The Karen Kenney Show

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, we’re talking about something we all ​do and sometimes struggle with: judgment.   You know that voice in your head that's wicked quick to criticize you, make assumptions about others, or have an opinion on things that you may not really know anything about? I'm sharing why that ego-voice of judgment is full of shit and how it's actually...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive into the concept of "bumper rails.” You know, those metaphorical “guardrails” that keep us from going off track in life, kinda’ like the ones that help little kids bowl without constantly throwing gutter balls. 😆 Drawing from my own childhood memories of time spent at the local bowling alley, I explore how adults need their own grown-up versio...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, we’re exploring how we're all "meaning-making machines.” We dive into how basically, our brains are constantly trying to make sense of everything and everyone that happens to us.   I break down how we both consciously and subconsciously assign meaning to events, experiences, and environments, and often with a negative spin - thanks to our brain's...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I’m discussing a topic that's been kinda’ burning a hole in my brain: Why do people feel the need to be such jerks online?   I was already planning on talking about this - but after hearing about a friend's experience receiving not-so-nice feedback from strangers after her free webinar, I was doubly committed! I read two specific email examples f...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I share a concept that I call, "safe enough" - which is a game-changing approach to working with our nervous system - in a world that can sometimes feel wicked scary.  I break down how the main question our nervous system is always asking is, "Am I safe?" And then explore the different ways we often react to perceived physical and/or psychological thr...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, we’re discussing something that so many people struggle with - Asking for help. I'm sharing a powerful passage from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" that totally changed my perspective. He basically wrote that we shouldn’t be ashamed to need support - just like a soldier who's been wounded might need a comrade to lend a helping hand. Growing up in a blue-col...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I’m diving into why we shouldn't be "parrots" – just mindlessly repeating the things we’re told, the words we read, or what we hear in our environment - without thinking for ourselves.  Drawing from some personal stories about actual parrots and my experiences working with author Marianne Williamson, I share how important it is to develop your own uni...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive deep into what makes relationships and ​other things truly "built to last​."  ​Starting with ​a story about my trusty 25-year-old vacuum cleaner that's still going strong​, I share how in our fast-paced world of disposable everything, we've lost the art of investing in quality products ​and connections that st...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive into something we all might bump-up against: those little "death wish" moments in our lives where we're not taking the best care of ourselves. It all started with a crazy motorcycle ride I witnessed on 93 North, where this kid was weaving in and out of traffic at 120 miles an hour - totally reckless and dangerous! That got me thinking about how we a...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, we’re diving into one of my favorite concepts from Anne Lamott's best-selling book, Bird by Bird . This simple, but life-changing strategy has been wicked helpful not only for me, but for my mentoring clients, too! It’s one of the key ways that I’ve learned to approach and tackle overwhelming to-do lists without totally losing my mind.  The core idea...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, we talk about the true meaning behind my "Stop Playing Dumb" t-shirt and its powerful message! Spoiler alert: it's not about politics or social issues, but about recognizing and remembering your true spiritual nature.  I dive into how we often suffer because we get stuck in over identifying with our bodies, our past mistakes, and perceived limitations...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I discuss a fun and helpful idea that I've been sharing with my 1:1 clients and Nest community. It’s a concept I call, "Fine, Define, Refine" – which basically suggests that from the start we’re totally “fine”, perfect, and awesome! But then the crazy world gets a hold of us, life stuff happens, and people start slapping labels on you that maybe leave you...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, ​w​e dive into a question that​ I wish was on more people's mind​s: Why do we do the things we do?  I kick things off with a story about a family's Easter tradition - where generations ​of women kept ​d​oing the same damn thing - simply because that's how it had always been done, ​because no one question​ed...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive into a topic that might make some folks squirm: Sometimes, the problem really is YOU. 🫣 Yup, I said it out loud. Once in a while – we actually are the issue. 🙋🏼‍♀️ At some point or another, we've all tried to deflect blame, or used spiritual language to avoid taking responsibility, or played hot potato with our own messy behaviors.  Tod...

Today on The Karen Kenney Show, I dive deep into a message I'm calling, "It's Not You." This episode is a little love letter to all the creatives, entrepreneurs, and sensitive souls out there who sometimes feel discouraged when their work doesn't seem to land.  Using my Sweetie’s music career as an example, I share how the same incredibly talented musician can get standing ovations in one ven...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive into a concept That I call, "Head, Heart, Hands" – which is a powerful approach to personal transformation that flips how we typically try to change our lives.  Instead of white-knuckling our way through external behavior changes, I explain why it's crucial to start with the internal landscape of our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and stories. Dr...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive into a powerful parable about “lifeboats” and how we often miss the help that’s right in front of us.  I share an old story about a guy who refuses to be rescued during a flood, because he keeps waiting for God to save him. Only to later discover that help came to him multiple times in multiple forms, but he simply refused to see it or accept i...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, you’re going to get a chance to discover if you’re a thermometer kind of person -or- a thermostat kind of person. Basically, a thermometer just records the temperature. It registers the warm or cold degrees of the room it’s in and lets you know what’s happening outside of you and around you. It’s a reflector of a space. While a thermostat actually sets and...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, we explore the "Four M's" - those sneaky survival mechanisms that we sometimes picked up, while growing up, in our challenging family environments.  Inspired by a Bill Burr interview I listened to, I share how we often develop coping strategies that might have kept us safe as kids, but totally mess with our adult relationships.  I break down what...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive deep into the surprisingly spiritual world of The Care Bears. And trust me, it's way more profound than you'd expect from cute, colorful teddy bears!  I break down how these adorable characters and their “cousins” actually represent powerful spiritual principles. Especially when we look at their incredible "Care Bear Stare" – which is a collect...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive deep into the concept of “toxic positivity”. I explore how the well-intentioned, but harmful practice of forcing positivity can actually invalidate people's genuine emotional experiences, including your own.  I share some examples and personal stories of how toxic positivity shows up in conversations, from dismissive statements like "just stay...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the importance of preparing for both external and internal "weather systems" in life.  Just like meteorologists can predict storms, allowing us to get ready for what’s to come, we can also prepare for the emotional and spiritual challenges that arise unexpectedly.  I share how tools like yoga, meditation, and mantras - can help us le...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I had the honor of speaking with my dear friend and spiritual mentor, Marianne Williamson. Marianne has been a speaker and writer on transformational wisdom for over four decades, and she’s the author of 16 books, four of which have been #1 New York Times best sellers! Our conversation was a wicked fun exploration of our ​decades-long personal connect...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about my deep connection to a remarkable three-legged deer ​that we've named Trixie ​- who lives in the woods near my home. ​F​or the past 6 or 7-ish years, Trixie has become a symbol of resilience and hope for me, as she continues to thrive and even start a family of her own, despite all the odds stacked against her.  When...

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the big impact of asking the little question, "How can I help?"  I share the story behind the inspiration for this topic, and how it can be a valuable tool for deepening both our personal and professional relationships. We dive into the importance of this question in motivating and supporting others, especially during these wicked challen...