Most Myself

I Can Handle It: The Cost of Being the Woman Who Never Breaks

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMT

There's a phrase so many of us have quietly worn as a badge of honor.

"I can handle it."

But handling everything and living your life are not the same thing.

In this episode, Michelle shares a deeply personal story about the moment she realized that being the woman who could handle it all had come at a profound cost — and how feeling the ache she'd been overriding for years became the first step back to herself.

Because the ache isn't the problem. It's the message.

Music @ByChristianBranch

✨ Join Michelle’s free monthly gathering for women in midlife: Midlife, Together: www.TheMichelleMadrid.com/Together

✨Learn more about Michelle and her work: www.TheMichelleMadrid.com

✨Follow Michelle on Instagram: @TheMichelleMadrid

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If this episode resonated, please subscribe and leave a rating. Your support helps Most Myself reach more women navigating midlife.

Rethinking the Midlife Crisis: What the Ache Is Trying to Tell You

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

What if “midlife crisis” has never been the right name?

In this episode, Michelle reframes what so many women experience in midlife, not as something going wrong, but as something beginning to surface.

She explores why this season can feel heavy, unfamiliar, and hard to name, even when life looks “fine” on the outside, and what it really means when the ache you’ve been pushing down starts to rise.

Michelle introduces her Ache to Action Method and offers a simple, compassionate way to begin listening to what you’re feeling, instead of dismissing it.

Because what you’ve been calling a crisis might actually be the start of coming back to yourself.

Music @ByChristianBranch

✨ Join Michelle’s free monthly gathering for women in midlife: Midlife, Together: www.TheMichelleMadrid.com/Together

✨Learn more about Michelle and her work: www.TheMichelleMadrid.com

✨Follow Michelle on Instagram: @TheMichelleMadrid

📌 Reminder: Please Subscribe & Review
If this episode resonated, please subscribe and leave a rating. Your support helps Most Myself reach more women navigating midlife.

Welcome to Most Myself: Returning to Yourself in Midlife

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this opening conversation, Michelle Madrid shares the journey that led to this podcast and the deeper meaning behind living as most yourself in midlife.

For many women, midlife brings unexpected questions and grief — identity shifts, empty nesting, changing roles, and the quiet realization that something inside us is asking for attention.

In this episode, Michelle explores why that ache matters, how it can guide us back to ourselves, and introduces the simple but powerful framework she uses in her work with women: the Ache to Action Method.Because often, the ache we feel isn’t something to avoid. It’s an invitation to listen.

Music @ByChristianBranch

✨ Join Michelle’s free monthly gathering for women in midlife: Midlife, Together: www.TheMichelleMadrid.com/Together

✨Learn more about Michelle and her work: www.TheMichelleMadrid.com

✨Follow Michelle on Instagram: @TheMichelleMadrid

📌 Reminder: Please Subscribe & Review
If this episode resonated, please subscribe and leave a rating. Your support helps Most Myself reach more women navigating midlife.

S1 E14: "I Can't Wait to Leave": Midlife Motherhood and the Ache of Loneliness

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:31:05 GMT

There’s a moment that can take the wind right out of you as a mother—when the child who once ran to you for comfort now longs for space, for distance, for a life far from home. When they look at you and say, “I can’t wait to leave.”

In this heartfelt episode, Michelle shares the sting of hearing those words, and how they opened the door to a deeper conversation with herself about motherhood, midlife, and identity. She unpacks the loneliness that rises in these moments—not as a punishment, but as an invitation to return to the woman you’ve set aside while raising everyone else.

If you’ve ever felt unneeded, unseen, or unsure where to place all the love in your heart, this episode will remind you that even in the quiet, your presence matters—and that softness can be your greatest strength.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ Why loneliness can be a doorway back to the truest version of yourself
✨ The difference between being alone and feeling lonely—and why it matters in midlife
✨ How to show up with softness, even in moments that sting

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by Christian Branch

S1 E2: The Box of People-Pleasing: Reclaiming Your Voice & Power

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:14:06 GMT

What happens when you stop masking the pain, unbox your truth, and reclaim your voice? In this powerful episode of Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable, I sit down with Khayla Monique as she shares her deeply personal journey as an adoptee – breaking free from silence, people-pleasing, and self-doubt to become the unstoppable force she is today.

We dive into:
✨ The moment she decided to stop hiding and embrace her true self
✨ How breaking generational cycles of silence transformed her family
✨ The power of self-love, finding your voice, and doing it scared

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or unworthy. It’s time to break through the barriers, reclaim your story, and step into your unstoppable power.

Meet Khayla Monique

Khayla Monique, aka The Unshatterd Adoptee, is the CEO and Founder of Unshatterd Hearts & Dreams, an adoption-focused brand and nonprofit dedicated to empowering adoptees, youth, and pregnant teens affected by adoption and foster care. As a powerful adoptee speaker, Khayla shares her self-love and healing journey while creating spaces where family and community go hand in hand.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, KHAYLA ~ ~

Personal Instagram
Unshatterd Hearts and Dreams Instagram (Adoption content)

S1 E7: The Box of Grief: How Loss Can Lead You Back to Radiance with Becca Powers

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 04 May 2025 21:28:58 GMT

In this deeply moving and empowering episode, Michelle sits down with bestselling author and powerhouse speaker Becca Powers to talk about what it means to rise through grief, reconnect with your radiance, and reclaim your unstoppable power.

Becca shares her journey as the sole surviving member of her family, navigating profound loss while still choosing joy, purpose, and spiritual alignment. Together, she and Michelle unpack how to shift from victimhood to victory, how to honor the lessons within our pain, and how to embrace the full expression of who we are—no matter the season of life.

Tune in to explore:
✨ The spiritual power behind everyday grief and resilience
✨ Reframing life’s toughest moments as portals to your purpose
✨ Why midlife can be your most radiant chapter yet
✨ Becca's POWER Method to ignite your soul and live fully aligned

Meet Becca Powers
Becca Powers is a Fortune 500 sales executive, keynote speaker, and author of A Return to Radiance. She’s the CEO of Power Peak Potential and host of the Empowered Half Hour podcast. A certified kundalini yoga teacher and Reiki master, Becca blends spiritual tools with business strategy to help others unlock abundance and live to their full potential.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, BECCA ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by BadManBreezy

S1 E9: The Box of Identities: Unpacking the Beliefs That Shaped Us

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:36:39 GMT

In this heartfelt episode, Michelle sits down with Kendra Erika Leavitt to unbox the deeply-held beliefs and identities she grew up with, many of which are rooted in her experience within the LDS church. Kendra courageously shares her journey of dismantling the teachings she was raised with, facing her own inner conflict, and learning to fully embrace herself.

Together, Michelle and Kendra dive into the challenges and the liberating freedom that comes when we shed old identities, beliefs, and expectations. They explore how self-expression plays a vital role in healing, finding your voice, and embracing life’s big questions without fearing rejection or misunderstanding.

Tune in to explore:
✨ The power of unboxing old beliefs
✨ How self-expression leads to healing
✨ Reclaiming your voice and autonomy
✨ Letting go of what no longer serves you

Meet Kendra Erika Leavitt
Kendra is a wife, mother, and creative spirit living in Southern Utah. She teaches harp lessons, plays in a community orchestra, and is passionate about unboxing and embracing her authentic self. Kendra’s journey from childhood belief systems to present-day self-empowerment is a beautiful testament to the power of letting go and becoming fully oneself.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, KENDRA ~ ~

Follow her on Instagram

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by BadManBreezy

S1 E13: The Summer Before Goodbye: Holding On, While Letting Go

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:49:21 GMT

In this tender and personal episode, Michelle shares what it feels like to stand in the doorway between holding on and letting go—the summer before goodbye.

It’s a season filled with beauty and ache, joy and grief, as she reflects on the quiet moments that carry the weight of an impending goodbye. But this is more than a story about motherhood—it’s about identity, change, and what it means to stay present as life shifts.

If you're navigating a transition—whether with your children, your roles, or your sense of self—this episode will remind you that grief can be a doorway to deep love and self-discovery.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ How grief shows up before the goodbye
✨ Why presence is the most powerful gift in transition
✨ The connection between letting go and unboxing your next chapter

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by Christian Branch

S1 E15: Back to School and Back to You

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:57:58 GMT

The milestones of motherhood carry a sacred ache—the pride of watching your child grow colliding with the pain of letting go. It’s the moment you realize that every “first” for them is one step closer to goodbye.

In this episode, Michelle shares the heart-stirring truth she whispers to herself: every ending for them is also a beginning for me. She invites you to unbox the grief, guilt, fear, and joy that rise in midlife, and to see them not as burdens, but as guides leading you home to yourself.

If you’ve felt the pull of time, this conversation will remind you that your child’s becoming is also your becoming—and that the ache you carry can be the start of your next chapter.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ Why the ache of motherhood is also a call to action
✨ Why unboxing your emotions creates space for what’s next
✨ A practice to uncover and name the boxes that keep you burdened

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by Christian Branch

S1 E4: The Box of Silencing Yourself: Why You Overthink, Hold Back & Struggle to Be Heard

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 03:53:09 GMT

What would it feel like if every part of you felt safe to say it out loud?

In this electric and deeply honest episode of Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable, I sit down with Vasavi Kumar — licensed therapist, visibility coach, and author of Say It Out Loud — to explore what happens when we finally stop shrinking, overthinking, and silencing ourselves... and start speaking our truth with clarity, courage, and confidence.

