Live OUT Loud Podcast

Bonnie Flamer

This week is a special episode as Michele's Mom, Bonnie joins her while River took a beat with a special holiday event. Being friends with your adult kids and how it feels to continue to raise your kids while also being friends. We hope you enjoy this special episode between mother and daughter. 
 
Thanks for listening!!
Michele
 
 

Patterns Broken After Divorce

This week River + Michele discuss patterns that we've broken since our divorces. It's interesting once we start the healing and the growth journey how you can easily see where the patterns started, why they did and when they became a part of your old story. We really love it when we get to unpack these topics together. 
 
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did. 
 
Thanks for listening!! We appreciate each of you. 
Hugs n hig fives!
Michele + River

The Divorce Moment

River + Michele dive into the moment each of them decided on the heavy moment divorce is the only option moving forward. It's never an easy choice especially with kids. 
Taking the step toward divorce can feel overwhelming, especially with children involved, but sometimes it becomes the only option for a healthier, happier future. The unknown is naturally intimidating—facing a new reality, adjusting routines, and reshaping family dynamics is daunting. Yet, staying in a situation that no longer serves the well-being of everyone involved can create lasting harm. Choosing this path is a courageous act of love for oneself and one’s children, offering a chance to rebuild in a way that honors the values and peace each person deserves. It’s a leap, yes, but one grounded in hope and renewal.
 
Sending you love and hope. Thanks for listening. 
Xx
Michele + River

Gratitude

River + Michele discuss the topic of gratitude, but not in the way you are thinking. Yes, having gratitude can help with emotional regulation and dysregulation: 
 
Brain function
Gratitude can activate the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for emotional regulation, decision-making, and empathy. 
 
Balanced perspective
Taking time to find things to be grateful for can help balance a negative perception and improve mental health. 
 
Coping with stress
Gratitude can help people cope with stressful, negative, and frustrating situations. 
 
Improved mental health
Gratitude can lead to: 
 
Better mental health 
 
Fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression 
 
Increased happiness 
 
Improved satisfaction with life 
 
Improved physical health
Gratitude can lead to improved physical health. 
 
To practice gratitude, you can:
Think of things you're thankful for, like family, friends, your home, or a sunny day
Write down or say aloud what you're thankful for
Celebrate small victories 
 
However, gratitude can become toxic if it's used to repress or deny negative emotions. To avoid this, you can:
Allow yourself to feel all of your emotions, including negative ones
Don't force gratitude when you're feeling upset
Focus on your physical sensations
We hope you enjoyed this episode. 
Lotsa love, 
Michele + River

ChatGPT

River + Michele discuss a wholesome trend right now with an AI manifestation technique. The responses are really amazing. 
 
THE RULES: (get creative too)
1. Write out all your future goals and desires. This is where you dream big. Everything you’d like to do, everything you’d like to be. Let your dreams and imagination flow. Don’t play small and don’t hold back. 
2. Write into ChatGPT “tell me a story of a day in the life as my future self based on this description” and copy/paste your list. 
3. Read through your future life!!! Feel the feels and really visualize this coming to life. This is where you’re going!! 
4. Now as ChatGPT “create a daily schedule for me to follow that will allow me to achieve this” and it will give you a step-by-step schedule with time blocking, ideas and plans to help you bring your dreams to life. 
 
Get ready to be excited!! Now the rest is up to you!!!
 
You'll see the images created from their stories on Live OUT Loud's IG page. 
 
Thanks for listening and I hope you all manifest beautiful stories to strive for!! DREAM BIG!! 
Love, 
Michele + River
 
 

What Does Love Feel Like

River + Michele discuss what love feels like. It can encompass lots of different  kinds of love as well. Mostly we are talking about relationships. When you're with someone you love, you'll talk about everything. You'll discuss deep topics and the minor things of your daily life. Nothing will be off limits, and you'll want to share everything about your life with them. Opening up and sharing details of your life shows you have strong feelings and trust them. 

Maximalism x Minimalism

River + Michele chat about aesthetics and the topic goes into maximalism vs minimalism. In the arts, maximalism, a reaction against minimalism, is an aesthetic of excess. The philosophy can be summarized as "more is more", contrasting with the minimalist motto "less is more".
Maximal minimalism is on the rise—and honestly we couldn’t be happier. Simply put, it’s a great way to add some personally back to your otherwise sleek space. And although everyone is obsessed with decluttering their space (thank you, Marie Kondo), maximal minimalism proves there’s still room for fun.
The concept of shedding excess and creating peaceful spaces feels like it’s here to stay, especially in our increasingly chaotic world. But, personal expression is on the rise and our culture is only becoming more and more visually-oriented.
Michele and River both practice purging, decluttering but you'll have to listen to who falls into which category. 
 
We hope you enjoyed this episode. 
Thanks for listening!
Michele + River

Kids Need Nature

River + Michele discuss how kids need nature. Playing in nature begins a process of self-discovery. If your child learns that it’s even more fun to climb trees than to surf the web, they’ll spend less time online, and more time outside. The great outdoors will stimulate their imagination. It's great for the whole family!! No matter what age. Just nature bathing is good for our soul. 

The Dating List

River + Michele dive into their current dating lists and just pow wow about life.
Dating’s a thrilling adventure, but it’s about more than the initial spark.
You can have all the chemistry in the world and still not be a good match. And that’s because everyone has their must-haves and deal-breakers: non-negotiables in a relationship that make or break whether things continue. These unshakeable, no-compromise values keep relationships going beyond the honeymoon phase, and they're worth picking battles over. 
Non-negotiables are important to discuss as any relationship blooms so you and your partner (or partners) are on the same page. From a sense of humor to shared goals, don't compromise on this list. 
 
Thank you for listening pod squad, we really appreciate you!
Sending hugs!
Michele + River

Dating, What's the Point?

River + Michele come together to discuss Dating, amongst other things. The purpose of dating is to explore compatibility, foster growth, and build deep connections, serving as a journey of self-discovery and mutual understanding. It’s about finding joy in shared experiences and learning about oneself and others.
Dating offers a unique space to learn about each other’s desires, fears, and dreams. Some people hold a mirror up for us, trigger us, and also allow us to be known. 
It’s a journey where two people navigate the complexities of their personalities, aiming to establish a deep, meaningful connection.
 
Thanks for listening... we appreciate all of you. 
XOXO, 
Michele + River