Episode Description
How do you move through the holidays with more compassion, grounding, and self-awareness?
In this special episode of Wisdom Stripes, I’m joined by Coach Moe Poole and Paula Rao, LPC to explore why the holidays are so emotionally intense... and how to support yourself when stress, expectations, family patterns, or grief begin to take over.
We talk about:
• Why holiday pressure activates old patterns
• Emotional labor, comparison, and “hallmark expectations”
• Boundaries without guilt
• What to do when you feel overwhelmed or “flip your lid”
• Grieving loved ones or lost seasons of life
• How to return to your growth instead of falling into old roles
• Reconnecting with what actually makes the holidays meaningful
This conversation will support anyone feeling stretched thin, triggered, depleted, or unsure how to stay grounded in a busy, emotionally loaded season.
✨ HeartPrint Holiday Bundle Bonuses
Preorder HeartPrint and receive:
-
5 Weeks of Wisdom — journal prompts
-
Early access to Chapter One
-
Wise Woman Antidotes to the Inner Critic
Claim your bundle:
https://megantuohey.com/megan-book-heart-print/
Connect with Today’s Guests
Coach Moe Poole — Transformational Mindset & Energy Coach
Facebook: facebook.com/moe.poole.9
Instagram: instagram.com/theecoach.moe
Paula Rao, LPC — Therapist & Trauma Specialist
Website: https://westhoustoncounseling.com/paula-rao/
Connect with Meg Tuohey
Instagram: https://bit.ly/4f6B0AW
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3BILKXU
TikTok: https://bit.ly/4f7M8he
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4hbXJOb
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3NtUF24
The Wisdom Lab: https://bit.ly/4eI8S7N
Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/3Yp2vjP
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4f8xTsj
⏰ Timestamps (Chapters)
00:00 — HeartPrint Holiday Bundle
01:19 — Why the holidays feel intense
02:31 — Introducing Coach Moe & Paula
04:52 — Expectations & emotional pressure
07:29 — Fear, obligation & guilt
09:05 — Emotional load of being “the leader”
10:39 — Seasonal shifts & lowered capacity
12:48 — Protecting your growth
14:21 — Boundaries & planning ahead
16:21 — Staying present & regulated
17:29 — Old patterns resurfacing
20:24 — Reconnecting with values
22:18 — Emotional tipping point
24:24 — What to do when you flip your lid
27:34 — Processing without harming relationships
31:10 — Regulation tools
33:42 — “Honor the occasion” mindset
34:49 — Navigating grief
39:01 — The grief “software update”
43:05 — Accepting the gap between hope & reality
47:43 — Making holidays meaningful again
51:14 — The “yeah, but…” inner narrative
53:04 — Creating 10 minutes of joy
57:24 — HeartPrint philosophy
1:00:10 — Becoming your future self
1:03:11 — Closing & gratitude
🚨 DISCLAIMER
The Wisdom Stripes podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice.