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In this episode, Mike and Angie record their first official Christmas Day episode — not to perform holiday cheer, but to honor what’s actually real. They reflect on their years of tradition, deconstruction, growth, and how this Christmas season looks and feels unlike any before. This isn’t a checklist Christmas… it’s a raw and honest reflection on how to stop forcing the feeling, and let peace come naturally.

Key Takeaways

1. This Year, There’s No Forcing the Feeling
   Instead of trying to manufacture holiday spirit, Mike and Angie chose to honor the stillness that showed up.
2. Tradition Isn’t the Problem — Forced Obligation Is
   Releasing what’s not inspired allows space for what is.
3. Gift Guilt, Present Anxiety, and the Pressure to Perform
   This episode explores the subtle stress so many people carry during the holidays — and how to release it.
4. Love Languages, Childhood Trauma, and Holiday Expectations
   Why we often create pressure for others without knowing it — and how to break the cycle.
5. Let the Season Be What It Is
   Whether you're jolly or neutral, festive or flat — there's nothing wrong with how you feel.

Notable Quotes

• “Tradition is simply peer pressure from dead people.”
• “Are you inspired to do something, or are you doing it out of obligation?”
• “I always tried to force myself to feel Christmassy… and this year, there was no force.”
• “This Christmas season has all been about allowing the season to be what it is and allowing us to be what we are within the season.”
• “There’s nothing wrong with tradition. We’re not knocking it — we’re just saying it should come from inspiration, not expectation.”

Call to Action

📘 Inner World, Outer World — Available on Amazon
The book that helps you stop performing and start aligning.
👉 Buy the Book

👥 Message Mike or Angie Directly
Feeling this episode? Reach out.
📧 [email protected]

Music Credit: "What's Left of Me" by Wes Hoffman & Friends

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Mike Kitko is an executive self-mastery coach, speaker and author. He found external success through powerful titles, incomes, and material possessions. He ultimately fell into depression, toxic abuse of alcohol, and the near collapse of his family before he began a journey of internal happiness and success.