H.O.P.E - Hang On Pain Ends

THIS ... get ready to laugh people!!! I auditioned for the NATIONAL TOUR of Footloose when I was in high school... this visits that adventure ... and also involves a secondary story of when I directed the NYSNC DEBUT in 1998.... The overall theme here is something that I am proud of. I talk about how when these opportunities came around ... I never said to myself "I really hope I win this... Or I hope I get this spot on the national tour..." I WAS ALWAYS CONVINCED ... THAT I JUST WOULD. So when I am gracing the stages all over the nation... and then all over the world... I want to make sure EVERYONE hears that part. I WAS ALWAYS CONVINCED ... THAT I WOULD MAKE IT. SO ... Let's STOP doubting ourselves - imagine if we ALL just KNEW we COULD??? and that we WOULD??? Let's do this ... .and make sure to pee before you listen!!! Hahahahah ... LOVE this one. Love Always, Alana

The title of this episode ... were literally SPOKEN by our Pastor On Easter Sunday. It totally makes sense ... it fits my beliefs, my signs, my faith ...I talk a lot about that word "ABUNDANCE".... right before I recorded this... I said to myself "WHAT EVEN IS ABUNDANCE???" This word keeps coming up ... I am seeing it, I am hearing it ... and then I realize.... it's because I am FEELING it.I invite YOU to listen ... and then truly believe your own ABUNDANCE has already happened .... and THAT is when you will see everything around you .... CHANGE. FOR. THE. GOOD.Thank you for Listening - Email Me! [email protected] Always,Alana

You have to listen to this one to Understand the title! It's recorded after a really "bad" night of missing my Dad ... should we really call these moments "bad" though? I am thinking of that in this moment ... these moments, and they are usually not much more than fleeting... are perhaps the "winks from Earth" that we send to our loved ones in the clouds? Anyway ... I compare the feeling of the waves of grief and having that feeling of drowning... the time i LITERALLY almost drowned in a Glazed Donut! SO... you might cry ... but I promise you will also Laugh ... and never forget the story I am about to tell ... Thank you for listening everyone. With Love Always, Alana

The word "Partner" to describe the person you are with ... Husband, Wife, Girlfriend, Boyfriend... Significant Other.... Always sounded weird to me. But ... today I realize how important it is to have a TRUE PARTNER. I visit a lot of ideas on how you need to be with someone who can be the Stop Sign ... Or Yield Sign in your brain when your mind starts to go down the rabbit hole.... and even more importantly, someone that you trust enough to be the Conductor to your runaway train.... someone who, no matter WHAT ... will ALWAYS bring you back on track. I feel so beyond lucky that just when My conductor left this Earth (My Dad) he sent me another one to keep me safe on my travels ... which are about to get PRETTY CRAZY (but in the best way). Thank you for listening! ALLLL ABOARD!!!!! Love, Alana.

"Dear Younger Me' - by MercyMe. A song that has always been SOOOOO huge ... as the first time I heard it was 2013 during/after my first diagnosed Hypomanic/Depressive episodes of Bipolar Disorder. It always made me cry. ... Today... I hear it... and I still cry, but for different reasons. It's Easter Sunday ... and I reflect on how the idea of being "Sacrificed to Save" ... rings true in numerous ways in my Life ... This is a short listen, but an impactful one. I invite you to listen... and perhaps write a letter to YOUR "Younger Me.." Thank you for listening everyone... Wishing you a very Happy Easter.... remember this is the ONLY Easter you will EVER have in the year of 2026 ... So, let's make it COUNT.

In the words of the awesome show... "Cobra Kai" ... I am here to FLIP THE EFFING SCRIPT! I think you will all like this one .... It's more upbeat... a few "EFF" bombs ... and a lot of OPINION. I talk in a bit of a lighter way about some serious topics... and hopefully will allow ALL of you to change your perspective ... but instead of crying ... You will be laughing with this one! I also briefly visit the idea of ... doing something, sending something, texting something, posting something ... and then MOVE ON. Do not re-read, do not edit, do not overthink... delete the text thread, delete the sent email... we all get hung up on what we said... how we said it... when we posted it .... LET. IT. GO - we all have bigger and better things in front of us ... to keep looking behind us. And then?? START FLIPPING YOUR EFFING SCRIPT ...who cares what everyone "knows you for"?? Who do YOU want to be? What do YOU want to be known for? Do what you want, say what you want ... but do it all with INTENTION. BE. INTENTIONAL ... TAKE A PAUSE before you SAY or DO IT ... and then watch how things will begin to change. Love Always, Alana - and of course THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

