In the season finale of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore the ultimate truth behind Hawkins — and our own hearts: love is the most powerful force in the universe.

From Eleven’s childhood memory of her mother saying “I love you.” To Mike’s heartfelt confession and Max’s “good memory” that saved her from Vecna, we see that love is not weakness, it’s energy. It’s renewal.

Karen connects these scenes to the groundbreaking work of Dr. David R. Hawkins (Power vs. Force) and Dr. Barbara Fredrickson (Love 2.0), explaining how love literally vibrates at higher frequencies, syncing hearts and strengthening health. Together, she and Bill show how love is both science and soul — a renewable resource we can all tap into.

From Stranger Things to real life, this episode is your reminder that love restores, love expands, and love creates.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill talk about the power of making your own rules — not breaking them, but creating a life aligned with your own values.

Inspired by Eleven’s evolution from following Hopper’s “Don’t Be Stupid” rules to defining her own path with Max, Karen explores how true empowerment means moving beyond templates and trusting your inner guidance.

They discuss mentors like Robert Holden and Brené Brown, who remind us that joy and success can’t be lived by someone else’s definition. From neighborhood golf courses to drag queens hiking in heels, this episode celebrates creative courage, “good trouble,” and the ripple effect of living authentically.

Making your own rules isn’t rebellion — it’s alignment. It’s how we stop playing small and start changing the world, one brave step at a time.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore the power of empathy in driving change. Inspired by Murray Bauman’s advice to Nancy and Jonathan in Season 2, they unpack how meeting people where they are isn’t about deception—it’s about translation and understanding.

Drawing on psychologist Dr. Renée Lertzman’s concept of radical attunement, Karen explains how real change begins when we tune into both our own emotions and others’—whether they’re anxious, ambivalent, or aspiring toward action.

From the hive mind of the Upside Down to our own cultural habits, this episode reminds us that transformation starts with connection, not correction.

Life Lesson #8 — Use Your Voice — Karen and Bill celebrate the strong, outspoken women of Stranger Things. From Nancy calling out the “bullshit,” to Eleven’s quiet but powerful “No,” to Erica’s confident demands for free ice cream, the gang explores what it means to speak your truth, set boundaries, and ask for what you want.

Karen also opens up about her own journey—physically and mentally—toward reclaiming her voice after vocal cord surgery. This heartfelt conversation reminds us that using your voice isn’t about perfection—it’s about honesty, courage, and self-advocacy.

Whether you’re calling out the nonsense, saying no to what doesn’t serve you, or boldly asking for what you deserve, this episode will inspire you to turn up your volume in a world that can feel a little… Upside Down.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore what it really means to get a coach and why even heroes need help to level up. From Kali guiding Eleven to unlock her full power, to Karen Wheeler reminding Nancy to go for it, to Steve Harrington (yes, Steve!) teaching Dustin how to find his confidence at the Snow Ball—Stranger Things shows us that great coaches help us see what’s already inside us.

Karen and Bill share their own experiences being both coaches and the coached, reflecting on how support, mentorship, and teamwork can help us fumble forward with purpose. They unpack the difference between a mentor, sponsor, and coach (with insights from Laurie Baedke’s Mentor, Coach, Lead to Peak Professional Performance) and discuss psychologist Robert Holden’s idea of “dysfunctional independence”—the belief that we have to go it alone.

The takeaway? None of us are meant to face the Upside Down by ourselves. Whether it’s a mentor who believes in you, a coach who challenges you, or a team who’s got your back, support is the superpower that helps your inner hero rise.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill dive into Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and explore how every character in Hawkins—from Murray and Joyce to Eleven and Max—answers their own call to adventure. Using Campbell’s classic framework, they show how the heroes of Stranger Things mirror the journeys we all take in real life. Whether you’re facing fear, loss, or change, this episode reminds you that the hero you’ve been waiting for is already inside you.
It’s about hearing the whisper to grow, following your bliss, and coming back from your own “Upside Down” transformed—with a gift to share with the world.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, In this episode, Karen and Bill explore one of Stranger Things’ deeper life lessons — We All Have Demons.

From Hopper’s grief and guilt to Billy’s trauma and Eleven’s inner battles, the Upside Down becomes a metaphor for our own internal struggles. Karen and Bill unpack how many of our “demons” live in our minds — the stories, fears, and critical voices that whisper we’re not enough.

Karen opens up about her own “inner Vecna” — the perfectionist voice that chases the illusion of a perfect 10 — and how she’s learned to quiet it through acknowledgment, therapy, journaling, and connection. Together, they reflect on their experience attending Al-Anon, finding perspective, and realizing that everyone fights unseen battles.

Listeners are invited to confront their own inner critics with compassion, curiosity, and courage — to face both the light and the dark, because, as Dr. Brenner tells Eleven, “the mind can be a prison.”

NOTE From Karen: I am not a therapist and this conversation and the advice I give on this podcast doe is not medical advice.  Please seek outside assistance from a medical professional if this conversation is triggering for you.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill turn up the volume on one of Stranger Things’ most powerful themes — the healing power of music. From Max escaping the clutches of the Upside Down to your favorite song lifting you out of a funk, music truly is medicine.

Karen explores the science behind why the right song can change everything, sharing insights from Dr. Daniel Levitin’s book This Is Your Brain on Music. You’ll learn how the brain releases dopamine when you hear a song you love, why music helps us process emotions, and how it can literally calm a “broken brain.”

Bill chimes in with his own “soundtrack to life” moments, and together they remind us that the right playlist can be as powerful as a prescription.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill celebrate the beauty of embracing your quirks, differences, and glorious weirdness — because as Eddie Munson reminds us, “Forced conformity is the real monster.” From Jonathan and Will’s brotherly bond over The Clash to Eddie’s unapologetic leadership of the Hellfire Club, Stranger Things reminds us that it’s our individuality that saves the world — not fitting in.

Karen connects this lesson to the wisdom of Brené Brown and Rick Rubin, exploring how authenticity and creativity are rooted in imperfection. Together, she and Bill share their own “strange” stories — from cat colonies to Comic-Con — and offer five playful ways to Stay Strange in a world that often rewards sameness.

In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill channel their inner Dustin as they dive into Life Lesson #2: Be Curious. From Mr. Clark’s late-night science calls to Dustin’s “Curiosity Voyage,” they explore how curiosity isn’t just for kids — it’s the secret to staying vibrant, adaptable, and creative at any age.

Karen shares research from Stanford’s Dr. Gary Swan showing that curiosity actually helps people live longer and cope better with change. Together, she and Bill reflect on their own “Mr. Clark” — science teacher Peter Puglia — and how curiosity shaped their journeys.

You’ll learn why adopting a Beginner’s Mindset keeps life fresh, how asking better questions leads to breakthroughs, and why exploring new experiences (hello, Curiosity Journeys at Propagate Studio!) helps you stay inspired and connected.

Whether you’re facing monsters in the Upside Down or just trying to stay open in a world full of “know-it-alls,” this episode reminds us: curiosity is the paddle that keeps your boat moving forward.