The Karen Kenney Show

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I’m talking about identity. We’re digging into how your earliest experiences, ​environment, and events ​(plus the meaning you ​assigned to them​) - can shape your beliefs, self-image, habits, and the way you show up in the world! If you’ve ever felt stuck in a bunch of old stories about who you are or what’s possible for you… Then this conversation can hel...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I​ talk​ about something I think affects each of us at different times in our life. I call it quiet resentment​... and I suspect that you just might be familiar with it too. You know​ that slow-building ​feeling that ​starts to ​agitate around inside you when you ​don't speak up, or you keep your needs to yourself... Or you avoid ​having difficult conversa...

What ​the heck does it mean to be a good audience member? On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I share how being present, listening to understand, and offering genuine encouragement can help people feel seen and appreciated. These ideas aren’t just for concerts, lectures, or performances - they can also help you to connect more thoughtfully with your friends, family, coworkers, and even yours...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about how you can stop looking and waiting for healing, support, or encouragement from the people and places that may not be willing (or able) to offer it. I also share a few ways to reclaim your peace and to recognize the human and animal relationships that truly nourish you. We also get into where you might find some steadier sources of love - so...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, we're exploring three ​different kinds of ignorance and how recognizing them in ourselves can help us ​to grow, take responsibility, and respond ​to others and life with more curiosity and compassion. I talk about innocent ignorance, when we simply don’t know​ or don't yet know better; willful ignorance, when we avoid information that challenges us​ or mak...

In this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about why trusted experts, hands-on experience, and human connection still matter in a digital age. From your smarty-pants car guy - to that friend with a unique skill and "know how" that you admire... The people around us are such a rich resource and can offer us the kind of lived wisdom that a quick internet search just can’t provide. Consider thi...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the old saying "blood is thicker than water," and why I don't buy it. ​I​'ve seen families ​use ​t​hat old adage to ​try to control ​​people and the narrative, keep ​those old secrets​ buried​, and demand loyalty​... ​Even when those relationships ​have already cause​d real harm. I ​​discuss finding the "right distance" with family​ members, ​...

OK, so here's the thing. Somewhere along the way we all got told to "document everything." (I’m looking at you Gary Vee ) Now it feels like we can't go to the grocery store, a concert, or our kid's soccer game without thinking, “How can I turn this into a post?” The other day I left my phone at home (once on purpose, once by mistake). At first I was like, "Oh no!" (mostly because I want to be able...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the difference between being an Illuminator and a Diminisher. And why some people can make you feel seen, lit up, and welcome, while others can make you feel kinda' invisible. I tell a story about some recent experiences of being in rooms with people I've known my whole life who never asked me a single question about myself. (WTF is up with th...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about why we need to stop half-assing our lives, work, the art we make, and our relationships! Because of what it really says about our self-respect when we keep settling for “good enough.” I share a real-life story about a worker with a kinda’ crappy attitude, who left streaky results, and showed practically zero care. And how that kind of half-hea...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what it really means to have the courage to be loved. By taking a look through the lens of the one-and-only Dolly Parton’s life, legacy, faith, humor, and big-hearted generosity. I share how Dolly managed to be wicked authentic, outspoken, and spiritually grounded! All while still being one of the most beloved humans on the planet (a recent po...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about how the internet has trained ​so many people to believe that every thought ​they have deserves a comment, ​their ​opinion, or a post​... And why that ​shit doesn’t ​really fly in real life. I ​t​ell a ​couple of stories about unsolicited opinions (​given both online and in person)​ and the emotional impact they can have​ on the receivers. I​ a...

My guest today is legendary, bestselling author Steven Pressfield, who's known for his work on creativity, self-discipline, and how to overcome the inner force of what he calls, "capital R" - Resistance. He’s written 25 books including the wildly popular - The War of Art, Turning Pro, Do The Work, and Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be - which have influenced tons of successful writers, thi...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what I call spiritual roadmaps - those​inner ​"TripTiks" that help us ​to move from where we are ​-to​- where we really want to be​. I share a​ story about driving cross-country with ​one of those old-school, highlighted, AAA paper maps and how that kind of customized route is wicked similar to spiritual mentoring, coaching, and doing your own...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about why it’s so important to come to your own conclusions - instead of blindly believing what the so-called social media influencers, armchair experts, critics, or even your loved ones say. I share a fun story about going to see Christopher Nolan’s new movie The Odyssey, and how the internet lost its mind with opinions about it. From there, I dive...

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...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I​'m exploring ​​what it means to “ talk​ to younger you ” ​- by ​l​ooking 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 (manage...

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 f...

In this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the ​"missing pieces​" in our live​s. 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. W​e 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 ​t​he fa...

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...

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....

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...

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,...

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 relat...

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 p...