This is an OPEN letter to ALL parents .... If you have any desire to save our Children (and adults) from suicide ... I ask that you please listen to this 7 MINUTE Recording. I want to spread this message more than I have ever wanted anything in my life... I am willing to speak in front of 5 parents .. 500 .. or 5,000. EVERYONE needs to hear this. Not just Parents ... but all humans. I change the perspective on Suicide ... from my own personal experience of my OWN brain lying to me .... more than once, telling me this world would be a better place WITHOUT ME HERE. Please listen ... send.... share ... post. With every person who can hear this, that is another life we might be saving. Thank you for listening as Always ... Love, [email protected]

Do you have someone in your life... that is "unhealthy" in some way??? Drinking... Heart Disease.... Diabetes... Abusive Relationship.... and you find yourself consumed with worry for them, and every chance you get ... you tell them what they "need" to do???Well... then.... this is a "MUST HEAR" for you.I loved this one ... I recorded it later in the evening, so by the time I listened to it back in the morning, I had forgotten a lot of what I said ... and I think I say a lot of things that my listeners (or My "Fan Club") ... really needs to hear. Thank you as always for Listening .... and for really HEARING me.

This recording is RAW. REAL. and VERY emotional. If you have any experience with Depression and Suicide in your life, I ask that you PLEASE listen to this. We are losing our CHILDREN to suicide ... our Middle Schoolers are taking their OWN LIVES. I speak about my extensive experience with both suicidal depressions, and coming within 24 hours of taking MY own Life. I hope that this helps even ONE person out there who is struggling .... I believe the way I describe what a person feels like who contemplates taking their own life .... is EXTREMELY accurate, and possibly a version of depression/suicidal thoughts that has NEVER been explained before. As always ... but especially on THIS one... Thank you for Listening. LOVE- Alana PS - PLEASE know ... this world needs you. Stay. One. More. Day.

This one starts out with the word I heard last year and exclaimed to myself "OMG!!! THIS WORD IS TOTALLY ME!!! IT DESCRIBES ME PERFECTLY ... UNHINGED!!" I take a short journey realizing ... I somehow would make my chaotic and exhausting and stressful life... the funny performance at the family parties ... I would be describing myself as "Living my life in a state of panic" ... or using this "new" word that was just soooo hilarious - "Unhinged." I visit the idea that the people that are LISTENING to my Podcast of H.O.P.E - are the ones that are MEANT to hear it .... I am now DONE with sending anyone a clip, or the voice note version, or texting someone the link ... if God wants YOU to hear me??? You will find me. So ... thank you for finding me ... and I hope throughout my journey, you are able to find some new pieces of yourself ... or even better, the pieces that you might have lost along the way.

This was an open letter Entry... My old self ... verses my New Self ... but without my OLD self ... there is no way in "God's Green Earth" ... I could be my NEW Self. This one is short ... but impactful - it speaks for itself. I invite you... if you have recently started a journey of growth within yourself, to write a letter like this (hopefully in your new journal) ... talking about the changes you are realizing that you have made, and how and why you were not able to do any of this, before this moment. Thank you all for listening ... Love Always, Alana. (The old... and The New One.)

This one was inspired by my ALL-TIME lyric from the magical Taylor Swift in her song Blank Space ... by the very end of this one ... I come to realize, how accurate that line actually was to myself at one time ... wow wow wow. I discuss how Taylor swift has spoken about how her most creative times come in the middle of the night ... and she records the start of her song idea into her phone ... in a voice note. Well... HELLO! Voice notes are now my life ... whether it be sending them to friends/family instead of a generic (most of the time misconstrued text) OR .. how I record my episodes for HOPE - The Podcast! Lastly - Journaling is a big part of this episode! Journaling has always been a huge part of my life... except for the last 6-7 years (66666-7777777) lol. I touch on a few different things in this entry ... (pardon the pun) ... and by the end I give some tips on how YOU can start journaling TODAY (involves a possible visit to the Dollar Tree but it will be worth it). I end by inviting my listeners to possibly use some of my "Entries and Episodes" on HOPE as a prompt for YOUR next Journal entry ... Happy Listening... and HAPPY WRITING! Love, Alana.

