Brian Mackender — Sober.Coffee’s very own barista extraordinaire — joins Mike and Glenn in the coffee shop for a special Christmas Eve conversation. Together, they dig into a few key ingredients of successful sobriety, including the value of showing up for meetings, staying grounded in the present moment, and recognizing the risks of overconfidence. Brian also brings his experience as the owner of Audiohive Podcasting in Crest Hill, Illinois, adding depth and an outside perspective to the discussion. Merry Christmas to all!
My relationship with my body has never been a straight line… maybe you can relate.
In this episode of Taking Flight with Megan Holly, we dive deep into body image healing, self-love, body neutrality, and reconnecting with yourself in a world that constantly tells us we’re not enough.
Whether you’re struggling with confidence, navigating body changes, or trying to break free from old stories you picked up in childhood, this episode helps you rewrite the narrative and build a more loving, compassionate relationship with your body.
🌿 In this episode, we explore:
Why loving your body is a dance, not a straight line
How childhood comments, cultural messages, and societal standards shape body image
Why self-worth and appearance must be separated
How to stop treating your body like a “project” and start seeing it as a teammate
How to shift from punishment-based movement to joyful, intuitive movement
How to identify the beliefs you absorbed from others—and release them
Why perfection is a myth and how to embrace being beautifully human
How to build trust with your body in each season
Rituals that support body love: mirror talk, intentional getting ready, embodied affirmations, gratitude routines
💬 Journaling Prompts:
What messages about my body did I internalize growing up?
Which of those stories actually belong to other people?
How can I separate my worth from my appearance today?
What kind of movement feels joyful—not punishing—to me?
What is one thing my body did for me today that I can thank it for?
🌟 Body-Love Ritual Ideas:
Mirror Talk + Music: Pair affirmations with a song that makes you feel powerful.
Intentional Getting Ready: Choose clothes, earrings, or scents that make you feel good, not look a certain way.
End-of-Day Gratitude: Thank your body for what it carried you through today—big or small.
Joyful Movement: Dance, stretch, walk… not to “fix” your body, but to feel good inside it.
❤️ A gentle reminder:
Your body is not a before-and-after project. It’s your home, your ally, your teammate. You are worthy in all seasons, shapes, and stages.
If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that they are enough. Comment below with one thing you love—or are learning to love—about your body today. 💛
The guys discuss why sharing a scoop of cottage cheese and half a tomato guarantees you’ll be at every PTA meeting, when kicking over a stroller will save you from being scammed, and how broken buttons are the leading cause of infidelity in Texas.
Mike and Glenn welcome Jackie and Tommy for a frank discussion on dating, emphasizing that real relationships are built on honesty. The group explores the common guidance of waiting a full year of sobriety before dating, stressing that personal health must be the top priority. Key takeaways include:
Prioritizing self-improvement before seeking a partner.
“Comfort” does not equal “ready.”
Dating isn’t just for singles—married couples should also invest in focused time together.
The essential need to discuss relationship opportunities with a trusted mentor/sponsor (“someone who can read your label”).
A strong warning about trauma bonding and the importance of checking one’s own motives as well as being aware of others’.
The indispensable role of spirituality in making sound relationship decisions.
We sit down to talk with Marseilles City Councilman and Street Commissioner Michael Scheib. He gives us the scoop on the corrupt little town of Marseilles, Illinois.
If you’ve been feeling lonely, burned out, or like you’re floating on your own little boat in the middle of the ocean… this episode is for you. 🌊💛
In this episode of Taking Flight with Megan Holly, we dive into how to find your people, build a support system, and create a community that actually FEELS good—not surface-level, but soul-level.
Megan shares real-life stories about navigating hard seasons, medical anxiety with her dog, and shifting from autopilot into intentional, honest connection with friends, family, clients, and online community. You’ll learn how to attract the right people, deepen the relationships you already have, and stop dimming your energy just to fit in.
Whether you already have a core group or you feel like you’re on that lonely boat right now, this conversation will help you create connection, not just crave it.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why you weren’t meant to do life alone
How community and connection actually create more confidence
What it means to be truly witnessed by others in everyday life
The difference between living on autopilot vs living intentionally with your people
How honest communication can strengthen your relationships (even in hard seasons)
Letting yourself be fully you—quirks, big feelings, and all—and letting the right people stay
Why your “weird” or tender parts are actually magnets for your true tribe
How your friends, partner, or community can help prevent burnout
The “initiation rule”: being the one who reaches out instead of waiting
Practical ideas for finding new friends and community as an adult
Reflection questions:
Am I attracting or deflecting deeper connection in my daily life?
Where have I gone on autopilot in my friendships, relationship, or community?
Who already feels like a safe person… and how can I go one layer deeper with them?
Where could I be the initiator—the one who sends the text, starts the convo, or invites the hangout?
Try this simple connection challenge:
This week, pick ONE of these:
Text a friend: “Hey, if you’re up for it, can we chat sometime this week?”
Compliment a stranger or coworker and see where the conversation goes
Join a class, event, or local meetup that lights you up
Tag someone who makes your life brighter and tell them why
Tiny actions build big, beautiful tribes. 💫
If this episode resonated:
💛 Comment and tag someone who makes you feel seen 💛 Share one way you’re going to be the initiator this week 💛 Like, subscribe, and stick around for more conversations on confidence, community, and living a life that feels like YOU
You don’t have to do life alone. Your people are closer than you think. 🕯️
If this episode resonated:
💛 Comment and tag someone who makes you feel seen 💛 Share one way you’re going to be the initiator this week 💛 Like, subscribe, and stick around for more conversations on confidence, community, and living a life that feels like YOU
If this resonated, please subscribe for weekly confidence coaching and creative branding energy (& hit the 🔔 to never miss an upload).
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Comment below: What part of your brand feels most not you right now? Let’s talk about it.
The guys discuss how Jamaican enchiladas guarantee a successful marriage, when scoring 200 points during a robbery will only make the dog laugh at you, and why even the thrill of peppermint cannot save Damon and his self-proclaimed adequacy.
