Small Town Big Minds

If you’ve ever felt something was off… but talked yourself out of it, this episode is for you.”In this episode, Michele is breaking down the difference between intuition and emotion, because let’s be honest… a lot of us don’t actually know which one we’re feeling.Michele is sharing both the psychological and spiritual side of intuition, what it really feels like in the body, and why being highly sensitive can make everything feel confusing, overwhelming, and even isolating.She'll talk about people-pleasing, overanalyzing, picking up on other people’s energy, and how to stop getting pulled into everyone else… and come back to yourself.And most importantly, how to stay connected to yourself without shutting the world out.Because you don’t heal in isolation. You heal in safe connection.www.yourinnerlight.orgwww.fullscalewellnes.com

Most people's understanding of hypnosis stops at stage shows and movie villains. But what if the subconscious mind was actually the most logical place to start healing?In this solo episode, Michele unpacks hypnotherapy and NLP. What they are and what they're not, how they work together, and why the language you use every single day is either locking your pattern in or setting them free. www.yourinnerlight.org

We talk a lot about “getting to the root”…but what if most approaches are only scratching the surface?In this episode, we break down why talk therapy can create awareness, but doesn’t always lead to lasting change. Michele shares her 25+ year experience in therapy and why, even with deep understanding, the patterns kept repeating.We dive into the science of the nervous system, subconscious patterns, and why your body can still be living something your mind has already processed.www.yourinnerlight.orgwww.fullscalewellness.com

In this episode, we’re talking about what it actually feels like to expand your mind in a small town where traditions run deep, mindsets can feel behind, and “keeping up with the Joneses” still quietly runs the show.We get into the tension of evolving beyond old beliefs, questioning what you were taught, and navigating relationships when you don’t see the world the same way anymore. Because having a big mind doesn’t mean you think you’re better… it just means you’re open, aware, and no longer willing to stay stuck.If you’ve ever felt like you’ve outgrown the version of life you were handed, but you’re still living in the same zip code, this one’s for you.www.fullscalewellness.comwww.yourinnerlight.org

Making friends as an adult is already hard… now add a small town where everyone already “has their people,” old reputations linger, and being vulnerable feels like a full-body risk.In this episode, we’re getting real about what it actually looks like to build friendships later in life especially when you’re growing, healing, and not the same person you used to be.We’re breaking down:the red flags you should stop ignoringthe green flags that actually matterwhy making friends can feel weirdly like datingand how vulnerable (and honestly uncomfortable) it is to put yourself out there againIf you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit in, like you’re outgrowing old connections, or like you’re craving deeper, more real friendships… this one’s for you.Because finding your people in a small town isn’t impossible, but it does require you to show up in a way most people aren’t willing to.www.fullscalewellness.comwww.yourinnerlight.orghttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584597044529

Ever feel like your brain just works differently?Like you can hyper-focus on one thing for hours, but can’t start something you actually need to do?Like your mind is constantly busy, overstimulated, or overthinking everything?In this episode, we’re diving into neurodivergence. What it actually means, how it shows up (especially in women), and why so many people are walking around feeling “broken” when they’re not.We talk about:The difference between neurodivergence, anxiety, and traumaWhy ADHD brains aren’t lazy—they’re interest-drivenHow masking leads to burnout and emotional exhaustionThe reason so many women are just now being diagnosedAnd how your sensitivity might actually be a strength, not a flawThis is a conversation about understanding your brain, working with your nervous system, and letting go of the idea that you need to “fix” yourself.Because, you’re not broken.You’re just wired differently.www.fullscalewellness.comwww.yourinnerlight.org

Growing and reinventing yourself is hard enough… but doing it in a small town where everyone remembers who you used to be adds another layer.In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to outgrow old identities in a small town. From getting sober to starting a healing business, we share the challenges, the judgment, the unexpected support, and the beauty of small-town communities.We explore how reputations can lag behind personal growth, why communities sometimes struggle when people change, and how learning to trust yourself is often the key to moving forward.Small towns may have long memories, but that doesn’t mean you can’t become someone new.www.fullscalewellness.comwww.yourinnerlight.org

