Julie Lythcott-Haims on the Power of Telling Your Truth

In this powerful conversation from the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Julie Lythcott-Haims — New York Times bestselling author, activist, politician, and former Stanford dean — about how mindfulness can help us face shame, rewrite old stories, and create space for authentic belonging. Julie shares how she first discovered mindfulness in her 30s, how body awareness helped her get out of her own way, and how storytelling became a tool for healing unprocessed pain. She reflects on writing Real American, her memoir on race and belonging, and the liberation that came from releasing stories she had carried for decades. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 04:11 – mindfulness as a path to self-awareness 06:40 – Writing as emotional release 10:35 – Holding space with compassion 14:41 – The courage of vulnerability 21:16 – Helicopter Parenting: lesson in parenting and self-growth 30:25 – Post-It notes of connection 33:00 – Freeing others through your story 36:57 – Releasing fear and finding courage to be seen 38:25 – A moment of belonging with a taxi driver 41:03 – Building bridges across difference 46:25 – Living authentically with compassion 🔗Know more about Julie Julie Lythcott-Haims: julielythcotthaims.com Substack: julielythcotthaims.substack.com TED Talk: How to Raise an Adult Books: How to Raise an Adult, Real American, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices