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:

1. 
   

   5 Weeks of Wisdom — journal prompts

   
   


2. 
   

   Early access to Chapter One

   
   


3. 
   

   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.