Are your conversations too polished to be real? What if embracing a little mess is the key to deeper connection and healing?

In today’s fast-paced world where text bubbles, AI prompts, and meetings replace meaningful moments, it's easy to forget how much small, intentional words matter. Whether you're a leader, parent, or friend, this episode will help you re-learn how to really connect—even when life is messy.

• Discover seven short phrases that strengthen bonds and leave lasting emotional fingerprints.
• Learn why saying “I’m sorry” or “I hear you” can rebuild bridges—personally and professionally.
• Gain practical, compassionate language to navigate tough conversations, show appreciation, and lead with humanity.

Take a deep breath and discover how simple words and authentic moments can help you—and those around you—feel more seen, heard, and whole again.

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Did you know that stickers are wonderful visual cues to help you create healthy habits? You can get one of my free Pause Breathe Reflect stickers by clicking sticker.

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We can also connect on LinkedIn. or at Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com

Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am.

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, resilience building, resilience and fitness, fitness and resilience, stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.

What if five tiny words could shift your mindset, calm your nervous system, and keep you moving forward — even on the hardest recovery days?

In this episode of Whole Again, Michael O’Brien shares five short, powerful words that can change the conversation you have with yourself when no one else is listening. By swapping self-criticism for curiosity and grace, you’ll discover how small language tweaks can help your brain believe in possibility and keep you engaged in your healing journey.

• Learn how “yet” opens the door to possibility instead of closing it
• Replace invalidating “but” statements with “and” to honor your full experience
• Use “still,” “enough,” and “again” to reframe progress, self-worth, and persistence

Take a deep breath and learn how these five words can help you build resilience, shift your self-talk, and make your recovery feel lighter.

Receive my free text messages by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604

Did you know that stickers are wonderful visual cues to help you create healthy habits? You can get one of my free Pause Breathe Reflect stickers by clicking sticker.

To discover more and sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect.

We can also connect on LinkedIn. or at Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com

Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am.

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, resilience building, resilience and fitness, fitness and resilience, stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.

Do your mornings start in a rush, leaving you scattered, reactive, and already behind?

This microdose meditation helps you begin the day grounded, intentional, and connected to gratitude—without even getting out of bed. Whether you're recovering, healing, or simply seeking more presence, this is the pause your morning needs.

• Connect to your breath and body before the day pulls your focus
• Practice gratitude to create emotional clarity and grounded energy
• Set meaningful intentions that ripple through the rest of your day

Take a deep breath and reclaim your morning with breath, gratitude, and intention—before your feet even hit the floor.

Receive my free text messages by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604

Did you know that stickers are wonderful visual cues to help you create healthy habits? You can get one of my free Pause Breathe Reflect stickers by clicking sticker.

To discover more and sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect.

We can also connect on LinkedIn. or at Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com

Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am.

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, resilience building, resilience and fitness, fitness and resilience, stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.

What if the one thing that makes you feel “broken” is actually the beginning of becoming whole again?

In this deeply honest conversation, Michael revisits a timeless episode with bestselling author and grounded performance coach Brad Stulberg. They dive into the myth of stability, the power of small disruptions, and how change doesn’t just happen in crisis—it unfolds every day, moment by moment. Brad also reveals how real growth comes not from perfection, but from learning to respond—rather than react—through mindful practice and community.

• Discover the real science behind personal change and why we’re wired for transformation—not control.
• Learn Brad’s “order-disorder-reorder” framework to navigate any season of life with clarity.
• Hear how community, mindfulness, and small, consistent actions are more powerful than any life hack.

Take a deep breath and learn how to master the one thing you can’t avoid—change—and find peace in the process.

Receive my free text messages by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604

Did you know that stickers are wonderful visual cues to help you create healthy habits? You can get one of my free Pause Breathe Reflect stickers by clicking sticker.

To discover more and sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect.

We can also connect on LinkedIn. or at Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com

Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am.

