Life Happens with Barb & Michelle

✨ Watch our episodes on YouTube! ✨

⟶ Subscribe to our channel here: @LifeHappensThePodcast

With 1 in 4 people estranged from a family member, it’s clear there’s a crisis in connection—one we don’t talk about enough.

What happens when communication breaks down, when misunderstandings pile up, and when silence becomes the only way we know how to cope? It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room: how do we have the hard conversation...

✨ WATCH ON VIDEO✨

⟶ Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: @LifeHappensThePodcast

This week on Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, we’re opening up about our personal journeys with grief and how we’ve supported each other through loss as mother and daughter. We’re sharing the lessons we’ve learned, the ways we’ve found resilience, and the love that continues to guide us.

This episode is especially close to our hearts. Barb speaks vul...

✨We’re on YouTube✨⟶ Watch our episodes here: @lifehappensthepodcast

After three incredible years of Barb Knows Best, we’re excited to evolve and relaunch as Life Happens Podcast—where we dive deeper into navigating life's ups and downs through the lens of our unique mother-daughter dynamic.

In our debut episode, we’re reflecting on the evolution of our relationship as parent and adult child. We’ll explore the growth, changes, and...

We're back — with a new name, a fresh look, and a brand-new video podcast 💚 but the heart of our show stays the same: real, personal, and empowering conversations between a mother and daughter.

Why Life Happens?

Because life isn't linear. It's full of twists, turns, unexpected lessons, and beautifully messy moments. We're here to talk through all of it — with honesty, vulnerability, and love. 🌱

Starting Tuesday, Apri...

Exciting news! Barb Knows Best is evolving! To celebrate this new chapter, Barb and Michelle share one of their all-time favorite episodes from Barb Knows Best. In this episode, Barb and Michelle talk about the one trait they're both working on cultivating this year (and honestly… every year): resilience. This conversation meant so much to them—it was recorded during a time when life felt especially heavy, and the lessons still...

Have you heard of emotional monitoring? It’s when you anticipate and accommodate other people’s emotions at the expense of your own. This might look like constantly wondering if someone is mad at you or checking in excessively to make sure they’re okay. Over time, this hypervigilance can be exhausting.

This week, Barb shares her experience of divorce after spending 33 years as the peacekeeper and emotional monitor in her marriage. T...

On this week's brand-new episode, Barb and Michelle are encouraging you to stop apologizing. In this vulnerable conversation, they discuss their personal practices of noticing the instinct to over-apologize or even apologize when not warranted, and how that affects confidence, clarity, and self-esteem. They also share how they've been overcoming this pesky habit, and the benefits they've discovered.

Follow us @MichelleMa...

In this week's all new episode, in celebration of Women's History Month, Barb and Michelle dedicate this episode to YOU—to all women.

They unpack the struggles women face daily—from the impossibly high expectations to the ongoing battle for equality. If you’ve ever felt like you were too much, too little, or simply not enough, this episode is for you.

Here are some key takeaways from today’s episode:

• Be aware of soc...

This week, in an all-new episode of Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle dive deep into the painful reality of betrayal. Through sharing personal stories, you'll learn how they healed from broken trust, and, most importantly, how they reclaimed their power in its aftermath.

Here are some key takeaways from today’s episode:

• Awareness: Recognize when trust issues and paranoia start creeping into your relationships. Self-aw...

This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle honor the memory of Melody Beattie, a teacher and guide who profoundly impacted so many. Her wisdom, shared through her books and teachings, is a beacon. In this revisited episode, Barb and Michelle reflect on one of her most influential works, Codependent No More, and discuss how it helped them release codependency and build healthier, more empowering ...

In this week's all-new episode, Barb and Michelle tackle the tricky and subtle dynamic of settling. They share their personal perspectives on shifting their mindsets from settling to fully owning it.

They share personal struggles with breaking free from self-doubt, elevating standards, and trusting that the right things will come at the right time. Not settling isn’t just about getting what you want, it’s ab...

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, this week, Barb and Michelle take this holiday of love as reminder that real love comes in many forms. Some years, this day feels joyful and full of connection, while others, it may stir up longing or reflection. No matter where you are in your journey, one thing remains true: love isn’t limited to romance. It exists in the beauty of nature, the bond with your children, the kindness of a friend...

Have you noticed that kindness, understanding, and patience feel harder to come by these days? You’re not alone! In a world that feels increasingly tense and on edge, it can be challenging to navigate interactions with difficult people while staying true to your own sense of peace.

In this week's episode, Barb and Michelle dive into an important conversation: How do we handle disrespect? Many of u...

This week, Barb and Michelle invite you to revisit a past episode with a timely message of managing difficult times and finding peace amid drama.

Barb and Michelle unpack a quote that has been simmering in their minds, “Please let go of the habit of comforting people after they have harmed you” by Liana Naima. It’s easy for many of us to go into people pleasing mode to keep the peace in our relationships, but at what cost? Listen to...

In this week's episode of Barb Knows Best, Barb shares a personal experience of acting out of alignment in the heat of the moment. Facing self-criticism and judgment, Barb walks us through her healing and acceptance process, as well as provides practical tips to help prevent future triggers and unnecessary outbursts.

This episode serves as a reminder that it’s normal to have difficult interactions in life; life happens! The tric...

In this week's episode, Barb and Michelle reflect on the devastating California wildfires, highlighting the deep pain and loss so many are experiencing right now. In moments like these, the strength of our communities and the care we offer one another becomes not just important but essential. Nakita Valerie’s words ring especially true: “Shouting ‘self-care’ at people who actually need ‘community care’ is how we fail people.”

Th...

This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle explore how to navigate the transition into the new year with compassion and care. Rather than diving headfirst into the hustle of achieving every resolution, they’re encouraging you to embrace slowness, self-care, and reflection during this first month of 2025. Join them as they share their personal experiences and practical tips for letting go of the pressure to s...

Happy New Year!

This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle dive into the transformative practice of intention setting. Take a moment to reflect: how often have you truly followed through on a New Year’s resolution? While many of us start the year eager to grow and thrive, studies show that only 1% of resolutions stick for the entire year.

In today’s episode, they explore why resolutions of...

As the year draws to a close, we’re reminded of the beauty in pausing to reflect on the journey we’ve taken—the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the gratitude that anchors us. In this week’s episode of Barb Knows Best, we delve into the defining moments of 2024 and share how these experiences have shaped us, prepared us, and inspired us for the year ahead.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @Michelle...