The Karen Kenney Show

By Karen KenneySociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Education Self-Improvement Spirituality Personal Journals

The Karen Kenney Show episodes

July 30 EXPANDING THE TOOLS IN YOUR TOOLKIT
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what happens when we walk through life with only one “tool”.
Which is usually our default reactions like - anger, shutting down, the silent treatment, judgment, or trying to fix everyone but our damn selves – and how that keeps our world and our relationships wicked small.
I tell a story about my love for Swiss Army knives and Leatherman tools when I was a kid and use them as a metaphor for expanding your emotional and spiritual toolkit - now that we're grown-ass adults. 😆
We dive into why curiosity is such a powerful tool, how our old patterns can limit our ability to respond wisely, and I share some simple practices that you can start using when you feel anxious, activated, or in conflict.
You’ll also learn:
📌 How “if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail” shows up in your life
📌 Why a lack of curiosity can damage relationships and keep you stuck
📌 New emotional and spiritual “tools” you can add to your inner toolkit
📌 Practical ideas for communicating better and regulating your nervous system
If you’re ready to move through the world with more calm, clarity, compassion, and choice, then this episode is gonna' be right up your alley!
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational change work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
31 min
July 23 TALKING TO YOUNGER YOU
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I'm exploring what it means to “talk to younger you” - by looking through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and “parts work”. (#notatherapist)
I also tell a story about a middle-of-the-night moment where I woke up heard myself say, “I’ve got you,” several times and how that sparked a deeper conversation about exiles, protectors (managers + firefighters), and our capital-S Self!
I share a little bit about the 8 C’s of Self and Self-Leadership (like curiosity, compassion, confidence, and calm) and why naming and befriending your parts can be fun and healing!
Plus, I give you a couple of simple ways to start reassuring your nervous system... from bedtime rituals to inner-child check-ins, so you can move through the world with more self-awareness, tenderness, and love.
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational change work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
51 min
July 16 THE CONVEYOR BELT
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what I call “the conveyor belt” in our relationships.
That sneaky belief that we’re somehow more evolved, more spiritual, or doing “more work” on ourselves than our partner or the people around us.
I get into how, if we're not careful, this mindset can create hierarchies of “specialness”, insidiously erode connection, and block the love from flowing between you.
So, instead of weaponizing our personal growth or psychoanalyzing our sweeties...
How about we keep the focus on dealing with our “own blind spots to our own bullshit”. 😆
I don’t know about you, but most people don't feel inspired to change or grow through shame or blame or judgement.
Especially if you're coming at them with some kind of secret agenda, covert / overt manipulation, or these unspoken expectations.
(People can feel the contempt that’s coming their way.) 🫤
A more productive approach might be to try leading by example, extending grace, and giving the people we love some space to grow at their own pace.
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational change work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
43 min
July 09 THE MISSING PIECES
In this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the "missing pieces" in our lives.
Not just the painful things that happened to us, but also the love, protection, witnessing, or tenderness that we didn’t get, but should have.
We get into how that silent absence of what was missing, can become its own kind of not often talked about trauma.
I share about a recent death in the family and why I’m sad about and grieving a person I never met or got the chance to know.
I also connect how that ties into both what I call the “never life" - which is the life that didn’t happen and now (for whatever reason) can’t happen...
And, the lonely grief of what Cheryl Strayed calls the "sister life" - that life you only got to live in your dreams and imagination.
We explore childhood neglect, the trauma of omission, and revisit Linda Thai’s powerful teaching that, “Trauma isn’t just what happened, it’s what didn’t happen that should have happened.”
I also walk through how I often work with my own missing pieces:
1) Sitting with my feelings (instead of abandoning myself).
2) Being gentle and merciful with younger parts of me.
3) Making my way in the direction of acceptance.
4) Eventually asking, “Now what?”- so I can start leaning back toward the light and new dreams.
If you’ve ever felt sad about the family you didn’t have, the love you didn’t receive, or that version of your life that never got its time in the sun, then this one’s for you.
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational change work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
33 min
July 02 BABY BIRDING OURSELVES
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what it really means to “hold on loosely, but don’t let go” - not just in our relationships with others, but in how we treat ourselves.
I share stories about a band, baby birds and bugs, a fantastic new book, and my own body - to explore why over-controlling, pushing too hard, and demanding “magic fixes” can actually slow down our healing.
We dive into giving ourselves more space, time, and compassion - partly inspired by real life stories and experiences and also by Dr. Sula Windgassen’s new book: It’s All In Your Body…
So that we can baby-bird ourselves with more gentleness, care, and trust in our own natural capacity to heal.
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational change work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
37 min
June 25 WORRY A LITTLE BIT
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what it really means to “worry a little bit” - especially about the people in your life who always look like they’ve got their shit together.
I tell a personal story about being considered the “strong one” and why those folks often don’t get checked on.
I also share why asking a simple, “Hey, how are YOU doing?” - can actually mean the world.
This is a little loving nudge from my heart to yours to reach out, be curious, and check on your strong people…
Because even the helpers - need a little help sometimes.
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational change work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
10 min
June 18 6 THINGS MY THERAPIST TAUGHT ME
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about 6 powerful things that my therapist, Daphne Rose Kingma, taught me back when I was in my 20’s and living in California - that totally changed how I relate to myself and other people.
