The Prequel

Chapter 24: Thorns and Petals

While doing some yard work, Mike was poked by a thorn on his wife's rose bush. When he stepped back because of the pain, he was struck by the bush's beauty. Life comes with amazing moments, but also comes with its fair share of pain and challenges. How do we find the beauty in life while, at times, it attempts to simultaneously pull us down? Are you in your thorns or your petals? And how do we get the most out of both? Mike takes you through his own experiences in this week's episode of "The Prequel." Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and follow, rate wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to pick up merchandise from Mike's online shop: https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch [https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch] Buy Heartbeats:  https://tinyurl.com/tfrry7ez And don't forget to follow Mike on the following social media platforms: - Twitter:  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCgqD3jFVkhcl2gZ1ml4x4hw]@MikeAzzalina - Facebook: Mike Azzalina - Instagram: @azzalinam - TikTok: @MikeAzzalina5 - LinkedIn: Mike Azzalina - www.MikeAzzalina.com

Chapter 23: Move Slowly

"I wish there was more time in the day." A phrase we have all uttered more than once in our lives is Mike's focus in this week's episode. He reflects on his younger days when being the first one done or getting onto the next thing was all that mattered. What he quickly learned that it is important to move slow because, in the end, success catches up to you. In this episode, he shares how he finds success and happiness through that idea of slowing down. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and follow, rate wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to pick up merchandise from Mike's online shop: https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch [https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch] Buy Heartbeats:  https://tinyurl.com/tfrry7ez And don't forget to follow Mike on the following social media platforms: - Twitter:  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCgqD3jFVkhcl2gZ1ml4x4hw]@MikeAzzalina - Facebook: Mike Azzalina - Instagram: @azzalinam - TikTok: @MikeAzzalina5 - LinkedIn: Mike Azzalina - www.MikeAzzalina.com

Chapter 22: Don't Fear the Spotlight

Join Mike for another episode as he takes a look why we fear being in the spotlight throughout our lives. As an introvert, Mike can find many moments that being the center of attention has made him nervous. However, he has come to learn that everyone being focused on him is a story that he has been telling himself. So how do we avoid the "Spotlight Complex" and pull others into this perceived nightmare scenario? Check out Mike's newest episode for ideas! Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and follow, rate wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to pick up merchandise from Mike's online shop: https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch [https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch] Buy Heartbeats:  https://tinyurl.com/tfrry7ez And don't forget to follow Mike on the following social media platforms: - Twitter:  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCgqD3jFVkhcl2gZ1ml4x4hw]@MikeAzzalina - Facebook: Mike Azzalina - Instagram: @azzalinam - TikTok: @MikeAzzalina5 - LinkedIn: Mike Azzalina - www.MikeAzzalina.com

Chapter 21: What's Important to You?

As human beings, it is very easy to get caught up being a cog in the wheel of helping others accomplish what is important to them. In this episode, Mike reminds us to be the wheel. His message is simple: Do what is important to YOU! The question he asks may shock some of you, but Mike believes it is a valuable question to answer if we are truly going to start focusing on what is important to us! Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and follow, rate wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to pick up merchandise from Mike's online shop: https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch [https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch] Buy Heartbeats:  https://tinyurl.com/tfrry7ez And don't forget to follow Mike on the following social media platforms: - Twitter:  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCgqD3jFVkhcl2gZ1ml4x4hw]@MikeAzzalina - Facebook: Mike Azzalina - Instagram: @azzalinam - TikTok: @MikeAzzalina5 - LinkedIn: Mike Azzalina - www.MikeAzzalina.com

Chapter 20: Toxic Positivity

On this episode of "The Prequel", Mike answers a question he is asked very often. How do we avoid the idea of "Toxic Positivity" or trying to force others to only feel positive emotions despite what their experiences are. He dives into the difference between realistic positivity, creating a brave space for belonging, and allowing people to experience life however they need to in the moment. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and follow, rate wherever you get your podcasts!  Don't forget to pick up merchandise from Mike's online shop:  https://tinyurl.com/MuchLoveMerch And don't forget to follow Mike on the following social media platforms: - Twitter:  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCgqD3jFVkhcl2gZ1ml4x4hw]@MikeAzzalina - Facebook: Mike Azzalina - Instagram: @azzalinam - TikTok: @MikeAzzalina5 - LinkedIn: Mike Azzalina - www.MikeAzzalina.com