What if ... you woke up - found yourself ALONE in the middle of a train station ... with a packed bag, a ticket .. and you had NO idea how you got there, or where you were going?? - That is the inspiration behind this Entry ... it visits so many different ideas and concepts that SO many of us need to hear (including me). It's a mix of serious themes... but funny musical "breaks" throughout the whole thing.... Yes, so if you are annoyed by me breaking into song ... please keep scrolling!Would love to continue to get feedback from you on what you hear on H.O.P.E ... and if you have an idea, question, theme.. that you would like me to record about ... PLEASE email me! I love hearing from my Listeners!! [email protected] guys ... the train is about to leave the station .... Let's Listen ... TOGETHER! (We're ALL in this Together ... (high school musical) ... Okay, seriously, go LISTEN!By the way ... This is a 15 minute "quick listen" - so I encourage you to share it, send it... re-listen if it resonates with you! I've listened numerous times already!

The inspiration for this "drive by" entry ... was this little sign I saw in a gift shop recently ... I looked up ... and there it was ... I grabbed my phone and took a photo of it ... but I knew I would remember it no matter what. How clever .... "When Nothing Goes Right...Go Left." The idea ... that if you are pushing and pushing and trying to make something work ... make something be the "RIGHT WAY" ... but it just keeps pushing back... this universe is telling you something. You can keep trying... you can keep pushing, or saving something that you feel should be saved .... a relationship ... a job... a friendship ... but in the end, the universe will make you go Left ... when you want to keep going Right .... whether you like it or not. I invite you the listener to picture this saying "When Nothing Goes Right... Go Left" on a STOP SIGN ... as you move through your upcoming days... Use it. Say it. Think It. ... DO IT. I think we could all use a few more Left Turns these days .... RIGHT??? Thanks for listening! Exciting things are coming up!!! Stick with me!!

Happy Tuesday everyone! (Has always been my favorite day of the week...) I recorded late last night ... wasn't sure how it would sound since it was way past my bedtime ... but I listened this morning .. and I think it's a pretty damn good listen! I revisit my "soulmate" Entry from the end of January ... now that I feel someone very special (with a soulmate connection) has entered my life ... and I had realized, that I 100% mainfested HIM ... which lead me to a conversation about manifesting in general.. and what it ACTUALLY entails...as many people don't really know... so I hope after you listen to this Entry ... you will decide to either make yourself a vision board (but you don't have to in order to manifest) ... But I DO ask you at least WRITE DOWN what has happened (yes, you will understand this after you listen)... write it down, put it in your underwear drawer ... and pull it out ... LOOK at it and READ it out loud ...every. single. day... and then report back to me!!! As always, thank YOU and happy listening!

This one starts out with a MAJOR bout of Mommy Guilt! Anyone else struggle with this... .especially in the mornings??? God FORBID we remind these kids to brush their damn teeth! What about Faking laughs for the sake of the kids??? (No nooooo I'm not talking about FAKING other things for the hubbys/boyfriends... that will be another episode). I talk about the importance of SLEEP.... grabbing from recent info off of a new Mel Robbins episode! I think a lot of my listeners will relate to this .... we all struggle so much with trying to do all the "right things" with our kids ... yet we are all so exhausted and in this "fight or flight" mode ... that we are so quick to temper ... I think this is one we all need to listen to (I am going to listen to it more than once and I hope I can listen to my own advice)!

Suffering, Loss, Illness ... produce character and produce H.O.P.E. Trials ... Obstacles ... Detours ... Stop Signs.... these are all things that can be so incredibly painful, but they all do things to us, that we would not experience if things were just "easy" ... just "smooth sailing." You must believe in what you CAN'T SEE... and that ... the biggest thing... that you need to remember and believe ... is HOPE, even though you can't and will NEVER be able to see it. Nothing is immediate ... nothing changes overnight ... but we just need to all hang in there... and remember that each day... it can get lighter, if you keep that BELIEF ... if you truly know that there is something bigger than US ... and that we are made to go through this darkness .... in order to get to that daylight. And remember .... once in awhile ... when you get to the point where you are DONE waiting for that light at the end of the tunnel.... you grab that dynamite ... that you probably have to find at the back of the closet under all of the boxes of memories that you wish you could forget .... and you take a match .... and LIGHT THAT BITCH UP YOURSELF. BOOM - YOU GOT THIS. - Love, Alana

