Whole Again: Mindfulness and Resilience Through Kintsugi Wisdom

As we step into 2025, let’s talk about resolutions…the hopes, the hype, and why they often fizzle out. In this episode, I share the surprising origins of New Year’s resolutions (hint: thank the Babylonians), the importance of building a solid foundation, and why small, consistent steps matter more than big leaps. Together, we’ll explore how to align with our values, surround ourselves with the rig...

This week on The Kintsugi Podcast, I reflect on the power of pictures to tell our stories—not just the glossy highlights we love to share, but the muddy, imperfect moments that shape us too. Inspired by my camera roll and a beautiful Rumi poem, I explore how embracing every emotion, every snapshot of life, helps us live more fully. As we close one year and step into the next, let’s pause, breathe,...

Hey friends, it’s Michael, and this week on The Kintsugi Podcast, we’re diving into a lesson wrapped in humor, grit, and the unconventional wisdom of My Cousin Vinny. Life often feels like a courtroom drama—facing challenges, doubting yourself, and wondering if your voice even matters. But just like Vinny’s unorthodox approach turned the tide, I’m here to remind you that your uniqueness is your po...

It’s that time of year again when Spotify Wrapped shows us what we listened to most, and it got me thinking: what if there was a Wrapped for our lives? While Spotify shows us how we spent our time listening, it doesn’t capture where our true attention went. In this episode, I dive into the idea that attention, not time, is our most precious resource. Inspired by my own Wrapped stats (and some thou...

This week on the Kintsugi Podcast, I discussed the new chapter of the podcast and a deeper conversation about resilience, healing, and embracing our imperfections. Reflecting on the journey so far, I shared the joys, challenges, and lessons that have shaped this space, including the moments when I almost walked away. Life, like Kintsugi, teaches us that the cracks in our stories are what make them...

This week on the Kintsugi Podcast, I sat down with Kelly Cervantes, a mother, advocate, and author of Normal Broken. Kelly opened up about her journey through the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Adelaide, who was diagnosed with a rare and devastating epilepsy syndrome. Her story is one of heartbreak, love, and unyielding resilience. Kelly shares how grief isn’t something you “get over” but a te...

In this heartfelt (and oddly on-brand) episode of The Kintsugi Podcast, I sit down with Miya Smith, an incredible Kintsugi artist whose story is as golden as the art itself. Miya takes us on a journey from her roots in Japan to her life in California, sharing how she mastered the intricate art of mending broken pottery with gold. Together, we dive into the beautiful philosophy of Kintsugi; embraci...

In this episode, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Adam Pearce, last year’s CNN Hero of the Year, to talk about the profound journey he and his family took after his brother Kevin, a rising professional snowboarder, sustained a traumatic brain injury that changed their lives forever. Adam opened up about their powerful experience navigating brain injury, resilience, and building th...

In this episode, I sit down the morning after the election, exhausted but compelled to share my raw thoughts with you. As the dust settles, I'm caught between disbelief and a strange, aching hope, a hope that I nearly lost this week as I rushed my dog, aptly named Hope, to a life-saving surgery. Her fight to survive feels like a mirror to this moment in America: painful, uncertain, yet oddly resil...

In this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I sit down with Portia Louder, whose story of resilience and redemption is both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring. Portia opens up about the choices that led her to a federal prison, far from her family and community and the profound lessons she discovered behind bars. She shares how, through unimaginable loss and struggle, she found healing by connecting...

On this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, we dive deep into the human journey of transformation, resilience, and self-love. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the inspirational Chef Babette Davis. At 73, Babette is a force of nature—strong, vibrant, and unapologetically authentic. We talked about everything from her past struggles with addiction to her commitment to plant-based living and how...

This episode wraps up the final segment of my journey biking across America, a ride that took me from the rugged coasts of Oregon to the heart of Washington, D.C. Along the way, I experienced the vast beauty of this country and the profound stories of the people I met. From laughter to tears, from hope to heartbreak, each mile brought a deeper understanding of what it means to be connected. Americ...

