The Adult Chair Podcast with Michelle Chalfant

When our kids leave the nest, we're left with a house that feels quieter, emptier, and sometimes unbearably still. This transition can stir up grief, loss, and confusion about who we are without the daily role of being "mom" or "dad" at the center of our lives.

In this episode, I'm talking about the very real experience of empty nest syndrome and how to navigate it with compassion and consciousness. No one prepares us for this season of life, but it can also be an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, process our emotions, and step into a new chapter with purpose.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why grief is a natural and necessary part of the empty nest transition

• How to process and metabolize your emotions instead of avoiding them

• The importance of letting go of control and trusting your kids' journeys

• Ways to validate yourself as a parent and give yourself grace

• How to begin exploring your "Act Two" and discover new purpose in this season of life

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

Join me LIVE in Boone, NC, at The Art of Living Retreat Center. Click here to learn more!

Get 20% off at Aquatru.com with promo code: MCSHOW

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Gaslighting can make you question your thoughts, your memories, even your sanity. If you've ever found yourself feeling confused, doubting your reality, or thinking maybe it's just me, this episode is for you.

In today's show, we're taking a clear, grounded look at what gaslighting really is, how to spot it, and how to reclaim your truth and power when it happens. Whether it's happening in a romantic relationship, at work, or with family, you'll walk away with tools to identify gaslighting and protect your sense of self.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• What gaslighting sounds and feels like in real life

• Why confusion is the biggest red flag

• How to trust yourself again and set healthy boundaries

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

Join me LIVE in Boone, NC, at The Art of Living Retreat Center. Click here to learn more!

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Why do we do the very things that keep us stuck? Whether it's falling off a new routine, pulling away from a great relationship, or creating drama when things are finally going well, self-sabotage can show up in so many ways, and it's incredibly frustrating.

In this episode, I'm breaking down what self-sabotage really is, why it happens, and how to shift out of it using the Adult Chair model. You'll learn how to identify the unconscious parts driving the behavior and how to reparent those parts with compassion, so you can finally get out of your own way and start living the life you truly want.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• What self-sabotage really looks like (and how to spot it)

• Common reasons we sabotage things we care about

• A simple way to uncover and heal the part behind the pattern

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

Join me LIVE in Boone, NC, at The Art of Living Retreat Center. Click here to learn more!

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Vulnerability can feel scary, but it's one of the most powerful tools we have for creating connection, building confidence, and living from our most authentic self.

In today's episode, I'm sharing what vulnerability really is, why it matters, and how to practice it in ways that feel safe and grounded. Whether you're trying to deepen your relationships, speak your truth, or get more in touch with your emotions, this conversation will help you take the first steps.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness

• How to build stronger, more authentic relationships

• Ways to practice vulnerability with boundaries and safety

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

Join me LIVE in Boone, NC, at The Art of Living Retreat Center. Click here to learn more!

Struggling with low self-esteem or feeling stuck in unhealthy relationships? This episode is all about building your self-worth from the inside out. I share four practical tools to help you shift your self-talk, rewrite your stories, and become your own biggest cheerleader, no matter your age or background.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How to recognize and change negative self-talk

• The power of rewriting your personal story

• Why becoming your own cheerleader matters

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

Join me in Boone, NC at The Art of Living Retreat Center September 12-14! Click here for more details.

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Today, I'm talking about one of my absolute favorite topics…codependency. I've lived this, I've healed from it, and today I'm sharing my personal story of what that journey looked like for me.

This conversation was inspired by a thoughtful question from one of our listeners who asked how to handle the hurt and pain that can come from our own codependent behaviors in relationships.

Together, we explore what codependency really is, how it often shows up unconsciously, and why it can be so manipulative without us even realizing it. I'll walk you through five practical steps to begin healing from codependency, including self-awareness, taking ownership, finding your truth, practicing self-care, and setting healthy boundaries.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• My personal journey with codependency and how I moved through it

• Why codependency is often unconscious and can feel manipulative

• Five practical steps to heal from codependency and create healthy change

• How self-care and boundaries are essential for true healing

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Today, I'm exploring how we can break free from procrastination, perfectionism, and pleasing people. These patterns keep us stuck, and I'm here to help you move beyond them so you can start living a purpose-driven, soul-aligned life.

I'm sharing one of my favorite tools - The Adult Chair® model - which helps us work with different parts of ourselves, like our inner child and adolescent parts, to create real, lasting change from the inside out. I'll walk you through practical steps to connect with these parts, understand their roles, and begin transforming them. I'm also sharing client stories and guided exercises to help you apply this work in your own life.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How to move past procrastination, perfectionism, and people pleasing

• Practical steps to connect with, understand, and transform your parts

• Client stories and real-life examples that bring this process to life

• Guided imagery and simple tools you can start using today

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Today, I'm diving into a really important topic - how to recognize toxic relationships. These relationships can sneak into our lives and slowly chip away at our self-worth if we don't know what to look for.

I'm sharing why we sometimes attract these patterns, often because of unresolved childhood wounds, and I'll walk you through six key signs that can help you spot toxicity early on. We'll talk about feelings of dread, gaslighting, blame, and other subtle behaviors that can leave us feeling confused and small. I'm also sharing some personal stories and real-life examples to help bring this to life.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How to recognize toxic relationships and their warning signs

• Why I believe unresolved childhood wounds draw us into these patterns

• The six key signs of toxicity, including gaslighting and blame

• Personal stories and real-life examples from my own journey

• How to start rebuilding self-esteem and setting healthy boundaries

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Today, I am diving deep into the concept of control and how to release its grip on our lives and others. I introduce six control-busting truths designed to help mitigate the fear-driven need to control everything.

Drawing from personal experiences as a recovering control freak, I discuss the impact of control on mental health and daily life, the connection to codependency, and the extreme exhaustion that comes from trying to maintain control. We explore the importance of accepting things as they are, trusting the process, and challenging our controlling nature to create a more peaceful existence.

Tune in to learn practical steps to transform your inner perfectionist and live in a more relaxed and authentic state.

In this episode, I cover:

• Understanding the roots and impact of control

• Exploring the link between control and codependency

• Key truths to help break the need for control

• Shifting inward, challenging thoughts, and practicing acceptance

• Trusting the process and taking small steps toward freedom

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

Get 20% off at Aquatru.com with promo code: MCSHOW

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Today, I am delving into the concept of triggers and how they reflect our unconscious beliefs. I share my personal experience with a recent trigger and explain step-by-step how I processed and resolved it using the Adult Chair model.

I demonstrate how identifying and integrating our unconscious parts can lead to emotional healing and self-awareness.

In this episode, I cover:

• Understanding what emotional triggers are and how they show up

• A personal story about navigating a triggering moment

• An emotional breakthrough and steps toward healing

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair book is NOW AVAILABLE!

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant