The Western Hippie | Holistic Healing for dogs, horses, and humans

The Truth About Perfectionism (And Why It’s Holding You Back)

Send us a textIn this solo episode of the Western Hippie Podcast, Michaela shares a powerful perspective shift around the concept of perfection. As a self-described Virgo and recovering perfectionist, she explores how society has confused "perfect" with "flawless"—and how this misunderstanding holds us back creatively and spiritually. Through personal stories, a transformative teaching from Brendan Burchard, and insights from Guided Light Healing, Michaela invites listeners to reclaim their wholeness, shift their language, and create from a place of worthiness. She ends the episode with an exciting announcement: the audiobook version of The Barn off of Colfax Lane will be released on the podcast, two chapters per week.CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro + Being a Virgo & Perfectionism 02:00 – Fruit bowls, Brendan Burchard & the meaning of "perfect" 05:45 – The "shitty first draft" philosophy 07:00 – How literal the subconscious mind is 10:00 – Subconscious programming + language awareness 12:00 – Perfect vs Flawless: A spiritual reframing 15:00 – Alessandro & Guided Light Healing: Source makes no mistakes 18:00 – Creating from wholeness, not lack 20:00 – Lord of the Rings Quote + Becoming who you were born to be 21:30 – Audiobook Announcement: The Barn off of Colfax Lane 24:00 – Reflections, gratitude & what’s next for the showKEYWORDS:perfectionism, Virgo energy, Brendan Burchard, subconscious mind, flawless, perfect, trauma healing, creative wounds, audiobook release, personal growth, wholeness, language programming, Guided Light Healing, Source, self-worth, Lord of the Rings, The Barn off of Colfax Lane, identity, healing journey, authenticitySupport the show

Why your relationships keep failing (and how to break the pattern)

Send us a textIn this raw and vulnerable episode of The Western Hippie Podcast, host Michaela shares her personal story of relationship patterns that kept repeating — even years apart. If you've ever felt like you're stuck in a “déjà vu” loop, this episode is your permission slip to finally break free.Michaela opens up about past situationships, emotional triangles, and the moment her spiritual mentor helped her realize she had been taking herself for granted. She explains how internal belief systems and subconscious patterns — not just the people we date — shape the outcomes of our love lives.With emotional depth, spiritual insight, and two powerful tools to rewire your subconscious, Michaela guides you toward self-worth, emotional sovereignty, and healthier relationships from the inside out.💫 It’s not just about dating better people. It’s about treating yourself like you’re worth being chosen.LINKS:Guided Light Healing (Join Alessandro’s classes or get on the email list!)Michaela's contact info: michaela@michaelamae.com or InstagramCHAPTERS:0:00 – Welcome + Feeling vulnerable in real time 3:30 – Why your relationships feel like déjà vu 6:50 – The first love triangle and choosing friendship over love 11:45 – Cultural messaging about relationships & self-worth 15:00 – The second triangle: A repeated pattern years later 18:20 – Realization: “I’m the common denominator” 21:10 – Meeting with her spiritual mentor 23:00 – The breakthrough: Taking yourself for granted 26:30 – The Law of Reflections explained 29:15 – Your creator field & how people mirror your beliefs 33:20 – Why the “honeymoon phase” isn’t the real test 35:00 – 2 tools to rewire your worth: • Journaling: 10 qualities per day for 20 days • Nightly brain-training with the Reticular Activating System 43:45 – The juicer metaphor: Input = Output 45:30 – Guided Light Healing shoutout + the perfection of Source 48:10 – Final reminder: You’re not broken — you’ve just been believing you areKEYWORDS:relationship patterns, emotional healing, subconscious reprogramming, spiritual self-worth, law of reflection, creator field, trauma-informed relationships, journaling for healing, rewiring your brain, reticular activating system, self-love, personal growth, self-worth in dating, Western Hippie Podcast, guided light healingSupport the show

Why Your Story Still Matters (Even If It's Already Been Told)

