Hi ass kickers! This solo episode comes from something one of my clients told me about, and it was something I’ve heard from many women in the YKAL community.
My client went to a live event-- a personal development sort of conference/retreat. She went alone, and this particular client is, like many people, massively uncomfortable with vulnerability, but really wants to change and grow, so she did the vulnerable thing by going alone to this event.
The event was all women, and a few hundred there. As the days went on, my client kept noticing people talking about their “a-ha” moments, their breakthroughs, and how their felt their lives shifting.
And my client was feeling...well, not that. It’s not that she didn’t enjoy herself and have many takeaways from the event. But, she fell into comparisonitis.
Listen to the episode as I talk more about what to do if you find yourself comparing your personal development journey to someone else’s.
http://yourkickasslife.com/podcast/283/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 283: How to stop comparing your personal development journey to others

Join Andrea Owen, life coach and author, as she serves up self help in a easy-to-digest way that is also practical and implementable. Andrea brings you guests as well as solo episodes on topics such as perfectionism, the inner-critic, courage, and more.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

How To

Self-Improvement

Brendan Fitzgibbons returns to the podcast this week as we explore his transformative experience with psychedelic therapy. Brendan shares his personal journey as to why he chose to take the psychedelic therapy route and how it has profoundly impacted him. Brendan is the host of the popular podcast, “Spiritual Asshole,” writer, and actor. 
If you are a frequent listener, you are familiar with my endless curiosity about psychedelic therapy. My conversation with Brendan was truly enlightening. Tune in as we chat about psychedelics and their potential as a catalyst for healing and personal growth. And you’ll hear about my decision to start this myself and take you on my journey! 
You’ll hear:

Why Brendan chose to take the psychedelic therapy route (7:30)

The importance of experiencing psychedelic therapy in a safe and supportive environment (16:00)

How has Mushrooms, and Ketamine Therapy helped Brendan with rumination and worry? What has integration looked like? (30:19)


Resources: 
Write Your Way Through It
Follow me on her Therapy Journey and subscribe to the private podcast feed!
Brendan on Instagram
Episode 551 with Dr. Ellen Vora
Episode 560 with Dr. Tanmeet Sethi
MushyGirls
Mindbloom
Brendan Fitzgibbons is a Los Angeles writer, actor and podcast host. He's written for Comedy Central, ComedyCentral.com, and the Onion. He's been on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, MTV, and Comedy Central. His acting work has also been featured in South by Southwest and the Tribeca Film Festival. In 2021, he was the voice of the Samsung Galaxy phone and his podcast, "Spiritual Asshole" was named "Top Indie Podcast" by Stitcher in 2020 and 2021. He just recorded an album at the Ice House with Comedy Dynamics that will be out Feb 2024.
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/595
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 595: The Psychedelic Therapy Experience with Brendan Fitzgibbons

Vanessa Cornell joins me for a conversation about the complexities women face in balancing personal identity, ambition, and self-care. Through her work, Vanessa has become a curious observer of the human condition and a leading voice in parenting empowerment, helping moms to overcome the constant guilt, shame, and pressures that plague modern motherhood to live a fully actualized life free from mom-guilt and mom-burnout. Our conversation is not just for moms but all women trying to find the balance between work, life, and self-care. 
In this episode, Vanessa shares her journey and insights on redefining success, the cultural pressures women navigate, and the importance of self-awareness and setting boundaries. We also explore societal expectations of women, the challenge of 'having it all,' and advice for cultivating joy.
You’ll hear:

How do you “do it all” and not lose your relationship with yourself? (6:03)

The crisis of loneliness (18:25)

What self-care looks like for women in 2024 (19:22)

Living a life that feels alive, full, easeful, and joyful (24:12)


