• The Art of Unhiding: 3 Ways To Step Out of the Shadows and Live Fully
    Jan 22 2026

    Unhiding is a deeply personal journey that involves revealing your true self, both to yourself and to others. It is not about making bold statements or being loud; rather, it is a subtle and often quiet process of self-discovery and acceptance.

    In this episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast, host Michelle Renee emphasizes that many people may not even realize they are hiding parts of themselves. This concealment can stem from various factors, including shame, fear of judgment, and past trauma. The act of unhiding involves confronting these hidden aspects and embracing them, which can be a daunting task.

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    39 mins
  • Collateral Damage: The Impact of the Kidnapping on Our Families (Part 2)
    44 mins
  • Uncommon Compassion: A Conversation with One of Our Kidnappers - Part 1
    Nov 21 2025
    In this deeply moving episode of "Soul Wide Open," host Michelle Renee sits down with Robert Ortiz, the man who once broke into her home and held her and her daughter hostage. Together, they explore the profound journey of healing, focusing on the power of compassion and understanding in transforming their lives. The importance of compassion and understanding in the healing process, even after experiencing trauma and violence, is a central theme in the podcast episode featuring Michelle Renee and one of her and her daughters kidnappers, Robert Ortiz. Their conversation highlights how both individuals, despite their vastly different experiences, found a path toward healing through love, empathy, and forgiveness. After receiving a letter from Michelle and her daughter expressing their desire to let go of anger and resentment, he was profoundly impacted. The letter served as a catalyst for his transformation, prompting him to reevaluate his life choices and the man he wanted to become. This moment of compassion from his victims allowed him to step back from his past actions and commit to a path of healing and personal growth. Joining them in this part one of a two-part series is Michelle's brother, Dave, who played a crucial role in supporting her and her daughter throughout their healing process and during the trial. This episode delves into their collective stories, the complexities of forgiveness, and how they are sharing their message of hope and resilience with the world. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation that challenges the boundaries of healing and connection. Conversation Highlights: 00:10 - Introduction and significance of the interview. 02:37 - Robert Ortiz's childhood story. 05:44 - Childhood responsibilities and rebellion. 11:10 - Sense of belonging in crime. 17:23 - Navigating life after parole. 18:36 - Losing control and masculinity. 27:12 - Piece of humanity never left. 28:27 - Dave's Story: Shattered glass 33:51 - Trial and trauma experience. 36:34 - Witness protection and trauma. 42:34 - Healing through love and forgiveness. 51:02 - Redemption through personal struggles. 56:46 - Parenting and addiction recovery. 01:08 - Restorative justice and personal growth. 1:11:52 - Self-improvement in prison. 1:15:29 - Ancestors and generational healing. 1:24:10 - Spiritual healing. 1:28:55 - Face-to-face meeting with family. Quotes: "This is what it looks like when we choose to heal our entire life and when we put love, compassion, and understanding at the absolute center of our lives" "One of my biggest triggers is losing control." "I can't reach out to call anybody and ask for help because I'm gonna feel like less of a man or I'm gonna feel like a loser." "That night broke me open in ways that I could never, ever, ever have imagined." "She was totally gone. There was no Michelle." "I was in a totally different kind of prison than what you were in." "It was a calling that I, I mean, I'm gonna say divine, creator, God, whatever you wanna call it, was absolutely calling me to do this." "If I don't, as a mother, right now, teach her that there's another way, I'm gonna cause her more harm than you could have ever caused her." "I made the decision to stay up for two days. I made the decision to drink and drive, and I got in that car." "I realized, sitting in that room of a bunch of men telling the truth, that I had been denying the truth my whole life, that I was damaging the people that I care about." "I had my own prison sentence going on that nobody knew about, that I was running from, that wasn't even real." "I no longer see myself as a monster. And actually, your words, you helped humanize me again." "Nothing has grounded me like this, where I just call on my ancestors for help." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website https://michelle-renee.com Instagram: / _michellerenee_ TikTok / themichellerenee VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/ Connect with Robert: Freedom 4 Youth Robert@freedom4youth.org Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1 Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group / soulwideopen Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3I6R1...
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Ditch Your Expectations: The Silent Power of Being Present
    Oct 8 2025

    Join Michelle Renee in this inspiring episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast as she shares a transformative experience from a recent night out. Discover the power of listening to your inner voice and showing up for yourself and others, even when it feels like a whim.

    Michelle recounts a spontaneous decision to bring her camera to a local music event, which led to unexpected opportunities and meaningful connections. She emphasizes the importance of living life intentionally, embracing joy, and being open to the lessons that come from every interaction, no matter how fleeting.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:

    • The significance of gratitude and self-love

    • How to overcome the fear of showing up alone

    • The value of serving others and connecting deeply

    • Recognizing the teachers in our lives, even if they are not permanent fixtures

    Whether you're feeling stuck or simply seeking inspiration, this episode encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the beauty of life. Don't wait for permission—get out there and celebrate your journey!

    If you enjoy the episode, please like, share, and leave a comment! Connect with Michelle on Instagram at @_MichelleRenee_

    Talking Points:

    01:40 - Listening to Intuition
    04:31 - Inspiring Young Minds
    05:03 - Turning Passion into Business
    05:57 - Showing Up to Serve
    06:39 - Being Present and Observant
    10:03 - Living Life on Your Terms
    12:04 - Avoiding Expectations
    16:03 - Healing and Moving Forward
    19:02 - Embracing Brokenness
    23:13 - Staying Young in Spirit
    24:33 - Connect on Instagram

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    26 mins
  • Rebuilding Self-Worth Through Love Languages
    Aug 27 2025

    Understanding and communicating your love language is essential for building meaningful relationships and ensuring that your emotional needs are met. In a recent podcast episode, Michelle Renee shares her personal journey of discovering the significance of love languages, particularly her own preference for words of affirmation. This exploration highlights several key points about the importance of love languages in fostering healthy connections with others.

