The Climb Higher Podcast

Michael Temple
  • 4.9 (34)
  • Self-Improvement

The Climb Higher Podcast is a short-form weekly show for people rebuilding themselves after heartbreak, emotional burnout, betrayal, anxiety, and identity collapse. Hosted by relationship coach and speaker Michael Temple, each episode delivers grounded, psychologically informed conversations about attachment, healing, emotional regulation, self-respect, masculinity, relationships, and personal growth — without manipulation tactics, gimmicks, or false promises. This is not a “get your ex back” podcast. This is about rebuilding your life, reclaiming your identity, strengthening your mind, and learning how to move forward with clarity, dignity, and emotional stability. Some episodes will challenge you.Some will steady you.Some may feel uncomfortably honest. But every episode is designed to help you think more clearly, heal more deeply, and stop abandoning yourself in the process of trying to hold onto people who no longer choose you. Short. Direct. Human. Because the higher you climb…the better the view.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 14: The Difference Between Existing and Living

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 14: The Difference Between Existing and Living After heartbreak, loss, trauma, or disappointment, many people continue going through the motions of life. They go to work. They pay the bills. They keep showing up. But deep down, they no longer feel fully alive. They're existing—but they're not really living. In this episode of The Climb Higher Podcast, Coach Michael explores the subtle but powerful difference between surviving and truly engaging with life again. Drawing from his own experience following a heart transplant, he shares why surviving a life-changing event doesn't automatically teach you how to live—and why so many people remain stuck in survival mode long after the crisis has passed.  You'll learn how heartbreak and disappointment can cause people to build lives centered around protection rather than participation, and why avoiding pain often means unintentionally avoiding joy as well. Through practical insights and encouraging challenges, this episode offers a roadmap for moving beyond merely getting through the day and rediscovering what it means to feel excited, hopeful, and engaged with life again.  In this episode you'll discover: The difference between surviving and truly livingWhy many people remain stuck in survival mode for yearsHow psychological flexibility contributes to life satisfactionWhy motivation often follows action—not the other way aroundHow to begin participating in your future instead of protecting yourself from your pastMost importantly, you'll be challenged to ask a different question. Not, "How do I protect myself?" but, "How do I live?" This week's challenge: Ask yourself, "What is one thing that would make me feel more alive?" Then take one small step toward it. Because life rarely changes through intention alone—it changes through participation.  About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

  2. Aug 11

    Episode 13: You Are More Than What Happened To You

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 13: You Are More Than What Happened To You At some point in every healing journey, the focus has to shift. The question can no longer be, "What happened to me?"The question becomes, "Who am I becoming because of it?" In this episode of The Climb Higher Podcast, Coach Michael explores how painful experiences—breakups, divorce, betrayal, loss, failure, and even life-threatening events—can quietly become part of our identity if we're not careful. Drawing from his own journey through a widow-maker heart attack, clinical death, and a heart transplant, Michael shares a powerful perspective on the difference between being defined by what happened to you and choosing who you will become because of it.  You'll learn why painful events are chapters in your story—not the entire story—and how many people unknowingly become trapped in an identity built around their wounds. This episode introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth and explains how adversity, while painful, can become the catalyst for a stronger sense of purpose, direction, and meaning.  In this episode you'll discover: Why painful experiences are events, not identitiesThe difference between experiencing pain and becoming painHow purpose helps pull you forward when pain keeps pulling you backwardWhat post-traumatic growth teaches us about resilienceWhy rebuilding often comes before complete healingMost importantly, you'll be challenged to stop seeing yourself solely through the lens of what you've lost and begin focusing on the person you're becoming.  This week's challenge: Ask yourself one powerful question: If my pain was no longer my identity, who would I be? The answer may reveal the next chapter that's been waiting for you all along. About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