What if much of what we “know” about women’s health was based on research that didn’t actually include women?In this International Women’s Day episode, Michele and Dr. Bobi dive into the fascinating and sometimes shocking history of women’s health and medical research.For decades, clinical trials were conducted almost exclusively on men, meaning much of modern medicine was built around the male body as the default. Dr. Bobi also shares research showing that women are statistically more likely to die when treated by male providers in emergency settings, raising important questions about bias, training, and how women’s symptoms are interpreted in healthcare.The conversation also explores the surprising science of the female brain, hormone sensitivity, and conditions like Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, which researchers now believe may involve the brain’s response to normal hormonal shifts rather than hormone imbalance.Along the way, Michele and Dr. Bobi unpack some wild moments from medical history — from the diagnosis of hysteria to the fact that the full anatomy of the clitoris wasn’t properly mapped until the late 1990s.This episode blends history, neuroscience, and modern research to explore how far women’s health has come and where it’s still catching up.In this episode:Why women were excluded from clinical trials for decadesResearch showing women have worse outcomes in some ER settingsThe neuroscience behind emotional intelligenceThe truth about PMDD and hormone sensitivityFascinating medical myths about women’s bodiesThe exciting breakthroughs happening in women’s health todayWhether you're passionate about science, healthcare, or simply understanding the female body better, this episode is packed with “wait… what?!” moments.www.fullscalewellness.comwww.yourinnerlight.org

If you’ve been feeling heavy, tired, or “on edge” lately—you’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Bobi and Michele talk about burnout through the lens of the nervous system, especially during the dark, cold months when everything feels harder. We unpack why burnout isn’t just overworking—it’s the constant scanning for danger that keeps your body in fight-or-flight. We also share practical tools and simple nervous system resets you can use to slow down, regulate, and prevent burnout before your body forces you to stop.www.fullscalewellness.comwww.yourinnerlight.org

We’re stepping into the Year of the Yang Fire Horse, an energy that’s bold, fast-moving, and deeply transformational. Fire Horse years are known for amplifying momentum, courage, and truth, often pushing us out of stagnation and into action.In this episode, we focus on how this energy may impact specific Chinese zodiac signs, especially the Ram (Goat), Dog, and Rat, and why some signs may feel supported while others feel challenged during this cycle.✨ Signs likely to feel supported this yearRam (Goat) – A year of creative flow, emotional healing, and aligned expansion. Fire Horse energy helps the Ram step into confidence without losing sensitivity.Dog – Loyalty, integrity, and purpose are rewarded. This can be a powerful year for deeper relationships, leadership, and standing firmly in your values.⚠️ Sign that may feel more challengedRat – Fire Horse energy can feel intense and destabilizing for the Rat. Themes around control, overthinking, and nervous system overload may surface, creating an invitation to slow down, ground, and trust instead of pushing.This episode isn’t about labeling years as “good” or “bad”—it’s about understanding the energetic weather you’re moving through so you can respond with awareness rather than overwhelm.If you’ve been feeling energized, emotionally stretched, or called to make changes you’ve been avoiding, this conversation will help you ground into the Lunar New Year with clarity and intention.www.yourinnerlight.orgwww.fullscalewellness.com

What are signs and synchronicities—and why do they seem to appear when we’re paying closer attention?In this episode, Michele and Dr. Bobi explore meaningful patterns like repeating numbers, significant dates, and unexpected moments of alignment. Michele shares personal experiences with grief, angel numbers, the significance of 4 and 29, and what it felt like to ask for a sign—and receive it.Together, they look at signs and synchronicities through both a spiritual and scientific lens, touching on the reticular activating system, nervous system awareness, and how the body often knows before the mind can explain.This isn’t just about chasing meaning or decoding the universe—it’s about noticing, listening, and trusting what feels steady and real in your body.www.fullscalewellness.comwww.yourinnerlight.org

In Episode 6 of Small Town, Big Minds, we’re diving into the very real, very lived experience of hormones ; including PMDD, perimenopause, and the menstrual cycle and how they impact mood, energy, mental health, and daily life.Michele shares her personal experience of living with PMDD and entering perimenopause, including how hormonal shifts can affect emotions, anxiety, motivation, and the nervous system and why so many women feel dismissed or misunderstood.Dr. Bobi breaks down the different phases of the menstrual cycle and offers practical guidance on how to support your body during each phase — including how to work with your hormones instead of fighting them.This episode is about awareness, validation, and learning to listen to your body — not pushing through, shaming yourself, or assuming something is “wrong” with you.If you’ve ever felt like your emotions change overnight, your energy disappears without warning, or your body isn’t responding the way it used to — this conversation will help you make sense of it all.

