Podcast
Life Happens with Barb & Michelle
Hosted by Michelle Maros & Barb Schmidt · EN
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*
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
264 - What Nobody Tells You About Grief | Q&A
3d ago00:17:21Tap to summarizeWhat Nobody Tells You About Grief | Q&AIn this honest and deeply personal Q&A, Barb and Michelle answer some of the death-and-grief questions most people are too uncomfortable to ask out loud. There are no scripts, expert talking points, or perfect answers—just real experiences, hard-earned lessons, and a candid conversation about loss, love, and what it means to keep moving forward after someone you love is gone.Drawing from Barb's experience of losing both of her parents, Michelle's loss of her father, and most recently the death of her beloved cat Charlotte after nearly 20 years together, they share what grief has taught them about life, relationships, forgiveness, and presence.In this short Q&A episode, they answer:How do you live in a world where your parents no longer exist?I Was With Both of My Parents When They Died. What Did It Teach Me About Death?What's the right thing to say to someone who's grieving?Along the way, they explore:Why the present moment becomes more precious when life is fragileHow a deathbed can be both the saddest and most beautiful experience you'll ever witnessWhy your job isn't to fix someone's grief, but simply to be there beside themThe things you should never say to someone who is grievingWhy forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing and why you don't owe anyone reconciliation, even on a deathbedIf you've lost someone you love, are supporting someone through grief, or simply want a more honest conversation about one of life's most universal experiences, this episode is for you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →263 - Why Losing My Cat Hurt More Than Losing My Dad
1w ago00:40:19Tap to summarizeGrief doesn't disappear, it changes form.After losing her beloved cat Charlotte at nearly 20 years old, Michelle was surprised by just how deeply the loss affected her. While it didn't mirror the grief she experienced after losing her father, it brought its own unique heartbreak and reminded her that pet grief is real, profound, and often misunderstood.In this deeply personal episode, Barb and Michelle explore the reality of pet loss, why grief can resurface in unexpected ways, and how every loss teaches us something new about love, attachment, and letting go. Michelle shares how Charlotte's passing brought waves of sadness she didn't anticipate and why trying to "prepare" for grief doesn't necessarily make it easier when the moment arrives.This conversation is for anyone who has lost a beloved pet, a loved one, or is navigating the complicated emotions that come with loving deeply and saying goodbye.What You'll Take Away:Why pet grief is real grief and why comments like "it's just a pet" can be so hurtfulMichelle's experience losing Charlotte and why the loss affected her more than she expectedHow grief can awaken memories of previous losses without being the same experienceWhy anticipatory grief doesn't protect us from heartbreakWhat acceptance actually looks like in real lifeHow to stop judging your grief and allow yourself to feel what you feelWhy grief isn't something we master, fix, or move beyond but something we learn to carry differently over timeWhether you've recently lost a pet, are supporting someone who has, or simply want a more compassionate understanding of grief, this episode offers comfort, validation, and a reminder that love and loss are always connected."Grief is the reminder that love was present, and that even if it's no longer in its original form, that love still exists." @Michelle MarosDon't risk carrying grief alone or judging yourself for how you heal. Learn how to embrace loss with compassion and discover why love never truly leaves us.Resources Mentioned:Orthodox Teaching on Head and Heart"It can take no time to get something into the head, but it can often take a lifetime to get it into the heart."The Five Stages of GriefThe Five Stages of Grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—were developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and continue to provide a framework for understanding grief and loss.Learn more: https://www.grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →262 - Should You Try to Fix Your Parents? (Q&A)
2w ago00:28:21Tap to summarizeShould you try to fix your parents? Most people spend years trying. Here's what actually works — and what's just making it worse.In this candid Q&A episode, Barb and Michelle get into three questions that don't have easy answers:— Should you try to fix your parents (or your adult kids)? — Does emotional connection get harder the bigger your family gets? — How do you apologize to your kids without losing your authority as a parent?Barb — who's spent 40+ years in therapy and recovery — breaks down the fix/control/compare trap that keeps most families stuck, why apologizing to your kids is actually a power move when done right, and what it really means to "let go" of a parent who hurt you (hint: it's not what the internet tells you).Michelle brings the adult-child perspective — including the quiet role reversal that happens when you start parenting your own parents, and why that's more common (and more complicated) than anyone admits.In this episode:The fix/control/compare framework Barb uses dailyWhy big families often produce invisible kids — and what that costs themHow to apologize to your child without becoming a doormatWhat "letting go" of a difficult parent actually looks likeWhy your parents were "raised by cavemen" — and why that context changes everythingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →261 - 5 Signals That You Should Cut Someone Out of Your Life
3w ago00:48:00Tap to summarizeIf you've ever felt lighter in your life after removing someone from it — this episode explains why.Barb & Michelle get real about the 5 signals that it might be time to cut someone out of your life — and why knowing the signals is only half the battle. This episode covers the guilt, the fantasy that people will change, the sunk cost of long relationships, and how to actually do it in a way that doesn't consume the next five years of your life.Barb speaks from experience — including her own 33-year untangling — and Michelle brings the practical, modern perspective on why even empathetic, self-aware people stay in relationships that cost them everything. This is the episode for anyone who already knows what they need to do but can't seem to let themselves do it.What You'll Learn:The 5 specific signals that a relationship is costing you more than it's givingWhy the apology is often the manipulation — not the resolutionHow to tell the difference between sunk cost and real loveWhy being "the bigger person" is sometimes just being controlledHow to release someone from your life without needing to hate them firstSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →260 - The Stuff Your Parents Were Too Scared to Say
Jun 200:40:25Tap to summarizeThere 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 naturallyFrom 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 PeckDon'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.
Transcribe →259 - The Truth About Becoming Your Mother w/ Jessi Cruickshank
May 2600:32:35Tap to summarizeComedian 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 embarrassmentLearn 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/u6WMhIAnoiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →258 - Alex Elle On How Your Closest Friends Might Be Holding You Back
May 1900:45:42Tap to summarizeHealthy 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/@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/3Us9eqgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →257 - The Void After You Get What You Wanted
May 1200:42:41Tap to summarizeWhat 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 stuckDon'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/@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 Tuesday0:00 — Intro: Michelle's post-book-tour void0:58 — Welcome to Life Happens with Barb and Michelle1:14 — It's bigger than a book: any major milestone1:45 — Indiana football national championship & the "now what?"2:44 — Barb's reaction: the joy of the unexpected3:51 — Michelle's book journey and the feeling of the drop-off7:39 — Barb never felt a void — a generational contrast14:35 — What is rest? Defining it differently for everyone21:32 — 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 fast41:01 — Closing reflections & takeawaysSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →256 - Why Being Nice Is Getting Harder
May 500:37:12Tap to summarizeMean 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 themDon'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/@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📘 Go Deeper with Dear FriendIf 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/459zSdtSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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255 - The Comparison Episode We Were Scared to Record
Apr 2800:54:23Tap to summarizeComparison 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 shameDon'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 Introduction0:36 Where Does Comparison Come From?0:52 The Science of Negative Thinking7:07 Barb's Personal Story: Childhood & Comparison9:19 Comparing Yourself to Yourself11:23 Comparison, Jealousy & Envy25:09 Michelle's Story: Visiting a Friend's Family28:22 Self-Talk as the Key Tool39:17 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/@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📘 Go Deeper with Dear FriendIf 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/459zSdtOur 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.
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