing episode of Life Happens with Barb Michelle! 💕 Join our community⬇️ YouTube: @LifeHappensThePodcast Instagram: @LifeHappensThePodcast Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  5. Jun 23

    263 - Why Losing My Cat Hurt More Than Losing My Dad

    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 time Whether 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 Maros Don'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 Grief The 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.

  6. Jun 16

    262 - Should You Try to Fix Your Parents? (Q&A)

    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 everythingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  7. Jun 9

    261 - 5 Signals That You Should Cut Someone Out of Your Life

    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 firstSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  8. Jun 2

    260 - The Stuff Your Parents Were Too Scared to Say

    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 naturally From 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 Peck Don'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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About

Life Happens with Barb and Michelle is your guide to navigating the twists, turns, and beautifully messy moments of life. Hosted by Barb and Michelle, a dynamic mother-daughter duo and the Co-Founders of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life®, this podcast dives into the growth, shifts, and self-discovery that define our journeys. Together, they explore what it truly means to live authentically, strengthen mental health, embrace change, and rise after every stumble. Tune in for heartfelt conversations, insights, and inspiration to help you thrive in every chapter of your story. Thanks so much for being with us, we love being with you and sharing life with you all! Join our YouTube community and see our episodes on video by subscribing to our channel @lifehappensthepodcast *The information and opinions expressed in this program are for educational purposes only, are not intended as medical or other health advice, and solely reflect the personal experiences of the host and guests. You should not act or rely upon any information contained in this program without seeking the advice of a qualified medical provider. Any reproduction or rebroadcast of this program, in whole or part, is prohibited without the prior written permission of Michelle Maros™, LLC. © 2022 Michelle Maros, LLC*

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Maros & Barb Schmidt
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    233
  • Copyright
    © 2022, Michelle Maros LLC, All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Life Happens with Barb & Michelle

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