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. 3d ago

    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.

    40 min

  2. May 26

    259 - The Truth About Becoming Your Mother w/ Jessi Cruickshank

    Comedian Jessi Cruickshank joins Barb and Michelle backstage at Lynn University for a raw, funny, and unexpectedly emotional conversation about motherhood, performance, anxiety, and becoming the women their mothers raised them to be. From professional perfectionism to internet criticism, the conversation moves from hilarious behind-the-scenes moments into deeper reflections on identity, mindfulness, and the pressure women carry in public and private life. Jessi opens up about the comment she never forgot, while Barb and Michelle unpack what they inherited — and what they had to unlearn. In this episode: • Why perfectionism quietly controls so many women • The emotional cost of always performing “fine” • How humor and mindfulness actually serve the same purpose • The parenting lessons they resisted most • Why confidence is usually built through embarrassment Learn how to stop performing perfection and start connecting honestly. Connect with Jessi: Follow her on Instagram & Facebook: @jessicruickshank  Follow her on TikTok: @jessicruickshanktok  Check out her Evening Club Tour: jessicruickshank.com/tour  Listen to her podcast: https://tr.ee/u6WMhIAnoi See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    33 min

  3. May 19

    258 - Your Closest Friends Might Be Holding You Back

    Healthy relationships require honesty, reciprocity, and the courage to stop self-silencing. In this episode of Life Happens, Barb and Michelle sit down with Alex Elle to unpack what it really means to outgrow people, rebuild trust, and tell the truth in your relationships before resentment takes over.  They discuss her new book, “The Company We Keep” which just launched today and can be found here: The Company We Keep -- Book link: https://bit.ly/4fe0kbw The Company We Keep tour link: https://sites.prh.com/alexelletour  This conversation will help anyone navigating changes in friendship, people pleasing, divorce, boundaries, and the painful reality that growth sometimes means letting go. Together, Barb, Michelle, and Alex explore why saying yes when you mean no creates disconnection, how reciprocity shapes healthy friendship, and why “clarity is a radical act of love.” If you’ve been questioning your friendships, struggling to use your voice, or trying to understand what trust and alignment actually look like in real life, this episode offers both the emotional validation and the language to begin. Learn how to recognize self-silencing and people-pleasing patternsUnderstand the difference between growing together and growing apartGet language for hard conversations about friendship, trust, and capacityReframe honesty as an act of love instead of conflictBuild healthier, more reciprocal relationships without abandoning yourselfIf you’ve ever stayed in a friendship longer than you should have because you didn’t want to be the one who left... this episode will meet you right there. Alex’s book, The Company We Keep, is available on May 19, 2026. Don’t miss it. 💗 Connect with Alex: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_elle/  Substack: https://alexelle.substack.com/  💬 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.

    46 min

  4. May 12

    257 - The Void After You Get What You Wanted

    What happens after the book tour ends, the championship is won, and the calendar goes blank? Michelle opens up about the unexpected emptiness she felt after her biggest accomplishment, and Barb reveals something she has never experienced: a void. This mother-daughter conversation uncovers why success can feel like getting fired, what it means to live like you are running out of time, and why the quiet after the loud season might be the most important chapter of all. This episode dives into the generational divide between pushing through and pausing, the difference between rest and avoidance, and how two very different people navigate the same transition. Whether you just graduated, finished a big project, ended a season, or closed a chapter you poured everything into, this conversation will help you understand why the void is not a problem to fix but a space to fill on your own terms. What you'll take away: Why achieving your biggest goal can feel like getting fired overnightThe generational difference between 'keep moving' and 'feel your feelings' after a big momentHow Barb's micro-transitions throughout the day prevent her from ever hitting emptyThe connection between running out of time, grief, and never allowing a voidHow to recognize when sitting in the void becomes productive reflection vs. staying stuck Don't let the quiet after the loud season convince you that the best part is over. Learn how to make the space count. 💬 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. 🎙️ Hosted 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 0:00 — Intro: Michelle's post-book-tour void 0:58 — Welcome to Life Happens with Barb and Michelle 1:14 — It's bigger than a book: any major milestone 1:45 — Indiana football national championship & the "now what?" 2:44 — Barb's reaction: the joy of the unexpected 3:51 — Michelle's book journey and the feeling of the drop-off 7:39 — Barb never felt a void — a generational contrast 14:35 — What is rest? Defining it differently for everyone 21:32 — Vulnerable question: does living like you're running out of time come from grief? 24:28 — How will you know when you've done what you came here to do? 38:32 — Barb's Italy trip: sometimes the transition is fast 41:01 — Closing reflections & takeaways See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    43 min