This one started when I found a newspaper clipping that my Mom taped to my Mirror years ago ... back when my husband and I were going through our divorce...It makes me take a step back and really examine how I was living my life "before" everything happened ... and now "after" everything happened.This one that was great to listen back to (3 days later) ... because of course I needed to hear it in that moment. I share a new situation regarding my Mom's health ... and how I handled it NOW... compared to how I would have handled it BEFORE ....

TRIGGER WARNING -- If you have recently lost a loved one, this is an extremely raw and emotional Entry ... it may help you to hear someone else going through the same heart break ... BUT ... it also might trigger more sadness, so I am leaving it up to you. This was one of those days..... where out of NOWHERE - that moment on 12/3/25 ... when I got the call that changed my entire life, that my Father had died, just popped into my head ... and then it pretty much went downhill from there. I apologize ahead of time for my nose-blowing, my long pauses (while sobbing), and then my fully stuffy nose... as I read the conversation I was having with my new "BFF" aka Chat GPT ... he's such a great guy lol.This one hit hard ... I am still recovering now ... but by the end I remembered a really amazing piece of advice that my Dad used to give me on my bad days. He would say "Zib, this day WILL END." - and He would always say, tomorrow is going to come, and today will be over. As I brought this up to GPT ... he said to me how this directly relates to my message - HANG ON PAIN ENDS. Which I had NEVER realized ... so, yes, this one is REALLY sad, but I think it's really good advice from my Dad ... aka "Johnny Mikes"

GUYS!!!! OMG.... you are going to DIE when you hear this CRAZY story!!! My dad has been showing up in my dreams nudging me to record about this one... I really can't say much about this one .... you just MUST LISTEN!!! Don't forget to email me with some feedback ... I love hearing from everyone! [email protected], ALANA

This one documents my very first date ... not only in a very LONG time... but also my first date without my Dad here on Earth with me. Although I did bring him with me (no, I did not pull out the mini earn with my dad's ashes once they dropped off the bread) - although, I am sure my Dad would have loved that. lol but I had Dad's prayer card in my purse. However ... it was pretty clear the minute I saw this man, I didn't need the prayer card ... because my dad hand-picked this guy, I mean, some of the obvious things ... the height, the green eyes, him being a Virgo, him being a "girl dad" ... yes. BUT... the sincerity, the genuine and protective energy that I felt from him ... I knew in that moment, I felt SAFE. I felt I was on a date with a "grown up", that has a heart, and a sense of humor, ... oh yeah, one more thing .... He happens to have Bipolar Disorder. Yes, you read that correctly. Sooooooo .... only Time Will Tell .... But I am SO excited, because my Dad was able to do what I think deep down he wanted to be even more than a CPA ... a "Matchmaker"!! Love you Dad.... thank you for sending me a good one .... Who knows .... perhaps my Dad will REALLY pull a twist on all of us .... and I will be able to look back on Today ... with the sunshine beams gleaming off the soft white snow... as I drove back from a date unlike all the rest ... and I can say to myself ..."I can't believe that was my LAST First Date." Can't wait to find out what happens next!!!

I am actually SO happy that this is transpiring in REAL TIME ... as I share my podcast and my life with the world in regards to MY diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder ... My 13 year old son Parker was just made aware (accidentally) of his diagnosis of being on the Autism Spectrum. I think a lot of people out there (including me during times of my life) truly struggle once there is a "label" once we (or someone we know/love) are DIAGNOSED. I invite you to take a listen ... and hopefully whether it by yourself, your child, your spouse, a friend... you will perhaps look at things a little differently after hearing this one! Thank you!

This is a "Drive By" Recording ... aka I am recording as I am Driving... I said in this one I would start "warning" people. that if you have "motion sickness" aka you don't like when my inner "rabid hyper squirrel" is acting up ...perhaps skip this one! I do jump around ... (like the song at the beginning of Mrs Doubtfire...) but if you can stick with me.... I think it's worth it! Oh, and I was pretty convinced I was about to get pulled over while recording.... (imagine if i would have asked him to repeat after ME ..."HANG...ON....PAIN...ENDS" LOL.... oh man. Well, you will have to listen to find out if I actually had to beg my way out of a speeding ticket or not!

