What’s up with all the year‑in‑review “wraps” from every app under the sun?

In the first installment of the new What Is This? series — a tongue‑in‑cheek take on the weird, wonderful, and downright baffling things happening in the world — Michael breaks down the explosion of year‑in‑review summaries from Spotify to LinkedIn to ChatGPT. Whether you love them, ignore them, or scratch your head at them, this episode invites you to laugh at the absurdity, think critically about digital culture, and remember what truly matters beyond an algorithm.

1. Explore why every app seems to think your year needs a wrap and what that reflects about our attention economy
2. Laugh a little (or a lot) at the quirks of modern tech marketing
3. Remember that no app summary can capture your real life - the hard moments, the joy, the resilience, the ripples you put into the world

Press play to enjoy a blend of humor, reflection, and a grounded reminder: the only person who gets to define your year is you — not an algorithm.

You can now download my Pause Breathe Reflect App with Microdose EQ for FREE in Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Discover how spend less time on your phone and more time on things that bring you joy. Also, find the support you need to navigate today’s uncertainty with more calm and grace.

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Join me on Substack (https://substack.com/@resiliencewithmichaelobrien) for more ways to stay resilient and navigate today’s uncertainty with more grace.

We can also connect on LinkedIn.

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, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and

Wondering what a silent retreat is really like — and whether it might be right for you?

In this insightful episode, Michael shares his first‑hand experience attending a seven‑day silent retreat to begin the new year. He breaks down what silent retreats are, who they are and aren’t for, what to expect, practical dos and don’ts, and why this kind of contemplative practice can be a powerful tool for navigating life’s uncertainties with more presence, resilience, and grace.

1. Discover how silence can become a container for deeper self‑inquiry and emotional insight
2. Learn how to prepare for a retreat (what to pack, what to wear, how to pace yourself)
3. Understand the importance of trauma‑informed teachers and building your practice before attending
4. Get real about how a silent retreat differs from a vacation — and how it can help transform your relationship with stress, distraction, and inner noise

Press play now to unpack the truth about silent retreats — from their challenges and benefits to whether one might be the right next step for your journey of presence and peace.

You can now download my Pause Breathe Reflect App with Microdose EQ for FREE in Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Discover how spend less time on your phone and more time on things that bring you joy. Also, find the support you need to navigate today’s uncertainty with more calm and grace.

Receive a FREE copy of my book: “My Last Bad Day Shift.”

Receive my free Microdoses of Inspiration by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604.

Join me on Substack (https://substack.com/@resiliencewithmichaelobrien) for more ways to stay resilient and navigate today’s uncertainty with more grace.

We can also connect on LinkedIn.

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, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and

What do milkshakes and stress have in common? More than you might think.

In this gentle microdose meditation, Michael uses an intriguing milkshake study to help you see how your mindset shapes your experience of stress. Just as participants in a study perceived identical milkshakes differently based on expectations, we too can reshape how we experience stressful moments — not by changing the stress itself, but by changing how we see it.

1. Discover how perception influences your emotional and physical experience
2. Learn a short mindful practice to create space around stress
3. Reflect on how you might reframe stressful moments to support growth, not overwhelm

Press play now to explore a new way of experiencing stress — one that invites curiosity instead of judgment.

Receive a FREE copy of my book: “My Last Bad Day Shift.”

Receive my free Microdoses of Inspiration by texting Whole Again to 866-612-4604.

Join me on Substack (https://substack.com/@resiliencewithmichaelobrien) for more ways to stay resilient and navigate today’s uncertainty with more grace.

We can also connect on LinkedIn.

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, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm 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 secret to a truly fulfilling and happy life wasn’t a guru’s formula — but the humble wisdom of someone who simply lived it every day?

In this heart‑felt episode, Michael reflects on a recent trip to visit his 89‑year‑old dad and asks him a life‑defining question: What advice would you give on how to create a happy, fulfilling life? What his dad says — and how he lives it — cuts straight through the noise of trends, optimization hacks, and New Year’s resolutions to reveal what really matters.

