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Barb Knows Best

Michelle Maros & Barb Schmidt

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Welcome to Barb Knows Best™, the podcast! I'm your co-host, Michelle Maros, and along with my dear mother, Barb, who is most commonly known as Peaceful Barb™, we will be chatting with you weekly on some of life's most important and helpful topics. We've been working together for over a decade to provide simple, helpful tools to help you manage the stresses of daily life, and we are thrilled to be with you all in this new format to invite you into this living room style chat on how we process ...
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Welcome to the (in)courage podcast! We are all different ages, in different life stages, and we come from different cultures and churches, but our common thread is the hope of Jesus. Each weekday we meet you right where you are as one of our writers shares what’s going on in her everyday life and how God’s right in the middle of it all. We bring our joys and struggles equally so that you can feel less alone, and be empowered by the hope Jesus gives. We hope you’ll bring us along with you on ...
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Join Christine Dainard, and be inspired to take steps to becoming your most authentic self. Christine believes we have been taught that vulnerability is a weakness, when in fact it is our super power. In this space Christine will share personal stories, and conversations with others, so YOU can be empowered by their strength and inspired to take authentic action in your own life.
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"God has given us everything we need to put on love and be an everyday hero in our own hometown. We don’t need a hurricane to shift the landscape of our neighborhood or workplace, school, or playground for His glory, but we need a softened heart sensitive to His spirit. With ears eager to hear and eyes searching for opportunities, every encounter m…
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"God doesn’t just speak on mountaintops or in burning bushes, through hymns or even quiet times spent in Scripture. If we pay attention, He’ll give us exactly what we need, exactly where we are. He’ll give us strength in the struggle in the most creative ways. From a sunrise to a word from a stranger, from an intense prayer time to a superhero’s sp…
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"Since the start of 2024, I’ve been carrying a breath prayer around and I’ve needed it all year so far. It's a reminder that brings me back to the core of who I am and was inspired by Romans 12:9 in The Message, which reads, “Love from the center of who you are, don’t fake it.” May we lean into the center of who we are and who we’ve been created to…
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This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle talk about how we can cope with our own anxieties around world events, and the uncontrollable, unpredictable unknown. They also give tips and reminders to help navigate the overwhelm of these times and reminders of how to stay present through it all. We hope this episode encourages you to take your po…
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"Chances are, you are living in the tension of being misunderstood. And maybe these days you feel rejected or abandoned. Without warning, you lost a treasured friendship that fractured over a difference of opinion. You just found out your next-door neighbor unfriended you last week. If there’s a way forward, the path feels hidden. But ignoring our …
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"While we long to leap into action when our loved one is hurting, what people need most often is our presence. We want to bring casseroles and cards. We want to cook for them, clean their house, and care for their kids. We want to buy them funny socks, thoughtful books, comfy blankets, or beautiful flowers. But the truth is that when your life is f…
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"We all bear the marks of trauma, even if they’re invisible to the eye. Let's consider how our scars can make us more empathetic to those around us." Leave a comment for Dawn: https://incourage.me/?p=249252 -- The new DaySpring Illustrating Bibles invite you to linger longer in the Bible. Spend time with God as you enjoy coloring or journaling thro…
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"Where we focus on problems, Jesus leads with peace. Our stress happens when we believe that our problems are too big to be covered by the peace and power of Jesus. We're reminded that Jesus has overcome the world, so whatever is stressing you out today may be too much for you, but it's not too much for God to handle for you." Leave a comment for B…
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"Today, let me remind you that God is near, even in the darkest moments when you are battling suicidal thoughts, depression, or anxiety. My God is mighty to save you, just as He saved me. God’s people, including me, are willing and ready to pray and journey with you during this challenging season. You are not alone! And if no one has ever told you,…
