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. 5D AGO

    251 — My Mom Hid a Family Secret for 20 Years…

    Have you ever found out someone you love wasn't telling you the whole truth, and even though it wasn't malicious, something inside you shifted? That quiet crack in trust can change a relationship more than any dramatic betrayal ever could. In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, this mother-daughter duo gets deeply personal about dishonesty. Not the headline-grabbing kind, but the everyday white lies, the withheld truths, the stories we tell ourselves about "protecting" the people we love. From family secrets revealed years later to the small manipulations that slowly erode trust, Barb and Michelle unpack what honesty really costs and what it makes possible. 💬 Barb shares how she navigated telling Michelle about her bulimia, a family affair, and the alcoholism in their lineage, and why she trusted life to present the right timing rather than forcing the conversation.  💬 Michelle opens up about what it felt like to learn major truths about her family as a young adult, how those revelations triggered a "what else don't I know?" spiral, and why her mom's non-judgmental space made all the difference. ✨ In This Episode, We Discuss: The difference between withholding truth to protect versus withholding to manipulate and controlHow Michelle learned about her dad's affair through a Facebook message years after his death, and how Barb handled the falloutWhy Barb believes "life will present the timing" for hard conversations with your kidsThe real damage of small, repeated white lies versus big one-time revelationsHow calling someone a "liar" or "gaslighter" can short-circuit a conversation, and what to say insteadCreating a safe space where your child (or anyone) can tell the truth without being punished firstWhy trust can be broken in a moment but takes patience and intention to rebuild "I truly believe the truth will set you free. I become tethered to lies." Whether you're a parent wondering what to share and when, or someone rebuilding trust after it cracked, this episode will make you feel less alone in the mess of it. Barb and Michelle don't pretend to have perfect answers. They just show you what it looks like to keep choosing honesty, even when it's uncomfortable. Pull up a seat and listen in. 0:00 - Cold Open 0:57 - Welcome to Life Happens with Barb & Michelle 1:15 - Introducing Today's Topic: Truth & Dishonesty 2:12 - Truth Used to Be a Core Value — What Changed? 11:21 - Parent-Child Honesty: When & How to Share Hard Truths 13:45 - The "True Hat" Rule: A Family Trust Agreement 19:41 - Finding Out About Dad's Affair Through Facebook 22:18 - Letting Life Present the Right Moment to Tell the Truth 28:38 - Are White Lies More Harmful Than Big Ones? 29:33 - Work Colleague Story: When White Lies Become Control 34:01 - Lying About Drinking as a Teen & Creating Safe Spaces 41:09 - "Raised by Cave People" — Extending Grace to Our Parents 47:07 - Don't Use "You Are" — Use "I Feel" Language 49:27 - Creating Safe Spaces & Repairing Broken Trust 51:16 - Closing & Thank You 📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend If this episode on Dishonesty and Trust 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 💬 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    52 min

  2. MAR 24

    250 – Why Betrayal Hurts Like a Physical Wound

    What happens when the person you trusted completely becomes the source of your deepest wound? And what does it mean when you're the one who caused that kind of pain for someone else? In this episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, our hosts go deep on one of the most universally painful human experiences: betrayal. This is a raw, honest conversation about what betrayal actually does to us, how it lives in our bodies, and what it really takes to move forward (hint: it's not just forgiving and forgetting). 💬 Barb opens up about how betrayal has quietly shattered her sense of safety and belonging over the years, including within family relationships, and shares what she's learning about the difference between repairing a relationship and repairing yourself. 💬 Michelle gets real about a time in her younger years when she found herself cast as the villain in a messy web of loyalty, secrets, and broken trust. She reflects on how she eventually made peace with it, even without resolution from the other people involved. ✨ In This Episode, We Discuss: Why betrayal isn't just disappointment and why it activates the same regions of the brain as physical painThe difference between a mistake and a betrayal, and why that line mattersWhat it looks like to "clean up your own side of the street" after you've hurt someoneThe pressure of "blood is thicker than water" and why family loyalty doesn't obligate you to stay in unsafe relationshipsHow to know whether a broken relationship is worth repairing or whether it's okay to let it goThe sneaky way gossip can be a gateway to bigger betrayalsWhat self-betrayal has to do with all of it (and why that's a whole other episode) "What society thinks and what other people are telling you is true... blood is thicker than water, you have to forgive and forget... none of that applies. How do you feel about it?" If you've ever felt like you had to choose between protecting someone and protecting yourself, this episode will meet you right there. You'll walk away with a clearer sense of what you actually owe other people and what you owe yourself. Come sit with us for this one. 📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend If this episode on Loyalty and Betrayal 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 💬 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    41 min
  3. 249 - Why Being Resilient Is Making You Exhausted

