In this episode of the Vibrant Soulful Wellness Podcast, host Annie Barrett discusses the importance of health and wellness coaching, particularly through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). She explains how coaching differs from therapy, emphasizing its future-oriented approach and focus on personal growth. The conversation explores the concept of self-energy, the role of protective patterns, and the significance of understanding one's internal system to facilitate habit change and nervous system regulation. Annie also highlights the integration of various modalities, including mindfulness and positive psychology, to support clients in their wellness journeys.

Takeaways

• Coaching is a valuable tool for personal growth.
• Understanding our internal systems can aid in habit change.
• Self-energy is crucial for clarity and curiosity.
• Nervous system regulation supports overall wellness.
• Coaching is future-oriented, focusing on growth.
• Therapy often addresses past trauma, while coaching promotes flourishing.
• Protective patterns can hinder progress but can be understood.
• IFS recognizes that there are no bad parts of ourselves.
• Building trust in oneself is essential for change.
• Integrating various modalities enhances coaching effectiveness.

Summary

In this episode of the Vibrant Soulful Wellness Podcast, host Annie Barrett discusses the common inner conflicts that arise when trying to make positive changes in our lives. Drawing on her experience as a health and wellness coach trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), she emphasizes the importance of understanding and befriending the parts of ourselves that resist change. By cultivating curiosity and compassion towards these inner voices, listeners can navigate their resistance and move towards a more fulfilling and vibrant life. The episode concludes with an invitation for support through coaching and community resources.

Takeaways

• Resistance is a common experience for everyone.
• Understanding our inner parts can help us navigate change.
• Curiosity and compassion are key to overcoming resistance.
• There are no bad parts; all parts have developed for good reasons.
• Self-leadership involves recognizing and understanding our inner voices.
• Making changes in health and wellness can be challenging.
• Finding support and community can aid in personal growth.
• Normalizing inner conflict is essential for progress.
• Listening to our inner voices can lead to clarity and confidence.
• Flourishing comes from addressing internal obstacles first.

January often arrives with a surge of motivation—and the expectation that discipline and willpower will carry us forward. And yet, for many people, resistance, overwhelm, or self-doubt quietly follow.

This podcast episode explores why willpower alone rarely leads to lasting change, and what actually helps habits stick: curiosity, support, self-understanding, and compassion. If you’ve ever felt conflicted about change—or discouraged when motivation fades—this reflection offers a kinder, more sustainable way forward.

As we step into Thanksgiving week, this episode is an invitation to deepen your relationship with gratitude as not just as something you feel, but as a practice that changes your brain, your body, and your life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What research reveals about gratitude’s impact on stress, resilience, and wellbeing

• Why gratitude is more than a positive emotion

• The two key components of gratitude identified by Dr. Robert Emmons

• How gratitude strengthens emotional regulation and connection

• Simple daily and weekly practices that help gratitude become a lasting habit

• How to use gratitude to transform how you relate to past challenges

You’ll also be guided through reflections that help you personally apply what you’re learning.

Resources Mentioned:

• Robert Emmons, PhD – leading researcher on gratitude

• Simple practices including Three Good Things, Taking in the Good, and Gratitude Letters

If you’d like to explore more tools for mindfulness, resilience, and seasonal wellbeing, visit Vibrant Soulful Wellness for coaching, yoga, and workplace wellness offerings.

This November, we explore how to nourish your roots through habits that sustain your resilience and wellbeing. In this episode, Annie Barrett dives into two key concepts for building lasting habits:

1. High vs. Low Motivation – How to work with your natural fluctuations in motivation, and make healthy habits so easy you can’t say no.

2. Keystone Habits – The non-negotiable daily practice that sets the tone for everything else in your life, creating ripple effects that support your energy, focus, and overall wellbeing.

Annie shares practical tips for making habits stick, tiny steps for days when motivation is low, and how to identify the keystone habit that anchors your life — whether it’s sleep, movement, meditation, or another practice that grounds you through the season.

Tune in and discover how to cultivate habits that nourish your roots, keep you resilient, and make this autumn more vibrant and soulful.

In this episode of the Vibrant Soulful Wellness Podcast, Annie explores why predictability and healthy boundaries are so essential in autumn — both for our wellbeing and our relationships. Listen in for inspiration and practical strategies to create more ease, steadiness, and space for what matters most.

Fall is a season of transition — a time when nature shifts and we, too, feel called back to steadiness. In this episode, Annie reflects on the power of routines and rituals to ground and enliven us as the days grow shorter. Drawing inspiration from the rhythms of the season and the words of writer Maria Popova, Annie explores how routine brings comfort and order while ritual adds meaning and vitality. Tune in for reflections and gentle encouragement to refresh the practices that support you through life’s changes.

In this heartfelt and practical episode, Annie Barrett revisits the power of family meetings—seven years after first sharing her family's journey. Whether you're parenting young kids, navigating life with adult children, or simply looking to improve communication and connection in your household or partnership, Annie offers a thoughtful guide to evolving your relationships through intentional conversation. Learn how to create buy-in, set up meaningful agendas, and use meetings as a tool for growth, support, and shared values.