  3. Aug 4

    Episode 12: The Day You Stop Waiting

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 12: The Day You Stop Waiting There comes a moment in every healing journey when you face a choice: continue waiting for someone else to decide your future—or start living your life again. In this episode of The Climb Higher Podcast, Coach Michael explores one of the most important turning points after heartbreak: the day you stop putting your life on hold. Not because you've stopped caring. Not because you've become bitter. But because you've decided your future deserves more than waiting for someone else's decision.  Drawing on psychological concepts like radical acceptance and emotional resilience, Michael explains why so many people become trapped in "what if" thinking and how waiting can quietly steal years from your life. You'll learn why acceptance isn't giving up, why moving forward doesn't erase the past, and why healing often begins when you stop asking what they're going to do and start focusing on what you're going to do.  In this episode you'll discover: Why waiting can become a hidden form of emotional paralysisThe difference between acceptance and approvalHow radical acceptance accelerates healingWhy moving forward doesn't mean the relationship didn't matterThe powerful mindset shift that helps you reclaim your futureMost importantly, you'll learn that healing isn't about forgetting someone. It's about refusing to place your life on hold while waiting for them.  This week's challenge: Ask yourself one powerful question: If you knew with certainty your ex was never coming back, what would you start doing differently tomorrow? Your answer may reveal exactly where your healing needs to begin.  About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

  4. Jul 28

    Episode 11: The Emotional Addiction Nobody Talks About

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 11: The Emotional Addiction Nobody Talks About Why is it so hard to stop thinking about someone who rarely reaches out? Why do some people find themselves checking their phone, analyzing messages, and hoping for signs long after a relationship has ended? In this episode of The Climb Higher Podcast, Coach Michael explores a powerful psychological phenomenon that keeps many people stuck after a breakup: emotional addiction. Not an addiction to the person—but an addiction to the possibility, the hope, and the uncertainty surrounding them.  Drawing from behavioral psychology and attachment research, Michael explains how intermittent reinforcement—the same principle that makes gambling so compelling—can create powerful emotional loops that keep people obsessing over relationships that are no longer serving them. You'll learn why inconsistent relationships often create obsession, why uncertainty can feel addictive, and how many people become attached to a future they imagined rather than the relationship that actually existed.  In this episode you'll discover: Why uncertainty can feel more addictive than certaintyThe psychological trap of intermittent reinforcementThe difference between love, obsession, and emotional dependencyWhy many people grieve potential more than realityA practical exercise to separate facts from fantasiesMost importantly, you'll learn how to identify whether you're attached to the relationship itself—or to the possibility of what you hoped it would become.  This week's challenge: Create two lists—Facts and Fantasies—and discover where your emotional energy has truly been invested. It may be one of the most eye-opening exercises you'll ever do. About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

  5. Jul 21

    Episode 10: Why Self-Respect Hurts Before It Heals

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 10: Why Self-Respect Hurts Before It Heals Everyone talks about self-respect after a breakup. People tell you to set boundaries, stop accepting breadcrumbs, and choose yourself. But what they don't tell you is that self-respect often feels painful before it feels empowering. In this episode of The Climb Higher Podcast, Coach Michael explores why some of the healthiest decisions you'll ever make can also be some of the most uncomfortable. If you've ever struggled to stop responding to mixed signals, found yourself checking an ex's social media, or felt guilty for enforcing boundaries, this episode is for you.  You'll learn why familiar pain often feels safer than unfamiliar peace, how emotional habits keep people stuck long after a relationship ends, and why temporary discomfort is often the price of long-term healing. Drawing on psychological principles of behavior change and emotional recovery, Michael explains why self-respect isn't a feeling—it's a practice.  In this episode you'll discover: Why healthy decisions don't always feel good immediatelyThe difference between temporary comfort and long-term peaceHow to stop accepting breadcrumbs and mixed signalsWhy boundaries often feel uncomfortable at firstHow self-respect helps you rebuild trust with yourselfMost importantly, you'll learn how to stop asking, "Will they choose me?" and start asking, "Am I choosing myself?" About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

  6. Jul 14

    Episode 9: The Difference Between Hope and Delusion

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 9: The Difference Between Hope and Delusion After a breakup, many people tell themselves they're holding onto hope. But what if what feels like hope is actually keeping you stuck? In this episode of The Climb Higher Podcast, Coach Michael explores the critical difference between healthy hope and emotional captivity. You'll learn why some people spend months—or even years—analyzing texts, social media posts, and mixed signals while unknowingly putting their lives on hold.  Drawing from psychological research on hope, grief, and ambiguous loss, Michael explains why healing doesn't require giving up hope—but it does require placing that hope in the right place. You'll discover how to stop building your future around someone else's decision and start building a meaningful life regardless of what your ex chooses.  In this episode you'll learn: The difference between healthy hope and delusionWhy uncertainty can feel more painful than rejectionHow to stop waiting and start moving forwardWhat emotional maturity looks like after heartbreakA powerful mindset shift that can accelerate healingIf you've been asking yourself, "Will they come back?" this episode may help you start asking a much more important question: "What kind of life do I want to build?" Remember: The higher you climb, the better the view. Let me encourage you to climb higher because YOU deserve to be happy. 🎙️ About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