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This week on Barb Knows Best, Barb and Michelle explore the topic of rejection and how to navigate life’s unexpected detours. They discuss ways to shift your perspective when faced with rejection—whether in relationships, career opportunities, or personal goals—and how it can actually serve as guidance if we learn to surrender and trust the process…
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"God says He thinks of us MORE than there are grains of sand. Always on the mind and heart of the Lord? Good gracious. It’s too much to take in. Even deeper than the wonder of someone who gives the perfect gift just because we were on their mind, God was thinking of us yesterday, today, and forever onward. You are always on His mind. He was thinkin…
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"My friends, it's time you and I grow up a little bit. It's time to put our teenage ways behind us and start living and loving like those who know the long-term value of forgiveness, love, and faithfulness. Let's stop junk-yarding people and problems just because they are difficult to manage. Instead, filled with the Holy Spirit and eternally loved…
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In this episode, host Becky Keife and guest Kathi Lipp discuss the concept of Sabbath Soup, a guide that combines meal planning with the practice of Sabbath rest. They explore the importance of preparing meals in advance to create space for rest and connection with God and family. Kathi shares her journey of embracing Sabbath, the significance of c…
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"Loving yourself is not prideful. Loving yourself is not selfish. Loving yourself is simply aligning with the heart of God toward you." Leave a comment for Holley: https://incourage.me/?p=249012 -- The fall issue of DaySpring’s Everyday Faith Magazine is out now! Pick up a copy today on DaySpring.com or at your local grocery store, Sam’s Club, Cost…
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"You may feel like your past journey or current one is so filled with struggle that it would be hard for anyone to wrestle out some sort of redemption. But you have no idea the type of legacy you leave from those hard places. Because it’s not about what you feel like you can or can’t do, but about the One you stubbornly cling to, even if it’s just …
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"We need the kind of people in our lives who help us recapture the joy of being alive. Expecting the best. Assuming you’re wanted and loved. Liking you for no reason other than you’re the only person in the room." Leave a comment for Robin: https://incourage.me/?p=248986 -- The fall issue of DaySpring’s Everyday Faith Magazine is out now! Pick up a…
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In this week's episode, Barb shares her deeply personal and ongoing 40-year journey with bulimia—an addiction that she has battled for much of her life. She candidly discusses how she has found freedom, healing, and self-love through her recovery process. By opening up about her experience, we hope to provide a space for those struggling with addic…
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"In a world where loneliness often whispers in the quiet moments, extending a hand — and a meal — can turn isolation into togetherness. Let's be the ones who scooch over and make room at our tables, the ones who see those sitting alone and say, 'Come, sit at my table.' Because when we do, we meet a double need: we feed the hunger and form the conne…
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"As Christ followers, we don’t get to divide and categorize people into groups. Listen, the enemy wants us to live with an “Us vs. Them” mentality and only choose people who are just like us, who believe and vote like us. Often, we defend our hate for our neighbor with love for country and allegiance to a political leader, forgetting that we as Chr…
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"Romans 8:34 promises that in this very moment, Jesus is at the right hand of God, interceding for you. Can you imagine if you heard the voice of Jesus in the next room over, praying on your behalf? But it's not a thought that only lives in your imagination. It's reality. Jesus prayed for you two thousand years ago, and He prays for you presently —…
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"What if we offer hospitality to strangers? What if we work toward reconciliation in the church and our communities? What if we decide to raise our voices in worship alongside brothers and sisters who are different from ourselves?" Leave a comment for Dorina: https://incourage.me/?p=248877 -- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with new Spanish ecard…
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"If you are wondering right now if God has stopped “growing” you, be assured: HE HAS NOT. He was steadfast and faithful to Moses, to Joshua, to Daniel, to Paul, and to countless others in biblical times, and throughout world history. And He is steadfast and faithful to you and me today. He is growing us, even now." Leave a comment for Jennifer: htt…
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Grief is a universal human experience—no one escapes it. However, there is a form of grief that begins before the actual loss takes place: anticipatory grief. This week, Barb and Michelle talk about navigating loss before it happens. Anticipatory grief is when someone is expecting or preparing for an impending loss, such as the death of a loved one…