In this episode, Dr. Bobi breaks down nutrition in a way that actually makes sense. We talk about what your body really needs, practical tips for getting proper nutrition without overcomplicating it, and the truth behind the new “upside-down” food pyramid and why it’s changing and what that means for your everyday choices.Michele dives into the missing piece of weight loss and healthy eating: your nervous system. We explore why regulation matters if you want sustainable weight loss, why stress can sabotage even the “best” diet, and how mindful eating and cooking can completely change your relationship with food.This isn’t about restriction, guilt, or chasing the next diet trend. It’s about learning how your body works, calming the system that runs it, and creating habits that actually last.Science-backed. Nervous-system informed. Real-life doable.www.fullscalewellness.com/blogwww.yourinnerlight.org

Every January, people set goals, make vision boards, and swear this will be the year everything changes…and by February, most of it falls apart.In this episode, we unpack why New Year’s resolutions and manifestation practices so often fail and it’s not because you lack discipline or belief.Dr. Bobi breaks down the energetic and seasonal shifts around the Lunar New Year, including key dates like February 4th and February 17th, and what it really means to leave the Year of the Snake and enter the Year of the Fire Horse.Michele brings in the science of nervous system regulation, hypnosis, and subconscious patterning and explains why change doesn’t stick when the body doesn’t feel safe.Together, we explore:– Why January is biologically and energetically the worst time to force change– Why vision boards and “positive thinking” often backfire– How survival mode blocks manifestation– The difference between forcing goals and regulating the nervous system– What it actually takes to manifest from alignment, not exhaustionThis episode is an invitation to stop blaming yourself…and start working with your body, not against it.Real change doesn’t start with resolutions.It starts with regulation.https://www.fullscalewellness.com/https://www.yourinnerlight.org/

Long before “alternative medicine” had a name…Long before herbs were sold in bottles…Long before meditation, energy work, and holistic healing were called “witchy”…There were the First Healers.In this episode of Small Town, Big Minds, Michele and Bobi take you back to the roots of natural and spiritual healing — right here on the land we call Nebraska — honoring Indigenous tribes such as the Pawnee who carried deep knowledge of plant medicine, ceremony, and mind-body healing long before colonization arrived.So much of what we now call “holistic,” “natural,” or “energy healing” didn’t come from trendy wellness culture — it came from Indigenous wisdom. And much of that wisdom was systematically erased, outlawed, ridiculed, and labeled as dangerous or evil.In this conversation, we explore:• How Indigenous healing systems were pushed underground• Why herbalists, medicine women, and spiritual healers were branded as witches• How colonization reshaped what we believe about medicine, spirituality, and the body• Why reconnecting to these roots matters for our health today• And how honoring the First Healers is a form of respect, not appropriationMichele and Bobi also reflect on how, in another time, their own beliefs in self-healing, intuition, and natural medicine would have been labeled dangerous — even though those same practices are now being validated by neuroscience, epigenetics, and modern trauma research.This episode isn’t about going backward.It’s about remembering what was lost.It’s about recognizing that the body has always known how to heal — and that much of what we are “rediscovering” today was once common knowledge among the people who lived in harmony with this land.We share this conversation with humility, gratitude, and deep respect for the Indigenous peoples who walked here before us — and for the wisdom that still lives on through their descendants and traditions.If you’ve ever felt drawn to plant medicine, meditation, intuition, or holistic healing…If you’ve ever felt out of place in modern healthcare…If you’ve ever wondered where this knowledge really came from…This episode is for you.Listen in as we honor the roots of healing, the resilience of Indigenous cultures, and the sacred wisdom that still pulses beneath everything we call “modern medicine.”

This mini episode is a quick but important pause before we go any further.At Small Town, Big Minds, inclusivity isn’t a buzzword, it’s a value. We believe everyone deserves a seat at the table, regardless of background, beliefs, identity, or where they are on their learning journey.Being based in the Midwest, we’re also honest about something: not all of us were exposed early on to evolving language, identities, or social conversations. That doesn’t make someone “bad,” ignorant, or unworthy of being part of the conversation. It makes them human.This podcast is a judgment-free zone.You don’t need the right terminology.You don’t need to have it all figured out.You just need curiosity, respect, and a willingness to listen and grow.We’re going to talk about real topics, real experiences, and real perspectives, sometimes imperfectly. And that’s okay. Growth doesn’t come from shame or call-outs; it comes from open dialogue, compassion, and a little courage.If you’ve ever felt afraid to ask questions…If you’ve worried about “saying the wrong thing”…If you’re learning as you go…You belong here.This episode sets the tone for what this space is and what it’s not. We’re here to expand minds, not point fingers. To create understanding, not division. And to have conversations that feel safe, honest, and human.Welcome to Small Town, Big Minds. We’re glad you’re here.

Welcome to the beginning of Small Town, Big Minds. A podcast created by two healers who never quite fit the Midwest mold.In this episode, we talk about how we met, what inspired this show, and why we’re finally putting our big thoughts into a microphone. Expect honesty, humor, a little rebellion, and a whole lot of heart.If you’re a misfit, a seeker, a cycle‑breaker, or just someone craving deeper conversations, you’re in the right place.