In this episode of the podcast, Uma Girish shares her deeply moving journey through grief, transformation, and her path to finding purpose and meaning in life. Having moved from southern India to the United States in 2008, Uma's life took an unexpected turn when her mother was diagnosed with, and soon passed away from stage 4 breast cancer. This loss propelled Uma into a profound period of self-reflection and healing, during which she explored the depths of grief, the importance of storytelling, and ultimately found her calling in supporting others through their grief and helping them discover their life's purpose. Uma discusses the significance of language, narrative shaping, and the power of sharing one's story for healing and transformation. She also touches upon the impact of Human Design on her life, offering insights into how it has provided her with a deeper understanding of her purpose and how she serves others. Uma's journey underscores the importance of navigating life with authenticity, and the continual process of becoming and embodying one's true self.

Links to find:

Host Karen Pawley on Instagram & Facebook & LinkedIn

Guest Uma Girish on Website & Substack & Podcast: Being Fully Me (on all podcast platforms)

Book by Uma Girish Losing Ama Finding Home: A Memoir about Love, Loss and Life’s Detours

Sponsor Holly and Maple on Instagram & Spoonflower

In this episode I dive into the nuances of bravery versus courage with guest Robyn Cohen, a yoga instructor from Metta Yoga in Marin. We discuss how bravery is about acting in the moment, while courage involves facing fears with conscious decision-making. I share a reading from Brené Brown's book "Rising Strong," emphasizing the transformative power of courage on our emotional being. Robyn, revealing her personal journey and struggles, including a childhood marked by fear and a deep desire to be liked, reflects on the impact of early heartbreaks and her path to finding strength and courage. She opens up about her experiences, from dealing with her first broken heart in sixth grade to navigating relationships and self-worth. Robyn also touches on the significance of her father's sobriety and its positive impact on her life, illustrating the healing power of courage and the importance of support systems. The episode encapsulates a conversation about personal growth and the continual journey towards self-discovery and wholehearted living.

Links to find:

Host Karen Pawley on Instagram & Facebook & LinkedIn

Guest Robyn Cohen on Instagram & Facebook & Website 

Elizabeth Gilbert on Substack Letters from Love

Sponsor Holly and Maple on Instagram & Spoonflower

In this in-depth, heartfelt episode, Sonja McKaiser, a vibrant Cape Town-based life coach passionate about empowering women over 40 to redefine midlife as a groundbreaking, revolutionary phase, joins me for an enlightening conversation. Delving into topics of radical self-love, emotional expression, and societal pressures, Sonja shares her journey from feeling invisible and shrinking herself to embracing her larger-than-life presence with unapologetic confidence. She highlights the transformative power of granting oneself permission to take up space, to feel deeply, and to express emotions freely, advocating for the healing potential of community, vulnerability, and authentic connection. Through practices like gratitude, intentional moon circles, and embracing a variety of experiences, Sonja illustrates how embracing one's full emotional spectrum and rejecting societal norms about aging can lead to profound personal growth and fulfillment. Her story is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability, the vibrancy of living true to oneself, and the magic that unfolds when women come together to support, witness, and empower one another.

Links to find:

Host Karen Pawley on Instagram & LinkedIn

Guest Sonja McKaiser on Instagram & Website & Midlife Experiment Facebook Group

Book by Sonya Renee Taylor The Body is not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love

Sponsor Holly and Maple on Instagram & Spoonflower

This week's Free to Be Me podcast episode features Zoe Kanat, a certified meditation teacher and yoga nidra guide. We discuss the importance of women becoming the creative leaders of their lives by acknowledging their feelings and being present in their bodies.Through personal anecdotes and discussions the episode encourages listeners to embrace rest, playfulness, and creativity to thrive and make a positive impact on their communities and beyond. Zoe's work, including her courses on Insight Timer, aim to awaken the beauty within each person and spread it to the world, highlighting the power of connection, storytelling, and mutual support in fostering personal and collective well-being.

Links to find:

Host Karen Pawley on Instagram & LinkedIn

Guest Zoe Kanat on Instagram & Website & Insight Timer

Book by Karen Brody Daring to Rest

Sponsor Holly and Maple on Instagram

In this podcast, Abigail shares her journey of embracing change, exploring creativity, and navigating life's transitions. Initially focused on her photographic business, she highlighted the importance of letting go and being open to new experiences. The move to the United States, where she couldn't work due to visa restrictions, propelled her into a period of self-discovery and experimentation. This period led her to write a children's book, inspired by her pet sitting adventures and connections with nature. Abigail's story is a testament to finding one's path through change and embracing the seasons of life. She emphasizes the significance of grounding, exploring one's creativity, and the liberating feeling of minimalism and letting go of physical belongings. 

Links to find:

Host Karen Pawley on Instagram & Facebook & LinkedIn

Guest Abigail on Instagram 

Book by Karla McLaren The Art of Empathy

Sponsor Holly and Maple on Instagram & Spoonflower

In the episode of the Free To Be Me podcast, Karen shares an engaging and heartfelt conversation with her long-time friend Karen Lowe. They delve into a range of topics from embracing life's journey, reflections on personal growth, to the significance of rest and dreaming big. Karen speaks candidly about her experiences with friendship, the pressures of the working world, and finding joy in creativity, strategy, and connections. She reveals her aspiration for a future where women experience a sustainable work environment that doesn't compromise their capacities. Karen also highlights the importance of allowing oneself to dream and the transformative power of recognizing and celebrating one's achievements. Their discourse further explores the value of solitude, nature, and independence in fostering personal fulfillment and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to others' lives. The conversation is imbued with wisdom on personal growth, the importance of vulnerability and self-love, and the pursuit of a more fulfilled, joyful life.

Links to find:

Host Karen Pawley on Instagram 

Guest Karen Lowe on LinkedIn

4dayweekSA on  Instagram

Human Energy Work on Instagram

Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed

Sponsor Holly and Maple on Instagram

This episode of the podcast features a deep and insightful conversation between the host, Karen, and Dr. Sharon Hoffman, focusing on the journey of personal growth, self-discovery, and authentic living. Dr. Hoffman shares her journey from being highly curious and questioning the world around her, through her academic pursuits in psychology and consciousness, to her career transitions from clinical training, corporate America, and eventually finding her current path in public speaking, writing, and mentoring. She emphasizes the importance of aligning with one's authentic self, leveraging intuition, and embracing the present moment to navigate life's challenges and opportunities. The discussion also touches on the concept of Human Design, exploring how individual traits and predispositions can influence one's life choices and interactions with the world. Throughout the conversation, there is a recurring theme of fostering inner peace and compassion, both within oneself and towards others, as a means to contribute positively to collective consciousness and societal evolution.

Host Karen Pawley on Instagram

Connect with Dr. Sharon Hoffman:

Website - for live speaking events / 1:1 private coaching

Clubhouse (Wed 6pm & Sat 8:30am PST)

Articles on Medium

Facebook 

Instagram 

Free guided visualization audio 

Free guided wisdom reset audio

Institute of Noetic Science

Katherine May’s book Enchantment - Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age

Holly and Maple on Instagram