In today’s episode of A Table for Two with Michaela Belle, we’re pulling up a second chair for the most requested and most downloaded guest on the podcast—my daughter, Malin Belle.

This conversation started as a casual couch chat and turned into a deep dive on generational burdens, parenting struggles, the pressure teens feel to figure out their future, and how each generation is trying to “fix” what the last one didn’t get right.

We talk about:

• Why college might not be the right first step for everyone

• A theory I have about taking a “gap year” for internships + life skills

• How Gen Z views mental health and their drive to change the world

• The pendulum swing of parenting—overcorrecting what we experienced

• Raising emotionally intelligent, respectful boys

• The pressure to have it all figured out by 8th grade

• What we hope Gen Z gets right—and where we still have to be careful

There’s laughter, real talk, Gilmore Girls references, and a lot of heart in this one. Whether you’re a parent trying to understand your teen better, a Gen Z navigating your future, or someone who just wants a raw, honest conversation—you’re going to love this episode.

Links & Resources:

• Listen to Malin’s other episodes [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ITKtQ3ALZbWZBF4I9uVzR?si=7716094c1cf3443f]

• Follow Michaela on Instagram: @michaelabelle

• Learn more about Michaela’s life coaching or The BELLE Collective: [https://stan.store/michaelabelle/p/join-the-belle-collective-for-1-yr]

Join the Conversation: We want to hear from YOU. What do you think your generation’s burden or wealth is? Message me on IG or drop a comment on the podcast post—we love hearing from you.

Subscribe & Share: If this episode made you laugh, think, or feel seen, share it with a friend or parent who needs to hear it too. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an honest convo at the table.

You’re getting your 8 hours of sleep, following your nighttime routine, and doing all the “right” things—so why are you still exhausted?

The truth is, rest isn’t just about sleep. There are seven different types of rest, and when we neglect them, burnout creeps in.In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the overlooked ways you need to recharge.

Inspired by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s book Sacred Rest, I’m breaking down how each type of rest affects your energy, focus, and overall well-being. Whether you’re struggling with mental fog, emotional overwhelm, or feeling disconnected from your purpose, this conversation will help you pinpoint what’s missing—and how to restore yourself in a way that lasts.

Plus, later on this week I’ll guide you through a simple meditation to help you identify which type of rest your body, mind, and soul are craving most right now.

In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 Why 8 hours of sleep isn’t enough

🔹 The 7 types of rest and their unique benefits

🔹 How to tell which type of rest you’re missing

🔹 Why people-pleasing is draining your energy (and how to stop)

🔹 The difference between passive and active rest

🔹 How sensory overload is making you more exhausted

🔹 The life-changing impact of setting emotional & social boundaries

🔹 The truth about creative rest and why adults need it just as much as kids

🔹 How rest actually makes you more productive (not lazy)

🔹 The "Axe Metaphor"—why rest is sharpening, not stopping

🔹 A bonus meditation to help you reconnect with the rest your soul needs

Listen Now

Resources & Links:

📖 Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith – [https://amzn.to/4bOwOpd]

✨ Sign up for my Ending People-Pleasing Workshop – [https://stan.store/michaelabelle/p/leaving-people-pleasing-behind-the-real-strategy]

🛏️ Get my Own Your Night Journal for better sleep & routines – [michaelabelle.co]

Rate, Review & Follow 🎧If this episode spoke to you, let’s keep the conversation going! Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram and tag me [@MichaelaBelle] so I can cheer you on. And if you love the show, leave a review —it helps more women find this space!

Are you constantly exhausted, no matter how much sleep you get? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 6 key habits that transformed my nights—and my life. Whether you’re a new parent running on fumes, an entrepreneur with a million thoughts, or just struggling to unwind at the end of the day, this is your roadmap to real rest.

Join me as I share my personal nighttime routine, the science behind better sleep, and why rest is not a reward—it’s a requirement.

📖 Grab your copy of "Own Your Night" – the journal designed to guide you step by step toward a restful, restorative nighttime routine! [www.michaelabelle.co]

🎧 Part 2 is coming next! We’ll explore the other 6 types of rest that go beyond sleep.

You are not starting over. You are moving forward—wiser, stronger, and more prepared than ever.There comes a moment when life shifts—when a career change, a breakup, or simply a new season makes you feel like you’re back at square one. But here’s the truth: you are never truly starting over.You are returning with knowledge.You are stepping forward with clarity.You are making decisions with wisdom you didn’t have before.In this episode of A Table for Two, I share a perspective shift that will change the way you see new beginnings. Because the words you use—how you define your journey—shape everything. If you’ve ever felt the weight of "starting over," this conversation is for you.🎧 Listen now and step into this next chapter with confidence.✨ Ready to take your next step? Here’s where to start:📖 Get My Book: Own Your Night – Create a nighttime routine that transforms your sleep and your life → https://a6b5e7-9c.myshopify.com/products/own-your-night-1💡 Join The BELLE Collective – Coaching, community, and content to support your personal growth journey → Join Here https://stan.store/michaelabelle/p/join-the-belle-collective-for-1-yr🌎 Visit My Website – Explore all my resources & offerings → MichaelaBelle.co🔥 Let’s make this interactive! Drop a comment below:💭 What’s a time in your life when you felt like you were “starting over”?💡 What’s one lesson you’re bringing into your next chapter?Your wisdom is already within you. Let’s talk about it. ⬇️

Episode 1: Taking Back the Pen – My Journey Through Love, Loss, and Rebuilding Confidence

Welcome back to A Table for Two with Michaela Belle! I'm finally back! This podcast is a space where personal growth isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about meeting the real you. Grab your coffee (or a glass of Target wine 😉) and join me at the table for a heartfelt conversation about everything that’s changed since I first launched this show.

In this episode, I’m getting real about:
✅ Why I originally started A Table for Two back in 2020
✅ The major shifts that have happened in my life—relationships, marriage, motherhood, and business
✅ Navigating a custody battle, financial struggles, and friendship loss
✅ Finding my confidence again after so many life changes
✅ The green flags that helped me know Ryan was the one
✅ How I learned to embrace adversity and take back the pen in writing my own story

This episode is raw, real, and filled with the lessons I’ve learned about resilience, faith, and trusting the process—even when life doesn’t go as planned. If you’ve ever felt like you’re starting over, doubting your journey, or struggling to trust yourself, this conversation is for you.

Feeling like you’re starting over in life? Whether it’s in fitness, dating, career, or a new season, next week I’ll be sharing four powerful tips to help you shift your mindset and step into a fresh start with confidence.

💌 Loved this episode? Subscribe & leave a 5-star review! It helps so much!
📲 Share the episode with a friend who needs encouragement today.
📸 Tag me on Instagram [@michaelabelle] so we ca

Thanks for being here, friend. You are stronger than you realize, braver than you think, and definitely smarter than you know. 💛

In this episode of our 2 Part series on Mother Wounds, we sit down with Alyx, a licensed therapist and owner of the Selfish contract. Get ready for an intimate and honest conversation about a topic that many of us can relate to: "Mother Wounds." Alyx shares her personal experiences and insights into how our relationships with our mothers can impact our lives in profound ways. By the end of this episode you’ll be able to understand a wildly misunderstood topic.  Part 2 we’ll be going even deeper AND we’ll be coaching you through the questions you post in the comments below. 

Thank you for watching! We’ll see you in the next episode. 

Follow Michaela here//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelabelle/

TikTok: michaelabelle1

Website: www.michaelabelle.co

Alyx from the Selfish Contract//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselfishcontract/

Website: www.theselfishcontract.com

Camera//: https://amzn.to/3ICZJ2r

Lighting//: https://amzn.to/3EmBrY7

Lens//: https://amzn.to/4185Lzs

Shure Podcast Mic//: https://amzn.to/3EnvrhO

Welcome back to the table! Today's episode is brought to you by the self-love challenge!  Check it out today and be sure to use the code "THETABLE" for $40 off the already discounted price!

You can find Kree on IG @kreewillyumz
You can find Keith on IG @sirkeithington
Their website is https://www.thejourni.com

Today we have Keith and Kree from the Journi! They are the lead stylists for Philly Fashion Week and CoFounders of the wardrobe concierge company called The Journi.

We are pulling up to the Four Seasons in Philly dressed to impress and ready to sit down and have a conversation that goes beyond fashion. We talk about everything  from their story, to how to fail so that you're successful, to the #1 key to success in business, to how Kree's Prius changed his mindset (trust that you'll want to hear this story), and how they're changing the narrative of fashion.

These 2 of not just exceptional stylists they're remarkable humans!  Pull up a chair and join us at the table!

Need a little help in the self-love department?  I got you!  For A Table For Two listeners we have a special code "THETABLE" for $40 off an already discounted mini course by Michaela Belle called "First, LOVE". It's a 4 day challenge to help you learn Michaela's framework from improving your relationship within yourself because every relationship AROUND you improves when the one withIN you improves.  You matter!  Let's learn how to love ourselves better...and it's okay to need and thrive with guidance.  Jump in today! https://michaelabelle.mykajabi.com/first-love

Welcome to the table and welcome to Season 3!!!  This episode is brought to you by "Kids Self-Talk by Malin Belle"  It's a mini course to help kids improve their self-talk, to learn how to build up their self-esteem, to learn how to meditate and get inspired by Malin Belle.   This will help kids strengthen the foundation of their lives.  Can you imagine having some of the skills that we don't learn until we're adults about our own self worth as a kid?  LIFE CHANGING! There is a special price for our listeners of $27!  

We're kicking it off with my friend Morgan Taylor.  She is the Founder of The Millennial Moms Club and before you judge this conversation and say this isn't for me because I'm not a mom or I'm not a woman, I need you to pause and press play anyways.  This episode goes beyond motherhood and we talk about how to shed the labels that are limiting how you see yourself.  

You can find Morgan on IG @morgantyler.t
You can find The Millennial Moms Club on IG @_themillennialmomsclub
You can find Michaela on IG @michaelabelle   

Welcome to the table and welcome to Season 3!!!  This episode is brought to you by "Kids Self-Talk by Malin Belle"  It's a mini course to help kids improve their self-talk, to learn how to build up their self-esteem, to learn how to meditate and get inspired by Malin Belle.   This will help kids strengthen the foundation of their lives.  Can you imagine having some of the skills that we don't learn until we're adults about our own self worth as a kid?  LIFE CHANGING! There is a special price for our listeners of $27!  

We're kicking it off with my friend Morgan Taylor.  She is the Founder of The Millennial Moms Club and before you judge this conversation and say this isn't for me because I'm not a mom or I'm not a woman, I need you to pause and press play anyways.  This episode goes beyond motherhood and we talk about how to shed the labels that are limiting how you see yourself.  

You can find Morgan on IG @morgantyler.t
You can find The Millennial Moms Club on IG @_themillennialmomsclub
You can find Michaela on IG @michaelabelle   

Welcome back to the table!  This episode is a look into my exclusive training for Own Your Now life group Leaders.  

The Own Your Now Life Group was created out of the visible need for more curriculum in churches that will teach single women how to be single and not how to "get married."

While the world and the church often romanticize marriage they don’t do a great job encouraging us to embrace the now. Singleness is often looked at like an annoying layover in between flights when it's really its own beautiful destination that is meant to be explored. I believe that until you value where you are right now, you won’t be ready for your next. (a line my Pastor says all the time) 

Michaela is looking for churches, colleges and leaders to partner with so if you would like to host a group or want to share this with your church or college you can email [email protected] and/or check out the OYN website for more details https://michaelabelle.co/oyn-lifegroup