The Sacred Darkness With Makena

This episode explores a painful pattern: successful people taking their own lives because they can't reconcile 'failure' with their identity.

I tell the detailed story of Kimiti Wanjaria, who at 29 was named to Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 for his ambitious real estate project.

But between Forbes recognition and project completion lay seven years of mounting debt, court cases, and mental anguish.

When he finally went home to his parents saying he'd 'hit rock bottom,' he was planning a comeback. But the shame was too much.

He died by suicide at 39, the same year his beautiful estate finally went to market. This episode asks:

Why can't failure be an option?

How do we redefine success so the journey doesn't destroy us? And how do we build the safety nets that keep people alive during their seven-year struggles? If you're in the middle of your own 'failure,' this message is for you.

What happens when you fall off the conventional path?

There's a ceremony for every milestone—graduation, engagement, promotion—but silence for the moments of struggle, failure, or choosing a different route.

In this episode, Makena shares a personal story of leaving employment and plunging into seven years of what felt like chaos, shame, and being "stuck in quicksand".

Discover why the space where you feel lost, broke, or behind is actually your sacred swamp—your chrysalis. This is an invitation to stop running on shame fuel , embrace the dark, and start building an internal support system that validates your worth simply because you exist.

Setbacks aren't punishments; they're portals. Stop trying to get back on the conveyor belt and learn to redefine failure.

In this raw and heartfelt episode, we explore what happens when you finally decide to fire your inner bully and hire self-compassion instead. Join me as I share my messy but beautiful journey of learning to be unreasonably good to myself after decades of harsh self-talk. We'll dive into those supermarket meltdown moments, the abandoned projects, and how treating yourself with genuine kindness might just be the rebellion your soul has been waiting for.

In the first episode of Season 2, of The Sacred Darkness, Makena shares the unexpected reconnection with her late brother's best friends that changed everything. After years of carrying unresolved pain and a fractured relationship with her brother Brian, a simple social media encounter leads to conversations that bring profound healing, revealing truths about her brother's love that she never knew.

Join Makena as she explores how facing our shadows can lead to the most surprising and beautiful reconciliations, proving it's never too late to rewrite our stories of grief and find connection beyond loss.

In this episode of Sacred Darkness, host Makena reflects on the journey of self-love and acceptance, celebrating the milestone of the 10th episode. She discusses the importance of prioritizing oneself, the impact of childhood experiences on self-perception, and the dangers of self-criticism. Makena emphasizes the power of unconditional love and encourages listeners to embrace their own paths to self-acceptance.

In this deeply personal episode, I share how hiding my true identity led to years of self-abandonment and living a life I wasn't in charge of.

Between 2020-2024, I found myself trapped in patterns of rumination, self-blame, and mental paralysis, unable to see beyond the darkness.

I reveal the turning point that came when I decided to start exactly where I was—even if that meant waking up at 3pm—and practice radical self-compassion without judgment.

Through daily acts of self-respect and deliberately observing my own patterns, I discovered a profound self-reverence that has transformed not just my daily routines but my entire relationship with myself.

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in comfort yet empty inside, anyone seeking the courage to face their shadows and begin again.

In this powerful episode, we explore the transformative concept of radical self-acceptance. Instead of dwelling on regrets and romanticizing paths not taken, we discuss how to forgive ourselves for past choices made with limited tools and wisdom. The episode examines how we often circle the same emotional mazes while believing we're moving forward, and reveals the profound shift that occurs when we stop waiting for external validation and become the star of our own story. Discover how to recognize opportunities disguised as discomfort, how to give yourself what you've always needed but never received, and why the practice of self-parenting can heal our deepest wounds. This episode is a call to action: to love yourself exactly as you are, to embrace your life exactly as it is, and to stop waiting for tomorrow to live your best life today.

In this episode, Makena discusses why so many of us give up on our goals no matter how great they are or how much potential they have.

I am super groggy in this episode because I was not well and was on a strong dose of tummy related meds, so forgive me if I sound super monotone here.

I was reflecting on what it took for me to change some really addictive habits I developed over the years. I had to shake them off! Here, I discuss the steps I took to do just that!

As always, I hope this resonates with you and you can gain some important information to help you if you are going through this same situation.

Join Makena in this deeply personal episode as she shares her journey through emotional darkness and the transformative power of facing one's inner demons.

From moments of despair to finding light and reclaiming her life, Makena explores how embracing chaos and surrendering to a higher power led to profound self-discovery and inner peace.

If you're feeling stuck in your own darkness, this episode offers a glimmer of hope and a reminder that you are not alone. Tune in for raw honesty, shadow wisdom, and the courage to confront your own shadows.