    MAR 17

    249 - Why Being Resilient Is Making You Exhausted

    Have you ever been knocked down so hard you weren’t sure you could get back up? Have you ever felt the weight of the world and wondered how to keep moving forward—with strength, dignity, and hope? In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we explore why resilience can feel so hard, especially when you're exhausted from carrying so much. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s powerful poem Still I Rise, this conversation is about finding the courage to rise again—even when life feels overwhelming. 💬 Barb candidly shares her personal experiences with trauma and how Maya Angelou’s wisdom helped her build strength and resilience in her own life. 💬 Michelle opens up about what it feels like to be tired of always having to be resilient—and how she continues to rise above life’s challenges with honesty, grace, and self-compassion. ✨ In This Episode, We Discuss: How to find your voice and strength after traumaBecoming the author of your own life storyThe healing power of literature and storytellingWhy resilience doesn’t mean ignoring your painHolding onto one powerful truth: Still I RiseFinding balance between growth, healing, and restAs Maya Angelou reminds us: "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." If life feels heavy right now, this conversation is a reminder that you are stronger than you think—and you can rise again. 💗 Mentioned in today’s episode: Maya Angelou’s Still I rise: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings-maya-angelou/1100392955 📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend If this episode on rising above life’s hardships and practicing self-compassion 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 💬 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    38 min
  4. 248 - The Hidden Cost of Overgiving in Relationships

    MAR 10

    248 - The Hidden Cost of Overgiving in Relationships

    Have you ever cared about someone so much that you slowly disappeared? Have you ever been the strong one, the helper, the fixer — only to wake up exhausted, resentful, or unsure where you went? In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we explore the hidden cost of overgiving in relationships and how codependency, people-pleasing, and emotional overfunctioning quietly lead to burnout. Inspired by Codependent No More by Melody Beattie, this conversation shifts the focus from controlling others to caring for yourself. We talk about boundaries, emotional exhaustion, self-worth, detachment, and how to stop losing yourself in relationships. If you struggle with: Overgivingfeeling responsible for everyone else’s emotionsdifficulty setting boundariesrelationship burnoutor constantly putting others first…this episode is for you. 💬 Barb shares how she began recognizing her codependent patterns during addiction and divorce — and how healing started when she stopped trying to manage everyone else’s experience. 💬 Michelle opens up about losing herself in past relationships and how she rebuilt trust with her own voice, needs, and intuition. ✨ In This Episode, We Discuss: How overgiving leads to resentment and emotional fatigueThe difference between love and codependencyWhy healthy relationships require boundariesHow to stop controlling others and start caring for yourselfAcceptance, detachment, and emotional resilienceRebuilding self-worth after toxic dynamicsYou cannot pour from an empty cup. Healthy love is mutual. Boundaries are not selfish — they are necessary. If you’re ready to stop overextending, start honoring your needs, and build balanced, lasting relationships, press play. 💗 Mentioned in today’s episode: Melody Beattie’s When Things Fall Apart: https://bit.ly/4rBjmvX 📘 Go Deeper with Dear Friend If this episode on overgiving, boundaries, and rebuilding self-worth resonates with you, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend — a daily reflection companion created to help you reconnect with your inner voice, honor your needs, and build emotional clarity one day at a time. Because healing codependency doesn’t start with changing someone else. It starts 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 💬 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    44 min
  5. 247 - The Hidden Ways We Create Our Own Pain

