The Karen Kenney Show

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 built-in negativity bias.

I also shar...

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 from people who went out of their way ...

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 threats – with trauma responses like fig...

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-collar family, I learned early on that as...

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 unique voice and point-of-view.

I discus...

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 stand the test of time. 

I break d...

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 all have our own versions of the ol’...

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 comes from a story that Anne wrote of i...

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.

But the thing is: you're not just a ...

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 feeling not-so-fine. 

But here's ...

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 the original reason. 

This...

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. 

Today, I'm breaking down how we often use...

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 venue, and be completely ignored in anot...

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.

Drawing from my own journey and some wi...

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 it. 

The big lessons here?

Sometime...

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 changes the temperature. It has cont...

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 the four M's are: Mothering (constan...

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 collective beam of positive energy that can l...

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 positive" - to outright minimizing so...