Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Mindfulness and Resilience Through Kintsugi Wisdom

How do we bring light into a world that feels so dark?With rising violence and ongoing global grief, many of us are searching for ways to cope, to heal, and to respond with more compassion. In this deeply calming episode, Michael guides a Tonglen meditation—a practice rooted in transforming suffering into loving-kindness—to help us move through heavy emotions with presence and care.Learn how to work with difficult emotions without bypassing them.Discover the power of Tonglen to transform pain into compassion—for yourself and others.Experience a short, soothing practice that helps you respond to suffering with empathy and light.Tune in now to breathe in the pain and breathe out compassion—because even in darkness, you can be a source of light.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.

What if bravery looked less like battle—and more like pursuing love, even when it feels uncertain?In this special microdose meditation, Michael honors the late Rob Reiner with a heartfelt reflection on courage, compassion, and the pursuit of true love. Inspired by a line from The Princess Bride, this practice invites you to explore the emotional “castles” in your life—the guarded places where vulnerability lives—and to move forward with openness and presence.Cultivate emotional bravery without needing all the answers.Discover how meditation can soften fear and awaken your heart.Learn how pursuing love—even when messy—can become your boldest act of healing.Press play to embrace the spirit of “storming the castle”—not with armor, but with openness, love, and full humanity.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.

What if the path to healing isn’t about finding the right answers—but asking the right questions?In this deeply inspiring conversation, Michael reconnects with Brianna Greenspan—author, advocate, and chronic illness warrior—who shares how powerful self-reflective questions can create radical shifts in our healing journeys. Through her new book, The Book of Questions: Living with Chronic Illness, Brianna offers a compassionate framework for building identity, resilience, and hope—even in the face of long-term adversity.Discover how asking better questions can help you navigate uncertainty, pain, and personal growth.Learn why self-compassion and internal dialogue matter more than external validation when healing.Hear Brianna’s incredible journey from chronic illness and shame to strength, clarity, and purpose.Listen now to learn how curiosity, courage, and the right questions can help you (or someone you love) feel whole again—even while living with chronic illness.Discover more about Brianna: https://thebookofquestions.com/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.

What if courage wasn’t something you had to chase—but something already within you, just waiting to be remembered?In today’s microdose meditation, Michael guides you through a short but powerful practice to help you connect with your inner courage. Perfect for moments of self-doubt, fear, or transition, this mindful pause will help you ground your breath and your bravery—no matter what lies ahead.Learn a calming mantra to steady your nerves and tap into your strength.Discover how to use the breath to regulate fear and unlock presence.Reconnect with your innate courage—quiet, powerful, and already yours.Take a few peaceful minutes to drop into this meditation and discover how courage can rise when you simply choose to breathe and believe: I am willing. I am brave.Receive my free inspirational text messages by texting whole again to 866-612-4604 and I'll set you up. Receive one of my FREE Pause Breathe Reflect Stickers via this link sticker.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.

Have you ever wondered if it’s time to try again—or if it’s wiser to walk away?In this episode, Michael shares two life-altering bike crashes and the deeper message behind the common advice to "just get back on the bike." Through personal experience, he explores how fear, trauma, and discernment shape our decisions to start over—whether it's in relationships, careers, or healing. This isn’t about hustle or heroics—it’s about mindful courage.Understand the difference between fear and intuition when facing a big decision.Learn why resilience isn’t always about pushing forward, but about choosing wisely.Discover how to honor your body, values, and inner voice as you navigate your own comeback.Press play to explore how mindful discernment—not pressure—can help you decide whether to get back on the bike and live life fully, fear and all.Receive my free supportive text messages, by texting whole again to 866-612-4604 and I'll set you up. Receive one of my FREE Pause Breathe Reflect Stickers via this link sticker.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.