The Adult Chair Podcast with Michelle Chalfant

In this episode, I'm joined by Elizabeth April, author of Your Anxiety Is Giving Me Anxiety. We explore a powerful reframe of anxiety, not as something to fix or eliminate, but as an intelligent signal from the nervous system pointing toward healing and deeper self-awareness. Elizabeth shares her framework for identifying whether anxiety is rooted in the past, present, or future, why high-function...

In this episode, I'm joined by behavioral coach and human design expert Emma Dunwoody, author of Human Design Made Simple. Emma and I explore what human design really is (beyond the "woo"), how it maps your unique energetic blueprint and why understanding your type can feel like a deep exhale of self-permission. This conversation is both practical and inspiring. We talk about why so many of us are...

As we step into 2026, I've been reflecting on why so many New Year resolutions fall apart and why real change can feel so elusive, even when we want it deeply. After a year of shedding old patterns and facing familiar triggers, many of us are ready for something that truly feels different. I explore lasting change is not about trying harder or setting better goals but about creating an identity sh...

In this episode, I'm joined by one of our incredible Adult Chair® Master Coaches, Shannon Yonge. Shannon shares her powerful story of how she went from living life for everyone else, constantly saying yes, ignoring her needs, and feeling disconnected from herself, to reconnecting with her intuition, setting boundaries, and stepping fully into her sovereignty. This conversation is deeply personal a...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide, PTSD, and trauma. Please listen with care and step away if needed. Today, I'm sitting down with someone I've known for years and whose story moved me deeply. Mike Zeller joins me for a powerful, raw, and eye opening conversation about trauma, healing, nervous system regulation, and the life changing breakthroughs that helped save his wi...

Today, I'm diving into a topic that has touched so many of you and continues to show up in my own life in the most surprising, beautiful ways. We're exploring the signs, synchronicities, and gentle nudges from the universe that remind us we're never walking this path alone. From repeating numbers to feathers, birds, coins, and even unexpected phrases from strangers, signs are everywhere when we sl...

In this powerful follow-up conversation, I welcome Anjie Hipple back to go even deeper into subconscious healing, energetic transformation, and spiritual awakening. Together, we explore how limiting beliefs form, how to clear them, and how to access the higher self for lasting freedom. Anjie shares how repressed emotions and old subconscious "commands" shape our lives until we learn to reprogram t...

This week, I'm joined by the beautiful Anjie Hipple for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about what it means to come home to yourself. Anjie shares her story of growing up in an environment that didn't feel emotionally safe and how that early survival mode shaped her identity. We talk about the masks we wear to stay protected, how trauma pulls us away from who we really are, and the work it t...

Today, I dive into one of my favorite topics and one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating life, parenting, relationships, and our inner world. I am talking about the wisdom of the heart. This conversation was inspired by a thoughtful listener who reached out with such a relatable question. Her message opened the door for a deeper look at intuition, sensitivity, and how we make choices...

Listener Discretion: This conversation includes a brief mention of suicidal thoughts as part of one guest's journey toward healing and awakening. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Neale Donald Walsch, author of the Conversations with God series, for a deeply moving conversation about awakening, consciousness, and remembering who we truly are. Neale shares how a single moment of despa...

If you've ever caught yourself wondering, "Am I good enough? Lovable enough? Worthy enough?"... this episode is for you. Today, I'm diving into the powerful difference between external and internal validation, and how learning to validate yourself is the key to breaking free from codependency, people-pleasing, and enmeshment. When we rely on others to tell us who we are, we lose touch with our tru...

Today, I sit down with my dear friend and astrologer Monica Lorraine to explore the deeper wisdom within your astrology chart. You're so much more than your sun sign. Your birth chart is a map of your soul that reveals who you are and why you're here. Monica shares how understanding your chart can help you grow emotionally and spiritually, navigate relationship patterns, and uncover your true purp...

