Life Happens with Barb & Michelle

With the New Year comes pressure to become the “best version” of yourself but true transformation starts with intention, patience, and compassion. 💫In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re digging into a modern epidemic fueled by entitlement, comparison, and our fast-paced culture: impatience. We explore why slowing down is not a weakness, but the pathway to confidence, alignment, and ease as we enter 2026.💬 Barb shares why she chose patience as her intention word for 2026 and offers simple, grounded ways to cultivate patience in everyday life.💬 Michelle opens up about her struggle with waiting for things to align and how trusting her timing—and herself—completely shifted her experience.✨ What We Talk About• The entitlement epidemic: How instant gratification and individualism have shaped our expectations and how awareness helps us reconnect with compassion.• How impatience hurts us: Acting out of alignment, rushing decisions, and feeling hopeless when life isn’t moving fast enough.• Patience attains all things: Trusting your timing, embracing the “in-between,” and finding purpose in waiting seasons.• Building a relationship with yourself: Pausing, breathing, reconnecting, and beginning again, over and over.Remember: the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.Have patience. Your small shifts matter—and they are creating a better tomorrow.📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg💛 Episode TopicsThe consequences of impatienceWhy we’re more entitled than everHow patience attains all thingsCombatting hopelessness and stressCultivating patience in our daily livesMentioned in today's episode:💛 Prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila: https://bit.ly/4qLmftu💬 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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🔖 Hashtags:#Patience #NewYear #2026 #IntentionSetting #EntitlementOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code LIFEHAPPENS20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” Change isn’t something to fear—it’s an invitation to grow, evolve, and step into what’s possible. 💫In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we close out the year with a powerful conversation about the one constant in life: change. Instead of viewing impermanence as something negative, we’re flipping the script and exploring how change can be a doorway to clarity, freedom, and fulfillment.All growth is born from change—and learning how to work with it, rather than against it, can transform the way you move through life.💬 Barb shares how embracing small shifts and cultivating self-awareness helped her recognize where change was needed in her life, ultimately leading to one of her biggest turning points.💬 Michelle opens up about her struggle with resisting change, getting stuck in the habit of complaining, and what helped her begin moving forward with intention. In this episode, we explore:Embracing Change: Reframing change as an opportunity instead of a disruptionThe Habit of Complaining: How staying in negativity keeps us stuck—and what to do insteadSmall Shifts, Big Growth: Why easing into change creates lasting transformationPracticing Presence: Finding peace by staying grounded in the present moment, even when things feel uncertainYou may not know how the story ends—but every chapter offers a new beginning. Trust the process, honor the season you’re in, and allow change to guide you forward.📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.👉 Order your copy:https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg💛 Episode TopicsBeing alone during the holidaysRedefining family, tradition, and what celebration means Grieving and making space for difficult emotionsNavigating disappointment with compassionGiving yourself grace, care, and permission to choose what you need💬 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code LIFEHAPPENS20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Growth doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in honest moments, hard conversations, and small shifts we make every day. If you’ve been feeling disconnected, uncertain, or like you’re never quite enough, this conversation is for you.In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re reflecting on some of the most meaningful moments from our podcast this year. Together, we revisit powerful conversations on navigating conflict in relationships, the loneliness epidemic, self-doubt, body image, and the quiet practices that help us come home to ourselves.This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone and that real growth begins with awareness, compassion, and presence.✨ In this episode, we explore powerful moments from past conversations, including:Navigating heated arguments with honesty and compassion — from Why Your Relationships Aren’t Working (And How Hard Conversations Can Help)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u88XpgOMGqA&tWhy loneliness is rising and how to reconnect with yourself in a disconnected world — from Loneliness Is Killing Us (Connected but Disconnected)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWZ1ij3Ii7YMoving through self-doubt to rebuild confidence and clarity by trusting your intuition — from Self-Doubt Ends Here | Leaning Into Your Intuition and Inner Voicehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UHQ1vas5_U&tUnderstanding body image and why true confidence comes from within—not external validation — from Why We Think We’re Not Enough: The Truth About Body Image & Confidencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKOFVr5HQ2Q📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg📅 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/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code LIFEHAPPENS20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if a “successful” holiday wasn’t defined by perfect traditions, packed schedules, or being surrounded by family? What if this season could feel lighter—rooted in ease, presence, and honoring yourself? 