We dive into:
✨ Why so many women overthink, self-edit, and downplay their truth
✨ How early messages like “shut your trap” can stay stuck in our bodies for decades
✨ What it means to trust your own voice and speak to yourself with love
✨ The power of mirror work — and why Vasavi says to do it naked

If you’ve ever struggled to speak up, say what you really mean, or felt like your voice didn’t matter — this conversation will help you begin unboxing that silence and returning to your truth.

Meet Vasavi Kumar
Vasavi Kumar is a visibility coach, licensed therapist, and the author of Say It Out Loud. With a background as a former TV host and a gift for combining psychological insight with soul-deep empowerment, she helps neurodivergent entrepreneurs and creatives reconnect with their voice and speak their truth boldly and unapologetically.

Through self-talk transformation, mirror work, and practical visibility strategies, Vasavi empowers her clients to stop hiding, start healing, and show up like they mean it.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, VASAVI ~ ~

S1 E1: The Box of Comparison: Breaking Free to Find Your Creative Path

Michelle Madrid — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:51:12 GMT

In the premiere episode of Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable, Michelle Madrid sits down with Christian “BadmanBreezyy” Branch, a visionary artist reshaping the sound of afro and deep house music. From his roots in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to his transformative years in Barcelona, BadmanBreezyy shares the journey of breaking free from the box of comparison to embrace his own creative path.

Discover how BadmanBreezyy’s bold moves and unflinching self-honesty have shaped his artistry and inspired his latest vision: 'ATRIUM,' a live event experience set to launch in downtown Phoenix. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges of staying true to himself, finding inspiration in artists like &ME and Black Coffee, and creating a legacy of connection through music.

This is more than a story of sound—it’s a testament to the power of unboxing your truth, letting go of doubt, and stepping fully into your creative power. Tune in for inspiration and actionable insights to fuel your own unstoppable journey.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, BADMANBREEZY ~ ~

S1 E8: The Box Of Letting Go: How Surrender Unlocks True Freedom and Healing

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 18 May 2025 22:26:57 GMT

In this empowering episode, Michelle sits down with Francine Apy, founder of SoulFilling LLC, to explore how unboxing old stories and letting go of control can lead to resilience and transformation.

Francine shares her journey of navigating infertility, the path to adoption, and releasing shame and guilt. She also talks about supporting her children’s emotional growth and encouraging them to unbox their own stories. Together, Michelle and Francine discuss how letting go of old narratives—whether related to infertility, adoption, or life’s challenges—leads to healing and stepping into your true potential.

Tune in to explore:
✨ How releasing limiting beliefs unlocks your true potential
✨ The strength in letting go of control
✨ Supporting your children’s emotional journeys with grace
✨ Francine’s approach to healing and empowerment

Meet Francine Apy
Francine Apy is the founder of SoulFilling LLC, where she empowers women in the adoption triad to embrace resilience and healing. Her work blends emotional support and practical strategies to help families navigate their adoption journeys with confidence.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, FRANCINE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by BadManBreezy

S1 E11: Unboxing: How to Know When It's Time To Start

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 02:52:03 GMT

Unboxing is about freeing yourself from the boxes you’ve packed away over the years, whether it’s fear, guilt, or self-doubt. But how do you know when it’s time?

In today’s episode, Michelle shares how to recognize when it’s time to unbox along with what signs to watch for. She walks through the emotional signs—the “rattle” inside that tells you it’s time to let go of what’s been holding you back. Plus, she shares the first step to unboxing: naming the box.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ How to identify when it’s time to unbox
✨ The feelings that signal it’s time for change
✨ The first step: naming the box

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by BadManBreezy

S1 E3: The Box of Second-Guessing: Why You Keep Doubting Yourself & How to Break Free

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:51:06 GMT

What happens when you unlearn the rules you were never meant to follow and finally reclaim your worth?

In this raw and revealing episode of Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable, I sit down with Dina Scippa, founder of Enough Labs, to explore what it really takes to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the endless pursuit of external validation — and instead, build a life rooted in self-trust, courage, and authenticity.

We dive into:
✨ The powerful moment in Sedona when Dina decided to stop living for everyone else
✨ How perfectionism and people-pleasing keep women disconnected from their own truth
✨ What it means to make decisions from self-trust — even when the path feels messy
✨ How to release the need for outside validation and reclaim your inner authority

If you’ve ever felt like you were carrying the weight of everyone else’s expectations, this conversation will show you how to set that burden down and step into your own unstoppable power.

Meet Dina Scippa

Dina Scippa is the Founder and CEO of Enough Labs, a transformative movement dedicated to helping women step into their full power.

As a women’s leadership and confidence coach, international speaker, and passionate advocate for gender equality, Dina is on a mission to smash the societal expectations that tell women they’re not enough.