I'm joined today by the mystical and deeply inspiring Alana Fairchild, an internationally known spiritual teacher, author, and creator of more than 70 beloved Oracle decks. Together, we explore how to navigate seasons of transformation, embody the divine feminine, and trust the mysterious timing of our own blooming. Alana shares profound wisdom on eclipse energy as a spiritual reset, helping us un...

Today, I'm diving into one of my favorite topics: journaling. As we head into the 30-Day Journaling Challenge, I'm sharing how this simple daily practice can help you release emotions, gain clarity, and connect more deeply with yourself. I'll walk you through why journaling is such a powerful healing tool, how it helps calm your nervous system, and even how to use it for manifesting, inner child w...

Today, I'm diving into the powerful practice of cord cutting - a simple but transformative way to release old ties and reclaim your own energy. We create energetic cords with everyone we interact with, from loved ones to strangers. These connections can weigh us down with resentment, heartbreak, and even other people's emotions. Cord cutting isn't about ending relationships. It's about keeping you...

Yes, you read that right. In this episode, I share a very real and very unexpected story about what happened when I accidentally swallowed a dental tool, and how I used the Adult Chair model to navigate nine days of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. What could have been a terrifying and overwhelming experience became a powerful opportunity for me to practice exactly what I teach: grounding, regulati...

In this episode, I sit down with Suzanne Chilton to dive deep into the world of reflexology. Suzanne shares her personal journey from a career in the arts to discovering the healing benefits of reflexology while caring for her husband through invasive cancer treatments.  We discuss how reflexology can support self-care, wellness, and health by naturally reducing stress, anxiety, and inflammation....

Have you ever asked yourself, "What am I really here to do?" If you feel stuck, unfulfilled, or unsure about your purpose, you are not alone. I hear this question all the time, and I've been there myself. In this episode, I'm sharing a fresh way to think about purpose. It's not something you have to go out and chase, it already lives inside of you. The real work is learning how to align with it. I...

Not every relationship is meant to last forever. Friendships, partnerships, even family or work connections can shift. Sometimes the healthiest choice is to let them go. But how do you do that with compassion, clarity, and grace? In this episode, I'm sharing how to recognize when a relationship has run its course, what it means from a soul-growth perspective, and how to navigate endings without bl...

When our kids leave the nest, we're left with a house that feels quieter, emptier, and sometimes unbearably still. This transition can stir up grief, loss, and confusion about who we are without the daily role of being "mom" or "dad" at the center of our lives. In this episode, I'm talking about the very real experience of empty nest syndrome and how to navigate it with compassion and consciousnes...

Gaslighting can make you question your thoughts, your memories, even your sanity. If you've ever found yourself feeling confused, doubting your reality, or thinking maybe it's just me, this episode is for you. In today's show, we're taking a clear, grounded look at what gaslighting really is, how to spot it, and how to reclaim your truth and power when it happens. Whether it's happening in a roman...

Why do we do the very things that keep us stuck? Whether it's falling off a new routine, pulling away from a great relationship, or creating drama when things are finally going well, self-sabotage can show up in so many ways, and it's incredibly frustrating. In this episode, I'm breaking down what self-sabotage really is, why it happens, and how to shift out of it using the Adult Chair model. You'...

Vulnerability can feel scary, but it's one of the most powerful tools we have for creating connection, building confidence, and living from our most authentic self. In today's episode, I'm sharing what vulnerability really is, why it matters, and how to practice it in ways that feel safe and grounded. Whether you're trying to deepen your relationships, speak your truth, or get more in touch with y...

Struggling with low self-esteem or feeling stuck in unhealthy relationships? This episode is all about building your self-worth from the inside out. I share four practical tools to help you shift your self-talk, rewrite your stories, and become your own biggest cheerleader, no matter your age or background. In this episode, you'll hear: How to recognize and change negative self-talk The power of r...

Today, I'm talking about one of my absolute favorite topics…codependency. I've lived this, I've healed from it, and today I'm sharing my personal story of what that journey looked like for me.  This conversation was inspired by a thoughtful question from one of our listeners who asked how to handle the hurt and pain that can come from our own codependent behaviors in relationships.  Together, we e...