1. Hear the simple yet powerful guidance Michael’s dad shared — be kind and help others — and why it matters more than complicated self‑help strategies.
2. Discover how genuine connection, service, and presence can make you “wealthy from the inside out.”
3. Reflect on how uncomplicated acts of kindness and care shape our lives more than routines, productivity hacks, or performance goals.

Press play to absorb a reminder that fulfillment isn’t complicated — it’s cultivated through kindness, service, and showing up for others with an open heart.

What if the secret to transforming workplace culture and leadership isn't in being the smartest person in the room—but in being the most human? Chief Heart Officer Claude Silver says it's time to lead with heart, not hierarchy.

In today’s high-stress, fast-paced work environments, many professionals feel disconnected, burned out, or afraid to show up as their true selves. This episode offers a powerful reframe: emotional fluency, heart-led leadership, and true belonging at work aren’t soft skills—they're the essential ones. Whether you're a new employee or a seasoned executive, this conversation invites you to rethink how we work, lead, and live together.

1. Discover why emotional intelligence isn't enough—and why emotional fluency matters more.
2. Learn how to build cultures of belonging through compassion, courage, and real connection.
3. Gain practical ways to bring your full self to work—without the fear or the mask.

Listen now to hear Claude Silver share how leading with heart can radically shift the way we work, live, and connect.

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Sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect or finding me on Substack.

We can also connect on LinkedIn.

Download the Pause Breathe Reflect App with Microdose EQ by clicking App on your smartphone.

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, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm 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.

Pick up your copy of Claude's book, Be Yourself at Work, at Powell's.

Are you crossing into a new season of life—and wondering how to do it with more peace and clarity?

In this first Monday of the new year, Michael shares a grounding meditation and reflection to help you step into 2026 with intention. Using the ancient mantra Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, this episode guides you across the symbolic bridge from the past to the future—making space for peace amidst external noise, inner tension, and uncertainty.

1. Discover a powerful mantra to invite peace on all levels—external, worldly, and internal
2. Feel seen in the mix of hope, grief, and uncertainty that comes with new beginnings
3. Learn how to let go of what no longer serves you and walk forward with courage and grace

Take a deep breath and press play now to begin your new year with stillness, reflection, and purpose.

Receive one of my FREE Pause Breathe Reflect Stickers via this link sticker.

Sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect or finding me on Substack.

We can also connect on LinkedIn.

Download the Pause Breathe Reflect App with Microdose EQ by clicking App on your smartphone.

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, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm 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.

Is one word enough to shape your entire year—or is there a better way to show up with purpose in 2026?

In this insightful New Year’s episode, Michael explores the popular practice of choosing a single “word of the year” and why it may be too limiting for the complexity of real life. Through personal reflection, mindfulness principles, and a touch of humor, he offers a more compassionate, grounded alternative that helps you return to center—again and again—as life unfolds unpredictably.

1. Learn the science behind why "one word" works—and where it falls short.
2. Discover how to choose a grounding phrase, question, or mantra instead of a fixed resolution.
3. Reframe the New Year with a practice that supports growth, grace, and real-world resilience.

Press play to explore a more flexible, human-centered way to navigate the ups and downs of 2026—one mindful return at a time.

What if your recipe for 2026 didn’t come from an influencer—but from your own messy, delicious, real-life wisdom?

In this warm and thoughtful New Year’s Eve episode, Michael offers a refreshing alternative to the typical goal-setting frenzy: a metaphor of baking cookies. With humor and heart, he shares why crafting your own “recipe for life” might just be the best way to welcome a new year—especially when the world keeps shouting at you to be a whole new you.

1. Discover why someone else’s formula for success may leave you feeling hollow
2. Learn how to create a life recipe that fits your reality, strengths, and joy
3. Reframe New Year’s reflection with curiosity, compassion, and maybe a warm cookie

Press play now to reimagine your New Year’s approach with grace, flavor, and full permission to burn a few batches along the way.

Receive one of my FREE Pause Breathe Reflect Stickers via this link sticker.

Sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect or finding me on Substack.

We can also connect on LinkedIn.

Download the Pause Breathe Reflect App with Microdose EQ by clicking App on your smartphone.

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, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm 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.