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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Over the last few episodes, we’ve explored the complexities of managing difficult and toxic relationships. This week on Barb Knows Best, we’re diving deeper into one of the most challenging yet transformative practices: loving people from afar.

Together, we’ll share our experiences and insights, unpacking how to transform relationships filled with pain, stress, or emotional turbulence into something healthier and more peaceful—even if that means redefining the connection from a distance.

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.

In this week's episode of Barb Knows Best, we delve into the often misunderstood world of toxic relationships. What truly defines a toxic relationship? How can we tell the difference between a relationship that’s imperfect and one that’s harmful? With a holiday twist, we’re sharing insights, reminders, and practical steps to help you protect your peace and joy during this busy season.

If you’ve ever found yourself drained by certain people or dreading holiday gatherings because of toxic dynamics, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore how to reclaim your energy, set healthy boundaries, and step into 2025 feeling empowered and grounded.

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.

This week on Barb Knows Best, we share practical strategies and heartfelt insights to help you reclaim your peace this season. From setting boundaries and managing expectations to staying grounded when chaos swirls around you, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s handling that one relative who always tests your patience or learning how to put your own well-being first, this episode is your guide to showing up authentically and embracing the holidays on your terms.

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 Anisa Beauty, Factor, and Sunbasket.

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.

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/barbknowsbest50 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.

This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle dive into a practice that is transformative for them, especially during life’s toughest moments: gratitude. It’s easy to get caught up in striving for more or waiting for the “next big thing,” but the true magic lies in appreciating the here and now.

Gratitude isn’t just a fleeting feeling, but rather a way of life. It anchors us during hardships, reminding us of the beauty and blessings we often overlook. In this episode, they explore why adopting a grateful spirit is an essential practice, even when life feels challenging, and how it can bring resilience, joy, and a sense of abundance to your life.

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, Factor, 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.

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/barbknowsbest50 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.

This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle explore a transformative yet challenging concept: giving yourself permission to feel. In a culture that often tells us to “stay positive” or “power through,” fully embracing our emotions can feel unfamiliar—even radical. Yet, it’s one of the most healing and empowering acts we can do for ourselves.

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, Factor, 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.

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/barbknowsbest50 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.