The Karen Kenney Show

• MEANING MAKING MACHINES

  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 share some powerful insights from Viktor Frankl, a neurologist, psychologist, and Holocaust survivor who taught and wrote in his book - Man’s Search for Meaning - that finding meaning can help us survive anything. Something that I’ve learned over the years? We actually have a choice in how we choose to interpret our experiences.We can choose to see things through a lens of love or fear, and that choice can totally transform our perspective. But here's the crucial part - while we get to choose the meaning for our own lives…We can't and shouldn't decide the meaning for other people's experiences. Telling someone, "Everything happens for a reason" when they're grieving or suffering isn't helpful - it's dismissive. Sometimes things just don't make sense, ​no matter how hard we try to figure it out, or want to make meaning of it. So, I encourage us all to be aware of the stories you're telling yourself, choose a perspective that empowers you, and remember that you don't have to or may not be able to understand everything.Sometimes the mystery is part of the journey.If we can “work with what happens”, find our joy, and keep moving forward… we can gradually, but inevitable turn our stories into our glory! ❤️ KK’S KEY TAKEAWAYS:•​ Humans are naturally wired to assign meaning to their experiences, often subconsciously and with a tendency towards negativity.•​ We have the power to choose how we interpret the events of our lives.•​ Viktor Frankl's philosophy teaches that finding meaning can help us survive almost anything, even in the most challenging circumstances.•​ Our brain's meaning-making process is a survival mechanism that helps us feel safer by trying to make sense of our experiences.•​ While we can control the meaning we assign to our own life, we cannot and should not dictate meaning for others people’s experiences.•​ Saying things like "Everything happens for a reason") - can be harmful and dismissive of genuine suffering.•​ Some experiences will never make sense. Sometimes, acceptance is part of the healing process.•​ Shifting our perspective from "This happened to me" to "This happened for me" can be helpful and transformative, but this shift must come naturally from within and not be forced.•​ Our meaning-making ability is a skill we can develop, improve and update, by gaining new insights, experiences, and personal growth.BIO:Spiritual mentor and writer Karen Kenney uses humor and dynamic storytelling to bring a down-to-earth, no-BS perspective to self-development Bringing together tools that coach the conscious and unconscious mind, Karen helps clients deepen their connections with Self, and discover their unique understandings of spirituality. Her practice combines neuroscience, subconscious reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis, somatics, spiritual mentoring, and other holistic modalities to help regulate the nervous system, examine internal narratives, remove blocks, and reimagine what’s possible.A passionate yoga teacher, long-time student of A Course in Miracles, and Gateless Writing instructor, Karen is a frequent speaker and...

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• WHY BE AN ASSHOLE

  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 to share their unsolicited opinion about my friend's presentation. The kicker? These were for a FREE online event that they didn’t have to pay for and that they could have simply stopped watching at any time.This episode is a passionate plea for a little more kindness in a world that seems to reward snark, sarcasm, and criticism. I’m challenging all of us to hit pause before hitting "send" and to ask ourselves the three ancient gate questions: This thing that I'm about to say/type/send…Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? We've somehow normalized being cruel, especially online, and it's time we remember that real strength isn't in cutting others down - it's in lifting them up!My top messages here?​W​hy be an asshole, ​when you can just be quiet. You always have a choice. Choose kindness. Use your words to make people feel seen, supported, and valued. In a world that's increasingly divided and violent, we need compassion more than ever.Let's be part of the "Kind Kids Club" and consciously do our best to leave people, animals, places, and spaces better than we found them. ❤️ KK’S KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Sharing your work with the world takes courage and vulnerability.• Before sending a critical message, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?• Social media has convinced everyone they should share their opinion, but not every thought needs to be voiced.• Kindness is a strength, it doesn’t take much to be mean.• Your words have power - they can build people up or tear them down. Choose wisely.• Just because you can comment doesn't mean you should.• Sometimes staying quiet is the most compassionate action.• Personal responsibility matters: Consider how your words might impact someone who could be struggling or vulnerable.• The current cultural climate often rewards being provocative or cruel over being kind, but you can choose to be different.• Creativity and putting yourself out there is challenging enough without added negativity from others.• Always ask yourself: "Would I want someone to speak to me this way?" If not, don't say it to someone else.BIO:Spiritual mentor and writer Karen Kenney uses humor and dynamic storytelling to bring a down-to-earth, no-BS perspective to self-development.Bringing together tools that coach the conscious and unconscious mind, Karen helps clients deepen their connections with Self, and discover their unique understandings of spirituality. Her practice combines neuroscience, subconscious reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis, somatics, spiritual mentoring, and other holistic modalities to help regulate the nervous system, examine internal narratives, remove blocks, and reimagine what’s possible.A passionate yoga teacher, long-time student of A Course in Miracles, and Gateless Writing instructor, Karen is a frequent speaker and retreat leader. Via her programs The Quest and The Nest, she coaches individuals and groups. With The Karen Kenney Podcast, she encourages...

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• SAFE ENOUGH

  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 fight, flight, freeze and fawn. The reality is, perfect safety isn't happening, especially for women and marginalized groups who are constantly having to navigate potential risks. Instead of having to wait to feel 100% secure before we go after our dreams, I share how I've learned to create a sense of safety that allows me to take risks, use my voice, and show up authentically. For me, it was about gathering tools, understanding my own triggers, and building relationships with people who truly saw me and supported me. I also share some practical strategies for feeling “safe enough”, like breathwork techniques that can literally lower your heart rate, body awareness practices, and the importance of knowing yourself. The goal here isn't to eliminate fear completely, but to develop a bunch of the “R” words - like regulation, responsiveness, and resources, so that you can move forward even when you're a little scared. The good news is you don't have to have a perfectly regulated nervous system to do amazing things!!Sometimes you just need to feel safe enough to take that leap of faith, trust yourself, and know you've got effective tools to help you navigate - whatever comes your way. ​I​t also super-duper helps when you and your nervous both know that you're definitely not alone ​on this journey​! KK’S KEY TAKEAWAYS:•​ Our nervous system's primary question is always​, "Am I safe?" which drives our responses to perceived threats.• Perfect safety is unrealistic, especially for women and marginalized groups who constantly navigate potential risks.• Feeling "safe enough" means developing tools to regulate your nervous system rather than waiting for ideal conditions.• Knowing your personal triggers and having strategies to return to calm is more important than avoiding all ​the stressful situations.• Breathwork, body awareness techniques, and building supportive relationships are crucial for creating psychological safety.• We don't have to be completely regulated to pursue our goals - sometimes we need to do things a little scared.• Self-awareness and curiosity about our patterns ​and habits are essential for personal growth and interrupting reactive behaviors.• Creating safety isn't about controlling everything, but about developing resilience and trusting yourself and your support system.•​ The goal is to have a nervous system flexible enough to experience fluctuations but capable of returning to a calm state.•​ We can't eliminate fear entirely, but ​we can learn to move through the world with more resources, resilience, and regulation.BIO:Spiritual mentor and writer Karen Kenney uses humor and dynamic storytelling to bring a down-to-earth, no-BS perspective to self-development.Bringing together tools that coach the conscious and unconscious mind, Karen helps clients deepen their connections with Self, and discover their unique understandings of spirituality. Her practice combines neuroscience, subconscious reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis, somatics, spiritual mentoring, and other holistic modalities to help regulate the nervous system, examine internal narratives, remove blocks, and reimagine what’s