  7. Jul 7

    Episode 8: The Need to Be Needed

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 8: The Need to Be Needed What if one of the biggest obstacles to your growth is something everyone praises you for? You're the dependable one. The fixer. The rescuer. The person everyone calls when life falls apart. And on the surface, that sounds admirable. But what happens when your value becomes tied to how much other people need you? In this episode of Climb Higher, Michael Temple explores a hidden struggle that affects far more people than most realize: the need to be needed. Through powerful stories, psychological insight, and practical wisdom, Michael examines why so many caring, responsible people become trapped in a cycle of over-functioning, over-giving, and carrying burdens that were never theirs to carry. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why helping others can sometimes become an unhealthy identity • The difference between caring for people and becoming responsible for them • How over-functioning creates burnout, resentment, and emotional exhaustion • Why some people struggle when they are no longer needed by a partner, child, or loved one • The surprising connection between self-worth and usefulness • How healthy boundaries actually improve relationships rather than harm them Most importantly, you'll learn a truth that has the power to change your life: Your value is not determined by how useful you are. You don't have to earn your worth by solving everyone's problems. You don't have to carry every burden. You don't have to rescue every person who struggles. Sometimes the next level of growth isn't learning how to do more. Sometimes it's learning where your responsibility ends and someone else's begins. If you've ever felt exhausted from constantly taking care of everyone else, struggled to say no, or found yourself carrying problems that don't belong to you, this episode will challenge you to rethink what healthy love, support, and responsibility actually look like. Because freedom begins the moment you realize that caring for people and carrying them are not the same thing. About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

  8. Jun 30

    Episode 7: Why You Keep Replaying the Relationship in Your Head

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 7: Why You Keep Replaying the Relationship in Your Head You tell yourself you're done thinking about it. And then, somehow, you're right back there again. Replaying the conversations. Analyzing the arguments. Second-guessing your decisions. Searching for the moment everything went wrong. If you've ever felt trapped in an endless mental loop after a breakup, you're not alone. In this episode of Climb Higher, Michael Temple explores why the mind becomes obsessed with replaying relationships long after they've ended—and why what feels like problem-solving is often something very different. Drawing from psychology, relationship dynamics, and years of coaching experience, Michael explains why the brain struggles with uncertainty, why regret can become addictive, and why many people stay stuck trying to answer questions that no longer have the power to change their future. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why rumination feels productive but often keeps you stuck • The psychological reason your mind keeps searching for answers • Why the brain craves certainty after loss • The difference between healthy reflection and emotional replaying • How regret can distort your understanding of what really happened • Why many people aren't searching for answers—they're searching for connection • The simple shift that helps you stop reliving the past and start rebuilding your future Most importantly, you'll learn why the goal isn't to stop thinking altogether. The goal is to stop giving every thought unlimited authority over your life. If you've been lying awake at night replaying conversations, searching for closure, or trying to figure out what you could have done differently, this episode offers a powerful perspective: The answer you're looking for may not be hidden in the next thought. It may be waiting in the next action. Listen now and discover why healing begins when you stop trying to rewrite the story and start writing the next chapter.  About Climb Higher Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over. Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead. Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max. Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? 👉 Coaching, courses, and resources: https://stan.store/michaeltothemax

See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

The Climb Higher Podcast is a short-form weekly show for people rebuilding themselves after heartbreak, emotional burnout, betrayal, anxiety, and identity collapse. Hosted by relationship coach and speaker Michael Temple, each episode delivers grounded, psychologically informed conversations about attachment, healing, emotional regulation, self-respect, masculinity, relationships, and personal growth — without manipulation tactics, gimmicks, or false promises. This is not a “get your ex back” podcast. This is about rebuilding your life, reclaiming your identity, strengthening your mind, and learning how to move forward with clarity, dignity, and emotional stability. Some episodes will challenge you.Some will steady you.Some may feel uncomfortably honest. But every episode is designed to help you think more clearly, heal more deeply, and stop abandoning yourself in the process of trying to hold onto people who no longer choose you. Short. Direct. Human. Because the higher you climb…the better the view.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Temple
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Climb Higher Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Climb Higher Podcast

You Might Also Like