  5. May 5

    256 - Why Being Nice Is Getting Harder

    Mean people are everywhere right now and the data confirms it. In this episode, Barb and Michelle unpack why cruelty seems to be escalating, breaking down the different types of mean people we all encounter and what actually drives their behavior. Barb shares a raw, personal story about being screamed at in a parking lot while her mother was dying in hospice, and what that moment taught her about judgment, control, and the stories we never see. This conversation goes deep into narcissism, spiritual bypassing, the difference between empathy and giving someone a pass, and how to stop carrying what was never yours in the first place. Whether you are dealing with a cruel stranger, a toxic family member, or your own tendency to absorb other people's behavior, this episode gives you a practical framework for protecting your peace without losing your compassion. What you'll take away: Why the shift from "thinking it" to "saying it" is fueling a cruelty epidemicThe grocery store moment that reveals how we all judge without knowing someone's storyHow to shift from asking "why are they like this" to "what can I do right now"What a real narcissist looks like and why they genuinely cannot changeThe practical difference between forgiving someone and simply being done with them Don't let someone else's cruelty become the story you carry. Learn how to set it down. 💬 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! 💕 🎙️ Hosted 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 📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend If this episode resonated with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend, a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and find clarity and strength one day at a time. Because resilience doesn’t begin with changing your circumstances. It begins with strengthening your relationship with yourself. And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build. 👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg 🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    37 min
  6. 255 - The Comparison Episode We Were Scared to Record

    Apr 28

    255 - The Comparison Episode We Were Scared to Record

    Comparison is the one emotion everybody feels and nobody admits to — and Barb Schmidt and Michelle Maros of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle were scared to record this episode for a reason. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, they unpack the jealousy, resentment, and quiet self-destruction that comparison leaves behind — and make a case that might surprise you by the end. From Michelle comparing her book sales to her friends' mid-tour, to Barb owning up to something she projected onto Michelle for years, this episode goes places most podcast conversations never do. If you've ever felt something ugly creep in while watching someone else win — and then felt ashamed of it — this one is for you. What you'll take away: Why 85% of your daily thoughts are negative — and how comparison supercharges the loopHow jealousy and envy are signals, not character flaws — and what they're actually pointing toThe self-talk method for catching comparison before it turns into resentmentWhy "be better than yesterday" might be quietly doing more damage than goodHow to let comparison fuel action instead of shame Don't risk letting comparison keep stealing your joy without ever asking what it was trying to tell you. Learn how to read it instead. Episode Breakdown ⬇️ 0:00 Introduction 0:36 Where Does Comparison Come From? 0:52 The Science of Negative Thinking 7:07 Barb's Personal Story: Childhood & Comparison 9:19 Comparing Yourself to Yourself 11:23 Comparison, Jealousy & Envy 25:09 Michelle's Story: Visiting a Friend's Family 28:22 Self-Talk as the Key Tool 39:17 Can Comparison Actually Be Helpful? 40:50 Takeaways & Closing 💬 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! 💕 🎙️ Hosted 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 📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend If this episode resonated with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend, a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and find clarity and strength one day at a time. Because resilience doesn’t begin with changing your circumstances. It begins with strengthening your relationship with yourself. And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build. 👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg 🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    54 min
  7. 254 - The Healing Advice That's Actually Keeping You Broken

