In this week's episode of Barb Knows Best , we delve into the often misunderstood world of toxic relationships. What truly defines a toxic relationship? How can we tell the difference between a relationship that’s imperfect and one that’s harmful? With a holiday twist, we’re sharing insights, reminders, and practical steps to help you protect your peace and joy during this busy season. If you’ve ever found yourself drained by certain people or dreading holiday gatherings because of toxic dynamic...
Dec 03, 2024•59 min
This week on Barb Knows Best , we share practical strategies and heartfelt insights to help you reclaim your peace this season. From setting boundaries and managing expectations to staying grounded when chaos swirls around you, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s handling that one relative who always tests your patience or learning how to put your own well-being first, this episode is your guide to showing up authentically and embracing the holidays on your terms. View full show notes of this ep...
Nov 26, 2024•59 min
This week on Barb Knows Best , Barb and Michelle dive into a practice that is transformative for them, especially during life’s toughest moments: gratitude . It’s easy to get caught up in striving for more or waiting for the “next big thing,” but the true magic lies in appreciating the here and now. Gratitude isn’t just a fleeting feeling, but rather a way of life. It anchors us during hardships, reminding us of the beauty and blessings we often overlook. In this episode, they explore why adopti...
Nov 19, 2024•52 min
This week on Barb Knows Best , Barb and Michelle explore a transformative yet challenging concept: giving yourself permission to feel . In a culture that often tells us to “stay positive” or “power through,” fully embracing our emotions can feel unfamiliar—even radical. Yet, it’s one of the most healing and empowering acts we can do for ourselves. View full show notes of this episode. Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellem...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min
This week on Barb Knows Best , Barb and Michelle dive into a topic we all face but rarely talk about openly: disrespect and recognizing when enough is enough. In this episode, they talk about the subtle signals that can tell us it’s time to reassess or even step away from people or situations that no longer feel respectful or aligned. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and practical advice, they explore how small acts of disrespect—often brushed off as “no big deal”—can, over time, ...
Nov 05, 2024•57 min
This week on Barb Knows Best , Barb and Michelle dive into the topic of imposter syndrome and share their personal experiences of how they've learned to reclaim their confidence — and hopefully inspire you to do the same. They explore what imposter syndrome looks like, how it manifests, and the impact it can have on our lives. Through the insights and strategies they discuss, they hope to help quiet your inner critic and loosen the hold imposter syndrome may have on your life. View full show not...
Oct 29, 2024•54 min
This week on Barb Knows Best , Barb and Michelle talk about how we can cope with our own anxieties around world events, and the uncontrollable, unpredictable unknown. They also give tips and reminders to help navigate the overwhelm of these times and reminders of how to stay present through it all. We hope this episode encourages you to take your power back and know that you always have a voice and a vote! View full show notes of this episode. In honor of World Mental Health Day , Barb and Miche...
Oct 22, 2024•59 min
This week on Barb Knows Best , Barb and Michelle explore the topic of rejection and how to navigate life’s unexpected detours. They discuss ways to shift your perspective when faced with rejection—whether in relationships, career opportunities, or personal goals—and how it can actually serve as guidance if we learn to surrender and trust the process. They also share personal stories that have helped them embrace rejection as a form of redirection, guiding them to where they’re truly meant to be ...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In this week's episode, Barb shares her deeply personal and ongoing 40-year journey with bulimia—an addiction that she has battled for much of her life. She candidly discusses how she has found freedom, healing, and self-love through her recovery process. By opening up about her experience, we hope to provide a space for those struggling with addiction to feel seen and empowered to take steps toward healing. Quotes mentioned in this episode: "The real voyage of discovery consists, not in seeking...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Grief is a universal human experience—no one escapes it. However, there is a form of grief that begins before the actual loss takes place: anticipatory grief . This week, Barb and Michelle talk about navigating loss before it happens. Anticipatory grief is when someone is expecting or preparing for an impending loss, such as the death of a loved one, the decline of health, or significant life changes. During their conversation, they share their personal experiences, challenges, and the insights ...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min
This week, Barb and Michelle discuss the hot topic of entitlement. They talk about different ways entitlement can show up, letting go of entitlement, and dealing with entitled people. They also discuss how the instant gratification mentality can spark entitlement in our lives. In this episode, they talk about: The distinction between confidence and entitlement. The idea of holding onto your worthiness without being entitled. Approaching things with humility and empathy instead of judging or beli...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are diving deep into the idea of reframing or shifting our minds from certain negative belief systems. For anyone who is stubborn, a perfectionist, a fixer, a pessimist, an overthinker, or a planner, this episode will especially resonate with you. Through cultivating awareness and transforming our self-talk, we can release our rigid thinking patterns and find joy in new opportunities. In this episode, Barb and Michelle discuss: Being flexible with your plans, ideas, ...
