In this heart-centered (and surprisingly fun) episode of Trail Talks, Kelly and Terra slow things down and explore what the holidays are really about: presence, connection, and the moments our brains actually remember.

We break down the neuroscience behind why gifts give us a quick dopamine spike, but presence creates deep, lasting emotional memories through oxytocin — the bonding hormone.

We also talk about why the holidays can feel stressful or heavy for some people, how old memories stored in the hippocampus can resurface this time of year, and why none of that means anything is “wrong” with you. Most importantly, we share how you can rewrite your holiday experience, create new emotional patterns, and build traditions that feel safe, joyful, and meaningful.

And because we always take a detour…
 you better believe we brought the fun:
 🎄 Holiday Hot Takes
 🎁 Christmas “This or That”

This episode is real, uplifting, science-backed, and full of laughter — the perfect reminder that presence truly is the greatest gift.

If today’s conversation helped you, made you laugh, or gave you something to think about, please share it with a friend and leave us a review.
 Learn more about coaching with Kelly at kellymichelecoaching.com.