I share the story of finding an old journal from my early yoga teacher training days and the little “love note” cards Daphne wrote for me that have stayed with me for nearly 30 years.
We dive into learning how to:
• Ask for what you need
• Notice what you’re not asking for
• Receive love and compliments without deflecting
• Honor rest
• Give yourself as much as you give others
• Have real compassion for the younger parts of you who had to grow up too fast.
If you’ve ever put yourself last, are an over-giver, or have struggled to feel worthy of love and your needs, then this one’s for you! ❤️
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational change work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She works with clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAY using Voxer. She also leads a group coaching program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
40 min
June 11 HOW TO STOP ABANDONING YOURSELF
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about how to stop abandoning yourself.
Self abandonment shows up in lots of ways, like:
When you say yes when you mean no (like going out even though you're exhausted), or by people-pleasing, joy sucking perfectionism, and always putting yourself last.
If you’re ready to build better boundaries, deepen self-trust, and practice more self-compassion, then this episode of The Karen Kenney Show is for you. ❤️
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of resources - including practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
32 min
June 04 BREAKING YOUR WORD
I recently overheard a conversation (yeah, there’s no denying it - writers are serial eavesdroppers) - where someone was struggling with a previous verbal commitment they had made.
They'd given their word to someone about something… but then the facts and situation changed, and they were grappling with what to do.
I’m paraphrasing - but they said something like, “I gave my word, but now that relationship and person are really different.”
From what I could grasp, they felt as if they’d kind of been bamboozled.
And since they were a “person of their word” - cue the psychological turmoil and suffering.
I could practically feel the mental wringing of their hands in my own body.
Look, I really do my best not to offer unsolicited advice or coaching to total strangers - so I kept my big mouth shut - but I still thought it was worth talking about with you! 😆
So, on this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I’m getting into what it really means to give your word, keep your word, and when you absolutely have to 👉 how to break your word.
I share some personal stories from my own life, touch on how repeated broken promises can mess with our nervous system and sense of safety, and why reliability and integrity matter so damn much to us.
We’ll also dive into the tricky territory of when breaking your word might just be the most honest, self-loving, and spiritually aligned thing you can do…
Especially if you find yourself in a harmful or abusive situation.
We’ll walk through how you can do it with as much responsibility, compassion, and integrity as possible.
That way, if or when it’s ever necessary, you can do the most ethical and self-respecting thing - without being a total dick or abandoning what really matters.
If you’ve ever wrestled with a commitment that no longer feels right - but you’re wicked scared of being seen as “bad,” “selfish,” or “unreliable” - this one’s for you. ❤️
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using a variety of resources - including practical tools, personal stories, and universal principles.
She's been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner since 2008.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB , and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1-to-1 program: THE QUEST and in her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
Website: http://karenkenney.com/
Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
41 min
May 28 GRATITUDE SALAD
Do you ever just catch yourself feeling a little extra cranky, nitpicky, or just sort of over it… even though nothing is technically wrong?
Yeah, me too. 🙋🏼‍♀️
It occurred to me the other day (as I was falling asleep) that maybe I could use a little "attitude adjustment". 😳
And I'm pretty sure that that’s exactly what sparked this week’s episode of The Karen Kenney Show where I share a simple practice that came to me in the middle of the night:
The little "librarians" in my head call this sucker a “Gratitude Salad.” 🥗 😆
OK, so instead of doing the same ol' same ol' and just kinda' going-through-the-motions gratitude list...
I'm gonna' walk you through how to build a more alive and specific practice by adding different “ingredients” like:
- A person you’re grateful for (and why – with details)
- An animal – past or present – that lights up your heart
- A place that holds a special memory or turning point for you
- A thing that carries real meaning or has brought comfort in your life
- A feeling you love to experience and want to welcome in more
In this episode, I also talk about:
- Why our brains are wired with a negativity bias and how to gently interrupt it when it starts working overtime!
- How a fresh take on gratitude can help when you’re feeling fried, discouraged, or overwhelmed by our crazy-ass world
- A sweet story about Stephen Colbert and laugh lines that has stayed with me
- Simple ways to actually feel the gratitude in your body - instead of just thinking about it in your head
If you’ve been feeling a little whiny, worn thin, or just not yourself lately, I made this one with you (and me) in mind. ❤️
KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.
She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self-development, and transformational work.
Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using practical tools, universal principles and stories, and a variety of resources.
KK has been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been giving Thai Yoga Massage since 2008, and began teaching it to others in 2015.
She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of WRITE CLUB, and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches clients individually in her 1:1 program THE QUEST and via her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer.
She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.
CONNECT WITH KK:
🙋🏼‍♀️ WEBSITE: https://www.karenkenney.com/
📬 GET MY EMAILS: https://www.karenkenney.com/signup
📝 WRITE CLUB: https://www.karenkenney.com/writeclub
🪺 THE NEST - COACHING + COMMUNITY: https://www.karenkenney.com/nest
🗡️ THE QUEST - 1:1 MENTORING: https://www.karenkenney.com/quest
❤️ HEART-TO-HEART DAY: https://www.karenkenney.com/hearttoheart
🫙 TIPJAR: https://www.karenkenney.com/tipjar
🆓 SPIRITUAL TEAM FREEBIE: https://www.karenkenney.com/freebie
👤 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenney.writer/
📱 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
📺 YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney
25 min

About The Karen Kenney Show

From the publisher's feed

Karen Kenney is a certified Spiritual Mentor, Writer, Podcaster and Coach. She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self development, and transformational work.