Resources: 
Write Your Way Through It
Follow me along on her Therapy Journey and subscribe to the private podcast feed!
Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters
Vanessa Cornell is the owner of Cornell Vineyards and the founder of NUSHU, a women’s community grounded in wellness and empowerment.
Vanessa graduated from Harvard and went on to work at Goldman Sachs. She then dedicated ten years to growing, birthing and raising her five children. After a lifetime of overachieving and overgiving, Vanessa felt depleted and deeply disconnected from herself and experienced a breaking apart of everything she had known.
Since her personal awakening, Vanessa found her passion giving women the tools and confidence to step into their power and lead lives of joy and purpose. Through this work, Vanessa has become a curious observer of the human condition and a leading voice in parenting empowerment, helping moms to overcome the constant guilt, shame, and pressures that plague modern motherhood in order to live a fully actualized life free from mom-guilt and mom-burnout.
Vanessa’s three loves in life are herself, her work, and her family; her incredible husband and five quirky, individual, sometimes challenging but always interesting and lovable children.
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/594
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 594: Self-Care, Life Balance, and Joy with Vanessa Cornell

If you’ve listened to the podcast for any length of time, you know I’m a fan of journaling. My relationship with journaling has ebbed and flowed over the years, but one thing always remains the same: When I do it, it’s always helpful to me. 
Creating art this way makes meaning of what’s happening in your life. The things you’re struggling with, the things that confuse you, feelings and emotions, and really anything. 
I’ve compiled a list of questions for you to journal on, no matter where you are in your life. I’ve also made a handy-dandy PDF for you to print out (or use online) to dig even deeper (the PDF has 5 follow-up questions for you to answer for each question). 
Visit http://andreaowen.com/593 to download the PDF!

What am I hiding from? 


Where do I want to be headed? 

What kind of person do I want to be? 


Resources for this episode: 
Write Your Way Through It is open for registration! 
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/593
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Minisode 593: 3 questions to ask to integrate "the work"

Coaching episodes are back! This week, I coached Michelle about shame resilience, the distinction between feeling and thinking about emotions, and how to practice self-compassion. I walk Michelle through these crucial aspects of personal growth, offering insights and strategies to navigate the challenges of self-discovery. At the end, you'll also hear an update from me about Michelle's openness to taking action toward her desired outcome.
In this episode, we explore

The feeling of being less than or unworthy (7:46)

A crash course on shame resilience (11:57)

Figuring out and naming your values (33:36)

What feeling your emotions looks like versus thinking about them (35:00)

How to practice self-compassion and give yourself grace while doing the work (37:48)


Resources: 
Write Your Way Through It Registration is Open!
Apply to be coached on the podcast
How to Stop Feeling Like Shit
Kristen Neff
Burnout, Emily Nagoski PhD, Amelia Nagoski DMA
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/592
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 592: Coaching Michelle on Shame, Emotions, and Self-Compassion

Brett Larkin joins me for a conversation about yoga. If you’ve followed me for some time then you know all about my push-pull relationship with yoga. What I love about Brett is that she talks about and teaches yoga from a practical standpoint.
Brett is the founder of Uplifted Yoga® and the author of Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos. Her book, Yoga Life, explores finding the ritual, poses, and breathing that works for you—as opposed to subscribing to a specific yoga modality or practice, which we also discussed throughout our conversation. 
In this episode, you’ll hear:

Brett’s definition of yoga. TLDR: it’s not about poses; it’s about awareness. (5:18)

Fun yoga habits anyone can practice without getting on a mat, like: “Forget the poses. Focus on your breathing.” (10:00)

Belly breathing, how to do it, and the benefits of breathing (16:35)

Brett answers, “What is the Chakra System?” (22:30)

The benefit of designing your own yoga ritual rather than following along with an online video or app (25:28)


Resources: 
Sign up to get notified about the coaching program, Write Your Way Through It
Brett’s book
Brett’s website
Brett on YouTube
Brett on Instagram @larkinyogaytv
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/591
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 283: How to stop comparing your personal development journey to others

Download our free app to listen on your phone