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• ASKING FOR HELP

  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 asking for help seemed like weakness.But here's a truth: We're not born knowing how to do every single thing! Remember when we were babies and little kids? We needed help with EVERYTHING - from tying our shoes to brushing our teeth to making a sandwich!So why do we suddenly think that we should know how to handle all of life's complex challenges all by ourselves?I share how trauma and tough upbringings can make us behave in hyper-independent ways – where we hate to ask for ask and definitely don’t want to feel like we’re “bothering” people.We can also develop this kind of shield that says, "I've got this," when sometimes, we really don't. 🫣But here's a shift in perspective that’s a game-changer: Seeking help isn't a failure, it's a superpower.It takes courage to be vulnerable and admit you need support, whether that's from a mentor, a coach, a book, or a trusted friend.This is an invitation to release the shame, embrace curiosity, and recognize that nobody comes with a complete life manual.And a final reminder that AI/Technology can't give you a hug -or- truly understand your journey - only people can provide that kind of deep, transformative connection.So, I encourage you to raise your hand, ask the question, make the phone call, and know that needing help doesn't make you weak - it makes you wonderfully human! KK’S KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.• We forget we were born completely dependent and kind of helpless.• Trauma can create hyper-independence that prevents us from seeking support.• No one is expected to automatically know everything in life.• Human connection and intimacy heal way more than just pure information.• Mentors and coaches can provide transformative guidance beyond simple advice.• Vulnerability takes courage and can open doors to personal growth.• Shame around needing or wanting help prevents us from accessing necessary resources.• Technology and AI can’t replace the depth of human emotion and understanding.• Curiosity and willingness to learn are much more important than perfection.• Seeking help also allows others the joy of supporting you!• The Nest - Group Mentoring Program BIO:Karen Kenney is a certified Spiritual Mentor, Writer, Integrative Change Worker, Coach and Hypnotist. She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-BS, down-to-earth approach to Spirituality and transformational work. KK is a wicked curious human being, a life-long learner, and has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years! She’s also a yoga teacher of 24+ years, a Certified Gateless Writing Instructor, and an author, speaker, retreat leader, and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.She coaches both the conscious + unconscious mind using practical Neuroscience, Subconscious Reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis/Change Work, and Spiritual Mentorship. These tools help clients to regulate their nervous systems, remove blocks, rewrite stories, rewire beliefs, and reimagine what’s possible in their lives and business!Karen encourages people to deepen their connection to Self, Source and Spirit in down-to-earth and...

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• DON'T BE A PARROT

  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 discuss how we often unconsciously repeat sayings and stories from our childhood, family of origin, or the media, without ever even questioning them.Whether it's religious dogma, political views, or random so called "facts" we've heard online, I invite people to do their homework, to dig deeper, to spend some time with yourself, and figure out what you truly think, feel, and believe.The world doesn't need another “carbon copy” of what’s already out there - it needs YOU! Your unique experiences, insights, and one-of-a-kind perspectives are invaluable.So, I encourage us all to be curious, ask questions, challenge inherited narratives, and have the courage to speak our authentic truth, even if it means standing out from the familiar crowd.My hope is to inspire you to be the first ever version of yourself, not a watered-down replica of somebody else.Whether you're dealing with old family stories, professional expectations, or societal pressures, remember: your individual voice matters.So, let’s stop parroting and start exploring what YOU really think and feel!KK’S KEY TAKEAWAYS:•​ Don't mindlessly repeat beliefs without understanding their true origin.•​ Question everything you've been taught, especially childhood-inherited narratives.•​ Your unique perspective is valuable.•​ Research deeply and gather your own empirical evidence.•​ The world needs your authentic voice, not some watered-down version of somebody else.•​ Be courageous enough to develop and share your original thoughts.•​ Verify sources and information before repeating what you've read or heard.•​ Your individual experiences create a perspective that no one else has.•​ Continuously learn, grow, and refine your understanding of the greater world.• The Nest - Group Mentoring Program BIO:Karen Kenney is a certified Spiritual Mentor, Writer, Integrative Change Worker, Coach and Hypnotist. She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-BS, down-to-earth approach to Spirituality and transformational work. KK is a wicked curious human being, a life-long learner, and has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years! She’s also a yoga teacher of 24+ years, a Certified Gateless Writing Instructor, and an author, speaker, retreat leader, and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.She coaches both the conscious + unconscious mind using practical Neuroscience, Subconscious Reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis/Change Work, and Spiritual Mentorship. These tools help clients to regulate their nervous systems, remove blocks, rewrite stories, rewire beliefs, and reimagine what’s possible in their lives and business!Karen encourages people to deepen their connection to Self, Source and Spirit in down-to-earth and actionable ways and wants them to have their own lived experience with spirituality and to not just “take her word for it”.She helps people to shift their minds from fear to Love - using compassion, storytelling and humor. Her work is effective, efficient, memorable, and funKK’s been a student of A Course in Miracles for close to 30 years, has been vegan for over 20 years, and believes that a little kindness can make a big...

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