JoyfulRx Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt and honest episode, Dr. Michelle sits down with her husband, Wayne, for a vulnerable conversation about mindfulness, marriage, parenting, and personal transformation. Together, they explore how mindfulness has shaped their individual journeys and their growth as partners and parents. Wayne shares how he began seeking self-awareness after feeling lost amidst socie...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like parenting just feels harder than it should ? You’re not alone — and there’s a reason it feels that way. In this episode of The JoyfulRx Podcast , Dr. Michelle shares why parenting feels almost impossible when your own emotional and nervous system needs are unmet — and how nervous system regulation can change everything. Through a personal story about her daughter an...

Send us Fan Mail Visit: www.joyfulrx.ca for free resources, including the "Decision Fatigue Self-Check Quiz" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you’ve ever caught yourself staring blankly inside the fridge, scrolling endlessly through your phone longing for escape, or thinking, “I can't make another decision today,” — this epis...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I talk about my personal approach to handling frustration by choosing gratitude in the moment. I also discuss why we shouldn't wait to feel the motivation before taking action, rather if we commit to taking the action and start, the motivation will follow. Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it...

Send us Fan Mail Gaslighting isn’t just something that happens in toxic relationships — it shows up in caregiving, too. And often, it’s so subtle and so normalized that caregivers don’t even realize it’s happening. In this episode, we dive deep into what gaslighting looks like for caregivers: 👉 The unspoken indoctrination in healthcare where overwork, self-sacrifice, and constant stress are treat...

Send us Fan Mail Frustration is one of the most common emotions caregivers experience — but what if I told you it’s not really about the situation at hand? Whether it’s the heartbreak of navigating a loved one’s incurable illness, the endless battle with medical systems, or the uncertainty of what the future holds, frustration has a deeper root. In this episode, we uncover what’s really happening...

Send us Fan Mail In this honest and soul-nourishing episode, we explore a question many caregivers and high-capacity women rarely stop to ask: Could I be the one standing in the way of the help I need? Whether you’re navigating the complexities of caring for a loved one, running on autopilot, or quietly drowning under the weight of responsibility, this conversation is an invitation to pause and re...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Why does it feel like I'm always waiting for the next crisis?” You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. But here’s the truth: drama doesn’t just “happen” to us. It creeps in through our thoughts, our habits, and even the clutter on our desks and in our minds. And while it may feel normal, drama is secretly draining your energy, st...

Send us Fan Mail Here I share seven life-changing truths that I believe every caregiver needs to hear. These aren’t just ideas—they are the very lessons that carried me out of burnout and into balance. They’re the truths that helped me heal from exhaustion, release overwhelm, and restore both my energy and my joy. And I believe they can do the same for you. Whether you’re a mom, dad, or caregiver...

Send us Fan Mail In this reflective episode, I share a deeply personal story from a recent family vacation to Barbados—and how it became a powerful mirror for my growth as a caregiver, mother, and woman committed to living from a full cup. From ocean swims and mosquito bites to detours, meltdowns, and unexpected joy, this story reveals what emotional capacity really looks like in action. If you&ap...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, Dr. Michelle answers a deeply relatable question from a listener: “How do I protect my mindset when the people around me keep pulling me off course?” If you’ve ever felt misunderstood or unsupported in your healing journey — this one’s for you. You’ll learn: Why growth often feels disruptive (especially in close relationships) How to strengthen your “Inne...

Send us Fan Mail In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Michelle shares a personal story about how she made the pivotal shift from constantly spending her time, energy, and emotions trying to keep everything afloat — to investing them intentionally into her healing, joy, and future. You’ll hear: The hidden cost of people-pleasing and over-functioning What finally made her realize she was depleted — not d...

