The Imperfect Advocate Podcast

The Imperfect Advocate Podcast

The Imperfect Advocate is a podcast that celebrates imperfect action. A podcast that explores how our inner world, creates our outer world and how showing up imperfectly is OK. Host Karen C. Auld, is an environmentalist and mindset coach who wants to inspire her listeners to: (1) Acknowledge the inner connection between people, animals, plants, bugs, birds, and their shared environment. (2) Fumble forward - because some action, even if not perfect, is better than none. (3) Lead by example and lead with love. (4) Make the hard work fun by creating a culture of collaboration and joy.

Episodes

December 23, 2025 14 mins

On the Winter Solstice—the darkest day of the year—we begin Season 6 of The Imperfect Advocate by turning gently toward the dark instead of away from it. Inspired by a quote from Rumi, Karen guides listeners through a loving-kindness (metta) meditation to help generate warmth, compassion, and light—even when everything around us feels dark. Includes a special 10% liste...

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In the season finale of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore the ultimate truth behind Hawkins — and our own hearts: love is the most powerful force in the universe.

From Eleven’s childhood memory of her mother saying “I love you.” To Mike’s heartfelt confession and Max’s “g...

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill talk about the power of making your own rules — not breaking them, but creating a life aligned with your own values.

Inspired by Eleven’s evolution from following Hopper’s “Don’t Be Stupid” rules to defining her own path with M...

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore the power of empathy in driving change. Inspired by Murray Bauman’s advice to Nancy and Jonathan in Season 2, they unpack how meeting people where they are isn’t about deception—it’s about translation and understanding.

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Life Lesson #8 — Use Your Voice — Karen and Bill celebrate the strong, outspoken women of Stranger Things. From Nancy calling out the “bullshit,” to Eleven’s quiet but powerful “No,” to Erica’s confident demands for free ice cream, the gang explores what it means to speak your truth, set boundaries, and ask for what you want.

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore what it really means to get a coach and why even heroes need help to level up. From Kali guiding Eleven to unlock her full power, to Karen Wheeler reminding Nancy to go for it, to Steve Harrington (yes, Steve!) teaching Dustin how to find his confidence at the Snow Ball—Stranger Things show...

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill dive into Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and explore how every character in Hawkins—from Murray and Joyce to Eleven and Max—answers their own call to adventure. Using Campbell’s classic framework, they show how the heroes of Stranger Things mirror the journeys we all take in real life. Whether yo...

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, In this episode, Karen and Bill explore one of Stranger Things’ deeper life lessons — We All Have Demons.

From Hopper’s grief and guilt to Billy’s trauma and Eleven’s inner battles, the Upside Down becomes a metaphor for our own internal stru...

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill turn up the volume on one of Stranger Things’ most powerful themes — the healing power of music. From Max escaping the clutches of the Upside Down to your favorite song lifting you out of a funk, music truly is medicine.

Karen ...

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill celebrate the beauty of embracing your quirks, differences, and glorious weirdness — because as Eddie Munson reminds us, “Forced conformity is the real monster.” From Jonathan and Will’s brotherly bond over The Clash to Eddie’s unapologetic leadership of the Hellfire Club, Stranger Things reminds u...

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In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill channel their inner Dustin as they dive into Life Lesson #2: Be Curious. From Mr. Clark’s late-night science calls to Dustin’s “Curiosity Voyage,” they explore how curiosity isn’t just for kids — it’s the secret to staying vibrant, adaptable, and creative at any age.

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In this first episode of our special series 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen is joined on the mic with her own Billy (IYKYK), her husband, Bill Auld. They explore why Stranger Things has captured their hearts and what it was like to grow up in the 80s.

Together, they unpack Life Lesson 1...

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Grab your Eggos, friends — something strange is coming! In this special teaser episode, host Karen Auld (aka the chick who puts the care in Karen) shares a mysterious new project inspired by her favorite show, Stranger Things. Tune in to discover how the Upside Down connects to the four tenets of an Imperfect Advocate and why she and her co-host (her own “Billy”) are l...

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n this episode of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen Auld explores the wisdom of Jane Goodall and how her words embody the four tenets of being an Imperfect Advocate: recognizing interconnection, fumbling forward, leading with love, and making the hard work fun. Drawing on quotes from The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, Karen reflects on how compassion lead...

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After a season of silence for healing, Karen Auld is back behind the mic with a full heart and a mending voice. In this joyful relaunch of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen shares her deeply personal journey through vocal cord surgery, a painful bout of COVID, and the slow, steady return of her voice—physically and metaphorically.

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In the season finale of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld reflects on the themes of renewal and transformation as spring approaches. She shares a personal journey of stepping into a new season of change, highlighting the importance of using one's voice and embracing moments of pause for growth. Karen also shares what you can expect in Season 4 of the pod...

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In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld takes listeners on a journey through her first protest experience. Inspired by a social media post from ALT National Parks, Karen learns about a nationwide protest organized by Resistance Rangers in response to unjust layoffs of park rangers. With her husband, Bill Auld, she sets out to Jockey Hollow Na...

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February 20, 2025 13 mins

The Vice President recently invoked the theory of concentric circles, but his take came with an “and then” hierarchy of compassion. In this episode, Karen Auld breaks down what Confucius actually taught, why love isn’t a checklist, and how it all ties back to the four tenets of an Imperfect Advocate. With humor (yes, there’s a Dude, Where’s My Car? reference), insight,...

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In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld chats about Valentine's Day and how you can radiate love all year long by developing a metta practice.

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February 8, 2025 16 mins

In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld shares her experience of being called a "Karen" and why it didn’t silence her. She reflects on the challenges of speaking up, especially for those who have been conditioned to avoid confrontation, and explores how to build resilience in difficult conversations. Through personal stories and insights, Kar...

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