    MAR 3

    247 - The Hidden Ways We Create Our Own Pain

    What if when things fall apart… that’s actually where healing begins? In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into the wisdom of Pema Chödrön and her transformational book When Things Fall Apart — a powerful guide for navigating hardship, fear, failure, and suffering. When life feels overwhelming, our instinct is often to escape the discomfort. But what if leaning into fear is actually the path to resilience? What if the suffering we experience isn’t just about what happened — but the meaning we attach to it? This episode explores how to stop adding to your own suffering and start turning life’s hardest moments into growth and healing. 💬 Barb shares how When Things Fall Apart helped her navigate her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis and shift from fear to grounded presence. 💬 Michelle opens up about recognizing where she was compounding her own suffering — and how she now approaches hardship with greater awareness, compassion, and courage. This conversation is an invitation to step out of denial, stop fighting reality, and begin building emotional resilience — especially when everything feels like it’s unraveling. ✨ In This Episode, We Explore: When Things Fall Apart – Why hardship and failure are not the end, but the beginning of transformation.How We Add to Our Own Suffering – The stories we tell ourselves that keep us stuck in guilt, denial, or fear.Leaning Into Fear – How facing discomfort builds real resilience.Reframing Failure – Why failure can be your greatest teacher.From Denial to Acceptance – Feeling difficult emotions instead of escaping them.The Danger of Passive Hope – Moving from wishing things were different to taking grounded, proactive steps.Building Emotional Resilience – Navigating small challenges so we’re stronger in life’s biggest storms.Being Fully Alive – Living with presence, curiosity, and compassion.True healing begins when we stop resisting what is. When we meet pain with compassion instead of judgment. When we realize that fear and hardship are not signs that we’re broken — but invitations to grow. If life feels heavy right now, this episode is for you. 💗 Mentioned in today’s episode: Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart: https://bit.ly/3OAynj2 📘 Continue the Conversation If this episode resonates, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend — a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with yourself, strengthen your inner voice, and practice emotional clarity one day at a time. Because the most important relationship you’ll ever build… is the one you have with yourself. 👉 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 💬 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    41 min
  6. 246 - No More Overexplaining: Building Healthy Relationships Without Guilt | Life Happens

    FEB 24

    246 - No More Overexplaining: Building Healthy Relationships Without Guilt | Life Happens

    What if being “selfish” is actually the key to healthier relationships? In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your questions about navigating difficult relationship dynamics — without guilt, overexplaining, or abandoning yourself in the process. From unrealistic expectations and gossip to setting boundaries for the first time, we’re diving into the messy, uncomfortable, and very real parts of relationships. 💬 Barb shares how she sets boundaries and approaches hard conversations with clarity and calm. 💬 Michelle opens up about releasing guilt, healing with confidence, and refusing to live in a victim mindset. This conversation is honest, practical, and empowering — especially if you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing or feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions. ✨ In This Episode, We Explore: Why guilt often keeps us stuck — and what to do insteadHow to identify your values and honor your needsSetting boundaries without overexplainingSupporting loved ones without rescuing themWhy healthy relationships require clarity, not self-sacrificeAt the heart of it all? You don’t build strong relationships by shrinking yourself. You build them by standing in your truth. 📘 Continue the Conversation If this episode resonates, you may also love Michelle’s USA TODAY bestselling book, Dear Friend — a daily reflection companion designed to help you reconnect with yourself, strengthen your inner voice, and practice emotional clarity one day at a time. Because the most important relationship you’ll ever build… is the one you have with yourself. 👉 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 💬 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    38 min
  7. 245 - Loyalty, Betrayal, & Why Confrontation Matters | Life Happens