Sep 17, 2024•59 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are acknowledging a common problem many of us have—being too hard on ourselves. If you’re someone who feels like you’re always the problem and at fault, then this episode is for you. They’re breaking down our inner-critic and discussing new insights on how to start developing a trusting, loving relationship with ourselves. In this episode, Barb and Michelle discuss: Giving yourself grace through the challenges and difficult moments of life Letting go of the burden of...
Sep 10, 2024•58 min
This week, Barb and Michelle share how an unfortunate accident led to Barb being forced to slow down physically and mentally. This incident reminded Barb of the importance of being intentional and mindful in thought and action. It can feel impossible to consider moving at a slower pace, the thoughts in the mind are always racing, and the responsibilities are endless. In this episode, they discuss the key to being present in a fast-paced world and how to mindfully interrupt our constant stream of...
Sep 03, 2024•57 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are talking about an emotion many of us avoid and express poorly—anger. Barb shares her personal experience with avoiding anger throughout her life and her journey with moving through this difficult emotion. They share insights they learned from a somatic healer along with ways to express, acknowledge, and feel your anger. In this episode, they talk about: Acknowledging and feeling your anger is key to moving through it Transforming your anger into compassion, but st...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr
This week, Barb and Michelle are continuing the manipulation series with this manipulation tactic that is disguised as charm and affection—love bombing. Love bombing is when someone is too loving in the beginning of a relationship before they’ve earned your trust. They share their personal stories and insight on this tricky tactic. In this episode, they talk about: Recognizing and dealing with love bombers and manipulative, charming people How love bombing can show up in romantic relationships, ...
Aug 20, 2024•44 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are continuing the manipulation series by tackling this tough and common manipulation tactic: Gaslighting. They’re sharing examples from their personal lives on how gaslighting can present itself along with tips to take your power back. In this episode, they talk about: Awareness is the key to recognizing gaslighting Gaslighting is a sneaky, disorienting, and gradual form of abuse Gaslighters sow doubt and erode your own trust in yourself How to take back your power ...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 4 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are introducing a new series on manipulation, and in this episode they identify some common behaviors and techniques manipulators use. They share their personal stories from past romantic relationships and offer some insights on the roots of manipulation. In this episode, they talk about: Identifying what manipulation can look like Manipulators victimizing themselves and flipping the script on you Manipulation is a spectrum; sometimes people mean well Manipulators ar...
Aug 06, 2024•59 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are getting personal in this relatable discussion of losing yourself. Barb shares her story of feeling disconnected with herself after her divorce from a 33-year marriage. Through their personal experiences of feeling lost and distant from themselves, Michelle and Barb give new insights on what coming back to yourself can look like. In this episode, they talk about: Recognizing what losing yourself looks like and remembering who you are Instead of focusing on the neg...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are sharing the highly requested list of Barb’s favorite quotes that have deeply resonated and changed her life. From famous philanthropists you’ve heard of to some amazing teachers that Barb met personally, this is an episode filled with wisdom and inspiration to bless you on your life journey. In this episode, they talk about: Nuggets of wisdom that have encouraged and changed Barb’s life Being curious and remaining open to new lessons and perspectives from others ...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 2 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are getting candid about the difficult act of letting go. They’re sharing personal experiences and the hard truths about acceptance, moving on, and ruminating on the past along with their personal practices to help with the letting go process. In this episode, they talk about: Identifying what letting go is and what it can look like The consequence of resisting letting go, and ways to release the fear of letting go How to take action and develop a practice when feeli...