Send us Fan Mail In this eye-opening episode, we explore the powerful psychology of framing —the way we interpret and give meaning to the facts of our lives. You’ll learn why the brain is hardwired to seek stories over facts, how politicians and marketers use this bias to influence us, and most importantly, how you can harness it to your own benefit. We’ll unpack real-life examples and give you pr...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever fantasized about running away from your own life—just for a moment of peace—you’re not alone. In this episode, we explore why so many moms and caregivers feel the need to escape their everyday lives, and what it really means to build a life that feels fulfilling, balanced, and aligned. You’ll learn how burnout takes root, why self-care isn’t selfish, and the mindset...

Send us Fan Mail Today I want to share something that changed the entire trajectory of my life—and it wasn’t a new job, a move, or a major milestone. It was… my morning. I know. That might sound too simple. But when you’re overwhelmed, when you’re in survival mode, and everyone else’s needs seem to matter more than your own—how you begin your day can quietly shape your entire life. So in today’s e...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is for you if:  ✅ You feel like stress follows you everywhere—in your work, in your relationships, in your caregiving duties.  ✅ You’ve normalized high-stress living because everyone around you seems to be just as exhausted.  ✅ You know you need a better way to handle stress, but you’re not sure where to start. If you’re nodding along, this episode is going to s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The JoyfulRx , we explore the metaphor of your mind as a garden—and how the thoughts you allow in shape your daily energy, focus, and emotional well-being. I’ll walk you through what it means to weed out the mental clutter and how to begin intentionally planting beliefs that support the woman and mother you’re becoming. You'll learn:  🌱 Why your “mental so...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of The JoyfulRx Podcast , we’re diving into a topic that every mother and caregiver faces daily— our emotions . We’re often taught to push past feelings like guilt, frustration, resentment, or sadness. But what if those uncomfortable emotions aren’t signs you’re failing… but messages from your inner self asking for attention, care, and change? Through a heartfel...

Send us Fan Mail  In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, we explore the hidden ways caregivers—especially mothers—may unintentionally teach their children to normalize burnout, self-sacrifice, and emotional neglect by modeling martyrdom. Through personal storytelling and compassionate reflection, we challenge the cultural glorification of the "selfless caregiver" and ask the har...

Send us Fan Mail When Self-Care Feels Like One More Thing on Your To-Do List What happens when the thing that’s supposed to help you feel better… just feels like another obligation? In this episode, I share the story of my client Rosie—a devoted mom and high-achieving professional—who came home one night with a pounding headache and a deep desire to rest. But instead of honoring that need, she fou...

Send us Fan Mail Join me in our first Wealth and Wellness Workshop, where I chat with Dr Camille Upchurch, a physician and money coach who is changing lives. In this episode we discuss our stories and motivation as we begin to explore the intersection of self-care and financial wellness. Please take the time to leave us a review, we'd love to hear from you! Connect with me here: https://calen...

Send us Fan Mail "Self compassion isn't about being indulgent, It's about self-acceptance and understanding and giving yourself grace so that you can feel your best." Here are Dr Michelle's 4 quick and easy tips for how you can practice more self-compassion TODAY to shift your mindset from self-criticism to self-acknowledgement and success.  Caring for others—whether in yo...

Send us Fan Mail Valentine’s Day is all about love… but what if the most important love story is the one you have with yourself? In today’s special Valentine’s Day episode, we’re flipping the script on love, expectations, and why waiting for someone else to make you feel special is a losing game. We’re diving into a client’s raw and relatable confession: "My husband is so awful at buying gift...

Send us Fan Mail When most of us think of rest, we imagine taking a nap, binge-watching Netflix, or maybe even just sitting still for a moment. But rest is so much more than that. It’s not just about sleeping—it’s about rest oration. Rest is the intentional act of replenishing your body, mind, and spirit, so you can show up as your best self in all areas of life. Today, I want to take you beyond t...

Send us Fan Mail “What Self-Care Is and What It Isn’t” Is self-care really just spa days and luxury retreats? Or is there something deeper to it? In this episode of The Joyful Rx , we’re breaking down the myths about self-care and redefining what it truly means—especially for caregivers. If you've ever felt like self-care is unattainable, too expensive, or even selfish, this conversation will...