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, resilience building, resilience and fitness, fitness and resilience, stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.

Tired of one-size-fits-all health advice that leaves you feeling like you’re doing something wrong?

In this episode of Whole Again, Michael O’Brien reveals how to build your own personal “algorithm” — one that’s powered by your body’s signals, not by social media trends or influencers who don’t know you. Through the practice of interoception, you’ll learn how to collect and interpret your own data so you can make choices that actually fit your needs, energy, and healing journey.

• Learn how to tune out digital noise and listen to your body’s real messages
• Discover the three-step process to collect data, label it, and take purposeful action
• Gain the confidence to customize your healing instead of copying someone else’s version of wellness

Take a deep breath and learn how to stop following the crowd and start following the most important guide you have — your own body.

Are you always trying to fix, improve, or achieve—even when your body and mind are asking for rest?

This short meditation offers a healing pause from the pressure to constantly do. It invites you to return to presence, stillness, and the gentle truth that you are not broken—you are simply here.

• Learn how to sit with your thoughts without judgment
• Practice returning to your breath when the mind wanders
• Rediscover the healing power of doing nothing at all

Play this episode now to reset, breathe, and remember that being—without fixing—is more than enough.

Receive my free text messages by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604

Did you know that stickers are wonderful visual cues to help you create healthy habits? You can get one of my free Pause Breathe Reflect stickers by clicking sticker.

To discover more and sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect.

We can also connect on LinkedIn. or at Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com

Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am.

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, resilience building, resilience and fitness, fitness and resilience, stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.

Let me know if you’d like me to compile your episode titles into a content calendar or series guide organized by theme (e.g., Energy, Reframing, Stillness, Doubt, Digital Health, etc.).

Is midlife really a crisis—or have we just been telling ourselves the wrong story?

In this inspiring episode, Michael O’Brien sits down with Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy and author of Learning to Love Midlife, to reframe everything we’ve been taught about aging, identity, and what it means to thrive in our 40s, 50s, and beyond. From surviving near-death to building a purpose-driven second half, Chip shares how embracing vulnerability, awe, and emotional intelligence leads to deeper fulfillment in midlife.

• Discover why midlife is actually a powerful chrysalis stage—not a crisis—and how to navigate it with intention.
• Learn the emotional and psychological science behind why life satisfaction increases after 50.
• Explore how to own your wisdom, embrace change, and create the life you want in the second half.

Take a deep breath and start seeing your midlife not as a breakdown—but as a breakthrough moment that can change everything.

Receive my free text messages by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604

Did you know that stickers are wonderful visual cues to help you create healthy habits? You can get one of my free Pause Breathe Reflect stickers by clicking sticker.

To discover more and sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect.

We can also connect on LinkedIn. or at Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com

Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am.

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, resilience building, resilience and fitness, fitness and resilience, stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.

What if the most powerful drug you could take didn’t come from a prescription — and you already had access to it right now?

In this episode of Whole Again, Michael O’Brien explores the fascinating science and personal impact of placebos and nocebos — how our beliefs, expectations, and even lucky socks can change the way our bodies respond to challenges. You’ll learn why mindset isn’t just “positive thinking,” but a measurable force that shapes recovery, resilience, and well-being.

• Understand how the placebo effect works — and how to harness it for your healing
• Spot the “nocebo” patterns that might be quietly holding you back
• Discover why your personal rituals, symbols, and mantras matter more than skeptics think

Take a deep breathe and learn how to choose beliefs that boost your body’s healing potential and stop reinforcing the ones that hold you back.

Receive my free text messages by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604

Did you know that stickers are wonderful visual cues to help you create healthy habits? You can get one of my free Pause Breathe Reflect stickers by clicking sticker.

To discover more and sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect.

We can also connect on LinkedIn. or at Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com

Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am.

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, resilience building, resilience and fitness, fitness and resilience, stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.