With a no-nonsense yet deeply compassionate approach, Dina helps women unlearn perfectionism, break free from people-pleasing, and reclaim authentic confidence — so they can lead their lives with courage, purpose, and unapologetic authenticity.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, DINA ~ ~

S1 E 16: Facing Regret in Midlife: Turning "What Ifs" Into Wisdom

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:07:24 GMT

Midlife regret is heavy. It’s the quiet weight of what ifs—the dreams we pushed aside, the choices we can’t undo. Left in silence, they don’t disappear. They grow louder.

In this episode of Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable, Michelle shares how her own regret—walking away from a rising news career—once kept her feeling small and stuck, until she learned to unbox it. She shows how regret can become a guide, pointing us back to what we value most, and how to take one small step today toward reclaiming your power.

If regret has been whispering to you in midlife, this conversation will remind you: regret doesn’t get the final word. You do.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ Why regrets echo more loudly in midlife
✨ How naming them helps loosen their grip
✨ Two questions to turn regret into guidance
✨ Why healing begins within

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by Christian Branch

S1 E6: The Box of Midlife: It's Not A Crisis - It's a Catalyst

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 03:19:26 GMT

In this solo episode of Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable, Michelle shares a personal and powerful reflection on what midlife really is: a sacred turning point. One that’s less about decline and more about awakening.

She walks you through eight awareness patterns that often surface during this season—each one an invitation to unbox what’s been hidden, honor what’s shifting, and step boldly into what’s next.

Inside the episode:
✨ Redefining midlife as a beginning, not an ending
✨ Navigating identity shifts, grief, and physical changes
✨ Releasing roles, rules, and the need for approval
✨ Tapping into the power, clarity, and joy that midlife offers

This chapter was never meant to be quiet. It was meant to set you free.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by BadManBreezy

S1 E10: The Box of Loneliness: Unpacking the Ache of Empty Nesting

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 19:10:51 GMT

In this deeply personal solo episode, Michelle unboxes the loneliness and grief that often accompany midlife, especially as we face the empty nest. Standing in her shower, reflecting on her daughter’s growing independence, Michelle is hit with a wave of grief for the passing of time and what it means for her role as a mother.

This episode is an invitation to understand that these emotions—loneliness, grief, and loss—aren’t signs of weakness, but sacred signals from our soul, guiding us back home to ourselves. Michelle talks about how we can gently unbox these feelings, honor them, and allow ourselves to transform through them.

Tune in to explore:
✨ The power of unboxing the loneliness we feel in midlife
✨ How grief and loneliness are invitations to reconnect with yourself
✨ Letting go of old roles to make room for who we truly are
✨ The freedom that comes when we stop hiding and start feeling

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by BadManBreezy

S1 E5: The Box of Invisibility: Why Hiding Hurts and Belonging Heals

Michelle Madrid — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 04:57:01 GMT

In this heartfelt episode of Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable, Michelle sits down with artist and women’s circle leader Brenda Zappitell to explore the fear so many of us quietly carry—the fear of being truly seen.

Together, they unpack how fear shows up as silence, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and pretending—and how breaking that silence can lead to healing, creativity, and a life rooted in truth.

Inside the episode:
✨ The unexpected moment in Mexico that unlocked Brenda’s creativity
✨ How fear disguised itself as “being the good girl”
✨ What happens when we stop holding it all together—and finally fall apart
✨ The role of women’s circles in healing and belonging
✨ How Brenda rebuilt her life with art, mindfulness, and self-compassion

If you’ve ever feared being “too much” or felt like you had to hide the real you to be loved—this conversation will speak to your soul.

Meet Brenda Zappitell
Brenda Zappitell is a contemporary abstract painter, mindfulness facilitator, and women’s circle leader. Her art is instinctive, emotional, and deeply intuitive—rooted in the subconscious and guided by movement and memory. Through painting, meditation, and community, Brenda helps women navigate life transitions, reconnect with their truth, and create lives filled with authenticity, creativity, and compassion.

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

~ ~ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST, BRENDA ~ ~

S1 E12: What Happens After You Unbox: Embracing the Life Beyond Limits

Michelle Madrid — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 15:06:12 GMT

In today’s episode, Michelle shares the transformative power of unboxing—releasing the old beliefs, roles, and identities that no longer serve you. On the other side of unboxing, you’ll find more clarity, creativity, and freedom. This is about reconnecting with the real you, stepping into your power, and embracing life without limits.

If you're questioning the roles that have held you back, this episode will show you what's possible when you live authentically and trust yourself.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ How unboxing helps you trust your gut and feel steady in your skin
✨ Why you no longer need to ask for permission to belong
✨ What life looks like when you show up fully and confidently

~ ~ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ~ ~

Credits: Intro / Outro music produced by BadManBreezy