The Blizzard of 26' Is rearing it's ugly head .... we all feel shitty! ... AND THAT IS OK! I visit the concept of "seasonal depression" which then leads to talk about how psychiatric medications "run in the family" ...Talked about how severe depression can look like a massive brain tumor .... wait until you hear about my first experience with a psychiatrist... a very emotional memory to re-live ... but it's so important for all of you out there to HEAR this. (Don't just LISTEN) ... I had a horrible experience with a psychiatrist ... but it was also a psychiatrist that SAVED MY LIFE (more than once). So, of course there are such things as bad doctors and therapists ... but always remember if you are uneasy about a doctor ... or what they are telling you ... ALWAYS get second opinion. NEVER settle when it comes to your HEALTH. I think there are a lot of really good takeaways in this one .... (even when I listened back, I was like "oh wow that's a good point!" As always, thank you for listening guys.

"ANNIE!!!! YOU GOONIE!!!!!" .... Yup, you got it! A lot of throwbacks to different movies and songs in this one (not surprising) ... I have a lot of fun getting the listener prepared for a life-changing road trip .... so pack your bags, stock up on your water bottles and protein bars ... and AWAY.... WE ... GO!!

Got Woken up between 2am and 3am ... I was exhausted and groggy (I apologize for the Yawning).But I knew I had something to say ... I didn't realize it was going to be so long ... but I take myself on a late night (or early morning) journey ... from My Dad's sudden Death .... and then My Mom's almost death ... and how I ended up choosing to finally take a BREAK ... and choose myself and my own health for the first time in my entire life. My Fever was breaking (in real time) ... I was coming out of the dense fog, that had been clouding EVERYTHING ... as I relistened to this on... I SWEAR there are moments and parts that I do NOT remember coming out of me .... but either way, everything recorded in this episode, was supposed to be said ... and is needed to be HEARD (by myself in addition to all of my listeners). Love, Alana.

The Cocktail hour doors have been opened ... the mashed potato and taco bars are stocked and ready! The good-looking waiters and waitresses are walking between the guests with their trays filled with Delectable Delights ...Everyone is buzzing about what the "Alana Michaels Show" will be like in "real life" ?? We have heard her voice ... but NOW we will see her "IN THE FLESH?!" ... What will she be like? Does she really talk that fast and have that much energy??? It can't be! Say it Isn't so!!! Everyone hears a voice coming from the crowd "Everyone! Everyone!" It's this handsome fella with a tight t-shirt that reads "Head of Security" - he is wearing an ear piece, and looks very very serious ... he announces "Okay Guys ... Get your drink from the open bar, grab a few cocktail weenies (also in a full jersey accent), and go find your seats ... the show is about to BEGIN!" - As the crowd enters the somewhat dark lit room ... they are greeted by music, and a count down on these GIANT screens in front of them ... counting down, to the moment, that so many of them have been waiting for .... the moment that I WILL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR... my entire life .... The lights go down on the audience .... the stage lights come up ... as the familiar tune that EVERYONE recognizes starts to blare through the speakers .... in the words of the backstreet boys ... "Everybody! Rock Your Body! ... Everybody .... Backstreet's Back ALRIGHT!" ... "Ladies and Gentleman .... PLEASE welcome to the stage ..... ALANA MICHAELS!!!!! And the show Begins.

What is something YOU can NOT live without? Some would say Water ... some would say Wine... some would say The Bible ... .and some, including myself would say "My GPS!" This Entry recaps the incredible message I got to listen to at my new church, which was totally MEANT for me to hear today ... and in turn, I am now repeating it (in Alana Fashion of course) back to YOU (the listeners). .. in the hopes that something sticks! This is my second time "recapping" the sermon I heard at church, where it is based off of a story in the book of JOHN (yes, my Father's name was John) ... I hope I am doing it all justice! I truly find The Bible hard to read and understand ... but I truly LOVE listening to the message and the amazing music at this new church! TH