This episode is a deeply personal one, featuring my friend Karrah Teruya, who has faced the unimaginable battle against cancer not just once but three times. Karrah’s story is one of raw courage and resilience, told with a transparency that will move you to your core. We dive into the moments of fear, pain, and uncertainty but also the beauty and clarity that comes when life’s fragility is laid ba...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cassie Holmes, someone who truly gets what it means to chase happiness and fulfillment. We all want more time, right? But what if more time doesn’t make us happier? Dr. Holmes breaks it down in a real and relatable way, showing us that it’s not about cramming more into our days but about being intentional with the time we already have. We talk about finding joy...

In this episode, I sat down with one of my own meditation teachers, Sharon Salzberg, to explore the deeper meaning of loving-kindness and how it’s more than just a soft, sentimental idea. It’s about connection, resilience, and creating positive change. We discuss how small margins, like voting or simple acts of kindness, can ripple out into the world and impact those around us. This conversation b...

This episode of the Kintsugi Podcast is a heartfelt journey about reinvention—mine, yours, and the world around us. Continuing on with my open awareness segment, as I biked across America, passing through places like West Virginia and Pittsburgh, I met people who embodied the idea that it's never too late to start fresh. Age is just a number, and it's never too late to learn something new or take...

In this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Jacobi. We dive deep into the metaphorical and literal rivers of life, exploring how navigating the rocks and rapids isn't something to be feared but embraced. Joe’s insights on resilience, course correction, and the importance of starting with intention left me inspired and ready t...

In this deeply moving episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I sit down with J.R. Martinez, a man whose story is etched in resilience and gratitude. If you don’t know who J.R. is, he’s an actor, speaker, author, and Army veteran. As J.R. takes us back to the day his life changed forever, when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb in Iraq, he shares not just the physical scars but the emotional ones, too. These...

On this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Thompson, whose public story of survival and advocacy has reached millions. Jennifer’s journey began with a horrific sexual assault that led to the wrongful conviction of an innocent man, a story that garnered national attention. But her story didn’t end there. Jennifer transformed her pain into purpose, becoming a fierce advocate f...

On this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I take you on a deeply personal journey, sharing stories from my bike ride across America, where connection was the heartbeat of every mile. From the warmth of a small-town café in Indiana to the unsettling moments of division in Ohio, these experiences revealed the soul of our country, both its beauty and its pain. I reflect on the power of forgiveness, th...

In this deeply moving episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I sit down with Alison Tetrick,   a champion cyclist whose journey has been both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Alison opens up about the devastating crash in 2010 that left her with a traumatic brain injury and the arduous road to recovery that followed. This conversation is raw and filled with emotion, and it showcases Alison's tenacity...

In this powerful episode of The Kintsugi Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Fox, a woman whose life journey is a profound testament to resilience, courage, and the power of transformation. Jennifer's story is filled with heart-wrenching experiences and triumphant moments of self-discovery and healing. Jennifer shares the intense and painful events of her life, including her mother's battle with add...

This week on The Kintsugi Podcast, we dive into a conversation filled with inspiration and adventure with Alisha Fernandez Miranda. Alisha's journey is a testament to the power of reinvention and the courage to pursue one's passions, no matter where you are in life. From being a high-achieving professional to exploring new paths through a series of transformative internships, Alisha's story is abo...

This week, we are excited to share a deeply moving and enlightening conversation with Jaclyn Lindsey, co-founder of kindness.org. Jaclyn's journey from personal struggles to becoming a beacon of kindness and compassion is nothing short of inspiring. Her work with kindness.org brings scientific rigor to the concept of kindness, demonstrating its transformative power in various aspects of life, from...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Kintsugi Podcast. This week, we're thrilled to bring you a heartwarming and enlightening conversation with Leia Marasovich, a storyteller, photographer, and advocate for farmers. Leia's work brings the often-overlooked stories of farmers to life, highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and the beautiful essence they bring to our lives. Get ready to be mo...