Send us a textDo you ever feel like your story has already been told — so what’s the point of sharing it? In this episode of The Western Hippie Podcast, Michaela unpacks the deeper reason your voice still matters — and why your unique delivery is your divine assignment.Inspired by a Lord of the Rings quote that cracked her open, she explores how art, healing, and purpose aren’t separate paths — they’re actually one. From “trauma trances” to creative awakenings, Michaela invites you to stop asking how others do it and start doing it your way.Whether you're a writer, healer, creator, or just trying to figure out what you're here for, this episode will remind you: if you don’t find the way, no one else will.EPISODES MENTIONED:How to Find Your Purpose in Life: 3 Simple Exercises to Help You Find Your PurposeCHAPTERS00:00 – Intro & LOTR Quote That Sparked This Episode 06:10 – Trauma Trance vs Authentic Self 12:35 – Why You’ve Avoided What You Might Love 18:22 – Finding Purpose Through Movies & Art 23:40 – The Message vs The Delivery (Make Your Bed Story) 29:05 – Healing vs Creating: Do You Have to Choose? 35:44 – The Artist as Healer: A New Paradigm 42:12 – Your Mission, Your Voice, Your Way 47:10 – Final Reflection: How Can You Be More YOU Today?KEYWORDSfind your purpose, trauma healing, authentic self, art as healing, spiritual podcast, personal growth, creativity and healing, soul work, Lord of the Rings purpose quote, Western Hippie Podcast, artist or healer, your voice matters, how to find purpose through storytellingSupport the show

The part of Cinderella's story we all missed: Cinderella saved herself

Send us a textIn this episode of the Western Hippie podcast, host Michaela discusses her ongoing identity shift and the importance of recognizing and reclaiming one's gifts. She emphasizes the significance of self-worth and safety in personal growth, drawing parallels to the story of Cinderella, who ultimately saved herself by believing in her own value. Michaela encourages listeners to give themselves credit for their achievements and to build their lives on a foundation of wholeness rather than brokenness.TAKEAWAYS:Michaela has been experiencing an identity shift for two years.Losing our gifts can lead to a deeper appreciation for them.Finding the gift in struggles is crucial for personal growth.Self-protection is often misinterpreted as self-sabotage.Cinderella's story illustrates the importance of self-empowerment.We must give ourselves credit for our achievements.Looking for external validation can hinder our growth.Building a life on wholeness is essential for success.Recognizing our worth is key to attracting positive experiences.Cinderella saved herself by believing in her own value.CHAPTERS00:00 Identity Shift and Personal Growth13:02 Cinderella: The Hero of Her Own StoryKEYWORDSidentity shift, personal growth, self-worth, optimism, healing journey, Cinderella, self-empowerment, nervous system, self-sabotage, personal developmentSupport the show

Ranking the Mission Impossible Movies from Worst to Best

Send us a textIn this engaging conversation, Michaela and Landon explore the unique contributions of Tom Cruise to the film industry, particularly through the Mission Impossible franchise. They discuss the healing power of art, the meditative experience of watching movies in theaters, and how films can serve as tools for personal development. The duo also delves into the evolution of female characters in the series, the dynamic partnership between Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie, and the significance of teamwork in the films. They conclude by ranking the Mission Impossible movies, sharing personal anecdotes and insights along the way. In this conversation, Michaela and Landon delve into the Mission: Impossible franchise, discussing the evolution of the films, character development, and the impact of iconic scenes. They explore the strengths and weaknesses of each installment, particularly focusing on 'Rogue Nation' and 'Fallout', while also making predictions for the upcoming 'Final Reckoning'. Their analysis highlights the importance of storytelling, character arcs, and the influence of classic cinema on the franchise.Chapters00:00 Reconnecting Through Film04:35 Tom Cruise: A Unique Force in Cinema10:44 Cultural Impact of Movies During Isolation16:49 Neural Coupling and Personal Development22:33 The Partnership of Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie35:00 The Disappointment of Mission Impossible 243:28 Character Depth and Emotional Payoff in Mission Impossible 354:24 Strong Female Characters in the Mission Impossible Series01:01:50 Character Dynamics and Humor in Mission Impossible01:11:39 The Original Mission Impossible: A Classic Revisited01:20:18 The Evolution of Tom Cruise's Action Star Persona01:26:18 The Significance of Character Development in Fallout01:36:07 Rogue Nation: The Pinnacle of the Franchise01:42:11 High-Speed Chases and Comedy in Action Films01:48:20 The Importance of Character Development01:55:46 Predictions for Future InstallmentsKeywordsTom Cruise, Mission Impossible, movie review, film analysis, art as healing, personal development, cinematic experience, character connection, filmmaking, Hollywood, Mission Impossible, Rogue Nation, Ghost Protocol, Fallout, Tom Cruise, action movies, film analysis, movie reviews, cinematic techniques, character developmentSupport the show