Jul 16, 2024•55 min
This week, Barb and Michelle continue last week’s conversation on overcoming feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty. Michelle shares personal experiences of losing trust, and they both share mindset shifts and action steps to take if you’re doubting yourself and your intuition. In this episode, they talk about: Moving through difficult feelings How to strengthen your discernment muscle and cultivate real trust in yourself Remembering to give yourself space to breathe, reflect, and respond; espec...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 1 min
This week, Barb and Michelle discuss an unexpected lesson Michelle has learned in 2024. Michelle opens up about her tendencies to be gullible and “too trusting”, while Barb shares helpful reframes and insights. In this episode, they talk about: Just because you have been harmed in the past, doesn’t mean you can’t seek the good in people Reframing how we view the intentions and actions of others Showing grace and love towards ourselves and how we perceive life Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peacef...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 2 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are finally answering listener questions in a long-awaited Q&A episode. They answer many personal, deep-hitting questions on their relationship, their relationships with estranged family, cultivating a healthy relationship with self, and more! In this episode, they talk about: If they’ve always been close The best way to deal with family estrangements How to stop from people pleasing How to make confident decisions without being afraid of how someone else thinks ...
Jun 25, 2024•56 min
This week, Barb and Michelle are excited to revisit one of their all-time favorite episodes, a topic they resonate with deeply, and are asked about daily! They discuss how we can start to release the habit of taking other people’s actions and behaviors personally, what that looks like, and how we can find peace in doing so. Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast . Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice . ...
Jun 18, 2024•43 min•Ep. 112
In this week's episode, Barb and Michelle discuss their personal practices for letting go of regret. They both share their stories and experiences from their lives that led them to feel like they had wasted time, and wished they had made important changes sooner, and how they both are gently releasing these feelings. We take a deep dive into: How we can start to embody the notion that no time spent is ever wasted How we can be more gentle with ourselves for how we’ve spent our past How would we ...
Jun 11, 2024•56 min
In this week's episode, Barb and Michelle discuss the often requested topic of worry. Sharing from personal experience, Barb and Michelle chat about how worry shows up in their lives and how they’ve slowly intended to release the unnecessary nature of it. We take a deep dive into: What is worry? Why are we so quick to lean into worry? How can we worry less? What would life look like with faith over worry? Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBe...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr
In this week's episode, Barb and Michelle continue their conversation about forgiveness, opening up about what this practice actually looks like in real life. Barb shares personal stories and insights from her recent divorce, and walks us through her steps to aligned forgiveness. We take a deep dive into: The real goal of forgiveness What we should let go of when seeking to forgive Tangible steps towards seeking forgiveness Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences w...
May 28, 2024•55 min
In this week's episode, Barb and Michelle discuss one of Barb’s oldest, and most life-changing practices: mantra repetition. Learn all about this powerful practice: what it is, how to do it, and how it can change your life. Plus, Barb and Michelle share how using a mantra has impacted both of their lives, personally. We take a deep dive into: What is a mantra? How can you choose which mantra is right for you? How can we incorporate this practice into our lives, no matter how busy we are Click he...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In this week's special Mother's Day episode, Barb and Michelle dive into their personal mother/daughter relationship, sharing intimate stories, lessons, and insights from their lives. Barb also shares her biggest tips for parenting and raising strong, centered children. Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at www.michellemaros.com/podcast . Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here ! Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor: https...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 117