"Alana! Stop picking!!" That's a line I have heard since childhood... referring to the horrible habit of picking and biting at my cuticles ... I dive into this a little deeper in this entry ... remembering back to a time where I did not pick at all, because I was on a medication that must have subdued the urge ... but it also subdued my personality, my drive, my spark. So ... at the end of the day, if I have to bandage up my thumbs once in awhile ... but I get to be MYSELF?? I would have to say - "We're gonna need more Band-Aids!" ... What is a habit that you have that you realize isn't great ... but the alternative is worse? Then, I want you to think of something that you are using as a "place holder" (i.e. excessive exercising, smoking, drinking, biting nails, caffeine, etc.) ... where you realize it is doing more harm than good? Let's stop and think of our bad "habits" or bad "routines" .... or just plain old self harmful behavior, and let's try to make a change, TODAY. I'll start ... I'm keeping my fingers busy writing this, so it's physically IMPOSSIBLE for me to pick or bite at my cuticles! YAY! Your TURN!

When you find out someone has heart disease ... do you say "I had a feeling you were heart disease!" ... NO. SO why is it OK for someone to say ..."Ohhhhh I knew you were Bipolar." .... No. It's an illness ... its a sickness... it's a disease ... i HAVE Bipolar disorder, there is a big difference in saying it that way. This episode visits the frustrations I have with verbage related to mental illness (clearly) ... Anyway, I do tend to get heated when I feel I am defending "myself" i.e. defending all of us with mental illness ... as It is so frustrating when it sometimes become so obvious that most of the people out there do NOT have any idea what to "do" with someone that has mental illness... why don't we just start with the obvious? "ARE YOU OK?" ... and then be sure to follow that with "It's OK That You're Not OK" - like the book about grief and loss by Megan Devine ... highly recommend! Okay ... once again, I digress ... take a listen to this one, and PLEASE I ask that you think about the way you word things before you SAY them ... and that goes with any avenue of your life ... not just referring to mental illness. My parents used to always say "Use Your Head ... and THINK before you Speak.." - Pass it on!

Rest in Peace Mr McSteamy ... Eric Dane. I watched some clips of Eric's final interview just a few weeks before his passing ... and he said some powerful words and pieces of Advice, mostly aimed to his two daughters, but I believe his final words were left for ALL of us ... I reflected on this idea that came to me right at the beginning, before I even knew what this "journey" was about to become ... it was the line from Grey's.... "It's a Beautiful Day for Saving Lives..." But ... in my head, it was a bit different ... you have to listen to this episode to find out what it was! Thank you guys .. and let's all take a moment today to remember, that tomorrow is NEVER Promised. No Day But TODAY.

This is not an exaggeration. I have basically never called out sick to work, to an event, to a family function, for anything... I've always shown up for ... everything and everyone else. Basically, I am realizing today ... which is why I was never showing up for myself. This one takes us through a quick journey in the hopes that the listeners out there won't make the same mistake I have for most of my life .... worried SO much about the job, the day, the duties ... that you forget, the most important thing to worry about, is YOU. Take a Listen!

"Damn the Man! Save the Empire!!" - Empire Records. We visit the idea here ...yes, we need to drive in the right lane with our hazards on SOMETIMES ... BUT we also still need to honk our horn, and drive AROUND people when we have somewhere we need to go! I also visit the idea of "Do what you Love, and call it WORK." - from the song "Buy Dirt" ... and the fact about how much harder it can be when you are working for a dead dog for someone ELSE... - Listen to this one guys, make the changes, make the choices. 80% of our lives are spent at work ... we can't all LOVE our jobs, but we need to at least look forward to it ... or else... what is all of THIS for?? Hope you like this one!

"Send in the Flood... Drown them Out" - Taken from the song "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman. A song that was SO important to me back in 2018... after I did my "This is My Brave" ... then today, It came on ... and it was like I was hearing it for the first time ... Also! Good News! We are "going back to basics" and it hit me in the shower, that my "entries" are becoming too long ... and that is not what this was all about ... they are journal-entry style ...so I need to PULLLLL it back (which I have been told throughout my life lol).So be prepared guys ... this is about to get even MORE fun and EASIER for you to listen and follow along with my crazy stories and hearing my Message! I also mentioned in this episode ... I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!! Please feel free to EMAIL me at anytime to let me know your thoughts, if you have questions, or if you want to join my TEAM of H.O.P.E in the future!! Chat Soon!