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"People are desperate for something to fill their emptiness. They are waiting for someone to boldly declare the Good News of Christ. And that someone could be you. So, I encourage you — take that step of faith. Share the gospel where God is calling you." Leave a comment for Karina: https://incourage.me/?p=248865 -- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month…
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"God looks beyond the facts of our lives to the identity of our souls. What voices are you listening to today? It’s time to silence the voices of shame and discouragement and turn up the volume of God’s voice of love. What God calls you is the truest thing about you. Ask Him your name. Then receive it. Believe it. Live it." Leave a comment for Beck…
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"God is good, whether we are in plenty or in want. No one may know what it costs you to set that table. But God knows. No one may know just how precise you need to be in your planning and purchases, or the sacrifice of your time, or the earnest hours of work you put in. But God knows. . . God knows and God sees every sacrifice. He sees every swipe …
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"The fact is, it takes time and opportunity to be noticed and to get to know people. In the waiting time between being unseen and seen, I've found this course of action the most helpful thing I can do to alleviate my loneliness: Instead of waiting for someone to notice me, I notice someone else." Leave a comment for Kristen: https://incourage.me/?p…
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"In the Name of Jesus, the One who walks upon the storms that threaten to overtake, we declare that we aren’t going to drown. Instead, You’re teaching us to dance upon the waters, holding us up and holding true to Your word: You are greater than anything we face. You see the other side, and You will see us through. Help us hear Your voice above the…
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This week, Barb and Michelle discuss the hot topic of entitlement. They talk about different ways entitlement can show up, letting go of entitlement, and dealing with entitled people. They also discuss how the instant gratification mentality can spark entitlement in our lives. In this episode, they talk about: The distinction between confidence and…
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"Be alert and look for evidence of God’s love. I think you’ll be surprised by what you find. God’s love is as close to you as the air you breathe. He delights in you and sings over you. Sometimes we just need a reminder to wake up and look." Leave a comment for Aliza: https://incourage.me/?p=248854 -- The fall issue of DaySpring’s Everyday Faith ma…
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"When we stay awake to the glimmers in front of us, we reorient our hearts to the Everlasting Light. How often are you in survival mode, moving from one thing to the next, shoulders tight and heart heavy, just trying to make it through another day? Maybe you’re caught in an unending cycle of work and worry, with little room for joy. But glimmers ar…
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In this episode, Becky Keife interviews Melissa Horvath, creator of the digital "21-Day Unlock: Discovering Your God-Given Purposes" course from DaySpring. Melissa shares her journey of starting her business, Sweetwater Decor, and how God led her to her purpose. They discuss the importance of saying yes to God's callings and stepping out in faith. …
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"I learned you can't pull yourself up by your bootstraps when they've seemingly disappeared, but we know the One who will pull us out of the pit. It's a vulnerable question, but do you want to get well? What does it look like for you to live whole? Lord, soften our hearts. Convict us where we need it and give us a willingness to change. Strengthen …
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"Are you feeling overwhelmed by the mundane routine of life? Do you feel like your spark is fading? You're not alone. Many women find themselves feeling lost and unsure of their purposes. It's time to shake off those feelings and start stepping into your calling. Introducing the 21-Day Unlock: Discovering Your God-Given Purposes. This transformativ…
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"Between the fair and my youngest’s pickle birthday theme, it occurred to me that maybe the things we love most don’t have to make sense. Maybe the silly things we adore are actually sacred. Maybe the things we love can just make us really happy. Period. And maybe it’s by design that they do." Leave a comment for Anna: https://incourage.me/?p=24878…
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This week, Barb and Michelle are diving deep into the idea of reframing or shifting our minds from certain negative belief systems. For anyone who is stubborn, a perfectionist, a fixer, a pessimist, an overthinker, or a planner, this episode will especially resonate with you. Through cultivating awareness and transforming our self-talk, we can rele…
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"Feeling overwhelmed by making friends at church? Start by asking someone to lunch or inviting them to meet you for ice cream. Listen to their story. You might be surprised at how fun people are when you see them for who they are and not just who you expect them to be." Leave a comment for Melissa: https://incourage.me/?p=248607 -- If you love list…
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"If you’re worried that you’ve worn out God’s patience with your requests, let me put your mind at ease. He is the best Father we could ever imagine (better, even!) and will never roll His eyes or pretend to be asleep when we need Him. He’ll never tire of our needs, or our neediness. He loves us more than we love even our own children. His love is …
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In this episode, Becky Keife interviews author Kristen Strong about her book 'Friends Are Family We Choose'. They discuss the importance of friendship and belonging, especially in the context of military life. Kristen shares her personal experiences and insights on making and maintaining friendships. They also talk about the power of in-person rela…
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"I imagine Jesus sitting on the floor of my family room with our shaggy rug under His legs, in the middle of the night, while the rest of my family sleeps. Would I try to hide my feet under the couch cushions? Would He hold my feet gently, and wipe them clean? “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Unless you stop trying to prove yourself as …
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God is the Source of all hope, the Giver of every good thing — but He invites us to be His messengers. Whether by practical support, a helping hand, or comforting words, we all have the ability to encourage others! Today is National Day of Encouragement! It's the perfect time to give thanks for the ways God has infused your heart with hope and look…
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God offers a different kind of peace. Lasting. Unshakable. Perfect. Whether we’re in a time of crisis or just trudging through the struggles of ordinary life, we can entrust our troubled, fearful hearts to the one who is worthy of our trust. Leave a comment and join the conversation today: https://incourage.me/?p=248696 -- Every day is a chance to …
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This week, Barb and Michelle are acknowledging a common problem many of us have—being too hard on ourselves. If you’re someone who feels like you’re always the problem and at fault, then this episode is for you. They’re breaking down our inner-critic and discussing new insights on how to start developing a trusting, loving relationship with ourselv…
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"If you don’t have the words to tell that friend you love like family what she means to you, I’ve come up with the words for you through this book! It’s a poignant-with-a-side-of-humor hardback that’s also beautifully designed, and it’s for any gal you want to thank for being the friend you love like family. This world is a divisive one, and plenty…
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"When we rejoice with those who rejoice, it shows clean hands and a pure heart. It takes humility, love that’s unconditional, and self-control to celebrate with others. Especially with those who receive the prayer you’ve been praying to receive yourself. It’s never quite as hard if someone gets what we didn’t want. However, when they get the thing …
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"The last thing a person needs when they are in the middle of a crisis is one more decision to make. Recently, when my husband and I were going through a challenging season physically, we had a number of people tell us, “Let me know if I can help.” And while I love the heart behind those words, the last thing I could do was strategize the “what, wh…
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"We need to love our neighbor and our enemy everywhere. When I get lost online and have to find my bearings again, I try to remember what has helped me in the past. 1. Pray before you post. 2. Take a deep breath to ground yourself in the Holy Spirit. 3. Forgive others and ask for forgiveness. 4. Look to wise leaders. 5. Keep Jesus’s welcome and wis…
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"All of us are in different circumstances, but chances are you’re dealing with your own challenges now. I hope my story encourages you to support the people around you, whether friends, family, or strangers, to see the Lord’s provision in the bleakest circumstances, and when you find yourself overwhelmed by big worries, focus on simple daily blessi…
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This week, Barb and Michelle share how an unfortunate accident led to Barb being forced to slow down physically and mentally. This incident reminded Barb of the importance of being intentional and mindful in thought and action. It can feel impossible to consider moving at a slower pace, the thoughts in the mind are always racing, and the responsibi…
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"When was the last time you truly rested? When did you sit on the back porch and sip a cup of tea? When did you lie in bed for thirty minutes before turning to your phone? When did you choose to trust God that resting is a part of your wiring? Make time today to rest. You’ll find Him waiting there for you." Leave a comment for Sopha Rush and be ent…
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