    In this episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast, Michelle shares a heartfelt reflection on the importance of love languages, particularly focusing on her number one love language: words of affirmation. Recorded outdoors by the pool on a beautiful Texas day, Michelle discusses a recent text conversation that sparked her thoughts. She recounts how a friend expressed a need for all love languages, prompting Michelle to reveal her own struggles with self-acceptance and the impact of negative messaging during her childhood. Growing up with critical feedback, she emphasizes how receiving compliments and recognition has been a journey for her, only truly embraced in her 40s.

    Join Michelle as she dives into the profound impact of love languages on our relationships and self-worth.

    Talking Points:

    00:22 - The Five Love Languages
    00:52 - Text Conversation on Love Languages
    02:06 - Childhood Experiences and Family Dynamics
    03:33 - Navigating Self-Worth and Fragmentation
    06:01 - Impact of Books: The Five Love Languages and The Four Agreements
    07:25 - Physical Touch and Childhood
    09:20 - Work Ethic and Recognition
    11:02 - Handling Compliments and Emotional Reactions
    13:13 - Embracing Femininity and Traditional Roles
    17:02 - Emotional Armor and Femininity
    20:07 - Communicating Love Languages
    24:01 - Showing Up with Confidence
    26:50 - Living Unapologetically
    27:12 - Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

    Quotes:

    "I grew up being called a piece of shit and told that I would never be anything."

    "I'm really proud of taking the fragmented pieces of not only my self-worth, but my past and my childhood and my life and turning it into something really meaningful and something that I'm really proud of."

    "It just reminded me of how important it is to be kind with our words."

    "I didn't even know how to receive a compliment until I was in my 40s."

    "I love a man that enjoys spoiling a woman and treating her like a lady and making her feel special."

    "This is what I need in my life to absolutely shine and glow, and I'm going to give that to myself first."

    "Start treating yourself that way first, and then make sure."

    "Swing that cage door open and get out there and go live your absolute best life."

    Stay Connected:

    Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open.

    Connect with Michelle:

    My Website https://michelle-renee.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michellerenee_

    TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@themichellerenee

    VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/

    Useful Resources:

    Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1

    Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA

    Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/soulwideopen

    Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3I6R18rj_blqVVaBkwyyO901NuyQUKZ_/

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    28 mins
  • Compliment or Manipulation: Love Bombing Unpacked
    Aug 7 2025
    32 mins
  • The Cycle of Fighting for Love: 5 Signs You're Still In It
    Jul 3 2025

    Unpacking the Need for Validation in Relationships

    In this podcast episode, Michelle Renee explores the profound impact that childhood experiences have on adult relationship behaviors, particularly the tendency to fight for love rather than simply receive it. This theme is essential for anyone seeking to understand their relationship dynamics and the underlying reasons for their behaviors.

    Michelle shares her personal journey of recognizing how her upbringing in a highly dysfunctional and toxic environment shaped her beliefs about love and relationships. She delves into the complex reasons why we often fight for relationships rather than simply embracing the love that is offered to us. Drawing from her personal experiences, Michelle shares a recent wake-up moment regarding a situation that has been ongoing for six months. She reflects on a connection with someone who, despite the fun, laughter, and chemistry they share, is emotionally wounded from a past relationship. This episode explores the dynamics of attraction, the comfort of familiar struggles, and the importance of recognizing when to fight for a relationship versus when to allow love to flow freely.

    Join Michelle as she navigates this deeply personal topic and encourages listeners to reflect on their own relationship patterns.

    Talking Points:

    01:16 - Personal Story and Current Situation
    02:30 - Realization and Emotional Lessons
    04:08 - Childhood Reflections and Conditioning
    07:00 - Five Ways Childhood Affects Adult Relationships
    07:00 - Mistaking Intensity for Intimacy
    08:41 - Choosing Emotionally Unavailable Partners
    09:35 - Hyper-Independence and Over-Giving
    11:00 - High Pain Tolerance
    14:01 - Proving, Performing, and Pleasing
    20:04 - Learning to Receive Love
    22:04 - Inner Child Work and Healing
    24:01 - Weight Loss and Vitality Journey
    25:04 - Living Authentically and Openly

    Quotes:

    "I ended up learning this huge, huge lesson from him, which is probably the reason why he was sent into my life in the first place."

    "I was totally conditioned to fight for love."

    "Calm love to me just feels boring to me, to be honest."

    "I just realized lately that fighting for love, instead of just relaxing and understanding that I'm worthy to just receive love, means I don't have to prove anything."

    "I don't need to fight for love anymore. I'm not in survival mode anymore."

    "I am going to heal all this. I am going to figure this out. And I am going to celebrate every single step of the way of what has happened when I sort of let go of all of that."

    Stay Connected:

    Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open.

    Connect with Michelle:

    My Website

    Instagram:

    TikTok

    VERB Media Group

    Useful Resources:

    Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon

    Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify

    Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group

    Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special

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    27 mins
  • 'Never Look Back' is BS and Here's Why
    May 29 2025

    The Mirror of Our Experiences and The Meaning We Give Them

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    33 mins