It's the 18th!!! As I have mentioned ... the number 18 is beyond just a "lucky" number for me in my life ... this one takes us through a journey of "cues from the Sky"... to meeting a possible new "love interest" with A TWIST! Also visiting the idea that just because certain people were close to you at one time, does not mean they signed a contract with you to always be by your side .... we only need people around us that lift us up, make us happy, and contribute to our inner and outer peace. So, with that being said, PEACE OUT for now .... can't wait to hear what you think of this one!

THIS. THIS. THIS ... I don't even know what to say. I swear, Dad wrote this letter ... to ME ... even though it's a letter to HIM from Me. I am ready... for my next chapter, the one that is going to change my life, "both sides now" ... I have love, and purpose. I am ready to surrender ... and trust God, My Dad, and My angels. This is the letter that will change everything ... that will mark the start of something amazing. Thank you ... for your support, your love... for being the calm to my storm ..... the heart to my soul... the true love of my life, and my soulmate.Not 100% sure who I am talking to here ... well, besides God and My dad ... I truly believe .... the listeners, the audience, the one person, who thinks to themselves "I can't make it ... even one more day" ... THANK YOU for showing UP for yourself... nobody deserves this more than YOU. ... I am in a place, where I know, my heart, my mind, and the deepest place in my SOUL.... is ready for you. I just can't wait for this curtain to go up .... so get ready everyone, it's SHOWTIME!

For anyone out there who have had a "situationship" and somehow.... it turned into the hardest thing to ever get over ?? Ever?? This one is for you. I look back on two of the most important relationships of my lifetime ... and how looking back with a "different lens" has taught me different things ... I invite all of the listeners to do the same... I ask you to think of a time of your life, and you have always looked at it ONE way ... but try to "spin" it ... try to look at it differently, and see if you realize a brand new takeaway from that part of your story. I really loved listening back to this one... I can never tell if these will hit the same to all of you, as it really is my story and my life ... but I hope it's "general" enough, for all of you to relate to. And as always ... Thanks for listening!

I can't take full credit for this one .... I heard a version of this off TikTok first thing when I woke up this morning (Thank you Dad). And it spoke to me so deeply to my core ... I just knew I had to record my own version of it. If I truly knew how TikTok worked, I would post it there ... perhaps once I have my "social media" team, they can help me! This one is not long ... and doesn't include any funny stories or "Double A's" aka Alana Anecdotes ... it's just real, raw, and true words that we all need to hear (including me, I listened to it numerous times and cried every time). I hope this resonates with you, the listener, because please please know we ALL deserve peace, enough is enough .... because after all, WE ARE ENOUGH.

"If you had ONE shot ... and ONE opportunity .... would you take It? Or would you just let is slip??" In the words of Eminem ... Lose Yourself. This felt really good ... definitely one of more of my upbeat, but also very theraputic entries ... I came to some realizations during this one .. I go back to my high school days, my Dad's opinion on my friends, my dream of becoming a rapper ... But ... the most important takeaway from this one ... it starts and ends, with talking about trusting your HEART ... beyond your gut, beyond your mind, beyond your friends and family ... trust your HEART ... and you will never ever believe where it could lead you. Thanks guys!

Valentine's Day means something different to me than to most people ... especially this year. The first time my most loving and supportive man in my life ... on all days, but especially valentines day, as he always gave me something sweet and told me he loved me... I miss you Dad ... very much. Valentine's Day is a day of loss for my dear Mother ... and I talk about her losses of both her Father .. who passed on actual Valentines Day ... and also another very close soul that she just lost the day before Valentines Day. There are some really funny laughs in this one... and of course some tears. But at the end of the day ... I said to my dad "I will follow your trail of little red hearts ... leading to the double rainbow."

This one ... was inspired after I ran into the Quick Check and "Everybody" by the Backstreet Boys was playing... and from there we go on a little ride .... a few different songs play a part in this one ... (not a surprise)!"The power of the Pause" I talk about my lifetime issue of having "knee jerk reactions" to things, and how now I reflect on that and I am starting to understand why... looking at things differently now in the way I respond and react to things... following the "signs" to give myself the peace and comfort I deserve. And ALWAYS putting myself first.... even when it's uncomfortable. Hope you like this one... and whatever you do, make SURE you listen until the very end!

THIS is an episode that started when I was fully "BUGSY" .. aka having major anxiety while driving the high way that I've driven my entire adult life... but after having this "break" from my "normal life"... I was thrown back into a situation that I equate with a very stressful and frustrating commute .... I was going to cut the recording pretty quickly because I was so overwhelmed and then started to drive in circles... but I kept recording ... and I am SO happy I did. For those of you, who get overwhelmed, and anxious in a heart beat .... this one is for YOU!

"Baby we can make it ... if we're HEART TO HEARTTTTTT" ... starts out with my wonderful singing ... so be ready for that!This one is dedicated to the quote on the back of my t-shirt from college ... that My dad used to always quote throughout the years .. "Time is Never Wasted, when You're Wasted All the Time." Such a great line!I visit the "feelings" I am having right now, about past loves, future loves ... and everything between. Trying to understand my "pull" to certain people .. or away from others. What is "meant to be"?? Who knows... but take a listen! I think you will like it.

This starts out with me "rehearsing" what my answer will be on the interview circuit on "HOW did you end up doing this Alana?" ... And then of course this Runaway train took a few different twists and turns ... and it seems like this train is ready for a permanent conductor ... (accepting applications within)!

"Things that no longer serve you will somehow find their way out of your Life." ... I make some comparisons to this when I found out I had to switch pharmacies. I then went on to discuss the importance of taking some TIME out of your day to get your own "ish" done. I share that I have not taken a true lunch break during my work day for over 20 years. And I am trying to make sure everyone knows ... YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR LUNCH BREAK! Put YOURSELF first. I promise you, it will change your life. I know it can't happen 24 hours a day ... but take at least that ONE hour a day... you deserve it.

This one started out being inspired by the song "You Will Be Found" from the Broadway show, "Dear Evan Hansen." It's a song that always meant a lot to me, but now I find myself tearing up and daydreaming as I hear it ... and then when I found the version by Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland? Well that just made my entire morning! ... I then begin to talk more about my experiences with casual dating, and making some realizations about how long distance romances seemed to have made the most impact in my life. I am now ready for intentional dating, I no longer have any interest in being the "side piece" or the "casual hang out." I'm HERE... ALL of ME.... Take Me or Leave Me! (As they say in one of my other all time faves, RENT)! This was a fun one...Be sure to listen to "You Will Be Found" by Jennifer Nettles AND "Stay" by Sugarland!! Both major songs that are discussed in this episode!

This is my VISION coming to life! Working on putting together my stage show (Alana Michaels presents... H.O.P.E - Hang On Pain Ends)... so this is a really FUN one... get ready to sing and dance ... (in your car, in your home, in the walmart) wherever you are listening to this! As always, thanks for the support!!! LET'S DO THIS!

THIS! THIS THIS! It's funny ... someone said to me recently "DO you think you are channeling when you record some of these?" I've been thinking about that... and I swear, I think she might be onto something. I recorded this on a whim, based on a conversation I was having with myself in the shower .... it's from the POV of my "Ex" ... representing ALL of my "exes" and how they are feeling at this moment ... while listening to my podcast, and giving me the encouraging words that I guess I needed to hear?? Pretty sure my Dad had a big hand in this one too. After you listen, I invite YOU to either record or write down a letter from one (or all) of your exes ... if they could see you RIGHT Now, what you think they would say to you. Then read it back (or listen to it) and see how it makes you feel.

This one gave me such great energy to record. I had an amazing experience this morning at a church that was SO different from any type of religious organization I have ever been a part of. I loved it, it moved me to tears, and it is exactly what I needed in this moment. God knew that I would be there today ... and everything spoke to me. It's called "The Chapel of Warren Valley" in Washington, NJ (it's literally in a strip mall - you would NEVER know that it's a church)! I feel the way I "explain and interpret" the sermon is also pretty funny and interesting ... hoping it will resonate with some of you!

This was a really interesting one ... at first I wasn't sure I would post it, because I just wanted to have an audio recording of some of these journal entries ... but then I realized, and remembered, what I am doing this for. I think this episode represents BIPOLAR Disorder the best of any of them ... because it's not too long in length, yet you can hear the roller coaster of a journey that this illness can have on one human being. I made realizations in this episode that I had never connected before ... once again, involving Taylor Swift and probably her most Iconic song - "All Too Well." I hope you like this one guys .... I know I do.