n this episode of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen Auld explores the wisdom of Jane Goodall and how her words embody the four tenets of being an Imperfect Advocate: recognizing interconnection, fumbling forward, leading with love, and making the hard work fun. Drawing on quotes from The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, Karen reflects on how compassion leads to action, why “oops” moments are part of progress, and how small daily choices create real impact. She also shares Goodall’s powerful approach of storytelling over shaming, and how empathy transformed scientific practices.

Along the way, Karen speaks with a young environmental science student who feels discouraged about the future, offering a reminder that hope is both fuel and action—and that even in trying times, people and organizations are still pushing forward.

This episode is a call to refuel your own “hope tank,” celebrate imperfect steps, and remember that joy, connection, and love are at the heart of meaningful advocacy.

Call to Action:
Who would you describe as an Imperfect Advocate? What leader comes to mind when you think of “leading with love?” Karen wants to hear from you—head over to her socials and join the conversation.

After a season of silence for healing, Karen Auld is back behind the mic with a full heart and a mending voice. In this joyful relaunch of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen shares her deeply personal journey through vocal cord surgery, a painful bout of COVID, and the slow, steady return of her voice—physically and metaphorically.

Karen also revisits why she started the podcast in the first place. She highlights three powerful quotes that shaped the show’s mission—reminding us that love, not guilt, is the most renewable resource we have.

Whether you’re an eco-optimist, a recovering perfectionist, or just someone who loves birds (especially crows), this heartfelt welcome-back episode is for you.

Call to Action:
What do you love? What small, imperfect action have you taken for the planet that makes you feel proud? Karen wants to hear from you—head over to her socials and join the conversation.

In the season finale of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld reflects on the themes of renewal and transformation as spring approaches. She shares a personal journey of stepping into a new season of change, highlighting the importance of using one's voice and embracing moments of pause for growth. Karen also shares what you can expect in Season 4 of the podcast!

In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld takes listeners on a journey through her first protest experience. Inspired by a social media post from ALT National Parks, Karen learns about a nationwide protest organized by Resistance Rangers in response to unjust layoffs of park rangers. With her husband, Bill Auld, she sets out to Jockey Hollow National Park to stand in solidarity with the cause.

Karen and Bill share the emotional and eye-opening encounters they had, from meeting impacted rangers to engaging in conversations with fellow protesters, including a family with young Junior Rangers and a supportive couple visiting from Norway. They also reflect on the bipartisan importance of national parks and the need to protect them beyond political divides.

This episode highlights the power of showing up, speaking out, and advocating for what you love—imperfectly but passionately. Karen wraps up with practical ways listeners can take action, including contacting elected officials, and shares an inspiring quote from Theodore Roosevelt on conservation.

The Vice President recently invoked the theory of concentric circles, but his take came with an “and then” hierarchy of compassion. In this episode, Karen Auld breaks down what Confucius actually taught, why love isn’t a checklist, and how it all ties back to the four tenets of an Imperfect Advocate. With humor (yes, there’s a Dude, Where’s My Car? reference), insight, and a reminder that love is a renewable resource, this episode is all about expanding our circles—no “and then” required.

In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld chats about Valentine's Day and how you can radiate love all year long by developing a metta practice.

In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld shares her experience of being called a "Karen" and why it didn’t silence her. She reflects on the challenges of speaking up, especially for those who have been conditioned to avoid confrontation, and explores how to build resilience in difficult conversations. Through personal stories and insights, Karen encourages listeners to develop their advocacy skills, lead with love, and stay engaged in important discussions. With a focus on growth and perseverance, this episode serves as a call to action for those striving to make a difference—one imperfect conversation at a time.

In this season-opening episode of the Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld dives into the beauty of winter as a time for rest, reflection, and visioning. Karen shares her journey from hustle culture to mindful living, embracing the cycles of nature and shares a little history about the celebration of the new year. From the ancient Babylonians' resolutions to the symbolism of Janus, discover how aligning with nature and harnessing winter’s restful energy can inspire a thriving year ahead. Tune in for inspiration to gather your seeds of possibility and embrace a more conscious way of setting intentions for 2025.

In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, Karen explores the spirit of giving during the holiday season, stepping away from consumerism and embracing gifts of love, kindness, and meaningful experiences. She guides listeners through the Buddhist practice of Metta, offering love and kindness to ourselves, loved ones, strangers, adversaries, and the world. Discover how intentional gifts—like the "Color Love and Kindness" book—can make a deeper impact while connecting us to our values. Plus, enjoy a special discount code to spread love this holiday. Tune in, take a breath, and give the most lasting gift of all: love.

In this heartfelt episode of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen Auld reflects on the challenges of navigating post-election uncertainty and shares how the renewable energy of love can guide us through fear. From the extinction of a Hawaiian songbird to Confucius’ timeless "Theory of Concentric Circles," Karen explores how personal actions rooted in love and advocacy ripple outward to create meaningful change. With insights from David R. Hawkins’ Power vs. Force and inspiration from the environmental movements of the 60s, this episode encourages listeners to pause, refocus, and fumble forward with love as their guide. Tune in for actionable wisdom, a sprinkling of humor, and a reminder that self-care is the first step to changing the world.