    FEB 17

    245 - Loyalty, Betrayal, & Why Confrontation Matters | Life Happens

    Confrontation isn’t easy — but it’s one of the clearest ways we honor ourselves and the people we care about. If we’re not honest about our feelings and needs, how can our relationships truly grow? In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into loyalty and betrayal — including our own experience of being unexpectedly ghosted by a friend. From healthy communication to redefining what loyalty really means, this conversation is for anyone navigating hurt, boundaries, and the courage to speak up. 💬 Barb shares her experience with fear of abandonment and how she’s learned to voice her truth, even when it feels risky. 💬 Michelle reflects on why she’s cautious with the word “loyalty” and how she’s redefined it in her own relationships. ✨ What We Talk About Redefining Loyalty Loyalty isn’t blind or unconditional — it’s a conscious commitment to work through discomfort, growth, and change with honesty and respect. Fear of Abandonment Recognizing the underlying fears that may keep you silent or guarded. Being Okay with Confrontation Healthy relationships are strengthened — not broken — by hard conversations. Loyalty to the Relationship Itself Respecting the time, energy, and connection you’ve built by choosing communication over avoidance. Reminder: There is power and healing in honest communication. Be brave enough to speak your truth and set the boundaries that protect your peace. 📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros Dear Friend is a 365-day companion designed to support self-care, self-love, and emotional clarity. Each reflection offers a gentle pause — a reminder to come back to yourself, nurture your inner voice, and build a life rooted in presence and confidence. Explore the book and continue the journey toward deeper connection — starting with yourself. 👉 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 💬 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    39 min
  8. 244 - Nedra Glover Tawwab on Boundaries, Relationships & Why We Feel So Lonely | Life Happens

    FEB 10

    244 - Nedra Glover Tawwab on Boundaries, Relationships & Why We Feel So Lonely | Life Happens

    Have we become so independent—and so focused on self-care—that we’ve forgotten how much we actually need one another? With relationship deficits at an all-time high, this episode is a powerful guide to rebuilding connection and creating healthy dependency—without losing yourself. In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re joined by New York Times bestselling author, therapist, and boundaries expert Nedra Glover Tawwab for an honest and timely conversation about relationships, communication, and expectations. This episode launches the same day as Nedra’s new book, The Balancing Act,offering a deeper look at the themes shaping her work right now. From understanding how trauma can show up in our relationships to navigating boundaries, “no contact,” and emotional dependency, this conversation speaks directly to the loneliness so many of us are feeling—and what we can do about it. 💬 Nedra shares insights from her clinical work and personal experience, and offers a preview of the ideas explored in The Balancing Act. 💬 Michelle & Barb bring their own lived wisdom to the conversation, exploring relationships through a generational and mother–daughter lens. ✨ What We Talk AboutFinding the Balance Why boundaries aren’t walls to keep people out—but tools to keep relationships sustainable and meaningful. The Challenge of “No Contact” When cutting ties is necessary—and why building community and connection matters just as much. Mindful Communication Why speaking honestly instead of silently rehearsing conversations can save relationships. The Relationship Deficit How cultivating a fuller, more diverse community supports healthy dependency and eases unrealistic expectations. As Nedra reminds us, every relationship—from romantic partnerships to friendships, family, and community—is a balancing act. When we give too much, we lose ourselves. When we protect ourselves too much, we lose closeness. Finding the middle ground is where connection, authenticity, and joy live. ✨UPCOMING EVENT: Calling all South Florida friends! Join Nedra Glover Tawwab and Barb Schmidt at Books & Books in Miami for a meaningful conversation—and the opportunity to receive a signed copy of The Balancing Act. Get your tickets here:https://shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2026-02-21/evening-nedra-glover-tawwab-barb-schmidt Order Nedra’s new book, The Balancing Act, to create healthy dependency and connection without losing yourself:https://www.nedratawwab.com/books/the-balancing-act 💬 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! 💕 ⭐Special Guest: Therapist, NYT Bestselling Author, Nedra Glover Tawwab https://www.instagram.com/nedratawwab/?hl=en Order her new book here: https://www.nedratawwab.com/books/the-balancing-act 🎙️ 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 📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros You don’t need a new beginning to come back to yourself. Dear Friend is a 365-day companion for self-love, presence, and quiet courage—one page, one day at a time. 👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg Our Sponsors: * Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    50 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
    217
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
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