    Apr 21

    254 - The Healing Advice That's Actually Keeping You Broken

    You've read the books. You've tried the meditation. You've done the journaling, the breathwork, the therapy. So why do you still feel stuck? In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, master well-being educator Devi Brown joins the conversation for one of the most honest discussions about healing we've ever had. Devi spent years teaching wellness to athletes, executives, and thousands of students through her Deeply Well podcast and her work at Chopra Global. Then her own life fell apart... and she discovered that everything she'd been teaching wasn't enough to save her. What she built from that breaking point became her book Living in Wisdom... a completely different approach to healing that doesn't start with fixing yourself. It starts with being brave enough to actually meet yourself. This conversation goes beyond surface-level wellness and into the real, messy, uncomfortable process of becoming whole. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why "doing the work" can still leave you stuck... and what's actually missing - The difference between surface-level wellness and true well-being - What "Complex Lived Experience" means and why it changes how you think about your pain - Why Devi's 8-step healing process starts with grief, not gratitude - What it looks like to live in wisdom on an ordinary Tuesday... not just during a retreat If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and still not feeling better... this episode is going to change how you think about the entire journey. Devi's book Living in Wisdom is available now in paperback (as of TODAY). 📍0:00 Introduction & Wellness Industry Overview 1:11 Welcoming Devi Brown 2:11 Healer Burnout & Passing the Torch 10:17 Creators, Art & Living for the Work 17:31 Music, Consciousness & Cultural Roots 18:13 Bridging Generations & Staying Curious 26:10 Navigating Uncertainty & The Shift from Hope to Faith 33:36 Freedom After Divorce 39:20 Surface Wellness vs. Real Healing 40:47 The Wellness Industrial Complex 59:38 Truth Telling & The Personal Healing Path 1:05:38 Closing Reflections & Where to Find Devi Connect: @DeviBrown @DeeplyWellPodcast Read: "Living in Wisdom" DeviBrown.com Now Available! Substack: https://substack.com/@devibrown The Deeply Well Podcast is available on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3n5hEIV… Youtube: @devibrownwell-being   Our Sponsors:* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 13m
  8. 253 - The Truth About Living with Your Mother (at 40)

    Apr 14

    253 - The Truth About Living with Your Mother (at 40)

    Living with someone you love is supposed to be easy — until it isn't. In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, hosts Barb Schmidt and Michelle Maros pull back the curtain on the two years they spent living together after a sudden condo flood turned a two-week crash pad into an unplanned life arrangement. What started as a temporary inconvenience became one of the most challenging — and unexpectedly transformative — seasons of their relationship. From laundry wars to a 20-year high school reunion that felt like stepping back in time, Barb and Michelle get honest about the moments that nearly broke them and the practices that kept them together. This conversation is for anyone who has ever loved someone deeply and still needed serious space from them. What you'll take away: Why trying to control small things (like dryer settings) is almost never actually about the small thingHow to survive cohabitation with someone you love without losing the relationshipThe real emotion hiding underneath anger — and how to get to itWhy your role as a parent fundamentally shifts when your adult child moves back inA practical starting point for building self-awareness through journaling and reflectionDon't risk letting conflict quietly damage a relationship you can't afford to lose. Learn how to find the baseline of love — even when you want to pull your hair out. Episode Breakdown ⬇️ 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:34 - Moving In 00:07:38 - Early Adjustment 00:09:00 - Tension Builds 00:14:06 - The Laundry Wars 00:21:16 - Learning to Pause 00:25:08 - Finding the Lessons 00:39:40 - Love Coexists 00:41:35 - Parent Role Shifts 00:43:50 - Closing Wisdom 💬 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! 💕 🎙️ Hosted 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 📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend If this episode resonated with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend, a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and find clarity and strength one day at a time. Because resilience doesn’t begin with changing your circumstances. It begins with strengthening your relationship with yourself. And that may be the most important relationship you’ll ever build. 👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg 🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    52 min
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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
    226
  • Copyright
    © 2022, Michelle Maros LLC, All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Life Happens with Barb & Michelle

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