💫In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re answering your holiday questions and talking openly about navigating loneliness, grief, unwanted traditions, and disappointment. From estranged relationships and embracing solitude to feeling nostalgic or simply not feeling festive at all, this episode invites you to redefine what the holidays can mean for you.What We Talk AboutNavigating Loneliness — How to honor your feelings without getting stuck in them, and gentle ways to lift your spiritsCreating New Memories — Loosening our grip on expectations and allowing new traditions to emergeGrieving During the Holidays — Making space for loss, estrangement, and difficult emotions; it’s okay if this season doesn’t feel joyfulNavigating Disappointment — Offering yourself grace while taking small steps that empower you to shift your experienceRemember: you’re allowed to celebrate differently.You’re allowed to choose rest over routine.You’re allowed to release traditions that no longer serve you.Whatever this season looks like, you deserve to move through it with gentleness, honesty, and authenticity.📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg💛 Episode TopicsBeing alone during the holidaysRedefining family, tradition, and what celebration means Grieving and making space for difficult emotionsNavigating disappointment with compassion Giving yourself grace, care, and permission to choose what you need💬 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! 💕Today’s Episode Sponsors:💕CashappDownload Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ineo05vp #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-.... Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.🎙️ Host by:https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community⬇️YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code LIFEHAPPENS20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The holidays don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful — here’s how to release the pressure and enjoy the season 💫On this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into holiday stress, perfectionism, boundaries, and the real reason so many of us feel overwhelmed this time of year. With 62% of people reporting elevated holiday stress, this conversation will help you slow down, stay grounded, and make space for joy and presence.Whether you’re navigating family expectations, food triggers, financial pressure, or the urge to “do it all,” this episode offers practical guidance on creating a holiday season that feels peaceful and true to you.✨ What We Talk AboutHow to release holiday perfectionism and find meaning in what’s real—not what’s flawless.The art of saying no and the freedom that comes with not overextending yourself.Checking in with your emotions: A simple practice for asking, “What do I desire and need this season?”Setting boundaries without guilt so you can protect your peace and energy.Navigating triggers & pressure:Barb opens up about food triggers and social overwhelm as a recovering bulimic.Michelle shares tools for managing financial stress and releasing unrealistic expectations.If you’ve ever felt anxious, stretched too thin, or disappointed by the holidays, this episode is your reminder: You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to choose peace. You’re allowed to make this season meaningful in your own way.📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now!A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace.👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg💛 Episode TopicsSaying No to Social Pressure — Navigating invitations from friends, family, and coworkers with confidence and compassionManaging Financial Stress — Rethinking gift-giving, events, and the cost of “holiday expectations”Handling Food Triggers — Staying grounded amid pressure to overindulgeAvoiding Overextension — Setting healthy boundaries to protect your energy and well-beingLetting Go of Perfectionism — Releasing the need to do it all and redefining what a meaningful holiday looks like💬 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! 💕Today’s Episode Sponsors:💕Washington Red RaspberriesWashington Red Raspberries are a clean, simple, and seriously delicious way to add more  nutrition to your day. • They’re American grown, picked at peak ripeness, and frozen within hours to lock in nutrients  like fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. And they have no added sugar—just fruit, as nature  intended. Each serving is an excellent source of fiber (21% daily value) , high in antioxidant Vitamin C (30% daily value), low natural sugar, and a good source of folate.You can grab your own bag of fresh, delicious, and locally grown raspberries at the following retailers:Costco, Kroger, Meijer, and WinCo FoodsLook for “Product of the U.S.” on the bag. Want to discover new ways to use American frozen red raspberries and get more details on  where you can grab a bag of these delicious berries? ✨ Go to redrazz.org💕WayfairWayfair is here to help with any last-minute gifts, decor emergencies, and final touches to make your space feel merry and cozy. From bedding and linens to decor for every room in the house—Wayfair’s your one-stop shop.We’ve been updating our own spaces with Wayfair and love their wide selection, affordable prices, and free, easy delivery. From small touches to complete room makeovers, they have everything you need to create a home that feels just right.✨ Start browsing and get inspired at Wayfair.com🎙️ Host by:https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community⬇️YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcastListen 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/3Us9eqgOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code LIFEHAPPENS20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy