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—but most importantly, in the love you give yourself.

Love is a verb: it’s something we practice and infuse into everything we do. The more we cultivate self-love, the greater our capacity to share love with others. When we build a strong foundation within, we no longer seek external validation to feel whole. You are already complete and worthy.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

• You are already complete and worthy. Stop searching for others to fulfill what is already within you. True love starts with self-acceptance.
• Love is a verb. It’s not just something we receive—it’s something we practice. Look for opportunities to spread love in your daily life, whether through kindness, gratitude, or simple acts of care.
• Self-love expands your capacity for love. When you nurture a strong foundation within, you create more space to give and receive love authentically.
• Love is all around you. It exists in nature, in the people who support you, and in the small, meaningful moments of life. You don’t have to define it—just allow yourself to feel and appreciate it.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor, Medik8, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Medik8 is an award-winning, age-defying skincare brand. Borne from years of clinical and consumer research, Elliot embarked upon a unique mission to deliver one simple customer promise: results without compromise. Medik8 combines medical-grade efficacy with cutting-edge skincare innovation.Visit us.medik8.com to learn more and use code BARB20 for 20% off your first order!

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Trusted by over 1.64 million customers from 33 countries. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 us absorb negative encounters and allow them to impact our moods and mindsets—but we don’t have to. 

While we can’t control the external world, we can control our reactions and responses to it.

In this powerful episode, we share our personalized emotional health toolkit to help you navigate difficult times, uncomfortable feelings, and challenging interactions. We share our practical tools and essential practices for staying grounded, emotionally regulated, and responding with compassion—even in the face of triggers and heightened emotions.

It’s not always easy, and no one is perfect, but we hope that by listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with a few valuable tools to help you navigate life’s challenges with more ease and resilience.

References in this week's show:

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor, Medik8, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Medik8 is an award-winning, age-defying skincare brand. Borne from years of clinical and consumer research, Elliot embarked upon a unique mission to deliver one simple customer promise: results without compromise. Medik8 combines medical-grade efficacy with cutting-edge skincare innovation.Visit us.medik8.com to learn more and use code BARB20 for 20% off your first order!

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Trusted by over 1.64 million customers from 33 countries. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 learn their thoughts!

Episode Notes:

• Give yourself space and allow yourself to sit in the uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
• Remember there is power in the space. You do not always need to be reactive, fix and comfort. Allow yourself that space to determine what is comfortable for you in that situation.
• Remember you are worthy of kind and loving relationships where you don’t have to fix things.
• Have at least one trustworthy person who you can talk to, and who will be unbiased and not judge you. Someone who will just listen.
• Be gentle, loving and caring with yourself while you learning, while you are growing, while you are healing and uncovering what’s underneath.

 

References Mentioned in Today’s Podcast:

Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm by Thich Nhat Hanh 

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor, Medik8, & Happy Mammoth.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Medik8 is an award-winning, age-defying skincare brand. Borne from years of clinical and consumer research, Elliot embarked upon a unique mission to deliver one simple customer promise: results without compromise. Medik8 combines medical-grade efficacy with cutting-edge skincare innovation.Visit us.medik8.com to learn more and use code BARB20 for 20% off your first order!

Discover Happy Mammoth's nature-inspired custom formulas for women's hormone and gut health. Trusted by over 1.64 million customers from 33 countries. Try Hormone Harmony a natural formula intended to reduce hormonal symptoms in women of all ages. Visit happymammoth.com and use code BARBKNOWSBEST for 15% off your entire first order today!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 trick is not not letting missteps and mistakes derail us from being the best versions of ourselves. Challenges always provide wonderful opportunities for reflection, learning, and growth.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

1. Give Yourself Grace: Know that you’re not always going to get it right—and that’s okay. What matters is how you use your mistakes to grow.
2. Recognize Triggers and Set Boundaries: If someone unsettles your nerves, take the time to identify your triggers and establish boundaries to protect your peace.
3. Pause and Reflect: When you act out of alignment, pause. Reflect on your feelings, consider what you could do better, and decide how you want to move forward.
4. Let It Go: Give yourself permission to move on. Dwelling on mistakes only keeps you stuck and prevents healing and growth.

Being intentional and responsible with our emotions and our actions is a lifelong practice of discipline and learning. But it is worth it when we each do our part to quell the traumatic cycle of rage-fueled interaction. Life feels so much better when we own our thoughts, feelings, actions and emotions, it provides for a greater space of healing and harmony.

And remember, every step forward—no matter how small—is a victory on the path to becoming your best self.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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.”

They explore the transformative power of community care, especially during difficult times. While self-care has its place, it often overlooks our intrinsic need for connection. We are not meant to navigate life’s challenges in isolation.

Tune in to today’s episode to hear how you can practice community care and be a part of making the world a better place.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Community care is as important as self-care. We thrive when we support one another. It’s the strength of our communities that helps us through tough times.
• Take small steps. You don’t need to fix everything. Small, consistent acts—like offering kindness, support, or a donation—make a big difference.
• Pause the media and take action. Too much news can be overwhelming. Step back from the headlines and focus on how you can actively help your community.
• Ask yourself: What is needed from me? Consider how your unique skills or resources can offer support. Whether through actions, listening, or kindness, showing up matters.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

Register for our in-person Omega retreat, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 start the year perfectly, easing back into routines, and approaching this season with grace and kindness.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 often fall short and how embracing the new year with intention can lead to meaningful, lasting change. They’ll share practical tips and insights to help you set powerful intentions, so you can step into the year ahead with confidence and ease.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor and Sunbasket.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by Factor and Sunbasket.

Factor’s fresh, chef-prepared meals take the guesswork out of eating healthy. Every meal uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients with no hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or additives. Head over to factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month.

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb—a lifelong perfectionist—shares her wisdom and personal journey with perfectionism. Together, Barb and Michelle explore how this mindset shows up, especially during the holidays, and how to break free from its grip.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The holiday season is often seen as a time for joy, family, and celebration. But for many, it can also bring about big, complex emotions—whether it's stress, grief, or the weight of unresolved conflicts. 

This week on Barb Knows Best, my mom and I open up about how we can process these emotions and still find meaning, connection, and peace during the holidays—even when they don’t feel perfect.

View full show notes of this episode.

Follow us @MichelleMaros and @Peaceful_Barb and share your experiences with us @BarbKnowsBestPod or at Michellemaros.com/podcast. 

You can also find us on Substack at Love Notes by Michelle Maros and Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Click here for Barb’s book, The Practice. 

Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter, here!

This episode is sponsored by AG1, Anisa Beauty, BetterHelp and Sunbasket.

AG1 is a comprehensive, all-in-one supplement made up of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. Head over to drinkag1.com/barbknowsbest to get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. 

Anisa Beauty has been leading the way in creating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare brushes that are safe for your skin and the planet. Check out the Pinnacle Foundation Brush as well as several other amazing brushes at anisabeauty.com and get 30% off sitewide with code BARBKNOWSBEST.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy service—providing professional, afforable, and personalized therapy in a convenient online format. Go to betterhelp.com/barbknowsbest to get 10% off your first month. 

Sunbasket offers wholesome, nutritious, and delicious meal kits, delivered to your door. Each week, you can choose from a brand new selection of quick and easy meal kit recipes, with a wide variety of dietary options, plus dozens of snacks, salads, breakfast items, and more. Go to sunbasket.com/barbknowsbest to save $120 across your first 4 deliveries.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/barbknowsbest50off
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BARBKNOWSBEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy